2005 NEC - They should get out in the field!

[Gerald Newton]

I was a state Electrical inspector from 1988 to 1996. Since 1996 I have
returned to the tools and work as a construction electrician. I have been
reading some of the intellectual writings put online about application of
the NEC rules. I have to say, there are entirely too many people teaching
and writing about the NEC that have no idea of what goes on in the field, or
else they are ignoring the facts. I think too many of them have been away
from the tools so long that they live in an ivory tower far removed from the
real world.

In the real world we bend the rules, modify the rules, and cheat to make it
work and to make a profit while attempting to make a safe installation. So
often we design our own installation to use the available materials rather
than buy the materials to meet the engineer's design - if there ever was
one. Anyway, that is the way I see it these days.

I still maintain and run electrician.com and attempt to provide continuing
education and online calculators for practical electricians. But everyday I
cringe at what I discover and learn in the field, and am baffled how I am
willing to modify a code rule and find a defense for it to save a few hours
work. And I think I am a lot like many others out there doing electrical
work.

Does this make me a bad electrician? Maybe yes, and maybe no. It does make
me an employable electrician - if you get my drift!

 

[Brian]

Sure bend the rules. Can you sleep at night knowing that your shoddy work killed a
family?




I was a state Electrical inspector from 1988 to 1996. Since 1996 I have
returned to the tools and work as a construction electrician. I have been
reading some of the intellectual writings put online about application of
the NEC rules. I have to say, there are entirely too many people teaching
and writing about the NEC that have no idea of what goes on in the field, or
else they are ignoring the facts. I think too many of them have been away
from the tools so long that they live in an ivory tower far removed from the
real world.

In the real world we bend the rules, modify the rules, and cheat to make it
work and to make a profit while attempting to make a safe installation. So
often we design our own installation to use the available materials rather
than buy the materials to meet the engineer's design - if there ever was
one. Anyway, that is the way I see it these days.

I still maintain and run electrician.com and attempt to provide continuing
education and online calculators for practical electricians. But everyday I
cringe at what I discover and learn in the field, and am baffled how I am
willing to modify a code rule and find a defense for it to save a few hours
work. And I think I am a lot like many others out there doing electrical
work.

Does this make me a bad electrician? Maybe yes, and maybe no. It does make
me an employable electrician - if you get my drift!

 

[User 1.nospam]

Sure bend the rules. Can you sleep at night knowing that your shoddy work killed a
family?

What are your credentials to make this statement?

Many, many code rules are based on theory rather than actual practice. Some
code rules are instituted at the behest of an industry trying to enhance the
bottom line.

I often see new code rules that I would love to see the substantian for.
Empiricle data that is used to victimize all users of the NEC may actually
only apply to a particular industry.

 

[Tim Perry]

I was a state Electrical inspector from 1988 to 1996. Since 1996 I have
returned to the tools and work as a construction electrician. I have been
reading some of the intellectual writings put online about application of
the NEC rules. I have to say, there are entirely too many people teaching
and writing about the NEC that have no idea of what goes on in the field, or
else they are ignoring the facts. I think too many of them have been away
from the tools so long that they live in an ivory tower far removed from the
real world.

In the real world we bend the rules, modify the rules, and cheat to make it
work and to make a profit while attempting to make a safe installation. So
often we design our own installation to use the available materials rather
than buy the materials to meet the engineer's design - if there ever was
one. Anyway, that is the way I see it these days.

I still maintain and run electrician.com and attempt to provide continuing
education and online calculators for practical electricians. But everyday I
cringe at what I discover and learn in the field, and am baffled how I am
willing to modify a code rule and find a defense for it to save a few hours
work. And I think I am a lot like many others out there doing electrical
work.

Does this make me a bad electrician? Maybe yes, and maybe no. It does make
me an employable electrician - if you get my drift!

are you saying that there are so many codes and rules, some even
conflicting, that its possible to find discrepancies in even the most
expert, professional installation?

i recall the time i had a city inspector (with a badge and a gun) tell me my
extention cord was the wrong color (orange)

 

[SQLit]

work
killed a

What are your credentials to make this statement?

Many, many code rules are based on theory rather than actual practice. Some
code rules are instituted at the behest of an industry trying to enhance the
bottom line.

I often see new code rules that I would love to see the substantian for.
Empiricle data that is used to victimize all users of the NEC may actually
only apply to a particular industry.

for instance?

 

[Brian]

"I'm not sure how that can be applied to electricians. Maybe what is needed
is to split the NEC into code specific to certain levels of qualifications
(with the bottom rung being the residential DIY-er)."

So I can call myself a DIY-er and get away with murder?!? Good call. Where do I sign
up?

 

[Jim Michaels]

"I'm not sure how that can be applied to electricians. Maybe what is needed
is to split the NEC into code specific to certain levels of qualifications
(with the bottom rung being the residential DIY-er)."

So I can call myself a DIY-er and get away with murder?!? Good call. Where do I sign
up?

I think you missed Phil's point.
The premise is that an experienced electrician or engineer should be
allowed MORE latitude than a DIYer.
A DIY should be required to follow code to the letter since they have
little basis to judge exceptions.

My belief is that a properly written code should be followed at all
times. There could be more exceptions (X is permitted under proper
supervision...) that would allow for the practical side of the world.

Just how much danger will 405 degrees of bend in the conduit run
between boxes cause ? More than an extra box in an inconvenient
location?


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