Thursday, July 26, 2007

Re: [papercreters] electrical -was- Re: modular block

Good post, SlurryGuy.  It gave a birds eye view of electrical coding, things I hadn't known.
 
ElfN
 
----- Original Message -----
From: slurryguy
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:15 AM
Subject: [papercreters] electrical -was- Re: modular block

Most of the electrical code isn't too bad. It's logial.

There are rules for what gauge of wire is required for what amperage
of circuit and what loads can be strung off that circuit. It makes
sense to prevent overloads and fires.

As far as outlet placements there are minimum distance rules between
outlets. The idea is to minimize the need for extention cords which
are some of the most common electrial fire hazards. Most household
electrical devices have at least a 6ft cord. With proper outlet
spacing no extension cord will be require to place most any device
most anywhere in a room. There's more complex rules to make sure
that no cord will want to be strung across a doorway.

Where the code starts getting anal is where conduit is required and
where it isn't. The logic isn't nearly as clear.

For example, an inspector may try to require Judith to use conduit to
prevent a picture nail from puncturing a wire and causing a short
some day. The inspector might also cite that because the wall is a
solid material the wire can't breathe and will have a harder time
giving off heat as compared to an empty stud wall. If she buries her
wires deep enough inside the wall and leaves an empty cavity that
doesn't get completely filled in (internally) during plastering such
that there is air space around the wire, she can avoid the conduit
expense. (As long as she can convince the inspector it meets or
exceeds the code. She may need to partially plaster a cavity to show
him.) It makes more work cutting the channels and plastering them
though.

Most important will be how she's planned for the load center and the
electric meter. All those non glamorous utilites that are so
important. Some kind of utility space will need to be set up
properly.

As long as she's aware of what the rules are she won't have much
trouble.

The extra work will provide her some peace of mind when she's moving
in and hanging pictures. She'll be able to drive a screw wherever
she wants to hang that Sunset picture she posted. :)
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at 10:31 AM