Thursday, July 26, 2007

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

Because low density materials are generally good insulation, they tend to hold harmful heat in. As one example, a light fixture mounted on low density material has to have standoffs for air circulation, or be specially rated for the application.

Spaceman

Neal Chabot wrote:

"There are special requirements for low density materials like papercrete"
 
What possible requirements would those be?
 
It seems to make sense that romex which is not rated for water be submerged in wet concrete.
 
Neal
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Spaceman
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: [papercreters] electrical -was- Re: modular block

Anyone contemplating doing their own electrical work should get a copy of the NEC Handbook (and read it!). It includes the entire code, with illustrations, interpretations, and explanations. This makes it a lot easier to understand. Many professionals use the handbook as their main knowledge base. You don't even have to understand electrical theory or how to do calculations, it is all laid out for you. I'm not aware of any part of the NEC that is not based on safety, other than the administrative parts in the front.

There are special requirements for low density materials like papercrete, and for wiring in concrete. Hard to say which way an inspector would go, but it wouldn't be difficult to exceed both sets of requirements and be covered. For each wiring method there is a list of where it can and cannot be used. For instance romex (Type NM cable) cannot be used in any poured cement, concrete, or aggregate. So if you are slip forming, depending on your inspector, no romex. If you are using hollow core block, no problem. Heat is a definite concern since the wire insulation is thermoplastic and will soften and flow with excessive heat. I think the key to all this it getting pc into the IBC so we don't have to depend on inspector interpretations.

If your plumbing leaks you get a wet floor. If your electrical leaks your house burns down or someone gets hurt. Doing substandard electrical work is just asking for a problem. Most folks aren't aware of the ramifications of a major electrical fault.

The handbook is available in pdf format, and is searchable. Contact me off list and I will tell you where it is available at a very reasonable cost.

Spaceman

slurryguy wrote:

Most of the electrical code isn't too bad.  It's logial.
  
__._,_.___


SPONSORED LINKS
Home repair improvement Papercrete Uniform building code
1997 uniform building code Uniform building code online

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___