Re: Underwater light (update)

On Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:30:01 -0400, "Gareee©"
<gareee-no-spamm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Derek Broughton" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ttakh3-2td.ln1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That's vastly out-of-code. Typically a laundry room might have a 30 amp
breaker _for the dryer_. Household circuits are not 30 amps.

Yep, the dryer/washer are on the 30 amp, but the electrical plug for that
room is run off them.

I'm sure it's proper code, because I was here when the building inspector
looked at the box, and applied an approval sticker to it.

The 15s are just labeled "lights" but they run the lights and sockets in the
bathroom, and also the outdoor sockets as well. (This was the same in a
previous manufactered home we had as well.)

Unfortunately you can't be sure something is "to code" simply because some
inspector looked at it. An inspector usually just does spot checks, and if
those are OK then the assumption is that everything else is OK too. That
may or may not be the case. In the event some licensed electrician does
it, there is a very good likelihood that a separate, new circuit will be
run. Hey, you may well get away with just popping in a higher rated
circuit breaker and things may be just fine.

Even things that are "to code" may not be safe. The socket connection may
be rated at 20 amps, the wire may be rated at 20 amps, but the clod that
connected the wire to the socket may have done it in such a ham-fisted
method that it can handle only about 10 amps before severely overheating.
The circuit breaker won't blow, the wiring is fine, but a fire can result
even though everything is "to code."

If you really want to do it yourself read up on it, and double check to
make sure the power is off. Have someone standing by with a non-conducting
pole (to push you away from the circuit) and who knows CPR (electrocution
often stops a heart, but it needn't be fatal if you can get the heart going
again). Use only one hand. The minute you use both hands you provide a
path for electricity from one hand to the other -- directly across your
heart. Using only one hand causes any electrical path to go through your
shoes or something -- less likely and if it happens slightly less likely to
cause fatal damage.

If it was up to me I'd run (or have run) a completely independent 30 amp
service for the outside. New wire, new weatherproof socket, new breaker,
the works. It isn't hard work at all, but the stakes can be a bit high.
I'd give some thought to having the work done by someone who routinely does
this kind of stuff without dying.

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA ghekhuis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Illiterate? Write for FREE help
.

Relevant Pages

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