On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 18:51:51 -0400, Steve Spence
wrote:
ATP* wrote:

I've seen plenty of simpler electrical jobs screwed up or just poorly
executed by people with more than a bit of sense. In any case, it has to be
listed and inspected per the local utility regulations.

Some of the most screwed up DIY installations I've ever had to
rework were done by engineers and (literally) 'Rocket Scientists' who
thought they knew better. I think half the parts the former owner
used for the additions at this house (before we bought it) "fell off
the loading dock" at Rocketdyne in the '60's, though I can't prove it.

maybe in your community, but not in mine. I wired my whole house, panels
and entrance. The power company only dropped to the meter on the pole.
that was the end of it. I did the rest.

In EVERY community I know of, the electrical utility won't tie onto
a power panel and provide a meter unless the panel has been inspected
and approved as safe by /somebody/ referred to as the Authority Having
Jurisdiction or AHJ.

If there isn't a city building inspector, the job falls back to the
county or parish level. If it's on state or federally owned property,
then their inspector has the authority. The power utility doesn't
want the legal liability if someone gets hurt or killed, so they
insist on it.

Now after the AHJ has passed the installation, the utility has
connected the feed, and both parties are long gone, /then/ you can do
additional work without a permit, and cheat as much as you want, with
one gigantic caveat: As long as they never see it.

And if the AHJ comes back to check something else and sees you have
cheated, now you have a problem. They can (and will) force you to fix
it. If you don't, their ultimate recourse is to call the utility and
tell them to cut the feed and pull the meter, the installation is no
longer safe. Darkness and quiet quickly ensues. (*)

(* At least on things run from utility power, noting the crosspost.)

Except for mobile homes / manufactured housing in California, where
inspection of the meter pedestal and outside wiring is a city or
county responsibility like normal, but anything electrical inside or
on the coach itself is inspected by a State bureaucrat. Our local
mobile home inspector drives into Western LA County from Riverside,
where the closest office is.

-- Bruce --
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
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