My phrase for improperly-wired stuff is that Uncle Bob came over to help out. And he always wires things the way he used to do it when he served during "the big one." Uncle Bob my term for unprofessional work.
Such was the case on a recent inspection. From the back yard I noticed three spot lights and three exterior lights over a deck. From there these lights all looked fine. A closer look was needed.
When I went under the deck I saw where the wiring came from. Inside the house, and through a hole drilled into the deck's ledger beam. I don't know where that wiring came from.
That junction should be inside a waterproof box.
The white cable you see is not meant for exterior application.
The gray cables are meant for exterior applications, but not like what you see here.
This is the wiring behind one of the lights over the deck.
It is quite water vulnerable!
It is not protected inside the box in the wall.
It is right beside aluminum siding, which is conductive!
Looking toward the corner on the left of the picture you might be able to see another cable which goes up to service a spot light high on the corner of the house. It is similarly wired.
All of the exterior lights were similarly wired!
This is the wiring for the spot light on the front of the deck. From the yard it looked great - one could not see the wiring.
This should also be inside a box!
This cable has been improperly stripped and the individual service wiring has been pigtailed in the open and run into the light fixture!
The ground wire is blowing in the breeze.
Uncle Bob strikes again!
Let's hope lightening doesn't strike!
My recommendation: From a distance, things can really look good. When you see such things, you would expect them to be properly done. Hire a home inspector to have a closer look. He will, and you can inspect what you expect!
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