A plug, so simple but…                                       Wenatchee and Chelan House Inspections

I should start with a little melody from “The Who”… “Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals. I get my back into my living. I don't need to fight to prove I'm right, I don't need to be forgiven.”

Well here we are out in the field of home inspections this happy little wanderer has found another example of how you are not to do something.

Now I know some of these items are not earth shattering or shocking but things should be done correctly.

Here we have an example of some exterior wiring that I find on a fairly frequent basis.

 

                                 UF cable with plug Wenatchee House inspections

Homeowner needs power to an outbuilding, yard lights, yard receptacles or ponds etc...  So you have some skills and basic understanding on how to get power from point A to point B.

But true understanding and knowing the rules is a bit of a different beast.  We cannot use flexible cord as cabling and we cannot use cabling as flexible cord. Knowing the difference is the key here.

The example is UF cable. It is designed to be used in wet locations and can be direct buried.

Here is the nuance.  Where it leave the ground needs to be protected ( like in conduit). It also is not designed to be used with a plug. That is for flexible cords.

Also direct-buried conductors should be properly buried to 18 to 24 in., depending on code cycle.

                                                

                                  Proper burial of UF Cable Leavenworth House Inspection

                                                              (Per 2008 NEC)

But hold on there partner, as always there is an exception!  For residential branch circuits rated 120 volts or less with GFCI protection and maximum breaker (overcurrent) protection of 20 Amps you can now reduce the burial depth to 12 inches.  See it is really very clear.

Exception for residential direct burial Wenatchee Real Estate Services


Again before the wires leave the ground it must be protected up to 8 feet. Well as you can see here that cannot be achieved.

So in essence this is wrong and there is a potential for wire damage.  It can be a fairly easy fix but shows a professional has not been here.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair


NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572

 
This post has been included in Washington Real Estate News Chelan County, WA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Puget Sound - WA Real Estate
Post is included in group: Methow Valley Realtors
Post is included in group: Home Inspectors across the country
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Almost Anything Goes

22 Comments on A plug, so simple but…

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
07
479,463 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Donald,

I see this all the time. When the Realtors call me out on it I have to explain every single time. You would think they would have learned by now and know it's not the proper way of doing things. But NOOOOO....

Have a great day in the Northwest my friend.

Best, Clint McKie
6:51am • #3
293,069 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rosemary, Over time the wiring can be compromised.

Gary, Some DIY'ers are pretty good but then there are others.

Clint, Yeah this is a pretty common one.
7:02am • #4
975,176 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Not far from my post today Don!  Cable (wire) protection is relevant, super important and needs to be done correctly for many reasons.
11:17am • #5
227,967 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don -- thank you for the information and illustrations to clarify things for all of us.
11:44am • #6
152,533 Points

That type of connection, could make for some hot results.

Good post, thans for sharing it.
11:51am • #7
293,069 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, Will ahve to hope over to my good buddy blog ;)

 

Steven, You are welcome.


Anthony, yes it can ;) We all like a spark in life, but some sparks can be a bit dangerous ;)
12:08pm • #8
199,213 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I see this almost every day Don! People wire their own backyard add-ons and patios or screen porches and decks all the time. I have always preached you have to have a healthy respect for electricity! Hire a qualified electrician to get that power where you want it, pay now or pay later. 
12:37pm • #9
396,941 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Interesting.  Proper wiring should keep it from becoming only teenage wasteland.  I really like the Red Adair quote (never heard that one before).
1:28pm • #10
10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Good post, Donald.  A lot of things that turn up in my inspection report are frequently instances of a creative home-owner taking matters into his own hands. 
1:54pm • #11
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great post. Easy to understand. It's a shame people don't see the importance in hiring a professional.
3:20pm • #12
271,780 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Call a professional electrician no need to let the elecrical power cause damage to your person and or another person for that matter.....
5:28pm • #13
265,157 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

It is so frequent that what looks simple and easy is not…if you do not know what you are doing…but think you do.
8:17pm • #14
778,390 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

All that direct burial requires so much digging Don, can't I just plug it in and run it along the house? Just kidding. Electricity is serious stuff - do it right.
9:36pm • #15
MAR
08
293,069 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Fred, Yeah see this stuff a little too often.

Gary, Thanks Red Adair was a Wildcat oil rig fire guy.

Tom, Thank you. Yeah this is one of those frequuent flyers.

Trisha, Thank you. Sometimes it really is best to hire some of the work out.

 

 
5:14am • #16
293,069 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Laura, You are correct a electrician should be hired.

John, That is so true for many things. I am guilty myself.

Tom, That is true. I know why people do this stuff but they are getting a little tougher on it around here.
5:18am • #17
168,996 Points 5 Featured Posts

Except for tripped breakers, I normally leave electrical work to electricians. I don't trust anything I can't see!
5:31am • #18
761,437 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great visual post.  Licensed electricians only for sure!  So many people don't get this important thing!
6:42am • #19
567,760 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

See that install all the time. The problem we have is that you can't see under ground :)
7:16am • #20
293,069 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ron, That is a good way to think.

Paula, I agree.

Jim, You have not employed your electrical gopher inspector yet ; )
10:36am • #21
MAR
14
155,778 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Here we see unconduited wire going into soil almost regularly and household loomex being used also. DIYers how to. Too bad.
6:45pm • #22

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention: