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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: electrical deaths
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2024 15:19:28 -0700
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On 12/3/2024 7:12 AM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> GFCIs are touchy.  When someone complains of a failing GFCI, I immediately
>> tell them to recheck ALL of the connections as this tends to cause
>> "false" trips.
> 
> Yep.
> 
> Also things like computers do have a constant small leak. Or mains filters.

GFCIs are only "required" on branch circuits feeding "wet locations" and the
like.

So, bathroom outlets (but not light fixtures), in the garage, or basement
or outdoors.  (IIRC, if the outlet is over 8 ft off the ground, the
requirement doesn't apply.  E.g., the outlet that feeds a garage door
opener is typcially on the ceiling and need not ? be protected)

Now, AFCIs are being required in living spaces (like bedrooms) but, there,
the goal is to protect against fires...

>>> On that same place, a cable entered a certain tube with one colour and 
>>> exited a different colour.
>>>
>>> Turned out that the installation had been done by three different 
>>> electricians, each not knowing what the previous one intended or did.
>>
>> Here, any "splice" has to be done in a junction box.  And, all junction
>> boxes must be accessible.  So, the wire entering a conduit at one end
>> WILL be the wire exiting at the other.
> 
> Here too, of course.

It is interesting how often one will encounter "hidden/buried" boxes,
in practice.  Most often, a homeowner ignorant of the Code.  Or, a
"handyman" hired by said homeowner who ASSUMES the homeowner is
ignorant AND isn't going to pay to have the work inspected:  "It's
just a small change to the existing wiring..."

A neighbor had some coach lights installed on his outdoor spa/Jacuzzi.
The lights were at eye level.  In a "wet location".  And, exposed to
the weather.

The LICENSED ELECTRICIAN mounted them directly to the wooden support members;
no electrical box "behind" them (likely because he didn't want to cut
into the 6x6" timbers and felt a surface mounted box would "look tacky"?).
Instead, he carefully cut away a portion of each fixture (where it abutted
the mounting surface) to allow the wire to sneak out against the timber.

Then, ran ROMEX (NM) tacked to the surface of the wooden members (the lights
being about 12 ft apart).

I happened to see it and told him that it was unsafe, not to Code, etc.
He defended the electrician (a fellow member of some charitable "service
organization" to which the neighbor belonged).  I didn't relent.

Eventually, he had the owner of the electrical company (the "electrician"
I've been indirectly referencing) stop by the house.  At which point,
he saw the work that his flunkies had done -- apologized and had them come
back out to make it right.

Point being, when it comes to electrical (and practically all trades),
you can't just rely on people doing it "right".

A neighbor has an outdoor "post light" (literally, a light atop a steel
post in the middle of the yard) that is powered MAGICALLY!  I.e., if
you turn off the main breaker to his house, the light remains lit.

"No thank you.  I'm not going to help you solve THAT problem!"