When insurances will just not do, Improper outbuilding wiring.

Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspection Services.

Okay I am going to start a series of posts on something dear to me, the treatment of the elderly homeowners. Now this really could be anyone but when things happen to the elderly it really chaps my hide.

I did a recent home inspection for a retired woman that just wanted to get a feel for whether she should put money into her home or start new. It was a manufactured home. So she hired me to go through the house to give a feel where the home stands in regards to condition and potential costs.

So as I am doing my electrical inspection I go to the main breaker that is on a pedestal outside of the home (standard for manufactured homes). I see a conduit running out the main panel and I want to make sure all is good.

Well, all is not good. Whoever did this work obviously did not know what they were doing. I asked my client if they pulled a permit. She said she was assured that all was done correctly and properly, um not quite and obviously no permit.

So here is what we have… We have a 120v circuit that is directly bolted to the hot bus. There is no over-current protection (circuit breaker/fuse) for the circuit. That means this circuit is hot it whole length out to the detached garage. If for some reason you hit this wiring you would get all the voltage it will give till something blows and there is the potential chance for shock, electrocution and fire (Bonus points for anyone who also sees another issue not related to this wiring).

Next they used NM wire (Romex) that is not designed or rated for such an installation since it was a direct burial installation, wrong again.

Then to cap it off they have a disconnect in the garage has fuses that are too large for the wires being protected (30 amp fuse on 12 ga wire). Bingo we now have the trifecta. This kind of installation could result in property damage, get someone injured and if all went wrong killed.

I cannot stress enough the need to hire the proper contractors and tradespeople to perform the job. Still anyone who is doing this is performing illegal work.

“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…

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www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572