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Why Did I Fail?
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Posted by bsticks (My Page) on Tue, Jun 23, 09 at 7:57
hi all,
i was quite surprised when i failed my electrical inspection for my hot tub and pool install. my AHJ (electrical inspector) had been out to see me through my progress, gave me tips on the do's and don't do's, and then i saw the write up.
i failed because the outside disconnect/emergency shut off was not GFCI breaker protected, although the circuit has a 50A GFCI breaker in the service panel. the breaker in the disconnect/emergency shut off is a cutler hammer/eaton BR250. the GFCI in the service panel works w/out fail and the disconnect works just fine too. i am making a call this morning to my AHJ but thought i would post my question here to see if anyone on the forum can provide another point of view or opinion.
thanks,
bsticks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| There's no NEC requirement that the GFCI be located at the tub disconnect. There's not even a requirement that the disconnect be a breaker. One of my hot tubs has the GFCI/Breaker in the main panel and the maintenance disconnect is just one of pull out kind. In the other there's a regular breaker in the main panel and the GFCI in the disconnect. Both are compliant with the 2008 Code (as well as at least the two preceding versions). Two GFCI's would be inadvisable. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| hi ronnatalie, i have no idea what is going on. i am still waiting for my call back. i am looking in my plan book i am keeping and the inspectors notes reference the type of breaker and gfci protection he saw in the panel. the only thing i can think of is that there is a little bit of water that collected on top of the disconnect box. it didn't make it inside the box because it's water tight but maybe that was his concern. a paper towel is all it will take to wipe up. thanks for your input as always,
bsticks |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| it was the water on top of the box. i failed because of "what if" the water penetrated the box. i let my AHJ know i would take precaution to keep the elements out and if i couldn't i would wipe away the water and not let it collect. he wasn't having a good day, so i guess i paid for that. he is better now and will provide me my approval sticker tomorrow when he comes back out to make sure i wiped the water up. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| OK - "what if" the water penetrated the box? As long as you have used an exterior disconnect then who cares if the enclosure gets wet. The threat of water getting onto the enclosure is the entire reason exterior disconnects must be used on the exterior of the home... Yea, I guess this inspector was having a bad day - he left his common sense at home. I am glad you were able to resolve this issue relatively simply. |
It is about $$ (was RE: Why Did I Fail?)
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| You probably failed because the "inspector" wanted another trip fee. The un-written rule for years in my area was to avoid a second trip fee the owner or electrician had to be present during the inspection. Of course it was expected that you would hang on every word and gesture made by "His Highness the Great Electric Man, dispenser of the green sticker". If the box is rated for outdoor use it is designed to get wet once in a while. It is safe to assume the designers know about rain. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| I got my situation resolved after wiping up more water from a heavy rain and another 75.00 to come on out. good thing i was there and he saw me doing what I said I would which was wipe up the water. the box has it's outdoor rating listed right on the side of the box in plain view. the part about this i really don't/didn't like was i was at home and never saw him come in or leave. it wasn't until i checked my "permit/plan locker" (just a water tight cooler for the plans, etc) and saw the write up. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| Don't you love that. Around here, we can tell the inspectors came and if we passed or failed and a few words as to the problem online, but finding their notes can be daunting. I found one from the Environmental Services Department (septic) stuck under a rock sitting on top of one of the cleanouts. I found my neighbor's electrical inspection notes under the windshield wiper of MY CAR. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| This is too weird. In our locale we are required to have a building permit posted on the property visible from the road. All applicable inspections, building, elec, HVAC, etc. are stickered on the permit. Red or green, fail or pass. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| The permit is on a box right at the road and the stamped "approved" plans are inside, but the notes can be stuffed anywhere. The official pass/fail indicators are done online. There's no stickers in this jurisdiction like the neighboring counties. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| that is weird. i heard from a friend who has to call to get his approval "Pass" or "Fail" over the phone. no stickers at all. it would seem unnerving to me that the inspectors wouldn't leave some trace as to why you would fail or a note/sticker saying you passed. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| Actually, it works pretty well. The inspectors carry computers with some sort of network device. I don't even have to go to the site. It pops up instantly on the website. It's only if there is a "see note" attached to the computer record that I have to go hunting. |
RE: Why Did I Fail?
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| [QUOTE] "His Highness the Great Electric Man, dispenser of the green sticker".[/QUOTE] lmao....I love it!!!!!!! |
A Proper Thank You
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| Hi there. A note of Thank You. This forum and the contributors to it are awesome and I could not have completed my work without the guidance I received on this board. Many thanks to you all and good health and happiness!! Bsticks |
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