Electrical code and safety question.

[gayler]

There is a person in our town that has safety concerns about the electrical hook up on his neighbor’s house first off for whatever reason this trailer house is 2 1/2 feet off the properly line which is against code. It was manufactured and placed there in 1974 the electrical line comes off a pole in this person‘s yard, drapes down and is tucked behind corrugated tin skirting this is not in any kind of enclosure. It is just stuck behind the tin and then connect to the house from underneath. The neighbor is very concerned about this. The city inspector says that a code was adopted in 1986 that all manufactured homes had to have the electrical lines, buried underground and not overhead and that because this home was manufactured in 1974, it predate the code and is exempt. The city inspector agrees that this is not proper, but sees no immediate safety concerns. I would think that electrical wires that are against the edge of tin would pose a risk of rubbing through the insulation on the wire due to the wire moving in the wind and could cause a fire. Is this something that you would have a problem with? I have not been able to find out what code on the electrical hook up was prior to 1986. My next question would be if they did trench and bury new wires and connect it properly. What about the breaker panel and wiring inside of the house being that there was work inside the breaker box does that breaker box and anything connected now have to be updated to current code?

 

[PCustoms]

There is a person in our town that has safety concerns about the electrical hook up on his neighbor’s house first off for whatever reason this trailer house is 2 1/2 feet off the properly line which is against code. It was manufactured and placed there in 1974 the electrical line comes off a pole in this person‘s yard, drapes down and is tucked behind corrugated tin skirting this is not in any kind of enclosure. It is just stuck behind the tin and then connect to the house from underneath. The neighbor is very concerned about this. The city inspector says that a code was adopted in 1986 that all manufactured homes had to have the electrical lines, buried underground and not overhead and that because this home was manufactured in 1974, it predate the code and is exempt. The city inspector agrees that this is not proper, but sees no immediate safety concerns. I would think that electrical wires that are against the edge of tin would pose a risk of rubbing through the insulation on the wire due to the wire moving in the wind and could cause a fire. Is this something that you would have a problem with? I have not been able to find out what code on the electrical hook up was prior to 1986. My next question would be if they did trench and bury new wires and connect it properly. What about the breaker panel and wiring inside of the house being that there was work inside the breaker box does that breaker box and anything connected now have to be updated to current code?

Sounds like everyone except the homeowner should mind their own...

 

[sparky 1971]

It's probably a cord run from a 14-50R to the panel. Just like every other POS trailer, the cord has to get on the other side of the skirt somehow so it can go up the pipe and into the panel and that involves going through or under said skirt. On most trailers the nicest, best and safest thing about it is the cord.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How about some pictures?




is there a meter and disco on the pole in the yard before this line that goes inside the trailer?

If its a fire hazard call the fire marshall...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like everyone except the homeowner should mind their own...

except if its a fire hazard that could start a forest fire. then THAT is everyones' business

 

[whateg01]

A neighbor, huh? Is this like "asking for a friend"?

 

[JohnX14]

Sounds like everyone except the homeowner should mind their own...

Agreed. If the wiring inspector doesn't feel it's hazardous, make the decision as a homeowner whether you want to upgrade things.

 

[PCustoms]

If its a fire hazard call the fire marshall...

except if its a fire hazard that could start a forest fire. then THAT is everyones' business

SMH

The city inspector agrees that this is not proper, but sees no immediate safety concerns.

 

[Ultradog MN]

There is a person in our town that has safety concerns about the electrical hook up on his neighbor’s house

I would tell that person if they are that concerned for their neighbors they might offer to pay for an electrical upgrade for them.
If they aren't willing to pay then I would suggest they go to hades but I would say it in a nice way so they actually look forward to going.

 

[mm08822]

I would tell that person if they are that concerned for their neighbors they might offer to pay for an electrical upgrade for them.
If they aren't willing to pay then I would suggest they go to hades but I would say it in a nice way so they actually look forward to going.

You mean like telling someone to go give themselves an ******?

 

[theoldwizard1]

It's probably a cord run from a 14-50R to the panel. Just like every other POS trailer, ...

If it is truly a trailer (i.e. tail lights an license plate), this probably correct.

 

[gayler]

How about some pictures?




is there a meter and disco on the pole in the yard before this line that goes inside the trailer?

If its a fire hazard call the fire marshall...

No meter or disconnect on the pole. The pole is owned by the homeowner. The only way to disconnect is to pull the meter and that is on a pole in the alley owned by the city. I’ll try to get some pictures up later today or tomorrow.

 

[gayler]

If it is truly a trailer (i.e. tail lights an license plate), this probably correct.

Sorry, I should’ve been more specific. this is a manufactured home from 1974.

 

[sparky 1971]

If it is truly a trailer (i.e. tail lights an license plate), this probably correct.

Sorry, I should’ve been more specific. this is a manufactured home from 1974.

Trailer house/manufactured home, same thing. It's probably still connected via a cord and plug connection. Every old POS trailer house I ever worked on had a 14-50. There were a few that had some random wire strung across the ground but since the inspector has seen it, I doubt that's the case.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sorry, I should’ve been more specific. this is a manufactured home from 1974.

Again, much has to do with local authorities. If it is attached to a foundation, it likely has to meet the same codes as any building.

Typically, the drop from a pole must go to a mast or anchor point at least 10' off the ground and then to a meter mounted on the building. There are minimums for how much "sag" the line can have. POCO is responsible for every thing up to the output of the meter pan.

If the meter is on pole and then goes underground, typical no wire/cable can be exposed. Anything above ground must be in conduit.

 

[Bert_]

Good Lord. Sounds like you have already expressed your concern. Now mind your own business.

If you don't want to get hurt by it, then stay on your own property

 

[sparky 1971]

Again, much has to do with local authorities. If it is attached to a foundation, it likely has to meet the same codes as any building.

How many trailer houses have you seen that sit on a foundation that wasn't made out of few stacks of concrete blocks or railroad timbers? Especially those that are surrounded by a skirt?

Typically, the drop from a pole must go to a mast or anchor point at least 10' off the ground and then to a meter mounted on the building.

POCO's won't allow a meter to be connected to a trailer house because they can be hauled away in the middle of the night without having the service dropped.
The city inspector has been made aware of the concerns, seen it, and doesn't have a problem with it means there is no overhead service or feeder making a drop from pole top to foundation. Pictures would help but dollars to donuts, it's a cord, maybe a piece of sealtite, but It's not spaghetti wire.

There are minimums for how much "sag" the line can have. POCO is responsible for every thing up to the output of the meter pan.

And that meter pan is on a pole or pedestal, leaving the POCO out of it.

If the meter is on pole and then goes underground, typical no wire/cable can be exposed. Anything above ground must be in conduit.

If it's old enough, it can have a cord that runs across the ground to an outlet on the pole. A 1974 model qualifies.

Pictures would help.

 

[Dagny]

probably fused