Code or Inspector Preference?

[r_olson_06]

Hey Guys, I have been an electrician for about 5 years now. Mainly worked on medium to large commercial and industrial. For some time now I have been having problems with a certain city electrical inspectors. And just wondering if you guys have some the same issues.
Issue 1- When installing PVC, Sealtight, or Carflex. Straps must be of the PVC 2 hole style, or clic staps. No metal 1 hole, 2 hole, strut staps, stand offs or minnies.
Issue 2- When installing EMT outdoors fitting must be "rain tight" not just the compression fittings. These generally have a colored metal piece on the outside for identification such as black or gold. These fitting cost alot more and are constructed with a rubber O ring on each side where the pipe is to be installed.
Issue 3- When installing conduit (EMT, PVC, ect.) where a meyer's hub is needed. A sequence of fittings must be installed starting from a connector which is threaded into a GRC coupling which is threaded into a GRC ******, which is threaded into the meyer's hub. Which can go into the enclosure. Supposely this is due to the "fact" that the treads are not tappered which is required by "all the manufacters" of the meyer's hub.

If some people could shead some light on these situations. Just wondering if they are NEC enforced or inspector's preference?

 

[truckman5000]

all inspectors have there pet peeves ect.

im a plumber, do big commercial jobs. To the code. Rarely have a problem.
If i do "small" jobs the different inspectors nit pick stuff. Never code related.

The inspectors are people like everyone else. So theres different perspectives on "code" also.
You can fight the inspector via. state. But good luck doing any other work in "his" town.

 

[walrus]

Issue 2, raintight EMT connectors became code a few cycles back.

 

[PRH44]

Issue 2, raintight EMT connectors became code a few cycles back.

This is the standard anymore.

Local Authority trumps all. Once you get to know what your local authority requires and its not a ship sinker its best to abide.
Now with this said you need to develop relationships with these guys. Then you can have some really productive conversations. A little mutual respect goes a long ways.

 

[r_olson_06]

thanks for the input guys

 

[Norcal]

Issue 2, raintight EMT connectors became code a few cycles back.

UL decided to change their standards for EMT connectors. There were a number of threads at the Mike Holt forum about it.

 

[ddawg16]

I personally would rather use PVC outside or rigid.....

I have spent way too much time cussing at a system that was plumbed outside using EMT.....open up the LB and all the wires are rusted to the inside of the pipe.....

As a rule now (for us), we never use EMT outside unless it will be covered with roof or rain hat....if it's going to be down in a pit....rigid...

 

[walrus]

PVC looks like **** if its exposed

Most of the raintight EMT conns Ive used are ****. Diecast **** made in China. I'd bet a regular steel compression connector is just as raintight as any die cast connector. The funny part is rigid is legal outdoors and its hardly raintight

 

[Speedy Petey]

Hey Guys, I have been an electrician for about 5 years now. Mainly worked on medium to large commercial and industrial. For some time now I have been having problems with a certain city electrical inspectors. And just wondering if you guys have some the same issues.
Issue 1- When installing PVC, Sealtight, or Carflex. Straps must be of the PVC 2 hole style, or clic staps. No metal 1 hole, 2 hole, strut staps, stand offs or minnies.
Issue 2- When installing EMT outdoors fitting must be "rain tight" not just the compression fittings. These generally have a colored metal piece on the outside for identification such as black or gold. These fitting cost alot more and are constructed with a rubber O ring on each side where the pipe is to be installed.
Issue 3- When installing conduit (EMT, PVC, ect.) where a meyer's hub is needed. A sequence of fittings must be installed starting from a connector which is threaded into a GRC coupling which is threaded into a GRC ******, which is threaded into the meyer's hub. Which can go into the enclosure. Supposely this is due to the "fact" that the treads are not tappered which is required by "all the manufacters" of the meyer's hub.

If some people could shead some light on these situations. Just wondering if they are NEC enforced or inspector's preference?

All I can say is I am glad I don't work in your area.
I absolutely HATE power mad inspectors.

The only valid issue is the EMT fittings. The others are made up by the inspectors. ESPECIALLY the PVC strap one. I literally laughed when I read that.
Can/do they provide documentation for these "requests"?
An inspector CANNOT simply ask/tell/make you do something without it being a proper written code, contrary to what many people think. An inspector enforces the code, he does NOT make it.

There is a point in which inspectors can take a code TOO literally and read far too deep into it, to the point where they are making sh*t up.

 

[jkeyser14]

The pvc strap is code for plumbing, maybe the inspector is getting confused? The cpvc pipes expand and contract a lot and the metal straps can cut into the cpvc pipe over time.

 

[jeff000]

I always just ask the inspector to provide code reference. No reference? Then leave me alone.


There was an inspector here that had an issue with one of the other foreman on a site I was on. I never saw the inspector till the end of the day, when he handed me about 75 set screws, and said "these were loose".
Took 4 guys a week to figure out where they all went.
I am not sure what happened to him, but I haven't seen him since, and that was 2 years ago.

A couple of the inspectors hardly look on my jobs now, I'm glad I am with a company that will let me have things perfect over saving a few bucks.

The funny part is rigid is legal outdoors and its hardly raintight

I am not sure if you are just kidding or not. But when installed properly it is more than raintight. I've never had any of the rigid I've installed leak.

 

[MrMark]

Now doesn't Rigid use straight cut threads as opposed to NPT? Why wouldn't straight cut threads leak?

 

[Gregishome]

I certainly wish our local AHJ/electrical inspectors were as thorough on the inspections as yours appear to be.

 

[r_olson_06]

yes i agree it is good to be thorough but it is hard to please them. These insidences are just this year. Changes all the time. Also with how they are inforcing the strapping regulation is, a strapping method has to be "approved". If you read "approved" in the art 100 definitions of the NEC. Its states the AHJ must approve this. Our inspectors changed the word "Approved" to "Listed". They say they will not approve anything that is not listed. Which brings us to straps and i have done some research on this and maybe you guys can help. There is no 1 holes or minnies that are listed to strap Carflex, PVC, or Sealtight. If anyone knows a brand that is listed for this purpose PLEASE tell me. It would be greatly appreciated.
Also on another note:
With any disconnects/safety switches. The "Proper Grounding Method" must be used which is a listed little piece of ground bar with a ground screw that costs about $15-$20 per disconnect. No lugs can be tapped or bolted into the disconnect for grounding.

 

[Speedy Petey]

That's NOT thorough, that's aggressive.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Example:

Arlington 2-hole straps. Description says "2-Hole Rigid Straps".
Is PVC not rigid conduit? Yes it is. "ARTICLE 352 Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type PVC"

http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/pdf/sections/2-hole-rigid-straps.pdf

It does not specifically state that the straps are listed for rigid PVC, but neither does it say that for steel rigid.
So what rigid are these straps good for in the eyes of your all-powerful inspectors?

 

[buzz4041]

I had a 18 foot run of PVC underground and they made me put in an expansion fitting on the riser. Also made me use a 20 amp breaker for 15 amp Gucci I installed. Wasn't worth the argument I just wanted my tag and the city to go away.

 

[walrus]

I am not sure if you are just kidding or not. But when installed properly it is more than raintight. I've never had any of the rigid I've installed leak.

More than raintight? Does that it mean if I submerge it in water,no water will get in? You realize rigid couplings are running thread and not tapered, correct? How are running threads going to be water tight?

 

[Speedy Petey]

Wasn't worth the argument I just wanted my tag and the city to go away.

This is a typical mentality, and fine for the one time DIYer or handyman. Only thing is it exacerbates the power trip many inspectors are on.

 

[jeff000]

More than raintight? Does that it mean if I submerge it in water,no water will get in? You realize rigid couplings are running thread and not tapered, correct? How are running threads going to be water tight?

I was tired when I posted. NPT threads is what I was referring too. Force of habit thinking in oil and gas country.

And speaking of NPT threads, I get to run a bunch in the fuel delivery tunnels tonight. FML, I knew I shouldn't have been happy to take the H2S, confined space, and high risk rescue training.