Is this to code?

[mnoeltne]

I replaced a light switch with an Intermec timer switch this past weekend. This is in a new home, just built this year.

First thing I found was incorrect labeling in the breaker box. OK, got my wife to watch the light upstairs while I flipped breakers. Solved.

Second was a stripped screw holding the faceplate on. Must have held down the button on a power screwdriver and just wore all the threads off it.

Then as I start looking to see which wire is the feed, and which goes to the fixture I see that the feed is a stripped section of wire, which then carries on over to the other switch in the box. See pic.

Isn't the correct way to bring a separate pigtail off the feed to each switch? I did that for my installation by just cutting the wire at that stripped section.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the ground wire was just sitting in the box not connected to anything. I hooked it up. I thought code required the ground to the green screw?

This was supposedly wired by licensed electricians.

 

[Movover]

I would pigtail it and be done, that looks like a cheap way to save a wirenut

 

[Eriehunter]

The hot wire being stripped that way is very commonly done by residential guys. Nothing technically "wrong" but I prefer pigtails.

The ground should be connected to green screw on the switch (and metal box if you have one), many times residential guys loop them from switch to switch. I also prefer pigtails.

 

[grantw]

This is what make me want to handle my own re-wiring. I'm very concerned that paying a "pro" will result in cut corners like this.

 

[The FIB]

I would pigtail it and be done, that looks like a cheap way to save a wirenut

It's not really about saving the wire nut, this is a very common practice, in both residential and commercial, that has been used for a very long time in my neck of the woods. Fewer splices in a circuit make it less prone to future problems, it also takes up less space in the box

 

[CGT80]

It's not really about saving the wire nut, this is a very common practice, in both residential and commercial, that has been used for a very long time in my neck of the woods. Fewer splices in a circuit make it less prone to future problems, it also takes up less space in the box

x2

I like the loop method as well. I also twist the wires with my lineman pliers and snip the end before installing the wire nut. I have repaired many electrical issues that resulted from a bad connection with a wire nut. People either get lazy when they make the connection or they don't want to untwist the wires if they make a change later.

It is always good to find out if your inspector has a method they prefer or demand, before doing the finish wiring. We had some who would let us know what they wanted, when they inspected the rough in.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As said above done all the time and no code that doesnt allow it.

Disconnected ground wire was a screw up IF the switches have a ground screw. Older switches did not have ground screws.

 

[Zeke]

As said above done all the time and no code that doesnt allow it.

Disconnected ground wire was a screw up IF the switches have a ground screw. Older switches did not have ground screws.

And it's a plastic box.

I don't mind a loop in wiring but I've not perfected a method of stripping w/o pretty much nicking up the wire. I suppose a simple wire stripper set to the exact depth and a utility knife gently used will do the trick.

 

[mnoeltne]

OK, well, it's good to hear that the loop in the feed wire is ok.

The ground wire was completely detached, both switches had unused green ground screws, and it is a plastic box. I guess I need to pop into a few more boxes to see how the ground is handled. I also need to take the time to map all the circuits since they totally screwed up the labeling in the breaker box.

It's just a bit disappointing given that this is new construction supposedly done by professionals.

Thanks for clearing things up!

 

[6PTsocket]

You can never tell who the contractor hired to do the work. It doesn't sound like a pro job. I would think that if you hire a licensed electricion, directly, you would get better work. Maybe I am just naiive. I recently replaced a switch that was jumpered to the adjacent switch. When I got it back together one switch was dead. The jumper had broken off the other switch and I know I didn't stress it. It probably was badly nicked when it was originally stripped. Stuff happens.

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[Norcal]

Tract homes are built as cheap as they can get away with, I hesitate to say they are built to minimum code. Add apartments, & trailers( mobile / manufactured homes) to that list too.

 

[Richard Cranium]

sounds like he was a little lazy.