Was this code back in the 80s?

[Slednut]

I moved a wall switch today and this is what I found. When I removed the tape there was a grounding cap and the wires were twisted together just like you would connect ground wires. I replaced all outlets and switches years ago when I didn’t know better.

My house was built in the 80s, was this code back then? I’m going to look at some more boxes tomorrow and if they are all like this I’m going to fix them.

 

[SilverSS1969]

Why does that not look like electrical tape? Almost looks like masking tape. I was born in the 80's so I am no help if this was code or not at that time, but Id so no. Guessing a home owner at some time changed it out and thought 'oh, good enough'?

 

[stikman56]

I moved a wall switch today and this is what I found. When I removed the tape there was a grounding cap and the wires were twisted together just like you would connect ground wires. I replaced all outlets and switches years ago when I didn’t know better.

My house was built in the 80s, was this code back then? I’m going to look at some more boxes tomorrow and if they are all like this I’m going to fix them.

If Ray Charles was the code inspector, then yes.

 

[Zrexxer]

That didn't meet the requirements of the NEC in the 80's, or any other time in its history.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

That wasn't code in the 1880's...

Tommy

 

[Al G]

I replaced all outlets and switches years ago when I didn’t know better.

So that's your work?

 

[PaulyC]

looks good to me

 

[Slednut]

Why does that not look like electrical tape? Almost looks like masking tape. I was born in the 80's so I am no help if this was code or not at that time, but Id so no. Guessing a home owner at some time changed it out and thought 'oh, good enough'?

It is not 88 tape, felt really thin. I'm going to take a look at the rest of the boxes, the other one I worked on today was the same.

That wasn't code in the 1880's...

The guy that lived here before me did a lot of half *** stuff.

So that's your work?

What ever.


Like I said, I'll check all the other work tomorrow. Thanks for the replies.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If theres no wire nuts then no that wouldnt be to code in the 80's.

The barrel crimp on the grounds is fine...

 

[G_P]

Wire nuts had been around for ages by the 1980's. Whoever did that tape should be kicked in the taint with a steel toe boot. I would start checking everything in the house before something catches on fire.

 

[zekeymonkey]

Please go through your house and fix these.

 

[jd_1138]

Wire connectors and electrical tape are cheap. lol. That was never up to code.

 

[Rock knocker]

In know of a condo at Hyak with work like that done by a contractor from Ellensburg

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Post a picture of whats under the tape,I cant understand what youre saying.

 

[jd_1138]

Whoever wired that up needs to buy a copy of this book off ebay (probably for $3 shipped). I love my copy.

 

[Rock knocker]

Post a picture of whats under the tape,I cant understand what youre saying.

I think the wires are just twisted with no wire nuts or solder

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

That's what Im wondering about.

 

[checkthisout]

I'm dabbling in the electrical in a 1971 house now. Other than not having GFCI's and arc faults, the wiring is the same as you would find today.

The only thing that stood out is the WIRE NUTS are twist on but also then crimped.

Other than wire nuts, the only thing I have ever personally seen on grounds are the bare copper crimps.

 

[Rock knocker]

I worked as a young carpenter for a GC that connected wires up in the wall cavity once without a box and no wire nuts, just twisting and then masking tape.

In a Type V condo.

And he's still in business

 

[Slednut]

In know of a condo at Hyak with work like that done by a contractor from Ellensburg

I'm in E-Burg, if I find anymore I'll take a pic with the tape off. On the second one I found they exposed an inch of the hot side, kinked it around to make a tail for the switch. The kink was under the crimp.

I think we are really lucky. Last fall we replaced the old Zinco panel, in all the years we lived here I can only remember of one breaker tripping. One of our circuits has too many lights and outlets on it, has tripped once a month with the new panel. That was what I was fixing today when I found this mess.

 

[checkthisout]

I worked as a young carpenter for a GC that connected wires up in the wall cavity once without a box and no wire nuts, just twisting and then masking tape.

In a Type V condo.

And he's still in business

Well, his margins are probably really good!

 

[jd_1138]

I worked as a young carpenter for a GC that connected wires up in the wall cavity once without a box and no wire nuts, just twisting and then masking tape.

In a Type V condo.

And he's still in business

Wow, how can that ****** sleep at night?

 

[jd_1138]

Well, his margins are probably really good!

Um, yeah, I guess the dude saved like, what, $2? ;(

 

[checkthisout]

Um, yeah, I guess the dude saved like, what, $2? ;(

Yeah, and not having a hole and box cover in the drywall and permit and so forth.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I moved a wall switch today and this is what I found. When I removed the tape there was a grounding cap and the wires were twisted together just like you would connect ground wires. I replaced all outlets and switches years ago when I didn’t know better.

My house was built in the 80s, was this code back then? I’m going to look at some more boxes tomorrow and if they are all like this I’m going to fix them.

Contrary to what all the "code experts" here think, that was probably code legal.
If I read what you are saying, there are "ground caps" under the tape? Well, if they are barrel crimps then those are NOT technically ground crimps (the commonly accepted name), but simply barrel crimps. Those were perfectly acceptable for use on circuit conductors if the proper covering was applied. Typically this was a rubber crimp cover, but a proper tape job was fine too. No different than taping a large split-bolt.

Here are the crimps. No mention of being restricted to grounding. They are even listed in the crimp terminal section and not in the grounding section.
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_steel.jsp

Here are the caps:
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_wrap-cap.jsp

Now......I am definitely NOT advocating using these on circuit conductors. IMO that is nuts, but I do think the torch and pitchfork brigade is a bit overkill.

 

[Cmreschke]

^^^agree.

 

[Rock knocker]

Fortunately the E-burg GC relied on electricians all the time except that once at Hyak ( or it could have Ski Acres).

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The guy that lived here before me did a lot of half *** stuff.

My house, too. He "installed" a hanging lamp from a drop ceiling. No box, just a hook on the grid and several short pieces of lamp cord with bare conductors twisted together above the ceiling tiles...

Tommy

 

[Slednut]

I got called out today to work so I have to wait to look at the other switch boxes.

I did run into one of the local electricians at the gas station this morning and he said all the United Builder houses built in the late 70s and 80s were wired this way. I have a United Builders house.


BTW, I should have written crimp not cap in my original post.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Oh, United Builders, that figures, thank god they went out of business. And Yes I am also in the Yakima area. Nice to know there is at least a couple of GJ members close by. I think there is also 3 member in Yakima besides me....Rich

 

[stikman56]

Contrary to what all the "code experts" here think, that was probably code legal.
If I read what you are saying, there are "ground caps" under the tape? Well, if they are barrel crimps then those are NOT technically ground crimps (the commonly accepted name), but simply barrel crimps. Those were perfectly acceptable for use on circuit conductors if the proper covering was applied. Typically this was a rubber crimp cover, but a proper tape job was fine too. No different than taping a large split-bolt.

Here are the crimps. No mention of being restricted to grounding. They are even listed in the crimp terminal section and not in the grounding section.
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_steel.jsp

Here are the caps:
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_wrap-cap.jsp

Now......I am definitely NOT advocating using these on circuit conductors. IMO that is nuts, but I do think the torch and pitchfork brigade is a bit overkill.

Interesting to see that really might have met code. It sure looks sketchy as hell though.

 

[Rock knocker]

My parents house in Woodinville was soldered by the late Leroy Hill in 1976

 

[Rock knocker]

Oh, United Builders, that figures, thank god they went out of business. And Yes I am also in the Yakima area

How could they have survived? A union residential contractor? Were they making all their money from carpenter union subsidies?

I don't remember them in E-burg though

 

[alfredeneuman]

From the very first Electrical Code (1897), the 2nd paragraph on the 1st page"

"In all wiring special attention must be paid to the mechanical execution of the work.Careful and neat running, connecting,soldering,taping of conductors and securing and attaching of fittings, are specially conducive to security and efficiency, and will be strongly insisted on."

So no, it has never been to Code to just twist the wires together

You can just hope you have barrel crimps under the tape

 

[ttpete]

From the very first Electrical Code (1897), the 2nd paragraph on the 1st page"

"In all wiring special attention must be paid to the mechanical execution of the work.Careful and neat running, connecting,soldering,taping of conductors and securing and attaching of fittings, are specially conducive to security and efficiency, and will be strongly insisted on."

So no, it has never been to Code to just twist the wires together

You can just hope you have barrel crimps under the tape

My grandfather was a journeyman electrician, and I can remember him doing the wiring when my dad finished the upstairs in the 1950s. He twisted all of the splices and pointed them down, then put a little Nokorode rosin paste on them and used a little swivel solder pot to dip them. They were then taped with rubber tape, followed by friction tape.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Contrary to what all the "code experts" here think, that was probably code legal.
If I read what you are saying, there are "ground caps" under the tape? Well, if they are barrel crimps then those are NOT technically ground crimps (the commonly accepted name), but simply barrel crimps. Those were perfectly acceptable for use on circuit conductors if the proper covering was applied. Typically this was a rubber crimp cover, but a proper tape job was fine too. No different than taping a large split-bolt.

Here are the crimps. No mention of being restricted to grounding. They are even listed in the crimp terminal section and not in the grounding section.
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_steel.jsp

Here are the caps:
http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_termination/terminals_crimps/crimp_connector_wrap-cap.jsp

Now......I am definitely NOT advocating using these on circuit conductors. IMO that is nuts, but I do think the torch and pitchfork brigade is a bit overkill.

I thought it was just twisted wires under electrical tape...cant count the times ive seen it done that way...

 

[tncatadjuster]

Painters that spray before the plates are attached will sometimes put masking tape over the ends of the wire to keep the spray off the connection.

 

[ADSR]

Whoever wired that up needs to buy a copy of this book off ebay (probably for $3 shipped). I love my copy.

is it really good?

 

[Speedy Petey]

I thought it was just twisted wires under electrical tape...cant count the times ive seen it done that way...

Oh, I've seen it too. I was just going by what the OP said.

 

[Rock knocker]

Painters that spray before the plates are attached will sometimes put masking tape over the ends of the wire to keep the spray off the connection.

That I don't believe. Why bother? the tapers and texture crew has already been there and filled the j-box flush full of hot mud.