View Single Post
Old 05-15-2020, 01:02 AM   #56 (permalink)
aardvarcus
Master EcoModder
 
aardvarcus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Evensville, TN
Posts: 676

Deep Blue - '94 GMC Suburban K2500 SLE
90 day: 23.75 mpg (US)

Griffin (T4R) - '99 Toyota 4Runner SR5
90 day: 25.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 237
Thanked 580 Times in 322 Posts
JCC,
I will admit up front I am less versed in temporary/portable setups than permanent installs. A few perhaps relevant thoughts:

There is a difference between making something that works and is safe and making the inspector happy. Nine times out of ten when I get a "perturbed" call from a friend or colleague about an inspector wanting them to do something "silly" I tell them just to do it. Given the gray areas in the electrical code, no reason to get off on a bad foot and give them a reason to pick the rest of the install apart. Often inspectors feel the need to find something, to prove their worth, and once you fix it you will be good.

I can see how dealing with multiple inspectors in multiple locations for a portable setup would be particularly challenging, not knowing what to expect. Try to not get crossways with them, because you don't want them trying to find more problems. The ornery ones often know where the code contradicts and can make your life miserable.

My first real job before going to school was doing construction building houses working for a GC. We did it all, including wiring. Our GC was "grandfathered in" as a licensed electrician, having been doing it prior to licenses being required. Stapled a lot of romex to studs. That GC was very picky about how the wiring looked. All the bends in the box and following the studs were all sharp 90s. No twists or turns in the romex anywhere. He had me do a lot of it, as he knew I had an eye for detail and would do it as asked. The other workers would mock behind his back, claiming the electricity didn't know how the wires were bent. (Mostly true given the application.) However the secret sauce was when the inspector showed up, everything looked impeccable (whether it actually was or not) and they would promptly pass the inspection. Usually they didn't even look at the whole house, just a short walk around, making comments about how great it looked, and the approved sticker went on. The actual function of the wiring was no better than the average homes around it. It was brilliant on his part, he paid this kid a little more since it took a little longer, but he didn't have to rip our or redo anything on an inspectors whim. The wiring wasn't bad, but looking back I do recall a few things that didn't really meet code.

So if at all possible, make your setup look professional, sharp, and pretty. "Silly" things like clean bends, labeling, not-rusty boxes, etcetera go a long way to set perceptions from the get go.

If you are dealing with different inspectors wanting it different ways, consider ways to make it flexible (e.g. able to add or remove a ground or bond jumper) upon request. (Using appropriately rated devices to do that of course.)
  Reply With Quote