As an electrician, I strive to produce a final product that would not only be efficient but in a neat manner. I explain to customers their alternatives and discuss their options. Lots of contractors are all about the bottom line, money. I tried to explain to a mechanical contractor that bidding on a total job was better than a bid selling by the ton. A number of air conditioning guys want to sell by the ton. More consideration should be taken to sell efficiency jobs, better ducking systems, no fiberglass insulation inside the ducts, and no flex ducts. There are a small number that are true to their trade. I am true to my trade and I am in the minority. I don’t agree with other electricians because of their lack of quality in their work.
I was called out to a job today to look over a job for some new work to be done when I noticed some problems with the panel. I saw a problem that existed in the panel from previous installation. It was installed with improper markings. The panel was labeled 120/208 volts and it should have been labeled 120/240 volts. In checking the voltage, I found voltage not to be what it was labeled which creates a dangerous situation. High voltage on a single leg is usually referred to as a stinger leg. I told the owner that improperly marked panels are dangerous and improperly marked wiring is dangerous.
A stinger leg, by code, is supposed to be marked in orange color. He had black, red and blue, and the blue is the stinger. It must be marked in orange to indicate the high voltage and the other two should be black.
I realize that customers are not going to know the difference. It is up to contractors to put their best foot forward. Is your panel marked correctly and phased correctly?
"It is up to contractors to put their best foot forward". I totally agree. As for the improperly marked panels, Don't even get started on that. I always check the voltage.
Posted by: mike | August 31, 2009 at 11:16 AM