Electrical code & "Grandfather clause"

[raykos]

Recently I've had to build a new home for my tractor, JD 2305. What I've built is a 24x40 combination 2 car garage/tractor shop, 24x24/16x24,(pictures to follow at a later date). I've also wired in a auxillary electrical box & circuits, which has passed the rough inspection. The inspector said he would need to also look at the main panel when he comes back for the final inspection.

My house was built in '68 and the wiring is not real pretty; what I'm worried about is if the inspector comes back for the garage final and says my 200 amp service is not up to code because the wires aren't coming into the box as straight lines, right angles, etc.; however, it did pass inspection in '68. Does anybody know if there's such a thing as a "grandfather's clause" in the electrical code? Something to the effect that since the box passed inspection in '68 it's still OK; or are we going to have to spend a whole lot of money on rewiring just to make it look good?

[Mousefield]

I have done a lot of my own wiring and putting in panels in my barn and chicken coop. Always had a licensed electrician inspect and turn it on.
If the inspector asks you to change something in your main panel I don't think it will be to "pretty" it up, it will be a safety issue, that may not be a bad thing.

[whitedogone]

"Pretty" ain't in the NEC. If there are major "issues" why wouldn't you want to correct them anyway? If issues are just minor ones, (I.E.-- were installed per code back when they were put in) I can't see making someone rework those. Just remember, the inspector is there to protect you, your family, and your home.

[Artisan]

"Messy" usually means whoever did it did not have a full commad of the trade.
That will never change. Guys who know what there doing strive to be neat
and clean and run there stuff correctly. DIY = DIY expect what you get.
More than likely he wants to make sure your not overloading the panel
or doing something your not supposed to do. "I" would have asked him to
look at it right then and there. Even if he finds something is not right and
it was inspected in 68' means nothing. I see this all the time w/
contractors whom are less then forthright. "IT PASSED INSPECTION!"
they proclaim, so it is A-OK! NOT ON YOUR LIFE should anyone believe
that!
Understand that means NOTHING except the inspector looked at it
validating the money they TOOK from you. Sure there are a few good
inspectors here and there but they are FAR and FEW between. I see
inspectors "APPPROVE" illegal work REGULARLY. Since the advent of the
"Combination" inspector the process has gone to pot. No One Man knows
it all, heck, I am a plumbing contractor and I do not know it all, you need
to wakeup VERY early in the morning to get over on me but I don't know
it all. How can a combo roofing, electrical, structural, plumbing etc
inspector, how can ANYONE expect it to be "inspected" to the MINIMUM
Standards that codes demand? Remember, codes are MIMIMUM
Standards. So you get inspectors who let things go UNDER Minimum's? Be
afraid, be very afraid...

If there is something wrong it needs to be fixed. Trying to save a buck
over safety can land you in serious ship.

PS, Codes change as well. Cloth covered wires exposed and run with
porcelin insulators passed inspection 50+ years ago, not now.

[retiredmgn]

"Messy" usually means whoever did it did not have a full commad of the trade.
That will never change. Guys who know what there doing strive to be neat
and clean and run there stuff correctly. DIY = DIY expect what you get.
More than likely he wants to make sure your not overloading the panel
or doing something your not supposed to do. "I" would have asked him to
look at it right then and there. Even if he finds something is not right and
it was inspected in 68' means nothing. I see this all the time w/
contractors whom are less then forthright. "IT PASSED INSPECTION!"
they proclaim, so it is A-OK! NOT ON YOUR LIFE should anyone believe
that!
Understand that means NOTHING except the inspector looked at it
validating the money they TOOK from you. Sure there are a few good
inspectors here and there but they are FAR and FEW between. I see
inspectors "APPPROVE" illegal work REGULARLY. Since the advent of the
"Combination" inspector the process has gone to pot. No One Man knows
it all, heck, I am a plumbing contractor and I do not know it all, you need
to wakeup VERY early in the morning to get over on me but I don't know
it all. How can a combo roofing, electrical, structural, plumbing etc
inspector, how can ANYONE expect it to be "inspected" to the MINIMUM
Standards that codes demand? Remember, codes are MIMIMUM
Standards. So you get inspectors who let things go UNDER Minimum's? Be
afraid, be very afraid...

If there is something wrong it needs to be fixed. Trying to save a buck
over safety can land you in serious ship.

PS, Codes change as well. Cloth covered wires exposed and run with
porcelin insulators passed inspection 50+ years ago, not now.

This should be a Sticky.

[brin]

This should be a Sticky.

I completely agree...great post...Safety first and all points well stated.

[mjw357]

And don't forget, just because a 40-something year old home passed inspection with flying colors when built, doesn't mean a previous home owner didn't come in and bugger something up somewhere.

[schmism]

The inspector said he would need to also look at the main panel when he comes back for the final inspection.

Its my understanding that if the work he is inspecting is outside the perview of the permit for the work required, they cant make you update it.

In other words, as long as you followed code with installing the new breaker, and wireing, the other wirieng and breakers should be outside his perview.

In short, he cant go claiming you have to rewire the entire house because you added the breaker for the new barn.

[strum456]

One thing they will probably try to get changed is the separation of neutrals and grounds. Now days the inspectors like to see the grounds all one one side and then neutrals on the other. I doubt the OPs breaker box was done this way back in the 60s. Should he change it all just to make it neat and in compliance with the new code?

A stupid technicality like that could cost him a complete rewire, or else a bunch of splices in the box. Either option is rediculous in my opinion.

[Artisan]

Its my understanding that if the work he is inspecting is outside the perview of the permit for the work required, they cant make you update it.

In other words, as long as you followed code with installing the new breaker, and wireing, the other wirieng and breakers should be outside his perview.

In short, he cant go claiming you have to rewire the entire house because you added the breaker for the new barn.

Don't count on it.

If the "Administrative Authority" strolls on to your property to inspect your
widget and they see an "issue" totally not related, but under his scope of
"work" he can cause you great grief, including but not limited to, red
tagging the property and forcing you to leave, exceptions to all rules they seem to have too!

Case and point; I had an inspector out to my own property to look at
something non electrical related and "she" saw a totally unrelated wire
draped over and electrical fixture. She said "You need to fix that." I said
"No, I will not, it is low voltage and you have no authority regarding said
" to wit she walked off in a huff, AFTER approving my original request.

Caveat Emptor