How NOT to Wire a Garage Door Opener

[fixit]

The big problem with electrical work is it will work even if it is done badly

And because it will work people who no no better can be happy with what they do because they made it work

Just remember before you start You can't smell it see it or taste it. And the first thing you know about it it will be to late to sort it

 

[wvpolekat]

Is it a code violation if it happens after the outlet? Not saying what they did is right, but I suspect as soon as it was something "plugged in" and not part of the structure, the inspector wouldn't care.

 

[grsthegreat]

Is it a code violation if it happens after the outlet? Not saying what they did is right, but I suspect as soon as it was something "plugged in" and not part of the structure, the inspector wouldn't care.

no,,they would definitely care. I've seen my share of inspectors come in and cut the connection ends off of romex wired temp power cords over the years. its a fire and life safety issue.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Just wondering why he didn't tape on another wire down to a welding outlet?

 

[Gem99ultra]

I believe that guy did the wiring on my house :-(

Very scary!

 

[CowwFace]

On the bright side...

At least he didn't do it with a bunch of extension cords... ???

 

[wvpolekat]

no,,they would definitely care. I've seen my share of inspectors come in and cut the connection ends off of romex wired temp power cords over the years. its a fire and life safety issue.

I guess my point would be more of a jurisdiction issue. What they did in that video is akin to a homeowner cobbling together their Christmas lights. It was not part of the "structure" and I am not sure that a building inspector would have the authority to do anything to or about it. Possibly the Fire Marshall, but it would be outside the scope of a building inspector since it is not technically part of the building. I actually even doubt that a permit or inspection would be required for that. It is no different than Lowe's bringing you a fridge and just plugging it in. Doubt they would care if you wanted to use an extension cord.

Given, I am making some assumptions picking nits and it would be completely different if a homeowner did that vs a contractor. The expectation is that the contractor knows better and is bound by law to do it safely.

Personally, if I had an electrical inspector come to do an inspection and he cut anything, the city/county would be getting the bill for repairing it. If it was within code or not is irrelevant. He wants to shut the power off until it is resolved, fine. But, he does not have the right to destroy property as a means of code enforcement on the spot.

The problem is these guys get away with things like this and get big heads about it because people let them do it. His job is clear, to inspect and pass or fail the work. Destroying property is not within the scope of that.

 

[Runner]

"At least he didn't do it with a bunch of extension cords... ???"

Strangely enough, I think that the only violation is from incorrect support/use/connection of the nonmetallic sheathed cable as temporary wiring. If he had just strung extension cords all the way (not attached to the building or fence), it would just be temporary cord and plug connected wiring. The "wiring" doesn't appear to be concealed within building construction at any point.

Might be some kind of fire code violation to do that with extension cords, but if they were approved for outdoor use, maybe not. If an inspector went out to look at it with extension cords and didn't like it, you'd only have to unplug the cord to eliminate the "violation".

 

[jake98]

The garage looks like it's new, there's no junk in it yet. Fine Homebuilding has had so much stupid stuff right on their covers that my feeling is 'they ought to clean up their own backyard' first.
The wireing wasn't even in yet. Not an excuse to burn it down, but what was an inspector even doing in there?

 

[beenthere]

Easy to look down our nose at this, but not knowing the tale behind it....I wouldn't pre-judge the person who "made it work". Prolly temporary and maybe quickly put together (thinking about my wife who after surgery couldn't manually open a garage door). Maybe the homeowner turned invalid, and someone just "made it work" for him temporary. But the Gov't onlookers on the public dole will make his life real miserable, all under the hype of safety. I could rant more on that, but won't.

But it makes for a good video to ridicule the homeowner who has his house up for sale....and I wouldn't have wired it that way.