Brian Tymchak
09-22-2011, 1:21 PM
Hey all,
I have a question about the electrical code that I hope one of the master electricians on this site would answer for me. I live in Central OH. Just had some storm drainage lines replaced around my house. While trenching one of the runs, they cut through the electric wire to my walkway lamp post. (I told them the wire was there, but oh well.. I'll save the rant about crappy service for another post.. ) They spliced in a 12" section of wire using waterproof wire nuts. It didn't work. I used a cheap electric current tester and found no current on the house side of the break. So I figure they broke the wire farther back from the break. They decided it was my problem, buried the splice, and left. (Nice, huh?) Actually, when I saw how this issue was going, I was happy to get them off my property.
Anyway, here's the question: Does a splice like that in a buried line meet code? I googled around and found conflicting answers. If the splice meets code, I'll dig back along the line, checking at points to isolate the break, then splice from there. I figure the break is fairly close to the actual cut, maybe 2-3'. If the splice doesn't meet code, I'll have to bury a new line (about 90'). A much better solution but also a lot more work, or the expense of an electrician doing the work for me.
I haven't discussed this issue yet with the business owner, but right now I'm pretty much of the opinion that I don't want them to fix this.. Maybe I can get a credit on the job by fixing it myself.
Thanks for your help,
Brian
I have a question about the electrical code that I hope one of the master electricians on this site would answer for me. I live in Central OH. Just had some storm drainage lines replaced around my house. While trenching one of the runs, they cut through the electric wire to my walkway lamp post. (I told them the wire was there, but oh well.. I'll save the rant about crappy service for another post.. ) They spliced in a 12" section of wire using waterproof wire nuts. It didn't work. I used a cheap electric current tester and found no current on the house side of the break. So I figure they broke the wire farther back from the break. They decided it was my problem, buried the splice, and left. (Nice, huh?) Actually, when I saw how this issue was going, I was happy to get them off my property.
Anyway, here's the question: Does a splice like that in a buried line meet code? I googled around and found conflicting answers. If the splice meets code, I'll dig back along the line, checking at points to isolate the break, then splice from there. I figure the break is fairly close to the actual cut, maybe 2-3'. If the splice doesn't meet code, I'll have to bury a new line (about 90'). A much better solution but also a lot more work, or the expense of an electrician doing the work for me.
I haven't discussed this issue yet with the business owner, but right now I'm pretty much of the opinion that I don't want them to fix this.. Maybe I can get a credit on the job by fixing it myself.
Thanks for your help,
Brian