quote:

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> On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 09:06:01 -0400 John Gilmer <gilmer@crosslink.net> wrote:
>
> |> I've never actually seen such a patch job, and certainly would never
> |> recommend it.
> |
> | Well, I saw on in a house that was "modern" in 1958 but had a fuse box. It
> | did have the "heavy" circuits for the stove and dryer, however.
>
> So what did they do when clothes needed to be dried? Wait until night?
>
>
> |
> | Folks put in these BIG window units because they don't have the money to put
> | in Central Air and install an entirely new service. I never "opened up"
> | such an installation, but dryer circuits are often/usually just 30 amps so
> | #10 romex would be protected. It may not be "code" but it's not asking
> | for trouble either.
>
> Aside from blowing the fuse when someone runs the A/C and dryer at the
> same time. Today's NEC tries to avoid this, knowing full well that in
> the past, people faced with blowing fuses would do things to defeat the
> protection.
>
>
> |>But in DIY type forums, I've seen a number of people
> |> ask how to do it (IMHO, that would not be a project for someone with
> |> so little experience in wiring they would have to ask how to).
> |
> | True. But even if you are taking short cuts it doesn't mean you don't want
> | to be a safe as you can manage without spending an arm and a leg.
> |
> | It seems to me that the folks who create the NEC sometimes DO worry about
> | economy and DO reason that it's better to have GOOD safety at reasonable
> | cost over GREAT safety at a cost that encourages folks to just jury rig. But
> | when they mandated the "arc detection breaker" I wondered.
>
> They only mandated it for new construction or major remodeling.
> Replacing an outlet would not generally require it. IMHO, it
> would also not be required just to extend the circuit.
>
>
> | I notice that the "dryer and stove" outlets with only three wires
> | (chassis/neutral are bonded in the appliance) don't make any effort to
> | connect neutral before hot. Of course, for the last 30 years dryers are
> | completely "off" until you push the start button and the only 120 volt loads
> | in the stove are the lamp and the timer so ...)
>
> I understand that the motor is 120 volts, too, so they can use the same
> exact motor for the gas models.
>
>
> |>But it has shaken up
> |> some dust that probably shouldn't be where it has settled long ago. I am
> |> considering making an information web page on the subject "15 vs 20 amps".
> |
> | Fine. Put in a "questions and comments" BB if you can.
>
> I've been thinking of setting up a whole "code comments" forum board.
> It would be oriented to issues about complying with, or changing, the
> electrical code, and targeted to electricians, engineers, and others
> with an interest. It wouldn't be a DIY forum.