Most of my work has to comply with the NEC – National Electric Code, the CODE, which is found in an 8.5×11 inch book about an inchand a half thick. That’s the raw data. Reading and understanding the whole thing is quite an accomplishment. It’s apain in the butt over some rather insignificant details, but in the whole, adherence to the Code will set you well on the path to a safe and usually reliable installation.
Of course, if you have a Code, it must be inforced. Most localities have some sort of electrical inspector, at least for commercial establishments. Where they don’t some “unusual” things take place. Industrial facilities, however, do not usually fall under the purview of government inspectors. The theory is that industrial facility work is done by competent people under the direction of professional engineers. Be lieve me, as somebody who has been personally involved in working in industrial facilities for the last thirty years, it’s ONLY a theory. But even the incompetent usually TRY to conform to the CODE.
But if you go overseas, well:
This one came from Costa Rica. Note that there is a disconnect switch to the right of the meter. If you look carefully, you will see that the drip shield to protect the switch from rain is actually a carefully cut up plastic bottle.
Actually, if you go to places like Europe, you’ll find that their electrical codes and inspectors are really sticklers…
I think Costa Rica needs an “Authority with Jurisdiction”.
Heck, that reminds me of several jury-rigged installations I’ve seen down in Prichard, AL…
Heh. I should be going to Mexico sometime next month. I should take my little digital camera along. At least the Costa Rican electrician was aware that a drip shield was desirable!
How ’bout it? Shall we have a contest for who can send an image of the worst electrical installation?
Regards,
Ric
Does Costa Rica even use the NFPA 70?
That sort of thing can be seen in here in the states, too. I was an electric meter reader/bill collector for 9 years….
My dad related stories of grandpa working in Argentina helping to set up a steel mill there way back when. He watched helplessly as one of the local ‘experts’ used a circular saw while on the roof, next to where the service fed down to the service panel. Needless to say, the poor guy realized he was cutting the wrong way when he woke up in traction the next week. Scary how some cultures work.
Korea. Korea has that wiring bundle beat by a long shot! Each trip town town was an exercise in finding the scariest power connnections. It used to scare the crap out of me to go into the old train station that had been onverted into a market and custom suit outlet. Those little old ladies sewing traditional though nothing of stacking extension cords way deep to keep their sewing machines and irons running.