What does NFPA 1192 require for wire used in RVs?

[belfert]

Does anybody know what type of wire the NFPA 1192 requires be used in recreational vehicles?  I am really tempted to just buy a copy of NFPA 1192, but that is a lot of money to find out what type of wire is required.

Sean says marine wire is not allowed.  I thought the reasoning was lack of UL listing, but every bit of marine wire and cable I have used to date is UL listed.

I'll sell my bus conversion before I would put an inch of solid copper in my bus.  If solid copper was a good idea they would have wired the chassis with solid wire.

[Len Silva]

Brian,

The NFPA 1192 does not mention wiring at all except for Section 1-5 " Electrical Requirements All electrical installations, systems, and equipment shall comply with Article 551, Part A, and other applicable sections of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.

UL Listing does not mean NFPA approved (I was confused by that for a long time).

My experience, which is considerable in this area, is that there are more failures in the crimp lugs used with stranded wire than in screw connections used with solid wire in RV use.

I would much prefer solid wire than stranded that was installed with a two dollar crimper from K-Mart.  Happens all the time and I have seen it.  I have also seen solid wire Romex installations that have lasted thirty years without a problem.

That said, I would not replace existing boat wire just to meet code.  If you are satisfied that all the crimp lugs are properly installed then there should be no problem.

Len

[belfert]

No two dollar crimpers here.  Several Klien crimpers or a high buck ratcheting crimper were used on all crimps.  I currently have in my a garage a very expensive Burndy crimper for crimping some 4/0 cable.  (The company owning the crimper has lots of idle tools due to the economy.)

[Melbo]

Brian

NFPA references NEC and you can get stranded thhn to use in armored cable or conduit

Just a side note

Melbo

[belfert]

Do they allow anything besides THHN?  RV manufacturers use Romex so I assume that is also allowed, but I would never use that.

I am hoping I can get my hands on a copy of the NEC without buying a copy.

[Kristinsgrandpa]

Belfert, before I'd put out that kind of money I would try the public library, ebay or Amazon.com. I've bought several used books from Amazon and they were like new.

Most library's have copying machines (it used to be a dime here) and you can copy the pages that pertain to your situation.


Ed

[belfert]

I have decided that I need more than just a day or two to figure out what to do about rewiring my bus.  I only have 12 days before I leave on a trip so the wiring will have to stay the way it is until I get back and figure out how to rewire.

I'll use 8 AWG THHN if I need to hook up my new inverter to the current power panels.

I'll go to the library to look at a code book after I get back from my trip.

[Melbo]

sounds like a good plan brian

Melbo

[Sean]

Brian,

If it has quality boat cable in it now, and (and this is really the rub) it is properly installed with the correct terminations, I would not rush to rip it out.  It's not to code, but it is not necessarily unsafe, either.

In the other thread, I was simply suggesting that any new wire you install, particularly high-current applications such as the 30-amp inverter circuit we were discussing, be done to code.

I have a copy of the current NEC (NFPA 70), and can answer any questions you have.  If you want to give me a call, that's fine, too -- just keep it between 9am Pacific, 12n Eastern, and 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com