I got hookups!!!

[Sean]

It would be pretty easy to dig up that flexible pipe and have it exposed (though not so easy to take it out of a potentially wet location as my house inlet is in that area as well....) What does the code say in those conditions?

If it passed inspection, I would probably leave it as-is until it becomes a problem.

To fix it properly, you really have two choices:

1. Remove the conduit and the wires and replace both with Underground Feeder cable, type UF, which is rated for direct burial.  You can probably get a fair amount for the scrap value of the aluminum in the existing wires.

2. Remove the wires from the conduit and replace the conduit with a liquid-tight variety listed for direct burial, such as type LFMC.  Re-pull the wires through the new, properly rated conduit and re-terminate.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[rv_safetyman]

A word of caution on direct burial cable. 

I laid that in a trench that we had to blast so that I could get power to the shop.  Any idiot would know that you should not put that cable on sharp rock - right .

Well, it lasted about 2 years and I had the fun of digging up the cable and putting conduit down.

Jim

[JohnEd]

My experience is the inspector owns the bat and ball, the electrician is just the player...  I've never had a bad inspector who got the code wrong, but I'm sure they exist.

Brian

I envy you your experience....on this point and many others, actually.

You need to cycle over here to Eugene, Orygun.  This crew is so terrible that grown up electricians/contractors refuse work within the jurisdiction of the City inspectors.  I would relate my experiences but I am certain WITHOUT DOUBT that most here would condemn me as prevaricator of the truth and all things Holy.  Worst experience of my life with civil servants.  WORST!  I have been around a good long while and I administered Gummint Defense contracts for 20 plus years and many of those birds live up to their reputation but this crew is beyond the bounds of.....

John

[happycamperbrat]

I just checked my mom's electrical inlet box (we live on the same 1 acre) and hers is done exactly like mine with the flexible piping. Hers was done around 20 years ago though.... Is both the large flexible and the smaller flexible wrong or just one of them?

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Could be that since you are in a pretty dry area that the flexible tubing is ok with the county. You might want to ask them though.

[happycamperbrat]

I haven't talked to the county, but we just recently transferred both her house and the land with my house all into my name with an attorney. The county did do the inspections on the mobile homes when they were set up...... at this point with what all you guys are sayin Im not so sure I want the county coming out here ya know?! But I do want it right because like I said before, I dont want a fireman or insurance adjuster telling me later on that it was wrong!

[Dave5Cs]

If that is in Wet areas Not just rain but wet or where water can get to it, It should then be Schedule 40 or 80 solid PVC electrical grey pipe, glued with chaff protection anywhere it protrude through any rough or sharp opening. What you have is neither. That is Armor shield conduit and it is not water proof it is only water resistant.

[happycamperbrat]

You guys really know how to give a girl a boat load of work! Okay, got a lot to do....... see ya in 6 months lol

[Dave5Cs]

Like Sean said it is not that bad but needs a few things to be fixed before something does happen to someone. And it does all depend on what your local codes will accept.

Take a breath relax arms up in the air blow out (3 times), Now get to work.

Dave

[wal1809]

It is funny to bear about inspectors coming out look at the work.  I read a book one night, got up the next morning and started rewiring my rent house.  When I finished I called the county and told them "I need an inspection on my wiring job".  The lady said we don't do that if an individual wires a house but if you hired a contractor then the county would have to inspect it.  I asked if they would do it anyway because I read a wiring book the night before.  "No" she says.

So I call the power company to come out and hook into the grid.  The service man arrives and I asked him to look over my work.  He hooked it up and says "Looks good to me, have a nice day".

I kind if like that!

[Chopper Scott]

A very electric topic indeed!! I have found out over my years that electricians are anal and basically would love it if you had to get a permit and pay them to change batteries in your tv remote control. Did I mention the word anal? We all know there are some self proclaimed electrical wizzards on the board  but in all reality their giving advise over a forum is probably not a wise idea. If a fire occured from someone following their advise they could actually be held accountable. How's that for being anal?!!!  Some may know more than us average busnuts about electricity but I seriously doubt they know as much as the guys that do it for a living. A word of advise to all. Do not go on a bus forum for advise on commercial or residential wiring issues. I don't go on electrical forums for advise on busses.

[happycamperbrat]

Scott, I could not disagree more! People are responsible for their own actions. If I went to a forum and complained of personal issues and someone told me to jump off a bridge and I did, never in a million years would they be held liable. This board (like any other) is full of all kinds of people giving all kinds of opinions on all kinds of matters. Ive been researching many of these issues all day, and sooooo much of it is already on the net from a million different sources even on youtube lol Why in the world can a subject like safe RV pedestals not be discussed without people getting afraid of lawsuits? That's just wrong. But yes, today everywhere I turned on the net I did learn that the 120 was a danger and I removed it tonight. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to show photos of a project and have it scrutinized. But in the end it is up to ME to decide what I want to do and if Im gonna do it and I am responsible for MY own actions.

[Chopper Scott]

You go girl!! Don't let the voltage nazi's ruin your sleep. I would have a local electrician take a peek and if for nothing else let you sleep better. Congrats on the hookups! I'm sure that is what your original intentions were and hoping that some fellow nuts may stop and enjoy. Great intentions and maybe someday I'll get to stop over. If you post any electrical stuff on this forum beware!!! 

[happycamperbrat]

yeah, Im going to do as much of the work as I can myself. After I think it passes, then I will call back that electrician who wouldnt teach me anything lol   

[Sean]

I just checked my mom's electrical inlet box (we live on the same 1 acre) and hers is done exactly like mine with the flexible piping. Hers was done around 20 years ago though....

Remember that the codes do change and evolve.  It's possible that 20 years ago this was not a problem (hard to imagine, though).

Also, flexible conduit is not a problem, so long as it is the liquid-tight type approved for direct burial.  What I see in your photo looks to me like neither.

Is both the large flexible and the smaller flexible wrong or just one of them?

I didn't see where the small one goes, but I was guessing that it is carrying the driven ground and it only goes as far as the rod.  Since it would not be buried it would be OK so long as this is not considered a "wet location".  The large one is definitely a problem.

If that is in Wet areas Not just rain but wet or where water can get to it, It should then be Schedule 40 or 80 solid PVC electrical grey pipe, glued with chaff protection anywhere it protrude through any rough or sharp opening. ...

While Dave is correct that those are approved methods, they are not the only ones, at least under the national code.  You may also use direct-burial underground feeder cable, type UF, and direct-burial liquid-tight flexible metal conduit, type LFMC.  The PVC is probably cheaper than either of those, except that I would guess the wires that are in the FMC you have now will not be long enough to run through regular PVC, which will necessarily take a less direct route than the flexible stuff you have today.  You'd have to do the math as to whether the LFMC with your existing wire or the PVC with new wire would be cheaper.


-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com