[Elecraft] AC Power for the Station

[Rick WA6NHC]

Codes are a only sets of standards that must be adopted (at the county 
level usually) to have the force of law.  The codes are written by 
'professionals' (sometimes cronyism sneaks in) who have spent a long 
time in the trades and have moved up (i.e. the NFPA is mostly retired 
fire chiefs).

Codes are not universally adopted when printed and if they are adopted, 
may not be the most recent edition.  That is up to the local controlling 
board (of supervisors usually).  Many boards feel it necessary to 
'review' (including modifying for local 'concerns' be that expense or 
politics) the code year in question before adoption, and since they are 
renewed every couple years with that process being tedious, the adopted 
code may be many years out of date.

Where I live, there is no code enforcement be it electrical, building, 
plumbing, whatever (but common sense requires following the code, so 
does the insurance company).  There are no inspectors and no management 
for code enforcement even IF it was adopted. There is no budget to hire 
an inspector and one does not even whisper adding taxes here to create 
any of it.

Putting up a tower is simpler, but I am requiring that the contractor 
follow the manufacturers documentation for the base and the power 
conduit and wiring are up to code.  That way, it becomes part of the 
house coverage for the insurance.

The next county to the south enforces building codes, so yes, your 
mileage varies.  Then, not all contractors (even if licensed) follow the 
codes.  Not all home inspectors (prior to sale) know what to look for as 
well.  It is up to the buyer/owner to do their due diligence here.

Mine was a good one, noted that the framing and roof were built over 
strong for added snow load for examples; knew the electrical and 
plumbing codes, he also caught the small things easily missed.

But now you know how it may have been 'missed'.  If in fact it was 
inspected at all; there may have been no adopted code to enforce by 
inspectors that don't exist.

Rick nhc


On 6/14/2018 11:39 PM, Michael Eberle wrote:
> I just bought the house I'm living in last year.  While changing out 
> some of the receptacles and switches I discovered that they did not 
> use wire nuts for wire connections in the wall boxes. They had 
> attempted to solder the wires and wrapped them in tape. Most, if not 
> all of them were cold solder joints and several inches of the wire 
> insulation had melted during the heating process.
>
> Apparently the codes are not as strict outside of the city limits.
>
> Mike - KI0HA