I have completed the wiring of my woodshop which is a freestanding building. A licensed electrician installed a 60 amp feed from the house to the panel. I have wired the shop using EMT on the surface with 3 circuits (120 volt) for lights and receptacles. One 240 volt circuit for the table saw. This will be inspected next week.

I am curious to hear from the pros and amateurs regarding the more common pitfalls you have seen.

Your reward will be a report of the outcome of my inspection. Thanks to you all.

Roy

 

Possible mistakes:

• Failure to install a grounding rod.
• Failure to have separate neutral and grounding bars.
• Installing the green bonding screw in the subpanel.
• Not providing GFCI protection.
• Having more than six sweeps of the hand required to disconnect all power to the building.
• Installing the panel in an area with insufficient clearance.
• Not adequately protecting the wires.
• Running cables too close to the edge of a stud without a protector plate.
• Not adequately securing cables with staples.
• Driving the staples too hard.
• Damaging the cable during pulling.
• Not burying the feeder deep enough.
• Not using wet-rated wiring in the feeder.
• Incorrect breaker size protecting the feeder.
• Direct burying wiring not designated for direct burial.
• Not leaving enough free wire in the boxes.
• Stripping too little or too much of the sheathing.
• Two wires under a screw.
• Not routing the wires neatly in the panel.
• Not torquing the screws properly.
• Not connecting the grounding wires with approved devices (such as a green wire nut).

 

"Not leaving enough free wire in the boxes."

Do I have a problem here? In the 240 volt circuit, my wire, THHN, runs through conduit shared by a 120 volt circuit. Since the 240 volt circuit is a continuous wire straight through receptacle boxes on the 120 volt circuit I saw no need to leave "free wire" in those boxes.

The 120 V circuit has free wire, pigtails on receptacles.

Am I in trouble?

Roy

 

No..........

 

Well, that's a relief. I've been out in the shop cleaning a bit to make it look neat and I was looking at the circuit and decided, if necessary, I could cut the wires and add some for slack if necessary. Much happier to leave it alone.

Appreciate your prompt reply. You've helped put this old guy's mind at rest.

Roy

 

Nothing beats success! It passed.

This is Tuesday, and after lunch I was in the shop for about an hour putting tools away when I happened to notice the green postit in the window. APPROVED.

The inspector obviously came in while I was eating lunch, looked things over and gave it the OK. I didn't hear his truck or I would have gone out to see what his thoughts were.

I understand that some experiences with inspectors have been less than desireable, but this guy had answered questions, offered advice, and reminded me each time I talked to him that he was there to help. I couldn't have asked for more.

We've been here in Western North Carolina 8 months and continue to be impressed by the people we meet.

Roy

 

I know how you feel. Put your feet up and have a beer. Congratulations!

 

Doing it right and having it inspected gives you that great feeling. Congrats.