[PB 21]

Hey guys, I had a county inspector give me a two different items he had a gripe with and they are driving me crazy! Can anybody please back me up or help me out on these things?

1. I ran a 12/3 to a two gang kitchen counter outlet box- used the black for the left Gfci and the red for the right. I then ran two separate 12/2 wires coming off the load side of both gfci outlets and went Left and Right respectively to downstream counter outlets (non gfci). This while common practice to me... was not received well by the inspector citing the sharing of neutrals on a gfci circuit cannot exist. I thought that as long as they were separated after the initial Gfci outlets you could use a 12/3 to supply two small appliance branch circuits.

2. I ran a 10/3 romex to the outside non-fusible disconnect for the a/c unit and in order to not leave the romex exposed coming out of the house I sleeved it in some liquitite non metallic tubing from the disconnect toabout 8 inches inside the crawspace of the house. The inspector stated that this was an open entry to the disconnect and said that I could not leave the end of the LFNMC where the romex goes into open like that.

I Feel like both of these are OK practices but he doesn't and I guess that's what matters just wondering what the amhd community thinks? Thanks to all who take time to answer mine as well as others questions. Much appreciated

[tkrussell]

Hey guys, I had a county inspector give me a two different items he had a gripe with and they are driving me crazy! Can anybody please back me up or help me out on these things?

1. I ran a 12/3 to a two gang kitchen counter outlet box- used the black for the left Gfci and the red for the right. I then ran two seperate 12/2 wires coming off of the load side of both gfci outlets and went Left and Right respectively to downstream counter outlets (non gfci). This while common practice to me... was not received well by the inspector citing the sharing of neutrals on a gfci circuit cannot exist. I thought that as long as they were seperated after the initial Gfci outlets you could use a 12/3 to supply two small appliance branch circuits.

If I am reading this correctly, in that the shared neutral is only connected to the Line side of both GFI devices, and then each GFI feeds other outlets downstream and those whites are only connected to the Load side of each GFI, I see no problem and it is wired properly.

Being a county inspector, he may not be a fully qualified electrical inspector that is completely knowledgeable with wiring, and may be a bit confused.

Not sure how you will convince the inspector it will work fine. Perhaps you can draw out the circuitry so that he can see that the GFI devices are not involved with the shared neutral other than the Line side. Maybe someone else here can think of something in the mean time.

He got you one this one, thou a very minor technicality, but still got you:

2. I ran a 10/3 romex to the outside non-fusible disconnect for the a/c unit and in order to not leave the romex exposed coming out of the house i went ahead and sleeved it in some liquitite non metallic tubing from the disconnect toabout 8 inches inside the crawspace of the house. The inspector stated that this was an open entry to the disconnect and said that i could not leave the end of the LFNMC where the romex goes into open like that.

When cable exits a raceway, the proper method is to use a connector to clamp the exiting cable, so the cable is not just coming out of a conduit free-air style.

You would need a proper connector on the end of the LFNMC, a threaded coupling, and then a Romex connector in the other end of the coupling. This would then give you a clamp to secure the Romex cable.

Hopefully I was able to explain in words how to correct the last issue. I still am not sure how you can convince the inspector what you have done with the GFI feeder is proper.

Some, no most, inspectors, really have issues with DIY'ers, esp those inspectors that "know enough to be dangerous", and DIY'ers are not knowledgeable enough to be able to have a good reason or explanation to be able to talk themselves out of the problem.

[PB 21]

TK thanks for the reply your are always on this site with great info man. I appreciate it.

(im not worried about the Gfci's I know their wired right and will argue to him with schematics drawn out if I have too.)

My question is with the second item. The sleeve issue. What about when you have uf cable that is direct buried but emerges from ground and lets say enters a junction box 18' above ground via pvc conduit for protection of the cable from damage. That would be an example of cable in a sleeve with an open end right? In my second problem The liquitite is connected to the disconnect with a liquitite connector its just that on the other end it enters the LFNMC free air. Are you saying at this end I would need to put a romex conn, rigid couple, then a LFNMC straigt conn essentially a changeover? I guess its so no bugs can climb through the opening in the LFNMC straight to the disconnect? Just kidding but really as long as the romex and LFNMC are both supported I don't see any reason it is a problem? Am I reading this right or am I totally wrong. Thanks again

[tkrussell]

Whenever one wiring method changes to another, each needs to be connected properly using the proper fitting. Your example of UF cable entering PVC conduit is the same situation.

[PB 21]

TK thanks a lot for the info BIG HELP!