elgato

I feel like this may be a dumb question, but double taps are never allowed on main lugs are they ? even for surge protectors ?

How would you report the capacity of this service? Service cable appears to be #2 aluminum. The service enters the basement and is fed to a switch. The switch has two 70 amp cartridge fuses. Then a #2 aluminum cable feeds a distribution panel with a 100 amp main. I think this is a 70 amp service. Am I correct? Photo shows the main switch. Click to Enlarge 80.34 KB

My guess is that this "fuse" melts at a high temp and opens to release excess pressure/heat, like today's TPR valve.

Saw this mounted on top of a State Industries electric water heater manufactured in 1983. No TPR valve, as I know them anyway. Anyone able to enlighten me on this? Thanks Click to Enlarge 58.17 KB

I have a company for you to avoid; The Merchant Solutions out of Woodland Hills, CA. While I do have myself to blame for not reading the fine print, I urge you to stay clear. They were helpful enough when I was starting with them. But, I couldn't get the swiper to read my card. They stayed on the phone with me for 25 or more minutes until after many tries, it connected with my card. Of course, in the field, I didn't have that luxury of time and I apologized to my clients about the "temporary" failure of my reader. I stopped even trying. I never used it for a transaction. Then I start getting monthly fees. Then I start to stop my service. After some bullshit about billing cycles, three months later I am out !! They never asked for the card reader, but I held on to it, just in case. Then the phone call about failure to return the reader would result in significant fees. I ask for return instructions and address. Now as a final farewell, I spot a $350 debit from them to my account. I call and am told that that was a "restocking fee" that was clearly communicated in their application documents. This company is a "rip off". I now use PayPal. Smooth transactions, the reader actually works. Fees are based upon transactions only.

I found a ground wire attached to a clamp on a water line from the boiler today. I have seen them attached to plumbing lines, but never a heat line. I guess the path is there eventually as the heat pipes will eventually connect with the water line, and there was a jumper over the water meter. But I don't think this is a proper termination for the ground. Am I being too picky?

Had a call from a realtor. I had identified the service as 100 amp based upon the size of the service wire. He said that since the meter base was round, it was a 60 amp meter base. 100 amp service has a square meter base. I have had difficulty with this guy before. Is there any credence to this no 100 amp in a round meter base? I'm confident of the size of the service cable.

Any issue with mixed ABS and PVC ?? Is there a glue/sealant issue??

Found this in a vacant home. It's "growing" on finished OSB in a basement ceiling. Right next to an obviously leaking HVAC joint. Clearly condensation from the cool HVAC supply has allowed something to grow on the OSB. I'm calling it " some type of growth ", but has anyone else seen this? and if so, what is it? algae? Click to Enlarge 75.09 KB

Is there a rule about multiple 90 degree fittings in a TPR line? Click to Enlarge 37.63 KB

I have a client who is concerned about the Chinese drywall situation. Is there a way to provide an scientific test for the sulphur dioxide off-gassing? I told him I would look for telltale signs, pitting on plumbing fixtures, and black deposits on wiring/ electrical fixtures. I do not know of a process to evaluate the presence/absence of elevated levels of sulphur dioxide. Nor do I know of an acceptable level of sulphur dioxide, for that matter.

Ahhh yes. Right you are. Thank you. So the jumper does not need to be placed on the copper pipe.

I found this today; a properly attached jumper across the water meter to allow the cold water supply to provide a path for grounding the electrical system. But, the clamps were on the brass part of the meter fixture. I have not seen this. I expect the clamps to be place on the copper water lines on either side of the water meter.Is this an acceptable installation? Click to Enlarge 49.78 KB

I agree with some of the prior posts. If there are snakes in the attic, there is a food source there too. Those burrows you saw are probably from rodents. Eliminate the food source, and the predator moves on.

Yes, the issue of "computed load" strikes a key. That is in the opinion that I had read, and caused me to question whether or not I should comment on the 50 amp breaker for a unit that specifies a max OCPD of 45 amps.