Allowable wire termination

[Brandon Whitmore]

I found a bare wire in a home a while back. The bare wire was just taped over with electrical tape and placed into a junction box. I do not like this installation, and believe there should be wire nuts installed to cap off the bare wires. Anyone know for sure whether just wrapping the end in electrical tape is allowed? Better yet, will someone point me toward the proper code reference.?

[AHI in AR]

I don't have the code reference, but I wouldn't think you need it. Tape falls off.That's all the info I've ever needed. Then again, no one has ever challenged me on it.

[Brandon Whitmore]

I do agree-- wire nuts are the way to go. The argument is that even if the tape falls off, the open wire is terminated in a plastic junction box.

I'll keep searching for a code source.

Thanks Kevin.

[Bill Kibbel]

In IRC land:

E3306.10

"...Splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device listed for the purpose."

We're really startin' to miss Jim K., particularly in the electrical forum.

[Brandon Whitmore]

We're really startin' to miss Jim K., particularly in the electrical forum.

I agree,

Thanks for the info. Bill

[Bob White]

From NEC 2005:

"Article 110.14(B) : . . . All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose. . . . ."

I have long heard about, but cannot find, a cite that says that abandoned or unused conductors should be removed rather than just adequately terminated on either end. Is there such a cite in the NEC or other pub??

[Brian G]

Originally posted by inspecthistoric

We're really startin' to miss Jim K., particularly in the electrical forum.

Amen. Anybody heard from (or about) Lord Jim lately?

Brian G.

The Inmates Are Running the Electrical Asylum [:-boggled

[Mike Lamb]

"When the Kat's away, the Cat's will play."

Paul Shaffer

[msteger]

Yep, I recommend wire nuts and junction boxes for all exposed wire junctions, terminations, etc.