Does the Code Apply? and 10/3 to Dryer

[Kidd6488]

Hi. Our contractor appears to not place much importance on wiring properly. When I confronted one of his workers doing wiring, he said that the NEC doesn't apply in this county. I live in Ohio, is this possible? I thought the NEC applied everywhere, but we just didn't get inspected. [?][?][?]

Anyways, they were going to run 10/2 (w/g) to our dryer outlet in our addition. I told them, I think you have to run 10/3 b/c the dryer needs a nuetral. So I assume they were going to be stupid and run the 10/2 as follows:

Black-Hot A
White-Hot B
Green-Nuetral

I know this isn't right. Ever since I was little, I was told you should never run any current through the ground wire. So we got them to run the 10/3.
But of course, they cut it too short and now, they're going to have to have a junction box to splice it... What do they care? They won't be living here in 5 years...[V]

~Jonathon Reinhart

[Rewired]

Wow! I didn't know "Hack N' Slash Electric" worked down in your area!!
Don't get me wrong, I am only an apprentice, but I am pretty damn sure that the NEC applies in your area and you MUST get it ALL inspected! Perhaps the contractor is just trying to cheap out and not pull a permit or is trying to hide something.. Makes me wonder what the rest of the electrical looks like!

As for your dryer, 10/3 IS the way to go, as for them adding a box and splicing it. I wouldn't.. Yes it will work, yes it has been done, and yes, I have done it where another cable could NOT pulled from the panel... Would I do it normally? HELL NO!! Its just another location for a problem if the splice isn't done properly, AND it may be against code in your area! If it were my place I would INSIST they pull another cable from the panel!

[kactuskid]

Stop this work immediatly, what they are doing is definatly against code and the NEC definatly applies in Ohio. You are getting shafted by these morons that don't know their head from a hole in the ground.

Code requires that a new dryer circuit be ran using 10-3 plus ground (so 4 wires in all) and there can be no splices in this circuit. They need to run a new wire all the way from the main to a 4 prong receptacle and your dryer must have a 4 prong cord installed on it to accomidate this. Here's a link that explains it in detail. As I said though, stop them from working, they're definatly not qualified to do this work and you'll be sorry if you allow them to continue.

http://www.homewiringandmore.com/switchoutlet/dryer/dryer.html

[LazyPup]

Kid6488
I can wholeheartedly understand your problem. I live in the sharon pennsylvania area and i work in both Oho and Pa. About 5 years ago i returned to Ohio after more than 25 years working in Massachusetts, Texas, Florida and Alabama. All of those states are very serious about testing and certifying tradesmen. I took the electrical apprenticeship in texas and plumbing in florida, working in both Florida and Alabama. In alabama a plumber is not even permitted to have a laborer on the job. Everyone must be either a journeymen or a card carrying member of a bona fide apprenticeship. In those apprenticeship programs you have to work a minimum of 40 hours a week under a master, submit weekly time sheets to the state apprenticeship board and attend nite school full time for four years.
When i returned to Ohio i inquired as to how to convert my license to Ohio. Imagine my suprise when i was told the state has no licensing requirements. In both Pa and Ohio licensing is done by each respective county or municipality. In most counties or municipalities all one has to do is go to city hall, show proof of workmans comp insurance (if you intend to employ 4 or more people, show proof of liability insurance and pay an annual fee. The bottom line is anyone who has a rusty pipe wrench and a couple hundred dollars to spare can be a licensed plumber, residential electrical contractor, or general contractor in a matter of minutes, and as you have pointed out, much of the work reflects this problem.
In this community no license is required if you work on single family or up to three unit apartments. 4 or more units or commercial properties do require a real license and permits but permits are only required on residential for new construction. Maybe that accounts for why there is little to no actual new construction in this area.
There is a movement in this area to correct the problem and begin requiring licenses by means of proof of competency in the trade, but for the moment its a dog eat dog world.
Sadly, many of the small contractors i have met in this area wouldnt know a building code from the morse code.

[HayZee518]

The other "guy" is right. Have the contractor STOP all work. Remove the 10/2 and install 10/3 w/g. The outlet HAS to be a four wire receptacle and the pigtail HAS to be a four wire also. Used to be four wire in mobile homes only but now they've standardized it. New ranges also have to be four wire.
NEC applies to all 50 states with certain exceptions in individual states (Massachusetts) for example have their own offshoot to the NEC. Inspections where there are no inspectors are usually carried out by UL certified inspectors. Call your fire department or town office.