15 ms·

That's not the point. The point is that if you don't recognize the acronyms for non-metallic cable, comm multi, water resistant barrier, or oriented strand boa

That's not the point. The point is that if you don't recognize the acronyms for non-metallic cable, comm multi, water resistant barrier, or oriented strand board, you should not be building a structure in a dense residential area.

unethical_ban 5y ago
On one hand, I know there are good reasons for safety codes. On the other, it's my property and I want a covered workshop with a power outlet.
- alex_sf 5y ago
  I mean the solution is straightforward: do what you want, just do it to (at least) minimum code. Hire someone if you’re not interested in taking the time to learn what minimum code is. It’s not particularly complex and is generally intuitive, but every line is written in blood. If you are interested, just start with each component. Building a powered workshop is not fundamentally different from building a house, and that’s not recommended for a first project. Tackle one subsystem at a time. Replace some flooring, some siding, add a receptacle, etc. Each one will let you learn best practices and minimum code for each part, and put you on the right path.
- amluto 5y ago
  The electrical code is surprisingly readable, and building a small shed with power, to code, is not substantially more expensive or time consuming than building it not to code. UF-B and plain THWN-2 wire are not very expensive, especially for a short run. A second conduit is cheap. Ground rods are cheap, although installing them can be annoying. A disconnect switch is maybe $150 and is an extremely polite thing to have if a firefighter shows up and wants to disconnect a structure. Moldy Romex wire in a flooded conduit next to some random intended-for-indoor use Cat 6 cable with insulation that may degrade when wet is asking for trouble. 50mA leakage into that Cat 6 cable will kill you 100% dead under the wrong circumstances but will not trip a conventional breaker.

unethical_ban 5y ago

On one hand, I know there are good reasons for safety codes. On the other, it's my property and I want a covered workshop with a power outlet.

alex_sf 5y ago
I mean the solution is straightforward: do what you want, just do it to (at least) minimum code. Hire someone if you’re not interested in taking the time to learn what minimum code is. It’s not particularly complex and is generally intuitive, but every line is written in blood. If you are interested, just start with each component. Building a powered workshop is not fundamentally different from building a house, and that’s not recommended for a first project. Tackle one subsystem at a time. Replace some flooring, some siding, add a receptacle, etc. Each one will let you learn best practices and minimum code for each part, and put you on the right path.
amluto 5y ago
The electrical code is surprisingly readable, and building a small shed with power, to code, is not substantially more expensive or time consuming than building it not to code. UF-B and plain THWN-2 wire are not very expensive, especially for a short run. A second conduit is cheap. Ground rods are cheap, although installing them can be annoying. A disconnect switch is maybe $150 and is an extremely polite thing to have if a firefighter shows up and wants to disconnect a structure. Moldy Romex wire in a flooded conduit next to some random intended-for-indoor use Cat 6 cable with insulation that may degrade when wet is asking for trouble. 50mA leakage into that Cat 6 cable will kill you 100% dead under the wrong circumstances but will not trip a conventional breaker.