Electrical
Though the Five Monkey Experiment was not an actual experiment ever conducted, the thought experiment can remind us of some of our natural behavior to “go with the flow”. As you go through training, learning and growing becoming a home inspector, never forget to verify conclusions, do your own research, and simply ask why. Don’t get into the mindset of “This is the way we do it because it is the way it’s always been done”. That doesn’t mean to climb the ladder yourself and potentially get sprayed with water, It means asking your fellow monkeys “Why don’t we climb that ladder?” If a good, sound, logical answer is not given, then do some additional research, ask other monkeys not in your cage, conduct experiments to test the validity of your current conclusions, and potentially you might find yourself with a bunch of bananas, but be cautious and be prepared to get yourself wet.
Inside a Breaker
Reference - NEC 2011
Overhead Service conductors near pool - From the NEC
Short Version of a long story -
Went head to head with the electric company over a service conductor near a pool. Using the Pythagorean Theorem I determined the overhead service conductor was less than 22.5 feet from the nearest edge of the water.
Proof - The conductor was 10.5 feet high, and 11 feet from the edge of the water surface. (10.5*10.5) + (11*11) = (15.2*15.20)
SEC or service drop was 15.20ft from the water. Looking at the chart to the left - clearance from the water (A) and no platform and no diving board (so B doesn’t apply), so we need 22.5ft clearance right? …. Wrong the cable was 11feet horizontal away from the pool edge (C) which is greater than 10 feet, so service conductor clearance falls into normal clearances for pedestrians in this case so 10 feet - which it was.
Luckily I was not abrasive and the whole ordeal went smoothly with no hurt feelings, Just a hurt pride/ego.
Moral of the story - You may know the code but to understand it can be another realm. Always be prepared to be schooled. Learn from it and pass it along.
