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Paid for this, need help to fix!

2K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  xxPaulCPxx 
#1 ·
Hello everybody! I purchased this property over the winter, and with no experience with electrical work, I hired a friends dad to come butcher some wiring for me. What a nightmare, guy is a total moron and really did a horrible job. "Functionality wise its fine".
Holy crap....I would have gotten killed!
I need to fix this, can I still use the brand new cutler hammer main panel? It's a bit hacked up.

If I am running large equipment - welder, plasma cutter, air compressor...should I consider a certain panel and breakers over others?

I have this all removed from the wall now, and simply have the black wires sticking out of the wall. I am not using any of the existing conduit, I just want to get the box mounted, power on, and then wire the rest later.

I wanted to mount a main shutoff box, and then the main panel next to it. Is there specific ways I have to do this?

Any help will be very appreciated.

Here's a few pictures:


 
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#4 ·
I am located in the UP of Michigan.
The CH is new, but if I should buy something better and do it right I would have no problem doing so.
200 amp service
Not sure on the zoning, supposedly it was reverted back to residential after sitting vacant for a certain time period.
My zoning code reads "RG", and ECF neighborhood code is "15-Commercial - Retail"
 
#3 ·
Alrighty now that you changed your name haha anyways I would go with a Square D box and Breakers obviously... um First thing I would do is fix the metal conduit... as for your main shutoff the things you need to remember are you need a shutoff the same size or larger as your service... honestly I don't understand why you would put a main shut off right next to the panel because a panel has a main breaker.... if you where looking for a main shutoff the only thing I could see is having it on the other side of the room encase of a injury/fire etc.... where you would need to kick the power off as fast as possible and running to the box is just way to far so you could shut it off on the other side... idk that's my thoughts on it
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have this all removed from the wall now, and simply have the black wires sticking out of the wall. I am not using any of the existing conduit, I just want to get the box mounted, power on, and then wire the rest later.
Is this a main panel where the incoming wires are coming from the meter? If so, you must have the meter removed so it would be easy to replace the service wires. They are a little frayed and there is a splice in the neutral. Just a thought.
Also, that big hole where the service comes in isn't going to fly. That conduit has to be connected to the panel.
 
#8 ·
Ohh gotcha, the pipe has to be connected to the box. Can the box be patched and redrilled? Do the wires have to be replaced if they are fraying like that? Do the three wires coming in have to be crimped somewhere before entering the box? I believe somebody had mentioned needing the wires clamped off somewhere. Thanks!
 
#9 ·
You allready just open up new cans of worms look like the EMT conduits it is not properly seceured at all and you no ground connections on the EMT conduits due they are floating around the hole that is pretty dangerous if the conduit get enerized for some reason.


What your freind done that work I will never leave that kind mess there there are few items it will need to be fixed before the electrical inspector will see that.

now you say you took it off from the wall if so you will have to remounted and I will stay with EMT conduit for sure otherwise if your code do allowed NM then you will have to pay attetion how to bond it to the metal juction boxes.

and are you going to rewire the whole place ? if so you will need proper permit.

Merci,Marc
 
#15 ·
The main thing I want to do is get the box mounted to the wall safely and within code. Right now there is no box on the wall, just the three wires sticking out of the wall. From there I know people locally that can help me wire all kinds of stuff, so I was hoping somebody could tell me exactly what I need to mount the box on the wall and have the service turned on. Thanks!
 
#16 ·
Exactly what it takes to get service turned on depends on your local building inspector... we just had another guy through here with a similar experience, except they wouldn't turn on his power until he made his house habitable.

With your existing box, you might be able to make it work. Cover up that hole (I would screw in a 4" metal box cover) and use the knockout on either corner - the conduit end looks like it already has the correct fitting for it. Make sure you have enough cable to pull into the box to do this - if not you will have to replace the cable.

Haven't seen the ground connection yet - this is of equal importance... no, it cant just be connected to a water pipe either!
 
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