Fried A/C, 2 TV's and micro wave-my fault or electricians.

Update on damage. Took motor home to Camper World in Holiday, Fl. What they found was the same as what I had found, 2 Tv's, microwave and front A/c unit, damaged beyond repair. Everything else is working. Advised electrician, who told me get it fixed the way I want it and send him the bill.
As an aside, I told my neighbor the whole story and he was impressed with how they stood behind their work and hired them to install and whole new breaker board in his house. I doubt it will make up for what my repairs are going to cost, but they kept one good customer and gained another. Good customer service always equals higher profits. Thanks again for all you help.

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

soren wrote:

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

soren wrote:
...The job of the inspector is to visually inspect the installation to confirm that it meets code requirements, and that it was done to a minimum standard.

Meeting code requirements includes making sure that L1, L2, Neutral, and ground are all connected to the correct terminals - they also make sure that the correct size wire is used based on the requirements of the load and the circuit breaker.

Sounds great when you state what SHOULD be done in a perfect world. However, wording your statement as a declaration of fact isn't going to wash. After a few hundreds hours spent, along side of various electrical inspectors, as the perform their duties, I can assure you that a significant percentage of them would of given this job a pass, and jumped in the truck less than five minutes after they arrived. Doesn't matter what their job is on paper, the reality is that they often have a full schedule, a lot of ground to cover, and often no time to be going over another professional's work with a microscope.

And how long would that inspector have a job if it turns out that he signed off on a job that ended up killing someone? Cities, as a general rule, do not like liability issues and I don't think miswiring an electrical circuit would be something that would be passed by ANY ethical inspector...

When my garage wiring was upgraded, the inspector didn't even look at most of it. After two "failed" "inspections", he finally signed off on it...despite never seeing most of it, not actually turning the power on, and the fact that nothing that "failed" was actually changed. I should have just given him the cash the first time...what a pain.

soren wrote:

smkettner wrote:
All water under the bridge but the breaker should have stayed off until inspected.
But again the electrician should have left it off and let the inspector turn it on with instructions to the OP not to mess with it.
Glad to hear they will make good on everything.

I get the feeling that you are placing way too much value on the inspector's blessing, and what that contributes to the situation.
After dealing with dozens of individual inspectors, I find they are all over the map when it comes to the final product. I have done business with many who were technically competent, up to date on the latest info. on everything from code changes to best practices, and a real asset to the end user. OTOH, I have actually told one that he didn't have a clue and he needed to contact his boss on an issue before I did. He was in the process of failing my work based on code requirements that were several years outdated. Currently I deal with two extrodinarily incompetent individuals who represent a major regional engineering firm that subcontracts inspections in my area. Both of these folks have no idea how to inspect electrical installations, but they sat through the proper classes, and got the badge that says otherwise. I have no personal issue with either of them, but I know that the public is being cheated when the job is inspected by a bureaucrat who does paperwork well, but has no idea what they are looking at in the field. Between those that fit this profile, and the many who ended up with the inspectors badge because of nepotism, politics, or being a total clown with a guaranteed lifetime, union position, I really am less than impressed when I here, " Yep, you passed inspection, everything looks good". A competent, experienced electrician is far more important that a sticker that says everything "passed"

Spot on. Some inspectors are good, some are OK...too many are basically plant life. Plenty around here are just crooked.

soren wrote:

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

soren wrote:
...The job of the inspector is to visually inspect the installation to confirm that it meets code requirements, and that it was done to a minimum standard.

Meeting code requirements includes making sure that L1, L2, Neutral, and ground are all connected to the correct terminals - they also make sure that the correct size wire is used based on the requirements of the load and the circuit breaker.

Sounds great when you state what SHOULD be done in a perfect world. However, wording your statement as a declaration of fact isn't going to wash. After a few hundreds hours spent, along side of various electrical inspectors, as the perform their duties, I can assure you that a significant percentage of them would of given this job a pass, and jumped in the truck less than five minutes after they arrived. Doesn't matter what their job is on paper, the reality is that they often have a full schedule, a lot of ground to cover, and often no time to be going over another professional's work with a microscope.

And how long would that inspector have a job if it turns out that he signed off on a job that ended up killing someone? Cities, as a general rule, do not like liability issues and I don't think miswiring an electrical circuit would be something that would be passed by ANY ethical inspector...

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

soren wrote:
...The job of the inspector is to visually inspect the installation to confirm that it meets code requirements, and that it was done to a minimum standard.

Meeting code requirements includes making sure that L1, L2, Neutral, and ground are all connected to the correct terminals - they also make sure that the correct size wire is used based on the requirements of the load and the circuit breaker.

Sounds great when you state what SHOULD be done in a perfect world. However, wording your statement as a declaration of fact isn't going to wash. After a few hundreds hours spent, along side of various electrical inspectors, as the perform their duties, I can assure you that a significant percentage of them would of given this job a pass, and jumped in the truck less than five minutes after they arrived. Doesn't matter what their job is on paper, the reality is that they often have a full schedule, a lot of ground to cover, and often no time to be going over another professional's work with a microscope.

soren wrote:
...The job of the inspector is to visually inspect the installation to confirm that it meets code requirements, and that it was done to a minimum standard.

Meeting code requirements includes making sure that L1, L2, Neutral, and ground are all connected to the correct terminals - they also make sure that the correct size wire is used based on the requirements of the load and the circuit breaker.

Well the OP has already stated in a previous post, that the electrical contractor company is paying for all damage, and there is no question that it is their's to pay, so my comments will speak to that.

The damagaged is very likely to go beyond what was described. When the 120v shorepower plug was connected to 240VAC, the transfer switch controller was probably burned out, any TV, VCR, DVD, battery charger, inverter, HVAC sysem (if the T-Stat was not OFF). microwave, on-board WIFI electronics like Cradlepoint or WiFi Ranger, etc. I would make sure that every electronic and electrical system is inspected and functionally tested, before signing off on the damage. If you miss something, you may not be able to go back when it is discovered, and file an additional claim. So check everything.

My feelings are. If you the RV owner. That has no electrical knowledge, and hire a professional electrician, you expect that you will not have a blown A/C or whatever else fried. Case in point. I was running a contract in Salt Lake City in the federal building, I had my friend that I trained and I figured it was time to let him have a little freedom. We were doing a 480/277 panel (lighting panel) and I let him wire it up. I was in a hurry (had to get each panel done in an evening) I didn't check his work, (totally my fault) and he hooked up a neutral to another breaker (greys are neutral in 480/277 and I disagree with that practice) and when we powered up the panel we fried 300 light fixtures. It was my fault, not the federal building's fault. I should have checked his work. My Father was livid and he had a right to be (his company) and it was my fault. So the thing is, the electrician is at fault if he hooked up both hots to the 30ap receptacle. He/she should know better!!!!!

smkettner wrote:

soren wrote:

smkettner wrote:

.

I get the feeling that you are placing way too much value on the inspector's blessing, and what that contributes to the situation..... snip

Just saying if I knew nothing about some system to be installed and had an inspection scheduled.... I think I would have waited for the inspection.

Chances of getting one of the two to do it right reduces the risk of malfunction at start up. No guaranty of course.

It becomes a matter of really understanding the responsibility of the inspector, VS. the expectation that they will inspect, test and or verify that anything is done correctly. The job of the inspector is to visually inspect the installation to confirm that it meets code requirements, and that it was done to a minimum standard. They are not there to break out a multimeter and test anything, or to confirm that the electrician is doing everything according to contract documents, or meeting the owner's wishes. I can easily see an inspector devoting less than five minutes to performing the entire inspection, and giving it a pass, since everything appears to be correct.
Better than nothing, sure. Taking the time to review the NEMA specs. on the device and confirm that the voltage is correct......maybe. Giving it a pretty green sticker, moments before the RV owner fries all of his electronics in the camper.....you betcha! It isn't the first, or last time that's going to happen.

I advise people to always have a FIFTY amp outlet installed, even if you only put 30 amp breakers on the feed.. Now I could go into great detail as to why, but the original post in this thread.... That's why.

If you told the Electrician it was for the RF, if the work order states it's for the RV then it's on the electrician.. IF YOU CAN PROVE IT.

Otherwise... Well, it's up to the judge. AVOID VERBAL CONTRACTS (less like me you wear a pair of ears during the negotation). (Ears. binural microphones that clearly identify the speaker as "Me" or "Someone else" and a digital recorder).