Electrical wires resting on top of water pipes?

Feb 2nd, 2017 7:18 pm

#1

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 2nd, 2017 7:18 pm

Electrical wires resting on top of water pipes?

I am running a water line to my fridge and noticed that some electrical wires are resting on top of the copper water lines. Is thisokay? I thought electrical wires are supposed to be fastened to the joists with those nailed in staples.

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Feb 2nd, 2017 7:55 pm

#2

ChubChub: Deal Addict; Oct 9, 2010; 3148 posts; 1331 upvotes; Windsor

Feb 2nd, 2017 7:55 pm

Are they definitely electrical wires? Not sure if it's against code, but I'd staple them up anyways, just to be safe.

One who is offended by truth, has no place among those who seek wisdom.

+1

Feb 2nd, 2017 8:08 pm

#3

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 2nd, 2017 8:08 pm

ChubChub wrote: ↑ Are they definitely electrical wires? Not sure if it's against code, but I'd staple them up anyways, just to be safe.

Yes they are electrical wires which are connected to the pot lights.

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Feb 2nd, 2017 8:28 pm

#4

Drew_W: Deal Fanatic; Jul 4, 2004; 7534 posts; 791 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 2nd, 2017 8:28 pm

In this instance, I feel like a photo might be somewhat helpful in getting to the bottom of the issue.

+1

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:01 pm

#5

mau_mau: Deal Addict; Feb 24, 2008; 3549 posts; 2250 upvotes; Mississauga

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:01 pm

Electric...Wires....Water....Yeah that doesn't sound good

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:16 pm

#6

MacGyver: Deal Addict; Mar 8, 2002; 4233 posts; 876 upvotes; Ottawa

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:16 pm

If the wiring was done for a renovation, then it's acceptable to ESA to just run it loose in a wall or joist cavity.

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:38 pm

#7

t3359: Deal Expert; Dec 26, 2005; 17066 posts; 1828 upvotes; Thornhill

Feb 2nd, 2017 10:38 pm

MacGyver wrote: ↑ If the wiring was done for a renovation, then it's acceptable to ESA to just run it loose in a wall or joist cavity.

I assume that's if the line is fished... But if the wire is exposed, aren't you required to fix it to the joist?

bjl

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Feb 2nd, 2017 11:44 pm

#8

SellKijijiOshawa: Banned; Oct 17, 2016; 378 posts; 133 upvotes; Oshawa, Ontario

Feb 2nd, 2017 11:44 pm

Definitely staple to joists.

I still got some hanging in my basement ... gotta find time to take care of them.

Mitsubishi Lancer RULES.

Feb 3rd, 2017 5:40 am

#9

Frank2029: Sr. Member; Feb 17, 2012; 658 posts; 130 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 3rd, 2017 5:40 am

I'd staple it anyways but it's not really a hazard. The copper pipe isnt going to burst on the straight run and if it did it would be on a soldered connection that failed. If that happened the electrical wire would have to be cut through all the shielding in that particular spot. If that were to happen then it would trip the breaker. Highly unlikely but I'm sure it's happened a bunch of times. Staple it on both sides of the pipe not directly above.

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:41 am

#10

MrSparky: Sr. Member; Mar 3, 2013; 516 posts; 265 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:41 am

Pictures would be useful here.

A Licensed Electrical Contractor

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:39 pm

#11

fusion2k2k: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2008; 1807 posts; 1167 upvotes

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:39 pm

It's good practice to keep it off direct contact with the pipes but there is nothing inherently "wrong" with it. If you're worried you could put a small piece of batt insulation in between. The only thing electrical wires really need to stay away from is ductwork as there is sharp metal and hot air from the hot air ducts.

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:45 pm

#12

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:45 pm

Drew_W wrote: ↑In this instance, I feel like a photo might be somewhat helpful in getting to the bottom of the issue.

MrSparky wrote: ↑ Pictures would be useful here.

Here is what I am asking about:

I also found this. Is this acceptable?

I also found this. The white wires aren't properly joined with the marrettes. The copper wiring is exposed. Also shouldn't there be a cover on the box?

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Feb 3rd, 2017 7:46 pm

#13

Quentin5: Deal Expert; Feb 8, 2014; 31163 posts; 14649 upvotes; Socially Distanced

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:46 pm

You need a real electrician to fix quite a few things there.
Who wired those pictures?

In fact in Rand McNally they wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:56 pm

#14

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 3rd, 2017 7:56 pm

Quentin5 wrote: ↑ You need a real electrician to fix quite a few things there.
Who wired those pictures?

I don't know for sure, we're not the first owner of this house.

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Feb 3rd, 2017 8:11 pm

#15

Quentin5: Deal Expert; Feb 8, 2014; 31163 posts; 14649 upvotes; Socially Distanced

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:11 pm

cheapmeister wrote: ↑ I don't know for sure, we're not the first owner of this house.

Its not done to code

In fact in Rand McNally they wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people

0

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:14 pm

#16

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:14 pm

Quentin5 wrote: ↑ Its not done to code

So what should I do now? These wires are supplying power to the many pot lights on the ceiling. One section of 6 lights is connected to a dimmer switch but the lights will blink sometimes when someone is walking above on the main floor.

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Feb 3rd, 2017 8:16 pm

#17

Quentin5: Deal Expert; Feb 8, 2014; 31163 posts; 14649 upvotes; Socially Distanced

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:16 pm

cheapmeister wrote: ↑ So what should I do now? These wires are supplying power to the many pot lights on the ceiling. One section of 6 lights is connected to a dimmer switch but the lights will blink sometimes when someone is walking above on the main floor.

oh joy
That may mean all of those circuits are done wrong, that not going to be cheap to fix
If your handy you could get a homeowners permit and learn how to fix the wiring (the electrical code simplified book costs $23), otherwise hiring an electrician will cost some coin

In fact in Rand McNally they wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:27 pm

#18

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:27 pm

Quentin5 wrote: ↑ oh joy
That may mean all of those circuits are done wrong, that not going to be cheap to fix
If your handy you could get a homeowners permit and learn how to fix the wiring (the electrical code simplified book costs $23), otherwise hiring an electrician will cost some coin

I've got 28 pot lights. +4 in the washroom

8 of the potlights are in drywall, doubt these are easily accessible. The pics I have shown I can fix. But I dunno about what else I have not seen, and what needs to be done to it to make it proper. It just makes me wonder how someone could be so bad at wiring? I mean I am not an electrician and I can spot these errors very easily. I don't even use the lights, I currently use a plug in lamp, so I don't feel like I should worry, but still this is awful.

I will tell my father tomorrow and see what he says. He'll probably blow his lid and I will have to put up with the yelling and whining

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Feb 3rd, 2017 8:41 pm

#19

CNeufeld: Deal Guru; Mar 23, 2008; 13006 posts; 9992 upvotes; Edmonton

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:41 pm

The part that should scare you is this is just what you can see... imagine what's hiding where you can't see it?

C

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:54 pm

#20

cheapmeister [OP]: Deal Guru; Feb 23, 2008; 12865 posts; 1771 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 3rd, 2017 8:54 pm

CNeufeld wrote: ↑ The part that should scare you is this is just what you can see... imagine what's hiding where you can't see it?

C

Ya I know what you mean. The basement is finished but the ceiling is 80% ceiling tile so I can remove the tiles and see how the wiring looks. Wall plugs, well its all sealed up.

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