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Wayne Dohnal

Banks, OR.

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Posted: 06/26/08 05:16pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I've found a lot of amazing things in the not-easily-visible spaces of our new Icon. This is a shot of the space behind the radio/dvd player. Aside from the fact that it looks like h***, I've got a specific question.

The bright white rectangle to the left of center would appear at first to be a standard RV wall outlet. But the holes for the prongs of a plug aren't punched out. It's being used as a junction box to connect two segments of the yellow romex. My question is: Is it permitted by code to have a junction like this just hanging off the wires, or does it need to be physically secured to something?




* This post was edited 06/26/08 05:25pm by Wayne Dohnal *


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Rvndave

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Posted: 06/26/08 10:39pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Secured to the wall I would guess. I never left a junction box hanging by the wires. Looks like anything goes in an rv, from the looks of your picture. That wiring has the look of what I would call Mr Butch an his friend Mr. Hack. For short butch an hack. Now you can see why we need local inspectors.


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vikx

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Posted: 06/26/08 11:23pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Not sure of code, but if it is an "rv" junction box with push in connections, get rid of it. The outlets in RV's tend to melt from loose push in wires; this could be the same type. An accident waiting to happen...

Mount a proper j box on the cabinet wall and connect the wires according to NEC code. (wires twisted with wing nuts)If I were doing it, I would also arrange the romex neatly and clamp it in place. I don't blame you for asking! VK

ScottnSherrie

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:16am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

That is just wierd. Guess it is quicker and cheaper for the RV manufacturer to use on of those than mount a proper J-box. The one upside to the contacts on what you have is that bumps and motion will have zero impact on the integrity of the connection.


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dougrainer

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

That is a new type 120 wire connector and is similiar to a extension cord type connection. The difference is it is built for Romex and has locking tabs to hold the connectors tight. NO, they are not supposed to be mounted on secured. They use them on some OEMs to NOT have to have junction boxes or run a dedicated 120 romex from the breaker panel to the outlets or appliance outlet. Yes, it is a cost saver, but is UL and RVIA approved. Doug

dougrainer

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:25am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

That is a new type 120 wire connector and is similiar to a extension cord type connection. The difference is it is built for Romex and has locking tabs to hold the connectors tight. NO, they are not supposed to be mounted on secured. They use them on some OEMs to NOT have to have junction boxes or run a dedicated 120 romex from the breaker panel to the outlets or appliance outlet. Yes, it is a cost saver, but is UL and RVIA approved. Doug

Hurricaner

Hurricane Utah

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:39am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Quote:

Not sure of code, but if it is an "rv" junction box with push in connections, get rid of it. The outlets in RV's tend to melt from loose push in wires; this could be the same type. An accident waiting to happen...
Better get rid of every RV outlet in every RV produced in the last 15 years... because they all use those "self contained receptacles".

Wayne I don't think you are going to find anything in the NEC that specifically says that a splice box has to be secured but I could be wrong. From an inspection standpoint it could be turned down because it is just not a neat installation.

My old 95 Gulfstream class C had a lot of that sloppy wiring but I never had any problems with it. The good news is it is 12 gauge wire and it would be an easy place to tap another outlet into. Any Idea what it feeds?

Sam


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Hurricaner

Hurricane Utah

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:48am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Quote:

That is a new type 120 wire connector and is similiar to a extension cord type connection. The difference is it is built for Romex and has locking tabs to hold the connectors tight. NO, they are not supposed to be mounted on secured. They use them on some OEMs to NOT have to have junction boxes or run a dedicated 120 romex from the breaker panel to the outlets or appliance outlet. Yes, it is a cost saver, but is UL and RVIA approved. Doug
Doug, I'm familiar with what you are referring too but that is not what this is. It is just a self contained receptacle with a blank face. But I believe you are correct that those new spice kits don't need to be secured so there is no reason to believe this does.

Sam

jy

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Posted: 06/27/08 06:53am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There is a section of the electrical code that states,"All work is to be done in a Neat and Workmanlike manner"


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Hurricaner

Hurricane Utah

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Posted: 06/27/08 07:49am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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All work is to be done in a Neat and Workmanlike manner
Ya, that's the words I was thinking of. They must have an exception to that in the RV section.

Sam

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