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| Subject - old wiring question | |
| jacksaunders |
I'm putting in a new floor and joists with a property and noticed several violations I am correcting (junction boxes, ect). Upon correcting a loose connection I noticed that there is an old cloth covered 12/2 with ground that needed some attention (cirtex brand). The ground wire on this 12/2 looks like it is about an 18 gauge. I'm leaning to replace it, but is it really necessary? I know that is no longer code, but is it still safe? I think not. Q: does it have to be replaced with all wires the same gauge? Thanks much, Jack |
| JimmyDee | I sure hope not because my house was wired totally with this type of wire. I found the worst part of it was they only twisted the ground wires together so I took all mine apart and used a PT70 crimp lug on them. I am sure as long as it was installed as per code when installed, it should be OK. I have replaced some of my easy runs that are 100% exposed but I don't think it was necessary. Good idea, yes but not necessary to comply. We would be rewiring all houses that were built before 1965 or so if it was a mandatory thing. quote: Yes but if the breaker is larger than the wire size, it should match. Jim |
| lctrc789 | Jack, if we had to go in all the homes that were built even as early as 1985 and re do all the code violations that are not new we would all be very busy. The wire is existing and is not a code violation it is EXISTING, as I said. There are many homes that still have knob and tube wiring and I have seen some homes still with a 30 amp service still. Dangerous yes, out of date yes, do they need to be re done yes but the bottom line is this, unless an insurance agent or fire marshal says is has to be re done, we are at no way going to be able to do much except note that it is outdated, could be a fire hazard and does not meet new codes. I have seen so many of these type of wires you refer to with the smaller ground and that was code at the time it was installed. |