Re: electrical deaths

On 12/3/2024 5:42 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:

A neighbor has an outdoor "post light" (literally, a light atop a steel post in the middle of the yard) that is powered MAGICALLY!  I.e., if you
turn off the main breaker to his house, the light remains lit.
 "No thank you.  I'm not going to help you solve THAT problem!"

 My neighbour has a new led fixture above the street door, flood type. When
it is off, it still has some light. I guess the switch is on the neutral,
and there is a small leak.

I think the newest versions of the code insist on a neutral being available
in each switch box (the switch being on the hot leg).

Here there is one mandatory inspection by a licensed electrician before the
 electrical company connects the house, then done.

Yes.  Or, when any changes to the "service" (e.g., ampacity upgrade, the
addition of grid-tied solar, gensets tied into the load center, etc.)

You do the barbarics when he is gone.

In many places, here, the homeowner/occupant can make "limited repairs"
without an inspection.  This is how you get SPST switches installed
where SPDT were intended.

When you sell the house, there may be a new inspection, at the electrical
company request. I don't know the rules. On other countries, there is a
periodical inspection.

Most home sales will involve an "inspection" by a third party who
professes to have the requisite skill set.  They typically only find
trivial things (a broken GFCI outlet, a garage door opener that
"should be replaced", etc.).  Always SOMETHING to leave the prospective
buyer thankful that they spent the money for the inspection.  :<

We have periodical inspections for gas (kitchen and heating); but not
portable stoves (with bottled butane or propane).

It is highly unlikely that you will see a "city" inspector in your home
after it is initially built.  Save for major upgrades.
Many upgrades can be accomplished without even filing for a permit.
E.g., you can replace the drywall in TWO rooms without needing a
permit.  (what if you do two THIS week and two more NEXT week??)