IMO legal is safe, otherwise why have codes?
Because they provide legal cover for electricians and contractors and poloticians. THAT is the real reason for local AHJ codes. In my area, there are 92 different jurisdictions with 92 different local AHJ codes. In several points, the do not simply differ, the contradict each other.
Local AHJ codes are merely a legal fiction to give the various groups legal and political cover is someone dies, is hurt or gets the idea to sue.
If this was not the case, there would be a binding and authoritative and current national code. I know that the NEC tries to do this, but you know as much as I do that there are political considerations there as well.
“Safest” is a subjective term.
I believe that you have an incomplete understanding of what the word 'subjective means. If you and I both grab the same live wire while standing in a puddle, we will beoth be zapped. Nothing subjective about it.
If I wire to code, and beyond,
Then you are not just wiring to code, are you?
it IS absolutely safe. An ungrounded GFI device IS safer than an ungrounded regular receptacle. A grounded circuit with a GFI is “safest”? I guess so, yes.
I was merely referring to the fact that the replacement of an ungrounded recepetacle with a GFI device IS legal. Nothing more.
No arguement.
I do consider my customer’s safety AND the local code. IMO both go hand in hand and there is very little difference between the two.
Local AHJ codes are merely the best possible compromise that can be reached by politicians when taking into account all the interested parties who have input to the political process. I know of many houses that are code complient (including ‘grandfathering’ considerations) but are not safe. No GFCIs in an original, un-remodeled bathroom, in a house built in 1960 is not safe, but it is ‘to code’ with regards to the local AHJ.
When I do a service change do I go around the house pointing out every little thing that is not up to current code? Absolutely not.
And that is your standard of practice, as defined by the local AHJ. Home inspectors (generally) have a higher standard. NACHI has a higher standard. As single businessmen, doing business in out areas and with the implied (legally and morally) resonsibility to protect our client’s safety, have a much higher standard. Electricians have a simple (legally) resonsability. Home inspectors (legally) have a much higher responsibility.
I see and meet and interact with the clients (and their kids) when they are putting their trust in me to fully educate them about the condition of the house they are getting ready to put a huge amount of money down on. I have a moral responsibility to keep them as safe as I can. I get really P*ssed off when I recommend that they install GFCIs in all the places that the current national standard (like the NEC) thinks they should and some electrician comes in and, using a totally different standard (local AHJ code) tells them that I am full of brown material.
I wind up looking like a fool or an alarmist to my clients (and no skin off the electricians nose) and they are leaving themselves open to death by electrocution.
Do I point out anything I see that may be dangerous or in dire need of an upgrade? Absoultely.
And that is why you are a good sparky. You can understand a higher stnadard than mere local ‘code’.