Wiring a TF or Log Home

[scsmith42]

Anvil - that is a superb looking project.  The craftsmanship on those notches is really good.  Please keep us posted with pictures and details!

Scott

[Don P]

That is some nice log, iron and stonework.. that's 3 nice materials  8).

This is a shot of what I did where some plumbing came down from a bathroom above.

[scsmith42]

Don, that's a good idea.  I think that I'll copy it...

Scott

[anvil]

scsmith42,,

Thanks,,and I will as progress is made. I am putting in the main breaker today.. progress

Don.  aswsome job.. Its nice when the end product looks like it ought to be there,,instead of how it was..

anvil

[bman]

Great topic Bob. I am coming up to start to figure some of this too.
I am doing full exposed posts/beams and likely SIPS so it is a wonder to me too. I will likely do my walls with vertical pine first.  I had it suggested that the wiring be bundled together and tacked at agreed height to the outside of the posts and they could notch out the foam/single layer osb SIPS to mount over it.
That seems ok but the part I need to start looking at is the hanging lights, ceiling fans, plasma TV, surround sound, etc.
I know there has to be 8 different ways to do it so thanks for starting this thread Bob !!
Mark

Couple of things to keep in mind; NEC states that cables and conductors that are bundled together (more than three current carrying conductors) are subject to derating factors (essentially lowers the load capacity of the individual conductors) and although I've seen it done a million times there are some anal inspectors that will call you on it. The other thing is to be very certain about maintaining the integrity of the cable sheath when routing around corners or thru/under shallow covered chases. If a screw or staple nicks a conductor it could still be electrically conductive but at a reduced ampacity. What this means is that if that wire carry's your lighting load for say a couple of rooms then the damaged area of the conductor (reduced cross section) will be susceptible to over heating. Once it starts to heat it sets off a cycle of heating, increased resistance, more heat, more resistance until it reaches the flash point for the material it is fastened next to (timber frame?) Which is why you never want to make an electrical connection /splice/tap outside of an approved junction or switch box. I have had to trouble shoot numerous old installation that suddenly went dead only to find sloppy make up in a box some where that finally burned thru the wire nut. The j-box contains the failing connection and its escalating heat. Bad wiring practices at the turn of the 20th century is what led insurers to create the NFPA and NEC. They got tired of replacing burned down buildings!

[Thehardway]

Bman,

Good observation.  Something that might save some people out there a lot of trouble or even prevent a fire (the original purpose of the NEC) is trying infrared thermal imaging technology which has become more affordable.  It is now very easy after a home (or elecctrical system)is completed to have a thermal scan done of the homes envelope and electrical system.  If done from both inside and out with all electrical systems turned on and in use this would help show things like heating connections or nicked wires.  I would actually like to see AHJ inspectors perform this examination on homes before a CO is isssued. This would actually be more useful in many cases than a visual inspection.   Lot's of things can happen to a wiring system btween the visual RI inspection and the final trim out inspection.  Nails, screws pinched wires, abrasions, bad wire nuts etc. as you mentioned.  Panel boards should be thermally scanned to show incorrectly sized wires or overloaded circuits, faulty breakers or bad lug terminations. This technology is now being used in commercial electrical maintenance environments to find sources of problems before they actually reach failure and result in outages or fires. We use it here at work with very positive results.  We have found bad connections and weak breakers before they actually caused problems.  This imaging technology will often show sources of heat loss due to poor sealing, insulation, etc. that can be fixed and reduce the owners utility bill as well.   Just an idea.