Response to Endicott: The Case of the Wise Electrician

Abstract

Timothy Endicott tells the tale of the "wise electrician." Speaking as a homeowner, I should be pleased to hear about the moderately competent, reasonably affordable electrician. But that is not what Timothy has put on offer. Let us talk then about his much more interesting guy. The main activities of the Wise Electrician are two. One is that he installs legally required Grade 5 insulation in everyone's home save one. The second is that on his own ceiling light circuits he uses Grade 4 insulation. Number 4 is cheaper to acquire and, in his professional judgment, it is safe. We are not invited to infer that the Wise Electrician's abode is unique; number 4 would apparently be safe in many homes, and just as cheap for their owners. In fact, the Wise Electrician would install Grade 4 in those houses, too, but for one fact: it would be illegal. What makes our man so interesting is that it is illegal to install Grade 4 in his house too. The law says: Grade 5 for "all home wiring" and that's that. No exceptions listed.