advanced search

Illustrated Catastrophes

Sep 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist

More Code catastrophes

As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions.

All references are based on the 2005 NEC.

KEEP IT COOL

Thomas H. Ford, a partner of Bhamani, Ford & Associates, Inc., Miami, found these unique panels in a restaurant. “On the top of each panel an inline fan has been installed to provide ventilation for the interior of the panel,” says Ford. “This was done because the vestibule, where the panels are located, is so warm that the breakers would trip. The fans solved this problem, but created another. The kitchen air is so laden with cooking oil particulate that when it is forced into the panel the cooking oil settles on the interior components. After the gutter was installed, the walls were tiled, covering the left side of the panel. Screws hold the cover to the gutter. This now means the cover can't be removed.”

When you think about “conditions of use,” you must take into account the ampacity of the conductors (Art. 100) and make sure they don't exceed their temperature rating [110.14(C)]. You must do the same for the conductor terminations. It's hard to imagine the original installer addressed this in the initial design. But one thing is for sure: The practice of installing makeshift ventilation systems to minimize overheating problems should not be allowed or tolerated by anyone.

MOVE THE RECEPTACLE OR THE WALL?

Mark Gravill, a service technician with Gaylor in Phoenix, found this unique situation on the roof of a building. “I'd say either move the receptacle or move the wall,” says Gravill.

It's apparent that the electrician was here first, so the wall must go! I'm not sure of the circumstances at this specific location, but it looks like the right type of cover was used, and it's probably GFCI protected in accordance with 210.8 and 406.8(A) and (B).

Found a Code violation? E-mail your text and photos (no cell phone images please) to Joe Tedesco at joetedesco@comcast.net

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.

Learn how HRG technology can mitigate and reduce the arc flash hazard; design considerations to remember when specifying and installing an HRG system. On-Demand Webinar - Sponsored by I-Gard

"Full Voltage Motor Starting and Engine Generators"

Sponsored By:

 

Browse Back Issues Select an Issue April 1, 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 2006 March 1, 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 December 1, 1996 November 1, 1996 October 1, 1996 September 1, 1996 August 1, 1996 July 1, 1996 June 1, 1996 May 1, 1996 April 1, 1996 March 1, 1996 February 1, 1996 January 1, 1996 December 1, 1995 November 30, 1995 November 1, 1995 October 1, 1995 September 1, 1995 August 1, 1995 July 1, 1995 June 1, 1995 May 1, 1995 April 1, 1995 March 1, 1995 February 1, 1995

browse e-newsletters