advanced search

Illustrated Catastrophes

Apr 1, 2004 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.

CORRODED WATER PUMP

It's not hard to tell that the loose and improper power supply connection to this severely corroded water pump at an Alabama hotel violates Art. 250 rules on grounding. However, the real problem lies with the lack of proper maintenance.

This equipment was once submerged in river water during a major flood and was never repaired or replaced. See 90.1(B) Adequacy, which states “This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.”

HOLES IN THE GUTTER

John Lemire, design engineer, Southeastern Consulting Engineers, Charlotte, N.C., ran across this installation while traveling through the mountains of North Carolina. The evidence of someone's patchwork that employed a product designed to repair vehicle dents showed up at this gas station after several rain and wind storms had passed through the area. The underground conduits exiting this wireway typically house the branch circuits that supply gasoline-dispensing pumps. Explosionproof seals are required as shown. However, it's apparent that an unqualified person performed this work.

The rainwater and debris that collects inside of this wireway will surely lead to problems, including corrosion of system components. Where wireways are installed in wet locations, they must be listed for the purpose [376.10(3)].

A NOT SO BRIGHT IDEA FOR A TAP

A reader in Pennsylvania found this installation when he arrived at a jobsite to check out a circuit breaker that kept tripping. The breaker was originally used to feed the outside lights around the building. Someone got the bright idea to temporarily hook up Christmas lights by tapping into the circuit in a few different places. The circuit wasn't even protected by a GFCI.

Neither the open box that encloses these energized conductors nor the way in which the connection was made meets any rule or requirement found in the NEC. The supply to the receptacle was picked up from a circuit in an underground street lighting box, and the way in which the cord runs into the box isn't an approved method of installation by the NEC — not to mention the fact that the connector isn't the proper type. Per 110.2, “The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this Code shall be acceptable only if approved. FPN: See 90.7, Examination of Equipment for Safety, and 110.3, Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment. See definitions of Approved, Identified, Labeled, and Listed.”

SEALS NOT POURED

These two improperly sealed fittings are located in a California paint factory. The one on the left enclosed a damaged grounding electrode conductor used for the service. Seals in conduit and cable systems shall comply with 501.5(A) through (F). Seals are provided in conduit and cable systems to minimize the passage of gases and vapors and prevent the passage of flames from one portion of the electrical installation to another through the conduit.

Found a Code violation? Send your photos to Joe Tedesco at PO Box 130408, Boston, MA 02113 or electricalinspector@netzero.com.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2012 Penton Business Media, Inc.

---

Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus

Browse Back Issues Select an Issue November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 1, 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 1, 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 1, 2008 May 2008 April 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 February 1, 1995 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

browse e-newsletters