Hint: Is it bright enough in here?

Nov 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist

Can you spot the Code violations?

How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.

Hint: Is it bright enough in here?

September Winners

Our three winners this month were: Marsha Squier, a certified permit technician I with Glenn County Building Department in Willows, Calif.; Scott Bitzer, a designer with High Voltage Maintenance Corp. in Dayton, Ohio; and Gary Hill, a master electrician in Baileyville, Maine. Here’s a list of the Code sections they noted as being violated.

• 230.28 Service Masts as Supports. “Where a service mast is used for the support of service-drop conductors, it shall be of adequate strength or be supported by braces or guys to withstand safely the strain imposed by the service drop. Where raceway-type service masts are used, all raceway fittings shall be identified for use with service masts. Only power service-drop conductors shall be permitted to be attached to a service mast.”

• 810.12 Supports. “Outdoor antennas and lead-in conductors shall be securely supported. The antennas or lead-in conductors shall not be attached to the electric service mast. They shall not be attached to poles or similar structures carrying open electric light or power wires or trolley wires of over 250 volts between conductors. Insulators supporting the antenna conductors shall have sufficient mechanical strength to safely support the conductors. Lead-in conductors shall be securely attached to the antennas.”

See the scope of Art. 810 as well.