What's Wrong Here?

Jun 23, 2004 1:42 PM, By Joe Tedesco

I ran across this panelboard at an open-air vegetable market. The loose connector, worn out and damaged receptacles, and GFCIs are all in need of repair. The receptacle covers are broken, and the presence of the old two-wire receptacle indicates a lack of maintenance, which seems to ignore the intent of the NEC.

Per 90.1(B) of the 2002 NEC, “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.

“FPN: Hazards often occur because of overloading of wiring systems by methods or usage not in conformity with this Code. This occurs because initial wiring did not provide for increases in the use of electricity. An initial adequate installation and reasonable provisions for system changes will provide for future increases in the use of electricity.”