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What's Wrong Here?

May 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist

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: This flexible cord assembly supplies temporary stage equipment in the ballroom of a major New Orleans hotel.

The following individuals correctly identified the Code violations shown in the May column: Travis Halstead, general foreman, Morrow Meadows Corp., City of Industry, Calif.; John Lundberg, engineer, Cupertino Electric, Santa Clara, Calif.; Richard Erle, electric foreman, Florida Hospital, Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The flexible cord used in this installation was connected with a fitting that wasn't designed for this purpose. And even if it was designed specifically for this cord, it still can't be used for the permanent supply to stage equipment. Flexible cords can't be used as a substitute for fixed wiring under any circumstances (400.8).

In addition, the metallic cable assembly that runs from the cabinet to the device box enclosing the receptacle isn't properly secured, and the fitting that was used may not be designed for this use. Per 110.3(B), listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.

See Art. 320 and Art. 330 for specific support requirements for these types of wiring methods. See 320.30 for securing and supporting Type AC Cable and 330.30 for securing and supporting Type MC cable.