Home > National Electrical Code > What's Wrong Here?

What's Wrong Here?

Sep 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: Is that an extra light and TV camera on this pole or a satellite dish and speaker?

Joe Guarino, products standards engineer, Cooper Lighting, Peachtree City, Ga., correctly noted that the luminaire at the top of the pole is supplying power to the sports luminaire, which is a clear violation of 110.3(B) of the 2002 NEC. The pole-top luminaire was never designed for this purpose.

In addition, Tony Milosevich, system integrator, Superior Alarm Systems, Van Nuys, Calif., and Ray Sanderson, electrical supervisor, Teknor Apex Carolina Co., Fountain Inn, S.C., noted that per 725.55(A) through (J), CCTV camera wiring (Class 3, Type CM) can't share raceway with lighting and power circuits. Anderson also noted that the lighting equipment isn't weatherproof, and that this connection isn't an NEC-recognized installation method.