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What's Wrong Here?

Aug 23, 2005 3:52 PM, By Joe Tedesco

Answer:

Hint: Cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute

Edwin R. Rosario, P.E., Caribbean Technical Services, Inc., took these pictures in a South Florida commercial building during one of the company’s recent inspection trips. His team went to the building to inspect the CATV and telephone system. However, they found a bunch of Code violations and non-compliance with original drawings and contract documents. What really amazed him was this work had been accepted by local building officials. In fact, it passed final inspection as shown!

As noted in 400.8 of the 2005 NEC, unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure or where subject to physical damage.

As noted in the second photo, there are also a lot of blank open positions in this panelboard. Section 408.7 requires the unused openings for circuit breakers and switches to be closed with an identified closure, or other approved means that provides protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.