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What’s Wrong Here? July 2011

Jul 29, 2011 5:56 PM

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. Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?

Hint: More than a few problems here

May Winners

Our three winners this month include: Jim Follett, senior estimator, D&L Electric Co. Ltd., Houston; David Evans, electrical inspector II, City of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Fla.; and Tom Holmes, owner, TSH Electric, West Islip, N.Y. Here are just a few of the many violations noted in this installation.

Because there are no locknuts securing the conduit to the cabinet, this results in a violation of 300.10, which requires raceways to be mechanically secure to boxes, fittings, cabinets, and other enclosures. In addition, the RMC does not appear to be securely fastened in place and supported as required by 344.30. There’s also a good chance there’s no bushing present inside the box, as required by 344.46.

This arrangement also violates the general bonding and grounding requirements noted in 250.4 and the equipment grounding requirements of 250.120(A). We can also see that no paint has been removed from the entry point. As noted in 250.12, nonconductive coatings shall be removed from contact surfaces to ensure good electrical continuity. The lack of a bonding type locknut or bushing also violates the bonding requirements of 250.90 and 250.96. If this is a service panel, we can cite Secs. 250.90 and 250.92(B).

Other general sections of the Code worth noting include Secs. 110.3(B) and 110.12.

‘Tell Them What They’ve Won...’

Using the 2011 NEC, correctly identify the Code sections that show violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win something to put in your tool­box. E-mail your response to joseph.tedesco@yahoo.com, and we’ll select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Winners will receive a set of insulated hand tools from Ideal Industries, Inc., valued at more than $125.* The set includes 9.25-in. insulated side-cutting pliers, 10-in. insulated tongue-and-groove pliers, and a 0.25-in.  6-in. insulated screwdriver. (* Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of tools.)

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