This rigid metal conduit was run underground to a new gasoline dispensing pump on the island of this service station. The conduit entry, run into the side of this wireway, had no fitting, was sealed with sealant and also violates the integrity of the enclosure, since it is in a wet location. The other end was put into the seal-off fitting without any fitting or threads, and sealant was also used. This installation violates rules found in the 1999 NEC in Sections 500-7, 501-5 and 362-3.
Access denied This junction box was in place for more than a year, and the job was completed and passed by the electrical inspector. Some time after, the installation of another foreign system was installed to pass in front of the cover of this junction box. This clearly violates the rules in Section 110-26. This section requires spaces that must be provided about any electrical equipment to have sufficient access and working space, which must be maintained about to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. See the definition of "equipment" in Article 100.
Worst ever! Ken Davis of South Holland, Ill., has more than 18 years of experience as an IBEW electrician. He said that the worst violation he has ever seen was a 30A, 120/240V service that was installed in 1949 (according to a sticker found inside) and used to supply lighting on the rear of a mall building. He found that the wires, which were installed in the metal raceway, were poked through the cabinet without any connector, were alive and made contact with the raceway.
What's Wrong Here? Give the specific 1999 NEC references related to any violations you find. Write Joe a Violation Notice rather than sending in a copy of the Code rule. Send your response, in 25 words or more, to Joe Tedesco at 350 North St., Boston, MA 02113 or codeviolations@netscape.net. The winner(s) will receive $75. Please include your name, company name, job title, address, phone number and e-mail address. Previous winners are not eligible.
Three by five The meeting room facility department was asked to provide the necessary receptacles and circuits for special equipment to be used during the "hands-on" seminars offered by a well known company. This was the way these three receptacles, for the 30A, 20A and 50A ratings were installed in a five gang box. I almost missed this beauty, but one of my students in Syracuse, N.Y., said: "Hey, Joe, do you have your camera?"
Follow-up to September What's Wrong Here? Contest P. Bruce King, P.E., wrote the following letter to Joe Tedesco about the September What's Wrong Here? photo.
"In looking at the picture, the space between the first conduit on the left, and the gutter, tell me that these conduits were not damaged from being hit. Also, another indicator is the concrete below. I would venture a guess that the conduits were installed in a drive area without either being encased in concrete to hold the weight of driving over it, or the soil was not properly compacted and the conduits have sunk. This caused the breakage, especially since they appear splintered, not crushed, and the left one is pulled down a few inches. Just one man's observation."