Code Clusters is a fond look back at some of the most interesting and outlandish Code violations published in the pages of EC&M magazine over the past 15 years — the item below is the seventh in a series of 10. Questions? Comments? We’d love to hear your feedback! Post your thoughts in the box below.
Is That One of Those New “Green” Covers?
All references are based on the 2008 edition of the NEC.
This particular bridge roadway lighting system between two major cities features more than one of these “cardboard and tape” covers. Some of the other new earth-friendly covers on these light poles consisted of paper and tape, whereas others were fully exposed and had been stuffed with trash. These covers are often removed by persons that are interested in stripping the wiring out of the pole and selling it — and the cover — to a metal recycler. Although the original installation most likely complied with the Code, this now poses a safety concern.
Art. 410 includes requirements for luminaire supports. As noted in 410.30(B), where metal or nonmetallic poles supporting luminaires are permitted to support luminaires and also serve as a raceway enclosing supply conductors, the following condition must be met: A pole shall have a handhole no smaller than 2 in. × 4 in. with a cover suitable for use in wet locations to provide access to the supply terminations within the pole or pole base. The other conditions set forth in this section of the NEC do not in any way allow what we see here.
Examples like this can be found all around the country. A simple walk around the block in most major cities will reveal many similar situations.
