Illustrated Catastrophes

Sept. 1, 2006
As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions. All references are based on the 2005 NEC. MISSING COVERS, IMPROPER MOUNTING, AND MORE Phil Davis, a data center designer with Bank of America MBNA,

As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions.

All references are based on the 2005 NEC.

Missing Covers, Improper Mounting,
and More


Phil Davis, a data center designer with Bank of America MBNA, took these pictures inside a commercial office building in Dallas. “If the wires don't fit, just remove the cover,” Davis says. “As for the panelboards, so much Type SJO flexible cord was used that the only solution was to leave the covers off and build a closet around them. Hopefully, the building has been torn down by now.”

Besides all of the missing covers, we can call attention to the overcrowding of the junction box and cite 314.16. As for the lack of compliance with the rules for wiring systems support above the dropped ceiling, we can reference 300.23. The same condition exists for the low-energy type wiring — where the removal of the dropped ceiling tiles will deny access to equipment. The sideways mounting of the panelboard violates the requirements of 240.33. In addition, the Code requires you to install overcurrent devices in a vertical position in a vertical enclosure, unless this is shown to be impracticable. Circuit breaker enclosures shall be installed horizontally where the circuit breaker is installed in accordance with 240.81.

Found a Code Violation? E-mail your photos to Joe Tedesco at [email protected].

About the Author

Joe Tedesco

Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.

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