All references are based on the 2017 edition of the NEC.
Alaskan Airport Ailments
Unfortunately, this is not a one-of-a-kind installation. Alan Fetters, a project manager with Alaska Energy Authority, said there are several of these “electrical pedestals” installed at the airport in a small town in rural Alaska. There are no roads going in or out of town, and it’s only accessible by boat or plane. These “pedestals” are used for supplying power to portable heaters for small planes during very cold weather.
There are a lot of violations here, but I will start with the lack of physical protection for the single insulated conductors. Section 300.3(A) generally requires single insulated conductors to be installed where part of a Chapter 3 wiring method. Section 300.5(D)(1) requires direct-buried conductors emerging from grade to be protected by enclosures or raceways extending from the minimum depth required by Sec. 300.5(A) to a height of at least 8 ft above grade.
The floppy meter socket enclosure violates Sec. 300.11(A) because it is not securely fastened in place. The metal pipe straps that were used to secure the conductors to the post would violate Sec. 110.3(B) since they are not designed for this purpose and could pose a shock hazard if they were to damage the insulation of the ungrounded conductors.
Engineered Fumble
Speaking of one-of-a-kind installations, let’s hope there aren’t any more of these hanging around out there. Don Tuley, a professional engineer with Tuley Engineering Professionals, PC in Phoenix, spotted this installation in an engineering office. He says, “This work was performed by an electrical engineer. It feeds an attic fan.”
The Code does not care whether you are an electrician, an electrical engineer, or a maintenance man. The rules are there to keep us all safe, but they only work if they are followed. I think you might agree that several rules were not followed here.
Look at that giant hole in the wall! Obviously, the installer ignored the firestopping rules found in Sec. 300.21. Smoke and fire could easily pass through this opening, causing toxic smoke to fill other areas of the building and allow the fire to grow quickly and cause even more damage.
Shoving stripped back conductors directly into a receptacle is certainly no way to provide power to an attic fan. The loose connections could easily lead to arcing and sparking. This is a clear violation of Sec. 110.3(B). Using an attachment plug (plug cap) is the correct way to draw power from a receptacle. It also appears as though the NM cable is not secured as required by Sec. 334.30.