Ecmweb 5502 Ic
Ecmweb 5502 Ic
Ecmweb 5502 Ic
Ecmweb 5502 Ic
Ecmweb 5502 Ic

Illustrated Code Catastrophes: 314.29, 300.11(B), 820.133(B), 820.100(A)(6), 590.4(C), 590.3(D), 300.3(A), 430.109, and 430.109(C)

April 16, 2013
More Code catastrophes uncovered and corrected in these faulty installations

Tight Quarters

There is virtually no way to open and gain access to the wiring inside this LB conduit body. The installer jammed an LB into the corner instead of using a conduit body with a cover on its side, such as an LL or an LR. This lack of access is a violation of Sec. 314.29 of the 2011 NEC. Boxes, handholes, and conduit bodies must be installed so that the wiring inside of them is accessible without having to remove or destroy any part of the building.

Another problem I can point out is the coaxial cables that are tie-wrapped to the outside of the raceways connected to the weatherproof box. This is a violation of 300.11(B) and 820.133(B). Coaxial cables are not permitted to be attached to the exterior of raceways or conduits as a means of support.

Whether proper bonding and grounding techniques were used for the coaxial cable shield is also in doubt. Section 820.100(A)(6) requires the bonding conductor to be protected when exposed to physical damage. As can be seen in the photos, the bonding/grounding conductor for the coaxial cable is just flapping in the breeze — with almost no effort made to protect it.

Invisible Flex

Maybe this wiring installation was intended as a temporary emergency fix, but by the amount of dust on the grill of the fan, I’d say that this has been here for a really long time. The Exception in 590.4(C) does permit single insulated conductors to be used as temporary wiring for emergencies, testing purposes, and for holiday lighting (for a period of 90 days). Once the emergency is over, however, the wiring has to be removed in accordance with 590.3(D) — or it has to be rewired in accordance with the appropriate Articles for the respective wiring methods used. In accordance with 300.3(A) for permanent wiring, single conductors must be installed in a recognized wiring method from Chapter 3.

Also worth pointing out is the yellow twist-on connector that is being used as a disconnecting means for this motor. This is a violation of 430.109. For motors rated 300V or less and 2 hp or less, such as the one in the photo, many different types of disconnecting means are permitted by 430.109(C), including general-use switches, general-use snap switches, and horsepower-rated manual motor controllers. Twist-on wire connectors, however, can never be used as a motor
disconnect. Installing a box cover with a snap switch along with some flexible conduit would go a long way toward making this arrangement Code compliant.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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