What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Feel the Power

Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?

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Discuss this Article 16

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 23, 2012

Low voltage conductors are in contact with the 120 volt conductors they should be separated....

John Saporito (not verified)
on Aug 23, 2012

The 120v circuit should had been in a shielded seperator type duct or a panduit wiring duct w/a center shield seperator.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Nov 21, 2012

The PLFA should be saparated by 0.25" from power circuit. 760.136.D1

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 23, 2012

Manufacturers should be required to build their equipment so as to keep the circuits seperate.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

This particular cabinet has knock-outs on the left side immediately adjacent to the termination and the manufacturer specifies that location as the entry point for the NPL power circuit. The PL FA circuits are then free to route through the top and right sides of the cabinet.
This one is an installation error with the installer not following the manufacturers documentation.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 28, 2012

We have a winner!
You would be astonished how many times installers flatly ignore the clearly stated ( with diagrams no less ) instructions to route the NPL AC power wiring within a specific and limited portion of the control panel cabinet.

Randall Strange (not verified)
on Aug 23, 2012

I understand code BUT my thought this isn't the installers site but the manufacture of the alarm
are of that is also down grading the wire manufacture
THHN against PVC is there and EMF, EMI between them
I know in 517 it talks about types of wires that have higher insulation and help with less leakage between them
but does it apply here. Yes if they had the 120 mixed in the same conduit as the 24 volt they would be breaking the code

Brent W. Early (not verified)
on Aug 23, 2012

Both Canadian and US codes require that there be separation between non-power limited and power limited circuits terminating in a common enclosure, such as this FACP. Some junction boxes will also have a mechanical barrier or partition between the two circuit types.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

Isn't this installation OK since it's installed in a UL approved design from the manufacturer? I agree I would move the incoming power and tuck it out of the way.

Mike Sokoly (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

I also see:
No bushing on the EMT connector for the supply circuit and a possible raceway fill problem with the Fire Alarm Cable assemblies through the pipe nipple.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

FACP manufacturers should be required to have these barriers in their equipment. How do they get a UL approval without such barrier?

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

If the FACP is a UL (or other recognized listing lab) approved piece of equipment and the installation is per the FACP manufacturers instructions it is a legal installation. Are we going to start disassembling every listed device and trying to apply the NEC to appliances, TVs, computers.......

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 24, 2012

Canadian code says if all cables have same voltage rating in the panel it's okay to mix conductors

Anonymous (not verified)
on Aug 27, 2012

Different voltages mixed, No bushing on the fitting, Terminations are not properly cut to length for the terminals used, I do not see any bonding of the supply ground to that box either. Thats just from the little portion you can see in the picture...imagine the rest of this beauty!

Dave Radford (not verified)
on Oct 25, 2012

Every fire alarm panel is done like this. I do not know a single electrical company that would separate the two derived conductors. The fire alarm conductors are rated for 300v.

Russ LeBlanc (not verified)
on Oct 27, 2012

Thanks for all of your comments!

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