What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Half-Price Sale

What is in this article?:

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

Find the Answer

Perhaps someone misread the blueprint or their tape measure, but in any case the location of this box makes it nearly impossible to access the wiring inside it without damaging the finish of the building.

According to 314.29, "Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade." The wallpaper and sheetrock may need to be cut away in order to remove the plate and switch in order to access the wiring in the box.

Also, in accordance with 404.9(A), "Faceplates provided for snap switches mounted in boxes and other enclosures shall be installed so they completely cover the opening and, where the switch is flush mounted, seat against the finished surface." This switch plate was trimmed to fit the wall line. It does not completely cover the box opening. The wall is covering the rest of the box opening.

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Discuss this Article 10

RickR (not verified)
on Sep 20, 2012

at least its still partially accessible and not totally buried? haha. Where the heck was the code enforcement official on this one? That's a whole other issue in itself.

charles (not verified)
on Sep 20, 2012

Either there is no junction box or half the box is buried.

RickR (not verified)
on Sep 20, 2012

Now what if the switch plates was cut in half? and you were able to access the switch on interior wiring, splices etc from 1/2 the box. Did they install this based on that premise thinking it would not be a violation if still accessible/ ANY COMMENTS?

Anonymous (not verified)
on Sep 20, 2012

insufficient access to box

Anonymous (not verified)
on Sep 21, 2012

Whats wrong is that scabs do work like this and the genral public accepts it

Dave Reichman (not verified)
on Sep 21, 2012

Firstly, it's not ADA compliant as someone w/o fingers could probably not operate the switch!!! Secondly, the live conductors in the box are exposed to combustable material, the wall structure. It also isn't adjacent to the opening after the obvious remodel work done there.

Russ LeBlanc (not verified)
on Oct 27, 2012

Great pick up on the ADA violation! Should've been 18" out from the inside corner.

David (not verified)
on Sep 21, 2012

This installation violates Art 314.29 of the 2011 NEC as it pertains to accessiblilty to wiring without having to remove a part of the existing building. Art 110.3(b) states that the materials shall be used as intended by the manufacturer. It also violates the good workmanship requirement that the NEC calls upon all qualified tradesmen to work by.

Frank Woznica (not verified)
on Sep 21, 2012

The code states you cannot put any device with in 6" of the end of any wall.

Anonymous (not verified)
on Sep 26, 2012

Please do tell, where it states that.

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