How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. It's your turn to identify the violation.
Hint: Not tree art
Find the Answer
The Exception in 590.4(C) of the 2011 NEC permits the use of single insulated conductors for temporary decorative lighting displays for a period of 90 days. However, it also requires the wiring to be supported on insulators, and the wiring must not be subject to physical damage. These overhead wires were just wrapped around the tree and tied into a knot! Without the use of strain relief devices, the wires could easily be damaged by tree movement during a windy day.
The general rule in 590.4(J) prohibits vegetation from supporting overhead branch circuit wires, but the Exception does permit trees to be used as support if the wiring is arranged with some type of strain relief equipment and in such a way to avoid damage to the wires from tree movement. The box also appears to simply be resting on the branch without being secured to anything. Because 590.2(A) requires all other Code rules to be applied to temporary wiring, this unsecured box is a violation of 314.23, which generally requires boxes to be rigidly secured. Article 590 does not change this requirement.
In addition, the NM connector used to secure the conductors to the box is certainly not suitable for this wet location and could easily allow moisture and water to enter this enclosure and cause damage and increase the risk of shock.