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. Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2011 NEC.
Hint: Knot approved by the Board
‘Tell Them What They’ve Won...’
Using the 2011 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win a $50 gift check. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.
September Winners
Our three winners this month were: Jim Gavin, owner of Gavin Electric in Burlington, Mass.; Kevin Lopez, an electrical engineer with the U.S. Army IMCOM, B3002 Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.; and Mike Wendt, a maintenance electrician with BrassCraft in Lancaster, Texas. They all correctly identified the Code violations at this box and lamp location.
The last sentence in Sec. 314.17(B) makes it clear that where cables are used with metal boxes, the cable is required to be secured to the box. In this particular installation, the installer completely ignored the existing knockouts and cable clamps in the box on the right and simply sandwiched the NM cable between the box and its cover. This may have been faster and easier, but it also created some Code violations and safety concerns. The sharp edge on the box could easily damage the pinched cable and cause arcing, sparking, and even a fire. Section 334.30 also requires NM cable to be secured within 12 in. of each outlet box. We could also say that using the cover as a way to secure the NM cable to the box is a violation of 300.15 because the cover is not a fitting designed for securing NM type cable.