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: Beware of what lurks below the surface.
Find the Answer
Lurking beneath the top row of conduit and conduit bodies is another row of conduit and conduit bodies. This makes me wonder how we could ever get to the wiring inside the bottom conduit bodies.
I believe this bottom row violates the intent of Sec. 314.29 of the 2014 NEC, which requires boxes, conduit bodies and handhole enclosures to be installed in a way that the wiring inside of them can be accessed without removing any part of the building or structure. The top row of conduit would need to be removed in order to gain adequate access to the bottom conduit bodies. This would not be an easy task, especially considering the large size of this RMC, which is threaded together.
Some of you may argue that the conduit is not “part of the building or structure.” Therefore, the rules of 314.29 have not been violated. I guess it would depend on your interpretation as to what constitutes “part of the building or structure.” Nonetheless, the bottom row of conduit bodies is not presently accessible and I believe the intent of 314.29 has been violated.
What’s your interpretation?