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: Let me vent my frustration.
Find the Answer
How in the world are we supposed to get to the panelboard and its circuit breakers, which are buried behind this water heater and vent pipe? The answer quite simply is, we can’t — at least not without burning our face and arms on the hot vent pipe or getting tangled in the mess of water pipes that blocking our access. This is not only a nuisance, but it could be a disaster if we need to reach those breakers in an emergency situation.
Section 240.24(A) of the NEC states in part, “circuit breakers shall be readily accessible.” By definition in Art. 100, readily accessible means “capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.” I think you would agree that these circuit breakers do not fall under that definition. The requirements of Sec. 110.26 for establishing and maintaining a clear working space have also been severely violated.
Note: Thanks to David Trapp for sharing this crazy photo with us.
