Ecmweb 8812 2 16 17wwhlarge
Ecmweb 8812 2 16 17wwhlarge
Ecmweb 8812 2 16 17wwhlarge
Ecmweb 8812 2 16 17wwhlarge
Ecmweb 8812 2 16 17wwhlarge

What’s Wrong Here? Hint: That’s a Wrap.

Feb. 16, 2017
Think you know how this installation violates the NEC?

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: That’s a wrap.

Find the Answer

This is one way to try to cover up a handhole. Unfortunately, it’s not the right way.

Section 410.30(B)(1) requires a pole supporting a luminaire to have “a handhole not less than 2 in. × 4 in. with a cover suitable for use in wet locations to provide access to the supply terminations within the pole or pole base.” I really don’t think that a block of wood with several wraps of tape around the pole create a cover “suitable for the use.” I suppose we can give this installer an “A” for effort when it comes to trying to keep people from coming in contact with any energized wires inside the pole, but when it comes to being Code compliant, I think his grade should be much lower. Eventually the tape will become dry and brittle from being exposed to a combination of heat, sun, rain, snow, and brutally cold weather. This will cause the tape to fail and the wood block to slip off, exposing the energized wire connections inside the pole.

A properly installed cover needs to be installed on this pole in order to make it a safe and Code-compliant installation.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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