Ecmweb 4847 411ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4847 411ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4847 411ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4847 411ecm15pic1
Ecmweb 4847 411ecm15pic1

What's Wrong Here?

Nov. 1, 2004
How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify himself? 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. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify

How well do you know the Code?

Find the Answer

Thomas Sessa, electrical engineer, U.S. Army COE, New York City, submitted these comments in reference to the photo in the November issue. “The AC cables shall be secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable at intervals not exceeding 4½ feet and within 12 inches of outlet boxes, junction boxes, cabinets, or fittings (Art. 322.30),” he wrote. “Unsupported cables are allowed only if installed as noted in Art. 320.30(B), 1 through 3. In addition, armored cable installed in other than vertical runs through bored or punched holes in wood or metal framing members, or through notches in wooden framing members may require protection by steel plates at least 1/16 inch thick.”

Paul Blecharczyk, P.E., principal applications engineer, Invensys Foxboro, East Bridgewater, Mass., submitted these comments. “I found that the three BX cables in bored holes appear to be in danger of physical damage,” he wrote. “With regard to 300.4(A)(1), the Code specifies, ‘In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable or raceway-type wiring method is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members, holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less than 1¼ inches from the nearest edge of the wood member. Where this distance can't be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 inch thick, and of appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.’ This does not appear to be the case in this photo.”

Dan Naugle, P.E., engineering manager, Boeing, Moore, Okla., also cited violations of 300.4.

About the Author

Joe Tedesco

Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.

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