Ecmweb 4813 509wwh08web
Ecmweb 4813 509wwh08web
Ecmweb 4813 509wwh08web
Ecmweb 4813 509wwh08web
Ecmweb 4813 509wwh08web

What's Wrong Here?

Sept. 8, 2005
Hint: Does something look exposed?

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. 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 the violation.

Find the Answer

Answer:

Dick Statham, an instructor with GTCC, Jamestown, N.C., sent us this photo and commentary.

“The two attached photos are of a pump installed last year when—due to water restrictions—the city wouldn't let people water their lawns. A local well company went around town installing this type of set-up at a number of businesses. I found this installation at a new drugstore that we use.

“Most of the pumps have covers on them, but this one was missing. I wonder what is inside the ones that are covered? Since I took the photo an inspector had this problem taken care of. Apparently the wells were drilled after the building was occupied, and a permit was not taken out so the job wasn't inspected.

“Look close and you'll see exposed conductors between the pressure switch and the pump and between the pressure switch and the ‘disconnect’ in the NEMA 1 box.”

This is some evidence of nonconforming wiring methods. This pump motor installation violates rules in Chapter 2, 3 and 4 of the NEC, especially Articles 250, 300 and 430. There are many who do this type of "bootleg" wiring and try to sneak behind the AHJ. However, they eventually get caught.

For a close-up of this picture, click here.

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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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