What's Wrong Here?

What is in this article?:

Find the Answer

Terry Edmiston, director of technical services, Halco Electric in Los Angeles found this illegal installation during an infrared inspection at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. “A national cell phone service provider rented space from the hotel, and hired a ‘jack of all trades’ to install a new 200A switch for the power supply to a cell phone tower on the roof of the building,” says Edmiston. “The incorrect bus hardware would not allow the 200A fused disconnect switch to be properly bolted to the bus bars so ‘Jack’ used epoxy glue (non-conductive) to make his connection. Needless to say, we removed the epoxy and installed the proper bus hardware. Unfortunately, the electrical distribution system design required us to shut down the entire hotel so we could make the necessary repairs. The cell phone company absorbed the costs for all repairs incurred as a result of the original substandard installation.”

When this type of work is done, the installers must be sure they use the correct hardware, and any fittings associated with the equipment. In most cases, the benefit of purchasing listed equipment ensures a safe installation. We can appreciate the efforts of the final installer, which showed compliance with various rules in Articles 110, 310, and 408.

> Try Another Quiz

Discuss this Article 0

Post new comment
Sign In or register to use your Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine ID
(optional)

White Papers
EC&M Learning Center
Webinars
EC&M TV
Apr. 15, 2013
video

Protection From Arc Flashes

Learn how arc flashes happen, how they are measured and how wearing the right flame resistant clothing can keep workers safe....More

Newsletter Signup

Connect With Us