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
Throughout Chapter 3 of the NEC, a Fine Print Note calls attention to 300.4(G) Insulated Fittings. This rule requires the use of insulated fittings when raceways containing ungrounded conductors 4 AWG or larger enter a cabinet, box enclosure, or raceway. A substantial fitting providing a smoothly rounded insulating surface usually provides the protection for the conductors, unless the conductors are separated from the fitting or raceway by substantial insulating material that is securely fastened in place. Conduit bushings constructed wholly of insulating material can't be used to secure a fitting or raceway. The insulating fitting or material must have a temperature rating not less than the insulation temperature rating of the installed conductors. This cabinet violates that rule because the fitting at the bottom right is metal.
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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.