Ecmweb 4783 609ecmwwhpic1rev
Ecmweb 4783 609ecmwwhpic1rev
Ecmweb 4783 609ecmwwhpic1rev
Ecmweb 4783 609ecmwwhpic1rev
Ecmweb 4783 609ecmwwhpic1rev

What's Wrong Here?

Sept. 1, 2006
Hint: This receptacle is located behind a bed in a hotel guestroom.

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

Candi Brackett, chief engineer, Wilmington Hilton Riverside, Wilmington, Del., offered these comments. “In reference to the receptacle behind the hotel bed, the 1999 NEC [210.60 (B)] was the first edition of the Code to reference this issue. We have had many damaged in the past. The new requirement for the receptacle is that it shall be located so that the bed does not come in contact with the attachment plugs, or a suitable guard must be put in place.”

James W. Robertson, Jr., master electrician, J.E.C. Electric, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., added this perspective. “The main violation I see here is under 210.60(B). After adoption of the 1999 NEC, receptacles behind a bed in a hotel room shall be located such that when cords are plugged in that the bed does not make contact with them causing damage. Secondly, a suitable guard could also be installed to prevent damage for any existing receptacles as well.”

Sharon Milholen, electrical design engineer, Patterson Pump Co., Toccoa, Ga., summed it up as follows: “Per 210.60 (B) — Only after the 1999 NEC was adopted, either the bed cannot be able to touch any plug connected to the receptacle, or the receptacle must be provided with a guard. Beats me as to what a ‘suitable guard' is!”

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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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