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
The following individuals correctly identified the Code violations shown in the October column: Cindy Stellmack, facilities electrical engineer, Lockheed Martin, Owego, N.Y.; Paul Bazil, P.E., electrical engineer, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil Engineering Unit, Cleveland; and Michael Doberdruk, P.E., senior electrical engineer, Richard L. Bowen & Associates, Architects & Engineers, Cleveland.
Each winner noted the following violations. The cover used in this street installation is inadequate. For conductors energized to 600V, NEC Table 300.5 requires a minimum cover of 24 in. Those energized at more than 600V require a cover of 30 in. (300.50). In addition, the backfill in the trench is unsuitable for this installation [300.5(F)]. RNMC and associated fittings must be listed and installed in accordance with 352.48 and 352.6.
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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.