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.
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Answer:
All Code references are based on the 2005 NEC.
There is a clear violation of the working space about electrical equipment (operating up to 600V) requirements with this installation (see 110.26). The basic rule calls for "sufficient access and working space" be provided and maintained about "all" electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
More specifically, 110.26(A)(1), states “The depth of the working space in the direction of live parts shall not be less than that specified in Table 110.26(A)(1)(1) unless the requirements of 110.26(A)(1)(a), (A)(1)(b), or (A)(1)(c) are met. Distances shall be measured from the exposed live parts or from the enclosure or opening if the live parts are enclosed.”
This cabinet encloses lighting contactors, and the distance is improper when measured from these exposed live parts.
In addition, the width of the working space in front of this equipment does not permit at least a 90° opening of the equipment door or hinged panels. This requirement is noted in all cases.
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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.