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
Section 110.26(F)(1)(a), which covers the topic of dedicated electrical installation space, requires you to maintain a clear space around electrical equipment equal to the width and depth of the equipment. This clear space must also extend vertically from the floor to a height of 6 ft above the equipment, or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. You may not install piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation in this zone.
In addition, Sec. 250.68(B) requires you to effectively bond around insulated joints, and around any equipment likely to be disconnected for repairs or replacement. Without being too tight, this bonding jumper — missing in this installation — is supposed to be of sufficient length to permit removal of any equipment while maintaining the integrity of the bond.
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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.