Ecmweb 4733 Cimg0397web
Ecmweb 4733 Cimg0397web
Ecmweb 4733 Cimg0397web
Ecmweb 4733 Cimg0397web
Ecmweb 4733 Cimg0397web

What's Wrong Here?

March 6, 2008
Hint: Damaged equipment in Las Vegas.

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

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I found this installation as I made my way back to the hotel from the convention center. This arrangement was in a parking lot behind a block wall. The damage appears to have been caused by a truck bumper from a nearby parking space. This equipment was still running and looks like it was installed without the benefit of an electrical permit and electrical inspection.

I’m sure the equipment ground has been lost due to the damage caused by a lack of physical protection. In addition, there’s no disconnecting means in sight. See 110.3(A)(8) of the 2008 NEC.

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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