Ecmweb 4711 808ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4711 808ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4711 808ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4711 808ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4711 808ecmwwhpic1

What's Wrong Here? | August 2008

Aug. 1, 2008
How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify?

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.

Hint: A new form of sleep disorder

Find the Answer


June Winners

Our three winners this month were: Jamie McNamara, a member of IBEW Local Union No. 110 in Hastings, Minn.; Nick Judy of Realty Electric, LLC in Tucker, Ga.; and Rick Harrahill, a journeyman electrician with Jorgensen Electric in Palmer, Neb. Here's a list of the Code sections they noted were being violated.

  • 110.3(B) — the extension cord violates the installation instructions of the equipment.

  • 400.7(A) — flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following: (8) Appliances, where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection.

  • 400.8 — unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following: (1) as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure, (7) where subject to physical damage.

  • 422.16(A) — flexible cord shall be permitted: (1) for the connection of appliances to facilitate their frequent interchange or to prevent the transmission of noise or vibration, or (2) to facilitate the removal or disconnection of appliances that are fastened in place, where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance or repair and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection.

  • 422.16(B) — fails to mention water heaters as permitted to be connected with a flexible cord.


‘TELL THEM WHAT THEY'VE WON…’

Using the 2008 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win something to put in your tool-box. E-mail your response to Joe Tedesco at [email protected], and he'll select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Winners will receive a set of insulated hand tools from Ideal Industries, Inc. valued at more than $125.* The set includes 9.25-inch insulated side-cutting pliers, 10-inch insulated tongue-and-groove pliers, and a 0.25-inch × 6-inch insulated screwdriver.

* Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of tools.

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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