Ecmweb 8105 Nec Whats Wrong Here March Pr
Ecmweb 8105 Nec Whats Wrong Here March Pr
Ecmweb 8105 Nec Whats Wrong Here March Pr
Ecmweb 8105 Nec Whats Wrong Here March Pr
Ecmweb 8105 Nec Whats Wrong Here March Pr

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Close Encounters of the Worst Kind

March 18, 2016
Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?

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. It's your turn to identify the violation.

Hint: Close encounters of the worst kind

January Winners

Our three winners this month were: William Rose, a self-employed electrician/solar technician in Pemberton, N.J.; Stephen Bazor, an electrical engineer with Baskerville-Donavan, Inc., Pensacola, Fla.; and Christopher Sweeney with Pace Systems, Inc., Naperville, Ill. All three were able to correctly identify some Code violations in this photo, including Sec. 314.20, which requires boxes or plaster rings installed in walls or ceilings made of wood or other combustible materials to be installed flush with the combustible surface, or to be installed so the box or plaster ring extends beyond the combustible surface to minimize the chance of arcs or sparks igniting the combustible material.

In addition, Sec. 404.10(B) requires the yoke of these flush-type snap switches to be seated tightly against the box instead of just floating loosely the way they are now. These loose mounting yokes could also create a violation of the grounding requirements of Sec. 404.9(B).

It is virtually impossible to correctly install a faceplate on this box unless the box is repositioned forward in the wall or the wood is cut away from around the box. The lack of a cover or faceplate on this box is a violation of Sec. 314.25 and Sec. 404.9(A).

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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