Ecmweb 13313 Nec Whats Wrong Here April 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 13313 Nec Whats Wrong Here April 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 13313 Nec Whats Wrong Here April 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 13313 Nec Whats Wrong Here April 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 13313 Nec Whats Wrong Here April 2017 Pr

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Conduit Calamity

April 20, 2017
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. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2017 NEC.

Hint: Conduit calamity

February Winners

“I don’t want to say exactly where I saw this, but it’s a club that I stop at from time to time,” says P.W. from Indiana. “There is a ceiling fan over a work table in the kitchen, and apparently they needed an outlet at the table. It certainly makes for a great discussion.”

Our winners this month were George Ferguson, an electrical foreman with JSD Development in Westland, Mich.; Eric M. Boyer, P.E., an electrical engineer with American Water Engineering in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Mike Stone, a senior manufacturing engineer with Haworth in Holland, Mich. They were all able to correctly point out some of the Code violations here, including

Sec. 352.30(A), which requires this PVC conduit to be securely fastened within 3 ft of each outlet or junction box and at 3-ft intervals thereafter. The fan is being used as a junction box here, and I am sure connecting a PVC conduit to it in this manner would violate Sec. 110.3(B) since it is definitely not designed for this purpose. Lastly, I strongly doubt the receptacle installed at the end of the PVC was provided with GFCI protection as required by Sec. 210.8(B)(2).

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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