Ecmweb 8321 Nec Violations July 2016 Pr
Ecmweb 8321 Nec Violations July 2016 Pr
Ecmweb 8321 Nec Violations July 2016 Pr
Ecmweb 8321 Nec Violations July 2016 Pr
Ecmweb 8321 Nec Violations July 2016 Pr

What's Wrong Here? Hint: This could be referred to as a hot mess.

July 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: This could be referred to as a hot mess.

May Winners

A big “thank you” goes to Charles Cole, LEED AP, with Biagi, Chance, Cummins, London, Titzer, Inc., for sharing this great photo with us. Our three winners this month were: Daniel Whittaker, a fourth-year apprentice for a plywood mill in Coquille, Ore.; Timothy Wetzel, an electrician from Laverne, Okla.; and Jeremy Cole, an electrician for King Electric of Trenton, Maine. Each of these readers was able to correctly identify the following Code violations.

This installation certainly gives new meaning to the phrase “arranged to drain.” While Sec. 230.53 requires service raceways exposed to the weather to be arranged to drain, I don’t think it includes using a sink trap with a clean out as the proper means of draining. This plumbing pipe is not a wiring method recognized as suitable by Sec. 110.8 of the Code. In addition, the bends in the pipe seem way too sharp and are probably not in compliance with the requirements of Table 2 in Chapter 9. I think it would be very difficult to install or remove any wiring through them without damaging the conductor insulation. And last but not least, the floppy SE cable coming out of the top of the meter enclosure is not properly secured within 12 in. of the enclosure as required by Sec. 230.51(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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