Promo Image Illustrated Catastrophes December 2020 5fbc25a817027

Illustrated Catastrophes: Suspended Ceiling Secrets Revealed

Dec. 2, 2020

Think you know how these installations violate the NEC?

All references are based on the 2020 edition of the NEC.

Suspended Ceiling Secrets Revealed

Illustrated Catastrophes Fig 1 December 2020

I found this condensate pump along with numerous Code violations stuffed above the suspended ceiling of a local business. The blue plastic box dangling with absolutely no support fails to comply with any of the support requirements in Sec. 314.23(A) through (H). The missing faceplate on the receptacle violates the requirements in Sec. 406.6 and Sec. 314.25. While neither the receptacle nor the condensate pump is prohibited from being installed above a suspended ceiling, the power supply cord used to connect the pump to the receptacle is a violation of Sec. 400.12. More specifically, Sec. 400.12(5) does not permit flexible cords, flexible cables, cord sets, or power supply cords to be installed where located above a suspended or dropped ceiling. Other “hard-wired” options in Chapter 3 are available for wiring condensate pumps located above a suspended ceiling. The NM cable used to provide branch-circuit power to the receptacle does not comply with Sec. 334.12. Specifically, Sec. 334.12(A)(2) prohibits the installation of exposed NM cable within the ceiling cavity of a dropped or suspended ceiling in other than dwelling occupancies. The NM cables originally may have been permitted to be installed in this location, but they have not been permitted here for several Code cycles. In addition, the lack of any securing or supporting means for the NM cable is a violation of Sec. 334.30.

Rotting Grounding Electrode Raceway

Illustrated Catastrophes Fig 2 December 2020

Mother Nature and Father Time have taken their toll on the raceway of this grounding electrode conductor (GEC). Years of rain and snow, combined with the corrosive conditions often found at ground level locations such as this, have completely disintegrated the metal raceway that was installed to provide protection for the GEC. Section 300.6 requires raceways, boxes, cable armor, supports, hardware, and other materials to be suitable for the environment in which they are installed. Section 300.6(A) requires ferrous metal equipment to be protected against corrosion inside and outside by an approved corrosion-resistant material. Some manufacturers recommend the use of supplementary corrosion protection, such as sticky-tape wraps, heat-shrink sleeves, asphalt-based coatings, and other corrosion-resistant materials, for galvanized raceways installed in the earth. The use of stainless steel or nonmetallic raceways may be a better option for replacement of this rotted raceway. Section 250.64(B)(2) requires 6 AWG or larger GECs exposed to physical damage be protected by being installed in RMC, IMC, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, RTRC-XW, or even EMT or cable armor.

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.