All references are based on the 2020 edition of the NEC.
Worst panel change ever
Kevin Verga, an electrician for Perry Electrical Solutions in Peabody, Mass., spotted this catastrophe while working in a customer’s home. Whoever performed this panel change may want to consider changing professions because being a qualified electrician does not seem to be his or her calling. The service conductors installed outside of the raceway on the left side of the panel violate Sec. 300.3(A). Splicing these conductors in free air without using a box or other enclosure is a violation of Sec. 230.46 and Sec. 300.15. Section 300.10 requires the rigid metallic conduit (RMC) raceway to be mechanically secured to the panelboard enclosure. The back-fed, plug-in breaker installed in the top right panelboard position does not have any additional fastening means as required by Sec. 408.36(D). Most of the NM cables and AC cables are not properly secured within 12 in. of the cabinet as required by Sec. 334.30 and Sec. 320.30, respectively. A close look at the neutral terminal bar reveals at least one instance where more than one neutral conductor is terminated under the same screw, violating the requirements of Sec. 408.41. Lastly, I question whether the grounding lug in the upper right part of the enclosure complies with Sec. 250.8 requirements.
This air conditioner gives me chills
Dennis St. Clair, a retired master electrician and former assistant chief electrical inspector for St. Louis County, Mo., spotted this crazy installation on a recent visit to Florida. He jokingly stated, “At least it has GFI protection (if it still works).” The installer of this through-the-wall air-conditioning unit did not realize that the power supply cord was supposed to be plugged into a receptacle in a dry location inside the building. Passing the power supply cord through the wall in this manner violates Sec. 400.12. The “weatherproof when closed” cover installed on the receptacle has been ripped off to accommodate the factory-installed protection device integral to the attachment plug, and this broken receptacle cover no longer provides protection from the weather as required by Sec. 406.9. Section 440.65 requires LCDI, AFCI, or HDCI protection in the power supply cord, or integral to the attachment plug for single-phase, cord- and plug-connected room air conditioners. I wonder if this protection device works anymore because it has been exposed to the Florida sun, rain, and humidity. The ultraviolet rays of the strong sunlight could also cause damage to the nonmetallic power supply cord and protection device.
