All references are based on the 2020 edition of the NEC.
A Roadside Nightmare
An EC&M reader who wishes to remain anonymous sent in this photo. “I found this weathered meter installation that I believe is feeding some DOT lighting and still energized,” he said. “It was next to a sidewalk but behind a fence just out of public reach.”
I think the term “weathered” is a bit generous. The service disconnect switch is completely rusted out, leaving the energized parts dangerously exposed. Although this enclosure may have complied with the rules in Sec. 110.27 for guarding live parts against accidental contact when first installed, it certainly does not comply now. Severe corrosion has taken hold of this equipment and is not letting go. Section 300.6 requires equipment to be constructed of materials “suitable for the environment in which they are to be installed.” Using stainless steel or nonmetallic equipment would have been the better choice here. The severe corrosion has compromised many of the bonding and grounding requirements in Art. 250 for this equipment as well. Regardless, this installation is overdue for a complete replacement.
Pool Bar Problems
Look at the top right side of this photo, and you will see a speaker mounted to the front of the roof overhanging this pool. I noticed this while on a recent trip to Puerto Rico. Although COVID-19 restrictions prohibited guests from sitting at the pool bar, that did not prevent me from taking photos of the Code violations I found. Regarding the speaker, Sec. 680.22(D) requires outlets other than those covered in Sec. 680.22(A) through (C) to be located no less than 10 ft from the inside walls of the pool. For audio system equipment powered by a listed Class 2 power supply, Sec. 640.10(B) restricts placement only by the manufacturer’s instructions. Although I wasn’t able to get an exact measurement, the paddle fan installed above the bar area appears too low and too close to the edge of the pool. Section 680.22(B) requires fans installed within 5 ft horizontally of the inside walls of the pool to be no less than 12 ft above water level. Also, the tips of those fan blades look like they are encroaching that 5 ft horizontal space, but that fan is definitely not 12 ft high.
Note: I’d like to thank my wife Amy for supporting my work. She knows I’m constantly hunting for Code violations to photograph, even when we are on vacation.
