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 2020 NEC.
Hint: Vintage violations
January Winners
Our three winners this month were: Rick Heiland, an EC&M reader from New Market, Md.; Karl Linck, another long-time EC&M reader from Kohler, Wis.; and Chip Johnson with Volusia County Schools in Daytona Beach, Fla. All three were able to correctly cite some Code violations depicted in this photo.
For wet locations such as this, Sec. 406.9(B)(1) requires 15A and 20A, 125V and 250V receptacles to have an enclosure that is weatherproof with an attachment plug inserted or not inserted. This enclosure is never weatherproof due to the lack of an outlet box hood to cover this box. Any outlet box hood installed must be listed and identified as “extra-duty.” Outlet box hoods are commonly called “bubble covers” by electricians. Section 406.9(B)(1) also requires these non-locking receptacles to be listed and identified as weather-resistant (WR)-type of receptacles. The receptacles used here are not WR-type receptacles. There is an exception allowing a weatherproof enclosure when attachment plugs are removed for areas subjected to routine high-pressure spray washing. That exception is not applicable to this ball field installation. While not required, the installer used tamper-resistant (TR)-type receptacles. Ball fields are not one of the areas specified in Sec. 406.12 requiring TR-type receptacles, but using them here is certainly permitted.
Tell Them What They've Won…
Using the 2020 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries FLBR5420 IN BOX floor box kit, which includes two low-voltage openings with built-in divider, an ultra-thin stamped steel flange, and flush-to-the-floor in-use and blank covers. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.
