Image

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Wall-to-Wall Problems

Sept. 17, 2014
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. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2014 NEC.

Hint: Wall-to-wall problems

Tell Them What They Have Won...

Using the 2014 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries TVL508 Low Profile TV BOX.  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.

July Winners

Only two people were able to correctly identify the Code violations in this installation. The two winners this month are: Troy Wibberly of Troy’s Electric in Tallahassee, Fla., and Bob Hickman, an electrical contractor and adjunct faculty member at San Diego City College, San Diego. I would also like to extend a special “thank you” to Matthew Cassidy, a master electrician in New Hampshire for sharing this photo with us. Cassidy found this hidden in the wall of a local school. “This was running some pretty important equipment,” he says.

Section 300.3(A) prohibits single conductors from being installed unless they are part of a recognized Chapter 3 wiring method. Section 310.10 similarly states that conductors described in 310.104 are permitted to be used in Chapter 3 wiring methods. Section 300.20(B) requires slots to be cut between each hole where the individual conductors pass through. The internal clamps on the nonmetallic box are most likely not designed to be used with individual conductors. In fact, it appears as though the clamp has been completely pried out. This would be a violation of Sec. 110.3(B), since the instructions or listing do not permit this.

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.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations