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: Which way is up?
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 SL1B18 SLIDER BAR kit, which includes the SLIDER BAR and single-gang non-metallic box with installation screws and slider clip. 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.
March Winners
Our two winners this month were Jeff McKinley, owner/proprietor of Electri-Cal Co. in Riverside, Calif., and Michael Wireman, an EC&M reader from Richland, Wash. They were both able to correctly cite Code violations in this photo.
I spotted this vintage installation while shopping for antiques in an old barn, which was converted into an antique shop. The NM cable entering the bottom of this 4-in. square box came up a little short, but the installer connected it anyway. Section 300.12 requires cable sheaths to be continuous between boxes, cabinets, fittings, outlets, or other enclosures. A close look at that same NM cable reveals that the cable does not contain an equipment grounding conductor. Do you think the metal box is grounded and bonded as required by Sec. 314.4? I was not able to remove the cover to make this determination, but I am still curious to know. The missing knockout seals on the side of the box are a classic violation of Sec. 110.12(A), which requires unused openings to be closed in a manner that provides protection substantially equivalent to the walls of the enclosure. The use of uninsulated cable staples was a very common practice and is not prohibited by Code.
