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: Wet location worries
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. 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.
April Winners
Our two winners this month were Bob Schumacher with Vasoli Electric in Souderton, Pa., and Doug Thornton of Doug Thornton Electrical & Telecommunications Contracting in Shandaken, N.Y. They both knew that there were problems with the working space clearances with this installation.
Section 110.26(A)(1) and Table 110.26(A)(1) require a minimum clear working space depth of 3 ft in front of this service disconnect. The water piping and water meter are smack-dab in the middle of this required space. This water piping may also prevent the hinged cover from opening the full 90° as required by Sec. 110.26(A)(2). We may even be able to argue the case that this service disconnect is not readily accessible as required by Sec. 230.70(A)(2). Section 240.24(A) also requires circuit breakers and switches containing fuses to be readily accessible. Although Sec. 110.26(E) may not require dedicated space for this type of enclosed switch, perhaps it should because there is a water pipe encroaching into the space directly below this equipment.
