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What's Wrong Here? Hint: Mix and Match GEC Sizes

Nov. 1, 2022
Can you spot the Code violation 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 2020 NEC.

Hint: Mix and match GEC sizes

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 18" Slider Bar and plastic box for mounting between studs with non-standard spacing. 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.

September Winners

Thanks go out to the electrician who shared this photo with us but prefers to remain anonymous. No worries, my friend, remaining anonymous is perfectly fine. According to the electrician, this box was a deep 4-in. square with an extension ring.

Our winners this month were Benjamin S. Berman, an EC&M reader from Philadelphia.; Michael D. Ortiz, a residential electrical contractor from Navarre, Fla.; and Jacob Ross Riddle, located in Tulsa, Okla. They all knew that this box was way overcrowded. Section 314.16 provides requirements for calculating the minimum volume needed to accommodate conductors in outlet boxes and device boxes. While I cannot determine the size of each conductor in this installation, I can certainly see that there are far too many to fit inside this box. There are so many conductors that the cover cannot be installed. A box cover is required per Sec. 314.25. Perhaps installing more extension rings could provide enough space for all these wires.

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.

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