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 2023 NEC.
Hint: The never-ending “space war” continues.
Tell Them What They've Won…
Using the 2023 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-in. 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.
December Winners
Our lone winner this month was Ken Cunningham, an electrical design engineer for Moore Consulting Engineers, LLC, Shamong, N.J. He knew using extension cords as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure is not Code compliant.
Section 400.12(1) specifically prohibits this type of installation. Sec. 400.12(4) prohibits flexible cords, flexible cables, cord sets (extension cords), and power supply cords from being attached to building surfaces. Section 400.10(A) permits using flexible cords and flexible cables for only 11 applications, which are further restricted by Sec. 400.12. The use shown in this photo is not one of the uses permitted by Sec. 400.10(A). Chapter 3 wiring methods should be used here to provide a permanent wiring solution for providing power to the desired location.
