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: Too close for comfort
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.
July Winners
Unfortunately, there were no winning submissions this month citing problems with the way the equipment grounding conductors (EGCs) are identified in this panel.
The two 12 AWG red wires covered in green tape are connected to the equipment ground bar and are being used as EGCs. There is also a 4 AWG black wire that is wrapped in green tape being used as an EGC connected to that same ground bar. The black 4 AWG wire wrapped in green tape is perfectly fine, but the two red wires are a completely different story. Section 250.119(A) requires individually covered or insulated EGCs to have a continuous outer finish of either green or green with one or more yellow stripes. Reidentifying with green tape is not a Code-compliant solution for 12 AWG conductors installed in raceways. Section 250.119(B) permits 4 AWG and larger EGCs to be reidentified with green tape or green labels. For multiconductor cables, Sec. 250.119(C) also allows insulated conductors to be reidentified as an EGC using green tape.
