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: Can we access the wires in the LB?
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 a $25 Amazon gift card. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select one winner (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.
November Winner
Our winner this month was Ronnie Morales, a fire systems inspector from Fallbrook, Calif. He correctly cited some of the Code violations in the photo.
Unfortunately, this is a very common Code violation I see in my travels. The working spaces required by Sec. 110.26 get stolen or obstructed by shelving units, desks, ductwork, plumbing pipes, and other obstructions that should not be there. In this case, a worker would need to climb on top of the counter or lean way over it to work on the electrical equipment on the wall behind the apples and donuts. This is no way to work on energized electrical equipment. It’s way too dangerous.
The working space depth, width, and height specified in Sec. 110.26(A)(1),(A)(2), and (A)(3) were created to provide enough clear space for workers to be able to work safely when working on energized electrical equipment. These spaces must be kept clear for the lifetime of the electrical installation. The fuses and circuit breakers in this equipment are not “readily accessible” as required by Sec. 240.24(A).
