Ecmweb 4479 Bigceewrong
Ecmweb 4479 Bigceewrong
Ecmweb 4479 Bigceewrong
Ecmweb 4479 Bigceewrong
Ecmweb 4479 Bigceewrong

What's Wrong Here?

June 13, 2002
Hint: The branch-circuit conductors for this compressor were supplied through this liquidtight flexible metal conduit. Click here to see the answer. Hint: A threadless RMC coupling was used to connect this rigid metal conduit. Click here to see the answer. Hint: The gas company installed this gas line to supply a water heater that was located in the garage of a new house under construction. Click
Hint: The branch-circuit conductors for this compressor were supplied through this liquidtight flexible metal conduit.

Click here to see the answer.

Hint: A threadless RMC coupling was used to connect this rigid metal conduit.

Click here to see the answer.

Hint: The gas company installed this gas line to supply a water heater that was located in the garage of a new house under construction.

Click here to see the answer.

Hint: Where is the thermostat wiring?

Click here to see the answer.

300.15(J) doesn’t require a box or conduit body where a luminaire (fixture) is used as a raceway as permitted in 410.31 and 410.32. Section 410.33 makes it clear that the insulation temperature rating cannot be lower than 90 deg C (194 deg F) for branch circuit conductors that are installed within 75 mm (3 in.) of a ballast. Table 310.13 allows moisture- and heat-resistant thermoplastic Type THW wire rated at 75 deg C and (167 deg F) for special applications and is allowed within electric discharge lighting equipment where limited to 1,000 open-circuit volts or less. We can use 14 AWG through 8 AWG only as permitted in 410.33.

Bruce Hard, superintendent for Dal-ec Construction, Sherman, Texas, provided the following answer:
"Your installation has failed inspection for two reasons. First, you used a flex connector on EMT. Flex connectors are not listed for EMT, violating the listing for the flex connector. See the 2002 NEC 110.3(B). Second, the EMT is in a wet location. Couplings listed for wet locations must be used. The set screw coupling is not listed for wet locations. See the 2002 NEC 358.10(C)."

This new air compressor was installed to provide some additional services for the customers of a local convenience store. This metal jacketed cable assembly is not recognized for this use by any edition of the NEC in Chapter 3 under any circumstances, and will eventually fail. Also, connecting the cable to the cover of the lighting pole to pick up the supply for this equipment is not correct.

Karen James, CAD technician for RMF Engineering, provided the following answer.
"The picture shown in the May 2002 issue of CEE News is a violation of NE Code 430.102(B). The locks shall be permanently installed in order to be used as disconnecting means for the motor. This is not a permanent lock."

Editor's Note: 430.102(B) applies only to disconnecting means for motors. There is no prohibition in the NEC that precludes the use of portable lockout/tagout devices in order to comply with safe work practices as described in documents such as NFPA 70E. This installation could be in compliance with 430.102(B) if the connection between the breaker and the motor employs an additional permanent disconnecting means. As long as the disconnecting means is equipped with a permanent locking means, the NEC does not preclude the use of other locking type devices, be them portable or permanent, to comply with NFPA 70E or other lockout/tagout requirements.

250.68(B) Effective Grounding Path. The connection of a grounding electrode conductor or bonding jumper to a grounding electrode shall be made in a manner that will ensure a permanent and effective grounding path. Where necessary to ensure the grounding path for a metal piping system used as a grounding electrode, effective bonding shall be provided around insulated joints and around any equipment likely to be disconnected for repairs or replacement. Bonding conductors shall be of sufficient length to permit removal of such equipment while retaining the integrity of the bond.
Gordon Reese, a master electrician from Hanover, Penn., also mentioned Article 250.68(B), which states that to ensure an effective grounding path, it is necessary to bond around any equipment likely to be disconnected that could be removed for repair or replacement, such as a water meter. The bonding conductor shall be of sufficient length to permit removal of such equipment while retaining the integrity of the bond.

No sign of an exit here

This commercial building exit light was not in working order and not properly connected. It had exposed live splices, a lost equipment grounding conductor and was also hidden from view because of a foreign system that was run right in front of the word, “exit,” relaying an important message during an emergency.
You can take your pick of violations here, and just open the Code book starting in Article 110 and go 10 pages forward, or 10 pages backward and most likely will find a rule to cite. Better yet, call the fire marshal, building, mechanical, and plumbing inspectors and ask them for a rule that can be cited in their codes, documents or local rules.

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