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. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.
Hint: What lurks behind the green fabric?
Find the Answer
March Winners
Jerry Harman, safety director with Parker Electric and Sign Service in Parkersburg, W. Va., had this to say about the March photo. “This does not meet 406.4 and 110.12(C). Receptacles are required to be mounted in boxes or assemblies that are designed for the purpose, and this box must be securely fastened in place. Receptacles mounted to and supported by a cover are required to be held rigidly against the cover by more than one screw, or when listed and identified for securing by a single screw, device assembly, or box cover. The center screw to hold the receptacle to the faceplate is missing. One grounding terminal position is damaged. The box cover is not properly secured with the right type of screw. It also looks like a wire is hanging out of the bottom left corner of the box.”
Andy Roberts, a journeyman electrician with Blankenship Electric in Yuba City, Calif., sent in these comments. “This installation appears to be in violation of 406.4, because the receptacle is clearly not securely fastened in place. It also violates 406.4(B) and (C) for the same reason. It may also violate 406.5(B), which states that metal faceplates must be grounded. In addition, the installation was not installed in a workmanlike manner, which would violate 110.12. I also see that the raised faceplate has a UL listing stamped on it, but it was not installed with both screws that were provided with it.”
Kori Kaiser, a third-year apprentice at Local 704 in Dubuque, Iowa, cited the same violations as the other winners this month.
‘TELL THEM WHAT THEY'VE WON…’
Correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win something to put in your toolbox. E-mail your response to Joe Tedesco at [email protected], and he'll select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Winners will receive a set of insulated hand tools from Ideal Industries, Inc. valued at more than $125.* The set includes 9.25-inch insulated side-cutting pliers, 10-inch insulated tongue-and-groove pliers, and a 0.25-inch × 6-inch insulated screwdriver.
* Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of tools.
