Ecmweb 15137 Nec Code Violations Illustrated July 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 15137 Nec Code Violations Illustrated July 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 15137 Nec Code Violations Illustrated July 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 15137 Nec Code Violations Illustrated July 2017 Pr
Ecmweb 15137 Nec Code Violations Illustrated July 2017 Pr

Illustrated Catastrophes: Ridiculous RV Park Problems

July 24, 2017
More Code catastrophes uncovered and corrected in these faulty installations

All references are based on the 2017 edition of the NEC.

Ridiculous RV Park Problems

This gem of an installation was sent in by John McGonagil, a sales associate for City Electric Supply in Panama City, Fla. He states this is a 30A recreational vehicle (RV) hookup. It seems that the customer was using a landscape contractor to perform this electrical work. Thankfully, McGonagil referred him or her to a licensed electrician.

Apparently, this installer does not believe in the term “weatherproof.” For RV sites, Sec. 551.78(A) states, “All switches, circuit breakers, receptacles, control equipment, and metering devices located in wet locations shall be weatherproof.” The missing hubs and connectors will easily allow moisture and rain to enter the enclosures, which will most likely result in damage to splices, terminations, and equipment. It could also result in a catastrophic failure of the equipment if too much water gets in.

Using flexible cord in this manner is not included in the list of 11 permitted uses found in Sec. 400.10(A). Section 400.12 prohibits using flexible cords as a substitute for fixed wiring.

In addition, Sec. 312.2 and Sec. 314.15 require boxes or cabinets in wet locations to be placed or equipped to prevent moisture or water from entering the enclosure. These rules were obviously ignored by the installer.

You’re Grounded!

I spotted this problem when I removed the cover to this wireway. I know for sure that there are at least six equipment ground wires jammed into that split-bolt connector on the bottom left of the wireway. There may even be a seventh wire tucked in behind the others.

This arrangement is unacceptable because split-bolt connectors are typically only rated for splicing two wires. Using the connector in this manner would certainly violate Sec. 110.3(B), since it is not designed for splicing six or seven wires. Similarly, Sec. 110.14(B) states that splicing devices must be identified for the use. Split-bolt connectors are perfectly fine for making splices; however, they are not identified for splicing multiple wires. Perhaps a better option for the installer would have been to install a terminal bar for connecting all of equipment ground wires.

If the AHJ determines that this 10-in. × 10-in. × 24-in. wireway is being used as a pull box, then Sec. 376.23(B) requires this wireway to be sized in accordance with Sec. 314.28(A)(2) for these angle pulls in the top and bottom of the wireway. Otherwise, Sec. 376.23(A) requires wire bending dimensions from the one wire per terminal column of Table 316.6(A) to be used.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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