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 2017 NEC.
Hint: Measure twice, cut once.
April Winner
Believe it or not, this isn’t a flexible cord or cable. This is a group of PVC runs that have “self-destructed” due to the lack of proper supports and failure to use expansion fittings. Our lone winner this month was Tyson Suhre, a wastewater specialist from Cape Girardeau, Mo. He knew these PVC conduits were not supported properly.
Table 352.30 establishes the maximum spacing between PVC conduit supports. For sizes ½ in. through 1 in., conduit supports must be spaced no farther than 3 ft apart. For sizes 1¼ in. through 2 in., conduit supports must be spaced no farther than 5 ft apart — so on and so forth. However, even if the conduit supports are spaced correctly, failure to install an expansion fitting as required by Sec. 352.44 can result in bending and warping of the conduit and eventual failure. That appears to have been the case for this installation. The extra strain on the conduit supports from the pipe warping and bending can cause one clip to come loose or break. Over time, another clip fails, and then another and another until the pipe eventually looks like the one in this picture.