Communication Breakdown
Raceways are generally not permitted to support cables in this manner. Section 300.11(B) does, however, allow raceways identified for the purpose to support cables, other raceways, or nonelectrical equipment. But the raceways here are not designed for that purpose. Section 300.11(B) also recognizes the practice of supporting Class 2 circuit conductors or cables to the outside of a raceway that contains power circuit conductors for electrical equipment controlled by the Class 2 circuit. Boxes and conduit bodies are permitted to be supported by raceways in accordance with Sec. 314.23. Luminaires are permitted to be supported by raceways in accordance with Sec. 410.36(E). For communication circuits, Sec. 800.133(B) specifically states that communication wires and cables cannot be secured by any means to the exterior of any raceway as a means of support. The only exception being for overhead spans of communication wires that are supported by a raceway-type mast.
There are also several other violations to note with this installation. The hole punched through the wall has not been firestopped and violates the requirements of Sec. 800.26. The missing cover for the conduit body and box is a violation of Sec. 314.25. Breaking off the side of the 4-in.-sq. extension box to allow more wire bending space — and using it in this manner — violates the rules of Sec. 110.3(B).
A "Handy" Man's Special
Boxes are not permitted to just flop around on the end of an EMT like this. They must be secured by any of the means specified in Sec. 314.23. Section 314.23(F) addresses raceway-supported enclosures with devices. In order for this “handy box” to be properly supported it would need to be equipped with threaded entries or hubs identified for the purpose. It would then need to have two or more conduits threaded into the box or hubs. The conduits would each need to be secured within 18 in. of the box. None of this is possible with EMT since it cannot be threaded. Therefore, the ½-in. EMT is simply not permitted to support a box in this manner.
The lack of proper support for the EMT connected to the box is a violation of Sec. 358.30(A), which requires EMT to be securely fastened within 3 ft of each outlet box. Securing the EMT with some THHN wire wrapped around the other pipes does not quite meet the intent of that requirement. In fact, we could say it is a violation of Sec. 300.11(B) to secure the EMT to the other pipes in this manner.
