Ecmweb 4084 012ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 4084 012ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 4084 012ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 4084 012ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 4084 012ecmicpic1

Illustrated Catastrophes, December 2010

Dec. 20, 2010
As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions.

No Room for Growth

When I took this photo, my first thought was: What happens when the tree grows taller? My second thought: What happens when the zip tie breaks? The inspector could develop a list of code violations that would run off of this page!

These receptacles are fed by an underground liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), which exits the ground and continues right up the tree to the weather-resistant box. The receptacles are used to provide power for holiday lighting. This installation violates the requirements of 300.5(D)(4), which states, “Where the enclosure or raceway is subject to physical damage, the conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, or equivalent.”

Failed to Live Up to Expectations

It’s interesting to note this box was never secured to the brick wall. I guess the installer thought the set screw on the electrical metallic tubing connector was designed to support the weight of the box and its contents. As you can clearly see, the box has been knocked loose, exposing the energized conductors feeding this receptacle.

As most all of you should know, the purpose of the NEC is “the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.” As noted in 90.1(B), “This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance results in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.”

CORRECTION

There was an error in the November 2010 issue of “Illustrated Catastrophes” on page 42. At the bottom of the second item, “Floating Free,” the last sentence should have read: “The grounding electrode conductor should have been installed on the opposite side of the connector, in the V-shaped groove of the fitting.”

About the Author

Joe Tedesco

Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.

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