Ecmweb 3640 111ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 3640 111ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 3640 111ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 3640 111ecmicpic1
Ecmweb 3640 111ecmicpic1

Illustrated Code Catastrophes, November 2011

Nov. 22, 2011
More Code catastrophes uncovered and corrected in these faulty installations

Missing the Mark

This fitting was never designed to be used as shown — where it bonds this ferrous metal (EMT) raceway to the grounding electrode conductor for this service. Section 250.64(E) states in part, “Ferrous metal enclosures for grounding electrode conductors shall be electrically continuous from the point of attachment to cabinets or equipment to the grounding electrode and shall be securely fastened to the ground clamp or fitting. Nonferrous metal enclosures shall not be required to be electrically continuous. Ferrous metal enclosures that are not physically continuous from cabinets or equipment to the grounding electrode shall be made electrically continuous by bonding each end of the raceway or enclosure to the grounding electrode conductor. Bonding methods in compliance with 250.92(B) for installations at service equipment locations and with 250.92(B)(2) through (B)(4) for other than service equipment locations shall apply at each end and to all intervening ferrous raceways, boxes, and enclosures between the cabinets or equipment and the grounding electrode.”

Ninth Avenue Sidewalk

This flexible metal conduit (FMC) runs from a basement to the roof of a store. The circuit conductors feed electrical equipment on the rooftop. As you can see, it pops right out of the concrete sidewalk at this location.

This installation is clearly subject to damage and does not comply with the requirements of Art. 348. As noted in 348.12, FMC shall not be used in wet locations, where exposed to materials having a deteriorating effect on the installed conductors, underground or embedded in poured concrete or aggregate, or where subject to physical damage.

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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