Ecmweb 4734 803ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4734 803ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4734 803ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4734 803ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4734 803ecmwwhpic1

What's Wrong Here?

March 1, 2008
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. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify

Can you spot the Code violations?

Hint: Systematic mess.

Find the Answer

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. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.


January Winners

Our three winners this month (Michael J. Lewis, P.E., director of engineering field services, Fidelity Real Estate Company, LLC, Durham, N.C.; Thomas B. Carron, P.E., senior engineer, Integrated Design Solutions, Architecture, Engineering, Interiors & Technology, Troy, Mich.; and Brian Burke, P.E., senior electrical engineer, High Voltage Maintenance Corp., Middletown, Ohio) all correctly identified the following Code violations associated with the January 2008 photograph.

As per 406.9(B) [Grounding-Pole Identification], “Grounding-type receptacles, adapters, cord connections, and attachment plugs shall have a means for connection of an equipment-grounding conductor to the grounding pole. A terminal for connection to the grounding pole shall be designated by one of the following:”

Of the four options in this section, let's focus on item (3), which states, “A similar green-colored connection device, in the case of adapters. The grounding terminal of a grounding adapter shall be a green-colored rigid ear, lug, or similar device. The equipment grounding connection shall be so designed that it cannot make contact with current-carrying parts of the receptacle, adapter, or attachment plug. The adapter shall be polarized.”

In addition, the winners also cited 200.11 [Polarity of Connections], which states, “No grounded conductor shall be attached to any terminal or lead so as to reverse the designated polarity.”


‘TELL THEM WHAT THEY'VE WON…’

Correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win something to put in your toolbox. E-mail your response to Joe Tedesco at [email protected], and he'll select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Winners will receive a set of insulated hand tools from Ideal Industries, Inc., valued at more than $125.* The set includes 9.25-inch insulated side-cutting pliers, 10-inch insulated tongue-and-groove pliers, and a 0.25-inch × 6-inch insulated screwdriver.
* Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of tools.

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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