Ecmweb 4762 Codewatch3web2
Ecmweb 4762 Codewatch3web2
Ecmweb 4762 Codewatch3web2
Ecmweb 4762 Codewatch3web2
Ecmweb 4762 Codewatch3web2

What's Wrong Here?

April 13, 2007
Hint: What is physical damage?

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.

Find the Answer

I ran across this situation in a major car rental parking lot while waiting for my shuttle back to the airport. I’m guessing the products were probably damaged by a snowplow. However, it really doesn't matter what the reasons were for this "physical damage” to these raceways. The key issue is they were originally installed in the wrong place! It’s obvious the subject of so-called physical damage was never considered when these raceways were first installed.

I can only say that the following rules seem to have been ignored during installation:

  • 110.27 Guarding of Live Parts, (B) Prevent Physical Damage. “In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage.”
  • 300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. “Where subject to physical damage, conductors shall be protected.”
  • 300.5 Underground Installations, (D) Protection From Damage, (4) Enclosure or Raceway Damage. “Where the enclosure or raceway is subject to physical damage, the conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit, or equivalent.”
  • 300.12 Mechanical Continuity — Raceways and Cables. “Metal or nonmetallic raceways, cable armors, and cable sheaths shall be continuous between cabinets, boxes, fittings, or other enclosures or outlets.”

Article 352 — Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit: Type RNC

  • 352.10 Uses Permitted. “The use of RNC shall be permitted in accordance with 352.10(A) through (H). FPN: Extreme cold may cause some nonmetallic conduits to become brittle and therefore more susceptible to damage from physical contact.”
  • 352.10(F) Exposed. “RNC shall be permitted for exposed work where not subject to physical damage if identified for such use.”
  • 352.12 Uses Not Permitted. “RNC shall not be used under the following conditions. (C) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage unless identified for such use.”

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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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