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.
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Answer:
Edwin R. Rosario, P.E., Caribbean Technical Services, Inc., took these pictures in a South Florida commercial building during one of the company’s recent inspection trips. His team went to the building to inspect the CATV and telephone system. However, they found a bunch of Code violations and non-compliance with original drawings and contract documents. What really amazed him was this work had been accepted by local building officials. In fact, it passed final inspection as shown!
As noted in 400.8 of the 2005 NEC, unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure or where subject to physical damage.
As noted in the second photo, there are also a lot of blank open positions in this panelboard. Section 408.7 requires the unused openings for circuit breakers and switches to be closed with an identified closure, or other approved means that provides protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.
