Ecmweb 4714 809ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4714 809ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4714 809ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4714 809ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4714 809ecmwwhpic1

What's Wrong Here?

Sept. 1, 2008
Hint: Mixed signals

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.

Hint: Mixed signals

Find the Answer


July Winners

Our three winners this month were: Josh Taggart, a foreman with Taggart Electric, Inc. in Sidney Center, N.Y.; Michael Abraham, an electrical engineer with Chu and Gassman Consulting Engineers in Middlesex, N.J.; and Rebecca Conn, and electrical technician with TLC-Engineering in Ft. Myers, Fla. Here's a list of the Code sections they noted were being violated.

  • 300.6(A)(3) In Concrete or in Direct Contact with the Earth — “Ferrous metal raceways, cable armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, nipples, fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be permitted to be installed in concrete or in direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe corrosive influences where made of material approved for the condition, or where provided with corrosion protection approved for the condition.” Section 300.6 is referenced many times throughout the NEC, especially in Chapter 3.

  • 110.11 Deteriorating Agents — “Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures. FPN No. 1: See 300.6 for protection against corrosion.”


‘TELL THEM WHAT THEY'VE WON…’

Using the 2008 NEC, 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 tool-box. 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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