Ecmweb 4809 511ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4809 511ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4809 511ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4809 511ecmwwhpic1
Ecmweb 4809 511ecmwwhpic1

What's Wrong Here?

Nov. 1, 2005
Hint: Yes, the cover is missing, but can you identify this piece of equipment and tell what else is wrong with the installation?

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

Answer:

This is a main disconnect switch for a building I ran across in the Boston area. Many of these are still in use in this part of the country. Although the Code isn't retroactive, the following references could be cited if this installation was inspected in accordance with the latest edition of the NEC.

Tony Scaffidi, technical support engineer, Pieper Electric, Milwaukee, sent in these comments. “This is a fused disconnect. The small lever in the middle of the enclosure engages the fuses and either opens or closes the switch when turned. It looks like the grounded conductor is being tapped, which is a direct violation of 404.3(B). If this was a service disconnect, you would be disconnecting the neutral and service grounding.”

Albert Howitt, electrician, Bonte Electrical, Houston, had this to say. “The enclosure raceway is missing an insulated fitting. This would be required if we were to reference the current edition of the Code, as per 300.4(F). The tap conductor connection could also be a violation of 110.14(A), and the installation might also violate the tap conductor requirements of 240.21 (A) through (G).”

Mike Svasta, electrical designer, Peters, Tschantz & Bandwen, Inc., Akron, Ohio, added this to the mix. “The equipment, with its missing cover, could possibly lead to a shock hazard, since it's located so close to the public street. One way to overcome this hazard would be to replace the main switch shown here with a new one located in the basement of the building.

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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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