Ecmweb 7887 Nec Whats Wrong Here Nov 2015 Pr
Ecmweb 7887 Nec Whats Wrong Here Nov 2015 Pr
Ecmweb 7887 Nec Whats Wrong Here Nov 2015 Pr
Ecmweb 7887 Nec Whats Wrong Here Nov 2015 Pr
Ecmweb 7887 Nec Whats Wrong Here Nov 2015 Pr

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Drain drops keep falling on my head

Nov. 16, 2015
Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?

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. It's your turn to identify the violation.

Hint: Drain drops keep falling on my head

September Winners

Our three winners this month were: Edward Munch, a distribution engineer with Eversource Energy in Uncasville, Conn.; Michael R. Cole, an electrician with MRC Electric of Columbus, Ohio; and Dennis L. Cushing, an electrical designer at WSP USA in Boston. Each one of them knew that this white wire should be re-identified to indicate that it is being used as an ungrounded wire.

Removing the cover for this heater’s splice enclosure revealed our problem. The label on this heater indicates that this is a 240V heater where the white wire is being used as an ungrounded conductor. Section 200.7(C) does permit using the white wire for other than a grounded conductor where the wire is part of a cable assembly and has its white insulation permanently re-identified by marking tape, painting, or other effective means, to indicate that it is being used as an ungrounded conductor. This re-identification must be provided at the conductor termination and every location where it is visible and accessible such as this heater connection. The identification must encircle the wire and must be a color other than white, gray, or green. This installer apparently chose to ignore the rules about re-identifying the white wire for this 240V circuit.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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