Ecmweb 6248 Whats Wrong Here April 2014 Pr
Ecmweb 6248 Whats Wrong Here April 2014 Pr
Ecmweb 6248 Whats Wrong Here April 2014 Pr
Ecmweb 6248 Whats Wrong Here April 2014 Pr
Ecmweb 6248 Whats Wrong Here April 2014 Pr

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Terrifying Temporary Power Arrangement

April 18, 2014
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. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2014 NEC.

Hint: Terrifying temporary power arrangement

Tell Them What They Have Won...

Using the 2014 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries TVL508 Low Profile TV BOX.  E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.

FEBRUARY WINNERS

Our winners this month were: Richard Anderson, a journeyman electrician (Level 1) with RK Mechanical Service in Arvada, Colo. ; Jamie Bobnick, a project manager for Pleasant Valley Electric, Inc., in Ithaca, N.Y.; and Tad San Nicolas, a senior estimator for Gould Electric, Inc., in Wildomar, Calif. All three correctly identified the problems with this residential lighting installation.

Section 250.24(A)(5) does not permit a grounded neutral conductor to be connected to non-current-carrying metal equipment parts or to equipment grounding conductors on the load side of the service disconnecting means, as was done at this location. Splicing the neutral to the equipment ground in this manner could also create objectionable current flow on the equipment ground, which would be a violation of 250.6(A). Another problem is the equipment ground wire is not properly attached to the fixture mounting bar. It is loosely wrapped around an 8/32 fixture mounting screw. This violates the rules of 410.42, which requires exposed metal luminaire parts to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor or insulated from the equipment ground and other conductive surfaces or be accessible to qualified individuals only. This loose bonding connection would also not be classified as a low-impedance ground fault current path, as required by 250.4(A)(5).

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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