Barry P., a member of the Electrical Contractor Network online community, found this installation in a plant somewhere in New York. As you can see from the glow of the volt-stick, the outlet is powered. Romex enters the back of the heater housing and is wired directly to the duplex receptacle. When it rains, water seeps under the wall, as this baseboard is located on an exterior wall.
Per 110.11, “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.
“Equipment identified only as “dry locations,” “Type 1,” or “indoor use only” shall be protected against permanent damage from the weather during building construction.”
We should also take note of 110.12, which states “Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.”
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.