Ecmweb 25923 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 1019 Pr
Ecmweb 25923 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 1019 Pr
Ecmweb 25923 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 1019 Pr
Ecmweb 25923 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 1019 Pr
Ecmweb 25923 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 1019 Pr

Illustrated Catastrophes: A Boxless Splice

Oct. 17, 2019
NEC Code catastrophes

A Boxless Splice

I spotted these “flying splices” during a recent trip to Tennessee. The installer joined two pieces of liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) and their contained conductors together without installing any type of junction box or splice box. When the wiring method is conduit, tubing, or cables, Sec. 300.15 requires a box or conduit body to be installed for conductor splice points such as these, as well as outlet points, switches, junction points, and conductor termination or pull points. Where LFNC is installed in lengths longer than 6 ft, Sec. 356.30(1) requires the LFNC to be securely fastened at intervals no greater than 3 ft and within 12 in. of each outlet box, cabinet, or fitting. Most of the LFNC installed here is flopping all over the place without being securely fastened in place. The splices and energized conductors poking out from under the black tape can pose a significant shock hazard because they can easily be reached by most adults passing by this public sidewalk location. If this was some type of temporary installation, flying splices would still be a violation since 
Sec. 590.4(G) only allows temporary splices of cords or cables to be installed without boxes on construction sites.

Failed Floodlight Installation

This broken installation was a failure from day one. To start with, the box is not properly supported. Section 352.12(B) prohibits PVC conduit from being used for the support of luminaires or equipment other than nonmetallic conduit bodies. Using PVC conduit to support a box is simply not permitted. The next problem is the mismatched wiring methods. The installer tried to use liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) with PVC conduit connectors. Section 356.42 only permits fittings listed for use with LFNC to be used. PVC conduit connectors are not listed for this purpose. Section 300.15 also requires fittings to be used only with the wiring methods for which they are specifically designed and listed. The separated raceway violates Sec. 300.12, which requires raceways to be continuous between boxes, fittings, cabinets, or other enclosures. The brick placed on the ground appears to be a lame attempt at providing some type of support for the box or the LFNC. While the luminaire appears to be rigidly supported, I’m not sure it was designed to be bolted directly to a piece of strut hammered into the ground. This may be a violation, too, since Sec. 410.6 requires luminaires to be listed, and Sec. 110.3(B) requires listed equipment to be installed in accordance with the instructions included with the listing.

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.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.