Ecmweb 25755 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0919 Pr
Ecmweb 25755 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0919 Pr
Ecmweb 25755 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0919 Pr
Ecmweb 25755 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0919 Pr
Ecmweb 25755 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0919 Pr

Illustrated Catastrophes: Elevator Escapades

Sept. 19, 2019
NEC Violations

All references are based on the 2017 edition of the NEC.

Elevator Room Escapades

The switch box in the foreground and the one in the background have a Code violation in common: Neither box is properly supported. The installer simply stuck an EMT connector onto the raceway coming up from the floor and used that as the support for the boxes. Section 358.12(1) prohibits using EMT for the support of luminaires or other equipment except for conduit bodies. A 4-in. square outlet box is not a conduit body and is not permitted to be supported by the EMT. Sections 314.23(E) and (F) both have provisions that allow certain raceways to support boxes, but the raceways must be RMC or IMC conduit threaded into the enclosure or hubs. The flexible metal conduit (FMC) connected to each box is also not permitted as a supporting means for outlet boxes or other enclosures. Another problem can be spotted on the box in the foreground. The bottom knockout seal is missing from the side of the box. You can see one of the circuit conductors through the opening. Section 110.12(A) requires unused openings to be closed in a manner that affords protection effectively equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.

Mulch Misery

Where is the missing cover? It may have helped prevent this buildup of mulch from wreaking havoc with this receptacle installation. Receptacles rated 15A or 20A, 125V or 250V installed in wet locations must have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not an attachment plug is plugged in. The missing cover results in this receptacle now being in an enclosure that is no longer weatherproof. It is certainly not mulch-proof either. Section 406.9(B)(1) also requires any outlet box hoods installed for this application to be listed and identified as “extra-duty.” Perhaps an “extra-duty” cover would have been durable enough to withstand the rigors of heavy usage. This cover apparently could not handle it, snapped off, and then went missing. For damp locations, Sec. 406.9(A) requires all nonlocking 15A and 20A, 125V- and 250V-rated receptacles to be listed as a weather-resistant type (WR). Section 406.9(B) has the same requirement for those types of receptacles when they are installed in wet locations too. We could also argue that this a violation of Sec. 110.12(B) because the missing cover adversely affects the safe operation and use of this equipment.

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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