Illustrated Catastrophes: A True Flush-Mount Panel

More Code catastrophes uncovered and corrected in these faulty installations

Russ LeBlanc

July 16, 2014

3 min read

All references are based on the 2014 edition of the NEC.

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A True Flush-Mount Panel

A big “thank you!” goes out to Daniel Cortez, an electrical plan examiner/inspector from Collier County, Fla., for sharing these fantastic photos with us. In Cortez’s own words, “This service (in Naples, Fla.) is inside a Port-a-John. There was an existing building there, but through the years the building was demoed without a permit, and the service remained since it was still feeding a second building. A bright yellow Port-a-John was put over the service so no trucks would hit it since they pass by it all day. At least they have some signage.”

For the most part, I think these photos speak for themselves, but I do want to point out a couple of violations. First is the missing cover for the panelboard. This leaves a severe shock hazard and violates Sec. 110.27(A)(1), since this Port-a-John enclosure is not “accessible only to qualified persons.” Next is the fact that the panelboard enclosure is probably a Type 1 enclosure, rated for indoor dry locations only. Sec. 110.27 and its corresponding Table require a Type 3 or similar enclosure rated for this damp — possibly wet — location. I am not sure if the working space dimensions required by 110.26 are being violated, but it sure looks really tight in that space.

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Violations Take No Holidays

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Thanks also go out to Jefferson Morgado with J Tech Security, LLC, Miami, for sharing the photo below with us. According to Morgado, this is the connection for a Christmas lighting display. I can’t tell if the wiring method used was AC cable or MC cable. But in either case, I believe we have a violation of Sec. 110.3(B) since the cord cap installed on the end of the cable is designed and listed to be used with flexible cords and cables — not metal cables. For this metal cable, I am wondering how the grounding continuity was maintained between the cable jacket and the grounding terminal of the cord cap. This would be a violation of 406.4(C) if the grounding continuity is not established. The supporting means for the box is also questionable since it appears to be supported on PVC and liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC). Neither PVC nor LFNC are permitted as a supporting means for boxes in accordance with 314.23(E) and the Exception. If this is a damp or wet location, 320.12(2) prohibits AC cable from being used at all. The cable connector on the box is not suitable for a wet location. This also violates the requirements of 110.3(B).

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.