A Buried Treasure
I had the unenviable task of working on the wires in the junction box buried behind this pool filter. It was no easy feat trying to cram my hands and fingers into this extremely tight space. I found the box without a cover, which is a violation of Sec. 314.25. While we could have a debate about whether this pool filter is part of the building structure, I believe the location of this box violates the intent of Sec. 314.29, which requires boxes to be installed so the wiring inside them can be rendered accessible. Another violation I spotted was the lack of any clips installed to secure and support the EMT raceway entering the top of this box. Section 358.30 requires EMT raceways to be securely fastened within 3 ft of the junction box. This equipment was installed before the 2020 Code was published, but I would like to point out that Sec. 680.14 considers rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit, and reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) resistant to the corrosive environment around this pool filter, but it does not recognize EMT as being suitable for this location.
Dedicated to Violations
The pipes located below this panelboard enclosure are not permitted to be there. Section 110.26(E)(1)(a) requires the space equal to the depth and width of this enclosure and extending from the floor to the ceiling or 6 ft above this enclosure, whichever is lower to be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping systems, ducts, leak protection equipment, or other equipment foreign to the electrical system is permitted to be located in this zone. The locations of these pipes make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for an electrician to install any raceways or cables into the bottom of this enclosure now. It is a little difficult to tell from this particular camera angle, but the large drainpipe may even encroach into the working space required in front of this panelboard by Sec. 110.16(A)(1)(3). One final problem I want to point out is the lack of any circuit identification or circuit directory. There is a circuit directory installed on the inside of the door of the enclosure, but it was left completely blank. There are no circuit identification markings on any of the circuit breakers either. It is anyone’s guess as to what these circuits may be feeding.
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.