Hint: Wet location worries
See the answer below.
If you look closely at the corner of this building, just beneath the awnings, you can see an armored cable (AC) or “BX cable” as it is more commonly called used as the wiring method to connect the rusty fluorescent luminaire under each awning. Using AC cable outdoors in these damp and wet locations is very clearly prohibited by Sec. 320.12(2). This building is located at a very popular Oceanside community, and the salty air has certainly taken a toll on those luminaires. Section 300.6 requires installers to use equipment suitable for the environment in which they are installed. Perhaps non-metallic luminaires may have been a more suitable option here.
Now if we change are focus to the top of the building you will notice a conduit extending out from the roof line a good 6 ft to 8 ft with a box and luminaire installed at the outer end. Wow! I can’t even begin to imagine how that installation was accomplished. I do know that it is most certainly a Code violation. Section 314.23 has lots of design options for supporting of boxes. This does not comply with any of them. The closest resemblance I can find is Exception No. 2 in Sec. 314.23(F). This installation, however, fails to comply with all the conditions specified in that exception. The conduit extends much further than 3 ft beyond the last point of conduit support.
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.