First, neither the box nor raceway are properly supported. We know as per 225.26, vegetation like this tree can’t be used to support overhead conductor spans. But outdoor luminaires (lighting fixtures) and associated equipment are allowed to be supported by trees as noted in 410.16(H). In addition, a FPN to 410.16(H) refers to 300.5(D) for protection of conductors, which states that direct-buried conductors and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance with several factors. Per 300.5(D)(4), “Where the enclosure or raceway is subject to physical damage, the conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit, or equivalent.”
About the Author
Joe Tedesco
Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.