Ecmweb 24239 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0319 Pr 1
Ecmweb 24239 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0319 Pr 1
Ecmweb 24239 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0319 Pr 1
Ecmweb 24239 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0319 Pr 1
Ecmweb 24239 Nec Illustrated Catastrophes 0319 Pr 1

Illustrated Catastrophes

March 20, 2019
NEC Code Violations

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

Salty Air Safety Concerns

I spotted this disappearing cover while walking along the sidewalk near a marina. The combination of salty air, moisture, and other harsh environmental conditions typically found near seaside communities has taken its toll on this electrical installation.

The box cover has rotted away so badly the internal wiring is now exposed. This energized wiring can create a real shock hazard, especially to small children and a curious family pet. Section 110.11 prohibits wiring and equipment from being installed where the environmental conditions will have a deteriorating effect on the wires or equipment.

If you look closely at the luminaire lens above the cover plate, you’ll notice three of the four attachment screws are missing. I’m guessing they corroded and broke off inside the fixture during routine maintenance. It appears that silicone or a similar material was used to re-secure the lens.

Section 300.6 requires electrical equipment to be made of a material suitable for the environment where it’s installed. Perhaps installing non-metallic equipment would have been a better choice here.

Pole Light Power Problems

This messy wiring was spotted in plain view along a public walkway. I am not sure what the back story is at this location, but I certainly know the tale it tells now. The PVC conduits are flopping around because the installer did not follow the rules in Sec. 300.11(A), which requires raceways to be “securely fastened in place.” Sections 352.30 and 300.18 require these raceways to be installed “complete between outlet, junction or splicing points prior to the installation of conductors.” Since this grassy area is subject to lawnmowers and weed whackers, Sec. 300.5(D)(4) and Sec. 352.12(C) require Schedule 80 PVC conduit to be used in place of Schedule 40 PVC conduit. The exposed, single-insulated conductors coming out of the PVC conduits are not permitted, and do not comply with Sec. 310.10 because they are no longer inside of a Chapter 3 wiring method. Since these conductors are also now exposed to UV damage from sunlight, Sec. 310.10(D) must be complied with. In this case, the conductors themselves must be listed as being sunlight-resistant or covered with an insulating material that is listed as sunlight-resistant. Some re-wiring is definitely needed here.

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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