Ecmweb 6090 Nec Violations Whats Wrong Here Feb 2014 Pr

What's Wrong Here?

What's Wrong Here? Hint: Campsite craziness

Feb. 18, 2014

Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?

How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn’t identify? Here’s your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else’s work from the safety of your living room or office. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2014 NEC.

Hint: Campsite craziness

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Tell Them What They Have Won...

Using the 2014 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries TVL508 Low Profile TV BOX™. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.

DECEMBER WINNERS

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Our winners this month were: Dino Giulianelli, an electrical engineer with Nuclear Services Power for CB&I of Moorestown, N.J.; Chuck Yost, a project manager for RPM Engineers of Irvine, Calif.; and Luis Lazogue, principal of Lazog Electric LLC, Union, N.J. They each knew the supporting methods used in this installation were not quite right.

Liquidtight flexible metallic conduit (LFMC) is generally not permitted to be supported by another raceway. According to 300.11(B), raceways may only be used for supporting other raceways, cables, or other equipment if the raceway providing the support is identified as a means of support. Raceways may also provide support for Class 2 circuit conductors or cables where the raceway encloses the power conductors for the equipment being controlled by the Class 2 circuit. Boxes and conduit bodies may also be supported by raceways in accordance with 314.23, and luminaires may also be supported by raceways in accordance with 410.36(E).

One violation that cannot be fully seen in the photo is the total number of bends in the LFMC. Section 350.26 permits no more than 360° of bends (four quarter bends) between pull points. The LFMC in this installation continues downward and contains several more 90° bends. The total degrees of bend easily exceed the 360° limit.

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.