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What's Wrong Here?

What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Scary Service Cable

Oct. 9, 2019

Do you know how this installation violates the NEC?

Ecmweb Com Sites Ecmweb com Files Code Watch 1 3

Hint: Scary service cable

See answer below.

Wow! It’s very scary to see the kind of damage that Mother Nature and Father Time can do to electrical equipment. This service cable has deteriorated to the point where the external cable jacket is completely gone.

For all locations, Sec. 300.6 requires raceways, cable sheathing, cable armor, fittings, supports, and other equipment to be made of materials suitable for the environment where they are installed. Where exposed to sunlight, Sec. 300.6(C)(1) requires nonmetallic materials to be listed as being sunlight resistant or identified as being sunlight resistant. Unless identified for the operating environment, Sec. 110.11 prohibits conductors or equipment from being located in damp or wet locations, or where exposed to other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment.

I think this photo helps us understand why these requirements now exist. This service cable has gotten to the point where the damage is so bad that it must be disconnected, removed and replaced with a new service. Replacing this cable probably should have happened a long time ago.

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.