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 2017 NEC.
Hint: A bad “two-for-one” sale
August Winners
Our two winners this month were Peter Oven, P.E., a project manager for Wilson Engineering Services, PC, in Meadville, Pa., and Jake Basher, an estimator for Gordon & Zoerb Electrical Contractors, Inc., in Buffalo, N.Y. They both knew the Code does not permit plumbing fittings to be used for electrical installations.
Section 110.8 tells us that only suitable wiring methods are recognized by the Code. Plumbing fittings, such as the ones used here, are not found anywhere in the Code. While that sharp 90° elbow may be fine for moving water, it creates some friction problems for pulling wires through it.
Section 352.24 informs us that radius of PVC conduit bends must conform to the dimensions shown in Table 2, Chapter 9. Conductor insulation could be damaged by pulling conductors around bends that are too sharp. Section 352.48 requires PVC conduit and all associated fittings and factory elbows to be listed. Plumbing fittings are certainly not listed for use on electrical conduits. While Sec. 352.48 allows joints to be made in an “approved method,” I don’t think any knowledgeable electrical inspector would approve the use of plumbing fittings in this situation.
‘Tell Them What They’ve Won...’
Using the 2017 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries FLBT4400SS countertop box kit, which includes a stainless steel trap door cover and a 20A decorator-style, tamper-resistant receptacle. 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.