What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Naughty neutral connections
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 2020 NEC.
Hint: Naughty neutral connections
April Winners
Our three winners this month were: Scott Burti, president of Burti Electrical Services LLC in Old Forge, Pa.; James Hoover of Hoover Technology Solutions in Martinsburg, Pa.; and Michael French, an EC&M reader from Lynn, Mass. They all knew that this is an unacceptable location for these service conductors.
Section 230.9(A) requires service conductors or service cables without an overall outer jacket to maintain a clearance of not less than 3 ft from windows that can be opened, porches, balconies, stairs, ladders, fire escapes, and other locations like these. For vertical clearances of final spans above or within 3 ft horizontally of platforms or other surfaces that permit personal contact such as this porch, Sec. 230.9(B) requires the rules of Sec. 230.24(B) be followed. The vertical clearance from the porch to the lowest point of the drip loop is required to be 10 ft minimum as specified in Sec. 230.24(B)(1). Section 230.26 requires the point of attachment to follow the same requirements specified in 230.24. The point of attachment needs to be located at least 10 ft above the porch level. Perhaps it would have been better if the installer chose an installation location farther away from this porch.
‘Tell Them What They’ve Won...’
Using the 2020 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.
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.