What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Nice tile work around that panelboard cover.

Think you know how this installation violates the NEC?
July 23, 2020
2 min read

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: Nice tile work around that panelboard cover.

May Winner

Our lone winner this month was Byron Brubaker, a reader from Winfield, Pa. He knew that this PVC conduit was missing expansion fittings and was not properly supported.
Section 352.30 requires PVC conduit to be fastened in a manner so that movement resulting from thermal expansion or contraction is permitted. Section 352.30(A) requires PVC conduit to be securely fastened within 3 ft of each outlet box, junction box, device box, conduit body, or other type of conduit termination. Per Table 352.30, the maximum spacing between supports for PVC conduit in trade sizes ½ in. through 1 in. is not to exceed 3 ft. Section 352.44 requires expansion fittings to be installed on straight PVC conduit runs installed between securely mounted luminaires, boxes, cabinets, elbows, and other conduit terminations when the length change of the conduit will be ¼ in. or greater in accordance with Table 352.44. When exposed to a temperature change of 100°F, a conduit length of 6 ft will experience a length change of approximately ¼ in. Many outdoor areas of our nation are exposed to a temperature change of 100°F throughout the course of a year. Expansion fittings must be used to prevent PVC conduit runs from self-destructing.

‘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.

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