What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Beachside Bungle
Hint: Beachside bungle
I spotted this rusted and rotted electrical metallic tubing (EMT) on a recent visit to the beach. Long term exposure to the salty air in this oceanside community has taken its toll on this raceway. Section 300.6 requires raceways, fittings, couplings, supports, and support hardware to be made of materials suitable for the environment in which they are installed. Perhaps the use of a nonmetallic wiring method would have been a better option here. I did notice other installations made with PVC conduit in this same area which seemed to be holding up to the environmental conditions perfectly fine. Of course, stainless steel conduits and hardware may be another viable option here too. The entire run of EMT feeding several lights installed under this roof overhang was completely rusted as shown in this picture. It is probably time for this installation to be ripped out and replaced. The corrosion will only continue to get worse.
About the Author
Russ LeBlancRuss 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.