What's Wrong Here? Hint: This burst my “bubble.”
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: This burst my "bubble."
November Winner
Our lone winner this month was Jennifer E. Kuether, P.E., and chief electrical engineer for Epstein in Chicago. She was able to point out some of the problems with this installation.
The cartoon mascots for Rice Krispies cereal would probably be impressed by the snap, crackle, and pop that this PVC raceway must have made when it broke apart. Perhaps installing a PVC conduit expansion fitting or using a flexible wiring method would have been a better option for protecting these service entrance conductors.
Section 230.43(15) does provide limited use of liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) for wiring of service entrance conductors. For services, LFMC is limited to a maximum length of 6 ft, and a supply-side bonding jumper must be routed with the LFMC.
Thermal expansion may have also played a role in the destruction of this raceway. Section 352.44 requires expansion fittings to be installed in the PVC conduit run where the length change is expected to be ¼ in. or greater “in a straight run between securely mounted items such as boxes, cabinets, elbows, or other conduit terminations.”
In any case, this service needs to be rewired.
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.