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 2023 NEC.
Hint: Not-so-flexible metal conduit
Tell Them What They've Won…
Using the 2023 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries 18-in. Slider Bar and plastic box for mounting between studs with non-standard spacing. 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.
August Winners
Our winners this month were Chuck Ross with Wired Up Electric LLC in Olney, Md.; HT Neighbors with HT Electric in Wellston, Okla.; and Benjamin Bull, an EC&M reader from Elberon, Va. They knew installing five conductors in a lug designed for only one is a no-no!
Unfortunately, I see this problem quite often, especially when it comes to equipment grounding conductors. As specified in Sec. 110.14(A), terminals for more than one conductor must be specifically identified for that purpose. I have seen terminals of equipment grounding bars installed in panelboards that were, in fact, designed and identified for connection of one, two, or even three equipment grounding conductors! However, I have never seen this kind of foot lug (a.k.a. a separately installed pressure connector) designed and identified for five conductors. I’m not sure such a creature exists.
