What's Wrong Here? Hint: What’s Hidden in the Back?
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: What’s hidden in the back?
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 a 40-oz. insulated tumbler valued at $39.99, courtesy of ABB. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select two winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.
December Winner
Unfortunately, there were no winners this month. Perhaps the holidays were keeping our readers busy, enjoying time with friends and family rather than finding Code violations. I fully understand and appreciate that.
What is holding up this box? The liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) and the extension cord plugged into the receptacle in the box are the only things providing any kind of support for this box. I don’t see any violations with securing the LFMC to the tree with UV-rated cable ties as long as those cable ties are type 21S or type 2S, both of which are listed for securement and support. In fact, Sec. 350.30(A) specifically addresses using these types of cable ties to support this raceway. However, the lack of support and securement for the outlet box is another issue. While Sec. 350.12 does not specifically prohibit using LFMC to support boxes, we can look to other Code rules to determine whether it is permitted or not. Reading through the support methods in Sec. 14.23(A)-(H), we can determine that LFMC is not one of the methods permitted as a means of support for boxes.
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.