What's Wrong Here? Hint: A Cover-Less and Crowded Box
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 2026 NEC.
Hint: A coverless and crowded box.
Tell Them What They've Won…
Using the 2026 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.
July Winner
Our lone winner this month is Austin Rogers of Austin Rogers Electrical Services LLC in Reform, Ala. I am going to assume this PVC box was not secured to the concrete base, but I cannot guarantee that. I didn’t see any holes drilled for anchors, so I believe it was only secured by the PVC conduit and the box connectors. Either way, the box is now just flopping around on the ground with the circuit wires exposed. Section 352.12(B) prohibits rigid PVC conduit from being used to support luminaires and equipment other than conduit bodies that aren’t larger than the trade size of the PVC conduit.
The exposed wiring is not properly protected and could increase the risk of shock if the insulation is damaged, since it is easily accessible by anyone passing by on this public sidewalk, including curious children who may play in this area. Section 110.12(B) prohibits broken parts that may adversely affect the safe operation of electrical equipment and circuits.
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.