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 2017 NEC.
Hint: A cruddy rooftop conduit run
March Winners
Our three winners this month were: Michael Frenzer, an electrical safety inspector with Intertek of Palatine, Ill.; Russel Gilberg, a master electrician from River Falls, Wis.; and Barry J. Yeslow with Huntingdon Valley Electrical Services of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Each one of our winners correctly identified some Code violations in this photo.
I discovered this gem during some renovation work. Once the sheetrock was removed from the wall, some scary secrets were revealed. Lots of NM cables were secured to the shallow framing members or furring strips in ways like methods shown in my photo. You may notice one screw hole that was a really close call for the NM cable. The drywall screw barely missed the cable. When installing raceways and cables parallel to framing members or furring strips, Sec. 300.4(D) requires the raceway or cable to be installed so it is no closer than 1¼ in. from the nearest edge of the furring strip or framing member where screws or nails are likely to penetrate. If this spacing cannot be maintained, then protective steel plates must be used to protect the wiring methods.
‘Tell Them What They’ve Won...’
Using the 2017 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.
