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. It's your turn to identify the violation.
Hint: It’s time to go back to school.
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Greg Taylor, an electrician in New London, Ohio, was kind enough to share these two photos with us.
“It really is amazing — some of the things we come across as electricians,” says Taylor. “I've found a couple recently, and thought I would share. The first one is at a school gymnasium restroom. The second is a splice (two No. 6 wires for the range put under a Romex connector and taped). This type of work never ceases to amaze me.”
Well Greg, it never ceases to amaze me either! The paper towel dispenser location violates the intent of Sec. 110.26(E). The space directly below these electrical panels is required to be kept clear down to the floor and should be dedicated to the electrical installation. No foreign systems are supposed to be installed in this space.
As for the other photo, using a cable connector as a conductor splicing means is a violation of Sec. 110.3(B). This is certainly not what a cable connector is designed to be used for. In addition, Sec. 110.14(B) requires that splices be made with splicing devices “identified for the use.”