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: Lousy use of lamp cord
April Winners
Our winners this month were: Daniel Robinson with Hebbard Electric in Augusta, Ga; Stewart Gregorie, a senior project manager with Metro Electric, Inc., McAllen, Texas; and Andy Porter, a licensed master electrician and owner of All Connected Electric, LLC, Hagerstown, Md. They were all able to correctly identify Code violations in this photo.
The raceway and boxes are too close to the roof. Section 300.4(E) was added to the Code to prevent this exact type of installation from happening. Cables, raceways, boxes, and other electrical equipment such as luminaires along with any conductors contained inside of them, could be damaged if roofing repairs are made. The hold down screws used to make repairs to this type of corrugated metal roof decking and the waterproofing membrane can be very long and could easily penetrate the electrical equipment unless it is spaced at least 1½ in. below the lowest portion of the metal roof decking. Per the exception in Sec. 300.4(E), the only wiring methods that do not require the 1½-in. spacing are rigid metal conduit (RMC) and intermediate metal conduit (IMC). These two types of raceways have thick walls, which can help protect the contained wiring.
‘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.
