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 panelboard in a tree?
November Winners
Our winners this month were Brendan Windward, a reader from Sterling, Mass.; Michael P. Kelley, a project manager with Southeast Security Corp. in Sharon Center, Ohio; and Steve Horrell, a member services manager for Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative in Hereford, Texas. All three correctly pointed out the working space violations created by using this space for storage.
While on vacation recently, I noticed this electric room being used to store cleaning supplies and towels for the hotel guests. Using this working space for storage is a violation of Sec. 110.26(B). Storing combustible materials such as towels, cardboard, and other easily ignitable items here creates a dangerous violation of
Sec. 240.24(D). Short circuits or ground faults could cause arcing and sparking at the fuses or circuit breakers when the overcurrent devices attempt to open during the fault condition. Those sparks could cause the combustible materials stored here to ignite and start a fire.
Another possible problem is the use of NM cable exposed in this type of building. It would be not allowed today, since Sec. 334.10(3) of the 2017 Code prohibits this type of installation. I can’t be sure when this building was wired though, so it may have been permitted at that time.
‘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.