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. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.
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Tim Butler, owner of Butler Electrical Service in Graham, Texas, found what was left of this panel on the side of a house at Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. “The homeowners are watering their yard with lake water, which you can see has lots of minerals in it,” says Butler. “Just thought you might have some comments about it.”
Requirements for the protection of equipment against corrosion and deterioration can be found in 300.6 of the NEC. Basically, the rules state that you shall install equipment that is suitable for the environment in which it is being placed. 300.6(A) focuses on ferrous metal equipment, 300.6(B) on non-ferrous metal equipment, 300.6(C) on nonmetallic equipment, and 300.6(D) on indoor wet locations.
