Ecmweb Com Nec Whats Wrong Here 376261 M 1 Web
Ecmweb Com Nec Whats Wrong Here 376261 M 1 Web
Ecmweb Com Nec Whats Wrong Here 376261 M 1 Web
Ecmweb Com Nec Whats Wrong Here 376261 M 1 Web
Ecmweb Com Nec Whats Wrong Here 376261 M 1 Web

What's Wrong Here?

Nov. 13, 2007
Hint: Indecent exposure.

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.

Find the Answer

Think you know how this installation violates the NEC?

I discovered this installation in Wilmington, N.C., while on vacation last summer. It was located on the waterfront, and it sure was scary, especially if the circuit was energized. I also wondered about the rest of the temporary open lampholders that were run along the entire length of this famous boardwalk. This arrangement and type of equipment presents possible electric shock hazards and should be removed immediately.

Here is just one of the many rules I could cite with this substandard installation:

110.2 Approval. The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this Code shall be acceptable only if approved. FPN: See 90.7, Examination of Equipment for Safety, and 110.3, Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment. See definitions of Approved, Identified, Labeled, and Listed.”

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About the Author

Joe Tedesco

Tedesco served the industry in many roles during his career. He was a director, senior electrical code instructor for National Technology Transfer, Inc. and American Trainco, Inc.. He was also a codes, standards and seminar specialist for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and an electrical field service specialist for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. He ran his own business as an NEC consultant and is a Massachusetts licensed master electrician and journeyman electrician and certified electrical inspector (one and two family 2A; General 2B, and Plan Review, 2C). Tedesco also wrote articles for CEE News and EC&M (Code Violations Illustrated and What's Wrong Here?) for more than 15 years and helped launched the Moving Violations video series.

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