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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This is the result of many years of painting at a hotel in San Diego. The numerous layers of paint have put the clamp behind a thick layer of insulation. Although it may never be called upon to do its job, this ground clamp would fail miserably if it ever were.
As per 250.12 of the 2005 NEC, “Nonconductive coatings (such as paint, lacquer, and enamel) on equipment to be grounded shall be removed from threads and other contact surfaces to ensure good electrical continuity or be connected by means of fittings designed so as to make such removal unnecessary.” For additional information on ground clamps, see 250.8, 250.10, and 250.70.
