What's Wrong Here? Hint: Approved for Outdoor Use
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. It's your turn to identify the violation.
Hint: approved for outdoor use
Find the Answer
Joe Morren, a master electrician in Coopersville, Mich., ran across this installation when he was sent out to re-lamp an illuminated sign. "I'm not sure how this was overlooked by the maintenance department at the facility," says Morren. "The second photo with the dangling conductor and receptacle was adjacent to a busy walkway at the same facility."
Like many other photos we have received from our faithful readers over the years, these images show the dangers of potentially exposed and energized conductors. The lack of proper maintenance and repair is an ongoing concern — especially when equipment is obviously ignored for many years.
The dangling receptacle situation can be corrected rather easily by following the requirements outlined in 110.27, Guarding of Live Parts. More specifically, as per 110.27(A), "Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this Code, live parts of electrical equipment operating at 50V or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by approved enclosures."
Also, the cable assembly is probably not designed to be used in a wet location and would not comply with the wiring methods listed in Chapter 3.
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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.