Ecmweb 21057 Nec Whats Wrong Here 0818 1 0
Ecmweb 21057 Nec Whats Wrong Here 0818 1 0
Ecmweb 21057 Nec Whats Wrong Here 0818 1 0
Ecmweb 21057 Nec Whats Wrong Here 0818 1 0
Ecmweb 21057 Nec Whats Wrong Here 0818 1 0

What's Wrong Here? Hint: This gets my seal of non-approval.

Aug. 17, 2018
NEC - What's Wrong Here?

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: This gets my seal of non-approval.

JUNE WINNERS

I’m not sure if everyone took vacation at the same time this year or you’re all just too busy working right now, but none of you told me how this installation violates the requirements of the NEC.

One of the violations shown in this photo is the lamp cord being poked through the plate and back into the wall. Instead of hiring a professional electrician to snake the correct type of wiring methods, the renter living in this apartment channeled a small gap in the wall starting from the receptacle, going up the wall, then across the ceiling to a ceiling-mounted light fixture to achieve his desire of having a ceiling light controlled by a switch. The renter then filled in the gap with a layer of joint compound to hide the cord and repair the wall damage. Are you kidding me? The in-line switch on the cord was used for controlling the light. Using a power supply cord as a substitute for fixed wiring is a violation of Sec. 400.12(1). Concealing flexible cables, flexible cord sets, or power supply cords in the wall is a violation of Sec. 400.12(5). Last, but not least, the splices made in this flexible cord violate Sec. 400.13.

‘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.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.

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