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: It’s time to cut the cord.
May (Missing in Action) Winner
Unfortunately, no one correctly identified the Code violation in this photo. So here are the problems I see with this installation.
One major issue with this PVC conduit run is the lack of any expansion fittings. Long runs of PVC conduit installed outdoors, especially in direct sunlight on a rooftop, can experience significant changes in length due to thermal expansion and contraction. For example, Table 352.44 shows that a 100-ft-long conduit run will experience approximately 4 in. of length change when exposed to a temperature change of 100°F. That could easily happen on this rooftop. If expansion fittings are not used as specified in Sec. 352.44, the conduit run will eventually self-destruct. That’s what happened here. For side-to-side movements, Sec. 300.7(B) requires the use of expansion-deflection or deflection fittings. This would have been an appropriate choice at this location.
‘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.