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: This job has its shortcomings.
June Winner
Our only winner this month was Zachary Stoler, a helper electrician and Southern Maine Community College student from Orrs Island, Maine. Stoler knew that this box and these cables were not properly secured.
Nothing in Sec. 314.23(A) through (H) permits the use of tape as the only means for securing boxes. Braces, nails, screws, clamps, anchors, and other fittings identified for the application are some of the approved methods of securing boxes.
In addition, Section 300.11(A) requires boxes to be “securely fastened in place.” I don’t believe electrical tape is a means of secure support for this box. In order to access the wiring inside the box, one would need to unwrap or cut the tape, which would effectively remove the support for the box.
Another problem worth mentioning here is the way in which all of this equipment is secured to the EMT. Section 300.11(B) does not permit you to secure cables or boxes to raceways unless the raceway is specifically identified for this purpose.
Lastly, in accordance with Sec. 330.30(B), MC cable is required to be secured at intervals not exceeding 6 ft; however, some of these cable don’t seemed to be supported at all.
