Can You Spot the Code Violations?
These images were submitted by Joe Tedesco, and the answers to the 2011 Code violation questions are based on Joe’s personal opinion, and should not be considered as a Formal Interpretation.
1. Broken Dreams
This was one of the luminaires used for a temporary lighting installation that was used to illuminate the sidewalk around building remodeling in a major city. The heavy snow and ice in this area was the heavyweight that caused the conduit to break away from the cover of the outlet box. If there was some additional support it may have been able to stay connected, but as you can see it broke away.
314.27 Outlet Boxes. (A) Boxes at Luminaire or Lampholder Outlets. Outlet boxes or fittings designed for the support of luminaires and lampholders, and installed as required by 314.23, shall be permitted to support a luminaire or lampholder.
2. Buried Alive
Across the street from a major shopping mall this conduit body will not allow its cover to be removed because it is half buried in the earth near its entry into an office building.
Conduit Body. A separate portion of a conduit or tubing system that provides access through a removable cover(s) to the interior of the system at a junction of two or more sections of the system or at a terminal point of the system. Boxes such as FS and FD or larger cast or sheet metal boxes are not classified as conduit bodies.
314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible. Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade.
3. Who was there first?
The existing electrical equipment was located in this space long before the bath tub was installed. This condition shows where there probably were no inspections or permits secured. This was sent to me by a former student. I don’t think we’ll see any after pictures here!
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
4. Is it Soda or Pop?
This is a vending machine located next to a Best Buy store which is required to be protected by a GFCI. It was there long before the new rule requiring that it be readily accessible. What should happen now? We know that the rules in the NEC in this case are not retroactive. My advice would be to provide the necessary protection at the panelboard where the circuit originates.
210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Ground-fault circuit-interruption for personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (C). The ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
5. Cord in an Alley
The flexible cord that is installed to supply this receptacle in an alley passes through the building and is probably run into a panelboard or a junction box where it was connected to an existing circuit. At least it has the right kind of cover though! I was unable to gain access to the basement and had to get out of there in a hurry because I almost got caught taking this picture!
400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.56(B)
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings
(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code
(7) Where subject to physical damage
6. Take a long walk
When the sun shines I like to take long walks around the city and when I do I find many so called violations that show up like this one. I can show many that have no gasket at all, and where the access to the connections looks like this one have been taped. This one was with green tape the others are usually with black tape or cardboard.
410.30(B) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles Supporting Luminaires.
Metal or nonmetallic poles shall be permitted to be used to support luminaires and as a raceway to enclose supply conductors, provided the following conditions are met:
(1) A pole shall have a handhole not less than 50 mm × 100 mm (2 in. × 4 in.) with a cover suitable for use in wet locations to provide access to the supply terminations within the pole or pole base.
Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant has worked for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and the National Fire Protection Association as an instructor, staff liaison and field service representative. Joe has been an NEC Consultant for EC&M magazine since 1997 and writes the CodeWatch, Illustrated Catastrophes, and the What’s Wrong Here? Articles. Joe is licensed as a Master and Journeyman electrician in Massachusetts, and is IAEI NCPCCI Certified.
Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant
PO Box 130408
Boston, MA 02113
www.joetedesco.org
