More Code catastrophes uncovered and corrected in these faulty installations
One Foot in Front of the Other
When sizing pull boxes for insulated conductors 4 AWG and larger, the dimensions for the pull box and spacing of the raceways are determined from the size of the raceways. For a straight pull, 314.28(A)(1) requires the box or conduit body length to be at least eight times the trade size of the largest raceway. For a box or conduit body where angle pulls are made (as was done in this installation) or where splices are made, the distance between each raceway entry and the opposite wall shall be at least six times the trade size of the largest raceway in any row. This measurement gets increased by the amount of the sum of the diameters of the other raceways in the same row on that wall. It’s possible to have the correct overall box dimensions but have the wrong pipe layout, since 314.28(A)(2) also requires raceways enclosing the same conductors to be separated by a dimension at least six times the trade size of the largest raceway. The 4-in. raceways enclosing the same conductors in this box should be separated by at least 24 in. The tape measure in the photo proves these pipes are too close together.
A Non-Environmentally Friendly Installation
Yes, that’s a panelboard hanging in a tree, and feeders are wrapped around the branches. While this is only a temporary power installation, there are still several Code violations present. Section 590.2(A) requires all other Code requirements to apply to temporary installations, unless Art. 590 modifies those requirements. Section 225.40 requires branch circuit overcurrent devices to be readily accessible where the feeder overcurrent device is not readily accessible. This panel is supplying branch circuit power to receptacles for the holiday lights draped over the trees. Therefore, the overcurrent devices are not readily accessible. Article 590 does not modify this requirement. Section 225.26 does not permit trees to support overhead conductor spans; however, the exception in 590.4(J) does modify this by permitting trees to support overhead spans of branch circuit conductors for temporary purposes when arranged with strain relief devices or some other arrangement to avoid damage from tree movement. Because the cables in the trees are feeders with no strain relief devices or any other means to prevent cable damage from tree movement, this is a Code violation. While not clearly visible in the photo, NM cable was used to supply receptacle power. Section 334.12(B)(4) does not permit NM cable to be used in this outdoor wet location, and Article 590 does not modify this requirement.