Whats Wrong Here? Hint: If Two Is Company, and Threes a Crowd ...

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Electrical Construction and Maintenance

Russ LeBlanc

By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant

Tue, 2012-12-18 13:01

How well do
you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldnt identify? Heres
your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone elses work from the safety of
your living room or office. Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must
include specific references from the 2011 NEC.
Hint: If two is company, and threes a crowd whats 10?
Tell Them What Theyve Won...
Using the 2011 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this months photo in 200 words or less and
you could win something to put in your toolbox. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing
address, to neccodeguy@hotmail.com, 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. Winners will receive a fluorescent lighting tester from Milwaukee Tool, valued at $199. The

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product allows complete lamp, ballast, and pin testing, before or after install, without dismantling fixtures.
(*Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of tools.)

Our winners
this month include: Thomas K. Heath, CHE director of facility operations for Sampson Regional Medical Center
in Clinton, N.C.; Ronnie Measamer, physical plant director for Central Carolina Community College in Sanford,
N.C.; and Dan Frohberg, an instructor for Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb. They all correctly
identified the following violations with this crowded conduit body.
According to the general requirements in 314.16, boxes and conduit bodies must have sufficient size to provide
free space for all enclosed conductors. More specifically, 314.16(C)(2) permits only conduit bodies that are
durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with their volume to contain splices, taps, or devices. The
maximum number of conductors permitted is calculated in accordance with 314.16(B). As per 314.16(B)(1),
each conductor that originates outside the box and terminates or is spliced within the box is counted once. This
fitting contains two orange, two blue, two white, and two green 12 AWG wires for a total of eight 12 AWG wires.
According to Table 314.16(B), 2.25 cubic inches are needed for each 12 AWG wire. Therefore, a minimum
volume of 18 cubic inches would be needed, and this volume would need to be marked by the manufacturer on
the conduit body in order for it to contain any splices. However, the conduit body in the photo is an SLB.
According to 314.16(C)(3) [Short Radius Conduit Bodies], Conduit bodies such as capped elbows and serviceentrance elbows that enclose conductors 6 AWG or smaller, and are only intended to enable the installation of
the raceway and the contained conductors, shall not contain splices, taps, or devices.

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