ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Violation Photo Forum Overcrowded Box!

Rizer,

Try 300.14. States 6" but makes the stipulation that if the opening to an outlet, junction, or switch popint is less than 200mm ( 8 in. ) in any direction, each conductor shall be long enough to extend at least 75mm ( 3 in ) outside the opening.

This is from the 2002 code by the way. Also in Wichita, KS. the city code (which most electricians have never even seen) does state Bk/Rd/Bl and B/O/Y color coding for 120/208 and 277/480 volt systems respectively. As far as the 120 anad 277 in the same box 300.3 (C)(1) covers that

271Sparky

Who wants to bet that all the conductors in the 2nd pic are attemptedly stuffed in red wirenuts :P (Bonus points if they held the wirenut on with duct tape!) ....

I counted a minimum of twelve - 14/2's or 12/2's entering that box..(with the real possibility of a couple 12/3's) 36 wires in a 4S shallow!

Sven wrote

I wonder how big of a "C" clamp they used to get the blank on in the first place!

-Randy

That is why the supply house was out of wire nuts!

The guy writes his own description of at least one of the violations on the cover. He knew black,red,blue is not typically use for 277v so he wrote a friendly disclaimer.

As for that attic box, that is absolutley incredible

Black/red/blue might be typically used for 120/208 rather than 277/480, but I don't think such use actually violates any article of the NEC.

As for the pic', I saw it a while back, and thought those were instructions for someone else to finish the job. Finish it they did, they over did it!

And, Pauluk, I believe you are correct. The only phase color in the NEC is orange. But most places will ammend, and mandate their own color codes. For instance here in San Francisco, we have purple high legs. And, I can't imagine the thought process behind it.

See the NEC Index [Color Code] for some mandatory color code rules:

Branch circuits, 210.4(D), 210.5

Conductors, 310.12, 504.80(C), 647.4(C)

Grounded conductor, 200.6

Grounding conductor, 250.119, 310.12(B), 400.23

Heating cables, 424.35

Higher voltage to ground Feeders, 215.8

Panelboards, 408.3(E)

Sensitive electronic equipment, 647.4(C)

Service-entrance conductors, 230.56

Missing: 110.15

210.4(D):
Ah... I guess that covers it. So this would be a violation of 210.4(D) unless black/red/blue was used consistently throughout the building for 277 and some other colors used for 120.

And I would imagine that a scribbled note on the box cover doesn't count as "other approved means," especially as it's unlikely to be repeated at the panelboard.

As a matter of interest, what methods are considered acceptable othan the color-coded insulation, colored phase tape, or tags with appropriate legends on them?

In addition to the overfill issue, the NM isnt supported within 12 inches of the box. I don't even know if it would be possible to fit that many wires on a 2x4...

Joe, you got me there with 504.80(C), 647.4(C)! I just learned something! I like when that happens. (Seriously)

Grounds, neutrals, and high legs, those are all locked down. The light blue in 504.80, is a new one to me! And the heating cables, that's for the sheath of the cable for system identification, right?

The other ones you mentioned about phase arrangment, (ABC) and system/voltage identifcation, don't mention black, red, blue, or brown, orange yellow. We just know them to be that, as accepted pratice. I think it would be nice for the powers that be, to just come out and say it!

Now, I'm not trying to start trouble. But switch legs, and travellers, shouldn't they be identified to the phase they're on? Futher still, I'm sure the count on fill, but do they count on derating?