so what does everybody think?

this was not photoshopped. this is the way I found it I have two other views if you would like tosee them.



[This message has been edited by cheman6 (edited 12-13-2004).]

NIce huh this is the type of stuff I get to run into everyday.

[This message has been edited by cheman6 (edited 12-16-2004).]

Is that really 120V in that conduit? If it is, someone should be shot.

Yikes! It took a second for that to register in my mind as well. Surely it can't be? It is!

I can't help wondering what this looks like on the inside of the building.

Any idea what those wires connect to?

As a person that spends most of his work days in public buildings... I hate to say it but I see creative wiring methods too frequently.

I would suspect that a building maintenance person trying to save the school district a few bucks decided that he would "plumb" the water fixture instead of calling in a real plumber. And... obviously, once that worked... coversation probably went somethin like this: Administrator: "We need to run some wiring outside for this temporarily installed permanent equipment." Maintenance Man: "I know how we can save some money, let's use the same "hole in the wall" I used for the water line!"

School districts as a whole are notorious for penny pinching and making more with less. Usually, maintenance people are overworked, underpaid, and have just enough knowledge to keep things running. This isn't the place to talk about school funding issues... but, it is in a sad state.

P.S. I almost forgot, I would likely consider this to pose an "Imminent Danger." We certainly cannot predict when a wiring fault may occur and energize everything in the building.

OSHA definition of "imminent danger": "Any conditions or practices in a place of employment which are such that a danger exists that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm, either immediately or before the danger can be eliminated through the procedures set forth in 1908.6(f)(1)."

This means death or serious physical harm may occur before an inspector could arrive and require the elimination of the hazard.

I hope the school agreed to pay whatever it costs to fix this mess. You should get a public service award for identifying and repairing the problem.

BTW... Welcome to the forum Cheman6!

Edited to add imminent danger definition.



[This message has been edited by safetygem (edited 12-13-2004).]

so that's how you make water "HOT"!

This has to be Photoshopped. I've seen some"creative" stuff but this is unreal

Phunny Photoshop is my vote.

If that's a copper water pipe in there, wouldn't it double as a grounding conductor?

A little quick to jump to conclusions?
Alternate Scenario:
The wires sticking out look sure like an irrigation valve LV hookup.
That might be an abandoned empty conduit that was just used as a chase because it already went through the wall, maybe even with nothing more than a nipple sticking through to the other side.



Not possible. That's what grounding and bonding's about

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 12-13-2004).]

If conductors are water-cooled then derating isn't required, correct?

Seriously, though, someone's head should roll over this one!!!!!

However, when I look at it real close it appears that the faucet, hose and wires are either out-of-focus or the resolution is a bit less in comparison to the LB, bricks and concrete. May be Photoshopped indeed.

[This message has been edited by Sir Arcsalot (edited 12-13-2004).]

> quote: We certainly cannot predict when a wiring fault may occur and energize everything in the building.

>Not possible. That's what grounding and bonding's about

That assumes the grounding is better than the visible wiring. If sections were replaced with plastic and not rebonded or if conduit sections pulled apart, plumbing or conduit could get energized...
/mike

"and energize everything in the building"

Please explain how this would happen. And yes, I only mean conductive surfaces, so no, I'm not talking about the drywall or the wood cabinets.



[This message has been edited by electure (edited 12-13-2004).]

OK, I missed the 'everything'. In the worst case, however, what if the ground bond from the plumbing was broken/missing and there was either no appliances to reestablish the ground or the appliances were connected by insulating pipe or hoses? This may energize the plumbing. Yes, it is extremely unlikely.

I just got an email with this pic taken at 2 more angles.
It is definitely not a Photoshop job.

(While you're disconnecting the grounding, don't forget to disconnect the GEC and the main bonding jumper at the service. That conduit, if continuous, is most likely grounded)

LOL Electure,
You have such a way with words.
BTW, Live Wood would rule as the name for a Rock Band!.

The other end of the hose hooks up here, I guess....
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Violations/Submissions/CWaterTap.jpg

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 12-14-2004).]

[Steve Martin] Whut the hell is that?[/Steve Martin]

[Bill Murray] Oh, I know what that is...... what the hell is that? [/Bill Murray]

Did anybody check to see if the conductors were all thWn?