code violation?

[dreamsville]

Was in the mall this morning. Saw this cord going down through the wood chips in the top of a raised walkway divider in the center of the mall. So I dug down and found this.

What do you think? I think there exists a code section that would prohibit this. I had to dig down 3 inches to uncover it. The GFCI receptacle was facing up underneath the wood chips with an extension cord plugged in. Not sure where the other end of the cord was feeding to, it disappeared beneath the chips...

View attachment 4369

 

[480sparky]

With nothing more than the information you provided, I'd say it's a legal install.

 

[George Stolz]

Agreed. .......

 

[Volta]

You might be able to try 110.11, if the mulch dust could deteriorate the GFCI.

You might try 314.27(C), but that area is not designed for walking, so may not be a floor . . .

Or you might try 400.8(5), but again, the mulch may not be considered a "floor".

 

[George Stolz]

You might be able to try 110.11, if the mulch dust could deteriorate the GFCI.

You might try 314.27(C), but that area is not designed for walking, so may not be a floor . . .

Or you might try 400.8(5), but again, the mulch may not be considered a "floor".

Keep fishing.

 

[Volta]

No thanks, I'm done .

 

[iwire]

110.12(C).

IMO the internal parts are being contaminated by abrasives.

 

[George Stolz]

You mean (B)?

What if it's a TR receptacle?

 

[roger]

Let's take this away from the mall and put it in someones residence, and let's assume there is a violation, who would be the party that could site a violation?

Roger

 

[iwire]

You mean (B)?

No C, but I am looking at my 2005.

What if it's a TR receptacle?

Then I would say that the abrasives adversely effect the operation of the tamper shutters.

If I am the inspector I believe that is a judgment call I could make based on the wording in 110.12(C) or I guess (B) in the 2008.

Or I could just mention it to the fire dept and they would have it fixed that day. :grin:

 

[Volta]

You mean (B)?

What if it's a TR receptacle?

We would still have openings into the device (grounding, button). And the shutters may have an accumulation of dust that would enter when the prongs were inserted.

 

[480sparky]

For all we know, the mulch could be temporary.

 

[zbang]

It there are plants around, could it count as a wet or damp location?

 

[480sparky]

It there are plants around, could it count as a wet or damp location?

Maybe. But usually in a mall, plants are in their own containers.

 

[iwire]

For all we know, the mulch could be temporary.

For all we know, the GFCI may not be connected to and electrical system.

 

[brother]

What about NEC 2008 406.4(A) or (B) ?? Its a stretch but can the 'mulch' be considered a finished surface?? I would see that way. How can they 'rigidly' hold the receptacle at the finish surface of the 'mulch'? .

 

[480sparky]

For all we know, the GFCI may not be connected to and electrical system.

Then discussing ANY photo would be a moot point.

 

[Volta]

For all we know, the GFCI may not be connected to and electrical system.

Yeah, I've found wiring that I accused of being art, 'cause it was hard to accept as electrical work! :roll:

 

[iwire]

Then discussing ANY photo would be a moot point.

Exactly my point.

 

[roger]

So what control would an elecrician or inspector have over what happens after the C.O.? This could be compared with why article 210.21(B)(2) is waste of ink.

When an end user decides to do something it's going to happen.

Roger