Electrical boxes with no covers

[steve66]

Would a clock qualify as an acceptable cover for an electrical box if the clock covers the entire box?

More details: Boxes are mounted high on block walls, and all are covered only by the clocks that they power. The clocks are just hanging on a hanger, and can be removed just by lifting or pulling them. Some of the clocks cover the entire box, while other do not. (Obviously, the ones that do not cover the entire box do not meet code.)

Some of these boxes contain receptacles that the clocks plug into, and some just have the clock cord spliced to the wires with wirenuts. All the clocks are 120 V.

When the boxes contain a receptacles, there is basically a close receptacle box within the other box, but there are still visible THHN wires going from a conduit to the receptacle box.

 

[tom baker]

314.25 Requires a cover. I don't find a definition of a cover, there is likely a UL product standard. I don't see a clock qualifying as a cover.
And I question installing a 120 V clock where the cord is spliced into the branch circuit wiring. Unless the clock came with out a cord cap, this would be a violation.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

They make clock receptacles

 

[Dennis Alwon]

There is usually space behind a clock or a picture for the clock receptacles to work but I am not sure of the application

 

[steve66]

Thanks for the responses.

Thanks for the photos Dennis. I should have been more specific and mentioned that this is an existing condition, and I just need to note it if it is a violation.

I think these clocks are (or were) part of a system that sends time signals over power lines. (I'm not sure that makes any difference, but I thought I would mention it.)

The original clocks are probably gone, and these are probably replacements. here is a good example photo, where you can see the box is also used for a splice box (wirenuts are visible):



I tend to agree with Tom, that the clock doesn't count as a cover (even if it did cover the box, which this one obviously doesn't), but I thought I would ask for a second opinion. I'll make sure the owner is aware of the problem.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I guess it depends on the clock listing. If the clock is direct wired that it may be comparable to a light fixture. I would think brackets etc would be needed for proper hook up. Obviously if the clock is not bolted to the wall somehow then I would agree a cover is needed.

 

[Strathead]

Thanks for the responses.

Thanks for the photos Dennis. I should have been more specific and mentioned that this is an existing condition, and I just need to note it if it is a violation.

I think these clocks are (or were) part of a system that sends time signals over power lines. (I'm not sure that makes any difference, but I thought I would mention it.)

The original clocks are probably gone, and these are probably replacements. here is a good example photo, where you can see the box is also used for a splice box (wirenuts are visible):

View attachment 17358

I tend to agree with Tom, that the clock doesn't count as a cover (even if it did cover the box, which this one obviously doesn't), but I thought I would ask for a second opinion. I'll make sure the owner is aware of the problem.

Hard to tell from that picture, but most of the schools I worked at in California had system clocks. They hung on a back box that was about 4 x 6. and they had a hanger in them for the clock. So, the clock was the cover as this was an assembly. It looks like that is what you are encountering to me.

I should have read more closely. I see that you already knew this.

 

[just the cowboy]

How many wires to clock

How many wires to clock

How many wires go to the clock? I see a red wire? The factory I worked in had auto correcting clocks, and they had a hot, neutral and a correcting hot. If they are just clocks now, just have them install the clock recept.

Cowboy