The Code Thing

I am a Code guy. I mean, I really enjoy studying and teaching the National Electrical Code—something I have been doing professionally for 19 years now. The very first section of the Code in the very first Article lays out the purpose of the Code, and it goes like this:

90.1 Purpose.

(A) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons.

This is a pretty simple mandate, really. At the heart of this mandate are two pretty basic ideas:

1. The electricity can’t leak out of whatever is using it.
2. We can’t reach out and grab hot electrical stuff as we are walking by.

As a point of fact, not everyone has adopted the National Electrical Code, and not everyone is concerned with the “practical safeguarding” stuff.

Yes, Philippines, I am talking about you.

Today, I am posting three pictures as a small sample of the things I see on the street as I stroll along. Please note that these wiring systems operate at 220 volts. Additionally, the purpose of the box (featured in the last photograph) is to provide a safe place for “storing” the splices we make. This purpose was obviously ignored in this installation.

Meter Cluster (Angle 1)

Meter Cluster (Angle 2)

Messy Junction Box

—Mitchell Hegman