Commercial Electrical Inspections

What do you see wrong here and how you would write a defect notice?

Many parking garages are considered as damp locations. This box shows signs of corrosion and should never have been used here.

More garlic bread please.
:wink:

What do you all think of the 600 Amp disconnect?

The height to the handle is a little over 8’ from the floor.

Notice also the pipe in front of the small 200 Amp panel, not only is it metal
and in front of the panel but it is a hot water pipe!

Joe,
Unless I’m missing something obvious, I wouldn’t write it up at all, but I would say that the business has a “lazy sys admin.” This is a computer closet with multiple routers, and perhaps modems. The Ethernet cables are very sloppy, and probably not easy to isolate on the network.

But is there actually NEC that deals with this? How would you write it up? Based on the fact that you posted the picture, I’m thinking there’s something there that I need to see. Is it the conduit in the ceiling needing support, or is there something else?
Mark

First thing to consider is whether the space above the dropped ceiling is a return plenum. Second thing is the fact that the cables can not lay on top of the ceiling grid.

Sloppiness on low tension patch cables is common and a pain in the a$$ for the network technician.

Station cables terminating into the rear of the patch panels, and the routes they take to get there, is what is at issue. Start with the rating of the plenum and rating of the cables.

I also see high tension (armor sheathed cable) nearly touching the statin cables. For high-speed data comm, this is a no no. Perpindicular ladder rack is also seen…

Joe added some items and if we consider the term “environmental air space” instead of a plenum that would be a very important issue as he described.

Here’s the definition for a "Plenum. A compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and that forms part of the air distribution system.

The definition of plenum in the Code is essentially the same as the definition of plenum for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.

The definition of plenum is not intended to apply to the space above a suspended ceiling that is used for environmental air. The air-handling space under a computer room floor has special requirements.

On another note, we are required to remove any abandoned cables that are not tagged for future use because they add to the fire load.

Joe you forgot the most dangerous hazard … the guy passed out underneath the unit needing servicing … along with the usual broken bottles, needles etc. … one aspect of working in Boston I do NOT miss! Then there’s always the opposite problem when working in the South End … all condensers placed on the slate roof :roll:

Not to mention the little critters too, and the damaged equipment in the allies around Newberry street!

PS: I wish I could attend, but I will be in Colorado:

http://pa.nachi.org/pocono-northeastpa/event253.html

This is a combination of wiring methods that supplies a fire pump in the equipment room of a nine story residential multifamily dwellings.

What do you see here?

Can you recognize any of the fittings and conduits?

What are they?

The in house maintenance electrician said that’s: “OK we have done it that way for many years.”

This SME standing nearby had to make believe his throat was dry and coughed to hide his apparent laughing!

The CMI asked:

Are you OK, Joey, and I said I will let you know when we review your report, but only my wife can call me Joey, you can call me Giuseppe!

Some other dude was in the room, and blew a loud sneeze to hide that fury of lunch chili beans that just passed in front of the other person, don’t know who the lady was, she did say she played the keyboard though.

Just about that time the room exhaust fan started, wow that was great timing, but the blade was kinda warped so we had to turn it off because of the noise so we could hear each other.

I will continue in the next part of the room’s inspection we have lots of equipment here and we will check it out, OK, I asked Guido the HI, he said I’m good, Joey! Let’s go to lunch over in the North End.

**Premium AC Duplex Outlets for High-end Components
**

When you buy high-end components with a quality AC power cord, or when you purchase premium power cords for your components, you may not realize you are plugging your equipment into a cheap AC outlet that can deteriorate the performance of your equipment. The room outlet is the proverbial “weakest link in the chain.”

[RIGHT]The SMART AC-1 outlets are hospital grade, heavy industrial duty sockets that provide maximum surface contact with the blades of your premium power cord. Contacts are heavy solid brass, not cheap, thin contacts found in standard home grade duplex outlets. UL and CA listed for maximum safety and minimum fire hazard. 120VAC with 20 ampere capability.
Terminals are clearly labeled Black (Hot) and White (neutral)

[/RIGHT]

http://www.smartdev.com/Outlet-front1.jpg

Standard house grade outlets use low grade contacts that can corrode over time building resistance between the power cord plug and outlet. This loss of low impedance contact can cause noise in your audio and video system. Hospital grade outlets use expensive industrial parts that will not corrode. They are mandatory in hospitals where pure oxygen is used. A small spark because of poor electrical contact can cause an explosion. The contacts in the outlet are so strong it takes a “he-man” to push the power cord into the socket, or pull it out. *That is a positive, low electrical resistance contact!
*

http://www.smartdev.com/Outlet-back.jpg

The AC-1 duplex outlets are a vital component of the SMART GC-120 AC Line Purifier that we manufacture in America. We offer these outlets separately because it does not make sense to plug this premium product into a cheap, light-weight, wall outlet. You may wish to replace ALL the AC outlets in your music room or home theatre. The AC-1 is identical to another product that sells for $49.95.The AC-1 is made by the world famous Hubbell factory. The products are virtually the same, except our product is orange to indicate it is a special outlet.

http://www.smartdev.com/Outlet-oblique.jpg

With a flat blade screwdriver you may break the electrical link between the two outlets of the AC-1. This allows you to run separate AC lines from your service panel to each of the sockets. One could be used for digital devices like CD players, DVD, some digital audio processors and TVs, etc, and the other for your analog components to reduce digital clock noise in preamps and other high gain analog devices.

A. Approved ground clip for use with metallic outlet boxes. B. Isolated ground to use when you have an “earth ground” system.
C. Breakable metal link to separate each outlet.

http://www.smartdev.com/Outlet-side.jpg

**ISOLATED GROUND Receptacle. **The grounding contact on this device has been purposely insulated from the mounting means to reduce electromagnetic interference. This is important if you have a separate “real earth” conductor for your audio or video system for minimum noise. A mounting strap is provided with an approved grounding clip for use with grounded metallic boxes. For proper use, the mounting strap must be grounded to the electrical service.

Note: Care is important in specifying such a system with the receptacle insulated grounds since the grounding impedance is controlled only by the grounding wires and does not benefit functionally from any parallel grounding paths.

NOTICE: For installation by a qualified electrician in accordance with National and local electrical codes and the following instructions.

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK. Disconnect power at the service entrance panel (fuse box or circuit breaker panel) before installing. *SMART Devices, Inc. assumes no responsibility for damage or harm to an individual due to improper installation of this product.
*

CAUTION: Use copper conductors only (not aluminum).

http://www.smartdev.com/Socket-wiring.jpg

BACK WIRING: Remove insulation from conductors 17/32 inch (13.5mm). Loosen terminal screws. Insert conductor into terminal hole. Tighten screws.

SIDE WIRING: Remove insulation from conductors 7.8 inch (22.2mm). Loosen terminal screws. Wrap conductor securely around the terminal screw. Tighten terminal screws up to 9-12 pound-inch of torque.