In the past few editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC), light-emitting diode (LED) illumination systems have been inserted into almost every article where lighting is mentioned. Continuing that trend in the 2011 NEC, Article 410 (luminaires) and Article 600 (electric signs and outline lighting) have been updated with additions concerning LEDs. READ MORE
Mark C. Ode
Fire/Life Safety Columnist and Code Contributor
Mark C. Ode is a staff engineering associate at Underwriters Laboratories Inc., based in Peoria, Ariz. He can be reached at 919.949.2576 and mark.c.ode@us.ul.com.
Articles by Mark C. Ode
December 2011
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Hurricane season is over, and the inundation of floodwaters in many parts of the country has likely receded by now. However, evaluating electrical equipment that has been subjected to water and determining whether to recondition the equipment or replace it remains a serious issue. READ MORE
November 2011
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Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection was originally proposed for the 1996 National Electrical Code (NEC) by the Electronic Industry Association, but it failed to receive enough votes during the adoption process. The electronic and electrical industry spent time and money and used extremely qualified technical experts to develop and test AFCI circuit breakers. READ MORE
September 2011
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Most electrical equipment requires physical connection to electrical conductors as a major part of the installation process. READ MORE
August 2011
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As part of the development of the low-voltage lighting power-grid system, coverage and acceptance of the new system within the standards community becomes paramount, since this product is new and innovative. READ MORE
July 2011
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There is a new technology using low-voltage lighting power distribution at 30 volts (V) or less where the suspended ceiling grid is a lighting power distribution system. Article 410, covering luminaires, and Article 411, covering low-voltage lighting systems at 30V or less, are the two primary lighting installation articles in the National Electrical Code (NEC) pertaining to this new technology. READ MORE
June 2011
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In the past few years, hundreds of thousands of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed for residential (dwelling) units, commercial buildings, industrial facilities and utility companies. Many have been subsidized by grants from utility companies as well as by local, county, state and federal tax rebates. READ MORE
May 2011
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For the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) process, Code-Making Panel 15 received many proposals recommending changes to Article 517. These proposals were intended to coordinate and correlate with changes to the 2010 NFPA 99 document. READ MORE
March 2011
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NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, and the International Building Code (IBC) require emergency lighting in all commercial and industrial buildings to facilitate emergency egress of people from the building and to reduce the possibility of panic in buildings during the exiting of large numbers of people during an emergency. READ MORE