| EC Mag

Codes & Standards

Essential to the work of the electrical contractor is knowledge of the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Installation Standards and additional standards and codes administered by the National Fire Protection Association, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and others. Here is a list of all our articles on codes and standards listed chronologically by issue date.

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Considering Voltage Drop, Counting The Neutral And More 

Charlie Trout

April 2013

If you have a problem related to the National Electrical Code (NEC), are experiencing difficulty in understanding a Code requirement, or are wondering why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Questions can be sent to codefaqs@earthlink.net.

Code FAQs, National Electrical Code

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Sizing Conductors, Part XXIII 

Charles R. Miller

April 2013

Article 240 in the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides general requirements for overcurrent protection and overcurrent protective devices.

Code in Focus, National Electrical Code

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What’s On The Inside Counts 

Mark C. Ode

April 2013

Article 424 in the National Electrical Code (NEC) addresses fixed electric space heating equipment, stating, “for the purpose of the article, heating equipment shall include heating cable, unit heaters, boilers, central systems, or other approved fixed electric space-heating equipment.” Since the sc

Code Applications, National Electrical Code, Article 424

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What Is A ‘Ufer’ Ground? 

Michael Johnston

April 2013

At a recent seminar, one of the attendees asked, “What is a ‘Ufer’ ground?” This is a common question. A “Ufer” ground is slang for what the National Electrical Code (NEC) addresses as a concrete-encased grounding electrode.

Code Comments, National Electrical Code

Letter Codes, Feeder  Conductor Size And More 

Charlie Trout 

| March 2013

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Codes & Standards

Sizing Conductors, Part XXII

Charles R. Miller

| March 2013

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Codes & Standards

While selecting the correct size conductor is not difficult, more is involved than selecting a conductor based solely on the ampacity shown in Table 310.15(B)(16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Tapping In : Understanding Feeder Taps, Transformer Secondary Rules 

Mark C. Ode

| March 2013

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Codes & Standards

Over the years, there always seemed to be a lack of understanding of the requirements for feeder taps as well as transformer primary and secondary overcurrent protection.

What Constitutes Grouping? 

Michael Johnston

| March 2013

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Codes & Standards

A long-standing requirement in the National Electrical Code (NEC) is to provide a service disconnecting means for each building or structure served by electricity.

No Such Thing  as A Silly Question?

Wayne D. Moore

| March 2013

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Codes & Standards

A contractor installed a new fire alarm system in a college dormitory and asked the owner, “How thoroughly do you want me to test the fire alarm system?” I was there to witness the system’s pre-acceptance test before we called the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to arrange for the final acceptan