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. 

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.

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

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

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.

More on Codes & Standards

 
Is There A Difference?


In the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) process, proposals were submitted to change the phrase “equipment grounding conductor” to “equipment bonding conductor” wherever the phrase existed throughout the NEC.

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Guardian Of The Ground


Grounding electrode conductors are essential in the grounding and bonding scheme for services and separately derived systems.

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Defining Code Terminology, Marking Conductors And More


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.

READ MORE
 
Using Two Cables For A 
Three-Way Switch, Mixing 
Plastic And Metal, And More


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.

READ MORE
 
If It Ain’t Broke …


In the March 2012 Electrical Contractor, I mentioned the increased number of receptacles in patient bed locations with a minimum of 14 receptacles in a Category 1 critical-care area and 36 receptacles in a Category 1 operating room for the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC), based on changes in the

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Cords For Temporary Wiring


Recently, the question arose about using cords for temporary wiring. It was interesting to watch the reaction and response. It seems there are considerable inconsistencies relative to this subject.

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Sizing Conductors, Part XX


Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides allowable ampacities for insulated conductors rated up to and including 2,000 volts (V).

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