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. 

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.

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.

More on Codes & Standards

 
Protecting Conductors, Undercabinet Lighting and More

Protecting conductors For a 1,200-ampere (A), three-phase, 120/208-volt (V) service, can I run three sets of 500 kcmil underground from the transformer pad to the main 1,200A switch, or does it have to be 600 kcmil?

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Sizing Conductors, Part XIX

Article 240 in the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides general requirements for overcurrent protection and overcurrent protective devices. When sizing conductors, the rating of the overcurrent device must be considered.

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Staying High and Dry

How do you design, protect and locate a dry-type transformer of 600 volts (V) or less so that the installation will comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC)?

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Sizing Conductors, Part XVIII

When sizing conductors, more is involved than just selecting a copper or aluminum conductor with the right ampacity from Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC).

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Is Switching the Neutral OK?

The other day, A manufacturer inquired about switching the neutral in a branch circuit and whether the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) would permit a switched neutral for any application within the Code.

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What a Tragedy

A good client summoned me to investigate an accident that occurred when a maintenance electrician was replacing a 30-ampere (A), bolt-in circuit breaker. An electrical arc developed while the electrician was changing out the circuit breaker.

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Marking Requirements, Short-Circuit Ratings 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.

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