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

 
Boxes and Raceways, Dead-Front Panels 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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Using What’s There

In many workshops that I have instructed recently, installers have asked if the National Electrical Code (NEC) permits an appliance to be added to an existing 20-ampere (A) branch circuit without having to route an individual branch circuit.

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Sizing Conductors, Part XII

As stated in 90.1(A) of the National Electrical Code (NEC), the purpose of the Code is the practical safeguarding of people and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

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Sizing Conductors, Part XI

One of the most-referenced tables in the National Electrical Code (NEC) is Table 310.15(B)(16), formerly Table 310.16. It contains allowable ampacities of insulated copper and aluminum (or copper-clad aluminum) conductors rated up to and including 2,000 volts (V).

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The Shady Side of PVs

A friend of mine called with questions about overcurrent protection for direct current (DC) output of photovoltaic (PV) modules, the DC output of combiner boxes, the location of disconnects for both DC side and the alternating current (AC) side of an inverter, and sizing conductors on both sides.

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Here’s Your Sign

While teaching codes and standards across the United States, the question often arises why the National Electrical Code (NEC) incorporates so many requirements for signage. For example, orange has historically served as a warning to electrical personnel.

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Loop Length, Underground Feeders 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

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