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

 
Not as Easy as It Looks

The term “integrated systems” has appeared to some of us in the field to represent secret meaning for saving money by combining systems.

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Fire Alarm System Submission

Recently, while attending a lunch-and-learn presentation from one of the better local distributors of fire alarm systems, we wound up discussing the quality of fire alarm system submissions from contractors.

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Carbon Monoxide Detection

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that in sufficient concentrations, can threaten life.

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How Many Is Too Many?

With the proliferation of electrical and electronic medical equipment in general care or critical care patient bed locations of a hospital, the number of branch circuits necessary to supply the equipment and the number of receptacles on these branch circuits becomes a real dilemma.

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Supply on the Ground

Last month, I discussed using the grounded conductor to ground and bond a separately derived system. In this issue, I discuss using the grounded conductor to ground and bond the distribution panel in a structure when supplied from switchgear in a substation or another structure.

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Ground Rings, Common 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.

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Sizing Conductors, Part X

Selecting the correct size conductor is not a difficult task, but there is more to it than just picking a conductor from Table 310.15(B)(16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC). The conductor must be selected and installed in accordance with all applicable provisions pertaining to conductors.

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