Electical Contractor

Branch-Circuit, Feeder and Service Calculations, Part LII

| July 2010

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Codes & Standards

This article, second in a series, addresses design letters and code letters and how they are used in motor-circuit design and installation. It highlights the different characteristics of letters and why it is sometimes desirable to choose one over the other.

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Codes & Standards

Last month’s Code in Focus concluded by covering optional feeder and service load calculation requirements for one-family dwellings in 220.82. This month, the discussion continues with optional feeder or service load calculations for existing dwelling units as specified in 220.83.

Fittings into Hubs

Mark C. Ode

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Codes & Standards

Recently, i witnessed an electrical inspector and a group of electricians discussing the effectiveness of the bonding and grounding path where raceway fittings are used to connect raceways to threaded hubs, threaded bosses or conduit bodies.

What’s the Story?

Dwelling Unit Receptacles, NEC Annex Explanations and More

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Codes & Standards

Often while instructing a workshop, I receive the question about how design letters and code letters are used when designing and installing motor circuits.

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Codes & Standards

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

Medical Emergency

Michael Johnston

Hawaii Adopts NFPA 1 as the State Fire Code for the First Time

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Codes & Standards

As the government strives to implement healthcare reform and is approaching many hurdles, the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) is well into the development process. Technical committees have acted upon all NEC change proposals and comments.

May 2010

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Miscellaneous

Hawaii has adopted NFPA 1 as the state fire code for the first time, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The decision to adopt the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire code rested with the State Fire Council, which is composed of the fire chiefs from the four county fire departments.

Study Up

Thomas P. Hammerberg

| April 2010

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Miscellaneous

There have been extensive changes to the 2010 edition of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. One of the more significant changes was the addition of the circuits and pathways chapter, Chapter 12. Twenty years ago, all we had to describe fire alarm circuits was Class A and B.

Baseboard Heaters, Grounding With Rebar and More

Branch-Circuit, Feeder and Service Calculations, Part XLIX

| March 2010

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Codes & Standards

If you have a National Electrical Code (NEC)-related problem, are experiencing difficulty in understanding an NEC requirement, or are wondering why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Send your questions to letthecodedecide@earthlink.net.

| March 2010

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Codes & Standards

The first edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) was developed in 1897. Including the 2008 edition, there are 51 editions. A lot has changed, both in the electrical industry and in the Code book, since the first edition.

Satisfying Conditions

March 2010

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Codes & Standards

Expanding electrical systems for existing residential, commercial and industrial facilities can be an expensive and difficult endeavor, unless the electrician, electrical contractor or design engineer can apply an optional calculation rule in Part IV of Article 220.

A Flash in the Plan

Outlet Spacing, Parallel Conductors and More

| March 2010

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Codes & Standards

Lately, I’ve received a number of inquiries from contractors concerning the installation of lightning protection systems. Those electrical contractors’ main concerns are how to begin to design and install such a protective system and who or what entity requires or regulates its installation.

Branch-Circuit, Feeder and Service Calculations, Part XLVII

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Codes & Standards

If you have a Code-related problem or are experiencing difficulty in understanding a National Electrical Code (NEC) requirement and are wondering why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie. And we will let the Code decide.

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Codes & Standards

Load calculation requirements are in Article 220 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). This article provides requirements for calculating branch-circuit, service and feeder loads.

Fine-Tuning the Code

Mark C. Ode

Open for Business: NEC on Signs and Lighting Systems

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Codes & Standards

A recent addition to the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) has prompted a possible change for the 2011 NEC and a number of questions from electricians, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors and electrical engineers.

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Codes & Standards

An electrical contractor recently asked me about a municipality that inspected electrical signs and outline lighting systems at in-house manufacturing facilities.

Let The Code Decide

Branch-Circuit, Feeder and Service Calculations, Part XLV

| December 2009

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Lighting

George W Flach wrote the Code Q&A column For roughly 40 years; regular readers are likely used to a certain format and style could not and did not wish to replicate. He was truly one-of-a-kind. That said, we want to maintain an outlet for all your National Electrical Code (NEC) questions.