Electical Contractor

Inspectors, manufacturers, contractors and electricians have debated the installation orientation of panelboards and circuit breakers for many years. Should a panelboard be installed only in a vertical position, or can it be installed horizontally?

In 2002, the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum produced an IMAX film called “Straight Up: Helicopters in Action.” A brief clip from that film showing a high voltage cable inspection by a lineman on a helicopter recently became a popular video segment on You Tube.

Changes involving ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection for personnel have been present in every National Electrical Code (NEC) cycle since GFCIs were inserted into the 1962 NEC.

Hidden within the rewrite of Articles 511 and 514—which cover repair garages for motor vehicles and motor fuel dispensing stations, respectively, in the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC)—is a major change in the concept of hazardous (classified) locations.

A new article has been proposed for the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) covering mission-critical electrical systems installed in vital infrastructures or facilities where, if the infrastructure or facility was either destroyed or incapacitated, disruption of the facility would affect national

Within the past few years, many of us have installed surround sound systems in homes and business. What seems to be lacking is an understanding of the new requirements that have been incorporated into the totally revised Article 640 in the National Electrical Code (NEC).

The May 2005 Code Applications column contained information on a major change in Article 680 for the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) concerning the construction requirements of fiberglass pools, vinyl-lined pools and concrete pools containing epoxy-coated rebar.

Many electrical contractors, electricians and electrical inspectors have struggled with the requirements in the National Electrical Code (NEC) for placement of lights, receptacles and switches in bathtub and shower areas. Can receptacles be installed within proximity of the bathtub or shower edge?

A new definition covering supplementary overcurrent-protective devices has been added to Article 100 in the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) to indicate that limited protection may be provided for specific applications or utilization equipment.