Electical Contractor

| October 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

Lately, I have received questions about the number of disconnects permitted for a building or structure. In one query, an inspection found more than six disconnects were present in an oil and gas refinery building, and it took more than six throws of the hand to disconnect incoming power supplies.

Editors' Pick

NEC 2014 Outlook

Michael Johnston

| under

Codes & Standards

The 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC) development process is in full swing with the NEC technical committees acting on 3,745 proposed new articles and revisions. New and improving technologies and industry advances are driving changes into the electrical industry at an accelerated pace.

Which Is It?

September 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

Motor-control circuits may be very low voltage; they may be in the 12- to 24-volt (V) alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) range or as high as 600V.

Arbiter of an Argument

Sizing Grounding Electrode Conductors, Restroom Receptacles and More

| under

Codes & Standards

A contractor asked me to inspect the grounding and bonding of a service that he installed for a customer. He was told that the service had been grounded wrong and that it was dangerous to be powered up by the utility. Therefore, the owner would not pay the contractor for services rendered.

Sizing Conductors, Part XVI

| under

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 why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Questions can be sent to codefaqs@earthlink.net.

| under

Codes & Standards

When sizing conductors, the rating of the overcurrent device must also be considered.

Necessary or Not?

August 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

A question was raised at a recent meeting that I attended. It started a search through both current and older versions of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Who Wants to Know?

Disconnecting Means, GTO Cable and More

| August 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

Through the years, I have instructed many seminars for folks using NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Participants often ask the same questions. Here are the most frequently asked questions about NFPA 70E. Does 70E apply to personnel performing electrical installations?

Sizing Conductors, Part XV

| August 2012

| under

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 why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Questions can be sent to codefaqs@earthlink.net.

| August 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

Table 310.15(B)(16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides allowable or maximum ampacities for insulated conductors rated up to and including 2,000 volts (V).

A Unified Method

Baseboard Heaters, Counting Loops and More

| under

Codes & Standards

Lately, inspectors from a third-party inspection company have been asking me about determining the number of circuits required for outlets installed in dwelling units.

Sizing Conductors, Part XIV

| under

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 why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Questions can be sent to codefaqs@earthlink.net.

| under

Codes & Standards

Ambient temperature and the number of current-carrying conductors installed in a raceway or cable are two factors to consider when sizing conductors.

Sun Protection

Mark C. Ode

Signage Discrepancies, Counting Conductors and More

| under

Codes & Standards

In the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC), 310.10, fine print note No.

Sizing Conductors, Part XIII

| June 2012

| under

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 why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide. Questions can be sent to codefaqs@earthlink.net.

| June 2012

| under

Codes & Standards

When sizing conductors, more is involved than just looking at Table 310.15(B)(16) in the National Electrical Code (NEC) and selecting a copper or aluminum conductor with the right ampacity. Of all the tables in Article 310, Table 310.15(B)(16) is referenced the most.

Progress for PVs

June 2012

| under

Green Building

After much technical discussion in Code-Making Panel 4 and an appeal to the NFPA Standards Council, the requirements for a new product involving photovoltaic (PV) installations was inserted into 690.11 in the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC).

Putting It in Reverse