Mark C. Ode

Some of the most common questions people bring up to me sound like, “Does the National Electrical Code permit this very specific thing to be done?” The email or message usually doesn’t state whether the installation is being...

With home prices going up astronomically and rising interest rates, buying a new or new-to-you home may not be in the cards. Vicki and I are very happy with our home here in Peoria, Ariz. However, we don’t have enough storage...

Alternating current and direct current microgrid systems are not very common yet, but with all the new energy sources being developed, they may become important energy sources in the future. While DC microgrids are the most...

Based on the amount of time spent at home in the past few years, many people have been remodeling and investing their money in upgrades, especially with the cost of construction and property values today. Depending on a home...

Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 remote control, signaling and power-limited circuits are specifically covered in Article 725 and have been in the National Electrical Code for many years. Over the years of working in the field as...

Loss of electrical power is never convenient, but can be especially catastrophic during hot summers or cold winters. This interruption could come from power company brownouts or blackouts, bad weather such as tornadoes or...

In last month’s column, I explained the proper use of the term “panelboards,” which are the interior busing and breaker terminations covered by parts I and III of Article 408. That article was more involved in covering the...

The first electrical service I helped install was back in 1961 when I was 14 years old and wet behind the ears, as we said in those days. My stepfather and I were building a new family home and trying to save money by doing...

Many people refer to the enclosure and the interior panelboard as a “panelboard.” Panelboards do not include the enclosure or cabinet, so this is a misappropriation of a more complex application and piece of equipment...

I conducted a courtesy electrical inspection for a friend who had purchased a home from a real estate agent, who previously owned and occupied it. The house had supposedly been totally rewired by an “electrician” in the year...

Over the long history of the National Electrical Code, there have been numerous changes to how we use different wiring systems. Those electrical industry long-timers may have historical knowledge of the reasons for various...

In the 2005 National Electrical Code, Article 430 was rearranged to make requirements on adjustable-speed motor drives more detailed and easier to locate in the new Part X. These requirements were previously scattered...