Mark C. Ode

To many people outside the industry, the electrical world is an unknown entity where power is mostly there when they need it, but can be very scary. Questions about electrical installations and applications may be difficult...

A chief electrical inspector friend wanted to know about the construction of an oxygen-generating facility in the Raleigh/Durham, N.C. area. His question was whether the construction should be based on the hazardous...

One of the protection techniques recognized in 500.7(K) in Article 500, covering general protection installations in a hazardous location, is the use of a combustible-gas-detection system. In the years since the 2002 National...

When I was an electrical contractor, I specialized in high-end dwellings, medium-sized design-build commercial installations, and industrial facility maintenance and machinery. I had a small electrical service department of...

I recently had new air conditioner units and a new swimming pool circulation motor installed at my home. The installer asked if I wanted soft or hard start units installed on these motors for a nominal fee. Not knowing that I...

In the past three editions of the National Electrical Code (2014, 2017 and 2020), we have seen major changes in the requirements for electrical systems in healthcare facilities. In the 2014 NEC, the reference to requirements...

I received an email recently from a good friend requesting I write an article on knob-and-tube wiring. This request brought back memories of when I was an electrical contractor in the Phoenix area, licensed for 600V and lower...

Section 90.2(B)(5) states that the National Electrical Code does not apply to installations that are under the exclusive control of the electric utility company. Has anyone ever questioned the validity of this requirement...

When a homeowner ASKs an electrical contractor to add extra circuits and receptacles to an existing home, does the 2020 National Electrical Code permit them to be added to bathrooms, kitchens and garages? Adding new circuits...

Certain phrases are used so commonly in the electrical industry that an explanation seems to be almost unnecessary. However, the definition might not specifically be found within the National Electrical Code. One phrase that...

I was recently asked an interesting question involving parallel copper, aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors installed in parallel. The question was about 310.10(G), and whether cables installed in parallel must be...

I have noticed a disturbing trend over the past year. I feel a professional—and moral—responsibility to address what may be a dangerous installation of decorative backyard lighting. I totally understand that a person can...