Jim Dollard has an extensive background in codes and standards. If you have a query about the National Electrical Code (NEC), Jim will help you solve it. Questions can be sent to [email protected]. Answers are based on the 2014 NEC.


Kitchen countertop receptacle height


The bid drawings for a condominium specify a multioutlet assembly (such as Legrand’s Plugmold) under the kitchen cabinets in each dwelling unit. The design places a single receptacle contact device for every 12 inches of counter space and contains two 20-ampere (A) small-appliance branch circuits. This seems to meet the NEC requirements for receptacle spacing and the minimum number of circuits. Is it permissible to do away with the standard wall-mounted receptacles and install receptacles in multioutlet assembly on the bottom of the cabinets?


Section 210.52(C)(1) requires a receptacle outlet on kitchen countertop spaces so that no point along the wall line is more than 24 inches from a receptacle. Additionally, 210.52(B)(1) requires the two small-appliance branch circuits mandated by 210.11(C)(1) supply the receptacles on the kitchen countertop. The installation as described meets both of the above requirements.


The vertical location of the kitchen countertop receptacles is addressed in 210.52(C)(5); they are not permitted more than 20 inches above the countertop. Typical spacing between a countertop and the bottom of the kitchen cabinets may permit such an installation. However, each installation is different and it is imperative to review the plans to ensure a vertical distance of not more than 20 inches before moving forward with the installation. It is also important to note that 210.8(A)(6) requires ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection for all receptacles installed to serve the kitchen countertop.


Recommended tightening torque


There is an informational note at the end of Section 110.14(A) that states some terminations and equipment are either marked with tightening torque or are identified as to tightening torque in the installation instructions. In many cases, there is no information on a termination with respect to torque and no instructions are provided. Where can I get a chart or a book that references standard wire sizes with the proper torque values for terminations?


The information you seek is in Informative Annex I in the back of the NEC, which contains recommended tightening torque tables from UL 486 A-B. It is important to note that these tables are informational only and may be used where a connector is not marked with a torque requirement or no equipment manufacturer’s recommended torque values are provided. This annex contains Table I.1, Table I.2 and Table I.3 that may be used for torque values of screw-type connections for power and lighting circuits. It is also noted in the annex that terminations for control and signal circuits may require different torque values, and the manufacturer should be contacted for guidance.


Application of Article 682


We recently completed a municipal project that included work in a park for the local youth association. We renovated a maintenance facility, upgraded the sports lighting package for the ball fields and provided a new feeder for general power and lighting in a new concession stand. During the final inspection, there were no issues, but the inspector did note that we were above the “electrical datum plane” of a nearby creek that has flooded the ball field in the past. The creek was well more than 1,000 feet away and we had never given any consideration whatsoever to a potential flood problem. Does the NEC contain such a requirement?


Article 682 contains requirements for the installation of electrical wiring and equipment in and adjacent to natural or artificial bodies of water not covered by other articles in the NEC. The term “natural bodies of water” is defined in 682.2 and includes lakes, streams, ponds, rivers and other naturally occurring bodies of water, which may vary in depth throughout the year. The general requirements in Article 682 prohibit electrical connections or equipment not identified for submerged operation from being installed below the electrical datum plane. This requires that the installer determine the electrical datum plane before the installation begins. For the installation described in your question, the electrical datum plane would be 2 feet above the prevailing high-water mark or an equivalent benchmark based on seasonal or storm-driven flooding. This determination should be obtained from or confirmed by the authority having jurisdiction.


Triplex to detached structure


Is it permissible to use standard triplex or quadruplex for an overhead supply to a separate structure? An engineer told us that the use of standard triplex would not be in compliance with the NEC requirements. Is the engineer correct? Can you provide some insight?


The engineer is correct. The definition of messenger-supported wiring describes it as an exposed wiring support system using a messenger wire to support insulated conductors. Standard triplex and quadruplex are not insulated.and are simply covered with a plastic-type material. There is no insulation rating on standard triplex or quadruplex. There are also no markings or any way for the installer or inspector to identify them as insulated conductors. Table 396.10(A) identifies the permitted conductor types for messenger-­supported wiring. While this table mentions other factory-assembled, multiconductor control, signal or power cables, the table also requires them to be identified for the use. The informational note that follows the definition of “identified” provides examples of ways to determine the suitability where conductors are required to be identified. They include investigations by a qualified testing laboratory (listing and labeling), an inspection agency or another organization concerned with product evaluation.


Holiday lighting—required to be listed?


Each year, we install a significant amount of holiday lighting in a large shopping mall. It is typically installed in late October and removed before the end of January, meeting the 90-day requirement in 590.3(B). This year, the owner purchased a rope-type lighting system to wrap decorative metal railings on multiple staircases. We were concerned about the lighting installed where the public could contact it, and we provided GFCI protection. It has been brought to my attention that the rope lighting is not listed. Is decorative lighting considered a luminaire? Does Section 410.6 require that holiday lighting be listed?


We all see decorative lighting around the holidays, and I am sure that many Code users (myself included) have never considered it to be a luminaire. Article 100 contains a definition for the term “luminaire.” There are many different types and styles of holiday lighting and the rope-type lighting as described may indeed be a luminaire. However, there is a specific requirement that addresses this installation. Section 410.160 requires that all decorative lighting and similar accessories used for holiday lighting be listed. Be sure to inspect all of the holiday lighting before installation to ensure that it is listed.


Listed cable ties


While reviewing a set of bid drawings recently, we found a note that requires any “cable ties used in other spaces used for environmental air must be listed for low smoke and heat release.” We do not use many cable wraps in ceilings and are not familiar with such a requirement. Is this an NEC requirement? Why low smoke and heat release for cable wraps? Are they even available?


The note that you refer to should clarify that the requirement for cable ties to be listed for low smoke and heat release applies only to “nonmetallic cable ties and other nonmetallic accessories used to support cables” in other spaces used for environmental air. This is an NEC requirement and does not apply to metal cable ties and accessories. The general rule is found in 300.22(C)(1), which addresses other spaces used for environmental air. This requirement correlates with NFPA 90A, which has purview over the materials in air-handling spaces. The intent is to keep combustible materials out of air-handling spaces. There is no general requirement that all cable ties and accessories be listed. There are readily available cable ties listed for low smoke and heat release. It is typical to see cable ties used to secure communications or CATV cables, and similar requirements for listed cable, ties are found in NEC Chapter 8 as well as in 800.24, 820.24, 830.24 and 840.24.

We all see decorative lighting around the holidays, and I am sure that many Code users (myself included) have never considered it
to be a luminaire.