Jim Dollard has an extensive background in codes and standards. Send questions about the National Electrical Code (NEC) to Jim at [email protected]. Answers are based on the 2023 NEC.

Rolling ladder

In an existing brew house adding a restaurant area, we were asked to install a couple of panelboards on a mechanical space/balcony over what will be part of the restaurant area. This is all due to significant space limitations. They have a rolling ladder to access liquor that can be moved from behind the bar to access the balcony and the electrical equipment. Is that permitted?

No, the accessibility of circuit breakers (in the proposed panelboards on the balcony) is addressed in Section 240.24(A). They must be “readily accessible,” as defined in Article 100. To be considered readily accessible, the circuit breakers must be capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal or inspections without requiring actions such as using tools (other than keys), climbing over or under, removing obstacles, resorting to portable ladders and so forth. Other options, including a permanent ladder or stairs, should be explored to install a means of access to the balcony.

Ceiling fan remote replaces switch

On many jobs, customers with existing/older buildings want a ceiling paddle fan installed with a light kit to replace an existing ceiling light fixture. The fan and light can only be turned on and off by a remote. The wall switch is no longer controlling the light. Is this Code compliant?

No. See Section 210.70(A)(1) that requires at least one lighting outlet controlled by a listed wall-mounted control device in every habitable room, kitchen, laundry area and bathroom. The ceiling fan is permitted to be operated by remote only. The choice of words here were carefully chosen. A “listed wall-mounted control device” can be a hard-wired snap switch or a wireless-type device to control the lighting. The switch must be located near an entrance to the room on a wall. Additionally, see the parent text of Section 210.70 that requires that the switch or wall-mounted control device controlling the lighting outlet cannot rely exclusively on a battery unless a means is provided for automatically energizing the lighting outlets upon battery failure.

Disconnect in each occupancy?

A large vacant commercial structure is being renovated into four separate retail occupancies and a real estate office (building management, too) that contains the service/distribution equipment. Fire-rated masonry walls will completely separate each occupancy. While the floor was opened up, we installed feeders with overcurrent protection at 400A to supply MLO panelboards in each retail space. The township has an issue with MLO panelboards and is requiring a disconnect in each space. Is that correct?

Yes, a disconnecting means is required in each occupancy nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. In accordance with the defined term “building” (see Article 100), the fire-rated walls will convert this structure into five buildings with one service supplied building that supplies the other four with outside feeders. Once the feeders leave their origin building, they are “outside feeders” and Article 225 applies. See the general requirement for a disconnecting means in Section 225.31(A).

The location of this required disconnecting means is found in Section 225.31(B). It must be installed either inside or outside of the building or structure served or where the conductors pass through the building or structure. The disconnecting means must be located in a readily accessible location nearest the point of the conductors’ entrance, which in this case is where they emerge from underground. A main circuit breaker can be installed in each panelboard or a disconnecting means in a separate enclosure would be permitted. Additionally, see 240.24(B)(1), which requires the building management to provide continuous supervision of the feeder overcurrent devices.

MLO panelboard replacement

We are replacing an MLO panelboard used as service equipment in a small machine shop. There are five 200A molded-case circuit breakers in the panelboard, so the six disconnect rule applies. Does the exception for existing equipment apply, or will I need to install a main?

If the replacement service equipment is another service-rated panelboard, it will require a main service disconnecting means. Section 230.71(B) continues to permit two to six service disconnects as long as they are installed in accordance with the six list items provided. The exception that follows the general rule applies only to “existing” service equipment. The intent of the exception is to permit the addition or replacement of another disconnecting means into “existing” service equipment as long as there are not more than six total disconnects. However, once you remove and replace the equipment, it becomes new equipment, and the exception will not apply.

Laundry circuit required?

In a new condominium building, each unit has a single 240V, 30A branch circuit for a combination washer and dryer in a small laundry room. The inspector is requiring a 20A, 125V circuit and a GFCI receptacle. That is just overkill, isn’t it?

No, the inspector is correct. The requirements for a 125V, 20A branch circuit are also used for ironing and other laundry-­related purposes. Each condominium unit is by definition a dwelling unit and all applicable requirements in Article 210 apply. See 210.11(C)(2) that requires a 125V, 20A branch circuit to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) (no other outlets are permitted on this circuit) required by 210.52(F). This section requires at least one receptacle outlet in areas designated for the installation of laundry equipment. It does not prescriptively state that this required branch circuit is for a washer only, as other laundry-related equipment may be used or installed. Additionally, the owner may replace the washer/dryer combo with individual units in the future and a 125V, 20A branch circuit will be required.

Ground ring installations

On a new construction project, a 1/0 copper ground ring was specified. We followed the rules for a ground ring and it completely encircled the building. Before we could backfill after installing the ground ring, we had an inspection and they made us go from 24 to 30 inches deep. Rather than argue, we just did it. Is that an NEC requirement?

Yes, the inspector was correct. Part III of Article 250 contains requirements for grounding electrode systems and grounding electrode conductors. It is extremely important to read and understand all of the requirements in Part III when installing a grounding electrode system. Section 250.52 addresses grounding electrodes and 250.52(A)(4) provides requirements for a ground ring that must encircle the building or structure, and it must be in direct contact with the earth. The conductor must be made of bare copper at least 20 feet in length and not smaller than 2 AWG. The installation of the ground ring is addressed in Section 250.53(F) and is required to be installed not less than 30 inches below the surface of the earth.

100A feeder for 200A panelboard

Engineered single line drawings have a new 100A feeder (protected by a molded-case CB) supplying an existing 200A MLO panelboard that only supplies lighting. This can’t be right. Shouldn’t this be a 200A feeder to meet future needs?

The installation as described is not an NEC violation. There is no requirement that a panelboard be supplied with a feeder that has overcurrent protection at an ampacity equal to the panelboard rating. The NEC does prohibit supplying a panelboard with a feeder ampacity higher than the panelboard rating. It is likely that the engineer determined that the existing load on the 200A panelboard was below 100A and there was no need to oversize a new feeder. Renovation projects typically involve replacing older lighting technology with LEDs that consume significantly less power.

We are replacing an MLO panelboard used as service equipment in a small machine shop. There are five 200A molded-case circuit breakers in the panelboard, so the six disconnect rule applies. Does the exception for existing equipment apply, or will I need to install a main?

If the replacement service equipment is another service-rated panelboard, it will require a main service disconnecting means. Section 230.71(B) continues to permit two to six service disconnects as long as they are installed in accordance with the six list items provided. The exception that follows the general rule applies only to “existing” service equipment. The intent of the exception is to permit the addition or replacement of another disconnecting means into “existing” service equipment as long as there are not more than six total disconnects. However, once you remove and replace the equipment, it becomes new equipment, and the exception will not apply.

Laundry circuit required?

In a new condominium building, each unit has a single 240V, 30A branch circuit for a combination washer and dryer in a small laundry room. The inspector is requiring a 20A, 125V circuit and a GFCI receptacle. That is just overkill, isn’t it?

No, the inspector is correct. The requirements for a 125V, 20A branch circuit are also used for ironing and other laundry-­related purposes. Each condominium unit is by definition a dwelling unit and all applicable requirements in Article 210 apply. See 210.11(C)(2) that requires a 125V, 20A branch circuit to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) (no other outlets are permitted on this circuit) required by 210.52(F). This section requires at least one receptacle outlet in areas designated for the installation of laundry equipment. It does not prescriptively state that this required branch circuit is for a washer only, as other laundry-related equipment may be used or installed. Additionally, the owner may replace the washer/dryer combo with individual units in the future and a 125V, 20A branch circuit will be required.

Ground ring installations

On a new construction project, a 1/0 copper ground ring was specified. We followed the rules for a ground ring and it completely encircled the building. Before we could backfill after installing the ground ring, we had an inspection and they made us go from 24 to 30 inches deep. Rather than argue, we just did it. Is that an NEC requirement?

Yes, the inspector was correct. Part III of Article 250 contains requirements for grounding electrode systems and grounding electrode conductors. It is extremely important to read and understand all of the requirements in Part III when installing a grounding electrode system. Section 250.52 addresses grounding electrodes and 250.52(A)(4) provides requirements for a ground ring that must encircle the building or structure, and it must be in direct contact with the earth. The conductor must be made of bare copper at least 20 feet in length and not smaller than 2 AWG. The installation of the ground ring is addressed in Section 250.53(F) and is required to be installed not less than 30 inches below the surface of the earth.

100A feeder for 200A panelboard

Engineered single line drawings have a new 100A feeder (protected by a molded-case CB) supplying an existing 200A MLO panelboard that only supplies lighting. This can’t be right. Shouldn’t this be a 200A feeder to meet future needs?

The installation as described is not an NEC violation. There is no requirement that a panelboard be supplied with a feeder that has overcurrent protection at an ampacity equal to the panelboard rating. The NEC does prohibit supplying a panelboard with a feeder ampacity higher than the panelboard rating. It is likely that the engineer determined that the existing load on the 200A panelboard was below 100A and there was no need to oversize a new feeder. Renovation projects typically involve replacing older lighting technology with LEDs that consume significantly less power.

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