The grounded conductor at the service provides two essential functions for the premises wiring system. The first is to serve as a current-carrying conductor for the load supplied. Second, it functions as the intentionally...

This Article focuses on revisions in Chapter 6 of the 2020 NEC, “Special Equipment,” and it includes the requirements for special equipment such as electric signs and outline lighting systems, electric vehicle (EV) supply...

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. Send questions to codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2020...

The 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code, issued Aug. 5, 2019, became effective Aug. 25, 2019, and superseded all 54 previous editions beginning in 1897. There were a total of 3,730 public inputs with 1,400 first...

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. Send questions to codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2017...

The purpose statement of the NEC, section 90.1(A) states, “The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.” In other words, it all comes back to...

With the addition of new Section 725.144 and the accompanying Table 725.144 in the 2017 NEC covering transmission of power and data to a powered device comes the requirement for a special marking of the cable used for these...

Since moving south in June, I have paid a lot more attention to thunderstorms. Thunderstorms in the Southeast are more powerful and frequent than I experienced in the Northeast. The most severe thunderstorms generate...

Jim Dollard has an extensive background in codes and standards. If you have a query about the National Electrical Code, Jim will help you solve it. Send questions to codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2017 NEC...

Two recent headlines caught my attention. The first one is from June 29, 2019: “Fire breaks out in transformer at Providence power plant.” The report indicated that thick, black smoke caused a major traffic jam on Interstates...

For the past few national electrical code cycles, there has been a growing concern in the electrical industry with a phenomenon called electric shock drowning (ESD) occurring in and around marinas, boatyards, floating...

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. Send questions to codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2017 NEC...

According to the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E, the definition of electrical safety is “identifying hazards associated with the use of electrical energy and taking precautions to reduce the risk associated with those hazards.”...

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. Send questions to codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2017 NEC...

We all remember our first fire alarm system installation. Good or bad, we learned from it. On my first installation, I remember going back to my office to speak with the “engineer” we relied on for information. He actually...

UPDATE: OSHA has delayed the deadline by an additional two weeks until Dec. 15. Click here for the official announcement from OSHA. This December 1 is the deadline set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration...

Grounding methods and requirements for systems operating at more than 1,000 volts (V), such as 5- and 15-kilovolt (kV) systems, differ slightly from those for systems of 1,000V or less. Systems in these voltage ranges are...

Those of us who use the National Electrical Code (NEC) on a regular basis and are familiar with the words as well as the intent of the text can often overlook the most obvious interpretations by the rest of the electrical...

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 codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the...