CQD: 8/22/2018

NECA Online Help Desk
Please leave a message

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Question:

Re: CQD answer published Monday, August 13, 2018-Grounded Conductor Terminations 2

Grounded vs. grounding conductors..........

When is the NEC going to be written so it can be understood? 408.21 is a good example of how not to write the code. The attachment from Siemens recognized the problem and reverted to "neutral" and "ground" to explain the requirement.

https://w3.usa.siemens.com/us/internet-dms/btlv/Residential/Residential-Murray/docs/Grounded_Conductor_Terminations.pdf

Dave

Answer:

Hey Dave thanks for your comment and for sharing the document with additional explanations based on the 2002 NEC. The section is now 408.41 in the 2017 NEC. The terms Neutral Conductor and Neutral Point were added in the 2008 NEC. A neutral conductor is connected to a system neutral point and is intended to carry current during normal conditions. Grounded Conductors are circuit or system conductors - that are intentionally grounded. Many neutral conductors are also grounded conductors but a grounded conductor supplied from a two wire system is not a neutral conductor. The NEC is often written in a manner that can cover various types of installations while still being technically correct. When white colored insulated conductors are called neutrals in the field, usually that is true but not always. If you have thoughts about revising the NEC wording so it is more understandable submit a Public Input or Public Comment to do that - it might help all of us.

ABOUT CQD: The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry, sponsored by EATON. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.

SUBMIT YOUR CODE QUESTION: Click here to submit a question to for inclusion in an upcoming edition of the Code Question of the Day, or email codequestion@necanet.org.

CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

NECA STANDARDS: NECA publishes the National Electrical Installation Standards™ (NEIS™), a series of ANSI-approved performance and quality standards for electrical construction. NEIS can be purchased in the NECA Store in three formats: a printed or PDF download of a standard or, as an annual subscription service.

NECA SAFETY PRODUCTS & PUBLICATIONS: NECA produces electrical safety publications and products for the industry including jobsite safety guides, handbooks and resource kits. View a full listing of available resources and products »

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services.

UPDATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PREFERENCES: Subscribe or Unsubscribe from this list.

National Electrical Installation Standards

Question:

Answer:

Follow Us on: