National Electrical Installation Standards

Re: CQD answer published Friday, December 21, 2018 -water pipe connection The question inferred water lines were part of the grounding electrode system. If so should the connection be not more than 5-feet from the point of entrance to the building rather than the nearest water line? .per 250.68(C)(1). esps
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Re: CQD answer published Wed, December 26, 2018 - Hot Tub Conductor Sizes Friday’ answer revised hot tubs. As an electrical inspector for 24 years I rarely came across a hot tube that did not require full size conductors in accordance’s with 110- 3b. Typically the enforcement required full size conductors be installed from the tub disconnect to the tub, however BEWARE I started to see manufacturer recommendations that require all conductors to be full sized from the source. Always read the manual from the manufacturer and have it available for the AHJ. John Kendall
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Re: CQD answer published Thursday, December 20, 2018 -GFCI with no EGC 1) Charlie, the question is probably referring to a two wire system where there is no EGC. I run across this frequently in older homes. Yes, the GFCI will still work without an EGC. Tom Ekstrom 2) What if the person asking the question ask the question in the following way (which is what I think he was trying to ask)…what would your answer be? I have a GFCI outside that I can’t get an equipment grounding conductor to, is that violating and CODE? Regards, L. Keith Lofland
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Re: CQD answer published Wed, December 19, 2018 -Meter Disconnect Switches "Charlie" no need to publish my comments but it seems Carl the questioner is mixing apples and oranges. The cold sequencing switch is indeed required in NJ for certain size services but I am not sure it has to have an AIC rating since it is a non-fused switch. The disconnect that is immediately after the meter socket is the one that is a fused switch (or it could actually be a circuit breaker if someone desired that) and that is the one which requires the AIC rating. Also the grounding electrodes and grounding electrode conductors do not appear until the main disconnect is reached. There are no grounding conductors to be installed in the cold sequencing switch. The cold sequencing switch is strictly a safety to be used by the utility to allow their employees to remove and install the meters while not under load. Another point is that the cold sequencing switch is bonded by the neutral or ungrounded conductor similar to the meter socket or CT cabinet bonding. Looking forward t tomorrows response. Keep up the good work and Merry Christmas to all. Rich Van Wert
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Re: CQD answer published Monday, December 17, 2018 -Vehicle Electrical Systems Regarding the NEC and vehicular-mounted power outlets. My personal opinions are: 1) The position I believe that CMP 12 is taking regarding this issue is that 90.1 requires us to consider these situations, and that the NEC does indeed cover them. 2) A power outlet provided on a vehicle for use while the vehicle is not in motion, makes the outlet a necessary subject of the NEC. For this use, the "vehicle" is no longer a mobile piece of equipment - a "vehicle" - and has become a "generator." The electrical power available can certainly present significant hazards to life and property. 3) Since these power outlets could easily be up to 120/240-volts, 50-amps, I think that rules should be present in the NEC to address the outlets which can provide dangerous levels of power. I doubt that we are concerned about "cigarette lighter" power levels. 4) Since these outlets are specific to equipment whose primary purpose is vehicular transportation, I think that the EV Article 625, rather than 445 Generators, will be the best suited for rule-making. The technical methods of power production from a vehicle will be significantly different than those of a purpose-built generator. Scott Cline
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Greetings and thank you for an enlightening and much appreciated forum. Is there a site where viewing past forum question and answer is possible? Thank you. Kelly Stockwill
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Rephrasing my earlier question. I think I have always called a receptacle an outlet. But apparently an outlet is a place that receives electricity, right? So that means that a ceiling light is an outlet and therefore covers the "there must be a switched outlet in each room" part of the code? Debbie Olsen
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Re: CQD answer published November 29 and December 18, 2018 - 1) Hi Charlie, Thanks for your work, I have not submitted in quite a while. By wrapping the grounding conductor around the raceway you will create a choke effect much like the old BX cable that used the spiral metal jacket as a grounding means. A thin uninsulated metal ribbon is installed inside the raceway to shunt the spiral coils and defeat the choke coil effect. Rick Munch CMP 1 2005 2) I just want to say that I was very impressed with Jennifer's question regarding running the bonding conductor straight vs a spiral type of installation. Rich Van Wert
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I have been following NEC Code question for a long time, first heard from my first electrical class. 22years later I was wondering. as a Master Elec. And contractor. I have recently Noticed (2017-2018) many related Home owner/handy man Questions. Normally you would respond, Electrical work should be done by LICESENED ELECTRICIANS. Though, I can't seem to find that. Should Any Electrical Work Be Performed Buy Home Owners and Handyman, adding switches, plugs, ceiling fans. Your thoughts, Matthew C Geres
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I have a 240 volt 2 # 6thhn + # 10 gr (3 wire) no neutral hot tub. The hot tub is fed from a spa gfci 60 amp disconnect. The spa 60amp disconnect is fed from the main pnl with 2 # 6 thhn + a 10 gr can I use a # 10 neutral since it is only used on the spa neutral bar so the neutral off the gfci breaker can tie into the main pnl neutral and the gfci breaker will function correctly Don Sieber
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When installing a 400A 240/120V service at a dwelling, service entrance conductors are 3/0 Cu paralleled from meter enclosure to service disconnecting means, 1 panel with 200A and 1 adjacent 200A fused service disconnect (connected by trough and bonded), the electrode grounding conductor to 2 ground rods (6' apart) and to the nearest building water lines using #2 Cu (Hot/cold/hot re-circulation and boiler zone lines all boded by same conductor) is it permissible to run the auxiliary ground from each service disconnecting means (2) with #4 cu from each if irreversibly connect to the #2 Cu equipment grounding conductor connected to the grounding electrode? {Note: the 2nd Service disconnecting means feeds a dislocated 200A sub-panel elsewhere in the dwelling with 4/0 SER Al.} Thank you. Roger Miller
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I have a ungrounded GFI outside that I just can't ground, is that violating and CODE? I live in Bolingbrook IL. Scott Johnson
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Good Morning, I begin my mornings with your questions and answers, which is very informative and a great learning experience. In a portion of NJ where there are multiple electric utility providers, we have a situation, which is not unique to the entire State but where this Utility exists it’s now become an issue. They have begun to require a Disconnecting means ahead of the meter for any 277/480V services and/or CT cabinet for “Cold Sequence” so they may work on their equipment without having to shut down transformers or disconnect the service. As an electrical inspector and a member of the Code Advisory board in NJ, my interpretation of 230.82 is that this is considered a “Meter Disconnect” not service equipment, therefore no grounding is done in this enclosure and after the installation the disconnect will be locked by the Utility. In our state we are not allowed by this particular Utility to install the GEC in either the meter enclosure or CT cabinet. My interpretation also is this “Disconnect” must have the appropriate AIC rating which would be provided by the utility, and here lies the issue. I’m not aware of any non-fused disconnect which has an AIC rating of more than 10,000, therefore most times, it must contain OCP either with fuses or a CB to meet the available AIC as per the utility. Some members of our committee believe since there is overcurrent protection in this enclosure, this is considered the “service disconnect” and the GEC must be brought to this enclosure. My contention is as per 230.82 it is not, and the “Service Disconnect” will be on the load side of this “Meter Switch”, in which ever configuration it may be. Switch gear is generally not an issue since most manufactures will construct the switchgear with the “Service Disconnect” ahead of the CT compartment and the compartment with the branches. Again in switchgear the ability to install the GEC is easy since the Neutral bar extends into the branch cabinet. Your comments please and thank you for your time. THANK YOU, CARL GURNEY
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Re: CQD answer published Thursday, November 29, 2018 -External Equipment Bonding Jumper Hi Charlie, The answer you gave about the external bonding jumper not having to be run straight with the liquid tight flex doesn't appear to match the code words "routed with the raceway". Wrapping the bonding jumper around the flex would not be following the raceway or the wires inside Thank you, Jennifer
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Does NEC code applied to vehicle electrical systems, specially when vehicle has 120VAC outlet? Miah Baset
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