Code Change of the Week

This weeks change is on “Tamper resistant receptacles”  for the additional areas and types of outlets where they will be required.  In doing plan review I have failed more plans for this than I can count, and that is because its new.  We’ve added additional places and types of outlets that require being this type of protection. After all our Code is a guide to the practical safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of electricity.  Children shouldn’t have to be hurt or die from these hazards for us to make simple corrections for a safer environment.

They’ve added more commercial areas that are to be covered by tamper resistant outlets, and they added 250 volt outlets to the section also.  It only makes sense to include ,ore areas out there that children are exposed to.  When they first put this section in the Code back in the 90’s I wondered “Why did this take so long” because more children were hurt by sticking objects into outlets and being shocked, burned or possibly killed because we didn’t address the problems we had.  The simple solution is that they should all be tamper resistant, but for right now the list grows for areas covered which is a step in the right direction.  The addition of 250 volt outlets in the 2017 Code is also long over due even though most accidents are from regular duplex receptacles that are installed everywhere.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks post is more of a clarification than a change.  In the 2014 Code it was added that a receptacle mounted in a faceup position in a counter top had to be listed.  Well all receptacles have to be listed.  So an assembly that is listed for faceup position also has to be listed for work surfaces and countertop applications

This week I was sent some specs on a new tandem breaker (arc fault). See the link below.

https://www.downloads.siemens.com/download-center/Download.aspx?pos=download&fct=getasset&id1=BTLV_70495

Till next time be safe work safe.

Jake

The change to this section is the fact that they have to be listed and the Class 2 circuitry is integral with the outlet.  There are plenty out there that are not listed so don’t get caught without a listed product.

Can’t see the whole slide just click on it.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This new requirement was added in the 2017 NEC. All it did was add the word “controlled” to the outlet face.  This way you know that the outlet is switched or controlled by some other means.  A lot of people did not know what the symbol meant, so this should help. This section does not apply to outlets that are switched in lieu of having a lighting outlet in the ceiling per 210.70(A)(1) Exception #1 of the 2017 NEC..

The 2020 Edition of the FBC Energy Conservation Code 7th Edition exempts having to install controlled outlets per section C401.2 states, That Commercial buildings shall comply with one of the following: in #1. The requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1, excluding section 9.4.1.1(g), section 8.4.2 and section 8.4.3 of the standard.  Section 8.4.2 was the section that required at least 50% of the outlets be controlled.  So if it is on the plan you will need to put them in, and if not on the plan they will not be required by FBC.  Hope this helps because I have already been contacted by several contractors stating that the inspector is requiring the controlled outlets.  Let him/her know that this section has been removed from the FBC  Energy Conservation requirements.

Can’t see the whole picture just click on it!

Till the next time be safe work safe.

Jake

This weeks selection is for a new addition to 314.16(A) for dividers that we put inside boxes to separate high voltage from low voltage.  They have come up with an assigned cubic inch capacity for metal and plastic dividers, one half cubic inch for a metal divider and one cubic inch for a plastic divider unless it is marked.  So even if all the wires are the same size but you have a divider installed you will be required to do the calculation for box fill.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

Can’t see the whole picture just click on it!

New to 2017 Code is the introduction of the use of 120/208 volt services into the residential service adjustment factors section.  It has always been just for 120/240 volt services and they now allow us to use this adjustment for 120/208 services also.  Only difference with the inclusion of the 120/208 services is that you can not down size the neutral conductor. it is definitely a welcome change to the Code.

Till next time be safe work safe, wear a mask.

Jake

First just want to say I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  It was a quiet one for us this year.

This section has been changed and some of the requirements have been deleted.  We only have to worry about raceways on roofs when they are installed less than 7/8” above the roof other wise no adjustments required.  This was a concern for years about having raceways installed above roofs and the derating of the conductors in the raceway.  We will only need to adjust the ampacity of a conductor when it is installed less than 7/8” above the roof.  Looking at the photo below none of these conduit runs would need ampacity adjustments.

Can’t see the whole picture just click on it.

Till next time be safe work safe and don’t forget your masks your customers will appreciate it.

Jake

This weeks post is about a practice that I’ve seen done out in the field and even required by inspectors.  Running a bond wire from your pool’s steel cage to the ground rod is not an acceptable practice which when I found it in the field the contractor told me that they were required to do it by an inspector in another municipality.  So if your inspector requires you to bond your pool to the ground rod at your service you can now show them where in the Code book it states it is not allowed.  That “Bond” from your pool’s steel cage goes to the pool motor bond lug on the outside of the motor not to the ground rod.  The pool steel is the new part of this section the Aluminum, and the gas piping have been here for a while.

250.52 Grounding Electrodes. (B) Not Permitted for Use as Grounding Electrodes.

(3)  The following systems and materials shall not be used as grounding electrodes:

(1) Metal underground gas piping systems

(2) Aluminum

(3) The structures and structural reinforcing steel described in 680.26(B)(1) and (B)(2)

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This change will make it easier to understand what can be considered a grounding electrode when it comes to structural steel.  A metal in-ground support structure(s) that is in direct contact with the earth vertically for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more, with or without concrete encasement shall be used as a grounding electrode.  This can be a steel column or rebar as long as it is in contact with the earth for 10’ vertically with or without concrete encasement.  As stated in 250.50 each electrode that is present shall be bonded together to form the Grounding Electrode system.  So if you have this present in your building then it is required to used.

Also got this great picture from Hector from Royal Palm Beach.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks selection has to do with peninsular countertop outlet spacing and its change from the past Code.  It now requires one outlet measure from the connecting wall and not the connecting countertop.  Unless there is a sink or stove in the countertop there is only “one” receptacle outlet required (see 210.52(c)(4). 

210.52(C)(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop long dimension space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A peninsular countertop is measured from the connected perpendicular wall.

Can’t se the whole picture just click on it.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake