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This requirement is to keep out moister, and water from entering a switch gear or panel board.  I have seen where services that where ran up the side of a pole from the utility have not been sealed and when it rained water came out of the meter can.  If I see it from the utility I try to get them to put duct seal or some other kind of sealant in the pipe.  The pipes don’t have to be run into a piece of switchgear or other equipment to be sealed off.

Till next time work safe and be safe.

Jake

This section changed and now matches the requirements for fire-rated assemblies.  You need to “IDENTIFY” your supports (ceiling wires) that you install for support of your wiring methods.

These are the ones that you install to support your EMT, MC or other types of wiring assemblies.  The wires that are installed to support the fixtures are not based on the ELECTRICAL CODE and do not need to be identified.  The ones installed for the support of the fixture come from the manufactures’ installation requirements and should be installed by the ceiling installer to make sure they are installed properly.  The only requirement in the NEC for a fixture that is installed in a grid type ceiling system is that the fixture be screwed, clipped, or riveted to the grid, see 410.36(B).

Till Next week Work Safe and be Safe!

This section explains that the enclosures or raceways installed in the ground or underground are always considered to be a wet location and if splices are made they shall be listed and identified for the location. The conductors shall also be listed for a wet location.

Till next time work safe be safe

Jake

This new section should have been in the Code along time ago.  Just remember to add it into your

bid the next time you do a service change.  This starts July 1, 2015.

Till the next time work smart and be safe.

In sections 110.24 (A)(B) the Code has made it your job to verify the available fault current at the service.  You will need to field mark the equipment with the fault current that is available at your service and with the date the calculation was performed.  These markings need to be legible and able to withstand the environmental conditions of our South Florida climate; sunlight and water resistant.

The available fault current will be calculated on the basis of a number of contributing factors like the size of the utility transformer and the location of the transformer in proximity to your service.  The type, length, and size of conductors used in your service will also figure into the available fault current.  Not marking your service will delay receiving a final inspection from your local inspector or issuance of your permit from your plans examiner. The 2011 Code goes into effect on July 1st .  All plans and permits received after this date will be governed by these new changes. I am bringing these changes to your attention so it wont be a surprise when the AHJ asks.

When you sit down to figure the price for that next service change or modification, remember that in order to perform these calculations you will need information that is not readily available to you. You will need to contact the utility for some of this information.  This will cost you time; and we all know time costs you money.

This new Code change will go into affect on July 1, 2015. 

Under this new change it states that when you modify, replace, or extend branch circuit wiring it will have to be protected by one of the following devices.

(1) A listed combination type AFCI located at the origin of the branch circuit.

(2) A listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI located at the first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit.

So be aware that this will be enforced and you will need to comply in order to pass your electrical inspection.

I will try to send out more of the significant changes in the next few weeks to bring you up to date with the ever changing way we do our jobs.  

If you have any question please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

Thanks and be careful out there.

Jake

For the third time I am sending out an email that is informing you that the 2011 NEC will be adopted on different date than the last posting.

JULY 1, 2015 is the new date for adoption and hopefully the last.

Jake

I get a lot of questions,  that ask when can I mix Service conductors with feeders or branch circuits?  The answer is you can not.

See the attached PDF showing some examples of Service conductors and Feeders.

Thought I would pass this along, shows how dangerous improper storage of batteries can be.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CnVDayI-gwI?feature=player_detailpage

553.883 Smoke alarms in one-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes.—One-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes undergoing a repair, or a level 1 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code, may use smoke alarms powered by 10-year nonremovable, nonreplaceable batteries in lieu of retrofitting such dwelling with smoke alarms powered by the dwelling’s electrical system. Effective January 1, 2015, a battery-powered smoke alarm that is newly installed or replaces an existing battery-powered smoke alarm must be powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least 10 years. The battery requirements of this section do not apply to a fire alarm, smoke detector, smoke alarm, or ancillary component that is electronically connected as a part of a centrally monitored or supervised alarm system.

History.—s. 25, ch. 2014-154.

Make sure that you check with the local authority.  They may have more stringent rules that apply.