News

This is the Sixth in the top ten Code changes for 2011, this change is really just a clarification of what we where doing out in the field. Some of the recent revisions to this had made it a bit unclear but the new language should make it easier to understand. 

I get a few calls a week asking if another ground rod is required when doing a service change or a new service?  “Do I need to drive another ground rod” , I tell them it depends. It all depends on what else is available at the site.  Are you connected to the cold water system pipe, or the concrete encased electrode, or have you tested the single rod to see if you have 25 Ohms or less? If they answer yes then I tell them they are done, unless there are other required electrodes available.  250.50 states that the electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(7) if present at each building or structure SHALL be bonded together to form a grounding electrode system.  Section 250.53 of the Code is fairly easy to understand.  It states that you SHALL supplement a single rod, pipe or plate electrode with an addition electrode of a type listed in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(8).  The following is a list of those eight items that can or shall be used for an additional electrode(s).

(1) Metal Underground Water Pipe.

(2) Metal Frame of the Building or Structure.

(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode.

(4) Ground Ring.

(5) Rod and Pipe Electrodes.

(6) Other Listed Electrodes

(7) Plate Electrodes

(8) Other Local Metal Underground Systems or Structures.

Until next week be safe work safe

Jake

This week I have been getting call after call about the new 10 year battery operated smoke alarms.  The new statute does not address the interconnection of the detectors but most inspectors are asking for these to be interconnected..  Please help me if you have used ones that are capable of being interconnected.  Please send me an email with the manufacturer and model number so I can pass them on.  I have not been able to find ones that interconnect, so if you have this information could you please pass it on to me so I can send it out to other contractors who like me can not find any for purchase in our area.  See the statute below:

Please let me know

Thanks

Jake

First, Happy Easter to all who celebrate this day.

This is the third of the top ten Code changes because it will cause your inspection to fail if it is not done.  Our top ten Code changes have no importance of order whether 3rd or 10th they are all just what I feel should be on your top ten list of changes to know.

During the last couple of months while doing inspection one new Code change that has been overlooked is 408.4(B).  The identification of where the feed to a panel or switchboard comes from.  This new requirement will help the electrician who has to service the panel or make some changes to the circuitry, find where the main source is and turn it off.  I find electricians working on panels without turning it off because they can’t find the main,  which puts them at risk.

This is a good change to the code and should create a safer environment for the service electrician.  A detailed label will help the future worker know where the disconnect is and keep them from working it HOT.  This does not apply to one and two family dwelling units.

 

Till next time work safe be safe

Jake

Since I was having technical difficulties sending out my code changes I will resend out what I think is the TOP TEN changes to the 2011 NEC. 

When you visit my web site you can look over the last years news letters that have been stored on my blog site.  I hope they help you stay away from correction notices and re-inspection fees.

Till next week stay safe out there.

Jake

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.

I was asked this week why a contractor failed his inspection.  He had put in a breaker lock for the ACs in the panel inside the garage and there was no disconnect out by the unit.  The Florida Building Code Residential has a table in Chapter 41 for disconnects and what types can be used.  For residential the FBC has a table E4101.5 that requires a disconnect out at the unit and it is the only type that can be used.  See the PDF below.

So was the inspector right Yes he was,  I myself did not know that this section existed until I was asked about it.

We all learn something on a daily basis.

If you have questions send them to me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

Until next time work safe be safe.

Jake

With the adoption of the 2011 NEC we have a lack of knowledge of some of the MAJOR changes.  In the 2011 NEC they mandated that when you change an outlet in an area of a residence that requires Arc Fault protection, the replacement be done by one of the three requirements in 406.4(D)(4)(1,2,3). 

Working as an inspector can sometimes be very frustrating when we hear “when did they start enforcing Arc Faults all over the house, I thought we only were doing the bedrooms”.  Not only are we doing most of the residence now,  we are requiring Arc Faults when we replace just the devices (outlets) on a branch circuit.  We are also requiring that the outlets be tamper resistant and if needed weather resistant. 

When I place notes on plans referencing these new requirements I get emails or phone calls asking if I am going to enforce this and my answer is YES its my job to make sure that the electrical work is done in accordance with the adopted Code.  I agree that this is a MAJOR change and will probably lead to changing outlets without permits, just remember that if something happens and they can say that (YOUR COMPANY NAME) did the replacement and you did not comply with the most current Code enforced you can and will be held liable by the insurance company.

So email me and tell me if they are enforcing these requirements. ( jleccemail@hotmail.com )  I would like to know.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks column is an observation from doing inspections.  During the last couple of months when performing underground inspections the most noted violation was 300.5(D)(3) identifying and marking the underground installation.  This is not a Code change for 2011 this section was introduced 1999 and should not be on an inspectors hit list of common violated sections, but it is.  I think the confusion comes from the fact that most electricians feel that as an inspector, I don’t have jurisdiction over what FPL or Lake Worth utilities brings into a meter.  This section 300.5(D)(3) addresses the conductors that come from the utility to the meter can and if they are installed underground then this section does apply. 

Till next time

Work safe be safe

Jake

Have something you want to see here email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

This past week I have noticed a trend when inspecting Air Conditioning units. Most electrical contractors will wire per plan and not by nameplate.  When missing the nameplate information we violate 110.3(B) installation and use.  The following is a view of what information is on the nameplate and how it is calculated, remember that the information on the nameplate is how unit is to be wired.

Hope this helps and reduces your correction notices.

Till next time be safe work safe and Happy Holidays

Jlecc

See the attached PDFs of a new product found in the field  and used for BONDING POOL WATER.  I have seen this new product in use and have now realized that most were installed improperly.  Some of the ones I have seen where installed just downstream from the pump above grade.  Look at the attached installation instructions and notice that the fitting needs to be installed 3” below the water level in the pool to be effective.  So if you install this fitting as a water bond to comply with 680.26(C) it will need to be install in the ground below grade.  The ones that I have seen installed properly used a sprinkler type in-ground junction box (brooks Box) to access the fitting.  Hope this helps and saves you a re-inspection.

If you have comments or questions please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

Till next time work safe and be safe.

Jake