Many plans are submitted without the required separation of mains as per the 2020 Code. Especially when we get a 400 ampere meter main
combo with two (2) 200 ampere mains. This new requirement has been in effect for more than a year and still is overlooked when submitting a set of plans.
The old meter main combos that we used years ago are not Code compliant anymore per 230.71.
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
We have been getting a lot of calls for Continuing Education we are going to hold classes this year, but not until the end of this year. Palm Beach County renews its licenses this year, whereas the State of Florida doesn’t until next year. We are scheduling classes for November and December of this year, as well as a few months next year (MAY,JUNE). If you are renewing your license for Palm Beach County, send them your continuing education certificates that you have obtained over the last two years. Any CEU’s you received between October 1st of 2023 and September 30th of 2025 apply to this cycle. I would check with the county to see if you are required to upload certificates into your portal. I’m not sure, but I think it is only for county-licensed contractors ER’s, not state-certified EC’s. So if you are an ER, then you need to update your continuing education to renew your license by September 30, 2025..
Palm Beach County can be reached at 561-233-5525 for information on continuing education.. When calling the county or state, always ask for the person’s name when receiving information and keep it for a reference.
If you got questions please give me a call 561-596-7347.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
What you are looking at is a screw from a shelf the went through a piece of MC cable and into a water pipe. Took several months for this to catch fire. An Arc Fault breaker would have prevented this and kept the business open.
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
Just a quick note, I’ve been getting calls from a few contractors stating that the inspector is requiring GFCI protection on a residential AC compressor. This requirement will not take effect until September 1, 2026.
210.8(F) Outdoor Outlets.
For dwellings, all outdoor outlets, other than those covered in 210.8(A), Exception No. 1, including outlets installed in the following locations, and supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, 50 amperes or less, shall be provided with GFCI protection:
(1) Garages that have floors located at or below grade level
(2) Accessory buildings
(3) Boathouses
If equipment supplied by an outlet covered under the requirements of this section is replaced, the outlet shall be provided with GFCI protection.
Exception No. 1: GFCI protection shall not be required on lighting outlets other than those covered in 210.8(C).
Exception No. 2: GFCI protection for listed HVAC equipment is not required. This exception shall expire September 1, 2026.
GFCI PROTECTION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR AIR CONDITIONERS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Thanks, and be safe.
Jake
Shore Power receptacles are to have GFPE protection that is not to exceed 30ma..
We have been getting a lot of calls about continuing education. We are planning a few classes in December, May, and June. Palm Beach County is coming up this August for renewal. All you need to do is send in the continuing education you received in the last two years to renew.
Coming up for Continuing Education.
2023 GFCI protection
2023 Code changes
2020 Plan review failures
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
New to Article 555 is new to Receptacle replacement. This section applies if you are replacing receptacle outlets on a dock. 555.33(C) states that they need to be at least 12” above the dock but not below the electrical datum plane on a fixed dock.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK, TRYING TO KEEP THINGS COOL!!!! BUT THE BREAKER KEEPS TRIPPING.
Thanks Scott!!
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
This weeks change addresses docks and the datum plane for mounting equipment on a dock.
Throughout Article 555, the physical location of electrical equipment is referenced to the electrical datum plane, which is used as a horizontal benchmark on land and on floating piers. The definition of the term electrical datum plane encompasses areas subject to tidal movement and areas in which the water level is affected only by conditions such as climate (rain or snowfall) or by human intervention (the opening or closing of dams and floodgates). In either case, the term covers the normal highest water level, such as astronomical high tides. The term does not cover extremes due to natural or manmade disasters.
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
New to this section is requirement #16 for motors that are electronically protected to be marked on the nameplate.
Got a great picture this week from George in West Palm beach, thanks George great picture. See below.
If you want to make the pictures bigger just click on them.
Not sure what you call it but I would say a raceway “SPLITTER”!!!
Should try and get this fitting listed.
Till next time be safe work safe.
Jake
I get calls all the time about which Code edition we are using. The 2020 NEC is what has been adopted since 12.31.23. The confusion comes from the edition of the Florida Building Code that is in use at this time the 2023 Edition. At this time, the 2023 Florida Building Code adopts the 2020 NEC, which is confusing to many who deal with the Codes.
I got a couple of calls this week from contractors who have been cited for a violation from the 2023 NEC, which will not be in effect until 12.31.26, unless something pushes it up, but don’t look for that to happen. We are behind in the editions we use due to the Florida Building commission who regulates which Codes we use. So from now until December 31 of 2026 we will use the 2020 National Electrical Code.
2020 National Electrical Code now until 12.31.26.
Until next time be safe work safe.
Jake
