A Word from Jake

New Dimmable Receptacles

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This past week while teaching a CEU seminar I was introduced to a new product that I have not seen.  The dimmable receptacle outlet.   Over the years I have seen installations that contractors tried to install dimmers on receptacle outlet circuits only to tell them it did not meet the Code and had to be disconnected.  In explaining why they could not use a dimmer on the circuit they realized that plugging in a TV or some other appliance would have caused harm to the appliance.  So I was surprised to finally find a way for us to use dimmers on outlet circuits.   When using the receptacle outlets you will have to also use a special cord cap that only works with the dimming receptacle outlet, and that is so you won’t plug your TV or some other appliance into the circuit by mistake.

Below you will find a link to a website that has all the information for the outlets.  You can click on the link or cut and paste it into your search bar.

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/369269_ENG.pdf

do a

do b

 

Till next week be safe work safe

Jake

Continue ReadingNew Dimmable Receptacles

Temporary Installations For Outlets in Wet Locations 590.4(D)(2), and 406.9(B)

This new change will require the use of “EXTRA-DUTY” covers on receptacles installed in wet locations.  The new covers have the words EXTRA-DUTY installed on the cover.  These outlets would be for other than in dwelling unit locations and ones that are supported from grade.  In addition to these requirements the outlet will have to be GFCI protected with a few exceptions. 

210.8 (B)(4) Exception  #1,2

Exception No. 1 to (3) and (4): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable. (We can’t use this down here in south Florida)

Exception No. 2 to (4): In industrial establishments only, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified personnel are involved, an assured equipment grounding conductor program as specified in 590.6(B)(2) shall be permitted for only those receptacle outlets used to supply equipment that would create a greater hazard if power is interrupted or having a design that is not compatible with GFCI protection.

 

temporary receps

 

XTRA DUTY

 

Till next week work safe be safe

 

Jake

Continue ReadingTemporary Installations For Outlets in Wet Locations 590.4(D)(2), and 406.9(B)

Florida Building Code Residential 2014 5th Edition

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We Just finished our first round of weekend CEU classes, and as promised a link to the other Code book that we need to be using for residential electrical work.  It is the Florida Building Code Residential book.  Click on the link below and you can explore the FBC Residential book.  

This weeks information will introduce you to the other electrical code book.  The one that is located in the Florida Building Code Residential, the electrical chapters are found in Chapters 34 through 45.  As a contractor or electrician in Florida you need to be familiar with these sections because some of the sections in the NEC have been amended by this Code.  Its actually pretty helpful because it is small and compact and geared towards residential construction only so you don’t have to differentiate between residential and commercial/industrial electrical codes.  So when you get a chance click on the link below and explore Chapters 34 through 45, and if a click does not work cut and paste it into your browser and read on.

If you have any questions or have something that you want to see discussed here please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2014/Florida/Residential%20Code/index.html

 

Thanks and be safe

Jake

Continue ReadingFlorida Building Code Residential 2014 5th Edition

210.5 (C) (1,2,3) Identification of Branch Circuits

Under this new Code Change you will be required to IDENTIFY the ungrounded conductors in a branch circuit when you have two different electrical systems in building.  This is when you have 277/480 and 120/208. They instruct you to identify them by color coding, marking tape or some kind of other approved means.  It states that you also have to post it by the panel.   Most inspectors are going to require that the entire branch circuit comply with this requirement, you will have to ask about travelers and switch legs coming off a branch circuit. 

This past week I was asked if just taping the conductors will be acceptable,  and looking at the section size does not matter and taping even 14 gauge wire will be just fine. After all this is Article 210 for Branch Circuits.

 

(C) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors. Ungrounded
conductors shall be identified in accordance with
210.5(C)(1), (2), and (3).

(1) Application. Where the premises wiring system has
branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage
system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit
shall be identified by phase or line and system at all termination,
connection, and splice points.

(2) Means of Identification. The means of identification
shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking
tape, tagging, or other approved means.

(3) Posting of Identification Means. The method utilized
for conductors originating within each branch-circuit panelboard
or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment
shall be documented in a manner that is readily available or
shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard
or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment.

 

Till next week be safe work safe

Jake

Continue Reading210.5 (C) (1,2,3) Identification of Branch Circuits

310.15(B)(16) AMPACITY TABLE

This is number nine in the top ten series and will probably take years before we get use to it.

This Table used to be 310.16.  After all these years it is hard to call it by its new numbers but I’m

sure we will all get used to it.  Not only did the number of the Table change several wire ampacities

also changed.  For the Copper side #s 14, 12, 3, 1, 600, 1,500,  2,000, and for the Aluminum side

#s 12, 8, 6, 300, 700, and 800.

 

                      THE NEW ALLOWABLE AMPACITY TABLE 310.15(B)(16) 

31015b16

Till next week, work safe be safe

Jake

Continue Reading310.15(B)(16) AMPACITY TABLE

225.27 RACEWAY SEALS When conduits enter an enclosure from outside of a building.

This weeks change number eight in this series, has to do with underground conduits entering/leaving a building or structure.  This is for outside branch circuits and feeders, just like we have been doing for services in 230.8 we now seal off branch circuit and feeder conduits. Conduits shall be sealed when entering/leaving a building using duct seal or some other material that is identified for the purpose.

 

225.27

 

225.27a

Till next week

Work safe be safe

Jake

Continue Reading225.27 RACEWAY SEALS When conduits enter an enclosure from outside of a building.