Author: Jake

This weeks post comes from a couple of statements that needed to be clarified.  I was told that the working space in front of a service disconnect had to be measured from the middle of the disconnect.  That is not how the measurement is taken please review the slide below for accuracy in measuring the safe working space in front of equipment. If you have questions please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

We are in the last week of October and if you are an ER contractor and have the required 5 years you can grandfather your license into an EC.

After 11/1/2015 they are not grandfathering in ERs to ECs.  They may start again in the future by why wait.

Till next week work safe

Jake

Although I stated that I would go into the 2014 NEC changes, I feel it would be more productive to address common problems found out in the field.  This past week I had two different buildings that where undergoing services changes that had a common problem when I went to inspect.  Both buildings had multiple services installed on them, but each service had a separate Grounding Electrodes.  When I asked the contractors to fix it they had told they had never had to do this before.  Each building had a 120/208 volt  Y three phase service and a 277/480 volt Y three phase service installed next to each other both sporting two brand new Grounding Electrodes.  I ask them to bond them together and was questioned as to what Code section they had violated. The following is the section from the NEC 2011.

Till next week, be safe.

I have been getting calls about the 2014 NEC.  We have not adopted it and will  most likely be using the 2011 for a couple of years.  Starting next week I will start going through the changes of the 2014 NEC

Till next week be safe

This past week I had three different contractors who were surprised when I asked them about the LABEL they were supposed to install on the Service Equipment per this section.  So I felt this needed to be addressed again to help you pass your inspections.  This section is pretty plain and states “Service equipment installed in other than a dwelling unit shall be field marked with the maximum available fault current”.  The field markings shall include the DATE the calculation was performed and that the LABEL shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.  A sharpie is not going to cut it because although it says permanent it is not.  Some form of a label shall be made to withstand the sun and salt environment we have down here in South Florida.

So after my inspections this week, I have three jobs all waiting for labels to be placed on the service equipment before I can final out their permits.  It was noted on the plans for these jobs that I was expecting this to be done because it is a NEW code change and I am required by the Code to enforce these new requirements. 

In Lake Worth it will not be a problem to get the Fault Current of the transformer because I have them and can supply them with the plan review or  at the inspection.  All I need is the size,  and secondary voltage of the transformer to be able to supply this information.  The information I give out is the FAULT CURRENT at the terminals of the transformer and not at the service equipment. 

There are several fault current calculators out there on the WEB to be found for free as an ap or download that will help you to calculate the AIC at the service equipment. 

So when the inspectors looks for the LABEL it should already be there.

Till next week be safe

Jake

This is a new requirement for the manufacturing of GFCI breakers and receptacles.  UL has upped the bar for these devices requiring them to self test.  If one of these devices detect a leakage of current they trip and have to be hand reset.  The tripping of one of these devices may signal a wiring problem in your home. So just resetting may not solve the problem.  Below are a few links to these new products, one of these links is for a receptacle that will not turn on if wired improperly.  The UL requirement for these devices went into effect in June of this year (2015).  The inventory of old type GFCI protection will be allowed to be sold but all new devices will be manufactured using the new standard.  If you can’t get the links below to work just put “self test GFCI products” in your search bar.

http://www.nema.org/news/Pages/NEMA-and-UL-Announce-Revisions-to-UL-943-GFCI-Standard.aspx

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=33474&minisite=10021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-1fWxB5WtA

http://www.geindustrial.com/products/circuit-breakers/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter-self-test-gfci

Till next week be safe out there.

Jake

The following pictures represent what some  GC’s feel is Ok for your final electrical inspection.  The code requires that the openings in the finish around switches and receptacles be no more than 1/8” the cover plate will definitely cover this amount.   It has become the job of the inspector to make sure that these minor defects are completed.  The pictures are from a job that the GC told me that they would take care of them, and they were not.  Although some of the pictures are fuzzy and out of focus you should be able to get the idea.  This installation also violates article 110.12 for Mechanical execution of work.  Installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.  Please show this to your GC’s and remind them that these need to be done for and electrical final. If not, you fail, and you have to call for a re-inspection and possibly pay a fee which will lead to a delay in job progress.

Till next week be safe work smart

This week we will take another look at what this section states and what it means.

Till next week Work safe be safe

Jake

This weeks information will introduce you to new types of circuit breakers.  Most manufacturers have come up with the combination AFCI (Arc Fault) and GFCI (Ground Fault) breaker to keep up with the changing technology in the NEC.  Although here in Florida we have not adopted the 2014 NEC there are specific applications for branch circuitry that will require both Arc Fault and Ground Fault protection on the same circuit. 

When out in the field doing inspections and  I mention that these products are available, some are surprised that these types of devices even exist , “a circuit breaker that has both GFCI and AFCI protection.”  Wow!    

Use the two links below to get more information about these new and innovative products.

http://www.schneider-electric.us/en/product-range/62274-qo-dual-function-circuit-breakers/?parent-category-id=50300&parent-subcategory-id=50310

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdistribution/us/en/product-portfolio/circuit-breakers/residential-circuit-breakers/pages/dual-function.aspx?stc=usem100037&sp_source=usem100037&s_kwcid=AL!464!3!75015126419!p!!g!!gfci%20protection&ef_id=VE5iKAAAAe1w7URX:20150816125504:s

Till next week work safe and be safe.

Jake

If you are working in a existing building or structure and you are supplying temporary power, please review the following sections to be sure you are Code compliant.

Till next week

Work safe be safe.

Jake