Main disconnect separation 230.71

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.

image

image

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

Continue ReadingMain disconnect separation 230.71

Picture of the week

This is why we pull a ground wire in EMT down here if So. Florida.  This conduit is in an semi-enclosed stairwell, as you can see they used some chemicals to clean the stairs and the salt  content in the breeze has deteriorated the conduit and sprinkler riser in this stairwell.  EMT is a listed for use as an equipment ground in 250.118,  but we should still pull an equipment ground anyway.  South Florida common sense.

I happen to take this picture yesterday in WPB. 

Keep sending me those crazy electrical pictures.

Garage

Garage A

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake


Continue ReadingPicture of the week

CODE CHANGES 2017 404.22 Electronic Lighting Control Switches

First I want to say its good to be back on my website, and I wanted to thank Aaron my son, for getting us back on track. We had a few technical difficulties that he was able to work through and get us back online. 

We will continue where we left off on the Code change series that we were working through.  So let’s get back to work.

A new requirement has been added to the Code for electronic switches.  In the past we didn’t always supply a neutral (grounded conductor) to a switching point in our wiring systems.  Per this new requirement a neutral shall be be added or capable of being added to a switch point so we can connect these new electronic switching devices.  We are no longer allowed on new installations to connect the neutral of one of the devices to the grounding conductor because we didn’t have a neutral installed.  On existing installations the exception to 404.2(c) covers how to handle our existing installations.

image

Can’t see the whole picture just click on it. 

Till next time be safe work safe.

Jake


PS.  We are also working on getting back into the classroom sometime in the near future.


Continue ReadingCODE CHANGES 2017 404.22 Electronic Lighting Control Switches

ARC FAULT CIRCUITS COMMON NEUTRAL

Until now you had to use a  2 pole breaker for a circuit with a common neutral.  GE now has given us a way to do the same thing with 2 single pole breakers using a handle tie instead.  Check out the attached PDF and see how you can protect a common neutral circuit without buying a 2 pole Arc Fault breaker.  Make sure you look at the diagram which shows how to wire the circuits using 2 single pole breakers instead of a 2pole Arc Fault breaker.  I can’t figure out how we did not know about this before it was published back in 2009?

 

Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter – Selection and Application Guidelines and Technical|DET-719|generic

 

http://www.geindustrial.com/publibrary/checkout/DET-719?TNR=Application

To get this to work you have to type in DET-719 at the GE site.

That it for this week.

 

Jake

Continue ReadingARC FAULT CIRCUITS COMMON NEUTRAL

Outlet boxes for ceiling fans 314.27 (C) 2011 NEC

When installing a ceiling box that may be used for a fan, and you install a spare switch leg to that box. Such as 14/3 or 12/3 NM cable, the box shall be listed for support of a fan.  This requirement only applies to single and multi-family dwellings.  The code panel recognized that home owners and/or renters sometimes change out the light fixture and put a fan in its place.  So this requirement will help when this activity is done in a single or multi-family dwelling unit.

Continue ReadingOutlet boxes for ceiling fans 314.27 (C) 2011 NEC