Electrical Consistency Questions, June 2015
1) I have a low volt panel which contains a
receptacle. The panel has a cover attached with
screws. The panel is located within the laundry
room within 6 feet of a sink. Is GFCI protection
and/or AFCI protection required?
210.8 A 7 states that it shall be protected and no
AFCI needed per 210.12. - Simpson
2) How far does the gas meter have to be away
from a panel or meter?
We just need to maintain our working clearances
prescribed in 110.26. The Fuel Gas Code says the
standard is set by the serving company. Generally
Piedmont requires three feet from an electrical
source. - King
3) The box pictured below is provided by Time
Warner, is not third party listed and is their
demarcation point which serves each apartment.
Can we enforce the holes to be plugged? Time
Warner installs equipment inside after final
inspection.
If this box is their demarcation point we do not
control the line side. We do not need a listing on
the can or to seal the knockouts if this is the
server’s. If this is a combination of server and
customer systems without physical separation we
would need to require it to meet all the
requirements of NEC for the customer side. –
Barnes
4) I have a building with multi-tenant suites. The
meters are located outside and the service
disconnects are located in each tenant suite. The
landlord removed a demising wall between two
spaces creating one large tenant space. The service
disconnects are now located on opposite ends of
the enlarged space creating a code violation per
NEC 230.72. In order to bring this into compliance
could I use 230.70(A)(3) and install a remote control
beside one of the service disconnects? Now I can
shut down both mains from one location!
Per 230.70 A 1 the disconnect means has to be
accessible, outside or inside nearest the point of
entry of the conductors. Per 230.72 the disconnects
have to be grouped if it is one service. 230.70 A 3
states you have to meet A 1 (nearest the point of
entrance). So the answer is no. - West
5) I have a five story Parking deck (not a high rise)
with an elevator. The elevator is part of the life
safety egress and is shown on the emergency
generator (NEC 700 system). NFPA 110 A.4.4.1
shows that an elevator can be on the Level One
System which is the NEC 700 system. However our
new CA says that the elevator must be on the
standby system. What am I missing here?
Per Chapter 27 of the NC Building Code the
elevators are to be on the standby system (2702.2.6
and 2702.2.19). The standby system is the NFPA
Level ll system and the NEC 701 system. – Rains
6) I am currently looking at a job containing
generator power backed up with UPS battery power
source. The design professional has specified the
use of 646 MCM (DLO) conductors in a portion of
the system. I have found nothing in the NEC
regarding this conductor. My question is where do I
find information on this conductor? And if outside
of the NEC does the NEC allow or direct me to an
outside source?
Sometimes we need to expand our product
knowledge. If time allows you can search the
internet but be aware that you must have a reliable
source. In this case it was found that these
conductors were RHH/RHW. NEC 102.2 allows for
approval by the AHJ. It also refers us by note to 90.7
for examination of equipment and materials. If
these conductors are part of a listed product we
would accept them by the listing. If not the NC
Admin. Code also recognizes alternate material,
design or methods in Section 105. If we can get
enough information on the performance of the
material and its installation requirements we can
judge it to be acceptable per 105.1 for approval.
This information would need to be presented to us
and have the CA or their designee make the
decision per our office policy. This approval would
need to be loaded in the permit file. The process
may necessitate testing and analysis per Section
105.2 of the code. - Mullis
7) Can a panel be used as a raceway?
Yes, with limitations. 408.2 refers you to 312.
312.8 allows it if all conditions are met. -Hartman
8) Can I enter above the line side lugs in an exterior
located service disconnect?
Yes if the listing of the cabinet and fittings allow it.
See NEC 312.2 - Dellinger
9) Is a receptacle located behind a range,
microwave, washer, and refrigerator etc…
considered accessible?
Yes, per definition it is accessible, see NEC 100. For
appliance disconnect means see 422.33. - Simpson
10) Wineries and breweries etc…, do these meet
the requirements for the "industrial machinery"?
Possibly. See
http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/C
odeEnforcement/Inspections/trades/Electrical/Doc
uments/IMandFAQ.pdf
Procedure for declaration should be handled by
inspector and uploaded to permit file if not done in
plan review. Inspector can resource supervisor and
CA as needed. - Mullis
11) I am upgrading a service, I installed an
additional ground rod, can I connect the GEC to the
ISBC?
No per 250.94. It is for bonding other systems. King
12) When remodel/adding sheetrock ceilings in a
house, can I roll up nm cables on the rough and use
remodel cans after sheetrock has been installed?
Yes if listed for the purpose and if we have single
cables and less than 5 fixtures that are accessible on
final. If other than above the extra inspection will
require an IBA inspection. - Barnes
13) I have a rack with audio/video equipment I’m
installing at a residence. The rack is movable and
has wheels. Am I required to bond it?
Grounding is required. See 640.7 and 640.22 for
grounding requirements. - Rains
14) In a multi-family apartment building with all
floors having horizontal egress, is it permitted to
lock the panels in the leased apartment units to
eliminate the need to comply with accessibility code
regulations? The maintenance company is on 24
hour call and will have the keys to the panels.
No. We must meet 240.24 (B) (2). Accessibility
requirements should be noted on plans and
enforced by building inspectors. - Hartman
15) I was turned down for not having HCF type MC
cable used to wire the lighting fixture circuits in the
patient treatment areas? The switches were located
inside the rooms but were at least 8 feet away. The
inspector said I had to either replace the cable all
the way back to the panel or move the switches
outside the patient care rooms.
See 517.13 A & B. The switches in the room need to
be grounded with redundant grounding conductor.
- Dellinger
16) Does number six solid copper wire require
protection against physical damage on a saw
service?
Yes. See 250.64 B. – West
17) Can an attic service receptacle be fed from an
attic light switch leg?
Yes. Nothing prohibits this per NEC. - Simpson
18) When using romex to feed a disposal and
protecting it with non-metallic flex, are approved
flex connectors required?
This is a sleeve for protection. We will only be
interested in the cable’s protection. - King
19) Does a UPS, containing overcurrent protection,
require a dedicated equipment space above it, as
mentioned in 110.26?
Yes, because of BC overcurrent device. – Barnes
20) I was turned down for temporary power
because my windows were not in. I’ve done this
before without problems. What has changed?
The NCEC 10.8 says the building has to be secure
and that the energized system has to meet the
applicable requirements of the code. In NEC 110.3,
110.8 and 110.11 what you have proposed would
be violations. We need the access points of the
building to be secure and to have the building
weather tight. – Rains