2015 May Consistency Questions/Topics
1) Do I need an electrical permit to wire the control
wires to an HVAC system? It will consist of a cable
from the air handler to the thermostat and a cable
to the condenser unit.
No, if done by the mechanical contractor it is
covered in their costs and the mechanical regs.
state it will comply with NFPA70. - Rains
2) If I am replacing the cabinets in my kitchen, do I
have to bring the kitchen counter outlets and the
appliances up to current code?
Assuming it met the code as the time of installation
and if the layout is unchanged no. If the layout is
changed we would now need to meet current code
with any added/reconfigured items. Our Electrical
Code Team will be changing the policy book (13.7)
in the near future. When all policies are reviewed
and updated we will run through them for our
consistency meetings. - Barnes
3) I am installing a receptacle on the ceiling of my
screen porch for a flat screen TV. What type of
cover is required for this installation? Also, are
there any special requirements for the TV or should
I just wait until it passes inspection and put the TV
up afterwards?
The receptacle cover and TV need to be rated for
the environment. Typically this will be a wet or
damp location. Out interpretation has been that
anything within a 45 degree angle from the roof line
will be a wet location and the rest of the area would
be a damp location. See NEC 406.9 - Dellinger
4) I have a receptacle mounted on an exterior wall
at a set of steps leading up to an outdoor stage.
Would it be necessary to install an extra heavy duty
cover since it could be damaged by foot traffic?
If allowed by building code (can’t protrude more
than 4” max & can’t be in the required clearance)
the cover needs to comply with 406.9 B 1. - King
5) Where premises wiring includes both AC and DC
systems, are the DC conductors required to be
identified in any special way?
In PV (690.4) systems you can’t mix and they
require marking, but you can mix conductors of
AC and DC circuits if it meets the requirements
of NEC 300.3(C)(1) with no mention of special
identification except 210.5. - West
6) I was turned down for not meeting the
requirements of 682.11, not having a shutdown on
a service feeding a floating dock. I have wired
several in the past without this kind of disconnect.
What’s changed?
Article 555 covers Marinas and Boatyards. Section
555.1 gives the scope of the Article however the last
sentence in the scope reads; “Private,
Noncommercial docking facilities constructed
or occupied for use of the owner or residents of the
associated single-family dwelling are not covered by
this article.”
Therefore a dock at a single-family residence built
on Lake Norman would not have to meet the
requirements of Article 555. Please explain.
You may be confusing the floating dock with a land
dock which does not have to meet the
requirements as do floating docks. There has been a
disconnect requirement since 2005 for the floating
docks and submersible equipment. We must
comply with 682.11. Locally we will accept a feeder
shut down if the service is remote and out of the
datum plane requirements. We also need to be sure
and consider 682.3 which enacts 555.13 B.
Installation when appropriate. – Rains
7) I have had several inspectors pass my ceiling
roughs when using caddy devices to ceiling support
wires. Now I have one who is turning me down.
Why the inconsistency?
300.11 says we can’t unless ceiling manufacturer
rates the installation for that purpose for non fire
rated ceilings and not at all in fire rated ceilings.
Our policy has been we can use them for limited
use of fixture whips and switch legs in non fire rated
assemblies since they are already supporting the
fixtures. - Simpson
8) I have a 3000 amp switch gear and we are
changing out a 1200 amp OCP device. The problem
is the existing wire size is parallel 600 kcmil and will
not fit under the breaker. If I use an approved
terminal block to tie in with 4 - 350 kcmil to lugs to
make final termination will I pass inspection?
As long as we have sufficient space and all phases
are treated the same we are good. See 310.2 H King
9) How do you properly size grounding conductors
for increased ungrounded conductors in
250.122(B)?
Voltage Drop Example: Single phase 120/240 volts,
Circuit load of 153 amps, length of 655 feet, OCD
200 amps
Standard circuit would call for 3/0 cu with #6 cu
grounding conductor
K=Copper resistance per cm per foot =12.9 ohms/
aluminum resistance per cm per foot=21.2ohms
Single Phase Vd= 2K x Length x amperes =
CM
2 x 12.9 x 655 x 153 = 2585547 =15.41volts =6.45%
167800
167800 (3/0 per table 8)
240 volts Voltage drop per industry standards
should be limited to 3% or less
2585547= 7.39 =3.07350000%
350000
The 3/0 copper must be increased to 350kcmil to
limit the Vd, the grounding conductor must be
increased the same ratio per 250.122B
350000 =2.08 or 208%
167800
( #6 per table 8) 26240 x 208% =54579=#2 cu
- RAINS
10) I have low voltage under cabinet lighting under
12 volts, my wire passes through the sheetrock and
edge of the back of the cabinet into the light fixture
unprotected .The inspector turned me down for not
having a sleeve on ½” of exposed low voltage wire,
is he correct?
We only have the concern to protect the cable from
physical damage. How was this cable subject to
damage? Perhaps the inspector was mistaken.
See 300.4 - Barnes
11) I have a residence that has a CT on the outside
with 2 - 200 amp main panels in the house. The
electrician has installed a transfer switch beside the
CT and re fed one main panel for optional standby
power. The transfer has a line side disconnect and
the genset has a load side disconnect. Will this
work per the NEC? If so, how?
No. The grouping of the normal service mains
cannot be separated for this purpose. See 230.72
12) Can I use a gas light instead of a switch
controlled light, at the front door, as required by
210.70(A)(2)(b)?
No. The lighting outlet has to be there per the code
reference above. -West
13) I am a low voltage contractor and I was turned
down on a new house because the inspector said I
needed to terminate or blank-off a set of speaker
wires that we left rolled up outside over the deck. Is
this a violation?
Yes, if not tagged future. See 640.6.
Additionally we requested clarity about speaker
listing and labeling from DOI and Ron Chilton at
NCDOI tells us if it is a non powered speaker we
may accept it without listing. On all of these type
systems we only need to be sure the powered units
are listed.
Further code concerns in differing projects are;
640.25 Loudspeaker Installation in Fire ResistanceRated Partitions, Walls, and Ceilings
Loudspeakers installed in a fire resistance-rated
partition, wall, or ceiling shall be listed for that
purpose or installed in an enclosure or recess that
maintains the fire resistance rating.
640.3 Locations and Other Articles
Circuits and equipment shall comply with 640.3(A)
through (M), as applicable.
(E) Assembly Occupancies. Equipment used in
assembly occupancies shall comply with Article 518.
(J) Combination Systems. Where the authority
having jurisdiction permits audio systems for paging
or music, or both, to be combined with fire alarm
systems, the wiring shall comply with Article 760.
690.4(C) Output Wiring and Listing of Amplifiers.
Amplifiers with output circuits carrying audio
program signals shall be permitted to employ Class
1, Class 2, or Class 3 wiring where the amplifier is
listed and marked for use with the specific class of
wiring method.
UL does provide listing for speakers.
If the referenced cable is non powered we could be
safe in not addressing it on new systems. - Simpson
14) Can I bond a CATV Smart Box to the ground in
the circuit feeding the receptacle in the box, or does
it need to be terminated on the grounding
electrode system per 800.100?
Yes, we accept the circuit equipment ground and
no we do not have authority over the provider
system by legislation. The point of demarcation is
the key. In this case the system bond would be
ahead of the box. - Dellinger
15) Can I install a floor box for a device on a
screened in porch or a porch that’s covered by a
roof?
Maybe, but only if it is listed/rated for the
application. 314.27. - King
16) I'm a contractor "out of town". Does
Mecklenburg County have any requirements for the
license holder to be on site during
inspection/construction? Are there any
requirements of how many men can work under the
qualified person on site?
Per the licensing rules of NC we have no
requirements for on site management or ratio
numbers. We have no local ordinances addressing
this issue either. If we have repetitive issues we will
request the qualified individual to meet us for
resolution. - Mullis
17) I installed a metal 3 foot long 8x8 wireway
under two panels to adjust for the rough in
locations. The inspector said I would have to derate
the conductors to 40%. Why? This makes no sense
since there is plenty of separation between
conductors.
First the wireway cannot be over 20% filled. If it has
over 30 conductors in a given cross section the
derating is required per 376.22. -Barnes
18) Do swimming pool pump motors of 240 volt,
greater than 20 amps and not located within 10 feet
of pool require GFCI protection?
See 680.21. C. The motor is not required to have
GFCI protection. – Dellinger
19) The building shell has power. Do the upfit
projects, whether it is metered or not, need to use
the temporary utilities process?
Per the code and statutes no project may be
energized until the appropriate inspection has
occurred. Therefore they would be as any “new
project” with regards to being energized. - West
10.7 Service Utilities
10.7.1 Connection of Service Utilities – No person
shall make connections from a utility, source of
energy, fuel or power to any building or system
which is regulated by the technical codes until
approved by the Inspection Department and a
Certificate of Compliance is issued (General Statute
143-143.2)