Consistency Questions for 4/8/15
1) I'm hearing that certain electrical requirements are exempt on multi-family rewire/remodel if the
plans come in and go through the Existing Building Code. If I look at Appendix B on the approved set of
plans and they did use the Existing Building Code where can I find a copy as to what’s required or not
required?
GERALD- Classification of work is on page 18 in the Existing Building Code. It addresses electrical
installations for Repairs on page 19 – Section 607, Level 2 (alteration) on pages 30 – Section 804.4.5 and
34 – Section 808, and Change of Occupancy on page 43 – Section 1008.
 Policies will remain as is unless the Existing Building Code is used.
2) Can I use toggle bolts to mount fluorescent fixtures to a sheetrock ceiling?
BOB- See 410.30; Luminaires must be securely supported. 410.36 covers specific means. The
inspector must use good judgment in accessing if the toggle bolt is capable of carrying the load as well
as what the toggle is fastened to. See 110.2 and .3 (8). If the method used is in question ask the
customer to provide manufacturer data and specs to show the units are secure.
3) I installed a Cooper wrap around fixture in a closet. The fixture is UL listed and the instructions require
a box be mounted behind the fixture so the joints can be made in the box since the fixture has no belly
pan. I installed the fixture per the listing and the inspector turned me down saying that the joints were
not accessible. If I cut a hole in the fixture to make the joints accessible would this not violate the listing
and also make the wiring open with only the plastic lens providing protection from sparks and arcing?
BOB- 410.24 addresses this. 110.3 (B) could also be in play. Per the code the box has to be accessible.
The spec sheet for the fixture may provide alternative info. It would seem that this type fixture does not
comply unless it is designed to mount to the box.
4) I installed 2 switches in a weatherproof box for a residential lift pump. The inspector passed the job,
but the environmental inspector turned the job down. He stated that the disconnect had to be lockable
and that his code required a NEMA 4X cover. The job had already passed the electrical inspection. What
am I supposed to do, re-permit the job and change the cover?
DAVID – Our inspection is per NCSEC and would not require the NEMA 4X cover. Per the NC Plumbing
Code 712.3.4.1 there is a provision to have 2 circuits, one for the alarm and one for the pump. A permit
is required.
5) I have some sales display cabinets that had LED lights installed at the factory. The lights are listed, but
the inspector turned down the cabinets because he couldn’t see the routing of the wires. He said it
would have to be 3rd party listed. Is this correct?
MATT- The cabinets would need to be listed or field labeled or approved by one of our approved
engineer testing firms or if all is exposed the contractor can permit it and have us inspect it per the
NCSEC.
6) I was turned down for not having a strobe device tied up. The device was mounted to a box that was
supported by a caddy bracket that is listed for box support. Why am I being turned down for not tying
up this device?
GERALD- In this instance the caddy support was on a main runner on one end but not the other. The
contractor has the option of tying the box to structure with wire equivalent to that supporting the
ceiling or tying the non-main T bar to the structure. In addition they may present us with other
information showing an engineered approved method or a method using products listed for the
purpose.
7) Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit?
MATT- Yes. GS 87-87.43 and 43.1 allow this. They must not intend to lease, rent or sale any of the
property at the time.
8) I have a house that passed the rough inspection back in 2010. The permit has expired and we had to
pull a new permit for the final. Does the work have to meet the 2011 or can we go by the 2008 NEC?
DEBRA- The part of the system that is covered by finishes or in insulation will be allowed to stay as long
as we had a complete rough approved. All that is able to meet the 2011 code without disturbing the
covered work will be expected to meet 2011. See our policies on the web.
9) I am doing an upfit at an existing strip mall. The Inspector is requiring receptacles for the store front
windows. Do I have to install these since they are not shown on the plans and the owner says they do
not need them?
JOHN- Yes. See 210.62, 220.43, Art. 100 Definitions; 210.62 calls for one receptacle for each 12 linear
feet or major fraction thereof, 220.43 calls for a load of not less than 200va per linear foot, show
window is defined as “Any window used or designed to be used for the display of goods or advertising material,
whether it is fully or partly enclosed or entirely open at the rear and whether or not it has a platform raised higher
than the street floor level.”
11) Do I have to install a neutral to a light switch on a commercial job if it has a suspended ceiling?
DEBRA- Maybe. See 404.2 C. General rule is yes but there are two exceptions.
“Exception: The grounded circuit conductor shall be permitted to be omitted from the switch enclosure where either
of the following conditions in (1) or (2) apply:
(1) Conductors for switches controlling lighting loads enter the box through a raceway. The raceway shall have
suffıcient cross-sectional area to accommodate the extension of the grounded circuit conductor of the lighting
circuit to the switch location whether or not the conductors in the raceway are required to be increased
in size to comply with 310.15(B)(3)(a).
(2) Cable assemblies for switches controlling lighting loads enter the box through a framing cavity that is
open at the top or bottom on the same floor level, or through a wall, floor, or ceiling that is unfinished on
one side.”
12) The contractor was failed for installing a tap from a 250kcmil feeder, fused at 250 amps, to a
disconnect switch under the wireway, the tap was to feed a 60 amp circuit to a load. The contractor
installed a 100 fusible switch and installed 60 amp fuses; the installation was failed because the tap
conductors were #6 THWN copper. Is this correct?
DAVID- No. Per 240.21 B (1) this installation would be allowed.
13) Is it allowable to install a MLO panel, and feed it with a tap? The 200 amp MLO panel is fed from a
gutter with 3/0 copper, tapped to a 500kcmil feeder?
JOHN- No per 408.36. “a panelboard shall be protected by an overcurrent protective device having a rating not
greater than that of the panelboard”
14) When I'm using Table 310.15 B (3) (a) for derating cable do I use the 75 or 90 degree chart off tables
310.15 B (16)?
MATT- Generally the type conductors we see are rated at 90 degrees on 310.15(B)(16). If the wire is
dual rated use the highest value (90 degrees). See 310.15 (A) (1).
15) Can I use "smurf tube" (ENT) for direct burial to my residential garage?
GERALD- No. 362.12 (4) prohibits its use for direct burial. You could however use 362.10 (6) which
would allow it if it’s in concrete on grade, placed on sand and has fittings identified for the use, such as a
sidewalk to the garage.
16) I am a residential electrical contractor wiring apartments. In one of our developments, the GC is
installing cabinetry in the breakfast room with a countertop surface, referring to it as a "Buffet." We are
installing receptacles per 210.52(C) with 2' and 4' spacing and feeding them through an AFCI OCD. Are
these receptacles, not installed in the kitchen, required to be GFCI protected?
JOHN- No. NCSEC 210.8 does not require GFCI if the buffet has no sink in it.
17) The available fault current coming into the trough from Duke Power is 33K.The electrical
contractor has installed a 3 phase 200amp meter box. Inside the meter box the label states that
the meter box is approved for up to 600 volts at 10K. Would this be a code violation or would
this fall back onto the utility co.? The voltage is 120/208 3 phase and the load serving the unit is
145 amps. We have heard in Plan Review that Duke will not exceed 10K on any fixed meter.
DAVID- The equipment has to be rated to safely carry/contain the fault current. NCSEC in
110.10 gives us this rule. We would need to have something from the engineer or utility that
shows us the available fault current and then make sure the meter is rated for that SCR.
18) I am wiring apartments that have individual outside egress from a breezeway but no other
doors to the outside. Am I still required to install receptacles per 210.52(e)?
BOB- Yes. If they fall within the parameters of 210.52(E)(2) they shall be installed.
If so where is grade level established?
BOB- I’m not sure what is being asked. If this is a multilevel breezeway we would still need the outlet at
grade.
19) Is the light below in the picture code compliant?
DEBRA- This appears to be a clothes closet with an alcove storage space behind it. 410.11 would require;
“Luminaires shall be constructed, installed, or equipped with shades or guards so that combustible material is not
subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).”