NORTH CAROLINA ELECTRICAL INSTITUTE 89 th ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 3-4, 2018 HILTON NORTH RALEIGH RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA CODE PANEL QUESTIONS Opinions of the Code Panelist are NOT interpretations issued by the NC Department of Insurance / Office of State Fire Marshal NC Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal www.ncdoi.com/osfm NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors www.ncbeec.org NC Ellis Cannady Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors www.nciaei.org
Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 1. Is it the responsibility of the electrical contractor to bond CSST gas piping? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 2. Table 300.5 covers burial depth underground. How much concrete must cover a raceway to be considered under a building per Table 300.5? What coverage would I need to install a piece of RMC in a slab above grade? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 3. Given a feeder load of six 5 HP 3 phase motors, I understand to get the minimum overcurrent protective device that we take the largest motors calculated overcurrent protective device and add the ampacity of the other 5 motors. I also understand that we cannot use the next larger breaker size. For conductor size it would be 125% of the largest motor and then add the ampacity of the other motors. What happens to this calculation if we add a small lighting load? Are we now obligated to still have the overcurrent protective device as high as the original calculation, thus being forced to have a conductor size that match that ampacity? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 4. Section 314.16(C)(2) states that I can splice in a conduit body. If I need to splice the equipment grounding conductor s does 250.148 apply (it states box not conduit body) and thereby requiring an equipment grounding conductor to be connected to the conduit body? If so, can I just tap the conduit body and add a lug? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 5. NC has decided to abandon the amendment to 210.8(A)(7) that excluded the kitchen sink. But not there is a new amendment to section 210.52(B)(2); can you explain the logic behind this?
Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 6. Can a Classified circuit breaker be installed in a panelboard when the breaker is listed to be installed in the panelboard but the manufacturer of the panelboard prohibits the use of these breakers? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 7. If I run a separate circuit in order to add a shower light, the branch circuit does not require AFCI protection. However, would I need AFCI protection if I tapped into an existing branch circuit from a circuit in a bedroom that is currently not AFCI protected? Mike Holt ---> National Educator 8. According with 680.26(B)(2), perimeter bonding is required to be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool. Does this requirement apply to vinyl shell pools? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 9. Now that we measure form the wall and not the connection edge, can an outlet be installed on the end of the peninsula, and not on the wall space and meet the intent of the code?
Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 10. I have an electrical business with a Limited License. I would like to bid a project that is $49,000.00 labor only. The material will be furnished by the building contractor in the amount of $3500.00. The inspector said if I bid this project he would not issue me a permit. Why? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 11. Does section 514.9(A) prohibit a RMC coupling from being used inside the gas pump dispenser? Assume there is no information about the RMC coupling being exposionproof. Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 12. Can I add a new circuit to a federal pacific panel? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 13. Given a parallel feeder where there are 10 conduits and the equipment grounding conductor has been upsized to the point where it is larger than the feeder conductor then would the feeder conductors need to be upsized to the size of the equipment grounding conductor? If not, why not? I know the equipment grounding conductor was upsized in order to ensure the breaker trips in case of a ground fault so why wouldn t the ungrounded conductors need to be sized accordingly for a phase to phase short? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 14. If a panel was compliantly installed over a stairway years ago can I replace the panel and leave it in the same location? If not, can I add a new circuit to that panel?
Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 15. There is a ¼ hole in the bottom of every 200 meter base that I have installed and some manufacturers state that is for the grounding electrode conductor. Some people say that a Kenny Clamp: must be used based on the 2011 changes to 250.8(A). Of course, the clamp manufacturer says these are required to bond the box where it enters a metal enclosure. They also cite 250.64(E) Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 16. If 350 KCMIL AL mc cable (parallel) is used on the secondary side of a transformer to a 500a main breaker panel, how can the grounding conductor in the cable assembly be properly sized per table 250.66 or 250.102? Can the correct size grounding conductor be tie wrapped on the outside of the cables? Bonding is done in the transformer. Mike Holt ---> National Educator 17. Can I use the feeder equipment grounding conductor, of the wire-type, be used for both the feeder equipment grounding conductor and the remote building grounding electrode conductor as permitted with 250.121 Exception? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 18. How many receptacles are required to serve a 10 foot by 20 foot kitchen island that contains a sink with 7 feet of countertop behind the sink? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 19. I am a certified well pump contractor and I hold a Special Water Pump (SP-WP) electrical contracting license. It is my understanding if I hold a well pump contractors certification I no longer need my electrical contracting license. Is this true?
Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 20. A panel is mounted on sloped roof rafters in an attic. Assume we have the height and clearance. Is the panel location compliant? Temperature is not an issue as this is a sealed attic. Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 21. I have an installation where the contractor increased his wire size to accommodate voltage drop. He also increased his ground wire size proportionately. However, in his junction boxes, he sized the bonding jumper for the box to the overcurrent device size. Does the bond jumper need to be increased proportionately with the ungrounded conductors? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 22. In the image below would the wires from the heater floor (heat tape) on the right need to be sleeved a bit further by getting the conduit out into the floor a bit or flush with the outside of the wall?
Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 23. I am replacing a heat pump that was originally installed under the 2008 NEC with #12 AWG romex. Under the 2008 NEC, the 60 C column stated that #12 AWG romex has an allowable ampacity of 25 amps; however, the 2011 2017 NEC all reduce the #12 AWG romex to 20 amps. The new unit requires a minimum circuit ampacity of 22.7 amps. Am I now required to replace the entire circuit? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 24. Is it compliant to use a plaster ring on a 4 square box with a receptacle and handy box cover if the box is surface mounted? I realize the pic below needs caulking but would it be compliant if it was caulked? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 25. There is a tap of service conductors ahead of main disconnect for a PV system (230.82(6)). There are three sets of conductors in parallel. Can you tap just one of the three sets of service conductors for a PV system? The tap will be done using piercing taps. The piercing taps are adequate and rated for the PV load. Mike Holt ---> National Educator 26. I have an outdoor hot tub sitting on grade where the top rim of the tub is at least 28 in. above all perimeter surfaces within 30 in. If nonconductive steps are provided for entry and exit from the tub, is equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance with 680.26(B)(2) required? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 27. A fluorescent lighting circuit is rated at 208 volts and the fixture has an internal disconnect for the ballast. Can I use a single pole switch to control the lights as long as I have a double pole breaker in the panel?
Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 28. Do I need an electrical contracting license to install any load control devices by an electrical power supplier? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 29. If you run a size #10 wire in and out of a 20 amp receptacle circuit, to avoid voltage drop on a long run, and connected the device with #12 pigtails, then would you count the device as 2 wires based on #12 or #10 conductors. The code states based on the largest conductor connected to the device but is that the intent? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 30. I was turned down for having a panel in a detached garage, using five 15-amp breakers as my disconnect means. It seems to be allowed per 225.33 A. Why am I turned down? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 31. Is an air handler that contains refrigerant coils, and heat strips required to comply with Article 422 (appliances), 424 (fixed electric space-heating equipment), 430 (motors), and/or 440 (AC and refrigerating equipment)? All four sections have different rules concerning ampacity sizing, overcurrent protection, and disconnecting means. Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 32. I want to replace my existing meter base with a meter panel combo. The existing main panel that will become a subpanel is located in the center of the home making the service entrance cable hard to replace without opening the walls, floors, and/or ceilings. I was told that NC has amendments in place that give this situation options; can you explain?
Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 33. If a motor is rated 230V is it compliant to wire it to a 208V system? What about a 240V system? If 208V is allowed then what column would I use in 430.250 to calculate conductor size? The 208V or 230V column? Does 110.3(B) come into play on this? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 34. Would a receptacle inside a low voltage panel in the laundry room need to be GFCI protected? Mike Holt ---> National Educator 35. An outside hot tub sitting on grade has one side of the tub flush with a deck. Is equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance with 680.26(B)(2) required? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 36. Suppose this cabinet is 8 wide at the front end, with 2 wall on both sides. Does the receptacle in the middle qualify for the required wall space outlet or must I have a receptacle on each 2 wall space since a cabinet isn t considered wall space. This is not a workspace area as mentioned in 210.52(A)(2). Would a receptacle be required above the cabinet? Same scenario only the cabinet is not recessed in a cove as shown below? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 37. The first license examination I took was the Limited. Since that time I went back and took the Unlimited and passed but have never activated the Unlimited. What would I have to do if I wanted to upgrade my license to Unlimited?
Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 38. For years I have been arguing that it was non-compliant in many cases to have 2 garage doors and the receptacles in the garage on the same 20 amp circuit because of section 210.23(A)(2). Now after reading 220.60 on non-coincidental loads I am thinking it may be allowed. Can you clarify? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 39. Can the light in the automatic garage door opener server as the lighting outlet required by 210.70(A)(1)(a)? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 40. Does the NEC require a disconnect within sight of the interior unit of a listed mini split HVAC equipment that has a branch circuit supplied only to the exterior unit? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 41. Can I sleeve romex outside in a 6 foot whip of liquid tight that runs from my exterior disconnect or panel box to the heat pump? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 42. Is it permissible to apply the demand factors of Table 220.56 for refrigerators, freezers, booster heaters and other kitchen type equipment located in breakrooms, hospital labs and other areas outside of the kitchen?
Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 43. Can unit equipment emergency lights be supplied from a lighting circuit that is part of a multiwire branch circuit? The exception to 700.12(F)(2)(3) has the inspector convinced that I must pull a separate and individual branch circuit. Mike Holt ---> National Educator 44. Can the primary branch circuit equipment grounding conductor, of the wire-type, be used for both the primary equipment grounding conductor and the secondary grounding electrode conductor as permitted with 250.121 Exception? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 45. If a motor is rated 208 v and there is a delta 3 phase with a high leg that is around 208V then can one use line to neutral (208V) connection for the motor? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 46. As a qualifier of a firm do I have to visit each site that the firm s employees have installed electrical work? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 47. Do receptacles near aquariums in a pet or bait and tackle store require GFCI protection?
Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 48. I have a disconnect at an LED driver that is behind a parapet wall out of sight from the sign it illuminates. Does the NEC require another disconnect for the LED driver circuits, where those conductors enter the sign? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 49. Is AFCI protection require for a receptacle in an alcove of a hallway? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 50. If the original permit did not include the replacement of the feeder- it was accidentally cut during construction- then should the electrician fail on the original permit? Or would he need another permit for the feeder? The trench was inspected with no new permit required, however the job failed based on the missing electrodes. Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 51. Can 2 equipment grounding conductors be installed in PVC to satisfy 517.13? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 52. Does a hotel room with a refrigerator, cabinets and countertops, sink, coffee maker, toaster oven and microwave meet the definition for dwelling unit and therefore need two small appliance circuits?
Mike Holt ---> National Educator 53. Section 230.2 allows multiple underground sets of service conductors, 1/0 AWG and larger, to be run to the same location and connected at their supply end but not connected at their load end to supply a building. Would this be permitted for multiple feeders run to a building? If not, why not? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 54. Section 300.3 requires all conductors of the circuit to be run in the same cable, however there is an exception in 300.3(B)(3) for non-metallic cables if you follow the rules in 300.20(B). It appears to me that I can run 2 runs of 10/2 nm to wire a 120/240v electric dryer provided they pass thru the same hole where the cables pass thru metal as in a panel. Is this correct? Of course, one conductor of a 10/2 cable would not be used. Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 55. Do contractors that install Cat 5 Cabling, Telephone and TV require an electrical license? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 56. Does the NEC prohibit a cord and plug sump pump for an air handler in a lay-in ceiling? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 57. Does the NEC prohibit abandoned NM Cable in a wall?
Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 58. The NEC requires a laundry circuit for the receptacle required in a laundry area. If the single family dwelling does not have a laundry area, then does the code require a dedicated circuit anywhere I chose? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 59. I need to replace an existing pool equipment panel that has a branch circuit to the pool pump Do I have to provide GFCI protection to the pool pump just for replacing the panel? What if I just need to replace the breaker for the pool pump? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 60. Must a raceway comply with 250.118 and qualify as an equipment grounding conductor when used as a wiring method for a luminaire that meets Exception No. 2 to (3) in section 517.13? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 61. The NEC requires metal piping to be bonded. The NFPA requires that a fire sprinkler pipe not be used as a grounding electrode conductor. Then must the fire sprinkler pipe be bonded, and if so where? Mike Holt ---> National Educator 62. My customer wants to install a bathroom receptacle on a wall inside a cabinet that sets on top of the countertop. The receptacle is within 3 feet of the sink, but only accessible by opening the cabinet door. Would this be allowed as the required receptacle?
Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 63. I have 4 mobile home service pedestals within 5 feet of each other. Does the NEC allow all 4 services to share the same 2 ground rods driven? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 64. My business is listed with the board as a part-time business. I work alone but on some projects it is difficult to work by myself. Is it ok to pay this person and give him a 1099 tax form at the end of the year? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 65. Can NM Cable be used in straw bale construction? What if I sleeve it in PVC? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 66. Section 691.6 requires the engineering reports be independent. What exactly does independent mean? Can the engineer who seals the design also be a subcontractor for the project s installation? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 67. Can all the receptacles in a laundry area, including the washing machine, be on one circuit? Are they required to be on the same circuit?
Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 68. I have a meter panel combo outside of a home without any branch circuits. The original feeder to the inside subpanel that is protected by the main breaker was sized in accordance with 310.15(B)(7) because it is a main power feeder. I want to add a branch circuit for an irrigation system to the meter panel combo. Am I required to resize the feeder to the subpanel in accordance with 310.15(B)(16)? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 69. Does the NEC allow the access to a junction box through a light fixture? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 70. Does the NEC require ground rods for pole lights? Mike Holt ---> National Educator 71. Can a 100 amp breaker protect the conductors feeding a panelboard with a 200 amp main breaker? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 72. Does the NEC prohibit the gas line, plumbing piping, and electrical raceways or cables be buried in the same ditch? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 73. My license is a SP-SFD license. I tried to get a permit from the local authority before I starting wiring a construction trailer for temporary use at a job site for a store building; this is just a construction trailer. Why is he not issuing me a permit for this project?
Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 74. Is dying concrete red to show it is a duct bank required by a Code or any other standard? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 75. I have a listed Power Outlet I use as a t-pole that has never been altered from its original listed design since its purchase. The duplex GFCI receptacles are not listed as weather-resistant but are in good working order. Am I now required to alter the original listing and replace the receptacles to comply with 590.4(D)(2) and 406.9(B)(1)? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 76. Can a panelboard with circuit breakers be located in a commercial bathroom? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 77. If a 4 wire feeder to an exterior building (shed) is replaced from the house to a junction box on the side of the shed, is the electrician responsible to add grounding electrodes to bring the shed up to code? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 78. Can the intersystem bonding termination device be used to bond the gas line?
Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 79. Does the NEC prohibit me from wiring my cabin with 24 volts? Mike Holt ---> National Educator 80. Are the platforms that surround and support a bathtub part of the bathtub or bathtub area when considering 406.9(C) and 410.10(D)? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 81. Is the area under an open mobile home considered a dry, damp, or wet location? Does installing underpinning change the status? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 82. My business is doing well in this area and I would like to expand my services into another city, where I would like to operate a second location. What are the Boards requirements for this new location? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 83. Can a pull chain light fixture be installed in an attic for complying with 210.70(A)(3) if the chain is reachable from the entryway?
Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 84. The utility power company brings the high-leg of the delta transformer in on the far right lug of the meter. Am I required to relocate the high-leg on the B phase? If so, at what point do I make this alteration? Should I alter anything in the meter? Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 85. If a lighting fixture requires 90 C rated wire within 6 inches of the ballast, can 75 C rated wire be wrapped in electrical tape to raise the temperature rating? If so, how many wraps? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 86. Does moving an existing house down the street constitute upgrading the electrical to the current code? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 87. If I have a motor that only has the UL mark and not an additional US mark in the 4 o clock position, is the motor certified to use in North Carolina? If the motor has the UL mark and an additional C in the 8 o clock position but not an additional US mark in the 4 o clock position, is the motor certified to use in North Carolina? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 88. Does the NEC consider an office that provided laser hair removal or injectable weight treatment a health care facility?
Mike Holt ---> National Educator 89. Does the NEC permit the feeder conductors from the service disconnect to pass through the meter socket enclosure for easy access to the interior wall of a building? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 90. There is a switch located in the patient care vicinity that receives its power supply from hospital grade MC Cable. The lights the switch serves are 10 foot in the ceiling and exempt from the 517.13(B)(3). Can I supply power to the lights with regular MC Cable from the load side of the switch? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 91. I have moved to a new address. My renewal date is in a few months. Do I still need to notify the Board of the new address? Bryan Holland ---> NEMA 92. Is a 15 amp circuit allowed to supply a switched receptacle in a dining room? What about only the top of a duplex and then allow the bottom to be non-switched? Chad Kennedy ---> Schneider 93. Section 210.12(A)(4) appears to allow the use of a AFCI receptacle within 50 feet of a typical non-afci breaker. Can you explain why the inspector says that part (d) has not been met?
Dave Mercier ---> Southwire 94. Section 334.30 requires NM Cable be supported every 4 ½ feet and 12 inches from every box. Are those measurements the distance of wire or distance from point to point and from the box itself? Does this mean any NM Cable that gets within 12 inches from a box must be strapped? Don Hursey ---> NC Educator 95. NC has decided to amend Article 555 to exempt this Article from regulating residential applications. Does Article 682 apply to the wiring method for a residential dock? Jeff Fecteau ---> UL 96. The handicap pool lift is one example of a machine as a whole that is not typically listed by a qualified testing laboratory. However, the electrical system within the lift is listed. Do you consider equipment of this nature as complying with 110.3(C)? Jeff Sargent ---> NFPA 97. Is it compliant to fasten nm cable to the bottom of the engineered beams as shown in the photo below (between the strapping)? Assume the strapping is 1 x4 boards.
Mike Holt ---> National Educator 98. Can a pool heat pump be used to bond the pool water of a vinyl pool where none of the bonded parts identified in 680.26(B) are in direct connection with the pool water? Keith Lofland ---> IAEI 99. Does 250.53(A)(1) require the ground rods to be driven below the frost line? Al Paris ---> NCBEEC 100. I have a SP-PH license. When replacing an A/C unit in most cases units are more energy efficient and breaker needs to be changes to a lesser amperage than the existing unit. May I replace a circuit breaker when I rewire the appliance? Remember to Scan-Out in order to receive your Continuing Education Credit. Thank you for attending. We hope to see you next year at the 90 th Annual NC Electrical Institute April 9 th and 10 th 2019.