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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Question:

Thanks for this forum. It provides useful information. I have a question pertaining to emergency generators installed for a commercial building. When the utility power fails, is there a maximum time that emergency generator power must be restored so people are not left stranded in the dark? I can't seem to find a rule that clarifies this. Thanks for you help on it.

Thomas Seneca

A

Answer:

Hi Thomas, thanks for the nice comments and participating in Code Question of the Day. This is a fairly simple question at face value,  the answer is going to be short and simple too. The answer is yes, the NEC does specify a maximum time for emergency power/lighting transfer and it is 10 seconds. For an emergency system, this requirement is found in Section 700.12. Hope this is useful.

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SUBMIT YOUR CODE QUESTION: Click here to submit a question to for inclusion in an upcoming edition of the Code Question of the Day, or email codequestion@necanet.org. 

CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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