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Thursday, December 18, 2014
Question:
Re: CQD Answer Published Friday, December 12, 2014 Swimming Pool Feeder
Hi Charlie,
I always enjoy reading the questions and your answers. This is a great service to the industry.
I think there is more to the answer to the Thursday question and answer (12/11/14) regarding wiring to a swimming pool sub-panel. The discussion centered around “680.21 MOTORS”. However, the question talked about wiring to a small sub-panel, which is covered in 680.25(A). That section lists several types of wiring methods, none of which are Type NM cable. There is an exception for wiring within 1 & 2-family dwellings allowing flexible metal conduit or “approved” cable assembly that includes an insulated equipment grounding conductor. The word “insulated” was added in the 2014 NEC, and effectively eliminates the use of standard NM 3-conductor/w ground cable because the cable contains a bare, covered equipment grounding conductor. A NM cable containing an insulated EGC should be acceptable. So while 680.21 may be followed to wire from the sub-panel to a motor, 680.25 needs to be used to install the feeder. In this case, I believe the inspector is correct in rejecting the NM cable with a bare ground, but incorrect in saying that only MC cable with a full size ground is required as there are several wiring methods identified in 680.25(A). Thanks again.
Joe Andre
A
Answer:
Several comments pointed out my mistake in answering the question about the feeder for the swimming pool equipment. Joe's was one of the nicest and included the details for the new language in 680.25. It is interesting to note that the term "branch circuit" is only used in 680.21(A)(1) but not in the other section sub-divisions. Thanks for making sure we provide the correct answer for our readers.