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Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Question:

Greetings to you folks at CQD, while looking up some information regarding the definition of "coated" and "uncoated" wire, I ran across a CQD at the following link: http://www.neca-neis.org/code-question-of-the-day/code-question/cqd-for-11-4-2005

In the answer part of that CQD is found this language: "The overall CSA of both bare copper and tinned copper for a given size was the same, therefore, you will find that the resistance values for tinned copper conductors is slightly more than that of bare copper."

My question is this: What is meant by "CSA" in this answer?  The word "diameter" would seem to make sense in place of "CSA," but I hate to assume…

Thanks in advance for your help!

Johnie Spruiell

A

Answer:

Hey Johnie thanks for your question. Table 1 in Chapter 9 of the NEC has a heading titled "Cross-Sectional Area(%). The area can be determined from the diameter but it is often the area that is used in the NEC. Later tables, including Table 8 which includes coated and uncoated conductors, use only the term "area" so possibly there is an opportunity for making changes to be consistent.

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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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