?
Wednesday, November 4, 1998
Question:
What is the purpose of the NEC?
A To act as a set of design specifications.
B To protect property and people from electricity.
C To safeguard people and provide good and efficient electric service.
D To provide a means for training apprentices.
A
Answer:
B ... mostly ... HMMM ... well ... looking at section 90-1(a) gives a clear and concise answer to this question; however, I think we should look a little further. A is obviously not right BUT it is used for designing feeders, branch circuits, services, etc.
OK, lets go on to C since we already decided that B was correct. This is partly correct since it is clear that the Code is written to safeguard people. Now the second part is addressed in 90-1(b) which says the code will not necessarily provide good service or adequacy for future service. The code is a set of MINIMUM specifications.
Now to address D since we use the code to train apprentices. I don't believe anyone will argue that apprentices are trained and yet section 90-1(c) states 'This Code is not intended as ... an instruction manual for untrained persons.' Well it is ... sort of. Instructors all over the nation use the code as a training tool. The apprentices read and the instructors teach them how to interpret and understand what they have read. The code is written in legalese since it is adopted into law in so may places and has to be concise, if not clear. The more you understand, the easier it is to understand more. That is why it is so important to go to trade shows, IAEI meetings, and read trade magazines such as Electrical Contractor and The IAEI News. Just because you have graduated from apprenticeship training and have your journeyman's license doesn't mean you are through with your training. I feel like I have just scratched the surface as far as my knowledge of the electrical field is concerned.
Oh Wow! I really got on the soapbox that time, sorry.