National Electrical Installation Standards

Greetings, Thanks for the NEC question forum. Here is the question: If a 1600-ampere parallel feeder is installed in (4) 4-inch PVC conduits, what is the minimum size required for an equipment grounding conductor for the feeder. Does this equipment grounding conductor need to be installed in each of the four PVC conduits? Thanks for your time. Andy Preston
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Hello Friends, If I install a circuit to a 3 HP motor and the motor is thermally protected, do I need to provide additional overload protection for the motor? Tim Anderson
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Dear Code Question of the Day, I have an installation of 12-2 UF installed for a branch circuit for lights mounted to a pole in the backyard. Can the UF be stapled directly to the pole as it leaves the earth and is run up the pole? Are they rules in the Code that address this? Marty Dutton
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Hello, Can a plug-in circuit breaker be installed in a panelboard and be backfed to serve as a main breaker for the Panelboard? Thomas Gentry
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Comment on Code Question of the Day for May 12, 2020: Good morning, This is a follow up on the follow up. I couldn't let his statement go as fact, "Was told to was due to no overcurrent protection outside of the 13,200-volt primary fuse on utility step down transformer, Tom Grabowsky". There is a misconception among many electricians/inspectors/engineers that the fuse in front of the utility transformer will provide protection for the service entrance conductors, IT WILL NOT! The primary fuse is to protect the primary that feeds the transformer but not the transformer. The intent is to keep the lights on for the neighborhood in case of a fault close to or in the transformer. Most electric utilities fuse their transformers such that it takes 300% or more current to open the time delay fuse. In other words, your service entrance conductors will likely burn open before the utility fuse opens. Take care and stay safe, Charlie Eldridge
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Comments on CQD 06-08-2020 Comment: The disconnect in question may be just a work switch that is non-fused. Often those switches when dislocated from the base look like they have copper bars installed instead of fuses, and in fact they do. They are a work switch and are non-fused. In the on position the, switch slide, pushes completely into the base , thus making contact. When the slide is withdrawn and turn upside down and reinserted the switch is in the off position and does not fit completely into the base, thus the switch is in the off position. I suspect this is a non-fused work switch. Gregory Arvanitis Comment: Good Day! I read the Code Question of the Day each day and find it a great way to start the day thinking about the Code and how it applies. I believe your response to the CQD from Friday June 5th was not complete and could be misinterpreted. The question asked about copper pipe that had been installed in the fuse holders for the air conditioning unit disconnect at the back of the house. The response would indicate that fuses would always be required to be installed at this location. Article 440, Part II, requires a disconnect to be at the unit, but this disconnect is not required to have overcurrent protection within it. If proper overcurrent protection is being provided from the branch circuit panelboard, then no additional fuses would be required. The one problem I do see with the installation described is using copper pipe which is not in accordance with the listing for the fused disconnect. Manufacturers do provide solid element, non-fused, units, commonly called "slugs" to install where fuses are not required. These slugs are rated for the full ampere rating of the fused switch. Thank you and keep up this excellent forum for the industry. Chuck Mello Comment: A set of fuses might not be required if the circuit is protected by an approved breaker (the big five are all approved) if the condensing unit is approved to be protected by a breaker (they almost all are). Then the question is limited to the fuse holders being listed for the “replacement fuse”. Odds are the copper pipe used has spread the fuse holders beyond their design and won’t hold the correct fuse anyway. Chances are good that’s why the pipe was used in the first place. So, it might be that the only correct solution would be to either replace the fused disconnect with a new fused disconnect and correctly sized fuses or replace the disconnect with a non-fused disconnect and ensure that the breaker is sized correctly. Matthew Hermanson
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Code Gurus, I read these daily. Appreciate your work here. My question is about replacement receptacles. Can I replace a non-grounding type receptacle with another non-grounding receptacle. There is an equipment grounding conductor in the outlet box. Also, is a permit required for this type of work? Fred Prichard
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Hello Code Warriors, What are the specific codes or standards related to having someone office in an electrical room? I am guessing there are access and clearance issues but I cannot find prohibited language in the 2014 code. This is being applied in a manufacturing plant. Thanks, Jason Wolf
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I check the CQD every day. Thanks for the responses. Can I pull a 2 AWG solid copper conductor in a 1-inch EMT? It seems hard to pull through multiple 90-degree elbows in the run. Wondering if the Code has a restriction. Frank Estes
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Greetings, I have a 400-amp service to a house with 2 200-amp breakers for disconnects. The 2 200-amp sub panels are in the interior of the house with a concrete slab floor. Does the sub panel feeder have to be in conduit or just buried 18 inches using direct burial service feeders? Ted Stripling
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Hello CQD, I have a code question or advise on existing pools that are adding slides, railings, pumps, saltwater, heaters, etc. etc. I just came from a job that had an old existing inground pool that just added a new cement patio all around the pool and one ladder, and 2 low voltage lights, and a new pump. When we got there everything was done and there isn’t any bonding whips to finish bonding the motor and saltwater control box? This is the first time I’ve come across being the last one to the party. There was no bonding installed so, my question is can I add an 8’ ground rod for our work and make sure we are not responsible for the rest of the installation? I know this isn’t recommended but not sure what else to do? I am going to call the local inspector but I’m afraid he’s going to open up a can of worms with this one. Also, do I need to call the pool company? Before I do, what should my intentions be? I’m located in New England. Thank you, Mike O’Neill
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Hello and thanks for what you do. When I put my 200-amp service panel in, I put it in on its side horizontal is this wrong? Gordon Determan
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Comments to CQD 06/03/2020: Regarding the June 2nd answer, you are correct on the 6" of free conductor but it is measured from where it emerges from its raceway, the wire must be long enough to extend 3 inches outside the opening of the box or the last extension. Thanks for continuing code question of the day I definitely enjoy it. Al Maline Your answer indicated “There are also other NEC requirements for length of free conductor that must be provided, such as in Section 300.14, which is generally 6 inches of free conductor beyond the edge of the box opening.” Comment: Section 300.14 does not require 6 inches beyond the edge of the box opening – that distance is taken from the entry point of the raceway. The required length beyond the edge of the box opening is 3 inches, not 6 inches. Scott Kauzlaric Comment on Answer to CQD 06-03-2020: Not to be picky, just accurate, for your 06/02/20 answer regarding a 4" or 4-11/16" box or extension ring, the 6" of wire past the box opening is incorrect. The 6" measurement starts at the conduit our cable sheath and the minimum at the opening is 3". 300.14 Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions, and Switch Points. At least 150 mm (6 in.) of free conductor, measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the connection of luminaires or devices. Where the opening to an outlet, junction, or switch point is less than 200 mm (8 in.) in any dimension, each conductor shall be long enough to extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) outside the opening. Exception: Conductors that are not spliced or terminated at the outlet, junction, or switch point shall not be required to comply with 300.14. Richard Cressotti
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Good Morning Code Friends, Best to you and all involved. Well this is a 2020 NEC question, Art 210.8(F), Outdoor Outlets, so the big discussion with inspectors here in the office, is a well, irrigation pump, or septic lift an outdoor outlet, if so, now for dwellings that have these will require GFCI protection, what do you say. Thanks and Best, Butch Gosselin
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