National Electrical Installation Standards

Re: CQD answer published Friday, November 8, 2019 -Outdoor Electric Equipment Hello, I have copied here the new code suggestion for outside disconnects: "There is a new 230.85 in the 2020 NEC for one and two family dwelling units that requires a disconnecting means to be installed outdoors at a readily accessible location so we will be seeing more equipment located outdoors in the future." It seems to me, you have stated the primary reason that this is a real bad idea because of the temperature extremes that equipment will have to endure. How about this one: It will give thieves an ideal way to probably prevent security systems from reporting the break-in in progress. It will present an ideal way to harass a neighbor or to make a prank on someone in the area by less than evil kids. I know it is a prime consideration by most people not to have a large ugly piece of electrical gear hanging on their house. That is a stupid idea to force everyone to have a disconnect on the outside of their home and especially in the snow belt where we have extreme temperatures.Ken Lynes
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Can you use SO Cord outside? If you can't is there a Type that you can use?John Adams
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Is the use of caution tape a requirement when trenching a fiber optic cable and placing it in HDPE conduit?Yvette Harrison
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Can you feed a receptacle on the outside of the garage wall off the load side of gfci that is in the garage?Boyd Lamb
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In a commercial setting, does an electrical panel have to be locked? What is the code and where can I get a copy of that code?Phil Collins
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Outside at weather heads I typically see what is called an H-tap type of splice, where conductor transition from overhead outside wiring to a raceway or other chapter 3 wiring methods. I've been looking for a code rule that allows this type of splice without using a junction box, can you help me out Charlie? Thanks in advance for what you do each day.Chloe R.
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The answer to last Monday's question did not get published on Tuesday November 12 so we are republishing it. I have a stepdown transformer 480V-120V. Usually for single phase, 120 Volts is line to neutral, is there any code violation per NEC 250.26 if the connection is 120 Volts line to line, both conductors are ungrounded? Jesus Santos
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Charlie, Our apprenticeship class is discussing the following: 358.26 (EMT) states “there shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total) between pull points (this is also stated in other articles)…..My question is whether a 180 degree bend would be acceptable as part of the total 360 degrees. Some in the class say the code is not prohibiting the 180 degree bend, others feel that 90 degrees would be the implied maximum for any bend. We would appreciate your input.Sal Genovesi
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My furnace in the house I had just bought froze and split, also bursting many pipes and the heating system.(FHW) The plumber doing the repairs says,(he is a licensed electrician as well), that if he does the work to connect the new furnace electrical work, he needs to replace the corroded and moldy entrance box and breakers. The insurance company says he can connect it up just fine without changing any of it. Who is correct? I really need to get the job rolling, but this question among others has held us up for 18 months. HELP!! Mick Tufts
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Re: CQD answer published Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - Emergency circuits 1) Totally disagree with Tuesdays answer. the circuits are kept separate but may run the entire length of a row of lighting picking up the EM ballasts drops. He did not say they were Emergency Backed up circuits off a Standby generator which must be separated. Bill Schell2) Good morning and thank you for your great work assisting by brother and sister electricians in the industry. Regarding the emergency wiring in the fixtures with the regular lighting circuit and beg to differ with your answer. It seems from 700.10 that the restriction is when the emergency power is from an "emergency source, or emergency distribution overcurrent protection." An emergency source would be a generator or battery back-up pack remote from the emergency light. However, when the power feeding the emergency ballast is also the circuit that feeds the lighting circuit then this would not fit the restriction of 700.10(B). All the best, Jeff Glanstein
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Does garbage disposal need to be gfi protected? Ronald Perez
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I have a stepdown transformer 480V-120V. Usually for single phase, 120 Volts is line to neutral, is there any code violation per NEC 250.26 if the connection is 120 Volts line to line, both conductors are ungrounded? Jesus Santos
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What is the smallest conductor that can be paralleled? If utility conductors enter a building underground and once entering the building proceed more than 20' to the main disconnect of the building are they in violation of the code?Charles Tucker
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Can a breaker box be located on the exterior of a residential property?Donald Tasker
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Thanks for the CQOTD. I've been following it for many years, since Brook was still involved. When a conduit runs consists of two types of conduit, is there anything in the NEC that requires me to use the more restrictive fill table? It seems like common sense, but I was just asked if there is a code reference? Thank you,Rich Tomkinson
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