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Schematic of a simple electrical circuit (C) Carson Dunlop Associates Electrical Code Basic FAQs
Q&A about the Electrical Codes US UK & other countries

Here: basic questions about electrical codes.

This article series answers basic questions the National Electric Code (NEC) for homeowners as well as addressing electrical codes in the UK and other countries. .

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Electrical Code Advice for Homeowners & DIY Repairs

Open electrical panels are dangerous (C) Daniel FriedmanThese questions & answers about electrical codes & electrical wiring practices were posted originally at ELECTRICAL CODE BASICS - you may also want to see the suggestions given there.

Watch out:  Do not attempt to work on your electrical wiring, switches, or outlets unless you are properly trained and equipped to do so. Electrical components in a building can easily cause an electrical shock, burn, or even death. 

See SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS

On 2019-03-11 by (mod) - code for installing a main lighting panel

Leonard

The electrical & building codes do not give step-by-step instructions for installing electrical equipment.

However if you look in the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of any of these electrical pages you'll find an extensive list of detailed codes and specifications including for electrical panels as well as links to the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Canadian Electrical Code..

On 2019-03-11 by Leonard casey

where can I find the code for installing a main lighting panel

On 2019-02-06 by (mod) - is it okay to have a meter in the garage

John

New electrical meter installations at residential properties are usually outdoors close to the service drop or service entry.

Your electric utility and electrical inspector have the final word on your question.

In my experience, when a new meter is required the electric utility is going to want the old one removed (perhaps replaced by a main switch) and a new meter mounted at an appropriate location on the building exterior.

You want that too - it's not just about making it easier to read the meter it's about fire safety.

I inspected a home (Arnold Road Poughkeepsie NY) that burned nearly to the ground because of a faulty meter - in an emergency I'd have wished a firefighter could have pulled off the meter to drop electrical power.

On 2019-02-06 by John

When updating Electric in your house is it okay to have a meter in the garage

On 2019-01-24 by (mod) - size wire is needed for a remote breaker box?

in the ARTICLE INDEX you will find articles on electrical wire size and service entry cable SEC wire sizes versus amps. And as you probably suspect you need to add a factor for length.

Those tables are in the NEC as well as cited in our SEC and wire size articles.

On 2019-01-24 by Barry

What size wire is needed for a remote breaker box? This from house 225 AMP too garage for 80 AMP or possible 100 AMP in Florida.

On 2018-12-20 by (mod) - copper wires don't break down unless overheated

David

Thanks for a great question - on re-using wires that fed power to a device that experienced a short circuit.

In my OPINION generally the answer is yes,

PROVIDED the wire is not antiquated or damaged by some other event such as mechanical damage or such as old wiring that would be considered obsolete and questionable based on age alone - search InspectApedia.com for

OLD ELECRICAL WIRING

AND

PROVIDED you do some careful inspection for signs of burning or overheating of the wires in the receptacle box.

Most-often if wires overheat due to a malfunction the overheating occurs close to the device or connection rather than at a remote spot along the length of the wire.

Some electricians have opined that you can "test" old wire to decide if it's ok to use. In my opinion that's not useful. What test are we going to perform? Resistance? A wire will typically show close to zero resistance (normal) regardless of age.

Copper does not "break down" or "deteriorate" just based on age. Rather wire may deteriorate due to mechanical damage or overheating (perhaps due to overloading a circuit due to over-fusing in an older home), most-likely in the form of wire insulation that is no longer safe .

On 2018-12-20 by david - re-use wires where a short occurred?

can the wires feeding a shorted gfci receptacle be reused

On 2018-12-12 by (mod) - can I do my own electrical wiring

Richard

The answer to your question depends on where you live. In some jurisdictions you may be permitted to do electrical work without being a licensed electrician. However even then it might be required that the work be inspected by the local electrical inspector.

I realize that just changing the electrical receptacle for an electric range is a trivial electrical job and might well be within ability of a homeowner who is familiar with safe and correct electrical wiring procedures.

Watch out: However if you're not familiar with those you should probably not attempt the work since the mistake could burn down the house or kill someone.

On 2018-12-12 by Richard

Can i change a range plug with iot haveing an electrican

On 2018-12-03 by (mod) -

John

Heavier wire is always safe.

You can run 12/3 wire (hot, neutral, ground) to wire modern electrical receptacles and switches.

The issue will be if using the heavier wire means the electrical boxes are too small for the number of connectors for that wire size.

Watch out: when using a larger electrical wire than specified by the devices to which you are connecting the wire - if the wire is too big it will not fit properly nor safely in the device connector(s).

On 2018-12-03 by John

I just realized I bought 12-2 wire and the other wires at the junction are 14-2 on a 15 amp breaker. Is that ok or will that not pass inspection

On 2018-11-08 by (mod) - height of electrical receptacles to counter top in Kitchens - ADA Requiremebnts

The electrical codes in the U.S. or Canada (such as the US NEC) do not specify a required height of electrical receptacles above a floor.

But to meet the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements

Please check outet height details at

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE HEIGHT & CLEARANCES

Also see this example electrical code detail

On 2018-11-07 by Diane Heinz - minimum height kitchen outlets need to be spaced from countertops?

Is there a minimum height kitchen outlets need to be spaced from countertops? Thanks.

On 2018-11-07 by (mod) - Is it ok to splice wires in the breaker panel

Splices are allowed in electrical boxes and usually in an the electrical panel. It's not likely that you'll exceed the space requirements for the additional connectors unless you're doing a lot of splicing.

On 2018-11-07 by ADG

To install a whole house surge protector requiring dedicated breaker at the top of the breaker panel two breakers need to be moved to the bottom.

Is it ok to splice wires in the breaker panel to move the breakers to a different location within the panel?

On 2018-09-24 by (mod) -

Brian

I don't have a full understanding of the situation, but in general, no electrical splices should be outside of a junction box. You're not required to use a plug connector but the splice must be enclosed.

Separately, in my OPINION a garbage grinder installed without a local ON-OFF switch is missing an important safety feature.

On 2018-09-19 by Brian

My garbage disposal is currently hard wired. Does it now have to have a electric box and be wired with a cord to plug it on?

On 2018-07-24 by (mod) - tenant access to circuit breakers

The legal question is one for your lawyer, and the country and city where you live and their rental property laws.

Watch out: In my OPINON it is unsafe for the landlord to lock access to emergency OFF switches for the mechanical systems. You might point out that in an emergency the building could burn down simply because there was no way to turn off the equipment when something was obviously wrong, like smoking or other evidence of a fire.

Similarly you must have access to the electrical safety controls - circuit breakers or fuses - for the circuits in your apartment - for the same reasons.

On 2018-07-23 by Cheryl

Is it illegal for my landlord to allow me as a tenant access to the circuit breakers and boiler. They are behind locked doors and I have to call her whenever there is a problem

On 2018-03-02 by (mod) - doesn't like outdoor GFCI covers

S

I agree that some of those covers are a bit clunky looking. However if you're going to have something plugged into the outdoor receptacle and you don't have a rain proof cover you're asking for either short or of course the receptacle will simply trip off.

On 2018-03-02 by Sfc

Do you really have to use those big ugly plastic bubble covers on exterior GFI's or will a weather proof cover do?

On 2018-02-14 by Laura Cook

How far away does the electrical outlet have to be from an electrical stove?

On 2017-09-22 3 by (mod) - In 1975 was it legal code to wire an electrical outlet above an electric heat register?

Probably not, Jack but please forgive my insertion of this editorial OPINION:

Watch out: If the inspector has noted that this is a safety concern, and if your buyer has that report, then consider the buyer adequately notified.

As a seller you and your attorney can decide what allowances you will make or not.

I would be very nervous about the liability and risk involved in what should be a trivial cost-to-cure item that surely is not a fraction of tenth of a percent of the value of a typical home being sold today. Let's not trip up a home sale over such an item.

On 2017-09-21 by Jack & Janice Lucht

In 1975 was it legal code to wire an electrical outlet above an electric heat register?

We are selling our home built in 1974/1975 and the electrical outlets were installed above the electric heat registers. Inspector has noted this as a possible hazard and we just need to know if the outlets would be grandfathered in?

On 2017-07-17 by mdc

thanks for your time

On 2017-07-16 by (mod) - how far away can the outside air unit be from its disconnect?

mdc

Line of sight.

At COMPRESSOR CONDENSER CONTROLS, SWITCHES

you'll find complete details. The US NEC requires that the disconnect must be visible and readily accessible - typically that means in sight and within 50 ft. Common practice for most residential installations is 3-6 ft.

On 2017-07-16 by mdc

in Florida how far away can the outside air unit be from its disconnect?

On 2017-06-30 by Diane

Is it true that if you have wire and bobbin electric you can not get home owners insurance or a certificate of occupancy

On 2017-04-10 by Art

Meant laxed like no gfci required outside.

On 2017-04-10 14:36:41.611337 by Art

I moved from Kentucky to Florida why are the electrical codes so laced In Florida.

On 2017-03-30 by (mod) - did Stab-Lok breakers "meet code"?

Jim:

FPE - They did when they were installed as they were UL-listed, but in my OPINION, a building code inspector could consider them in violation today given their no-trip performance as failing to meet more general requirements in the NEC.

Generally one cannot rely on building codes, electrical codes, model codes to address defective or unsafe products. The fact that a product is "legal" does not mean it's safe any more than the fact that we have a competent police force here in Freedonia means that no crimes are committed.

Cathy:

Unprotected bulbs:

probably not - head smashes bulb, cuts, shocks. The final authority would be your local building code compliance inspector.

See FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS - home

On 2017-03-30 by jIM

DO STAB-LOK BREAKERS MEET MASSACHUSETTS CODE?

On 2017-02-23 by cathy

can i have an uncovered bulb in a wall socket 6 feet from the floor in a living space in minnesota ? will it pass inspection?

On 2016-10-17 by troy

im trying to find out if i can put my electrical outlets 80inches apart,code says 12 foot max spacing and it also says no more than 6 feet between outlets,so im seeking clairification on this,i live in michigan

On 2016-10-04 by I ritz

What wiring is approved for in home use in wall for lighting and outlets. IS ROMAX CABLE REQUIRED.?

On 2016-09-25 by (mod) - circuit breaker replacement not a homeowner task

IMO,

Watch out: Circuit breaker change-out is not intended by electrical panel manufacturers as a homeowner task. There are fatal electrocution hazards in the panel interior.

It constitutes "electrical work". If a homeowner isn't sufficiently expert they should stay out of the panel exterior as they could be killed or could cause a fire, even though the task is technically relatively easy.

So a building code official could consider the task as electrical work.

In so in some jurisdictions that must be done by a licensed electrician.

Other jurisdictions permit a homeowner to do electrical work but may require a code compliance inspection.

Your local building official is the final legal authority. Ask.

On 2016-09-25 by ted

is it illegal for a homeowner to change a breaker

On 2016-08-26 NHFireBear - UL does not "APPROVE" products

Also worth noting that some product advertising incorrectly states things like "UL approved". No, UL does not actually "approve" products.

As stated in the article ELECTRICAL CODE BASICS, UL may authorize a manufacturer to attach the UL label to devices manufactured in conformity with the units that were tested and found to be in compliance.

It is up to the manufacturers (and their own licensed professional engineers) to make sure that they arrange to RETEST new designs that may have changed any of the safety characteristics, in order to continue to qualify for the UL label.

On 2016-08-26 by NHFireBear - the UL standards and testing are for MINIMUM safety. F

Comment regarding UL listing and labeling. As mentioned in the article, the UL standards and testing are for MINIMUM safety. Failure to meet the minimum standard is sometimes used by insurance companies to deny coverage due to the customer's own "gross negligence".

Many code requirements specifically state that a device must be "listed and labeled for the purpose." Thus, absent a label, it may be (technically) a code violation, which is (at the very least) evidence of negligence. On the other hand, even if you have a component or product with the UL (or other approved test laboratory) markings on it, there is still a chance that the device is unsafe because it is defective or damaged somehow or is being misused or misapplied.

Some listed and labeled products may have restrictions on their application, such as "indoor use only", which should be marked on the packaging or tags, assuming you actually received the product with the packaging and tags intact.

As a simple example: an extension cord that was designed, tested, listed and labeled for "indoor use only" would not be a good choice for running your winter holiday lighting outdoors when part of the cord is buried in snow and ice. This would be "a bad idea" even though it "has a UL label on it" and the wires are big enough to handle the electrical load.

Some jurisdictions are more strict about attaching only listed appliances to electrical supply (including portable appliances with a cord and plug) and an inspector can issue orders for non-listed things to be disconnected and removed from the premises.

On 2016-08-14 by (mod) - use 300 volt wiring for service entry cable in NYS, or does it have to be 600?

Mena please see these two wire size articles

SERVICE ENTRY WIRING & AMPACITY

and

SE CABLE & BRANCH CIRCUIT WIRE SIZES vs AMPS

The second gives service entry wire sizes and other spec

Found by searching InspectApedia.com for SERVICE ENTRY WIRE SIZE

On 2016-08-14 by mena

Is it legal to use 300 volt wiring for service entry cable in NYS, or does it have to be 600?

On 2016-07-22 by (mod) - some places allow homeowners to do their own electrical work "without permits".

NHFB I agree and add that I mis-spoke. We agreeL Virtually every jurisdiction requires a permit to do electrical work;

What I should have said is that some jurisdictions permit a non-electrician to do the work provided that all of the required inspections and final approval are done and made by the local electrical inspector.

On 2016-07-22 0 by NHFirebear - some allow homeowners to do their own electrical work "without permits".

You mention that some places allow homeowners to do their own electrical work "without permits".

I have worked in several places where a DIY homeowner may do such work, but may still need to draw a permit. That way, the inspector can see what they're trying to do, gauge the likelihood that they're qualified and what happens if they mess it up. The inspector may stop in to check on it, if they're so inclined.

Also, it is usually to the advantage of a homeowner/DIY electrician to have the accumulated permits on-hand (and in the official files) when they go to sell the property or to change its use (e.g., to become a licensed home day-care, which may require a fire inspection, including basic electrical safety).

On 2015-08-28 by quick question

we have just recently upgraded our kitchen but we have not touched the electricals, the plugs/switches and everything else are exactly same as before; the only difference is that the previous owner did not have a dishwasher although there was a existing outlet for it;

we want to put a dishwasher and asked the electrical contractor to install the hardwired diswasher. the contractor said he would have to run a new line for which he will need esa inspection which i am ok with. he also said that if he pulls a inspection permit the esa will come and fail us on the existing outlets as they are not to modern code.

this is what we are confused about, our house is 20 years old and it definitely conformed to code of that time.

i haven't changed a thing so why would i have to pay to upgrade the existing electricals to the current code? that defies all logic? i have a feeling he is trying to dupe us. any help will be much appreciated. thanks


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ELECTRICAL CODE BASIC FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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