| CONTENTS
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Sparking and
Arcing
What's Wrong
Here?
Code Q&A
Code Quiz
Code Committee
Call-Up
Understanding and
Applying the 2005 NEC
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Nightmare Installations
Sparking and Arcing
My neighbor came over and told me the receptacle
serving
the washing machine in his house was sparking when he touched it, but
he
didn't get shocked. I went to check this out.
The Romex coming down the block wall to the washer receptacle was
sleeved with EMT. I discovered that when I pushed the EMT away from the
metal dryer vent, there was indeed an arc. When I opened the panel, I
found out why.
It seems a previous owner had added some wiring and didn't want to
make the effort of landing the wires on the crowded neutral bar. An
added ground bar got the neutrals, which worked until the dampness of
the basement corroded the screws. Then the current found a better path
through the washer conduit, dryer vent, water pipe, and grounding
electrode conductor. When I broke this path it caused an arc. I assumed
they didn't get shocked because the corroded screws were still a better
path to ground then they were.
I rearranged their panel wiring while thinking, "This is why you
should hire a professional in the first place!"
Ken Keim
Wilbur Chocolate Co.
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Code Challenge
What's Wrong Here?
By Joe Tedesco
Think you know how this installation violates the NEC?
Visit EC&M's
Web site to see the answer.
Hint: A single hole will do the trick.
Code Q&A
By Mike Holt
Q. What is the largest size transformer
permitted
to be mounted above a suspended ceiling used for environmental air?
Visit EC&M's
Web site to see the answer.
Code Quiz
By Steven Owen
Q. When installing a grid structure at a
dwelling
unit swimming pool, the equipotential bonding grid shall cover the
contour of the pool and the pool deck. The grid shall extend _____
inches horizontally from the inside walls of the pool. The grid shall
be
arranged in a network that is _____ inches by _____ inches, and shall
be
uniformly spaced in a perpendicular grid pattern with a tolerance of
_____ inches.
A) 36 / 12 by 12 / 4
B) 30 / 12 by 12 / 6
C) 30 / 24 by 24 / 6
D) 36 / 16 by 16 / 8
Visit EC&M's
Web site for the answer and explanation.
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Code News Update
Code Committee Call-Up
Got some extra time on your hands? Looking to put some
of your vast knowledge of the electrical field to use? NFPA is looking
for new members for several of its committees, including the
following:
- Committee on Electrical Systems Maintenance (special experts
excluded). This committee is responsible for NFPA 79, Electrical
Inspection Code for Existing Dwellings.
- Committee on Health Care Facilities--Electrical Systems
(special
experts and users excluded). This committee is responsible for chapters
in NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care facilities.
- Committee on Electrical Systems for Manufactured Housing
(manufacturer and enforcer excluded). This committee is responsible for
chapters in the following documents: NFPA 501, Standard on
Manufactured Housing; NFPA 501A, Standard for Fire Safety Criteria
for Manufactured Homes Installations, Sites, and Communities; and
NFPA 225, Model Manufactured Home Installation Standard.
- Committee on Static Electricity. This committee is responsible for
NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity.
Anyone interested in serving can download the application form at NFPA's Web
site.
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Shows and Events
Understanding and Applying the 2005
NEC
The Electric West Exposition & Conference, March 1-3,
2006 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will be offering over 50
conference courses and professional advancement courses on a wide
variety of electrical topics. Session NEC01, Understanding and
Applying the 2005 NEC, will be taught by noted NEC expert and
EC&M Code consultant Mike Holt of Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.
This course will help you understand the concepts necessary to design,
install, inspect, measure, and troubleshoot electrical systems, as well
clear up confusing and seemingly conflicting or controversial NEC
rules.
CEU credits are available upon successful completion of this course.
For
more information and to register visit www.electricshow.com.
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Training, Posters, Simulated Exams, Software, Video clips, and
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current with important industry issues.
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