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July 17, 2008 A Penton Media Publication Vol. VI No. 14


CONTENTS
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Protection for Personnel – Take Two

What's Wrong Here?

Code Q&A

Code Quiz

NEC Panels Restructured

Learn About the Changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code


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    Top 2008 Code Changes















    Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Protection for Personnel – Take Two
    By Mike Holt
     A new subsection expands GFCI protection requirements for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles near sinks in non-dwelling unit occupancies.

    210.8(B) Other Than Dwelling Units
    ”(5) Sinks. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed within 6 ft of the outside edge of the sink shall be GFCI-protected.”

    ”Exception No. 1: In industrial laboratories, receptacles used to supply equipment where removal of power would introduce a greater hazard can be installed without GFCI protection.”

    ”Exception No. 2: For receptacles located in patient care areas of health care facilities, other than those covered under 210.8(B)(1), GFCI protection shall not be required.”

    Sections 517.20 and 517.21 further modify the requirements for GFCI protection in health care facilities [90.3]. This new subsection is intended to require GFCI protection near sinks for non-dwelling units. Exception No. 1 was added for industrial laboratories where the tripping of a GFCI will introduce a greater hazard. The AHJ will need to interpret and apply this rule since no explanation is provided as to what constitutes a “greater hazard.”

    Exception No. 2 leaves the requirement for GFCI protection of receptacles installed in bathroom areas of health care facilities in place [210.8(b)(1)], but excludes the GFCI-protection requirement if located near the sinks in patient care areas of health care facilities.

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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: Upgrade equals disaster
    Code Q&A
    By Mike Holt
     Q. Is the required working space for a panel measured from the panel guts inside the panel or from the panel cover?

    Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.
    Code Quiz
    By Steven Owen
     Q. When installing a hand-hole enclosure flush with the surface of the earth surrounding it, do you know how to properly ground the enclosure, including the cover? The enclosure is metallic. The dimension of the hand-hole enclosure is 24 inches wide by 24 inches long by 12 inches deep. The conductors installed in the hand hole are feeders. The feeders are 2/0 AWG THWN-2 conductors installed in Schedule 80 PVC, which are turned up into the enclosure. The equipment-grounding conductor for the circuit is based on the 175A overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors. What is the appropriate Code section you should reference for this type of installation? What is the appropriate size equipment grounding conductor and equipment-bonding jumper, which will bond the cover, for this installation?

    1. Grounding is not required for enclosures that are smaller than 36 inches wide by 36 inches long by 18 inches deep. Therefore, there is no Code section to reference.
    2. Section 250.66. Minimum conductor size is 8 AWG.
    3. Sections 314.30(D), 250.96(A), 250.102(C), 250.122 and Table 250.122. Minimum size equipment-grounding conductor and equipment-bonding jumper is 6 AWG.
    4. Section 314.27, 250.92, 250.102(C), 250.122 and Table 250.122. Minimum size equipment grounding conductor and equipment-bonding jumper is 2/0 AWG.

    Visit EC&M's Web site for the answer and explanation.

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    Code News Update
    NEC Panels Restructured
    Late last year, the NFPA Standards Council approved the restructure and reassignment of several Code Making Panels and Articles within the NEC. Panel 4 was restructured and assigned Articles 690, 692, and 705, in addition to 225 and 230. Panel 13 was restructured and assigned Article 708, in addition to 445, 455, 480, 695, 700, 701, and 702. These new assignments will be reflected in the 2011 version of the Code. Anyone wishing to serve on the newly reconstituted panels should request a technical committee application from the Codes and Standards Administration, NFPA, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Mass. 02169-7471.

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    www.exair.com/15/540_07b.htm

    Shows and Events

    Learn About the Changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code
    In two informative and interest-filled days with Mike Holt, you'll learn about major NEC changes that will impact your work, whether you're an electrician, contractor, engineer, designer, or plant/facility maintenance person. You'll also earn continuing education hours and professional development hours.

    Two conferences are scheduled for later this year:
    --September 4-5 in Portland, Ore.
    --September 8-9 in San Antonio

    For more information and to register online, go to http://CodeChangeConferences.com

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    Eliminate Red Tags
    It takes more than the UL Mark on a product to satisfy code requirements. Before your next installation, use UL's Code Compliance Database to identify the correlation between model codes and UL Certified products, as well as find manufacturers of certified products.

    Click here today to find up-to-date UL Listed products at the UL Code Correlation Database.

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