| Members
of the electrical community have made the 2002 edition of
the National Electrical Code the industry's new benchmark
for electrical safety, bringing significant changes to
electrical
contractors, the builders they work with and their customers.
The 2002 Code, published in September last year, updates the
NEC with the latest electrical innovations, advanced techniques
and proven safety practices. |
 |
Just how do
these changes happen? Well, it's not a simple task to keep people
safe from the dangers of electricity. Here's a look at how changes
are made to the NEC, and some of the more important ones taking
effect this year.
CHANGES
ARE SIGNIFICANT
The NEC is subject to revision every three years. For the 2002
version, more than 400 individuals made up the 20 different code
panels. Each met in January last year to consider more than 4,400
proposed changes submitted to the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA).
The various
code panels have a balanced makeup. No one panel can be composed
of more than a third of a single interest group, such as manufacturers,
utilities, labor, test groups, installers, inspectors or insurance.
Any change
in the new NEC is made because, at some point, someone submitted
a proposed change to the NFPA. Recommendations can come from any
one - from electrical engineers to homeowners.
For example, one of the proposed changes in kitchens came from
a cabinet designer.
MUST
BE PROVEN SAFE
Any change can be proposed. However, the proposal must be technically
substantiated to explain how it will improve safety. Remember,
this code exists to protect people and property from the hazards
of electricity, such as fire and shock. It's essentially a safety
document.
Engineers
from companies such as Square D, sit on various code panels as
representatives of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA), study the proposals for change and review the recommend
ed code panel actions on each proposal. They read through every
proposal to understand how they might affect products, customers
and customer installations, and how the entire electrical system
fits together.
After their
review, Square D personnel join others in the industry to submit
comments in support of, or against, various proposals. The code
panels do not reject comments on proposals without stating why
the comments are rejected.
The
NEC is subject to revision every three years. For the 2002 version,
more than 400 individuals made up the 20 different code panels.
PUBLIC
REVIEW AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
The public has three opportunities to participate in the development
of the NEC. The first is by submitting a proposal to change the
NEC. The code panelcan review the written proposal, or the individual
can personally present the change to the panel. After the panel
reviews, and either accepts or rejects the proposals, the NFPA
publishes a Report on Proposals (ROP) that can be obtained free
from the NFPA.
The second
opportunity for public participation is to submit a comment to
the NFPA in response to the action taken by the code panel. The
code panels meet a second time to review and either accept or
reject the comments. The NFPA then publishes the Report on Comments
(ROC) permitting public review of the code panel's actions.
The third
opportunity is at the annual NFPA World Fire Safety Congress meeting,
where members of the NFPA and other interested parties debate
pro posed changes and adopt the updated NEC.
Once a new
code is approved, many of the people involved - including Square
D's Codes and Standards Group - start working on the next revision,
which will be published in 2005.
Of the more
than 4,400 proposals for change, about 400 significant changes
made it into the 2002 code. Of that 400, several dozen directly
affect installations. The following is an overview of the most
significant changes to contractors in the 2002 NEC:
Category:
Renumbering and Reorganization
Chapter 3 involves wiring methods. Except for Articles 300 and
310, which remain as numbered, all other articles in Chapter 3
have been renumbered and regrouped, some to other chapters. The
goal of this change is to make the code easier to use by grouping
articles covering related wiring methods and using common numbering
throughout those articles.
Multi-linked structured wiring
system from Square D
Category:
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
- GFCI requirements
for receptacles in residential boathouses are once again covered
under 210.8 (A)(8).
- A new requirement
establishes that receptacles installed in commercial kitchens
must now have GFCI protection. This will affect residential
construction in areas such as kitchens in clubhouses or common
areas of multifamily projects.
- A GFCI
receptacle must be placed in each unfinished portion of a basement.
Damage resulting
from an electrical arc.
Category:
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
- All of
the electrical outlets within residential bedrooms are now required
to have Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI). The requirement
previously applied only to the receptacle outlets. (NEC 210.12)
Arc
fault circuit breaker from Square D
Category:
Appliance Garage Receptacle
- The spacing
of receptacles in the kitchen has not changed, however a
new
restriction may require an additional receptacle. A receptacle
located in an appliance garage does not count as one of the
receptacles serving the counter top. (NEC 2 10.52(C))
Category:
Outlet for HVAC Servicing
A new
location requirement mandates that a receptacle be located within
25 feet of outdoor heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) equipment, and rooftop equipment in any location (residential,
commercial, industrial). Keep in mind that if one of the outdoor
receptacle outlets required in NEC 210.52(E) is located within
25 feet of the HVAC equipment, it would meet this new requirement.
(NEC 210.63)
Category:
Transient Voltage Surge Suppression
(New Article 285)
- This
new section establishes parameters for installing Transient
Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS), as compared to surge arresters.
The TVSS shall be connected on the load side of a service disconnect
overcurrent device. It shall not be installed at a point on
the system where the available fault current exceeds the marking
on the TVSS.
Category:
Installing Portable Generators
- Article
702 now covers optional standby systems using portable generators.
Category:
Field Markings, Flash Protection
- Commercial
installers are now required to put a hazard or cautionary warning
indicating the presence of flash energy. Residences or dwelling
installations are not affected. NEC 110.16 addresses a concern
for the protection of electricians who have to work with equipment
while it is energized.
Category:
Switch at the Entrance to a Landing of Stairs
- A
switch will now be required at the landing between a set of
stairs where an entrance exists to that landing other than the
stairs.
(NEC 210.70(A)(2)(c))
An example
of an electrical are inside the walls of a home.
Category:
High-Intensity Discharge Lighting, Commercial Applications
- Circuit
breakers used as switch es for high-intensity discharge lighting
now must have an "HID" marking on them to indicate
suitability for such use. (NEC 240.83(D))
Category:
Language
- In
the 2002 code, the term "lighting fixture," "lighting
fixtures," "fixture," or "fixtures"
is changed to "luminaire" and "luminaire"
with the old term now appearing in parenthesis. Example: Luminaire
(fixture) or luminaire (lighting fixture).
- In
Article 100 of the new code, the definition of a qualified person
has been revised to include a refer ence to someone having "received
safety training on the hazards involved."
Category:
Panelboards and Switches (New Section)
- Regarding
grounded conductor (neutral) terminations: "each grounded
conductor shall terminate within the panelboard in an individual
terminal that is not also used for another conductor."
This revision clarifies that multiple neutral conductors from
different branch circuits are not permitted to be installed
in a single neutral terminal. This does not prohibit multiple
grounding conductors from being installed in a single terminal
where the product is marked for such use. (NEC 408.21)
Category: Article 80-Administration and Enforcement
Arc fault
circuit breaker from Square D
A new Article
80 was accepted to provide a standardized set of administrative
rules that can be used by adopting jurisdictions.
The time frame
for adoption of the 2002 NEC will vary across the country due
to the legislative and review processes used within each state
or city. Whenever the adoption takes place near you, you'll want
to be ready for the changes. And if you'd like input on the code
changes for the 2005 revision, try getting involved in one of
the three public participation opportunities. After all, this
code is here to protect you as well as your customers.
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