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Electrical Construction and Maintenance

Mike Holt

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Tue, 2012-05-01 14:30
All questions and answers are based on the 2011 NEC.

Q. Can a ground rod alone be used to ground a light pole or other equipment instead of installing
an equipment grounding conductor?
A.No. A ground rod to a light pole or other equipment is considered an auxiliary electrode by the Code and cant
take the place of an equipment grounding conductor. Auxiliary electrodes can
be connected to the circuit equipment grounding conductor. Theyre not
required to be bonded to the building or structure grounding electrode system,
the grounding conductor to the electrode isnt required to be sized to 250.66,
and their contact resistance to the earth isnt required to comply with the
25-ohm requirement of 250.53(A)(2) Ex [250.54], as shown inFig. 1(click here
to seeFig. 1).
Caution: An auxiliary electrode typically serves no useful purpose, and in
some cases it may actually cause equipment failures by providing a path for lightning to travel through
electronic equipment.
The earth must not be used as the effective ground fault current path required by 250.4(A)(5).
Danger: Because the contact resistance of an electrode to the earth is so great, very little fault current returns
to the power supply if the earth is the only fault current return path. Whats the result? The circuit overcurrent
device wont open and clear the ground fault, and all metal parts associated with the electrical installation,
metal piping, and structural building steel will become and remain energized.

Q. Does the NEC require sizing conduit and conduit support racks large enough for future
expansion?
A.No. The Code contains requirements considered necessary for a safe electrical installation. If an electrical
installation is installed in compliance with the NEC, it will be essentially free from electrical hazards. The Code is
a safety standard, not a design guide [90.1(B)].
NEC requirements arent intended to ensure the electrical installation will be efficient, convenient, adequate for
good service, or suitable for future expansion. Specific items of concern, such as electrical energy management,
maintenance, and power quality issues, arent within the scope of the Code.

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The NEC doesnt require electrical systems to be designed or installed to accommodate future loads. However,
the electrical designer (typically an electrical engineer) is concerned with ensuring electrical safety (Code
compliance) and also with ensuring the system meets customers needs today and in the near future. To
satisfy customers needs, electrical systems are often designed and installed above the minimum requirements
contained in the NEC. Just remember, if you are taking an exam, licensing exams are based on your
understanding of the minimum Code requirements.
Q. What size overcurrent protection is required on 14 AWG used for general branch circuit
wiring?
A.15A. Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) or (G), overcurrent protection must not exceed the following
[240.4(D)]:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

18 AWG copper 7A
16 AWG copper 10A
14 AWG copper 15A
12 AWG aluminum/copper-clad aluminum 15A
12 AWG copper 20A
10 AWG aluminum/copper-clad aluminum 25A
10 AWG copper 30A

Q.What is the GFCI requirement for a receptacle behind a refrigerator in a dwelling family room
that is less than 6 ft from the edge of a wet bar sink?
A.For other than kitchen sinks, GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles located within
an arc measurement of 6 ft from the outside edge of the sink [210.8(A)(7)]. GFCI protection for the 15A and
20A, 125V receptacles specified in 210.8(A), (B), and (C) must be installed in a readily accessible location
[210.8]. If the sink was located in the dwelling unit kitchen, GFCI protection wouldnt be required [210.8(A)(6)].
15A and 20A, 125V receptacles used behind refrigerators, under countertops for items such as for dishwashers,
disposers, and trash compactors are often located within
6 ft from a kitchen sink. Because they dont serve the countertops, GFCI protection isnt required.
Q. Is there a minimum depth required for a junction box when conductors enter from the back of
the box?
A.Yes. When insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger enter an enclosure in the wall opposite a removable cover,
the distance from where the conductors enter to the removable cover must not be less than the bending distance
as listed in Table 312.6(A) for one conductor per terminal [314.28(A)(2) Ex].
Q. What does the Code mean when it refers to a multiwire branch circuit?
A.A multiwire branch circuit is a branch circuit that consists of two or more ungrounded circuit conductors with
a common neutral conductor. There must be a difference of potential (voltage)
between the ungrounded conductors and an equal difference of potential
(voltage) from each ungrounded conductor to the common neutral conductor
[Art. 100 Definition, Branch Circuit, Multiwire], as shown inFig. 2(click here
to seeFig. 2).
Multiwire branch circuits offer the advantage of fewer conductors in a raceway,
smaller raceway sizing, and a reduction of material and labor costs. Multiwire
branch circuits also can reduce circuit voltage drop by as much as 50%.

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However, because of the dangers associated with multiwire branch circuits, the NEC contains additional
requirements to ensure a safe installation. See 210.4, 300.13(B), and 408.41 for details.
Q. What is the Code rule for disconnecting multiwire branch circuits?
A.Each multiwire branch circuit must have a means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors at
the point where the branch circuit originates [210.4(B)].
Note: Individual single-pole circuit breakers with handle ties identified for the purpose, or a breaker with a
common internal trip, can be used for this application, see 240.15(B)(1).
Caution: This rule is intended to prevent people from working on energized circuits they thought were
disconnected.
Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc., Leesburg, Fla. He can be reached at www.mikeholt.com.
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