Understanding Electrical Code Terminology.
DEFINITIONS (NEC Article 100)
ACCESSIBLE: (As applied to equipment) Admitting close approach: not guarded by locked doors, elevation or other effective means.
ACCESSIBLE: (As applied to wiring methods) Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building.
ACCESSIBLE, READILY: (Readily accessible) Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections, without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, chairs, etc.
Code Adoption Information: The codes shown are examples only and may not be current or accurate for your application or jurisdiction. Contact your local building authority for complete information.
EXPOSED
As applied to wiring methods, On or attached to the surface or behind panels designed to allow access.
FEEDER
All circuit conductors between the service equipment or the source of separately derived system or other power supply source and the final branch-circuit overcorrect device.
GROUNDED CONDUCTOR
A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR
A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR, EQUIPMENT
The conductor used to connect the non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment,raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor, or both at the service equipment or at the source of a separately derived system.
IDENTIFIED
As applied to equipment, Recognizable as suitable for the specific purpose, function, use, environment, application, etc., where described in a particular Code requirement.
LOCATION
Damp Location: Partially protected locations under canopies,marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns and some cold-storage warehouses.
Dry Location
A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Wet Location: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas, and locations exposed to weather and unprotected.
OUTLET
A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.
RACEWAY
An enclosed channel designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or bus bars, with additional functions as permitted in this Code.
Raceways may be of metal or nonmetallic materials. Raceways include, but are not limited to, rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquid tight flexible conduit, flexible metallic tubing, flexible metal conduit,electrical nonmetallic tubing, electrical metallic tubing, under floor raceways, cellular concrete floor raceways, cellular metal floor raceways, surface raceways, wireways, and busways.
RAINTIGHT
Constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under specified test conditions.
RECEPTACLE
A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.
SERVICE DROP: The overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to the service-entrance conductors at the building or other structure.
SERVICE-ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS, OVERHEAD SYSTEM
The service conductors between the terminals of the service equipment and a point usually outside the building, clear of building walls, where joined by tap or splice to the service drop.
SERVICE-ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS, UNDERGROUND
SYSTEM
The service conductors between the terminals of the service equipment and the point of connection to the service lateral. Where service equipment is located outside the building walls, there may be no service entrance conductors, or they may be entirely outside the building.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT
The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker or switch and fuses, and their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of the supply.
SPECIAL PERMISSION
The written consent of the authority having jurisdiction.
SWITCHES
General-Use Switch: A switch intended for use in general distribution and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes, and it is capable of interrupting its rated current at its rated voltage.
Motor-Circuit Switch: A switch, rated in horsepower, capable of interrupting the maximum operating overload current of a motor of the same horsepower rating as the switch at the rated voltage.
Weatherproof: Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful operation. Rainproof, rain tight, or watertight equipment can fulfill the requirements for weatherproof where varying weather conditions other than wetness, such as snow, ice, dust, or temperature extremes, are not a factor.
Motor-Circuit Switch
A switch, rated in horsepower, capable of interrupting the maximum operating overload current of a motor of the same horsepower rating as the switch at the rated voltage.
Weatherproof
Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful operation. Rainproof, rain tight, or watertight equipment can fulfill the requirements for weatherproof where varying weather conditions other than wetness, such as snow, ice, dust, or temperature extremes, are not a factor.
Always contact your local building authority for complete and up to date code information.
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Electrical Wiring Codes
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, Battery Tools, Electric Power Tools, Electrical Meters and Voltage Testers.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level of working capabilities and electrical experience, electrical certification or contractors license, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety:
Identify the electric panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for all electrical projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical circuits or wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected. |
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