Eddy Current
Senior Member
Would an industrial plant that generates its own power fall under the NEC?
Cite issues from the NEC and if they reply it is not used here inquire if what they are using meets or exceeds your specific NEC citing. Tell them the reason your using the NEC is for its purpose and longevity as such, ?purpose of [NEC] is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity? (90.1(A)), and the NEC has been doing such for over 125 years ? ?why ignore or not use it??
I often tell people this, "If someone gets hurt here, and OSHA shows up, do you really think they are gonna say 'Oh, well since you generate your own power the NEC doesn't apply to you, so we will just let that slide.'"? I don't think so.
Is this industrial plant is utility owned and operated?
If yes, take a look at 90.2 (B)(5)(c).
Even though utility generation stations are not covered under the NEC, it is still the standard by which we install our work. I don't buy the "we can do what ever we want because this place is not covered" argument that can often be expressed.
There is no blanket "the NEC does not ever apply to utilities" provision. Although I admit, many people including AHJs seem to think one does.
Unless it deals directly with revenue production (i.e. generation, transmission, and distribution) utility facilities should be covered under the NEC. So the fact that some
The moral is: Look to Article 90 for the 'scope' of the NEC. The NEC clearly recognizes that not only are there limits to its' scope, but that many of its' provisions can actually create hazards in different applications. That's why these other areas go by different rules.
IMO, the NEC doesn't really apply to anything over 600V. For those higher-voltage areas, there's a different set of rules, known as the NESC.
You can't escape 'intellegent application' of various codes. That point is emphasised, again, by Article 90, where we are reminded that the NEC is not an instruction book and not a design manual.
Aren't you ignoring all of the typical <35kV equipment found in many industrial facilities? Most of this is inside of buildings and so it has a lot more in common with NEC installations than it does an outdoor overhead or underground POCO distribution system.I did say 'doesn't really apply' because, for the most part, once you get over 600 volts you're out of the scope of the NEC, and into the PoCo distribution system.
I did say 'doesn't really apply' because, for the most part, once you get over 600 volts you're out of the scope of the NEC, and into the PoCo distribution system.
And if you would look at 90.2(B)(2) you will find that the NEC itself says it does not cover underground mines.NEC creating a hazard? Well, there is the matter of applying NEC grounding rules in a coal mine ... a great way to create a 'spark factory.' Hence, mines have their own MSHA code...
Actually it applies to any producing (generating) plant that is not owned or under the exclusive control of an electric utility. With the utilities spinning their generation plants off to non-regulated subsidiaries more and more generating plants are coming under the scope of the NEC. It is my opinion that any generating plant not owned and operated by a "regulated" public utility is with in the scope of the NEC....
To sum it up: I hold that the NEC does not apply to the 'producing' side of a plants' generating facilities. I maintain that the relevant code for that part is the NESC.