Definitions

[ryan_618]

I've heard people argue about terms not defined in the NEC quite a lot. If a term is not defined, where does one go for the definition? A typical dictionary or a dictionary such as IEEE?

Is this something that the NEC should address, such as article 100.1 Terms not defined.?

 

[bill addiss]

Re: Definitions

Ryan,

Good Question!
FWIW, here's some 'rules' about definitions taken from the NEC Style Manual (2001 ver.):

2.2.2 Definitions. Definitions shall be in alphabetical order and shall not contain the term that is being defined. Definitions shall not contain requirements or recommendations.

2.2.2.1 Article 100. In general, Article 100 shall contain definitions of terms that appear in two or more other articles of the NEC.

Examples:

Enclosure. The case or housing of apparatus, or the fence or walls surrounding an installation to prevent personnel from accidentally contacting energized parts, or to protect the equipment from physical damage.

Ground. A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

2.2.2.2 Definitions in Other Articles. If an article contains one or more definitions, the definition(s) shall be in the second section, shall be listed in alphabetical order, and shall be styled as shown in the following examples.

Examples:

280.2 Definition.
Surge Arrester. A protective device for limiting surge voltages by discharging or bypassing surge current, and it also prevents continued flow of follow current while remaining capable of repeating these functions.

318.2 Definition.
Cable Tray System. A unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings forming a rigid structural system used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.

Bill

 

[tonyi]

Re: Definitions

Originally posted by ryan_618:
I've heard people argue about terms not defined in the NEC quite a lot. If a term is not defined, where does one go for the definition? A typical dictionary or a dictionary such as IEEE?

Is this something that the NEC should address, such as article 100.1 Terms not defined.?

Article 100 is pretty weak IMO. Not nearly enough things crisply defined there. You don't need to reproduce Websters verbatim, but a few more pages wouldn't hurt.