Electrical Circuit Protective System

[Alwayslearningelec]

Below is in my spec for a job I'm bidding. How would you interpret this and do they mean 2 hour rated?

"Emergency Feeder Circuits: Use electrical circuit protective system. "

My next question is what would be considered EM feeder circuits? I do have a generator with a MTS.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Thoughts??

 

[packersparky]

I don't see an emergency system in what you posted. I also don't see any mention of an electrical circuit protective system.

 

[infinity]

What part is the emergency feeder circuit?

 

[roger]

I agree with the others, everything would be "optional standby"

On another note, there is a magical ground rod delta so all is fine. (Couldn't help myself )

 

[infinity]

Sounds like typical boiler plate nonsense. As mentioned there is only optional standby.

 

[charlie b]

It's that age-old problem of our speaking two languages, whereas the common citizen speaks only one of those two.

In what I like to call "conversational English," the word, "emergency" can mean that your mother-in-law is coming to dinner and you are out of butter. In what I like to call, "the language of our profession," the word, "emergency" means only what NEC articles 100 and 700 say it means.

I recommend that all us cringe whenever we hear or see that word used. You need to know which of the two languages the other person is using.

 

[qcroanoke]

It's that age-old problem of our speaking two languages, whereas the common citizen speaks only one of those two.

In what I like to call "conversational English," the word, "emergency" can mean that your mother-in-law is coming to dinner and you are out of butter. In what I like to call, "the language of our profession," the word, "emergency" means only what NEC articles 100 and 700 say it means.

I recommend that all us cringe whenever we hear or see that word used. You need to know which of the two languages the other person is using.

Since the first time I read a post of Charlie's that said
"be careful what you call emergency" I have tried to tell everyone in our department that you open up a big can of worms calling it that. Especially if it isnt.
I even ask them to show the the backup as "standby" or "optional"
Unless the equipment is marked emergency. We submit to a lot of states and I look at it as avoiding a question of interpretation.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

I thought when you had a generator that it was automatically an emergency system when the ATS or MTS switched to EM power.

 

[qcroanoke]

I thought when you had a generator that it was automatically an emergency system when the ATS or MTS switched to EM power.

No.
Legally required by the local authorities could be called Emergency. And includes all kinds of hoops and ladders to comply with.
Optional standby is just that. Optional and standby. And no where near the hoops and ladders.

 

[charlie b]

I thought when you had a generator that it was automatically an emergency system when the ATS or MTS switched to EM power.

Per the National Electrical Code, it's only "emergency" if it powers one or more loads that are required, by some code, law, or other governmental authority, to have that designation. Egress lights are a common example. You are using the "conversational English" concept of that word.

It is worth noting that "emergency" loads are required to be re-energized within 10 seconds of the loss of normal utility power. An MTS could never achieve that.

 

[texie]

It's that age-old problem of our speaking two languages, whereas the common citizen speaks only one of those two.

In what I like to call "conversational English," the word, "emergency" can mean that your mother-in-law is coming to dinner and you are out of butter. In what I like to call, "the language of our profession," the word, "emergency" means only what NEC articles 100 and 700 say it means.

I recommend that all us cringe whenever we hear or see that word used. You need to know which of the two languages the other person is using.

Your comments strike home with me. People that work for me understand I'm really demanding about proper NEC words and terms such as this. Another area is don't dare tell me you have a "ground wire" or some other slang term. Another one is "service feeder". I get calls all the time from contractors/electricians using the wrong terms and I have to remind them they must use the correct NEC words and terms before I can help them. Some are taken aback a little at times, but often leads to an educational opportunity and interesting conversation.