How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

[iwire]

I was just wondering how some of the articles that we presently use became part of the code?

There are some articles that the NEC tries to predict the future and then there are other articles that turn a blind eye to what's ahead.

First the purpose of the code as stated in 90.1 "practical safeguarding of persons and property " it goes on to even say "not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion" and "not intended as a design specification"

All of 90.1 2002 NEC

90.1 Purpose.

(A) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

(B) Adequacy. This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.

(C) Intention. This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons.

(D) Relation to International Standards. The requirements in this Code address the fundamental principles of protection for safety contained in Section 131 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60364?1, Electrical Installations of Buildings.

Now with what I would call a very restrictive purpose, how was this justified?

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required.
Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).

(A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (2), and (3).

(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room and bathroom.
Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall switch location and equipped with a manual override that will allow the sensor to function as a wall switch.

(2) Additional Locations. Additional lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with (a), (b), and (c).

(a) At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power.

(b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch?controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

(c) Where one or more lighting outlet(s) are installed for interior stairways, there shall be a wall switch at each floor level, and landing level that includes an entry way, to control the lighting outlet(s) where the stairway between floor levels has six risers or more.
Exception to (a), (b), and (c): In hallways, stairways, and at outdoor entrances, remote, central, or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted.

(3) Storage or Equipment Spaces. For attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements, at least one lighting outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch shall be installed where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.

(B) Guest Rooms. At least one wall switch?controlled lighting outlet or wall switch?controlled receptacle shall be installed in guest rooms in hotels, motels, or similar occupancies.

(C) Other Than Dwelling Units. For attics and underfloor spaces containing equipment requiring servicing, such as heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, at least one lighting outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch shall be installed in such spaces. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.

All of that sounds exactly like a design specification to me, I do under stand the point but it still requires predicting future to see the electrical hazard

IMO these sort of rules belong in the minimum building standards, there is already such rules in this State that force certain minimums in order to be fit for habitation.

Also the fact that the Govt. will tell a private homeowner where and how many outlets, lights, switches etc. they need just bothers me.

As an example where the code does not look ahead, You tap a 200 amp disconnect off of a feeder to run a 125 amp load, you use 125 amp conductors and fuses, perfectly code compliant (IMO as it should be), even though some one can replace those fuse with 200 amp fuses and create a hazard.

I am not looking to change anything just was curious if anyone can fill me in on this and many other requirements that are more design then safety.


Bob

 

[ryan_618]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Bob, I agree with you and understand your puzzlement. If the NEC isn't a design manual, what is?

 

[websparky]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Hi Guys,

Interesting subject!

I'm wondering if we need to think back to when we first started in the trade.
Sure, the code has always been there but, we usually learned how to install the systems by doing as we were told. We watched and learned. We questioned and explored. Most of the time we were more interested in how something worked and why we needed that wire size. Why do we have to have a green wire. Why can't I just......!

Often times we were answered with an explanation as to the "magic" of electricity rather than "because the code says so". Usually, when most of us started, we followed a "print" or a "plan" of some sort that someone made up and "off we went". That someone was often times an electrical engineer or an experienced electrician. Both of them knew the "code" but, more importantly, they understood what it took to made the "magic". Experienced persons have always shared the knowledge of the craft. They know that if they don't, the "kids" won't have a chance to learn it.

This is similar to the "chicken or the egg" first question. Was it an explorer or was it a scholar?

 

[bennie]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

The reason the code is what it is today is the fact that in 1965 the book cost $1.00.

The price today is 6000% higher

[ September 15, 2003, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: bennie ]

 

[iceman2610]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

I just gave a job-bid for replacing a service that was installed in 1971 on a new double-wide mobile home. What was commonly done back then (Before I could walk), is now scary to look at. The code must spell out certain design specifications in order to provide adequate service for all homes. This is not to say that installing only the minimum as required by the NEC is anywhere adequate for all homes, but it is a good start.

I have yet seen a home I wired that would be adequate with less than what the code required. For this reason, I agree that the code should have a minimum to prevent the cheap builders from building homes that would not serve the homeowners justly.

Would you want a house with less than what the code currently requires????

 

[Guest]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

The NEC is not put out by the government. Jurisdictions have to accept the code. Many choose not to adopt it, and many delay adoption.

It's not about telling you how many receptacles you need: It's about experience saying that extension cords-- especially across doorways lead to fires and accidents. Some walls in my bedrooms are lacking receptacles and the walls are landlocked by doors. This means I would have to run a cord across the doorway. The code has since been tightened up so landlocked walls over two feet normally require a receptacle. That would have forced my builder to deliver a safer product.

People were walking into bedrooms and falling down. That's why there has to be a switch controlled lighting outlet near the ingress/egress door.

I have a long hallway in my house that only has one switch at one end. It's aggravating to have to go into the bedroom and turn on the light and then go back to the head of the hall to turn off the hall light. It meets code. It's not a hazard. It could have been better designed. I have since added a three-way switch to the end of the hall ( re-identifying the white as a non-grounded conductor ). Since the feed, and switch leg were at the south end of the hall when I added the north 3-way I just pulled a 14/3 and looped the circuit. I'm happy. The code is happy. The AHJ is happy-- yes, I pulled a permit-- the AHJ is my ally.

The code leaves it to the builder to slack off on hallway switches, but when it comes to stairs they don't want you to fall down-- so they require 3-ways on certain stairs. They could make it any stair, but the statistics don't support that extreme of intervention.

My bedroom receptacles are the switched lighting outlet-- one switched receptacle per bedroom. That would have been fine if they had run 14/3 and split-wired the outlets-- so 1/2 was hot, and 1/2 was switched. But no-- they switched the whole thing so I can't use that outlet for clocks, computers, TV's, etc. It meets the code-- but the code is not a design manual. A good design would have avoided these conflicts. But it would not have made things safer so it was left as an option for the builder.

There is very little outside lighting at my house-- only three lights. It met the code, but it's not very useful. The code only dictates the minimum.

If I want to put in a 12/24 panel the AHJ or NEC, doesn't say "nope you gotta put in a 20/40 for the future".

By just addressing the basic safety issues that have popped up the NEC has gotten pretty thick. Maybe it's time to bring in a linguist and prune it back to the barest of language.

Yesterday I posted a reply saying that the AHJ is only there to tell you what's right & wrong. They are not there to tell you how to do it. I used to think that was harsh, stupid, and counterproductive-- but now I realize the AHJ does not have the resources to be a technical or design consultant. There are liability issues too-- if it meets the code they are harmless, but if they tell you how to wire something and it goes wrong the code won't protect them-- even if it meets code. You are mostly on your own when it comes to design and technical aspects. The NEC is a minimum to promote fire prevention and personal safety. The NEC holds you to minimums and leaves it to you to work within the minimums and make something practical, useful, functional, and pretty.

Enough said. I've only scratched the surface. I'll watch for other input.

 

[gwz2]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Of course it is not the complete NEC, but the
"History and Mystery of Grounding" in the appendix of the "Soares Book on Grounding" would be of Article 250 in the NEC.

The intro to the text may provide a source to check the history of the NEC.

 

[charlie]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

The NEC is a consensus document which means the majority of the Code Making Panel (CMP, actual name is Technical Committee) has voted to pass a particular proposal by a two-thirds majority. There are 19 CMPs and a TCC (Technical Correlating Committee) to make change to the Code. If CMP 10 makes a change that will mess up something in the purview of CMP 4, the TCC is supposed to catch it and refer to CMP 4 for their action or reaction.

That means the TCC has the toughest job and it doesn't catch everything . . . it can't. Now the old joke, "What is a camel?", "It is a horse that was designed by a committee." Isn't this what we are doing with the Code? Joe Electrician makes a proposal because of something that is giving him heartburn. CMP 10 thinks he is correct and passes the change but it doesn't correlate with CMP 8. If the TCC doesn't catch it, the Code now doesn't make sense.

The Code is not a design manual but it is a safety manual . . . sort of. The intent is safety and every rule is to make the building safer. Sometimes it starts to look like a design manual and sometimes we will get proposals to change it to remove things that should not be there.

An example is the protection of flexible cords in 240.5(B). These cords are part of appliances, lamps, and extension cords. Are they part of the building wiring? Should they be part of the NEC? This cycle, I think we will remove them from the Code. It will then be up to the product standards to size and protect the various cords.

 

[iwire]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Originally posted by awwt:
The NEC is not put out by the government. Jurisdictions have to accept the code. Many choose not to adopt it, and many delay adoption.

Wayne, do you really think I do not know that the NFPA is not a Govt. agency?

The fact is once it is adopted (and in this area it is) it carries the force of law and it is the govt. forcing compliance, the NFPA does not force compliance.

Originally posted by awwt:
It's not about telling you how many receptacles you need: It's about experience saying that extension cords-- especially across doorways lead to fires and accidents.

Put what ever spin you want on this, big brother is telling private homeowners how to design the electrical system.

A few weeks ago a question was posted about a library in a private home that had a wall with window seats, the homeowner did not want outlets in these but the code says otherwise.

The rest of your post is just the stock answer anyone will give. (sorry)

Charlie's answer was more to the point I was asking about.

I assume

 

[Guest]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

The fact is once it is adopted (and in this area it is) it carries the force of law and it is the govt. forcing compliance, the NFPA does not force compliance.

Agreed. Point understood.

Since it's "law" in most jurisdictions, shouldn't the book be freely available? With the Internet IMHO there should be a freely available copy online. It would not have to be printable, but it should be viewable and searchable.

If more people had access to the code, IMHO, many of the codes would go away.

It might be better, it might be worse-- I don't know-- but "laws" should be accessible by all who have to abide by them. The end user doesn't know what's required of them until the book gets thrown at them.

../Wayne

[ September 16, 2003, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[charlie]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

I hesitate to answer Bob's question because I do not wish to change the original subject. However, I will answer it and I ask you to start another thread (post) if you wish to pursue this subject. Thanks, Charlie

 

[hurk27]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

I totally agree, If a cord is removable (can be unplugged) and comes as a part of a manufactured equipment the NEC should not cover it. as it part of a listed equipment and should not be covered by a local AHJ. this was just discussed in another thread about pool pump motors having to be wired with #12.

 

[william runkle]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

There have been major changes in the code forty years ago you could put it in your back pocket, I believe the 1965 code came bigger then the 1999 became a textbook. But I still would rather use the 2002 over the 1962 code.

 

[bennie]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

There is nothing wrong with systems installed under the 1965 code. There is a lot of them in use today.

When comparing the 1965 to the 1999 code, there is no big change that revolutionized the industry. Most of the added pages are charts, that no one uses anyway.

 

[Guest]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Speaking for residential the big change I can see between 1993 and 2002 code cycles is:

A. AFCI.
B. Requiring white wire to be reidentified if used as a non-grounded conductor in a switch loop.
C. More GFCI protection around swimming pools.
D. Fuel cells; photovoltaics; batteries; vehicle charging systems.

Other than that it's still mostly as primitive as ever

../Wayne C.

[ September 17, 2003, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[joe tedesco]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

iwire:

I could spend two days talking about the new items in the NEC.

To answer your question may I recommend that you go to the NFPA Library in Quincy and ask to see their historical documents that will help to answer your questions. One item is "How the Code Came" and the "Nec and Free Enterprise"

I have many old books dealing with the way in which the changes were put into place.

[ September 22, 2003, 12:38 AM: Message edited by: joe tedesco ]

 

[Guest]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Originally posted by joe tedesco:
:roll:
<snip>I could spend two days talking about the new items in the NEC.<snip>

I haven't totally gotten under the hood of the 2002 NEC yet, but so far mostly it looks evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

The items I listed are what's jumped out at me so far.

I would welcome hearing about the revolutionary stuff in the 2002 NEC.

THANKS!

 

[iwire]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Originally posted by joe tedesco:
anyone that thinks asking questions is shooting them self in the foot has closed their mind.

Yes I could buy some old books or I could ask a question on an NEC forum that has many knowledgeable members that can shed some personal experience my way and create some NEC discussion not centered on which way outlets face.

Those books you mention sound interesting and so are the opinions voiced here.

Bob

 

[tom baker]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Two resources to help you learn more about the NEC
NEC Digest- free magazine published by NFPA, good articles on code subjects and history
Users Guide to the NEC- New this year by the NFPA, its a basic introduction to the NEC, has a good explanation of the code process, about $50.00 from the NFPA

 

[ryan_618]

Re: How Did The NEC Become What it is Today?

Thanks for the clarification Joe.

[ September 21, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]