How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

[tom baker]

There have been several posts recently on "how to endure the NEC". The new NFPA publication "Users Guide to the NEC" by H Brooke Stauffer, is a "concise introduction to the NEC, written in a converstational style, and concentrates on the key points in each article." I like the users guide as it gives you the big picture, and a good introduction to the NEC style, format and numbering. The format is more of a conversation about each section, it gives you a good understanding of what it is about.

If you are new to the NEC, this new publication would be a good purchase (298 pages, about $45).

If you really want to understand the NEC, then I would recommend Mike Holts "Understanding the NEC" Part 1 and Part 2. It covers most of the code rules, and has his typical outstanding graphics.

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Tom: I am always being hammered for my viewpoint of the format of the NEC.

This instruction book, on how to understand the NEC, supports my opinion.

A technical publication should be a stand alone document. The text should be understood without a book of directions.

Do you know of another book of rules that requires an instruction manual?

Are we next going to get a forty five dollar book, on how to understand the forty five dollar book, on how to understand the sixty dollar book?

 

[Ed MacLaren]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Do you know of another book of rules that requires an instruction manual?

Well, not exactly an instruction manual, but think about the role of these two professions- lawyers, and the clergy.

Ed

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

I don't understand, what is the association?

 

[Ed MacLaren]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

I don't understand, what is the association?

Many of us require the services of a lawyer to interpret the "law of the land" for us, and some of us use the services of the clergy to help interpret whichever "good book" we believe in.

Ed

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

The lawyer does not have a book to understand another book.

The clergyman does not have a book on how to read the bible.

I should not have to get an electrician to interpret the code book for me, at a cost of $45.

I should not have to read a publication with words that are not an accepted standard by the Modern Language Association of America.

 

[hurk27]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

As I have said in another post before.
I beleave that the only reasone the goverment likes to print the law and rules in words that are hard for the average person to under stand is so they can slip things into law without us knowing it, and it has happened.

 

[hurk27]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Heres another thought to think about.
How many laws have been turned around many years after they were written to mean somthing else. many of our freedoms have been taken away because of this.

 

[definitive]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

The lawyer does not have a book to understand another book.

There are hundreds of books about understanding laws and by-laws.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/books/understanding/default.asp

The clergyman does not have a book on how to read the bible.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0664223168/ref=pd_sim_books_3/103-2721014-5743030?v=glance&s=books

The NEC is not an instruction manual. It is a text of codes that must be written in the most technical manner possible to ensure accuracy. Is it perfect....no, but it could be alot worse.

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

It could be a lot better.

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

My reference was to books that explain other books, not subjects.

I don't think the bible books are on the best sellers list, and few if any clergy would buy them.

A clergyman with a how to book, is like the airline pilot with a how to fly book.

[ May 11, 2003, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: bennie ]

 

[physis]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

When it comes to electricity I don't think it's defensable that lawyers are in charge of deceminating imformation associated with safe implimentation.

I think it's simply stupid.

I really have no wish to offend anybody on this forum, I am very appreciative of everyone here(particularly the moderators Don, Tom and Charlie)
However, some seem to beleive that the stature or position that the NEC holds is more important than what it's purpose is.

Does anybody disagree that the purpose is safety?

I'm going to go out on a limb here. I'm going to assert that electricians and those who understand electricity are inelligent people. Perhaps more intelligent than most. So why is there so much head scratching going on?

It's been mentioned that the code has to stand up as a legal document. Are there any contractors here who don't understand their pefectly enforceable contracts? The only contracts I've seen that didn't make sense were written by people who either didn't want to be clear or didn't know how to be clear.

I saw it posted recently that someone thought the NEC should't be understandable to the uninitiated.
(of course I'm paraphrasing). This book isn't some sacred stone aged map to the gods. It's supposed to be a text used to insure the safety of everyone using and working with electricity.

OK, I feel better now.

And Tom, thanks, some of the illustrated publications(provided there not cheap hokey stuff) are very good materials and can help to make the NEC ENDURABLE.

[ May 12, 2003, 03:13 AM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[physis]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Definitive,

"The NEC is not an instruction manual" is not a satisfactory excuse. Ambiguity and convolution do not ensure accuracy.

[ May 12, 2003, 03:42 AM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[physis]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer



[ May 12, 2003, 03:50 AM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[gwz2]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Are some people born with all the knowledge needed to exist and to be proficient in what-ever task is undertaken?

I would want a doctor to have training and instructions and references to medical practices before operating on me.

Same would be required for any "trade".

Electricity being one craft which every-one seems to be a ' born ' expert at.

I hope that doctor that works on me has more than just a "CODE" book.

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

The doctor will have a book on the specific procedure. He will not have a book, on how to understand the book, on the specific procedure.

I hope an electrician has more knowledge than can be be obtained from the code book before he works on my home.

 

[tom baker]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Wow. 15 posts on this topic in less than a day....
I still like the Users Guide!

 

[charlie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

I don't think the bible books are on the best sellers list, and few if any clergy would buy them.

Bennie, have you ever looked at the bookcase in a minister's office. They have their own set of Cliffs Notes left over from their trade school.

Not only do they have exhaustive concordances and other helping books like Matthew Henry's Commentary, they had college and seminary, at least most of them. Some are like some electricians and get it on their own without higher education. LOL

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

Tom: You are correct. I mean no offense. I like the user guide too, if it will advance the understanding of electrical applications.

My only complaint is, it should not be necessary.

Example: 1978 NEC

A three phase overcurrent device shall not be connected to the bus of any panelboard that has less than three phase buses.

FPN: This is intended to prohibit the use of delta breakers.

Now, tell me that is not jibberish. Why not say
"Delta breakers prohibited", three words instead of over two dozen. A kid can understand that rule.

[ May 12, 2003, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: bennie ]

 

[bennie]

Re: How to Endure the NEC-An Answer

A lot of books are written to explain another publication.
The more written, indicates there is a problem in understanding the original.
This is my problem, I understand all of the different interpretations, then use mine.
The rules should be definite and leave no room for questioning.

[ May 12, 2003, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: bennie ]