Jamaica

[Adamjamma]

Ok. Jamaica has announced again that it is planning to adopt the International Building codes and once the law is finally, after 15 years of drafts, signed in, all adoptions in future will be within one code cycle, for any updates to code, based upon Caribbean Uniform, and Canadian codes, so for the industry to start looking at US codes, specifically Puerto Rico and California and Florida codes, for hints of how to proceed due to hurricanes and other items. This is a great deal for Jamaica sa they have been supposed to redo the building codes since 2002..lol...
Great priority, right!

But, based upon that, with the only other addition being the use of Metric sizings as they are already in common use... so still a mix of NEC and BS 7671-...

If I have a 200 amp Meter, running into a post mounted outdoor cutoff switch, lockable... then through underground feeder to a main Breaker Panel , which is then subfed to other panels on other floors, which is what we have to do under current code...

I treat the cable from the meter to the cutoff as 80 percent .. as a service
then do I treat the feed from the cutoff to first panel as service- 80 percent, or as feeder- 100 percent?

and of course the rest get treated as 100 percent but distances are short--twelve feet or less normally... so not too bad...

Still getting confused by the feeder service changes..lol

I know that if I only used a main breaker in the first panel, this is then a service entrance so whole distance is rated as a service at 80 percent.. just confused about adding a breaker or service cutoff at the pole... as there has been talk that any home in Jamaica that has more than 10 solar panels will require it...

 

[Adamjamma]

oh, and before closing it, it is an interesting case, so please consider it staying open. I mean, most people have a clear code to follow.. the NEC state codes, or current code cycle, or the BS7671, or the EU variants, or the Canadian or Mexican codes.
Jamaica is unique in that it has bits cherrypicked from Canadian, British and NEC codes but most of which last done in eighties. Anything else is done at local inspectors..
Thus, Black is neutral and Red is live...
Ground is accepted as green, yellow, or green and yellow striped...

And- if you wire for USA codes, using USA wires, you must tape the wires at both ends to the Jamaican colors.. same with new British wires...
Plus, standard size is 2.5mm wire, 15mm or 20mm conduits... sometimes 25mm...

thus why I am studying BS 7671 currently as it is closest to measurements...lol

USA and UK switches, outlets, etc are found commonly. Many hoes may be wired for USA 120/240 or for UK 240... but all at 50 Hz. Most residences are running 50 to 65 amp main panels.

so, nothing here is easy, but I want to be able to do it right, especially if they ever actually sign the new codes into law... but the driving laws have been going through since 1998 and still not official.

 

[jumper]

I struggle enough with trying to understand one code, two vastly different ones at the same time, jeez, I have sympathy for you.

 

[Adamjamma]

Luckily, there is enough online to help and there are many similarities between US, UK, and Canadian...lol... but I hate no longer having the International Electrical code book to fall back on...the IBC helps but...

 

[JoeStillman]

If all my appliances were 50 Hz and 240V, I think I'd want to follow the UK code. IBC is not much of an electrical code - it just says follow the NEC. Are the people that chose the IBC architects, engineers or both?

 

[mbrooke]

If all my appliances were 50 Hz and 240V, I think I'd want to follow the UK code. IBC is not much of an electrical code - it just says follow the NEC. Are the people that chose the IBC architects, engineers or both?

Well, in a perfect world. Jamaica is 110 volts at 50Hz :blink: They should seriously start looking at going to 230 volts which will save a LOT of headache. The mix is killing appliances and causing tripping of circuits.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV3hEKLNm74

 

[Adamjamma]

think they are looking at closeness to USA and USAID for the hurricanes but are used to UK still as well. Someone in government is listening to a few electricians that were trained in USA about the need for wiring regulations better than what has been done for the last thirty plus years... last real electrical code was written in 70s and was an update to the one done before independance in 62...

And my own opinion is- if they switched the island to the UK voltage it would be better and reduce the theft rates... but, the cost of white goods would increase... right now, chinese and indian shipping that comes through the panama canal can stop in jamaica before heading to NYC and sell us goods enroute to USA..lol

 

[mbrooke]

think they are looking at closeness to USA and USAID for the hurricanes but are used to UK still as well. Someone in government is listening to a few electricians that were trained in USA about the need for wiring regulations better than what has been done for the last thirty plus years... last real electrical code was written in 70s and was an update to the one done before independance in 62...

And my own opinion is- if they switched the island to the UK voltage it would be better and reduce the theft rates... but, the cost of white goods would increase... right now, chinese and indian shipping that comes through the panama canal can stop in jamaica before heading to NYC and sell us goods enroute to USA..lol

Bummer. But in the long run I think it would be a win- you could still use the NEC for wiring and devices in that you already have 220 L-L and red and black which are "hot" colors in the NEC.

Personally I think Jamaica needs a modified version on the NEC, similar to what they did the Philippines where the code is tailored for them.

 

[Tony S]

I struggle enough with trying to understand one code, two vastly different ones at the same time, jeez, I have sympathy for you.

They aren’t that different, both are full of “male bovine excrement”.

To my mind the supply arrangement should dictate the codes/regulations used.