NEC 527.6 Temporary Wiring

[dwinchel]

NEC Section 527.6 GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION FOR PERSONNEL states "similiar activities". I am being told that GFCI is not required for tests, experiments, and developmental work since they are not a similiar activity. I interpet "similiar activities" to include the occurance of tests, experiments, and developmental work. Can anyone please clarify the correct interpetation.

Thanks

Darrell

 

[charlie]

Re: NEC 527.6 Temporary Wiring

527.6 Ground-Fault Protection for Personnel.Ground-fault protection for personnel for all temporary wiring installations shall be provided to comply with 527.6(A) and (B). This section shall apply only to temporary wiring installations used to supply temporary power to equipment used by personnel during construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities.

That is a hard question to answer since the laundry list appears to be complete. In my opinion though, this is a catch all phrase that would require GFCI protection if something were to fall outside the description but reasonable people would assume that GFCI protection would be required. I think it would be difficult to enforce but it is indeed one of the "gray" areas of the Code.

 

[rbalex]

Re: NEC 527.6 Temporary Wiring

Section 527.3(A) and the second sentence of Section 527.6's general text parallel each other. That implies that temporary installations under 527.3(B) and (C) are generally exempt from 527.6. The strength of that implication is determined by an AHJ (possibly OSHA) since 527.3(A) could have been referenced directly in 527.6, but isn't.

Personally, if I had reason to believe worker safety would be affected, I would comply with either 527.6(A)or(B) unless it were a genuine emergency. If you have time to ask about it here, I doubt that it is.