NEC Online Subscription good?

[Coppersmith]

I'm considering subscribing to the NEC online. The advertising says you can compare the last three editions, download a PDF, and highlight and print sections. Accessible from any device. Sounds like what I need. Anything I should know? Does it work well?

 

[goldstar]

For the last 3 code cycles I have paid for and down-loaded the PDF version. For the most part it works great, especially if you have to copy and past a Code section in support of your argument with an EI. You'll probably have to re-format the font and sentence structure to match that of the letter you are writing.

Be aware, there are certain parts that will not copy. They are usually small so if you need that particular section you will have to re-type it on your own. It will come up with a reference code that looks something like this :

{F62C464D-C43D-45B6}

Also, if you try to copy too much at one time there's a preamble at the top of each page that looks something like this :

Copyright 2017 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®). Licensed, by agreement, for individual use and download on 07/31/2017 to Joe Smith Electric Co. for designated user Joe Smith. No other reproduction or transmission in any form permitted without written permission of NFPA®. For inquiries or to report unauthorized use, contact licensing@nfpa.org.

This is so you don't try to re-print the entire book and try to sell it on the open market (I think).

I've copied and pasted large amounts of certain sections (i.e GFCI or AFCI protection code sections) to be used as quick reference guides and training purposes for my contractors association. Here's an example of what I've reproduced :

http://www.pceca.net/images/stories/evolution_of_arc_fault_in_the_nec_up_to_2017.pdf

I don't believe I'm in violation of any copyright laws but after posting this (and if there's an NFPA subscriber to this Forum) I may be in handcuffs next week.

The PDF version is worth the $$ IMHO.



.

 

[infinity]

Is this much different than just buying the PDF version? I like the PDF because I can access it even when I have no internet access.

Goldie nice job of the reference. :thumbsup:

 

[goldstar]

Is this much different than just buying the PDF version? I like the PDF because I can access it even when I have no internet access.

Some guys like to have it available on their I-phones. Personally, I choose not to - I don't see a need for it and I usually have the Code book with me in the truck.

Goldie nice job of the reference. :thumbsup:

Thanks. I made this so the guys in my contractors association can make a copy and have it in the truck with them even though a lot of it doesn't apply to us here in NJ. Thank goodness !!!

 

[infinity]

Some guys like to have it available on their I-phones. Personally, I choose not to - I don't see a need for it and I usually have the Code book with me in the truck.

I get texts and emails all of the time with code questions (sometimes even from my office) so when I'm at work I can copy/paste the relevant section(s) and send it right away. I have the 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and the NYC amendments on my phone since the questions generally range from 2008-2017. I stopped buying the print versions of the NEC because I used them less and less.

 

[goldstar]

I get texts and emails all of the time with code questions (sometimes even from my office) so when I'm at work I can copy/paste the relevant section(s) and send it right away. I have the 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and the NYC amendments on my phone since the questions generally range from 2008-2017. I stopped buying the print versions of the NEC because I used them less and less.

You're a better man than me.:thumbsup: Unless I'm up against an EI who sites me for a Code violation I generally answer any Code questions from my EC cronies from memory (which is waning more and more each day ). I generally don't have the free time to stop and look up a Code section for anyone. They have Code books - they can look it up as easily as I can.:happyyes:

 

[kwired]

I don't know all the in's and out's of copyright laws, but NEC is one copyrighted document that you see a lot of copying - at least snippets of it. I think that is acceptable as long as you give the proper credit to the source. Just here on this site we get a little relaxed on how we credit the source - but most usually understand from the context what that source is.

You can't go to a CEU class that focuses on NEC without seeing copied code content, look for fine print or other documentation that credits the source of that content - if it is Mike Holt material or even IAEI material it not only references NEC in some way but also has copyright information from Mike Holt or IAEI as well - often the latter refers to copyright of any drawings used to explain the content.

 

[K8MHZ]

I don't know all the in's and out's of copyright laws, but NEC is one copyrighted document that you see a lot of copying - at least snippets of it. I think that is acceptable as long as you give the proper credit to the source. Just here on this site we get a little relaxed on how we credit the source - but most usually understand from the context what that source is.

You can't go to a CEU class that focuses on NEC without seeing copied code content, look for fine print or other documentation that credits the source of that content - if it is Mike Holt material or even IAEI material it not only references NEC in some way but also has copyright information from Mike Holt or IAEI as well - often the latter refers to copyright of any drawings used to explain the content.

The Fair Use Doctrine allows copying pieces and parts of copyrighted material for several reasons, education is one of those reasons.

 

[kwired]

The Fair Use Doctrine allows copying pieces and parts of copyrighted material for several reasons, education is one of those reasons.

You still have to somehow acknowledge the source of copied material and can't pass it off as your own content though.

If I simply wrote "The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons." and didn't somehow acknowledge that it is 90.1(A) of the NEC or at very least say this is a quote from within NEC, then I could potentially be seen as passing that off as my own thoughts and words.

Here you may see someone make that acknowledgement in a fairly simple way like:

NEC 90.1(A): "The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons."

More accuracy would be to state which edition also as sometimes things change over the years.

 

[Coppersmith]

I get texts and emails all of the time with code questions (sometimes even from my office) so when I'm at work I can copy/paste the relevant section(s) and send it right away. I have the 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and the NYC amendments on my phone since the questions generally range from 2008-2017. I stopped buying the print versions of the NEC because I used them less and less.

How did these get on your phone? Are they e-reader versions, downloaded PDF, or do you have the online sub?

 

[jumper]

I've copied and pasted large amounts of certain sections (i.e GFCI or AFCI protection code sections) to be used as quick reference guides and training purposes for my contractors association. Here's an example of what I've reproduced :

http://www.pceca.net/images/stories/evolution_of_arc_fault_in_the_nec_up_to_2017.pdf

I don't believe I'm in violation of any copyright laws but after posting this (and if there's an NFPA subscriber to this Forum) I may be in handcuffs next week.
.

No copyright violations there , sources are pretty clear. Very worst would be a minor BS nitpick for a bibliography to be included.

Open source, educational use-as already mentioned.

Nice job.:thumbsup:

 

[infinity]

How did these get on your phone? Are they e-reader versions, downloaded PDF, or do you have the online sub?

PDF uploaded to Google Drive and downloaded on to the phone saved as a PDF. If you don't have enough storage on your phone you can just leave it in the cloud on Google Drive and read it from there. We will need in internet connection to do that.