Path of Study of the NEC

[Bob Anchorite]

I am in the middle of code classes. However the general consensus of my classmates is that the instructor, though highly knowledgable -- is poor at conveying concepts. We are all experiencing frustration at the situation. I asked the instructor if there was a flowchart of how conductors should be calculated for different applications. He gave one of those "your crazy" looks and ignored the question.

Now what comes up for me is this: Is there a specific way or path in studying the NEC that adds up to a clearer understanding of the NEC than just reading here and there or starting on page one and reading page after page. So is there a sophisticated way to approch the NEC?


Bob

 

[david]

I remember my first day in class the Instructor gave us a simple assignment. Write the definitions down and turn them in at the end of the first week. We spent the whole first week of code going over definitions. I think he did this to illustrate how important understanding the definitions was to understanding the code. After that we started reading

 

[ramsy]

Had same issue with NJATC classroom methods. The miserable association of Plan/Build/Use/Occupancy/Equipment/Conditions left people doing TOC & index flipping during repetative test drills that sampled examples from everywhere in code at once. It amounts to aimless memorization drills, re-checking errors, and retesting repeatedly.

After seeing Mike Holt's strong visual-concept illustration, which seperated the points of each section progressivly, the code became a fascinating and an enjoyable read. Holt follows the structure of the code, so each section became more familiar and interesting to me than aimless classroom drills and dependance on TOC, & index.

 

[charlie tuna]

when you first start out studying the code -- any code and have little knowledge of things it is refering to like types of materials or insulations,etc. it is very hard to comprehend!! and most codes only explain limitations and do not explain the reasons behind these limitations. a good code instructor will start out with definitions and slowly introduce situations stated in the code and then explain "why" the service wire has a minimum heigth above roofs that accessible or over driveways--etc.. this will get the class's attention in the right direction on how to approch "studying the code"...

 

[tallgirl]

I'll second what Charlie wrote -- learn what the terms mean. My experience was limited to Romex in residential construction before last year. Last year was my first exposure to commercial wiring and terms like "EMT", "RMC", "FMC" were enough to drive me batty. And that's not even all the different wiring insulation (THHN -- wuzzat?), types of power (240 v. 208 Wye ...). I was working on two different buildings with two different kinds of power, two different wiring methods, two different a lot of things and it was killing my brain.

Once you know what all that gibberish means, the different parts of the code will make more sense, and then you can work on issues like what insulation temperature rating, ambient temperature, multiple conductor derating values, etc. all mean.

 

[DGChild]

Mike's books on "Understanding the NEC" were a big help to me. He hits on all the important codes with explinations and illistrations that make the code more understandable.

In my classes we spent a lot of time studing 100, 110, 300, 210, 220, 240, 230 and 250 in that order. In addition we touched on everything else up to 430, This year we will be studing 430 and above.

 

[dlhoule]

a specific way or path in studying the NEC that adds up to a clearer understanding of the NEC

I've been working on learning the NEC since Joe Tedesco got involved with inspecting, and I'm still learning. There are some good points made by other people in previous posts, but I'm not sure anyone is truly knowledgeable on all aspects of the NEC.