Question: Proper forum? - NEC WHY?

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Billy_Bob

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Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this, but this seems like the best place to ask where I should suggest this...

I don't have a "rule change" per se, rather a suggestion on a new or expanded NFPA/NEC web site for public education on *why* certain NEC rules were made in the first place.

It would answer questions like these...
"Why do they have that rule?"
"Why should I get an electrical permit?"
"Why can't I just connect the ground to neutral to make my old 2-wire outlets grounded?"
"Why can't you just connect the new outlet wire to that bathroom outlet?"
"Why must a subpanel have a separate ground"
"Why do you have to install an AFCI?"
"My bathroom outlet is bad!" (Actually GFCI OK, appliance is leaking to ground)
etc.

My idea is sort of along the lines of the existing NFPA electrical safety fact sheets, but widely expanded and easy to link to for all those internet users out there.

For example...

Topics:
...
GFCI
-Bathroom
-Garage Door
-Outside
-Wet Locations
[etc.]
...

Then click on "-Garage door" and this takes you to a page which explains "WHY" this rule is in place. Says how many people have been electrocuted in the past by touching energized metal garage doors, etc. [The history behind the rule.]

Sort of along the lines of the following fact sheet (which says each year 2,400 children are electrocuted, etc.), but perhaps a dedicated web site called www.necwhy.org (or whatever) and easy to access specific topics.

Fact sheet...
http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?...afety/Tamper-resistant electrical receptacles
 
"Why do they have that rule?"
"Why should I get an electrical permit?"
"Why can't I just connect the ground to neutral to make my old 2-wire outlets grounded?"
"Why can't you just connect the new outlet wire to that bathroom outlet?"
"Why must a subpanel have a separate ground"
"Why do you have to install an AFCI?"
"My bathroom outlet is bad!" (Actually GFCI OK, appliance is leaking to ground)
etc.
Click to expand...

Too many rules to answer that question.
Not all places require permits and the NEC does not reference permits.
Too many questions for all possible which is why this forum does so well..
 
There's also too many variables involved in many cases to give one single answer.

For instance: What is the ampacity of #10 wire?
 
P.S. It is the statistics and *history* behind each rule that I think would have a big impact.

What motivated them to come up with the rule in the first place, etc.

And not too technical like with specific wire sizes, but perhaps something more general.
 
I am moving this to the "regular" NEC forum. The topic is fine but it is not consistent with the intent of the "Proposals/Comments for the next NEC cycle" forum. (No "sugguestions")
 
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Billy_Bob said:
It would be the general public on the internet. Or could be easily printed out to give to customers.
Click to expand...

nah. They'll just have to accept my answer as gospel.

That'd be like taking your car in for a transmission repair, and instead of the mechanic telling you why it broke, just giving you a book and saying, "read this; its all there". I think most customers just want a quick simple answer that they, with no experience, can understand.
 
It sounds like you want this information provided so you have an official interpretation from the NFPA. Not a bad idea but I don't know if it will ever happen. The closest thing that you'll get is some third party research on the subject and their opinion. The NEC Handbook is one thing that comes to mind regarding providing background information for specific code articles.
 
Billy_Bob said:
P.S. It is the statistics and *history* behind each rule that I think would have a big impact.

What motivated them to come up with the rule in the first place, etc.

And not too technical like with specific wire sizes, but perhaps something more general.
Click to expand...

Most DIYers, who I think would be the biggest user of such a web site, don't care much for the Code and it's history.

Their GFI keeps tripping. They care not about which Code cycle they became required. They just want it fixed. Or rather, they would prefer no GFI at all. :cool:
 
infinity said:
It sounds like you want this information provided so you have an official interpretation from the NFPA...
Click to expand...

Actually NFPA because they would have the historical records as to why a code was implemented in the first place.

Like going way back and just the basic idea of grounding the metal frames of appliances. What specifically was happening at the time which motivated them to implement grounded systems? How many deaths were there from electrocution by touching energized metal appliance frames, etc.
 
I agree. A site like that would be great. Then when we tell a customer something has to be done a particular way per the code... we would be able to answer their whys? Which by the way happens ALOT!
 
As time goes by, I imagine the NFPA will make more and more ROPs and ROCs accessible in PDF format on the internet, that would help a lot of our history issues we have around here (that don't tend to mean much in the field, but are interesting here on the forum. :) )
 
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