I was reading an earlier thread here regarding what is or is not permissable to put on small appliance circuits in a dwelling unit. In reading the posts, I was surprised to see so many different interpretations of the code. The reason for my surprise is that I thought the answers were "cut and dried", but after doing some reading, I see my interpretation of the NEC was skewed (or clarified) by what I thought were the requirements in my state (Kentucky).
According to the Kentucky Uniform Electrical Wiring Guide(UEWG),
I've always viewed the NEC as the starting point and then applied the Kentucky requirements to determine the minimum acceptable standards, but I never really thought about the differences between the two until reading posts from people around the country. I realize that every state has the right to adopt the NEC with additions or deletions as they see fit, and I thought that these requirements in the UEWG were what Kentucky chose to add.
Our local inspectors hold all residential installations to the standards set forth in the UEWG and so for several years that's been "the way it is". However, because of reading the posts from around the country, I turned a more critical eye toward these requirements and actually read the information at the beginning of the guide (something I should have done a long time ago). It says in very clear terms . .
If you have the time, you may find it interesting to download the guide and read through it. As I alluded to earlier, it is primarily concerned with residential installations and is basically a "pocket sized" reference. Pay special attention to the sections that correspond to articles 250 and 680 of the NEC. It appears that the writers of this guide pulled certain requirements from the NEC and inserted them into the guide without respect to the context of the NEC.
I intend to send a letter to the state concerning this, but I would like to hear from anyone else who has had a similiar experience or has feedback concerning this.
Thank you,
Jim
According to the Kentucky Uniform Electrical Wiring Guide(UEWG),
Because of that statement, I considered ALL circuits, even dedicated circuits, in a kitchen, pantry, dining room, or breakfast room to be Small Appliance circuits whether they were supplying countertop receptacles, dishwashers, garbage disposals, or any other 120V appliance. Therefore a home I wire could easily have as many as 7 or 8 Small Appliance Circuits (Note the maximum of 4 receptacles per circuit quoted above).
I've always viewed the NEC as the starting point and then applied the Kentucky requirements to determine the minimum acceptable standards, but I never really thought about the differences between the two until reading posts from people around the country. I realize that every state has the right to adopt the NEC with additions or deletions as they see fit, and I thought that these requirements in the UEWG were what Kentucky chose to add.
Our local inspectors hold all residential installations to the standards set forth in the UEWG and so for several years that's been "the way it is". However, because of reading the posts from around the country, I turned a more critical eye toward these requirements and actually read the information at the beginning of the guide (something I should have done a long time ago). It says in very clear terms . .
If the guide does not preempt the NEC, then does that mean that anything in it that does not agree with the NEC may be ignored? The state legislature of Kentucky adopted the 2002 NEC into the Kentucky State building code efective Jan. 3, 2002 with no mention of revisions, additions, or deletions. I know that many things are up to the interpretation of the AHJ, but these interpretations must have some basis in law. I'm beginning to wonder if we have been held to a false standard.
If you have the time, you may find it interesting to download the guide and read through it. As I alluded to earlier, it is primarily concerned with residential installations and is basically a "pocket sized" reference. Pay special attention to the sections that correspond to articles 250 and 680 of the NEC. It appears that the writers of this guide pulled certain requirements from the NEC and inserted them into the guide without respect to the context of the NEC.
I intend to send a letter to the state concerning this, but I would like to hear from anyone else who has had a similiar experience or has feedback concerning this.
Thank you,
Jim
