Trying to "Date" NEC Service Requirement

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jkcowboy

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In response to a housing inspection report, I was called to a residential house (Texas, Galveston County built 1965) to provide a professional opinion in writing as to a residential service that "in old style" has no main disconnect and more than 6 breakers installed contrary to Art 225.31 (2002NEC). These installations are common in this community. Of course I have an opinion as what should be done with the service... but as it relates to "code", the only way I feel that I can call it "out of code" is if it was not in code when it was built or last repaired. The question as I see it now, chime in if I get off base anywhere, is what was the code back in 1965?

Is there an easy way of tracing code back through the years to find the "date of origin" and perhaps any changes along the way? 1965 is quite a few years to go back and my initial search in websites, forums and the NFPA have not given results. I got curious, and wanted to ask the group here.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
John King
 
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jkcowboy said:
In response to a housing inspection, I was called to a residential house (built 1965) to provide a professional opinion in writing as to a residential service that "in old style" has no main disconnect and more than 6 breakers installed contrary to Art 225.31 (2002NEC). Of course I have an opinion as what should be done but as it relates to "code", the only way I feel that I can call it "out of code" is if it was not in code when it was built or last repaired. The question as I see it now, chime in if I get off base anywhere, is what was the code back in 1965?

Is there an easy way to access the old code going back many years to get the quick answers to these kind of questions? Usually, I am repair/replacing the service and don't have to answer "old code" questions. But I got curious, and wanted to ask the group here.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
John King

A phone call to the AHJ in that area would be your best bet. Some localities use books other than the NEC with respect to our work. In Michigan a residence is covered by the Michigan Residential Code, the Michigan Electrical Code (both with references to the 2005 NEC) and some cities also have their own code.
 
eBay

eBay

There's a ratty old 1965 NEC book on eBay now, which won't bring more than a few bucks.
JM
 
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