Wiring Definition

[Charlypt]

Hello everyone,
I'm trying to find an official definition of what WIRING is, and if this definition includes devices like receptacles and switches. I can't find anything in the NEC.
The thing is that I have a gas station project where the notes say:
- ALL WIRING INSTALLED AT FUELING STATION SHALL BE INSTALLED AS CLASS 1 DIVISION 1.
- ALL CONDUITS AND WIRING IN DASHED OUTLINE SHALL BE CLASS 1, DIVISION 1. VERIFY EXACT WITH HAZARD ZONE NEC ARTICLE 500 & 514 AND ARCHITECT.
But the receptacles and switches that appear on the plan are not defined as Explosion Proof, only as GFCI protected receptacles and Wheather Proof in general.

There is also no mention in the Project Specifications of Explosion Proof or Class 1 - Division 1 devices.
It doesn't make much sense to me to put switches and receptacles near fuel pumps, explosion proof or not, but that's what they're asking for.

However, my opinion is that there was an omission in not including the description of the devices in the Specifications, but the question is whether the notes are sufficient, in the WIRING definition, for the devices to be considered as Explosion Proof, and if that is the case, then someone has to pay for those extremely expensive explosion proof devices, the engineer for forgetting to put it in the specifications or us because it is implied in the WIRING definition.

I hope I have made myself clear.

Thanks for any response in advance.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Switches and receptacles are wiring devices. The term "wiring" is not a defined term in the NEC.
It would be extremely rare that you would have a switch or receptacle in a Class I, Division 1 area. It would also not be common to have those devices in a Class I, Division 2 area at a gas station. See 514.3 for the classified areas at a gas station. The receptacles and switches are likely located in a non-classified area that may be above the Division 2 area as that only extends 18" above grade.
That being said, the conduits, fittings, and devices installed in the classified areas must be suitable for use in those areas.

 

[Charlypt]

Switches and receptacles are wiring devices. The term "wiring" is not a defined term in the NEC.

Does wiring devices mean WIRING?
In our daily work, we divide tasks for example into: rough work (conduits, boxes, etc.); wiring (run wires); trimming (installing devices). We never call the installation of devices as part of the wiring phase.
Then the definition WIRING is important here. The problem is that there is no specification or note that states the switches and receptacles as explosion proof, only Class 1 Division 1 WIRING is mentioned, and the question is whether that term WIRING includes the devices.
If so, the electrical contractor would be obligated to provide the devices, but if not, we would have an omission in the specifications that would not be the responsibility of the EC if a change had to be paid for.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Does wiring devices mean WIRING?
In our daily work, we divide tasks for example into: rough work (conduits, boxes, etc.); wiring (run wires); trimming (installing devices). We never call the installation of devices as part of the wiring phase.
Then the definition WIRING is important here. The problem is that there is no specification or note that states the switches and receptacles as explosion proof, only Class 1 Division 1 WIRING is mentioned, and the question is whether that term WIRING includes the devices.
If so, the electrical contractor would be obligated to provide the devices, but if not, we would have an omission in the specifications that would not be the responsibility of the EC if a change had to be paid for.

Does wiring devices mean WIRING?

Yes , of course it does.
Even the conduit is for the wiring system. It's all wiring. IMHO

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Does wiring devices mean WIRING?
In our daily work, we divide tasks for example into: rough work (conduits, boxes, etc.); wiring (run wires); trimming (installing devices). We never call the installation of devices as part of the wiring phase.
Then the definition WIRING is important here. The problem is that there is no specification or note that states the switches and receptacles as explosion proof, only Class 1 Division 1 WIRING is mentioned, and the question is whether that term WIRING includes the devices.
If so, the electrical contractor would be obligated to provide the devices, but if not, we would have an omission in the specifications that would not be the responsibility of the EC if a change had to be paid for.

No, wiring devices are snap switches and receptacles. Because those are both wiring devices, they will both be found in Article 406 in the 2026 code.
Article 404 will be for general-use switches, motor-circuit switches, isolating switches, circuit breakers used as switches, and molded case switches operating at voltages not over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc, nominal.

The term wiring is not used or defined in the NEC. The only person who knows what it means for your project is the writer of the project specs. You can only find out by asking that person. This is not an NEC question.

However, as I said before, it is very unlikely that the switches and receptacles are in the classified area, and if they are not in the classified area, standard switches and receptacles in enclosures suitable for the environment are permitted.

 

[roger]

However, my opinion is that there was an omission in not including the description of the devices in the Specifications, but the question is whether the notes are sufficient, in the WIRING definition, for the devices to be considered as Explosion Proof, and if that is the case, then someone has to pay for those extremely expensive explosion proof devices, the engineer for forgetting to put it in the specifications or us because it is implied in the WIRING definition.

This should have been a pre bid question. All you can do now is send an RFI for clarification and then a COR. You might get lucky with a sympathetic EE

 

[Charlypt]

The term wiring is not used or defined in the NEC. The only person who knows what it means for your project is the writer of the project specs. You can only find out by asking that person. This is not an NEC question.

Trying to find an answer, I have looked up the word WIRING in the NEC and it appears mentioned more than 2200 times. Some combined with another term such as Wiring Method, Field Wiring, Wiring Systems, Wiring Devices, etc.
I think it is part of the NEC to be specific in each of the terms used and any question about a definition would be a question to the NEC.

However, as it says in the Scope of Article 100 - Definitions:
The NEC does not define every term used. General terms are found in non-technical dictionaries. Some technical terms are used as defined in IEEE 100, The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms. (I have not checked this source yet.)

I don't think I should leave it up to anyone to specify to their understanding what an electrical term means.

Chapter 2 of the NEC is Wiring and Protection, which covers everything that is conductors and what they serve. Receptacles are mentioned here as part of circuits. This chapter also includes protection devices such as GFCI receptacles. Still, I think this chapter does not deal specifically with devices, because that is what Chapter 4 is for: Equipment for General Use.

On the other hand, the NEC in Article 100 - Definitions:

Premises Wiring (System). Interior and exterior wiring, including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed. This includes (a) wiring from the service point or power source to the outlets or (b) wiring from and including the power source to the outlets where there is no service point.

If this definition is including wiring devices, then that answers my question. But I'm not sure if referring to a system, which is a much broader definition, would include everything associated with and not the process of running conductors from one point to another. They are using the plain, bare word WIRING, not wiring system.

it is very unlikely that the switches and receptacles are in the classified area,

That's what they're asking for. The switch could be solved with a low voltage or remote switch. Now, the receptacles are for mobile equipment that needs to be plugged in occasionally. The receptacles could be installed outside the area and explosion proof extension cords could be used, although that could create other problems.

This should have been a pre bid question. All you can do now is send an RFI for clarification and then a COR. You might get lucky with a sympathetic EE

The project has already started. An estimate was made when we did not yet have all the information. Right now I'm preparing an RFI, but I need to justify a possible change order.

It's one of those projects where the information has come in pieces, the plans are not clear and the specifications are cut-and-paste from any other project. The only thing you know is that it has, as part of an entire facility, a kind of fuel station and you know that it is an explosion proof location, although the only thing that mentions it is a small note that tells you that the wiring has to be Class 1 Division 1, but then they send you a plan with a bunch of receptacles and switches as if it were another location and we have to be prepared to be told that the devices were already included in the original estimate due to the note, but no, because now we would have to install expensive explosion proof devices. We estimate to provide power to what would be a standard fuel station, only pumps and lights.

Thanks for all your answers.