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The designations "National Electrical Code” and “NEC” refer to the National Electrical Code®, which is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association.

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Top 2005 Code Changes
Article 353 -- High-Density Polyethylene
By Mike Holt
This new article covers use, installation, and construction specifications for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduit and associated fittings. This type of conduit has been in use in the United Kingdom for a long time. It's lightweight and durable. It resists decomposition, oxidation, and hostile elements that cause damage to other materials. It's mechanically and chemically resistant to a host of environmental conditions. Uses include communication, data, cable television, and general-purpose raceways.

Behind the change: HDPE can be used in continuous lengths in almost all outside underground locations. However, this product has different properties than rigid nonmetallic conduit, therefore it has its own article.

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Two Powerful Tools in One: The Fluke 1587 and 1577 Insulation Multimeters combine a digital insulation tester with a full-featured, true-rms digital multimeter in a single compact, handheld unit.
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Nightmare Installations
Black, White, and Red All Over
A customer of mine who owns rental property recently had one of his properties inspected and was instructed to fix some receptacles in the kitchen. When I tested a receptacle at the end of the counter next to a window with my plug-in tester, all three lights on the tester lit up. This combination of lights wasn't on the list, so I checked the outlet with my multi-tester and found 125V from hot to neutral, which was fine, but then I measured 125V from neutral to ground and 250V from hot to ground. We deduced that someone had replaced a 250V receptacle (black and red on hot terminals, white on ground terminal) for a window A/C unit with a 125V receptacle and put black (hot) on the hot terminal, white (grounded) on the neutral terminal, and red (hot) on the ground terminal. Further investigation revealed that the wire was tapped into a dryer receptacle directly below it in the wall. Luckily, no one had been injured by this installation.
Bruce Boma
Champaign, Ill.

Send your 200-word story to us and it may appear in a future issue of CodeWatch. Authors of stories chosen will receive $25.

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Cool Electronic Cabinets
Beat the heat and prevent hot weather failures. UL Listed Cabinet Coolers produce 20 degree Fahrenheit air from an ordinary supply of compressed air to cool electrical controls. Thermostat control minimizes air usage. Maintains the NEMA 4, 4X (stainless steel) and 12 rating of the enclosure. Web site offers detailed information, downloadable drawings and PDF literature.
www.exair.com/15/540_06b.htm

Code Challenge

What's Wrong Here?
By Joe Tedesco
How does this installation violate the NEC?

Hint: The copper GEC is enclosed in a rigid ferrous metal conduit.

Code Q&A
By Mike Holt
Q. Must receptacles be installed so they can be removed without interrupting the power to any downstream receptacles?
See the answer.

Code Quiz
By Steven Owen
What's the allowable ampacity of each of the current-carrying conductors of a 4-conductor, 2 AWG, type SO cord that's rated 75°C by the manufacturer and connected to a 3-phase, 4-wire piece of equipment (no neutral load)? The conductors are installed in an area where the ambient temperature has been determined to be 50°C by a documented engineering study.

71.25A

72.80A

86.45A

Visit EC&M's Web site for the answer and explanation.

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Fuse Line Has Multiple Applications
AutomationDirect has launched the Edison Line of fuse products which includes a wide variety of fuses and accessories. All Edison fuses can be cross referenced and used as replacement for other name-brand fuses. Available are the most popular 11/32" x 1-1/2" size Current Limiting Class CC and Class M Midget general purpose fuses for industrial control applications. Visit www.automationdirect.com/fuses

Code News Updates
NFPA Solicits Proposals for 2005 NEC
Seems like just yesterday that you received your copy of the 2005 NEC, doesn't it...so what better time than now to start thinking about making changes? Code-making panels are soliciting change proposals for the 2008 NEC, so now's your chance to voice your concerns about that requirement that's been bugging you. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 4. A copy of the proposal form is available in the back of the 2005 NEC or at NFPA's Web site.

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www.NECcode.com
The National Electrical Code Internet Connection, the No. 1 rated Code Web site in the world, offers the following FREE products:
Books, Code Quiz, DVDs, Graphics for PowerPoint, Newsletter, Online Training, Posters, Simulated Exams, Software, Video clips, and Videos
Visit www.NECcode.com and stay current with important industry issues.

Speak Out
Defining Defense
The word "grounding" is often used when "bonding" should be, and vice versa. Although each process plays an important role in the protection of electrical systems, confusion still remains as to what each means. Does the Code make an adequate distinction between the two concepts? Visit EC&M's Web site to tell us.

CodeWatch readers confirm that the NEC isn't the only standard they monitor. In particular, more than two-thirds (69%) use NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code on a regular basis.

Shows and Events
Grounding vs Bonding Seminar
Grounding and bonding of electrical systems, sensitive electronic, and communications equipment is the most important and least understood activity in the electrical, data processing, and communications industry. At four two-day seminars, Code expert Mike Holt will explain the basics as well as the advance concepts necessary to understand the practical grounding and bonding rules in the NEC for systems not over 600V. Download the conference brochure for specific dates and locations.

NFPA Issues Call for Presentations
Got something important to say? NFPA has announced it's now accepting proposals for presentations at its World Safety Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla., June 4-9, 2006. Proposals are due Aug. 1, 2005, and will be judged based on quality, relevance, focus, practical application, timeliness, and on the presenter's experience and credentials. Visit the NFPA 2006 WSC&E site to submit your proposal online, or download the form.

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