October 7, 2005 A PRIMEDIA Property Vol. III No. 19

CONTENTS
Part IV -- Overcurrent Protection
701.18 Coordination

Foiled Again

What's Wrong Here?

Code Q&A

Code Quiz

Code Committee Call-Up

Grounding vs Bonding Seminar


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    Top 2005 Code Changes
    Part IV -- Overcurrent Protection
    701.18 Coordination
    By Mike Holt
     The overcurrent protective device of a legally required system must now be selectively coordinated. With proper selectively coordinated overcurrent protective devices, a fault in the legally required system will be localized to the overcurrent protective device nearest the fault. This allows the remainder of the system to continue to function. (Note: Code text has been paraphrased.)

    What the Code says:
    Overcurrent protection devices for legally required power systems must be selectively coordinated with all supply side overcurrent protective devices.     (Text new to the Code is underlined.)

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    Nightmare Installations
    Foiled Again
    While working for an electrical service company in Florida, I was called to an apartment complex to repair an exit light. When I removed the cover to the light, I noticed a burn mark in the metal exit light canopy where the wires transitioned from the ceiling box. Upon closer inspection, I could see the bare copper conductor where the wire insulation had been compromised. It appeared as if the wire had shorted a few times, burning a space between it and the metal canopy. When I finally located the fusible safety switch and opened it to remove the fuses, I found that someone had wrapped the fuses in aluminum foil! Does anyone know the rating of aluminum foil?
    Mark Rivers
    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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    Code Challenge
    What's Wrong Here?
    By Joe Tedesco
     Got a guess for how this installation violates the NEC? Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.

    Hint: Was there ever a device box?




    Code Q&A
    By Mike Holt
     Q. When is a two-pole breaker required for a multiwire branch circuit?
    Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.

    Code Quiz
    By Steven Owen
     A small strip mall consists of the following 10 tenants: a pharmacy; a 24-hour emergency medical treatment center, which provides a limited amount of critical care; and eight different retail shops. The common service disconnecting means for the entire group of tenants is equipped with ground-fault protection (one service and 10 feeders). Does the Code require any additional level of ground-fault protection at any of the feeder disconnecting means?

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

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    Visit www.NECcode.com and stay current with important industry issues.

    Speak Out
    Code Committee Call-Up
    Got some extra time on your hands? Looking to put some of your vast knowledge of the electrical field to use? NFPA is looking for new members for several of its committees, including the following:

    • Committee on Electrical Equipment of Industrial Machinery
    • Committee on Electrical Systems Maintenance
    • Committee on Health Care Facilities - Electrical Equipment
    • Committee on Health Care Facilities - Electrical Systems

    Anyone interested in serving can download the application form at NFPA's Web site.
    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.

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