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September 25, 2006 A Prism Business Media Publication Vol. IV No. 18

CONTENTS
250.24 Grounding and Bonding at Service Equipment

What's Wrong Here?

Code Q&A

Code Quiz

Report on Proposals for 2008 NEC

NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition


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    250.24 Grounding and Bonding at Service Equipment
    By Mike Holt
     (A) Grounding. Services supplied from a utility transformer that is grounded to the earth must have the grounded neutral conductor grounded to a suitable grounding electrode [250.50] in accordance with the following:
    • (1) Accessible Location. A grounding electrode conductor must connect the grounded neutral conductor to the grounding electrode, and this connection can be made at any accessible location -- from the load end of the service drop or service lateral up to and including the service disconnecting means. Some inspectors require the grounding electrode conductor to terminate at the meter enclosure, while others insist that the grounding electrode conductor terminate at the service disconnect. The Code allows this grounding (earthing) connection to be made at either of these locations.
    • (4) Main Bonding Jumper. When the grounded neutral conductor is bonded to the service disconnecting means [250.24(B)] by a bus bar [250.28], the grounding electrode conductor can terminate to either the grounded neutral terminal or the equipment grounding terminal within the service disconnect.
    • (5) Load-Side Neutral-to-Case Bonding. A neutral-to-case bond cannot be made on the load side of the service disconnect means, except as permitted for separately derived systems [250.30(A)(1)] or separate buildings [250.32(B)(2)] in accordance with 250.142. If an improper neutral-to-case bond is made on the load side of service equipment, dangerous objectionable current will flow on conductive metal parts of electrical equipment in violation of 250.6(A).

    Click here to read the rest of this article.

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    Code Challenge
    What's Wrong Here?
    By Joe Tedesco
     Think you know how this installation violates the NEC? Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.

    Hint: Climbing the ladder to success? Not in this installation!
    Code Q&A
    By Mike Holt
     Q. Can I use 12-3 NM cable to wire the bathroom GFCIs and laundry circuit in a dwelling?

    Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.
    Code Quiz
    By Steven Owen
     Q. What is the minimum size XHHW insulated feeder conductor permitted for an industrial machine, which consists of the following loads? All terminals are rated at 75°C.

    • 10 each -- 5 hp, 480VAC, 3-phase, squirrel-cage induction, continuous duty motors,
    • 10 each -- 3 hp, 480VAC, 3-phase, squirrel-cage induction, continuous duty motors,
    • 10 each -- 3kW, 480VAC, 1-phase, electric resistance heating loads,
    • 10 each -- 2kW, 480VAC, 1-phase, electric resistance heating loads.
    A) 3/0 AWG XHHW
    B) 4/0 AWG XHHW
    C) 250kcmil AWG XHHW
    D) 300kcmil AWG XHHW

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

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    Code News Update
    Report on Proposals for 2008 NEC
    The Code is the definition of a "living document." Constantly changing, it's the subject of thousands of proposals for revision throughout each cycle. Earlier this year, the Code Making Panels acted on 3,688 proposals associated with the 2008 NEC. Now the deadline for comments is fast approaching.

    If you're interested in submitting comments on any of the proposed changes, you better get moving. All comments must be submitted to the NFPA by 5 p.m. EST on October 20, 2006. You can submit your comments online or download a comment form.

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    www.exair.com/15/540_09b.htm

    Shows and Events
    NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition It's not too early to start making plans for the NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition, to be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center June 3-7, 2007, in Boston. A popular segment of this show is the necforum™, a track emphasizing the most important issues relating to the National Electrical Code (NEC). This coverage includes seminars on new electrical design issues, successful maintenance programs, best practices in electrical contracting, effective inspection techniques, and practical electrical safety programs. Make sure you save the date for this upcoming event. For more information, visit the show's Web site.

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