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March 13, 2007 A Penton Media Publication Vol. V No. 5

CONTENTS
250.94 Grounding (Bonding) of Communications Systems

What's Wrong Here?

Code Q&A

Code Quiz

NEC Report on Comments Available Soon

EC&M Code Change Conferences


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    250.94 Grounding (Bonding) of Communications Systems
    By Mike Holt
     An accessible bonding point must be provided at service equipment or the disconnecting means of separate buildings or structures for communications systems. The point can be any one of the following:
    1. An exposed, nonflexible metallic raceway.
    2. An exposed grounding electrode conductor.
    3. An external connection approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

      FPN No. 2: Communications systems must be bonded together.
      • Antennas / Satellite Dishes (810.21)
      • CATV (820.100)
      • Telephone Circuits (800.100)
    The bonding of all external communications systems to a single point minimizes the possibility of damage to the systems from potential (voltage) difference between the systems.

    Editor's note: This information was extracted from Mike Holt's textbook, Understanding the National Electrical Code

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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: Full service door
    Code Q&A
    By Mike Holt
     Q. I'm running a 4-wire lighting circuit with a shared neutral. Can I use three single-pole breakers without handle ties?

    Visit EC&M's Web site to see the answer.
    Code Quiz
    By Steven Owen
     Q. Where a surge arrester is installed on a circuit operating at less than 1,000V, it shall comply with all but which of the following?

    1. The rating of the surge arrester shall be equal to or greater than the maximum continuous phase-to-ground power frequency voltage available at the point of application.
    2. The surge arrester shall be identified for the application.
    3. Surge arresters shall be marked with short-circuit current rating and shall not be installed at a point on the system where the available fault current is in excess of that rating.
    4. Surge arresters shall not be installed on ungrounded systems, impedance grounded systems, or corner grounded delta systems unless listed specifically for use on these systems.

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

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    Code News Update
    NEC Report on Comments Available Soon
    The 2007 NEC Annual Revision Cycle Report on Comments will be made available a week from this Friday, on March 23. You can download the file from the NFPA Web site.

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    Shows and Events
    EC&M Code Change Conferences
    Where do you turn when you need accurate information on changes to the National Electrical Code? Acknowledged as the leaders in providing information on the NEC, EC&M magazine and EC&M Seminars have been the preferred sources of this information for more than 60 years. Plans are currently underway to present seven Code change conferences in the fall of 2007. Host cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Seattle.

    As an approved provider with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), through its Registered Continuing Education provider Program (RCEPP), professional engineers attending any of our 2008 Code change conferences will receive Professional Development Hours (PDHs), a requirement for re-licensing in many states. The conferences are also approved by every state that has a continuing education requirement for contractors and electricians.

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