Proper grounding of electrical systems is essential to the safety and performance. Article 250 of the 2014 National Electrical Code covers grounding and bonding requirements in great detail. Part III of Article 250 provides rules for the grounding electrode system and grounding electrode conductors. The image above shows several code violations of this section of the code. The most obvious … Read More
Please Provide the Proper Identification
Residential electricians commonly use white insulated conductors inside of NM cable as ungrounded conductors. This month’s “Right or Wrong” covers the details on how to properly use white or gray conductors as “hots”. Section 200.7 of the 2014 National Electrical Code covers the use of white insulated conductors. 200.7(A) specifies that a white or gray conductor or a conductor with … Read More
How Big Should That Bonding Jumper Be?
One of the most common code violations found in the field, by electrical inspectors, is improperly sized grounding or bonding conductors. This month’s “Right or Wrong” covers the proper sizing of bonding jumpers for ferrous metal raceways enclosing grounding electrode conductors. The 2014 National Electrical Code uses several terms for bonding jumpers. A main bonding jumper is found at the … Read More
Feeling Isolated and Ungrounded
How many code violations are illustrated in this picture? Although not a common installation, many electricians choose to use conduit fittings in improper applications. Conduit fittings and conduit bodies are designed to be used with specific wiring methods. In this article, we will take a closer look at what is wrong in this photo? Section 250.4(A)(2) of the 2014 … Read More
Is that a grounded conductor?
Section 200.6(B) of the 2014 National Electrical Code allows the use of white tape for the identification of grounded conductors larger than 6 AWG. However, the code does not allow white tape for the support of junction boxes as shown in the picture above. The 2014 N.E.C. addresses this poor installation in section 314.23. The text reads: Enclosures within … Read More
The Misplaced Fuse
Section 240.22 of the National Electrical Code reads:No overcurrent device shall be connected in series with any conductor that is intentionally grounded, unless one of the following two conditions is met: (1) The overcurrent device opens all conductors of the circuit, including the grounded conductor, and is designed so that no pole can operate independently. (2) Where required by 430.36 … Read More