§ 9-21. Amendments to the 2011 National Electrical Code.

The 2011 National Electrical Code is amended in the following respects:

ARTICLE 90 - INTRODUCTION

Section 90.1(A) is hereby amended by adding a second paragraph to read as follows:

90.1(a) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of the code is the practical safeguarding of person and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. Any and all electrical work for light, heat, power, or any other purposes shall be installed in conformity with the rules and regulations as set forth in this code and that document titled, National Electrical Code, 2011 Edition , also known as NFPA 70 , and in conformity with the rules, policies, regulations and amendments as set forth by the building official.

Section 90.2(A)(5) is hereby amended to read as follows:

The engineer or architect of record, acting as the owner's agent shall employ one or more special inspectors approved by the city and shall provide inspections during construction on the following types of work:

Electrical special inspection:

1.

Ground-fault protection performance tests for equipment provided with ground-fault protection.

2.

Switchboard, panelboards, motor control center, and all other equipment rated 1,000 amps or more, or over 600 volts (over-potential test, commonly referred to as a hi-pot test).

3.

Emergency and standby power systems including: switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, transfer equipment, power source, conductors, fire pumps, exhaust and ventilation fans.

4.

Other special inspections as required by the building official.

Section 90.2A(6) is hereby amended to read as follows:

Electrical observation. Electrical observation shall be provided for the following installations:

1.

Installation or alteration of that portion of health care facility electrical systems which fall within the scope of Article 517, Chapter III of the 2011 National Electrical Code where critical care areas are present.

2.

Installations or alterations of high voltage electrical systems, which exceed 600 volts.

3.

Installations or alterations of electrical systems within locations classified as hazardous by the provisions of the 2011 National Electrical Code , or the currently adopted International Fire Code , except for gasoline dispensing installations and systems located within storage garages, repair garages or lubritoriums.

4.

When electrical observation is specifically required by the building official.

The owner shall employ the engineer responsible for the electrical design, or another engineer designated by the engineer responsible for the electrical design to perform visual observation of complex electrical equipment and systems for general conformance to the approved plans and specifications, including but not limited to, placement and interconnection of equipment. Electrical observation shall be performed at intermediate significant stages of the construction progression and when installation is complete and ready to be inspected by the building official. Certificates of electrical observation shall be completed and sealed by the engineer of record for all life safety items as one of the requirements prior to release of a temporary certificate of occupancy. All certificates of electrical observation shall be completed and sealed prior to the project's final approval and the electrical portion of the certificate of occupancy is completed.

Section 90.4 is amended by adding the following paragraph at the end of the section:

Periodically, technical bulletins may be issued by the building official to clarify policy of certain sections found within this code. These technical bulletins shall have the same enforceable content as if was included and part of this code.

ARTICLE 90 is amended by adding Section 90.10 to read as follows:

90.10 Wiring in Public Right-of-Way . No person, firm, or corporation shall place any wire for conduction of electricity for any purpose across or within the boundaries of any public street, alley, park or sidewalk, unless such a person, firm, or corporation is operating under a franchise or a permit from the proper authorities to do so.

ARTICLE 100 - DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE 100 is hereby amended by revising the definition of the following items to read as follows:

Kitchens. Commercial and Institutional Kitchens and Bars. For the purposes of this section, a kitchen or bar is defined as any area where food or beverage is prepared, served or dispensed.

Structure. Structures are an assembly of parts of components arranged in a logical form or manner for useful purpose. Assemblies such as service pedestals, substations, poles with panels or subpanels attached or similar equipment are considered to be structures. A structure is that which is built or constructed.

Section 110.22(B) Engineered Series Combination Systems and all sections in this code referring to this section are deleted in their entirety.

ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS

Section 210.5 is hereby amended by adding a subsection (D) to read as follows:

(D) Color Code. Where branch circuits requiring a neutral, are installed in raceways, the conductors of branch circuits connected to the same system shall conform to the following color code:

VOLTS	PHASE	SYSTEM	PHASE A	PHASE B	PHASE C	NEUTRAL
120/208	3	WYE	BLACK	RED	BLUE	WHITE
277/480	3	WYE	BROWN	ORANGE	YELLOW	GRAY
120/240	3	DELTA	BLACK	ORANGE	BLUE OR RED	WHITE

 

Exception 1: The above color coding is required in residential occupancies that have a 120/240 3 phase delta system. The high leg must meet all the requirements of NEC 110.15, 230.56, 408.3(e) and 408.3(f).

Exception 2: Existing industrial occupancies holding their own maintenance license may use their own color-coding system.

Exception 3: Conductors of listed cable assemblies shall be permitted to be permanently re-identified at the time of installation by distinctive markings at each outlet or termination where the conductor is visible and accessible; such as, six-inch taping or other effective means.

Exception 4: Additions to existing structures, where an acceptable color coding system exists, the existing color coding system shall be continued.

Exception 5: Switch legs and/or travelers may be identified by purple or pink.

Section 210.8(B)(2) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2) Kitchens: Commercial and Institutional Kitchens and Bars - for the purposes of this section, a kitchen or bar is defined as any area where food or beverage is prepared, served or dispensed.

Section 210.25(B) is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the paragraph:

The source of power to common area branch circuits, as described above, shall be supplied by separate house equipment panels and shall be separately metered.

Section 210.50(D) is added as follows:

210.50 (D) Prohibited Receptacle Locations. Receptacles shall not be installed in areas readily accessible directly behind and above a sink, range, counter-mounted cooking unit, grill, deep fryer or any such appliances where cords or receptacles could be subject to physical damage or water.

Exception: Receptacles behind a range or stove made inaccessible unless the range or stove is moved and the receptacle is used to power lighting, timers, or igniters on the appliance.

ARTICLE 220 - BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS

Section 220.43(B) is hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the paragraph:

This section shall also apply to branch circuits for calculation purposes, as well as the feeders.

Section 220.43(B) is hereby further amended by adding the following at the end of the Exception:

Exception: . . . The branch circuit breaker shall not be used as the limiter device. This section shall also apply to the branch circuit for calculation purposes, as well as the feeders.

ARTICLE 230 - SERVICES

Section 230.2 is hereby amended by adding the following sentence and Exception to the end of the first paragraph:

No electrical service on one property shall supply power to another separate and distinct property unless these properties are legally combined and under the same ownership.

Exception: Dwellings shall be allowed to supply other accessory structures on the same property.

Section 230.43 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 230.43 Wiring Methods for 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Service-entrance conductors shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of this code covering the type of wiring method used and shall be limited to the following methods:

1.

Rigid metal conduit;

2.

Intermediate metal conduit;

3.

Wire ways;

4.

Bus ways;

5.

Auxiliary gutters;

6.

Rigid non-metallic conduit may be used underground; or

7.

Schedule 80 rigid non-metallic conduit may extend above ground to the service equipment.

(fpn): Refer to the serving utility company's requirements for additional information on installing service-entrance conductors on or within buildings and underground laterals serving the premises.

Section 230.70(A)(1) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(A)

Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (A)(2) and (A)(3).

(1)

The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure, or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service-entrance conductors. The service disconnecting means shall be installed adjacent to, and accessible from, the same working area as the utility meter. All service disconnecting means located inside a building shall be enclosed within a room or space separated from the rest of the building by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation.

Exception: The ceiling of this service entrance room may be constructed as required for a one-hour wall assembly with protected opening.

Section 240.86(A) and all sections in this code referring to this section are hereby deleted in their entirety.

ARTICLE 250 - GROUNDING

Section 250.4(A)(6) is hereby amended to read as follows:

250.4(A)(6) Protection. All copper bonding, grounding, and grounding electrode conductors shall be routed inside buildings unless impractical to do so if determined by the authority having jurisdiction. Where it is absolutely necessary to route external to the building, conductors shall be installed in minimum schedule 80 non-metallic rigid conduits or other approved means and supported per NEC requirements for its article with 2-hole straps. If metallic conduits are used, both ends of the conduits shall be bonded as required in 250.64(E).

Section 250.8(B) is hereby amended by adding a sentence as follows:

Sheet metal screws shall not be used to connect grounding conductors or connection devices to enclosures.

Section 250.52(A)(3) is hereby amended by adding the following Exception:

Exception: A concrete encased electrode shall not be permitted in post-tensioned or mat slabs unless the concrete encased electrode terminates at an electrode as specified in 250.52(A)(5) or 250.52(A)(7) and complies with 250.56.

Section 250.118 is hereby amended to read as follows:

250.1118 Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. The equipment grounding conductor run with or enclosing the circuit conductors shall be one or more of a combination of the following:

1.

A copper or other corrosive-resistant conductor. This conductor shall be solid or stranded; insulated, covered or bare; and in the form of a wire or a busbar of any shape.

2.

Rigid metal conduit.

3.

Intermediate metal conduit.

4.

Electrical metallic tubing with an individual equipment grounding conductor.

5.

Flexible metal conduit with an individual equipment grounding conductor.

6.

Type AC cable with an individual equipment grounding conductor.

7.

The copper sheath of mineral-insulted, metal-sheathed cable.

8.

Type MC cable with an individual equipment grounding conductor.

9.

Cable trays as permitted in Sections 392.10 and 392.60.

10.

Cablebus framework as permitted in Section 370.3.

ARTICLE 300 WIRING METHODS

Section 300.4(D), Exception 1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Exception 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the equivalent shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

(fpn): Rigid nonmetallic conduits (PVC conduits) are required to be protected.

ARTICLE 310 - CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING

Section 314.24 Depth of Boxes is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:

All outlet, switch or junction boxes less than 8 inches in any dimension, shall have no more than any combination of two extension boxes and/or one extension box and one plaster ring. These installations shall comply with Articles 300.14 and 110.3(b).

ARTICLE 334 - NONMETALLIC SHEATHED CABLE

Section 334.10(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) are hereby amended to read as follows:

334.10 Uses Permitted. Type NM, type NMC, and type NMS cables shall be permitted to be used only in branch circuits in the following:

1.

One- and two- family dwellings and their attached or detached garages, and their storage buildings.

2.

Multi-family dwellings (R-2, apartments), except as prohibited in Section 334.12(10).

If an occupancy changes for other than a one- and two-family dwelling, or a multi-family dwelling (R-2, apartment) to any other occupancy, type NM, type NMC, and type NMS cable shall not be allowed and the wiring must be brought up to other approved methods. Where installed in cable tray, cables shall be identified for this use. Type NM, NMC, NMS and SE cables shall not extend beyond each individual dwelling unit and shall not pass from one dwelling unit through another unless enclosed in a raceway approved by the city and shall not be used for wiring originating from a house panel in any two family or multi-family dwelling unit(s).

Note: 334.10(A), 334.10(B) and 334.10(C) remain as written in the code.

Subsection 334.12(A)(1) is hereby amended to read as follows:

In any dwelling or structure not specifically permitted in 334.10 as amended .

Subsection 334.12(A)(11) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(11) In all Non-Residential Occupancies . Non-residential occupancies include all occupancies other than one- and two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings (R-2, apartments).

ARTICLE 358 - ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING: TYPE EMT

Section 358.10(B) is hereby amended as follows:

358.10(B) Corrosion Protection. Ferrous or nonferrous EMT, elbows, coupling, and fittings shall not be in concrete that is in direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe corrosive influences and judged unsuitable for the condition by the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 358.12 is hereby amended by adding a new item 7 to read as follows:

(7)

When in direct contact with the soil.

ARTICLE 406 - RECEPTACLES, CORD CONNECTORS, AND ATTACHMENT PLUGS (CAPS)

Section 406.4(G) is hereby added to read as follows:

(G)

No receptacles shall be installed in areas readily accessible directly behind or above a sink, range, counter-mounted cooking unit, grill, deep fryer or any such appliances where cords or receptacles could be subject to physical damage.

ARTICLE 410 - LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS

Section 410.36(B) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in the first paragraph and by adding a second paragraph to read as follows:

Intermediate or heavy-duty ceiling systems shall be used for the support of luminaires (lighting fixtures). All light fixtures shall be positively attached to the suspended ceiling system. The attachment device shall have a capacity of 100 percent of the lighting fixture weight acting in any direction. Luminaires (fixtures) weighing less than 56 pounds and track lighting shall have two 12 gauge wires attached at opposing corners of the luminaire(s) (fixture) or track lighting strip to the structure above. These wires may be slack, and shall contain, at a minimum, at least 3 tight twists within a 3-inch length of the wire at each end. Recessed luminaire housings, exit signage, all single bulb fixtures and emergency unit equipment that are installed within or on a suspended ceiling shall have a minimum of at least one 12 gauge wire attached to the structure above and this wire may be slack and shall contain, at a minimum, at least 3 tight twists of the wire within a 3-inch length at each end. Luminaires weighing more than 50 pounds shall comply with NEC 314.27 (b).

ARTICLE 690 - SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS

Section 690.7 is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the first paragraph:

The City of Glendale shall use the -6 to -10ºC (22-14ºF) with a voltage correction factor of 1.14 in the ambient temperature columns.

ARTICLE 725 - CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS

Section 725.4 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:

725.4 Bell and Signal Transformers. In residential occupancies, bell or signal transformers shall not be installed in attics, closets, or in any inaccessible concealed spaces.

(Ord. No. 2821, § 1, 10-23-12)