The Electrical Code

This article gives use definition specific to the electrical code book. They don’t go into other standards and try to define there terms. And if they believe that the term is commonly know to the electrical community then that to is not talked about. Not to worry I am here to try to guid e your through this world. Interesting enough that they split the article into two parts and we will go though those and feel free to skip though to what you need.

“Scope. This article contains only those definitions essential to the application of this Code. It is not intended to include commonly defined general terms or commonly defined techni‐ cal terms from related codes and standards. In general, only those terms that are used in two or more articles are defined in Article 100. Other definitions are included in the article in which they are used but may be referenced in Article 100.
Part I of this article contains definitions intended to apply wherever the terms are used throughout this Code. Part II contains definitions applicable to installations and equipment operating at over 1000 volts, nominal.”

Part I. General

Accessible: This terms is used for equipment, when danger is at close reach. The term tries to eliminate any chance that physical harm or death by warning the user that you are door opening away from danger.

“(as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means. (CMP-1)”

Then the same term can mean in the code book when wiring up equipment. Some equipment can not be shut off for what ever reason and then this term tries to explain that by following these procedures it will be safe to complete the task at hand.

“(as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building. (CMP-1)”

Reading this next possible definition of the same word, this is phrased in a way that explains when inspection or common maintenance is done the equipment is ready to be open.

Adjustable Speed Drive. This goes into frequency drives, and rheostat that as the definition says adjust the speed of motors.

“Power conversion equipment that provides a means of adjusting the speed of an electric motor. (CMP-11)”

Adjustable Speed Drive System. This explanation is when there are more then one piece of equipment to adjust the speed to the motor. So in the word system not just sped drive.

“A combination of an adjustable speed drive, its associated motor(s), and auxiliary equip‐ ment. (CMP-11)”

Ampacity. They use this when explaining the amount of amps a conductor(wire) can hold without fail. This is important because as amps equals heat and the more amps the more heat and the more heat the easier for the plastic or to melt and cause a short.

“The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating. (CMP-6)”

Appliance.

“Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is normally built in standardized sizes or types and is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air-conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, and so forth. (CMP-17)”

Approved. This will make you happy, this is when you pass inspection. Your approved is a satisfying feeling, its when someone have authority approves what you have done.

“Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. (CMP-1)”

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). This is relatively new to the code, this is basically seen in breakers where are required in bed rooms. These breakers see an ark and trip much ,Ike a GFI does.

“A device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected. (CMP-2)”

Askarel. Thus us a gas that stops or slows the arch process.

“A generic term for a group of nonflammable synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbons used as electrical insulating media. (CMP-9)”

Associated Apparatus

“[as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations]. Apparatus in which the circuits are not necessarily intrinsically safe themselves but that affects the energy in the intrinsically safe circuits and is relied on to maintain intrinsic safety.”

Such apparatus is one of the following:
“(1) Electrical apparatus that has an alternative type of protection for use in the appropriate hazardous (classified) location
(2) Electrical apparatus not so protected that shall not be used within a hazardous (classified) location (CMP-14).”

Associated Nonincendive Field Wiring Apparatus [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations]. Here there is talk about locations like gasoline stations, propane refill, chemical companies that hold large amounts of raw material. If you never worked in one of those location if you have a chance your mind will be challenged at every turn, there is just so many variables to think about when doing the install in a chemical plant.

“Apparatus in which the circuits are not necessarily nonincendive themselves but that affect the energy in nonincendive field wiring circuits and are relied upon to maintain nonincendive energy levels.”

Such apparatus are one of the following:
“(1) Electrical apparatus that has an alternative type of protec‐ tion for use in the appropriate hazardous (classified) location
(2) Electrical apparatus not so protected that shall not be used in a hazardous (classified) location.(CMP-14)”

Attachment Plug (Plug Cap) (Plug). This is trying to give a name to things like a receptacle, or a data point. In this field like others there are things that need naming. Giving a name to something is harder then one would think. There are electricians that have an extensive vocabulary, and then there are those that don’t have that grasp for the written word.

“A device that, by insertion in a receptacle, establishes a connection between the conduc‐ tors of the attached flexible cord and the conductors connec‐ ted permanently to the receptacle. (CMP-18)”

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Here is one that might need an entire chapter all on it’s own. I recognize AHJ as someone that the town, state, or country gives the authority to inspect. There are test for those inspectors and even if it is a politically appointed position(sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t) you got to want to do it. When he or she walks onto the job sight they don’t know you, and even if they did they see a minimum of 8 jobs a day if the town has a full time inspector and they might see 16 to 20 jobs in the same day of they are part time and to critique an installation and go through there head the whole code and sign off saying to the owner of the property that the AHJ seeing this as a proper installation and then as a home owner or a business owner you are confident that it is safe to work, or live with what was installed is huge. Go to other places in the world and this field is considered a hazard.

“An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure. (CMP-1)”

Automatic. I personally have not seen this to much in the code book. “Performing a function without the necessity of human intervention. (CMP-1)”

Bathroom. When it comes to bathrooms there are a couple of issues, water is a conductor, not a good conductor but a conductor never the less. The bathroom is not considered a high amperage location, but when you have woman in the house it can be. So a blow dryers can have 1800 watts and that is 1800/120=15 amps. A curling iron pulls on average of 1500 watts and 1500/120=12.5 amps. 12.5+15=27.5 amps. That is just two popular devices. Today we have electric tooth brushes, electric toilets, showers that need 120 volts for that high end shower controller, and the highest amperage devices I have installed is a 40 amp 240 volt steamer. So yes it can get complicated and thought needs to be given to the amount of power supplied to the bathroom.

“An area including a basin with one or more of the
following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar
plumbing fixtures. (CMP-2)”

Battery System. This is becoming a big part of the code with more people realizing that when producing electrical power through solar, wind, or hydro it is better to store it then to sell it back to the public utility. More to say about this later.

“Interconnected battery subsystems consisting of one or more storage batteries and battery chargers, and can include inverters, converters, and associated electrical equipment. (CMP-13)”

Bonded (Bonding). When we ground something it is referred to as bonded. There is a whole class on this subject. Electrical engineers study this.

“Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity. (CMP-5)”

Bonding Conductor or Jumper. A wire that conducts electricity between two points. Sometimes this cannot be cut. Meaning it needs to be continues from onw point to another.

“A reliable conductor to ensure the required electrical conductivity between metal parts required to be electrically connected. (CMP-5)”

Bonding Jumper, Equipment. When working with computers or medical equipment this is a point of conversation.

“The connection between two or more portions of the equipment grounding conductor. (CMP-5)”

Bonding Jumper, Main. When installing an electrical main panel the inspector will check on this. Normally its a screw that bonds the two. When we go over service there will be pictures and I will link this definition to that page.

“The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at the service. (CMP-5)”

Bonding Jumper, System. A wire that carries the ground from one point in one device or enclosure to another and ends up in the panel main grounding bar.

“The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the supply-side bonding jumper, or the equipment grounding conductor, or both, at a separately
derived system. (CMP-5)”

Branch Circuit. The wire that is ran after the breaker. and after the first device.

“The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s). (CMP-2)”

Branch Circuit, Appliance. In a kitchen the microwave, the refrigerator, or the dishwasher should be dedicated branch circuits. Luminaires refers to a switch that operates lights of any kind.

“A branch circuit that supplies energy to one or more outlets to which appliances are to be connected and that has no permanently connected luminaires
that are not a part of an appliance. (CMP-2)”

Branch Circuit, General-Purpose. Typically when wiring outlets or lighting when can use a specific number of outlets and when the code goes through that topic I will link that page to this definition. I get questioned about how many outlets can be wired from on circuit and the code explains this.

“A branch circuit that supplies two or more receptacles or outlets for lighting and
appliances. (CMP-2)”

Branch Circuit, Individual. A good example of this is a dishwasher that is hard wired(no outlet) instead of it being plugged into an outlet. Or even a air compressor is also a good example.

“A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment. (CMP-2)”

Branch Circuit, Multiwire.

“A branch circuit that consists of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor that has equal voltage
between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit and that is connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system. (CMP-2)“

Building. A separate dwelling.

“A structure that stands alone or that is separated
from adjoining structures by fire walls. (CMP-1)”

Cabinet. This is self explanatory, but the only take away from this is every device the code gets involved with has an explosion rating.

“An enclosure that is designed for either surface mounting or flush mounting and is provided with a frame, mat, or trim in which a swinging door or doors are or can be hung. (CMP-9)”

Cable Routing Assembly. In general 120, 240, 277, or even 480 volt is ran in conduit not a cable tray that this is talking about. Mostly communication, and low voltage systems(60 volts or less). But I have seen 120, and 240 volt systems installed in these trays. That tray was isolated from any other type of wiring. It is not against the code to run electrical wiring in cable try but its not ideal to do so. Just imagine trying to take out a cable that is being changed from a cable tray that has hundreds of other cable. Not only are you looking at the possibility of cutting other wires in that system but as you are taking the wire out of the system damaging other wires. The ideal is where the space is being rented and the entire electrical system is removed from the area and its refreshed, these area are data centers where the owners of the location rent out space and the customer pays to installed and dismantle the area.

“A single channel or connected multiple channels, as well as associated fittings, forming a structural system that is used to support and route communications wires and cables, optical fiber cables, data cables associated with information technology and communications equipment, Class 2, Class 3, and Type PLTC cables, and power-limited fire alarm cables in plenum, riser, and general-purpose applications. (CMP-16)”

Charge Controller. Self explanatory right, this is going to come up a lot in solar as it becomes a bigger industry.

“Equipment that controls dc voltage or dc current, or both, and that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage device. (CMP-13)”

Circuit Breaker(C/B). This is the meat and potato of the electrical industry. This is where we start to work and end our job. C/B come in a lot amperage sizes, the most common sizes are 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, and from there most electrical engineers would have a smart C/B. These smart breakers have many adjustments from amperage to ground fault and more. This subject will be a blog all by its self.

“A device designed to open and close a circuit by nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when properly applied within its rating. (CMP-10)
Informational Note: The automatic opening means can be integral, direct acting with the circuit breaker, or remote from the circuit breaker.
Adjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term indicating that the circuit breaker can be set to trip at various values of current, time, or both, within a predetermined range.
Instantaneous Trip (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term indicating that no delay is purposely introduced in the tripping action of the circuit breaker.
Inverse Time (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term indi‐ cating that there is purposely introduced a delay in the tripping action of the circuit breaker, which delay decreases as the magnitude of the current increases.
Nonadjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term indicating that the circuit breaker does not have any adjust‐ ment to alter the value of the current at which it will trip or the time required for its operation.
Setting (of circuit breakers). The value of current, time, or both, at which an adjustable circuit breaker is set to trip.”

Clothes Closet. There are electrical closets, mechanical closets. There are all types of closets. This definition is addressed in the code because there are restriction to what we can install in a clothes closet. I will link this definition when it comes up in the code.

“A nonhabitable room or space intended primarily for storage of garments and apparel. (CMP-1)”

Coaxial Cable. There are many types of cable this cable is used for communication. And as you find your interest peaking about this industry you will learn the different properties that the different cables have. This cable has a good isolating property and is used for Radio Frequancy(RF) installations that need large broad band systems.

“A cylindrical assembly composed of a conduc‐ tor centered inside a metallic tube or shield, separated by a dielectric material, and usually covered by an insulating jacket. (CMP-16)”

Combustible Dust [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations]. This definition applies to situations that an electrical arch and spark a fire.

“Dust particles that are 500 microns or smaller (i.e., material passing a U.S. No. 35 Standard Sieve as defined in ASTM(American Society for Testing and Materials) , Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and ), and present a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air. (CMP-14)”Informational Note: See ASTM E1226-2012a, Standard Test Method for Explosibility of Dust Clouds, or ISO 6184-1, Explosion protection systems — Part 1: Determination of explosion indices of combustible dusts in air, for procedures for determining the explo‐ sibility of dusts.

Combustible Gas Detection System [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations].This a mouth full, this is used in location that have combustible fumes from the chemicals that expel those fumes. Gasoline is not the only chemical that expels fumes that are combustible. There are fumes that rise and there are fumes that fall. Both have there dangers and both can cause bodily damage or death. I will link this definition when it comes up in the code.

“A protection technique utilizing stationary gas detectors in industrial establishments. (CMP-14)”

Communications Equipment. This is a broad subject and I will cover it in a blog all by itself. I believe its that important.

“The electronic equipment that performs the telecommunications operations for the transmis‐ sion of audio, video, and data, and includes power equipment (e.g., dc converters, inverters, and batteries), technical support equipment (e.g., computers), and conductors dedicated solely to the operation of the equipment. (CMP-16) Informational Note: As the telecommunications network transi‐ tions to a more data-centric network, computers, routers, serv‐ ers, and their powering equipment, are becoming essential to the transmission of audio, video, and data and are finding increasing application in communications equipment installa‐ tions.”

Communications Raceway. Typically raceways for communications and raceways for power will remain independent of each other. For a simple reasons that there is an inherent danger that a power cable has with communication cable. Not only can a power cable interfere with the signal it can also induce voltage by inductive reactance(the method by which electrical energy is transferred from on conductive object to another. For this and more they are kept apart.

“An enclosed channel of nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding communications wires and cables; optical fiber cables; data cables associated with information technology and communications equipment; Class 2, Class 3, and Type PLTC cables; and power-limited fire
in plenum, riser, and general-purpose applications. (CMP-16)”

Composite Optical Fiber Cable. This is a dual puprose cable that allows the cable transfer an electrical signal or power and a lighting signal. These cable are expensive and can’t be installed like typical cable.

Concealed. This means something different than non visible. What it means is that when something is not accessible. This is a big no, no. Inspectors anywhere will fail the install. I have been asked by to fix a concealed install from another job by an inspector as part of my new install even if it has nothing to do with my install.

“Rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of the building. (CMP-1) Informational Note: Wires in concealed raceways are considered concealed, even though they may become accessible by with‐ drawing them.”

Conductive Optical Fiber Cable. “A factory assembly of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and containing non–current-carrying conductive member(s) such as metallic strength member(s), metallic vapor barrier(s), metallic armor or metallic sheath. (CMP-16)”

Conductor, Bare. This is used today for grounding applications. There was a method of running circuits called knot and tube. What knot and tube was a bare copper wire ran using these porcelain points to secure the wire. Not used today because of the danger it poses. But this method of wire int gave the most amperage per gauge of wire. With no insulation the wire could handle much more amperage. In the table about ampacity it covers what gauge can handle what amount of amps.

“A conductor having no covering or electrical insulation whatsoever. (CMP-6)”

Conductor, Covered. It does not have any properties that make it advantages to the use of or installation of electrical application.

“A conductor encased within material of composition or thickness that is not recognized by this Code as electrical insulation. (CMP-6)”

Conductor, Insulated. There are many types of insulation that are used today that conform to different application that are deemed necessary by the code book. And we must adhere to these rules to have a proper installation of equipment that will run and last for many years to come.

“A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness that is recognized by this Code as electrical insulation. (CMP-6)”

Conduit Body. So the way conduit is installed in any application what we do is make it as easy as possible to run the wires through them and if its to long of a run it might become impossible to install the wire. So what we do to do the installation is we add boxes or L-bees to parts of the run so that we can pull the wire through. Also at either end of the run there must be a point to termination that allows us to land the wires with some amount of clearance.

“A separate portion of a conduit or tubing system that provides access through a removable cover(s) to the interior of the system at a junction of two or more sections of the system or at a terminal point of the system.
Boxes such as FS and FD or larger cast or sheet metal boxes are not classified as conduit bodies. (CMP-9)”

Connector, Pressure (Solderless). In order to establish a proper connection and allow the amperage that the device is designed to run at, the device will come with terminal points that require eye-lets. These eye-lets come in different size to accept different size wires. And when compressed allow the proper amount of amp to flow through them.

“A device that establishes a connection between two or more conductors or between one or more conductors and a terminal by means of mechanical pressure and without the use of solder. (CMP-1)”

Continuous Load. This is the bread and butter of the code. The code specifies what is deemed to be continuous for the purpose of what gauge wire and what gauge conduit to be used. In the code book this will be better clarified.

“A load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. (CMP-2)”

Control Circuit. In this definition what it tries to explain is that if the system needs a switch to start and stop the equipment your going to need a means of doing so. Your not going to run disconnect every where and wire every where that would not be cost effect not=r will you have the space to do so. So we use low voltage systems that hold a contactor open or closed with that low voltage and that intern can be held in that position or operated from different location when there is trouble. This could be seen in a conveyor belt system where a person needs stop it at one end of the factory so there is an Emergancy stop button that will bring everything to a stop.

“The circuit of a control apparatus or system that carries the electric signals directing the performance of the controller but does not carry the main power current. (CMP-11)”

Control Drawing [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Loca‐ tions]. All equipment that needs voltage to run will have a wiring diagram. This diagram explains in a drawing how the electrical current is used and by what internal components used to make the apparatus work. With this diagram the person in the field can diagnose and hopefully repair the apparatus.

“A drawing or other document provided by the manufacturer of the intrinsically safe or associated apparatus, or of the nonincendive field wiring apparatus or associated nonincen‐ dive field wiring apparatus, that details the allowed interconnections between the intrinsically safe and associated apparatus or between the nonincendive field wiring apparatus or associ‐ ated nonincendive field wiring apparatus. (CMP-14)”

Controller. These devices make it so that we can operate equipment safely and in it’s proper limitations and that is what the controller does by limiting power, direction, and limiting its function by limit switches that tell the controller where the equipment is and if it’s safe to continue to operate.

“A device or group of devices that serves to govern, in some predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to the apparatus to which it is connected. (CMP-1)”

Cooking Unit, Counter-Mounted. Since the code was written for the national audience, I know that in Florida there are many people writing out the garage spaces as efficiencies. These are small studio or one bed room apt. Very small. When the space is limited sounder top cooking units need to be used. They needed to be regulated in some was and here you have it. Not to say that it was only Florida. Other states this applies to, I personnely know about this so I used it as an example. Please don’t get your panties in a bunch my good people from Florida.

“A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating elements, internal wiring, and built-in or mountable controls. (CMP-2)”

Coordination, Selective (Selective Coordination). In an application where there is critical equipment, like medical, federal radio communication, broad cast equipment, data centers to include financial usage, and more. A breaker can be set in between so to open only when that section of the circuit experiences a problem.

“Localization of an overcurrent condition to restrict outages to the circuit or equipment affected, accomplished by the selection and installation of overcurrent protective devices and their ratings or settings for the full range of available overcurrents, from overload to the maximum available fault current, and for the full range of overcurrent protective device opening times associated with those overcurrents. (CMP-10)”

Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors. This is a type of wire that is used more often when prices for copper skyrocket. Again this is my opinion, I can’t see doubling the size of a conductor, because that’s what needs to be done when using this type of wire. More to work with, more space needed to install, just a bigger wire comes with more complicated issues when installing. Also copper ends need to be tightened every so often. A great example is “Star-Lo” an electrical contractor that used this type of wire for the new meadow lands stadium in New Jersey, used it for there lighting, now the NY Giants vs the 49ers playoff game and the lights went out. How did I get my information, say I have inside people.

“Conductors drawn from a copper-clad aluminum rod, with the copper metallurgically bonded to an aluminum core, where the copper forms a minimum of 10 percent of the cross-sectional area of a solid conductor or each strand of a stranded conductor. (CMP-6)”

Cord Connector [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations]. An example of this is when a junction box needs to be installed near a flammable location.

“A fitting intended to terminate a cord to a box or similar device and reduce the strain at points of termination and may include an explosionproof, a dust-ignitionproof, or a flameproof seal. (CMP-14)”

Cutout Box. This is covered under article 312 and it references a disconnect. We needed to give it a name so it’s a box that the power can be cut out.

“An enclosure designed for surface mounting that has swinging doors or covers secured directly to and telescoping with the walls of the enclosure. (CMP-9)”

More to come.