The Electrical Code

Thermal Protector (as applied to motors). As the name suggest when motors experience added resistance due to external mechanical forces or to added work load that it was not designed to do the internal temperature rises and this device jumps into action. It opens the circuit internally to the motor and stops all operation protecting the motor from catastrophic failure. Not all motors will have this feature installed.

“A protective device for assembly as an integral part of a motor or motor- compressor that, when properly applied, protects the motor against dangerous overheating due to overload and failure to start. (CMP-11)
Informational Note: The thermal protector may consist of one or more sensing elements integral with the motor or motor- compressor and an external control device.”

Thermally Protected (as applied to motors). As the name suggest when motors experience added resistance due to external mechanical forces or to added work load that it was not designed to do the internal temperature rises and this device jumps into action. It opens the circuit internally to the motor and stops all operation protecting the motor from catastrophic failure. Not all motors will have this feature installed.

Unclassified Locations [as applied to Hazardous (Classified) Locations]. Determined by class a class 1 or 2 is determined to be a area where there is gas or some type of vapor that can ignite for more then 1 hour per year(this is were I got the definition = click here). To me an hour is a long time to have an explosive condition in an area. I suppose there is ample ventilation for the rest of the year.

“Locations determined to be neither Class I, Divi‐
sion 1; Class I, Division 2; Class I, Zone 0; Class I, Zone 1; Class I, Zone 2; Class II, Division 1; Class II, Division 2; Class III, Division 1; Class III, Division 2; Zone 20; Zone 21; Zone 22; nor • any combination thereof. (CMP-14)”

Ungrounded. The word says everything, a state were we are not connected a ground. This is a dangerous situation because electricity will find the easiest path to ground and this could be through a person. At any r

“Not connected to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection. (CMP-5)”

Uninterruptible Power Supply. From the ones that go under your desk to UPS’s that hold a hole building from going dark. UPS’s play an important part in the electrical industry. Computers have the opportunity to be backed up files before shutting off. UPS’s have internal technology that does not allow spikes past it, not effecting your equipment.

“A power supply used to provide alternating current power to a load for some period of time in the event of a power failure. (CMP-13)
Informational Note: In addition, it may provide a more constant voltage and frequency supply to the load, reducing the effects of voltage and frequency variations.”

Utilization Equipment. This would be pretty much everything.

Ventilated. Provided with a means to permit circulation of air sufficient to remove an excess of heat, fumes, or vapors. (CMP-14)

Ventilated. We don’t realize it only when a light goes out or when a motor stops working but air circulation is important to get rid of the heat from devices that produce all that heat.

“Provided with a means to permit circulation of air sufficient to remove an excess of heat, fumes, or vapors. (CMP-14)”

Volatile Flammable Liquid. When talking about flash point is where a liquid or similar chemical will ignite. For instance when we hear an engine knocking that the temp of the pistons getting to a temp that will ignite the fuel air mixture in the piston chamber. This is just an example. We see this when chemicals weight less then air and that Chicas collects in the roof rafters when a ballast ignites and there is a flash of fire. I went a little off the subject but when talking about this we need to see how we can illuminate all chance of causing harm. Realizing all the situations the area your installing equipment in is our understanding and it is where we shine when asked why would you install that equipment that way and the explanation makes since it all becomes worth all the reading and all the questions asked.

Voltage (of a circuit). When asking an electrical engineer what voltage is this is the answer you will probably get if he or she remembers it from school. When we are in the field it is the amount of flow in a circuit that uses it to make a device work. Point blank.

Voltage, Nominal. The voltage a device needs to work. Not enough the device will not work, to much and the internal device will be destroyed.

“A nominal value assigned to a circuit or system for the purpose of conveniently designating its voltage class (e.g., 120/240 volts, 480Y/277 volts, 600 volts). (CMP-1)
Informational Note No. 1: The actual voltage at which a circuit operates can vary from the nominal within a range that permits satisfactory operation of equipment.
Informational Note No. 2: See ANSI C84.1-2011, Voltage Ratings for Electric Power Systems and Equipment (60 Hz). Informational Note No. 3: Certain battery units may be consid‐ ered to be rated at nominal 48 volts dc, but may have a charging float voltage up to 58 volts. In dc applications, 60 volts is used to cover the entire range of float voltages.”

Voltage to Ground. So when read the voltage between a potential circuit and a grounded conductor we see the voltage needed to drive a device to do the work it was designed.