Article 225
225.32 Location.
The disconnecting means shall be installed either inside or outside of the building or structure served or where the conductors pass through the building or structure. The disconnecting means shall be at a readily accessible loca- tion nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. For the purposes of this section, the requirements in 230.6 shall be utilized.
Part III. Over 1000 Volts. 225.50 Sizing of Conductors.
The sizing of conductors over 1000 volts shall be in accordance with 210.19(B) for branch circuits and 215.2(B) for feeders.
225.33 Maximum Number of Disconnects. (B) Single-Pole Units.
Two or three single-pole switches or breakers capable of individual operation shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to disconnect all ungrounded conductors with no more than six operations of the hand.
225.56 Inspections and Tests. (A) (1) Instrument Transformers.
All instrument transformers shall be tested to verify correct polarity and burden.
225.56 Inspections and Tests.(5) Metering Circuits.
All metering circuits shall be verified to operate correctly from voltage and current sources in a similar manner to protective relay circuits.
225.56 (7) Relays and Metering Utilizing Phase Differences.
All relays and metering that use phase differences for operation shall be verified by measuring phase angles at the relay under actual load conditions after operation commences.
225.3 Other Articles.
Application of other articles, including additional requirements to specific cases of equipment and conductors, is shown in Table 225.3.
225.30 (C) Special Occupancies.
By special permission, additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted for either of the following: ( 1) Multiple-occupancy buildings where there is no space available for supply equipment accessible to all occupants ( 2) A single building or other structure sufficiently large to make two or more supplies necessary
225.38 (B) Simultaneous Opening of Poles.
Each building or struc- ture disconnecting means shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded supply conductors that it controls from the build- ing or structure wiring system.
225.56 Inspections and Tests. (A) (2) Protective Relays.
Each protective relay shall be demon- strated to operate by injecting current or voltage, or both, at the associated instrument transformer output terminal and observing that the associated switching and signaling functions occur correctly and in proper time and sequence to accomplish the protective function intended.
225.11 Feeder and Branch-Circuit Conductors Entering, Exit- ing, or Attached to Buildings or Structures.
Feeder and branch-circuit conductors entering or exiting buildings or structures shall be installed in accordance with the require- ments of 230.52. Overhead branch circuits and feeders attached to buildings or structures shall be installed in accord- ance with the requirements of 230.54.
225.19 (D) Final Spans.
Final spans of feeders or branch circuits shall comply with 225.19(D)(1). (D) (2), and (D) (3).
225.39 Rating of Disconnect. (C) One-Family Dwelling.
For a one-family dwelling, the feeder disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 100 amperes, 3-wire.
225.22 Raceways on Exterior Surfaces of Buildings or Other Structures.
Raceways on exteriors of buildings or other struc- tures shall be arranged to drain and shall be listed or approved for use in wet locations.
225.21 Multiconductor Cables on Exterior Surfaces of Build- ings (or Other Structures).
Supports for multiconductor cables on exterior surfaces of buildings (or other structures) shall be as provided in 230.51.
225.5 Size of Conductors 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less.
The ampacity of outdoor branch-circuit and feeder conductors shall be in accordance with 310.14 based on loads as determined under 220.10 and Part III of Article 220.
225.61 Clearances over Buildings and Other Structures. (A) 22 kV Nominal to Ground or Less.
The clearances over buildings and other structures for conductors and live parts up to 22 kV, nominal, to ground or less shall be not less than the values shown in Table 225.61.
225.26 Vegetation as Support.
Vegetation such as trees shall not be used for support of overhead conductor spans.
225.6 (B) Festoon Lighting.
. Overhead conductors for festoon light- ing shall not be smaller than 12 AWG unless the conductors are supported by messenger wires. In all spans exceeding 12 m(40 ft), the conductors shall be supported by messenger wire. The messenger wire shall be supported by strain insulators. Conductors or messenger wires shall not be attached to any fire escape, downspout, or plumbing equipment
225.38 (C) Disconnection of Grounded Conductor.
. Where the build- ing or structure disconnecting means does not disconnect the grounded conductor from the grounded conductors in the building or structure wiring, other means shall be provided for this purpose at the location of the disconnecting means. A terminal or bus to which all grounded conductors can be attached by means of pressure connectors shall be permitted for this purpose. In a multisection switchboard or switchgear, disconnects for the grounded conductor shall be permitted to be in any section of the switchboard or switchgear, if the switchboard section orswitchgear section is marked to indicate a grounded conductor disconnect is contained within the equipment
Part II. Buildings or Other Structures Supplied by a Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s) 225.30 Number of Supplies.
A building or other structure that is served by a branch circuit or feeder on the load side of a service disconnecting means shall be supplied by only one feeder or branch circuit unless permitted in 225.30(A) through (E). For the purpose of this section, a multiwire branch circuit shall be considered a single circuit. Where a branch circuit or feeder originates in these addi- tional buildings or other structures, only one feeder or branch circuit shall be permitted to supply power back to the original building or structure, unless permitted in 225.30(A) through (E).
225.56 (B) Test Report.
A test report covering the results of the tests required in 225.56(A) shall be delivered to the authority having jurisdiction prior to energization. Informational Note: For an example of acceptance specifications, see ANSI/NETA ATS-2013, Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Distribution Equipment and Systems, published by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association.
225.30 (E) Different Characteristics.
Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted for different voltages, frequencies, or phases, or for different uses such as control of outside light- ing from multiple locations.
225.30 (F) Documented Switching Procedures.
Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted to supply installations under single management where documented safe switching proce- dures are established and maintained disconnection.
225.30 (A) Special Conditions.
Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted to supply the following: ( 1) Fire pumps ( 2) Emergency systems ( 3) Legally required standby systems ( 4) Optional standby systems ( 5) Parallel power production systems ( 6) Systems designed for connection to multiple sources of supply for the purpose of enhanced reliability ( 7) Electric vehicle charging systems listed, labeled, and iden- tified for more than a single branch circuit or feeder ( 8) Docking facilities and piers.
225.7 Lighting Equipment Installed Outdoors. (C) 277 Volts to Ground.
Circuits exceeding 120 volts, nomi- nal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts, nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply luminaires for illumina- tion of outdoor areas of industrial establishments, office build- ings, schools, stores, and other commercial or public buildings.
225.07 (D) 1000 Volts Between Conductors.
Circuits exceeding 277 volts, nominal, to ground and not exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, between conductors shall be permitted to supply the auxiliary equipment of electric-discharge lamps in accordance with 210.6(D) (1).
225.60 Clearances over Roadways, Walkways, Rail, Water, and Open Land. B) Over 22 kV Nominal to Ground.
Clearances for the cate- gories shown in Table 225.60 shall be increased by 10 mm (0.4 in.) per kV above 22,000 volts.
225.61 Clearances over Buildings and Other Structures. (B) Over 22 kV Nominal to Ground.
Clearances for the cate- gories shown in Table 225.61 shall be increased by 10 mm (0.4 in.) per kV above 22,000 volts. Informational Note: For additional information, see ANSI/IEEE C2-2017, National Electrical Safety Code.
(C) Locking.
Disconnecting means shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25.
(D) Indicating.
Disconnecting means shall clearly indicate whether they are in the open "off" or closed "on" position.
225.38 Disconnect Construction.
Disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.38(A) through (D).
(B) Type.
Each building or structure disconnect shall simulta- neously disconnect all ungrounded supply conductors it controls and shall have a fault-closing rating not less than the available fault current at its supply terminals. Where fused switches or separately mounted fuses are installed, the fuse characteristics shall be permitted to contrib- ute to the fault-closing rating of the disconnecting means.
225.56 Inspections and Tests. (4) Control and signal Circuits
Each control or signal circuit shall be observed to perform its proper control function or produce a correct signal output.
225.56 Inspections and Tests.(3) Switching Circuit
Each switching circuit shall be observed to operate the associated equipment being switched,
225.31 Disconnecting Means.
Means shall be provided for disconnecting all ungrounded conductors that supply or pass through the building or structure.
225.17 Masts as Supports.
Only feeder or branch-circuit conductors specified within this section shall be permitted to be attached to the feeder and/or branch-circuit mast. Masts used for the support of final spans of feeders or branch circuits shall be installed in accordance with 225.17(A) and (B).
225.14 Open-Conductor Spacings. (C) Separation from Other Circuits.
Open conductors shall be separated from open conductors of other circuits or systems by not less than 100 mm (4 in.).
225.15 Supports over Buildings.
Outside branch-circuit and feeder conductors passing over a building shall be securely supported.
225.19 Clearances from Buildings for Conductors of Not over 1000 Volts, Nominal.
Overhead spans of open conductors and open multiconductor cables shall comply with 225.19(A), (B), (C), and (D).
225.7 Lighting Equipment Installed Outdoors. (B) Common Neutral.
The ampacity of the neutral conductor shall not be less than the maximum net calculated load current between the neutral conductor and all ungrounded conductors connected to any one phase of the circuit.
225.38 (D) Indicating.
The building or structure disconnecting the means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position.
225.60 Clearances over Roadways, Walkways, Rail, Water, and Open Land. (A) 22 kV, Nominal, to Ground or Less.
The clearances over roadways, walkways, rail, water, and open land for conductors and live parts up to 22 kV, nominal, to ground or less shall be not less than the values shown in Table 225.60.
225.36 Type of Disconnecting Means.
The disconnecting means specified in 225.31 shall be comprised of a circuit breaker, molded case switch, general-use switch, snap switch, or other approved means. Where applied in accordance with 250.32(B), Exception No. 1, the disconnecting means shall be suitable for use as service equipment.
225.10 Wiring on Buildings (or Other Structures).
The instal- lation of outside wiring on surfaces of buildings (or other struc- tures) shall be permitted for circuits not exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, as the following: 1) Auxiliary gutters 2) Busways 3) Cable trays 4) Cablebus 5) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) 6) Flexible metal conduit (FMC) 7) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) 8) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) 9) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) 10) Messengersupported wiring 11) Open wiring on insulators 12) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) 13) Rigid metal conduit (RMC) 14) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC)
225.17 (A) Strength.
The mast shall have adequate strength or be supported by braces or guy wires to safely withstand the strain imposed by the overhead feeder or branch-circuit conductors. Hubs intended for use with a conduit serving as a mast for support of feeder or branch-circuit conductors shall be identi- fied for use with a mast.
225.16 Attachment to Buildings. (B) Means of Attachment.
The means of attachment to a building shall be in accordance with 230.27.
225.16 Attachment to Buildings. (A) Point of Attachment.
The point of attachment to a build- ing shall be in accordance with 230.26.
225.34 Grouping of Disconnects. (A) General.
The two to six disconnects as permitted in 225.33 shall grouped. Each disconnect shall be marked to indicate the load served. Exception: One of the two to six disconnecting means permitted in 225.33, where used only for a water pump also intended to provide fire protection, shall be permitted to be located remote from the other discon- necting means,
225.19 (D) Final Spans. (2) Vertical Clearance.
The vertical clearance of final spans above or within 900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally of plat- forms, projections, or surfaces that will permit personal contact shall be maintained in accordance with 225.18.
Part I. General 225.4 Conductor Covering.
Where within 3.0 m (10 ft) of any building or structure other than supporting poles or towers, open individual (aerial) overhead conductors shall be insulated for the nominal voltage. The insulation of conductors in cables or raceways, except Type Ml cable, shall be of thermoset or thermoplastic type and, in wet locations, shall comply with 310.10(C). The insulation of conductors for festoon lighting shall be of the thermoset or thermoplastic type.
225.19 (C) Horizontal Clearances.
Clearances shall not be less than 900 mm (3 ft).
225.17 (B) Attachment.
Feeder and/or branch-circuit conductors shall not be attached to a mast where the connection is between a weatherhead or the end of the conduit and a coupling where the coupling is located above the last point of securement to the building or other structure, or where the coupling is located above the building or other structure.
225.19 (D) Final Spans. (1) Clearance from Windows.
Final spans to the building they supply, or from which they are fed, shall be permitted to be attached to the building, but they shall be kept not less than 900 mm (3 ft) from windows that are designed to be opened, and from doors, porches, balconies, ladders, stairs, fire escapes, or similar locations. Exception: Conductors run abore the top level of a urindow shall te permitted to be less than the 900 mm (3 fi) requirement.
position. 225.39 Rating of Disconnect. (D) All Others.
For all other installations, the feeder or branch-circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 60 amperes.
225.39 (B) Two-Circuit Installations.
For installations consisting of not more than two 2-wire branch circuits, the feeder or branch- circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 30 amperes.
225.39 Rating of Disconnect. (A) One-Circuit Installation.
For installations to supply only limited loads of a single branch circuit, the branch circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 15 amperes.
225.18 Clearance for Overhead Conductors and Cables.
Over- head spans of open conductors and open multiconductor cables of not over 1000 volts, nominal, shall have a clearance of not less than the following: ( 1) 3.0 m (10 ft) - above finished grade, sidewalks, or from any platform or projection that will permit personal contact where the voltage does not exceed 150 volts to ground and accessible to pedestrians only ( 2) 3.7 m (12 ft) - over residential property and driveways, and those commercial areas not subject to truck traffic where the voltage does not exceed 300 volts to ground ( 3) 4.5 m (15 ft) - for those areas listed in the 3.7 m (12 ft) classification where the voltage exceeds 300 volts to ground ( 4) 5.5 m (18 ft) - over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than resi- dential property, and other land traversed by vehicles, such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard ( 5) 7.5 m (24½ ft) - over track rails of railroads
225.19 Clearances from Buildings for Conductors of Not over 1000 Volts, Nominal. (A) Above Roofs.
Overhead spans of open conductors and open multiconductor cables shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.7 m (8 ft 6 in.) above the roof surface. The verti- cal clearance above the roof level shall be maintained for a distance not less than 900 mm (3 ft) in all directions from the edge of the roof.
225.33 Maximum Number of Disconnects. (A) General.
The disconnecting means for each supply permitted by 225.30 shall cosist of not more than six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard or switchgear. There shall be no more than six disconnects per supply grouped in any one location. Exception: For the purtoses of this section, disconnecting means used solely for the control circuit of the ground-fault protection system, or the control circuit of the poweroperated supply disconnecrting means, installed as part of the listed equipment, shall not be considered a supply disconnecting means.
225.38 (A) Manually or Power Operable.
The disconnecting means shall consist of either (1) a manually operable switch or a circuit breaker equipped with a handle or other suitable oper- ating means or (2) a power-operable switch or circuit breaker, provided the switch or circuit breaker can be opened by hand in the event of a power failure.
225.37 Identification.
Where a building or structure has any combination of feeders, branch circuits, or services passing through it or supplying it, a permanent plaque or directory shall be installed at each feeder and branch-circuit disconnect location denoting all other services, feeders, or branch circuits supplying that building or structure or passing through that building or structure and the area served by each.
(F) Identification.
Where a building or structure has any combination of feeders, branch circuits, or services passing through or supplying it, a permanent plaque or directory shall be installed at each feeder and branch-circuit disconnect loca- tion that denotes all other services, feeders, or branch circuits supplying that building or structure or passing through that buikding or structure and the area served by each.
225.19 (E) Zone for Fire Ladders.
Where buildings exceed three stories or 15 m (50 ft) in height, overhead lines shall be arranged, where practicable, so that a clear space (or zone) at least 1.8 m (6 ft) wide will be left either adjacent to the build- ings or beginning not over 2.5 m (8 ft) from them to facilitate the raising of ladders when necessary for fire fighting.
(E) Uniform Position.
Where disconnecting means handles are operated vertically, the "up" position of the handle shall be the "on" position.
Part II. 225.30 Number of Supplies. (B) Common Supply Equipment.
Where feeder conductors originate in the same panelboard, switchboard, or other distri- bution equipment, and each feeder terminates in a single disconnecting means, not more than six feeders shall be permitted. Where more than one feeder is installed in accord- ance with this section, all feeder disconnects supplying the building or structure shall be grouped in the same location, and the requirements of 225.33 shall not apply. Each discon- nect shall be marked to indicate the load served.
225.24 Outdoor Lampholders.
Where outdoor lampholders are attached as pendants, the connections to the circuit wires shall be staggered. Where such lampholders have terminals of a type that puncture the insulation and make contact with the conductors, they shall be attached only to conductors of the stranded type.
225.34 (B) Additional Disconnecting Means.
The one or more addi- tional disconnecting means for fire pumps or for emergency, legally required standby or optional standby system permitted by 225.30 shall be installed sufficiently remote from the one to six disconnecting means for ormal supply to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of supply.
225.35 Access to Occupants.
In a multiple-occupancy building each occupant shall have access to the occupant's supply disconnecting means.
225.25 Location of Outdoor Lamps.
Locations of lamps for outdoor lighting shall be below all energized conductors, trans- formers, or other electric utilization equipment, unless either of the following apply: 1) Clearances or other safeguards are provided for relamp- ing operations. 2) Equipment is controlled by a disconnecting means that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25.
225.12 Open-Conductor Supports.
Open conductors shall be supported on knobs, racks, brackets, or strain insulators, that are made of glass, porcelain, or other approved materials.
225.6 Conductor Size and Support. (A) Overhead Spans.
Open individual conductors shall not be smaller than the following: 1) For 1000 volts, nominal, or less, 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum for spans up to 15 m (50 ft) in length, and 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum for a longer span unless supported by a messenger wire 2) For over 1000 volts, nominal, 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum where open individual conductors, and 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum where in cable
225.56 Inspections and Tests. (A) Pre-Energization and Operating Tests.
The complete elec- trical system design, including settings for protective, switching, and control circuits, shall be prepared in advance and made available on request to the authority having jurisdiction and shall be performance tested when first installed on-site. Each protective, switching, and control circuit shall be adjusted in accordance with the system design and tested by actual opera- tion using current injection or equivalent methods as necessary to ensure that each and every such circuit operates correctly to the satisfaction of the authority having jurisdliction.
225.39 Rating of Disconnect.
The feeder or branch-circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than the calculated load to be supplied, determined in accordance with Parts I and II of Article 220 for branch circuits, Part III or IV of Article 220 for feeders, or Part V of Article 220 for farm loads. Where the branch circuit or feeder disconnecting means consists of more than one switch or circuit breaker, as permit- ted by 225.33, combining the ratings of all the switches or circuit breakers for determining the rating of the disconnect- ing means shall be permitted. In no case shall the rating be lower than specified in 225.39(A), (B), (C), or (D).
225.10 Wiring on Buildings (or Other Structures).
The instal- lation of outside wiring on surfaces of buildings (or other struc- tures) shall be permitted for circuits not exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, as the following: ( 1) Auxiliary gutters ( 2) Busways ( 3) Cable trays ( 4) Cablebus ( 5) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) ( 6) Flexible metal conduit (FMC) ( 7) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) ( 8) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) ( 9) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) ( 10) Messengersupported wiring ( 11) Open wiring on insulators ( 12) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) ( 13) Rigid metal conduit (RMC) ( 14) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC) 15) Type MC cable ( 16) Type Ml cable ( 17) Type SE cable ( 18) Type TC-ER cable ( 19) Type UF cable ( 20) Wireways
225.19 (D) Final Spans. (3) Building Openings.
The overhead branch-circuit and feeder conductors shall not be installed beneath openings through which materials may be moved, such as openings in farm and commercial buildings, and shall not be installed where they obstruct entrance to these openings.
225.40 Access to Overcurrent Protective Devices.
Where a feeder overcurrent device is not readily accessible, branch- circuit overcurrent devices shall be installed on the load side, shall be mounted in a readily accessible location, and shall be of a lower ampere rating than the feeder overcurrent device.
225.27 Raceway Seal.
Where a raceway enters a building or structure from outside, it shall be sealed. Spare or unused race- ways shall also be sealed. Sealants shall be identified for use with cable insulation, conductor insulation, bare conductor, shield, or other components.
225.30 (D) Capacity Requirements.
Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted where the capacity requirements are in excess of 2000 amperes at a supply voltage of 1000 volts or less.
225.56 (6) Acceptance Tests.
Complete acceptance tests shall be performed, after the substation installation is completed, on all assemblies, equipment, conductors, and control and protective systems, as applicable, to verify the integrity of all the systems.
225.56 Inspections and Tests.6) Acceptance Test
Complete acceptance tests shall be performed, after the substation installation is completed, on all assemblies, equipment, conductors, and control and protective systems, as applicable, to verify the integrity of all the systems.
225.20 Protection Against Physical Damage.
Conductors installed on buikdings, structures, or poles shall be protected against physical damage as provided for services in 230,50.
225.14 Open-Conductor Spacings. (A) 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less.
Conductors of 1000 volts, nominal, or less, shall comply with the spacings provided in Table 230.51(C).
225.14 Open-Conductor Spacings. (B) Over 1000 Volts, Nominal.
Conductors of over 1000 volts, nominal, shall comply with the spacings provided in 110.36 and 490.24.
225.14 Open-Conductor Spacings. (D) Conductors on Poles.
Conductors on poles shall have a separation of not less than 300 mm (1 ft) where not placed on racks or brackets. Conductors supported on poles shall provide horizontal climbing space not less than the following: 1) Power conductors below communications conductors- 750 mm (30 in.) 2) Power conductors alone or above communications conductors: a. 300 volts or less-600 mm (24 in.) b. Over 300 volts - 750 mm (30 in.) 3) Communications conductors below power conductors same as power conductors 4) Communications conductors alone -no requirement.
225.60 Clearances over Roadways, Walkways, Rail, Water, and Open Land. (C) Special Cases.
For special cases, such as where crossings will be made over lakes, rivers, or areas using large vehicles such as mining operations, specific designs shall be engineered considering the special circumstances and shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Informational Note: For additional information, see ANSI/IEEE C22017, National Electrical Safety Code.
225.7 Lighting Equipment Installed Outdoors. (A) General.
For the supply of lighting equipment installed outdoors, the branch circuits shall comply with Article 210 and 225.7(B) through (D).
225.19 Clearances from Buildings for Conductors of Not over 1000 Volts, Nominal. (B) From Nonbuilding or Nonbridge Structures.
From signs, chimneys, radio and television antennas, tanks, and other nonbuilding or nonbridge structures, clearances - vertical, diagonal, and horizontal - shall not be less than 900 mm (3 ft).
225.1 Scope.
This article covers requirements for outside branch circuits and feeders run on or between buildings, struc- tures, or poles on the premises; and electrical equipment and wiring for the supply of utilization equipment that is located on or attached to the outside of buildings, structures, or poles. Informational Note: For additional information on wiring over 1000 volts, see ANSI/IEEE C2-2017, National Electrical Safety Code.
225.51 Isolating Switches.
Where oil switches or air, oil, vacuum, or sulfur hexafluoride circuit breakers constitute a building disconnecting means, an isolating switch with visible break contacts and meeting the requirements of 230.204(B), (C), and (D) shall be installed on the supply side of the discon- necting means and all associated equipment.
