Module 6
E3702.3
A 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit can supply lighting units or utilization equipment or both.
E3702.4
A 30-ampere branch circuit can serve fixed utilization equipment. Any cord and plug equipment cannot exceed 80% of the branch circuit amperage rating.
E3608.1.2
A concrete encased electrode at least 20' long that is either: One or more steel reinforcing bars at least ½" in diameter and 20' long installed in one continuous length. A bare copper wire that is #4 AWG or larger. Metallic components are considered a grounding electrode as long as any metal is encased in at least 2" of concrete in a foundation or footing in direct contact with earth. This is known as a Ufer Ground.
Grounding Electrode
A conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.
Grounding Electrode Conductor
A conductor used to connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode system.
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter
A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the value for a Class A device.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter
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.
Intersystem Bonding Termination
A device that provides a means for connecting a communications system(s), grounding conductor(s), and bonding conductor(s) at the service equipment or at the disconnecting means for buildings or structures supplied by a feeder or branch.
E3610.1
A grounding electrode conductor must be one continuous length and connected to a grounding electrode. Other electrodes must be connected to bonding jumpers in accordance with Section E3608.2 in the IRC code book or to one or more grounding electrodes.
E3609.3
A properly sized intersystem bonding termination fitting is required for other systems such as telephone or cable television outside enclosures at disconnecting means of the service equipment.
E3601.6.1
A service disconnect must be clearly and permanently marked as a disconnecting means.
Grounded Conductor
A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.
Device
A unit of an electrical system that carries or controls electrical energy as its principal function.
E3901.2.2
A wall space includes: Any space that is 2' or more in width including space around corners including wall spaces created by doors. Space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls (not sliding panels). Space formed by fixed room dividers, such as railing or bar-type counters.
E3706.2
All circuits must be legibly marked to identify them for the use intended. Space circuit breaker positions that contained unused devices must be marked as a spare. The circuit breaker identification must be on the face of the panel board enclosure. Identification must be distinct and not based on transient condition such as Bobby's bedroom or Sarah's workshop.
E3604.2.1
All conductors must have a vertical clearance of at least 8' above the roof roof surface and at least 3' from the edge of the roof in all directions except those following the five exceptions. Those above the roof where pedestrian traffic is beneath must meet requirements of Section E3604.2.2 in the IRC code book. Where the roof is sloped 4:12 or greater can have a reduced clearance of 3'. Conductors above an overhang can have a reduced clearance of 18" where not more than 6' of the conductor passes over 4' or less of the roof surface and the conductors terminate at a through-the-roof raceway. Maintaining the vertical clearance for a distance of 3' from the edge of roof is not necessary for the final conductor at the service drop on the side of a building. Where voltage between conductors is not above 300 volts, the clearance may be reduced to 3' if the area is guarded or isolated.
E3405.6
All electrical equipment must be illuminated to service equipment. This can be a switched light. Daylight itself is not sufficient for required illumination.
E3405.1
All electrical equipment must have access and working space as shown in Figure E3405.1. Generally, there must be 6'6" in height, 30" in width and 36" in depth in front of the equipment.
E2403.3
All electrical parts must be listed by an approved listing agency and labeled so as to identify them as appropriate for the installation as intended by the manufacturer.
E3611.2
All mechanical connections to terminate a grounding electrode or bonding jumper to the grounding electrodes, which are not within concrete, must be accessible.
E3609.2
All non-current carrying metal parts must be adequately bonded together including: Raceways or service cable armor or sheath that has service conductors, and Service enclosures with service conductors.
E3705.1
Allowable ampacities for conductors must be determined by using Table E3705.1 along with correction and adjustment factors found in Section E3705 in the IRC code book.
E3608.1.3
Another building electrode is a ground ring at least #2 AWG bare copper conductor around a building and at least 20' long, buried at least 30" in direct contact with earth.
E3608.1.1
Another grounding electrode is a continuous metal underground water pipe in contact with earth at least 10' in length. This includes well casings. Use of a metal underground pipe must be supplemented with an additional grounding electrode. Interior metal pipe more than 5' from its entrance to the building is not to be used as a means of grounding.
E3608.1.4
Another grounding electrode is a rod and pipe not less than 8' in length and: Pipe or conduit not smaller than ¾" and must be made of iron or steel that is coated to protect from corrosion. Rod-type grounding electrodes that are made of stainless steel, copper or zinc-coated steel at least 5/8" in diameter.
E3606.1
Any electrical part of the service that is energized must be enclosed.
E3608.4
Any grounding system using a single rod, pipe, or plate electrode must include an additional electrode. This electrode must be bonded by: A rod, pipe, or plate electrode, or A grounding electrode conductor, or A grounded service entrance conductor, or A non-flexible grounded service raceway, or A grounded service enclosure.
E3601.2
Any one- or two-family dwelling cannot have more than one service.
E3703.4
At least one 20-ampere branch circuit is required for outlets in bathroom(s). This branch circuit may not serve any other uses.
E3703.3
At least one 20-ampere branch circuit is required in the laundry area. This branch circuit may not serve any other uses.
E3703.2
At least two 20-ampere branch circuits must be provided in wall and floor receptacles in kitchen, pantry, breakfast area, and dining area. Outlets that serve kitchen countertops must be served by at least two 20-ampere branch circuits. These may serve other receptacle outlets in the same kitchen, pantry, breakfast area, and dining area.
E3803.5
Backfill over cables or conductors must not contain large rock, paving material, cinders, large, or angular substances, or corrosive materials. Backfill must be able to be properly compacted.
120-Volt Duplex Receptacle
Black wires (hot) connect to the gold-colored or brass screws. White wires (neutral) connect to the silver-colored screws. Grounding wires (bare) connect to the ground screws.
E3609.1
Bonding is required where needed to ensure electrical continuity and the ability to carry the load of any fault current to a path to grounding.
E3702.2
Branch circuits must be rated according to the maximum allowable ampere rating of the circuit breaker (or other overcurrent device). The options are 15, 20, 30, 40, or 50 amperes.
E3803.1
Cable or raceways that are buried must have adequate cover. Table E3803.1 in the IRC code book sets out minimum cover for different conditions and type of wiring.
E3802.3.3
Cables and conductors with insulation that are exposed to direct sunlight must be listed and labeled for such use or covered with another insulating material that is listed and labeled "Sunlight resistant".
E3802.2.2
Cables in accessible attics or roof spaces that are installed along or through rafters, studs, or joists are not required to be protected with guard strips and running boards.
E3802.2.1
Cables must be protected by substantial guard strips at least as high as the cable where installed across top of floor joist in attics and roof spaces that are provided with access. In accessible attics cables must be similarly protected if within 7' of floor or floor joists when installed across the face of rafters or studding.
E3803.4
Cables of conductors direct buried below grade may be spliced or tapped without splice boxes.
E3802.3.2
Cables subject to physical damage must be protected by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC rigid nonmetallic conduit, or other approved means. Where cable passes through a floor it must be protected in a similar manner that extends at least 6" above the floor.
Readily Accessible
Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections, without requiring those whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, etc.
E3602.3
Combined rating for all service disconnects serving a one-family dwelling must be at least the load calculated using Table 3602.2 in the IRC code book.
4-Wire, 240-Volt Receptacle
Commonly used in ranges and dryers
E3803.3
Conductors and cables emerging from the ground must be protected from damage by enclosures or raceways that extend from a depth required for cover to a point at least 8" above finished grade.
Grounded/Grounding
Connected (connecting) to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection.
E3706.4
Each grounded conductor must terminate inside the panel board on a single terminal (do not add more than one wire per terminal). The only exception to this is more than one parallel grounded conductors may connect to a common terminal.
E3404.4
Electrical enclosures rated less than 600 volts, installed in the proper location must be marked with enclosure type that corresponds with Table E3404.4. You can use this table for selecting the proper enclosure for the type of use, whether indoor or outdoor.
E3901.2
Electrical receptacles must be installed along a wall space in every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar rooms.
E3703.1
Except for fixed electrical space heating, central heating equipment must have an individual branch circuit. Permanent air conditioning equipment directly part of central heating equipment, such as pumps and motors, may connect to the same branch circuit.
E3901.2.3
Floor receptacles cannot be used as required outlets unless they are within 18" of the wall.
E3611.1
Grounding or bonding conductors must be connected to the grounding conductor with an exothermic weld, listed lugs, clamps, or pressure connectors or similar method.
Single Outlet, Dedicated Receptacle
Limited in use to one device.
E3609.7
Metal piping systems in or attached to a building that are capable of being energized must be bonded to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, sufficiently sized grounding electrode conductor, or to the grounding electrodes.
E3609.6
Metal water pipe must be bonded to the service equipment enclosure.
Qualified Person
One who has the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.
E3603.3.1
Overload protection must be an overcurrent device installed in series with each ungrounded service conductor. It must have a rating of at least that determined by table E3603.1. This can be a set of fuses if they protect all of the ungrounded conductors of a circuit. Properly grouped single-pole circuit breakers are considered as one protective device.
E3611.6
Paint or similar non-conductive covering on equipment required to be grounded must be removed from threads and other contact surfaces to ensure electrical continuity.
E3901.2.1
Receptacles must be spaced along a wall to ensure that no floor line or wall space is more than 6' from a receptacle.
E3603.1
Service and feeder conductor supplied by a single phase 120/240 volt system shall be sized according to E3603.1.1 through E3603.1.4 and Table 3705.1.
E3803.2
Service conductors that are buried underground more than 18" and not encased in concrete must have a warning ribbon not less than 12" above the installation identifying their presence.
E3605.9.2
Service entrance cables must have a service head or an approved gooseneck.
E3606.4
Service equipment must be marked as approved for the intended use. Meter sockets are not considered service equipment.
E3606.3
Service equipment must have a fault current rating of at least 10,000 amperes and be approved for the intended use.
Service and Service Drop
Service is the conductors and equipment for delivering energy from the serving utility to the wiring system of the premises served. Service drop is the overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to an including the splices, if any, connecting to the service-entrance conductors at the building or other structure.
E3605.9.1
Service raceways must have a rain-tight service head where connected to service drop conductors.
E3604.2.2
Service-drop conductors must be at least: Ten feet above pedestrian access such as sidewalks or above final grade at the electrical service entrance at the lowest point of the drip loop. Twelve feet above residential property and driveways. Eighteen feet above public streets, alleys, roads, or parking areas where there may be truck traffic.
E3605.3
Service-entrance conductors may be spliced or tapped but must be inside an enclosure or, if buried underground, with a listed splice.
E3605.1
Service-entrance conductors that carry current must be insulated.
E3602.2.1
Services not required to be 100 amperes must be sized according to chapter 37 of the IRC code book.
E3602.4
Systems shall be three-wire, 120/240-volt, single-phase with a grounded neutral.
Branch Circuit
The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC)
The conducive path installed to connect normally non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor, or both.
E3602.2
The minimum load for ungrounded service conductors and devices that serve all of the dwellings must be derived in accordance with Table E3602.2 in the IRC code book. Ungrounded service conductors that serve all of the dwelling must be sized as feeders.
E3607.1
The premise wiring system must be grounded at the service. The ground must be sized according to Table E3603.1 in the IRC code book.
E3601.7
The service disconnect must have no more than six switches installed in one enclosure or a group of separate enclosures.
E3606.2
The working space for service equipment must be at least that specified in Table E3603.1 in the IRC code book.
E3601.6.2
This service disconnect must be readily accessible either outside or inside near where the service enters the building. It can not be in bathrooms. The occupants must have access in case they need to quickly disconnect the service of the dwelling unit in which they live.
E3901.3
Two or more 20-ampere appliance branch circuits are needed in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar areas including refrigeration appliances.
E3602.1
Ungrounded service conductors must be rated for at least the ampacity of the load served. For one-family dwellings, at least a 3 wire, 100 amperes service is a minimum. For all other uses, 60 amperes is the minimum.
E3603.2
Ungrounded service conductors not in dwelling units must have an ampacity not less than 60 amperes and sized according to chapter 37 in the IRC code book.
Standard Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Receptacle
Used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas.
E3406.11.3
Where conductors join fixtures or devices, a minimum length of 6" free conductor must be provided at each outlet, junction, or switch to ensure that the connection can be removed or replaced safely. Where that opening to an outlet is less than 8" in any dimension, at least 3" of the conductor must extend outside the opening.
E3802.6
Where different temperatures or condensation can affect wiring, such as a cold storage room, the raceway or sleeve must be filled with an approved material that prevents circulating warm air to areas with cold air.
E3605.5
Where service-entrance cables are above ground and subject to physical damage, protection is required by metal conduit, intermediate conduit, schedule 80 PVC conduit, electrical metal tubing, or other approved methods.
E3802.7
Where wet conditions above grade can affect wiring the interior of the raceway is considered a wet location. Wiring in these locations must be listed for such use.
E3406.8
Where wires are joined together, the terminals and splices between conductors must be the appropriate type of the material. Generally dissimilar materials such as copper and aluminum are not permitted to be join together unless the connecting device is listed for this purpose.
E3802.5
Wires cannot be bent in a manner that causes damage to the wire nor that reduces the size of the raceway. Bends in NM and SE cable must be made in a manner to prevent damage and the radius of the curve of the inside edge of the bend is not less than 5 times the diameter of the cable.
E3601.6
You must be able to disconnect all conductors in a building or structure from the service entrance conductors.
Screw Terminal
a type of electrical connection where a wire is clamped down to metal plate by a screw. The wire is generally stripped of insulation at the end and is bent in a U or J shape to fit around the shaft of the screw. The wire is tightened to the device by the screw.
Push-In Terminal Slot
allows an electrical conductor (normally a #14 wire) to enter the back of the receptacle through a hole slightly larger than the wire, then slide past a spring-loaded piece of metal that holds pressure against the wire. This metal pressure keeps the wire in place and from falling back out of the receptacle.
E3407.2
number 6 AWG equipment grounding conductors must be identified by a continuous green color or one or more yellow stripes over continuous green. A grounding conductor may also be bare wire.
E3407.1
number 6 AWG or smaller insulated grounded conductors must be identified with a continuous white or gray color. Another option is three continuous white stripes over any color besides green.
Clamping-Type Terminals
rely on pressure against a metal plate after inserting a conductor into a hole in the back of the receptacle. The plate is tightened with a screw connection, forcing the metal plate against the bare conductor (after removing insulation).
Grounding or Bonding Conductor
shall be connected to the grounding electrode by exothermic welding, listed lugs, listed pressure connectors, listed clamps, or other listed means.
Labeled equipment or materials
those having an attached label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards of performance in a specified manner.
Listed equipment, materials, or services
those included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states either that the equipment, material, or services meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
Standard Duplex Receptacle
used throughout a house as a general-use receptacle.
Filler plates
used to fill unused holes in electrical equipment.
Cable staples
used to secure NM cable routed across or through wood framing members such as studs or plates.
