Safer circuits

[DickWilson]

Yes, and exactly when and how did the federal government get to specify local building codes. Should be the states responsibility, guess I missed the part where states rights went out the window. And when you know that NFPA actually puts out the NEC, you've got the fire people doing electrical, go figure.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

[Seeb]

Model Codes like from NFPA or ICC are just that models and do not mean any thing unless a local jurisdiction adopts them and the jurisdiction can modify them any way they want.
Why NFPA has an electrical code is that most of the original codes were cerated after large loss of life fires ( public outrage making politicians do something )
As time goes on if are no new disasters there is a tendency for code writers to try to keep them selfs in a job and just make changes to sell new code books and there is a huge amount of politics on the comities

[DickWilson]

Seeb, Local jurisdictions are free to make codes more stringent than NEC, but cannot weaken them.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

[john the architect]

Thanks everyone. I am feeling like this is something I can tackle. No need for referral to Sparky.

[jerry]

John,

If you have a Cutter-Hammer Ch panel (the ones with the greyish breaker handles) it can be very tricky to install AFI breakers in some of the slots--the existing ground bus will interfere because the CH AFI breakers are bigger than the regular breakers. This is not a problem with other brands. This means that you may have to relocate the neutral and ground bus farther from the main bus. I know, having done this several times. The other key is to make sure to use the correct neutral--crossed neutrals can cause serious problems.

Jerry

ps, Dick I think you are wrong, the local jurisdiction can adopt some, none or all of the code. After all, we are still under the 2002 (sometimes 2005--depends on the inspector) code.

[DickWilson]

You may be right, Jerry. I'm used to doing code compliance in Utah, and under Utah code, no jurisdiction can adopt a code less stringent that NFPA or NEC codes. I know for a fact that that is the law in Utah, and should not have carried mainland standards over to HI, without checking.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

[Hazen]

I just learned so much. You guys rock. Make me proud to be a contractor.