Reno, thank you for bringing this to life here.
In the
arc fault thread It was asked what could be done about this kind of issue.
I feel that to totally exclude manufacturers from the Code Making Panels (CMP)'s, would be a mistake. They can provide valuable input as to what is available or possible in terms of equipment, materials and upcoming technology.
However, the conditions of thier participation MUST be changed so that they can only act
in an advisory capacity, with absolutely NO VOTING POWER AT ALL!!!This should be the first major change.
Secondly, it seems that, by following the threads on proposed rules and submissions by EC's and others in the commentary stages, that the CMPs, like most government-type bodies, tend to ignore the input of the folks in the real world who have to install/repair/design and inspect electrical systems. thus making such installs, etc. far more expensive with no tangible increase in safety.
Like I said in the arc fault thread, the current trend will cause more people to ignore the draconian Code and attempt thier own fixes, with predictable results.
And I agree with reno that the drift to areas clearly regarded as design issues, in direct violation of art. 90.1c which specifically points out that "This
Code is not intended as a design specification nor an instruction manual for untrained persons."
(
Bold emphasis mine.)
Does it try to be too many things to too many folks? Do we really need to update it every three years?
Yes and absolutely not.