Just got an e-mail cautioning me against buying "counterfeit code books." That's an interesting concern!
I, for one, am a firm believer in knowing your code. That means (for example), if you're in Chicago, you have the City of Chicago Code. Since "the law" is public domain, I have no problem with going to the City web site, downloading, and printing off the code for free. Or, alternatively, going to the bookstore and buying a nicely bound copy of the City code.
BTW, that's exactly what you do when you want a copy of your power company's standards.
What is the NEC and who are the NFPA? The NEC is but a "model" code, written by a private publishing house. The NEC isn't "the Code-" it's simply a template, a long list of suggestions. No one elected the NFPA into authority, the NEC is written completely apart from the legislative process, and can be best thought of as one novel that you'll never see made into a movie.
I've seen all manner of items sold on street corners, or unloaded from Chinese ships. (Remember the "Bolivia" watches?) Yet I've never seen a "counterfeit" NEC. Heck, now I might be inspired to write one -- call it the "Eclectic" code. Mandate receptacles that look like smiley faces. Require panels to have drink holders. Require square wires, because that's how we measure cross section.
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