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Joined: Apr 2001
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My county building inspector started handing out a list of guidelines when you pull a permit. The electrical section of these guidelines includes the following:
"15 amp 14 gauge wire we recommend that no more than 4 receptacles are used on one circuit. 14 ga. can be used for light legs. We see too much voltage drop if more than 4 receptacles are used. 20 amp 12 gauge wire-we recommend that no more than 6 receptacles be used per circuit."
There is also a recommended circuit breaker size for wire size table. It looks like this:
50 amp- 8 gauge
75 amp- 6 gauge
100 amp-4 gauge
130 amp-2 gauge
150 amp-1 gauge
180 amp-1/0 gauge
200 amp-2/0 gauge
It doesn't say copper or aluminum.
The guidelines also say to "watch for 6 ft. receptacle spacing on walls".
I tried to explain to the inspector that voltage drop was only mentioned in the NEC as a FPN and FPNs aren't enforceable articles of the code.
Am I wrong in balking at the above mentioned points of these "guidelines"?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Fred, the 'contractor' in me says fine, as long as it's uniformly delegated. ( and i can have 60-70 OCPD's) the 'lectrician in me says e-mail him this..
(C) Explanatory Material. Explanatory material, such as references to other standards, references to related sections of this Code, or information related to a Code rule, is included in this Code in the form of fine print notes (FPNs). Fine print notes are informational only and are not enforceable as requirements of this Code.
Fine print notes (FPNs) do not contain “statements” of intent or recommendations. They present additional supplementary material that aids in the application of the requirement. In addition to printing explanatory material in fine print (small type), the material is further identified in the Code by the abbreviation FPN preceding the paragraph. Fine print notes are not requirements of the NEC and are not enforceable.
[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 01-10-2002).]
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Joined: Apr 2001
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I showed him that in my code book. It didn't seem to impress him.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Well then, I'd ask him for his homework on those 4 receptacles there. Better yet, I use an ideal tester that shows V-drop, maybe you could find one ?? Fred, U can find one here..... http://www.testersandmeters.com/tm/PowerQualityMeters.nsf ![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/smile.gif) [This message has been edited by sparky (edited 01-10-2002).]
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Joined: Apr 2001
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He's got one of those "Mr. Inspector" gadgets that simulates a 15 or 20 amp load when plugged into a receptacle. I was told a few years ago when the city got one of these gadgets that if the circuit was 12 ga. wire, 20A CB but 15A duplex receptacles you weren't required to simulate a load greater than 15A since the receptacle doesn't accept a 120V 20A cord cap.
I don't use 14 ga. wire but I do put 8-10 receptacles on a 12 ga. 20A GP circuit. I've checked for VD using a 1800W portable heater and never gotten more than 2% with it plugged into the last outlet. I don't think it's a valid concern. All loads in a house of any significance are already taken care of in the calculation such as laundry and small appliance circuits. I do put the fridge, microwave, dishwasher and disposal on dedicated circuits in addition to the 2 small appliance circuits. I think that more than covers the loads.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Fred,
What does He mean by "6 ft. receptacle spacing" ?
Bill
Bill
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Bill
I think this is what is being referred to:
210.52(1) Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from a receptacle outlet.
This is interpreted by me to mean 12' spacing not 6' but I don't know what this AHJ has been smoking. They have obviously hired a plumber as an electrical inspector.
Again.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Before you get too carried away with waving your NEC at him, you'd better find out if there's a County requirement that goes above and beyond the NEC.
If there's a County Code that says you have to run all residential wiring in PVC coated rigid, then you've got to comply!!
(From the Land of Varying City Codes and Inspector Fetishes)
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Joined: Apr 2001
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I asked if the county had passed any ammendments to the NEC and he said no, it was adopted as written but he was trying to get the county commissioners to pass an ordinance banning the use of 14 ga. wiring in residential construction. The city which is our county seat already passed such an ordinance about 4 years ago.
I'm really concerned about the wire size/breaker size chart as much as anything. Misinformation can be worse than no information in some cases.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Then ask for his superior to explain it...in Code and in writing. That way you've got a record. Send your request via Certified Mail w/ a return receipt requested. That way they can't say it got lost in the Mail If they can't stand behind it, then do it per NEC and get ready for the fireworks!! (and then there's always NEC90-4) ![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/biggrin.gif)
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