The average consumer does not understand the potential dangers related to electricity and pools, so they rely on you, the electrical professional, to do it right. There have been 98 verifiable water deaths from electricity since 1986, but that is likely just the tip of a very large iceberg. A small amount of current can cause muscular paralysis and drowning.
We have put together a basic checklist for electrical safety-related to pools. This list is not exhaustive. We will focus our attention on three important areas: grounding and equipotential bonding, GFCI protection, and corrosive environments.
Have you ever compared your NFPA 70 book with a colleague and found that there were differences, though both books were the same edition of the NEC? We know that we receive a new edition of the NEC every three years, but how does the Code change between cycles?
Chapter 7 of the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), also known as NFPA 70, covers special conditions and their specific requirements. These requirements modify the general requirements found in Chapters 1-4. Article 700 covers emergency systems, such as hospitals or similar settings where a power outage would put lives in jeopardy. Article 701 covers legally required standby systems and Article 702 covers optional standby systems.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is not new, as Article 625 was introduced to the National Electrical Code with the 1996 edition. The following year, the Toyota Prius became the first mass-produced (hybrid) electric vehicle. More followed, including Tesla, Nissan, and Chevrolet. Until recently, however, the only viable method for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle was via a direct connection to a power supply, either from premises wiring or at a charging station.
For the 2017 Code cycle, both definitions and requirements have been added to Article 625 for the purpose of regulating another type of EV charging: wireless power transfer, or wireless charging. Before we examine the Code requirements, let’s answer a couple of important questions. First, how does wireless charging work? Second, how efficient is this technology?
Can you do a box fill calculation at the jobsite? This is an important skill for installers and inspectors alike, since a box that is overfilled can cause a fault, arcing, or even a fire. But how do we determine if a box is overfilled in a real-world situation?
The demand for quick, easily changeable lighting fixtures has led to the development of products consisting of an electrical receptacle with a locking device capable of supporting the luminaire weight. That receptacle also makes and breaks the electrical contacts responsible for feeding the luminaire. The load-bearing portion of this new component, called the mounting support, is installed in the ceiling box and includes the energized receptacle contacts that will feed the lighting fixture or ceiling fan. An attachment fitting that connects to the mounting support and the energized contacts built into that support is incorporated into the design of the lighting fixture or fan. The fixture or fan attaches to the mounting support with a twist lock motion. These new attachment fittings can save valuable time when installing lighting outlets.
Prior to 2017, only two items were prohibited for use as grounding electrodes, underground gas piping and aluminum. For 2017, another item has been added to the list of prohibited items. For the 2017 NEC Code cycle, the structures as well as steel reinforcement materials that pertain to swimming pools have been added to the list found in 250.52(B)(3) of components that are prohibited from being used as grounding electrodes for an electrical system.
The method for measuring the countertop space for peninsulas has been changed for 2017. We know that NEC Section 210.52 requires that at least one receptacle be provided for each island or peninsula countertop that fits the dimensional requirements. The intent of the Code here is to discourage the use of extension cords. For example, countertop outlets must be spaced so that the typical two-foot extension cord can reach an outlet from any part of the countertop. Previously, the minimum distance triggering the outlet requirement was measured from the junction where the peninsula abutted the front edge of the perpendicular countertop, thus usually requiring an outlet mounted in the peninsular base cabinet. The new method of measurement begins at the wall behind the countertop.
Prior to the 2017 edition of the NEC, 120-volt receptacles equipped with USB charging outlets had not been addressed by the National Electrical Code.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections have been around since the 1990s and are widely used to charge portable devices and computer peripherals, as well as transfer data.
Ground fault protection is not new, having been introduced in the 1971 edition of the National Electrical Code. GFCI devices have saved many lives since then by preventing shock and electrocution. As you may know, they contain a small transformer that detects current leakage from the phase to the grounded (neutral) conductor. That is why they work even in circuits that do not have a separate grounding conductor. These devices are designed to interrupt current when the leakage reaches a threshold of 4 to 6 mA, just shy of the amount of current that can cause injury to the human body.
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