‫ فى هذا الموضوع سنقوم بوضع الخطوط االساسية والنصائح لفهم ال‬NEC ‫وشرح كيفية التعامل مع هذا‬

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‫الحلقة االولى‬:

Ten Tips on understanding the National Electrical Code

NOTE -1
You can see the National Electrical Code is laid it out in Articles and
Chapters. Each Chapter contains related Articles. When making your
way through the Code, think of the related topics you need to consider,
then go to the Chapter that contains those topics. Inside that Chapter,
you merely need to find the Article that addresses your topic.

NOTE-2
Article 90 is the introduction. It lays the foundation for understanding
the National Electrical Code's scope and purpose, and where it fits into
your work.

NOTE -3
Chapter 1, Article 100 covers definitions. Did you know Code experts
often resolve National Electrical Code misunderstandings by simply
using excerpts from Article 100? Become familiar with this Chapter, and
you'll be ahead of the game. Try it!

NOTE -4
Chapter 2 covers wiring and protection, as well as grounding. Article 250
is "the grounding chapter." Article 210 covers branch circuits, Article
215 covers feeders, Article 220 covers calculations, Article 230 covers
services—do you see the pattern, here?

NOTE-5
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are where the typical electrician needs to focus--
especially if studying for a National Electrical Code exam.
NOTE -6
Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 apply to nontypical applications, or specialized
areas of electrical work. You don't need to study these for a National
Electrical Code exam.

NOTE -7
Chapter 9 has your tables and examples. Spend some time becoming
familiar with these and how to apply them!

NOTE -8
If you are doing non-specialized work, make a point of studying
Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4. Browse Chapter 9 to become familiar with what
is in it, and work through the examples.

NOTE -9
For determining voltage drop and wiring sizes, work with Chapter 9,
Tables 8 and 9--mostly Table 9 for a National Electrical Code exam.

NOTE -10
To make best use of the Tables in Chapter 9, read the "Notes to Tables"
before working with the Tables. It’s amazing how many people end up
going to these notes after hours of misusing the Tables

‫الحلقة الثانية‬:

‫ بال‬80 ‫الملخص و الخطوط العريضة واهم المالحظات بالمقال رقم‬NEC

National Electrical Code Summary: Article 80,

(Administration and Enforcement).

To be able to work effectively with the NEC, you must understand the
philosophy behind it. This is the information NEC Article 80 provides.
NEC Article 80 is new to the Code, beginning with the 2002 revision.
Formerly, the NEC started with Article 90.

NEC 80.1 addresses the scope of the NEC, listing the five functions. In a
nut****l, they are:

Inspection
Investigation
Review (of drawings and specifications)
Implementation (everything from design through maintenance)
Regulation

NEC 80.2 gives definitions related to administration and enforcement.

Do not confuse this with the definitions in Article 100.

NEC 80.3, 80.5, and 80.7 are pretty much for the lawyers.

NEC 80.9 addresses how the Code applies to:

New installations
Existing installations
Additions, alterations, or repairs

NEC 80.11 basically bars new construction from occupancy if there is a

Code violation and grandfathers existing structures under certain
conditions (mostly that there is no hazard to life or property).

NEC 80.13 defines who has authority to administer the code and what
that authority entails. With 16 major points, 80.13 covers a lot of ground.
It codifies what was previously "understood."

NEC 80.15 lays out the bylaws for an electrical board, which may be
established by any municipality.

NEC 80.17 requires the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to retain

records.
NEC 80.19 addresses permits and approvals, quite extensively.

NEC 80.23 provides rules for notices of violations and penalties.

NEC 80.25 provides rules for connecting to the electrical supply.

NEC 80.27 describes the qualifications for being an electrical inspector.

NEC 80.29, 80.31, 80.33, and 80.35 are for the lawyers

‫الحلقة الثالثة‬:

‫ بال‬90 ‫الملخص و الخطوط العريضة واهم المالحظات بالمقال رقم‬NEC

NEC Article 90 draws boundaries around the National Electrical Code—

boundaries many people fail to understand. For example, Article 90 has
long made it clear the NEC is not intended as design specification or
instruction manual. The National Electrical Code has one purpose only.

NEC 90.1 has four subdivisions:

(A) says the purpose of the NEC is the practical safeguarding of people
and property "from hazards arising from the use of electricity."

(B) distinguishes from the adequacy concept (provisions necessary for

safety) and other concepts. The Code is a minimum standard. Further
effort may be required for an installation to be efficient, convenient, or
adequate for good service or future expansion. This is a fundamental
concept upon which many Code disagreements arise. The Code is not a
target you’d like to hit. It is the minimum you can do.

(C) clearly states the Code is not intended to be a design specification or

instruction manual.

(D) ties the Code to international standards. The Code-making panels do

have members who are in countries other than the USA. The intention is
to draw on the collective wisdom of the international community. Many
people who make the Code what it is are also members of the IEEE.
Standards published by the IEEE frequently get review from people who
serve on NEC committees and vice-versa.

NEC 90.2 describes the scope of the Code—what it covers and what it
does not cover.

NEC 90.3 explains how the Code is arranged. Please note the influence
of the international and engineering communities. For example, the
Code uses the "dot" system of enumeration and the "Appendices" are
called "Annexes."

NEC 90.4 gives the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) some flexibility
in enforcement.

NEC 90.5 distinguishes between mandatory rules, permissive rules, and

explanatory material. These often get confused. An example is a Fine
Protection Note (FPN) that discusses voltage drop. The Code does not
require addressing voltage drop—it merely explains that it is an
additional consideration and gives a "rule of thumb." Unfortunately,
many people have over-engineered to get "the Code-required drop" or
have under-engineered because they were "within the Code
requirements." The Code does not give voltage drop requirements.

NEC 90.6 discusses formal interpretations.

NEC 90.7 adds a dose of common sense regarding equipment

inspections. For example, a product that is Listed (e.g., by U.L.) can be
assumed to be adequate for the stated purpose and need not be
inspected again (except for alterations or damage).
NEC 90.8 *****s the user to allow for expansion and to know that the
Code does specify various restrictions on the number of wires and
circuits in a given enclosure.

NEC 90.9 discusses units of measurement

‫الحلقة الثالثة‬:
‫بال‬100 ‫الملخص و الخطوط العريضة واهم المالحظات بالمقال رقم‬NEC

These are the 10 NEC definitions we deem most important, based on the
pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

Ampacity.

"The current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under

the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating."
(Ampacity varies depending on many factors. You must use the
appropriate NEC Tables to determine the correct ampacity.)

Bonding.

"The permanent joining of ****llic parts to form an electrically conductive

path that ensures electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely
any current likely to be imposed." (This is not the same as grounding,
but bonding jumpers are essential components of the bonding system,
which is an essential component of the grounding system. Please note
that the NEC does not authorize the use of the earth as a bonding
jumper—that’s because the resistance of the earth is more than 100,000
times greater than that of a bonding jumper.)

Continuous Load.

"A load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours
or more." (That is the maximum running current, exclusive of starting
current.)

Feeder.

"All circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of a

separately derived system, or other power supply source and the final
branch-circuit overcurrent device." (If there is no branch circuit, a circuit
originating at the service equipment is a feeder. This is a common
approach for powering large motors.)

Ground.

"A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an

electrical circuit or equipment and the earth or to some conducting body
that serves in place of the earth." (Please note, simply driving an
electrode into the earth does not constitute grounding a circuit. The
ground must be made with respect to the supply—service entrance or
separately derived system—because electrons are always trying to get
back to the source.

Grounded conductor.

"A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded." (This

conductor isn’t meant to serve as the grounding path. It is simply a
conductor that is grounded. The neutral is grounded on the service side
of the service transformer.)

Grounding conductor.

"A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded circuit of a

wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes." (This is your
supply "ground wire," not the neutral.)
Grounding equipment conductor. "The conductor used to connect the
non-current-carrying ****l parts of equipment, raceways, and other
enclosures to the system grounding conductor, the grounding electrode
conductor, or both, at the service equipment or at the source of a
separately derived system." (Note the difference between this and the
preceding items.)

Labeled.

"Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label…acceptable

to the authority having jurisdiction…." (It’s important to read the entire
original definition, and distinguish this from "Listed."

Listed.

Equipment, materials, or services included in a list…acceptable to the

acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction…." (Listing is usually
done by an organization like U.L. Most authorities will not recognize an
item as Listed unless it is also Labeled. Here, too, reading the entire
definition is a useful exercise.)
‫تحياتى للجميع‬

‫الحلقة الخامسة‬:
‫بال‬110 ‫الملخص و الخطوط العريضة واهم المالحظات بالمقال رقم‬NEC

These are the 10 NEC Article 110 items we deem most important, based
on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

NOTE -1
NEC 110.3. Examination, Identification, and Use of Equipment.

This section gives 8 requirements for examination in part (A). In (B), it

says "Listed or Labeled equipment shall be installed and used in
accordance with any instructions included in the Listing or Labeling." In
other words, use the product as intended. Unauthorized modifications
void the Listing and expose the modifier to civil, and potentially criminal,
litigation and liability.

NOTE - 2
NEC 110.12. Mechanical Execution of Work.

"Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike

manner." Why is the NEC so vague on this? Well, it’s hard to quantify
and describe something like that. The Code is basically giving the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) the power to reject work that
doesn’t meet industry standards. It’s a situation where "everyone knows
the rules," and the AHJ can make sure those rules get followed. One
reason contractors back such language is they can use this rule to level
the competitive playing field against "fly by night outfits" that do sloppy
work. The costs associated with work that isn’t "neat and workmanlike"
are enormous—a small investment in upfront costs saves the customer
big money over the life of the equipment. One requirement many people
often overlook is that of filling unused openings in enclosures—the
omission of which is potentially lethal.

NOTE - 3
NEC 110.13. Mounting and Cooling of Equipment.

This requirement is always in dispute, it seems. Cramming equipment

into an overcrowded arrangement to maximize revenue per square foot
sounds like a really good idea until that equipment starts failing left and
right, or the whole place just burns down.

NOTE - 4
NEC 110.18. Arcing parts.

This is one of several code requirements that rule out using an electrical
equipment room as a storage area for combustible materials.

NOTE - 5
NEC 110.23. Current Transformers.
"Unused current transformers associated with potentially energized
circuits shall be short-circuited." Leaving the leads to dangle is an
invitation for disaster. A testing firm will always insist on leaving these
shorted—this is why.

NOTE - 6
NEC 110.26. Spaces about electrical equipment (600V or less).

Most people wrongly assume working clearances (depth of working

space) are three feet. Under some circumstances, the NEC requires
them to be more. Beyond simply safety, good engineering or
maintenance practices may require more still. Don’t assume just
because you have 2 feet and 10 inches you are "good enough" or if you
have 3 feet 2 inches you must fill in that 2 inches so you don’t exceed
the Code. Also, the Code has minimums for the width and height of
working spaces. These widths are outdated, as they are based on an
earlier era of less "girth endowed" workers. Use common sense, with
safety as your goal.

NOTE - 7
NEC 110.27. Guarding of live parts.

Various methods exist, including construction of a mezzanine level,

restricted access to an area (via locked door), and so on. It is more than
just ensuring the factory covers are in place.

NOTE - 8
NEC 110.54 (A). Grounded and Bonded.

This requires "effective grounding," which is defined in Article 100. It

does not include the common practice of connecting to a ground rod
that is not bonded to the grounding system.

NOTE - 9
NEC 110.54(B). Equipment Grounding Conductors.

This requires you to run a grounding conductor "with circuit conductors

inside the ****l raceway or inside the multiconductor cable jacket."

NOTE - 10

NEC 110.58. Disconnecting Means. You must have a disconnect within

sight of each transformer or motor. This allows a person to lock out the
transformer or motor for maintenance, or to shut it off quickly in case of
misoperation.

‫تحياتى للجميع‬
 

‫الحلقة السادسة‬:
‫ والخاصة بالدوائر الفرعية بال‬210 ‫الملخص و الخطوط العريضة واهم المالحظات بالمقال رقم‬NEC

These are the 10 NEC Article 210 items we deem most important, based
on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

note -1
This Article contains Table 210.2, which identifies specific-purpose
branch circuits. When people complain that the Code "buries stuff in the
last few Chapters and doesn’t provide you with any way of knowing,"
that is usually because they didn’t pay attention to this table.

note -2
NEC 210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits. This is a circuit that "consists of
two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them,
and a grounded conductor that has an equal voltage between it and
each ungrounded conductor of the circuit, and that is connected to the
neutral or grounded conductor of the system." The conductors of such
circuits must originate from the same panel. These circuits can supply
only line-to-neutral loads.

note-3
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
Crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and boathouses are just some of
the 8 locations requiring GFCI protection. If you don’t know the others,
you’ll find out what they are in 210.8.

note -4
NEC 210.11. Branch Circuits Required. With three subheadings, 210.11
gives summarized requirements for the number of branch circuits in a
given system, states that a load computed on a VA/area basis must be
evenly proportioned, and covers rules for dwelling units.

note -5
NEC 210.12. Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. An AFCI provides
"protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics
unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an
arc fault is detected." It is not a GFCI, though combination units do exist.
The purpose of an AFCI (30 mA) is to protect equipment. The purpose of
a GFCI (4 to 6 mA) is to protect people.

note -6
NEC 210.19. Conductors—Minimum Ampacity and Size. The rules for
ampacity require some study. One item many people overlook is that
branch conductors—before the application of any adjustment or
correction factors—must have "an allowable ampacity not less than the
noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load." The Code
does have an exception for this, but the rule generally applies.

note -7
NEC Table 210.21(B)(2) shows that the maximum load on a given circuit
is 80% of the receptacle rating and circuit rating. Thus, if you are
planning to supply 20A on one circuit, that circuit must be at least 30A.

note -8
NEC 210.23 Permissible Loads. Read on down to (A)(2): "Utilization
Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment
fastened in place, other than luminaries (lighting fixtures) shall not
exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting
units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in
place, or both are also supplied." The idea here is to prevent a circuit
overload just because someone plugs in a lamp or vacuum cleaner.
Proper planning and good engineering practices will prevent needing to
be concerned with this aspect of the Code. Place lights on separate
circuits, dedicated (fastened in place) loads on separate circuits, and
convenience receptacles on separate circuits. The added cost really
isn’t that much. In residential construction, the goal is to build as
cheaply as possible. However, if presented to Realtors and buyers
correctly, a good electrical plan (vs. the standard plan, which may meet
Code but is barely functional) will provide a selling edge. Even if the sale
price isn’t higher, the number of days on the market will be less and
cash flow will improve.

note -9
NEC Table 210.24 Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements allows you
to see everything at a glance. You just look up the circuit rating (which
you will base on the load you plan to supply), and the table tells you the
minimum conductor size. For that circuit rating, it also tells you the size
of the taps, overcurrent protection, and maximum load. It also tells you
which lampholders are permitted, and what the receptacle rating must
be. Don’t leave home without it!

note -10
NEC 210.52. Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. An area rife with
confusion is receptacle spacing. "Receptacles shall be installed so that
no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is
more than 1.8 meters (6 feet) from a receptacle outlet." This means you
can’t have receptacles more than 12 feet apart along a wall line. 210.52
notes certain exclusions, describing what a wall space is and is not. You
can exceed this requirement by mounting two receptacles to every stud,
if you so desire. But, you cannot space them any less than 12 feet apart
along a wall as defined by the NEC. Note, doorways and certain other
items do not count in the 12 feet