Electrical codes and how they come up with them.

[JohnMickish]

Just an FYI on how they make the code changes. With all the recent changes like arc faults, GFCIs everywhere, tamper resistant receptacles and wait till you see what is coming in the 2011 code changes I thought I'd explain how the rules come about.

The National Electric Code (NEC) board is made up of a bunch of master electricians and engineers that are proficient in each field. When it comes time for a work on the next code change, the department of health gets involved too. In the area of residential wiring they take a look at the number of deaths and injuries that have occured since the last code change and they decide if a change is needed. They take a look at how each electrocution/injury happened and what can be done to prevent it. So, unfortunatly, for these new PIA rules to be made there are deaths and injuries behind them.

They do not make changes just for the sake of change or to sell parts, the rules are there to save lives. I do not agree with many of the code changes but I think we all agree that people today are not as smart as they were 20 years ago, and parents today seem to want to blame everyone else because they didn't tell their kid not to stick the tweezers in the receptacle.

A new NEC code book comes out every three years and most states adopt it into law on June 1st of the code year, which happens to be this year. Once the state adopts it, it them becomes law. How it's enforced is up to the state, which may delegate the authority down to the county/city level.

Again, just a little FYI on why things are done the way they are.

[BobT]

Thanks. I noticed the direction some of the comments were going in another thread and was trying to think of a good way to put this and you've done it for me.

[Tom7227]

I always find the comments interesting. So many take the tack that it's foolishness designed to keep the electricians employed and done by a bunch of goverment hacks that don't know what they're doing and onlyl want to make it so complicated that it gets crazy. Of course those posters haven't spent time in an ER dealing with the injuries or worked with a fire department trying to keep the entire structure from going up in smoke.

Thanks for the info. I hope that it helps people understand what happens and why.

[CJH]

I think we all agree that people today are not as smart as they were 20 years ago, and parents today seem to want to blame everyone else because they didn't tell their kid not to stick the tweezers in the receptacle.

I understand and agree with what you are saying for the most part, but WOW, really??? Not sure what part of dumbsville you are living in.

[JohnMickish]

It's that people are so lawsuit happy nowdays, we need rules to protect those that aren't smart enough to protect themselves.

[SkunkedAgain]

Hopefully most of recognize that the reasons stated above are correct. Nonetheless, for many of us it's still a pain to deal with the ramifications of the changes.

[BobT]

Consider what it might be like for a sparky trying to keep up with the changes all the time. Just about the time you get comfortable with the changes, a new rule book comes out and you start over learning the new code. Some years it's not too bad but other years it can be a challenge I'm sure.

[BoxMN]

Just homeowner here... so possibly stoopid question... but say I am going to add a cicuit in my garage, just more outlets. Do I now need to change all the existing outlets to tamper-proof as well, or just the new stuff?

[TooTallTom]

I agree that WE are the ones to blame, mostly. Remember the "hot coffee" lawsuit against McDonald's?

I also try to think of the code requirements not so much as protection for me in my house, I know what I'm doing and what I've done, but rather as protection for me when I go to buy a new house and as re-assurance for someone looking at buying my house. It's knowledge that what's there is safe (provided it's up to code) for me and my family.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

. Remember the "hot coffee" lawsuit against McDonald's?

I do.

That was where McDonald's after several hundred prior complaints and injury's still continued to serve there coffee at scalding temperatures around 180 degree's versus 150 that is the norm. Yes the same McDonald's case where all they had to do was pay a small medical bill because of there incompetence but chose to go the typical big business bully rout and rightfully lost of course.

Yep I remember it....

[BobT]

I agree that WE are the ones to blame, mostly. Remember the "hot coffee" lawsuit against McDonald's?

I also try to think of the code requirements not so much as protection for me in my house, I know what I'm doing and what I've done, but rather as protection for me when I go to buy a new house and as re-assurance for someone looking at buying my house. It's knowledge that what's there is safe (provided it's up to code) for me and my family.

If you've never seen some of it, you would be surprised at some of the poor and downright dangerous wiring methods applied by the would be "knowledgeable" homeowner that figured he could do it himself. When you run into it you can't help but wonder how the place never burned down and nobody got hurt or killed.

[jerkbait]

Just homeowner here... so possibly stoopid question... but say I am going to add a cicuit in my garage, just more outlets. Do I now need to change all the existing outlets to tamper-proof as well, or just the new stuff?

No, the original circuits will be grandfathered in. The new circuits will need the new ones though.

[TooTallTom]

I think that hot coffee should be treated as something that can burn you, that's why you call it hot. I say this as a guy who routinely burns his mouth on hot liquids and pizzas. I've had some nasty burns, but never sued anyone because I realize that I need to take some responsibility for myself and take care that I don't hurt myself in a potentially dangerous situation.

[TooTallTom]

Yeah, I have seen some scary stuff in places I've lived. The residential building right next to my workplace burned a couple of years ago, the story I heard from one of the former tenants was that the propety owner was doing some boiler repair when the fire started. I have no idea whether that's true or not, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I agree that "poor and downright dangerous" wiring methods are a bad thing. That's why I work to code when I'm working on something. That was kind of my (unclear) point in my post. Working to code might be a bit of a pain versus doing it however you please, but it's ultimately there to protect the general public from ourselves. That's a good thing.

[hanson]

You guys should try being an Architect and keep up with ALL the codes and changes. Residential is a piece of cake, Commercial is an entirely different ballgame. Best part of my job is explaining to a client why I have to do what I'm doing.

The common question for the last few years is "Why do I have to spend 100k + to put a sprinkler system in my building?" Or "I have grab bars in my toilet stall, thats not handicap accessible?" "Why do I need a ramp?" "What's wrong with the stairway?" The newest fun one I'm dealing with is the Commercial Energy Code. Good times!

[SkunkedAgain]

You guys should try being an Architect and keep up with ALL the codes and changes. Residential is a piece of cake, Commercial is an entirely different ballgame.

You're right about that. Another level is dealing with not just ADA requirements, but universal design at some commercial and educational projects. They will surely bend your mind and expand your wallet!