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Errata70-11-1

Errata70-11-2

New Walk-In Hours for13VH Reg

The MEIA is looking for somewhat Tech-Savy members to assist in the daily up-keep of the MEIA Web page.

All chapter members are welcome to help.

What we are looking for:

• Daily Web page upkeep: Open ended job to assist in keeping the content of the web page current and interesting to the reader.
• Specific Articles: Pick a topic and run with it.  become the editor of your own article.  See how interesting to your topics really are.  Manage all reply and post
• Advertising: Manage sponsors and content.
• Classified Section: Creat a place where professional can sell items specific to our industry.
• Help Wanted; Pass on Job Posting and Openings.
• Link Manager:  We need to creat as many reputable links to other professional in our industry and make sure they in-turn have the MEIA as a link as well.
• Editor: Overseeing all content for grammatical, spelling, and any other errors that get by the writer.

The salary for these above positions are all the same.  No money but you get to be part of bettering the only New Jersey State Recognized Electrical Inspectors Association, the NJMEIA.

If you are interested in any of the following job opportunities, please contact:

Don Clare

MEIA Secretary.

There has been some confusion as to whether Section 310.1.1 of the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)/2009 and Section G2411.1.1 of the International Residential Code (IRC)/2009 are in direct conflict with Section 309.1  and Section G2410.1, respectively, of the same codes, along with Section 250.104(B) of the National Electrical Code (NEC)/2008.  We believe the confusion lies in the words of Section 309.1 (IRC)/G2410.1 (IFGC) as follows: “Gas piping shall not be used as a grounding electrode.” In short, bonding the gas CSST piping system does, by default, make  it part of the electrical  service grounding electrode system, it however is not being USED as the grounding electrode.

The IRC/2009 and IFGC/2009 state: “G2411.1.1 (310.1.1) CSST. Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where the gas service enters the building. The bonding jumper shall be not smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent.”

The purpose of the bonding jumper required by these sections is to reduce the likelihood of damage to the CSST caused by the electrical energy from an indirect lightning strike.  As you know, NOTHING is capable of protecting ANYTHING from a direct lightning strike.  In the case of an indirect strike, the electrical energy could travel along metal piping and tubing and “jump” off to other metal components in the building.  This causes an arcing that could burn and perforate the wall of CSST tubing due to the lack of thickness of its exterior wall thus causing a gas leak.  Per the IRC/2009 Commentary, the bonding of the CSST directly to the electrical service grounding electrode system has been shown in laboratory testing to greatly reduce this risk.  Remember that the bonding clamp must connect to the rigid  steel piping at the point where the gas service enters the building and may be located either inside or outside the building.  The bonding conductor must be continuous with the other end connected to the steel enclosure of the electrical service equipment or the grounded conductor at the electrical service or the grounding electrode conductor (if od sufficient size) between the service equipment and the grounding electrode(s) or one or more of the grounding electrodes for the electrical system. The bonding jumper may be connected as per the diagram below.  The diagram is a reprint, with permission from the International Code Council (ICC), from the IRC/2009 Commentary.  As you can see, ICC Commentaries provide wonderful insight into the intent of the code provisions and are a useful tool in any code official’s library.

Here is the scenario.

You have a new addition of a single family dwelling. You are running new branch circuits to feed your new loads or to simplify (outlets as defined in the NEC)These loads are not GFCI protected or kitchen loads. Additional circuits are also being installed to feed other new loads within the existing dwelling.

Are you required to provide Arc-Fault Circuit Protection (AFCI) for these new branch circuits?

Lets break it down:

We already know that AFCI’S have been adopted by New Jersey
N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.16     Electrical Subcode.

Further stated in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.9 New building elements.

26. As specified in Section 210.12 of the electrical subcode, Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) Protection shall be required for all newly installed (not replacement) branch circuits in dwelling units provided a listed combination type arc fault circuit interrupter breaker is available.

2008 NEC. Wiring and Protection :: ARTICLE 210 Branch Circuits :: I. General Provisions Chapter 2 article 210.12 states the following:

210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.  See related ROP ROC Staff Note UL  
(A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). A device intended to provide 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.  See related ROP UL  
(B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.  See related ROP ROC UL  
Changed From 2005  
•210.12(B):  Expanded AFCI protection requirements to include all outlets supplied by 15- and 20-ampere, 120-volt branch circuits installed in family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas, and deleted effective date on use of branch/feeder AFCIs.  

FPN No. 1: For information on types of arc-fault circuit interrupters, see UL 1699-1999, Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters.  
FPN No. 2: See 11.6.3(5) of NFPA 72®-2007, National Fire Alarm Code®, for information related to secondary power supply requirements for smoke alarms installed in dwelling units.  
FPN No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power-supply requirements for fire alarm systems.  
Exception No. 1:  Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.  See related ROP ROC UL  
Changed From 2005  
•210.12(B) Exception No. 1: Revised exception to permit branch-circuit conductors without AFCI protection from the panelboard to the first outlet if conductors are installed in rigid RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel AC cable for that portion of the circuit and the remaining portion is protected by a combination AFCI.  

Exception No. 2:  Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.  
Changed From 2005  
•210.12(B) Exception No. 2: Added exception to permit omission of AFCI protection for conductors of an individual branch circuit supplying a fire alarm system that are installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel AC cable.    

I would have included the definition of an “Outlet” but I was unable to copy for some reason. So for this definition go to Chapter 1 Definitions.

I will not end this with my position given the fact that I have only posted the facts that I had the time to include in this article. I as an inspector, value all input, views and opinions. Most importantly I think consistency in our profession as inspectors out ways all needs to find the correct and consistent answer.

Don Clare

South Jersey MEIA Chapter is in the final stages of confirming a new meeting location.  For further information contact Alan Wilkin at amwilk64@aol.com or Charlie Hood at hoodspark2@aol.com.

New Chapters Coming Soon:

Cumberlan County, Mercer County, and Morris County.

If you are interested in joining the MEIA or would like to take part in forming a new chapter contact Don Clare at donclare@njmeia.org