2014 NEC Code Changes Ted “Smitty” Smith E Light Electric

Article 750 Energy Management Systems Brand New Article Prompted by the need to meet energy management requirements There are certain systems that we do not want to interfere with in this process

Alternate Power Sources Energy management systems shall not override alternate power sources for the following systems Fire Pumps Health Care Facilities Emergency Systems Legally Required Standby Systems

Load Shedding Controls Energy Management Systems can not interfere with the load shedding controls for the following Fire Pumps Health Care Facility Emergency Systems Legally Required Standby Systems

Low and Medium Voltage Demarcation The code has historically divided low and medium voltage at 600V Solar and Wind had moved towards a standard of 1000 Volts In almost all circumstances where a proposal was submitted to change from 600V to 1000V it was accepted. Code Making Panel 1 did not change Article 110 and deferred other changes to individual code making panels.

Outward opening door and panic hardware requirement for electrical rooms has changed from being required for equipment 1200 Amps and greater to now be 800 Amps and greater

210.8 GFCI Laundry Areas has been added to the list of areas in a dwelling unit where GFCI protection is required Dishwashers are now required to be GFCI protected.

AFCI AFCI is now required in kitchens and laundry areas of dwelling units Dormatory Units will now need to be AFCI protected Several new options have been added to provided AFCI protection

Six Methods to Provide AFCI 1. AFCI Combination Breaker 2. Branch/ Feeder Breaker for the homerun only, then AFCI device at first receptacle 3. Supplemental Arc Protection breaker for homerun then a AFCI receptacle for first outlet. Limited to 50 ft or 75 ft homerun. 4. A listed branch circuit AFCI device that has been listed to work together to protect both the homerun and the demand side of the circuit. Limited to 50 and 75 ft homeruns 5. Use a steel wiring method from breaker to first outlet. Use a AFCI receptacle at first outlet 6. Encase homerun in 2” of concrete and then use an AFCI receptacle at the first outlet.

Lighting Loads Related to new energy code requirements Energy codes are requiring fewer watts per square foot but systems are required to be designed to handle much more load New code requirement allows you to size lighting loads at a lower amount if you meet specific requirements of a energy management system in the building.

Arc Energy Reduction Formally named Non-instantaneous Trip Circuit Breakers Renamed to be more definitive of the subject matter If the CB has a rating or can be adjusted to 1200A or greater then the requirements of.87 must be met Uses the same language as the GFI requirement

310.15(B)(7) Dwelling Unit Service Entrance Conductor Sizing Table Table is now eliminated Replaced with an adjustment factor of.83 It also will clarify that other adjustment factors apply

406.9(B)(1) Wet Location Receptacles Same requirements as 2011 for in use covers, etc New requirement that the cover be extra hard usage listed

Article 517 Health Care Facilities Patient Bed Receptacles: Increased from 4 to 8 receptacles required. Critical Care Patient Care Area Receptacles: Increased from 6 to 14 Operating Rooms now require 36 receptacles ISOLATED GROUND RECEPTACLES NO LONGER ALLOWED IN PATIENT CARE BED AREAS

Essential Electrical System needed to meet the requirements of Article 700 in the 2005 NEC Now clarified to be just be a requirement of the Life Safety Branch and not the entire Essential Electrical System.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment New requirement electric vehicle supply equipment is considered to be a continuous load 125% application If supplied by an energy management system then size OCPD and conductor based on the load supplied by the energy management system WITHOUT 125% requirement.

Solar Power Disconnect Switch Added a list of listing requirements that are acceptable for PV disconnects switchs. The old requirement just required they be listed. There are numerous listing specifications available so the NEC narrowed them down to the ones that are acceptable.

Surge Protection for Emergency Standby Systems Article 700 Surge protection is now also required for the alternate power supply system New requirement

Emergency Illumination now requires emergency illumination at the emergency power disconnect devices and transfer switch areas.

Article 705 Interconnection of Power Production Systems Utility Supply and PV system for example Requires now OCPD near the point of interconnection to protect against faults in the feeders that could flow back to utility

Commercial Electrical Service Areas A new requirement for 120v receptacle installed adjacent to the electrical service. Dwelling units excepted

PV System Rapid Shutdown The new requirement is going to be difficult to meet This requires the same type of rapid shutdown that is required by the 6 handle rule There is no current equipment to accommodate this.