2005 National Electric Code - a PDH Online Course for Engineers

2005 National Electric Code - An Audio Course

Course Outline

This course begins with a compendium of key changes and critical requirements associated the 2005 National Electrical Code. Some of the requirements are not new, but have been ignored and are getting new attention for enforcement. Others are long standing, but continue to cause trouble for installation contractors. The second component of the course is an annotated Table of Contents. This is your roadmap to look in the right place to find answers. The annotations emphasize portions which you must fully understand for normal electrical design or review of electrical designs.

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, based upon the changes, critical requirements and Table of Contents.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Know the significant new electrical construction rules for the 2005 NEC;
Know how to apply the "80% Rule";
Know how to calculate acceptable voltage drop;
Know how to ground and bond the electric power service entrance;
Understand the new computations which require 43.3-in clearance in front of 480V equipment;
Understand the change in "grandfathering" regarding GFCI receptacles;
Understand the GFCI requirement for commercial kitchens;
Understand the 2008 requirement for bedroom Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI);
Understand the basic requirement for short-circuit withstand and the implications for Owners, designers and installers;
Understand the requirement for labeling of wire color codes on all panels;
Understand the current interpretations of the requirement for arc-flash labeling;
Understand the minimum NEC and OSHA requirements for arc flash labeling;
Understand that a good fix for arc fault problems may increase the hazard to workers;
Understand the actions necessary to achieve selective coordination on emergency power systems;
Understand the design problems from the physical property that currents do not split equally on multiple conductors per phase;
Understand the need to increase conductor size when routing through in industrial ceiling space;
Understand the reason renewable fuses are outlawed for new installations;
Understand the requirement for shielded medium voltage cable above 2 kV;
Understand the new requirement for service grounding to foundation rebar steel;
Understand why the concrete may explode if you ground to foundation rebar steel;
Understand the changes in grounding requirements for remote transformers;
Understand the new electrical protection requirements for variable frequency drives;
Understand the change in the 1200A, 10-ft rule for electric rooms;
Understand how handholes are applied to meet the Code;
Understand the requirement for a ground detector on floating power systems;
Understand the requirement for industrial panels that apply to building automation;
Understand the changes in emergency lighting for auditoriums; and
Understand the limitation on automatic lighting controls in electric rooms.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for project managers, electrical engineers, engineers and Architects who work with electrical engineers and contractors who must deal with electrical inspectors.

Benefit to Attendees

It is the job of electrical designers to meet the sometimes peculiar requirements of the National Electrical Code. This course is intended to help them recognize the sometimes peculiar requirements, how they are generally interpreted and, just a little, how to meet them. Project managers, architects and supervisors need a passing understanding of the mindset of the National Electrical Code and some recent problems with Inspectors that can be avoided. Contractors are always looking for more economical ways to complete a project. This course helps focus on problems areas, but better guides for economy can be found in the Exceptions and Fine Print Notes of the Code, which are not addressed here.

Course Introduction

This three hour online course reviews the 2005 version of NFPA 70, the National Electric Code, as a design guide, in common English. Because the book is so massive, a list of key changes and critical requirements precedes the sequential review of Code.

You must have access to a copy of the 2005 National Electric Code to check the exact wording of requirements for your interpretation on design and construction questions. It is not intended that a copy is needed at your computer when you take this course and quiz, but it will help.

Course Content

This audio course consists of the following five (5) modules (files) in MP3 format. You may click on and listen to each module online using Microsoft Windows Media Player (free download) or RealPlayer (free download). You may also download these files to your computer or save them to an audio CD for personal use. The audio CD can be played in any CD player capable of playing MP3. A copy of the lecture notes is also available below in PDF format.

Introduction of speaker (1minute)

Introduction (15 minute)

Section 1 of Content (49 minute)

Section 2 of Content (33 minute)

Closing (30 minute)

The lecture notes for this course are contained in PDF format as follows. You may open or download this document for reference and further study - for personal use only.

2005 National Electric Code (PDF File).

You may need to download Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.

Course Summary

This course attempted to review new and critical sections of the 2005 National Electrical Code. It did not include exercises in calculating the minimum size for junction boxes, based upon number and size of conducts and number of terminations. Unfortunately, space was not available to review many of the very basic principles which have not changed for many, many revisions, such as sizing motor circuits and proper motor controls. Fortunately, though, PDHonline.com offers a wide range of electrical courses which do address these needs. After you have recovered from the current exercise, please spend a few minutes reviewing the other PDHonline.com courses available.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

www.NFPA.com - The National Fire Protection sell the Code, Code Handbook, related standards and training materials
www.iaei.com - The International Association of Electrical Inspectors is a very highly-regarded voluntary organization with excellent publications and many local chapters
www.neca-neis.com - The National Electrical Contractors Association (associated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) publishes a series of very readable guides on the installation of different types of equipment. ANSI/NECA 1-200, Standard Practices for Good Workmanship in Electrical Contracting is sited in 110.12 as a recommended reference.
www.mikeholt.com - Mike Holt writes extensively on electrical design and construction issues and has a library of training materials available.
www.joetedesco.com - Joe Tedesco is another prolific expert in electrical construction.
www.phillipsengineers.com - Jim Phillips has a training organization focused on very current, somewhat difficult electrical design problems. He has a remarkable ability to focus on core objectives and translate problems into cookbook solution. He also writes for NFPA publications.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.