2011 National Electric Code

Thomas Mason, PE

Course Outline

The course exactly follows the structure of the 2011 National Electrical Code (with some digressions to connect related rules).  The Preface, Introduction and Definitions are explained as very special parts of the Code, with detailed discussion of selected rules beginning in the Definitions section.

Requirements for electrical installations, ground conductors and grounding, services, feeders and branch circuits, overcurrent protection, surge protection devices, conductors, wiring methods, industrial control panels, transformers and reactors, low-voltage wiring and data communications are addressed.  A number of topics are intentionally avoided.  These include solar, wind power, fuel cells, residential occupancies and electrical processes (as welding and electrolysis).

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

The course is also available in audio (.mp3) as E361U and live webinar as E361W.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Be able to report the original scope and purpose of the National Electrical Code;
• Be able to report recent scope and purpose expansions beyond the original;
• Be able to confidently identify enforceable and non-enforceable portions of the NEC;
• Be able to discuss different levels of access required by the NEC;
• Be aware of common work-arounds to (almost) comply with the Code in public environments;
• Be able to state the enforceable standards applied to industrial panels, including HVAC;
• Be aware of simple principles confused within the Code by the terms “grounding” and “bonding”;
• Understand the meaning of the term “separately derived system”;
• Understand the choice between 3-wire and 4-wire transfer switches for generators;
• Understand the difference between Utility conductor “protection” and NEC-required conductor protection;
• Be aware of the labeling requirements for multiple electrical services to a facility;
• Be aware of the labeling requirements for multiple voltages present within a single facility;
• Understand the relationship among short-circuit withstand rating, available short circuit current and distribution system modeling;
• Know the terminology now required on labeling and application of surge protective devices;
• Recognize the power of the vague requirement for satisfactory workmanship;
• Understand the factors surrounding a decision for direct-bury conductors, conduit or concrete-encased conduit;
• Understand how manufacturer’s installation instructions are enforceable through the Code;
• Understand the progress from general arc-flash warning labels to detailed joules/sq-cm and PPE levels required;
• Be able to define “multi-wire circuits”;
• Be able to report the design requirements for “multi-wire circuits”;
• Be able to list the seven service grounds which must be connected if present;
• Be able to relate the example demonstrating why we don’t ground the service to natural gas piping;
• Be able to report the legal replacement for sheet metal screws for ground connections;
• Be able to discuss “cold ironing”;
• Be able to describe an “intersystem bonding terminal” and its use;
• Know the rules for labeling voltage hazard, the commercial limitation and common work-around;
• Be able to report the rules on bringing a fiber optic cable into a facility;
• Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of declaring a space to be an “IT Equipment Room”; and
• Be able to confidently determine the available short-circuit withstand required for service switchgear and for downstream distribution equipment.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for project managers, electrical engineers, designers, engineers and Architects who work with electrical engineers and for contractors who must deal with Electrical Inspectors.  It is also of value to persons interested in the world around them, how things work and how regulations are made and enforced.

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 be aware of the 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 expressed in 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 problem areas, but is not a design guide.

Course Introduction

This four-hour online course reviews the 2011 version of NFPA-70, the National Electrical Code, in common English.  Because the book is so massive, only topics found critical or difficult to understand, in the author’s experience, are included.  Other content of the Code is indicated, but not pursued.  The presentation follows that used in the Code and sections discussed are cited.

You must have access to a copy of the 2011 National Electrical Code to check the exact wording of the requirements for your immediate design and construction questions.  It is not intended that a copy is needed at your computer when you take this course and quiz.

Course Content

In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF:

2011 National Electric Code

Changes in the 2011 National Electrical Code (free bonus)

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

This course attempted to review new and critical sections of the 2011 National Electrical Code.  It did not include exercises in calculating the minimum size for junction boxes, based upon number and size of conductors.  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 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 and References

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

www.NFPA.com  -  The National Fire Protection Association sells 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, in association with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers publishes a series of very readable guides on the installation of different types of equipment.  ANSI/NECA 1-2010, Standard Practices for Good Workmanship in Electrical Contracting is cited in NEC section 110.12.
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.BrainFiller.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 solutions.  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.

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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.

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