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Loading ...GFCIs and Swimming Pools – A Natural Fit
Swimming Pool Triangle
Most of us have seen or read something about the figure commonly known as the fire triangle (oxygen, heat, and fuel), which is a working model to illustrate and to help one understand the ingredients necessary for most fires. There is another odd triangle that contributes to most electrocutions associated with the swimming pool environment. The first leg of this swimming pool triangle is water. Not just water, but chemically treated water. The second leg is electricity, and the third leg of this swimming pool triangle is people. Typically, when these three components are mixed together, the results are not favorable, particularly to that third leg, people. What makes this strange concoction even more perplexing is the fact that we typically unite the mechanisms of the swimming pool triangle together on purpose!
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Pools, Tubs, and Spas – Section 68
Between the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code and the new 2009 edition in Section 68 we have six rule changes, one Appendix B change, and one Table change. The intent of this article is to detail these changes along with rationale for the changes.
First is Subrule 68-054 (2), the words “other elevated surfaces associated with the pool, such as a diving structure, slide, swings, observation stand, tower or platform” were added to clarify surfaces used to determine clearances for pool overhead wiring. The horizontal clearance from the pool edge also increased from 3.0 m to 5.0 m and the clearance measurement for conductors not exceeding 750 V was increased from 4.5 m to 5 m.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Achieving Fire Protection of Electrical Life Safety Circuits
Wonderful though electricity was in its early days as a miraculous source of light and power, installations did seem to have a habit of catching fire rather too often. In 1896, a young Swiss professor, François Borel, who was researching ways of improving cables, filed a patent for an all-mineral-insulated fire-resistant cable. But it was not until the 1930s that a French company found ways to manufacture the cable in commercial quantities. At the same time, buoyed by the publicity of the Louvre permitting its use for the museum’s first-ever artificial lighting system, mineral-insulated cable became the choice for applications where fire safety was critical. In 1936, mineral-insulated cable manufacturing technology was transferred to the UK.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...The Challenge of Increasing Electrical Safety, Part 3
It's the obligation of inspectors, whether the state requires it or not, to stay current and understand what's truly required by code
The common thread throughout the first two articles in this series has been the need for electrical inspectors to be armed with the facts to counter challenges to electrical safety. Knowing the facts better enables inspectors to perform high-quality inspections that benefit the installer or electrical contractor, end users and the local jurisdiction. It also allows them to be prepared for virtually any contingency, including everything from a concern expressed by an installer or contractor about an installation to hard questions from the town fathers about the value of inspections.
But keeping current, especially regarding the National Electrical Code (NEC) and any state or local amendments, takes effort, especially today. Electrical inspectors in many communities are being asked to do more — including some who are now expected to do inspections in other disciplines, like mechanical or plumbing. An ever-expanding list of responsibilities limits the crucial time that’s necessary for inspectors to stay current with regard to electrical code changes.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Approaching the Inverter
Photo 1. Enphase 175 Watt Micro inverter
In our top-to-bottom perspective of a photovoltaic (PV) system, we are still on the dc circuits from the PV array and are approaching the inverter. There are always a few details that get overlooked in designing, installing and inspecting these systems.
The Conductors
We have noted previously that single-conductor, exposed cables (type USE-2 or the new PV cable/PV wire) will be used for the module interconnecting cables. Both of these cable types will generally be available only in basic black. And as 200.6(A)(2) notes, this black cable, even when smaller than 4 AWG, may be marked white as a grounded conductor at the time of installation.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...In the Dark about Green Lighting?
With the eventual depletion of natural resources and the uncertain international situation, there is an increasing worldwide need for green, sustainable, energy efficient, stylish and affordable mechanical/electrical systems. Of the three disciplines now regulated by the national ASHRAE / IESNA / ANSI1 Standard 90.1 (the United States’ energy standard for other than low-rise residential buildings, which have their own standard), lighting has made the most strides in complying. New and existing buildings, plus alterations and additions now have restrictions. Standard 90.1 is the basis for LEED, IECC and state building codes.
Lighting is essential to see or do anything. Good lighting enhances all design and increases productivity, safety and personal comfort. However, badly created lighting could also consume up to 45% of a building’s energy and hasten disintegration of the fugitive organic materials (anything that once grew) that are components of the structure and its contents.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Transfer Equipment Used in Optional Standby Systems for Commercial Applications, Part I
Significant growth in optional standby systems for commercial applications is being driven by the demand for electrical power to be present that will ensure continuity of business activities. Concerns stem from weather related outages to other reliability issues that can result in the loss of electric utility of a building, communication center, or process. Loss of power may impact food storage, or simply stop the cash register at the local home store. Even though most of those you ask will refer to the alternate power sources as emergency power, it becomes clear that an alternate source (generator) and connection with manual transfer equipment will not serve as an emergency source of power. Systems that are not tied to life or public safety are optional stand-by systems. These systems are considered optional despite the fact that without this alternate source, a bank, airline reservation system, or gas station would no longer be able to serve its customer.
Transfer equipment can range from an extremely simple mechanical interlock to very complex multi-circuit breaker transfer schema. This document is Part I of a series of articles that will explore various transfer equipment configurations in an effort to assist the electrical industry in the understanding of these systems and to provide guidance for the AHJ in reviewing the installation in order to grant approval of the transfer equipment.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...W. Creighton Schwan Scholarship
The East Bay Uniform Code Committee (EBUCC) is currently accepting applications for the W. Creighton Schwan scholarship. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 has been established in his name for a deserving student with a desire to pursue a career in the electrical field. Attached you will find additional info on Creighton as well as scholarship information and the application (partial info below). The deadline is June 1, 2009, and it could be a terrific opportunity for a promising student.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Occupational Electrical Injury and Fatality Trends and Statistics: 1992–2007
Occupational electrical safety trends
Next year we will commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Since its creation, overall workplace fatalities have been cut by more than 60 percent and occupational injury and illness rates have declined by 40 percent. All of this occurred during an era of unprecedented growth in the United States where the total number of workers more than doubled in size; however, thousands of work-related fatalities and life altering injuries still occur each year in spite of these dramatic advancements in health and safety. As we focus on National Electrical Safety Month this May, it is important that we pause for a moment not only recognize how far we have come in saving lives through safer work practices and enhanced equipment, but also to remember there is still much we can do to prevent workplace tragedies.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Rule 36-110, Tables 33 and 34
Rule 36-110 refers us to Canadian Electrical Code Table 33, Horizontal Clearances from Adjacent Structures, and to Table 34, Vertical Clearances for Overhead Lines, to provide minimum safety clearances for installations operating in excess of 750 volts. Table 33 provides minimum horizontal clearances between high voltage conductors and buildings. Table 34 provides minimum ground clearances for overhead lines.
This article reviews Rule 36-110, Tables 33 and 34 and their reference to the CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C22.3 No. 1-01, Overhead Systems. Tables 33 and 34 both apply to voltages up to 69 kV. For applicable clearances above 69 kV, Rule 36-110(2)(a) refers us to this CSA overhead lines standard.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...-
Ratings
- Still on the Roof (5.00 out of 5)
- Hello world! (5.00 out of 5)
- The Challenge of Increasing Electrical Safety, Part 2 (5.00 out of 5)
- Inspecting to the Commercial Energy Code Provisions (5.00 out of 5)
- Multimeter Accident Prevention Plan, An Electrical Inspector’s Survival Guide (5.00 out of 5)
- Still on the Roof