CODE HUNTER 2014 – Wiring

To play this game, you need a sharp eye, a quick mind and a 2014 National Electrical Code book.
(Fill-in-the-blank questions are looking for the exact word(s) used in the NEC.)

1) __________ RMC shall be permitted to be installed for direct burial and swimming pool applications.

A) Red brass
B) Aluminum
C) Stainless steel
D) Galvanized steel

2) Remote-control circuits for safety-control equipment shall be classified as __________ if the failure of the equipment to operate introduces a direct fire or life hazard.

A) Class 1
B) Class 3
C) Essential
D) Life safety

3) PVC conduit smaller than metric designator _____ (trade size ______ ) shall not be used.

A) 12; 3/8
B) 16; 1/2
C) 21; 3/4
D) 27; 1

4) In enclosures, power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to be installed __________within the enclosure to separate them from Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits.

A) In a raceway
B) Behind a barrier
C) In flexible tubing
D) In a cable assembly

5) Busway runs that have sections located both inside and outside of buildings shall have a _________at the building wall to prevent interchange of air between indoor and outdoor sections.

A) Sill plate
B) Drip loop
C) Vapor seal
D) Junction box

6) Fire-resistive cable systems installed in a raceway shall only use pulling lubricants __________ as part of the fire-resistive cable system.

A) Listed
B) Labeled
C) Approved
D) Identified

7) There shall be no voltage marking on a Type TC cable employing __________ wire.

A) Fixture
B) Covered
C) Rubber insulated
D) Thermocouple extension

8) Flexible cords are prohibited from having special characteristic markings.

A) True
B) False

9) Type MC cable is permitted to be manufactured as a single-conductor cable.

A) True
B) False

10) When determining the required conduit size for one conductor or cable, the conduit size is acceptable if the calculation results in a decimal greater than 0.5.

A) True
B) False

Bonus Question

[WpProQuiz 8]

 

Answers

1) A, Red brass. Section 344.10 lists the uses permitted for rigid metallic conduit, including galvanized and stainless steel, red brass, aluminum, and enamel-protected ferrous metal. Red brass rigid metallic conduit was added to the NEC in 2008. Red brass RMC is only available in trade size ½, and it is found most commonly in swimming pool applications.

2) B, Class 1. Found in 725.31(A), this requirement does not apply to room thermostats, water temperature regulating devices, and similar controls used for electrically controlled household heating and air conditioning, since these are not considered to be safety-control equipment.

3) B, 16; 1/2. Section 352.20 contains both minimum and maximum trade sizes for rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (Type PVC). Available in trade sizes ½ to 6, PVC conduit support spacing requirements are based on trade size and range from 3 to 8 feet.

4) A, In a raceway. 760.136 lists requirements for separating fire alarm circuit cables from electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm circuits, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 760.136(B) through (G). 760.136(C) allows the use of raceways as a means of maintaining separation for the fire alarm circuit cables.

5) C, Vapor seal. For busways over 600 volts, 368.234 requires a vapor seal at the building wall and fire barriers where the busway penetrates fire walls, floors or ceilings.

6) A, Listed. This requirement is found in 728.5(F). The requirements in 728.5 apply to locations where the fire-resistive cable system is installed outside the fire-rated rooms they serve. Listed fire-resistive cables and conductors are required to be marked with the suffix “FRR” and the circuit integrity duration in hours.

7) D, Thermocouple extension. This prohibition is found in 336.120. Tray cable (Type TC) is allowed to contain conductors for thermocouple circuits in accordance with Part III of Article 725.

8) B, False. 400.6(B)allows optional markings to indicate special characteristics including markings for limited smoke, sunlight resistance, and others.

9) A, True. The definition of Metal-Clad Cable (Type MC) allows for one or more insulated conductors. For single conductor Type MC, a nonmagnetic sheath or armor must be used, and the installation of the cables must comply with 300.20.

10) B, False. Note 7 to Table 1 in Chapter 9 requires that the calculation results in a decimal of 0.8 or larger to use the calculated conduit size for a single conductor or cable.

Christel Hunter and Randy Hunter
Christel Hunter is vice president of standards for Cerro Wire. Chris serves as President for the Southern Nevada Chapter of IAEI. Chris also serves on NEC CMP-6 and CMP-13, NFPA 921, NFPA 70B, NFPA 73 and UL STPs 62, 83, 719 and 4703. Chris is a Professional Safety and Health Officer, Certified Standards Professional, Master Electrician, and LEED Accredited Professional. Randy Hunter is an instructor and consultant specializing in electrical code and installations, and co-owner of Hunter Technical Services. He holds ten inspections certifications from IAEI and ICC. He has been a master electrician since 1988.