NFPA 70's National Electrical Code vs. Everyday Home Electrical Needs

NFPA 70's National Electrical Code vs. Everyday Home Electrical Needs: Decoding the Tension
In this insightful video, James Adams, a seasoned master electrician, unpacks the complexities electricians encounter when juggling the stringent requirements of the NFPA 70's National Electrical Code (NEC) with the practical electrical needs of homeowners. Through three compelling real-life scenarios, James showcases the friction points where the NEC's safety mandates might impede the smooth operation of household electrical devices. Solution: How can electricians uphold the integrity of the NEC while ensuring homeowners' electrical setups function seamlessly?
Introduction
James Adams addresses recent challenges with EV (Electric Vehicle) installations and GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) breakers.
Scenario 1: EV Installation • Electric Vehicle Charg...
Description: Despite being code-compliant, homeowners find their GFI breaker tripping during EV charging.
Problem: The code prescribes a GFI breaker for the garage's 1450 outlet, but it's tripped by the EV charger.
Reference to Article 90.2B: The code prioritizes safety, not necessarily efficiency or functionality.
Dilemma: How can electricians strike a balance between safety regulations and successful EV charging?
Scenario 2: Garage Refrigerator • Fridge nuisance trips ...
Description: GFI trips lead homeowners to lose perishable goods in their garage refrigerator.
Problem: The code's GFI protection for garage outlets can result in monetary losses.
Dilemma: How can electricians ensure safety without hampering appliance functionality?
Scenario 3: Vacuum Cleaner and Arc Faults
Description: A particular vacuum cleaner brand, Dyson, causes the arc fault breaker to trip in newer homes.
Problem: The code's arc fault safety measures conflict with the operation of certain appliances.
Dilemma: How can electricians guarantee safety without limiting homeowners' choice of appliances?
James reemphasizes the challenge of reconciling code compliance with functional needs.
He encourages viewers to share insights and possible solutions.
Viewers are reminded to engage with the content and subscribe.
The video underscores the importance of harmonizing safety regulations with homeowners' practical electrical needs.
ABR Electric, Collin County's premier Electrical Installation service company and authorized Generac dealer. Our licensed team of electricians in McKinney, TX are dedicated to your satisfaction, living by our motto: "Do it right, make a positive memory, have fun." Services include:
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🌲 Outdoor Path Lighting
🔌 EV Charging Stations
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⚡ 200 AMP Meter Base Setup
🔌 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Installation
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ABR safely operates at 1971 Univ Business Dr #106, McKinney. Connect with us on @abrelectric.
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[@jamesmooney8933]

As a retired Electrician, I remember the code when GFCI were first required in basements. The old code stated that one "single outlet" could be placed in the basement for a refrigerator. I guess in recent years the code has changed. So I would go to the home owner with an Electrical Inspector, and have the GFCI checked out. The problem with this protection of the garage with a GFCI is that once you and the Electrical Inspector leave, then the homeowner will install or have someone install a regular circuit breaker. Refrigerator by their natural go to ground. As a boy in the 50's, I can remember getting a tingling feeling touching our refrigerator. As a matter of fact, the enamel on the refrigerator wore of where the refrigerator touched the counter on the kitchen sink. I came to an understanding of the Electrical Code long ago. I was at an Electrical Inspector Meeting in the 90's. A manufacturer rep. made a presentation about a new cover for outdoor GFCI. He said that the covers were not code, but will be code. Today these covers are code, and I don't know how many I have had to replace. They are great ideas, but not practical.

[@abrelectric]

Thanks for sharing

[@meeponinthbit3466]

Code compliance is an issue for all you licensed electricians. GFCI in the garage seems completely unnecessary to my laymen POV. What realistic water hazard are we worried about in the garage? And don't get me going on those damn arc faults in the house. Laser printers use static discharge to put toner on paper and love tripping them. Brushed motors too.

[@teseract]

Seems like a pretty good way to drive the people who are handy enough to hold a screwdriver without poking their eye out to the Internet to learn how to swap a breaker followed by a trip to Home Depot, then an iffy inexperienced installation by someone who may or may not install it properly. No safety implications there at all, right? Look at what people do to get around those awful EPA mandated gas cans that spill fuel every time you use them. Make someone's life difficult enough and people will find a way around it, "illegal" or not.

[@hlm34]

I am not an electrician, but I work in a facility where the company uses the 80% load rule. My thoughts are you installed a 14-50 service, 80% rule would be a usable 40 amp draw for safety reasons. I have seen where EV owners can set their charging draw rate onscreen in the vehicle to accommodate the source output. Maybe the EV owner is demanding 50 amps and not knowing they can set the amperage draw, thus causing the breakers to trip. Just my 2 cents worth.

[@abrelectric]

The GFCI nuisance tripping isn't an overload issue. In each of those cases the load was 32 - 35 amps. The issue was simple incompatibility with the GFCI circuit board. Thank you for raising the 80% rule!

[@vk2zay]

Serious question: What would code say if you re-terminated the fridge in a type-6 plug that is definitely not compatible with a type-5 general purpose receptacle then clearly labelled the receptacle as a dedicated 120 volt circuit without GFCI protection? Is is really just about GPOs outside the "dry" space of the home or any circuit at all? Or maybe just hard-wired the fridge into a box so there is no outlet at all? It isn't like that fridge will get moved often. Run it in a liquid-tight whip like a water heater? Who would seriously argue that is bad? If the garage is flooded you are probably screwed anyway!

[@abrelectric]

Common sense and practicality are in your corner; however, look at Article 210.8, either in the 2020 or 2023. Add the requirement for the GFCI to be Readily Accessible. It gets more interesting

[@jamesmooney8933]

I was talking about past code from 20 years ago, which recognized that refrigerator go to ground. If a person knows that nuisance trip is a GFCI problem, then the person will figure out that Non-GFCI breakers will fix the problem, then he will switch to a non-GFCI breaker rather then buying a new refrigerator. People are not stupid, they will figure a way around unpractical problems. What would you tell a customer to do? Buy a new GFCI or a new refrigerator?

[@jamesmooney8933]

I grew up in a time when dupex outlets only had two prongs. As a matter of fact, under the grandfather claus of the code you can install a two.prong outlet. You can still buy a brand new 2 prong outlet in a hardware store. People actually used the 2 prong outlets and survived.

[@jamesmooney8933]

My generation was much smarter. We knew not to operate electrical devices in water. Although some of the stupid people of my generation got electrocuted and died. Which is why our generation is so smart.

[@jamesmooney8933]

Ok, if you run liquid tight to the panel, then according to code you would have to put a GFCI feeding into the liquid tight circuit.

[@yesman3709]

I bet the code authors would love to put seat belts on motorcycles.

[@jamesmooney8933]

As a retired Electrician I would have nothing to do with an EV's charging station. EV' are prone to bursting out in flames. If an EV burst out in flames, burns a home down, and people die, then you are in the jackpot. You will be in the jackpot with the EV manufacturer. When in the jackpot the person with the deepest pockets wins. It's not going to be the EV manufacturer. You will be lucky if you go bankrupt. Because an Electrician up in Massachusetts was convicted of man slaughter, because he made a mistake wiring an electric heater. The EV's army of Lawyers will claim you made a mistake in wiring, and you will history. As far as the GFCI breaker, I would bring an Electrical Inspector with me to examine my work, and let the Electrical Inspector explain the situation. I am a retired Electrician, I would also advise putting an Arc Fault breaker along with a GFCI.

[@tcastrigno]

As electricians, provide customers with a point of contact at the NEC he explained that the inadequacy is real. At the code needs to provide a safe and Functional standard. Consumers can also contact their Federal legislative Representatives and ask for their help. More bureaucratic BS, I know.

[@bill7949]

?

[@abrelectric]

??

[@jeffblackwell6694]

Really easy don't fall for the lie buy a ice car you know internal combustion engine car.

[@abrelectric]

True - they don't trip GFCI breakers 😀