NEC Code Writing on List [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Drake and other Wrenches who deal with the NEC,

As I mentioned in an earlier message, I have been involved with the NEC 690
technical review committee since its inception in 1994. I try to make every
meeting because many important decision are being made that affect our whole
industry. I am heavily involved in training inspectors and feel like I
understand the issues from the installation and inspection viewpoints. Some
wrenches probably consider me too much of an insider and that is why I would
like to get other wrenches involved in the code-making process.

There are a preponderance of myths out there about the code-making process
fostered by well-meaning wrenches who are legitimately frustrated dealing
with inspectors misinterpreting code language or not fully understanding why
certain language is included in the code themselves. This contributes to the
conspiracy theories that abound. Although there are highly opinionated
people (like me) involved in this process, I can assure you that everyone
working on 690 code have the same goal--to refine the code in such a way
that systems can be installed safely, easily, and with a minimum of cost.
How these goals find their way into reality can be argued, but the good
motives cannot be argued. Rather than pointing fingers and finding culprets
responsible for problem issues, it is much more constructive to understand
the problems that wrenches are experiencing and develop reasonable solutions
to these problems.

Just imagine for a moment if we did not have article 690. Some may argue
that we would all be better off, but these people have not dealt with really
tough inspector yet. The code is definitely our friend, and we need to
continue to improve our code so it can be more effective as our friend. Much
of the off-grid market has developed without the scrutiny of inspectors
which can be seen as a good and bad thing.

The emerging market in California and the rest of the U.S. is in the on-grid
market where the rules are much more refined. Inspectors are paid to protect
the public and if they get the feeling like a contractor is trying to get
away with something that is unsafe, they are bloodhounds for that type of
activity. This makes inspectors very interesting animals. Learning how to
work with inspectors is an art that is learned by experience. The best
approach is professionalism in the quality of documentation and
installation. First impressions are important so the package reviewed by the
planchecker is very important. Once you get past that hurtle, a neat wiring
job can go a long way to convincing an inspector that the contractor knows
what they are doing.

This does not mean that everything will go perfectly, but it can remove a
lot of the obsticals. Code language can be a large barrier, and the bigger
the experience base with wording problems and problems with requirements,
the better the code will get.

I enjoy debating code issues, but I always try to keep an open mind (without
letting my brain fall out). I look forward to getting a good code dialogue
started--our industry needs it. As long as we don't take ourselves too
seriously, I think we can get a really constructive process moving forward.

Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy
[mailto:solar at eagle-access.net]
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 8:35 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: NEC Code Writing on List [RE-wrenches]


Hi Wrenches,

The essential link for effecting the code on this (or another) list is
having access to information about what is being discussed in the
committees.  We need to know this information while the discussion is on
the table.

This will require someone being in the meetings who can put information on
the list.  Bill Brooks has offered to let us know the schedule of the
meetings.

"I would be happy to notify all wrenches of any meetings through this forum
if you would like
that."

This service could be of great help.  We still need to find someone to
attend the meetings.  Thank you very much Bill.  Are you in a position to
attend any meetings?

We usually learn about NEC rulings only after they have become
mandatory.  We read the new wording and try to figure out what it
means.  Inspectors are in the same boat, although they may have attended
workshops that define the new sections.  Code language, as we all know, is
notoriously difficult to decipher.

Electricians can also attend the workshops if they want to invest the time
and money.  But wouldn't it be great if we could help define the codes to
truly represent safe and cost effective methods of RE installation.  In
this way we would be thoroughly acquainted with the new rulings before
their adoption.

Are there any Wrenches who are close to the code writing committees.  Does
anyone know if the actual writing happens in Quincy, Massachusetts?

Drake



- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette:
 http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  -- Learn More. Surf Less. 
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01