NEMA Currents : Electrical Safety

Tamper-Resistant Receptacle Requirements in 2008 NEC Adopted in 29 States

Moldoveanu, Andrei — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:20:00 GMT

With 30 states having completed adoption processes for the 2008 National Electrical Code® (NEC), support for section 406.11, which requires tamper-resistant receptacles to be installed in new homes, has been overwhelmingly positive.

Twenty-nine of the 30 states have adopted the 2008 NEC with the tamper-resistant Code intact. These include: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. Alabama, Illinois and Texas jurisdictions are enforcing the Code at local levels. Wisconsin adopted the Code last year, but put a delay on implementation until Jan. 1, 2010.

In addition, 14 states are presently considering NEC adoption.

To date, only Indiana has rejected section 406.11, and electrical safety advocates hope the decision might be overturned when the state's residential code is revised. Officials in Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio initially resisted the tamper-resistant Code adoption, but the decisions were overturned after considering feedback from electrical experts, medical professionals and local citizens.

The officials in those 29 states should be commended for embracing a greater level of child electrical safety. But the real credit goes to the local representatives of supportive organizations like the American Burn Association, Safe Kids USA, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, the National Electrical Contractors Association, and Electrical Safety Foundation International. Without their help, the Code adoption status at "half-time" probably wouldn't be the same.

For more information, visit www.childoutletsafety.org.

NEC 2008 – Half time report

Winstanley, Gerard — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:26:00 GMT

We are half way through the States adoption process for the 2008 National Electrical Code®. This code cycle has seen opposition has come from the beleaguered home builders on two issues - expanded use of Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and tamper proof outlets. The home builders claim that the additional cost for these devices will hurt an already depressed industry.

The half time report is in with 28 states having completed their adoption processes. For AFCIs 23 states chose to adopt the NEC 2008 requirements. Three states, which did not have any AFCI requirements previously, have moved to NEC 2005 requirements for AFCIs in bedrooms. So who is in the cellar? Indiana has the dubious distinction of being the only state having no AFCI requirements whatsoever.

Key players in persuading the states to adopt NEC 2008 without changes have been local representatives of the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the National Electrical Contractors Association, a codnsumer organizations as well as The Electrical Safety Foundation International. Support these groups as they work to encourage the remaining states to adopt the NEC 2008.

For more information on AFCIs see: AFCISafety.org.

Indiana DHS Actions Lower Public Safety

baclawskiv — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:13:00 GMT

Indiana's Electrical Advisory Committee completed a review of the entire 2008 National Electrical Code^® proposed rules the added safety benefits of Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs), Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) and the expansion of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) personnel protection.

Ignoring this input from the Electrical Advisory Committee, the State of Indiana's Department of Homeland Security deleted from the proposed rules provisions for AFCIs, TRRs and the expansion of GFCI because these provisions had a "perceived" large fiscal impact on the citizens of Indiana. The State's reasoning for this action was that it was done in order to obtain approval from the State's Budget Agency.

If this legislation moves forward, Indiana will fall towards the bottom of the country in terms of electrical safety. Further, Indiana will be the ONLY State in the country to NOT have any "AFCI" protection in residential construction.

Washington ETAC Decision A Major Victory for Child Safety

baclawskiv — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:28:00 GMT

In a significant victory for child safety, the State of Washington Electrical Technical Advisory Committee, which consists of stakeholders in the electrical industry located in the State, voted overwhelmingly to include the requirement for Tamper-Resistant Receptacle (TRR) requirements for dwellings per section 406.11 of the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC). The State of Washington adopted the 2008 NEC on December 31, 2008 with amendments, but the requirement for TRRs was adopted intact. Click for more details. This vote makes an important statement, since the Electrical Department recommended postponing enforcement of the TRR requirement for at least another year. Obviously, the industry understands the importance of these cost-effective devices in reducing incidents of electrical shock and burns in children.

Advanced Surge Arrester Technology Showcased on New Website

golds — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:31:00 GMT

One of the great things about an organization like NEMA, which represents so many different aspects of the electrical grid, is the opportunities that arise to help promote some very important technologies.

Today the Surge Arresters Section launched its new website, dedicated to promoting the latest, most effective technology in arresters. Metal oxide varistor (MOC) technology long ago proved itself superior to the older silicon carbide (SiC) arrester technology, because it more effectively protects the grid from lightning and switching surges. The new "NEMA Arresters" website tells the story behind the need to replace the riskier product with the safer product.

Ocean County Construction Inspection Department Disbanded

baclawskiv — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:37:00 GMT

The Ocean County Construction Inspection Department in New Jersey was recently denied funding by the Ocean County Commissioners for its building inspection department for the 2009 budget year. The department has ceased to function as of December 31, 2008. Click here for additional details.

Bob McCullough, a former supervisor of the department and current Chairman of NEC Code-Making Panel 9, has retired. All other former department employees have either retired, been laid-off, or are finding new positions with the county.

Apparently, cities within Ocean County that formerly received inspection services from the Ocean County Construction Inspection Department will be encouraged to provide their own inspection services, perhaps working with other cities that already provide their own inspection services. The long-term effect on public safety is to be determined, but in the short term, it is likely that public safety will suffer, and we hope this won't become a growing trend in the U.S.

Investigators call Soldier’s electrocution “negligent homicide”

Winstanley, Gerard — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:33:00 GMT

The death of a soldier electrocuted while showering at a military facility in Iraq a year ago may be changed from accidental death to negligent homicide. Army criminal investigators say that KBR, the largest US contractor in Iraq, may have failed to have qualified electricians and plumbers undertaking installation work at military camps. Up to 18 other deaths of military personnel and contracts have been blamed on faulty wiring or grounding. The installation codes and inspection practices developed in this country over the last 100 years have brought us unparalleled electrical safety, but they require a strict adherence to the rules the industry has developed. A process in which NEMA, and it's members, have taken a leading role. Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan spend their days in harms way, they should not have to face danger in their down time. They deserve the same levels of electrical safety that we enjoy at home.

Kudos to outlet box and receptacle industries for addressing field problems head on

leibowitzm — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:06:00 GMT

The outlet box and receptacle industries are to be commended for tackling reported field problems with excessive stress and breaking of weatherproof-while-in-use box covers. After learning about which kinds of installations saw these problems more prominantly, the NEMA outlet box and wiring device groups moved to work together toward solutions that would satisfy all parties concerned. These solutions are likely to come in the form of additional UL test requirements for these covers as well as proposals to the 2011 National Electrical Code to recognize covers intended for harsh environments.

Have a Merry -- and (Electrically) Safe -- Holiday

golds — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:48:00 GMT

As the famous Carpenters' song goes, it's that time of year -- not only "when the world falls in love," but when there's an increased risk of electrical-related problems, from old extension cords fraying and causing electric shocks, to electric space heaters causing fires, to portable generators leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Most of us manage to get through the holiday season and winter months without any such incidents, but consumers still need to be aware and take safety precautions when using electric equipment.

That's why each December the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) launches a month-long campaign holiday safety series. Check out the holiday decorating safety recommendations, as well as a holiday safety checklist. These resources are packed with valuable tips -- from how to inspect electrical decorations to maintaining a Christmas tree in fire-resistant condition.

For more information from ESFI, visit its holiday safety web page.

Happy holidays!

Electrical Safety – Ohio Back on Track.

Winstanley, Gerard — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:40:00 GMT

Common sense won the day as the Ohio Board of Building Standards voted for a second time to adopt the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) on December 12^th . This cleared up a confused year in which Governor Stickland succumbed to pressure from the Home Builder's Association of Ohio and signed an emergency order reversing the board's earlier approval of the NEC 2008 and calling for public hearings. Fortunately those public hearings only strengthened the case for the Adoption of NEC 2008 with the additional safety requirements for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters and tamper proof receptacles. Congratulations to the officials of Ohio for resisting the political maneuverings and coming down on the side of electrical safety.