Chapter 4 · Buildings and Construction

Article 7. Electrical Code

Sections 4-701 to 4-715 · 15 sections

4-701 Electrical code incorporated.

That certain code known as the National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition (NFPA No. 70) including Annex A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J, a standard of the National Fire Protection Association, One Batterman Park, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, and prepared by the National Electrical Code Committee is hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this article, save and except such portions as are hereinafter in this article omitted, deleted, modified or changed. No fewer than one (1) copy of such publication incorporated by reference shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk and made available for inspection by the public at all reasonable business hours. The filed copy of the code shall be marked “Official Copy as adopted by Ordinance No. 1907.” All sections or portions of the filed copy of the code shall be clearly marked to show deletions, modifications or changes from the code. All administration departments of the City charged with enforcement of this Code, shall be supplied, at the cost of the City, such number of official copies, similarly marked as may be deemed expedient. Such code shall be the minimum standard for all electrical work done or performed under the provisions of such article, except as hereinafter provided.

(Ord. 1441; Ord. 1483; Ord. 1538; Ord. 1573; Ord. 1626; Ord. 1670; Ord. 1712; Ord. 1907)

4-702 Omissions, additions and deletions.

The National Electrical Code adopted by Section 4-701 is changed, altered, modified and otherwise amended as follows:

(a)Article 210.8 subpart (A)(2) of the National Electric Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

“(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use

Exception to (2): A 120-volt, 20 ampere circuit for the sole use of refrigerator(s), and freezer(s), shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

(b)Article 210.8 subpart (A)(5) of the National Electric Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

“(5) Unfinished basements - for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms, and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like

Exceptions to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system, or a 120-volt, 20 ampere circuit for the sole use of refrigerator(s), freezer(s), sump pump(s) and lift station(s) shall not be required to have a ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.”

(c)Article 210.8 subpart (B)(2) of the National Electric Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

“(2) Kitchen

Exception to (2): A 120-volt, 20 ampere circuit that are not readily accessible or are for the sole use of refrigerator(s), and freezer(s) shall not be required to have a ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.”

(d)The first paragraph to Article 210.12 subpart (A) of the National Electric Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

“(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outsets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, [except a 120 volt, 20 ampere circuit for the sole use of refrigerator(s) and freezer(s) shall not be required to have arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection], family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by any of the means described in 210.12(A)(1) through (6):”

(e)Additional Requirements. The National Electric Code as herein adopted is amended to provide that notwithstanding any other provisions of the same the following requirements are added to the code for all new construction:

(1)Underground service conductors shall be in at least 8’ of rigid steel conduit going up the service pole and the remainder can be schedule 80 PVC;

(2)6” stand offs are required for conduit going up the service pole;

(3)There shall be exterior disconnects on all new services; and

(4)Nonmetallic sheathed cable (commonly known as Romex) shall not be used for Commercial applications.

(Ord. 1441; Ord. 1907)

4-703 Electrical permits.

No person, firm or corporation shall wire any building or structure or electric lights, motors, heating devices or any apparatus or fixture requiring the use of electrical current or make any material alteration or addition to the existing wire in any building or structure in the city before making application, in writing, to the office of city clerk and obtaining a permit therefor. Applications for permits shall be made on blanks furnished by the city and shall set forth in detail the work to be done and the class and location of the building and the name of the owner: Provided, That no permit shall be required for maintenance of any such electrical wiring or apparatus or for the making of minor repairs when no wiring is renewed or altered. The permit shall be issued subject to the payment of fees hereafter required and shall describe as near as practical the electrical wiring work to be done and no work shall be done under the permit except as authorized thereby. No permit shall be issued until the application shall have been approved by the electrical inspector.

(Code 1973, 5-403)

4-704 Installation standards.

Installation standards for electrical wiring in the city shall be as follows:

(a)All service wires entering buildings shall be installed in rigid metal conduits not smaller than one inch internal diameter. No wires smaller than No. 6B and S gauge copper or No. 4B and S gauge aluminum shall be used between the service switch and service outlet. The same provisions to apply from service drop to service switch. All service switches and fuse cutouts shall be installed in standard metal cabinets of sufficient size to avoid crowding and shall be so arranged as to permit the switch to be externally operated. An overcurrent protection device shall be installed within a distance not to exceed three feet from the meter socket. If this distance exceeds three feet, an overcurrent protection device shall be mandatory at the service meter. All piping and wiring including meter base and fuse boxes shall be installed and maintained at expense of property owner. The city shall install overhead service drops from pole to house and maintain this and the meter. Service entrance cable may be used to enter the building if the knockout in the meter socket is used for the entrance: Provided, That the entrance cable conductors are properly supported on each end by approved connectors. These entrance conductors shall not exceed three feet in length. All meter locations shall be approved by the inspector. All service entrance grounds shall be approved driven electrodes unless otherwise approved by the inspector.

Exposed grounding conductor shall be installed in electric metallic tubing or rigid conduit where exposed. The installation of single-phase motors, over four horsepower is prohibited without authority of the electric utility director. The following power correction schedule will be applicable to all five horsepower services and larger.

Customers shall furnish and install secondary power factor correction capacitors on all motors, five horsepower and larger. Capacitors will be installed on load side of starter, and sized according to horsepower and motor speed, according to chart. These rules apply to any new motor installed and existing motor when horsepower sizes are increased, or transformer capacity is increased to handle load demand. Then capacitors will be added to all motors connected to that transformer bank.

Motor
Connected		Motor Speed
Horse-	3600	1800	1200	900	720
Power		KVAR Required
5	2	2	2	3	4
7 ½	2.5	2.5	3	4	5.5
10	3	3	4	5	6.5
15	4	4	5	6.5	8
20	5	5	6	7.5	9
25	6	6	7	9	11
30	7	7	9	10	12
40	9	9	11	12	15
50	12	11	13	15	19
60	14	14	15	18	22
75	17	16	18	21	26
100	22	21	25	27	31.5
125	27	26	30	32.5	40
150	30	30	35	37.5	47.5
200	35	50	55	70	90

(b)Approved metallic conduit shall be required for all electric light, heat or power wires in the wiring of new buildings and the installation of new wires on old buildings or additions except single-family dwelling structures thereto within the fire limits of the city as they now are or may hereafter be established; and in churches, hospitals, schools, hotels, theaters, public automobile garages and repair shops and manufacturing establishments outside the fire limits: Provided, That nothing in this section shall prohibit the lawful extension of changing of existing circuits which are not installed in conduits unless such circuits are entirely removed or replaced. Nonmetallic sheathed cable (commonly known as Romex) shall not, under any circumstances, be used for outside wiring, except that it be in approved metallic conduit. Metal switch or receptacle shall not be used in bathrooms or utility rooms.

(c)In all other cases approved nonmetallic sheathed cable shall be required for all electric light, heat, or power wires in the wiring of new buildings, the rewiring of old buildings and the installation of new wires in old buildings or additions thereto not otherwise provided for. Bathroom lights hereafter installed shall be operated by either wall or ceiling switch and the switch shall be located out of reach of any person who might be standing in the bathtub or shower compartment.

(Code 1973, 5-404, Ord. 1302, Sec. 1; Code 1983)

4-705 Dangerous or defective installations.

(a)The electrical inspector shall have power and authority to condemn and cause the removal or necessary repair of any electric wiring, fixtures, appliances, conductors, apparatus or supports heretofore or hereafter installed in or upon any building, shop, outhouse, shed or other structure within the city, which may be considered by him or her as dangerous to life or property and he or she shall have the authority to require the cutting off of the electric current therefrom until such repairs or changes are made.

(b)In case any work which said electrical inspector is required to inspect, by the provisions of this article, shall be found not to comply with the requirements hereof, or to be unsafe and defective, he or she shall at once notify the party or parties doing such work, of such defect, and order him, her or them to change, rearrange, or remove the same, and upon the party’s or parties’ failure or refusal so to do within a reasonable time such party or parties shall be deemed guilty of a violation of the provisions of this article; and each and every day which shall elapse after the expiration of the reasonable time as the same shall be fixed by the electrical inspector without a compliance with the order, shall be considered a separate offense.

(Code 1973, 5-405)

4-706 Electrical inspector; appointments.

The city manager shall appoint some qualified individual to perform the duties of the electrical inspector under this article. Such person or persons shall be experience in electrical constructions and be versed in the rules and approved methods of electrical installation. He or she shall not engage in the electrical business either directly or indirectly in the city and shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business while performing the duties of electrical inspector.

(Code 1973, 5-406)

4-707 Same; powers, duties.

The electrical inspector, or his or her authorized assistant, shall inspect all electrical light, heat and power wires, fixtures, appliances, conductors, and apparatus hereafter installed in or upon any or all buildings and structures in the city, and all such installations shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this article and subject to his or her approval. For all such purposes he or she shall have the right during reasonable hours, upon proper identification, to enter any building or place in the city for the purposes of making any inspection required by this article.

(Code 1973, 5-407)

4-708 Inspections.

The electrical inspector or his or her assistant shall inspect all installations of electric wiring, fixtures, and other equipment as required by this article within 24 hours (not including Sundays or days observed as legal holidays) after receipt of notice that same is ready for inspection. He or she shall leave a suitable distinctive marker on or near the service cabinet which shall indicate that the work has been approved. No workman shall lath, ceil, or in any manner conceal any electric wiring until such inspection shall have been made and the installation approved. All plumbing, water, steam, and gas pipes and furnace stacks which are to be concealed shall be in place before the electric wiring will be inspected and such wiring shall not be considered as completed until such work is in place. It shall be the duty of the person installing electric wiring fixtures, appliances and apparatus to promptly notify the electrical inspector as soon as the same is ready for inspection.

(Code 1973, 5-408)

4-709 Appeals.

The electrical inspector shall decide all questions not provided for in this article arising under its interpretation. An appeal may be had from any order or decision made by him or her to the governing body. The decision of the governing body shall be final and binding and no appeal shall be taken to such body unless the same be done within 10 days from the date of such order or decision.

(Code 1973, 5-409)

4-710 Certificates of inspection.

Upon completion of any work in which a permit has been issued under the provisions of this article, and, from time to time as may be necessary, it shall be the duty of the person installing same to notify the electrical inspector, after which such work shall be promptly inspected as provided herein. If the work shall be found to comply with all the provisions of this article, the electrical inspector shall then issue a certificate of satisfactory inspection. No electric current shall be turned on, except for the purpose of testing, until such certificate shall be issued. No electric light or power wire or equipment shall be covered or concealed until it shall have been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector, and the inspector shall have authority to remove or cause to be removed, any lath, plaster or other material which may interfere with the proper inspection thereof.

(Code 1973, 5-410)

4-711 Electrical Permit and fees.

Permits for all work hereunder shall be issued upon payment to the city clerk of the following fees:

(a)Residential-single family dwelling-electrical repair or remodeling work - $20.

(b)Residential-single family dwelling-new wiring - $30.

(c)Commercial, industrial or multi-family dwelling-electrical repair or remodel - $35.

(d)Commercial, industrial or multi-family dwelling-new wiring - $50.

(Code 1973, 5-411, Code 1983; Ord. 1686, Sec. 1; Ord. 1970)

4-712 Radios and other interferences.

Rules and regulations relating to radios and other interferences in the city shall be as follows:

(a)Hereafter it shall be unlawful for any person, knowingly, to use or operate any wire, wires or mechanism that conducts and consumes electricity and which emits uncontrolled or undirected electrostatic energy audible on radio or television receiving sets constantly or intermittently for 10 seconds or periods of less duration if recurring more often than at 10 minute intervals.

(b)When complaint shall be made of any disturbance or interference it shall be the duty of the electrical inspector to seek the cooperation of and permission from any person in control of any premises to enter thereon and search for any wires or mechanisms suspected of causing any disturbances or interferences with nearby radio or television receiving sets. If any such uncontrolled or undirected electrostatic energy is found, the inspector shall make a reasonable effort to demonstrate the fact to the person in charge of the premises where found.

(c)It shall be the duty of all persons owning or using electrical equipment or devices which may be operated or used in violation of this section to correct the same by installing, maintaining or using recommended filters, conductors, eliminators, shields or other electrical devices to control and direct the electrostatic energy to prevent interference with or disturbance of radio and television reception. It shall be the further duty of all such persons to cooperate with the electrical inspector in correcting the matter complained of, and the inspector shall recommend methods or devices for correcting the same.

(Code 1973, 5-412)

4-713 Inspector’s records.

The electrical inspector shall cause suitable records to be made of permits issued, of inspection work performed by the inspector or his or her assistant, all certificates issued and his or her orders or decisions pertaining to any electrical work. The city shall supply all blanks and forms and record books required by any provisions of this section.

(Code 1973, 5-413)

4-714 Construction of article.

This article shall not be construed to remove or lessen the liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to any person or property by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein, or certificate issued. Neither shall this article be held or construed to embrace or cover the regulation of any transmitting, broadcasting or receiving instrument, apparatus or device, used in interstate commerce, the operation of which is authorized and regulated by or under the provisions of any act of the Congress of the United States.

(Code 1973, 5-414)

4-715 Penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person to do anything herein prohibited or fail to do anything required to be done by any section of this article. Any person violating any provisions of this article shall upon conviction be fined any sum not less than $25 nor more than $50 for each offense: Provided, That each day’s continuance of any violation shall constitute a separate offense.

(Code 1973, 5-415; Code 1983)