• The City will NOT require the expanded use of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI). We made an amendment to leave the requirement as it is in the 2005 NEC. They will continue to be required in bedrooms only, and that is on anything that is 120 volt. The breaker will need to be the combination type AFCI as required in the 2005 NEC. The combination type is a type breaker that will sense and react to series as well as parallel faults.

• The exceptions to using single receptacles in unfinished basements and garages instead of protecting the outlets with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) have been removed. The NEC allows a fire/burglar alarm panel in an unfinished area of the basement to not require GFCI protection and the City created an amendment that GFCI protection shall not be required on a sewage ejector pump or sump pump that is cord and plug connected to a single receptacle installed on a dedicated circuit. All other receptacles in unfinished basements and garages will be required to be GFCI protected, even those behind appliances or in the ceiling.

• The City created an amendment to not require derating NM cable when two or more conductors are ran through a single hole in a framing member. Remember to derate if you bundle two or more NM cables for twenty-four inches or more.

• Tamper-resistant receptacles will be required on all 120-volt 15- and 20-ampere receptacles used in or on a dwelling or residential accessory structure. This includes the outside receptacles.

• Balconies, decks and porches that are 20 sq. ft. or larger and are accessible from the inside of the dwelling unit shall have at least one receptacle outlet installed within its perimeter and located not more than 6 ½ feet above the balcony, deck or porch surface.

• All 15- and 20-ampere, 120- and 240-volt nonlocking receptacles installed in damp or wet locations shall be listed weather-resistant type. This is for both residential and commercial locations and also for use on construction services. The use of weatherproof covers will remain as currently enforced.

• PVC installed outside and unprotected where it is subject to physical damage will be required to be schedule 80.

• The ungrounded and grounded conductors of each multiwire branch circuit shall be grouped by wire ties or similar means in at least one location within the panelboard.

• An intersystem bonding bar shall be mounted outside by the electric meter/service equipment or by the ground rod and shall have provisions for connecting at least three intersystem bonding/grounding conductors. This bonding bar shall be connected to the grounding electrode system with a minimum 6 AWG copper conductor. This is required on ALL new buildings and will also be required when the electric service is changed or upgraded.

• The conductor to the concrete-encased electrode (Ufer ground) will need to be sized from Table 250-66. The City has created an amendment to require that conductor to be larger than 4 AWG if the service size is greater than 200 amperes.

• A cable- or raceway-type wiring method installed under metal-corrugated sheet roof decking, shall be installed and supported so the nearest outside surface of the raceway is not less than 1 ½ inch from the nearest surface of the roof decking.

• Conductors installed in conduit or tubing exposed to direct sunlight on rooftops now requires additional temperature adjustment factors in accordance with the values in Table 310.15(B)(2)(c).

• A separate electrical permit shall be required for each building or tenant space with an electric meter, and anytime a separate electric meter is installed.

• Exception: One- and two-family dwellings or multi-family dwellings when such dwelling units are not individually owned.

• Wire insulation color shall match the proper voltage color on all wire up to and including 6 AWG. Taping is only allowed on conductors 4 AWG and larger.

• You do not have to drill the floor joist in a crawl space, as the 2008 NEC requires; we will allow you to secure the wiring to the bottom of the joist.

• Art. 200.2(B). The continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on a connection to a metallic enclosure, raceway or cable armor.

• Switched receptacles do not count toward the required receptacle outlets in a dwelling unless they are half switched.

• Show windows must have a receptacle within 18 inches above the window for every 12 linear feet or major fraction thereof.

• A grounding conductor shall be installed with ALL feeders, even to detach structures. This is required in addition to the concrete encased electrode, ground rod and water pipe ground.

• Multi-family dwellings, hotels/motels and dormitories shall have the electric panel in each room if there are provisions for permanent cooking equipment. A built-in microwave or a microwave in a cabinet is considered permanent, but a counter-top microwave is not.

• Everything installed underground is considered a wet location, even the interior of raceways.

• All ceiling boxes that support luminaires must be rated for 50 pounds.

• There is a new article for box fill depending on the type of device you are installing. Be sure to look at article 314.24 of the 2008 NEC.

• Anytime wiring is installed by notching, the entire notched area must be protected by metal.

• Breaker locks are NOT permitted on hot tubs, swimming pool equipment, A/C units, motors (including well or irrigation motors) or anytime the panel is inside a locked structure and the equipment is outside.

• Any wiring ran exposed on the surface of a wall in a basement will need to be in a raceway.

• All breakers in a panel must be labeled, including spare breakers. The identification shall include sufficient detail to allow each circuit to be distinguished from all others. No circuit shall be described in a manner that depends on transient conditions of occupancy.

• All light fixtures must be listed by a testing agency. (No homemade fixtures allowed.)

• The 42 breaker maximum has been removed from panels. 60 and 80 circuit panels are allowed.

• If you are installing swimming pools, hot tubs or fountains, please be sure to read article 680 of the 2008 NEC. There are numerous changes including changes again on the bonding.

We also made some changes to clarify some of the sections of Title 19, the electrical/elevator ordinance of the City of Wichita. We have copies for sale at OCI or you can download a copy here.

If you have questions concerning these or any of the code changes please call Tom Kerschen 268-4465, Steve Schauner 871-2622 or your area inspector.