North Carolina Electrical Contractor - Swimming Pool Bonding (SP-SP)

Key Concepts

Fundamental principle. The effective ground-fault current path must be a low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying the maximum ground-fault current likely to be imposed on it from any point on the wiring system to the electrical supply source. The earth shall not be considered as an effective ground-fault current path (250.4(A)(5); see also 250.4(B)(4)).

Objectionable current. If multiple grounding connections cause objectionable current and 250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4) are still met, permitted alterations include: discontinue one or more but not all of such grounding connections, change their locations, interrupt the conductive path, or take other suitable remedial and approved action (250.6(B)). Temporary currents from abnormal conditions such as ground faults are not objectionable current (250.6(C)).

Connections (Termination). Permitted means for EGCs, GECs and bonding jumpers include listed pressure connectors, terminal bars, pressure connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment, exothermic welding, machine screw-type fasteners engaging not less than two threads or secured with a nut, thread-forming machine screws engaging not less than two threads, connections part of a listed assembly, and other listed means (250.8(A)). Devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used (250.8(B)). Nonconductive coatings (paint, lacquer, enamel) shall be removed from threads and contact surfaces, or fittings designed to make removal unnecessary shall be used (250.12; also 250.96(A)).

Systems required to be grounded. AC systems of less than 50 volts shall be grounded where supplied by transformers if the transformer supply system exceeds 150 volts to ground, where the transformer supply system is ungrounded, or where installed outside as overhead conductors (250.20(A)). High-impedance grounded neutral systems are permitted for 3-phase AC systems of 480 volts to 1000 volts when all conditions are met (250.36).

Conductor to be grounded. Single-phase, 2-wire — one conductor; single-phase, 3-wire — the neutral conductor; multiphase with one wire common to all phases — the neutral conductor; multiphase with one phase grounded — that phase conductor (250.26).

NEC 2020, Article 314 (Outlet, Device, Pull, and Junction Boxes; Conduit Bodies; Fittings; and Handhole Enclosures) Subtopics: general information, sizing requirements.

Key Concepts

General information

• Scope. Article 314 covers boxes and conduit bodies used as outlet, device, junction, or pull boxes, and handhole enclosures. Cast metal, sheet metal, nonmetallic, and other boxes such as FS, FD, and larger boxes are not classified as conduit bodies (314.1).
• Round boxes shall not be used where conduits or connectors requiring locknuts or bushings are connected to the side of the box (314.2).
• Nonmetallic boxes are permitted only with open wiring on insulators, concealed knob-and-tube, cabled wiring methods with entirely nonmetallic sheaths, flexible cords, and nonmetallic raceways. Exception No. 1: where internal bonding means are provided between all entries, nonmetallic boxes are permitted with metal raceways or metal-armored cables (314.3).
• Metal boxes shall be grounded and bonded per Parts I, IV, V, VI, VII, and X of Article 250 (314.4). For pool work, junction boxes are among the equipment required to be bonded and equipment-grounded (680.6(4)).
• Damp or wet locations. Boxes, conduit bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings in wet locations shall be listed for wet locations. Approved field-installed drainage openings shall be not smaller than 3 mm (⅛ in.) and not larger than 6 mm (¼ in.) in diameter, in boxes or conduit bodies listed for damp or wet locations. Larger field openings are permitted only for listed drain fittings, per manufacturer's instructions (314.15).
• Raceway-supported enclosures without devices, luminaires, or lampholders (other than splicing devices) shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrenchtight into the enclosure or hubs, and each conduit shall be secured within 900 mm (3 ft) of the enclosure (314.23(E)).
• NM cable with single-gang nonmetallic boxes not larger than nominal 57 mm × 100 mm (2¼ in. × 4 in.): where the cable is fastened within 200 mm (8 in.) of the box measured along the sheath, securing the cable to the box is not required (314.17(B)(2), Exception).
• Paddle fan boxes. Outlet boxes or box systems used as the…

Key Concepts

Clearances and Spacings (NEC 680, Part I & II)

• Required receptacle, permanently installed pool: no fewer than one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not more than 6.0 m (20 ft) from, the inside wall of the pool, and not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) above the floor, platform, or grade level serving the pool — 680.22(A)(1).
• Other receptacles: not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls — 680.22(A)(3). Circulation/sanitation receptacles: at least 1.83 m (6 ft), GFCI protected, grounding type — 680.22(A)(2).
• GFCI: all 15- and 20-ampere, single-phase, 125-volt receptacles within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside walls must have Class A GFCI protection — 680.22(A)(4).
• Storable pools/spas/hot tubs: receptacles not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls — 680.34.
• Switching devices: at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from inside walls, unless separated by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier providing at least a 1.5 m (5 ft) reach distance, or unless the switch is listed as acceptable for use within 1.5 m (5 ft) — 680.22(C).
• Other outlets (remote-control, signaling, fire alarm, communications): not less than 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside walls, measured per 680.22(A)(6) — 680.22(D).
• Maintenance disconnecting means: readily accessible, within sight of its equipment, at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from inside walls of a pool, spa, fountain, or hot tub unless separated from the open water by a permanently installed barrier providing a 1.5 m (5 ft) reach path or greater — 680.13.
• Outdoor luminaires/lighting outlets/paddle fans above the pool or within 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally: not less than 3.7 m (12 ft) above maximum water level — 680.22(B)(1).
• Cord-and-plug-connected luminaires within 4.9 m (16 ft) of any point on the water surface, measured radially, must comply with 680.8 — 680.22(B)(5).
• Emergency shutoff for spas/hot tubs: required at a point readily accessible, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) away,…

Key Concepts

License classifications (G.S. 87-43.3, Appendix E) - Limited: a single electrical contracting project of a value, as established by the Board, not in excess of $100,000, and on which the equipment or installation in the contract is rated at not more than 1,000 volts. - Intermediate: a single electrical contracting project of a value not in excess of $200,000. - Unlimited: the only classification that permits any project regardless of value. - Experience: Unlimited requires no more than 9,000 hours, of which no less than 8,000 hours shall be primary experience gained by direct installation of electrical wiring and equipment governed by the National Electrical Code. Intermediate requires no more than 5,750 hours with no less than 5,000 primary.

Fees and license term (G.S. 87-44, Appendix E) - Annual license fee shall not exceed $200.00 for unlimited, $150.00 for intermediate, and $100.00 for limited, special restricted, and single family detached residential dwelling — in each case for each principal and each branch place of business. - All licenses expire one year after the date of issuance; renewal applications and fees are due 30 days prior to the expiration date. - Failure to renew by the expiration date automatically revokes the license; reinstatement requires the license fee, an administrative fee of $25.00, and all fees for the lapsed period. - G.S. 87-44 caps a specially arranged examination at $200.00 and the examination review fee at $25.00.

Board rules (21 NCAC 18B, Appendix F) - .0204: a minimum grade of 70 out of a possible score of 100 is required to pass any qualifying examination administered by the Board. - .0211: a waiting period of three months from the date of the failed examination before eligibility to take another examination in the same classification. - .0209(a): application and examination fee for regular qualifying examinations is $125.00 for all classifications; .0209(b): review of a failed examination is $25.00, and all reviews are supervised by the Board or staff. - .0402 (Business Name Requirements): the license name must be distinguishable from a name already licensed, judged **after deleting spaces, punctuation, articles,…