Top 25 Changes to the 2011 National Electrical Code -NEC

Top 25 changes to the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC)

by Mike Holt, published in the November 2010 edition of EC&M magazine.

Read the complete article for illustrations and commentary about the changes.  Here are a few points from the article:

• GFCI device must be installed in a readily accessible location.  No more garage ceiling reset buttons.
• New term:  Supply-side bonding jumper.  Now it has a name other than “that one jumper on the bond bushing on the conduit from the meter can.”
• All independent support wires in ceilings must now be identified as being used to support electrical wiring, not just those in fire-rated assemblies.  This is often a specification of a job and has always been a good idea.  Now it is code.
• The NEC finally recognizes that “other air handling spaces” are known in the trade as “plenum.”
• The tables in 310.15 & 16 have been rearranged.
• Neutral conductors will be required at switch points, though there are a couple of exceptions, including where conduit is the wiring method.
• Receptacle replacement:  where replacing a receptacle that would have to be AFCI, tamper-resistant, or weather-resistant, according to the 2011 code, those types of receptacles must be used in the replacement.  The AFCI code does not become effective until January 1, 2014.  Another significant change I saw in 210.12(B) states that if branch circuit wiring that should be protected by AFCI according to the 2011 code, and if that branch circuit is modified, replaced, or extended, that the branch circuit must have AFCI protection.  There is no grace period like with the receptacle replacements in 406.  This basically means that in many cases, service changes will be required to meet this code.
• Tamper-resistant receptacles are now required in guest rooms and in child care facilities.
• Transformers now require disconnects on the primary side.
• The receptacle supplying hydromassage tubs now has improved accessibility requirements.

Dubai engineer who suffered horrific burns dies

February 28, 2012

Fajr Allah was the lone breadwinner for his family; colleague involved in accident remains in critical condition

Engineer Abdul Subhan Fajr Allah was one of four people injured in an accident at an electrical equipment substaion last week. Fajr Allah died of burn injuries on Tuesday.

Dubai: An engineer who suffered 90 per cent burns on his body, in an accident at Dubai International Airport's Concourse 3, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday afternoon. One other worker remains in critical condition.

Abdul Subhan Fajr Allah, 26, an electrical engineer, battled for his life for eight days in Rashid Hospital.

He, along with three other people, was conducting a routine test on electrical equipment in a substation when the accident happened.

Dev Bhadur, a Nepali technician who also suffered 90 per cent burns on his body, remains in critical condition.

Ramesh Natrajan and Habib Rahman, the substation supervisor, are both recuperating in hospital.

The young engineer's death is a big blow to his family which resides in Labbaikudikadu, Tamil Nadu state, India.

Abdul Subhan Fajr Allah' colleague, Habib Rahman (pictured), is recuperating in hospital.

"He's the only breadwinner in the family. He came to Dubai four years ago to support his parents, brothers and sisters," Abdul Kareem, Fajr Allah's uncle, told Gulf News.

Abdul Kareem adding that Fajrullah's remains will be repatriated to India as soon as all formalities have been completed.

Electric Shock First Aid

The production of electricity from water can be counted as mans greatest discovery after the fire and wheel. Who would have believed that electricity would have such a bearing on our lives. Like the fire, electricity is also a very good servant but a bad master. The electrical power is the main currency that man used in its neck break development. In its natural form electricity is very mild. It becomes lethal when grid together in enormous quantities. It then becomes the strength to light up a million homes and also make large industries work. In human beings, electric shocks can cause muscle contraction and severe tissue burns, which if the voltage is high can lead to death. And no, electric shock does not make your hair stand or makes your skeleton visible, but is so painful that the victim will feel the hair standing and the skeleton coming out of the body. For helping anyone with electrical shock, read the article below to know some first aid tips.

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