Nec

[fornhamspark]

Can someone please tell me what the Nec is, it seems regulations, but are they relevant for the uk or are they just american regs?/

 

[jraef]

NEC is an acronym for the National Electric Code, which is actually a PORTION of the National Fire Protection Association standard #70 (NFPA 70). The NFPA themselves are an international body, not a goverment agency, so technically they could be considered relevant to the UK, but only if other authorities in the UK say so. For the most part though, it is relevent only in the US. Canada has the CEC (Canadian Electric Code), which is based upon the same NFPA 70 standard, but there are some significant differences (mostly because Canadians are constantly needing to prove to the world that they are NOT part of the US).

Here in the US most, if not all, govermental regulation agencies covering electrical work adopt the NFPA 70 standards as their own, and then a few larger entities will add some specific local codes to them. For instance in California where I am, there technically is a California Electric Code, but it starts out by first adopting all provisions of NFPA 70, then just adds a few extra pages with reqirements having to do with specific installations and materials. Since the vast majority of agencies do the same thing, NFPA 70 is called the National Electic Code, since if you abide by that, it will apply virtually everywhere in the US.

As many people find out the hard way though, the real final say-so is what we refer to as the AHJ, meaning the Authority Having Jurisdiction, at any given installation. If the AHJ happens to disagree with some provision of the NEC, they can add requirements or ingore violations if they so choose.

"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"

 

[justinn4]

NEC is a USA code. In UK you could use it only as a reference.

 

[mc5w]

If wanted to have a 20 amp 110(120) volt Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacle in your bathroom to run a hair dryer, then you could use NEC as a reference.

However, you would have to get special permission for a solidly grounded 110 volt system in addition to the 110 volt ungrounded system that is used to run the lights and the electric shaver receptacle.

Here is the U.S. most jurisdictions use NEC as is but there are some places that have added restrictions. Some places have outlawed 15 amp wiring because that is the only way to get electricians to install 20 amp wiring in the kitchen, laundry, dining room, and bathrooms.

Mike Cole, mc5w@earthlink.net

 

[MVRockwell]

Let keep this type of comment out. I'm a proud Canadian, and I don't need to prove anything!!!.

"...(mostly because Canadians are constantly needing to prove to the world that they are NOT part of the US)."

 

[jraef]

It was meant as good natured ribbing. I work closely with a lot of Canadians and most if not all would have appreciated the humor. If I offended anyone it was unintentional and I am sorry. If I could edit my post I would remove that comment, but the rest of that post is valid.

"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"