Electrical Wiring Regulations Quiz

Calculating Loads

• For the first 8 kVA of all loads, the demand factor is 100%, and for the remainder, it is 40%.
• For hospitals, the demand factor for the first 50,000 volt-ampere load is 40%.
• For non-dwelling receptacle loads, the demand factor is 100% for the first 10 kVA or less, and 50% for the remainder over 10 kVA.

Outlets and Receptacles

• Receptacles shall be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 1800 mm, measured horizontally from the outlet in that space.
• In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, or similar room or area, receptacles shall be installed to meet the 1800 mm requirement.
• For hallways of 3000 mm or more in length, at least one receptacle outlet shall be required.
• The receptacle shall be located on the same level and within 7600 mm of the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.

Load Calculations

• The unit load per square meter in volt-amperes of dwelling units, schools, and stores is 24, except for hospitals.
• An outlet for heavy-duty lampholders shall be considered as a load of not less than 600 volt-amperes based on nominal branch circuit voltage.
• Using the optional calculation for additional loads in existing dwelling units, the demand factor for the first 8 kVA of load shall be 100%, and the remainder of load at 40%.

Branch Circuits

• Multioutlet circuits rated 15 or 20 amperes can supply fixed appliances (utilization equipment fastened in place) as long as the fixed appliances do not exceed 50% of the circuit rating.
• For branch circuits rated less than 40 amperes, tap conductors shall have an ampacity not less than 15 amperes.
• For ranges of 8.75 kW or more, the minimum branch circuit rating shall be 40 amperes.
• The rating of a branch circuit serving continuous loads such as store lighting and similar loads shall not be less than the non-continuous load plus 125% of the continuous load.

Conductors and Wiring

• Up to 600 volts nominal, open individual conductors shall not be smaller than 8 mm2 copper, or 14 mm2 aluminum for a span more than 15 meters.
• For over 600 volts nominal, open individual conductors shall not be smaller than 14 mm2 copper, or 22 mm2 aluminum.
• Conductors on poles shall have a separation of not less than 300 mm where not placed on racks or brackets.
• Open conductors shall be separated from open conductors of other circuits or systems by not less than 100 mm.

Grounding and GFCI Protection

• Receptacles and cord connectors having grounding terminals must have those terminals effectively grounded.
• All 125-V or 250-V single-phase, 15-A or 20-A receptacles installed within 1800 mm of a kitchen sink to serve counter-top surfaces should have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
• GFCI protection for personnel is required for all 125-V, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in a dwelling unit garage.

Additional Requirements

• A minimum of two GFCI receptacles shall be located outdoors for a one-family or two-family dwelling unit.
• Each system ungrounded conductor, wherever accessible, shall be identified by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other equally effective means.
• The recommended maximum total voltage drop on both the feeders and branch circuits is 5%.
• Direct grade level access is defined as being located not more than 2000 mm above the grade level and being readily accessible.