The 1999 National Electrical Code will stimulate sales of some electrical products for electrical distributors. Last of three parts.

Sec. 680-6(d). A new subsection requires wiring supplying single-phase 125V or 240V pool pump motors rated 15A or 20A in other than dwelling units must have GFCI protection, whether cord or directly connected.

The literal text requires "wiring supplying pool pump motors rated 15A or 20A, 125V or 240V, single phase ." The drawing (above) shows a 2-hp 240V pump motor (Table 430-148 rating: 12A). It is supplied from a 30A inverse-time circuit breaker. This breaker complies with Sec. 430-52(c)(1), and the wire is No. 14 THWN, per Sec. 430-22(a) (wire rating: 20A under the conditions of use, and 600V insulation rating.) Check with the AHJ on whether this circuit requires GFCI protection. Sec. 210-3 sets the overcurrent protective device rating as the circuit rating, but this is a motor circuit, beyond the scope of Art. 210. We think the circuit protection should be the benchmark, and the result would be no mandated GFCI protection in this case. Nevertheless, this wording is a classic.

We haven't addressed the merits of only imposing this rule on nondwelling occupancies. Don't ask. We're just telling you how the Code changed.

Sec. 680-25(b)(3) Ex. A new exception allows you to use liquidtight flexible conduits (metallic or nonmetallic) up to 6 ft long in one piece, or at multiple points with up to 10 ft total, to connect pool-light transformers.

This exception isn't located properly. It follows (3), which is a permissive allowance for use of EMT or ENT in or on buildings. It should probably follow (2), but you'll need to discuss this with the inspector. The objective is to provide flexibility in the wiring methods at the transformers, so you can take them out for service or replacement more easily.

Sec. 680-38. A new section requires all spas and hot tubs, except those in single-family dwellings, to have a clearly labeled emergency shutoff or control switch, readily accessible to the users. It must be adjacent to and within sight of the spa or hot tub, but at least 5 ft away. The control, which can be similar to an emergency stop button, must stop the motor(s) providing power to the recirculation system and jet system.

Background: This follows a tragedy in New Jersey where a teenaged girl was sucked up tight to a broken intake grille and couldn't free herself. Her friends, including several football players, couldn't break the suction either. She drowned while they tried frantically to shut the motor off. There was a disconnect, and it was in sight of the spa. However, it was under the platform behind a locked door-accessible only to maintenance personnel.

This change assures user access to an appropriate control device. It isn't an across-the-line disconnecting device necessarily, although it could be. Note the real solution involves the design and maintenance of intake grilles. The CPSC and UL are very far along with that work.

Sec. 680-42. A field-assembled spa or hot tub with a heater load of 50A or less must now have GFCI protection. The prior rule only applied to packaged or self-contained units. Field-assembled units that are three-phase or rated over 250V don't require GFCI protection. In addition, units in combination with a pool that shares the same bonding grid do not require GFCI protection.

This change begins to rectify an anomaly, where the listed units labor had the complete GFCI restriction, while the field-assembled units had none. As worded, there isn't any requirement to subdivide higher rated heating loads and then impose the restriction on all circuits.

Sec. 680-57. A new section addresses signs placed in fountains. Any circuits supplying the sign require GFCI protection. Any sign installed within a fountain must be set back at least 5 ft from the outside edge.

There is a bonding requirement that refers to Sec. 600-7. This section was supposed to have a requirement to bond the metal parts of a sign and its equipment grounding conductors to the equipment grounding conductor of the fountain. Code Making Panel 18 lost this change while making other changes in Sec. 600-7 during the comment period, because the panel forgot it previously accepted it. Therefore, this reference no longer means anything. Nevertheless, there's no reason not to make the connection. The problem undoubtedly will be fixed in the next Code.

Sec. 770-6. This section is more comprehensive than before.

The basic rule is the same: These raceways should be recognized in Chapter 3 and wired accordingly.

However, the exception following (covering listed nonmetallic optical fiber raceway) now specifically refers to one of the types recognized in Sec. 770-51 (that is, in subsections (e), (f), or (g). It calls for the installation to conform to Sec. 331-7 (trimming), 331-8 (joints), 331-9 (making bends), 331-10 (number of bends), 331-11 (supports), 331-12 (fittings and boxes), 331-13 (splices and taps), and 331-14 (bushings). You must terminate unlisted underground or outside plant construction plastic innerduct at the point of entrance. This essentially puts into action the old fine print note on this subject, which is now deleted.

Two more paragraphs follow the exception, covering the allowable raceway fill with optical fiber cables. If there aren't any current-carrying conductors, then you can waive the normal raceway fill restrictions. On the other hand, if nonconductive optical fiber cables share a raceway with electric conductors, the normal fill restrictions do apply.

The '99 NEC also adds a new fine print note, citing the relevant product standard for these raceways (UL 2024).

Sec. 800-48. If you install a raceway wiring method to enclose communications cables and conductors, then it must be a Chapter 3 raceway, and the installation must meet the requirements of Chapter 3. This is a new section structured much like Sec. 770-6.

The exception also recognizes a new concept for a "listed nonmetallic communications raceway."

This change has the potential to significantly alter the way we think about the relationship between Chapter 8 and the rest of the Code. Since Chapter 8 stands apart (unless other provisions of the Code are referenced within Chapter 8 (per Sec. 90-3), the Code previously ignored issues such as raceway support and fill. Now, we are seeing a wholesale inclusion of an entire family of Chapter 3 requirements as applicable in a communications environment. Note, however, other Chapter 8 articles don't include this initiative yet.

If you use the nonmetallic product (not a Chapter 3 wiring method) under the exception, you need to comply with selected sections of Art. 331. These include: Sec. 331-7 (trimming), 331-8 (joints), 331-9 (making bends), 331-10 (number of bends), 331-11 (supports), 331-12 (fittings and boxes), 331-13 (splices and taps), and 331-14 (bushings). In plenum cavity ceilings, note this new exception is in direct conflict with Sec. 800-51(j), which only recognizes the optical fiber version.

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