gh-ec-electrical-wiring-domestic cheat sheet

Voltage is the potential difference driving current; Ohm's law: E = I × R, so I = E/R and R = E/I for DC and purely resistive AC loads.

Power formulas: P = E × I (watts); in resistive circuits P = I²R = E²/R. Single-phase apparent power VA = E × I; three-phase VA = √3 × E × I.

Series circuit: current is common, resistances add (R_total = R1 + R2...), voltage divides. Parallel circuit: voltage is common, conductances add (1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2...).

NEC Article 100 definitions control enforcement: "outlet" is any point where current is taken to use; a receptacle is a specific type of outlet, so every receptacle is an outlet but not every outlet is a receptacle.

Continuous load is one expected to operate at maximum current for 3 hours or more; the NEC generally requires branch-circuit and feeder conductors/OCPDs sized at 125% of continuous load plus 100% of noncontinuous load.

Ampacity is the current a conductor can carry continuously under stated conditions without exceeding its temperature rating; it depends on material, size, insulation, ambient temperature, and number of current-carrying conductors.

The NEC is adopted and enforced locally; the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) interprets the code and may require listed equipment and approved methods. Local amendments can be stricter than the model code.

Working clearances at equipment (NEC 110.26) are measured from the live parts or enclosure front: typically 3 ft at 0–150 V to ground, 3.5 ft at 151–300 V, 4 ft at 301–600 V, with 30 in. width and 6.5 ft headroom.

Terminations are sized by the 60°C column for conductors 14–1 AWG unless the terminals and conductor are listed for a higher temperature; ampacity is also limited by the 75°C or 90°C termination rating.

NM-B (Romex) is permitted in one- and two-family dwellings and their attached/detached garages, but is prohibited in damp or wet locations, in masonry or concrete, and where subject to physical damage.

Box fill (NEC 314.16): count each 14 AWG conductor as 2.0 cu in, 12 AWG as 2.25, 10 AWG as 2.5; add one conductor volume for each device yoke, each clamp, each grounding conductor set, and each cable's support fittings.

Minimum box size for a given conductor count is found by dividing total cubic-inch volume by the per-conductor volume; a box marked 18 cu in holds eight 12 AWG conductors before devices, clamps, and grounds are added.

Cable support: NM cable must be secured within 12 in. of boxes and every 4.5 ft; bored holes need support within 12 in. of the hole, and cables must be protected by nail plates where within 1.25 in. of the framing surface.

Raceway fill (Chapter 9): one conductor max 53% of interior cross-section, two conductors 31%, three or more 40%; conduit bodies and short nipples have separate allowances.

Bending radius and conduit support: EMT must be supported within 3 ft of boxes and every 10 ft; IMC/RMC within 3 ft and every 10 ft; PVC schedule 40 every 3 ft for smaller sizes and within 3 ft of boxes.

Boxes must be accessible; junction boxes cannot be buried in walls or ceilings. Box extensions and covers are required where a box is set back from combustible or noncombustible finishes beyond the permitted amount.

Type AC/MC cable requires an insulated equipment grounding conductor in MC; AC cable uses the armor plus a bonding strip as the ground path. Both require listed connectors and anti-short bushings where required by listing.

Conductors in wet locations must be listed for wet locations; UF cable is permitted direct burial and in wet locations, with burial depth per NEC Table 300.5 (typically 24 in. for direct-buried cable, 18 in. under a concrete slab).

Standard OCPD sizes (NEC 240.6): 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400 A.

Small-appliance branch circuits: two or more 20 A circuits required for kitchen/dining countertop receptacles, no other outlets on them; each counts 1,500 VA in the load calculation.

Laundry: one 20 A laundry branch circuit required, counted at 1,500 VA. Bathroom receptacles require at least one 20 A circuit serving only bathroom outlets.

General lighting load: 3 VA per sq ft for dwellings; feeder/service demand factors apply per Table 220.42 (first 3,000 VA at 100%, 3,001–120,000 VA at 35%).

Range and dryer demand factors: a single electric range uses Table 220.55; a 12 kW range counts 8,000 VA. Clothes dryers use 5,000 VA minimum or nameplate, whichever is larger.

Fixed appliances: 100% of the largest plus 40% of the remainder if four or more are fastened in place (NEC 220.53). Motor loads use Article 430 rather than the general demand rules.

Service conductor sizing: compute total demand in VA, divide by voltage to get amperes, then select the next larger standard service rating per 230.42/240.4; the grounded conductor may be reduced but not below the minimum in 250.24(C).

Voltage drop is not a code requirement but is a common design rule: keep total drop under 3% on a branch circuit and 5% overall; VD = 2 × K × I × L / circular mils for single-phase two-wire.

Receptacle spacing: 6 ft maximum along walls in habitable rooms, and any wall space 2 ft or wider must have a receptacle; kitchen countertop receptacles are required so no point is more than 24 in. from one.

The service grounded conductor must be bonded to the service equipment enclosure and grounding electrode conductor at the service; the main bonding jumper is the connection between the grounded conductor and equipment grounding bus.

Grounding electrode system (250.50) includes all available electrodes: metal water pipe (10 ft in contact with earth), metal building frame, concrete-encased electrode, ground ring, rod/pipe electrodes, and plate electrodes.

Grounding electrode conductor sizing follows Table 250.66 based on service conductor size; a concrete-encased electrode or ground ring requires only a 4 AWG copper GEC regardless of service size.

A single rod, pipe, or plate electrode must have 25 ohms or less resistance to earth, or be supplemented by one additional electrode of any permitted type (250.53).

Equipment grounding conductors are sized from Table 250.122 based on the rating of the OCPD protecting the circuit, not the conductor ampacity.

Bonding is required for metal water piping, metal gas piping, structural steel, and any metal parts likely to become energized; bonding jumpers around water meters and insulating sections are required.

Overcurrent devices protect conductors from overcurrent: overload, short circuit, and ground fault. The next-size-up rule (240.4(B)) allows rounding up only if the ampacity is 800 A or less and the next standard size does not exceed the conductor ampacity.

GFCI protection is required in bathrooms, kitchens (countertop), garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, laundry areas, and within 6 ft of sinks; AFCI protection is required for most 120 V branch circuits in dwelling living areas.

Fuse and breaker interrupting rating must be at least the available fault current at the terminals; series-rated systems require listed series combination ratings marked on the equipment.

Receptacle ratings: a 15 A receptacle may be installed on a 20 A circuit only if it is not a single receptacle; a single receptacle on an individual branch circuit must match the circuit rating (30 A receptacle on a 30 A circuit).

Tamper-resistant receptacles are required in dwelling units; GFCI receptacles must be installed in a readily accessible location and are not permitted where the reset cannot be reached.

Switch control: habitable rooms require a wall switch-controlled lighting outlet; stairways require switches at each floor level; attached garages require at least one lighting outlet controlled by a switch at the entrance.

Receptacle grounding: grounding-type receptacles must be connected to an equipment grounding conductor. Replacing an ungrounded receptacle with a GFCI is permitted with marking "No Equipment Ground."

Boxes for receptacles and switches must be installed so the box is flush with or slightly recessed from the finished surface, and the yoke must be secured; gaps greater than 1/8 in. require a proper cover or extension ring.

Lighting outlet boxes in ceilings must be listed and supported independently of the fixture canopy; fan-rated boxes are required for paddle fans and must be marked for the load.

Switch loops and travelers: 3-way switches use two travelers plus a common; 4-way switches are inserted between travelers. Neutral must be present at switch locations in most habitable-room installations per 404.2(C).

Receptacles in damp/wet locations require weather-resistant (WR) types and in-use covers; outdoor receptacles require GFCI protection and a while-in-use cover.

Device boxes must be accessible and not supported by the raceway alone where the box supports a fixture; fixtures over 50 lb require independent support.

Bathrooms: at least one 20 A branch circuit supplying only bathroom receptacles; all bathroom receptacles require GFCI; no receptacles are permitted within a shower or bathtub space.

Kitchen countertop: at least two 20 A small-appliance circuits; GFCI required for all countertop receptacles; island and peninsular countertops require at least one receptacle, with GFCI protection.

Garages: at least one 20 A circuit for garage receptacles, GFCI-protected; the garage lighting outlet must be switch-controlled at the entrance; a garage is considered a separate area for receptacle spacing.

Pools and spas: receptacles must be at least 6 ft from the inside wall of the pool; underwater luminaires require GFCI and specific listed fittings; equipotential bonding of pool shells and metal parts is required by Article 680.

Unfinished basements and crawl spaces: receptacles require GFCI; crawl spaces need a lighting outlet and a receptacle, both GFCI-protected where required.

Outdoor outlets: all 15 A and 20 A outdoor receptacles in dwellings require GFCI and weather-resistant devices; a receptacle is required at the front and back of a one-family dwelling.

Laundry areas: receptacles require GFCI; the laundry branch circuit must be 20 A and supply only laundry outlets (plus associated equipment).

Smoke and CO alarms: interconnected smoke alarms required in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level; CO alarms required where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist.

Motor branch-circuit conductors are sized at 125% of the motor full-load current from Article 430 tables, not the nameplate current, unless the nameplate is used for a specific listed motor.

Motor overload protection protects the motor from overload; the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device protects the circuit. They are separate functions and are not interchangeable.

Motor disconnecting means must be within sight of the motor and controller, or capable of being locked open; the disconnect must be rated at least 115% of the motor FLC.

HVAC equipment: a central heating/AC unit requires a dedicated branch circuit; the nameplate minimum circuit ampacity (MCA) and maximum overcurrent protection (MOCP) govern conductor and breaker sizing.

Room air conditioners and central units may use a 25 A or 30 A circuit as marked; the breaker must not exceed the nameplate maximum fuse or HACR breaker rating.

Appliances fastened in place and rated over 1,380 VA require an individual branch circuit; a dedicated circuit is required for a range, dryer, water heater, and dishwasher/disposal where specified.

Motor conductor ampacity must be at least 125% of FLC, and the overload device is sized per the motor's service factor and temperature rise (typically 115–125% of nameplate current).

Hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors use Article 440: branch-circuit selection uses rated-load current and 125% of the largest motor plus the sum of other loads.

Motor control circuits and disconnects must be labeled with the source; a motor circuit must have a controller capable of starting and stopping the motor, and the disconnect must open all ungrounded conductors.

Class 2 and Class 3 circuits are power-limited; Article 725 governs separation from power conductors, and Class 2 cables cannot be installed in the same raceway with power conductors unless the raceway is divided or the cable is listed for the purpose.

Communications circuits (Article 800) include telephone, data, and CATV; cables must be listed, and a primary protector is required where the cable enters the building.

Separation rules: communications and Class 2 cables must maintain at least 2 in. from power conductors unless separated by a permanent barrier, and must cross power lines at right angles where possible.

Low-voltage lighting systems operating at 30 V or less require listed equipment; the transformer or power supply must be listed and accessible, and secondary conductors are sized for the load.

Fire alarm systems (Article 760) require listed cable and equipment; Class A circuits survive a single open, Class B circuits do not; the initiating and notification circuits must be separated from power wiring.

Smoke detector interconnect wiring in dwellings is typically 3-wire NM with a signal conductor; the interconnect must be on the same circuit as the smoke alarms and must not be GFCI-protected on a shared circuit.

Bonding of communications systems: the communications grounding conductor must be bonded to the building grounding electrode system, and the bonding jumper must be at least 6 AWG copper.

Signaling circuits must be identified; a low-voltage cable installed in a raceway with power conductors must have a voltage rating at least equal to the power circuit, and Class 2 circuits cannot share a box with power unless listed.

Lockout/tagout: de-energize, verify with a tester rated for the voltage, and lock the disconnect before working on equipment; treat all conductors as energized until tested.

PPE and approach boundaries: use insulated gloves and tools rated for the voltage; the limited approach boundary for 120/240 V is typically 10 ft for unqualified persons.

Inspection sequence: rough-in inspection after boxes and raceways are installed but before covers; final inspection after devices, fixtures, and covers are installed and the system is energized and tested.

Common red-tag items: missing box covers, unsupported cable, missing GFCI, improper bonding, overfilled boxes, unprotected cable in framing, and missing nail plates.

Test instruments: use a non-contact voltage tester plus a multimeter; verify continuity of the grounding path and check for reversed polarity and open grounds at receptacles.

Working clearance and access: equipment must be accessible, not blocked by stored items, and the working space must be kept clear; panels need a minimum 30 in. width and 36 in. depth.

Arc-flash and shock risk increase with available fault current; equipment must be labeled with its short-circuit current rating, and series-rated equipment must be marked.

Record keeping: keep inspection records, permit numbers, and test results; a permit is required for new services, additions, and alterations, and final approval is required before energizing.

Electrical contracting in Georgia is licensed by the Georgia State Electrical Contractors Board under the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division; a state license is required to contract for electrical work.

License classes include Class I (unlimited) and Class II (limited to work of 400 A or less and specific voltage limits); the class determines the scope of work a licensee may perform.

Continuing education: Georgia requires licensed electrical contractors to complete continuing education hours each renewal cycle (commonly 8 hours per two-year cycle, with code-update content).

Insurance and bonding: a licensed electrical contractor must maintain general liability insurance and, where required, a surety bond; proof must be filed with the board.

Qualifying agent: a business entity must have a designated qualifying agent who holds the license and is responsible for the work; the agent must be actively engaged in the business.

Permits and inspections: local jurisdictions issue permits and inspect; work must comply with the locally adopted code, which in Georgia is typically based on the NEC with state and local amendments.

Unlicensed practice and advertising violations are grounds for discipline; the board may fine, suspend, or revoke a license, and unlicensed contracting is a criminal offense.

Business requirements: written contracts, lien notices, and compliance with Georgia's contractor licensing and consumer protection statutes; change orders and warranties should be documented in writing.

Ampacity correction factors apply for ambient temperature (Table 310.15(B)(2)(a)) and adjustment for more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable (Table 310.15(B)(3)(a)).

The neutral (grounded) conductor in a multiwire branch circuit carries the unbalanced current only; in a 120/240 V system the neutral may be reduced but not below the minimum required by 250.24(C).

A multiwire branch circuit must have a means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors at the panelboard, and the two hot legs must be on different phases.

The NEC is not retroactive; existing installations that complied when installed may remain unless the AHJ determines a hazard exists or the occupancy changes.

Listing and labeling: equipment must be installed per its listing and instructions; using a device outside its listing (e.g., an indoor box outdoors) is a code violation even if it fits.

The 2020/2023 NEC expanded GFCI requirements to more dwelling locations; verify which code edition your jurisdiction has adopted before applying a specific requirement.

Conductor insulation types: THHN/THWN-2 rated 90°C dry and 75°C wet; NM-B uses 90°C conductors but must be used at the 60°C ampacity per 334.80.

Minimum conductor size for general wiring is 14 AWG copper (12 AWG for 20 A circuits); fixture wires and Class 2 circuits are exceptions.

Splices must be made with listed splicing devices and enclosed in a box; solder-only connections are not permitted without a listed connector.

Expansion fittings are required where raceways cross building expansion joints; flexible connections are required at vibrating equipment.

The equipment grounding conductor in NM cable is the bare conductor; in MC it is the green insulated conductor; the armor of AC cable is not a substitute for an EGC in all cases.

Cable trays, wireways, and gutters have fill and support rules separate from conduit; wireways allow 20% fill for power conductors and require support every 5 ft.

Boxes in ceilings supporting luminaires must be listed for the fixture weight; a fan box is required for ceiling fans, and the box must be marked with the maximum weight.

Optional calculation for dwellings (Article 220 Part IV) uses 3 VA/sq ft general lighting plus small appliance and laundry at 1,500 VA each, then applies the 220.82 demand factors to the total.

A 200 A service is typical for a modern dwelling; verify by calculating the total demand load and comparing to the service rating, and account for the largest motor at 25%.

Feeder taps and transformer feeders follow Article 240; the tap rules allow reduced conductor sizing only under specific length and protection conditions.

The service disconnecting means must be rated at least the calculated load and located at a readily accessible point nearest the point of entry of the service conductors.

A grounding electrode conductor for a 200 A service with 2/0 copper is typically 4 AWG copper per Table 250.66; verify against the actual service conductor size.

Voltage drop calculation example: a 120 V, 20 A load 100 ft away on 12 AWG copper (6,530 cmil) gives VD = 2 × 12.9 × 20 × 100 / 6,530 ≈ 7.9 V, about 6.6%.

Receptacle load calculations: a dwelling general-use receptacle outlet is included in the 3 VA/sq ft lighting load; specific appliance receptacles are added separately.

The main bonding jumper must be sized per 250.28(D) based on the service conductor size; it is typically a screw or strap in the service panel and must not be removed for subpanels.

Subpanels require a separate equipment grounding conductor and an isolated neutral bar; bonding the neutral at a subpanel creates parallel return paths and is a violation.

GFCI protection may be at the breaker, receptacle, or a combination; the device must be listed and the protected circuit must not be shared with unprotected loads on the load side.

AFCI protection is required for branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling living rooms, bedrooms, closets, hallways, and similar areas; combination AFCI breakers protect against series and parallel arcs.

Overcurrent device sizing for motors uses the nameplate or Article 430 tables; the branch-circuit protective device may be sized up to the percentages in Table 430.52.

Ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) is required for some large services (over 1,000 A at 480Y/277 V) and is different from GFCI protection for personnel.

The equipment grounding conductor must be continuous and connected to every metal enclosure; a loose or missing EGC is a common cause of shock and is a frequent inspection failure.

A 20 A receptacle has a T-slot configuration; a 15 A receptacle has parallel slots; a 15 A receptacle cannot be used on a 30 A circuit.

Receptacle orientation and mounting height are not code-mandated in dwellings, but kitchen countertop receptacles must be installed so the cord does not cross a walkway or appliance.

Dimmer switches must be listed for the load type (LED, incandescent, fluorescent) and rated for the connected load; a neutral may be required for smart dimmers.

Ceiling fan boxes must be listed and marked for fan support; a standard octagon box is not permitted for a paddle fan unless listed for the purpose.

Receptacles in bathrooms must be GFCI-protected and located on the wall or counter, not within the shower or tub space; a receptacle is required within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin.

Switches must be installed in a grounded metal or nonmetallic box; the switch yoke must be grounded where a metal faceplate is used, and plastic faceplates are permitted with nonmetallic boxes.

Lighting outlets in closets must maintain clearance from storage: typically 12 in. for surface-mounted fixtures and 6 in. for recessed fixtures, per 410.16.

A dwelling unit is a single unit providing complete independent living facilities, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.

Accessory buildings and detached garages require a grounding electrode system if a feeder is installed; the feeder must include an equipment grounding conductor and a disconnecting means.

Swimming pool bonding: all metal parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing steel, must be bonded with a solid copper conductor at least 8 AWG, and the bonding grid must be connected to the equipment grounding system.

Hot tubs and spas require a disconnecting means within sight and at least 5 ft away, GFCI protection, and a means to lock the disconnect.

Receptacles in laundry rooms and utility rooms require GFCI protection; a dedicated 20 A circuit is required for the laundry.

Attic and crawl space lighting: a lighting outlet is required in attics and crawl spaces where equipment requiring servicing is installed, with a switch at the access.

Guest rooms and dormitories have specific receptacle and GFCI requirements; verify the occupancy classification before applying dwelling rules.

Motor full-load current tables (430.248 for single-phase, 430.250 for three-phase) are used for conductor and OCPD sizing; nameplate current is used for overload protection.

A motor circuit needs a disconnecting means, a controller, overload protection, and branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection; each has its own sizing rule.

The 125% multiplier applies to the motor FLC for conductor sizing and to the largest motor for feeder and service calculations (430.24).

Appliance branch circuits: a 20 A circuit may supply multiple appliance outlets if the total load does not exceed the circuit rating; a 30 A circuit is required for a range or dryer.

The nameplate on an HVAC unit lists minimum circuit ampacity and maximum fuse/breaker size; the conductor must be at least the MCA, and the breaker must not exceed the maximum.

A furnace requires a dedicated circuit and a disconnecting means within sight; the equipment grounding conductor must be installed and bonded to the unit.

Motor overload relays are set based on the motor's service factor: 115% of nameplate current for a 1.15 service factor, 125% for a 1.0 service factor motor.

Class 2 circuits are limited to 100 VA and specific voltage/current combinations; Class 3 circuits allow higher energy but are still power-limited and must be separated from power conductors.

CATV and satellite cables require a grounding block bonded to the building grounding electrode system; the grounding conductor must be at least 14 AWG copper or equivalent.

Fiber optic cables are nonmetallic and do not require grounding, but they must be installed per the listing and separated from power conductors where required.

Fire alarm initiating devices must be installed per NFPA 72 and the manufacturer's instructions; spacing and mounting height are specified for smoke detectors.

Telephone and data cables must not be installed in the same raceway as power conductors unless the raceway is divided or the cable is listed for the purpose.

Low-voltage landscape lighting requires a listed transformer and cable; the cable must be buried at the required depth and protected where subject to damage.

Signaling system conductors must be identified at both ends and tagged; a wiring diagram must be available for inspection.

Before energizing a new service, verify polarity, grounding, and breaker sizing; check that all connections are tight and that the panel is labeled with a directory.

A continuity test on the equipment grounding conductor verifies the path from the receptacle to the panel; a reading of more than a few ohms indicates a poor connection.

GFCI testers simulate a ground fault and should trip the device; if the tester does not trip it, the device or wiring is defective and must be corrected.

Arc-fault breakers have a test button; test at installation and periodically, and record the results for the inspection.

Working alone on energized equipment is discouraged; use a second person as a safety observer and have emergency contact information available.

A permit and inspection are required for new services, panel changes, and major alterations; working without a permit can result in fines and required removal of the work.

Keep a current copy of the adopted code and local amendments on site; the AHJ's interpretation controls when there is a conflict.

The Georgia State Electrical Contractors Board requires applicants to pass a licensing exam and provide proof of experience; the exam covers code, theory, and Georgia law.

License renewal is typically every two years; late renewal may require a fee and continuing education, and an expired license cannot be used to contract.

A qualifying agent must be an owner, officer, or employee of the licensed business and must be responsible for the electrical work performed by the business.

Georgia law requires that advertisements include the license number; failure to do so is a violation and grounds for disciplinary action.

Contractors must provide written contracts for work over a threshold amount and must comply with lien and notice requirements under Georgia law.

The board may discipline a licensee for incompetence, code violations, fraud, or failure to obtain permits; penalties include fines, suspension, and revocation.

Local jurisdictions may require a separate business license and registration in addition to the state electrical license; verify requirements with the city or county.

The NEC uses the term "shall" for mandatory requirements and "should" for recommendations; "shall" is enforceable, "should" is not.

A "dwelling unit" is a single unit with permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation; this definition drives many residential-specific rules.

The "service point" is where the serving utility's conductors connect to the premises wiring; the service equipment is the first disconnect after the service point.

The "grounded conductor" is the neutral; the "grounding conductor" is the equipment grounding conductor; the two are bonded only at the service.

The "ampacity" of a conductor is determined by the code tables and adjusted for ambient temperature and conductor count; it is not the same as the breaker rating.

The "AHJ" is the authority having jurisdiction, typically the local building official or electrical inspector, who interprets and enforces the code.

NM cable must be secured with staples or straps that do not damage the sheath; staples must be driven so they do not cut into the conductors.

Cable installed in a raceway must be listed for the purpose, and the raceway fill rules apply; NM cable is generally not permitted in conduit outdoors.

Boxes must be listed and marked with their cubic-inch capacity; a box without a marking cannot be used for conductor splices.

Conduit bodies must be supported and secured, and the number of conductors in a conduit body is limited by the marking and the fill rules.

Expansion and deflection fittings are required where raceways are subject to movement; rigid conduit must be supported and anchored at terminations.

The minimum burial depth for rigid metal conduit is 6 in.; for PVC it is 18 in.; for direct-buried cable it is 24 in.; verify with Table 300.5.

A 20 A small-appliance circuit must supply only receptacles in the kitchen, dining, and similar areas; lighting and other loads cannot be connected to it.

The minimum number of small-appliance circuits is two; a kitchen with a large countertop area may require more to keep receptacle spacing within 24 in.

The service calculation must include the general lighting load, small appliance and laundry loads, fixed appliances, and the largest motor at 25%.

The optional method (220.82) allows a dwelling load calculation using 3 VA/sq ft plus 1,500 VA for each small appliance and laundry circuit, then applying demand factors.

A feeder to a detached garage must be sized for the load and must include a grounding conductor; a grounding electrode is required at the detached structure.

The service disconnect must be labeled with the service voltage and the available fault current; the panel directory must identify each circuit.

The grounding electrode conductor must be continuous and not spliced except at an irreversible connection; it must be securely fastened and protected where exposed.

A concrete-encased electrode (Ufer) requires at least 20 ft of 1/2 in. reinforcing steel or 4 AWG bare copper in the footing; it is one of the preferred electrodes.

A ground ring requires at least 20 ft of 2 AWG bare copper buried at least 30 in. deep and is a permitted grounding electrode.

The equipment grounding conductor must be sized per Table 250.122 and increased proportionally if the circuit conductors are increased for voltage drop.

GFCI protection for personnel is required in specific locations; GFPE protection for equipment is a different requirement with different thresholds.

A breaker must be installed in a panelboard listed for that breaker type; using a breaker not listed for the panel voids the listing and is a violation.

Receptacles must be installed in a box and covered with a proper faceplate; gaps around the device are not permitted.

A switch controlling a lighting outlet must be installed in a location where it is readily accessible, typically at the entrance to the room.

A 3-way switch circuit requires two travelers and a common; the common terminal must be identified and connected to the ungrounded conductor or the load.

A 4-way switch is installed between the two 3-way switches and has two pairs of traveler terminals; it does not connect to the common.

Receptacles in kitchens must be GFCI-protected and installed so that no point along the countertop is more than 24 in. from a receptacle.

A receptacle is required within 3 ft of the outside edge of a bathroom basin; it must be GFCI-protected and not located within the shower or tub space.

A one-family dwelling requires at least one outdoor receptacle at the front and one at the back; both must be GFCI-protected and weather-resistant.

A garage requires at least one 20 A circuit for receptacles and a lighting outlet controlled by a switch at the entrance; the garage floor must be kept clear of cords.

A bathroom requires at least one 20 A circuit supplying only bathroom receptacles; the circuit may also supply a bathroom fan or lighting if the load is within the circuit rating.

A kitchen requires at least two 20 A small-appliance circuits; a separate circuit is required for the refrigerator if it is not on a general-purpose circuit.

A laundry area requires a 20 A circuit for the laundry receptacle; the circuit may supply only laundry outlets and associated equipment.

A pool or spa requires GFCI protection for all receptacles and lighting, equipotential bonding, and a disconnecting means within sight.

A motor circuit's branch-circuit protective device may be sized up to 250% of the motor FLC for a standard breaker, or 175% for a non-time-delay fuse, per Table 430.52.

The motor overload device is sized to protect the motor from sustained overload; it is typically set at 115–125% of the motor nameplate current.

A motor disconnect must be within sight of the motor and controller, or capable of being locked open; it must open all ungrounded conductors.

HVAC equipment must be on a dedicated circuit; the conductor is sized to the nameplate MCA and the breaker to the MOCP.

A room air conditioner may be connected to a dedicated circuit sized per the nameplate; the breaker must not exceed the marked maximum.

A water heater requires a dedicated circuit and a disconnecting means within sight; the branch-circuit conductor is sized at 125% of the nameplate current for a continuous load.

Class 2 cables must be separated from power conductors by at least 2 in. or a barrier; they must cross power conductors at right angles.

Communications cables entering a building must have a primary protector installed at the point of entry, and the protector must be bonded to the grounding electrode system.

Fire alarm circuits must be installed per NFPA 72 and Article 760; the cable must be listed for fire alarm use and separated from power wiring.

Low-voltage lighting transformers must be listed and accessible; the secondary conductors must be sized for the load and protected from damage.

Signaling circuits must be identified and labeled; a wiring diagram must be available for the inspector.

Fiber optic cables do not require grounding but must be installed per the listing and separated from power conductors where required.

Before working on a circuit, de-energize it, lock the disconnect, and verify with a tester rated for the voltage; treat all conductors as energized until tested.

Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify the circuit is off, then confirm with a multimeter on the load side of the disconnect.

Inspection of a new service includes checking the grounding electrode conductor, the main bonding jumper, and the panel directory.

A GFCI tester should trip the device; if it does not, the device or wiring is defective and must be corrected before the inspection.

A permit and inspection are required for new services, panel changes, and major alterations; working without a permit can result in fines and required removal of the work.

Keep a current copy of the adopted code and local amendments on site; the AHJ's interpretation controls when there is a conflict.

The Georgia State Electrical Contractors Board requires applicants to pass a licensing exam and provide proof of experience; the exam covers code, theory, and Georgia law.

License renewal is typically every two years; late renewal may require a fee and continuing education, and an expired license cannot be used to contract.

A qualifying agent must be an owner, officer, or employee of the licensed business and must be responsible for the electrical work performed by the business.

Georgia law requires that advertisements include the license number; failure to do so is a violation and grounds for disciplinary action.

Contractors must provide written contracts for work over a threshold amount and must comply with lien and notice requirements under Georgia law.

The board may discipline a licensee for incompetence, code violations, fraud, or failure to obtain permits; penalties include fines, suspension, and revocation.

The NEC is published by NFPA and updated every three years; jurisdictions adopt specific editions, so verify the edition in force before applying a requirement.

The code uses "approved" to mean acceptable to the AHJ and "listed" to mean equipment evaluated by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL.

A "branch circuit" is the circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device and the outlet(s); a "feeder" is between the service equipment and the final branch-circuit OCPD.

The "service" includes the conductors and equipment for delivering energy from the serving utility to the premises wiring system.

The "neutral" is the grounded conductor; it carries current in normal operation and must be white or gray, while the equipment grounding conductor must be green or bare.

The "hot" conductor is the ungrounded conductor; it must be black, red, blue, or another color other than white, gray, or green.

NM cable must be secured with staples or straps that do not damage the sheath; staples must be driven so they do not cut into the conductors.

Cable installed in a raceway must be listed for the purpose, and the raceway fill rules apply; NM cable is generally not permitted in conduit outdoors.

Boxes must be listed and marked with their cubic-inch capacity; a box without a marking cannot be used for conductor splices.

Conduit bodies must be supported and secured, and the number of conductors in a conduit body is limited by the marking and the fill rules.

Expansion and deflection fittings are required where raceways are subject to movement; rigid conduit must be supported and anchored at terminations.

The minimum burial depth for rigid metal conduit is 6 in.; for PVC it is 18 in.; for direct-buried cable it is 24 in.; verify with Table 300.5.

A 20 A small-appliance circuit must supply only receptacles in the kitchen, dining, and similar areas; lighting and other loads cannot be connected to it.

The minimum number of small-appliance circuits is two; a kitchen with a large countertop area may require more to keep receptacle spacing within 24 in.

The service calculation must include the general lighting load, small appliance and laundry loads, fixed appliances, and the largest motor at 25%.

The optional method (220.82) allows a dwelling load calculation using 3 VA/sq ft plus 1,500 VA for each small appliance and laundry circuit, then applying demand factors.

A feeder to a detached garage must be sized for the load and must include a grounding conductor; a grounding electrode is required at the detached structure.

The service disconnect must be labeled with the service voltage and the available fault current; the panel directory must identify each circuit.

The grounding electrode conductor must be continuous and not spliced except at an irreversible connection; it must be securely fastened and protected where exposed.

A concrete-encased electrode (Ufer) requires at least 20 ft of 1/2 in. reinforcing steel or 4 AWG bare copper in the footing; it is one of the preferred electrodes.

A ground ring requires at least 20 ft of 2 AWG bare copper buried at least 30 in. deep and is a permitted grounding electrode.

The equipment grounding conductor must be sized per Table 250.122 and increased proportionally if the circuit conductors are increased for voltage drop.

GFCI protection for personnel is required in specific locations; GFPE protection for equipment is a different requirement with different thresholds.

A breaker must be installed in a panelboard listed for that breaker type; using a breaker not listed for the panel voids the listing and is a violation.

Receptacles must be installed in a box and covered with a proper faceplate; gaps around the device are not permitted.

A switch controlling a lighting outlet must be installed in a location where it is readily accessible, typically at the entrance to the room.

A 3-way switch circuit requires two travelers and a common; the common terminal must be identified and connected to the ungrounded conductor or the load.

A 4-way switch is installed between the two 3-way switches and has two pairs of traveler terminals; it does not connect to the common.

Receptacles in kitchens must be GFCI-protected and installed so that no point along the countertop is more than 24 in. from a receptacle.

A receptacle is required within 3 ft of the outside edge of a bathroom basin; it must be GFCI-protected and not located within the shower or tub space.

A one-family dwelling requires at least one outdoor receptacle at the front and one at the back; both must be GFCI-protected and weather-resistant.

A garage requires at least one 20 A circuit for receptacles and a lighting outlet controlled by a switch at the entrance; the garage floor must be kept clear of cords.

A bathroom requires at least one 20 A circuit supplying only bathroom receptacles; the circuit may also supply a bathroom fan or lighting if the load is within the circuit rating.

A kitchen requires at least two 20 A small-appliance circuits; a separate circuit is required for the refrigerator if it is not on a general-purpose circuit.

A laundry area requires a 20 A circuit for the laundry receptacle; the circuit may supply only laundry outlets and associated equipment.

A pool or spa requires GFCI protection for all receptacles and lighting, equipotential bonding, and a disconnecting means within sight.

A motor circuit's branch-circuit protective device may be sized up to 250% of the motor FLC for a standard breaker, or 175% for a non-time-delay fuse, per Table 430.52.

The motor overload device is sized to protect the motor from sustained overload; it is typically set at 115–125% of the motor nameplate current.

A motor disconnect must be within sight of the motor and controller, or capable of being locked open; it must open all ungrounded conductors.

HVAC equipment must be on a dedicated circuit; the conductor is sized to the nameplate MCA and the breaker to the MOCP.

A room air conditioner may be connected to a dedicated circuit sized per the nameplate; the breaker must not exceed the marked maximum.

A water heater requires a dedicated circuit and a disconnecting means within sight; the branch-circuit conductor is sized at 125% of the nameplate current for a continuous load.

Class 2 cables must be separated from power conductors by at least 2 in. or a barrier; they must cross power conductors at right angles.

Communications cables entering a building must have a primary protector installed at the point of entry, and the protector must be bonded to the grounding electrode system.

Fire alarm circuits must be installed per NFPA 72 and Article 760; the cable must be listed for fire alarm use and separated from power wiring.

Low-voltage lighting transformers must be listed and accessible; the secondary conductors must be sized for the load and protected from damage.

Signaling circuits must be identified and labeled; a wiring diagram must be available for the inspector.

Fiber optic cables do not require grounding but must be installed per the listing and separated from power conductors where required.

Before working on a circuit, de-energize it, lock the disconnect, and verify with a tester rated for the voltage; treat all conductors as energized until tested.

Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify the circuit is off, then confirm with a multimeter on the load side of the disconnect.

Inspection of a new service includes checking the grounding electrode conductor, the main bonding jumper, and the panel directory.

A GFCI tester should trip the device; if it does not, the device or wiring is defective and must be corrected before the inspection.

A permit and inspection are required for new services, panel changes, and major alterations; working without a permit can result in fines and required removal of the work.

Keep a current copy of the adopted code and local amendments on site; the AHJ's interpretation controls when there is a conflict.

The Georgia State Electrical Contractors Board requires applicants to pass a licensing exam and provide proof of experience; the exam covers code, theory, and Georgia law.

License renewal is typically every two years; late renewal may require a fee and continuing education, and an expired license cannot be used to contract.

A qualifying agent must be an owner, officer, or employee of the licensed business and must be responsible for the electrical work performed by the business.

Georgia law requires that advertisements include the license number; failure to do so is a violation and grounds for disciplinary action.

Contractors must provide written contracts for work over a threshold amount and must comply with lien and notice requirements under Georgia law.

The board may discipline a licensee for incompetence, code violations, fraud, or failure to obtain permits; penalties include fines, suspension, and revocation.