ICC ECS flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Working clearance depth rule

Depth of working space in front of electrical equipment depends on voltage to ground and on whether live parts are exposed on the opposite side; ranges from 3 ft to 4 ft.

Dwelling receptacle spacing

In dwelling units, no point along the floor line of a wall space may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle, and wall spaces 2 ft or wider require one.

GFCI required locations

GFCI protection is required for receptacles in bathrooms, garages, outdoors, kitchens, laundry areas, and within 6 ft of sinks in dwelling units.

AFCI branch circuit rule

Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection is required for branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling-unit bedrooms, family rooms, dining rooms, and similar living areas.

Grounding versus bonding

Grounding connects the electrical system to earth to establish a voltage reference; bonding connects metal parts together to provide a low-impedance fault-current path.

Main bonding jumper

The connection between the grounded service conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at the service; it must be omitted at subpanels to keep neutrals isolated.

Grounding electrode conductor sizing

The grounding electrode conductor is sized from the table keyed to the largest ungrounded service-entrance conductor, not from the overcurrent device rating.

Equipment grounding conductor sizing

The equipment grounding conductor is sized from the table keyed to the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit, with minimum size rules.

Box fill calculation steps

Count conductors entering the box, add one for each device yoke, add equipment grounding conductors, then compare total volume to the box cubic-inch capacity.

Conductor color identification

Grounded conductors must be white or gray; equipment grounding conductors green, green with yellow stripe, or bare; ungrounded conductors may be other colors.

NM cable restrictions

Nonmetallic-sheathed cable is permitted in dwellings but prohibited in hazardous locations, outdoors in raceways, and where subject to physical damage.

Raceway support intervals

EMT and rigid metal conduit must be supported within 3 ft of boxes and every 10 ft thereafter; supports must be listed and secure the raceway.

Junction box accessibility

Splices and taps must be made in approved enclosures, and those enclosures must remain accessible without removing permanent building finish.

Unused opening closure

Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, and enclosures must be closed with listed plugs or plates to maintain the enclosure integrity and rating.

Dwelling general lighting load

General lighting load for dwellings is calculated at 3 VA per square foot of floor area, with demand factors applied above the first 3,000 VA.

Small-appliance branch circuits

Dwelling units require at least two 20-A small-appliance branch circuits for kitchen countertop receptacles and at least one 20-A laundry circuit.

Range demand calculation

Household electric ranges use the demand table; a single range rated up to 12 kW may be calculated at 8 kW demand for service sizing.

Optional dwelling calculation method

The optional method uses 100% of noncoincident loads plus 40% of other loads, with a minimum service rating of 100 A for a single-family dwelling.

Multioutlet receptacle load

In non-dwelling occupancies, each receptacle outlet on a multioutlet branch circuit is calculated at 180 VA, with demand factors applied per the table.

Next-higher overcurrent rating

The next standard overcurrent device rating above conductor ampacity is permitted only where ampacity does not exceed 800 A and the load is protected.

Standard overcurrent device ratings

Standard ratings include 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, and 200 amperes.

Series-rated system requirement

A series combination rating is valid only when the line-side and load-side devices are listed together as a combination; substituting a breaker voids the rating.

Service disconnecting means location

The service disconnecting means must be at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entry of service conductors, outside or inside nearest the entry.

Hazardous location classes

Class I covers flammable gases and vapors, Class II combustible dusts, and Class III ignitable fibers; each is divided into Division 1 or 2 or zones.

Hazardous location equipment marking

Equipment in classified locations must be marked with class, division or zone, and group, and that marking must match the area classification exactly.

Motor branch-circuit protection

Motor overload protection protects the motor, while branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection protects conductors; breakers may be sized up to 250% of full-load current.

Motor disconnecting means

A motor disconnecting means must be within sight of the motor and controller and must be capable of being locked in the open position.

Fire pump circuit protection

Fire pump conductors must be protected against overload but the overcurrent device must carry locked-rotor current indefinitely so power is not lost during a fire.

Photovoltaic rapid shutdown

Photovoltaic systems require rapid shutdown provisions to reduce conductor voltage near the array, plus marked DC conductors and a disconnecting means.

Permit exemptions

A permit is required for new and altered electrical work; ordinary repair or replacement of lamps, fuses, or snap switches does not require one.

Rough-in versus final inspection

Rough-in inspection occurs before concealment of wiring, and final inspection occurs after finish work; concealed work lacking rough-in approval must be exposed.

Alternate materials and methods

The code official may approve alternate materials or methods when equivalent in performance, safety, and quality; the approval must be recorded in writing.