Ordinance 1868CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE ,NO. 1868,
New Series
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1975
EDITION, COPYRIGHT 1974 BY NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
ASSOCIATION, WITH AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
THEREOF AS THE PRIMARY CODE; PRESCRIBING REGULATIONS
FOR SAFEGUARDING OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY FROM HAZARDS
ARISING FROM USE OF ELECTRICITY; PROVIDING FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES THEREFOR;
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF, AND REPEALING
ANY ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA that:
Section 1 TITLE National Electrical Code. This ordinance
shall be known as the "Alameda Electrical Code ", may be cited as
such, and will be referred to herein as "this ordinance" or "this
code" or "Electrical Code ".
The National Electrical Code, as the Primary Code, Copyright
1974 by National Fire Protection Association, copies of which
have been placed on file with the City Clerk for use and examin-
ation by the public and by Resolution No.8698 declared to be
public records, as said copies have been deleted, changed and
supplemented with the approval of this Council, and each and all
of the regulations, provisions, conditions, requirements thereof
are hereby adopted as the Alameda Electrical Code for prescribing
regulations for safeguarding of persons and property from hazards
arising from the use of electricity in the City of Alameda, and
by this reference are incorporated herein and made a part hereof
to the same effect as though set forth herein in full.
Section 2 Changes Additions and Deletions The changes,
additions and deletions of said National Electrical Code, placed
on file with the City Clerk, hereinafter set firth and designated
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are hereby approved and adopted as follows:
Deletions
The following sections of the National Electrical Code
shall be deleted from said code upon incorporation with this
Code: '
Article 230 -26
230 -40
230 -43
230 -48
230 -50
230 -51
230 -52
250 -43
250 -43 (f) Exception Only
250 -43 (g) Exception Only
250 -83
250 -115
300 -5 (a) Exception 4
300 -5 (c)
320
334 -6
336 -8
336 -9
338 -2
350 -5
442 -24
430 -86
555
600 -2 (a)
Additions
I ARTICLE 210 BRANCH CIRCUITS
Article 210 -5(c) Ungrounded Conductors is amended by
adding the following:
"Ungrounded conductors of a multiwire branch circuit
shall each be of a color or distinguishment to identify
the feeder by which it is supplied and each conductor of
the same identification shall be connected to tha >ame
feeder."
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Article 210 -19 Conductors Minimum Ampacity and Size,
(b) Household Ranges and Cooking Appliances is amended by adding
the following:
"All conductors supplying a household range or a combin-
ation of counter - mounted cooking units and wall- mounted
ovens shall not be smaller than No. 6 AWG, and for
electric dryers shall not be smaller than No. 8 AWG,
nor smaller than No. 14 copper for other loads."
Article 210 -25 Receptacle Outlets Required (a) General
is amended by adding the following:
"Where flexible cords are used, receptacle outlets shall
be provided within six feet (6') of the location of fixed
or stationary electric appliances."
Article 210 -25 Receptacle Outlets Required (b) Dwelling
type Occupancies is amended by adding the following:
"One receptacle outlet shall be installed in the ceiling
of residential garages having overhead opening type doors,
at a point convenient for the installation of an electric
door operator at each such door."
II ARTICLE 215 FEEDERS
Article 215.2(d) Voltage Drop is amended by adding the
following:
"The size of the conductors for feeders shall be such
that the voltage drop for the load as computed by
Section 220 -4 shall not be more than 3% for power,
heating or lighting loads or combinations thereof.
Providing further that the maximum total voltage drop
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for conductors and branch circuits shall not exceed 5 1 %
over all."
III ARTICLE 220 BRANCH CIRCUIT AND FEEDER CALCULATIONS
Article 220 -3 Branch Circuits Required ( a) Lighting and
Appliance Circuits (b) Receptacle Circuits, Dwelling Occupancies
and (i) Electric Ranges is amended by adding the following:
"(a) For general illumination in single and multi - family
dwellings, not less than one branch circuit shall be
installed for each five hundred (500) square feet of
floor area in addition to the receptacle circuits called
for in Paragraph (b) below.
(b) For the small appliance load in kitchen, laundry,
pantry, breakfast room and dining room of dwelling
occupancies, two or more 20 ampere branch circuits in
addition to the branch circuits specified in Section
220 -3(a) shall be provided for all receptacle outlets in
these rooms, and such circuits shall have no other outlets.
Each such circuit shall be limited to six (6) outlets.
An individual branch circuit shall be provided for each
garbage, disposal, dishwasher and fixed appliance over
1350 watts.
NOTE: Disposal may be on same circuit with gas furnace fan.
(i) For each dwelling unit the feeders supplying household
electric ranges, combination counter - mounted cooking tops,
and wall- mounted ovens shall be computed in accordance with
Table 220 -5, Column A; or at full nameplate rating for
calculations in accordance with Article 220 -9."
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IV ARTICLE 230 SERVICES
Article 230 -26 Point of Attachment is amended by deleting
the existing section and inserting the following:
"Unless special permission is granted in advance to do
otherwise, the location of the point of service -drop
support or attachment on a building shall be at that
portion of the building facing and nearest to the street,
alley, easement, or public way on which is located the
utility's pole having facilities for rendering service
of the type required to fit the needs of the particular
installation involved.
The point of attachment shall be the portion of service
conduit adjacent to the service head. The service conduit
shall be securely fastened to structure served and provided
for attachment of a service drop strain clamp by the
serving Utility.
The outer or upper end of the overhead service conduit
shall not overhang or project horizontally more than
eighteen inches (18 ") beyond the last point at which the
conduit is supported and fastened.
In cases where it is necessary to obtain the required
height for support of the service drops by extending the
service conduit above the roof of a building, only rigid
metal conduit shall be used for this purpose and shall
not be smaller than one and one - quarter inches (1 -1/4 ")
trade size, nor extend more than thirty inches (30 ") beyond
the last support. If nonferrous metal conduit is used it
shall not be smaller than two inches (2 ")."
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Article 230 -32 Protection Against Damage is added to read
as follows:
"Underground service conductors shall be protected against
physical damage by being installed in rigid steel conduit
or rigid non - metallic conduit sized not smaller than one
and one - quarter inches (1- 1/4 "). On utility poles conduit
risers shall be rigid steel up to a height of eight feet
(8' ) .
Article 230 -40 Insulation of Service Entrance Conductors
is amended by deleting the existing section and inserting as
follows:
"Service entrance conductors entering buildings or other
structures shall be insulated. Where the nominal voltage
to ground of any conductor is not over three hundred (300
volts), a bare grounded copper conductor may be installed.
Aluminum conductors installed in underground raceway shall
have Type U.S.E. insulation."
Article 230 -43 Wiring Methods is amended by deleting the
existing sections and inserting as follows:
"Except when installed as busways or cablebus, all service
entrance conductors in or on buildings shall be installed
in rigid metal conduit.
Service entrance conduits installed to supply single and
duplex family units shall not be smaller than one and
one - quarter inches (1 -1/4 ") trade size.
Service entrance conduits installed to supply structures
containing three or more family units shall be of
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sufficient size to contain the service entrance conductors
as set forth in Chapter 9, Table No. 1, but in no case
smaller than one and one -half inches (1 -1 /2 ") trade size.
(a) Where service conduit passes into the wall, roof, or
other portion of any building it shall be installed
so as to effectively prevent leakage of water into
the building around the conduit.
(b) Where service is run on the exterior of buildings
having plastered exterior finish, the conduit shall
be so installed that it will not be wholly or
partially embedded in the plaster. Such surface
run of conduit shall preferably be installed after
the last coat of plaster has been applied, but may
be installed before the last coat of plaster is
applied if the conduit is neatly secured in place
with galvanized metal hangers or fastenings or other
approved means (not wooden blocks) that support it
away from the sheathing so as to permit the required
thickness of plaster to be spread underneath.
(c) The length of the service conduit within a building
shall be as short as is reasonably practicable and
shall in no case exceed thirty (30') linear feet."
Article 230 -48 Raceway Seal is amended by deleting the
existing section and inserting as follows:
"Where a service raceway or duct enters from an under-
ground distribution system, the end within the building
and the end in the underground box shall be sealed with
suitable compound so as to prevent the entrance of
arm
moisture or gases. Spare or unused ducts shall also be
sealed."
Article 230 -54 Connections at Service Head is amended by
adding the following:
"The service head shall be located on that portion of the
building served which is facing the serving line. The
service head shall be located at that height which will allow
for the proper clearance of the service drop over street,
curb and sidewalk. This will require that the service head
for residential occupancies be not less than twelve feet,
six inches (12'6 ") above the driveway where the drops may
cross a private driveway, and not less than ten feet, six
inches (10'6 ") above the ground where persons may walk,
other than a public walk, which requires a clearance of
sixteen feet (16') above the curb.
If the height of the building involved is such that these
clearance heights cannot be maintained, then a periscope-
type service or some other auxiliary structure shall be
resorted to. In the event that a periscope -type service
is used it may be placed on the side of the building served
not more than eighteen inches (18 ") back of the wall which
is facing the serving line."
Article 230 -205 Disconnecting Means is amended by adding
the following:
"(a) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be
located at a readily accessible point nearest to the entrance
of the service conductors, and in residential property shall
be accessible from the exterior, except where a met r room
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is provided. Such service disconnecting means shall not
be installed under show windows, or in the cases of
multiple occupancies in any location not readily accessible
to all parties concerned.
(b) Types Permitted. A separate service disconnecting means
shall be provided for each separately metered subdivision
of the service conductors. Switches or circuit breakers
accessible from the exterior of the building shall be
limited to one for each meter; however, exceptions will be
granted in cases involving provisions for the installation
of major household appliances, provided that the overcurrent
devices are contained within a single panelboard assembly
approved for the purpose, in which case the number of circuits
shall be limited to six (6).
(c) Simultaneous Openings: The service disconnecting means
shall simultaneously interrupt each ungrounded conductor
and shall have provisions for locking the disconnect in the
"Off" position with a utility type lead wire seal."
V ARTICLE 240 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
Article 240 -24 Location on Premises is amended by adding
the following:
"In new installations, not more than two feeder or branch -
circuit overcurrent devices shall be installed on the load
side of any meter in any meter cabinet opening to the
exterior of a building. For a larger number of overcurrent
devices, a distribution center shall be provided at suitable
location within the building. Exception to this rule will
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be granted in cases involving provision for the installation
of major household appliances, provided that the overcurrent
devices are contained within a single panelboard assembly
approved for the purpose.
In apartment houses and other buildings of multiple occupancy,
branch - circuit overcurrent devices which are located in an
apartment or portion of the building intended to be separately
occupied by one tenant will not be considered as being
readily accessible if they protect circuits supplying any
outlets or equipment located in an apartment or portion of
the building intended to be occupied by some other tenant.
The overcurrent device may be located in a commonly access-
ible location but all circuits supplying individual apartments
in multi - family dwellings shall be confined to each individual
apartment served. In remodel jobs where this is impracticable,
exceptions may be granted by the authority enforcing the code."
VI ARTICLE 250 GROUNDIN
Article 250 -80 Bonding of Piping Systems - Specific is
added to read as follows:
"Interi.or and exterior water system shall be bonded to the
service ground and the interior gas piping shall be bonded
to the water system piping, such connection shall be
visible at the time of rough inspection."
Article 250 -81 Water Pipe Electrode is amended by
adding the following:
"A concrete encased electrode shall be installed during
the construction of all new buildings as an auxiliary
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ground. A rod electrode shall be installed at service
entrance location at time of alteration or installation
of service to existing buildings as an auxiliary grounding
means."
Article 250 -83(a) Made Electrodes - Specific is amended
by deleting the existing section and inserting as follows:
"(a) Concrete Encased Electrodes. Not less than twenty
feet (20') of bare copper conductor of a size specified in
Table 250- 94(a), and in no case smaller than No. 4, encased
along the bottom of a concrete foundation footing which is
in direct contact with the earth. Two steel reinforcing rods
twenty feet (20') each in length and not smaller than No. 4,
one -half inch (1/2 ") nominal diameter may be installed in
lieu of the copper conductor described in 250- 83(a). These
two bars must extend through not less than thirty feet (30')
of the foundation and be placed three inches (3 ") above the
bottom of the foundation. One end of each rod shall project
eight inches (8 ") above the top of the footing at a point
adjacent to the service location. The service ground connection
to these electrodes shall be readily accessible."
Article 250 -115 Connection of Electrodes is amended by
deleting the existing section and inserting as follows:
"The clamp for the attachment of the system grounding
conductor to the grounding electrode shall be an approved
bolted cast clamp. The point of attachment shall be
readily accessible."
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VII ARTICLE 324 CONCEAL KNOB AND TUBE WIRING
Article 324 -3 Uses Permitted - Specific is added to read
as follows:
"Concealed Knob and tube wiring may only be used for repair
of existing knob and tube wiring or one outlet extension."
VIII ARTI CLE 334 CLA CABLE
Article 334 -6 Use, is amended by deleting the existing
section and inserting as follows:
"Metal -clad cable may only be used for concealed or exposed
work in wood frame construction, or by special permission
in other locations where other wiring methods are impracticable.
It is limited to use on circuits not exceeding 300 volts
between conductors or 150 volts to ground.
Metal -clad cables Type AC, ACT and ACL may not be installed
in Fire Zone No. 1."
Article 334 -8 Supports is amended by adding the following:
"(a) Cable (Sizes No. 14 to No. 10, inclusive) in accessible
attics shall be run through holes bored in the joists or
be protected by other approved means."
IX ARTICLE 336 NON - METALLIC SHEATHED CABLE
Article 336 -3 Uses Permitted or Not Permitted is amended
by adding the following:
"(1) Non - metallic sheathed cable may be used in the hollow
spaces of walls and ceilings of wood frame construction and
must be concealed by the permanent finish of the building.
It is limited to use on circuits not exceeding 300 volts
between conductors of 150 volts to ground. Non - metallic
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sheathed cable may not be installed in Fire Zone No. 1."
Article 336 -8 In Unfinished Basements is amended by adding
the following:
"In wood frame construction where not exposed to physical
damage, cable shall either be run through bored holes in
joists, parallel to joists or on girders or running boards
and shall closely follow the vertical surface of such members.
(Basements with more than 3" and less than 8" clearance -
joist to ground - are considered exposed to physical damages.)
If the permanent finish is not to be applied at the time of
request for electrical inspection, a metal -clad system of
wiring shall be used in the unfinished area of the building."
Article 336 -9 In Accessible Attics is amended by deleting
the existing section and replacing as follows:
"336 -9 In Accessible Attics (Size No. 14 to No. 10, Inclusive)
Cable in accessible attics shall be run through holes in
the joists or be protected by other approved means."
X ARTICLE 338 SERVICE - ENTRANCE - CABLE
Article 33B -3 Uses Permitted as Branch Circuits or Feeders
(b) Grounded Conductor Not Insulated is amended by adding the
following:
"Service Entrance Cable Types SE, ABN or armored may be
used for ranges, wall- mounted ovens, counter - mounted cooking
units, clothes dryers and water heaters in residential
occupancies only."
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XI ARTICLE 348 ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING
Article 348 -1 Use is amended by adding the following:
"Electrical metallic tubing shall not be used in the ground
floor slab or in any location where it would be in contact
with the ground."
XII ARTICLE 350 FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT
Article 350 -5 Grounding is amended by adding the following:
"Flexible metal conduit shall be bonded by a conductor
sized in accordance with Table 250 -95 installed so as to
be independent of flexible conduit fittings for continuity."
XIII ARTICLE 370 BOXES AND FITTINGS
Article 370 -7 Conductors Entering Boxes or Fittings is
amended by adding the following:
"(b) All conductors including grounding conductors
entering boxes enclosing flush- mounted devices in new
work shall be insulated."
Article 370 -17(a) Boxes at Lighting Fixture Outlets is
amended by adding the following:
"Lighting outlet boxes installed in fire rated ceilings
are required to be metal (Uniform Building Code). Non-
metallic boxes that deform at 600 ° F. temperatures
are not permitted for ceiling lighting outlet use."
XIV ARTICLE 380 SWITC
Article 380 -3 Enclosures is amended by adding the
following:
"An auxiliary wiring gutter shall be provided when there
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are more than two selfcontained enclosed switches to be
supplied through one set of conductors. No conductors
shall pass through any switch case, except the conductors
feeding to or controlled by that particular switch."
XV ARTICLE 384 SWITCHBOARDS AND PANELBOARDS
Article 384 -4 Location of Switchboards is amended by
adding the following:
"Lighting distribution panels shall be approved dead front
type and shall be within the building or apartment being
supplied for same. All switchboards or panelboards shall
have adequate illumination for safety of operation and
repair.
The lights and switches used for the control of such
illumination shall be so located that they will be readily
and safely accessible."
XVI ARTICLE 410 LIGHTING FIXTURES LAMPHOLDERS LAMPS
RECEPTACLES AND ROSETTES
Article 410 -3 -1 Control of Lighting Fixtures is amended
by adding the following:
"Fixtures which are operated through any type of switching
device which is part of the lampholder, such as pull chain
sockets, key sockets, or push type sockets, shall not be
used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or on the
exterior of buildings or structures or within eight feet
(8') vertically of five feet (5') horizontally of a grounded
surface. It is recommended that fixtures in such locations
be controlled by wall switches."
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XVII ARTICLE 422 APPLIANCES
Article 422 -8(d) Domestic Installations is amended by
adding the following:
"An approved grounding type plug receptacle shall be
provided for the connection of electrically powered
kitchen waste disposal, built -in trash compactors, and
dishwashing appliances. The final connection between the
plug receptacle and the appliance terminal housing shall
be made through the use of an approved three - conductor
cord, and grounding type plug assembly.
An approved receptacle or junction box secured to the
building shall be provided for the connection of fixed
or stationary appliances."
Article 422 -24 Unit Switches as Disconnecting Means is
amended by deleting the existing section and replacing as follows:
"Unit switches that are a part of an appliance shall require
additional means for disconnection as required by Part D.
This disconnecting means shall be readily accessible to the
tenant at all times."
XVIII ARTICLE 430 MOTOR CIRCUITS AND CONTROLLERS
Article 430 -86 Motor Not in Sight From Controller is added
to read as follows:
"Where a motor and the driven machinery are not in sighL
from the controller location, the installation shall
provide a manually - operable device, placed at the motor
location which will disconnect the motor from its source
of supply."
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XIX ARTICLE 555 BOAT HARBOR WIRING
Article 555 -6 Wiring Method is amended by deleting the
existing section and replacing as follows:
"Exception No. 1. Where flexibility is required the wiring
method may be liquid -tight flexible metal conduit, (Article
351), and for extreme flexibility shall be Type S -SO or ST.
flexible cord - installed in accordance with Article 400.
Exception No. 2. Not in effect."
XX ARTICLE 600 ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
Article 600 -1 Scope is amended by adding as follows:
"These provisions shall be supplementary to any and all
local ordinances or regulations which govern the location,
erection and /or structural support of signs."
Article 600 -2(a) In Sight of Sign is amended by deleting
the existing section and replacing as follows:
"In addition to the switch required by Section 600 -2 an
approved disconnecting means shall be provided for the
disconnecting of all signs and /or outline lighting and
shall be so located that it shall be within sight of the
sign and /or outline lighting and under the control of
authorized sign servicemen but normally not readily
accessible to unauthorized persons whenever operating
voltages are in excess of 1,000 volts.
When said disconnecting means controls roof signs, it
shall be located nor more than six and one -half feet (6 -1/2')
above the roof."
Article 600 -7 Marking is amended by adding as follows:
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"The inspection label of the Underwriters' Laboratories
shall be required on all new signs. Exceptions may be
made to this requirement in the case of signs which must
be fabricated on the job, but such exceptions require that
the sign bear evidence of approval by the Local Inspection
Department.
A label showing evidence of approval by the Local
Inspection Department will be required on all signs being
moved from one location to another and on all existing
signs requiring any alteration to the electrical circuits
except the changes or replacement of tubing and other
normal repairs."
Article 600 -10 Electric Power Lines is amended by adding
the following:
"No sign shall be constructed, installed or erected which
has less horizontal or vertical clearance from energized
electric power lines than prescribed by the California
Penal Code Section 385, the regulations of the California
Public Utilities Commission General Order No. 95, Rule No.
39, and the orders of the Division of Industrial Safety,
State of California."
XXI ARTICLE 680 SWIMMING POOLS FOUNTAINS AND SIMILAR
INSTALLATIONS
Article 680 -2(a) Approval of Equipment is amended by adding
as follows:
"All underground wiring to and within twenty feet (20')
of swimming pools and similar installations shall be in
rigid non - metallic conduit or rigid steel or other
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non-corrosive metal conduit (aluminum conduit not permitted}."
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and
effect from and after the expiration of thirty (30) days from
r the date of its final passage.
I _ -
<
D
PresidjOq'officer of the Council
Attest:
City Clerk
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was
duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda
in adjourned regular meeting assembled on the 24th day of May, 1977, by
the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmen Beckam, Diament, Sherratt, Tillman and
President Corica, (5).
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official
seal of said City this 25th day of May, 1977.
City Clerk of the City of Alameda