336 Electrical Code
ORDINANCE NO. 336
119
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 3, ENTITLED ELECTRICAL CODE OF THE REVISED
AND COMPILED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, ADA COUNTY, IDAHO, BY ADDING
THERETO A PROVISION RELATING TO REQUIRING A CITY ELECTRICAL LICENSE, BY REQUIRING
CONDUIT WIRING IN CERTAIN STRUCTURES, BY PROVIDING FOR INSPECTION AND FOR ADOPT-
ING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS THERETO.
WHEREAS, The City Council and the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho have
concluded that it is in the best interest of said City to amend its electrical
code,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MERIDIAN, ADA COUNTY, IDAHO.
Section 1. That Section 2-302 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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2-302 CITY LICENSE, STATE LICENSE AND BOND REQUIRED: It shall be unlawful for
any person, firm or corporation to carryon the business of electric wiring
without first having secured a City license and a State license to do so and
executing to the City a good and sufficient bond, signed by some surety company
authorized to transact business in the State of Idaho, in the penal sum of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00), running to the City of Meridian, said bond to be
approved by the Mayor and Council and conditioned by the saving of said City,
harmless and free from all damages or costs by reason of the licensee's operation,
or his failure or neglect to properly perform any duties incumbent upon him, and
for faithful performance of the laws of the State of Idaho and the City of
Meridian.
Section 2. That Section 2-307 is hereby repealed and a new section adopted
to read as follows:
2-307 SPECIFICATIONS OF SERVICE WIRES: All buildings hereafter erected to be
used for public purposes such as, but not limited to, churches, stores, halls,
school buildings, garages, manufacturing establishments, auto camps, and gas
service stations must be wired in conduit, or permissible metallic covered wire.
All provisions herein are effective on final passage and approval and not retro~
active.
Section 3. That Section 2-309 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2-309 CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION: Upon the completion of the wiring in or on
any building and prior to being covered up in any fashion, it shall be the duty
of the corporation, co-partnership, firm or individual doing the same to notify
the Ctiy Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the wiring within three (3) work-
ing days after the notification to him that the wiring has been completed; if
the City Electrical Inspector does not inspect within said three (3) days, the
wiring may be covered, however, the licensee shall still be required to obtain
the certificate of inspection; if the wiring is approved by the City Electrical
Inspector, he shall issue a certificate of proper inspection which shall contain
the date of such inspection and an outline of the result; and it shall be un-
lawful for any person, firm, copartnership or corporation to turn on or connect
the current with such installation until such certificate shall be issued; and
it shall be unlawful to make any change, alteration or extension in or to the
wiring of any building after inspection without first notifying said City Electri-
cal Inspector and procuring a permit therefor.
Section 4. That a new section to the Electrical Code be added thereto and
numbered 2-319, and it shall read as follows:
2-319 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE: The National Electrical Code of 1978 is hereby
adopted with the below-stated additions, which additions, if in conflict with the
National Electrical Code, shall overrule said Code:
(a) BARE GROUNDED CONDUCTORS: NEC 230-30 Exception and NEC 230-4
Bare copper for direct burial where bare copper is judged to be suitable for
the soil conditions.
Because of varied soil conditions in the area, all grounded (neutral)
conductors must be insulated as required by NEC 310-6. No bare grounded (neutral)
conductors will be approved for direct burial.
(b) MAXIMUM RATING OF EQUIPMENT: The maximum rating of circuit breakers,
switches and other equipment shall be determined by the manufacturer's label or
other markings. See Section 110-21 of the National Elecgrical Code.
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ORDINANCE NO. 336
In no case will electrical equipment be approved when it is found that the
manufacturers label has been altered or when the minimum requirements exceed the
manufacturers rati__ng as determi ned by the 1 abel or other marki ngs.
(c) BUILDINGS MOVED FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER: When a building is moved
from one location to another the service entrance shall be inspected and made to
conform to the requirements of the current edition of the National Electrical Code.
(d) UNFINISHED STUDDED PARTITIONS: On November 2, 1963, the State Electri-
cal Board ruled that when unfinished studded partitions are in place in resident-
ial basements, indicating that the enclosed areas are intended for rooms, such
enclosed areas shall be considered as rooms. The wiring, including receptacle
outlets as required by Section 210-25(b) of the National Electrical Code shall
be installed before the wiring of the building is approved.
(e) SUPPORTING PARTITIONS: When a residential basement is not divided into
separate rooms and only an unfinished supporting partition is in place, at least
two outlets shall be installed in such supporting partition, facing the area on
opposite sides of the partition.
(f) UTILITY AND STORAGE SPACES: The requirement that receptacle outlets
be installed within six feet from any wall space in dwelling type occupancies
(Section 210-25(b) National Electrical Code) does not apply to hallways, bath-
rooms, utility rooms, laundry rooms, furnace rooms and storage spaces. The number
of outlets in these areas is optional, but adequate branch circuit capacity must
be provided for lighting and for all electrical equipment to be installed in such
areas without the use of extension cords.
(g) LOCATION OF SERVICE EQUIP~1ENT: Service equipment shall not be installed
in clothes closets, cupboards, toilets, bathrooms or attics.
(h) SEPARATION OF BUILDINGS BY FIRE WALLS:
cal Code permits only one service to a building.
In general the National Electri-
(Sections 230-21 and 230-2.)
Article 100 of the National Electrical Code defines a building as "A structure
which stands alone or which is cut off from adjoining structures by fire walls
with all openings therein protected by approved fire doors."
For the purpose of determining the number of services which may be run to a
building or structure a fire wall shall be a masonary wall, not less than 4
inches thick, which extends from the foundation to the roof sheathing. (Bulletin
#52 issued June 1, 1966.)
(i) WEATHERPROOF SWITCH ENCLOSURES REQUIRED: On and after July 1, 1960,
switches, circuit-breakers, panels and motor controllers installed where EXPOSED
TO THE WEATHER shall be in weatherproof enclosures as required by Sections 373-2
and 380-4 of the National Electrical Code.
(j) ALUMINUt~ CONDUIT FOR MAST TYPE SERVICES PROHIBITED: Where the service
conduit is used as a mast to ~upport the service drop, RIGID STEEL CONDUIT SHALL
BE USED. Aluminum conduit will not be approved for this purpose unless approved
BRACES are provided to relieve the conduit of horizontal strain. Guy wires will
not be approved for this purpose.
(k) INSTALLATIONS AT OVER 600 VOLTS: Due to the many misunderstandings
and misinterpretations of the National Electrical Code requirements for conductors
and service disconnects, etc., on installations of over 600 volts, it has become
necessary to require that all installations of voltages over 600 volts that are
customer owned or operated must be submitted for prior plan approval to the
Electrical Board representative in the area in which the installation is to be
made.
(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR TERMINAL CONNECTIONS OF RECEPTACLES AND SWITCHES ON
15 AND 20 AMPERE CIRCUITS: The following method is required in an attempt to
reduce the heating and burning of screw terminals on switches and receptacles
when aluminum branch circuit wiring connects to such devices:
1. Copper conductors 4 to 6 inches long of the same ampacity as the
circuit to which they are attached must be connected to the wiring terminals and
grounding terminals of the devices.
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ORDINANCE NO. 336
2. The copper conductors shall be connected to the aluminum branch
circuit conductors with approved AL/CU mechanical connectors.
The above requirement will not count as additional conductors when com-
puting box fill.
Said National Electrical Code of 1978, three copies of which shall be on
file at all times at the Office of the Clerk of the City of Meridian and
shall be made a part of the City Ordinances as if set out in length herein.
Section 5. That all references to City Superintendent contained in
Title 2, Chapter 3, Electrical Code, shall refer to the City Electrical Inspector.
Section 6.
hereby declared
and effect from
by law.
Passed by the City Council and approved by the Mayor of the City of
Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, this 20th day of February, 1979.
Whereas, there is an emergency therefor, which emergency is
to exist, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force
and after its passage, approval and publication as required
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