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Building Ordinance - Article 500 Minimum Electrical Requirements

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  1. The National Electrical Code 1999 edition have been adopted by Will County and apply to all electrical installations as though fully written and set forth herein, except as specifically noted otherwise in this code.

  2. LICENSE: All Electrical contractors engaged in the performance of electrical work shall be licensed per the Illinois Municipal Code 11-33-1. The contractor shall file with the Will County Building Department a copy of the valid license and said license shall reflect the scope of the work.

  3. PERMITS: Permits are required for all electrical work. Permits for electrical work shall be issued only when a duly licensed and bonded electrical contractor is listed on the permit application. It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, or repair any electrical wire or apparatus by authority of the permit issued to and the use of some other person.

EXCEPTION: Qualified homeowners who can demonstrate their ability to perform such work, to the satisfaction of the Building Department, may do work on their own place of residence.

In all cases, except single family dwellings, before any electrical service receives a permit an electrical license must be on file with the Will County Building Department.

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person to alter, disturb or change any electrical wiring or equipment or to permit any electrical wiring or equipment to be altered, disturbed, or changed unless done in conformity with the regulations in this code.

  2. Where rework or rewiring of any building or structure is 50% or more, then all wiring in the entire structure shall be installed as per the currently adopted code.

  3. All electrical wiring shall be copper.

  4. It is the express intent of this code that NEC Articles 320, 324, 328, 331, 333,334, 336, 338, and 339 NOT be adopted.

  5. Electrical metallic tubing (thin wall) shall not be installed underground or in concrete that is in contact with the earth.

  6. All electrical services shall be rigid metal conduit, or intermediate metal conduit.

  7. No more then 10' of service entrance conductor shall be allowed or protected means of disconnect.

  8. If required by the authority having jurisdiction a diagram showing service and feeders wire sizes, type of conductors, calculated loads, the area in square feet being supplied, and demand factors shall be supplied. Also panel schedules shall show connected loads, total connected loads per phase.

  9. NEC 210-8 shall be amended to apply to all structures.

  10. NEC 210-52(b) Exp. 2 shall read as: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.

  11. At Article 210-8(b), add new item #3 as follows: OUTDOORS.

  12. Sizing of electrical services for dwellings: (All measurements shall be taken from the outside of the walls of the dwelling unit).

2500 sq.ft to 3500 sq.ft. shall have a minimum size electrical service of 200 amperes or greater.

Dwelling units over 3500 sq.ft. shall have electrical services rated at least 350 amperes or greater.

EXCEPTION: Load calculations may be presented to the Will County Building Department for review. The Authority Having Jurisdiction determines the proper size electrical service based on the load calculation submitted. At no time shall the total calculated load exceed 80% of the service size.

  1. Storage spaces of 5sq. ft. or more shall be illuminated.

  2. All attic fixtures shall be installed before the rough inspection.

  3. All fixtures shall have at least one lamp installed and all receptacles intended to be used for switched lighting shall be marked for the final inspection.

  4. All garages attached or unattached with power are required to be on its own 20 ampere circuit. (The 20 ampere circuit is a minimum requirement, more circuits may be added or required as needed.)

  5. All ½ horsepower or larger motors and all appliances rated at 1127VA or greater shall be on its own dedicated circuit.

  6. Every panel box must have each circuit labeled. All electrical panels must be located a minimum of three (3) feet from sump or ejector pit.

  7. At Article 210-5 add a new subsection as follows, to read:

All three phase 120/240 volt services shall have phases marked (A) Black (B) Red and (C) Blue

Add new subsection (d) as follows:

All three phase 277/480 volt services shall have phases marked (A) Brown, (B) Orange (C) Yellow with the neutral being of a gray color. Junction boxes shall be marked 277/480 volts with a permanent marker or approved sticker type products.

  1. In commercial and industrial installations all switches for Fire alarms, Burglar Alarm, shall be equipped with mechanical lockouts to prevent an accidental turnoff of the circuits.

  2. Add in section 680 Overhead Conductor: No above or inground swimming pool, hot tub, or recreational equipment capable of holding water or decks shall be allowed under any aerial wiring . Delete in section 680: community antenna systems

  3. All commercial/industrial parking facilities having moderate to heavy traffic shall require Galvanized Steel Conduit (IMC) under the paved areas for all power and lighting installations.

  4. NEC 1999 Article 250-50a1 shall read: Continuity- continuity of the grounding path or bonding connection to interior piping shall not rely on water meters, water softeners, water heaters, water filtering devices or other similar equipment.

 

last modified: 03/20/2008

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