HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2811..
•" ,. Ill: : I • • 'ORIGINAL
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ORDINANCE NO. 2811
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
~~NDING CHAPTER 16.16 (ELECTRICAL CODE) OF THE
PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES
REQUIRED DUE TO ADOPTION OF 1971 EDITION OF THE
NATIOUAL ELECTRICAL CODE
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as fol-
lows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16.16 (Electrical Code) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code is amended to read as set forth in
EXHIBIT A attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby fj_nds that the changes
made to the national electrical code are necessary to conform
the code to local practices and procedures; to provide for current
administrative enforcement practices; to continue amendments to
previous editions of the electrical code for which no find!ngs
ueed be made; to provide for matters not covered in whole or.
in part in the national electrical code; and to protect the
public health, safety and welfare. ·
SECTION 3. . The Council finds that the changes to the
Palo Ar£0-"'Runicipal Code set forth in EXHIBI'r A have no substantial
environmental impact,
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall become effective upon
the expiration of thirty days from its passageE
INTRODUCED: August 5, 1974
PASSED: August 26, 1974
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Beahrs
ATTEST: ~ ~~. ~4 ~3 it)Ter
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
jbJ/t-fnfl1-c::::: C AttoE;i
APPROVED: ~· ~
APPROVED:
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APPROVED :
·~~
APPROVED: kef._ '::t . . ==
Utilities Depart'%'fl:t
APPROVED:
~~.Q~
fiepartment of Public Works and
Engineering
Sections:
16.16.010
16.16.020
16.16.030
16.16.040
16.16.050
16.16.060
16.16.070
16.16.080
16.16.090
16.16.100
16.16.110
16.16.120
16.16.130
16.16.140
16.16.150
16.16.160
16.16.170
16.16.180
16.16.190
16.16.200
16.16.210
16.16.220
16.16.230
16.16.240
16.16.250
16.16.260
16.16.270
•
CHAPTER 16.16
ELECTRICAL CODE
National electrical code adopted.
Arti.cle 100 amended-Definitions
•
Section 110-2 amended-Approval of materials
Section 110-23 added-Quality of materials
Article 120-added-Permits
Section 215-2 amended-Conductor size
Section 230-21 arr.znded-Service drop sets limited
Section 230-26 amended-Overhead electric service
Section 230-30 amended-Underground service conductors
Section 230-32 amended-Service conductors
Section 230-40 amended--Insulation of service
entrance conductors
Section 230-44 amended-Wiring methods
Sections 230-46 through 230-50 deleted.
Section 230-51 amended-Service head.
Section 230-53 amended-Terminating raceway at
service equipment
Section 230-7l(a) amended-Service disconnecting
means
Section 230-94(g) through (o) added-Relative
location of overcurrent devices and other
service equipment
Section 300-J.(c) through (o) added-Wiring methods-
general equirements
Section 300-15 amended-Use of nails
Article 320 deleted
Article 334 deleted.
Section 336-3(c) amended-Uses not permissible
Section 336-3(d) added-wiring restrictions
Subsection (b) of Section 347-2 deleted
Section 347-3(g) added-nonmetallic conduit
Section 600-21(g) and (h) added-Sign circuits
Section 600-2l(i) added-Outlets on windows
EXHIBIT A
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16.16.010 National electrical code ado~ted. Except as
otherwise herein proviaed, the m-Inimum standar s, provisions
and requirements for the installation, alteration or repair of
electrical systems and the inspection thereof in the city of
Palo Alto shall be in accordance with the provisions and in
the manner prescribed by th~ National Electrical Code, 1971 edition,
promulgated by the Nati.onal Fire Protection Association and approved
by the American National Standards Insti.tute, which electrical
code is hereby adopted. Three copies of said electrical code
are on file and open to public inspection in the office of the
·city clerk.
w'herever the phrases "uniform electrical code" or 11 electrical
code" are used in this code or any ordinance of the city such
phrases shall be deemed and construed to refer and apply to the
National Electrical code, 1971 edition 1 as adopted and amended
by this chapter.
16.16.020 Article 100 amended-Definitions. Article 100
of the National Electrical Code is ail1ended, to-acfdr amend or
modify the following definitions:
The definitions of "apartment house 1
11 or "building,"
"dwelling," "hotel," and "qualified electrician" in Article 100
are amended~ added or modified to read;
"Apartment house; Any building or portion thereof which is
designed, built. rented 1 leased, let or hired out to be occupied,
or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or more
families living independently of each other and doing their m-m
cooking in the said buildings and shall include flats and apart
ments.
Building: Any structure built for the support or shelter of
personsi animalst chattels or property of any kind.
Dwelling~ Any building~ or any portion thereof~ which is
not an "Apartment llouse,11 "Lodging House" or a "Hotel" as defined
in the 1973 Edition of the Uniform Building CodeJ which contains
one or two "Dwelling Units 11 or "Guest Rooms,11 used, intended, or
designed to be builtJ used, rented, leased, let or hired out to
be occupied, or which are occupied for living purposes.
Hotel; Any building containing six or more rooms in·i:ended
or designed to be used, or which are used, rented or hired out
to be occupied, or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by
guests.
Qualified electrician: Any person who possesses a Class C 10
license with the California Contractors State License Board.
16.16.030
Section 110-2 of t e nat ona. e ectr ca co e s amen e to read~
n110-2 Approval. (a) All materials s appliances and de.vices
which are listed by the Underwriters Laboratories or other
approved festing agencies shall be of a type specifically
approved for the purpose.
All materials us~d in the installation, alteration or repair
of electrical distribution systems shall be free from defects
and shall be at least of the minimum approved standards specified
for all typed of materials provided for in this code.
(b) Dielectrtr, and voltage tests. shall be made by installing
testing equipment on request of the builc:Hng official. 11
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16.16.040 Section 110-23 added-Quality of materials. Sec
tion 110-23 of the national electrical code is addea to Article
110 to read:
"110-23 Quality of Materials.
(a) All materials used shall be approved or listed by
Underwriter's Laboratories (or other similarly recognized testing
agency) and shall be of a desi.gn suitable for the purpose to be
used, except that the building official may refuse to approve
any such item for good cause.
(b) The building official may accept materials, devices,
fittings and appliances which are not approved, listed or labeled
as conforming to the standards of any testing agencies upon satis
factory evidence that they are designed and constructed so that
they wi.ll operate safely under normal conditions.
(c) All materials used in the installation~ alteration-or
repair of electrical di.stribution systems shall be free from defects
and shall be at least of the minimum approved standardti specified
for all types of materials provided for in this code.
(d) Previously used material shall not be reused unless
approved by the building official, prior to installation.
(e) Dielectric and voltage tests under load shall be made
by the person or firm doing the work on request of the building
official."
16.16.050 Article 120 added-Permits. Article 120 is added
to Chapter 1 of the nationai electrical cooe to read~
"ARTICLE J.20-PERMITS
120-1 Enforcement b+ Building Official. It &hall be the
duty of the building offic1al of tne city of Palo Alto to enforce
the provisions of this electrical cpde. He shall, upon application~
grant permits for the installation or alteration of electrical wiring,
devices, appliances and equipment, and shall make inspections of all
new electrical installations and reinspections of all electrical
installations, all as provided in this electrical code. He shall
keep complete records of all permits issued, inspections and
reinspections made and other official work performed in accordance
with the provisions of this electrical code. He shall also keep
on file a list of inspected electrical appliances issued by or for
Underwritersi Laboratories; Inc. whtch list shall'be available
for public information during regular office hours. No oversight
or dereliction on the part of the building official shall make lawful
the violation of any of the provisions of this code.
120-2 Authority to Disconnect trJire or Service. The bui.lding
official shall have the author1ty to cut or d1sconnac~ any wire in
cases of emergency where necessary for safety to life or property
or where such wire may interfere with the work of the fire department.
The building official is further authorized to disconnect or order
dis~ontinuance of electrical service to any electrical wiring,
devices. appliances or equipment found to be dangerous to life or
property because they are defective or defecti·vely ·installed until
such wiring, devices. appliances and equpment and their installation
havt., been made safe and approve.d by the building official.
120-3 ·(a) Permit Retuired. No electric wiring, devices,
appliances or equipment shal be installed within or on any building,
structure or premises nor shall any alterations or additions be made
in any such existing wiring, devices. appliances, or equipment without
first securing a permit_therefor from the building official. No
electrical work shall be done in the city of Palo Alto by any person
other than a qualified electrician, as defined herein, or a person
holding a special owner's permit.
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(b) Exceptions. No permit shall be required to perform
the following~
1. The replacement of lamps or the connection of portable
appliances to suitable receptacles which have been permanently
installed.
2. The installation~ alteration or repair of wiring 1 devices,
appliances or equipment for the.operation of signals or the
transmission of intelligence where such wiring~ devices, appliances
or equipment operates at a voltage not exceeding twentywfive volts
between conductors and do not include generating or transforming
equipment capable of supplying more than fifty watts of energy.
3. The installation~ alteration or repair of electric
wiring, devices, appliances and ~quipment installed by or for a
public utility corp-oration for the use of such corporation in the
generation, transmission_, distribution t or meterl.ng of electrical
energy, or for the use of such corporation in the operation of
signals or the transmission of intelligence.
120-4 Requirements of AG~lication. Application for such
permitt describing the work to e done, shall be made in writing
to the building official by a qualified electrician. owner or his
authorized agent. The application shall be accompanied by such plans,
specifications and schedules as may be necessary to determine
M1ether the installation as described will be in conformity with the
requirements of this coder and if the applicant has complied with
all provisions of this code, a permit for such installation shall
be issued; provided, however; that the issuance of the permit
shall not be taken as permission to violate any of the requirements
of this code. Before issuing such permit the building official
may demand evidence that the applicant is a "qualified electrician 11
as defined in this code.
The permit when issued shall be for such installation as described
in the application and no deviation shall be made from the install
ation so described without the written approval of the building
official.
120-.5 Annual Maintenance Electrician Permit. In lieu of
an individual permit for each installation or alteration, an annual
maintenance electrician permit may 1 upon application therefor, be
issued to any person regularly employing one or more qualified
electricians for the installation. maintenance, ov~rhauline. ser
vicing or re1>airing of electric wiring, devices, appliances and
equipment on premises owned or occupied by the applicant for the
permit. The appli.cation for such annual permit shall be made in
writing to the building official and shall contain a description
of the premises within which work is to be done under the permit.
Within not more than fifteen days following the end of each half
year, the person to whom an annual permit is issued shall transmit
to the building official a report of all the electrical work which
has been done under the annual permit during the preceding three
months. Each annual permit shall expire on December thirty-first
of the year in which it is issued.
120-6 Special Owner's Pennit. The building official may
issue to an individual a special owner•s permit authorizing said
individual to install, alter, change or repair electrical equipment
in, or about a one family residence of which said individual is the
owner of record and in which he resides or intends to resideJ but
not elsewhere. No elect~ical work authorized under any special
owner's permit shall be done, except personally by the mroer to
whom the permit is issued or by a member of his immediate family.
Violation of any provisions of such permit shall be grounds for
immediate cancellation by the building official, and the holder
thereof shall be liable to the penalty hereinafter provided for
violation of this code.
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120··7 Penalty F..£§_for Late AE.Plicatipl!§.. Whenever an
electrical permit fee is required by this coae to be paid prior to
starting of electrical.work and such work is started prior to
obta:ining a permit·, a double fee for. each permit will be
charged.
120-8 Permit Fees. Each applicant shall pay to the
building official for each permit issued, at the time of issuance,
a fee in accordance with the following schedule and the rate
provided for each classification shown therein:
For issuing each permit or additional permit .••......•.• $2.00
For outlets at which current is used or controlled 1-10 •• 1.00
1-'or receptacles, light, switch 1-10 ....••••••....••..•.•• 1_.00
Each outlet over ten .. It .... * ...................... .e-••••••• ,..... .20
For each motor of not more than one-half horsepower ....• 1.00
For each motor o.: not more than two horsepm'ler but more
than one-half horsepower .......•...................... 1.50
For each motor of not more than five horsepower,
·but more than two horsepower .•......•.............. ··~ 2.00
For each motor of not more than fifteen·horsepower,
but more than five horsepower ......••.•...•.•....••..• 3.00
· }'or each motor of not more than twenty-five horsepower,
but more than fifteen horsepower ....•.....•........••• 5.00
For eaGh motor of not more than fifty horsepower, but
more than twenty-five horsepower •.......•....•.. ,. . . . • • • 5. 00
For each ·motor ot not more than one hundred horsepower,·
but more than fifty horsepower ....................••.• 5.00
For each motor of more than one hundrerl horsepower ..•..• 10.00
For each motor-generator set the fee charged shall be
fifty percent grPR.ter than for the motor alo"'le.
Air cooled.or oil cooled lighting and/or power transformers
for each transformer-each KVA shall be considered
as one horsepower and charged for as per motor schedule
For each mercuxj arc lamp and equipment ...........•.•..• 2.00
For each range, electric clothes dryer, or wat~r heater.
instnllation and for each oven or burner unit .......... 3.00
For each temporary meter set. . . . . • ... . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . • 3. 00
For each lighting, power and/or control panelboard 1
switchboard, cabinet or panel. ....•...•.....•..•..•••• 2.00
For each separately circuited cooking or baking ·
app 1 iance .. e •••••••• '" • 1: ....... r ...... ,.. .... ~ ...... ~ .... ·-•••• 0 • • • 1 . 50 '
For each heating device, including protection
equ.ipment, each KW •••• c ........................... ;t • • .. • • • • • • 50
For working.lights in buildings in course of construction
Ol: undergoing repairs or where temporary lighting i.'1 ·
to be used:
Temporary wiring up to ten KVA •.•...•••.•.•••..••.•..• 2.00.
Temporary wiring over .ten KVA. ~ •••••• ~. . • . • • • • • .. • • • .. . • 3. 00
·ror each festoon or decorative lighting, one hundred
. lamps or ~es s ................................... It •••••• ,. • • .. • 2. 00
For each festoon of one hundred one to two hundred
lamps .. . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . ~~. . . . . .. . .. . . . . ... . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . ~ . . . . .. . . . 3 . 00
For each festoon of over two hundred lamps ... , •.....•.•• 4.00
F:or each electricsign incandescer.t type ...••. · •.•••..•.• 4.00
For. electrtc sign, luminous gas type; .•.....•.•..•.•. • •••. 5. 00
Per transformer (signs) •..........•.... : ....••..•.•••••• 1.00
For each electric w:elder, per KVA ...••••.•..•.•••••••••• 1.00
For each mercury arc rectifier and syncronous ,
converter, per 'YJ/A ....................... , ................ It. • • • 1. Od
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For each extra inspection due to defective workmanship
or materials (or when mmer or builder call for
special inspection) . I 0 oO I I ol-.. e ... I I • I • I • 0 :p e • -e + I I I e .... e I ....
For the inspection of any electrical equipment for
which no fee is herein prescribed there shall -be
charged a fee per hour ...........•....................
For each special circuit (circuits not herein listed) •...
For each temporary pole .... "•••••~e••••"~'••·········•o-••···
For each change of service ...•..........•................
Fire damage inspection-two dollars for permit plus ....... .
FIXTURES
Cold cathode fixtures:
10.00
10.00
1.00
3.00
3.00
4:00
Two 1 amps ._-, . t • ... • .. ;o-• • • • ; • " 'Ill -~~ .. .. .. • .. • ;I .. • • • • • • • ... .. • .. • .. • • • • 50
t ... our lamps. " .......... .., ...... .;. ... 'Jo 0:. ............... 'C • .. • • • • • • • , 7 5
Cold cathode lighting installation:
Each transformer per KVA or fraction thereof ........ ,1,00
Each section of tubing .. ; .... ...,.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Fluorescent or incandescent lighting;
Fixtures one through ten 0 ••••••••••••••••••••• 0 •••••• 2. 00
For each fixture over ten ...........•........ •o•• ..... 30
For each mercury vapor lamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 00
No permit shall be issued to any person unle~s all fees
due are paid in full.
A fee of ten dollars shall be paid for each annual maintenance
electrician permit at the time when such nermit is issued. Fees
for all net'l work installed under sueh a permit since the date of
the last previous inspection shall be paid according to the above
schedule, at the time when such work is inspected; these fees
shall be in addition to the fee paid at the time when the annual
permit is issued.
rovalo Upon com.~~~~~~~~~----~--~--~-Y--1~s~suance of
any permit, except an annual permit, it shall be the duty of the
person installing the same to notify the building official who
shall inspect the installation within forty-eight hours, exclusive
of Saturdays~ Sundays and holidaysi of the time such notice is
given or as soon thereafter as is practicable.
Where the building official finds the installation to be
in conformity with the provisions of this code, he shall issue
to the person making the installation a certificate of approval.
authorizing the use of the installation and connection to the
source of supply, and shall send notice of such authorization
to the department of light and power.
120-10 Correction of Defects. If$ upon inspection~ the
installation is not found to fie fulfy in conformity with the
provisions of this code, the . buildi.ng official shall at once not:i.fy
the person making the installation~ stating the defects which have
been found to exist.
All defects shall be corrected within ten days after inspection
and notificati~n, or within other reasonable time as permitted
by the building official.
120-11 Preliminar Permits. When a certificate
of approval is z ng t e connect1on and use of temporary
work 1 such certificate shall be issued to expire at a time to
be stated therein and shall be reyocable by the building official ·
for cause. ·
A preliminary certificate of approval may be issued authorizing
the connection and use of certain specific portions of an incompleted
installation; such certificate shall be revocable at the discretion
of the building official.
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120~12 Concealment of Wiring; Right to Require Removal.
When any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden from vfew
by the permanent placement of parts of the building. the person
installing the wiring shall notify the building official and
such parts of the wiring installation shall not be concealed until
they have been inspected and approved by the building official;
provided. that on large installations, where the concealment
of parts of the wiring proceeds continuously, the person installing
the wiring shall give the building official due notice and inspection
shall be made periodically during the progress of the work. Tht~
building official shall have the power to remove or require the
removal of any obstruction that prevents proper inspection of
any electrical equipment.
120-13 Inspection o( Annua~ Permittees., At least once in
each six months the building official shall visit all premises
where work has been done under the annual permits and shall inspect
all electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment, and shall
issue a certificate of approval for such work as is found to be in
conformity with the provisions of this code after the fee required
by Section 120-8 has been paid.
120-14 Connection and Installation. Except where work is
done under an annual maintenance electricfan's permit, it shall be
unlawful for any person to makE connection from a source of electrical
energy or to supply electric service to any electric wiringf
devices, appliances or equipment for the installation of which a
permit is required, unless such person shall have obtained satis
factory evidence that such wiring, devi.Jas~ appliances, or equipment
are in all respects in conformity with all applicable provisions
of this code.
120-15 Unlawful to Connect without: roval.
It shall be unlaw u or any person to ma e connect1on rom a
source of electrical energy or to supply electric service to any
electric wiring, devices, appliances or equipment which has been
disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the building official
or the use of which has been ordered by the building official to
be di.scontinued until a certificate of approval has been issued by
him authorizing the reconnection and use of such wiring, devices.
appliances or equipment. The building official shall notify the
department of light and power of such order to discontinue use.
16.16.060 Section 215-2 amended-Conductor size. Section
215-2 of the national electrical code is amended to read:
11 215-2 .· Conductor size.
(a) For the purpose of computing the si.ze of feeder conductors
in dwellings, flats and apartments, the total number of receptacle
outlets and light outlets niay be divided by ten to ascertain the
number of circuits to be used in the formula below, except that
special circuits, such as laundry circuits, garbage disposal/
dishwasher circuits.shall be-individually counted'as separate
circuits.
Formula: For the purpose of computing the size of feeders
in. dwellings, flats and apartments, each li.ghting and receptacle
outlet circuit shaJl.be assumed to be fully loaded. ·The first
two wire branch circuit shall be considered as requiring one thousand
five hundred watts. Each additional two-wire branch circuit shall
be considered as requiring one thousand watts, and the first
three-wire branch circuit shall_be considered as requiring two
thousand five hundred watts and .each additional 3-wire branch
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circuit as requiring two thousand watts. Where at any time it
is found that feeder conductors are, or will be, overloaded, the
feeder conductors shall be increased in capacity to accommodate
the actual load served.
(The above formula shall be used in lieu of table 220-4(a}
on dwellings, flats and apartments).
(b) All feeder loads of two thousand five hundred watts
or less shall be served with not smaller than two No. 8 AWG copper
wire. Greater loads than two thousand five hundred watts shall be
served with three wires not smaller than No. 8 AWG copper. Where
an installation has been wired and arranged for a three-wire
system, no two-wire energy supply or two-wire service shall be
connected thereto without approval obtained in advance from the
building official. NOTE: Alun1inium conductors of equivalent
ampacity may be used in lieu of copper in sizes of No. 8 AWG or
larger. -
(c) All feedexs shall be placed in any type totally enclosed
raceway permitted by this code, except flex conduit. (See
exception for resident.ial wi.ring Section 300-(i) of this code.)
(Also see Section 339~ and Section 300-(e).)"
16.16.070 Section 230-21 amended -Service drop sets limited.
Section 230-21 of the national electtfcal code is amended to read:
n230-21 Number of Drops: No building or premises shall be
supplied through more than one service drop except:
(a) Two or more service drops may be extended to a single
building or premises provided they attach to the building or
other structure at points located at-least 150 feet apart (measured
in a straight line) and provided all wiring: other than control
or metering conductors, supplied by each service drop has no
common raceway or connection or service area with wiring supplied
by any other such service.
(b) Two or more service drops may be extended to supply a
single switchgear for the purpose of providing additional capacity
or back-up protection, in accordanc~ with the rules and regulations
of the Department of Utilities, City of Palo Alto.
On commercial and industrial properties where there are
separate buildings designed for separate occupancys each such building
may be considered as a separate property for the purposes of this
section.n
16.16.080 Section 230-26 amended-Overhead electric service.
Section 230-26 of the national electrical code is amended by
adding thereto the following:
All electric meter and service entrance locations shall be
determined by the Department of Utilities of the City of Palo Alto.
All periscope services shall have a minimum of one and one-fourth
inch rigid steel or -two inch aluminum conduit_on the periscope
and shall be securely fastened to take the strain of the service
drop conductors. w~ere the service drop conductors are not
secured to the periscope, electrical metallic tubing for the
service periscope will be permitted. All service periscopes ex
tending more than thirty inches above the roof shall be adequately
braced or guyed." .
16.16. 090 Section 230-30 · ame·nded -Underground service
conductors. Section 230-30 of the national electrical code Is
amendeu to--read:
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"230-30 Underground Service Conductors:.
(a) Underground service conductors shall be installed in
approved raceway. ·
(b) Number of service laterals: No building or premises
shall be served by more than one service lateral except;
(1) Two or more st.·rvic_e laterals may be extended to a
single building or ptemises provided they enter the buildina or
other structure at a point located at least 150 feet apart
(measured in a straight line) and provided all wiring, other than
control or metering conductors, supplied by each service lateral
has no common raceway or connection or service area with wiring
supplied by any other such service.
(2) Two or more service laterals may be extended to supply
a single switchgear for the purpose of providing additional
capacity or back~up protection in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the City of Palo Alto Department of Utilities.
On commerci.al and industrial properties where they are
separate buildings designed for separate occupancy, each such
building may be considered as a separate property for the purposes
of this section. 11
16.16.100 Section 230-32 amended -Service conductors.
Section 230-32 of the national electrical code is amenoed to read:
"230~32 Service Conductors~ All service conductors must be
in-approved raceways. See also 230-30."
16.16.110 Section 230-40 amended -Insulation of service
entrance conductors~ Section 230-46 of the national electrical
code is amended ~0 read:
"230-40 InsulAtion of Service Entrance Conductors. Service
entrance conductors extending along the exterior of or entering
buildings shall be insulated and in conformance with Table 310-2(a)
of this code, in raceways.11
16.16.120 Section 230-44 amended-Wiring methods. Section
230-44 of the national electrical code is amende& to read:
"230-44 Wiring Methods. Service entrance conductors extending
along the exterior. or entering buildings shall be in rigid
conduit, or. for circuits not exceeding six hundred volts, in
electrical metallic tubing or as busways.11
16.16.130 Sections 230-46 through 230-50 deleted. Sections
230-46, 230-47, 230-48, 23cr-49 and 230-50 are hereby deleted.
16.16.140 Section 230-51 amended-Service-head. Section
230-51 of the national electrical code is amended to read~
"230-51. Service Head. Service raceways shall be equipped
with a raintight service head. Drip loops shall be formed on '
individual conductors. To prevent the entrance of moisture,
service entrance conductors shall be connected to the service-drop
conductors below the level of the service head. Where service
heads are used, conductors of opposite polarity shall be brought
out through separately bushed holes. Not more thar. two service
heads shall be supplied from a single service drop."
16.16.150 Section 230-53 amended-Terminatinf raceway: at , -
!!.rvice eduipment •. · Section 23o-53 of the national e~ectrica code
is ·amende _ to read : _
"230-53 TermL1ating Raceway at Service Equipment.
(a) Where conduit or electrical metallic tubing is used
to enclose service conductors, the inner end shall enter a: terminal
box, 1meter base. or cabinet, or be made up to an_equivalent fitting
enclosing all live parts, -except that where the s'ervice disconnecting
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means is mounted on a switchboard havine exposed bus-bars on
the back, the raceway may be equippped with a bushing which
shall be of the insulating type unless lead covered conductors
are used.
(b) The length of service conduit in the building shall
be as short as is reasonably practical with.a maximum of thirty
feet. ••
16.16.160 ~S-e7c~ti~o~n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r=~~~ means. Subsection a) o cal
code is amended to read~
11 (a) A main service disconnecting means shall be installed
for each individual service and shall simultaneously disconnect
all ungrounded conductors and have a rating of not less than the
load to be carri~d. The service disconnecting means for single
family dwellings shall have a rating of not less than one hundred
amperes; however f for installc:.tions consisting of not more than
two two-wire branch circuits,.a switch or circuit breaker of
thirty ampere minimum rating may be used. Each metered installation
shall be provided with a single main disconnect. \t.."here multiple
switches or circuit~breakers are used~in accordance with Section
230-?l(b), the rati~gs of the service equipment shall not be less
than the minimum specified in this section.
Duplexes may be served with a minimum of two sixty amp main
disconnects; triplexes (or larger) may be served with thirty amp
~in disconnects."
16.16.170 Section 230-94
of Overcurrent Devices an ot er
subsections are added to Sect1on
(g) through (o) and to read~
-o amended -Re la ti ve Location
Service Equipment. N ne new
230-94 to fie designated subsections
n(g) The normal sequence of service equipment (except as
provided above) shall be: Meter, switch~ fuse.
(h) Conductors of each metered subdivision shall be in
separate raceways.
(i) Labelling of Meters& When two or more meters are grouped
at one point~ each individual meter location disconnecting means
shall be plainly and permanently labelled so as to elearly identify
the unit or load to· be supplied through each meter.
(j) Where a service is changed or a meter board moved
because of alterations to a building or for other reasons, a new
service and meter equipment shall be so installed so as to comply
with this code.
(k) Each separate subdivision of a main service shall be
~o arranged that the utility company can permanently seal off all
current supplied by each meterc
(1) Meter Height. Meters shall be located in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the City of Palo Alto Department
of Utilities, but in no case more than 75 inches nor less than 54
inches above the standing surface in front of the meter. If the
meter is pr~ted by ~cabinet, the cabinet door shall be hinged
at the side. Top or,bottom hinges will not be permitted.
(m) Electric service equipment shall not be confinP,d in
close quarters with gas meters. unless they are separated by
permanent gas tight· partitions. ·. .
(n) All electric meters and entrance switches located in .
dwellings, flats and apartments shall be installed accessible to
the outside and use either weatherproof equipment or be rendered
weatherproof by means of a weatherproQf cabinet or box; such
cabinet or box shall Le a minimum of 14rrx42":xl2n deep and shall
he constructed with three-four't,hs inch mini,.mW!l. material if of
wOOd. Such cabinets or boxes shall be loca~ed not less than
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•
eighteen inches nor more than seven feet from the finished grade.
shall be painted inside and outside and shall be provided with
hinged doors and proper hardware to keep doors normally closed.
(o) Meters and service disconnects installed in covered
carports and other covered areas shall be moved to an outside
accessible location if and when such covered area is enclosed.11
16. 16. 180 Section 300-1 (c) throu_gh (o) added " Wiring_
Methods-General Requirements. Thi.rteen·new subsections are added
to Section jQ0-1 of the national electrical code to be designated
(c) through (o) and to read:
"(c) At least one weatherproof receptable shall be installed
on exterior wall at the patio or balcony of a dwelling or apart
ment.
(d) All buildings and structures (other than single or
two-family dwellings, apartment buildings of wood frame construction
and accessory buildings thereto and all feeders in any type
occupancy) shall be wired in an approved type racet-1ay
permitted by this code (M.I. cable permitted.)
(e) Where living quarters are combined with stores~ offices
or other commercial uses) the entire building shall be installed
with raceway in accordance with subsection (d) above.
(f) No panels disconnect switch~ meter or similar equipment
shall be placed directly over sinks, stoves 1 dryers: washers.
basins, water closets or other plumbing fixtures. nor shall any
panel. disconnect switch, meter or similar equipment be placed
directly over stairs, in clothes closets, toilets or bathrooms.
(g) All general lighting outlets shall be wall switch con
trolled. Lighting outlets placed over, or adjacent to~ plumbing
fixtures, when outside of building~ when in basements of buildings,
garages, or when located in damp places shall be wall switch con
trolled.
(h) In single and tl-70 family d~vellings, all feeders and circuits
supplying two hundred thirty volts to appliances such as heaters,
water heaters, cooking or baking appliances, etc., rated at two
thousand five hundred watts or more 1 shall be installed in any
approved type raceway permitted by this code.
(i) Single and two family dwellings in fire zones one and
two shall be wired i.n raceway.
· (j) An electric light outlet shall be provided at the furnace
location so as to illuminate the furnace~ and shall be controlled
by a switch located at the passage opening.
(k) All wiring shall be either concealed or protected from
mechanical damage by approved raceway. No exposed or open wiring
will be allowed, except aerial wiring between buildings.
(1) Where cable or flex conduit is run through members, they
shall be placed in bored holes. Multiple runs may pass through the
same hole if not crowded. (See section 336-5 of this code).
(m) Binding screws or devices and self locking wire terminals
shall not be substituted for splicing devices or splices in
conductors.
(n) All buildings moved into the city of Palo Alto shall be
wired in accordance with this code.
(o) That portion to be remodelled shall.be wired in accord
ance with this code &nd all other areas of the buildinft ahall be
made safe as may be required by the b~ilding official.
16.16.190 Section 300-15 amended ·~ Use of Na.ila. The fol
lowing paragraph is added to Section 300-15 of the national
electrical code to read~
uNails shall not be used in lieu of screws to support boxes,
guttersp etc., unless patent hangers are attached as part of
assembly, or unless equipment is designed for nail support."
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• • • . . . .-"' . .
16.16.200 Article 320 deleted. Article 320 of the national
electrical code is hereby deleted.
16.16.210 Article 334 deleted. Article 334 of the national
electrical code is fiereby "deletea:-
16.16.220 Section 336-3 c ermissible.
Subsection (c) of ect on 1s amen e to rea ;
"(c) Uses Not Permissible for Either Type NM or NMC
Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable. These types shall not be used; (1)
as service-entrance cable, (2) in commercial garages, (3) in theatres
except as provided in Section 520-4, (4) in motion picture studios.
(5) in stm.:'age battery rooms. (6) in hoistways _ (7) in any hazardous
location, (8) embedded in poured cement, concrete or aggregate,
(9) in any structure except one, two or three family dwellings;
and basements, garages or accessory buildings thereof, or apartment
houses of wood frame construction or exceeding three stories in
height."
_16.16.240 ~ubsection (b) of Secti2n 347-2_~eleted. Subsection
(b) o:t Section 347-2 of"" the national eTectrical code is hereby
deleted.
16.16.250 Section_347-3(g~ added. A new section is added
to Section 347~3 to be designate subsection (g) and to read;
(g) Nonmetallic conduit is prohibited in walls, floors~ and
ceilings."
16.16.260 Section 600-21 Circuits.
Subsection (g) and , ·erectrical
are added to read;
'
1 (g) Conductors. of a sign circuit shall be of a type
approved for general use and~ except in portable signs and for short
leads permanently attached to lampholders or ballasts, shall
be not smaller than No. 12 AWG minimum.
(h) All commercial buildings shall have a separate sign
circuit run to an accessible: point on the front of each individual·
occupancy and terminate on the exterior of the building in an
approved manner.u
"(i) Each first floor window area in commercial buildings
which can be used for commercial display purposes shall be provided
with one three-wire receptacle outlet above the window for each
ten feet of lineal window space .. ·
... 13-
.i/
)