What Do Those Code Terms Mean? NEC Codebook

The NEC is the book we, as electricians, use as a guideline to install our work. It tells us the minimums and maximums for the applications. But the code can be confusing at times, especially if you are new to the trade. In this latest episode of Electrician U, and part 3 of the Confusing Code Terms series, Dustin explains a few of the terms within the codebook to bring some light (pun intended) to the topics!

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Overcurrent Protection Device (OCPD) is simply a device that provides equipment with protection from the damages of too much current (amperage). The two most recognizable being breakers and fuses. When a breaker senses that there is more current on the circuit than it is rated for, the contacts open and the current ceases to flow to the equipment. For a fuse, when more current is flowing through the fuse than it is rated for, the fuse blows, the circuit to the equipment becomes open, and current flow stops.
Overvoltage Protection is just that; it provides a piece of equipment protection from the damaging effects of having too much voltage applied to it. Surge protectors are what comes to mind when we talk about overvoltage protection. When the device senses too much current flow through it, just like a breaker, it opens the circuit creating a buffer between the offending voltage and device plugged into it. Damaging surges can happen within the specific electrical system itself or they can happen from the utility side. Note, surge protection should NOT be confused with lightning protection as that is something completely different!
Tamper Resistant Receptacles are next. This is a standard receptacle with a set of “shutters” in the holes where the blades of a plug would go that allow the plug to be inserted but disallow something that shouldn’t be in there (like a knife, scissors, etc.) to be inserted. This keeps small children from putting something into a receptacle and getting a nasty shock. Most places where a child could be left unattended/monitored are generally required to have these devices installed. These include, but are not limited to, doctors offices, public waiting areas, and even houses!
What exactly is a wireway? A wireway should not be confused with pipe or conduit. Pipe is something that traditionally has a pressurized something in it (water, hydraulics, etc.) and conduit is round tubing that an electrician pulls wire into. A wireway is usually a trough that we install wire in, like a gutter in between pieces of equipment or on the end of conduit runs. They are also equipped with removable covers so that the wires contained within can be accessed. Article 376 covers metallic wireways, while Article 378 covers nonmetallic wireways. The actual definition of those wireways is in their respective code articles at the beginning (this is typical of many code articles).
Appliances, equipment, and devices are 3 separate terms but go together. The NEC defines equipment as a general term- as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation. In simpler terms, anything tied to an electrical installation. Couplings, connectors, boxes, straps, etc. fall into this category. An appliance is a piece of utilization equipment that is built in standardized sizes/types and installed/connected to perform a function (like a clothes washer or air conditioner). To make it easier to understand, think of something that is manufactured and you bring IN to the installation. A device is a unit of an electrical system (other than a conductor) that carries or controls electric energy. In essence, something that brings electricity to a point that you can USE that electricity to operate your APPLIANCE or EQUIPMENT.
We hope this answers some of the questions you had! Please continue to follow Electrician U and Dustin as we are constantly adding new content to assist our followers!!

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