NEC 2008

Are you certain that compliance is absolutely necessary yet? When new codes come out, it is usually a long time before individual states adopt it. Here in California we just officially adopted the 2005 code.

In addition, the NEC is not a "certifying" agency for components; that is left to NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Labs), of which UL is the chief, but not the only. The NEC can require things in installations that may not be possible without a particular feature however, so then it is up to manufacturers to scramble to provide those features and have them tested and listed by an NRTL. But that process takes at least a couple of years (and lots of money) if it is a major change.

A good resource for finding out when states adopt codes:

http://www.nema.org/stds/fieldreps/codealerts/

Could you be more specific about the "new information" you received? The NEC is an installation code and not a certification standard. If there's a new standard on circuit breakers, it would come from UL, typically, as they are the main US standards developers and I believe the only only ones accredited by OSHA to publish circuit breaker standards.

The process works like this; OSHA accredits a Standards Development Organization (SDO) to develop certain groups of standards. In this case, UL I think. UL then forms a committee to develop the required standards. Once they publish it, they allow a certain time frame, usually 2 to 5 years for manufacturers to change over their products. After this Effective Date, the new standard replaces the old version.

In the meantime, the NEC, which is the installation code, will simply require that circuit breakers be of the approved type. It really does not care which edition or even whose standard is used, as long as it's approved.

During the last few years, a number of IEC standards have been adopted for use in North America, and as long as the local authority accepts the NRTL's mark, it's acceptable under the NEC.

So, long story short, as long as your breakers are approved to the most current standard, the NEC should not be an issue at all.

Ok here it goes, The breakers i am using are UL Listed When we start new projects we recieve a function spec that we have to adhear to while designing a generator. However these can change and new information can be added. A new piece added was NEC 2008 Service Entrance Certified Breakers, I understand that the NEC are not a company as such as UL and do not certify components. I have phoned my contact at a CB company and he knows nothing of it, so i was thinking maybe this does not have to do with the circuit breaker itself instead it might be to do with the enclosure it is placed in which would infact make it a concern for the NEC. So are their any specifications under the NEC that may be considered Serive Entrance Certified if implemented to the correct specifications?

Hi Gowdy,

It sounds like the "new piece was added..." came from your client/specifier as one of his "changes". I'd go back to him and see what he's after. I'm not all that familiar with Breakers, but it sounds to me that the client wants to ensure that the breakers you use are the ones referrred to in the biz as "Service Entrance Breakers". He also seems unaware of the fact that there is no such thing as an "NEC certified" anything.

The fact that your contact at the CB company didn't know anything about this supports the feeling I have that your client is trying to sound impressive but not really clear on what he's specifying.

My suggestion - ask your client to clarify his requirements.

Good luck

Thank you,

I am well aware that the nec do not certify, but they do define dimensions and codes to adhear to while making enclosures for breakers. I think this may what they are looking for. I have contacted our people who put the function spec together. Thanks for all of your posts.

The NEC 2008 Handbook is out, maybe it would be worthwhile for you to pick one up.

Shawn

As my post stated,

"I have searched the NEC site and it does not specifically identify the information regarding the certification." I was also able to open an HTML short version of the code and it does not <u><b>specifically identify</b></u> what im looking for. If your not going to provide information or leave a decent answer dnt bother.

thank you

Iain