[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Columbia as Ch. 15.32 of the 1997 Code; amended in its entirety 4-15-2002 by Ord. No. 2043. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The term "electrical equipment," as used in this chapter, means conductors and equipment installed for the utilization of electricity, but does not include apparatus, conductors and other equipment installed by public utilities, including common carriers, which are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission, for use in their operation as public utilities.
A. 
Established. There is hereby established an Electrical Commission, which shall consist of six members, as follows: the Electrical Inspector, who shall be ex-officio Chairman of such commission; of the other five members, one shall be a registered professional engineer; one shall be a registered electrical contractor; one shall be a journeyman electrician; one shall be a representative of an inspection bureau maintained by the fire underwriters (or Chief of the Fire Protection District); and one shall be a representative of an electrical utility company. Such members shall be appointed for a term of four years by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The Electrical Inspector shall serve on such Commission without additional compensation therefor. The members shall receive no compensation as members of the Commission.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Duties. The Electrical Commission shall recommend safe and practical standards, and specifications for the installation, alteration and use of electrical equipment designed to meet the necessities and conditions that prevail in the City, shall recommend reasonable rules and regulations governing the issuance of permits by the Electrical Inspection Department and shall recommend reasonable fees to be paid for inspection by the Electrical Inspection Department of all electrical equipment installed or altered within the City of Columbia. Such standards and specifications, rules and regulations and fees shall not become effective until adopted by ordinance by the City Council.
A. 
Appointment. There is hereby created the Office of Electrical Inspector. The person chosen to fill the Office of Electrical Inspector shall be a competent electrician of good moral character. He shall have had at least five years' experience as a journeyman in the practice of his trade, or three years' training in a recognized college of electrical engineering and, in addition thereto, two years of practical experience in electrical construction for safety to life and property, and have knowledge of the statutes of the State of Illinois relating to electrical work and rules and regulations issued by the Fire Marshal of Illinois under authority of the safety rules and standards approved by the American Engineering Standards Committee. The Electrical Inspector shall be appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the City Council.
B. 
Fees. The City Clerk shall collect all fees in advance and shall turn all fees over to the City Treasurer for use by the City and shall make a monthly report to the City Council in relation thereto.
C. 
Salary. The salary of the Electrical Inspector shall be set by the City Council.
Work permits are required for all electrical installations, alterations and replacements of electrical wiring, equipment, supplies or devices to be installed in or on property or improvements on property in the City, as follows:
A. 
Where any building is undergoing remodeling, all changes to be made to the electrical installation must be reviewed with the City's Electrical Inspector and a work permit obtained before the work proceeds.
B. 
The City's Electrical Inspector shall issue work permits to licensed electrical contractors or a homeowner, provided the homeowner personally performs the electrical work and provided the electrical work is to be installed in the home occupied by the owner and that the home is a single-family residence or owner-occupied duplex.
C. 
When a work permit is issued, as provided in the preceding Subsection B of this section, the Electrical Inspector will inspect such installation and will issue a certificate of approval if the installation meets the requirements of the City's Electrical Code. If the installation fails to meet the requirements of the City's Electrical Code, the permit shall be revoked.
A. 
The Electrical Inspector shall inspect and shall require that all work and installations conform to the standards and specifications applicable thereto which have been recommended and adopted as herein provided.
B. 
The Electrical Inspector shall have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building in the discharge of his official duties, for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the installation or alteration of electrical equipment contained therein, and shall have the authority to cause the turning off of all electrical currents and to cut or disconnect any conductors where such electrical currents are dangerous to life or property, or may interfere with the work of the Fire Protection District.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
C. 
Any reinspection of any wiring installation made necessary through the failure of the contractor or homeowner, wiring his own home, to properly install same, or in violation of the rules, shall be subject to a fee for each additional inspection in an amount set from time to time by the City Council. The reinspection fee is to be paid by the contractor or homeowner wiring his own home.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Upon the completion of the installation or alteration of electrical equipment in any building, it shall be the duty of the person installing or altering the same to notify the Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the work within 48 hours after such notice is given, and if such electrical equipment is found to be fully in compliance with this chapter, and does not constitute a hazard to life or property, he shall issue to such person for delivery to the owner a certificate of inspection authorizing connection to the electrical service by Illinois Power Company or the Monroe County Electrical Cooperative, and the company turning on the current for the owner with certificate of final inspection. All wiring which is to be hidden from view shall be inspected before concealment and any person installing such wires shall notify the Electrical Inspector, giving him 48 hours in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the electrical equipment is in strict conformity with the provisions of the ordinances of this City and with the statutes of the State of Illinois. Compliance with the regulations as laid down from time to time in the National Electrical Code, unless in conflict with such ordinances or statutes, shall be prima facie evidence of proper installation or alteration.
The provisions for inspection of work authorized by the permits issued in accordance herewith shall not be construed as prohibiting the inspection of any electrical equipment whenever the Electrical Inspector shall determine that the public safety requires it.
The Electrical Inspection Department shall keep complete records of all permits issued and inspections made and other official work performed under the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
Any electrical installation not covered by the following rules shall be governed by the current National Electrical Code as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, with such modifications and exceptions as are recommended by the Electrical Commission.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Where any building is undergoing remodeling, any changes to be made in the electrical installation must be taken up with the Electrical Inspector and approval obtained before the work proceeds.
C. 
An inspection and certificate of approval by the Electrical Inspector will be required on the wiring in all new buildings or in remodeled buildings before the same will be connected to supply lines.
D. 
Temporary permits may be issued at the option of the Electrical Inspector. Permits shall be taken out for both old and new work and shall cover all work to be done. Permits must be obtained before work is started, and such permits are not transferable.
E. 
Permits shall be issued only to registered electrical contractors, or a homeowner, provided such homeowner is qualified to perform electrical construction work, and provided that such electrical construction work is to be installed in the home occupied by the owner and that the home is a single-family residence. The Electrical Inspector shall pass upon the qualifications of the homeowner.
F. 
In order for permits to be issued to homeowners, as provided in said Subsection E above, the homeowner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Electrical Inspector that he is qualified to perform electrical construction work, and that he either presently occupies the home in which the electrical installation is sought to be made, or will, within a reasonable time, occupy the home then under construction; further provided that any person who builds a home or remodels a home for the purpose of rental or sale shall not be classed as a homeowner, as provided in Subsection E above. It shall be prima facie evidence that the home was built or remodeled for resale if it is occupied by the builder or remodeler for a period of less than two years.
G. 
Any new wiring methods or systems not previously approved by the City Electrical Commission shall not be used until presented and approved by the Electrical Commission.
The rates for electrical inspections shall be in an amount to be set by City ordinance from time to time.
The wiring of lighting or power installation in all buildings other than residences anywhere in the City may be inspected annually by the Electrical Inspector. The Inspector shall leave a written notice of any changes which may be required with the person in charge of the premises after making any inspection. The changes shall be made within 30 days after receipt of the notice, unless, in the opinion of the Inspector, the changes should be made immediately. The Inspector shall reinspect the premises after the changes are made.
Any person, firm or corporation not in agreement with the decision of the Electrical Inspector shall have the right to appeal to the Electrical Commission of the City, and the decision of the Electrical Commission shall be final in all cases.
[Amended 12-30-2002; 4-6-2009 by Ord. No. 2714]
All wiring shall be in compliance with the latest publication of the National Electric Code.
A. 
Aluminum wiring shall not be permitted in any installation within the City of Columbia.
(1) 
Exception No. 1. Aluminum wiring hall be permitted for feeders in outbuildings only at the discretion of the Electrical Inspector.
B. 
Number of receptacles and wire size. Receptacles in kitchen, dining and utility areas shall be wired with at least No. 12 wire and not more than four outlets per circuit. Any one dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, or central vacuum system shall be on separate circuits. All other wiring shall be at least No. 12 wire and not more than 12 outlets per circuit.
(1) 
Exception No. 1. When it is a part of an approved cable assemblage, the ground conductor may be sized as required by the most current edition of the National Electrical Code.
(2) 
Exception No. 2. Where adequate mechanical protection is provided, any adequate ground conductor.
(3) 
Exception No. 3. For installation as low-voltage conductor where the voltage does not exceed 50 volts between conductors, or to ground.
(4) 
Exception No. 4. For control wiring only, as permitted by the National Electrical Code, Current Edition; however, this exception is not to be construed to include switch legs or circuits over 50 volts.
C. 
Dryer, range, oven and countertop. An electric range may be wired with a minimum conductor #8-3 with ground. Where range and oven are separate, the range top must be wired with #8-3 with ground and the oven shall be wired with #10-3 with ground. Dryers shall be wired with #10-3 with ground.
D. 
Smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are to be installed according to the Columbia Building Codes and wired according to the City of Columbia Electric Code.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
E. 
Additional load on existing service. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor or other authorized person adding additional circuits and/or equipment to existing services to determine beforehand if said service is of sufficient size and capacity to carry such additional load according to the rules established under other sections of this code, and, if not, it shall be unlawful to make said addition until the service has been increased to required size.
A. 
Workmanship. Services shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner, securely anchored, with the least amount of bends or fitting that the particular installation will permit, and all holes cut for installation of conduits through walls and foundations shall be securely patched with mortar or other suitable material as compatible with the finish of the walls or foundation as possible, so as to prevent the entrance of air current and moisture. Careless and slipshod work will not be permitted under any circumstances.
B. 
Grounding. Special attention must be paid to Part 250 of the National Electrical Code, Current Edition, with regard to grounding of service equipment.
C. 
Specifications. Service entrances shall be installed as per Illinois Power Company or Monroe County Electric Cooperative and National Electrical Code specifications.
D. 
Extensions. Services shall be so installed that the maximum extension within a building or structure of the service run shall not exceed 25 feet before providing over-current protection, and a means of disconnecting service.
E. 
Location. Service equipment, panel boards and switchboards shall not be located in bathrooms, rest rooms, shower rooms, clothes closets, nor above washers and plumbed-in fixtures.
[Amended 4-6-2015 by Ord. No. 3174; 4-16-2018 by Ord. No. 3400]
A. 
Defined. The term "electrical contractor," as used in this section, means any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of installing or altering electrical equipment.
B. 
Registration. Any person desiring to engage in the business of electrical contractor in the City of Columbia shall be registered as follows:
(1) 
First, contractors are required to fill out a registration form and submit it to the City Clerk. The City shall issue the certificate of registration, which will authorize the person/entity to engage in such business for the year in which it is issued and shall be renewed on an annual basis. The Electrical Inspector shall keep a record of such registrations.
(2) 
No person having obtained an electrical contractor registration with the City of Columbia shall allow his name or his business name to be used by another person or company either for the purpose of obtaining permits or for doing electrical business or electrical work under this code.
C. 
Fee. The fee for registration as an electrical contractor shall be in an amount to be set by City ordinance from time to time, which sum shall be paid by the applicant to the City Clerk in advance upon filing the application. All fees paid by the electrical contractor shall be paid to the City Clerk.
D. 
Bonding. The City of Columbia will no longer require a performance bond from registered electrical contractors.
[Amended 4-20-2015 by Ord. No. 3180]
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined in an amount not less than $100 nor more than $750. Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable hereunder as such.