(a) 
National Electric Code, 1999 Edition; Adopted.
All electric wiring and work hereafter installed in the City of Sundown, Texas shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the standards of the “National Electric Code” regulations of the National Board of Fire underwriters for wiring and apparatus which is hereby adopted with such amendments as may be made by the National Board of Fire Underwriters from time to time, with the following additions thereto:
(1) 
The installations of flexible metallic armoured is to be permitted in the City of Sundown but shall comply with the National Electric Code of National Board of Fire Underwriters.
(2) 
Non-metallic sheater cable when used shall in all respects comply with the National Electric Code.
(3) 
The use of ordinary, twisted cotton covered lamp cord type letter “C” for pendants or drop lights or portables is hereby prohibited and in lieu thereof, approved reinforced or portable cord not small than number 16 B&S gauge shall be used.
(4) 
All lights in bathrooms, toilets and kitchens shall hereafter be controlled by wall switches.
(5) 
All meter loops shall have number 6AWG wire or larger for 220 volts current.
(6) 
All wire in circuits are not to be smaller than a number 12 wire, except switch legs.
(7) 
On all new construction or re-wiring jobs on houses having 600 square feet or more living area, it shall be required that a separate circuit be installed for a washing machine.
(b) 
Wiring Restrictions.
All wiring hereafter installed and in all public buildings, churches, schools, pictures show, skating rinks, halls for public entertainments, hotels, apartments of residence and business buildings, hospitals, garages, filling stations, stables, warehouses, stores, and business buildings of all kinds, building of fire proof and mill construction and all buildings subject to dampness, moisture and gases, grain elevators and buildings where hay and grain are stored all wiring for elevators, heat and power excepting outlets for household appliances are not over 1000 Watts shall be encased in rigid metallic conduit except that other approved metal raceways may be employed on certain classes of construction by special permission of the electrical inspection department.
(c) 
Special Permits for Knob and Tube Wiring.
The electrical inspector is hereby authorized to give permission for the use of knob and tube work and to issue and special permit therefore in all classes of buildings for temporary use as required in building operations, decorative and display lighting and power, provided, however, that said permits may be revoked at any time that public interest and safety, in his opinion may demand. All work or material and apparatus installed under special permit must be removed at once at the expiration of permit or revocation thereof.
(d) 
Electrical Construction Defined.
The construction of electric wiring and apparatus installed in or on any building or structure to the point of contact with the service line on the outside thereof.
(e) 
Requirements for Service Connection.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of the transmission and sale of electric current to users thereof to make any connection from their transmission lines with the electric wiring and apparatus in any building or to furnish electric current to any building here-to-fore built, unless the construction of the electric wiring and apparatus therein is in accordance with the provisions of this article and a certificate of compliance has been issued therefore by the electrical inspector.
(f) 
Number of Outlets Per Circuit.
Not more than eight (8) current consuming outlets per circuit shall be permitted in residence wiring and not more than four (4) current consuming outlets per circuit with a maximum load of 1200 watts may be permitted in commercial wiring.
All receptacle outlets for electric irons, percolators, toasters and other electric heating devices in kitchens, breakfast rooms and dining rooms must be on a separate circuit from the light outlets and not more than four (4) such receptacle outlets shall be placed on one circuit.
(g) 
Unsafe Wiring Notice.
The electrical inspector shall notify the person, firm or corporation owning or operating any wires, lines or cable, whenever the wires attachments, insulators, supports, or appliances are unsuitable, unsafe or insufficient and if the conditions are not corrected or remedied within 10 days after notice the electrical inspector shall order the same to be disconnected from the light or power service line.
(h) 
Repairs.
Whenever any repairs, changes, remodeling, or additions to any building or the electric wiring in any building, require the disconnecting of the service wires, said service wires shall not be reconnected until all wiring in the building is made to comply with all provisions of this article.
(i) 
Service Company to Deliver Power.
After the provisions of this article are complied with to the satisfaction of the electrical inspector a bona fide contract has been entered into between the consumer and the service company the latter will then without delay deliver to the consumer electrical energy in the quantity and as prescribed by the terms of the service company’s franchise.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 5-3-1; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
Electrical Inspector.
There is hereby created the office of electrical inspector which office shall be filled by a competent person of good moral character who shall at the option of the mayor have had at least two years experience as a journeyman at the practice of his trade or two years training in a recognized College of Electrical Engineering. In any event he must be well versed in the provisions of this code as well as the National Electrical Code of 1940 and all amendments thereto as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.
(b) 
Appointment.
The electrical inspector shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council and shall hold office until his successor is appointed and duly qualified. Assistant inspectors may be appointed whenever occasion demands.
(c) 
Salaries.
The salaries of the electrical inspector and his assistants shall be fixed by the city council. The electrical inspector shall turn over to the city treasurer all fees received by his department.
(d) 
Bond.
The electrical inspector shall upon demand of the city council execute a bond to the City of Sundown, in the sum of two thousand dollars with an approved surety company doing business in the State of Texas, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties and the delivery to his successor in office or other proper office or committee, upon demand, all books, papers and effects which may be in his custody as such officer.
(e) 
Duties of Electrical Inspector.
The electrical inspector shall have the power and it shall be his duty to examine and test all electrical installation in any building or structure in the City of Sundown. Where any building or structure contains improper or defective electrical installations or where same has been installed without a permit as provided by law, and the ordinance of the City of Sundown, the electrical inspector shall immediately notify the owner or agent thereof, and if such condition is not remedied within a reasonable length of time prescribed by the electrical inspector then the electrical inspector shall cut off or cause to be cut off service thereto until such improper or defective electrical installation shall be made to fully comply with the law and ordinances and a certificate of approval shall have been issued.
(f) 
May Stop Work.
The electrical inspector and his assistants are hereby given authority to stop the installation, alteration or repair of any electrical work whenever in his judgment the work is being done in a reckless, careless or unsafe manner, or to prohibit the use of any material or the maintenance or operation of any machinery in violation of this code, or in violation of any ordinance of the City of Sundown, the enforcement of which comes within his duties.
(g) 
Right of Entry Badges.
The electrical inspector and his assistants shall when in the performance of their duties, wear an approved badge, and as far as may be necessary for the performance of their duties shall have the right to enter any building or premises at all reasonable hours, for the purpose of making any tests of the electrical wiring and appliances therein contained.
(h) 
Office Records.
The electrical inspector shall keep or cause to be kept a record of applications for permits required under this code in a book for this purpose regularly numbering each permit issued in the order of its issue. He shall also keep a record of inspections made and of the condemnation of all electrical installations.
(i) 
Removal for Incompetence.
The city may, with the approval of the city council, may remove the electrical inspector or assistants from office for incompetence or neglect of duty.
(j) 
Inspectors Not Liable for Damages.
Neither the electrical inspector nor any assistants shall when acting in good faith without malice be liable for damages by reason of duty performed under the provisions of this code.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 5-3-2)
(a) 
Definition of Terms.
Person.
Shall mean and include partnerships, associations and corporations, however formed.
Master Electrician.
Shall mean one who is an expert in the knowledge of quality of the materials and workmanship for perfect electrical installations, who holds himself out as intending to do the actual work of such installations and proposes to make and carry out contracts for and carefully supervise the work of electrical installations.
Journeyman Electrician.
Shall mean one whose principal work is manual; one skilled and experienced in the actual physical labor of electrical installation in such manner as to prevent fires, accidents or injury to persons or property; and who holds himself out as intending to actually do electrical work under the employment and supervision of a master electrician as herein defined.
Employer or Employing Electrician.
Shall mean any person, firm or corporation employing journeyman electricians to carry on the actual work on electrical installations.
(b) 
Board of Electrical Examiners.
(1) 
There is hereby created a board to be known as the “Board of Electrical Examiners” of the City of Sundown, Texas.
(2) 
The board shall consist of three members who shall serve without compensation, namely the electrical inspector and two other members.
(3) 
The electrical inspector shall be an ex officio member of the board and shall continue as such member while holding office.
(4) 
The mayor shall appoint with the consent of the city council on the other two members mentioned above, if for any reason any of the members of the board shall be unable to act, or shall resign from their position, or shall be removed for any cause, the mayor shall appoint a successor or successors, who shall fill out the unexpired term or until respective successors shall be duly appointed.
(c) 
Powers and Duties of the Board.
(1) 
It shall be the duty of the board of electrical examiners to meet as soon after their appointment as possible and organize by selecting one of their members as chairman. The electrical inspector shall act as secretary and shall keep full record of the proceedings of the board. It shall further be the duty of the board from time to time as it may deem proper to submit to the city council its written suggestions for the improvement of the electrical ordinances of the City of Sundown.
(2) 
The city shall provide the board with proper books of record, blank forms, stationary and supplies, proper and adequate for the conduct of its business.
(3) 
The board of electrical examiners shall have the power:
(A) 
To adopt rules and regulations for the examination of applicants for master and journeyman electricians and provide forms to be filled out by said applicants.
(B) 
To fix reasonable times for the examination of applicants and to specify the place and the hours where the examinations shall be held.
(C) 
To make rules and regulations for re-examination, provided however, that where an applicant wherein he is deficient and to render him all reasonable assistance within their power to overcome said deficiently.
(D) 
To adopt rules and regulations for the examination of applicants for journeyman electricians and provide forms to be filled out by said applicants.
(d) 
Appeal From Board.
If a candidate shall feel that he has not been fairly dealt with by the board, he may appeal to the city council from the decision of the board. When he has been able to establish to the satisfaction of the city council that he should have a further re-examination touching his fitness and qualifications as a master electrician as defined in this code. The mayor and city council shall request the examining board re-examine the applicant, and the board shall within a reasonable time comply with said request.
(e) 
Fees for Examination.
Each applicant for examination as master journeyman electrician shall, at the time of filing his application pay to the secretary of the board, a fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, said fee to be turned over to the city secretary of the City of Sundown.
(f) 
Certificate of Qualification.
The examining board shall issue to each successful applicant a certificate of Qualification, certifying that the applicant has been found competent as master of journeyman electrician which shall entitle him to license to carry on such work in the City of Sundown.
The above mentioned certificates are personal only to examinee and are not in any manner transferable, and all such certificates are revocable for sufficient cause shown, upon the filing of written charges under oath to the city council whose decision shall be final.
(g) 
License.
Upon presentation of the aforesaid certificate the secretary and treasurer of the City of Sundown, the applicant shall receive a license to carry on, or work at the business of electrician.
(1) 
Provided, however, that each applicant for master electricians license shall pay to the secretary and treasurer a fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code which shall cover the privilege therein granted for the period of one year, and thereafter there shall be charged an annual license fee to such person, firm or corporation who has previously received a license as herein provided, an annual license fee, as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, provided however, any renewal license shall be applied for by applicant within 10 days after expiration of any existing license.
(2) 
Provided further that each applicant for license as master electrician shall execute an approved surety bond to the City of Sundown in the amount of one thousand dollars conditioned upon the strict compliance with the requirements of this code.
(3) 
Anyone qualifying as journeyman electrician as specified in this article shall pay to the secretary and treasurer a fee, as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, for such license for a period of one year.
(h) 
License Required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business as a Master Electrician in the City of Sundown, Texas, or to do work as a journeyman electrician in said city without having first secured a license therefor as herein provided. A person who is constructing their own residence to be used as a homestead for his family, may do his own electrical wiring without obtaining a license therefor. However, he may not employ persons to assist him in doing said electrical wiring on his own residence unless such persons are licensed as provided herein. The term “business” referring to journeyman electricians, shall mean any type of electrical work, whether for profit or donated. Every person, firm or corporation, engaging in the work of installing, erecting, or altering material, wiring fixtures or other apparatus to be used for the generation, transmission and utilization of electricity for light, heat or power, shall at all times have in their employ a licensed master electrician except as specifically provided in this section for persons doing their own electrical wiring on their own residence homesteads.
(i) 
Special License.
A special license may be obtained from the board for one job, provided that the person making application for said special license holds a master electrician’s licensee for some other town. The fee to be paid for the special license for the one job for the master electricians shall be provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code. In addition, if the master electrician receiving a special permit desire to use journeyman electricians who are not licensed by the City of Sundown, but who are licensed by some other town, the journeyman electricians may receive a special license for one job by paying therefor a fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code. Said special license shall be valid only as to one particular job. Said job to be fully described on the face of the special license.
(j) 
License Not Transferable.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation holding a license to transfer same or allow the use of same directly or indirectly by any other person for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do electrical work as herein specified.
(k) 
Permits.
(1) 
No person, firm, or corporation, shall begin any work of installing, erecting or altering material, wiring, fixtures, or other apparatus to be used for the generation, transmission and utilization of electricity for light, heat and power in or on any buildings or premises in the City of Sundown without first securing a permit, therefor from the electrical inspector, said permits to cost a fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code.
(2) 
Application blanks for permits for electrical work will be furnished by the electrical inspector who shall approve or countersign them.
(3) 
No permit will be required for minor repair work such as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles.
(4) 
This section shall not apply to maintenance and repairs on the premises of a person, firm or corporation regularly employing journeyman electricians for that purpose.
(l) 
Presence Required.
A licensed electrician shall be present at all times when electrical work is being done except as herein specially excepted as to residence homesteads.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 5-3-3; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
Notification.
Upon the completion of electrical work in any building it shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation installing the same to notify the electrical inspector in writing; who shall inspect the installation within 24 hours of the time the notice is given, Sundays and holidays not be considered. If the electrical inspector shall find that any wires or appliances of the installation fail to conform to the requirements of this code, he shall at once notify in writing the person, firm or corporation who installed the work, of all existing defects. The electrical inspector shall be renotified as above when all defects have been corrected.
(b) 
Certificate of Approval.
If the electrical installation is approved by the electrical inspector he shall issue a certificate of approval authorizing connection to the electrical service and the turning on of the current.
(c) 
Reconnecting Discontinued Service.
If for any reason the electrical service to any installation is disconnected by order of the electrical inspector, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to reconnect or place in operation such service without first having received a certificate of satisfactory re-inspection from the electrical inspector.
(d) 
Concealed Wiring.
All wiring which is to be hidden from view shall be inspected before they are covered against ready access, and any person, firm or corporation installing such wires shall notify the electrical inspector giving him twenty-four hours in which to make the required inspection before the wires are concealed.
(e) 
Tampering with Wires Prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to molest in any way or tamper with wires installed in any building or to place any material within one inch of said wires after they have been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector.
(f) 
Interference with Inspectors Forbidden.
No person shall interfere with, molest, hinder or obstruct any electrical inspector in the performance of his duties.
(g) 
Fees for Inspection & Reinspection.
A charge shall be made for the first rough in or finish inspection or any electrical installation. Inspection fees shall be provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code. If by reason of faulty work, neglect, or omission a subsequent inspection must be made, the charge for such inspection shall be provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code.
Said fees shall be paid to the electrical inspector or his assistant who shall issue a receipt therefor and shall turn to the city secretary any money so received.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 5-3-4)
Nothing in this article shall apply to:
(1) 
Telephone and Telegraph Companies.
Telephone and telegraph companies operating under city franchise or state laws, maintenance and removal or repairs of their wires or other equipment used in connection with their business or plant.
(2) 
Electric Light, Heat and Power Companies.
Electric light, heat and power companies operating under city franchise or state laws, maintenance and removal or repair of their wires or other equipment used in connection with their business or plant.
(3) 
Street Lighting.
Work in connection with the lighting of public ways, alleys or public parks.
(4) 
Work commenced prior to adoption of this article.
(5) 
Electrical contracts entered into prior to the enactment of this article.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 5-3-5)