The National Electrical Code together with the several International Codes, as adopted under section 4.02.001 of this chapter, shall together constitute the electrical code of the city. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the National Electrical Code and the International Codes, the provisions of the International Codes shall prevail.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.01, adopted 12/20/2021)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Apartment house.
A building or portion thereof used or intended to be used as the home of three (3) or more families or households living independently of each other and equipped for the preparation of food.
Apprentice electrician.
A person who is learning the trade of an electrician and who works only under the direct supervision of a journeyman electrician or master electrician and who has registered as such apprentice as provided in this article.
Approved.
Inspected and accepted by the electrical inspector as having met the requirements of this article.
Conviction.
A final determination of guilt or the forfeiture of bail, recognizance, or appeal bond.
Dwelling.
The abiding place of one (1) or more persons in which the use and management of sleeping quarters and all appliances for cooking, ventilating, heating or lighting are under one (1) control, including attached or detached garages and accessory buildings for such use.
Electrical inspector.
The city's electrical inspector and his authorized assistants.
Electrical work.
Any act in connection with the installing, altering, repairing or maintaining of electric wires, conduits, apparatus or other electrical installations, designed or capable of carrying electrical energy, which act ordinarily requires the use of tools.
Experience.
Active and practical experience during which not less than two-thirds of one's time, exclusive of normal periods of rest and recreation, has been spent in the installation, alteration and repair of electrical equipment and conductors. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a college or university which requires at least four (4) years of study in residence as a prerequisite to such degree shall be considered the equivalent of three (3) years of experience, and the satisfactory completion of one hundred twenty (120) semester hours of work required for such degree shall be considered the equivalent of one (1) year of experience.
International Electrical Code.
The current edition of the International Electrical Code.
Journeyman electrician.
A person licensed as a journeyman electrician in compliance with the requirements of this article who works for and under the general supervision and direction of a master electrician, doing electrical work contracted for by a master electrician, and who does not hold himself out to the public as being qualified to contract for the doing of electrical work.
Master electrician.
Any person licensed as a master electrician in compliance with the requirements of this article who holds himself out to the public as being qualified to do the kind of electrical work or to contract for the doing of the kind of electrical work by himself or by the employment of journeyman electricians or apprentice electricians which his license authorizes him to do.
Meter loop.
The service entrance conductors, meter base, service overcurrent units, service disconnect, and the system and equipment grounding.
National Electrical Code.
The current edition of the National Electrical Code, also known as the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 70, a copy of which is on file in the office of the building official.
Spot.
The location at which the supplier of electricity will install the conductors supplying a customer.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.02, adopted 12/20/2021)
The object of this article is to reduce the personal hazard and the fire hazard from electrical causes. To accomplish this, the requirements set forth in this article are intended to provide a minimum standard for electrical work.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.03, adopted 12/20/2021)
The provisions of this article shall apply to all electrical wiring and equipment to which electricity is to be supplied by any electrical distribution system owned or leased by the city, except electrical work, wiring or equipment used in the generation, distribution and sale of electrical energy or communication services by a public utility, telephone, telegraph, or district messenger company permitted to operate. The licenses, permits, fees, and bonds provided for in this article shall not apply to the generation, distribution and sale of electrical energy or communication by such companies and their employees, but the wiring and installations for light, heat and power equipment of such companies shall be done according to the requirements of this article and other applicable ordinance provisions, and all other electrical work by such companies shall be done in accordance with the National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.04, adopted 12/20/2021)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, however constituted, to violate any provision of this article (which includes any provision of the city electrical code, as established in section 4.07.001 of this article), and upon conviction for any such violation such person, corporation or other entity shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor and shall be subject to such penalties as provided by law for a class C misdemeanor, and each day during which violation of this article occurs or continues shall be considered a separate offense.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.05, adopted 12/20/2021)
All electrical work covered by this article shall be installed in a safe and secure manner with materials of such kind, quality and capacity as will maintain satisfactory and economical service to both the serving and consuming parties. No electrical materials, devices or appliances shall be used or installed unless such materials, devices and appliances are in conformity with the provisions of this article and the laws of the state, and unless they are in conformity with the approved methods of construction for safety to life and property. Unless otherwise covered by this article, conformity of electrical materials, devices and appliances with the standards of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., as approved by the American Standards Association, and other standards approved by the American Standards Association, shall be prima facie evidence that such electrical materials, devices and appliances comply with the requirements of this article.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.06, adopted 12/20/2021)
(a) 
No electrical work for which a permit is required by this article shall be concealed in any manner from access or sight until such work has been inspected and accepted by the electrical inspector, and no electrical work shall be connected to a source of energy until such electrical work is completed and all outlets supplied with approved fixtures, devices or covers.
(b) 
No sign or neon tubing shall be connected to a source of energy until an approval tag is attached to same by the electrical inspector.
(c) 
All requests for installation of electrical work must be made forty-eight (48) hours before the electrical work concerned is to be concealed or connected for service, as the case may be.
(d) 
Any person having charge of the construction, alteration or repair of any building or any other person who covers or conceals or causes to be covered or concealed or any such person who connects or causes to be connected any electrical work for which a permit has been issued or is required by this article, before such electrical work has been inspected and approved, without having notified the electrical inspector in writing at least forty-eight (48) hours previously, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) 
When a master electrician does not have the contract for finishing of the electrical work covered by his permit, he shall deliver his final inspection request in writing when his part of the electrical work is completed, and must state in writing of the part of the electrical work installed by him.
(f) 
When any electrical work for which a permit is required by this article has been installed, the permit holder shall deliver to the office of the electrical inspector a written request for final inspection. The electrical inspector shall inspect such electrical work as soon as practical and within seventy-two (72) hours of receipt of the written notice. When any permit holder refuses to request a final inspection, the owner or person in control of the premises on which electrical work has been performed may request the final inspection. Upon payment of all required fees by such owner or person in control, the electrical inspector shall inspect the electrical work as soon thereafter as practical.
(g) 
A written certificate of approval shall be issued, upon request, to a permit holder to cover any electrical work approved by the electrical inspector.
(h) 
No electrical work shall be approved unless the electrical work is in strict conformity with this article and the laws of the state and unless such electrical work is in conformity with the approved methods of construction for the safety of life and property.
(i) 
If the electrical work meets all the requirements of this article, the electrical inspector shall immediately make the necessary service records to allow the city or other utilities to connect such electrical work to a source of supply. If such electrical work fails to meet all the requirements of this article, then the permit holder shall be notified in writing by the electrical inspector of the defects existing, and such permit holder shall promptly correct the defects and notify the electrical inspector in writing when such corrections are made.
(j) 
The permit fees provided for in this article shall cover the routine inspections provided for in this section. When any electrical work is reported to the electrical inspector as ready for final inspection and, upon such inspection, the electrical work does not meet all requirements of this article, written notice shall be mailed within forty-eight (48) hours to the permit holder of the defects existing. The permit holder shall correct such defects promptly and deliver a written request for a re-inspection to the electrical inspector. The permit holder shall pay an additional fee for each re-inspection required, as established from time to time by the city council.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.07, adopted 12/20/2021)
The electrical inspector shall make a thorough inspection of all electrical work from time to time. Where such electrical work is in a dangerous or unsafe condition or is deemed to be an interference with the work of the fire department, the inspector shall notify the person owning, using or operating such electrical work to place it in a safe, secure and non-interfering condition. Any person failing, neglecting or refusing within a reasonable time to make the necessary repairs or changes, and to have the necessary work completed within a reasonable time after the receipt of such notice, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Every day which shall elapse after the expiration of such reasonable time until such wires and apparatus are repaired, removed or changed as required by the electrical inspector shall be considered as separate offense.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.08, adopted 12/20/2021)
When a licensed electrician is given notice by the electrical inspector that defects exist in his electrical work, he shall make corrections promptly. If the corrections are not made within thirty (30) days, it shall be a violation of this article. In addition to any other penalties under this article, he shall not be issued any other permits until the defects are corrected and approved by the electrical inspector.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.09, adopted 12/20/2021)
No wires shall be installed, operated or maintained over any street, alley, sidewalk or building which may be reasonably calculated to interfere seriously with the work of the fire department in the use of ladders or other apparatus, or which shall obstruct or render hazardous the use of fire escapes. On complaint of the fire marshal, the interfering obstruction or hazardous wires shall be removed or properly rearranged.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 6.10, adopted 12/20/2021)