The following electrical materials shall not be permitted within the corporate limits of the city:
(1) 
BX or armored cable shall not be allowed.
(2) 
Aluminum conductors shall not be allowed.
(3) 
The use of ordinary twisted pair cotton covered lamp cord. Type C will not be approved for use as drop lights, pendants, nor portable lamps, but reinforced or approved portable cords no smaller than no. 16 AWG may be used.
(4) 
Wafer breakers, piggy-back breakers or similar type breakers will not be permitted on new installations but may be used to repair or replace its existing use, provided it does not exceed the design capacity of the sub-panel.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.150)
(a) 
Requirement.
The minimum conductor size permitted shall be no. 12 AWG copper wire, except as set forth in subsection (b).
(b) 
Exceptions.
(1) 
Ground wires in non-metallic cable shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(2) 
Low energy wiring system such as electric bells, intercoms or sound systems.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.151)
(a) 
The use of flexible metallic conduit or greenfield will not be permitted for use as a general wiring system, but may be used for connecting motors, appliances, recessed fixtures or where space limits the use of a larger raceway for short runs or extensions, provided such connections do not exceed six feet in length.
(b) 
Flexible metallic conduit or greenfield shall not be approved for burial in earth fill or enclosed in plaster, concrete or masonry.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.152)
Rigid steel and schedule 40 PVC conduit will be approved for burial in earth fill or concrete. The use of EMT or thin wall conduit for such installation will not be approved. All underground conduits and direct buried cable shall maintain two feet horizontal from plumbing and gas piping.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.153)
(a) 
Service entrance.
An all-metal service entrance with rain-tight equipment shall be used. Where the service riser can be adequately attached and supported by a building or an approved construction pole, the riser shall be a minimum of one inch rigid steel or EMT conduit. If a mast is used, the minimum requirement is two-inch rigid steel conduit adequately secured. Additional bracing and guyed wires may be required by the electrical inspector if deemed necessary. Service drop clearance shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(b) 
Meter base.
The meter base shall be one that is approved by the local power company and shall be installed at an outside location that will provide easy access to meter readers and testers at all times. The meter base shall be so placed and maintained so that no meter dial will be more than six feet six inches in height or less than five feet six inches above the permanent standing surface. The neutral shall be a continuous uncut wire from the power supply to an approved disconnect.
(c) 
Disconnect.
In all installations, an approved main disconnect of either a fuse or breaker type shall be installed at a location as near the point of entrance as may be possible.
(d) 
Service entrance conductors.
Conductors shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the load of the required service, but in no case shall service conductors be less than no. 6 AWG copper wire. Conductors feeding the main disconnect shall be of same size and rating as the service entrance conductors. Overcurrent protection devices shall coincide with the conductors being used in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Service entrance conductors shall terminate not less than 18 inches from the weatherhead to provide adequate length for drip loops. The neutral at the drip loop shall be identified.
(e) 
Construction of service poles; service ground.
Poles shall be of a treated type not less in size than five-inch butt diameter and shall extend not less than four feet six inches into the natural ground and be adequately “raked” against the pull of the service wires. Receptacles shall be encased in an approved weatherproof enclosure and shall be mounted not less than five feet below normal ground level. The service ground shall be not less than a solid no. 6 bare copper wire. The service ground may be “butt wrapped” provided the ground wire is wrapped at least three turns on bottom of the pole and stapled firmly. Gas piping shall not be used for an electrical ground nor shall electrical circuits utilize gas piping, casing of controls, panels or other metal parts in lieu of wiring.
(f) 
Service entrance location.
The point of entrance of electrical service wires on underground services and the point of landing of electrical service drops on overhead services shall be designated by the local power company and approved by the electrical inspector.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.154)
(a) 
Size.
All sub-panels must be large enough to accommodate the present load requirements and have at least two spare circuits for future use.
(b) 
Location.
Sub-panels or circuit breakers shall not be placed in water heater closets, bathrooms, or other locations where they will not be readily accessible to tenants or users.
(c) 
Conduit installation from sub-panel.
A one-inch empty conduit shall be installed from the sub-panel to the attic or from the sub-panel to below the first floor to every new or completely remodeled installation. When installed from the sub-panel to the attic, the conduit shall be extended to a point providing 30 inches’ clearance between ceiling joint and rafters when possible.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.155)
(a) 
Where permissible.
Joints and splices shall be made only in approved boxes, fittings or cabinets.
(b) 
Insulating material.
When making joints, splices or taps, the insulating material used to cover the joint, splice or tap shall be equal to or greater than that which was removed.
(c) 
Soldering or splicing device.
All joints, splices or taps shall be soldered or made up with UL approved mechanical splicing devices with approved splice caps or wire nuts.
(d) 
Tape.
When tape is used to insulate a joint, splice, or tap, only UL approved rubber or plastic tape shall be used. Friction tape shall be used only to hold other insulating tapes in place and as a protective covering. When a fixture is spliced to a branch circuit conductor, only UL approved wire nuts shall be used.
(e) 
Protection from injury.
All joints, splices, and taps shall be protected against mechanical injury.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.156)
(a) 
Existing buildings.
In all buildings or structures where existing electrical work does not meet the requirements of this article, existing electrical installations may be extended by any wiring method approved by this article provided that the combined electrical installation does not exceed the ampacity rating of the existing service entrance and such extended wiring does not cause the building to become unsafe in the opinion of the electrical inspector. Enlarging the ampacity of the service entrance shall require the entire building to meet the requirements of this article. Any existing electrical work installed without meeting the requirements of previous regulations of the city shall have no standing or recognition under this article.
(b) 
Moved-in buildings.
Moved-in buildings shall meet the requirements of this article and shall be treated as new construction.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.157)
Where lines or electrical services have been cut or damaged in the firefighting process, no electrical service shall be reinstated or reconnected until the premises conform to the provisions of this article and have been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector as provided in division 5 of this article.
(Ordinance 84-464 adopted 2/28/84; 1994 Code, sec. 154.158)