The purpose of this division is the practical safeguarding of persons and of buildings and their contents from electrical hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling and other purposes.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(1); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
(a) 
Authority to stop work.
In case any work is begun where a permit is required by this division, but without permission being first secured therefor, or if electrical installations are otherwise being made in violation of this division, the electrical inspector shall have the power to stop such work at once and to order any and all persons engaged therein to stop and desist therefrom until the proper permission is secured. Such action shall not defer any other penalties which may be applicable under this chapter.
(b) 
Right of entry.
The electrical inspector shall have the right, during reasonable hours, to enter any building or premises in the discharge of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection, reinspection or test of the electrical equipment or installation contained therein.
(c) 
Inspections generally.
(1) 
Upon completion of any electrical installation for which a permit has been obtained under this division, it shall be the duty of the person making the installation to notify the electrical inspector, who shall inspect the installation as soon as can be arranged, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
(2) 
When any electrical equipment is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of the building, the person installing the equipment shall notify the electrical inspector and such equipment shall not be concealed until it has been inspected, approved or authorized by the electrical inspector. On large installations, the person installing the electrical equipment shall give the electrical inspector due notice and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of work.
(3) 
The electrical inspector shall have the authority to require building contractors to open work which in any manner conceals electrical wiring that has been closed without his knowledge or permission, and in no case shall the inspector issue clearance until satisfied that the work is in accordance with the provisions of this division. Inspectors shall also have the right to refuse to issue a clearance on any wiring that is concealed in such a manner that it cannot be fully determined that it has been done in accordance with this chapter.
(4) 
If, upon inspection under this division, the installation is not found to be fully in conformity with the provisions of this division, the electrical inspector shall immediately notify the person making the installation of the existing defects.
(d) 
Periodic inspection of existing installations.
(1) 
The electrical inspector may periodically reinspect existing installations of electrical conductors and equipment.
(2) 
When the installation of any conductors or equipment is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person owning, using or operating the installation shall be notified in writing and shall make the necessary repairs or changes required to place such conductors or equipment in safe condition and have such work completed within the period specified by the electrical inspector.
(e) 
Repair of dangerous equipment; authority to disconnect service.
When any electrical equipment is found by the electrical inspector to be dangerous to persons or property because it is defective or improperly installed, the person responsible for the equipment shall be notified in writing and shall make any changes or repairs required, in the judgment of the electrical inspector, to place such equipment in safe condition. If such work is not completed within fifteen (15) days or any longer period specified by the electrical inspector in such notice, the inspector shall have the authority to disconnect or order the discontinuance of electric service to the electrical equipment. In cases of emergency, when necessary for safety to persons or property, or when electrical equipment may interfere with the work of the fire department, the electrical inspector shall have the authority to immediately disconnect or cause the disconnection of any electrical equipment.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(B); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
(a) 
Required; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install or cause to be installed any electrical conductors or equipment within or on any building, structure or premises, publicly or privately owned, or to make or cause to be made any alteration in or addition to any existing electrical conductors or equipment, without securing a permit therefor from the town. No permit will be required to execute any of the following classes of electrical work:
(1) 
The replacement of lamps or fuses or the connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable permanently installed receptacles.
(2) 
Any work involved in the manufacture, fabricating, repair or testing of electrical equipment, products, apparatus or devices manufactured, produced or used in any factory or manufacturing facility.
(b) 
Application.
Application for a permit under this section, describing the work to be done, shall be made at town hall by the person installing the work. If the work to be done is for commercial or industrial uses, the application must be accompanied by such information as may be necessary to determine whether the installation as described will be in conformity with the requirements of this chapter.
(c) 
Fee.
Any person granted a permit under this section shall pay to the town such fee(s) as established by the board of aldermen.
(d) 
Correction of defective work.
[Upon] Failure on the part of any licensed electrical contractor to correct any defect, error or deficiency in any work installed under the authority of an electrical permit issued to him, within ten (10) calendar days after written notification thereof by the electrical inspector (or within such further reasonable time as may be approved by the electrical inspector), the electrical inspector shall, without further notice, suspend the permit until such corrections have been made, inspected and approved. In addition thereto, the penalty provided for violation of this division may be enforced.
(e) 
Expiration.
Every specific permit issued by the town under the provisions of this section shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit has not been started within six (6) months from the date of such permit or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time for a period of six (6) months after the work is started. Before such work can be started again, a new permit shall be obtained.
(f) 
Revocation.
The electrical inspector is authorized to revoke and declare null and void any permit obtained under this section by fraud, by misrepresentation or in any way contrary to the requirements of this section. Such a permit may also be revoked and declared null and void by the electrical inspector for any violation of the provisions of this section or for any other just cause.
(g) 
Deviation from permit.
No deviation shall be made from the installation described in the permit issued under this section without notifying the electrical inspector. The issuance of a permit shall not be taken as permission to violate any of the requirements of this chapter.
(h) 
Securing permit for person not entitled thereto.
It shall be unlawful for any person to secure for or furnish a permit for the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical conductors or equipment to any person not entitled to such permit under the regulations of this section.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(D); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88; Ordinance 253 adopted 1/11/90)
Rules and regulations of the Texas Utilities Electric Company relating to service and meter installations for the kind and character of service to be rendered, as passed and approved from time to time, are incorporated herein and made a part of this division.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(3); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
In the actual work of installing, maintaining, altering or repairing any electrical conductors or equipment for which a permit is required by this division, there shall be present and in direct supervision a licensed electrician of the proper classification. Every journeyman electrician shall work under the supervision of a master electrician. Should it come to the notice of the electrical inspector that such supervision and control is not being maintained, the inspector may order the work discontinued, and the person to whom the permit has been issued shall discontinue further work until proper supervision has been employed or supplied. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the employment of apprentices or unskilled laborers assisting a duly registered and qualified person under the provisions of this division.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(4); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
Only authorized employees of Texas Utilities Electric Company shall be permitted to make the connection between Texas Utilities Electric Company’s service conductors and the customer’s service entrance conductors.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(5); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
When new electrical meters are installed or existing electrical meters are to be relocated, the disconnection, connection or reconnection to the meter shall be made only by authorized employees of Texas Utilities Electric Company.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(6); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
(a) 
When any order or notice is issued pursuant to the provisions of this division to any person who cannot be found after a reasonable search, such order or notice may be served by posting it in a conspicuous place upon the premises occupied by him or upon the premises where the defects are alleged to exist. Such posting of the notice shall be considered equivalent to personal service of such order or notice. An order sent by mail in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid and directed to the address of the electrical contractor, owner, lessee or occupant of the premises shall be equivalent to personal service of such order.
(b) 
The electrical inspector is hereby empowered to attach to the nearest electrical cabinet or equipment feeding defective or hazardous wiring any official notice or seal to prevent use of electricity in that area, and it shall be unlawful for any other person to place or attach such seal or to break, change, destroy, mutilate, cover, otherwise deface or injure any such official notice or seal posted by the electrical inspector.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(7); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
This division shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the town be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized herein or by the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized herein.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(8); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88)
The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code is hereby adopted as the official electrical code of the town and is fully incorporated by reference as though copied into this ordinance in its entirety. The material contained in such code shall not be included in any formal municipal codification of ordinances but shall be maintained as a public record in the office of the town secretary and will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(A)(2); Ordinance 225 adopted 2/11/88; Ordinance 379-02 adopted 4/11/02; Ordinance 253-11 adopted 10/13/11)
The following sections, paragraphs, and sentences of the 2008 National Electrical Code are hereby amended as follows: Standard type is text from the NEC. Underlined type is text inserted. Lined through type is deleted text from the NEC.
(1987 Code, ch. 3, sec. 10(E); Ordinance 379-02 adopted 4/11/02; Ordinance 253-11 adopted 10/13/11)
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Editor's Note - The 2008 National Electric Code amendments are included in this chapter as an attachment.