Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
For a HI the answer would be NO … in fact I think getting into the actual NEC code is a bit much for a home inspector. I teach some HI classes, including codes for home inspectors, and usually only recommend the CodeCheck books (to go along with the IRC) … really excellent.
But if you are going to get into the electrical installation a little deeper (very admirable) then I recommend "Understanding the National Electrical Code" [Part 1] by Mike Holt. An very excellent book ... packed with not only the basic NEC provisions, but many diagrams, explanations, and cross references.
The really key part of his book is the diagrams (lots of those) and examples, which just are not included in the NEC Handbook. I also think he started an excellent BB, which you can surf if you are serious about understanding the electrical code better. Both can be found here:
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
pdacey wrote:
I have a copy of the NEC 2002. I got a headache the first time I looked at it and have probably only opened it once or twice since than.
With widespread adoption of the International Residential Code (IRC) it is no longer necessary (but helpful) for a HI to be familiar with the NEC. The IRC has a stand-alone electrical part written by NFPA & ICC specifically to cover everything needed only for home construction.
The IRC electrical part is about 70 pages long of better organized sections with some diagrams ... as opposed to the 700 plus pages of pure dry text and tables in the NEC, that sometimes requires referencing multiple sections to get the basic requirements ...  ... (why they put that section in the IRC, as opposed to just referencing the NEC).
And the CodeCheck books are an excellent checklist/summary of the IRC code sections that can be used as a field guide too. The electrical sections in CodeCheck also have references to both the IRC and NEC, so you can look something up and then go the the specific section in either code.
I have to admit that between the IRC, CodeCheck, and Mike Holt's book that I rarely open the NEC any longer myself (gives me a headache too ...lol). You really should get a copy of the IRC and CodeCheck books to read through and become familiar with ... you will be happy you did. And it is increasingly becoming the applicable code in most areas ...
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: tpfleiderer This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
roconnor wrote: [(why they put that section in the IRC, as opposed to just referencing the NEC). ]
Robert,
As far as the electrical section that is in the IRC, I attended a meeting a few months back and the guest speaker was from NFPA. He said that ICC wanted to include an electrical section in the IRC and gave the NFPA the opportunity to write it. The NFPA agreed to write it so that they can keep all of the electrical codes consistent with the NEC. So, even though the IRC has an electrical section, it is still quoted from the residential sections of the NEC. So when you are reading the electrical section of the IRC, you are actually reading sections from the NEC. I believe in the 2003 IRC they have a directory that shows where in the NEC you can find the referance articles that appear in the IRC. 
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jerry … I also don’t have a problem working with many building and industry codes including the NBC, UBC, SBC, CABO, ICC, NEC, NESC, ASCE, ACI, AISC, NDS, WFCM, and many others. But IMHO that is not the norm for an HI, and Patrick’s reaction to the NEC is fairly typical.
Tim ... the IRC electrical sections are not a direct copy of the NEC sections that relate to residential construction, but very close.
In many cases several NEC sections/paragraphs, sometimes in different NEC Articles, were combined into one section/paragraph under the IRC, and sometimes confusing language or exceptions necessary for non-residential installations eliminated or re-written into "plain" language. The 2003 IRC has a cross reference to the NEC included, and for the 2000 IRC cross reference to the NEC see this link:
All the sections from the 700 plus page NEC that relate to residential electric work combined in one handy 70 page code section with illustrations ... it's a beautiful thing for an HI ... 
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Robert,
thanks for a very informative post, I wa wondering if you have a link to the 70 page IRC/NEC code book that you refered to as I’ve lookd and cannot find it.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gerry … It?s not a book, but a code section written by NFPA to be included in the IRC. I don? think that is available by itself, but if you have the 2000/2003 IRC look at Part VIII - Electrical … that?s it.
– Robert O’Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Robert
thanks for clearing that up, I misunderstood your post and thought that they had released a seperate, inspector friendly publication. it’s funny though as i have both NEC and IRc codes but never thing to look at IRC over electrical issues. thanks for the reminder
Originally Posted By: csoutherland This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Try NFPA 70 A, NATIONAL ECTRICAL CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS. If used along with the Mike Holt book, UNDERSTANDING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, VOLUME 1, it will help a lot in figuring out electrical code. [/u]
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Carl … I saw that NFPA recently re-introduced 70A and was wondering about it. At 300 pages it has to be more than the IRC electrical part, even with some extra fluff, an intro/general section, and an index. Any thoughts?
Is NFPA going to discontinue the IRC sections and eventually just reference that? Figures they would do that to make you buy another $50 book, instead of giving you a "freebie" with the IRC.
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: Joe Tedesco This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Basic Checklists for Building Electrical Inspections is a book that was written by an electrical inspector, and is still available from the publisher here:
Originally Posted By: mzwerin This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I know it’s been discussed before, but I bet there are other HIs that still need the same info. that I need.
What's a good source for looking up manufacturer's model details?
Regularly I find air conditioners, hotwater heaters, etc. that I can't ID the age or capacities...
Any recommended books or online sources will be appreciated.
Stayin' warm  in S. Florida
Originally Posted By: Bob Badger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Michael, I know of no single source for that kind of information from all the manufacturers.
I have some pretty good luck finding info from major manufactures on their web sites.
Many times the info will be in pdf format which requires a Adobe Reader, which you can download for free.
Most times I start at google and type in all the info I have, if that does not do it I will go to the manufactures web site and poke around.
Last ditch call or write the manufacture.
On another note, I do not know if you folks realize the Joe Tedesco is well known and respected in the electrical trade for his knowledge of the NEC. 
Joe has written books on the code and I believe has been involved with the making of the NEC handbook. 
He has always been very helpful to me even though we have never met.
Joe and I do not always agree, but it can never be said that Joe does not care about the safety of electrical installations and will help those that ask him. 
