Professional tradesmen and women who are part of the electrical industry are being challenged nowadays with all sorts of Energy Efficient Upgrades in way of new construction and home and commercial remodeling projects. This is a good thing since there is a great deal of new technology available used within the industry which the individual layperson, is frankly unaware. The objective of the article is to make the consumer and other partners aligned with the services of electricians and other key personnel more aware how important areas such as Electrical Code Compliance; Underground Circuit Locating; and Energy Efficient Upgrades are to projects associated with new construction; and home and business remodeling. Additionally, for the business or commercial enterprise; placing a great deal of the company’s investment dollar into Energy Efficient Upgrades, one of the most comprehensive types of Maintenance Agreements is explained. It is important that the real estate manger require proper scheduled maintenance of the electrical upgrade he or she intends to make with regard to major building components such as air-conditioning, heating, and other systems relative to building comfort or in-house productivity. The agreement is also important when the resident is making upgrades within an existing structure; however, that said, the agreement covered here is relative to business (only).
The National Electrical Code — much more specific than the layperson may realize
The National Electrical Code is very specific as to its regulations about underground wiring; methodology and proper points of attachment. The code requires, before digging, in way of a new construction that the contractor is well aware of its requirements; and that he or she is able to properly locate where the utility environment exists. Due to new technology such complexities or factors are made easier; however, since the code is so highly specific it is important that attachment of cabling is performed with a great deal of reasonable care. As is indicated from the information presented here: before a do-it-yourselfer becomes too involved with any home remodeling project as it pertains to residential, it is wise, that naturally the job be left to an electrical expert who is advisably proficient in addressing residential and commercial requirements and knows proper Electrical Code Compliance inside and out. Certainly, many persons in an economic crunch are going to want to perform some of the work themselves—and this is commendable however as far as residential projects and with a downward industry slide as far as return on investment dollar–overall in this particular area: It remains best to be smart about matters and work alongside an electrician with years of experience and knowledge.
The following example of rules and regulations associated with the electrical code; with respect to outside attachment will give the layperson some idea of the rigidness of it.
The installation of receptacles must be at minimum twelve inches above grade. This is necessary in order to keep receptacles out of the way of snow and water accumulation.
It is important to use either GFCI breakers or ground fault interrupter receptacles (GFCI) in order to properly protect the user.
When four receptacles and up are connected to a circuit, it is necessary to install a twenty amp circuit. Also, if a lighting load is to receive more than one lighting fixture exceeding three-hundred watts, it is necessary to make use of a twenty amp circuit in order to accommodate such a load.
Switches mounted out of doors; and receptacles are to be properly installed in electrical boxes which are considered weather-proof. It is highly recommended to make use of covers over receptacles which cover cords.
Obviously, the layperson reader is going to think twice about just going to town on a home improvement project requiring proper interpretation of what is necessary in way of installing outdoor wiring. What follows are more rules and regulations concerning the code and associated activities.
Another area of consideration for commercial and residential contractors and consumers (respectively); before certain extensive upgrades or electrical additions to new construction are made is: Where are the underground utilities located?
Certainly, the individuals involved in construction are quite aware of the necessity of locating the environment of underground utilities prior to any operations as to digging take place. Residential persons and residential contractors are wise to call the hotline associated with the underground utilities environment well before any digging operations begin too. The utilities company is good about coming out to the site where the digging is to take place and making markings of any sort of obstruction which may cause concern for the facilitator of the dig. The contractor then is reasonably informed where to dig and what area to stay clear. Naturally, the proper electrical expert is also able to perform Underground Circuit Locating.
Specific regulations exist in way of proper cabling and conduits buried beneath the ground’s surface
In way of Electrical Code Compliance: UF cable is required for burying of wire and is properly identified in way of its gray covering. Any wiring which is not protected in conduit is buried at minimum twenty-four inches below the surface of the ground. That said the underground wiring which is run through a plastic conduit is buried at minimum of eighteen inches below the ground and in schedule 80 PVC which is a certain type of pipe used. The conduit is a gray color and is more durable than the water pipe which is white or cream in way of color. Additionally, receptacle boxes which are run out into the center portion of a yard or where no point as to anchoring exists with respect to the junction box are required to have schedule 80 PVC embedded in concrete. The prior requirement is so the box may be well supported. If the previous method is not rational then another way is to attach the box is to a post buried underneath the ground’s surface. The receptacle boxes are to be mounted at minimum twelve inches above grade and no more than eighteen inches above grade when the unattached procedure is used. It is safe to say, after reviewing the rules and regulations of outdoor Electrical Code Compliance, not to say anything about Electrical Code Compliance directed toward inside the structure; that assistance from the proper professional is necessary for any Energy Efficient Upgrades made by a residential consumer. It is a given a business will employ the proper construction personnel and electricians in way of conducting new construction efforts or effecting Energy Efficient Upgrades to their properties.
Outsourcing is available
However, even though the utilities are good about coming out and marking where it is contractors and construction personnel may dig and may not dig; sometimes it is necessary to make certain something is not being hit in way of an electrical line or where a wire is located in cement inside a conduit. There are resources which contractors and private individuals may contact to assure everything which is beneath ground does not present any complications. Some companies offer private utility location services for a customer owned facility which is underground and with a metallic composition inclusive of underground Electric. There are many underground lines which this type of outsource can find for the client such as phone lines, cast iron water lines and so on and so forth; besides electrical wiring. Generally, such an outsource company is accurate as to where the line is located within eighteen inches of it.
Consideration of Maintenance Agreements
Once the business makes the proper Energy Efficient Upgrades to his or her establishment he or she may wish to purchase Maintenance Agreements in order to assure everything remains in
peak performance. In this light the full coverage contract is addressed.
Such a contract provides the business with one-hundred percent coverage in way of labor, parts, materials and emergency services. The owner is able to purchase this type of agreement for all equipment or for the equipment he or she believes is most important to maintain. Maintenance Agreements of this sort should always be highly comprehensive in way of preventive maintenance; naming all the systems and equipment covered. If not covered by such a Maintenance Agreement, it is good, for an added fee, the owner purchase Repair and Replacement coverage also referred to as a Breakdown Insurance policy. The Breakdown Insurance policy is advisable when there is not a well-skilled maintenance staff on-board. These sorts of contracts may be the only thing the owner has to fall back upon in the absence of knowledgeable in-house maintenance personnel. The agreements are of paramount importance then as a means of providing maintenance to the building’s systems in way of energy efficient items and mechanical items, combined. Certainly, the agreement specified here is the most comprehensive, and regardless of the upgrade, the offering of maintenance contracts should be considered.
