NEC Graded Project

Description

NEC Graded Project

Project Details

As you’ve learned, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is a reference manual that outlines requirements for the

installation of electrical equipment. The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is

updated every three years to reflect changes in the industry.

The exact requirements for the installation of electrical equipment in your area will vary depending on local

regulations. You learned in your studies that the application of the Code is rarely an exact science, and that the

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is often the final determination of local code compliance. However, almost all

electrical requirements are based on the NEC. Therefore, it’s very important to understand the NEC thoroughly and

be able to apply it to your work.

One objective of this project is to help you appreciate that you don’t to have to memorize the various NEC codes.

You’ll be asked to use the NEC in the way that it was designed, as a rule book of sorts, that you’ll apply step by step

through some interesting and challenging problems. All of the submissions for this assignment are open-book, so

you can relax and focus on developing your skills in using the NEC.

Before you begin, this is a good time to simply review the NEC and locate the articles that you would expect to

apply to common building projects. Familiarize yourself with the locations of common applications in the codes, as

you’ll need this information to complete this project.

In this project, you’ll also be looking at electrical wiring diagrams. Therefore, you may also want to review the

material on how to read these diagrams before you begin this project. Interpreting the floor plan wiring diagram for a

typical residence, then carrying out the required wiring, is no simple matter.

To remind you of the details that must often be addressed in a typical residential project, review this standalone

wiring diagram. The standalone drawing shows a complete wiring diagram for one floor of a typical residence. As

you can see, this typical residence contains many electrical outlets and devices. All of these devices must be

installed to satisfy NEC requirements.

Note that this stand-alone drawing isn’t a part of the actual assignments that you’ll complete; it’s simply a good

practice tool to brush up on your print-reading skills.

In this project, you’ll use your knowledge of the NEC to answer a variety of questions about electrical circuits.

Because this is an application-type project that involves real-life scenarios, the project will take some time to

complete. Using the NEC can be time-consuming when you’re first learning, so don’t become frustrated if this

project takes a little longer to complete than you expected.

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NEC Graded Project
NEC Graded Project
Once you’ve finished, follow these steps to submit your project:
1. On your computer, save a revised and corrected version of your project. Be sure to include your student
number and exam number on your saved documents.
2. To submit your project, click the button below (there is also another button at the bottom of this page).
Submit Assignment
Be sure to keep a backup of any files you send to the school!
Project Details
As you’ve learned, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is a reference manual that outlines requirements for the
installation of electrical equipment. The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is
updated every three years to reflect changes in the industry.
The exact requirements for the installation of electrical equipment in your area will vary depending on local
regulations. You learned in your studies that the application of the Code is rarely an exact science, and that the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is often the final determination of local code compliance. However, almost all
electrical requirements are based on the NEC. Therefore, it’s very important to understand the NEC thoroughly and
be able to apply it to your work.
One objective of this project is to help you appreciate that you don’t to have to memorize the various NEC codes.
You’ll be asked to use the NEC in the way that it was designed, as a rule book of sorts, that you’ll apply step by step
through some interesting and challenging problems. All of the submissions for this assignment are open-book, so
you can relax and focus on developing your skills in using the NEC.
Before you begin, this is a good time to simply review the NEC and locate the articles that you would expect to
apply to common building projects. Familiarize yourself with the locations of common applications in the codes, as
you’ll need this information to complete this project.
In this project, you’ll also be looking at electrical wiring diagrams. Therefore, you may also want to review the
material on how to read these diagrams before you begin this project. Interpreting the floor plan wiring diagram for a
typical residence, then carrying out the required wiring, is no simple matter.
To remind you of the details that must often be addressed in a typical residential project, review this standalone
wiring diagram. The standalone drawing shows a complete wiring diagram for one floor of a typical residence. As
you can see, this typical residence contains many electrical outlets and devices. All of these devices must be
installed to satisfy NEC requirements.
Note that this stand-alone drawing isn’t a part of the actual assignments that you’ll complete; it’s simply a good
practice tool to brush up on your print-reading skills.
In this project, you’ll use your knowledge of the NEC to answer a variety of questions about electrical circuits.
Because this is an application-type project that involves real-life scenarios, the project will take some time to
complete. Using the NEC can be time-consuming when you’re first learning, so don’t become frustrated if this
project takes a little longer to complete than you expected.
Completing Your Project
Throughout this project, you’ll be required to answer questions. There are a total of 40 questions (or combinations
of questions) for you to answer, as well as an additional figure to be marked up. Grading of this project will be as
follows:
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Questions 1–40 (except Question 11 and Question 40)—2 points each
Question 11 (requires completion of Table 1)—5 points
Markup of Figure 7—10 points
Question 40 (requires completion of Table 2)—10 points
Total Possible Score: 100 points
You’ll submit your graded project online. Create a word-processing document containing your answers, scan your
marked-up Figure 7, and upload your project using the instructions at the beginning of this section. Make sure your
answers are clearly labeled.
Part 1: Load Calculation, Single-Family Dwelling
When an electrician installs the wiring in a new building, he or she often needs to determine the service amperage.
To accurately determine the service amperage, the electrician must be able to calculate all of the various loads
associated with general lighting circuits, small-appliance branch circuits, and fixed-appliance circuits that supply
ranges, dryers, and HVAC systems. The NEC has specific guidelines for performing these calculations.
In this exercise, you’ll use the Standard Method to perform the load calculations for a one-family residence. As you
work through this exercise, please write out all of your calculations. To receive credit for the questions, you must
show exactly how you arrived at each solution. (Use scrap paper for preliminary calculations, if you need to.)
Building Electrical Specifications
You’ll be required to determine specific circuit loads, the minimum service, and related conductor sizes for a singlefamily home with the following electrical specifications:
Building Size: 3,800 square feet (exclusive of an unfinished basement not adaptable for future use, an
unfinished attic, and open porches)
Small Appliance–Branch Circuits: 3
Laundry-Branch Circuits: 1
Fastened-in-Place Appliances:
Water heater (28 kVA)
Dishwasher (1,200 VA)
Food Disposal (1,200 VA)
Attic Fans (2) @ 750 VA (1,500 VA total)
Clothes Dryer: 5 kW
Ranges, Ovens, Cooktops: Range, 12 kW
HVAC System: 3.5-ton AC system 240 V, 17.9 A, Air handler 3.3 A
Question 1
Determine the total general lighting and receptacle load by calculating the general lighting load, the small-appliance
branch circuit load, and the laundry branch circuit load. Apply any demand factor as applicable. Show your
calculations in the word-processing document you created for your answers.
Question 2
Determine the fixed-in-place appliance load. Show your calculations in the word-processing document you created
for your answers.
Question 3
Determine the line and the neutral load for the dryer circuit in this residence. Show your calculations in the wordprocessing document you created for your answers.
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Question 4
Determine the line and the neutral load for the range in this residence. Show your calculations in the wordprocessing document you created for your answers.
Question 5
Determine the total AC load for the HVAC system in this residence. Show your calculations in the word-processing
document you created for your answers.
Question 6
Determine the largest motor load for this residence. Do not consider the AC unit as a motor load. Show your
calculations in the word-processing document you created for your answers.
Question 7
Based on your calculations for questions 1–6, determine the total demand in VA for this residence, the minimum
service size, and the minimum conductor sizes (THW) for the ungrounded and grounding electrode conductors
(assume the neutral conductor to be the same as the ungrounded conductor). Show your calculations in the wordprocessing document you created for your answers.
Part 2: Residential Room Wiring
Now that you’ve completed your load calculations and determined service size for a single-family dwelling, you’ll
move to Part 2 of this project, which will examine the wiring requirements for three basic residential room types:
general living space (living rooms, dens, family rooms), a kitchen, and a bathroom.
General Living Space
To begin Part 2 of your project, you’ll examine some general living space, one of the most basic wiring assignments
in a home. The figure illustrates some wiring that’s found in a typical living room. Study this diagram carefully and
review the NEC codes that apply to this type of room. Note that several outlets are shown in Figure 1. These outlets
are typically used for lighting and simple appliances, such as entertainment systems and computers. The placement
of the outlets in the room is important. Once you’ve reviewed the NEC articles that apply to this room, answer the
following questions.
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FIGURE 1—Use this living room diagram to answer Questions 8–14.
Question 8
Which article of the NEC describes the proper placement of outlets in this type of room?
Question 9
Part 1: According to the NEC. What’s the minimum wall space that’s allowed between two adjacent outlets?
Part 2: How large must a wall space be to require an outlet?
Part 3: Should an outlet located at 7-feet up the wall from the floor, used to power a light figure, be included in wall
space requirement?
Question 10
If the outlets in this room are supplied by a single 15 A or 20 A circuit, what’s the maximum current that can be
supplied (in amps) to a cord-and-plug connected load?
Question 11
Indicate which of the following items are considered to be wall space by the NEC, and which items aren’t
considered to be wall space:
Fireplace
Fixed glass panel
Sliding segment of glass door
Door opening
Bar-type counter
Wall space less than one foot wide
Wall space three feet wide
Doorway
Fixed cabinet
Question 12
Part 1: In Figure 1, note that a switch is located close to the door. This switch operates an overhead light fixture.
This arrangement is a requirement of the NEC. Which article of the NEC covers this regulation for a room of this
type?
Part 2: Other than the switch shown in Figure 1, what alternative method can be used to meet the NEC
requirement?
Question 13
If the branch circuits supplying the receptacles in the figure are rated at 20 A, what’s the minimum ampacity rating of
the conductors in the branch circuit?
Question 14
How many branch circuits that supply the room shown in the previous figure are required to be GCFI-protected
according to the NEC?
Kitchen
Now, you’ll apply your knowledge of the NEC to a simple kitchen layout. This figure shows some wiring in a typical
kitchen found in a single-family dwelling. Electrical circuits in kitchens supply current to small appliances, electric
ranges, dishwashers, and refrigerators as well as lighting and general branch-circuit outlets.
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The NEC is very specific about the installation of wiring in kitchen areas. Study the wiring carefully in Figure 2 and
look up the codes that apply to this situation in your NEC codebook. Then, answer the following questions.
FIGURE 2—Use this
figure to answer Questions 15–27.
Question 15
What section of the NEC covers the use of GFCI-protected outlets in a residential kitchen?
Question 16
How many of the outlets shown in the figure are required to be GFCI-protected by the NEC? Identify the location of
the outlets you selected on the figure.
Question 17
What’s the maximum distance that can separate the two outlets located to the right of the sink in the figure?
Question 18
The outlets along the countertop are to be used for small appliances. What’s the minimum number of branch circuits
that would be needed to supply just these small-appliance outlets?
Question 19
Part 1: What’s the maximum distance (in feet) that the receptacle intended for the refrigerator can be from that
appliance?
Part 2: Name two common kitchen appliances that may require receptacle locations to be closer than required by
210.50 due to restrictions on cord lengths.
Question 20
What’s the minimum circuit protection (in amps) and wire size needed for each of the required small-appliance
circuits?
Question 21
In Figure 2, note that an electrical outlet is shown on the island in the kitchen area. Is this outlet required by the
NEC, or does it represent an NEC violation? Briefly explain your answer.
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Question 22
Look again at the island counter in the kitchen. If the countertop above the outlet were extended 12 inches beyond
the base of the cabinet to allow bar-stool seating at the counter, would that change the NEC status of the outlet?
Briefly explain your answer.
Question 23
Suppose a built-in dishwasher is to be installed in this kitchen. Does the NEC allow the dishwasher to be connected
to the existing small-appliance circuits?
Question 24
Can any of the receptacles required for the countertop space be mounted in the actual countertop? Cite an NEC
section and condition to support your answer.
Question 25
Does the NEC allow the lighting circuit for a kitchen to be attached to the small-appliance circuits?
Question 26
What’s the maximum height that the outlets on either side of the sink can be installed above the countertop
surface?
Question 27
If the distance between the outlets on either side of the range in Figure 2 is less than four feet, are both outlets
required per the NEC? Briefly explain your answer.
Bathroom
You’ve worked through the general living area and the kitchen, and next, you’ll look at the electrical wiring of a small
residential bathroom. Figure 3 shows some wiring that’s to be installed in a bathroom. Study the wiring shown in the
figure carefully, and review the NEC articles that apply in these situations. Once you’ve reviewed the appropriate
articles, answer the following questions about this wiring diagram.
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FIGURE 3—Use this
bathroom diagram to answer Questions 28–34.
Question 28
What section of the NEC covers the use of GFCI-protected outlets in a residential bathroom?
Question 29
How many of the outlets shown are required to be GFCI-protected by the NEC? Specify which outlets.
Question 30
In what situation would the NEC allow any one of the outlets in this bathroom to supply power to an outlet in another
room?
Question 31
The receptacle near the basin in the figure can be mounted on the countertop and, if a listed assembly, in the
countertop. In what position may the receptacle not be mounted?
Question 32
Look again at the receptacle near the basin. What’s the maximum distance the outlet can be from the outside edge
of the basin?
Question 33
You’re rewiring the bathroom shown in Figure 3 as part of a remodeling project. The customer requests a GFCI
receptacle on the back wall of the bathtub area, 5 feet from the top edge of the tub. Should you comply with the
customer request? Cite an NEC section to support your answer.
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Question 34
Does the NEC allow the lighting circuit in the bathroom to be connected to the same circuit as the outlet
receptacles?
Part 3: Branch-Circuit Sizing
You’ve had a chance to test your skills at load calculations and service sizing, as you’ve just completed your
evaluation of some basic room wiring. The next important skill you’ll practice is the proper sizing of the various
branch circuits that feed specialized equipment, such as ranges and water heaters.
In this part of your project, you’ll determine the proper size of the branch circuits for three wiring scenarios involving
cooking equipment.
As you work through this exercise, show all of your calculations in your word processor document. To receive credit
for the questions, you must show exactly how you arrived at each solution.
Example 1: Suppose that you’re working in a home that has a 15 kW oven that operates on 240 V. The oven is on
a branch circuit by itself, as shown in the figure.
FIGURE 4—Use this circuit
diagram.
Question 35
What’s the demand load for this circuit? (Show all of your calculations in your word-processing document.)
Question 36
What size TW copper conductor should be used for the branch circuit? (Show all of your calculations in your wordprocessing document.)
Example 2: Suppose that you’re working in a kitchen that contains one 8 kW counter-mounted cooking unit and
two 6 kW wall-mounted ovens. All three appliances are served by the same 240 V branch circuit. This situation is
illustrated in Figure 5.
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FIGURE 5—Use
this branch circuit diagram to answer Questions 37 and 38.
Question 37
What would be the demand load for this branch circuit? (Show all of your calculations in your word-processing
document.)
Question 38
What’s the minimum-size TW copper conductor that should be used for this branch circuit? (Show all of your
calculations in your word-processing document.)
Example 3: Suppose that you’re working in a building that contains commercial kitchen equipment. The kitchen
contains three 3 kW ovens, a 20 kW water heater, and a 3 kW deep fryer, as shown in Figure 6.
FIGURE 6—Use this
diagram to answer Question 39.
Question 39
What would be the demand load for all of these items? (Show all of your calculations in your word-processing
document.)
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Part 4: Determining Receptacle Locations
In this exercise, you’ll evaluate the floor plan for a living room in a typical home and determine the proper locations
for the electrical outlets in the room. The NEC covers not only the electrical wiring of devices but also (in many
cases) the proper location for each device.
FIGURE 7—Use this
living room diagram to complete Part 4.
Look at the living room shown in Figure 7. Imagine that you want to install in this room the minimum number of
outlets required by the NEC. To complete the exercise, you’ll need to determine the minimum number of outlets
needed for this room. You’ll also need to indicate the correct locations for their installation.
Mark the location of the outlets directly on the figure. To do so, print this resource and mark the outlets on the figure,
then scan the page.
To receive full credit for this exercise, you’ll need to do four things:
1. Indicate the location of each outlet in the figure by using the appropriate symbol.
2. Indicate the distance that the outlet should be placed along the adjoining wall.
3. Show how the branch circuit(s) would be connected.
4. Indicate the proper spacing between outlets to meet NEC code requirements.
Keep in mind that there are several different ways that this job can be done correctly. However, remember that
you’re trying to install the minimum number of outlets. Therefore, you may have to try several different patterns to
determine which configuration uses the minimum number of outlets. (Try sketching your ideas on scrap paper first;
then, mark your final answers directly on the figure.)
Part 5: NEC Violations
Part 5 of your NEC project will be similar to previous exercises in that you’ll be asked to evaluate simple electrical
wiring diagrams. However, these diagrams will contain NEC violations. It will be your job to locate and identify the
code violations.
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For example, suppose that you’re looking at a kitchen wiring diagram and notice that GFCI outlets weren’t placed
near the sink. Well, the NEC requires that any outlet near water must be fitted with a GFCI outlet for protection from
electrical shock. For the exercise, you would recognize that this installation violates the NEC. You would then
describe the violation and reference the article or section of the NEC that supports your answer.
The best approach to completing this exercise is to look over the illustrations in the project very carefully, paying
attention to each and every detail. Then, use your knowledge of the NEC to check each circuit shown. Checking
each circuit in an organized manner is the fastest and easiest way to complete the project.
Now you’re ready to begin this part of your project. Carefully study the wiring diagrams shown in Figures 8 through
12. At least one NEC violation is shown in each diagram. Identify and describe each violation. You’ll also need to
indicate which article of the NEC is involved in the violation.
To be sure that you understand how this exercise works, one example has been completed for you. Figure 8 shows
a typical residential bathroom. As you can see in the figure, the outlet receptacle next to the basin isn’t GFCIprotected. This is a violation of the NEC. (Article 210.8(A)(1) indicates that all electrical outlets in bathroom areas
must have GFCI protection.) So, you would describe the problem as shown for Part 1 of Question 40.
Question 40
Review the figures, note all NEC violations in each one, and determine which NEC article has been violated.
Organize your answers into a table like the one shown here. Note that the first part has been completed as an
example.
Question Part
Description of the NEC Violation
NEC Article Violated
Part 1
Outlet not GFCI-protected
Article 210.8(A)(1)
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 1
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FIGURE 8—This figure
was used to answer Part 1 in the table.
Part 2
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FIGURE 9—Use this
figure to answer Part 2 in the table.
Part 3
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FIGURE 10—Use this
figure to answer Part 3 in the table.
Part 4
FIGURE 11—Use this
figure to answer Part 4 in the table.
Part 5
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FIGURE 12—Use this
figure to answer Part 5 in the table.
To submit your project, click the button below.
Submit Assignment
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