ELECTRICAL INFORMATION
One-Family Residential

BOXES

Switch, receptacle, and fixture boxes shall be of sufficient size to provide free space for all the conductors according to this table.

#14 Wire 2.0 Cubic inches for each wire
#12 Wire 2.25 Cubic inches for each wire
#10 Wire 2.5 Cubic inches for each wire
# 8 Wire 3.0 Cubic inches for each wire

Cable clamps and spliced grounding conductors reduce the number of conductors in the box by one each. Each receptacle or switch reduces conductors in the box by two each.

All junction boxes shall be so installed that the wiring contained in them can be accessible without removing any part of the building.

In walls or ceilings constructed of wood or other combustible material, outlet boxes and fittings shall be flush with the finished surface.

Grounding continuity between a grounded metallic outlet box and the grounding circuit of the receptacle shall be established by means of a bonding jumper between the box and the receptacle grounding terminal.

CABLES

Where exposed or concealed cables are installed through bored holes in studs, joists, or other wood members, holes shall be bored at the approximate centers or at least 1-1/4 inches from the nearest edge. Where this is not possible, a steel plate at least 1/16 inch in thickness shall cover the cables for protection against the driving of nails into them. Cables shall be fastened to the surface every 4-1/2 feet and within 12 inches of each box, when secured to that box.

Where romex is used with single gang non-metallic boxes, the cable should be stapled within 8 inches of the box.

Raceways and cable assemblies shall be continuous from outlet box to outlet box. (No open splices)

At least 6 inches of free conductor shall be left at each outlet and switch point for making of joints or the connection of fixtures and devices.

All conductors shall be spliced or joined with approved splicing devices, including the bare grounding wires.

Cables should not be run in the hollow spaces used as ducts for cold air returns except for short straight through runs.

Cables shall either be run through bored holes in joists or on running boards.

In unfinished basements, it is permissible to secure cables not smaller than #8 directly to the lower edges of the joists.

UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS

All conductors, whether direct burial or in a raceway, must be approved for a wet location.

PVC conduit shall be a minimum depth of 18 inches.

Direct buried cables of a residential branch circuit rated 20 amps or less shall be 12 inches deep, when protected by G.F.C.I. protection. All other direct buried cables to be 24 inches deep.

CIRCUITS

For the small appliance load in kitchen, dining room and breakfast room, two or more 20-amp circuits shall be provided for all receptacle outlets in these rooms and such circuits shall have no other outlets or lighting. At least two appliance circuits shall serve the kitchen counter with G.F.C.I. protection required for all counter top receptacles. At least one 20-amp circuit shall be provided for laundry receptacles. For fixed appliances (disposal-dishwasher), a separate circuit is required and shall not be counted as part of the appliance circuits required in kitchens. Bathroom receptacles to be on 20-amp circuit serving only the bathroom.

LIGHTS AND RECEPTACLES

Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than six feet, measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space, including any wall space two feet in width. In kitchen areas, a receptacle shall be installed at each counter space wider than 12 inches.

At least one wall receptacle shall be installed in the bathroom (adjacent to the basin), outdoors, in attached garages, and in each basement (in addition to the required laundry outlet).

All 120 volt 15 and 20-amp receptacles, installed in bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, and outdoors shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection.

At least one lighting outlet shall be installed in an attic, underfloor space, utility room, and basement where these spaces are used for storage, or containing equipment requiring servicing.

At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every room, hallway, stairway, attached garage and outdoor entrance. Where lighting outlets are installed in interior stairways, there shall be a wall switch at each floor level to control the lighting outlet where the difference between floor levels is six steps or more. A detached garage or auxiliary building with wiring requires a disconnecting means nearest the point of entry.

Fixtures in clothes closets are restricted to:

1. A surface mounted incandescent fixture must clear the front edge of the storage shelf by a 12 inch horizontal clearance, with a completely enclosed lamp.
2. A recessed fixture with a solid lens or a fluorescent fixture shall maintain a 6 inch horizontal clearance from the front edge of the storage shelf. The use of all recessed fixtures is restricted. Check with the Electrical Inspector before the purchase and installation of such fixtures. IC rating fixtures only.
   

SERVICE

Service conductors shall be installed to allow clearance of service drops to conform to code as follows:

1. A minimum of 12 feet above grade
2. Not less than 36 inches from windows, doors, porches, or fire escapes.
3. Consult the local utility for service locations.
4. Existing location may not be according to code.

The service switch shall be installed at the first accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the service wires, not more than 8 feet into dwelling.

Service entrance conductors must be installed in a raceway system. (That is PVC, EMT, Rigid, etc.).

Service panel must not be in a closet or bathroom.

A clear working space, 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep, is required in front of the service panel.

When available on the premises, the metal underground water pipe shall always be used as the grounding electrode. The water pipe ground shall be supplemented by two ground rods and bonded to the service entrance panel.

A bonding jumper shall be installed around the water meter to assure continuity when the meter is removed or a non-metallic one is installed.

For the grounding conductor of a wiring system, the sheet metal strap type ground clamp is not permitted.

All interior metallic water and gas piping which may become energized shall be bonded together and made electrically continuous.

The bonding requirements above are also required when the service is changed to a larger size and the grounding conductor does not meet the present code requirements.

PVC support is required within 3 feet of each outlet box, junction box, device box, conduit body, or other conduit termination. PVC support spacing is 3 feet for conduit sizes ½, ¾, and 1 inch and 5 feet for 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and 2 inch.