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City of Seattle
Mike McGinn, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Adopts New Electrical Code: Changes Effective June 6
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/14/2009 3:15:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bryan Stevens (206) 684-5045
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Seattle Adopts New Electrical Code
Changes Effective June 6
On May 6, 2009 Mayor Nickels signed into law an ordinance adopting the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) with Seattle amendments. The effective date for the new code is June 6, 2009. After June 6, applications for electrical permits will be subject to the requirements of the 2008 NEC and Seattle amendments. Electrical projects related to a Seattle building permit will be regulated by the Electrical Code that was in effect on the date the building permit application was submitted.
Every three years the National Electrical Code is updated. Seattle then reviews and adopts the NEC with state and local amendments. The Seattle Electrical Code Supplement and National Electrical Code will be available the week of May 18 at the Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) Public Resource Center on the 20th floor of Seattle Municipal Tower. For information regarding the availability of publications at DPD please call 206-684-8467. The code will also be available soon online at: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Codes/
DPD staff suggests that if users of the electrical code have not attended a 2008 National Electrical Code Update class, they should do so at their earliest convenience.
DPD issues over 18,000 electrical permits annually, with the majority issued online or over the counter. To learn more about obtaining an electrical permit in Seattle, go to:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Permits/PermitTypes/Trade_Permits/Electrical_Permits
Highlights of changes to the electrical code
The 2008 NEC and the Seattle amendments contain significant changes. Following is a brief review of some of the key issues:
- Article 210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits: Multiwire branch circuits will now require a means that will simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors at the point where they originate. When the multiwire branch circuit is installed in raceways with other branch circuits, the multiwire branch circuits will need to be bundled with the neutral conductor for the circuit in the panelboard or other enclosure.
- 210.12 Arc Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection (AFCI): AFCI protection is now required in all dwelling unit rooms except where ground fault circuit interrupter protection (GFCI) is required. AFCI protection does not replace GFCI protection. The installer should review both article 210.8 and 210.12 to determine the correct application of the protective devices.
- 406.11 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units: Listed tamper proof receptacles are required for all 125 volt, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles in dwelling units.
The following two provisions are unique to the Seattle Electrical Code (SEC):
- Selective coordination as required by Articles 620.62, 700.27, 701.18, and 708.54 has been amended by the SEC. Fault current calculations provided by a licensed electrical engineer may be selectively coordinated for faults with a duration of 0.1 seconds or longer. The calculations will be required to be wet stamped by a licensed Washington State electrical engineer. All other calculations will be required to be calculated to infinity and will not be permitted to utilize adjustable trip breakers to achieve selective coordination.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Systems: The SEC has established provisions for the future installation of electric vehicle charging equipment. Article 625.27 has been added to establish requirements for physical space in the service equipment to install a future disconnect for electric vehicle charging. The article also requires pre-planning where the panels and charging outlets would be installed. Consideration should also be given to routing raceways to the required parking areas. Article 220.57 identifies the additional electric vehicle load calculations to be added to the service demand loads. It is anticipated at this time that electric vehicles will be available in the Seattle area as early as the fall of 2010.
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