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National Electrical Code Top Ten Tips: Article 426, De-icing and Snow-melting equipment

Please note, we do quote from copyrighted material. While the NFPA does allow such quotes, it does so only for the purposes of education regarding the National Electrical Code. This article is not a substitute for the NEC.

These are the 10 NEC Article 426 items we deem most important, based on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

  1. It doesn't matter if these systems are embedded or exposed. If it's an electrically energized heating system used for melting snow or ice, it must comply with Article 426.
     
  2. Article 426 recognizes three kinds of heating systems: Impedance, resistance, and skin-effect.
     
  3. If you use any cord-and-plug equipment, it must also comply with Article 422.
     
  4. Don't apply load diversity or similar factors to equipment covered by Article 426. You must consider all such equipment to be a continuous load.
     
  5. Keep protection as a foremost thought. Protect the equipment from damage, and protect people from thermal burns and electric shock by using the proper installation techniques.
     
  6. General requirements are in Part I.
     
  7. General installation requirements are in Part II.
     
  8. You'll find the specific requirements for Resistance, Impedance, and Skin-effect type elements in Parts III, IV, and V, respectively. While these have similarities, don't apply the wrong Part to the system in question.
     
  9. Part VI, titled, "Control and Protection," is chiefly concerned with the disconnecting means.
     
  10. Ensure your controllers conform to 426.51 and your provide overcurrent protection in conformance with 426.52.

 

 

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How the NEC is arranged

  1. The first four Chapters of the NEC apply to all installations.
  2. Article 90 precedes Chapter One, and establishes the authority of the NEC.
  3. Article 80 follows the body of the NEC; it exists as Annex H. It provides the requirements for administration.
  4. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are the "special" chapters, covering special: occupancies, equipment, and conditions (in that order).
  5. Chapter 8 provides the requirements for communications systems.
  6. Chapter 9 provides tables.
  7. The appendices provide mostly reference information.
  8. Appendix D contains examples that every NEC user should study.

 

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