§ 14.292. Amendments.

The following rules take precedence over and supersede any portion of the electrical code adopted in section 14.002 where conflicts occur:

(1)

The following minimum wire sizes shall be used for the type of circuit indicated:

a.

No branch circuit will have wire smaller than #12 AWG. This does not prohibit smaller wire sizes for circuits 90 volts and lower or for control circuits.

b.

Built-in ovens shall have a minimum wire size of #10 AWG copper.

c.

Ranges shall have a minimum wire size of #8 AWG copper or equivalent aluminum.

d.

Window air conditioners shall have a minimum wire size of #10 AWG copper.

e.

Water heaters shall have a minimum wire size of #10 AWG copper.

(2)

No aluminum wire smaller than #6 AWG will be used.

(3)

No copper-clad wire will be used.

(4)

Certain wiring methods permitted under the NEC are not allowed, except where existing prior to adoption of this article, specifically:

a.

Article 398—Open Wire On Insulators.

b.

Article 394—Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring.

c.

Article 320—Armored Cable.

(5)

Nonmetallic-sheathed cable (Article 334) is permitted to be used only in dwellings, as defined in article 100. These cable types will not be used in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts with more than two rental sleeping rooms, rooming houses with more than two tenant sleeping rooms, fraternity and sorority houses, or buildings located in the central business area district as defined in chapter 114 pertaining to zoning.

(6)

In residences, the following additional rules apply:

a.

Separate dedicated branch circuits shall be provided for each refrigerator, dishwasher, and garbage disposal unit. These appliances shall be cord connected, and the garbage disposal shall be switched by a snap switch located above or adjacent to the kitchen sink. The dishwasher circuit will have no other outlets on the circuit.

b.

Where provisions are made for a microwave oven, a separate branch circuit is required, and no other outlet will be on the circuit.

c.

No more than twelve (12) outlets will be installed per circuit serving general lighting circuits. No more than six (6) outlets will be installed on each GFCI circuit. Outlets serving the small appliance branch circuit for counter tops are limited to three (3) outlets per circuit.

(7)

Reserved.

(8)

Portable or temporary project offices or trailers will be allowed to be wired in type NM, NMC, or NMS cable during the construction phase of a project. However, the structure shall be removed prior to a certificate of occupancy is issued for the building under construction.

(9)

Pre-manufactured portable offices or trailers are allowed to be wired in type NM, NMC or NMS cable, provided they are used as temporary buildings only. To be so considered, they may not be placed on permanent foundations or have the transport undercarriage removed or have the foundation enclosed to give a permanent appearance.

(10)

All services shall have disconnecting means located outside of the building served.

(11)

Electrical metallic tubing (article 358) will not be installed in concrete.

(12)

Overhead service entrance conductors shall be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. Service entrance cable (article 338) will not be authorized unless protected by approved conduit. If the service entrance conduit is a service mast, only two-inch or larger rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit will be used.

(13)

A minimum of one grounding conductor, sized according to the NEC, will be installed in any field-installed electrical conduit. This requirement is in addition to those prescribed by article 250.64.

(14)

Flexible metal conduit (article 348) will not be used in wet locations.

(15)

Color coding of conductors. Color coding of conductors will be as follows, with the exception of control circuits other than switches:

Single phase 120/240 volt wiring systems

A	B	N
Red	Black	White

 

Three phase four wire 120/208 volt wiring systems

A	B	C	N
Red	Black	Blue	White

 

Three phase three and four wire 120/240 volt delta wiring systems

A	B	C	N
Red	Orange	Black	White

 

277/480 volt or 480 volt delta wiring systems

A	B	C	N
Brown	Yellow	Purple	Gray/White with 1 or more colored stripes

 

(16)

Every light pole ten feet above adjacent grade shall have an eight-foot ground rod.

(17)

Labeling:

a.

Meter sockets shall be labeled with the business address, house number, apartment number, lot number or duplex number of the unit to which the meter socket is connected.

b.

At the time of final inspection, the meter sockets shall be labeled with permanent labels that are of such a quality that the readability of the labels will not be affected by the environment. A list of acceptable marking and labeling devices is available at the San Marcos Electrical Utility Department.

(18)

Reserved.

(19)

The service mast shall have at least two points of attachment to the building. One point of attachment must be within twelve (12) inches of the service equipment. The service equipment may not be used to meet this requirement.

( Ord. No. 2015-21, § 1, 7-7-15 )