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90.2 Scope
NEC Generator • The installation of electrical

Primer conductors, equipment and raceways

for: Article 445
Rules on the installation of
– public and private premises
–Conductors and equipment that
Generators
generators and transfer connect to the supply of electricity
switches • Generators and transfer switches are
1
equipment 2 3

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445.10 430.14
• Generators shall be of a type • Generators shall be located such
suitable for the locations in which that:
they are installed.
–Adequate ventilation can be
• They also shall satisfy 430.14 provided
–Maintenance can be readily
accomplished
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445.11
• Generators to have a nameplate giving:
– Manufacturer
– Frequency, PF and phases
– Subtransient and transient impedances
– Rating in kW or kVA
– Voltage and ampere rating and rpm
– Insulation system class
– Rated ambient temperature or temperature rise
– Time rating
6
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7 8 9

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Generator Rating Definitions

Standby Rating: Applicable for supplying emergency
power for the duration of normal power interruption. No
sustained overload capability is available for this rating.

Prime (Unlimited Running Time) Rating: Applicable

for supplying power in lieu of commercially purchased
power. Prime power is the maximum power available at
a variable load for an unlimited number of hours. A 10%
overload capability is available for limited time.

Base Load (Continuous) Rating: Applicable for

supplying power continuously to a constant load up to
the full output rating for unlimited hours. No sustained
overload capability is available for this rating.
10 11 12

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445.12 Overcurrent Protection

• (A) Constant voltage generators shall be
protected from overload by
– Inherent design
– Circuit breakers
– Fuses
– Protective relays
– Other identified means suitable for the
conditions of use
13 14 15

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Overcurrent
• Definition:
–Any current in excess of the rated
current of equipment or the
ampacity of a conductor. It may
result from overload, short circuit
or ground fault.
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240.21 Overcurrent Protection,
Location in Circuit
• (G) Conductors from Generator
Terminals.
• Conductors from generator terminals
that meet the size requirement in 445.13
shall be permitted to be protected
against overload by the generator
overload protective device(s) required by
445.12
17 18
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445.13 Ampacity of Conductors

• Shall be 115% of the nameplate
current rating
• It is permitted to derate neutral per
220.61 for the maximum unbalanced
load
• Conductors that carry ground fault
currents shall not be smaller than
required by 250.30(A) 19 20 21

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445.18 Disconnecting Means Required

for Generators
• Generators shall be equipped with
disconnect(s), lockable in the open position to
disconnect entirely the generator and all
protective devices and control apparatus
• Exceptions:
– If the driving means can be readily shut down, and
– If the generator is not arranged to operate in
parallel with another generator or other source of
power.
22 23 24

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700.10 Wiring,
Emergency System
• (B) wiring from an emergency
source to emergency loads shall
be kept entirely independent of
all other loads with some
exceptions
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2009 IBC Chapter 27, Electrical
• Emergency loads:
– Egress lighting
– Exit signs
– Voice alarm communications in places of
assembly
– Semiconductor fabrication facilities
– High-rise and underground buildings
– Prisons and jails
– Storage or manufacture of:
• Hazardous material
• Highly toxic material
26 27
• Pyrophoric materials
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Emergency and Legally Required

Standby Electrical Power Sources
• NFPA 110
– Referenced by Informational Note in 445.1
– Referenced by IBC 2702.1 (required to be used)
– Requires a remote manual stop station
• Located outside the room housing the prime mover
– Requires an audible alarm
– Requires battery powered emergency lighting
– Requires an initial acceptance test with AHJ
– Prime movers to comply with NFPA 37
NFPA 37 NFPA’s opinion
• Engine rooms located within structures to • A generator is considered a source of
have minimum 1 hour walls, floor and ceiling. ignition as it contains an internal combustion
• Engines on roofs shall be minimum 5 feet from engine.
openings and any combustible structures or
walls.
• Engines located outdoors shall be a minimum
5 feet from openings and any combustible
structures or walls.

28 29 30

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Clearances from Propane Clearances from propane

• Is a propane optional standby generator considered • How far from the generator should the relief
a source of ignition at a residential dwelling? valve be installed?
• ANSWER: YES • ANSWER: See answer #2
• If the propane generator is considered a source of • What is the distance that the propane generator
ignition, how far from the generator should the gas should be located from the propane tank?
regulator be installed? • ANSWER: 10 Feet
• ANSWER: The issue is not the regulator location but •
the discharge from the regulator which needs to be • JOHN DOUCETTE
5 feet from a source of ignition. • OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Photo Contributed by Joseph Summers
31 32 33

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Clearances from air intake
• IRC 303.4.1 and IMC 401.4.1 require
a clearance of 2 feet above any
mechanical air intake opening within
10 feet of the exhaust pipe discharge
• Includes windows that open, fresh
air and combustion air intakes
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2011 NEC 445.19 Generators
Supplying Multiple Loads
• Shall be permitted to supply either:
–A vertical switchboard with separate
sections
–Individual enclosures with overcurrent
protection tapped from a single feeder
for load separation and distribution if
provided with OC protection.
35 36
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Article 702 Optional

Standby Systems

37 38 39

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702.1 Scope
• The systems covered by Article 702
consist of those that are
permanently installed, including
prime movers, and those that are
arranged for a connection to a
premises wiring system from a
portable alternate power supply.
40 41 42

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702.1 Scope
• A portable generator used for
temporary power, like those used on
construction sites, doesn't fall within
the scope of Article 702 unless the
generator is connected to the
premises wiring.
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702.2 Definition
• Optional Standby Systems.
Optional standby systems are
intended to supply power to
public or private facilities or
property where life safety doesn't
depend on the performance of
the system.
44 45
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702.2 Definition 702.2 Definition 2009 IBC Chapter 27, Electrical

• Optional standby systems typically
provide electric power for processes
that, when stopped could cause
discomfort, economic loss, serious
interruption of the process, or
damage to the product or process.
• Can be either manual or
automatic, selected, partial or
total loads.
• Lists when Emergency and Legally
required standby systems are
required
• All other systems are optional
standby

46 47 48

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2011 NEC 702.4 Capacity and
Rating
• An optional standby system must
have adequate capacity to carry
safely all loads that are expected
to operate simultaneously.
• The user of the optional standby
system can select the loads
connected to the system.
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2011 NEC HANDBOOK
• “The standby source must have the
capacity to supply all of the loads
connected to it, unless an automatic load
management system is used to ensure
that the transferred load does not
overload the source. This requirement
applies only to systems where the
switching between power sources occurs
Choose the loads straight from the panel
50
automatically.” 51
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2011 NEC Section 705.4

• If an automatic transfer switch is
used:
–Standby source must be capable of
handling the full load to be transferred,
OR
–An automatic load shedding capability
shall be installed to limit the load to
that the standby source can handle
52 53 54

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702.4
702.5 Transfer Equipment
• Equipment shall be suitable for
the intended use
• A transfer switch is required for
all fixed or portable optional
standby power systems.

55 56 57

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702.5 Transfer Equipment 702.10 Wiring

• Ex: Transfer switch not required for temporary • The optional standby system
connection, where written safety procedures
and conditions of maintenance and wiring can occupy the same
supervision ensure that only qualified persons
will service the installation if:
raceways, cables, boxes, and
 The normal supply is physically isolated by a cabinets with other general
lockable disconnecting means or wiring.
 The normal supply conductors are
disconnected.

58 59 60

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702.11 Portable Generators

• When the portable generator is a
separately derived system, the
generator(s) must be grounded
and bonded in accordance with
250.30.

61 62 63

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702.12 Outdoor Generator Sets

• Where an outdoor-housed generator is
equipped with a readily accessible
disconnecting means that is located Article 250 on Grounding
within sight of the building or structure,
an additional disconnecting means isn't
Generators
required for the generator feeder
conductors that serve or pass through
the building or structure.
64 65 66

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250.34(A) Portable Generators
• Frames are not required to be connected
to a grounding electrode if:
– Only cord connected equipment is
energized, or
– Only generator mounted equipment is
energized, or both, and
– The non-current carrying metal parts and
the grounding terminals of receptacles are
connected to the frame
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250.34(B) Vehicle-mounted
• Vehicle frame not required to be
connected to a grounding electrode if:
– Frame of generator is bonded to the vehicle
frame, and
– Only equipment on the vehicle or cord
connected loads are energized, and
– The non-current carrying metal parts and
the grounding terminals of receptacles are
connected to the frame
68 69
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250.34(C) Grounded Conductor

Bonding
• With both portable and vehicle
mounted generators:
–A system conductor (i.e. neutral) is
required to be grounded. It shall be
connected to the generator frame
where the generator is a component of
a separately derived system

70 71 72

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250.30 Grounding Separately Derived

AC Systems
• In addition to 250.30(A), grounded systems shall
also comply with 250.20, 250.21, 250.22 and
250.26
– 250.20 tells which systems must be grounded
– 250.21 tells which systems might not be grounded
– 250.22 tells which circuits must not be grounded
– 250.26 tells which conductor must be grounded
• With most voltages over 50 volts and most
systems, the neutral is the conductor to be
grounded
73
Article 100 - Definitions
• The definition of a “Separately Derived System” was amended
and simplified for clarity
• Separately Derived System. A premises wiring system whose
power is derived from a source of electric energy or
equipment other than a service
• Such systems have no direct electrical connection from circuit
conductors of one system to circuit conductors of another
system, other than connections through the earth, metal
enclosures, metallic raceways, or equipment grounding
conductors including a solidly connected grounded circuit
conductor, to supply conductors originating in another system
74
250.20(B) AC Systems to be grounded
• 240/120 volt systems that supply premises wiring
are required to be grounded.
– Neutral is required to be grounded
• Article 100: Grounded
– Connected to ground or to a conductive body that
extends the ground connection.
– If the generator neutral is not bonded to the frame it
is not a separately derived system
– The service GES provides the “conductive body that
extends the ground connection”.
75

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250.30(A) Grounded Systems

• A separately derived system shall
have:
–An unspliced system bonding
jumper which shall be connected
at any point from the source to the
first disconnecting means
Please note no
generator frame
76 77 78
ground connection

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CONDITIONS WHERE GROUNDING THE GENERATOR

FRAME TO GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM IS
REQUIRED:
• 1. The generator is not part of a separately derived
system, OR
• 2. It has its neutral conductor solidly interconnected
to a service-supplied system neutral, OR
• 3. It supplies auxiliary power output (115 volts AC /
230 volts AC) by means other than cord-and-plug
connection through receptacles mounted on the
generator, such as connections to internal terminals
Please note generator on the generator—hard wired (see equipment
frame grounding Owner’s Manual for grounding instructions).
79 80 81
connection

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CONDITIONS WHERE GROUNDING THE GENERATOR

FRAME TO A GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM IS
NOT REQUIRED:
• 1. The generator has auxiliary power output (115
volts AC or 230 volts AC) and the generator
receptacles have a ground pin outlet available for the
equipment that plugs into the receptacle, AND
• 2. The generator is portable or mounted on a truck
or trailer, AND
• 3. The auxiliary power is used by cord-and plug-
connection means through receptacles mounted on
the generator, AND
• 4. The generator is mounted on a vehicle and the
generator frame is bonded to the vehicle frame. 82
The decision is based on what
you do with your auxiliary power:
• If you just plug equipment into the
receptacles, connection to the vehicle frame is
fine.
• If you hard wire the auxiliary power into Article 225 on Generators
another electrical system, then you must
connect the generator frame to a grounding
electrode system
83 84

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225.30 Number of Supplies
• (A) Special Conditions. Additional
feeders shall be permitted for:
– Fire pumps
– Emergency systems
– Legally required standby systems
– Optional standby systems
– Parallel power production systems
– Multiple sources of supply
85
225.31 Disconnecting Means
• Means shall be provided to
disconnect all ungrounded
conductors that supply or pass
through the building or structure
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225.32 Location
• The disconnecting means shall be
installed at a readily accessible
location nearest the point of
entrance of the conductors.
87
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225.36 Suitable for Service Disconnect 225.37 Identification

• The disconnecting means • A permanent plaque or directory

specified in 225.31 shall be shall be installed at each disconnect
suitable for use as service location denoting all other services, Article 230 on Generators
equipment. feeders or branch circuits supplying
that building or structure

88 89 90

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230.2 Number of Services 230.66 Marking 100 Definition Service Equipment

• (E) Identification • Service equipment shall be marked • The necessary equipment connected
–Where a building is supplied by a to identify it as being suitable for use to the load end of service conductors
combination of feeders and services, a as service equipment. All service to a building or structure
permanent plaque or directory shall be equipment shall be listed.
installed at each service disconnect
location denoting all other sources
supplying the building or structure

91 92 93

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230.82 Equipment Connected to the

Supply Side of Service Disconnect Official Word

• Only the following equipment is allowed:
• (3) Meter disconnect switches with short
circuit ratings equal to or greater than
the available short-circuit rating
• The Generlink has been approved
for use jointly by the CT DCP and
Connecticut Light and Power.
• There are rules:

94 95 96

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230.82 Equipment Connected to the

CL and P rules for Generlink
• Home owners are suggested to have a EC do the
work
• OR must do paperwork to disconnect power
• get inspection approved
• and then arrange for a reconnection of power
• Pre-approved EC allowed to remove and put meter
back in after install.
• Must have permit and CSR prior to installation
• Inspector has nothing to see when installed
– Only the paper trail
– Suggest electrical contractor take pictures
97
Supply Side of Service Disconnect
• Only the following equipment is allowed:
• (5) Taps used only to supply…….circuits for standby
power systems…
– If provided with service equipment and installed in
accordance with requirements for service entrance
conductors.
• Standby power systems are allowed to be
connected ahead of the normal service
disconnecting means only if it is provided with a
separate disconnecting means and overcurrent
protection.
TS Connected Ahead of Main
• Must be listed and marked as “suitable for use
as service equipment” (230.66)
• Must match ampacity and voltage of service
(230.90)
• Must be adequate for available fault current
(110.9)
• Service ends at first disconnect on building
– Grounding of grounded conductor must occur on
the line side of or in same enclosure as disconnect
(250.24(A)(1), 230.71(A))
98 99

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705.130 Overcurrent Protection 705.143 Synchronous Generators

Article 705 Interconnected • Conductors to be protected per • Parallel production generators

Article 240 shall have the necessary
Electric Power Production • Equipment and conductors to have equipment to establish and
Sources OC protection to protect from all maintain a synchronous
Part III Generators sources condition.
• Generators to be protected per
445.12
100 101 102

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103 104

35