Ken Stella
Inside Sales (Wilkes Barre)
Phone: 570-825-9591

The 2008 National Electrical Code is available both in the NEC soft cover and the 2008 NEC Handbook.

Now for the confusing part, The National Electrical Code is on a 3 year cycle, the latest being 2008. The state of PA has adopted the Uniform Commercial Code which has been in effect for a few years. The Uniform Commercial Code uses the National Electrical Code and the International Residential Code for electrical installation compliance.

Currently the state of PA has adopted the 2006 International Residential Code and last year the 2005 National Electrical Code.

As of January 1, 2008 the following requirements are effective:

• The requirement for a disconnecting means for fluorescent luminaries that utilize double ended lamps and contain ballast and supplied from multi wire branch circuits that can be serviced in place and installed in other than dwellings and associated structures.
• The requirement for all branch circuits that supply 120 volt single phase 15 and 20 AMP outlets installed in bedrooms shall be protected by a combination type arc fault interrupter. This affects all electrical applications made after January 1, 2008.

Now let’s try to simplify. The first requirement generally means you will have to install a disconnecting means in fluorescent fixtures in other than dwelling units that contain ballast that can be serviced in place. Ideal Industries makes a device for this installation, part #30-372. * Note: The device has to disconnect all conductors including the grounded conductor.