NEC 700.3

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TEMPORARY SOURCE OF POWER FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR OF THE ALTERNATE SOURCE OF POWER

The 2017 National Electric Code (NEC) brought in new rules that affect how emergency power systems are designed. One of these rules involves making sure that if there’s any issue with the wiring that signals the emergency generator to start up, the generator still kicks in safely.

Another rule deals with how temporary power sources connect when the emergency generator is being fixed or maintained. In this course, we’ll thoroughly explore these two rules, including exceptions, changes to the NEC, and solutions.

Section 700.3 of the NEC requires regular testing and upkeep of the emergency system, going beyond just installing it initially.

Sometimes, an emergency generator needs more than just routine maintenance. Major repairs might be necessary, requiring the generator to be out of commission for a while. This new code ensures that even during these times, the emergency system keeps working to keep building occupants safe.

To sum up, Provision 700.3(F) of the 2017 National Electrical Code mandates a fixed connection point for a mobile generator. This connection point must be installed, and a mobile generator must be ready to automatically kick in when the main generator (classified as either an emergency system or legally mandated standby system) is undergoing maintenance or repairs. Furthermore, a remote annunciator or alarm panel must be in place to provide audible and visual alerts indicating that the permanent emergency source is disconnected from the system.

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