On November 7, 2005 the New Jersey Division Of Codes And Standards, Department of Community Affairs published in the New Jersey Register rule changes for the Uniform Construction Code, Electrical Subcode. Interested persons may submit written comments by January 6, 2006, to:

Michael L. Ticktin, Esq.
Chief, Legislative Analysis
Department of Community Affairs
P.O. Box 802
Trenton, NJ 08625-0802
Fax Number: (609) 633-6729
E-mail: mticktin@dca.state.nj.us

The current amendments and the proposed changes are as follows: (Underline text indicate a change, deletions are indicated by strikethrough and modified or new text is indicated by bold text.)

5:23-3.16 ELECTRICAL SUBCODE
(a) Rules concerning the subcode adopted are as follows:
1. Pursuant to authority of P.L. 1975, c. 217, as modified by P.L. 1996, c.53, the Commissioner hereby adopts the model code of the National Fire Protection Association, known as "The National Electrical Code 2002 2005" as the electrical subcode for New Jersey.

i. (No change.) Copies of the code may be obtained from the sponsors at NFPA, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269.

2. The National Electrical Code 2002 2005may be known and cited as "the electrical subcode."

i. Codes and standards referenced in the Fine Print Notes (FPNs) of the electrical subcode (NEC 2002 2005) shall be considered adopted by reference to the extent prescribed by each related section. These codes and standards also are printed in DCA Bulletin #03-1 #05-2, which contains a list of adopted codes and standards that are applicable to the enforcement of the electrical subcode.
3. The Commissioner hereby adopts the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2-

19972002) for the installation of area lighting facilities by an electric utility on private property on metal poles with an underground electric feed.

i. (No change.) Copies of the National Electrical Safety Code may be obtained from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. PO Box 1331, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08855-1331.

(b) The following chapters or articles of the electrical subcode are amended as follows:

1.Article 80, entitled, "Administration and Enforcement," is deleted in its entirety.

2. Article 90 of the electrical subcode, entitled "Introduction," is amended as follows:

i. Section 90.4, entitled “Enforcement”, is amended to delete in the first paragraph the phrase, “authority having jurisdiction for enforcement of the code” and substitute in lieu thereof, the term “electrical subcode official.” And add a new last sentence in the first paragraph: “Approval shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C 5:23-2.9.” Delete in the second paragraph the phrase "authority having jurisdiction" and substitute in lieu thereof the term "electrical subcode official" and add after “effective safety” the phrase "as provided in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.9." Delete in the third paragraph the phrase “authority having jurisdiction” and substitute in lieu thereof the term “electrical subcode official” and delete the phrase “by the jurisdiction” after the word “adopted.”

ii. Section 90.5, entitled “Mandatory Rules, Permissive Rules, and Explanatory Material,” is amended to add “except as outlined under N.J.A.C. 5:23- 3.16(a) 2i” after the word “Code” in line 6 under paragraph (C).

3. - 4. Renumber as 2. - 3. (No change in text.)

3.2. Chapter 1 of the electrical subcode. Article 100, entitled “Definitions”, is amended as follows:

i. (No change.) The definition of the term “approved” is amended to delete the phrase “the authority having jurisdiction” and substitute in lieu thereof, the phrase “electrical subcode official. Approval shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.7, 3.8 and 3.8A.”

ii. (No change.) The definition of  “Authority having jurisdiction” is replaced with “Unless otherwise specifically noted, the authority having jurisdiction for the Electrical Subcode shall be the Electrical Subcode Official.”

iii. (No change.) The definition of the term “building” is deleted and in lieu thereof, substitute the definition of the term “building” found in the N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.4”.

4.  3. Chapter 2 of the electrical subcode, entitled “Wiring and Protection,” is amended as follows:

i. (No change.) Section 210.12(B) of Article 210, entitled “Branch Circuits,” is amended to insert the following sentence at the end of the section, “This requirement shall be considered optional.”

5.4.Chapter 3 of the electrical subcode, entitled "Wiring Methods and Materials," is amended as follows:

i. (No change.) Section 300.4(A)(1) is amended to delete the words from “so that the edge…” on line four through “... cannot be maintained” on line six and in lieu thereof substitute “as required by the building subcode. Where the distance from the edge of the hole to the nearest edge of the wood member is less than 32 mm (1¼ in).”

ii. Section 334.12(A)(1) (2) is deleted in its entirety.

6. 5. Chapter 5 of the electrical subcode, entitled "Special Occupancies," is amended as follows:

i. (No change.) Sections 514.11(B) and 514.11(C) are amended to delete the phrase “authority having jurisdiction” and substitute in lieu thereof the phrase “fire protection subcode official.”

ii. (No change.) Part II of Article 550, entitled “Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Mobile Home Parks” comprising sections 550.11 through 550.25 is deleted. Section 550.10 shall be retained.

(1) Exception Part II is retained in its entirety in the case of mobile/manufactured homes undergoing repair, renovation, or alteration.

(A) Section 550.25 is amended to add the following sentence at the end of the section: “This requirement shall be considered optional.”

iii. In Article 551, entitled “Recreation Vehicles and Recreation Vehicle Parks,” delete from the title the words “Recreational Vehicles and.”

(1) Section 551.1 is amended to delete the phrase "within or on recreational vehicles" on line 2 4.

(2) Parts II, III, IV, and V and VI, comprising sections 551.10 20through 551.60, are deleted in their entirety, with the exception of Figure 551.46(C), which shall be retained.

iv. (No change.) The following amendments are made to Article 552, entitled “Park Trailers":

(1) Parts II and III comprising sections 552.10 through 552.20 are deleted in their entirety.
(2) Part IV comprising sections 552.40 through 552.59 is deleted with the exception of sections 552.43, 552.44 and 552.47, which shall be retained.
(3) Part V is deleted in its entirety.

6. Annex G of the electrical subcode, entitled “Administration and Enforcement,” is deleted in its entirety.

Contact: Gil Moniz, gmoniznema@verizon.net.