Marcia Hultman

Cabinet Secretary

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South Dakota Electrical Commission

Tool Box - Resources for Electricians

2020 Code Adoption with Exceptions

Machinery Policy

Calculators and Mobile App Links

National Electrical Code Guidance

Common Violations

Thermal Barrier Reference Document

Grounding Electrode Systems

Changing Services

2020 Code Adoption with Exceptions Takes Effect July 1, 2020

The four new exceptions to NEC 2020 are summarized as follows:
       1.   210.8 (F) GFCI for AC units
       2.   230.67 Surge protection
       3.   210.8 (A) GFCI for 250 Volt (Guidance: reverts to 2017 verbiage)
       4.   406.9 (C) Bathroom GFCI (Guidance: reverts to 2017 verbiage)

View Adopted Code with Exceptions

Machinery Policy

Machinery Designation Application

Calculators and Mobile App Links

Available Fault Current Calculator Mobile App (from Eaton)

Free resources from Mike Holt

Code Guidance

The following are provided as a courtesy because they are commonly referenced electrical wiring codes from South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) and National Electrical Codes.

110.11 Structure status before a RI will be conducted:

Windows/Doors installed, or openings enclosed with plywood, tarps or Tyvek.
Structure wrapped in Tyvek or similar material.
Shingles, tin, steel, or other permanent roofing material installed (tar paper does not satisfy this requirement).
Soffits installed or soffit area enclosed.

Note: Entire installation is required to be visible at time of rough in inspection unless previous arrangements have been made with inspector prior to inspection. (Note: Installations will not receive rough in inspected approval if covered with insulation, foam, and/or finishing materials.)
Note: Enclosures for windows, doors, and soffits which protect the installation from the elements are acceptable.

Approved roofing underlayment as of Aug. 3, 2020:
       1.   Frost Guard self-adhesive
       2.   Leak Barrier PS200 Ice and Water Armor
       3.   Grace Ice and Water Shield
       4.   The Zip system
       5.   Atlas Weather Master Ice and Water
       6.   Titanium UDL 30
       7.   Epilay Protectite Superior

Please note the approved methods will be denied when installed outside of the temperature requirements per the listing.

110.21 Markings – approved for utilization

Indoors – Vinyl, engraved, or paper.
Outdoors – Vinyl or engraved.

110.26 (C) (2) – Installers are required to comply with the large equipment requirements when the new equipment added to the existing equipment meets the threshold.

The 6-foot rule includes the width of the equipment plus any space in between.
Door openings cannot hinder your exit. The minimum space between any extended portion of the equipment is required to be 24” from any extended portion of adjacent equipment or other structure.

210.12, Art. 100 and 90.4 - Specialty resort installations containing the 4 elements of a dwelling unit will be required to utilize AFCIs. (Permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation).
210.12 The 20 amp 120 volt laundry outlets in an unfinished area are required to be AFCI protected.
210.12 (A) - AFCI is not required for 120 volt furnace circuit.
210.12 (A) - Outlets or devices which would include switches are required to be AFCI protected.
210.23 (A) (2) - Please note manufacturer’s instructions for appliances and/or the 50 percent rule may require an appliance circuit to be dedicated.
210.52 (A) (2) (1) – Outlets below the work surface satisfy the wall space requirement.
210.52 & 20:44:22:23 If the back of a cabinet(s) is butted up to a studded wall, it is not considered an island or peninsula. Therefore, the requirements in 210.52 pertain. (Note: recommend installing a circuit to be available for future utilization where not required.)
210.52 (C) Countertop and work surfaces. Note:
- Kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room and similar areas considered kitchen.
- Bar area considered kitchen.
- Laundry room non-habitable.
210.63(A). Heating and A/C Receptacle within 25 ft. Note for inside units: The receptacle is required to be at the same elevation for units with working structural platforms.
210.8 (A) (5) Define basement – Any portion of given level with a floor in direct contact with the earth is below grade level.
210.8 (A) (11) mud room entrances and front doors – Drain is damp.
210.8 GFCI and AFCI receptacles in cabinets are considered readily acceptable unless behind an appliance.
210.8 (B) & 551.71 (F) 30- and 50-amp GFCI on pedestals – No GFCI required for residential, RV park (two or more), or farmstead.
250.52 Concrete encased electrode - required to be connected to foundation or footing. Any installation which does not have the Ufer connection readily available at time of inspection will be required to supplement with a ground rod. Note: A thickened edge and a slab on grade are not considered a Ufer.
314.27 (C) A box centrally located in a habitable room is required to be fan rated. Boxes mounted on the perimeter of rooms or over islands are considered as “a location not normally acceptable for installation of ceiling fans”. Therefore those locations will not be required to have fan rated boxes.
334.30 Requires the wiring to be located on the face of the girts, furthest from any wall coverings in pole barns to maintain the 1.25" spacing required in 300.4 (D).
NEC 334.30 requires the NM cable strapped every 4 ½’ and within 12” of a box. This includes the top side of the trusses when crossing perpendicular.
**Note** Non-insulated metal staples are NOT allowed in South Dakota for the strapping of NM cable and must follow all limitations of the number of cables listed in the manufacturer’s instructions.
400.10, 400.12, 422.31 (B) Dryer cords are not an allowable method for water heater disconnects.
445.13 - The exception clarifies generators with breakers can be derated at 100 percent.
517 Chiropractor Office – Human medical would include chiropractor.
590 - All temporary power receptacles require GFCI protection.
680.42 (C) The NEC now allows NM cable to be installed between the service panel and the breaker disconnect for the outdoor hot tub.
702.4 (B) (2) - Utilize this article when sizing a generator utilizing an automatic transfer switch.
Shunt trip breakers for "Machine Roomless" passenger elevators may be located in the elevator or in the building machine room
Mini-split cable EC or HVAC installer – HVAC may install (listed assembly) yet required to follow manufacturer’s instructions
GFCI Maximum Height — All GFCIs are required to be readily accessible at a maximum height of 6 foot 7 inches.

Common Violations

Wiring Bulletin - Grounding electrode conductor must terminate at the neutral bar in the service.
NEC 110.24 requires service equipment in other than dwelling units to have the available fault current labeled. The label shall have the date the calculation was figured and shall be able to withstand the environment involved.
Size over current protection per name plate on equipment. Example: air conditioner.
NEC 406 Install weather resistant receptacles.
NEC 408.4 - Labeling breakers

Utility Equipment

Utility owned equipment cannot be utilized to satisfy or comply with NEC.

Exception: Emergency disconnects

Utility supplied (landowner owned) meter mains are not subject to 230.71(B).

Changing Services

Current service locations are not grandfathered
110.26 – Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of equipment.
210.12 If circuits are modified, replaced or extended over six feet, AFCI protection is required.
230.85 Disconnect is required on a service change out.

A meter replacement is not considered altering the load side.Permit/inspection required.
A disconnect may be before or after the meter.
A utility disconnect does satisfy the requirement.

Required to be on site of installation
Required to be within a line of sight of the structure at time of installation
Note: line of sight does not limit the number of feet from structure.

S.D. Wiring Bulletin - Service conductors extending over five feet in a building could be run in rigid metal conduit up to 15 feet.
240.24(f) Services cannot be located in stairways, bathrooms, clothes closets, etc.

Documentation of Rough in Process

Rough in inspection with corrections – yellow sticker
Rough in inspection approved – adhere blue sticker. (Yellow sticker removed or blue sticker adhered over yellow sticker.)