Existing Residential Buildings and Code Upgrade

[kolodziej_m]

What is the NEC Code regarding electrical code upgrades for existing single family residential dwelling units? As an electrical contractor, I'm involved with alot of remodeling to existing buildings in the suburbs of Chicago. For example: I'm installing and upgrading to NEC Code new electrical boxes, emt, wires, devices, fixtures and circuits for a remodelled kitchen. The existing electric in the dwelling unit is from the 1950's when the building was constructed. The Chicago Code states, if the work is less than 60% of dwelling unit, the New Construction Code does not apply. Thanks, Stanley

 

[PEDRO ESCOVILLA]

the nec does not, specifically, spell out what has to happen in a remodel or a new contruction building. i suppose it wil depend on where you are, and what the local ordinaces are. here, any new work ( that is new work performed in a remodel) has to be done to current code. it just makes sense. and from an electricians perspective, holding a license, i'd be inclined to do it to code, to avoid any potential hassle later. if you don't have to follow the code, i guess you don't have to. i might be a good idea to anyway, just sayin'

 

[petersonra]

I suspect any new work will need to meet current standards in the case of a single room remodel. Having said that, getting there may well require more work than you might think. For instance, the kitchen may require more circuits than you have spaces in the existing panel board. That may mean you have to either replace it or add a sub-panel.

You might not be able to get a breaker for the old panel that is suitable to feed the new panel so may be forced to replace the old panel. Now where are you? You have touched the whole electrical system. I doubt they will make you rewire the whole house to the new code but it is possible that they look real close at the new work you did to make sure it is up to code including whatever grounding requirements now exist.

 

[kwired]

What is the NEC Code regarding electrical code upgrades for existing single family residential dwelling units? As an electrical contractor, I'm involved with alot of remodeling to existing buildings in the suburbs of Chicago. For example: I'm installing and upgrading to NEC Code new electrical boxes, emt, wires, devices, fixtures and circuits for a remodelled kitchen. The existing electric in the dwelling unit is from the 1950's when the building was constructed. The Chicago Code states, if the work is less than 60% of dwelling unit, the New Construction Code does not apply. Thanks, Stanley

Something tells me that new codes apply to any new work you do, even if you are only adding one outlet. That 60% of the unit being reworked is likely some decision line where they want you to update remainder of existing and not just what you are otherwise adding/changing.

 

[ramsy]

What is the NEC Code regarding electrical code upgrades for existing single family residential dwelling units?

Something tells me planning should specify local amendments during the permit process, unless they can't be consulted because no permit exists.

Online peanut galleries are the only source for Electrical Code requirements, when the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) refuses to issue permits to contractors without proper licensing.