----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Axtell" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 2:24 PM Subject: Re: [OT] Online supplier of US domestic wiring components. > Yes, the code is different here. You can get very far by buying parts > from WW Grainger thru the web. > I suggest you get a late copy of National Electrical Code. > > Over here in the colonies, the local electrical inspector insists that > electrical wiring be inspected by > the local entity (state/county or state/city). Some governents insist > that only licensed electrical > contractors install such items; it depends on the location. Los Angeles > is extremely stringent, and > even requires plenum wiring for CAT5!. Obviously a "local" inspector is going to be an issue for a "mobile" lab. I suggest, as others have mentioned, that you get the most recent version of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and design to that. Depending on how "industrial" your lab is, and how "mobile" it is, you may or may not have issues. If you are building your lab into a travel trailer, recreational vehicle or mobile home, then there are another whole set of requirements to be met. Fortunately, IIRC, these requirements are all National without and state-specific or locality-specific silliness. As an example of the silliness: I live in Tonawanda, a close suburb of Buffalo, NY (about 3 miles from the city line). I can do any amount of electrical work I want on my own house, subject only to the inspection of a town official. For example, I replaced the main service (breaker) panel on a prior house and ran a 100A 220V underground feeder to an outbuilding for my woodshop. It cost me about $75 for the permit (which covers the cost of the inspections). Oh, and by the way, the inspector is only too happy to give you suggestions and help you get the job right the first time. I can use low-cost materials like romex cable (plastic coated 12-2 w/ground, 12-3 w/ground, etc). Even commercial construction can use these low-cost (and perfectly safe) materials. In Buffalo itself, legally you have to hire a licensed electrician ($$$) to change a wall outlet. (At least you can change your own lightbulbs!). In commercial work everything has to be in conduit or BX cable (non-rigid metallic sheathed cable). Our Church, which is located in Buffalo, is paying about $300.00 to have two fluorescent fixtures installed (shop light type) and wired to a switch. Again, this work has to be done by a licensed electrician, using conduit or BX! What a racket! Bob Ammerman RAm Systems -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist