§ 5-46. Wiring to be encased in conduit.

All electrical wiring for light, heat, power or other purposes hereafter installed in the city, as respectively described in the following subsections, shall in all cases be contained and encased in approved metallic conduit, viz.:

(a)

All wiring is to be encased in all commercial (C), retail (R), industrial (I) and office (O) zonings and in any residential structure over three (3) floors in height.

(b)

Wiring for decorative lighting and window displays; provided, however, the electrical inspector may grant permission for a period not to exceed ten (10) days for temporary decorative or window displays to be installed with open wiring, after which period such installation shall be removed. The inspector may, however, grant an extension of ten (10) days after inspection of temporary wiring, if found safe.

(c)

All electrical wiring in buildings known in the building trade as "fireproof" or "slow-burning" construction.

(d)

All garden-type apartment houses shall be wired so as to provide separate metering, fuses and disconnects for each apartment or at the option of the owner may use the main disconnect or fuse and be contained and encased in approved metallic or other approved conduit.

(e)

All electrical wiring in grain elevators or places used for the storage of gasoline or other readily inflammable materials, machine shops, freight houses and in other commercial buildings where electrical energy is used to operate machines or appliances for profit; provided, this shall not include any electrical device or equipment used exclusively for household purposes.

(f)

Wiring incidental to the installation of electrical motors where such motors are ½ horsepower or more, the conduit shall come flush with the side of the motor and be equipped with an approved fitting; window air conditioners may be plugged into a socket with an approved cord and receptacle.

(g)

In residences, all service entrance installations from entrance to meter sockets shall be in conduit or approved service entrance cable with approved fittings. All meter sockets shall be grounded in an approved manner. All service entrance wires not enclosed in conduit will be fused within ten (10) feet of entrance.

(h)

All supply wiring for electrical and neon signs as follows: All transformers will be installed in a metal encased box grounded in a proper and approved manner, except within metal enclosed signs all concealed high tension wires will be enclosed in glass tubing or equivalent and all joints in tubing will be covered in sleeves of glass; all connection in wire will have approved connectors for the voltage upon which they work.

All wiring installed in conduit underground or in concrete slabs or other masonry in direct contact with moist earth or in other permanently moist locations where subject to condensation or moisture, the conductors shall be of the type specifically approved for this purpose.

Armored cable, known to the electrical trade as "MC," will not be approved for use as metallic conduit in any new buildings, and will only be approved when it is impossible to install other types of approved conduits in buildings already constructed.

Any approved flex wiring method (MC cable) in new construction and remodels shall not exceed eight (8) feet after entry into ceiling area.

MC cable may also be used to loop light fixtures, provided proper strapping is in accordance with National Electric Code.

Flexible conduit may be used if in accordance with National Electric Code.

(Ord. No. O-31-07, 8-13-07)