SPS 316 changes to the NEC: Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician Practice Questions

Under Wisconsin's substitute wording for NEC 210.8(A), which dwelling unit receptacles in the listed locations need GFCI protection?

SPS 316.210(1)(a) substitutes wording for NEC 210.8(A) that limits the dwelling unit GFCI rule to 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in the listed locations.

Which part of a Wisconsin dwelling's basement does the GFCI requirement cover?

SPS 316.210(1)(b) substitutes wording for NEC 210.8(A)(5): GFCI applies in unfinished portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms.

When does Wisconsin require a receptacle at a kitchen island countertop?

SPS 316.210(3)(a) requires at least one receptacle at each island and peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of 24 in. or more and a short dimension of 12 in. or more; a peninsula is measured from the connected wall.

A flat island top has no way to mount a receptacle within 20 in. above it. Where does Wisconsin allow the receptacle?

SPS 316.210(3)(b)2. allows receptacles not more than 12 in. below a flat island or peninsula top with no means to mount within 20 in. above, but not where the top extends more than 6 in. beyond its support base.

How far into a Wisconsin building may a raceway with service conductors run before reaching the service disconnect?

SPS 316.230(3)(b) adds a rule to NEC 230.70(A): service raceways or cables may not extend more than 8 ft into the building to the service disconnect, measured from where they pass through the outer surface of the exterior (except as NEC 230.6 allows).

A Wisconsin service disconnect is installed outside the building it serves. Where must it be?

SPS 316.230(3)(c) requires an outside service disconnecting means to be no more than 30 ft from and within sight of the building or structure it serves (SPS 316.225 sets the same limit for feeder disconnects).

The 2023 NEC requires an outdoor emergency disconnect for one- and two-family dwelling services (NEC 230.85). What does SPS 316 do with that rule?

SPS 316.230(4) says the requirements of NEC 230.85 are not included in the Wisconsin code (SPS 316.225(3) does the same for NEC 225.41).

Under the Wisconsin substitute for NEC 230.2(B)(2), when may a building have two service drops for the same class of service?

SPS 316.230(1)(b) allows two or more drops or laterals for the same class of service if located more than 150 ft apart in a straight line and the wiring supplied by each has no common raceway or connection with any other service.

A Wisconsin service uses a single ground rod. What does SPS 316 require?

SPS 316.250 omits the exception in NEC 250.53(A)(2) and requires a single rod, pipe or plate electrode to be augmented by one additional electrode of a type in NEC 250.52(A)(4) to (A)(8).

A metal raceway is installed in a concrete slab poured on earth in Wisconsin. What else is required?

SPS 316.250(3) requires a metallic raceway in direct contact with earth, in slabs on earth or in exterior below-grade walls to be augmented with a wire-type equipment grounding conductor sized per NEC 250.122; an aluminum one must be insulated.

In Wisconsin, when do the adjustment factors of NEC Table 310.15(C)(1) not apply?

SPS 316.310 adds a rule to NEC 310.15(C)(1): the derating factors in the table do not apply to branch circuits supplying an individual dwelling unit.

How must the effluent pump of a private onsite wastewater treatment system be supplied in Wisconsin?

SPS 316.300(1)(a) requires a separate branch circuit for effluent pumps, bars connecting alarm wiring to the pump circuit, and bars a neutral common to the alarm and pump circuits (so no shared multiwire circuit).

A single receptacle at a Wisconsin septic pump chamber has the pump plugged into it. Does it need GFCI protection?

SPS 316.300(1)(b) says a single receptacle at the pump chamber with an alarm or pump connected does not need GFCI protection unless the alarm or pump manufacturer recommends or requires it.

Wisconsin adds Exception No. 4 to NEC 300.4(D). Where is the 1¼ in. setback from the framing edge not required?

SPS 316.300(2) adds an exception to NEC 300.4(D): the distance does not need to be kept within 8 in. of a device, junction box, splice or termination point.

NM cable enters a panelboard through a short nonflexible raceway sleeve. What length does Wisconsin allow for that raceway?

SPS 316.312 substitutes the intro of NEC 312.5(C) Exception No. 1: cables with entirely nonmetallic sheaths may enter through nonflexible raceways not less than 12 in. and not more than 10 ft long, with a fitting at each end to protect the cable.