Bonding Gas Piping
Section 250.104(B) requires gas piping to be bonded, "if it is likely to become energized." How to bond the gas pipe, where to bond it, when to bond it, and the size of the bonding jumper are all important questions.
How is the gas pipe most "likely to become energized?" -- from a branch circuit, or from the service? The size of the bonding jumper is different depending on what your answer is.
What if the manufacturer's instructions call for a larger size bonding jumper than what the 2008 NEC requires?
The problems with not bonding gas piping got more serious when Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) became more popular. There were examples of CSST being hit by lightning and developing pin holes that caused gas leaks. This caused a number of house fires. The manufacturers of CSST got together and agreed on a series of recommendations that are included in the installation instructions.
In general, the manufacturers want CSST bonded next to the meter with either a #6 AWG or #4 AWG bonding conductor. The 2008 NEC requires the bonding jumper to be terminated at the service panel and connected to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor and the grounding electrode.
Receptacle Outlets on Porches, Decks and Balconies
Section 210.52(E)(3) requires a receptacle outlet to be installed on any balcony, deck or porch if the porch is 20 sq. ft. or larger, and is accessible from inside the dwelling.
The porch or balcony receptacle is in addition to the outdoor receptacle outlets required for dwelling units. Outdoor receptacle outlets at dwelling units must be accessible from grade and a porch or balcony may not be accessible from grade.
The purpose of the new requirement is to prevent residents from running extension cords through doorways to power radios, portable lamps and other equipment.
The 2008 NEC requires the receptacle outlet to be weather resistant, GFCI protected and to have an in-use cover.
GFCI Protected Garage Receptacle Outlets
Two exceptions to 210.8(A)(2) have been deleted in the 2008 NEC. Now all receptacle outlets in garages and accessory buildings with a floor located at or below grade level, and not intended as living spaces, must be GFCI protected.
The 2005 NEC permitted exceptions for receptacles that were not accessible or that supplied appliances in dedicated space. Garage door and freezer receptacle outlets were often installed without GFCI protection and were permitted under this exception.
Two conditions have contributed to making these exceptions not necessary any longer. (1) Appliance manufacturers have greatly reduced the leakage current in their equipment that was causing GFCI's to trip when there was not a ground fault. And (2) GFCI's are now very reliable and don't often trip outside their range.
In the 2008 NEC, all receptacle outlets in dwelling unit garages must be GFCI protected.
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