TEMPORARY ELECTRIC WIRING FOR CARNIVALS, CONVENTIONS, EXHIBITIONS, FAIRS AND SIMILAR USES

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1 INFORMATION BULLETIN / PUBLIC - ELECTRICAL CODE REFERENCE NO.: LAMC Effective: DOCUMENT NO. P/EC Revised: Previously Issued As: RGA #7-69 TEMPORARY ELECTRIC WIRING FOR CARNIVALS, CONVENTIONS, EXHIBITIONS, FAIRS AND SIMILAR USES A. Scope. The following shall apply to temporary wiring for carnivals, conventions, exhibitions, fairs and the like, that is energized or maintained in one location for 90 days or less. B. General. 1. Temporary wiring for carnivals, conventions, exhibitions, fairs and the like, energized or maintained in one location for more than 90 days shall be installed as specified in the City of Los Angeles Electrical Code for permanent wiring. 2. An electrical permit shall be required for all installation. EXCEPTION: Electrical permits will not be required for installations that do not exceed five transportable rides where those rides are of a type that can be relocated without disassembling their component parts, and provided: a. The rides are supplied by an engine-driven single phase two-wire generator with a rated capacity of not more than 7-1/2 KVA at a maximum voltage of 125 volts; and b. The generator is equipped with suitable externally operable circuit breakers and receptacles for the supply of each ride; and c. The rides are wired to comply with the applicable provisions for temporary wiring and equipment regulations; and d. Each ride is supplied by an individual branch circuit; and e. All equipment is properly grounded; and f. The equipment is permanently and legibly labeled to establish a means of identification for inspection purposes; and h. The rides are not used in one location for more than 72 hours. 3. Except as provided in the Exception to Paragraph B-2 above, all wiring shall be inspected Page 1 of 11

2 and approved by the Department before being energized or used. Note: To expedite inspections, a notice of intent to use shall be given, either verbally or in writing, at least three days prior to the first day of use. Whenever, upon request, an inspection is made outside of regular working hours, the provisions of Section for Emergency Inspections shall apply. 4. All wiring shall be maintained so that the hazards will be reduced as far as reasonably possible. Equipment exposed to the weather shall be of the weatherproof type, or shall be suitably protected against rain and water. Where the Department finds hazardous conditions such as disabled or improper protective devices, ungrounded equipment, bare live parts or conductors, open wire used as flexible cords, or similar dangerous conditions prevailing, the installation shall be classed as an extreme hazard and shall be immediately de-energized. All defective wiring and devices shall be removed or replaced before the system is energized. 5. Except where modified by these provisions, all wiring and equipment shall be installed to comply with the applicable provisions of the code. C. Portable Electrical Sub-Stations. 1. For the purpose of these provisions, a portable sub-station is defined as any transportable equipment under the jurisdiction of the Department of Building and Safety, not permanently connected to fixed wiring systems and which is used for generating, transforming or distributing power to temporary lighting and power installations for carnivals, conventions, exhibitions, fairs and the like. 2. Portable sub-stations shall not be located inside of any permanent building or structure, nor shall portable sub-stations supply any wiring or equipment located inside of any permanent building or structure except by special permission. 3. Portable sub-stations shall be located within noncombustible housings, partitions, screens, fences or any other suitable enclosure as determined by the Department or its authorized representative. Transportable housings shall be provided with a lockable door or gate which shall be kept locked while the station is unattended. 4. Portable sub-stations, related wiring and control devices shall comply with the following applicable provisions: a. High and low voltage sections shall be separated by a noncombustible partition, screen or fence; and Page 2 of 11

3 b. Sufficient working space shall be provided about all equipment so that the operator may work in safety, and so that other persons in the vicinity cannot accidentally contact or bring conducting objects into contact with energized current-carrying parts; and c. Transformers of the oil filled type shall be provided with leakproof pans of sufficient capacity to contain all the oil in the unit. Seals or vents shall be provided to prevent the oil from siphoning through the conductor insulation; and d. Service conductors shall be installed in approved rigid metal wiring enclosures. (A short length of flexible conduit may be installed at the base of the service conduit where it is necessary to lower the supporting rack for transit purposes. The flexible conduit shall be effectively bonded to insure ground continuity.) and e. All wiring inside of transportable sub-station housings shall be in approved wiring enclosures except where short lengths of unenclosed conductors are necessary for making connections to transformers, generators, motors and cable supply boxes. Open high voltage wiring may be installed on insulators where separated from low voltage equipment by a noncombustible partition, screen or fence; and f. High voltage service conductors supplying sub-stations in transportable housings shall be provided with fused isolating switches located on the service rack, and a single load interrupter switch located inside the housing. The load interrupter switch shall disconnect the service conductors with one operation of a single suitable operating means; and g. Ungrounded low voltage service or supply conductors and feeders from the load side of every generator shall be controlled by a single readily accessible fused switch or nontamperable trip-free circuit breaker with a single operating handle. The control device shall be located in sight of, and within 10 feet of, the supply equipment; and h. Switches and circuit breakers shall be clearly marked to indicate the equipment they control. Switches shall be so installed that gravity or a downward motion of the operating handle will not tend to close them; and i. Generators, transformers and conductors shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code; and j. The voltage on the load or secondary side of generators and transformers shall not exceed 300 volts between ungrounded terminals. Where the equipment is used to supply lighting and receptacle branch circuits, the voltage between any ungrounded terminal and ground shall not exceed 150 volts; and Page 3 of 11

4 k. An identified conductor of the following distribution systems shall be grounded in the first switch on the load side of the supply equipment: (i) (ii) (iii) Two-wire systems operating at less than 150 volts between conductors. Three-wire single phase systems operating at less than 300 volts between conductors (normally volt systems). Three phase, four-wire systems operating at less than 300 volts between conductors (normally volt wye - connected four-wire systems). D. Grounding. l. Delta connected, three phase, four-wire distribution systems shall not be used; and m. Metallic frames of transportable housings and noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment and wiring enclosures shall be effectively bonded and connected to a common grounding bus. The grounding bus shall be connected to the grounding electrode; and n. Cable supply terminal boxes shall comply with the applicable provisions for splice boxes; and o. Suitable, permanent warning signs shall be posted at doors, gates, service heads and cable supply boxes. 1. Except where modified by the provisions for lighting fixtures, signs and outline lighting, all noncurrent-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment enclosures around electrical equipment metal supports for wiring or equipment, metal supports of electrically-operated equipment and similar enclosures, frames or supports, shall be effectively grounded in accordance with the applicable provisions of the code. 2. A continuous metallic underground cold water piping system containing water under pressure shall always be used as the service and equipment grounding electrode when available. "Available" shall be considered as being on the same premises and within 100 feet of the service switch or equipment. 3. Where a cold water piping system is not available, the grounding electrode shall consist of one or more 1/2-inch copper clad steel ground rods or 3/4-inch trade size galvanized conduits spaced approximately three feet apart and driven into the earth for a distance of not less than eight feet. 4. Whenever the Department or its authorized representative determines that the resistance of any neutral conductor or equipment grounding conductor at any point exceeds 25 ohms Page 4 of 11

5 to ground, additional grounding electrodes shall be provided at those points. 5. The equipment grounding conductor shall not be smaller than No. 1 AWG except where contained with branch circuit BY conductors in a single assembly approved for the purpose. 6. Equipment grounding conductors shall be used in continuous unbroken lengths except where suitably joined or tapped in splice boxes or similar cable terminating enclosures. E. Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables may be used as feeder and branch circuit conductors with the following provisions: 1. Cords and cables shall be approved for extra hard usage. 2. If smaller than No. 1 AWG, branch circuit conductors of any one circuit and any related grounding conductor shall be contained in a single assembly approved for the purpose. 3. Cords and cables shall be used only in continuous lengths. Splices and taps shall be made in splice boxes or similar cable terminating enclosures. (Approved cable connectors may be used only where determined to be satisfactory by the Department or its authorized representative.) 4. Cords and cables shall be suitably protected from physical damage and shall be installed to reasonably prevent accidental contact with persons or conducting materials. 5. Where subject to vehicular or foot traffic, cords and cables shall be buried in the earth or covered with suitable protective material. Reasonable precaution shall be taken to prevent persons from stumbling over cable trenches and cable protection. 6. Cords and cables shall be securely fastened to boxes or other terminating points by means of approved cord grips or other suitable methods of strain relief. 7. Branch circuit cords and cables smaller than No. 1 AWG shall not be used. 8. Cords and cables shall not be used in circuits operating at more than 300 volts between any two ungrounded conductors. 9. Cords and cables shall have an ampacity of not less than the full connected load. 10. Feeders shall be controlled by an externally operable fused switch or circuit breaker and shall be protected against overcurrent at a rate not to exceed their rated ampacity or more than 400 amperes. 11. Overcurrent protection need not be provided for a tap between a feeder and the branch circuit overcurrent device when: Page 5 of 11

6 a. The feeder is protected against overcurrent at a rate not to exceed 200 amperes; and b. The tap has a rated ampacity adequate for the load; and c. The tap is not smaller than No. 6 AWG; and d. The tap does not exceed 25 feet in length. 12. Conductors larger than No. 10 AWG shall terminate to solder lugs or approved pressure connectors. 13. Conductors of size No. 10 AWG or smaller may be connected directly to any stud, binding screw, clamp or other terminal, provided the strands are soldered together before attachment. 14. Not more than one attachment plug cap (male plug) or similar device shall be attached to any one length of flexible cord or cable. More than one connector body (female plug) may be attached to the opposite end of the cord only if the devices are of the molded type, are installed at the time and place of manufacture and the outer jacket of the cord at the splice is molded or vulcanized to provide a covering at least equivalent to the original cable. F. Splice Boxes. 1. Splice boxes shall be substantially constructed and may be comprised of suitable wood not less than one inch in thickness, or of noncombustible material of equivalent mechanical strength. Note: Splice boxes, spiders or similar equipment of the type normally used in motion picture studios will not be approved by the Department. 2. The interior dimensions shall not exceed 12 inches in depth nor 30 inches in width or length. 3. Box covers shall be provided with a padlocking means, or shall be suitably secured in place by means of a tool-operated latch. 4. Covers shall be kept locked or fastened in place at all times when busses are energized. 5. Boxes shall be provided with suitable warning signs and shall be located in areas which are not normally accessible Boxes shall not be located where subject to physical damage. 6. When used in grounded systems, boxes shall contain an identified neutral bus. Page 6 of 11

7 7. Boxes shall contain a grounding bus identified by green coloring adjacent thereto. 8. An insulating barrier shall be installed between bus bars of unlike polarities. 9. Bus bars shall have a current-carrying capacity of not less than the sum total of the loads supplied, and shall be of sufficient length, width and thickness to insure good electrical connections. Not more than one lug shall be attached to any terminal, stud, screw or bolt. 10. Splice boxes shall contain adequate space for all conductors and shall not be used to enclose panels, switches, fuses, receptacles or other similar devices, except by special permission. G. Panelboards. 1. Panelboards shall be of an approved dead front type. 2. Panelboards containing receptacles or similar devices, or having such devices permanently attached thereto, shall be specifically approved as a unit by a recognized testing laboratory. 3. Panelboards shall be securely fastened in place to rigid supporting members, or shall be securely fastened to suitable portable stands. Where installed outside of buildings or structures in areas which are not normally accessible to the public, panelboards may be installed in suitable protective enclosures by special permission. 4. Panelboards rated at 200 amperes or less shall be supplied by feeders which are protected against overcurrent at not to exceed 200 amperes. Panelboards rated at over 200 amperes may be supplied by feeders which are protected against overcurrent at not to exceed the panel board rating. 5. Noncurrent-carrying metal parts of panelboards shall be effectively grounded. H. Motors and Motor-Driven Equipment. 1. Trolleys, collector rings, slip rings and similar exposed current-carrying parts shall be effectively guarded and located where not normally accessible 2. Motors exceeding 2 hp in rating shall be provided with an individual controller of adequate capacity for interrupting stalled rotor current. 3. Motor circuits and motor overcurrent protection shall comply with all applicable provisions of the code, except that running protection need not be provided for motors of 1 hp or less rating. Page 7 of 11

8 Note: The majority of motors which operate carnival rides are classed as intermittent duty motors. Running protection is not required for motors of this type. 4. Motor controllers and motor disconnecting means shall be located or marked to clearly indicate the equipment they control. The disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the "off" position. 5. All noncurrent-carrying parts of motors, motor control equipment and motor-driven machinery shall be effectively grounded. I. Lighting Branch Circuits, Lighting Fixtures and Lampholders. 1. Lighting fixtures and lampholders shall be supplied from systems which have an identified grounded conductor. Voltage to ground shall not exceed 150 volts. Voltage between any two underground conductors shall not exceed 300 volts. 2. Branch circuit conductors shall have an ampacity of not less than their full connected load, and shall not be smaller than No. 12 AWG. 3. Branch circuits supplying electric discharge lighting fixtures or lampholders rated at not more than 300 watts shall be protected at not to exceed 20 amperes by nontamperable, trip-free circuit breakers. 4. Branch circuits supplying only mogul lampholders rated at more than 300 watts may be protected at more than 20 amperes, but not to exceed 50 amperes. The rating or setting of the branch circuit overcurrent device shall not exceed the rated capacity of the branch circuit conductors. 5. Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of lighting fixtures shall be effectively grounded or shall be installed out of reach of the public and not less than eight feet vertically nor less than five feet horizontally from any grounded surface. 6. Lampholders, other than component parts of approved fixtures, shall be of molded composition or other approved material of the weatherproof type. Except where lampholders have terminals of a type which puncture the insulation to make contact with stranded conductors, lamphold terminal wires shall be soldered to the branch circuit conductors. Joints shall be staggered and insulated. 7. Brass lampholders, porcelain cleat receptacles, porcelain ring receptacles and lampholders with exposed terminals shall not be used. 8. Where run to a lampholder, the identified grounded conductor shall be connected to the screw shell terminal. Page 8 of 11

9 J. Receptacle Branch Circuit, Receptacles and Attachment to Plug Caps. 1. General use receptacles shall be supplied from systems which have an identified grounded conductor. Voltage to ground shall not exceed 150 volts. Voltage between ungrounded conductors shall not exceed 300 volts. 2. General use receptacle branch circuit conductors shall be minimum No. 14 AWG, when protected with 15 amperes circuit breakers or No. 12 AWG when protected with 20 ampere circuit breakers. 3. Receptacles and attachment plug caps shall have a rated capacity of not less than 15 amperes at 125 volts. 4. General use receptacles and attachment plug caps shall have two circuit contacts and an identified grounding contact. 5. Receptacle enclosures and outlet boxes shall be of an approved metal type. The enclosures and outlet boxes shall be provided with approved metal covers or face plates. 6. Receptacle enclosures containing switches, fuses, circuit breakers or similar devices shall be specifically approved for the purpose. 7. Not more than one flexible cord or cable entry shall be made into any receptacle enclosure or receptacle outlet box. Receptacle enclosures used for other than circuit termination shall be specifically approved for the purpose. Note: Where used inside of permanent buildings or structures, receptacle enclosures may have a maximum of two flexible cord or cable entries. The entries shall be made at opposite ends of the enclosure. 8. Receptacle enclosures and cord connector bodies shall have all exposed noncurrentcarrying metal parts effectively grounded. K. Signs and Outline Lighting (Gas Tube Systems). 1. Signs shall be approved by a recognized testing laboratory or shall be fabricated in accordance with those laboratory standards. 2. Gas tube transformers other than the approved portable type shall be installed in suitable enclosures as determined by the Department or its authorized representative. 3. Bushings or other suitable protection shall be provided at the points where wires enter or leave the transformer enclosures. Page 9 of 11

10 4. Electric discharge glass tubing shall be securely fastened to noncombustible nonabsorptive supports not less than 1/2-inch from any surface. 5. Where accessible to the public, connections to electrodes, high tension leads and jumpers shall be covered with suitable sleeving. 6. Signs, gas tube systems, transformers, glass tubing and high tension wiring shall be installed out of reach of the public where practical as determined by the Department or its authorized representative. Where installed less than eight feet vertically or five feet horizontally from any grounded surface normally accessible to the public all noncurrent-carrying metal parts of the equipment shall be effectively grounded. 7. Signs and outline lighting shall be supplied from systems which have an identified grounded conductor. Voltage to ground shall not exceed 150 volts. Voltage between any two ungrounded conductors shall not exceed 300 volts. 8. Sign circuit conductors shall not be smaller than No. 12 AWG and shall be protected with 20 ampere circuit breakers. Page 10 of 11