Page:National Electrical Code, First Edition 1897 by National Board of Fire Underwriters.djvu/5



In all electric work conductors, however well insulated, should always be treated as bare, to the end that under no conditions, existing or likely to exist, can a grounding or short circuit occur, and so that all leakage from conductor to conductor, or between conductor and ground, may be reduced to the minimum.

In all wiring special attention must be paid to the mechanical execution of the work. Careful and neat running, connecting, soldering, taping of conductors and securing and attaching of fittings, are specially conducive to security and efficiency, and will be strongly insisted on.

In laying out an installation, except for constant-current systems, the work should, if possible, be started from a center of distribution, and the switches and cut-outs, controlling and connected with the several branches, be grouped together in a safe and easily accessible place, where they can be readily got at for attention or repairs. The load should be divided as evenly as possible among the branches, and all complicated and unnecessary wiring avoided.

The use of wire-ways for rendering concealed wiring permanently accessible is most heartily indorsed and recommended; and this method of accessible concealed construction is advised for general use.

Architects are urged, when drawing plans and specifications, to make provision for the channeling and pocketing of buildings for electric light or power wires, and in specifications for electric gas lighting to require a two-wire circuit, whether the building is to be wired for electric lighting or not, so that no part of the gas fixtures or gas piping be allowed to be used for the gas-lighting circuit.