How do DIY folks deal with NEC 690.4 (C) - Qualified Persons Only

[Partimewages]

PE license generally trumps a license. You will still need to submit all the required documents for permits and inspections.
If you're not a PE then you're probably not qualified.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

@garetwo You realize my comment #60 here was a joke, right? I'm in Europe, we don't follow NEC rules.

 

[garetwo]

My county (Nevada County, California) building department confirmed with me today after a very interesting phone call that I could become a "qualified person" by completing an online NFPA 70E exam. ... Our county off-grid solar handout states:

"System shall be designed by a licensed solar contractor for residential projects and a licensed
electrical engineer for commercial projects."

I think resurrecting a topic is fine! I enjoyed reading it all. This title is rather big “How do DIY folks deal with NEC 690.4 (C) - Qualified Persons Only”

It can swing from the “who cares about code” group to the “obey the strictest application of every code on earth” group – I do not think there are many (if any) of the latter in here.

I am in Placer County, right next to you. I am also licensed (inactive-retired). I did not want to activate. One clerk told me I merely had to take the class as well, so I did. I did all of the drawings (during covid), had to have an EE stamp them (all via email - he also modified some calculations), submitted everything online, got the permit, somewhat fought with PG&E (all emails and modified drawings) to become 'approved' by them as an individual to do a grid-tied system, then went back and forth for two months to get approval to turn it on. Just as an aside, their last block was "you did not send us a picture of your gas service", my answer "you do not provide gas, I use propane..."

The sad thing here is that any licensed person can do most anything, but we do not have to take CEU’s to stay current, only certified electricians must do that. Taking the class reawakened me to the dangers of being exposed to live electrical parts. I have now labeled more things because some naïve person could easily get hurt, and we have many who visit.

I have “met” many on here I would feel safe having do many aspects of electrical work, but AHJ’s don’t necessarily know anyone right off the bat. Proving oneself as qualified, is it really a bad thing? Then, when we do have an inspector out, they grow more comfortable with our work. I do think most DIYers in this forum are here because they want to do it right or help someone do it right. Safety is a huge part of that.

 

[garetwo]

@garetwo You realize my comment #60 here was a joke, right? I'm in Europe, we don't follow NEC rules.

So sorry, that is now very funny. I did see the little wink after but forged ignorantly ahead with my emoji. Thank you for the correction. I fixed it.

 

[Hedges]

(C) Qualified Personnel. The installation of equipment and all associated wiring and interconnections shall be performed only by qualified persons.

...

Any Thoughts?

PE license generally trumps a license. You will still need to submit all the required documents for permits and inspections.
If you're not a PE then you're probably not qualified.

I don't think a PE is (considered to be) qualified.

To handle anything besides a pen.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I'm self qualified. Does that count?

 

[garetwo]

I'm self qualified. Does that count?

At least one person may count that, perhaps more, not sure. Wait, if you are asking, do you not count it yourself?

 

[timselectric]

I'm self qualified. Does that count?

If you are not qualified, at the beginning of the build.
I'm sure that you will be, by the time that you pass inspection. (No matter how many corrections you have to make)

 

[Hedges]

I'm still at it.
And I was supposed to already be qualified.

Cost for utility transformer installation?

Anyone in the Bay Area knows a good place to buy the ao smith vortex pro hpts? Between the federal credits and peninsula clean energy rebates and DIY, it’s not going to cost me much. I would rather get the best and not the home depot or Lowe’s lineup. Supplyhouse.com has it, that was my plan...

diysolarforum.com

 

[timselectric]

If you are not qualified, at the beginning of the build.
I'm sure that you will be, by the time that you pass inspection. (No matter how many corrections you have to make)

Assuming that your inspector is qualified.
(Some really aren't)
Over the years I have had inspectors ask me questions, that left me speechless.

 

[Supervstech]

Assuming that your inspector is qualified.
(Some really aren't)
Over the years I have had inspectors ask me questions, that left me speechless.

They are just testing if you know thw amswers.

 

[reader2580]

Homeowners can do their own electrical work in Minnesota. The previous electrical inspector here would not allow DIY solar. I talked to the state and they confirmed I could do my own solar PV installation. I found someone who is licensed and does solar work on the side cheap. I didn’t want to get on the inspector’s bad side.

A new electrical inspector had no issue with homeowners doing their own solar. I did some additional work on my solar and passed the inspections.

 

[Shimmy]

I don't think a PE is (considered to be) qualified.

To handle anything besides a pen.

As a PE, I would go so far as to say that it makes you a disqualified person. That being said, many licensed residential electricians really deserve the same title.

 

[timselectric]

They are just testing if you know thw amswers.

I wish that was the case. lol

 

[JRH]

I don't think a PE is (considered to be) qualified.

To handle anything besides a pen.

What is a PE ….?..what do they do electrically ? That’s a new one to me…

 

[Hedges]

(Licensed) Professional Engineer. On a state-by-state basis.
That is what is required to sign plans, within the discipline he is licensed for.

Requirements includes Engineer In Training test and then apprenticeship under a licensed PE, who can then sign off for him.
Or, while I worked for the government, my boss could have signed me off although not licensed himself. Unfortunately I didn't do that. (I did start a PhD EE, but dropped out.)

 

[JRH]

(Licensed) Professional Engineer. On a state-by-state basis.
That is what is required to sign plans, within the discipline he is licensed for.

Requirements includes Engineer In Training test and then apprenticeship under a licensed PE, who can then sign off for him.
Or, while I worked for the government, my boss could have signed me off although not licensed himself. Unfortunately I didn't do that. (I did start a PhD EE, but dropped out.)

Well thank you sir…as usual a great explaination……I had no idea……thx…J.

 

[reader2580]

My understanding In Minnesota is anyone with an electrical engineering degree can sit for the master electrician exam without any hours worked, or doing the journeyman test first. My father has an electrical engineering degree and had done a lot of electrical work in high school and college as an unlicensed helper. My father didn’t have any desire to be a master electrician so never took the test. He said he wouldn’t want most electrical engineers he knew ever touching electricity.

 

[400bird]

In California, I didn't ask questions and just decided I was qualified. I've had multiple permits approved and projects on the house completed. Including replacing the main breaker panel and service entrance.

 

[OffGridForGood]

Electricity, Let's see,
Black to Black,
White to White,
Ground to Ground.
What else do ya need to know??