Chapter 4 · Buildings and Construction

Article 3. Electrical Code

Sections 4-301 to 4-331 · 31 sections

4-301 Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.

(a)Approved — shall mean approved by the chief building official, the electrical inspector or his or her designee.

(b)Authorized person — shall mean any individual, firm or corporation who or which is licensed under the provisions of this article to do the work as permitted under the specified provisions of this article.

(c)City — shall mean the territory within the corporate limits of this city.

(d)Conductor — shall mean a wire or cable or other form of metal suitable for carrying the electric current or potential.

(e)Electrical construction or installation — shall mean and include all work and materials used in installing, maintaining or extending a system of electrical wiring and all appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used in connection therewith, inside or attached to any building, structure, lot or premises, except industrial plants where fulltime maintenance is provided and other agencies providing inspections of installations and facilities. Electrical construction shall not be held to mean or include any of the following:

(1)The replacement of lamps, fuses, bulbs or the connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable permanently installed receptacles and replacement of receptacles and switches, lighting fixtures and apparatus where no changes or alterations are made to the wiring;

(2)Any work involved in the manufacturing, repair or testing of any electrical equipment or apparatus, but not including any permanent wiring; or

(3)Any work in industrial establishments where inspections come under the scope of other inspection agencies.

(f)Equipment — shall mean conductors, materials, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, motors and the like, used as a part of or in connection with an electrical installation.

(g)Inspector — shall mean the chief building official or any individual who has been appointed by the city as electrical inspector.

(h)Person — shall mean a natural person, his or her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership or corporation, its or their successors, assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.

(i)Special permission — shall mean the written consent of the chief building official or the electrical inspector.

(j)Special ruling — shall mean a written ruling filed in the office of the chief building official or the electrical inspector.

(Code 2022)

4-302 Board of examiners and city electrical inspector.

There is hereby created a Board of Electrical Examiners which shall consist of the mayor or one councilman designated by the mayor, who shall be chairman of the board, the superintendent of the electrical department, and one practicing electrician of Hillsboro named by the mayor. The board shall be appointed all at the same time for a term of one year, and in the same manner as other appointive officers of this city. Each board member shalt be paid the sum of $2.00 for each examination given, the sum to be charged against the general fund of this city. The city electrical inspector shall be the superintendent of the Hillsboro Electrical Department.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 4-301)

4-303 Adoption of National Electrical Code by reference.

The 2020 Edition of the National Electric Code, a publication of the National Fire Protection Association, the same being a standard code for the installation of electrical wiring and apparatus and available in book and pamphlet form is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this article as authorized and in the manner prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012, including any amendments thereto. Any person violating any provision of such code shall be punished as provided in section 1-118 of this code.

(Ord. 1224; Ord. 1338; Code 2022)

4-304 Additional provisions.

The following sections of this article are in addition to the provisions of the standard code incorporated by reference in section 4-303.

(Code 2022)

4-305 Electrician’s license; license bond of electricians.

No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of installing, altering or repairing electric wiring, including electric signs, outline strips or festoon wiring, in the city without first having procured a license therefor as herein provided:

(a)The first license fee shall be as set forth in Section 1-1101 for master electricians and a separate fee as set forth in Section 1-111 for journeyman electricians;

(b)The renewal license fees for master electricians and journeyman electricians shall be a per year fee as set forth in Section 1-1101. The license shall expire on the last day of December following its issuance;

(c)Applicants for issuance or renewal of a license must verify completion of six continuing education hours for the applicable skilled trade as prescribed by the State of Kansas.

(Ord. 699; Ord. 1172; Code 2022; Ord. 1400)

4-306 Electrician’s bond/insurance.

(a)No license shall be issued until the person files a surety bond with the city clerk. The bond shall be in the sum of $10,000 and for the benefit of property owners damaged by substandard electrical work of applicant, not in compliance with the National Electrical Code incorporated in section 4-302 of this article and the special requirements of the superintendent of the electrical department. Any other person who may deem himself or herself injured by the principal’s failure to comply with such regulations, may sue on such bond to recover his or her damage; such bond shall be approved by the mayor and council members before a license is issued; provided, that this section shall not apply to any person in the employ of the city who shall do wiring work under the direction of the superintendent of the electrical department. The bond shall be renewed annually with the license, and shall remain in full force and effect as to any electrical work required for the period of six months after completion of the work.

(b)In the alternative, the applicant may file a certificate of liability insurance coverage in the amount of $500,000 each occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate; establishing that the stated amount of insurance is in force and will not be terminated, without written notice to the city. The insurance shall state that to the limits of its coverage it shall inure to the benefit of persons and property damaged as a result of negligence on the part of applicant in construction, repair and installation of electrical work covered by the National Electrical Code.

(Ord. 967, Secs. 1:2)

4-307 Electrical installations; supervision.

No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of installing altering or repairing of any electrical wiring unless the electrical work performed in the course of such business is under the direct supervision of a master electrician. Any person engaged in the business of electrical wiring who is not by qualification a master electrician, shall at all times keep in their employ a qualified master electrician who shall be in charge and responsible for all wiring installed by the person, firm or corporation. The name of the master electrician shall appear on the license and in no case shalt the same master electrician appear on more than one electrical license in anyone calendar” year.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 3)

4-308 Master electrician; examination.

Any person engaged as a master electrician, either as an owner or as employee of a firm or corporation in the business of installing electrical wiring for any purpose and acting in a supervisory capacity, shall apply to the board of electrical examiners for and shall pass such examinations as the board shall require. The fee for an electrician’s examination shall be set forth in Section 1-1101 which will include the electrician’s certificate.

(Ord. 699, Sec. 3; Ord. 1400)

4-309 Electrician’s examination.

Any person now engaged as an electrician in the city shall apply for and pass an examination by the board, within six months after the passage of this code. Failure to comply within six months shalt constitute a violation of this code and shall be subject to the penalties as herein provided.

(Ord. 475, Sec.3)

4-310 Board of examiners, waive examination.

The board of examiners may at theft discretion waive examination of an electrician; provided, that he has passed an examination for a licensed electrician in any city in the State of Kansas, and upon such waiver the electrician shall be permitted to purchase a city license upon payment of fees and furnishing bond as required in section 4-305 of this article.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 3)

4-311 Apprentice helper.

One apprentice helper shall be permitted with each master or journeyman electrician.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 3)

4-312 Work performed by licensed electrician; exception.

No person other than a licensed electrician shall be permitted to install electrical wiring upon or within any building or premises in the city, unless the person shall be the owner and occupant of the premises and then only by special written permission of the board of electrical examiners. When such special permission is granted by the board, the applicant shall apply to the city clerk for a permit, and call for an inspection when work is completed and before it is covered. Before the board shall issue such permit, it shall satisfy itself that applicant is qualified to install the proposed wiring.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 3)

4-313 Revocation of license.

Any license granted may be revoked by the mayor and council if the licensee violates this article or any ordinance of the city or any law relating to installations of electrical wiring or electrical material, or is responsible for any electrical installation which is a hazard to lives or property. When a license is revoked, a new license shall not again be granted to the same licensee for a period of at least 30 days.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 4)

4-314 Permits.

No alterations or additions shall be made in the existing wiring of any building, nor shall any building be wired for the placing of any electric lights, motors, heating devices or any apparatus requiring the use of electrical current nor shall any alterations be made in wiring in any building after inspection, without first notifying the city inspector and securing a permit therefor, except minor repair work, such as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare points, and repairing drop cords. The application for such permit describing such work shall only be made by a licensed master electrician, or a person doing work on his own premises, and the permit when issued shall be to such applicant. All work shall be in charge of the party to whom the permit issued. An electrician’s helper shall be permitted to work only when accompanied by a licensed master electrician. This section shall not apply to maintenance and repairs on the premises of a person regularly employing electricians for that purpose.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 5)

4-315 Inspection.

Upon the completion of the wiring of any building it shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation installing the same to notify the city inspector, who shall inspect the installation within 24 hours of the time such notice is given. If it is found to be fully in compliance herewith and does not constitute a hazard to life and property, he or she shall issue to the owner or agent a certificate that the wiring has been inspected and has been approved, and authorizing connections to the electrical service and the turning on of the current. All wires which are to be hidden from view shall be inspected before concealment and any person, firm, or corporation installing such wires shall notify the city inspector, giving 24 hours in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed. If the inspector reports that the wiring does not comply with the regulations set out herein, the inspector shall state wherein the wiring fails to comply with the regulations and no certificate shall be issued until all of the requirements are complied with. An inspection fee as set forth in Section 1-1101 shall be charged for each extra inspection required.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 6; Code 2022; Ord. 1400)

4-316 Reinspection.

The city inspector may periodically make a reinspection of the installations in buildings of all electric wiring, electric devices and electric material now installed or that may hereafter be installed within the city, and when the installation of any such wiring devices or material found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person owning, using or operating the same shall be notified in writing and shall make the necessary repairs or changes required to place such wiring, devices and material in a safe condition, and have such work completed within 15 days, or any longer period specified by the city inspector in the notice. The city inspector is hereby empowered to disconnect or order discontinuance of electrical service to such wiring, devices or material so found to be defectively installed until the installation of such wiring, devices and material has been made safe and as described by the inspector.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 7)

4-317 Construction requirements.

No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the electric light, power and heating installations are in conformity with the latest approved methods of engineering practices for safety to life and property, as set forth in the National Electrical Code incorporated in section 4-303 of this article.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-318 Approval of plans.

All plans for wiring or rewiring of commercial buildings, either within or without the fire zone of the city shall be approved by the city inspector, and shall bear his stamp of approval. No wiring or rewiring shall be done until approval has been obtained. All new commercial buildings within the fire zone shall be in rigid metal conduit or electrical metallic tubing may be used to connect fixtures or appliances, but in no case shall more than five feet be used on anyone fixture or appliance, and then it shall be bonded. In special installation, the inspector may authorize in writing the use of more than five feet where necessary in existing buildings, show cases, or windows.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-319 Service entrance panel.

The service entrance panel to one and two family dwellings shall be installed in or near the outside wall adjacent to the meter installation. In no event, shall the distance between the meter and the service entrance disconnect exceed 10 feet. Any new service raceway shall not be less than 1 1/4” metal conduit from the meter to the service entrance.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-320 Service entrance conductors.

Service entrance conductors, including underground services and panel for all new residential construction shall have a current carrying capacity of not less than 100 amperes, and shall be supplied with not less than No. 2 Type TW or RH conductor. A disconnect shall be provided on the pole, beneath the meter socket of not less than 100 ampere for underground service.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-321 Anchorage for electric service drop.

The customer shall furnish suitable anchorage for the electric service drop, such as service mast of not less than 1 1/4” conduit to the underside of building eave, on by pole located in proper place to run service drop to the building, maintaining a minimum, of 10 feet clearance over all walks, and 12 feet above driveways, or shall be of a type of service entrance cable approved by the National Fire Protection Association and in accordance with the National Electrical Code Section 230-26.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-322 Maintenance not responsibility of city.

The electric department of the city shall not be responsible for maintenance of this equipment, nor for any damage that may result to the, roof or structure of customer from any case whatsoever.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-323 Polarized plugs; switches bonded.

Domestic ranges, room coolers, clothes dryers garbage disposals, dishwashers and shop tools and equipment shall be installed with a polarized plug and receptacle properly grounded. All switches, outlets, lights and medicine cabinets, except ceiling lights in kitchen, bathroom, utility room, basements and garages shall be bonded.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-324 Special exceptions.

Special exceptions for the connection of electric stoves, room coolers, electric clothes dryers and other 220 volt appliances shall be as follows:

(a)Any appliance operating continuously for one hour or more and drawing more than 50 percent of the ampere rating of the circuit to which it is connected shall be connected to a circuit of not less than 200 volts unless a separate 115 volts circuit is provided for this appliance only with no other connected load thereon;

(b)Built in range components shall be connected with three wire NM cable or equal. The neutral conductor shall be bonded to the frame. Also, there shall be a No. 14 bond wire connected direct from the unit frame to the water system from each unit. Each unit shall be on a separate circuit with proper over current protection at the panel. A minimum of 12 inches shall separate the junction box and the unit which shall be fed by approved asbestos wire in conduit, between the unit and junction box.

(c)All 220 volts appliances shall be connected by a three wire cord with a polarized plug receptacle and frame of the unit shall be solidly bonded to the neutral (green) conductor.

(d)All motor driven appliances shall be connected to the wiring system by a cord with a polarized plus and receptacle. The motor and frame of each appliance shall be bonded to the neutral connection of the attachment plug.

(e)All furnaces installed in open areas and fed from ceiling wiring shall be connected by rigid conduit or equal from junction box in the ceiling wiring system to the junction box on the appliance. Where no box exists on the furnace, one shall be installed. Open, unprotected wiring shall not be used. The motor and furnace frame shall be rigidly bonded to the neutral conductor of the circuit.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 8)

4-325 Permit; central air conditioner installation.

A permit shall be required for the installation of all central air conditioners. Application for the permit shall be made by the installer at the city clerk’s office at least 24 hours before installation of the unit. Upon completion of the installation of the air conditioning unit and the wiring required for its installation, the installer shall notify the city inspector who shall inspect the installation within 24 hours of the time such notice is given, and if it is found to be fully in compliance herewith he shall issue to the owner or agent a certificate that installation has been inspected and has been approved.

(Ord. 536, Sec. 1)

4-326 Installation regulations.

All central air conditioning units shall be installed in accordance with the latest rulings of the National Electrical Code incorporated in section 4-302 of this article, except that a separate over current protective device for the air conditioning condensing unit shall be installed within five feet of, and in sight from location of the unit. The current carrying capacity of the over current protective device shall not exceed that prescribed by sections 430-6, 430-32,430-34, and 430-52 of the National Electrical Code.

(Ord. 536, Sec. 2)

4-327 Outdoor condensing unit.

The outdoor condensing unit shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation; on a level one piece concrete base which shall extend a minimum of two inches beyond the cabinet sides and ends, and six inches below the finished grade. If unit must be set on or near ground which is not completely settled, adequate precaution shall be taken to prevent shifting or settling of the base.

(Ord. 536, Sec. 3)

4-328 Board of review.

When the city inspector condemns all or part of any electrical installation, the owner may within five days after receiving notice from the electrical inspector, file a petition in writing for review of the action with the mayor and councilmen, upon receipt of which the mayor and councilmen shall at once proceed to determine whether such electrical installation complied with the provisions of the electrical code of the city, and within three days shall give its decision on such review which decision shall be final on the question.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 9)

4-329 Penalty.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall fail to comply with any of the provisions hereof, shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00, and in default of payment thereof, shall stand committed to the city jail until the fine and costs are paid. Any person, firm or corporation holding a license hereunder shall be responsible and accountable for any and all acts of his, or their employees. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 10)

4-330 City not liable.

These regulations shall not be construed to relieve from, or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling, or installing any electric wiring, electrical device, or electrical material for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein or certificate of inspection issued as herein provided.

(Ord. 475, Sec. 11)

4-331 Severability.

If any section of the National Electrical Code or of this article shall be held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, then such section shall be considered separate and apart from the remaining provisions of the National Electrical Code or of this article, the section is to be completely severable from the remaining provisions which shall continue in full force and effect.

(Code 2022)