Ch. PSC 114 Note
Note 2: Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on April 30, 1991 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective May 1, 1991; Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on December 31, 1993, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective January 1, 1994. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on September 30, 1997 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective October 1, 1997. Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., 6. and 7., Stats.,
Register, September, 1997, No. 501. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on June 30, 2003 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective July 1, 2003. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on January 31, 2008, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created
Register January 2008 No. 625, effective February 1, 2008. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on June 30, 2014, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created
Register June 2014 No. 702, effective July 1, 2014.
PSC 114.001
PSC 114.001
Definitions and general information. PSC 114.001(2)
(2) Administrative authorities. The Wisconsin State Electrical Code is issued and administered by the commission and the department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings as part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. The commission has primary responsibility for issuance and administration of Volume 1 as found in this chapter. The department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings has similar responsibility for issuance and administration of Volume 2 which is found in ch.
SPS 316.
PSC 114.001(3)
(3) Availability of state electrical code. The commission has adopted the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC-2017) with certain deletions, changes and additions which are found in Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code. Copies of the NESC may be purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 (telephone 1-800-678-IEEE) or the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018 (telephone 212/642-4900). Copies of the NESC may be ordered online at
http://standards.ieee.org/nesc. Copies of Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, may be ordered from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Document Sales, 202 S. Thornton Avenue, Madison, WI 53702 (telephone 608/266-3358). Unofficial copies of the rules can be obtained online at
http://docs.legis.wi.gov/code/admin_code/psc/114/.
PSC 114.001 Note
Note 2: The department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings, has similarly adopted the National Electrical Code (NEC) with certain deletions, changes and additions which are found in Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code. Copies of Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, may be ordered from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Document Sales, 202 S. Thornton Avenue, Madison, WI 53702. See ch.
SPS 316 for current availability information for the NEC.
PSC 114.001 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; correction in (1) made (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673; correction in (2) made (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register.
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14;
CR 18-007: am. (3) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
PSC 114.002(1)(1)
Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is the practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and their associated equipment. This chapter contains basic provisions considered necessary for the safety of employees and the public. This chapter is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual.
PSC 114.002(2)(a)
(a) This chapter applies to supply and communications lines, equipment, and associated work practices employed by an electric supply, communication, railway, or similar utility in the exercise of its function as a utility. In addition, this chapter prohibits the location of buildings, structures, and equipment and prohibits materials storage and change of grade, by any person in violation of the clearance requirements of this chapter. This chapter has also been adopted by the department of safety and professional services as part of Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, for application to installations over 600 volts of parties other than utilities.
PSC 114.002(2)(b)
(b) This chapter applies to utility facilities and functions up to the service point.
PSC 114.002(2)(c)
(c) This chapter applies to street and area lights, supplied by underground or overhead conductors, under the exclusive control of utilities, including their authorized contractors, and municipal electrical departments.
PSC 114.002(2)(d)
(d) This chapter does not apply to installations in mines, ships, railway rolling equipment, aircraft, or automotive equipment, or utilization wiring except as covered in Parts 1 and 3, NESC-2017.
PSC 114.003
PSC 114.003
Authority and statutory references. PSC 114.003(1)(1)
Statutory authority. Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, constitutes a general order of the commission authorized by ss.
196.74 and
227.11, Stats.
PSC 114.003(2)(a)
(a) A utility must obtain proof of compliance with Volumes 1 and 2 of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code before energizing service. Proof of such compliance shall consist of a certificate furnished by a municipal or other recognized inspection department or officer, or if there is no such inspection department or officer it shall consist of a written statement furnished by the contractor or other person doing the wiring, indicating that there has been such compliance.
PSC 114.003(2)(b)
(b) A utility shall comply with Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code when providing electric service.
PSC 114.003 Note
Note 2: The authority for the enforcement of Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, is vested in the commission with respect to the installation and operation of circuits or equipment by public utilities and railroads in the exercise of their functions as utilities and railroads.
PSC 114.003(3)(a)
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to deprive a municipality of jurisdiction over utilities, places of employment or public buildings, except that no local requirements shall be less stringent than the requirements in this chapter.
PSC 114.003 Note
Note 2: See s.
196.58, Stats.
PSC 114.003(3)(b)
(b) A utility may seek commission approval of requirements covering an area related to the subject matter of this chapter that is not specifically addressed by this chapter or the NESC, but such requirements must be acceptable and not less stringent than the requirements of this chapter.
PSC 114.003 Note
Note 2: See s.
196.19, Stats. Also, there are state statutes that refer directly to certain electrical construction. Some of these are: ss.
66.0831,
86.16,
134.41,
182.017,
182.0175,
182.018,
196.171,
196.58,
196.67,
196.72, and
941.40, Stats.
PSC 114.003(4)
(4) Complaints. If a complaint is filed with the commission by any interested party to the effect that public safety requires changes in construction or methods of operation, the commission shall investigate and make recommendations.
PSC 114.003 Note
Note 2: See s.
196.74, Stats., for procedure if changes in utility facilities are necessary.
PSC 114.003(5)
(5) Enforcement. The requirements in the code are enforceable in the same manner as other orders of the commission.
PSC 114.003 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14.
PSC 114.004(1)(1)
Character of construction, maintenance and operation. All electrical power and communication equipment and lines shall be of such construction, and so installed, operated, and maintained as to minimize the loss of life and fire hazard.
PSC 114.004(2)(a)(a) All construction and equipment shall be cleaned when necessary and inspected at such intervals as experience has shown to be necessary. Any equipment or construction known to be defective so as to endanger life or property shall be promptly repaired, permanently disconnected, or isolated until repairs can be made. Construction, repairs, additions and changes to electrical equipment and conductors shall be made by qualified persons only.
PSC 114.004(2)(b)
(b) Facilities installed or used in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electricity shall be designed for such installation or use.
PSC 114.004 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14.
PSC 114.005(1)(a)
(a) This chapter shall apply in full to all new installations, reconstructions, alterations and extensions, except as modified or waived by the commission under par.
(b).
PSC 114.005(1)(b)
(b)
Waiving rules. The commission may modify or waive these rules in particular cases when rules are shown for any reason to be impractical or if equivalent safety is secured in other ways.
PSC 114.005(2)(a)
(a) Where an existing installation meets, or is altered to meet these rules, such installation is considered to be in compliance with this edition and is not required to comply with any previous edition.
PSC 114.005(2)(b)
(b) Existing installations, including maintenance replacements, which comply with prior editions of the code, need not be modified to comply with these rules except as may be directed for safety reasons by the commission and within the time the commission determines.
PSC 114.005(2)(c)
(c) Where a utility adds, alters, or replaces conductors or equipment on an existing structure, the structure or the facilities on the structure need not be modified or replaced if the resulting installation will be in compliance with the rules in effect at one of the following times:
PSC 114.005(4)
(4) Temporary installations. Modifying or waiving certain of the rules will sometimes be necessary in case of temporary installations or installations which are shortly to be dismantled or reconstructed. Such temporary construction may be used for a reasonable length of time without fully complying with this code, provided it is under competent supervision while it or adjoining equipment is energized or if it is protected by suitable barriers or warning signs when accessible to any person; but all such construction shall be made reasonably safe.
PSC 114.005(5)
(5) Testing. Rooms which are used exclusively for routine or special electrical test work, and therefore are under the supervision of a qualified person, need comply with this code only insofar as is practical for the character of the testing done.
PSC 114.005(6)
(6) Emergency. In case of emergency the person responsible for the installation may modify or waive any requirement of this chapter, subject to review by the commission, even should an application be pending before the commission for a requested emergency related modification or waiver.
PSC 114.005(7)(b)
(b) The word “should" indicates provisions that are normally and generally practical for the specified conditions. However, where the word “should" is used, it is recognized that, in certain instances, additional local conditions not specified herein may make these provisions impractical. When this occurs, the difference in conditions shall be appropriately recognized and s.
PSC 114.002 shall be met.
PSC 114.005(7)(c)
(c) A footnote to a table has the force and effect required or allowed by the rule that specifies the use of the table.
PSC 114.005(7)(d)
(d) Exceptions to a rule have the same force and effect required or allowed by the rule to which the exception applies.
PSC 114.005(7)(e)
(e) The word “RECOMMENDATION" indicates provisions considered desirable, but that are not intended to be mandatory.
PSC 114.005(7)(f)
(f) The word “NOTE" or the word “EXAMPLE" used in a rule indicates material provided for information or illustrative purposes only. “NOTES" and “EXAMPLES" are not mandatory and are not considered to be a part of Code requirements.
PSC 114.005(7)(g)
(g) A “RECOMMENDATION," “EXCEPTION," or “NOTE" applies to all text in that rule above its location that is indented to the same level.
PSC 114.005(8)
(8) Applications not specifically addressed. For all applications not specifically addressed in these rules, the design, construction, operations, and maintenance shall be done in accordance with accepted good practice for the given local conditions known at the time.
PSC 114.005 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14.
PSC 114.006
PSC 114.006
Adoption of standard by reference. PSC 114.006(1)(1)
Adoption of standard. The National Electrical Safety Code-2017 edition (also American National Standards Institute C2-2017 edition) subject to omissions, changes and additions as otherwise shown in this chapter, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volume 1. Interim amendments to the NESC-2017 will not be effective in this state until such time as this chapter is revised to reflect such changes.
PSC 114.006(2)
(2) Consent to incorporate NESC-2017 by reference. Pursuant to s.
227.21, Stats., the attorney general has consented to the incorporation by reference of these standards contained in the NESC-2017, except for the omissions, changes and additions as shown later in this chapter. Copies of the NESC-2017 are on file in the offices of the commission and the legislative reference bureau.
Subch. III of ch. PSC 114 Note
PSC 114.007
PSC 114.007
Omissions, changes, additions to NESC-2017. Omissions, changes, or additions to the NESC-2017 are specified in this subchapter and are rules of the commission and not requirements of the NESC-2017.
PSC 114.007 Annotation
Note 1: Each omission, change or addition is found in the same location in this subchapter as the appropriate NESC part, section or subsection where the affected rule is found. Each change or addition has been prefixed by ch. PSC 114. Following the PSC designation is the referenced NESC section or subsection and the page on which it is found in the NESC. Example: PSC 114.096C [NESC 096C, p. 34]. The word “Change" following the section number and heading means that the corresponding wording of the NESC-2017 has been changed and that the new wording is substituted at the appropriate location. The word “Addition" following the section number and heading means that a new requirement is incorporated in the NESC-2017 and that the new requirement is inserted at the appropriate location.
PSC 114.007 Note
Note 2: To observe federal directives and recommendations that national standards adopt the metric system for units of measure, the numerical values of the NESC-2017 are stated in the metric system and in the customary inch-foot-pound system. To conform to this more international convention, this revision of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volume 1 also adopts the same measurement convention. In the text, the metric value is now shown first with the customary inch-foot-pound value (in parentheses) following. In tables, the metric values are also given first and where the entire tables are duplicated, the table of metric values appears first with the table of inch-foot-pound values following.
Section 1. Introduction to the National
Electrical Safety Code
PSC 114.010
PSC 114.010
Omissions. [NESC 010 through 016, pp. 1-6]
Introduction to the National Electrical Safety Code (Section 1) (Omission) Rules 010 through 016 of the NESC-2017 are omitted and not incorporated as part of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volume 1.
Section 2. Definitions of Special Terms
PSC 114.02
PSC 114.02
Definitions of special terms. PSC 114.02(1)(1)
Administrative authority. [NESC Section 2., p. 7] (Change)
Change the definition of “Administrative Authority" to read:
Administrative authority. The authority for the enforcement of this code is vested in the commission with respect to the installation and operation of circuits or equipment by public utilities and railroads in the exercise of their functions as utilities and railroads.
PSC 114.02(2)
(2) Commission. [NESC Section 2, p. 8] (Addition) Add the following definition:
Commission. Public service commission of Wisconsin.
PSC 114.02 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039 r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14;
CR 18-007: am. (title), r. (intro.), consol. (1) (intro.) and (a), renum. to (1) and am., consol. (2) (intro.) and (a), renum. to (2) and am. Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
Section 9. Grounding Methods for Electric Supply and Communications Facilities
PSC 114.092
PSC 114.092
Point of connection of grounding conductor. PSC 114.092(1)(1)
Cable with insulating jacket. [NESC 092B2b(3), p. 25] (Change) Change paragraph (3) to read:
