Chapter SPS 316

SPS 316.110   Examination, identification, installation, use, and listing of equipment.

SPS 316.210   Branch circuits.

SPS 316.220   Branch-circuit, feeder and service calculations.

SPS 316.225   Outside branch circuits and feeders.

SPS 316.230   Services.

SPS 316.240   Overcurrent protection.

SPS 316.250   Grounding and bonding.

SPS 316.300   Wiring methods.

SPS 316.310   Conductors for general wiring.

SPS 316.312   Cabinets, cutout boxes and meter socket enclosures.

SPS 316.314   Outlet, device, pull and junction boxes; conduit bodies; fittings; and handhole enclosures.

SPS 316.334   Nonmetallic-sheathed cable: Types NM, NMC and NMS.

SPS 316.358   Uses permitted.

SPS 316.400   Flexible cords and cables.

SPS 316.404   Switches controlling lighting loads.

SPS 316.406   Receptacles, cord connectors and attachment plugs (caps).

SPS 316.450   Transformers and transformer vaults (including secondary ties).

SPS 316.511   Commercial garages, repair and storage.

SPS 316.547   Agricultural buildings.

SPS 316.551   Recreational vehicles and recreational vehicle parks.

SPS 316.620   Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts and stairway chairlifts.

SPS 316.675   Electrically driven or controlled irrigation machines.

SPS 316.680   Swimming pools, fountains and similar installations.

SPS 316.700   Emergency systems.

SPS 316.701   Legally required standby systems.

Ch. SPS 316 Note Note: Chapter ILHR 16 as it existed on October 31, 1984 was repealed and a new chapter ILHR 16 was created effective November 1, 1984; Chapter ILHR 16 as it existed on February 29, 1988 was repealed and a new chapter ILHR 16 was created effective March 1, 1988; Chapter ILHR 16 as it existed on October 31, 1990, was repealed and a new chapter ILHR 16 was created effective November 1, 1990. Chapter ILHR 16 was renumbered chapter Comm 16 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1996, No. 488. Chapter Comm 16 was renumbered chapter SPS 316 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Ch. SPS 316 Note Note: Chapter Comm 17 was repealed effective October 1, 1999. Sections Comm 16.60 to 16.67 were created to replace ch. Comm 17.

Ch. SPS 316 Note Note: Subchapter III of Ch. Comm 16 (sections Comm 16.15 through 16.52) as it existed on February 28, 2009 was repealed and a new subchapter III was created effective March 1, 2009.

subch. I of ch. SPS 316 Subchapter I — Purpose, Scope, and Application

SPS 316.001 SPS 316.001 Purpose.

SPS 316.001(1) (1) Practical safeguarding. Pursuant to ss. 101.02 (1), 101.63 (1), 101.73 (1), and 101.82 (1), Stats., the purpose of this chapter is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the installation and use of electricity.

SPS 316.001 Note Note: Hazards often occur because of overloading of wiring systems by methods or usage not in conformity with this chapter. This occurs because initial wiring did not provide for increases in the use of electricity. An adequate initial installation and reasonable provisions for system changes will provide for future increases in the use of electricity.

SPS 316.001(2) (2) Code intention. This chapter is not intended as a design specification or as an instruction manual for untrained persons.

SPS 316.001 Note Note: The Wisconsin state electrical code is issued and administered by the department and by the public service commission in 2 chapters of the Wisconsin administrative code. The department has the responsibility for issuance and administration of this chapter, and the public service commission has the responsibility for issuance and administration of ch. PSC 114.

SPS 316.001 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; CR 08-047: renum. from Comm 16.01 and am. (2) Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2009 No. 638.

SPS 316.002 SPS 316.002 Scope.

SPS 316.002(1) (1) General. Except as provided in sub. (2), this chapter applies to electrical wiring installations.

SPS 316.002(2) (2) Exclusions. This chapter does not cover any of the following electrical wiring installations:

SPS 316.002(2)(a) (a) Installations in ships, watercraft other than floating buildings, railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles.

SPS 316.002(2)(b) (b) Installations for generation, transformation, or distribution of power used exclusively by railways for signaling and communication purposes.

SPS 316.002(2)(c) (c) Installations of communication equipment under exclusive control of communication utilities, located outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for such installations.

SPS 316.002(2)(d) (d) Installations in manufactured homes, other than electrical wiring alterations in existing manufactured homes.

SPS 316.002(2)(e) (e) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility, or an electric cooperative where such installations meet any of the following situations:

SPS 316.002(2)(e)1. 1. Consist of service drops or service laterals, and associated metering.

SPS 316.002(2)(e)2. 2. Are located in legally established easements or right-of-ways designated by public service commissions, utility commissions, or other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction for such installations.

SPS 316.002(2)(e)3. 3. Are on property owned or leased by the electric utility for the purpose of communications, metering, generation, control, transformation, transmission, storage, or distribution of electric energy.

SPS 316.002(2)(f) (f) Installations for the purpose of street or area lighting owned and under exclusive control of electrical utilities or municipalities where located outdoors on property owned or leased by the utility; on or along public highways, streets, roads, or similar public thoroughfares; or outdoors on private property by established rights such as easements shall comply with this chapter or ch. PSC 114.

SPS 316.002 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; am. (1) (b) and (c), Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94; cr. (1) (e), r. and recr. (2) (d), (e), Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; cr. (1) (f), Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; CR 02-072: am. (2) (e) Register April 2003 No. 568, eff. 5-1-03; CR 08-047: renum. from Comm 16.02 Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; CR 16-093: r. and recr. Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 8-1-18.

SPS 316.003 SPS 316.003 Application.

SPS 316.003(1) (1) Types of installations. The provisions of this chapter apply to all new installations, reconstructions, alterations and extensions.

SPS 316.003(2) (2) Testing. Rooms which are used exclusively for routine or special electrical test work and are under the supervision of a qualified person, shall comply with this chapter where practicable for the character of the testing done.

SPS 316.003(3) (3) Existing installations. Existing electrical installations shall conform to the electrical code that applied when the installations were installed. An existing electrical installation may be required to be brought into compliance with the current code’s requirements by the department and within the time period determined by the department when a hazard to life, health or property exists or is created by the installation.

SPS 316.003(4) (4) Repairs. Repairs to electrical installations shall conform to the electrical code that applied when the installations were installed. A repair may be required to be brought into compliance with the current code’s requirements by the department and within the time period determined by the department when a hazard to life, health or property exists or is created by the repair.

SPS 316.003(5) (5) Differing rules.

SPS 316.003(5)(a) (a) Where any department rule in this chapter differs from a requirement within a standard referenced in this chapter, the department rule shall govern.

SPS 316.003(5)(b) (b) Where a provision of this chapter prescribes a general requirement and another provision of this chapter prescribes a specific or more detailed requirement regarding the same subject, the specific or more detailed requirement shall govern, except as provided in par. (a).

SPS 316.003(5)(c) (c) Where different sections of this chapter specify conflicting requirements, the most restrictive requirement, as determined by the department, shall govern, except as provided in pars. (a) and (b).

SPS 316.003(6) (6) Additions and alterations. Additions and alterations to electrical systems covered by this chapter shall comply with all provisions of this chapter at the time of permit application or, if no permit is required, the beginning of the project.

SPS 316.003 Note Note: This chapter does not nullify any exclusions specified in the standards adopted under s. SPS 316.007.

SPS 316.003 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; CR 02-072: r. and recr. (3), cr. (4) Register April 2003 No. 568, eff. 5-1-03; CR 08-047: renum. from Comm 16.03 Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; CR 13-042: am. (title), cr. (5) Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13; CR 16-093: cr. (6) Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 8-1-18.

SPS 316.004 SPS 316.004 Department authority. Under s. 101.02 (1), Stats., the department reserves the right to interpret the requirements in this chapter and in all adopted codes and standards. Any interpretation under this section shall supersede any differing interpretation by either a lower level jurisdiction or an issuer of the adopted code or standard.

SPS 316.004 Note Note: Section 101.86, Stats., prohibits municipalities from enacting rules that are more restrictive than this chapter. Section 101.86 (1) (a), Stats., provides a municipality may “[e]nact an electrical code or otherwise exercise jurisdiction over electrical wiring and inspection of electrical wiring by enactment of ordinances, provided that the electrical code or ordinance strictly conforms with the state electrical wiring code promulgated by the department under s. 101.82 (1). A county ordinance shall apply in any city, village or town which has not enacted such an ordinance.”

SPS 316.004 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; am. (1), Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; am. (2) and r. (3), Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; CR 08-047: renum. from Comm 16.04 Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2009 No. 638; correction in (1), (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; CR 13-042: am. (1) Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13; CR 16-093: r. and recr. Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 8-1-18.

SPS 316.005 SPS 316.005 Petition for variance. The department shall consider and may grant a variance to a provision of this chapter in accordance with ch. SPS 303. The petition for variance shall include, where applicable, a position statement from the fire department having jurisdiction.

SPS 316.005 Note Note: Chapter SPS 303 requires the submittal of a petition for variance form (SBD-9890) and a fee, and that an equivalency is established in the petition for variance that meets the intent of the rule being petitioned. Chapter SPS 303 also requires the department to process regular petitions within 30 business days and priority petitions within 10 business days.

SPS 316.005 Note Note: The Department forms required in this chapter are available for a nominal fee at telephone 800-DOC-SALE (800-362-7253) or 411 (Telecommunications Relay), or at [e-mail]. Forms are also available at no charge at the Department’s Web site at http://dsps.wi.gov through links to Division of Industry Services forms.

SPS 316.005 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; r. and recr., Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; CR 08-047: renum. from Comm 16.05 Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 316.006 SPS 316.006 Definitions. In this chapter:

SPS 316.006(1) (1) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

SPS 316.006(2) (2) “Electrical wiring” has the meaning given in s. 101.80 (1m), Stats.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Under s. 101.80 (1m), Stats., “electrical wiring” means all equipment, wiring, material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, and apparatus used for the production, modification, regulation, control, distribution, utilization, or safeguarding of electrical energy for mechanical, chemical, cosmetic, heating, lighting, or similar purposes, as specified under the state electrical wiring code. “Electrical wiring” does not include the equipment, wiring, material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, and apparatus used by a public utility, an electric cooperative, or a wholesale merchant operator for the purpose of generating, transmitting, distributing, or controlling heat, light, power, or natural gas to its customers or members.

SPS 316.006(3) (3) “Farm” means a place where farming is conducted.

SPS 316.006(4) (4) “Farming” has the meaning given in s. 102.04 (3), Stats.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Under s. 102.04 (3), Stats., “farming” means the operation of farm premises owned or rented by the operator. “Farm premises” means areas used for operations herein set forth, but does not include other areas, greenhouses or other similar structures unless used principally for the production of food and farm plants.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Section 102.04 (3), Stats., states that the operation of farm premises shall be deemed to be the planting and cultivating of the soil thereof; the raising and harvesting of agricultural, horticultural or arboricultural crops thereon; the raising, breeding, tending, training and management of livestock, bees, poultry, fur–bearing animals, wildlife or aquatic life, or their products, thereon; the processing, drying, packing, packaging, freezing, grading, storing, delivering to storage, to market or to a carrier for transportation to market, distributing directly to consumers or marketing any of the above-named commodities, substantially all of which have been planted or produced thereon; the clearing of such premises and the salvaging of timber and management and use of wood lots thereon, but not including logging, lumbering or wood cutting operations unless conducted as an accessory to other farming operations; the managing, conserving, improving and maintaining of such premises or the tools, equipment and improvements thereon and the exchange of labor, services or the exchange of use of equipment with other farmers in pursuing such activities.

SPS 316.006(5) (5) “Multifamily dwelling” has the meaning given in s. 101.01 (8m), Stats.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Under s. 101.01 (8m), Stats., “multifamily dwelling” means “an apartment building, rowhouse, town house, condominium or modular home, as defined in s. 101.71 (6), that does not exceed 60 feet in height or 6 stories and that consists of 3 or more attached dwelling units, as defined in s. 101.61 (1), the initial construction of which is begun on or after January 1, 1993. ‘Multifamily dwelling’ does not include a facility licensed under ch. 50.”

SPS 316.006(6) (6) “Municipality” means a city, village, town, or county in this state.

SPS 316.006(7) (7) “One- and 2- family dwellings” means any buildings that contain one or 2 dwelling units the construction of which commenced on or after December 1, 1978.

SPS 316.006(8) (8) “Place of employment” has the meaning given in s. 101.01 (11), Stats.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Under s. 101.01 (11), Stats., “place of employment” includes every place, whether indoors or out or underground and the premises appurtenant thereto where either temporarily or permanently any industry, trade or business is carried on, or where any process or operation, directly or indirectly related to any industry, trade or business, is carried on, and where any person is, directly or indirectly, employed by another for direct or indirect gain or profit, but does not include any place where persons are employed in private domestic service which does not involve the use of mechanical power or in farming. “Farming” includes those activities specified in s. 102.04 (3), Stats., and also includes the transportation of farm products, supplies or equipment directly to the farm by the operator of said farm or employees for use thereon, if such activities are directly or indirectly for the purpose of producing commodities for market, or as an accessory to such production. When used with relation to building codes, “place of employment” does not include an adult family home, as defined in s. 50.01 (1), Stats., or, except for the purposes of s. 101.11, Stats., a previously constructed building used as a community-based residential facility, as defined in s. 50.01 (1g), Stats., which serves 20 or fewer residents who are not related to the operator or administrator.

SPS 316.006(9) (9) “Public building” has the meaning given in s. 101.01 (12), Stats.

SPS 316.006 Note Note: Under s. 101.01 (12), Stats., “public building” means any structure, including exterior parts of such building, such as a porch, exterior platform or steps providing means of ingress or egress, used in whole or in part as a place of resort, assemblage, lodging, trade, traffic, occupancy or use by the public or by 3 or more tenants. When used in relation to building codes, “public building” does not include a previously constructed building used as a community-based residential facility as defined in s. 50.01 (1g), Stats., which serves 20 or fewer residents who are not related to the operator or administrator or an adult family home, as defined in s. 50.01 (1), Stats.

SPS 316.006 History History: CR 16-093: cr. Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2018 No. 750; correction in (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2018 No. 755.

SPS 316.007 SPS 316.007 Adoption of standards by reference.

SPS 316.007(1) (1) Primary Standards. The following standards are incorporated by reference into this chapter, subject to the modifications specified in this chapter:

SPS 316.007(1)(a) (a) Except as provided under par. (am), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, telephone [phone], www.nfpa.org: NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, (NEC) – 2017.

SPS 316.007 Note Note: Copies of the standards are on file in the offices of the Department and the Legislative Reference Bureau. A copy of the code may be purchased from the organization listed or may be reviewed on the organization’s website at no cost if the person is a registered user for the site.