Permits and Inspections - Electrical Permit

2002 National Electrical Code (NEC)
Illinois Power
Additional Standards as noted

Required

Residential/Commercial Structures: An electrical permit is required when installing a new service, service box, the upgrading of a service box, or the alteration, relocation or addition to an existing system which requires the redistribution of the breaker/circuit load.

Additional Standards

Minimum of 100 amp service for residential and/or business occupancy.

#3 T.H.W copper minimum for 100 amp service, aluminum is prohibited.

#3-0 T.H.W. copper minimum for 200 amp service, aluminum is prohibited.

Service entrances on principle buildings only, no accessory structures.

Entrance cable and neutral must be of equal size.

Neutral must be identified and continuous from weather-head through meter socket.

Only one over head entrance feeder shall be attached per principal building.

Ground wire and grounding system shall meet latest NEC.

Only rigid metal conduit shall be used from weather head to service panel and all conduit bonded to ground rod or other approved grounding device. Note: PVC may be substituted on the Illinois Power side of underground installations.

Where there is more than 10 linear feet from service panel to entrance, an approved outside disconnect shall be installed. All main panels shall have a single main disconnect.

Main panels shall not be allowed in living areas including bedrooms, bathrooms, hall, closets, living rooms, or dining rooms.

#12 awg copper minimum shall be used for branch circuits and switch legs on 110 v systems.

No more than 8 electrical devices, receptacles and/or switches, shall be installed on one circuit in residential occupancies.

No more than 10 electrical devices, receptacles and/or switches shall be installed on one circuit in commercial occupancies unless load calculations are submitted first to the electrical inspector.

Installations or Rewiring in Public Places:

All electrical installations or rewiring installed in churches, schools, hospitals, theatres, lodge halls, dance halls, commercial, professional, or industrial buildings and all other public places must be installed in approved metal conduit.

Category 1: Electrical permits requiring no plans and/or detailed information

Electrical permits can be issued by the Building & Zoning Department, City Clerk or Deputy Clerk with no submitted plans or review in the cases of:

Replacement or upgrading of an electrical service

Modification of an individual branch or circuit

Application

These projects only require the completion of an application for an electrical permit. To issue an electrical permit, the following information must be on the "Application for Building/Electrical/Plumbing Permit" form: 1) name of the property owner- first and last; 2) type of wiring; 3) estimated cost of the improvements. In many cases, the electrical permit will be issued in combination with other permits.

Review

No review of the project is necessary. However, all work must be in compliance with the 2002 National Electrical Code and the additional regulations. Failure to comply could result in redoing the work. The permit can be issued the same time fee is paid. Once the permit has been issued, the yellow copy of the application is provided to the applicant as a receipt. No window placard will be issued for this type of electrical permit.

Inspection

Electrical inspections are conducted by the City’s Building and Zoning Department. These inspections are part of the permit fee and are no additional charge. If these inspections are not done at the appropriate time, the City can require the applicant to remove or redo any work that was not inspected. The applicant may also be subject to fines and other penalties. Any changes or deviations from the plans will be noted on the inspection form. The following inspection schedule is only the minimum number of inspections. The City reserves the right to inspect any development at anytime to ensure compliance with all development codes and procedures. During any inspections, the City will only document compliance with the City codes or ordinances and will make no determination on quality of workmanship.

The following electrical inspection can be arranged by calling (618) 251-3100 Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. No inspections will be done on holidays or weekends. Twenty-four (24) hour notice must be given for all inspections.

Electrical

For new or upgraded services, the electrical inspector should be called after the service base has been installed and connected, but prior to the power company reconnecting service. For new, upgraded systems or additions/alterations to existing systems, the inspector should be contacted after all fixtures have been installed and all wiring is in place. Minimum of two inspections.

Letter of completion

Upon completion of the project, the Building & Zoning Department will issue a letter indicating the City’s final approval within three (3) days of final inspection. All final certificates or correspondence will be from the Building & Zoning Department.

Category 2: Electrical Permits Requiring Detailed Drawings and/or Plans

Projects involving a substantial amount of electrical work, such as the wiring of a business or the rewiring of a house, will require the preparation of electrical plans and diagrams. These drawings must be submitted with the permit application.

Application

Those applying for an electrical permit will be required to complete an "Application for a Building/Electrical/Plumbing Permit" and submit a minimum of two copies of all plans and drawings. Larger-sized projects may require the submittal of additional copies of plans and specifications, as directed by the Building & Zoning Department.

Review

Applicants Only Requesting Electrical Permit

Projects consisting only of electrical work will have both sets of plans forwarded to the Electrical Inspector for review and approval. The Electrical Inspector will make any request for additional information regarding the preparation of the plans and/or changes needed directly to the applicant. Once approved, the plans will be initialed by the Electrical Inspector and distributed to the applicant and Building & Zoning Department. The Building & Zoning Department can then issue the necessary permit to the applicant once the fees are paid.

Applicant Requesting Electrical Permit in Addition to Other Building Permits

If electrical improvements are part of the overall project requiring review by other departments, only one set will be forwarded to the Electrical Inspector. After reviewing the plans, the Electrical Inspector will outline in a memo any concerns or comments regarding the project and submit it to the Building & Zoning Department. The Building & Zoning Department will inform the applicant of any electrical or other concerns the City might have regarding the project. Once the plans for the entire project have been approved, the Building & Zoning Department will issue a permit once all fees are paid.

Inspections

Electrical inspections are conducted by the City’s Fire Department. These inspections are part of the permit fee and are no additional charge. If these inspections are not done at the appropriate time, the City can require the applicant to remove or redo any work that was not inspected. The applicant may also be subject to fines and other penalties. Any changes or deviations from the plans will be noted on the inspection form. The following inspection schedule is only the minimum number of inspections. The City reserves the right to inspect any development at anytime to ensure compliance with all development codes and procedures. During any inspections, the City will only document compliance with the City codes or ordinances and will make no determination on quality of workmanship.

The following electrical inspections can be arranged by calling (618) 251-3100 Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. No inspections will be done on holidays or weekends. Twenty-four (24) hour notice must be given for all inspections.

Electrical

Letter of completion

The City of Wood River, Illinois
111 North Wood River Avenue
Wood River, Illinois 62095
(618) 251-3100

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