For purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed to them respectively.

   “ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.” Any person engaged in the business of installing or altering by contract electrical equipment for the utilization of electricity for light, heat, or power, not including radio apparatus or equipment for wireless reception of sounds or signals and not including apparatus, conductors, and other equipment installed for or by public and private utilities under the jurisdiction of the state commerce commission for use in operation as public utilities where the commerce commission has adopted rules that supersede this code.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; amend. Ord. 7549, passed 10-15-91; Am. Ord. 8867, passed 3-5-13; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   For the purpose of establishing the minimum regulation governing the design, installation and construction of electrical systems, and providing reasonable safeguards to protect the public health and safety against the hazards of inadequate, defective or unsafe electrical systems and installations within the jurisdiction of the city, including but not limited to permits and penalties, there is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Electrical Code of the city the most recent edition of that certain code known as the National Electrical Code (NEC), and any amendment thereto that may from time to time be made, and the whole thereof is hereby incorporated by reference herein or as may be hereafter modified, deleted or amended.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   In order to modify the NEC to accommodate special local circumstances the following modifications are hereby made.

   (A)   All new electrical services installed shall provide a minimum capacity of 100 amperes.

   (B)   All new 100 amp. services shall provide at least 20 circuits.

   (C)   (1)   Wiring for 600 v. nominal or less. Service entrance conductors shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of this code covering the type of wiring method used and limited to ridged metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, wire ways, and auxiliary gutters. Rigid metal conduit and intermediate metal conduit are the only wiring methods permitted from weather head to the meter socket.

      (2)   Exception: Rigid metal conduit shall be permitted for underground service installations and service raceways beyond the meter enclosure on current transformer enclosure, provided all portions of raceway are constructed with rigid non-metallic conduit.

   (D)   All application and installations of low voltage wiring is hereby exempted.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 8867, passed 3-5-13; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18; Am. Ord. 9499, passed 8-20-24)

   The electrical inspector, under the direction of the director of the Department or his assignee, is authorized to inspect or cause to be inspected or reinspected all work in or on any building in the city prior to or on completion of such work, and to require that all such work is performed in the manner herein specified. When such work is found to be faulty, defective, or in any other manner unsafe to life or property, he shall have authority to require the person doing such work, or owning, operating, or using the work, to place the same in safe and secure condition, and in compliance with the provisions herein contained. The Department shall also have the authority upon inspection or reinspection to condemn all work that may be unsafe or hazardous to life or property. On condemnation of such work he shall serve notice upon the person owning, using, or installing the work to place the same in a secure and safe condition and in compliance with the provisions herein contained. The electrical inspector shall decide all questions not otherwise provided for in this chapter pertaining to the installations of electrical apparatus, wire, fixtures, devices, appliances, and attachments. The Department shall have the power and authority to make such rules and regulations of a practical and technical nature as herein provided, as may be necessary and desirable to make all electrical installations and work of the maximum degree of safety to life and property. It shall be the duty of the electrical inspector to keep, or cause to be kept, a full, concise, definite, and complete record of his Department's business as related to this chapter. The inspector shall not engage in electrical work for hire within the city, or engage in other activities that represent a conflict of interest with his duties. The inspector may be required to perform minor routine maintenance electrical work for the city as part of his job description.

(Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   Any person or business desiring to engage in the business (full or part-time) of installing or altering electrical equipment in the city shall first be licensed and registered in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter, and Chapter 165. This license and registration shall be known as a Class "A" license and registration.

   (B)   Applicants not holding a valid current license shall be required to take and pass a written test offered and administered by a private entity in cooperation with the International Code Council. This procedure shall not apply to applicants seeking annual renewal of an existing license. If an applicant desires to pursue receipt of a license the applicant must first complete and submit a license application on the form provided by the department. The Electrical Inspector will then review the application and determine whether the applicant is qualified and approved to test. If approved to test the applicant will be provided an authorization to test through a Department approved agency. An applicant taking and passing the test will be issued an electrical license. Contractor registration shall then be completed in accordance with the procedures, and on the forms, described in Chapter 165. No license shall be issued to any applicant who has had a previous license issued by the city or any other municipality revoked or if the applicant is subject to a current suspension of a license issued by any other municipality.

   (C)   Contractors licensed in other cities shall be considered qualified to work in the city without taking the test described in this section, provided that the other city requires comparable testing prior to receipt of a license and said city has a reciprocal agreement to accept the qualifications of contractors licensed by this city. If the contractor's license issued by any other municipality is suspended or revoked, he or she will not be authorized to perform any work within the city and any license issued by the city shall be suspended or revoked.

   (D)   Before any electrical permit to install or alter electrical work is issued to any person entitled to secure permits under the preceding regulations, the contractor (owner), or a person appointed or employed by him, shall be designated as supervising electrician. The supervising electrician shall be a journeyman electrician, not less than 23 years of age, and be able to document at least five years apprenticeship or equivalent in the installation, alteration, repair, and maintenance of electrical wires, equipment, and apparatus, or an equivalent thereto. Applicants shall furnish the names and addresses of former employers, period of time employed, and capacity in which employed. Proof of service shall be furnished in a manner satisfactory to the Department.

   The designated supervising electrician is generally expected to supervise appropriately qualified electricians and to visit the work site often enough to insure the workmanlike installation of electrical work. If, in the opinion of the Department, a licensed contractor, for any reason fails to have their supervising electrician perform the on-site inspections needed to insure the protection of public health and safety, they may initiate appropriate actions to remedy the situation. The Department's options, to be selected at their discretion, shall include, but not be restricted to the following: designate, without actually licensing, one of the contractors other electricians as an acting-supervising electrician, provided the Department and Electrical Commission, after conducting an interview, is comfortable with the candidate's qualifications to supervise the work involved. The electrician shall generally be considered qualified if:

      (1)   He is 23 years old and has five years of relevant experience; or

      (2) He holds a union journeyman's card.

   Electrical contractors licensed in Danville for more than three consecutive years and having a creditable record of obtaining electrical permits and performing work according to the Code, shall be allowed to designate a supervising electrician without testing that individual. However, if the designated supervising electrician becomes unavailable to perform on-site inspections on a regular basis, as determined by the Department, the contractor shall present another electrician for testing and designation as a supervising electrician before any subsequent license can be renewed.

   (E)   If, in the opinion of the electrical inspector, any licensed electrical contractor has willfully or repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this chapter, the electrical inspector shall prefer charges against such offending registered electrical contractor to the Commission. The Commission shall immediately conduct an administrative hearing. The department and the accused contractor may invite witnesses to provide testimony before the Commission. If the contractor is found guilty by a majority vote, he shall be deemed guilty of violating this chapter, and his license may be suspended or revoked. In addition to any suspension, the Commission may require that the contractor take and pass the test described in division (B) of this section. Any unexpired registration fee shall be retained by the city as liquidated damages. The Department shall keep a suitable record of all contractor's licenses and enforcement activities pertaining to contractors.

(Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   A homeowner may do electrical work regulated by this code in a single family home that they own, provided they obtain the necessary permits from the Department, and with the understanding that they may be required to complete a simple test conducted by the Electrical Inspector to help insure that the owner is competent to do the work safely.

(Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   No electrical equipment shall be installed or altered in the city except upon application for and issuance of a permit by the Department. The Department shall issue permits for the installation and alteration of electrical equipment in all cases where application shall be made in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable thereto. All fees fixed for electrical work shall be as described in § 151.99 of this City Code and those fees shall be paid to the Department prior to the issuance of a permit.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   The Electrical Inspector shall inspect all electrical equipment altered or installed in the city and shall require that said improvements conform to the standards and specifications applicable and adopted by this chapter.

   (B)   The Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to inspect all residential and all non-residential structures at any reasonable time and to order modifications to existing electrical work which in the opinion of the Electrical Inspector represent an urgent threat to public health and safety.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; amend. Ord. 7549, passed 10-15-91; Am. Ord. 7892, passed 3-18-97; Am. Ord. 8536, passed 4-3-07; Am. Ord. 8867, passed 3-5-13; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   Registered mechanical contractors, licensed plumbers and registered sign installers may apply for and be issued a Class B electrical registration in accordance with the procedures described in Chapter 165. The purpose of the Class B registration is to ensure that the mechanical, plumbing and sign contractors are able to perform limited electrical work in order to connect the mechanical equipment, plumbing fixtures or signs they are installing to an existing electrical service. Mechanical, plumbing and sign contractors desiring to obtain a Class B electrical registration shall first complete a simple test administered by the Department to help insure that the contractor is competent to do the work safely. The fee for a Class B electrical registration shall be as indicated in Chapter 165.

(Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   Once a Class B registration has been applied for and issued to a mechanical or plumbing contractor in accordance with § 153.09 the holder may perform limited electrical work as described herein in order to connect mechanical equipment or plumbing fixtures to the existing electrical service. The limited electrical work allowed shall consist only of the following:

      (1)   Connection of the mechanical equipment to an existing electrical circuit, provided the equipment is within 6 feet of an existing disconnect.

      (2)   Changing of a breaker inside the electrical panel provided the breaker is on a preexisting dedicated circuit for the mechanical equipment being installed or replaced.

      (3)   Extension of existing dedicated circuits from an existing junction box to the mechanical equipment being installed or replaced. An electrical permit shall be required for such work.

   (B)   A Class B registration holder shall not run new circuits to or from the main electrical panel nor shall they be allowed to perform any other electrical work regulated by this code.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   Once a Class B registration has been applied for and issued to a sign installation contractor in accordance with § 153.09 the holder may perform limited electrical work as described herein in order to connect illuminated signs to the existing electrical service. The limited electrical work allowed shall consist only of the following:

      (1)   Connection of an illuminated sign to existing electrical provided the connection is being made in front of an existing disconnect.

   (B)   A Class B registration holder shall not run new circuits to or from the main electrical panel nor shall they be allowed to perform any other electrical work regulated by this code.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   Any person currently holding a valid active Class A electrical license may convert such license to an inactive status. The fee for an inactive status electrical license shall remain at the current rate for obtaining an active electrical registration.

   (B)   The person holding an inactive status license shall renew such license by April 30 of each year, but will not be required to obtain liability insurance required for an active electrical registration.

   (C)   While the license remains in inactive status, the license holder shall not engage in the business, either full-time or part-time, of installing, repairing, altering or otherwise working on electrical equipment within the city.

   (D)   Any person desiring to convert an inactive status electrical license to an active electrical license and registration may do so by complying with the requirements for obtaining an active electrical registration. The fee paid for the inactive electrical license shall be considered and act as the fee for the active electrical license and registration with no additional fees to be paid.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   Any person owning or controlling electric wires or apparatus for the transmission of light, heat, or power shall, in case of emergency, upon the request of the chief of the fire department or any official in the fire department or the department, disconnect such wires as may be designated by such official.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 7683, passed 1-4-94; Am. Ord. 7823, passed 3-5-96; Am. Ord. 8867, passed 3-5-13; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   No person, including resident homeowners, shall do any work or perform any of the operations prescribed in this chapter without first procuring and having in force the permit(s) required by the department. Failure to obtain a permit prior to doing or authorizing any work shall result in the permit fee being doubled and may also result in penalties as provided in Chapter 166.

   (B)   Any person who shall fail to comply with any provision of this chapter may be punished as provided in Chapter 166, and as hereinafter provided.

   (C)   In addition to the penalties described above, the contractor may have his operating license and certificate of registration revoked pursuant to Chapter 165.

   (D)   There shall be no penalty for failure to obtain the required permit prior to starting said work when said work is begun in response to an unanticipated emergency at a time other than the regular business hours of the Department and for which a permit is later obtained during the next succeeding regular business day of the Department.

   (E)   Appeals. Any person which is aggrieved with the ruling or decision of the enforcing officer may appeal that decision pursuant to Chapter 164.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   This chapter shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any person owning, operating, controlling, or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or property caused by any defect therein. Nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized herein, the certificate of approval issued as herein provided, or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized herein.

(Ord. 7492, passed 12-4-90; amend. Ord. 7549, passed 10-15-91; Am. Ord. 8655, passed 7-7-09; Am. Ord. 8867, passed 3-5-13; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   There is established an Electrical Commission of the City consisting of 7 members as follows: 3 members from the electrician’s union; 3 members who are electricians not in the union; 1 member from Ameren IP. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. The members shall serve for three-year terms.

   (B)   The Electrical Commission shall adopt any rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the law and necessary for the conduct of its business and performance of its duties.

   (C)   The Department Director, or his designee, shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Electrical Commission. He shall designate a person to serve as secretary to keep minutes and records of all proceedings of the Electrical Commission.

(Ord. 8655, passed 7-7-09; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)

   (A)   The Electrical Commission shall meet at least quarterly. At the first meeting of the year, the commission shall elect one of the voting members as the chairperson to preside at all of the meetings.

   (B)   The Electrical Commission shall review current City codes governing electrical work and make recommendations on changes or updates to such codes.

   (C)   The Electrical Commission shall also make recommendations concerning:

      (1)   Safe and practical standards for the installation, alteration, and use of electrical equipment;

      (2)   Reasonable rules and regulations governing the registration of electrical contractors and the issuance of permits by the Department;

      (3)   Reasonable fees to be paid for registration and inspection by the Department of electrical work within the City.

(Ord. 8655, passed 7-7-09; Am. Ord. 9181, passed 12-4-18)