Permits

Q. Describe when the Restricted Energy Electrical Permit Applications are to be used and by whom?

Issues: There is much confusion among inspectors as to who takes this out and when. Some still believe they must be licensed electrical contractors to take out this permit. The question of when to charge for telephone systems is still there - regular phone lines vs CAT 5 wiring.

A. The Restricted Energy Electrical Permit Application rules are addressed in OAR 918-309-0400. The permit may be obtained by a general contractor or subcontractor, limited energy installer or property owner and the restricted energy activities must be declared at the time of purchase. The applicant shall assume responsibility for requesting inspections and for all corrections.
(April 2001 BCD Code Forum)

Q. What sort of permit is an electrician supposed to pull when doing a residential service call?

A. The permit depends on the scope of work. The job could require a full permit or a minor label. OAR 918-309-0080 allows an electrician use a temporary permit, if the work exceeds the scope of a minor label. One can post a permit application form with the words TEMPORARY PERMIT at the job site and call in the permit within 24 hours of the jurisdiction office's opening time. All jurisdictions honor such temporary permits. (Tri-County Electrical Code Forum, February 7, 2002)

Q. If we are contracted to move vacuum tubing, and we do not add any wire, but only move the tubing a few inches or feet, are we required to get a low-voltage permit or minor label?

A. No electrical permit is required, because no electrical work is being performed.
(August 8,2002 Tri-County Electrical Code Forum)

Q. Is there a state requirement that the restricted/limited energy permit be permanently affixed to the job site, either to the electrical panel, furnace, or part of the installation itself, as the minor label needs to be?

A. No, there is no requirement for this permit to be permanently affixed anywhere on the job site, but it does need to be posted at the job site during construction. See OAR 918-309-0000(3). In contrast, a minor label needs to be affixed to the installation or panel.
(August 8,2002 Tri-County Electrical Code Forum)

Q. When installing a furnace, would electrical permits be required for both the thermostat connection and the electrical connection if they are installed by separate contractors? Generally, the heating person will run the stat wire and the electrical connection will be made by an electrical contractor.

A. Yes. See OAR 918-309-0000(4)
(January 23, 2003 Tri-County Code Forum; approved by state electrical code chief for statewide application)

Q: Section 918-309-0000(3) states that the permit should be posted near the main electrical panel location. Wouldn't it be better to post the permit at the sub-panel that feeds the circuit or equipment? The main panel might be at the other end of a building in a locked room.

A: The intent of OAR 918-309-0000(3) is to have a common location for the permit label that everyone will use. The common location allows the inspector to locate the label during inspection. Communication between a contractor and inspector should alleviate any label-location problems, and may be as simple as stating the location of the label on the permit application or label log.
(Tri-County Electrical Code Forum November 20, 2003)