MINUTES: IAEI SUNCOAST DIVISION, FLORIDA CHAPTER TECO WESTERN DIVISION
JULY 8, 1999 GENERAL MEEETING


INSPECTOR MEMBERS 16 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 8

1.The regularly scheduled meeting for the Suncoast Davison Commenced with our Dvision President leading the group in the Pledge to the Flag at 1:35pm. Ralph Philbrook then proceeded with the customary round robin of introductions. There were no first time visitors.

2.The Secretary was not able to prepare the minutes from the June meeting. The President forgave the Secretary this time. Discussion took place concerning the Bulletin Board and the web site.

3.The President requested that those members who purchased shirts should pay the Secretary today.
A total of 28 shirts were on this order and the Secretary collected the majority of the funds due.

4.Old Business: Joe Bolesina asked if Leviton had responded to any of our letters. At this time, no further correspondence has been received or responded to. Noted that Leviton was at the July 98 meeting.
Jim Pappas brought to the Divisions attention that Leviton has a website www.leviton.com
Dick Widera inquired if there has been any other attempt has been made to contact other manufacturers
Discussion took place concerning GFI’s that are manufactured in China. These particular GFI’s do not test properly and are not safe to install.

5.New Business: Joe Serden informed the group that U.L. is hiring in this area. Dick Widera started discussion on a replacement circuit breaker kit for Wadsworth circuit breakers. Notable to these breakers, is the manufacturer does not have its name on it and its listing is questionable. Joe Bolesina described the breaker and how it connects to the busbar. The setup is quite unusual. Further discussion took place.
Dick Widera mentioned that a group of manufactures have a list of requirements to follow concerning re-conditioned equipment. Discussion took place concerning classified equipment and that this equipment is suppose to be sent back to be re –tested as well as receive a new listing. Discussion on re-certifying breakers took place and how it could be cost effective to do this with large pieces of switchgear.
Joe Bolesina mentioned a story of a flood in Chicago where equipment was reconditioned and the equipment only lasted two years before failing. Joe referenced a letter by Jim Pauley concerning reconditioned equipment and the problem using this equipment. NECCA has a booklet that is emphatic about not using equipment that has been flooded. Joe mentioned that Leviton has a company policy that if their equipment gets wet while in the warehouse, the equipment is sent back and recycled. The part is not sold. Products discussion for flooded equipment took place and U.L. certification.

Joe Bolesina brought to the Division’s attention a manufacturer, who shipped 30 air conditionong units, had to go back and have the units re-certified since the U.L. labels were affixed to the shrink-wrap prior to shipping.

6.The Treasurer, Ruben Rocha, arrived and gave his report for the past two months. Expenses reported $628.90 and income of $219.00 in income. The Division remains solvent. Bob Moore motioned for acceptance of the Treasure’s report as read and a second by Nelson Montgomery.

7.New Business Continued: Mentioned is the fact that Florida Power has a freeze on hiring. Ruben concurred.

Dick Widera took to the floor to apprise the Division of a change for ER licensed contractors. By July 1st, ER licensed contractors may be grand fathered in as EC contractors. The requirements are: pass an equivalent Block exam; be in business for 5 years; fill out the application accordingly; have a passing score of 75 or more. This means that by attrition, the ER license will fade away. It will be voluntary for an

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Individual to decide on the type of license he wants to hold. The Journeyman issue was briefly mentioned. Dick went on to discuss a recent disciplinary and license hearing in Orlando, which he attended, noting that half of the individuals do not have a command of the English language. Dick commented that many of the testing candidates are being told to contest the exam, thusly creating a deluge of candidates contesting the exam in Tallahassee. The State Attorney’s Office has had to assign several judges to hear the appeals.
Discussion on the types of challenges that are being presented took place and some of the arguments that are being herd. Most agree that it is an education that makes the difference in what a person will be able to do and how that person will ultimately function as a contractor. Dick explained that properly qualified persons make a difference in the field.

Dick brought up a question concerning meter sockets. What size meter socket do you sell someone who is installing a 225amp single-phase residential service? A 200 amp continuously rated meter socket. A 200-amp meter socket, with a 160 amp continuous rating would not be acceptable.
Ralph Philbrook, our Division President, commented that he has not seen too many 200amp continuous rated meter sockets out there. Dick said that A Electric Supply does stock these types of meter cans.

A snafu that recently happened in the city of Tampa with a particular meter socket being installed was mentioned. Dick made the Division aware that a U.L. rated can; a TECO rated can and a Florida Power can, all 4000 amp rated, are being produced; however, all these cans are produced on the same production line; all these cans are the same where the 400 amp rating is concerned; but it just depends on which sticker is put on which can. Ultimately, there is no difference between these different meter sockets.

Nelson Montgomery reiterated the question concerning the ER licenses. Nelson made notice to some of the potential problems with the State doing this. Dick commented that the person applying under this statute would have to appear in front of the ECLB. Dick does not think that the State will not just rubber stamp these license issuances. It will not be mandatory for an ER to get an EC license. Jim Pappas made a good point about the amount of money that the State will generate and how much money the local municipalities will loose.

The President mentioned the upcoming seminar. Dick reiterated and explained that the first 5 hours will be Code; from 2:00 to 3:00 will be OSHA; and at 3:00 will be the ADA presentation.
The City of Tampa will be having an ADA class on July 13. Nelson invited anyone needing these credits to attend.


Mac Mc Donald brought up an old issue concerning Bill Zanicchi’s question concerning dishwashers. The City of Tampa collected literature that conveyed a separate circuit should be installed. This makes a dedicated circuit part of the installation requirement. Additional discussion commenced.
Joe Bolesina referenced a letter from Florida Power that referenced the disposal and dishwasher, as being non-coincidental loads, and that there is no reason why these could not be on the same circuit. This issue came about on a house in Dunedin. Some research for this letter will take place.

Discussion on spas took place and various experiences of some of the members. Joe Bolesina made the division aware that the disconnect must be with in site of the spa, and for the pool equipment. Discussion of various pools and installations took place. The ’99 NEC was referenced concerning single-family dwellings where spas are concerned.


8.With a quick note, Joe Bolesina motioned to adjourn. Rick Griffin made a second and at 2:41 PM the July General meeting adjourned.