National Electrical Code

Performance Areas and the NEC

July 17, 2018

A distinguishing characteristic of Art. 520 is the sheer number of definitions it contains

Article 520 provides the requirements for theaters, audience areas of television studios, and similar locations. A distinguishing characteristic of this article is the sheer number of definitions (21).

Stage equipment is divided into these four groups:

Fixed stage switchboards (Part II).
Fixed stage equipment other than switchboards (Part III).
Portable switchboards on stage (Part IV).
Portable (on) stage equipment other than switchboards (Part V).

See the pattern, there?

Rooms for dressing and make-up are covered by Part VI.

A single paragraph comprises Part VII Grounding. What it’s saying is you need to bond metal raceways, cable sheaths, equipment frames, and equipment enclosures to an equipment grounding conductor (EGC). The EGC is a bonding conductor, and those metal raceways should form part of the EGC system [Sec. 250.118].

If you’re wiring:

Portable equipment, you can use approved flexible cords and cables. You cannot use uninsulated staples or nailing to fasten these [Sec. 520.5(B)].
Fixed equipment, you must enclose any nonmetallic raceway in at least 2 in. of concrete. All raceway and cabling must include an insulated EGC sized per Table 250.122 [Sec. 520.5(A), and note the exception].

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.