The Imposition of New Regulations Could Lead to Higher Costs and Delays for Consumers and Small Businesses
The Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners appears to be shifting its focus as it continues to ponder new regulations on the installation and maintenance of low-voltage wiring systems.
Low-voltage wiring—typically under 50 volts—is used in a wide variety of applications common in most Delaware homes, including telephone systems, sound systems, cable television, closed-circuit video, satellite dish antennas and receivers, HVAC thermostats, landscape lighting, data networks, fire alarms, and security systems.
Last September, and again earlier this month, the board was scheduled to consider a controversial rule change that would have required any contractor installing a low-voltage system to have the work performed by a licensed electrician. On both occasions, the meeting was canceled.
The board now appears to be moving away from this proposal while considering an alternative approach. On the agenda for its rescheduled meeting (Tuesday, February 17, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM) is a “discussion on withdrawing the proposed change to Regulation 10.1.6” (the low voltage regulation).
However, the same agenda includes an item to discuss “Cecil County Low Voltage.”
Cecil County, Maryland, requires a Limited Low-Voltage Electrician License to perform typical low-voltage work. Among the requirements for obtaining a license are three years of full-time experience working under a licensed low-voltage, alarm, and signal electrician or a licensed master electrician, and passing a county-administered examination.
Licensing requirements for low-voltage system technicians vary significantly across the nation. While some states have comprehensive statewide licensing, others leave regulation to local municipalities or exempt certain types of low-voltage work entirely. At present, Delaware does not require low-voltage technicians to be licensed.
The owners of Delaware small businesses that install and maintain low-voltage systems question the need for new mandates. They say that most companies already adhere to recognized industry standards and that imposing new rules and additional compliance costs will raise expenses and reduce the number of available workers.
Critics also maintain that the consideration of new regulations is not driven by a credible safety risk, noting that low-voltage, low-amperage systems typically pose little risk of shock or fire hazard.
National fire statistics appear to support this contention. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 91% of home fires are caused by factors other than electrical issues. Of the remaining 9%, the NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration do not differentiate between low-voltage and other electrical systems in their causal statistics. Alarm, audio, data, and other low-voltage applications are a minor subset of the broader category of “electrical distribution and lighting equipment,” which includes 110-volt and 220-volt AC systems, as well as the wiring, outlets, and extension cords used to distribute and use this power.
If you would like more information about Tuesday’s Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners meeting, including the agenda and how to participate in person or online, please click here.
