All wiring and electrical apparatus in electric signs, of whatever character, shall be installed in accordance with the following rules:
(A) Every electrical sign shall be constructed so as to secure ample strength and rigidity, and shall have the receptacles so designed as to afford permanent and reliable means to prevent possible turning. The electrical signs shall be designed and constructed so that terminals will be at least 1/2-inch from each other and from the metal of the sign, except that in open work this distance shall be increased to one inch. Electrical signs shall be of weatherproof construction and so constructed as to enclose all terminals and wiring except the supply leads. Transformers, unless of the weatherproof type, cutouts, flashers, and other similar devices shall be placed in a separate, completely enclosed, accessible weatherproof box or cabinet made of metal not less than the thickness of the sign itself, or enclosed in approved cutout boxes or cabinets. Each compartment shall have suitable provisions for drainage through one or more holes not less than one-quarter of an inch in diameter. Miniature receptacles will not be approved for use in outdoor advertising displays. In every electrical sign, the wiring shall be neatly run and made mechanically secure and all connections shall be thoroughly soldered and all exposed parts treated to prevent corrosion. Where sign wiring passes through walls or partitions within the sign itself, the wiring shall be protected by standard bushings. In signs where receptacles maintain the wire one inch from any surface, the receptacles may be placed as much as 12 inches apart without any other support for the wire. Where the receptacles are more than one foot apart and less than two feet apart, one additional noncombustible, nonabsorptive insulator shall be placed halfway between each two adjacent receptacles to maintain the wire in position. Except as specified above, wires shall be kept at least 2-1/2 inches apart for voltage up to 300 and four inches apart for voltages over 300. Wires on the outside of the body of the sign shall be in standard conduits, with all fittings of approved weatherproof type.
(B) Signs constructed with separate letters on metal screens or other supported structures, and all signs, whether permanent or temporary, whose sections are widely separated from each other shall be completely wired in conduit except when, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner, other methods may be used, but when they are exposed to the weather, the boxes shall be of cast metal or hot galvanized sheet metal. Cabinets, cutout boxes, and fittings shall be provided with threaded connections for the reception of the conduits which enter them. Junction boxes shall be gasketed and made watertight with a conduit arranged for drainage. Locknuts and bushings will not be approved for conduit work when they are exposed to the weather.
(C) Leads from the electrical sign shall pass through the walls of the sign and also through either standard metal conduit and armored cable, or one or more standard, noncombustible, nonabsorbing bushing. Main feeding signs shall be calculated for a capacity of the total connected load, figuring at least ten watts for each receptacle. Exterior signs may be connected to interior lighting circuits when the total load does not exceed 660 watts, but no sign may be connected to a show window circuit. Outside signs shall be controlled by accessible switches which shall cut off entirely all wires to the sign. All metal electric signs shall be thoroughly grounded.
(D) All electrically illuminated signs shall bear the approving label of any nationally recognized testing laboratory.
(E) When any sign is illuminated, the electrical work shall be done by a licensed electrician.
(F) Signs cannot be wired with BX, but must be wired with conduit.
(Ord. 29-1977, passed 10-17-77) Penalty, see § 150.999