The call came from Wiretown Elementary. Lights flickered, computers rebooted, and the smell of overheating insulation filled the air. Down in the school’s breaker room, chaos reigned.

Panels hissed. Breakers rattled. Wires glowed faintly as if alive.

From the shadows stepped Arc Flash, his molten grin spreading across the dimly lit room. “Ahhh, nothing like loose terminations and neglected maintenance to feed my power,” he hissed, lashing plasma across the panel lugs.

Teachers and staff fled as sparks showered the floor. The entire building teetered on the edge of darkness.

Then—BZZZZZZT!—Buzz Watts burst in, his spiral head a beacon, Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) body clanging across the floor, lightning-bolt arms sparking with resolve. “Not in front of the kids, Arc Flash! This ends here.”

“You can’t stop me, Buzz. Every untorqued connection, every ignored Code rule—these panels belong to me!” Arc Flash roared.

Buzz flipped open his glowing Codebook. “NEC 110.14(D): torque terminations to manufacturer specifications. Loose lugs feed you; tight lugs starve you. Class is in session.”

With a flash, Buzz guided apprentices to torque connections properly. The panel stabilized. Lights across the school surged to full brightness. Arc Flash staggered, weakened.

The crowd cheered. The kids clapped. Buzz raised his arms—

A sinister laugh split the air. “You’ve saved the day, Buzz…” Arc Flash rasped, dragging someone from the shadows. “…but you forgot about your sidekick.”

There, bound in scorched insulation, was Ampie—Buzz’s faithful companion, eyes wide with fear.

“Let him go, Arc Flash!” Buzz shouted, crackling with fury.

Arc Flash’s body blurred into living lightning. “If you want him back, meet me where my power is strongest—the Substation.” With a blinding pop, he vanished—taking Ampie with him.

Silence. Buzz dropped to one knee, fists clenched. The students stared.

“Don’t worry, Ampie,” Buzz whispered into the humming room. “I’m coming for you.” ⚡

To be continued…

Buzz’s Code Nugget

NEC 110.14(D) emphasizes using a torque tool and following manufacturer specifications for tightening terminations. Proper torque reduces overheating, arcing, and service issues—exactly the conditions Arc Flash feeds on.

Episode 3 – Quick FAQ

Who is Arc Flash?

Arc Flash is Buzz Watts’ nemesis—a personification of unsafe electrical conditions like loose terminations, faults, and poor maintenance. He appears when safety is ignored.

What NEC® concept does this episode highlight?

This story spotlights NEC 110.14(D)—torqueing terminations per manufacturer instructions. Correct torque reduces heat and minimizes the risk of arcing in breaker rooms.

Is EMT a conduit?

No—EMT stands for Electrical Metallic Tubing. It’s tubing, not conduit, and Buzz’s “EMT body” nods to that technical distinction.