The code you—and the world—depend on to keep pace with ever-evolving electrical hazards and challenges.
NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), is the authoritative document addressing electrical installations in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The NEC is revised every three years to stay in sync with industry practices, emerging trends, and the development and introduction of technologies to provide comprehensive rules for designers, installers, inspectors, engineers, electricians, and anyone else who works in the electrical industry. The code is organized for ease of use.
2020 Edition Details
Changes to the 2020 edition of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), include:
- Added, edited, and reorganized content to address safety for workers, energy systems and electric vehicles, limited energy, and communication systems
- Revisions to service disconnect rules to help protect electrical workers from arc flash hazards
- Adapted and adjusted requirements for installation practices of new technologies to meet the evolving demand for Power over Ethernet
- Updates to modernize tables currently in use for calculations to reflect improvements in energy efficiency and align with evolving codes
- Revised requirements for ground-fault protection within marinas and boatyards
- Introduction of guidelines for the safe use of electric vehicles (electric vehicle power export equipment) as a backup or emergency power source for a building or a home
- Reorganization of Article 310, including new user-friendly numbering for important ampacity tables, a new definition for cable bundle in Article 725, and more!
The NEC, 2020 edition, introduces significant new requirements for:
- Exterior emergency disconnects of one- and two-family dwellings for improved electrical safety for emergency responders
- The residential installation of receptacle outlets serving island and peninsular countertops and for surge protection of services supplying dwelling units
- Working space for “housekeeping pads” for electrical equipment, the installation of wiring methods in exit enclosures, sizing supply and load conductors used with adjustable-speed drive systems, and AFCI protection of branch circuits in patient sleeping areas in care facilities
- Calculating the load of electric vehicle supply equipment with variable current settings
- Worker safety in identifying the source of power for disconnecting means and for egress from spaces containing large electrical equipment
- Grounding of disconnecting means installed on the supply-side of service disconnecting means
- Cables installed exposed on ceiling surfaces and sidewalls
- Special occupancies, special equipment, and special conditions, including installation of splash pads, the use of “Type P” cables in hazardous classified locations, and the reinspection of swimming pools and other bodies of water
