Questions tagged [nec]

For questions about the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. Just about all US jurisdictions that have adopted an electrical code use the NEC, often with a handful of local or state level amendments.

The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 or the NEC) is the de facto standard for electrical installations in the USA. Most local and state jurisdictions have adopted the NEC, often with local amendments, or a code that substantially conforms with the NEC (such as the California Electrical Code).

The NEC is revised by NFPA on a triennial cycle. Most larger jurisdictions will stay current with the NEC, or at most 1 or 2 editions behind (so, given that the current NEC is the 2017 edition at the time of this writing, many jurisdictions are still on the 2011 or 2014 editions of the NEC).

Querents should state their locale, as usual -- there are cases where local amendments to the NEC are significant, and there also are some differences between editions (especially with regards to circuit protection requirements). Note that while the NEC as a whole applies to all occupancies where electrical power, light, control, or communications circuits are present irrespective of power source, there are many sections of the NEC that are only applicable to specific occupancies or use cases.

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If I have a 120V and a 240V single circuit (each) to an outbuilding, do they need disconnects?

NEC 2017 question. There are lots of detached garages out there that have single 120V circuits run from the house. This powers receptacles and lighting. It does not have a disconnect switch inside the building at the entry point. These exist…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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Difference between NEC code book and handbook (who is the target audience?)

My city requires electrical work to be done in accordance to the 2014 NEC. Therefore, I am purchasing the 2014 NEC. I see there are several other NEC-related books available. My question is: What is the benefit of the handbook over the regular…
tnknepp
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Homeowners Electric Permit - Mongomery County, Maryland, USA

Our county allows homeowners to test to acquire permits for "rough wiring" and "heavy-ups" (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/Process/combuild/homeowner-electrical.html). I did electronics/electrics in school, so believe I have the basis for…
user66001
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"Local Amendments" to the NEC - What is meant by this term?

I recently encountered the term "Local Amendments" in responses written by Tester101 and Ed Beal. I would like to know what they meant by this.
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Are existing non-tamper-resistant outlets grandfathered in NEC?

My residence is a town home built in the late '90s, thus having non-tamper-resistant outlets. I assume that they are grandfathered in NEC? Am I required, by NEC, to install tamper-resistant when replacing an outlet?
Phil N
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What does the NEC consider to be a kitchen?

I understand that the NEC requires GFCI outlets in kitchens. But how does it define a kitchen? If a room has a wet bar, that's not a kitchen, right? What if we add some more appliances (maybe a stove or dishwasher) next to the wet bar? At what point…
mrog
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run data cable for outlet inside box?

I'd like to run a data communication cable through all of the outlets, light fixtures and switches in a house. (I already have the walls open for other reasons.) Think something like a hardwired X10, within each outlet/fixture. A single run per…
akohlsmith
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Where can I download the U.S. NEC at no cost?

Is there a website where I can access the complete and most recently updated version of the United States NEC for free?
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What NEC code limits circuit breaker selection?

I'm looking for a citation of the section of code that states more or less "You may only use breakers in a breaker panel that said panel lists as approved for use therein.". What is the section number and actual verbiage as of the 2014 NEC?