National Electrical Code (US)

The National Electrical Code is Part 70 of a set of codes and standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is comprised of a set of rules that when properly applied are intended to provide safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment. This standard governs the use of electrical wire, cable, and fixtures, and electrical and optical communications cable installed in buildings in the USA.

Related Topics:
National Fire Protection Association - Standard - Cable - Communications - USA

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The reason for the National Electrical Code's existence is to codify the best practices of electrical work into a single, standardized source.

Related Topics:
Codify - Best practices

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Most cities in the United States adopt the NEC as part of their municipal codes, as the authoritative set of rules for how electrical work is to be done. This means the NEC carries the force of law in many jurisdictions.

Related Topics:
Cities - United States - Municipal code - Jurisdictions

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The NEC was developed by the NEC Committee of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), was sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and is identified by the description ANSI/ NFPA 70E.

Related Topics:
American National Standards Institute - NFPA 70E

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The 110-year-old NEC is updated and published every 3 years. Recent publication dates were 1999, 2002 and 2005. Most municipalities adopt the most recent book within a couple of years of its publication. As with any "uniform" code, many jurisdictions regularly omit or modify some sections, or add their own requirements (sometimes based upon earlier versions of the NEC, or locally accepted practices).

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In the U.S., anyone, including the city issuing building permits, may face a civil liability lawsuit (sued) for negligently creating a situation that results in loss of life or property. Failure to adhere to well known best practices for safety has been held to be negligent. This means that the city should adopt and enforce building codes that specify standards and practices for electrical systems (as well as other departments such as water and fuel-gas systems). This creates a system whereby a city can best avoid lawsuits by adopting a single, standard set of building code laws. This has led to the NEC becoming the de facto standard set of electrical requirements. A licensed electrician will have spent years of apprenticeship studying and practicing the NEC requirements prior to obtaining his or her license.

Related Topics:
Liability - Lawsuit - Building codes - Electrical - De facto - Electrician

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