The National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS) are the only American National Standards Institute-approved performance and workmanship industry standards for electrical construction. Construction owners, engineers, architects, contractors and others use these standards because they clearly illustrate performance and quality elements that apply in electrical construction. The National Electrical Code (NEC) references the NEIS throughout, but it is most notable in the informational note following Section 110.12. This rule requires electrical equipment to be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.


The idea behind the NEIS


The NEIS start with two questions: what does “good workmanship” mean, and how can it be defined in accordance with the NEC? The NEC contains the minimum requirements for electrically safe installations, but it does not precisely define “good workmanship.” That changed in the early 1990s, when the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) decided to develop the NEIS. At that time, NECA saw benefits for contractors and their customers by addressing the performance and quality issues that were, at best, subjective as provided in the NEC. The NEIS are the result of this ongoing effort.


Benefits of the NEIS


Beyond the obvious uses of the NEIS, the standards offer electrical contractors (ECs) some additional benefits:


• Worker training—With clear illustrations for how electrical installations should appear and the steps to follow to reach those results, the NEIS make great training guides. Contractors can help employees understand the difference between a basic and higher quality installation.


• Specifications—If you’re working with a general contractor, owner or engineer that isn’t certain about how an electrical installation should be done, you could pass along the applicable NEIS.


• Standing out—ECs using the NEIS have made a demonstrable commitment to the highest quality and safety installation procedures. This recognition sets these ECs apart from the competition.


Commitment to safety and quality


Electrical installations demand precision, and contractors should be committed to safety and performance excellence. The NEIS let customers know exactly how ECs provide those services and essential resources for their daily operations and demonstrate that installation quality helps to attract and retain customers. The NEIS establish a true quality benchmark in electrical construction that meets customers’ increased demands. Owners are all concerned with quality products and services. These standards provide an effective vehicle to help contractors demonstrate their commitment to quality.


Although the NEIS are voluntary standards, they provide details that clarify what constitutes good workmanship in various electrical installations tasks.


NEC rules address electrical workmanship and can be subjective for Code-enforcement officials, especially if they have limited experience in the field. The NEIS describe what the installation should look like and how it should perform to meet minimum requirements. Some jurisdictions have adopted them for use. If project plans and specifications reference the NEIS, they usually become requirements and are enforceable by inspectors.


Architects and engineers


Installation experts, manufacturers, contractors, engineers and end-users develop the NEIS. The standards include industry-recognized best practices for installing and maintaining electrical systems and equipment for safety, efficiency and proper operation.


For engineers, the NEIS remove the time-consuming research and guesswork. The standards clearly describe installation and maintenance procedures, emphasize the critical elements of each system or piece of equipment, and thoroughly address all facets of product installation where applicable, including field measurements, placing the order, receiving shipments, inspecting, handling and material storage, rough-in, installation, startup, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Following the standards assures owners, customers and end-users that their electrical systems are Code-compliant and incorporate the industry-recognized best practices for safety, operation, maintenance, energy management and power quality.


Looking ahead


The NEIS project is progressive and responsive to industry needs and trends. Currently, some developing standards directly relate to energy-storage systems, advanced lighting controls and lightning protection systems. 


ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR will host a webinar, “National Electrical Installation Standards—Standards as High as Your Own,” on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. EDT, to more thoroughly describe this program and how to get involved in its development. Click here for more information and to register.