Technology is constantly evolving, and codes and standards needs to be updated to keep pace.

New York City recently updated its electrical code, which now complies with the standards of the 2020 National Electrical Code.

The change is a long time in the making. New York City last updated its electrical code in 2011 to comply with the 2008 NEC.

Change can be slow in the big city. External events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Sandy interrupted the process and introduced new issues to consider. Changes to the city process involving more review and a higher threshold for approval also contributed to delays.

The approved document includes several updates that will modernize and streamline the city’s code, and it addresses conditions unique to the city. The updated electrical code will be incorporated into the city’s construction codes under Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

Licensing, permitting, enforcement, disciplinary standards and penalties related to the electrical trade will also be amended to align with standards for other trades licensed by the Department of Buildings.

The quorum requirement for the Electrician License Board will be removed.

The bill’s technical provisions include exceptions for the use of arc-fault circuit interrupters in residences and the use of manufactured wiring systems, guidelines for the use of PVC risers in buildings and an allowance for a “qualified person,” as defined in the NEC, to conduct low-voltage work. The due date of the electric vehicle charging report required by Local Law 55 will also be pushed back from 2024 to June 30, 2026.