There are an incredible number of changes too numerous to mention between the 2023 NEC and the 2026 edition in this column. For more, see Code Changes on page 46. Quite a number of these changes are related to the total rewrite for the 2029 NEC. Relocating articles in the 2026 NEC by shuffling them from one location to another is part of an expansion of the 2029 code from nine chapters to at least 22. 

Some NEC experts say the current layout has not differed since the latter part of the 1920s and 1930s, with change long overdue. Others say that even though change is inevitable, we should leave the NEC as is because “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!” This expansion represents a significant modification to the code, and experienced users will have to look closely. Familiarizing ourselves with the new locations and reclassifying sections, articles and chapters with this expanded NEC will certainly be a challenge. To help all of us deal with this reorganization, the 2026 edition includes a new Annex L to outline those specific changes. 

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of the 2026 NEC (labeled Definitions and General Requirements) contains Definitions in Article 100 (no change), General Requirements for Electrical Installations in Article 110 (no change), Load Calculations in new Article 120 (changed from Article 220 in the previous edition of the code) and Energy Management and Power Control in new Article 130 (changed from Article 750). 

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 still covers wiring and protection and is the same as in the past, but with a new Article 206 for non-power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits (covered in Section 300.26 in the 2023 NEC and previously in Article 725 in past editions) and five new articles: Article 265 for branch circuits over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal; Article 266 for feeders over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal; Article 267 for outside branch circuits and feeders over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal; Article 268 for services over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal; and Article 270 for grounding and bonding of systems over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal. 

These new articles are based on text located in parts of specific articles, such as articles 210, 215, 225, 230 and 250, and basically contain most of the same information.

Chapter 4

Chapter 3 of the 2026 code is generally the same as 2023. In Chapter 4, there was a major revision from Article 404 covering switches to Article 406 that now covers receptacle and switch devices. Article 404 now covers the installation of general-use switches, motor-circuit switches, isolating switches, pullout switches, circuit breakers used as switches and molded-case switches operating at voltages not over 1,000V AC, 1,500V DC, nominal. Article 404 no longer covers wiring devices such as general-use snap switches, dimmers and electronic control switches. These devices are covered in new Part III of Article 406 for devices. 

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 in the 2026 NEC has a new Article 624 that covers the electrical conductors and equipment connecting an electric self-propelled vehicle to premises wiring for the purposes of charging, power export or bidirectional current flow. This new article covers electrical industrial trucks, golf carts, fork lifts and similar self-propelled commercial machinery.

Chapters 7 and 8

There are many changes in chapters 7 and 8, especially with the change in Section 90.3 that states Chapter 8 covering communications systems is no longer a standalone chapter. The text in Section 90.3 now states the following: “This code is divided into the introduction and nine chapters. Chapters 1 through 4 apply generally. Chapter 5 through Chapter 8 may supplement or modify the requirements in Chapters 1 through Chapter 8.” All major installation requirements for communications systems are now in Article 720 covering general requirements for limited-­energy systems; Article 721 for power systems for limited-energy systems; Article 722 covering limited-energy cables for power-limited circuits, fault-managed-power circuits, optical fiber circuits and communications circuits; and Article 723 covering raceways, cable routing assemblies and cable trays for limited-energy systems. 

There are also a number of new and existing articles in Chapter 7 in addition to the articles just named, such as Article 725 covering Class 2 and Class 3 power-­limited circuits; Article 726 covering Class 4 fault-managed power systems; Article 742 covering overvoltage protection of limited-energy systems; and Article 750 covering grounding and bonding of limited-­energy systems. 

In the 2026 NEC, Chapter 8 only covers requirements for communications system wires and cables located outside and entering into buildings. 

Implementing the 2026 edition will require a lot of mental challenges, with major changes coming in the 2029 NEC. Look in Annex L in the 2026 code for guidance.

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