Some significant changes occurred while developing the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code. One change in particular provides opportunities for electrical contractors.

A new requirement was added to Article 110. Section 110.17 is new and requires servicing and preventative maintenance of electrical equipment to be performed by specifically trained qualified persons. The new rule also indicates that original manufacturer’s information and instructions included in the product certification (listing) be followed, in addition to applicable industry standards or as approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The new section also requires that service and maintenance be performed using identified replacement parts verified under applicable product standards and must be provided by the original equipment manufacturer, designed by an engineer experienced in the design of such equipment or approved by the AHJ. This new provision encompasses a lot of requirements and opportunities.

Service and maintenance as a priority is not new to the electrical industry, but it has, in many respects, flown under the NEC radar for years. This is not the case anymore. There are additional adjustments that must be made when applying the revised NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. Not to mention the requirements for achieving electrical safety as prescribed in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. The evolution of the NEC, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E in 2023 and 2024 have created a “trilogy of electrical standards” that all must work together. Each are dependent on one another for effectiveness in the field and on the front lines.

Scope, applicability and definition

Let’s take a closer look at these three standards and the essentials to help understand how they work. First, the scope of each standard outlines what the document covers, and in the case of NEC Section 90.2(D), what is not covered. Each document also has a purpose that is essential to understand, as it establishes the guardrails to assist users in staying in their lane.

While the definition of a qualified person appears in each standard, they are not identical. In the NEC, qualified persons, by definition, must have the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and have received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved. This definition is slightly different than in NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E, which indicate that qualified persons must demonstrate skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations, and they have received safety training to identify the hazards and reduce associated risk.

Purpose of the codes

The NEC’s purpose is the practical safeguarding of people and property from hazards that arise from electricity use. NFPA 70B is for the practical safeguarding of people, property and processes from the risks associated with failure, breakdown or malfunction, and it is a means to establish a condition of maintenance of electrical equipment for safety and reliability. The purpose of NFPA 70E is to provide a practical and safe working area relative to the hazards that arise from the use of electricity.

Clearly these three standards have a strong bond regarding their scopes, applicability and definition of qualified persons. States and local jurisdictions have differing ways of establishing minimum competencies necessary to determine a person’s qualifications, such as licensing, certification or completion of specific training. What is common to all these standards is that the employer determines the qualifications for performing job tasks associated with their business operations. The qualifications go beyond just a piece of paper. Qualified persons must have specific training and experience to meet the definition in the standards.

The NEC is the most widely adopted code in the world, and it is typically adopted into law by jurisdictions at the state and local levels. The NEC is the minimum, meaning one must do at least that much, and when adopted into law, anything less is in violation. It’s a pretty harsh way to look at it, but it’s reality. With the new requirements for service and maintenance added to the NEC, tighter correlation in applying NFPA 70-2023, 70B-2023 and 70E-2024 is fostered and implied. Electrical contractors with service and maintenance operations as part of their business are already in alignment with the evolving trilogy of standards. Those that are not can certainly recognize and embrace the significant opportunities presented for their business.

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