Codes & Standards

Recent Stories

Apr 2020

Now Including Exits

Mark C. Ode
Periodically, a change in the National Electrical Code occurs that is long overdue, such as 2020‘s new Section 300.25. This change may have long-term consequences for electrical contractors, especially if the designer...
SHUTTERSTOCK / MIKE FOCUS
Apr 2020

How Important Is Interpretation?

Mark Earley
Fuses and circuit breakers protect lives and property from damage during electrical faults. The most common hazards include overload and short circuits. Some also protect against ground faults—whether they are ground-fault...
SHUTTERSTOCK / NOSOROGUA
Apr 2020

Electrical Systems Unearthed

Michael Johnston
Installing and operating an ungrounded system is typically a combined effort, including the design or engineering team, the owner, the operators and sometimes the authority having jurisdiction. In addition to the Code...
Shutterstock / Anton-Burakov
Mar 2020

Dangerous Waters

Mark Earley
In my first few years at NFPA, I met an electrical inspector who served as an expert witness in legal cases involving shock and electrocutions involving swimming pools. He told me that business was good, which was sad news...
istock / fotofrog
Mar 2020

Change for the Better

Mark C. Ode
Every National Electrical Code cycle, from the advent of ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection in Section 680-4 in the 1968 NEC , has featured changes in the installation and application of GFCIs. The first GFCI...
Shutterstock / The Toidi
Mar 2020

Origin Story

Michael Johnston
The NEC Correlating Committee is responsible for the NEC and multiple other electrical codes and standards published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The committee has a critical obligation to ensure that...
NEC code
Feb 2020

Making the Code at Home

Mark C. Ode
Even though the 2020 National Electrical Code was just issued in September 2019 and many states will not adopt the new Code until this year, electrical contractors should be aware of the major changes that will affect most...
home
Feb 2020

In Times Past

Mark Earley
The winter of 1975 was pivotal for the electrical industry. Two major fires within a month reminded the industry of how fires in combustible cable insulation can have catastrophic results. Neither of the fires occurred in an...
harpers ferry
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