How to read the NEC?

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Sebastian_Shaefer

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I am currently studying to be an electrician from a trade school. Often times our teacher will give us NEC code worksheets where we have to read through the NEC to find the solution to a problem, whether it be about the degrees of a swinging door or just a true/false question. Though many people in my class (me included) are confused on how to read the NEC. Often times I find myself confused not knowing how to find the information I need, or understanding certain terms. Often times it feels like a goose chase looking for something just for it to tell me to go somewhere else. I was wondering if anyone would have tips they could give me for learning to read the NEC better. Thank you!
 
LarryFine said:
Welcome to the forum.

I use the index when I'm not sure where to look.
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I've tried using the index and it helps a little bit but not too much. I get confused when reading it. Off the top of my head I can't think of an example but given an hour and a half or so and I could give you a good example of what I'm confused on. Thank you for the response!
 
There are several resources to learn the layout of the NEC. Google "NEC Layout"
Personally, I was taught to stay out of the index. Use the Table of Contents.
Also, memorize the article headings.
That way when you have a question on services, you know exactly where to go. A question on outside branch circuits? You know where to go if you memorize the article names.
That was an old Jeff Rodriquez trick, and it works.
 
Hv&Lv said:
There are several resources to learn the layout of the NEC. Google "NEC Layout"
Personally, I was taught to stay out of the index. Use the Table of Contents.
Also, memorize the article headings.
That way when you have a question on services, you know exactly where to go. A question on outside branch circuits? You know where to go if you memorize the article names.
That was an old Jeff Rodriquez trick, and it works.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the response! I will definitely give it a search. And I do get confused with the index, so the table of contents might work a lot better.
 
Hv&Lv said:
There are several resources to learn the layout of the NEC. Google "NEC Layout"
Personally, I was taught to stay out of the index. Use the Table of Contents.
Also, memorize the article headings.
That way when you have a question on services, you know exactly where to go. A question on outside branch circuits? You know where to go if you memorize the article names.
That was an old Jeff Rodriquez trick, and it works.
Click to expand...
I checked out the "NEC Layout" and it was insanely helpful. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
 
Sebastian_Shaefer said:
I am currently studying to be an electrician from a trade school. Often times our teacher will give us NEC code worksheets where we have to read through the NEC to find the solution to a problem, whether it be about the degrees of a swinging door or just a true/false question. Though many people in my class (me included) are confused on how to read the NEC. Often times I find myself confused not knowing how to find the information I need, or understanding certain terms. Often times it feels like a goose chase looking for something just for it to tell me to go somewhere else. I was wondering if anyone would have tips they could give me for learning to read the NEC better. Thank you!
Click to expand...
study study practice practice practice
 
I teach a 2nd year apprenticeship program and my curriculum includes using Mike Holts Journeyman's Prep book, specifically the Challenge questions for the entire 2nd semester. As such here are a few tips.
  1. The first half of the year I have them make flash cards (as homework) of all standard definitions and more importantly, the table of contents (I don't have them make flash cards of the roman numeral entries). This is extremely beneficial when using the code book. YOU HAVE TO USE THEM THOUGH.
  2. First thing is comprehend the question. Look for key words. Try to figure out where the question will be answered BEFORE opening the code book. Don't just arbitrarily open the code book and start thumbing through. If, for example the question asks about bonding equipment, the place to look is 250, but if it asks about bonding pools, the more likely key word is pools, so go to 680. The more you practice the better you get at properly categorizing where to look.
  3. When you already suspect where to look, I find the Table of Contents (and often your memory, if you use you flash cards) is easier and much quicker than the index.
  4. Using the index, however, can also be beneficial. Still, the first thing is to figure out where to go. Take the pool or spa bonding. Since I have guessed it is in pools, I can go to the index look up pools and quickly scan down through the sub entries looking for the word bond.
  5. As stated, practice, but always be intentional. So much is about taking the time to really read the question.
    1. Get a feel for how a question answered by a definition is asked. This isn't that hard, but when the answer is a definition, study how the question was asked.
    2. Learn to recognize when an answer is going to be an informational note. When the question references another source, like , NEMA, or ANSI, or UL, for example, these are going to be informational notes. Once you have decided what section to go to, you will be concentrating on quickly scanning informational notes.
    3. Learn to recognize when the answer is likely going to be an exception. This is really important, because I have observed that when trying to look things up quickly the average brain barely sees the exceptions because the are italicized.
    4. When you struggle to find and answer, try to analyze your process afterward. See if you can remember what tripped you up. An example. How far from the edge of an attic opening do I no longer need to protect NM cable. My first instinct would be to look in the NM section 334, but having struggled I know it is actually in the "global" wiring methods section. In other words the section 300.
  6. EVERTYTHING hinges on paying attention to what is being asked. this is back to item #2. Understand what is being asked. Dont' get trapped by trying to be so quick, you fail to analyze the question. Also, understand what is being asked. Lastly, understand what is being asked!
 
Know the correct definition of what you are looking for, and then start looking. Trade names can get confusing, such as "Romex" instead on nonmetallic sheathed cable.
 
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