russellyoungblood
Member
- Location
- 75755
- Occupation
- Journeyman electrician
Just a friendly reminder that the code we adhere to is NATIONAL,so no need to say what parts of the nation allow what. All inclusive national electric code.
National Electrical code
- Thread starter russellyoungblood
- Start date
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
There is no "national" electrical code that applies universally to all 50 states. The NEC can be adopted by local jurisdictions if they so choose. Many states or cities adopt their own modified version of the NEC although none are required to do so.
zbang
Senior Member
- Location
- Roughly 5346 miles from Earls Court
Don't try "it's NATIONAL" in NYC or Chicago, they have their own codes basically untethered to the NEC.
Joe.B
Senior Member
- Location
- Myrtletown Ca
- Occupation
- Building Inspector
Why do you think this group needs a "friendly reminder" of this? Genuinely curious, what inspired you to start this thread?
The NEC is voluntary, not mandatory.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
NYC finally moved away from their antiquated electrical code and had been under the 2008 NEC with amendments for about 15 years. They just moved on to the 2020 NEC with amendments. Prior to that their home brewed electrical code was horrible. I still have my 1987 NYC codebook from my apprenticeship. Not sure about Chicago.
zbang
Senior Member
- Location
- Roughly 5346 miles from Earls Court
I stand corrected (and don't work in that area).
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Your correct that for 100 years NYC had its own code. They have updated in the third millennium.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
"This Code is purely advisory as far as NFPA is concerned. It is made available for a wide variety of
both public and private uses in the interest of life and property protection. These include both use in
law and for regulatory purposes and use in private self-regulation and standardization activities such
as insurance underwriting, building and facilities construction and management, and product
testing and certification."
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
There is at least one state (Arizona?) that has not adopted the NEC at all. They let each municipality adopt their own code.
Correction: there are 4 states
www.nfpa.org
Correction: there are 4 states
Learn where the NEC is enforced. | NFPA
Discover which edition of the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® (NEC® ) is enforced in your state.
Last edited:
Mystic Pools
Senior Member
- Location
- Park Ridge, NJ
- Occupation
- Swimming Pool Contractor
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
The NEC only becomes law when it is adopted to be used.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
It is not an enforceable code until adopted by a unit of government with the power to adopt building codes. When that unit of government adopts the code published by the NFPA, there are often state or local amendments the either add additional rules or eliminate some rule.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Chicago changed a lot with their 2018 code that is based on the 2017 NEC, with their amendments...the Chicago code is published by the NFPA.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The map is wrong for Illinois...the state has adopted the 2008 NEC, but that only applies where there is not a county or city adoption. A county of city may adopt any edition, including those prior to the 2008 code.There is at least one state (Arizona?) that has not adopted the NEC at all. They let each municipality adopt their own code.
Correction: there are 4 states
Learn where the NEC is enforced. | NFPA
Discover which edition of the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® (NEC® ) is enforced in your state.
However without a county of city adoption, there is no enforcement or permits, even though the state requires compliance with the 2008.
The city I live near requires permits and inspects to the 2008 code, but I don’t think they’ve formally adopted it.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
I not sure how that works where a city issues permits and inspects without adopting a code. However, If they don't have an electrical commission, they cannot issue permits or inspect per state law.
Interesting. I’m going to nose around and see if I can find out the actual situation. There’s definitely no commission of any kind. The city has 2 inspectors, one electrical and one that covers everything else.
Yes, we are the wild west for electrical code. Although the NEC is adopted pretty much everywhere, everyone is on a different version.
And don't get me started on building codes. Most places adopt some version of the IBC, but technically the State Fire Marshall's office enforces the 2015 life safety code for anywhere that hasn't adopted their own code.
State agencies also license some facilities like health care, even where there are local codes. So sometimes we have to check for compliance with multiple codes.
Gotta remember 20 different versions of 20 different codes and what applies where.