Proposed NEC Reorganization

[don_resqcapt19]

The following reorganization for the NEC will be discussed at the Correlating Committee Meeting on March 14 &15. (posted in two parts)

NEW Article	CURRENT article	title
90	90	Introduction
Chapter 1: Definitions and General Requirements
100	100	Definitions
110	110	Requirements for Electrical Installations
120	220	Load Calculations
130	750	Energy Management Systems
140	590	Temporary Installations
Chapter 2: Wiring and Protection for Systems 1000 VAC, 1500 VDC and Below
200	300	General Requirements
205	310	Conductors and Cables
206	200	Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors
210	210	Branch Circuits
215	215	Feeders
225	225	Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders
230	230	Services
240	240	Overcurrent Protection
242	242	Overvoltage Protection
250	250	Grounding and Bonding
Chapter 3: Wiring and Protection for Systems Over 1000 VAC, 1500 VDC
300	305	General Requirements
305	315	Conductors and Cables
306		Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors
330	235	Branch, Feeder and Services
335	395	Outdoor Overhead Conductors
340	245	Overcurrent Protection
342	242	Overvoltage Protection
350	250	Grounding and Bonding
Chapter 4: Wiring and Protection for Limited Energy Systems
400		Wiring Requirements and Materials
405	722	Conductors and Cables
406		Use and Identification of Conductors
430		Interior Cabling Systems
435		Exterior Cabling Systems
440	724, 725, 726	Overcurrent Protection
442	Chapter 8	Overvoltage Protection
450		Grounding and Bonding
Chapter 5: Enclosures
520	312	Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter Socket Enclosures
522	314	Outlet, Device, Pull, and Junction Boxes; Fittings; and Hand hole Enclosures
Chapter 6: Wire and Cable
620	320	Armored Cable: Type AC
622	322	Flat Cable Assemblies: Type FC
624	324	Flat Conductor Cable: Type FCC
626	326	Intergrated Gas Spacer Cable: Type IGS
628	330	Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
630	332	Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Cable: Type MI
632	334	Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM and MNC
634	770	Optical Fiber Cables
636	727	Instrumentation Tray Cable: Type ITC
638	336	Power and Control Tray Cable: Type TC
640	337	Type P Cable
642	338	Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and USE
644	340	Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit Cable: Type UF
646	400	Flexible Cords and Flexible Cables
648	402	Fixture Wires
Chapter 7: Conduit and Tubing
720	342	Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type IMC
722	344	Rigid Metal Conduit: Type RMC
724	348	Flexible Metal Conduit: Type FMC
726	350	Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit: Type LMFC
728	352	Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type PVC
730	353	High Density Polyethylene Conduit: Type HPDE Conduit
732	354	Nonmetallic Underground Conduit with Conductors: Type NUCC
734	354	Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit: Type RTRC
736	356	Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit: Type LFNC
738	358	Electrical Metallic Tubing: Type EMT
740	360	Flexible Metallic Tubing: Type FMT
742	362	Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing: Type ENT
Chapter 8: Raceways
820	366	Auxiliary Gutters
822	372	Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways
824	374	Cellular Metal Floor Raceways
826	376	Metal Wireways
828	378	Nonmetallic Wireways
830	382	Nonmetallic Extensions
832	384	Strut-Type Channel Raceway
834	386	Surface Metal Raceways
836	388	Surface Nonmetallic Raceways
838	390	Underfloor Raceways
840	392	Cable Trays
842	770,800, 805,810,820,830,840	Raceways for Limited Energy Systems (Communication Raceways)

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Chapter 9: Power and Lighting Systems
920	368	Busways
922	370	Cablebus
924	369	Insulated Bus Pipe (IBP) and Tubular Covered Conductors (TCC)
926	371	Flexible Bus System
928	380	Multioutlet Assembly
930	393	Low-Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power Distribution Systems
932	604	Manufactured Wiring Systems
934	605	Office Furnishings
Chapter 10: Open Wiring
1020	394	Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring
1022	396	Messenger-Supported Wiring
1024	398	Open Wiring on Insulators
Chapter 11: Devices
1104	404	Switches
1106	406	Receptacles
1108	408	Switchboards, Switchgear and Panelboards
1110	409	Industrial Control Panels
1120	450	Transformers and Transformer Vaults
1130	455	Phase Converters
1140	460	Capacitors
1150	470	Capacitors
Chapter 12: Utilization Equipment
1220	410	Luminaires, Lampholders and Lamps
1222	411	Low-Voltage Lighting
1224	600	Electric Signs and Outline Lighting
1226	430	Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controller
1228	610	Cranes and Hoists
1230	620	Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and Stairway Chairlifts
1232	675	Electrically Driven or Controlled Irrigation Machines
1240	422	Appliances
1250	424	Fixed Electric Space Heating Equipment
1252	425	Fixed Resistance and Electrode Industrial Process Heating Equipment
1254	426	Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow-Melting Equipment
1256	427	Fixed Electric Heating Equipment for Pipelines and Vessels
1258	440	Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
1260	665	Induction and Dielectric Heating Equipment
1270	630	Electric Welders
1272	650	Pipe Organs
1274	645	Information Technology Equipment
1276	647	Sensitive Electronic Equipment
1278	660	X-Ray Equipment
Chapter 13: Systems
1320	625	Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System
1322	626	Electrified Truck Parking Spaces
1324	640	Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and Reproduction Equipment
1326	646	Modular Data Centers
1328	668	Electrolytic Cells
1330	669	Electroplating
1332	670	Industrial Machinery
1334	685	Integrated Electrical Systems
Chapter 14: Equipment Over 1000 VAC, 1500 VDC
1420	490	General
1424	404	Switches
1428	490	Switchgear and Industrial Control Assemblies
1430	490	Mobile and Portable Equipment
1432	490	Boilers
1434	430	Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers
1436	460	Capacitors
1438	470	Resistors and Reactors
Chapter 15: Hazardous Locations
1500	500	Hazardous (Classified) Locations, Classes I, II, and III, Divisions 1 and 2
1501	501	Class I Locations
1502	502	Class II Locations
1503	503	Class III Locations
1504	504	Intrinsically Safe Systems
1505	505	Zone 0, 1, and 2 Locations
1506	506	Zone 20, 21, and 22 Locations for Combustible Dusts or Ignitible Fibers/Flyings
1510	511	Commercial Garages, Repair and Storage
1512	513	Aircraft Hangars
1514	514	Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities
1516	515	Bulk Storage Plants
1518	516	Spray Application, Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Materials
Chapter 16: Occupancies
1610	517	Health Care Facilities
1612	518	Assembly Occupancies
1614	520	Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion Picture and Television Studios, Performance Areas, and Similar Locations
1616	522	Control Systems for Permanent Amusement Attractions
1618	525	Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar Events
1620	530	Motion Picture and Television Studios and Similar Locations
1622	540	Motion Picture Projection Rooms
1624	545	Manufactured Buildings and Relocatable Structures
1626	547	Agricultural Buildings
1628	550	Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Mobile Home Parks
1630	551	Recreational Vehicles and Recreational Vehicle Parks
1632	552	Park Trailers
Chapter 17: Installations Associated with Bodies of Water
1710	680	Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar Installations
1712	682	Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar Installations
1714	555	Marinas, Boatyards, Floating Buildings, and Commercial and Noncommercial Docking Facilities
Chapter 18: Energy Systems
1810	455	Generators
1812	480	Stationary Standby Batteries
1814	690	Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
1816	691	Large-Scale Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Supply Stations
1818	692	Fuel Cell Systems
1820	694	Wind Electric Systems
1822	706	Energy Storage Systems
1824	702	Portable Standby Systems
Chapter 19: Interconnected Energy Sources
1910	710	Sand Alone Systems
1912	705	Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources
Chapter 20: Life Safety and Emergency Systems
2010	700	Emergency Systems
2012	701	Legally Required Standby Systems

 

[mtnelect]

Well, that's a breath of fresh air !

 

[EeeeVeee]

Is there a good reason for this or is it just to cause massive confusion?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Is there a good reason for this or is it just to cause massive confusion?

There are some good reasons. You can go to nfpa.org/70, then to "next edition", then to "first draft committee information" and then to "Pre-First Draft Meeting Agendas" to view or download the document. Below is a summary of the reasons. I have no idea if this will happen for the 2026 or a later edition of the code.


 Communication systems in Chapter 8 are no longer installed or maintained by communication
utilities.
 Electrical Systems over 1000V AC / 1500V DC (Medium Voltage) has expanded well beyond
utility ownership.
 Limited energy systems in Chapter 7 and 8 are commonplace (no longer “special”) and are
morphing into systems that mimic Chapter 3 wiring methods.
 Distributed Energy Resource technologies are challenging the status of single‐direction power
flow and connection to a premises or to the utility.
 DC circuits and advanced electrical storage technologies are increasing in use.
 Energy monitoring, control and automation are accelerating energy resilience, such as
microgrids, energy efficiency, and alternate power sources.
 Enforcement of the NEC is conducted by many disciplines that can include electrical inspectors,
consulting engineers, building officials and fire officials.

 

[infinity]

The current organization of the NEC is horrible but it's been that way for a century. While this makes sense it is really necessary to get people who have been using the code for decades to re-think the entire content of the NEC?

 

[cadpoint]

I probably not going to say it right.

I thought that in all cases a direct cause and effect for each Article change had to be presented and sustained with a
complete argument for an edit to occur any Article ?

I also think it's refreshing, I wish they'd clean up the fire alarm code...

 

[EeeeVeee]

The current organization of the NEC is horrible but it's been that way for a century. While this makes sense it is really necessary to get people who have been using the code for decades to re-think the entire content of the NEC?

It took me 25 years to memorize as many articles as I know, and now I have to do it all over again.

Think about how confusing it will be for two people to have a discussion about code when they’re from different areas on different code cycles.

But what does the NFPA/CMP/etc. care? I’m just the guy who actually uses the code. I think they like to mess with us, like children burning ants with a magnifying glass. Now I know what the ant feels like.

 

[zbang]

It will certainly be a gift to those doing code-update classes .

Are they just planning to renumber and split certain single articles into multiple ones? There would have to be a large inside-article renumbering unless they simply leave a lot of holes.

 

[jaggedben]

Just. Don't.

I don't see how any of the reasons you stated are sufficient reasons to dump a century of tradition and people's entire careers of code knowledge in the trash all at once.

If people lack the skills to find relevant code sections this is going to do virtually nothing to help them. They need better skills. Any benefit is miniscule compared to the confusion this will cause.

Be more incremental.

 

[tom baker]

1. It will hard for me after 45 years I pretty much know where everything is
2. It will be good for code instructors
3. Mike Holt will have to edit all his material
I do see the logic in making the change. A good cross reference is a must

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I did notice an error. Where it states article 240 - overcurrent protection under the current article it says 250

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I did notice an error. Where it states article 240 - overcurrent protection under the current article it says 250

That would be a typo by me...I took the PDF that is on the NFPA site and put the info into an excel sheet.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Just. Don't.

I don't see how any of the reasons you stated are sufficient reasons to dump a century of tradition and people's entire careers of code knowledge in the trash all at once.

If people lack the skills to find relevant code sections this is going to do virtually nothing to help them. They need better skills. Any benefit is miniscule compared to the confusion this will cause.

Be more incremental.

To be clear, I just copied the reasons from the NFPA document.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There have been Article changes in the past but nothing like this. Receptacles were in Article 410, Panelboards were in Article 384, outlet boxes in 370, Wireways in 362, and others. Of course that was not as extensive as this proposal.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

I like it. A lot.

The current organization of the NEC is random and illogical.

Yes, it will be a learning curve to get acquainted with the new organization, but we have to constantly learn new things anyway.

As I’m a GC and an EC, I have to keep up on California building, residential, and electrical codes, ADA/CalDAG codes, and an at least peripheral knowledge of plumbing, mechanical, historic, existing building, and “green” building codes.

A reorganization of the NEC would not be an insurmountable obstacle for me personally.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

1. It will hard for me after 45 years I pretty much know where everything is
2. It will be good for code instructors
3. Mike Holt will have to edit all his material
I do see the logic in making the change. A good cross reference is a must

Article 250 was reorganized in the 1999 code with many section number changes. They did provide a cross reference in the 99 code between the 96 and 99 Article 250 code sections.
I doubt they would provide a cross reference to the section level with this proposed change, but expect there would be on for the chapters and articles if this becomes code.

 

[lordofthisworld]

Just leave it as be, this will just lead to massive confusion in the field, IMHO.

 

[hbiss]

Hmm. Where would I find the information in 800.47 for instance? It's understood that Chapter 8 is not subject to the requirements of Chapter 3 unless there is a reference to a Chapter 3 article. How will that be handled?

-Hal

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Hmm. Where would I find the information in 800.47 for instance? It's understood that Chapter 8 is not subject to the requirements of Chapter 3 unless there is a reference to a Chapter 3 article. How will that be handled?

-Hal

I expect that the 800 stuff not being subject to the rest of the code will go away....that almost happened for the 2023 code.
There are no details on how this will work yet...this is just an agenda item for the correlating committee meeting.
If they do go ahead with this, I don't see how they could get it all done in a 3 year code cycle.