The future of the NEC

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peter d

peter d

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New England
Hey Everyone. I'm Peter, I'm 25 and I'm a frequent visitor/infrequent contributor. This is my first "real" post here. :cool:

I've been working as an electrician since I was 18, in between summer breaks from school and whenever I had a chance. After some time away from the trade, I'm "officially" reentering when my state required theory and NEC classes start on Monday. I'm looking forward to working in this fine occupation once again.

I received a copy of the '02 NEC for class and I haven't looked at it yet. I actually don't want to. Bear in mind we are still using the '99 here. Everyone is talking about the changes, especially the dreaded AFCI equirement. :roll:

I'm concerned that sooner or later the NEC is going to be the size and weight of a phone book, cost $400 and be nearly incomprehensible. I have heard a lot of "old timers" voice this concern and it seems valid. The future of the NEC is of great interest to me because I am young and have my whole career ahead of me. I think the NEC is great, but does anyone have an idea of where it's headed? :confused:
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Publishing the NEC is the largest income for the NFPA. Should the NFPA lose their copyright protection, the NEC will be history.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Peter,
First of all don't freak out. When I first looked at the NEC, I found it overwhelming as well. Hopefully, you will have the benefit of working under someone who has experience that you can learn from.

You will certainly be able to get your liscense without having to thoroughly know the code. Just don't give up and don't EVER think you know it all. I would hazard a guess that even those on the code making committees find subtleties in the code they didn't know of.

When you run into an unusual situation that you have not seen before, don't be too proud to look it up or ask questions about it on this forum. You'll find many people who think they know it all, listen to them but don't trust these people. They might be right, but they are more likely dangerous.

With a little time and effort you'll find that you have a good understanding of the code as it applies to the stuff you do everyday. Then its just the unusual stuff that you need to be humble enough to figure out.

I have found that people respect someone who will admit when they don't know an answer. Acting like you know what you doing and then being proven wrong will errode peoples confidence in you faster than anything else.

Enjoy learning the code, and you might want to get a copy of the 2002 handbook if you don't have it. The extra explanations are very usefull.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Peter glad your coming back to the only trade that is classified as professional. The NEC and all of the things that scare you about it make the Electrical Trade Professional. Open and study the 2002 Code as in September the 2005 Code will be out. Just remember Mike Holts site for it is the best teaching site for the NEC on the Internet that is free.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Great advice as usual! Thanks guys. :)

One thing I wanted to say that I didn't make clear in my first post. I've been using the '99 NEC since, well, '99! I bought Mike Holt's "Understanding the NEC" to go with it - very helpful. I would say that I'm fairly good at finding code sections for the work I do - residential/ small commercial, thanks in no small part to this site and ECN. :cool: I learn something every time I open the book or visit here.


I just wanted to get some opinions about where the NEC may be headed - for better or worse.

Bennie, could you elaborate on that, please?
 
Re: The future of the NEC

The first two things I learned when I started in the trade were [1]"allways remember - it's the first thing taken off and the last thing put back on and[2] ELECTRICIANS ARE THE CREAM OF THE CROP.
"sceepee" is right-get the handbook.you actually might want both the '99 and '02 handbooks .
I say that because if '99 is in effect in your area[as it is in N.Y] you'll want that for reference to work you do in the field .
For most classes and test's however you'll be required to reference the the latest NEC in effect[2002].
The handbooks might seem expensive- but when you find yourself taking a test with the clock racing against you you'll be glad you spent the money because most of what you see will be exactly as you've seen it [illustrated -with 5 part harmony]
in the handbook.
One more thing-it doesn't hurt to lock out [or disconnect] a brkr that you're working on-don't count on the helper or even mechanic that you're working with to not inadvertently flip the brkr of the circuit you're working with back on-it can get hot enough then to make you see things you never want to see again.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

The Code goes wherever you want it to go. That flip statement is essentially true. You make the proposals to the NFPA and the Technical Committees (code making panels) either find sound reasons not to accept your proposal or accept it into the Code during the proposal stage. All the proposals are published in the ROP (Report on Proposals)

You then have the opportunity to comment on the panel's work. Each comment is required to be addressed and all that is published in the ROC (Report on Comments).

This goes through the NFPA Annual Meeting for adoption (coming up in May for the 2005 edition) and goes through the appeals process.

The bottom line is that this is your Code and if you want something in, out, or changed, you make the proposal to do whatever you want. The Code will be as big as you want it to be. :D
 
Re: The future of the NEC

We all learn everyday,anyone that say they don`t well LIAR..Hey the change to 2002 isnt all that bad especially residentially.Hallways have become an issue here.210 70 2 A.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

If you have an understanding of the '99 code you should have no problem with the '02 revisions and what's to come. Don't listen to those who "dread" the code. They probably never took the time or were unable to understand it.

Even here, :D none of us are experts (well, except for Mike) particularly in all areas. You learn those areas you are involved with and ask for help when you get into unknown territory.

Good luck!

-Hal
 
Re: The future of the NEC

The NEC will get larger as new products are added. For example electric vechicles, fuel cells, and products that are in development. Bennie makes an interesting point, there has been discussion that the NEC should be in the public domain if its used a public code. A lot of new users are suprised it is not on the internet. For perspective, 20 years ago it was not uncommon to pay $1500 for a set of encyclopedias, now that same information is readily found on the internet.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

peter d
I see you are from CT. I was told last week that CT will be starting to use the 2002 book in the field this September.
Lou
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Many jurisdictions are turning to the BOCA/ICC code for residential construction. This is an all in one building code. Contractors will have more control. Special interests will be excluded from participating.

The failure of NFPA 5000 to be accepted, hurt the demand for the NEC.

I understand there is a website in Sweden that has posted the NEC for downloading. I don't know the address.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

You ask where the code is going, the code is an open book under constant revision, this work requires a giant effort, from many that contribute
to it's content.
The insurance underwriters, need a standard to write contracts for protection. When a property in insured, it should meet these standards.
Electrical standards are derived from the code.

When construction methods change, the code changes.
When new products are introduced, the code changes.
When safety concerns arise, the code changes
And as noted in the previous posts, you also have input for change.

The code, if followed, helps insure safe installations.

Myself, I am learning every day, after years in the trade, Don't try to study it, but use it as a continuos reference.

As the code book increases in size, your information base will increase.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Bennie, the IRC is now being used in Indiana with the Indiana amendments. It says up front that the text is from the NEC in the electrical sections. they have extracted and changed the wording as needed to make it fit the one and two family dwellings with 400 ampere and smaller services. Anything outside of that and you need to go to the NEC. We are now going through the 2003 edition to make it fit the verbiage from the 2002 edition of the NEC.

In other words, the IRC is using the NEC and the NFPA is getting the royalties from that use. :D

As far as the NFPA 5000 series of Codes, don't count them out. They are just getting started and a lot of jurisdictions like the consensus standards instead of just building officials making the rules. They are also ANSI Standards as opposed to the ICC Codes.

I would be very interested in knowing where the NEC is being posted, if in fact it is. Until all the appeals processes are done, the copyright infringement case is not settled. :mad:
 
Re: The future of the NEC

I look at it like this us as humans are not very content with things as they are, we will always be inventing new and better (not always) ways as we love changes. And as long as we invent new ways to do the same thing our laws always have to change to keep up.
 
Re: The future of the NEC

Hi Peter, Charlie made a good point of the code being what you want it to be and pointing out the process.

I would like to add, unlike the ICC way of doing things the NEC is a consensus. Contractors, Electricians, Inspectors, Manufacturers, UL, Utilites, etc. Essentially everybody who has a stake in the Code has a seat at the table.

This results in many points of view that have to be satisfied to make any Code changes. No process is perfect but the ANSI consensus seems to be one of the best ways to write Code.

A proposal or comment has to receive a 2/3 vote to be approved. Again a super-majority to make a change.

Don't worry you will never know it all. I've been at it over 30 years and still learn more about it all the time.
 
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