NEC

National Electrical Code (NEC)

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the American National Standard which contains the  requirements for the safety of electrical distribution installations for household and commercial applications in the United States. Its official designation is NFPA70. It is a voluntary standard, but has been adopted by the governments and municipalities of many states, counties and cities as the basis of the regulations which they apply to electrical installations. It is used by electrical inspectors, acting on behalf of Authorities Having Jurisdiction over electrical installations, as the official arbiter of acceptable electrical installation practice.

The NEC is administered by the National Fire Protection Association and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Nineteen Code Making Panels, composed of recognized specialists in their fields of electrical installation practice, are each responsible for one or more Sections of the Code. They meet on a regular three-yearly cycle to consider proposals for new material or changes which in turn may be put forward by any interested person. This is a highly democratic and transparent process which ensures that the Code is kept up to date and presents best practices in all areas. A new Edition of the Code is published every three years. The current version is the 2005 Edition.

AHAM strongly supports improvements to the safety of both appliances and electrical distribution systems. Although primarily concerned with installation practices, the NEC’s requirements may also impact home appliances by the imposition of specifications for the installation, connection or control thereof, which affect their design, construction or documentation. AHAM participates as a voting member on Code Making Panel #17 which includes appliances in its scope. AHAM also monitors activities in other Code Making Panels.

Click here to visit the NFPA web site.