Nat'l Electrical Code & Common Violations

Do-it-yourself and professional electricians and electrical businesses should all be familiar with the National Electrical Code (NEC) to avoid fines and other penalties. The NEC was first published in 1897 by the National Fire Protection Association and is now updated every three years to ensure and enforce the safest standards for electrical wiring installation.

The NEC is adopted within all 50 states, although it isn't federal law. This means that some states have different standards when it comes to applying these rules and regulations. Some states and municipalities even adhere to older versions of the NEC partly due to the slow bureaucratic adoption process or belief that some of the recent changes present unnecessary burdens on contractors without enhancing safety. As of April 2021, Kansas and Indiana abide by the 2008 edition of the NEC, while only nine states adopted the 2020 edition. Contractors should ask their local building department to determine which version of the NEC to consult.

While contractors are more likely to face harsh fines than DIYers, rules in the NEC affect individuals performing electrical work for friends and family members. Most jurisdictions in the United States allow individuals to do their own electrical work, providing it passes inspection. However, it is illegal to do the same work for a friend. Only a licensed electrician is permitted to perform wiring work outside of their own home.

When working on a particular job, electricians must ensure every switch location has an accompanying neutral wire. This is because electronic switches need to have a minute amount of energy constantly flowing through to operate, and a neutral wire helps in this regard. Moreover, the addition of a neutral wire can make future installations easier.

Conductive systems, such as plumbing, coaxial cable, phone lines, and gas piping systems, need to be grounded and bonded to each other to equalize voltage potential and reduce the risk of current flow through a person should one of these systems become energized. Bonding these systems can also lessen the likelihood of a fire in a lightning strike. Exposed and overcrowding wires can also present a fire hazard. As a rule, a maximum of three wires should be allowed to run through a hole with a diameter of 7/8 of an inch.

There are several rules in the NEC concerning receptacles. Extension cord use should be limited in the home as they can cause tripping hazards and start fires. As a result, electricians should ensure that a receptacle outlet can be reached by a six-foot appliance cord without going across a passageway. All receptacles, whether indoors or outdoors, must be tamper-resistant. This is to prevent children from inserting paper clips or other objects. In addition, outdoor receptacles must be fitted with bubble covers.

Finally, electrical panels must be organized with clear indicators regarding which fuse is which. The absence of proper labeling can create problems in identifying the switch that operates in a particular area of the home. Service panels must also have sufficient space for electricians to work safely. The NEC rule states there should be a working clearance of at least 30 inches wide, 6-foot-8 inches in height, and three feet deep, which is about the equivalent of a refrigerator.