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2020 National Electrical Code Changes
The 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) contains many comprehensive revisions pertaining to specific National Electrical Code rules and regulations. Electrical personnel have an immediate and awesome task in not only learning, but implementing these revisions in their everyday design, installation, and inspection of electrical systems.
Additional changes to the 2020 NEC have been added using the color red in various locations, as to be familiar with other important changes.
The material in this course, if read and studied carefully in a continuous and enthusiastic manner, will provide a proper update on the revisions in the 2020 National Electrical Code. However, even though it is true that only time and discussion among electrical personnel will provide the answers on how to interpret and apply some of these rules, one can use this course to get a head start.
This course explains the major changes in the 2020 National Electrical Code and can be used as a guide for fast and easy reference. These changes are presented in numerical order to correlate with the Articles and Sections as they appear in the 2020 National Electrical Code and are also illustrated to give a more detailed description. Where appropriate, reasons for revisions and new articles are given, along with what kind of impact such changes will have on manufacturers, designers, installers, and inspectors.
For every proposal made, there was a reason, and hopefully, this book will provide some of the reasons why a change resulted.
90 and Chapter 1 of the National Electrical Code have always been referred to as the “get acquainted” material that every designer, installer, electrician, apprentice, inspector, and maintenance person must review and understand before the other chapters, articles, and sections of the National Electrical Code can really be understood and applied.
The first article in the National Electrical Code in Article 90, which contains the Introduction. Article 90 covers the purpose of the National Electrical Code, along with other pertinent information that is applicable throughout each chapter of the National Electrical Code.
Chapter 1 acquaints the user of the National Electrical Code with definitions and clearance rules that are mandatory to ensure the safety of the general public and personnel working in, near, or on wiring methods and equipment.
Users as well as students of the National Electrical Code must review and become acquainted with Article 90 and Chapter 1 before attempting to study, learn, and apply the other articles and chapters to a particular design or installation.
It is this concept of study that will make interpretations and applications of the many requirements in the National Electrical Code much easier to understand.
Note: For other code changes that are not included in this code change book, see the 2020 NEC for a particular change of interest.
Chapter 2 of the National Electrical Code has always been referred to as the “Designing Chapter” and is used by engineers, electrical contractors, and electricians who have the responsibility of calculating loads and sizing the elements of the electrical system.
Chapter 2 is the starting point to begin calculating ampacities for branch circuits and feeders. Even the ampacity for sizing service-entrance conductors is calculated by applying the rules of Article 220, which are found in Parts I, II, and III, as well as Part IV of Article 230.
The key number for finding the requirements necessary for calculating loads in Chapter 2 is 200. In other words, all articles and sections will be identified by using a 200 series number. When designing electrical systems, Chapter 2 and the 200 series are utilized with other pertinent articles and sections. It is nearly impossible for a designer to calculate loads and determine the size of various elements of the electrical system, if he or she is not properly acquainted with the calculation requirements of Chapter 2.
For example, if the user wanted to calculate the load in amps for a motor feeder, he or she would refer to 220.14(C) and 220.50, and these section references 430.22 and 430.24 since Article 220 does not list the rules for calculating loads for motor circuits. If Article 220 does not contain the rules for calculating the load, it will refer the user to the required section in other articles of the National Electrical Code.
When calculating the load to size the conductors based on a reference section number, use Table 210.3 as well as Table 220.3, and if the overcurrent protection device must be sized larger than the ampacity of the supply conductors and the equipment served, see Table 240.4(G) for the referenced section number and verify that such equipment is listed.
Note, for other code changes that are not included in this code change book, see the 2020 NEC for a particular change of interest
Chapter 3 of the National Electrical Code has always been referred to as the “Installation Chapter” and is used by electricians to install electrical systems in a safe, dependable, and reliable manner. Chapter 3 covers the requirements needed by on-the-job electricians who are installing services, feeders, and branch circuits and thus providing electrical power to the end of branch circuits and on to the point of use.
Chapter 3 is also called the “Rough-In Chapter” by electricians. All articles in Chapter 3 are of the 300 series, and each contains the rules that pertain to installing electrical wiring methods and accessories. On-the-job work procedures of the average electrician bring them into almost daily contact with an article in Chapter 3 concerning these installation rules.
For example, when installing wiring in cable trays, electricians cannot install and fill cable trays with different wiring, cables, and systems without knowing the requirements of Article 392. The same is true for electricians installing rigid metal conduit. Installers would not know how many 90° bends are permitted or how often supports are required for rigid metal conduit without first studying Article 344.
Note, for other code changes that are not included in this code change book, see the 2020 NEC for a particular change of inetrest.
Chapter 4 of the National Electrical Code has always been utilized by users and maintainers who have the responsibility of installing general-use electrical equipment, luminaires, motors, and similar equipment.
If an electrician or user is replacing a ballast in a fluorescent luminaire, 410.130 must be reviewed to ensure the correct ballast and installation procedures are used. Consider a three-phase, 460 volt, U-frame motor that has been replaced with a T-frame motor
In order to verify that the overloads are the proper size, 430.32(A)(1) must be used. Switches are covered in Article 404, receptacles in Article 406, and panelboards or switchboards in Article 408.
Electricians must not get confused when installing specialized equipment not included in Chapter 4. Chapter 4 applies to general-use electrical equipment and Chapter 6 applies to special electrical equipment.
For example, where installing a crane or a hoist, electricians must reference Article 610, which covers special equipment. For installing an elevator, Article 620 must be referenced, not Chapter 4.
Article 445 applies to the installation of generators. If generators greater than 1000 volts are being installed, Article 490 covers general equipment operating at over 1000 volts as well as other applicable Articles in the NEC.
Note: That additional changes are highlighted in the color blue.
Note: For other code changes that are not included in this code change book, see the 2020 NEC for a particular change of interest.
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