National Electric Code (NEC) Materials

Changes to the NEC

A rich history and rigorous review process

In 1897, NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), set the foundation for—and remains the world’s leading authority on—electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies. Learn more about new changes made to the 2023 and 2020 editions below.

What’s new in the 2023 NEC®?

The 2023 NEC® was reorganized to consolidate all the code’s defined terms into an expanded Article 100 to help users locate critical content more quickly. They are many other changes and new requirements, which include:

Residential Electrical Systems: Addresses ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for specific appliances, emergency disconnects, 10-ampere branch circuits, and more.
Commercial and Industrial Electrical Systems: Includes requirements for the use of “replacement panelboards,” arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection, disconnecting means in sight of luminaires using double-ended lamps to include the LED type, and other considerations.
Alternative Energy Systems and Energy Management: Addresses the interconnection of distributed on-site power supplies with electric utility supplies, the delineation between storage battery, emergency storage, and photovoltaic electric systems, and more.
Never-before Covered Systems and Equipment: Covers Class 4 fault-managed circuits, hazardous locations in commercial and industrial cannabis production facilities, equipotential bonding in areas with “splash pads,” and other requirements.

Several key changes to the 2023 NEC focus on ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Additional requirements point to newer technologies that reflect emerging electrical issues in an ever-changing, fast-paced world including:

Cybersecurity for network-connected life safety equipment
Electrical installations for cannabis oil facilities
Wireless power transfer of electric vehicles
Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays on bodies of water
Installation of wiring systems and equipment, including utilization equipment, of Class 4 fault-managed power

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.