Electrical safety NEC 2023

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The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) 2023 changes and updates

The 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code brings some noteworthy changes that could significantly impact upcoming projects and electrical safety. Use Eaton’s online code guide and NEC pocket guide to prep for your next electrical job.

NEC 2023 Online Guide

NEC 2023 resources

Every three years, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) convenes teams of experts who review and refine the National Electrical Code (NEC). This process, and the resource of the NEC, is crucial for bolstering electrical safety in both workplaces and homes.

Online guide to NEC 2023 changes

Consult the guide for important changes before your next job.

NEC® pocket guide

Download the handy NEC 2023 pocket guide for a summary of the NEC.

NEC State Adoption Map

Find out what version of the National Electric Code your state uses.

Want an insider perspective on the 2023 NEC code updates?

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Nine 2023 NEC code changes electricians need to know

GFCI 210.8

Sections 210.8(A) and 210.8(B) expanded GFCI to protect all receptacles found in the kitchen. To address appliances that are hard wired, section 210.8(D) was expanded to include more appliances such as electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and microwave ovens. The theme of addressing hard wired, non-cord-and-plug-connected equipment, was carried over to expansions found in 210.8(F) for outdoor outlets.

Download our infographics to visually learn about important changes to GFCI requirements for residential kitchens and recommended receptacles to meet the code changes.

Surge (230.67, 215.18, 225.42)

Surge is required for services supplying dormitory units, guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels, and areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used as patient sleeping rooms. Additionally, surge requirements were placed in article 215 for feeders and article 225 for outdoor branch circuits and feeders. Lastly, a new requirement creates a minimum nominal discharge current rating (In) of 10kA.

Barriers (215.15)

New section 215.15 was added to address the increased risk for panelboards, switchboards, switchgear, or motor control centers that are supplied by the secondaries of transformers and feeder tap conductors. Barriers are now needed so that no energized, uninsulated, ungrounded busbar or terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations.

Cybersecurity (110, 240.6D, 708.7, 708,8A)

Cybersecurity is now included in the national electrical code. Systems that perform a life safety function and are connected to the network, circuit breakers connected to a network that can have their set points changed remotely and equipment in a critical operation power system that is connected to the network must be evaluated for cybersecurity risks.

Service Equipment (230.71)

Meter centers are still included in 230.71 language to permit multiple over current devices in the same structure, but recent UL67 changes have been made so that equipment can be constructed and circuit breakers can be compartmentalized so barriers can be placed on the line side.

Arc Flash Labeling (110)

Section 110.16(B) was expanded beyond just services and beyond services rated 1200 amps and above. This section now requires labeling for services and feeder supplied equipment rated 1000 amps and above. These requirements only affect other than dwelling units.

Reconditioned Equipment (100)

The 2023 code moved all definitions to article 100. Code making panels coordinated an effort to include reconditioning requirements in the nnn.2 sections of the articles. This consistency is an important part of usability for the national electrical code.

Receptacles in Islands and Peninsulas (210.52)

The 2023 code cycle made the placement of a receptacle on islands and peninsulas optional, but provisions must be put in place to ensure it can be added in the future. In addition, the receptacle must be on or in the countertop to avoid chords of appliances draping over the edge of the countertop.

Selective Coordination

Selective coordination has historically in the code been addressed by areas of the NEC focused on life safety systems such as article 700. Informational notes in these articles where selective coordination is required, added clarity that the requirements are only for overcurrent protective devices that are in, for example, the life safety system.

What you need to know for safe and NEC-compliant residential kitchens

Learn about noteworthy changes that impact your next residential kitchen project.

Code Infographic

Discover the receptacles that help you meet the new GFCI requirements for kitchen.

NEC-Compliant Receptacles

Have a question about the code on the job site?

Download the handy NEC 2023 pocket guide for a summary of the NEC to quickly find the answer to your code questions.

Download pocket guide

Learn about the significant code changes for one- and two-family residential and commercial electrical installations

NEC 2020 changes

The 2023 NEC update provides crucial guidance for securing life safety equipment. Read this article to learn how to safeguard your critical systems today.

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Explore the crucial updates and requirements in the NEC 2023

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The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) 2023 changes and updates

NEC 2023 resources

Want an insider perspective on the 2023 NEC code updates?

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