Like clockwork, every three years electrical professionals usher in an updated edition of NFPA 70. After more than 3,700 public inputs and 1,900 comments were considered in the latest Code cycle, the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) is now available. Whether you immediately embrace the newest version of the NEC with overwhelming enthusiasm and open arms or more reluctantly and methodically familiarize yourselves with the revisions gradually, the fact is this is a necessary ritual that all of us working in the electrical industry take part in to stay current and competitive at our jobs.
Here at EC&M, we know one thing for sure: Our readers can’t get enough NEC content. It’s been that ways for years, and we don’t expect it to change any time soon. Whether it’s our “Code Quiz of the Week” gallery, exclusive online pieces from our bimonthly Codewatch e-newsletter like “Moving Violations” videos or “Code Q&A,” or our regular fan favorites in the print magazine like “What’s Wrong Here?” or “Illustrated Catastrophes,” our Code coverage is extremely well received and in high demand. A good case in point is our recent “Top 25 Changes in the 2020 Code” photo gallery, recently published on our website as a preview to the full special report featured in this issue — where we team up with long-standing NEC Consultant and Code guru Mike Holt to bring you the key changes made during the latest Code cycle. In fact, as I write this editorial, I can’t take my eyes off of our online web analytics tool, which shows me interaction and engagement statistics on our content in real time. Only on our site since the beginning of November, this gallery has already raked in more than 190,000 pages views so far (and it’s increasing by the minute), further solidifying the importance of this subject and the commitment of our readers to staying on top of the most recent Code changes.
Arguably the most impactful article we run every three years, this month’s cover story, starting on page 12, breaks down the key revisions to the 2020 edition of the Code we believe affect the largest number of our readers in a more comprehensive fashion than the online gallery. As you make your way through each change, note that any text that is NEW to the 2020 Code is underlined in blue text. Although it might be slightly reworded from the actual text in the NEC, it’s a good representation of the intent of the actual rule change.
We know the NEC is a high priority for our readers, as is continuing education, professional development, and training. In fact, in a recent survey of our audience, “staying current with codes and standards” was revealed as one of the top 10 things keeping them up at night. If you’re wanting to get a jump-start on mastering the 2020 Code, there’s no better way to learn than by attending our in-person training seminars with Mike Holt. With two successful conferences under our belt (St. Louis in October and Philadelphia in November), don’t delay in signing up for one of our final two events. The Seattle 2020 Code Change Conference is coming up December 11-12, and the Boston event is scheduled for January 28-29. Attendance at either of these conferences includes a copy of Mike Holt’s “Changes to the NEC 2020” book, continental breakfast, and a box lunch each day. As an electrical professional, you’ll soon be responsible for ensuring a safe Code-compliant system that is designed, installed, and inspected to meet the hundreds of significant changes contained in the 2020 NEC. Make sure you’re up to that challenge. Visit https://bit.ly/33WX6C8 for more information.
