TIA Proposed for 2023 NEC Regarding Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits Classification

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The TIA was submitted by  David Hittinger, Independent Electrical Contractors, and has a comment closing date of February 10, 2023.

TIA Log No.: 1688     

Reference: 300.26    

The TIA proposes revisions to paragraph 300.26 of the 2023 NEC. The proposed revision can be read here.

Substantiation: Changes to the location of Code requirements for control conductors resulted in the omission of information required to determine the size and construction of non-power-limited conductors used in these applications. To provide clear direction to Code users, the language in 300.26(3) is revised to include directions on how to size conductors used for non-power-limited control conductors. This language is intended to mirror the requirements that were in the 2020 NEC, with no technical changes. There are also changes to the language to address style manual conflicts, improve clarity, and improve readability.     

Emergency Nature: The standard contains an error or an omission that was overlooked during the regular revision process. The NFPA Standard contains a conflict within the NFPA Standards or within another NFPA Standard. The proposed TIA intends to correct a circumstance in which the revised NFPA Standard has resulted in an adverse impact on a product or method that was inadvertently overlooked in the total revision process or was without adequate technical (safety) justification of the action.

This information is essential to the correct sizing of non-power-limited control conductors. The misapplication due to lack of clarity of requirements can lead to installations with hazardous conditions, hence the emergency nature and the submission of this TIA.     

For more information or to read the full proposed TIA, visit NFPA's website.