With the next edition of the National Electrical Code soon to be released, change is coming. Major revisions are on the way, and the third and final day of NECA 2022 in Austin, Texas offered a preview of what's to come. Mark Earley of Alumini Code Consulting Group, LLC gave NECA attendees a glimpse into the significant revisions that electricians, contractors, and installers should be aware of.
These are the major changes Earley spoke on:
- Reconditioned equipment. Earley noted, "During the 2020 Code cycle, there was a lot of activity related to reconditioned equipment... and so, you're going to see there were a fair number of changes related to reconditioned equipment for the 2023 cycle." These changes include the second section of some articles (XXX.2) now being reserved for requirements that permit or prohibit reconditioning of equipment.
- Definitions. Perhaps one of the biggest revisions in the 2023 NEC is to definitions. "Beginning with the 2023 cycle," Earley said, "all definitions will be in Article 100. No definitions will be in the other Articles of the Code." This is a major change and an attempt to simplify and unify the terminology in the Code. As Earley said, the changes are so "definitions are consistent and harmonized so that they can be used in multiple places."
- Deleted Articles. Some Articles have been removed for the 2023 Code cycle, including 510 Hazardous (Classified) Locations-Specific, 712 Direct Current Microgrids, and 720 Circuits and Equipment Operating at Less than 50 Volts.
- New Articles. With changing technology, the Code must remain current. Some new Articles to address changes in the industry include 369 Insulated Bus Pipe (IBP)/ Tubular Covered Conductors (TCC) Systems, 371 Flexible Bus Systems, 512 Cannabis Oil Equipment and Cannabis Oil Systems Using Flammable Materials, and 726 Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Systems.
- Cyber security. Section 110.3(A)(8) now requires the evaluation of cyber security for network-connected life-safety equipment. This is an example of the Code addressing new technologies and new concerns. Earley noted, "This is something as contractors you don't need to be generally concerned about." However, he emphasized, "It is a big problem. A lot of hospitals have been attacked. Some local governments have been attacked. So who is to stop attacks on network-connected equipment."
With so many changes on the way, Earley was only able to offer NECA attendees a preview of what's to come. "There's a lot that takes place in Chapters 1 and 2," Earley said. "It's the fundamentals that apply to everything and it needs it."
As the NEC continues to update and stay relevant with emerging technologies, stay tuned for what else is to come when the 2023 NEC is released in November.
