6/3/2019

2019 NFPA Conference & Expo

2020 National Electrical Code®

Proposed Changes
Presented by:
L. Keith Lofland – IAEI
Director of Education
Chairman – CMP-7
Michael J. Johnston – NECA
Executive Director Standards and Safety
Chairman – NEC Correlating Committee

2019 NFPA Conference & Expo

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Evaluation: Complete a session evaluation on the mobile

app (Search app store for ‘NFPA 2019 C&E.’)

Handouts: Handouts will be available via the mobile app

and at nfpa.org/conference

• The words “in marinas and boatyards” have been added to

90.2(A)(5).
• A new (6) has been added to 90.2(A) to address installations
used to export power from electric vehicles to premises
wiring.
• Bidirectional flow of power is typically accomplished using
utility interactive inverters.

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• New definitions of the terms “fault current” and “fault

current, available” have been added to Article 100.
• A new informational not and associated figure have been
added to enhance clarity and usability.
• This revision aligns with similar recent revisions in other
standards that use the terms, such as NFPA 70E.

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• Fault Current. The current delivered at a point on the

system during a short-circuit condition. (CMP-10)
• Fault Current, Available. The largest amount of current
capable of being delivered at a point on the system during a
short-circuit condition. (CMP-10)
• Informational Note: A short-circuit can occur during
abnormal conditions such as a fault between circuit
conductors or a ground fault. See Informational Note Figure
100.1.

• New Informational Note added explaining that even though a

section of the NEC may require a product to be labeled, it is
common practice to have the label, symbol, or other identifying
mark applied to the smallest unit container in which the
product is packaged.
• There are several types of electrical equipment addressed in the
NEC that are required to not only be “Listed,” but also required
to be “Labeled.”
• A typical pressure wire connector (wire nut) for splicing
conductors together is required to be listed and labeled, but it is
one of those products that are too small to affix a label to each
individual pressure wire connector.

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• The term “reconditioned” has been added in multiple

articles of the NEC and is now defined in Article 100.
• The process of reconditioning equipment differs from
normal servicing of equipment that remains in place.
• Reconditioned equipment is often referred to as rebuilt,
refurbished, or remanufactured.

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• Reconditioned. Electromechanical systems, equipment,

apparatus, or components that are restored to operating
conditions. This process differs from normal servicing of
equipment that remains within a facility, or replacement of
listed equipment on a one-to-one basis. (CMP-10)
• Informational Note: The term reconditioned is frequently
referred to as rebuilt, refurbished, or remanufactured.

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• A new subdivision (C) titled “Cables and Conductors” has

been added in Section 110.12 which is titled “Mechanical
Execution of Work.”
• It includes relocated requirements from the .24 sections
from the communications articles in Chapters 7 and 8.
• Conductor and cable support and concerns about damage
are addressed in both 110.12(C) and in 800.24.

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• The title of subdivision (D) has been changed from

“Installation” to “Terminal Connection Torque.”
• The term “calibrated” has been deleted from this section
(replaced with “approved means”).
• Three new informational notes provide practical guidance
for installers and inspectors.

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• Revisions to “Large Equipment” working space to addresses

the hazards presented by two or more service disconnects
with combined ratings of 1200 amps or more.
• For service disconnecting means where two or more service
disconnect enclosures are installed and the combined
ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and over 1.8 m (6
ft) wide, the “Large Equipment” rules will now apply.
• Requirements also added to prevent open equipment doors
from impeding the entry to or egress from the working
space of large equipment.

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• The words ”or listed fire exit hardware” have been added
to 110.26(C)(3).
• An informational note has been added that references two
UL standards that apply to the door hardware referred to in
this rule.
• The revision differentiates listed panic hardware from listed
fire exit hardware.

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• The words “or silver” have been added to second level

subdivision (1).
• Receptacles, polarized attachment plugs, and cord
connectors for plugs and polarized plugs typically include a
terminal that is silver or chrome in color, as compared to
brass or gold color.
• The revision reflects the common identification means
employed by product manufacturers.

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• Measuring distance from receptacles is modified.

• “Doors or doorways” do not eliminate GFCI requirements.
• (C) Boat Hoists, has been relocated to Section 555.9.

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• Dwelling unit GFCI protection has been expanded to all 125-

volt through 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase
branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground installed in
the specified areas of 210.8(A).
• The addition of up to 250-volt receptacles and removing the
amperage limitations of 15- and 20-amperes will provide
GFCI protection to most receptacles commonly used in the
specified areas of 210.8(A).

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• GFCI protection now required for ALL dwelling unit

basements (not just unfinished portions of basements).
• GFCI required for receptacles in both an unfinished
basement and a finished basement intended as a habitable
space.

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• New GFCI requirements at non-dwelling unit locations were

added for:
— Damp locations
— Accessory buildings
— Laundry areas
— Areas around bathtubs and shower stalls

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• GFCI protection is now required on dwelling unit outdoor

outlets supplied by single-phase branch circuit rated 150
volts or less to ground, and 50 amperes or less.
• This would including 240-volt AC units.

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The following shall not be reconditioned:

• Equipment that provides ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection for personnel
• Equipment that provides arc-fault circuit-interrupter
protection
• Equipment that provides ground-fault protection of
equipment

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• Requirements for island and peninsular countertops are

combined
• 9 ft.² of space or any fraction will require a receptacle and
one more for every 18 ft.² or any fraction thereof
• A peninsular counter top work surface must have a
receptacle outlet within 2 feet of the end of the countertop
on worksurface

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• Demand factors for derating feeder and service conductors

in hospitals are deleted.
• Demand factors for feeder and service conductors in hotels,
motels and apartment houses without provision for
cooking, are increased to correlate with revisions in Table
220.12

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• The requirement for marking power distribution blocks

used on service conductors is moved from 314.28(E)(1) to
230.46
• All power distribution blocks, pressure connectors, and
devices for splices and taps of service conductors must be
listed.
• Effective January 1, 2023, pressure connectors and devices
for splices and taps on service conductors must be marked
as suitable for use on the line side of service equipment.

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• The requirements of 408.3(A)(2) are relocated and

expanded in new 230.62(C)
• All service equipment is now required to be provided with
barriers to prevent line side inadvertent contact
• This includes but is not limited to panelboards,
switchboards, switchgear, motor control centers, individual
circuit breaker enclosures, SUSE rated transfer switches and
fused disconnects.

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• New Section 230.67 requires services supplying dwelling

units to be provided with an SPD
• The SPD must be located in or next to the service
equipment.
• An exception permits an alternate location provided an SPD
is located at each next level distribution equipment
downstream toward the load.

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• Elimination of six service disconnects in a single enclosure.

• Panelboards for example, must be provided with a single
main in each enclosure
• 230.71(B)(1) through (4) outline the permitted methods for
two to six service disconnects

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• For one- and two-family dwelling units, all service

conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a
short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the
available fault current, installed in a readily accessible
outdoor location.
• If more than one disconnect is provided, they shall be
grouped.

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• New Subdivision (C) has been added to each Section.

• Arc-energy reduction methods must be performance tested
when first installed on site
• Testing must be performed by qualified persons in
accordance with the manufacturers instructions
• A written record of this testing must be made available to
the AHJ

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• Articles 280 and 285 have been combined to form a new

Article 242 titled Overvoltage Protection.
• The article has three parts, General, Surge Protective
Devices (SPDs) 1000 Volts or Less, and Surge Arresters Over
1000 Volts
• Technical responsibility for Article 242 and its associated
definitions in Article 100 has been shifted from CMP-5 to
CMP-10.

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• This section was restructured into a list format to meet the

NEC Style Manual requirements.
• The revision in (1) prohibits direct contact with concrete.
• (2) has been revised to permit terminations of aluminum
and copper-clad aluminum conductors connections within
18 inches of the earth where within enclosures listed for the
environment.

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• The rebar extension must be connected to the rebar in the

foundation or footing.
• The rebar extension shall not be exposed to earth contact
without corrosion protection.
• The rebar extension shall not be used to interconnect
electrodes of the grounding electrode system.

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• Article 310 was extensively reorganized to increase the usability

of the article.
• The ampacity tables in Article 310 will simply be titled as Table
310.16 through Table 310.21.
• The scope of Article 310 is limited to not more than 2000 volts.
• Requirements and ampacity tables for conductors over 2000
volts have been incorporated into new Article 311.
• Copper-clad aluminum conductors must meet the material
requirements of Section 310.3(B).

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• New dwelling unit service ampacity table from Informative

Annex D, Example D7 added at 310.12.
• Text added indicating table permitted to be used if there are
no temperature correction or adjustment factors needed.

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• Article 328 has been deleted.

• New Article 311 is added to cover the use, installation,
construction specifications, and ampacities for Type MV
medium voltage conductors and cable.
• Requirements for conductors rated over 2000 volts are
removed from Article 310 and incorporated into new Article
311

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• 312.8(B) now addresses both power monitoring and energy

management systems
• New requirements have been added for conductors used
exclusively for control or instrumentation circuits.

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• Volume allowance for EGCs and equipment bonding

jumpers was revised to add an additional ¼ volume
allowance to the existing single volume allowance.
• New ¼ volume allowance to be counted in installations with
more than four EGCs or equipment bonding conductors.

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• New article 337 permits the installation of type P cable

(marine shipboard cable)
• Type P cable has been used in land-based oil and gas rigs for
over four decades.
• Type P cable is limited to industrial installations and
hazardous locations.

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• Receptacle outlet(s) located in the area around a bathtub or

shower stall have been revised to include a restricted
“zone” similar to luminaires in said areas with an exception
added for smaller space bathrooms.
• Receptacles are now prohibited from being installed within
a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft)
vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall.
• In bathrooms with dimensions less than the required zone,
receptacle(s) are permitted to be installed opposite the
bathtub rim or shower stall threshold on the farthest wall
within the room.

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• New provision will require switchboards and switchgear

requiring rear or side access to be marked (by
manufacturer) on the front of said equipment indicating
rear or side access is needed.
• Existing 408.3(D) was moved to new 408.18(C) to intensify
the requirement that grounded and grounding terminals be
installed such that it is not necessary to reach across
ungrounded bus or terminal(s) to make connections

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• Panelboards shall not be installed in the face-up position.

• Installing panelboards in a face-up position increases the
likelihood that contaminants accumulate on the breakers
and panelboard bussing, creating a hazard, and additionally
creates a challenge with applying work space requirements.

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Panelboard mounted
in face-up position

Photos courtesy of Dave Williams

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• A new part XVI is added to article 410 with special

provisions for horticultural lighting.
• These new requirements respond to rapidly increasing
industry of indoor plant growing facilities.
• These installations are subject to increased temperatures,
humidity and water spray and require unique support and
flexibility.

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• New item (16) allows electronic protection of motors

marked “Electronically Protected” or E.P.” to be suitable for
overload protection.
• (16) Motors that are electronically protected from overloads
in accordance with 430.32(A)(2) and (B)(2) shall be marked
“electronically protected” or “E.P.”

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• Section 450.9 now requires the top of transformers that are

horizontal and readily accessible be marked to prohibit
storage.
• The concept is to eliminate hazards created by storing
material on top of transformers.

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• RV site supply equip. (power outlets/pedestals) 125V, 20A

receptacles required to be WR (Weather Resistant).
• New last sentences relaxes the requirement for tamper-
resistant.
• UL 231 already requires “WR” receptacles. Tamper resistant
exception offers clarity and “WR” aligns with standard.

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• All metal parts in contact with the water, all metal piping,
and all non-current-carrying metal parts that are likely to
become energized shall be connected to the grounding bus
in the panelboard using solid copper conductors; insulated,
covered, or bare; not smaller than 8 AWG.
• Connections to bonded parts shall be made in accordance
with 250.8.

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• (1) Receptacles Providing Shore Power.

• Receptacles installed in accordance with 555.33(A) shall
have individual GFPE set to open at currents not exceeding
30 milliamperes.

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• Feeder and branch-circuit conductors that are installed on

docking facilities shall be provided with GFPE set to open at
currents not exceeding 100 milliamperes. Coordination with
downstream GFPE shall be permitted at the feeder overcurrent
protective device.
• Exception to (3): Transformer secondary conductors of a
separately derived system that do not exceed 3 m (10 ft) and are
installed in a raceway shall be permitted to be installed without
ground-fault protection. This exception shall also apply to the
supply terminals of the equipment supplied by the transformer
secondary conductors.

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• A new definition for “Splash Pads” was added and

provisions added at 680.50 to allow for future revisions to
more accurately target installation requirements for these
units
• Splash pads now required to comply with Part II
(permanently installed pools) and equipotential bonding
requirements
• Splash pads and similar installations present the same
potential risk of electric shock as do the areas around
swimming pools
• Similar bonding should therefore be required

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• Reference to new UL3741 Standard and certifications for PV Hazard

Control
• The PV system shall comply with one of the following:
• A PV hazard control system listed for the purpose shall be installed in
accordance with the instructions included with the listing or field
labeling. Where a hazard control system requires initiation to transition
to a controlled state, the rapid shutdown initiation device required
in 690.12(C) shall perform this initiation.
• Informational Note: A listed or field-labeled hazard PV control
system is comprised of either…(See NEC text)…within a damaged PV
array for fire fighters. See UL 3741, Photovoltaic Hazard Control.

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• New Mating PV connector allowance for mixing and

matching brands of PV connectors.
• Where mating connectors are not of the identical type and
brand, they shall be listed and
• identified for intermatability, as described in the
manufacturer’s instructions.

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• New exclusion limits for PV ground fault protection have

been added.
• PV system dc circuits that exceed 30 volts or 8 amperes shall
be provided with dc ground-fault protection meeting the
requirements of 690.41(B)(1) and (B)(2) to reduce fire
hazards.
• Solidly grounded PV source circuits with not more than
two modules in parallel and not on or in buildings shall be
permitted without ground-fault protection.

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• New second-level subdivision (3) titled “Indication of Faults”

has been added.
• Ground-fault protection equipment shall provide indication
of ground faults at a readily accessible location.
• Informational Note: Examples of indication include,
but are not limited to, the following: remote indicator light,
display, monitor, signal to a monitored alarm system, or
receipt of notification by web-based services.

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• A new Section 705.13 for Power Control Systems (PCS) has

been added.
• These systems are necessary where multiple energy sources
and/or energy storage systems exist.
• The PCS monitors all currents to ensure that an overload
does not occur.
• The PCS could be a listed to provide the functionality of an
overcurrent protective device.

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• New Article 800 (General Requirements for Communications

Systems) combines common requirements previously found in
Articles 800 (now Article 805) for communications circuits, 820
for community antenna television and radio distribution
systems, 830 for network-powered broadband communications
systems and 840 for premises-powered broadband
communications systems into a new “general” article that
applies to all of these articles unless modified by the forenamed
articles.
• This new article will serve as a placeholder for redundant
requirements throughout previous Articles 800 (now Article
805), 820, 830, and 840. It should be noted that previous Article
800 (Communications Circuits) is now Article 805.

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