Electrical Code Updates & Corrections in Chesterfield, VA

Mr. Electric Follows the National Electrical Safety Code

Electrical hazards result in tens of thousands of residential and commercial accidents and house fires each year. At Mr. Electric of Chesterfield, safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to ensuring your residential or commercial property is properly up to the current electrical code. Whether your property in Chesterfield, VA, and surrounding areas is newly constructed or decades old, our team of licensed electricians can take a look. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

What Are Electrical Code Updates?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the nation’s only standard for safe electrical installation and wiring practices. The NEC sets electrical code standards for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) updates the NEC every three years to reduce accidents and minimize fire hazards resulting from the use of electricity.

Why Is it Important to Be Informed About Electrical Code Updates?

It’s crucial for all home and business owners to be aware of electrical code updates to ensure the safety of everyone on the property. For example, as ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) requirements have been expanded over the years, the number of residential electrical shock incidents has decreased. Being informed about electrical code updates gives property owners homeowners the ability to better protect their lives and property.

Our Professionals Are Highly Skilled in Electrical Codes 

Due to the complex and extensive changes made to the NEC every three years, it’s important to have a licensed electrician check your home or business for any outdated electrical system features. You can trust the professionals at Mr. Electric of Chesterfield to be extensively knowledgeable about the latest updates, allowing them to:

• Check that your home is up to the latest electrical wiring and equipment requirements, installation, and more.
• Inspect a home you’re interested in purchasing to ensure it’s a good investment and safe for your family.
• Prevent the delay in selling your home due to electrical issues discovered during an inspection.
• Protect you and your loved ones from injury, loss of life, and possible liability issues.

10 Most Important Updates to the 2020 NEC Electrical Code

In partnership with the Electrical Safety Foundation International, Mr. Electric of Chesterfield can ensure the safety of your home and family by implementing the most up-to-date electrical code and safety standards available. 10 of the most important changes to make a note of in the 2020 NEC electrical code include:

1. Exterior emergency power disconnect switches must be installed at all new one- and two-family dwellings. This measure is intended to make safer working conditions for emergency responders.
2. Service disconnect rules concerning de-energizing panel boards have been altered to improve electrical worker safety; that includes your local Mr. Electric of Chesterfield.
3. Load calculation tables have been revised to reflect modern improvements in energy efficiency. The change is largely due to the widespread use of LED lighting, which is significantly more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs.
4. A new general requirement has been instituted to cover cables exposed on ceilings and walls.
5. Requirements for GFCI protection have expanded to include all 125- and 250-volt receptacles supplied by a single-phase circuit of 150 volts or less to ground.
6. All basement receptacles must also have GFCI protection, regardless of whether the basement is finished.
7. A new section has been added governing modern Ethernet cables that simultaneously transmit data and electrical power.
8. Requirements for solar-generated energy storage continue to be revised to keep pace with evolving home energy storage technologies, such as the Tesla Powerwall home battery.
9. Surge protection requirements have been enhanced to protect sensitive safety equipment, such as hard-wired smoke alarms.
10. A new item in the code governs how homeowners may transfer power from electric vehicle (EV) batteries to residential wiring.

Call Mr. Electric Today for Premier Electrical Code Services

Whether you have specific concerns about your home or business being up to electrical code or you want a routine inspection done, our experienced electricians can make sure your property is in tip-top electrical shape. Contact us today to schedule an appointment in Chesterfield, VA, and the surrounding areas to ensure your property is up to code!