Important Updates From the 2020 NEC Electrical Code
Here are 10 noteworthy changes in the 2020 NEC electrical code that you should be aware of. These updates cover a range of areas, including safety measures for emergency responders, energy efficiency considerations, expanded GFCI protection requirements, and regulations related to solar energy storage and electric vehicles:
- Installation of exterior emergency power disconnect switches is now mandatory in new one- and two-family dwellings to improve safety for emergency responders.
- Service disconnect rules for de-energizing panel boards have been modified to enhance electrical worker safety, including the services offered by Mr. Electric.
- Load calculation tables have been revised to account for advancements in energy efficiency, particularly with the widespread adoption of energy-saving LED lighting.
- A new requirement has been introduced to address the installation of exposed cables on ceilings and walls.
- GFCI protection requirements have been expanded to include all 125- and 250-volt receptacles supplied by a single-phase circuit of 150 volts or less to ground.
- Basement receptacles must now have GFCI protection, regardless of whether the basement is finished.
- A new section has been added to govern the use of modern Ethernet cables capable of transmitting data and electrical power simultaneously.
- Requirements for solar-generated energy storage have been revised to accommodate evolving home energy storage technologies like the Tesla Powerwall home battery.
- Surge protection requirements have been strengthened to safeguard sensitive safety equipment such as hard-wired smoke alarms.
- The code now includes provisions for how homeowners can transfer power from electric vehicle (EV) batteries to residential wiring.
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