The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) updates the National Electrical Code (NEC) every three years to reduce accidents and minimize fire hazards from electricity use. These changes are designed to improve safety and address new technologies that have emerged since the last update.
As a homeowner, staying up-to-date on the latest electrical code updates is always a good idea. This way, you can be sure that your home is safe and compliant with the current safety standards. But with so many code updates being released each year, it can be tough to know which ones are most relevant to your home. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the most important electrical code updates up to 2020:
10 Most Important Electrical Code Updates
- GFCIs must now be installed in all wet or damp locations, including kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoor outlets.
- All new outlets must be tamper-resistant.
- All new homes must have smoke detectors installed in every bedroom and on every level of the home.
- The minimum wire size for branch circuits has been increased from 14 AWG to 12 AWG.
- The maximum number of receptacles on a single circuit has been reduced from 12 to 10.
- The requirement for arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) has been extended to all bedrooms in new homes.
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are now required in all unfinished crawl spaces and attics.
- The requirement for tamper-resistant receptacles has been extended to all new construction, not just residences intended for occupancy by children aged 12 and under.
- All homes must now have an emergency disconnect switch within easy reach of the main electrical panel.
- All new outlets must be tamper-resistant unless installed in a childcare facility or a hospital patient room.
Get A Reliable Electrical Code Solution
At Hill Electrical Construction, we’re all about helping homeowners stay up to code with their homes. That’s why we offer our electric contractor services in Lebanon, OR. We know the electrical code is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up with all the updates. That’s where we come in. We’ll ensure your home is up to date with the latest codes and requirements, so you can rest easy knowing your home is safe and sound.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you keep your home safe & sound!
Your circuit panel plays an important role in your electrical system. It’s mainly responsible for electricity distribution throughout the building or house by connecting different circuit breakers. It is also the main shut-off point in an electrical emergency. This is why it is important to ensure that your circuit panel is up-to-date and can handle the current load.