2020 National Electrical Code Adoption Kits Now Available

The National Fire Protection Association issued their most recent edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) on Aug. 25, 2019, and states are now in the process of adopting this most recent set of electrical codes. NAHB staff has reviewed the code changes and has made available the 2020 National Electrical Code Adoption Kit that identifies the significant changes that would most impact the home building industry. Some of the more significant changes include:

• Section 210.8(A) would require receptacles serving 250-volt appliances to have GFCI protection.
• Section 230.67(A-D) would require all services supplying dwelling units to be provided with a surge-protective device.
• Section 230.85 would require an emergency disconnect accessible in an outdoor location for one and two-family dwellings.

These significant changes, in addition to others, would impact the cost of construction for single-family and multifamily residential projects. Home Innovation Research Labs published an estimated cost analysis for NEC changes outlining the differences in costs between the 2014, 2017 and the 2020 NEC. As a response to the increase in construction cost, NAHB has published the National Electrical Code Suggested Amendments for state and local HBAs as consideration to maintain cost-effective and affordable code provisions. To find out if your state has adopted the 2020 NEC, or is in the process of adopting the latest edition of electrical codes, see the map published by the National Fire Protection Association. For more information on the NEC and adoption process, contact Cesar Lujan or Gary Ehrlich.