Pennsylvania 15 Hour 2020 NEC Review Chapters 1-4 & 7

The class begins with a broad introduction to the changes made to the 2020 National Electrical Code® (NEC-2020). It includes a brisk discussion of the code review process, a detailed explanation of how the NEC is organized, and coverage of code-wide changes, new Articles for 2020, and the changes to Article 100 (Definitions) and Article 110 (Requirements for Electrical Installations). It then presents every significant change made to Chapters 2 and 3 of NEC-2020. These are the two most critical Chapters in the NEC, addressing the most central provisions of the NEC for safe and reliable wiring materials and protective devices that affects almost every kind of electrical installation.

Each change presented in the class is accompanied by a thoroughgoing discussion of what the change means and the reason it was installed in the Code. The goal is to express every change in clear language, to focus on how the changes should be applied by a working electrician, and to provide the resources to explore the change more fully for those who wish to do so.

After the overview and introduction to the class, including a revision to the defined Scope of the NEC in Article 90, thirteen new or revised definitions from Chapter 1 [General] are covered, including Equipotential Plane, Free Air. Grounded Conductor. Island Mode, and Reconditioned. The significant changes to four general requirements complete this portion of the class, including changes to 110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work, 110.14 Terminal Connection Torque, 110.22 Identification of Disconnecting Means, and Spaces About Electrical Equipment.

The class next presents 45 critical changes made to Chapter 2 on Wiring and Protection. Some of the most far-reaching discussed are Emergency Disconnect rules and Surge Protection Requirements (in a new Article 242), along with the first major revision of lighting load calculations since 1971. There are revised GFCI provisions for Basements & Indoor Damp/Wet Locations; Specific Appliances & Equipment; Outdoor Outlets; Feeders and for Temporary Feeders. The class also covers important code revisions (or newly added codes) on:

• AFCI in Nursing Homes;
• AFCI Requirements After Building Modifications;
• Receptacles for Peninsular Countertops, Meeting Rooms, Balconies, Decks & Porches;
• Maximum Disconnects in a Single Enclosure;
• Grounding Systems Permitted to Be Connected on the Supply Side of the Disconnect;
• GEC Connections to Rebar;
• Metal Enclosures Used to Connect Bonding Jumpers or EGCs;
• Restricted Use of Metal Frames as EGCs; and 
• An Exception to Resizing ECGs.

The class moves next to the 29 significant changes from Chapter 3 {Wiring Methods and Materials], including the reorganization of Article 310 and Ampacity Tables, a new Article on Type P Cable, and a new Article 311 on Medium Voltage Cable. The class also covers important code revisions (or newly added codes) on:

• Protection Against Physical Damage with Alternative Metal Fittings; 
• Boxes, Conduit Bodies or Fittings Required; 
• Stair Towers (Exit Enclosures); 
• Power Monitoring or Energy Management Equipment in Enclosures; 
• Volume Allowance for EGCs and Equipment Bonding Jumpers; 
• Outlet Boxes for Ceiling Fans; 
• Type MC Cable in Hazardous Locations; 
• Measuring Type NM Cable from the Enclosure; and
• Limitations of Single Conductor Applications in Cable Tray Systems; and
• Conductor Size and Termination in Cablebus.

There are 38 significant changes to Chapter 4 presented, including a revision to the defined Scope of the NEC in Article 90, new Panelboard Circuit Directory Locations, and enhanced Identification of Power Sources for Storage Batteries. The class also covers important code revisions (or newly added codes) on:

• A New Type of Fixture Wire - FFHH-2;
• Rating and Use of General-Use Snap Switches Dimmers and Control Switches;
• Electronic Control Switches;
• Installation Requirements of Controlled Receptacles;
• Tamper-Resistant Receptacles;
• Single-Pole Separable Connectors;
• Methods of Grounding Luminaires;
• GFCI for Appliances;
• Electronically Protected Motor Circuits and Controllers;
• Emergency Shutdown in One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units;
• Transformers and Transformer Vaults; and
• Permissibility of Retrofit Trip Units for Equipment Over 1000 Volts Nominal

The class finishes up with a look at every significant change to Chapter 7, the most varied Chapter in the NEC. 29 significant changes are covered, including seven changes to the Articles on Emergency Systems and Optional Standby Systems, including guidance on incorporating alternative power sources. This is followed by 13 changes to Articles 705 & 706, including a complete overhaul of Article 705 on Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources and new maintenance and identification protocols for Energy Storage Systems. The class finishes up with a wide range of wiring systems adapted to special purposes, including a revision of Transfer Switch rules for Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS), updates to Articles 710 on Stand-Alone Systems and DC Microgrids; clarifications on the Use of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Remote-Control Signaling and Power-Limited Circuits, and three changes to Article 770 on OFC: Mechanical Execution of Work, Cable Routing Assemblies and Cable Trays, and Installation in Enclosures shared with energized conductors.