Editing National Electrical Code (section)

{{Short description|Electrical wiring standard in the United States}}
{{Electrical Wiring Sidebar}}
[[File:NEC 2008.jpg|thumb|200px|The National Electrical Code, 2008 edition]]
The '''National Electrical Code''' ('''NEC'''), or '''NFPA 70''', is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of [[electrical wiring]] and equipment in the [[United States]]. It is part of the National Fire Code series published by the [[National Fire Protection Association]] (NFPA), a private [[trade association]].<ref>"National Electrical Code" and "NEC" are registered trademarks of the NFPA.</ref> Despite the use of the term "national," it is not a [[Law of the United States|federal law]]. It is typically adopted by [[U.S. state|states]] and municipalities in an effort to standardize their enforcement of safe electrical practices.<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.nahb.org/-/media/NAHB/advocacy/docs/top-priorities/codes/code-adoption/state-adoption-status-nec-june-2023.pdf|title=State Adoptions of the National Electrical Code|access-date=17 February 2024}}
</ref> In some cases, the NEC is amended, altered and may even be rejected in lieu of regional regulations as voted on by local governing bodies. 

The "authority having jurisdiction" inspects for compliance with the standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firewatchtrainingdvd.com/firewatch-training-dvd/what-are-the-area-classifications-for-a-fire/|title=What Are The NEC Area Classifications for a Firewatch?|access-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106223756/http://www.firewatchtrainingdvd.com/firewatch-training-dvd/what-are-the-area-classifications-for-a-fire/|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/elecstd.html|title=Electrical Standards for Construction|publisher=U.S. DOL, OSHA|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref>

The NEC should not be confused with the [[National Electrical Safety Code]] (NESC), published by the [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE). The NESC is used for electric power and communication utility systems including overhead lines, underground lines, and power substations.