2020 NEC Changes
Improve safety and save lives. Changes in the 2020 National Electric Code® focus on GFCI protection, surge protection, firemen’s disconnect and solar power. See what changes are rolling out to your state.
Updates to GFCI Protection
For dwellings, all 125–250V receptacles within 6 feet of sinks must have GFCI protection. Outdoor outlets 150V to ground or less and up to 50amps also require GFCI protection. This expands requirements to HVAC, refrigeration and other serviceable outdoor equipment.
Dwelling Requirements
- Laundry areas
- Kitchens
- Finished and unfinished basements
- Ranges within 6 feet of sinks
- Electric dryers
- Dishwashers
- Sump pumps and pool motors
Non-Dwelling Requirements
- Wet and damp indoor locations
- Permanent fixtures for cooking
- Provisions for food preparation
- Accessory buildings
- Drinking fountains
Updates to Emergency Disconnects
Emergency disconnects are required for all single- and two-family dwellings. The new regulation also requires these disconnects to be readily accessible from outside the dwelling, including lines for energy storage systems (ESS) and generators.
One of the Following Must Be Marked on All Generators
- EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, SERVICE DISCONNECT
- EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, METER DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT
- EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT
Updates to Surge Protection
One of the new articles (242) in 2020 NEC expands surge protection coverage to dwelling unit service lines. Lines must be part of or adjacent to service equipment and may be located at each level of downstream distribution. These regulations apply to replacements as well as service upgrades and cover all line-side and load-side services.
Updates to Solar Requirements (California Directive)
Outdoor disconnects are required for all energy storage units. This update aligns with the California solar directive requires solar photovoltaic systems for newly constructed healthcare facilities starting January 1, 2020.2
Additional Articles
Article 242, Overvoltage Protection
Merges NEC articles 280 and 285 to address surge protective requirements, devices and arresters
Article 311, MV Conductors & Cable
Expands on a previously removed article (328) to address medium voltage conductors and cables specifications and usages
Article 337, Type P Cable
Addresses 600V Type P cables used in industrial and hazardous areas and defines their specifications
Article 800, General Requirements for Communications Systems
Merges previous contents of 2017 NEC Chapter 8 into one article and lists requirements for communication circuits, including television and radio antennae and network powered broadband systems
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States Adopting 2020 NEC*
Adoption Underway
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wyoming
In Effect
- Massachusetts
NEC Code by State
*Information is current as of May 2020 and is only for general reference. See National Fire Protection Association, “NEC Enforcement” for further information. Always verify applicable information with local code authorities or other licensed professionals.1
The information on this page is provided only for general reference. The National Fire Protection Association develops and publishes the NEC. HD Supply does not provide information on how changes to the NEC might affect your work. Please consult with local code authorities or other licensed professionals concerning specific questions relating to the NEC or the changes in the 2020 NEC.
- National Fire Protection Association, “NEC Enforcement.” 2019
- California Energy Commission, “2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.” 2018.
- National Fire Protection Association, “Power Aid: GFCI Protection, Emergency Power Disconnects, and much more.” 2019.