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National Electrical Code

OCTOBER 30, 2008

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff supports activities involving the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC (the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70) is a widely-adopted model code for the installation of electrical components and systems. Its purpose is to safeguard persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity (NEC 90.1(A)). Improving the safety of electrical installations through participation in the NEC revision process is one of the strategies CPSC staff employs to reduce potential electrical fire and shock hazards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff supports activities involving the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC (the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70) is a widely-adopted model code for the installation of electrical components and systems. Its purpose is to safeguard persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity (NEC 90.1(A)). Improving the safety of electrical installations through participation in the NEC revision process is one of the strategies CPSC staff employs to reduce potential electrical fire and shock hazards.

During the period 1999-2003, there was an estimated annual average of more than 28,000 fires attributed to home electrical distribution systems. Electrocutions associated with consumer products have decreased from 210 in 1993 to 160 in 2003.

In addition to developing proposals for revision of the NEC, CPSC staff members serve as non-voting representatives on two of the 19 code-making panels (CMPs) that are responsible for approving or rejecting proposals to revise the Code. A CPSC representative is on CMP 2, which covers Articles 210 (Branch Circuits), 215 (Feeders), 220 (Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Calculations), and Annex D, Examples 1 through 6. A CPSC representative is on CMP 17, which includes, among others, Articles 422 (Appliances), 424 (Fixed Electric Space-Heating Equipment), 426 (Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow-Melting Equipment), and 680 (Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar Installations).

Additional Information

Incident Data:

Voluntary Standard and Code Activities:

CPSC Staff Reports, Memoranda and Contracts:

National Fire Protection Association

  • For further information concerning the National Electrical Code, please contact Mark Earley at mwearley@nfpa.org

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