Stallcup's Illustrated Code Changes Author:James Stallcup The last two NEC cycles have brought massive changes to the Code. The overwhelming amount of text that was either rewritten or reorganized, including redesigned and expanded tables as well as the introduction of new articles, has been done with the intention of making the Nec more user friendly. However, for a longtime user of the Nec, these cha... more »nges didn't seem user friendly at first. Now, once again, the 2005 Nec represents numerous changes. Some of these changes include new requirements for identification of ungrounded branc circuit and feeder conductors, revised rules for arc-fault circuit interrupters, and new zone hazarous area classification systems. Just learning what these changes are and the reasoning behind them shouldn't be the only reason for a user to learn them. Correlation and interactivity of various codes and standards are mandatory in the electrical industry. Therefore, it is imperative that there be a code that other codes and standards can reference as the code of standard practice. The NEC is recognized as this code, and, therefore, for installation and maintenance of electrical systems, as well as for safety issues, keeping oneself aware of changes not only in the NEC, but in the electrical industry as a whole, is a must. The 2005 edition of the National Electrical Code NEC contains many comprehensive revisions pertaining to specific NEC rules and regulations. Electrical personnel have an immediate and awesome task in not only learning but implementing these revisions in their everyday design, installation, and inspection of electrical systems.« less