Key Changes in the 2026 NEC
The 2026 edition of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) , has been out since late 2025. So, what changed in the 2026 NEC?
As is always the case with the NFPA standards development process, changes to the most recent edition of the NEC began with people submitting public inputs (PIs). There were 3,933 PIs for the 2026 NEC, a slight decrease from the 4,006 submitted for the 2023 edition. Code making panels (CMPs) followed the process tirelessly to evaluate each PI submitted and came up with modified or new language, articles, and sections that eventually made up the 2026 NEC.
Here is a summary of some of the key changes to the 2026 NEC.
Structural Changes to the NEC
Just as in the 2023 NEC, there were numerous structural changes made to the 2026 NEC. The technical committees moved articles around to make room for the more significant structural shift coming for the 2029 edition.
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For example, Article 220, Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations, was reorganized and moved to Chapter 1 as new Article 120. Article 750, Energy Management Systems, was also modified and moved to Chapter 1 as new Article 130.
Five new articles were added to Chapter 2 after Article 250 to contain all the over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc requirements. The new articles include:
- 265, Branch Circuits Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
- 266, Feeders Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
- 267, Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
- 268, Services Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
- 270, Grounding and Bonding of Systems over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
As you can see, these structural changes mirror the format of existing articles in Chapter 2 for under 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc requirements. There was also a significant shift in Chapters 7 and 8 to better align with other sections of the NEC.
Key Changes in NEC Chapter 1
Some key changes to the NEC were made in Article 120 around load calculations. The total volt-amperes (va) per square foot for general lighting and receptacles for dwelling units was reduced from 3 va/ft2 to 2 va/ft2 of floor space.
This change was due to increased energy efficiency in lighting and equipment and will likely have an impact on service size. This change could be confused with the requirements of new Section 120.13, which was added to avoid a reduction in the number of branch circuits in a dwelling unit. The confusion comes from people thinking this affects the service size of the dwelling unit and it does not. This new section simply requires the branch circuit load to be calculated at 3 va/ft2 of floor space.
Further changes found in Section 120.5(E) now change how continuous loads are addressed in load calculations. This new subsection removes the requirement that continuous loads be calculated at 125 percent. Section 120.7, Power Control System (PCS), allows the PCS to be factored in when calculating loads. Another change that will have an impact on multifamily dwelling service sizes is the change to Table 120.54 for electric clothes dryers; the demand factors were eased up a bit due to energy efficiency.
Key Changes in NEC Chapter 2
Chapter 2 has a new look with several new articles as shown above, but those weren’t the only changes made. There is also the new Article 245, Overcurrent Protection for Systems Rated Over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc, Nominal. Adding all these new articles into the 2026 NEC was intended to make it easier for the user to find the specific code sections they need when it comes to these systems, while also providing room for new technologies. These articles have much of the same look as their counterparts for under 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc.
Some other important changes occurred in 210.8(F), Outdoor Outlets; 60 ampere or less outlets are now required to have ground fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection. The addition of Exception No. 3 permits the use of a new safety device—a listed Class C special purpose ground fault circuit-interrupter (SPGFCI)—to protect listed heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment. These devices are listed to the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 943C. Having this new technology will help users provide the needed safety protection for HVAC equipment when Exception No. 2 expires on September 1, 2026.
Another change came about in Section 210.52 for receptacle outlet locations in dwelling units. Section 210.52(A)(5) is new for the 2026 NEC, and it clarifies that any wall space or floor receptacle cannot be installed less than 24 inches from the top of a countertop or work surface—this coincides with 210.52(C)(4) for kitchens. This section adds a prohibition of receptacle outlets being installed within the 24-inch measurement to include adjacent walls extending from the base cabinets and adds an exception permitting receptacles installed in a drawer to be installed below the countertop or worksurface.
Key Changes in NEC Chapter 4
Many of the key changes in Chapter 4 occurred in Articles 404 and 406. Information about general-use snap switches was relocated from Article 404 to Article 406. Article 406 also received a name change to Wiring Devices to reflect the addition of general-use snap switches. Other changes in Article 406 were a result of general-use snap switches being added into specific areas like damp and wet locations. The remainer of the changes within Articles 404 and 406 included sections being renumbered due to relocated requirements.
Folks living in colder climates will love a new technology that was added to Article 426 called conductive pavement heating systems. These systems use imbedded electrodes in pavement materials to heat up the pavement to help melt ice and snow. This technology could significantly reduce snow and ice-related hazards on roads or parking lots by melting the hazard away, thereby keeping people safe and reducing the need for chemicals to clear the snow and ice.
Key Changes in NEC Chapter 5
Chapter 5 of the NEC saw very few changes, although Article 555, Marinas, Boatyards, Floating Buildings, and Docking Facilities, saw some additions, with a new Section 555.9 that allows the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to ask for the engineered electrical design documents for a pier distribution system to ensure everything matches the installation and the code.
Additionally, some clarification was brought to the required equipotential planes and bonding of those planes. The requirements now resemble those found in Section 680.26 for swimming pools. Another change that added safety to Article 555 is the requirement that ground fault protection of equipment (GFPE) be coordinated and performance tested when first installed on site. This helps ensure functionality of the GFPE device, which provides safety to those around the water.
Key Changes in NEC Chapter 6
The biggest change in Chapter 6 came with the addition of Article 624, Electric Self-Propelled Vehicle Power Transfer Systems (EVSEs). This article is for electric motorized vehicles that are not designed for on-road use. Some examples of these are boats, aircraft, electric golf carts, electric scissors lifts, and electric forklifts. Many of the requirements in Article 624 are like those found in Article 625. The ESVSE equipment must be listed, use specific cords and receptacles, and may need an individual branch circuit.
Key Changes in NEC Chapters 7 and 8
Chapter 7 looks a little different with the addition of several new articles, including:
- 720, General Requirements for Limited-Energy System Wiring Methods and Materials
- 721, Power Sources for Limited-Energy Systems
- 722, Limited-Energy Cables for Power-Limited Circuits, Fault-Managed-Power Circuits, Optical Fiber Circuits, and Communications Circuits
- 723, Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems
- 742, Overvoltage Protection of Limited-Energy Systems
- 750, Grounding and Bonding of Limited-Energy Systems
Many of the requirements found in these new articles have been relocated from other articles in Chapters 7 and 8 and changed into an easier-to-use format. When you look at Chapter 7, you see a resemblance to Chapters 2 and 3. All grounding requirements for limited-energy systems are now located in one spot instead of scattered throughout other articles.
Chapter 8 had numerous requirements relocated into new or modified Chapter 7 articles, and therefore some past articles were deleted. In previous NEC editions, Chapter 8 had autonomy from being modified by the requirements found in Chapters 1 through 7.
New NEC Annexes
Several changes occurred in Informative Annex D due to the changes in Article 120 for dwelling unit load calculations. A new Informative Annex L has been added to help inform users of potential future changes to the overall structure of the NEC.
Looking Ahead
One thing is for sure and that’s change is inevitable in life and the NEC. NFPA guards how changes are made in the codes and standards through a standards development process that is set up so everyone in the world has a voice, there is a balance of interests represented at the table, and no single interest has an unfair advantage in the voting on recommended changes.
The changes made in the 2026 NEC around installations over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc and limited-energy systems allow for new technologies to be added, thereby making the NEC look different from previous editions.
Rest assured, the legacy content that has provided for safe electrical installations in the past will remain in future editions of the NEC. These recent and upcoming structural changes are to ensure the NEC is keeping pace with what electrical installations look like today and will look like moving forward. More modernization is planned for the 2029 edition.
Get involved and let your voice be heard so you can help shape the future. Remember, silence is acceptance. Submit your PI or PC by visiting the NEC document information page and help make this increasingly electrified world a little bit safer.