NEC Code Lookup

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Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel

Specifies where GFCI protection is required in dwelling units and other locations.

Category: GFCI

Key Requirements

•All bathroom receptacles
•Kitchen countertop receptacles
•Garage and accessory building receptacles
•Outdoor receptacles
•Crawl spaces and unfinished basements
•Laundry areas (within 6 ft of sink)

Common Jobs

All residential workSafety upgradesCode compliance

NEC 210.8(F)2026residential

GFCI Protection - Kitchens (2026 Update)

2026 NEC expands GFCI requirements to ALL kitchen outlets, not just countertop receptacles.

Category: GFCI

Key Requirements

•ALL kitchen receptacles require GFCI protection
•Includes dishwasher, garbage disposal, and other appliances
•Refrigerator outlets now require GFCI
•Applies to all dwelling unit kitchens

Common Jobs

Kitchen remodelsNew constructionCode compliance upgrades

NEC 210.112023 & 2026residential

Branch Circuits Required

Specifies the minimum number and types of branch circuits required for dwelling units.

Category: Branch Circuits

Key Requirements

•Two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits for kitchen
•One 20-ampere laundry circuit
•One 20-ampere circuit for each bathroom
•Lighting circuits as calculated

Common Jobs

New constructionPanel upgradesKitchen remodels

NEC 210.522023 & 2026residential

Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets

Requirements for placement and spacing of receptacle outlets in dwelling units.

Category: Receptacles

Key Requirements

•Wall space 2 ft or more requires receptacle within 6 ft
•Kitchen counters: receptacle every 4 ft of counter space
•Island/peninsulas ≥24" long require receptacle
•Bathrooms require at least one receptacle within 3 ft of sink

Common Jobs

New constructionRemodelsKitchen updatesBathroom renovations

NEC 210.52(C)(5)2026residential

Island and Peninsula Receptacles (2026 Update)

Updated requirements for kitchen island and peninsula receptacle placement.

Category: Receptacles

Key Requirements

•Islands ≥16 inches long (was 24 inches) require receptacle
•Peninsulas ≥16 inches long (was 24 inches) require receptacle
•Must be located within 24 inches of countertop edge
•GFCI protection required for all kitchen outlets

Common Jobs

Kitchen remodelsIsland installationsNew construction

NEC 220.122023 & 2026residential

Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies

Standard lighting loads for calculating branch circuits and feeders.

Category: Load Calculations

Key Requirements

•Dwelling units: 3 VA per square foot
•Minimum 1500 VA for each 20A small appliance circuit
•Laundry circuit: 1500 VA
•Apply demand factors per 220.42

Common Jobs

Service calculationsPanel sizingLoad studies

NEC 220.832023 & 2026residential

Existing Dwelling Unit Loads

Optional calculation method for existing dwelling units with proven electrical loads.

Category: Load Calculations

Key Requirements

•Existing loads based on largest of: Connected load or demand load × 125%
•New loads calculated per standard methods
•Total connected load cannot exceed service rating
•Must have load data or measurements

Common Jobs

Panel upgradesService upgradesAdding loads to existing systems

NEC 230.792023 & 2026residential

Rating of Service Disconnecting Means

Requirements for service disconnecting means ratings.

Category: Services

Key Requirements

•Minimum 100 amperes for dwelling units
•Must not be rated less than calculated load
•Single family: 100A minimum even if load is less
•Multifamily: 100A minimum per unit

Common Jobs

Service installationsService upgradesPanel installations

NEC 250.522023 & 2026Res & Com

Grounding Electrodes

Acceptable grounding electrodes for electrical systems.

Category: Grounding

Key Requirements

•Metal water piping system (if 10 ft or more in ground)
•Concrete-encased electrode (Ufer ground)
•Ground ring encircling building
•Ground rods (8 ft minimum, two required if >25 ohms)
•Other listed electrodes

Common Jobs

Service installationsNew constructionGrounding upgrades

NEC 250.662023 & 2026Res & Com

Size of Alternating-Current Grounding Electrode Conductor

Required size of grounding electrode conductor based on service conductors.

Category: Grounding

Key Requirements

•100A service: #8 Cu or #6 Al minimum
•200A service: #4 Cu or #2 Al minimum
•400A service: #2 Cu or #1/0 Al minimum
•Based on largest service conductor

Common Jobs

Service installationsPanel installationsGrounding system design

NEC 250.1222023 & 2026Res & Com

Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors

Minimum size of equipment grounding conductors based on overcurrent device rating.

Category: Grounding

Key Requirements

•15A/20A breaker: #12 Cu equipment ground
•30A breaker: #10 Cu equipment ground
•40A/50A breaker: #10 Cu equipment ground
•60A breaker: #10 Cu equipment ground
•100A breaker: #8 Cu equipment ground

Common Jobs

Branch circuit wiringFeeder installationEquipment connections

NEC 314.162023 & 2026Res & Com

Number of Conductors in Outlet, Device, and Junction Boxes

Requirements for calculating conductor fill in electrical boxes.

Category: Boxes

Key Requirements

•#14 AWG: 2 cubic inches per conductor
•#12 AWG: 2.25 cubic inches per conductor
•#10 AWG: 2.5 cubic inches per conductor
•Count devices, cable clamps, and fixture studs
•Grounding conductors count as one conductor

Common Jobs

Device installationJunction boxesOutlet installation

NEC 314.272023 & 2026Res & Com

Outlet Boxes

Requirements for outlet box installation and support.

Category: Boxes

Key Requirements

•Boxes must be rigidly supported
•Ceiling fans require fan-rated box
•Fixture weight >50 lbs requires independent support
•Box must be flush with finished surface

Common Jobs

Fixture installationCeiling fansDevice mounting

NEC 330.302023 & 2026Res & Com

Securing and Supporting

Requirements for securing and supporting MC cable installations.

Category: Wiring Methods

Key Requirements

•Secured within 12 inches of every box
•Supported at intervals not exceeding 6 feet
•No support required for lengths ≤24 inches at terminals
•Horizontal runs through framing require support every 6 feet

Common Jobs

MC cable installationCommercial wiringFeeder runs

NEC 334.802023 & 2026residential

Ampacity

Ampacity requirements for nonmetallic-sheathed cable installations.

Category: Wiring Methods

Key Requirements

•90°C conductor rating with 60°C ampacity
•#14 NM: 15 amperes maximum
•#12 NM: 20 amperes maximum
•#10 NM: 30 amperes maximum
•Derating required for bundling or high temperatures

Common Jobs

Residential wiringBranch circuitsRomex installation

NEC 404.22023 & 2026Res & Com

Switch Connections

Requirements for switch connections and neutral conductors.

Category: Switches

Key Requirements

•Switches must interrupt ungrounded conductors only
•Neutral required at switch locations (with exceptions)
•Switch ratings must match or exceed load
•Listed switches required for specific applications

Common Jobs

Switch installationSmart switchesLighting controls

NEC 406.122023 & 2026residential

Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Requirements for tamper-resistant receptacles in dwelling units.

Category: Receptacles

Key Requirements

•All 125V, 15A and 20A receptacles in dwelling units
•All areas accessible to children
•Exceptions for dedicated appliances >5.5 feet high
•Non-grounding receptacles in replacements exempt

Common Jobs

New residential constructionReceptacle replacementSafety upgrades

NEC 680.222023 & 2026residential

Area Lighting, Receptacles, and Equipment

Requirements for electrical installations near swimming pools and spas.

Category: Special Locations

Key Requirements

•All outlets within 20 feet of pool require GFCI
•No receptacles within 6 feet of pool edge
•One receptacle required 6-20 feet from pool
•Overhead lines must maintain proper clearances

Common Jobs

Pool installationsSpa wiringOutdoor electrical