Every three years a new edition of the National Electrical code is adopted by the State of Georgia. In 2021 the 2020 version of the NEC (National Electric Code) was adopted starting January 1st. There could be a noticeable change if you make changes in your electrical service outside.
Most homes have a disconnect at the meter outside the home. However, some older homes and a few new homes could at one time be code compliant without the outside disconnect. This has changed.
If you make changes to your electrical service outside your home, or to your service entrance conductors (the wiring that leaves the meter and runs to your electrical panel) you will be required to install a full service disconnect on the outside of your home. This disconnect will have a circuit breaker (or fuse) rated for the amperage load of the house, giving the ability for the system to trip the breaker disconnecting the power at the location outside of your home. This will also give access to emergency personnel such as a fire department, utilities representatives, or electricians to disconnect the power service completely before it enters your home.
In conjunction with the new disconnect requirement, surge protection for the electrical service is now required in all dwelling units at the service equipment. This requirement is intended to address the recognized need for surge protection to protect sensitive electronics found in most modern appliances, safety devices such as AFCI’s (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter), GFCI’s (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and smoke alarms. The expanded use of the above listed equipment within electrical systems often results in greater exposure for the introduction of surges into the electrical system.
These are the two changes that will impact most citizens, of course there have been many other changes that will be enforced moving forward. Electrical contractors should be aware of all changes made by the NEC through continuing education requirements.
I hope this information has been helpful.
Source:
Mark Mitchell
Chief Building Official
mmitchell@peachtreecornersga.gov
