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Which NEC applies?

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ArcticGabe

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I am just about to submit for a permit to run branch circuits from a sub-panel that was installed in my new garage. I've done several electrical jobs in the past, but nothing recent. So I've been reading and studying as best as I can to make sure I comply with all recent code changes.

However, if I'm not mistaken, it appears that the NEC gets updated every three years, and since it was last published in 2017, I'd guess we can expect a new version in 2020.

Now I'm not a professional electrician, and I'm doing this work when I get spare time. So I expect to be done maybe April or May. If I start this job now, but a new NEC comes out before I'm done, which code book applies at inspection time? It would **** to have to re-do a bunch of stuff because the rules changed mid-stream.

Thanks.
 
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Stuart in MN

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Note that in most states it usually takes them a little while before they accept a code update - just because the NEC will be updated in 2020 doesn't mean it will go into effect on January 1. It will probably take them at least 6 months, but keep an eye on the state website to be sure.
 
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75gmck25

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When you pull the permit they should give you info on which NEC version will apply in your timeframe (permit may be good for only 6 months, unless extended).

Two simple requirements are that all garage receptacles now need GFCI (even ones in the ceiling), and that wiring needs to be physically protected (protection requirement may have height or accessibility limits for its application, but some inspectors interpret it differently). Physical protection can be from being inside a framed wall, stapled to the side of rafter ties, in metal conduit, etc. Metal sheathed flexible cable is not considered to be physically protected.

After that it will depend on your exact power requirements. Standard 20 amp GFCI receptacles are wired the same as in your house, and have the same requirements for wire staples, etc., but when you want to wire compressors, welders, and larger machines the requirements may depend on the HP rating and other factors.

Bruce
 
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sberry

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That is kind of what I was getting at. While it's commendable for a diy to read the book so few changes apply that it's often more confusing than just getting the simple stuff right, most of it but for the gfci has been the same for decades. Only thing additional they now want on new service is a lug to connect ground for TV or sat.
 
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sberry

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Agree with Bruce, most misses are hp. Good design should be the focus and not of all that is in the requirements. Personally like lights on 14, recepts on 12 and not mixxed. So much less confusing, so much better to attach fixtures and even lowers the short circuit potential a bit for that little stuff.
Don't get cared away with mwbc, I like one circuit to a box for recepts, some places in remodeling I have 2 , lights and a recept but try to be simple.
 
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sberry

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In a garage like to leave some means to add additional circuits for new equipment if I can vs buttoning it all up behind drywall. Remember, all looks different empty and as for leaning sheets up against walls,, yes empty but usually open wall space is lo g gone in short order. To tell the truth a little hybrid is ok, would just as soon go surface and wire as needed and as I went. When I preplanned it got a lot of Un used wire storeed in the wall and still not where it's ideal.
 
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sberry

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Pipe allows for switched wires, also would just as soon run another one where practical for some equipment. It allows a size smaller wire, can run most 240v on 10 which makes good connections and can even use all 12 these days if comp is limited and have modern welding equipment. Also a color to use for switched wires is good practice.
 
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exranger06

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NEC 2020 now requires 240V receptacles to be GFCI protected too. All areas of the house that normally require GFCI protection (garages, basements, bathrooms, outdoors, etc) previously only required the 120V receptacles to be GFCI protected. Now 240V receptacles in all of those areas also require GFCI protection. That means all 240V receptacles in the garage, and, since laundry areas have already required GFCI, the dryer receptacle is now required to have GFCI.

Also, in previous editions of the NEC, unfinished basements needed GFCI protection, while finished areas of the basement didn't need it. NEC 2020 now specifies ALL areas of the basement, finished or not, require GFCI.
 
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sberry

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As far as I know MI is just adopting 2017. When my Dad's house was built grounding was just in the future, I can see it,,, we will just slide under it. Most generals were 2 wire, pain in the future but I can see wanting to slide by the 240 gfci and it's something that could be changed, not a big deal.
 
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ddawg16

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I'm sure Diesel will chime in shortly.....but as for those branch ckts......

Everything has to be on GFCI....including lights. (at least that is what I hear)

No more than 6 breakers in the sub unless you have a main disconnect breaker.

I'm assuming detached.....so....run the ground from your main but do NOT bond it to the neutral. You will also need to install 2 ground rods at least 6' apart and run that ground to your ground buss.

Otherwise, that is about it.
 
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exranger06

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ddawg16 said:
I'm sure Diesel will chime in shortly.....but as for those branch ckts......

Everything has to be on GFCI....including lights. (at least that is what I hear)

No more than 6 breakers in the sub unless you have a main disconnect breaker.

I'm assuming detached.....so....run the ground from your main but do NOT bond it to the neutral. You will also need to install 2 ground rods at least 6' apart and run that ground to your ground buss.

Otherwise, that is about it.
Click to expand...
The only thing that needs to be GFCI are receptacles. Lights and hard-wired appliances don't need GFCI.
 
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Hot shot

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The electrician that did my garage back in sept told me about a couple code changes
1) in a garage you have to put a charger plug for an electric car whether the owners have an electric car or not. That’s Bull ****!!
2) you cannot tap into an existing circuit to power an outdoor outlet
Has to be on its own circuit
 
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ArcticGabe

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Thanks for all the feedback, everyone. As suggested, I have already planned for 20A for plugs, and 15A for lighting. I'm using GFCI breakers for the plug circuits so I don't have to be worried about hiding the GFCI plug behind something I didn't plan for. Everything I'm putting in now will be in the wall behind drywall, but I will have a removable wood panel above the electrical panel in case I want to add circuits later.

The sub-panel in the garage was installed by electricians and already inspected, so grounding and bonding are not an issue, but thanks for reminding me (better to hear it twice than not at all).

Hot shot said:
The electrician that did my garage back in sept told me about a couple code changes
1) in a garage you have to put a charger plug for an electric car whether the owners have an electric car or not. That’s Bull ****!!
2) you cannot tap into an existing circuit to power an outdoor outlet
Has to be on its own circuit
Click to expand...

I never heard of this one before.... Maybe I missed this when I was doing my research on code changes. I don't know why it would be an issue since all of the plugs are GFCI.

Actually, here's a question I came up with today that I don't remember reading about... I have 2 outside plugs with boxes that are set into the brick. During construction, before brickwork started, I poked a hole in the wall and ran a 12 ga romex through and attached it to the back of the box with a romex clamp, then the bricklayers set in place where it was marked on the wall. It just crossed my mind now that the space between the wall and the brick might be considered a "wet" area.
 
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exranger06

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Hot shot said:
The electrician that did my garage back in sept told me about a couple code changes
1) in a garage you have to put a charger plug for an electric car whether the owners have an electric car or not. That’s Bull ****!!
2) you cannot tap into an existing circuit to power an outdoor outlet
Has to be on its own circuit
Click to expand...

The code requires at least one 20 amp circuit dedicated to the garage outlets that doesn't power anything else, and you must have at least one outlet per parking space. As long as you have that circuit at the minimum, you can have additional circuits in the garage that can be shared with whatever other outlets you want.

Also, the 2020 NEC has an exception that says that the minimum garage circuit can also power outlets on the outside of the garage.
 
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AntonLargiader

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Hot shot said:
The electrician that did my garage back in sept told me about a couple code changes
1) in a garage you have to put a charger plug for an electric car whether the owners have an electric car or not. That’s Bull ****!!
2) you cannot tap into an existing circuit to power an outdoor outlet
Has to be on its own circuit
Click to expand...

I'm in Virginia and I don't think either of those statements is accurate. Virginia is slow to adopt code revisions, anyway, and has a relatively punitive attitude toward EVs so they are unlikely to mandate EV infrastructure. I haven't studied every letter of code as it relates to Virginia, but from what I remember of wiring my garage recently:

You need a 20A receptacle for each car space (210.52 G1). A regular recep, not a 30A or 50A which is what an EV would normally want. Receps must be on their own circuit and must be GFCI protected (210.8).

But if you install a recep for an EV:
210.17 Electric Vehicle Branch Circuit. An outlet(s) installed for the purpose of charging electric vehicles shall be supplied by a separate branch circuit. This circuit shall have no other outlets.
Click to expand...

The outdoor recep (which isn't required as far as I know) may be on the same circuit as the indoor ones. Google that for discussions.

Did your electrician wire in an EV circuit? If so, what does it consist of?
 
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Hot shot

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I’m just going by what the electrician told me
Don’t know whether it’s a state thing or what
Don’t know how that stuff works
 
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AntonLargiader

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There are places that are working on mandating EVSE receps on new construction. I think I heard California is (no big surprise, solar too I think) and I just read about a similar initiative in England. Depending on the anticipated adoption rate, it could make sense so you don't end up with a lot of poor installations 5 years from now. I'm not a builder so I don't know the economics of it, but for some new neighborhoods here in C'ville they would be a big selling point, even if they just ran some unterminated heavy cable from the panel to a wall box and sold it as pre-wired. We have tons of Teslas.

For several reasons (general hostility toward EVs, slow to adopt code cycles) I don't think Virginia will move that way any time soon, which is a bit strange since we have coal in the economy and Dominion Power is launching an electric school bus pilot program in this state.
 
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