The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC®)
What is the scope and purpose of the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®)?
How does the NESC differ from the National Electrical Code® (NEC®)?
How often is the NESC revised?
What is the schedule for the next revision of the NESC?
Which subcommittees of the NESC Committee are responsible for its content?
How do I know which edition (if any) of the NESC is adopted by each state?
How can I obtain a copy of the NESC?
What if I have further questions about the NESC?
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What is the scope and purpose of the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®)?
Purpose
The purpose of the NESC is the practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation, or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and associated equipment. The NESC contains the basic provisions that are considered necessary for the safety of employees and the public under the specified conditions. The NESC is not intended as a design specification or as an instruction manual.
Scope
The NESC covers supply and communication lines, equipment, and associated work practices employed by a public or private electric supply, communications, railway, or similar utility in the exercise of its function as a utility. It covers similar systems under the control of qualified persons, such as those associated with an industrial complex or utility interactive system.
NESC rules do not cover installations in mines, ships, railway rolling equipment, aircraft, or automotive equipment, or utilization wiring except as covered in Parts 1 and 3. For building utilization wiring requirements, see the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70-2005.
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How does the NESC differ from the National Electrical Code® (NEC®)?
The National Electrical Code, NFPA-70, addresses proper electrical systems and equipment installation to protect people and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity in buildings and structures.
The NEC covers:
1. Installations of electric conductors and equipment within or on public and private buildings or other structures, including mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating buildings; and other premises such as yards, carnivals, parking lots, and industrial substations.
2. Installations of conductors and equipment that connect to the supply of electricity.
3. Installations of other outside conductors and equipment on the premises.
4. Installations of optical fiber cable.
5. Installations in buildings used by the electric utility, such as office buildings, warehouses, garages, machine shops, and recreational buildings that are not an integral part of a generating plant, substation, or control center.
You can also find out about obtaining a copy of NFPA 70-2008.
(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1999, the National Electrical Code®, Copyright © 1995, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire Protection Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.
National Electrical Code® and NEC® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269.)
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How often is the NESC revised?
From 1973 to 1993, the NESC was revised on a 3-year revision cycle. In 1993, the NESC Committee approved extending the revision cycle for the next edition of the NESC from three years to four years. The NESC 1997 Edition, (C2-1997), was published August 1, 1996.
At its 21 May 1996 meeting, the NESC Main Committee met to consider the appropriateness of changing the revision cycle to five years. By letter ballot, a 5 year revision cycle was approved, commencing with the NESC 2002 Edition.
The NESC is revised every 5 years.
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What is the schedule for the next revision of the NESC?
The schedule for the 2012 NESC is as follows:
17 July 2008, Final date for receipt of proposals from the public for Revision of the 2007 Edition of the National Electrical Safety Code, preparatory to the publication of a 2012 Edition.
September - October 2008, NESC Subcommittees consider proposals for changes to the NESC and prepare their recommendations.
1 September 2009, Preprint of Proposed Amendments for incorporation into the 2007 Edition of the NESC published for distribution to the NESC Committee and other interested parties.
1 May 2010, Period for study of proposed amendments and submittal by interested parties of recommendations concerning the proposed amendments. Submit recommendations to the Secretary, NESC Committee, at the above address.
September - October 2010, Period for NESC Subcommittee Working Groups and NESC Subcommittees to reconsider all recommendations concerning the proposed amendments and prepare final report.
15 January 2011, Proposed revision of the NESC, Accredited Standards Committee C2, submitted to NESC Committee for letter ballot and to the American National Standards Institute for concurrent public review.
15 May 2011, NESC Committee approved revisions of the NESC submitted to the American National Standards Institute for recognition as an ANSI standard.
1 August 2011, Publication of the 2012 Edition
of the National Electrical Safety Code.
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Which subcommittees of the NESC Committee are responsible for its content?
Subcommittee assignments with regard to the NESC are as follows:
- Subcommittee 1--Coordination (Sections 1, 2 and 3; Coordination between technical subcommittees)
- Subcommittee 2--Grounding Methods (Section 9)
- Subcommittee 3--Electric Supply Stations (Sections 10-19)
- Subcommittee 4--Overhead Lines - Clearances (Sections 20-23)
- Subcommittee 5--Overhead Lines - Strength and Loading (Sections 24-27)
- Subcommittee 7--Underground Lines (Sections 30-39)
- Subcommittee 8--Work Rules (Sections 40-43)
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The NESC as written is a voluntary standard. However, some editions and some parts of the Code have been adopted, with and without changes, by some state and local jurisdictional authorities. To determine the legal status of the NESC in any particular state or locality within a state, the authority having jurisdiction should be contacted.
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How do I know which edition (if any) of the NESC is adopted by each state?
The IEEE is currently undertaking a survey of all Public Service Commissions, Public Utility Commissions, or other appropriate state regulatory bodies to determine the edition of the NESC in effect in each state and how that adoption is promulgated. National Association Regulatory Utility Commission Survey Information.
For specific contact information for each public service or public utility commission, see the listing provided by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
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How can I obtain a copy of the NESC?
The NESC and related products can be ordered through the IEEE Standards catalog. IEEE Standards Catalog
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What if I have further questions about the NESC?
For further information, contact William Ash.
