Electrical hazards result in thousands of residential and commercial accidents each year. 30,000 home fires, 200 deaths, nearly 1,000 injuries, and over $600 million in property damage are associated with electric wiring, according to the National Fire Protection Association, and according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, account for 20 percent of electrocutions. Failure of a home to be up to the current electrical code is often to blame.

What are electrical code updates?

First published in 1897, the National Electric Code (NEC) is the nation’s singular code for safe electrical installation. Prepared under the direction of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the NEC sets electrical code standards for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.

Updates are made to the NEC’s electrical code and updated every three years to safeguard people and buildings by minimizing accidents and fire hazards resulting from the use of electricity. The 2014 NEC is the most current edition.

Why is it important to become informed about electrical code updates?

Did you know that requirements for GFCI protection, which stops the flow of electrical current and prevents circuit breakers from tripping during a detected imbalance, have reduced the number of electrical shock incidents as GFCI requirements have been expanded over the years? Being uninformed on electrical code updates such as this creates a needless risk, endangering lives and property.

The professionals at Walters Tristate Electric are well-versed on electrical code:

Because of the intricacies and often extensive changes to NEC electrical code every three years, it is important to have a professional check your home for outdated wiring as new electrical code updates are released. You can trust the professionals at Mr. Electric to be thoroughly knowledgeable about the latest in electrical code updates, allowing them to:

• Check that your home is up to the latest requirements for electrical wiring and equipment, installation, and more.
• Inspect a home prior to purchase ensuring both a sound investment and the safety of your family.
• Prevent the postponement or delay of the sale of your home due to electrical issues discovered during inspection.
• Protect you from injury, loss of life, and possible liability issues arising from electrical incidents in your home.

Current electrical code updates for 2014 include:

• GFCI protection for laundry areas
• GFCI protection is now required for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in a laundry room, whether or not a sink is present.
• GFCI protection for kitchen dishwashers
• There is an increased risk of electrical shock as today’s dishwashers age. As a result, a new provision requires GFCI protection for all dishwashers, whether they include a receptacle outlet or are hardwired in.
• AFCI protection for kitchen and laundry areas
• AFCI circuit breakers prevent fires by detecting unintended electrical arcs and disconnecting power before those arcs result in fire. The list of areas required to provide AFCI protection has been expanded to include kitchen and laundry areas. It includes all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying not just outlets but also devices that are installed in rooms requiring AFCI protection.
• Dedicated circuits for the charging of electric vehicles
• New provisions have been added requiring a dedicated, separate branch circuit serving no other outlets for charging electric vehicles to prevent the overloading of circuits. In addition, a receptacle should be installed for each space of a multi-car garage.
• Extra-duty covers at wet locations
• All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location – including temporary installations - must have an enclosure and covers that are weatherproof whether an attachment plug cap is inserted or not.
• And hundreds of other changes furthering electrical safety…

Contact Walters Tristate Electric for an electrical safety check up today. In partnership with the Electrical Safety Foundation International, Walters Tristate Electric can ensure the safety of your home and family with the most up to date electrical code and safety information available.