3 National Electrical Code Safety Tips

There are at least three National Electrical Code (NEC) safety tipsyou should be aware of. These tips pertain to the standards adopted by local communities when wiring a residential home or commercial and industrial building. These tips provide guidance for electrical contractors and others that work with wiring to ensure that wires are installed safely and do not create a potential hazard for a home owner or building occupant.

The three safety tips provided in the NEC include the use of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) when installing outlets in locations that are prone to wetness, the use of 120V household receptacle outlets and the use of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI). Each of these standards were adopted during different revision of the NEC and are discussed further below.

Tip #1 - Use of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

A GFCI device is required in any space that is near or around water. This includes bathrooms, kitchens and basements as well as other areas that are near a water outlet. The use of a GFCI device is important as it provides a way to break a circuit before it becomes wet and create a potential hazard.

The GFCI device is part of a 120V receptacle that has 3 prongs and a red reset and tester button on it. This type of receptacle is idea for areas that are near water as they have an instant shut-off in the circuit breaker to prevent an electrical fire from starting.

Tip #2 - Use of 120V Household Receptacle Outlets

Since the 1962 revision of the NEC, state and local community codes have required the use of 120V household receptacles that are grounded and polarized. This standard was put in place to provide a home owner with an additional level of protection and safety when using their plug-in outlets. 

The 120V household receptacles are designed with a 3 prong set-up consisting of a top ground plug, left hand hot plug and right sided neutral plug. This allows the low of electricity through an extension cord or plug without the cracking, hissing or sizzle that occurred in the past with most standard home outlets. This also prevents the outlet from becoming hot or overheated, creating a potential fire hazard for the home. 

Tip #3 - Use of Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)

The arc-fault circuit interrupter or AFCI device detects interruptions or arcs that occur between the hot and neutral plugs in a 120V household receptacle. These arcs or trips occur as the wiring inside the receptacle ages and becomes frayed and worn. Because of the potential fire hazard these arcs present, an AFCI device is required in all receptacles that are installed inside any 15-amp, 20-amp and 125-volt circuits in a bedroom. These reduces the risk of an arc fire occurring since it is in the bedroom where they most commonly happen.

These safety tips are part of the minimum standards required under the National Electrical Code and mandated by local building codes. Other safety tips for the safe installation of wires inside buildings can be found in the NEC.