The Almighty Code

Nov 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

With its 50th edition about to hit the streets, the NEC has now seen more revisions than a lot of electrical industry professionals have celebrated birthdays, but it's no less revered or relevant than when it was first published more than 100 years ago. From its humble beginnings in 1897, to becoming the go-to guide for safe electrical installations, the Code has taken on a “higher” significance and developed an almost religious following. Electrical designers, construction personnel, maintenance technicians, and electrical inspectors track its every move and study its nuances ad infinitum. It's as if this material object has some type of attractive power that draws people in and converts them into lifelong acolytes.

And if you need proof, just look around at your colleagues. EC&M readers are as committed as anyone in the industry. I see this each and every time I review the independent reader research data supplied to me by our marketing department. For instance, take a look at some key statistics from our recent research reports.

73% read the August and September Code Quandaries department
72% read the July Code Basics article, “Don't Get Your Signals Crossed When Installing Radio and TV Equipment”
78% subscribe to CodeWatch, EC&M's e-newsletter on the Code
74% read the June Code Violations article, “What's Wrong Here?”
80% read the April Code Quandaries department
4.8 out of 5.0 was the importance rating assigned to the Code by EC&M readers

But it's more than just the numbers. When we asked you what you want to see discussed in the magazine in greater detail, these were just a few of the many Code-related suggestions you gave us:

“Code issues involving UPSs and gen-sets”
“Electrical design and how the NEC applies”
“Expanded viewpoints of NEC code selections”
“NEC changes for present Code throughout the three-year cycle, as well as up-and-coming Code changes slated for the new Code series”

So as not to disappoint you or keep you from work as a Code disciple, this month's cover story, written by NEC consultant Mike Holt, presents the Top 25 need-to-know revisions of the 2005 NEC (page 44). From added requirements for GFCIs and revised rules for AFCIs to clarified definitions and intent of grounding and bonding requirements, we've got you covered.

In an industry where safety requirements constantly evolve, the measure of its standards is how well they adapt to members' needs. And the true measure of its members is how well they educate themselves on those evolving standards. If you don't choose to get your Code change information from EC&M, get it somewhere. We need as many informed — and safe — installers who worship in the church of the Code as we can get.