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The following list was compiled and paraphrased by Wake County Chief Electrical Inspector Henry Jenkins to advise electrical contractors of some very important changes to the 2005 National Electrical Code. This list is not intended to be an all-inclusive list, but is intended to educate and inform the electrical industry and public. You will find many articles have been rewritten, exceptions deleted and moved to the main body of the text, articles moved to new sections, and some new articles.
Primary Changes
1) Any room with equipment rated 1,200 amperes or more now requires two entrances. The “and over 6’ wide” has been deleted. 110.26[C][2]
2) Where grounded conductors of different systems exist, identification shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard stating how the grounded conductors of each system are identified. 200.6[D]
3) Where more than one voltage exists, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by system. This identification must be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard. 210.5[C]
4) Receptacles within 6’ of a laundry sink must be G.F.C.I. protected. 210.8[A][7]
5) Commercial kitchen has now been defined. The definition is, “an area with a sink and permanent facilities for food preparation and cooking.” 210.8[B][2]
6) Outside receptacles accessible to the public in other than dwelling units now require G.F.C.I. protection. 210.8[B][4]
7) If the wall space behind a sink or cook top exceeds 18” in a corner or 12” for a straight-line kitchen counter top, the space is now counted as wall counter top space. 210.52[C][1] exception
8) The rating of overcurrent protective devices cannot be rounded up to the next higher-rated device when using the 25’ tap rule. 240.21[B]
9) Sheet metal screws cannot be used to connect grounding lugs to enclosures. 250.8
10) A separate building supplied by a multiwire branch circuit that contains an equipment-grounding conductor does not require a grounding electrode. 250.32[A] exception
11) Grounding electrode connection to a fireproofed metal structure shall not be required to be accessible where the connection is exothermic or irreversible. 250.68[A]
12) For surface-mounted metal boxes, you must remove at least one insulating washer on a receptacle for it to be considered to be direct metal-to-metal contact. 250.146[A]
13) Nail plates may be less than 1/16” if they are listed. 300.4[A][1] exception 2
14) Cables shall be not less than 1 ¼” from the edge of furring strips or be protected. 300.4[D]
15) Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit is not permitted in ducts or plenums. 300.22[B]
16) Conductors looped in a box that would provide the necessary 6” of free conductor shall be counted as two conductors for box fill. 314.16[B][1]
17) Screws that pass through a box and are used as support must be insulated to protect the conductors. 314.23[B][1]
18) Where no grounding means exist within a toggle switch enclosure and a metal faceplate is used, the switch must be G.F.C.I. protected. 404.9[B] exception
19) Receptacles installed in a wet location must have in-use covers regardless whether located indoors or outdoors. 406.8[B][1]
20) Panelboard directories must clearly identify the specific purpose or use of the circuit. 408.4
21) When replacing lighting fixtures in locations where no equipment ground exists, you may choose to protect the circuit by G.F.C.I. instead of pulling new cable with equipment ground. 410.18[B] exception 2
22) Range hoods can now be cord- and plug-connected where the following conditions are met:
- Manufacturer's instructions with the hood fan state that the hood is suitable for such installations.
- The length of the cord shall be not less than 18” nor longer than 36”.
- Receptacle is not subject to physical damage.
- The receptacle is accessible.
- On an individual branch circuit.
23) Cord- and plug-connected vending machines are to be protected by G.F.C.I., as of January 1, 2005.
24) The space below the floor in commercial garages and gas stations is no longer considered as part of the hazardous location (does not include a pit). 511.4[A][1] was deleted. 514.8
25) All 125-volt 15- and 20-amp receptacles installed in aircraft hangars are required to be G.F.C.I. protected.
26) Equipotential bonding grid is required up to 3’ outside a swimming pool. 680.26[C]
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