How important is the NEC Code? It is a significant factor in the safety of all residences. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the standard by which homes are protected from the dangers of electrical fires. Modern homes have a greater volume of electrical demand. Even with energy efficient appliances and HVAC equipment, the sizes of today’s homes built impose a greater danger of electrical fires. Professional, licensed electrical contractors comply with NEC regulations for new construction wiring and also for electrical repairs.

What Happens if My Home is Not Up to NEC Code?

In most cases, newly built homes already meet NEC Code standards, and each state has their own methods for enforcing code compliances. However, homes built during the interim of current changes to the NEC Code might need an electrical inspection. In this case, it’s wise to have a qualified electrician upgrade the system to current NEC Code regulations.

Discuss with your electrical expert whether or not your home is compliant with the newest NEC Code requirements for arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). In the past, these AFCIs were required mostly for bedrooms to provide added protection from electrical surges that often cause fires. Now, NEC Code changes have added several other rooms that are required to be AFCI compliant.

What is an AFCI?

Before contacting your electrician for an inspection on NEC Code, understanding and identifying an AFCI helps homeowners make more educated decisions. Homes today have electrical circuit breakers with a network of electrical wiring connected. Older homes may have an AFCI within the existing circuit breaker. However, these older AFCIs are limited to protecting bedrooms, rather than other rooms where an electrical “arc” or surge may occur and cause an electrical fire. You can identify the existing AFCI by the yellow tag. Today’s AFCI is also a circuit breaker; but, it has a duplex design. It appears like a small “stack” with a green tag or label.

Contact Mister Sparky for Home Electrical Inspections

If your home is not up to NEC Code, personal safety takes priority. Contact the professionals at Mister Sparky to ensure your home is safe from electrical hazards.