Once again it is time for an update to the national electric code. The code is updated every 3 years to improve safety, fire prevention, and to take advantage of evolving technology. This cycle there were 5,016 proposed code changes and 2,910 public comments regarding code changes.

Below are just a few of the code changes that may affect most of us in our daily lives.


The size of the deck, porch, etc. has been eliminated. Now a receptacle outlet is required at all balconies, decks, and porches that are accessible from inside the dwelling unit, regardless of the size of the balcony, deck or porch.


Arc Fault has also been expanded. Current code allows you to extend a circuit without incorporating AFCI protection. In the 2011 code any branch circuits must have AFCI protection also.


The current code allows us to replace outlets without the need to have tamper resistant outlets. The 2011 code now requires the use of tamper resistant receptacles for all replacement receptacles that require tamper resistant receptacles elsewhere in the code.


As the use of motion sensors and other energy saving device are used the need to have a neutral available at these devices is also needed. In the 2011 code all (with limited exceptions) switching devices in residential applications is required.