Strategy for Studying the National Electrical Code

Navigating the Code^®

Americans are rapidly becoming the most impatient society in the world.   When it comes to the National Electrical Code, we want answers, and we want them now!

Navigating the National Electrical Code requires an effective strategy.  A sound approach is to memorize key article numbers, highlight important sections, and apply tabs to important articles.

There is only a handful of key article numbers to memorize.  Know that:
Article 100 is Requirements for Electrical Installations,
Article 210 is Branch Circuits,
Article 220 is Branch Circuit and Feeder Calculations,
Article 225 is Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders,
Article 230 is Services,
Article 240 is Overcurrent Protection,
Article 250 is Grounding,
Article 300 is Wiring Methods,
Article 310 is Conductors for General Wiring,
Article 314 is Outlet, Pull, Device and Junctions Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Fittings,
Article 400 is Flexible Cords and Cables,
Article 404 is Switches,
Article 406 is Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and Attachment Plugs (Caps),
Article 408 is Switchboards and Panelboards, 
Article 410 is Lighting Fixtures, Lampholders, Lamps, and Receptacles,
Article 430 is Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers, and
Article 450 is Transformers and Transformer Vaults,
and Article 590 is Temporary Wiring.

The total is seventeen key article numbers to memorize. The goal is that when someone asks a question that has to do with junction boxes, Article 314 automatically comes to mind.

The next step is to place tabs in the code book on the first page of all seventeen of those articles as well as any other articles that you find yourself referring to on a regular basis.  Some other articles and pages that should be tabbed are:
Table 250-66,
Table 250-122,
Table 310-16,
Table 430-152,
in Chapter 9-Tables 4, 5, 8, and
in Appendix C-Table C1

Next use a highlighter to mark important changes and key requirements in each article as you study them.

In time, when a question arises concerning service equipment bonding, for example, you will (1) know that Article 250 is grounding, (2) have a tab placed on the first page of Article 250, and (3) will have Sections 250-92 and 94 highlighted.

Done properly, you will substantially reduce your lookup time.

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Nuts and Bolts

Want to pass a license examination, or just keep up with changes?   The key is to study the nuts and bolts of the National Electrical Code.

In Chapter 1, the path to success begins with Article 110 (Requirements for Electrical Installations).   Article 110 is the most important article in the National Electrical Code because of its global nature.  A change in Article 410 will generally only involve fixtures; a change in Article 110 influences the entire Code^®.  Historically, the most controversial and earth-shaking changes have been in Article 110. 

In Chapter 2, focus on Articles 210 (Branch Circuits), 220 (Branch Circuit, Feeder, and Service Calculations), 225 (Outside Feeders and Branch Circuits), 230 (Services), 240 (Overcurrent Protection), and 250 (Grounding).

Purely from a people safety standpoint, Article 250 is the most important article in the Code^®.  If the premises wiring system of a building is correctly grounded, and proper overcurrent protection is in place, what can really go wrong?

In Chapter 3 work on Articles 300 (Wiring Methods), 310 (Conductors for General Wiring), 314 (Outlet, Pull, Device and Junction Boxes, Conduit Bodies and Fittings).

Then in Chapter 4, study Articles 400 (Flexible Cords and Cables), 404 (Switches), 408 (Receptacles), 408 (Switchboards and Panelboards), 410 (Lighting Fixtures, Lampholders, Lamps, and Receptacles), 430 (Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers), and 450 (Transformers and Transformer Vaults).

Don't forget 590 (Temporary Installations) in Chapter 5.

Of course the entire National Electrical Code  is important.  In a national survey, Article 250 was voted the most confusing, and Article 430 a distant second.