Which Codebook Should I Study? Electrical Code NEC 2023, 2020, 2017?

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The NEC (National Electrical Code) has been around for some time. And for as long as most of us can remember, it goes through revisions and every 3 years a new one comes out! so, which version of the NEC should we be using? In today’s episode of Electrician U, Dustin explains the nuances of which codebook to use.
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The easiest explanation is to check with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction- usually the city you are working in). Get hold of the inspection department/inspectors or even poll other TRUSTED electricians working in the area and ask! While nationally we may be required to use the current version of the NEC, many municipalities are still inspecting on the previous version. There are some municipalities that are several versions behind. And just because one city that you perform work in that uses the previous version, doesn’t mean that another city 5 miles down the road isn’t using a different one! Keep a current list of which municipalities are using what versions so you always have the pertinent information before performing work in any given area.
While the above explanation is for WORK performed, another would be for a journeyman’s license or masters license exams. This is where many electricians get frustrated. You have been installing on the 2020 code let’s say and go to take your exam only to find out they will be testing on the current 2023 code! Now you must learn on a completely new code cycle, and usually with not a lot of time to do so. Same as with the work area aspect, check with the place where you will be taking your exam and see which version they will be testing on. It will usually be on the CURRENT version of the NEC but check to make sure. And do this when you are thinking about getting ready to take your exam- don’t wait until the last minute!
The code changes every 3 years and new versions are issued. Industry changes, new equipment and materials are added, while some things become obsolete. So, it makes sense to revise things to keep current. Some changes are minor- small word type changes or punctuation. Some are logistical type changes- articles moved from one place to another. New definitions may be added or removed. While some changes are rather major- new articles are added or removed. Some articles are completely rewritten! Take article 242 (Over Voltage) that covers Surge Protection Devices for example. While it is in the 2020 & 2023 versions of the NEC, you won’t find it in the 2017 or earlier versions of the NEC. But it is an article that electricians use frequently when dealing with services and panels.
Another great resource is the Handbook. This is an invaluable study guide to use to understand the NEC. While it has the code verbiage within it, it looks much different than a standard codebook. Almost every article has pictures and additional wording in it that makes some of the more difficult articles much easier to understand and interpret. A word of caution here- this should be used as an ADDITION to the codebook, not a direct replacement. Most testing agencies will NOT let you bring in your handbook to test with and will only allow the codebook! So, if you are planning on taking your exam, I would strongly recommend that you use the handbook sparingly, so as not to get too used to it as you will not be allowed to reference it during your exam.
We hope this has been an insightful look into which version of the NEC you should be using. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed here on Electrician U? Leave us a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin Stelzer and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity #nec #codebook #national #electric #code

[@reallunacy]

There are also companies that print what is essentially a changelog between the two iterations helping you notice what the changes are.

[@alp3781]

One big mistake I made in my life, never went into the electrical field. A friend of mine was smarter. Started as a bus boy, learned his way up the chain, got his cert and now he owns a large company and makes VERY VERY good money. He is busier then a doctor.

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

This makes absolute sense in the real world. Doctors are hours restricted, like pilots and truck drivers, for safety. I know of no such regulations for sparkies.

[@dracula3811]

You should study the code book that is going to be used in the test. Where i am, that's the 2023 version so that's the one I'm studying.

[@josepartida4611]

Just got my journeyman license last week! That was my biggest worry having to go to the 2023 and thinking all the studying I did for 2020 would’ve been pointless !

[@josepartida4611]

Texas journeyman license *

[@gema4291]

was studying from the NEC directly helpful for you? what tools did you use to help you study for the test? also, CONGRATULATIONS! @@josepartida4611

[@jessezavala4922]

Imma take mine this week; which did you use? ‘20? ‘23? I’m at Austin

[@NAZZ346]

We're the questions any different from 2020? Or your not sure?

[@garbo8962]

My dukes of hazard state Pa has been working on a state electrical license since 1964 ( only 59 years ! ) and for at least 3 years philly was in two code cycles. They were using the 2017 for 1 & 2 family dwellings and 2014 for the rest. In hick little towns homeowners get a general contractors license without taking a test that allows them to pull e!ectrical permits for their homes. Back in the early 1970's at an electrical meeting told us that the code book had a quarter million words. That's when it was the smaller maybe 6 by 9" books. Also to!d to never throw out any old code books in case a scum bag ambulance chasing lawyer attempts to sue you for work that you performed a long time ago.Philly makes you take a 10 hour OSHA class for license & a 30 hour OSHA class if a boss and prove that you not only have business loins grange but vehicle insurance. In all my 50 years as a sparky never once saw a sparky doing electrical work while driving !

[@gustavovaldez8033]

Great breakdown. Talking about books, l look forward to your book based on electrical theory!

[@rodolfovesga979]

Cool video Dustin keep them coming back lol Love your videos man. I’m a 10 year mechanic still love your videos Hey I think I’ve watched all your videos for about 3 years now and Did you ever do videos on installing generator for houses? Would love to see it?

[@coolkid2237]

Mass journeyman here just got my license in September. Took me 2 tries. I passed part 1 of the exam the first time around using my 2020 code book. Then went back and used my 2023 book for the practical section the second time. Only because the notes section wasn’t already filled and was able to fill the note section with only practical information!

[@nickduggan3084]

Pretty simple. Just passed my test in march. The answer is whichever one you are using for your license exam. The 2020 has more room for notes so I would go with that one if you're allowed for the next month or so. In my state we are allowed to take nfpa 72 (fire alarm) and the state amendments to the NEC with us as well

[@JoeZasada]

NFPA Link is handy for navigating all the NFPA standards. You can search specific words and it will take you to the specific sentence. Even having the PDF versions, the adobe reader full search function, also works wonders.

[@esl4058]

The hardest part, as an apprentice, is affording all the books. I’d love to buy the code book and the accompanying handbook but that’s my whole paycheck. At least it’s online but I still love physical books. The struggle is real!

[@FishFind3000]

@Freebo I used z library for years in college. Saved me a ton of money.

[@SageMode1062]

@@FreeboFTWGood looks

[@melancholymartialarts7095]

My company makes us pay for it. Including classes. They reimburse 100% if you get a 94% or above.

[@pnxelectrical]

Go for the most current; comparing with our UK regs BS7671 and the IEC HD 60364, new versions generally result in safety improvements so if you're n an exam and a question comes up for an older version, if you can highlight that section xxx was removed in such a year, or changed such a year, that should be completely acceptable.

[@martf1061]

25 years in the trade, and nothing major changed. Make sure you know the " updates". You can download previous code books and only pay for the updates. And remember that it's useless to know every articles. And remember that all articles are written in a certain way to be left to interpretation..

[@BlackandWhite92]

First, I'd like to say I really appreciate your videos and the detailed information on them. As an apprentice two years away from become a journeyman, I sometimes jump from your videos to Mike holt dvd's and was wondering if you could do describe th steps of how to size your overcurrent protection device when we are talking continuous loads and non continuous loads I believe in NEC 210.19(A)(1)

[@bobclarie]

Thanks ! Code question: I will be installing a Ring floodlight camera on an exterior wall of a garage overlooking the driveway. I will run 14/2 Romex from the J Box that the Ring is mounted to, in the open loft above the garage, above 8 ft. and use the existing outlet for the garage door opener as the power source. Instead of tapping the power inside the garage door J box and running the risk of over filling, would it be code to terminate the Romex, in a J box, close to the garage door outlet, and install a short cord/whip and plug into the garage door outlet ? Thanks, Bob

[@_jonathanjulian]

So… essentially as the code books keep being made it just means they (the people who set the regulations for how electrical work needs to be done) just keep adding more stringent rules/ regulations… meaning with each new NEC comes more rules, there will never be subtractions of rules or regulations?

[@_jonathanjulian]

Does code cycle city by city or state by state?

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

@@_jonathanjulian It can be both but is more probably going to be city by city. Eh, the joys of governmental processes in this world of bureaucrazy are oh so complicated.

[@masonalvarez5058]

Yes more rules get added but states/cities can actually adopt it and also ban new codes that are added. They can adopt 2023 but deny the gfci protection on fridges as an example.

[@_jonathanjulian]

@@masonalvarez5058 interesting

[@LivingTheDream77]

@@masonalvarez5058doubt they would actually ban anything from the code. They always add more

[@Ephesians-ts8ze]

When I was preparing to take the journeyman test for WA state in 2015 I found that they were still going by 2008 NEC so I had to go online and order a 2008 code book. All I could find was the 3-ring binder type. It’s worst possible type to use for the test. When you need to flip through the pages quickly they keep getting pinched in the rings and many of the pages were torn out by the time I finished the test. It costed me a lot of valuable time and I took the entire 4 hours and there were still a few questions that I didn’t get to. Luckily I passed the test but it was over a hundred bucks for basically a one-time-use code book. It was already obsolete and ripped apart.

[@the_stixXx]

Thank you for posting this video. It was concise and provided excellent information. Realistically, how different could 2020 be when compared to 2023, 2026...etc. I'm sure with the increased reliance on electrical systems, for cars, battery backups...etc. new codes will be added BUT the old codes will remain. Not to mention, hypothetically speaking, if you are currently studying 2020 and 2023 just comes out, I would assume that new code questions would be added and older code questions will remain so I would guess that all you would need to do is reference the updates and not need to study the current code book cover to cover. I highly doubt that they changed the test significantly. Maybe I'm wrong but I doubt the people creating the tests are going to put in the effort to rewrite the test every 3 years. Also, the folks over at the building department and the inspectors are the ones that ultimately have the power to approve or deny the plans and/or work done on site and, speaking from where I live, I highly doubt they would take the time to learn all the new codes. They would probably reference the most recent Code Check Illustrated Guide. I'm a contractor/carpenter and I want and would like to know what to look for when I hire my electricians or do my own "light" electrical work and why I am even watching this video.

[@B5Blue1968]

You can probably contact the electrical dept in your state and find when they are going to adopt the latest version of the NEC code book. Than use that to study. Michigan is still on the 2017 code cycle, think they are going to adopt the 2020 sometime this year?

[@Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

Need help please…. When considering Neutral Ground Bonding in a Completely OFF GRID system… If instead of a an electric company grid transformer supplying electricity as the source of power, we now consider a completely OFF GRID solar outbuilding, as the originating source of power (some distance from service structure where a main service panel will be the Main Panel). 1) Do we treat the outbuilding (power provider) as if it were essentially the same as a grid power supply transformer? 2) Do we create a neutral ground bond in the outbuilding (power provider equipment), as if it were the pole transformer, since the source of power is generated there? 3) Do we create a neutral ground bond at the Main Service Panel, located in the service structure, (power consumer structure) not near the power generating out building (power providing structure)? 4) if there is a NG bond at the power producing outbuilding, (power provider source), and a NG bond at the Main Service Panel (consumer first point of entry) in the service building (consumer), if a short circuit or ground fault occurs, a) WILL IT TRIP THE BREAKER in the Main Service Panel located in the consumer service building? b) will it trip the breaker in the power outbuilding (power provider source) that feeds the main service panel in the service building? c) should each building have their own ground rods? 5) In the power producing outbuilding can the DC side and the AC side, use the same Ground rod? or will this create an issue? This is a tough one to figure out. I have watched tons of videos but nothing explains what to do when you are the electric provider in one building and in a separate building you are an electric consumer. Thank you Need help on this one!

[@peterford9369]

Hey Dustin, I have a question. One of my customers is replacing a dusk to dawn outside flood. This flood is an LED fixture and and photocell also has a dimmer feature you can adjust. I opened it up to see if it's possible to replace the photo cell. Now my question is this. The fixture is wired through a circuit board for the voltage breakdown for the LEDs I'm assuming. I'm trying to see if I can use the fixture as a straight flood. The actual photo cell has 2 wires to it. My question is, can't i just cut those, splice them, basically eliminating the cell, and the light should come on when switched on? I don't know if a 2 wire photocell is open by light or closed. And I cannot find anything on line that has that set-up. If you think you have an answer I'd appreciate it. Thanks

[@antoineblaise8365]

Very good job.

[@bankroll_g]

I honestly have a important question, I’ve been in the electrical field off and on for 3 1/2 years, I don’t have the best of memory so every time I hop back into the electrical field, some things have been forgotten, what’s the best book I can study? I do industrial and commercial work. Also no I’m not going to school for it.

[@joenavarro9317]

Can you make a video on what we should highlight in our code book . Like certain keywords little notes here and there charts we should highlight etc thanks

[@randallthomas5207]

Always get the latest, but learn the difference between what your local AHJ, has adopted. Try to always get the commentary which accompanies the code. And, understand why the code is written how it is. Always remember the some jurisdictions don’t adopt the entire code. I’m an Engineer for the federal government, and frequently have to explain requirements to licensed electricians who haven’t learned entire portions of the NEC, because the local AHJ decided arc fault isn’t important. Or aren’t allowing certain devices yet, but allows things written out of the latest NEC.

[@hannibalfreeman5713]

I noticed some of your textbooks and I have a few (Hartwell,Pauling,Audel) but I’m curious of your collection and if you’d share the titles

[@Nethercide]

Which year codebook is used for the California exam? I can't find solid info anywhere.

[@MrTanker10a]

I wonder if the NEC has adopted "Change Bars" at the edge of the pages to reflect where those changes took place?

[@brynnrogers5081]

my 2023 book just arrived. It seems like they printed it with a 'save toner' maxed out. all the text on all pages is annoyingly faded. Is this normal? Is it because I got a 'deal ($50)' from walmart that it almost seems like a printing reject. [ yes I know it was printed with an offset so there is no toner involved, but same principal - they sure saved a lot of ink].

[@dplj4428]

No wonder there‘s so much confusion. Homeowners rely on electrician’s judgement. Code is a moving target. I like this advice: build up to latest code if it fits project and budget.

[@logskidder5655]

What about ICC Standards requirements in some jurisdictions?

[@EonTide1111]

Where in the code book are the changes listed ?

[@Koles43]

Hi 👋What book I need to learn for journeyman electrical license?

[@toolboxtalking]

I thought the UK was confusing with the regulations. It seems like the US is 10 x bigger with 10 times different rules

[@EricPham-gr8pg]

Major stroke happen in shower or bed room ? Should we think about coding

[@jasenalapati665]

Greetings . Anybody know what code book they are studying for California right now. Plenty thanks !

[@tipofmitt]

30+ years experience. Damn good electrician. Will never be a master, because Michigan requires 3600 hours of state certified schooling. Have no idea when or how I'd ever get that done at this point in life.

[@mikeknowles2210]

Which code, NFPA 70 vs. NEC 2020 ( or 2023)? Additional requirement might be an Electrical Safety Code Book? What is that about?!!!

[@bradleehill9662]

Yeah it's easy to say buy all these books but when your an apprentice 300.00 a book really hard especially when they change it 2 months before you can test.

[@NAZZ346]

My state adopted the 2022 nec code changes on October 1 of 2023, so that means I'm be tested out of the 2023 nec book correct?

[@NAZZ346]

My bad 2023*

[@averysoto6452]

Why don’t they just combine the code book with the flippin Handbook so you don’t have to carry around two book ??!! Makes sense ? Maybe ..😅

[@kenspencer6640]

Or you can just look up the test location and it’ll be listed on the main page

[@truballr32]

I want the hand book instead of the code book. Can you use the handbook on the test?

[@truballr32]

Wait you said no right after I asked

[@brianherren9222]

Is there any tips anyone can give for studying the code book?

[@johndavies2949]

Yes. There is a small pocket book you can buy that has 200 code questions and answers. The answers are in the back. The little book corresponds with your code book. So you read the question and start going through your code book to find the code reference and answere. Believe it, the testing authority uses this book for their questions.

[@cade861]

Oklahoma is still using 2014

[@nhzxboi]

Some are 20 years behind. Don't study any book. Just know your shit. Changes are always from mistakes....not new shit.

[@mred7512]

Municipal code, criminal code, civil code, vehicle code, tax code…. Code ,code,code,code, code…. When you are in a war…. You communicate in code do others don’t know what you’re talking about. I hate to tell you…. You have no idea what that code means ….. they just laugh at you Oh, and by the way (they used to call it public building code… and it only applies to PUBLICLY FINANCED BUILDINGS…. It does not apply to private buildings (unless you voluntarily agree to it…. Which you do by default not knowing the above)

[@thedangler1371]

We are allowed to put all outside plugs on the sump pump and hot water heater circuit to save on gfcis . But don’t put a microwave on with a gas range. Instead put the range plug on with a kitchen circuit that has the refrigerator on with it. Stupid as hell.

[@thedangler1371]

It’s sad. Quality work = no money made and a failed attempt at a business. Hack it up and pull a fast one on an inspector = years of success overloading hallway plugs and putting heated tile circuit on with the bathroom circuit cause u missed it on rough in

[@thedangler1371]

Grounding screws on lighting brackets are never used or enforced. We use drywall screws for devices. Slap it up and get the F out.

[@thedangler1371]

Code is ridiculous. The code was good enough in the 1980s. Arc faults are the most ridiculous thing man created. Talk about having problems over and over again because of nuisance trips. Inspectors don’t cover the important things in residential like how many items are on a circuit, stapling wires on the side, and hole placement on a stud. They are worried about dumb shit like a microwave being on the same circuit as a range plug, breaker locks on hoods and dishwashers. They love to make u put a hallway plug on a gfci because it’s technically within 6 foot from the bathroom sink when u measure outside of the bathroom but don’t care about that hallway plug being on an 18 item circuit mixed with lighting and fans. Big joke

[@cbarrrr]

Sounds like you should have been a plumber, or a framer, or a roofer…. Or a guy that just cuts grass, doesn’t weed whack or mulch, but just cuts grass, just mows…. You’d probably make more money, ya know?