The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council recently voted to issue the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), which includes several key changes to ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). 

Used in all 50 states, the NEC is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards. 

During the Technical Meeting held in June at the NFPA Conference & Expo in Boston, 55 Certified Amending Motions (CAMs) for the 2023 NEC were presented and debated by membership on the meeting floor. Submitted appeals were later heard at the August Standards Council meeting, followed by the NFPA Standards Council approval of the issuance of the 2023 NEC, effective Sept. 1. 

Along with changes involving GFCIs and AFCIs, additional key requirements noted in the 2023 NEC point to newer technologies that reflect emerging electrical issues, including: 

• Cybersecurity for network-connected life safety equipment
• Electrical installations for cannabis oil facilities
• Wireless power transfer of electric vehicles
• Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays on bodies of water
• Installation of wiring systems and equipment, including utilization equipment, of Class 4 fault-managed power 

Unlike previous editions when professionals experienced a delay between the issuance of codes and the delivery of newly printed codebooks, the 2023 NEC is now immediately available on NFPA LiNK, a subscription-based digital platform delivering all NFPA codes and standards at any time, allowing users to easily collaborate and stay connected in the field. 

“The NEC continues to be the world’s most utilized code to keep people safe from electrical hazards,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA President and CEO. “With the immediate addition of the NEC 2023 edition to NFPA LiNK, professionals not only get quick access to the most current edition, but they can also take advantage of the expansive interactive tools to help them better understand the requirements and develop solutions in real time while on the job.” 

NFPA LiNK includes all current code editions and a library of legacy titles going back up to five editions, as well as codes in different languages. For additional information on the features of NFPA LiNK, including access to a 14-day trial for all new users, go here.