NEC Book Style and Layout

NEC Book Style & Layout

When it comes to the NEC book it is an understatement when we say the Index at the back of the book can send people into vicious circles during an exam.  Electricians that aren't too familiar with the books will waste precious limited minutes looking up a keyword.

After you apply for your license exam it is very important to (even though the exam is open book), it is extremely important to get to know your book before you sit for the exam.

Getting to know your NEC book style is much more than glancing at the table of contents once or twice or buying a pre-highlighted & tabbed book.

As soon as you buy your book, you should immediately get to know the NEC Book style and layout.

NEC Book Style Excerpt

Below is an excerpt from Mike Holt Enterprises of the Index.

If you are preparing for your Master electrical exam or your Journeyman electrical exam you should consider joining a live seminar or at the very least study with a simulated exam book with practice questions.  The more practice you have with your book, the better prepared you will be.

Good Luck!

NEC Book Layout

Before we get into the details of the NEC, we need to take a few
moments to understand its style and layout. Understanding the
structure and writing style of the Code is very important before it
can be used and applied effectively. The National Electrical Code
is organized into ten major components.

 1. Table of Contents

The Table of Contents displays the layout of the chapters, articles, and parts as well as the page numbers.

 2. Article 90 (Introduction to the Code)

The NEC begins with Article 90, the introduction to the Code. It contains the purpose of the NEC, what’s covered and what isn’t covered along with how the Code is arranged.

 3. Chapters 1 through 9 (major categories)

There are nine chapters, each of which is divided into articles.

• Chapter 1—General

• Chapter 2—Wiring and Protection

• Chapter 3—Wiring Methods and Materials

• Chapter 4—Equipment for General Use

• Chapter 5—Special Occupancies

• Chapter 6—Special Equipment

• Chapter 7—Special Conditions

• Chapter 8—Communications Systems (Telephone, Data,Satellite, Cable TV and Broadband)

• Chapter 9—Tables–Conductor and Raceway Specifications

 4. Articles 90 through 840 (individual subjects)

The NEC contains approximately 140 articles, each of which covers a specific subject.

 5. Parts (divisions of an article)

Larger articles are subdivided into parts.

 6. Sections and Tables (NEC requirements)

Sections. Each NEC rule is called a “Code Section.”

Tables. Many NEC requirements are contained within tables, which are lists of Code rules placed in a systematic arrangement.

 7. Exceptions (Code permissions)

Exceptions are Code requirements or permissions that provide an alternative method to a specific rule.

Mandatory Exceptions. A mandatory exception uses the words“shall” or “shall not.”

Permissive Exceptions. A permissive exception uses words such as “shall be permitted,” which means it’s acceptable (but not mandatory) to do it in this way.

 8. Informational Notes (explanatory material)

An Informational Note contains explanatory material intended to clarify a rule or give assistance, but it isn’t a Code requirement.

 9. Annexes (information)

Annexes aren’t a part of the NEC requirements, and are included in the Code for informational purposes only.

 10. Index

The Index at the back of the Code book is helpful in locating a specific rule.

Changes to the NEC since the previous edition(s), are identified by
shading, but rules that have been relocated aren’t identified as a
change. A bullet symbol “•” is located on the margin to indicate
the location of a rule that was deleted from a previous edition.
New articles contain a vertical line in the margin of the page.