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.

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