Art. 100
Definitions
Start here when a term such as bonding, grounded conductor, readily accessible, or service point changes the meaning of the rule you are reading.
NEC
NEC Quick Reference
Locate the articles, tables, and workflow checkpoints U.S. electricians and electrical designers open most often before turning to the adopted edition of NFPA 70.
Updated April 24, 2026
Use this page to locate the right section, not to replace the code text. The adopted edition of NFPA 70 and any local amendments remain the enforceable source for final design, installation, inspection, and acceptance decisions.
The adopted edition of NFPA 70 and any local amendments remain the enforceable source for final design, installation, inspection, and acceptance decisions.
Core Installation Articles
Art. 110
Requirements for Electrical Installations
Use for equipment approval, working space, terminations, and the general installation-quality rules that show up across the code.
Art. 210
Branch Circuits
Open this article when branch-circuit layout, required receptacles, or GFCI and AFCI screening drives the design decision.
Art. 215
Feeders
Use for feeder minimum rating, conductor sizing basis, and coordination with feeder overcurrent protection.
Art. 220
Load Calculations
Start here when service or feeder sizing depends on demand factors, unit loads, appliance diversity, or dwelling/commercial load methods.
Art. 230
Services
Service conductors, service disconnecting means, and the basic service arrangement are typically screened here first.
Art. 240
Overcurrent Protection
Use for breaker or fuse rating choices, conductor-protection limits, and many tap-rule or small-conductor questions.
Art. 250
Grounding and Bonding
The main starting point for system grounding, bonding jumpers, grounding electrode systems, and effective fault-current paths.
Wiring Methods and Conductor Rules
Art. 300
General Requirements
Use for routing, support, protection, and other general wiring-method rules that apply before you reach a specific raceway or cable article.
Art. 310
Conductors and Ampacity Rules
This is where conductor selection, ampacity basis, insulation temperature limits, and adjustment or correction lookups come together.
Sec. 314.16
Box Fill
Open this section for box volume allowances and conductor counts in outlet, device, pull, and junction boxes.
Art. 334
Type NM Cable
A common dwelling-unit starting point when you need the permitted uses and installation rules for Type NM cable.
Equipment and Utilization Articles
Art. 404
Switches
Use for switch rating, grounding, and installation basics in branch-circuit work.
Art. 406
Receptacles and Cord Connectors
Useful for receptacle type, rating, tamper-resistant selection, and many location-based device requirements.
Art. 408
Panelboards and Similar Equipment
Start here for panelboard arrangement, identification, and distribution-equipment rules in common building work.
Art. 422
Appliances
Use for fixed appliances, disconnecting means, and branch-circuit coordination around appliance loads.
Art. 430
Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers
The main starting point for motor conductors, overload protection, short-circuit protection, and controller rules.
Art. 440
Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Equipment
Use when HVAC or refrigerating equipment drives conductor sizing, disconnecting means, or equipment protection choices.
Special Occupancies and Systems
Art. 517
Health Care Facilities
A common starting point for patient-care spaces, essential electrical systems, and related facility rules.
Art. 680
Pools, Fountains, and Similar Installations
Use for bonding, GFCI, wiring, and equipment around pools, spas, hot tubs, and fountains.
Art. 690
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Open this article for PV source circuits, disconnecting means, rapid shutdown, and grounding or bonding review.
Common NEC Tables and Sections
Table 310.16
Conductor Ampacity Lookup
A common starting table for conductor ampacity under 2000 volts after you confirm conductor type, temperature rating, and installation conditions.
Art. 310 tables
Adjustment and Correction Lookups
Use the temperature-correction and conductor-adjustment lookups in Article 310 alongside the base ampacity table.
Table 250.66
Grounding Electrode Conductor Sizing
Sizes the grounding electrode conductor from the largest service or feeder conductors in the installation.
Table 250.122
Equipment Grounding Conductor Sizing
Sets the minimum equipment grounding conductor size from the circuit overcurrent device.
Table 220.12
General Lighting Loads by Occupancy
Used when service or feeder calculations start from floor area and occupancy-based unit lighting loads.
Sec. 314.16
Box Volume Allowances
The common box-fill starting point for conductor allowances and standard box volume review.
Table 430.250
Three-Phase Motor Full-Load Current
Frequently used in motor conductor and protection workflows when a three-phase motor is being screened.