What is the National Electrical Code of India
1. Introduction
Electrical supply and installation is an essential part of building services. From initial planning, design, selection of material, installation/method of construction; to testing, commissioning and maintenance; every aspect is governed by statutory provisions referring to various standards and codes of practice. All such standards and codes are oriented to minimize risk, provide safe use, operation, functionality and convenience throughout service life. Any lapse in any of the above aspects may lead to severe effects on human life and devastation of assets. Occasions of electrical fires are increasing with the increasing use of electrical gadgets. Quality of installation must be maintained in every aspect of design, selection of product, workmanship and verification. For special installations such as high-rise buildings, hospitals, shopping complexes, hotels, large office complexes etc, where the fire hazard is high and evacuation is difficult, special conditions shall be fulfilled in electrical installation including safety services.
Statutory provisions given in The Electricity Act, 2003 and Safety regulations are required to be followed. In addition IS 732, IS 3043, NEC and various product standards provide the backbone for the installation and its compliance is mandatory as insisted in regulation 14 of CEA measures relating to safety and Electric Supply Regulations 2023.
2. Scope of NEC
2.1 The National Electrical Code of India covers the following:
- Standard good practices for selection of various items of electrical equipment forming part of electrical installation
- Recommendations concerning the safety and quality of the wiring in electrical installations of buildings or industrial structures, promoting compatibility between such recommendations and those concerning the equipment installed
- General safety procedures and practices in electrical work
- Additional precautions to be taken for the use of electrical equipment for special environmental conditions like explosive and active atmosphere.
2.2 Applicable electrical installations
- Standby/emergency generating plants and building substations
- Domestic dwellings
- Office buildings, shopping and commercial centres and institutions
- Recreation and other public premises
- Medical locations
- Hotels
- Swimming pools
- Rooms containing sauna heaters
- Multi-storied buildings
- Supplies for electrical vehicles
- Sports buildings
- Industrial and non-industrial premises
- Temporary and permanent outdoor installations
- Agricultural premises
- Installations in hazardous areas
- Solar photovoltaic installations.
3. Contents
- Part 1 General and common aspects
- Section 1 Scope of the National Electrical Code
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Graphical symbols for diagrams, letter symbols and signs
- Section 4 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts, tables, and marking
- Section 5 Units and systems of measurement
- Section 6 Standard values
- Section 7 Fundamental principles
- Section 8 Assessment of general characteristics of buildings
- Section 9 Wiring installations
- Section 10 Protection for safety — Protection against electric shock
- Section 11 Protection for safety — Protection against thermal effect and protection against fire due to arcing
- Section 12 Protection for safety — Protection against overcurrent and fault current
- Section 13 Protection for safety — Protection against voltage disturbance and measures against electromagnetic influences
- Section 14 Short-circuit and voltage drop calculations
- Section 15 Electrical aspects of building services
- Section 16 Selection of equipment
- Section 17 Erection and pre-commissioning — Testing of Installations
- Section 18 Earthing
- Section 19 Lightning protection
- Section 20 Power quality
- Section 21 Energy efficiency aspects
- Section 22 Safety in electrical work
- Part 2 Electrical installations in standby generating stations and captive substations
- Section 1 Electrical installation of stand-by generating sets
- Section 2 Electrical installations in captive distribution sub-stations
- Part 3 Low-voltage electrical installations - requirements for special installations or locations
- Section 1 Domestic dwellings
- Section 2 Locations containing a bath or shower
- Section 3 Swimming pools and fountains
- Section 4 Requirements for special installations or locations — Room and cabins containing sauna heaters
- Section 5 Construction and demolition site installations
- Section 6 Conducting location with restricted movement
- Section 7 Caravan parks, camping parks and similar locations
- Section 8 Marinas and similar locations
- Section 9 Medical location
- Section 10 Exhibitions, shows and stands
- Section 11 Furniture
- Section 12 Extra-low-voltage lighting installations
- Section 13 Community facilities and workplaces
- Section 14 Electrical installations in caravans and motor caravans
- Section 15 Supplies for electric vehicles
- Section 16 Operating or maintenance gangways
- Section 17 Temporary electrical installations for structures, amusement devices and booths at fairgrounds, amusement parks and circuses
- Section 18 Heating cables and embedded heating systems
- Section 19 Office buildings, shopping and commercial centres and institutions
- Section 20 Hotels
- Section 21 Sports building
- Section 22 Specific requirements for electrical installations in multistoried buildings
- Part 4 Electrical installations in industrial buildings
- Part 5 Outdoor installations
- Section 1 Public lighting installations
- Section 2 Temporary outdoor installations
- Section 3 Permanent outdoor installations
- Part 6 Electrical installations in agricultural premises
- Part 7 Electrical installations in hazardous areas
- Part 8 Solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply system
Get NEC of India at Link.