07 October, 2024

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.


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