Simplifying NEC Code Changes with Leviton's Captain CODE® Guide

The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is a standard established by the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection. It is updated every three years, and each new version includes changes and updates to previous standard.

However, the NFPA document is very technical, making it challenging for contractors to identify and keep up with changes. Leviton came up with a solution to this challenge by condensing many articles from the document into a pocket guide with expert analysis that is available to contractors for free in print, online or via a mobile app. For over 20 years, Leviton has been publishing a booklet called the "Captain Code® Guide" that outlines many of these changes and additions to the National Electrical Code and features industry expert perspectives on the changes. In addition to electrical contractors, the book has earned a following among various industry organizations, including electrical inspector organizations, technical schools, and engineering firms.

Leviton’s 2023 Captain Code Guide is over 120 pages, making it quite sizable but still fitting into a generous sized pocket. Leviton makes the guide available at electrical distributor locations and has a whole program around it, including an easy to access app and web portal.

The guide also identifies product solutions applicable to the code changes, and connects it all to specific application settings contractors may be working in.

Different states adopt the NEC at different rates. In addition, different states and municipalities may be more stringent than others on the individual code articles they decide to embrace. Chicago is perhaps the only city in the United States that has its own code, which goes beyond the national code.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Many states tend to implement one or more code cycles behind the newest code. Because of this, Leviton archives and makes available the 2017 and 2020 Captain Code editions available for reference as needed.

It is possible for people to petition the NFPA if they find an unsafe electrical situation, or if they disagree with a certain guideline in the NEC. The NFPA reviews all submissions but may not act on them. In some cases, certain parts of the code may be struck by states due to financial hardship or other reasons, but it is generally not advisable to go against the code.

To demonstrate the importance of adhering to the code, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) produced a chart that demonstrates the effectiveness of GFCIs, showing that since their introduction in the 1970s, the number of GFCIs mandated by the National Electrical Code has increased while the number of electrocutions has decreased. This inverse relationship points to the effectiveness of GFCIs.

Over the years Leviton has licensed the Captain Code analysis from different code scholars. The 2023 NEC was released in late August 2022. Leviton received their copy and manuscript around that time and went to work on the Captain Code program for January 2023 launch. Leviton is also currently in the process of translating the 2023 Captain Code booklet into Spanish to better serve Spanish-speaking contractors throughout the United States and beyond.

Leviton welcomes people to cite the URL leviton.com/CaptainCode for more information.

In addition to Captain Code, Leviton provides various resources to contractors through its website, including a portal called "Contractor Connect." Contractor Connect features a host of educational resources including videos, podcasts with industry experts, new product and code information, news and other valuable content. The site (www.leviton.com/ContractorConnect) is designed to be an easy to-access resource to support busy contractors and their business.

Captain Code is not the only code resource that Leviton provides. Leviton also offers other energy code resources to support electrical contractors, specifiers and facility managers. For lighting controls, Leviton offers guides to energy code compliance for IECC, ASHRAE 90.1 and Title 24. Leviton also offers information on code compliance for NFPA 99 for healthcare facilities, as well as resources for workplace safety including an electrical safety guide. All these assets are available FREE online at Leviton.com/CodeConnection or you can visit Leviton.com/apps to download the app versions to your iOS or Android device.