The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is a consensus-based standard that sets the ground rules and guidelines associated with the installation, operation and maintenance of electric supply, communication lines and associated equipment necessary to safeguard utility workers and the general public. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is responsible for overseeing, maintaining, and publishing the NESC. The NESC affects every aspect of an electric utility system (design, construction, operation and maintenance); therefore, input from public power systems of all sizes is necessary to ensure that the requirements adhere to public power safety standards and are economically feasible. The American Public Power Association is proud to serve as the conduit for our members to participate in and provide input into the revision process.
NESC Revision Cycle
The NESC is revised on a 5-year cycle. During the first year, proposed changes to the NESC are submitted to IEEE. Subcommittees review the change proposals (CPs) and vote on all the CPs, which then get consolidated into the Pre-Print version that is made available to the public in year two. In year three, the public submits comments (CMs) to IEEE in support of or against the CPs contained in the Pre-Print. Year three is also when the subcommittees meet to discuss the comments and take a final vote on the CPs. CPs may be accepted, accepted as modified, or rejected. Only the CPs that are accepted or accepted as modified are incorporated into the revised NESC. During year four, IEEE submits the revised NESC to ANSI for recognition as national standard. IEEE then publishes the revised NESC on August 1 of the fifth year, and the new code goes into effect the following February 1, giving utilities six months to adapt before it goes into effect. The following chart summarizes the NESC 2028 Revision Schedule.
| Date | Action/Activity |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2024 | Change proposal period opens |
| May 15, 2024 | Change proposals (CPs) due to IEEE |
| August – October 2024 | NESC subcommittees (SCs) meet to consider CPs and SC recommendations |
| July 1, 2025 | IEEE publishes the pre-print, open comment period begins |
| March 24, 2026 | Comments (CMs) due to IEEE |
| August – October 2026 | SCs reconsider recommendations, amendments and prepare final report |
| January 15, 2027 | Proposed NESC C2 submitted to NESC for letter ballot and ANSI for public review |
| May 14, 2027 | NESC approved revision submitted to ANSI for recognition as an ANSI standard |
| August 1, 2027 | IEEE Publishes the NESC C2-2028 |
| February 1, 2028 | NESC C2-2028 effective date (for localities that automatically adopt the latest revision) |
For more information, including links to the resources referenced above, visit the IEEE Standards Association NESC webpage.
Public Power Standards Representatives Taskforce
The Public Power Standards Representatives Taskforce consists of engineering and operations personnel who support the efforts of the NESC revisions. Representatives from small, medium, and large public power utilities are encouraged to participate in the revision cycle process. Taskforce members develop CPs and CMs and evaluate CPs and CMs submitted by others to the NESC during the 5-year revision cycle. The taskforce is organized into teams that align with the NESC subcommittees. The taskforce meets virtually, enabling all who want to participate to do so. If you would like to be a part of the PPSRT, please contact our team at PPSRT@PublicPower.org.
NESC Subcommittees
Various subcommittees are responsible for revising specific parts and/or sections of the NESC, as shown below.
| SUBCOMMITTEE | RESPONSIBILITY | PART / SECTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purpose, Scope, Application, Definition & References | Sections 1, 2 & 3 |
| 2 | Grounding Methods | Section 9 |
| 3 | Electric Supply Stations | Part 1 – Sections 10-19 |
| 4 | Overhead Lines – Clearances | Part 2 – Sections 20-23 |
| 5 | Overhead Lines – Strengths & Loading | Part 2 – Sections 24-28 |
| 7 | Underground Lines | Part 3 – Sections 30-39 |
| 8 | Work Rules | Part 4 – Sections 40-43 |
| 9* | Electric Supply Substations* | TBD* |
*SC9 is a new subcommittee and its exact title and areas of responsibility have yet to be determined. For more information on the value, purpose or benefits of the NESC see The Definitive Safety Standard for the National Electrical Grid and Communications Systems – The National Electrical Safety Code published by IEEE.
Key Dates
The following is a list of key events for the PPRT, as well as deadlines in the NESC process.
2024 – First Year
CP Preparation
- March 13, 2024 – APPA Member Virtual Meeting (view presentation slides – members only)
- April 2, 2024 – PPSRT Kickoff Virtual Meeting (view presentation slides – members only)
- April 19, 2024 – APPA member CPs due
- April 30, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – CP Discussion
- May 10, 2024 – Finalize APPA IEEE/NESC CP Submittals
- May 14, 2024 – APPA CPs Submitted to IEEE (members only)
Subcommittee Meeting Preparation
- May 30, 2024 - APPA Member Virtual Meeting, (NESC 2028 - First Milestone & Next Steps) (view presentation slides - members only)
- June 6, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Review & Evaluate CP submittals by others
- June 20, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Review & Evaluate CP submittals by others
- July 11, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Review & Evaluate CPs submitted by others
- July 25, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Review & Evaluate CPs submitted by others
- August 8, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Review & Evaluate CPs submitted by others
- August 27, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (2 Hours) – Discuss CP submitted by others potential Talking Points for IEEE/NESC SC Meetings
Post Subcommittee Meeting Activity
- December 11, 2024 – PPSRT Virtual Meeting (90 Minutes) – Review IEEE/NESC SC Meeting Discussions
- December 19, 2024 – APPA Member Virtual Meeting (90 Minutes) (NESC 2028 - Second Milestone & NESC SC Meeting Review) (view presentation slides – members only)
2025 – First Year (Pre-Print)
NRECA Collaboration
- TBD – Joint APPA (PPSRT) & NRECA (NESC SC Participant) Virtual Meeting
- TBD – Joint APPA (PPSRT) & NRECA (NESC SC Participant) Virtual Meeting
Pre-Print Discussion
- TBD – PPSRT Virtual Meeting
- TBD – PPSRT Virtual Meeting
- TBD – APPA Member Virtual Meeting
Miscellaneous 2025 Discussion
- TBD – PPSRT & Safety Committee (APPA Safety Manual Revision Discussion)
- TBD – PPSRT Policy & Procedure Discussions (2 PPSRT Meetings and 2 Sub-Team Virtual Meetings)
- TBD – APPA Member Virtual Meeting (NESC 2028 – Third Milestone & NESC 2028 Revision Cycle Update)