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NEC Code Reference

Plain-English guides to the NEC articles NJ electricians and homeowners deal with every day. Written by Michael Malfettone, a licensed third-generation NJ master electrician (Malfettone Electric LLC, Hudson County, family-owned since 1977). Each guide is a summary — never a verbatim NEC reproduction. For the authoritative text consult NFPA 70.

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Article 110

General requirements — working space, identification, and the rules every install must follow.

NEC Article 110 — Working Space, Identification, and the General Rules NJ Inspectors Cite Most

NEC Article 110 sets the universal rules: working space around equipment (110.26), arc-flash labeling, identification of disconnects, and dedicated equipment space. The most-cited article on NJ residential rough-in inspections.

Article 210

Branch circuits — required AFCI/GFCI areas, dwelling-unit circuit minimums, receptacle spacing.

NEC Article 210 — Branch Circuits, AFCI, GFCI, and What Goes on a Dedicated Circuit

NEC 210 sets the rules for branch circuits in residential occupancies: required AFCI areas (210.12), required GFCI locations (210.8), small-appliance branch circuits, and which loads need their own dedicated circuit.

Article 220

Load calculations — sizing the service to the building.

NEC Article 220 Load Calculations: Standard vs Optional Method

Plain-English walkthrough of how to calculate a residential service load using the Standard method (Part III) and the Optional method (Part IV), with practical NJ examples.

Article 230

Services — utility connection through main disconnect.

NEC Article 230 — Service Conductors, Service Equipment, and the Six-Disconnect Rule

NEC 230 governs everything from the utility connection to the main breaker: service-entrance conductor sizing, service rating, the six-disconnect rule, and where the service disconnect must be located.

Article 240

Overcurrent protection — breakers, fuses, and the small-conductor rule.

NEC 240.4(D) — The Small Conductor Rule (14, 12, 10 AWG breaker limits)

The NEC 240.4(D) "small conductor rule" caps the maximum breaker amperage on 14, 12, and 10 AWG conductors regardless of ampacity tables. Critical for residential branch circuits.

NEC Article 240 — Overcurrent Protection: Beyond the Small-Conductor Rule

NEC 240 covers overcurrent protection broadly: standard breaker amperages (240.6), where overcurrent must be located (240.21), tap rules, and protection for branch-circuit conductors.

Article 250

Grounding and bonding — ground rods, water-main bonds, equipment grounding.

NEC Article 250 — Grounding and Bonding for NJ Residential Services

How NJ residential services are grounded and bonded per NEC 250: ground rods, water main bonds, GEC sizing, and the neutral-to-ground bond at the service disconnect.

NEC 250.122 — Sizing the Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) by Breaker Amperage

NEC 250.122 sizes the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) based on the breaker rating of the circuit. Different from the GEC sized by 250.66. Critical for sub-panel feeders and EV charger circuits.

Article 310

Conductors — ampacity, temperature ratings, insulation types.

NEC Article 310 — Conductor Ampacity, Temperature Ratings, and the 75 °C / 90 °C Rule

NEC 310 defines conductor ampacity (Table 310.16), temperature ratings, and the rule that limits ampacity to the lowest-rated termination. Why 75 °C is what really matters in residential.

Article 314

Outlet boxes — fill calculations and box sizing.

NEC Article 314 — Outlet Box Fill Calculations (How Many Conductors Fit in a 4×4 Box?)

NEC 314.16 limits how many conductors can fit in an outlet box based on internal volume. Each conductor counts as one, plus extras for clamps, devices, and ground conductors.

Article 334

NM cable (Romex) — where it's allowed and where conduit is required instead.

NEC Article 334 — NM Cable (Romex): Where It's Allowed and Where Hudson County Says No

NEC 334 governs NM-B cable (Romex). Allowed in dwelling-unit dry locations. NOT allowed in commercial, exposed-to-physical-damage, wet locations. Hudson County urban municipalities often require conduit even in residential.

Article 348

Flexible metal conduit — final connections to motors and HVAC.

NEC Article 348 — Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC) for HVAC, Motors, and Final Connections

NEC 348 governs FMC ("greenfield" or "flex") used for final connections to motors, HVAC equipment, and luminaires where rigid conduit can't flex. Length limits, ground-path rules.

Article 358

EMT — the urban-NJ default wiring method.

NEC Article 358 — EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing): The NJ Urban Default

NEC 358 governs EMT — thin-wall metal conduit. The default wiring method in Hudson County urban municipalities (Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne) where Romex is locally restricted. Bend rules, support, and where it's not allowed.

Article 406

Receptacles — TR, WR, in-use covers, height and spacing.

NEC Article 406 — Receptacles: Tamper-Resistant, Weather-Resistant, and the In-Use Cover Rule

NEC 406 governs receptacle installation: tamper-resistant in dwelling units (406.12), weather-resistant outdoors (406.9), in-use covers, GFCI on countertops, and the height/spacing rules.

Article 408

Panelboards — working space, schedule, dead-front cover.

NEC Article 408 — Panelboard Requirements (Working Space, Labels, Schedule)

Article 408 governs panelboards: working space (110.26), required circuit directory, dead-front cover, and the panel schedule that must accompany every NJ permit submission.

Article 422

Appliances — disconnects, dedicated circuits, dishwasher GFCI.

NEC Article 422 — Appliances: Dedicated Circuits, Disconnects, and the Dishwasher GFCI Rule

NEC 422 governs appliances. Dishwasher and disposal need dedicated circuits, dishwasher needs GFCI per the 2020 NEC, and every appliance needs a way to disconnect for service.

Article 625

Electric vehicle charging — the 125% continuous-load rule.

NEC 625 — EV Charger Sizing and the 125% Continuous-Load Rule

EV chargers are continuous loads under NEC 625.42. The branch circuit must be sized at 125% of the charger nameplate. What this means for breaker, conductor, and load-calc decisions.

Article 690

Solar PV systems — rapid shutdown, conductor sizing, disconnects.

NEC Article 690 — Solar PV: Rapid Shutdown, Conductor Sizing, and DC Disconnect Requirements

NEC 690 covers solar photovoltaic systems: rapid-shutdown requirements (690.12), DC and AC disconnects (690.13/690.15), conductor sizing for PV output, and grounding.

Article 702

Optional standby systems — whole-house generators and ATS.

NEC Article 702 — Optional Standby Generators: ATS, Wiring, and the 200% Rule

NEC 702 covers optional standby systems — typical residential whole-house generators with automatic transfer switches. ATS rating, generator conductor sizing, and where the ATS goes in the system.

Article 705

Interconnected power production — solar back-feed and supply-side taps.

NEC 705.11(D) — When to Use a Supply-Side Tap on Solar PV Installs

Supply-side connections per NEC 705.11(D) are the cleanest answer when the existing main panel busbar can't accept a back-fed breaker for solar. Required wire sizing, AC disconnect, and AHJ expectations.