{{Electrical Wiring Sidebar An electrical code is a set of regulations for the design and installation of

electrical wiring Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of cabling and associated devices such as switches, distribution boards, sockets, and light fittings in a structure. Wiring is subject to safety standards for design and installation. Allowable ...

in a building. The intention of a code is to provide standards to ensure electrical wiring systems that are safe for people and property. Such wiring is subject to rigorous safety standards for design and installation.

Wire Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample diameter 40 mm A wire is a flexible strand of metal. Wire is c ...

s and

electrical cable An electrical cable is an assembly of one or more wires running side by side or bundled, which is used to carry electric current. One or more electrical cables and their corresponding connectors may be formed into a ''cable assembly'', which ...

s are specified according to the circuit operating

voltage Voltage, also known as electric pressure, electric tension, or (electric) potential difference, is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a static electric field, it corresponds to the work needed per unit of charge to m ...

and

electric current An electric current is a stream of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is measured as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface or into a control volume. The moving pa ...

capability, with further restrictions on the environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature range, moisture levels, and exposure to sunlight and chemicals. Associated circuit protection, control and distribution devices within a building's wiring system are subject to voltage, current and functional specification. To ensure both wiring and associated devices are designed, selected and installed so that they are safe for use, they are subject to wiring safety codes or regulations, which vary by locality, country or region. The

International Electrotechnical Commission The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC; in French: ''Commission électrotechnique internationale'') is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and r ...

(IEC) is attempting to harmonise wiring standards amongst member countries, but large variations in design and installation requirements still exist.

List of electrical codes

National Electrical Code The National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. It is part of the National Fire Code series published by the National Fire Prote ...

has been adopted for electrical wiring in the United States and for Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Colombia *

IEC 60364 IEC 60364 ''Electrical Installations for Buildings'' is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)'s international standard on ''electrical installations of buildings''. This standard is an attempt to harmonize national wiring standards ...

is used as a basis for electrical codes in many European countries * Canadian Electrical Code published by the

CSA CSA may refer to: Arts and media * Canadian Screen Awards, annual awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television * Commission on Superhuman Activities, a fictional American government agency in Marvel Comics * Crime Syndicate of Amer ...

is used in Canada (see

Electrical wiring in North America Electrical wiring in North America follows the regulations and standards applicable at the installation location. It is also designed to provide proper function, and is also influenced by history and traditions of the location installation. The ...

). * British Standard

BS 7671 British Standard BS 7671 "Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations", informally called in the UK electrical community "The Regs", is the national standard in the United Kingdom for electrical installation and the safet ...

is the set of regulations for

electrical wiring in the United Kingdom Electrical wiring in the United Kingdom is commonly understood to be an electrical installation for operation by end users within domestic, commercial, industrial, and other buildings, and also in special installations and locations, such as mar ...

. * Australian/New Zealand Standar
AS/NZS 3000:2007 ''Wiring Rules''
is used in Australia and New Zealand. * NF C 15-100 (fr) is used for

low voltage In electrical engineering, low voltage is a relative term, the definition varying by context. Different definitions are used in electric power transmission and distribution, compared with electronics design. electrical safety codes define "low vo ...

installations in France * RGIE (fr) (''Réglement Général sur les Installations Électriques'') is used for installations in Belgium. * AREI (nl) (''Algemeen Reglement Elektrische Installaties'') is used for installations in Flanders, Belgium.

List of electrical codes

See also