National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition
Every Code cycle, experts at Mersen review the National Electrical Code® for important changes to surge and overcurrent protection and release information to inform and educate the electrical professional. Each code is listed with the previous requirement, followed by the update and new requirement. An explanation and helpful information is also provided.
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2026 NEC Article – 230.67: Residential Dwelling Units (UPDATE)
Responder Sleeping Quarters: Expanded to include sleeping quarters in fire, police, and ambulance stations.
- Emergency responders rely on high-tech communication and alerting systems. A surge that damages fire station electronics could prevent an alarm from sounding or disable critical dispatch hardware during a crisis.
2026 NEC – Article 550.51(E): Mobile/Manufactured Homes
Required when service equipment is reconnected for a replacement home.
- This specifically targets situations where an old mobile home is hauled away and a newer one is moved onto the same lot using the existing power hookup.
2026 NEC – Article 620.51(E): Elevators, Escalators, Moving Walks, and Similar Equipment
Surge Protective Device (SPD) must be installed to protect the control circuits of elevators, escalators, moving walks, and similar equipment.
- Historically (2017 NEC), this was only required for elevators on emergency systems. In the 2026 cycle, the requirement applies to all elevators with sensitive electronics, regardless of their power source.
2026 NEC – Article 701.8: Legally Required Standby Systems
Mandatory protection for infrastructure legally required but not classified as "emergency."
- This change brings Article 701 in line with Article 700.8, ensuring that the electronics controlling rescue and firefighting equipment have the same level of protection as life-safety systems (like exit signs).
- Before 2026: Surge protection was only strictly mandated for Emergency Systems (Article 700) and COPS (Article 708), but with the 2026 NEC there is no longer a difference between these systems regarding surge risk. If the system is "legally required" by a building code or local authority, it must have surge protection.
2026 NEC – Article 551.72(E): RV Sites (UPDATE)
Mandatory requirement for Surge Protective Devices at a Nominal Discharge Current Rating (In) of 10kA and expands coverage emergency responder sleeping quarters within or associated with park facilities.
- All SPDs installed at RV site pedestals must now have a nominal discharge current rating (In) of not less than 10kA.
- Now explicitly includes any emergency responder sleeping quarters that might be located within or associated with park facilities (such as ranger stations or onsite security housing).
- If you replace a pedestal or its internal guts, you must bring it up to code by adding a compliant 10kA SPD.