Author: Rob Zachariason

Cracking the Code: A Practical Guide to the NEC is an approachable, effective text that teaches students the structure and organization of the National Electrical Code® (NEC). Because the NEC is a constantly evolving standard and far too vast to memorize, author Rob Zachariason uses a unique approach to develop a book that focuses on teaching students how to navigate the structure of the NEC, rather than merely replicating the information found in the code. The book is divided into two parts: the first half focuses on teaching students where information is located and how to use the NEC, while the second half focuses on specific code-related design and calculation applications. Pro Tips provide real-world examples of the chapter content and help to tie in other code requirements. Examples show relevant, code-based applications and calculations being solved with step-by-step explanations. Navigation Tables show all of the sections contained in important articles, providing students a great level of detail. Keywords at the end of each unit dedicated to an NEC chapter, list important keywords that are required to know when navigating the NEC. The end-of-unit sections use a building-block approach, beginning with simple multiple-choice questions on NEC structure, to finding information in a certain NEC chapter, to finding information in all of the chapters learned up to that point.

Table of Contents

Abbreviated Contents

Cracking the Code 2e, Online Textbook

• Cracking the Code
• Copyright © 2027 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
• Preface
• About the Author
• Reviewers
• Acknowledgments
• The National Electrical Code®
• New to This Edition
• Features of the Textbook
• • Unit Opening Materials
  • Additional Features
  • Illustrations
  • End-of-Unit Content
• Tools for Student and Instructor Success
• • Student Tools
  • Instructor Tools
• Brief Contents
• Contents
• Feature Contents
• • NEC Keywords
  • Pro Tip
  • Procedure
• Part 1 Layout and Structure: Learning to Use the NEC
• • Foundation
  • General Chapters
  • Specific Chapters
  • Tables and Annexes
• Unit 1 NEC History and Revision Process
• • Unit 1 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 1 Key Terms
  • Unit 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 History
  • 1.2 Consensus Standard
  • 1.3 Code-Change Process
  • 1.4 Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA)
  • Unit 1 Review
• Unit 2 Structure of the NEC
• • Unit 2 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 2 Key Terms
  • Unit 2 Introduction
  • 2.1 Outline Format
  • 2.2 Layout
  • 2.3 National Electrical Code Revisions
  • Unit 2 Review
• Unit 3 Preparing to Use the NEC
• • Unit 3 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 3 Key Terms
  • Unit 3 Introduction
  • 3.1 Article 90
  • 3.2 Finding Information in the NEC
  • 3.3 Additional Tools to Aid the Code User
  • Unit 3 Review
• Unit 4 NEC Chapter 1: General
• • Unit 4 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 4 Key Terms
  • Unit 4 Introduction
  • 4.1 Chapter 1, General
  • 4.2 Article 100, Definitions
  • 4.3 Article 110, General Requirements for Electrical Installations
  • 4.4 Article 120, Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations
  • 4.5 Article 130, Energy Management Systems
  • Unit 4 Review
• Unit 5 NEC Chapter 2: Wiring and Protection
• • Unit 5 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 5 Key Terms
  • Unit 5 Introduction
  • 5.1 Chapter 2, Wiring and Protection
  • 5.2 Design Articles
  • 5.3 Protection Articles
  • Unit 5 Review
• Unit 6 NEC Chapter 3: Wiring Methods and Materials
• • Unit 6 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 6 Key Terms
  • Unit 6 Introduction
  • 6.1 Chapter 3, Wiring Methods and Materials
  • 6.2 Common Numbering Format
  • 6.3 Wiring Methods and Materials
  • Unit 6 Review
• Unit 7 NEC Chapter 4: Equipment for General Use
• • Unit 7 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 7 Key Terms
  • Unit 7 Introduction
  • 7.1 Chapter 4, Equipment for General Use
  • 7.2 Equipment Connection Articles
  • 7.3 Control Articles
  • 7.4 Consume Articles
  • 7.5 Create, Alter, and Store Articles
  • Unit 7 Review
• Unit 8 NEC Chapter 5: Specific Occupancies and Locations
• • Unit 8 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 8 Key Terms
  • Unit 8 Introduction
  • 8.1 Chapter 5, Specific Occupancies and Locations
  • 8.2 Hazardous Locations
  • 8.3 Article 517, Health Care Facilities
  • 8.4 Gatherings and Entertainment
  • 8.5 Manufactured Structures and Agricultural Buildings
  • 8.6 Article 590, Temporary Installations
  • Unit 8 Review
• Unit 9 NEC Chapter 6: Specific Equipment
• • Unit 9 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 9 Key Terms
  • Unit 9 Introduction
  • 9.1 Chapter 6, Specific Equipment
  • 9.2 Prefabricated Equipment
  • 9.3 Lifting Equipment
  • 9.4 Vehicle Equipment
  • 9.5 Article 630, Electric Welders
  • 9.6 Audio, Video, and Data Equipment
  • 9.7 Industrial Equipment
  • 9.8 Equipment in or around Water
  • 9.9 Electrical Power Production Equipment
  • 9.10 Article 695, Fire Pumps
  • Unit 9 Review
• Unit 10 NEC Chapter 7: Specific Conditions and Systems
• • Unit 10 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 10 Key Terms
  • Unit 10 Introduction
  • 10.1 Chapter 7, Specific Conditions and Systems
  • 10.2 Energy Backup, Storage, and Stand-Alone Systems
  • 10.3 Limited-Energy Systems
  • 10.4 Fire Protection
  • Unit 10 Review
• Unit 11 NEC Chapter 8: Communications Systems—Outside and Entering Buildings
• • Unit 11 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 11 Key Terms
  • Unit 11 Introduction
  • 11.1 Communications Systems
  • 11.2 Chapter 8 Articles
  • Unit 11 Review
• Unit 12 NEC Chapter 9: Tables and Informative Annexes
• • Unit 12 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 12 Key Terms
  • Unit 12 Introduction
  • 12.1 Chapter 9, Tables
  • 12.2 Informative Annexes
  • Unit 12 Review
• Part 2 Application: Advanced NEC Topics
• Unit 13 Branch Circuits
• • Unit 13 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 13 Key Terms
  • Unit 13 Introduction
  • 13.1 Branch Circuits
  • 13.2 GFCI and AFCI Protection
  • 13.3 Branch Circuit Ratings
  • 13.4 Dwelling Branch Circuits
  • 13.5 Non-Dwelling Branch Circuits
  • Unit 13 Review
• Unit 14 Box Fill and Pull Box Calculations
• • Unit 14 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 14 Key Terms
  • Unit 14 Introduction
  • 14.1 Electrical Boxes
  • 14.2 Box Fill Calculations—NEC Section 314.16
  • 14.3 Pull and Junction Boxes—NEC Section 314.28
  • Unit 14 Review
• Unit 15 Raceway Fill Calculations
• • Unit 15 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 15 Key Terms
  • Unit 15 Introduction
  • 15.1 Raceway and Conductor Definitions
  • 15.2 Circular Raceway Size
  • 15.3 Insulated Conductors
  • 15.4 Circular Raceway Fill
  • 15.5 Noncircular Raceway Fill
  • Unit 15 Review
• Unit 16 Conductor Ampacity
• • Unit 16 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 16 Key Terms
  • Unit 16 Introduction
  • 16.1 Conductor Material
  • 16.2 Uses Permitted—Section 310.10
  • 16.3 Conductor Ampacities
  • 16.4 Conductor Adjustment Factors—Section 310.15(C)
  • 16.5 Conductor Ampacity Correction Factors
  • 16.6 Conductor Temperature Limitations (Section 110.14(C))
  • 16.7 Parallel Conductors
  • 16.8 Cable Ampacities
  • Unit 16 Review
• Unit 17 Overcurrent Protection
• • Unit 17 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 17 Key Terms
  • Unit 17 Introduction
  • 17.1 Overcurrent Protection, Article 240
  • 17.2 Overcurrent Protective Devices (OCPD)
  • 17.3 Location
  • 17.4 Load
  • 17.5 Sizing Overcurrent Protective Devices
  • Unit 17 Review
• Unit 18 Service
• • Unit 18 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 18 Key Terms
  • Unit 18 Introduction
  • 18.1 Service
  • 18.2 Service Equipment
  • 18.3 Service Disconnect
  • 18.4 Workspace Clearances and Illumination
  • 18.5 Wiring Methods
  • 18.6 Types of Services
  • Unit 18 Review
• Unit 19 Grounding and Bonding
• • Unit 19 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 19 Key Terms
  • Unit 19 Introduction
  • 19.1 Grounding Fundamentals
  • 19.2 Grounding Electrode System
  • 19.3 Equipment Grounding and Equipment Grounding Conductors
  • 19.4 Bonding
  • Unit 19 Review
• Unit 20 Dwelling Unit Cooking Appliance Calculations
• • Unit 20 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 20 Key Terms
  • Unit 20 Introduction
  • 20.1 Cooking Appliance Definitions
  • 20.2 Household Cooking Equipment Demand Factors (Table 120.55)
  • 20.3 Household Cooking Appliance Neutral Calculation
  • 20.4 Sizing Branch Circuit Conductors
  • 20.5 Branch Circuit Overcurrent Protective Device (OCPD)
  • Unit 20 Review
• Unit 21 Dwelling Service Calculations
• • Unit 21 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 21 Key Terms
  • Unit 21 Introduction
  • 21.1 Article 120
  • 21.2 General Requirements
  • 21.3 Setting Up a Service Calculation
  • 21.4 Standard Method
  • 21.5 Optional Method
  • Unit 21 Review
• Unit 22 Non-Dwelling Service Calculations
• • Unit 22 Learning Outcomes
  • Unit 22 Key Terms
  • Unit 22 Introduction
  • 22.1 General Requirements
  • 22.2 Setting Up a Service Calculation
  • 22.3 Non-Dwelling Service Calculation
  • 22.4 Minimum Size Service Entrance Conductors and OCPD
  • 22.5 Article 120 Parts IV - IX
  • Unit 22 Review
• Final Exam
• Appendix
• • Math Review
  • Service Calculation
• Glossary
• Index of NEC References
• Index