The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) 2026 changes and updates

After September 1, 2026 GFCI protection of HVAC units is required. HFGFCI is one solution and Exception #3 in 210.8(F) allows Class C Special - Purpose GFCI (SPGFCI) to provide protection for HVAC equipment. Class C SPGFCI protection devices monitor the equipment grounding conductor for continuity and allow up to 20 mA of current on the EGC. Some HVAC equipment, especially those with variable frequency drives put more than 4 to 6 mA of current on the EGC. When an SPGFCI is used for listed HVAC equipment, a warning label is required for listed HVAC equipment when protected by Class C SPGFCI.

Surge protection is required for services supplying dormitory units, guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels, and areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used as patient sleeping rooms. Surge requirements were removed from Article 225, since Article 215 applies generally to all feeders. The minimum nominal discharge current remains unchanged at 10 kA.

The ampere rating requirement in 110.16(B) has been removed. Label aligns with NFPA 70E and must include: system voltage, arc flash boundary, available incident energy or PPE requirements, and the date the evaluation was completed.

In the 2023 edition of the NEC Manufactured homes were allowed to have their disconnect 50 feet away from the home. Similarly, this is now allowed for site-built dwelling units in the 2026 NEC. This offers flexibility, especially for multi-family homes for locating the service disconnecting means. Disconnects of feeders that serve a building and structure no longer need to be attached to the building or structure they serve. The feeder disconnect may be up to 50 feet away and in sight of the structure they serve.