NTT Blog

State of Michigan, NEC, & Michigan’s Section 8 Impacts

Michigan’s electrical professionals need to stay up to date to meet both state and national requirements.

While developing a training course on the Analysis of Changes to the National Electric Code [NEC, 2023 NFPA 70] and Michigan’s State Law [Part 8.  Electrical Code], I discovered several significant changes that electricians, contractors, and inspectors should be aware of.

I’ve broken down the key changes and how they are reflected in both the NEC and Michigan’s regulations:

1. Emergency Disconnects for Dwelling Units (230.85)
   • NEC 2023 Update: The requirement for an emergency disconnect, accessible from outside the dwelling, was introduced to facilitate quick action by first responders in an emergency.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8 (R 408.30870): In Michigan, this requirement has been directly adopted. Part 8 explicitly mandates that these disconnects be installed in one-family and two-family dwelling units, mirroring the NEC update. While researching this, I found that Michigan’s adoption closely follows the NEC’s intent to prioritize safety in residential settings.
2. Surge Protection for Dwelling Units (230.67)
   • NEC 2023 Update: Surge protection devices (SPDs) are now mandatory for all dwelling units.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8: Although not explicitly highlighted in Michigan’s Part 8 regulations, installations in the state must still meet the updated NEC standards. Michigan’s code emphasizes overall NEC compliance, meaning the surge protection requirement is implicitly included. This finding came to light as I cross-referenced the NEC standards with Michigan’s broader electrical safety mandate.
3. Revisions to Ground Fault Protection (210.8)
   • NEC 2023 Update: Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection has been expanded to cover specific outdoor outlets and equipment, which enhances safety in both residential and commercial settings.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8: Michigan’s Part 8 code maintains the need to adhere to the NEC standards for safety. While specific GFCI requirements are not explicitly addressed in the provided document, installations within Michigan would need to comply with these expanded protections.
4. Bonding Requirements for Other Metal Piping Systems (250.104)
   • NEC 2023 Update: The bonding requirements now specifically address corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST) and other metal piping systems, addressing potential fire hazards.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8 (R 408.30871): Michigan adopts this update by specifying the bonding of metal piping systems, including CSST. The requirement for bonding these systems aligns with national safety standards and is crucial for reducing fire hazards due to lightning strikes or electrical faults.

   

5. Expansion of the Scope of Article 310 (310.3)
   • NEC 2023 Update: The scope of Article 310 has been expanded with clarified ampacity tables for conductors, enhancing guidance on conductor selection and installation.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8: The document highlights the importance of complying with ampacity standards (under R 408.30819), including proper conductor sizing and layout, which reflects adherence to NEC guidelines.
6. Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Metering (Article 220)
   • NEC 2023 Update: New requirements for energy management systems and demand factors have been introduced to promote energy efficiency and precise metering.
   • Impact on Michigan Law Part 8: The Michigan code emphasizes the need for plans and specifications that conform to NEC standards (R 408.30819). This includes EMS installations, ensuring that energy efficiency and accurate metering are integrated into new and upgraded systems.

Summary

The 2023 NEC updates are well integrated into Michigan’s Part 8 Electrical Code, ensuring that state-level regulations continue to uphold national safety and performance standards. Research emphasized that the key updates, such as emergency disconnects, bonding requirements, and expanded GFCI protection, are already embedded in Michigan’s regulations. The consistency between state law and the NEC helps maintain compliance and safety in Michigan’s electrical installations.