Code Change Summary: Additional code language will help to point out which section of the electrical equipment contains the neutral disconnect link.

A disconnect for the grounded conductor, or “neutral disconnect link”, can be in the form of a busbar or, a terminal to which the neutral conductor is connected inside smaller equipment. Removal of the neutral disconnect link is often necessary when performance testing the electrical equipment and is a specific requirement in the manufacturer’s testing instructions if the switchgear has equipment ground-fault protection (GFPE). This testing should be done before the system is energized.

After the neutral disconnect link is removed, a performance test can be done to verify that there are no neutral to ground connections made on the load side of the main service disconnect in accordance with NEC^® 250.24(A)(5).

The code change makes it clear that in a multisection switchboard or switchgear, the neutral disconnect link is permitted to be located in any section of the switchboard or switchgear, as long as the switchboard or switchgear section is marked to indicate a neutral disconnect link is located within.

Below is a preview of Article 230. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.