Article 100 Definitions. Commissioning.

Commissioning includes the process, procedures, and testing used to set up and verify the initial performance, operational controls, safety systems, and sequence of operation of electrical devices and equipment, prior to it being placed into active service.
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Commissioning includes the process, procedures, and testing used to set up and verify the initial performance, operational controls, safety systems, and sequence of operation of electrical devices and equipment, prior to it being placed into active service.

Code Change Summary: A new definition of the term “Commissioning” was created.

In the 2023 NEC®, the previous definition of the word “Commissioning” found in Section 708.2 was reworded and moved to Article 100.

Commissioning includes the process, procedures, and testing used to set up and verify the initial performance, operational controls, safety systems, and sequence of operation of electrical devices and equipment, before it is placed into active service.

Previously there were several NEC® code sections that required initial testing when specific electrical equipment or systems were installed. Unfortunately, there was no definition of the word “testing”.

During the 2023 NEC® code cycle, a series of revisions were proposed throughout the NEC® to require the word “Commissioning” where the existing requirements only mentioned “testing”.

Section 700.3(A) in the 2020 NEC® required the authority having jurisdiction to “conduct or witness a test” of the complete emergency system upon installation and periodically afterward. Now, this section and other similar code sections will simply require the electrical system to be “commissioned” in accordance with the Article 100 definition of the term “Commissioning”.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

708.2 Definitions.

Commissioning. The acceptance testing, integrated system testing, operational tune-up, and start-up testing is the process by which baseline test results verify the proper operation and sequence of operation of electrical equipment, in addition to developing baseline criteria by which future trend analysis can identify equipment deterioration.

2023 Code Language:

Article 100 Definitions.

N Commissioning. The process, procedures, and testing used to set up and verify the initial performance, operational controls, safety systems, and sequence of operation of electrical devices and equipment, prior to it being placed into active service.

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Article 100 Definitions. Commissioning.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true of commissioning?

A: Commissioning does NOT include checking the operational controls.
B: Commissioning is required to be done after the equipment has been placed into active service.
C: When commissioning is required by the NEC, it is done before being placed into active service.
D: Commissioning does NOT include checking the safety systems.
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