Code Change Summary: Relocated Article 220 to new Article 120.

SME commentary: The 2026 NEC^® introduces a major structural change by relocating the load calculation requirements, historically found in Article 220, to a newly created Article 120 within Chapter 1. This reorganization is not a revision of the technical requirements themselves but a strategic shift in the Code’s structure to improve clarity, usability, and alignment with the modern electrical landscape.

Load calculations form the backbone of electrical design. Whether an installation involves a residential panelboard or a commercial service entrance, determining the minimum ampacity of conductors and rating of overcurrent protection begins with accurate load calculations. By repositioning these requirements into Chapter 1, the Code emphasizes that these calculations are not exclusive to premises wiring or confined to specific occupancies, they are general requirements that underpin the safe design and installation of all electrical systems covered by the NEC^®.

Historically, Article 220 resided in Chapter 2, which covers wiring and protection. However, this placement could be misleading, as the content of Article 220 governs far more than wiring methods or overcurrent devices. It contains the baseline methodology for calculating loads, applying demand factors, and sizing services and feeders. The relocation to Article 120 acknowledges that these requirements are foundational and applicable throughout the NEC^®, and therefore are more properly located in Chapter 1.

This move is part of a larger restructuring effort to modernize the NEC^® for improved digital usability, enhanced logical flow, and better alignment with current industry practices. The NEC^® Correlating Committee has identified that the evolving nature of electrical systems, especially with the growth of distributed energy resources, bidirectional power flow, and integrated communications, necessitates a more intuitive structure to assist installers, designers, and code officials.

By anchoring load calculation rules in Chapter 1, the NEC^® provides a clear signal that these procedures apply broadly and should be considered early in any project. The change helps eliminate confusion about where to look for these core requirements and sets the stage for a more modular and logically sequenced Code in future editions.

Ultimately, relocating these rules to Article 120 enhances usability without changing the intent, reinforcing the NEC’s commitment to both safety and adaptability.

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 2026 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

2023 Code Language:

Article 220 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations.

2026 Code Language:

Article 120 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations.