Code Change Summary: New Article 206 was added to address Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits.

SME commentary: In the 2026 National Electrical Code, new Article 206 has been introduced to address the unique requirements of Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits. This addition resolves a gray area in the Code by providing a centralized location for requirements that were previously fragmented, incomplete, or ambiguously referenced.

The journey to Article 206 began during the 2023 NEC^® cycle. At that time, Article 725 underwent a major revision by relocating Class 1 circuits into the newly created Article 724. The scope of Article 724 was intentionally limited to power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits, as the requirements for non-power-limited versions were nearly identical to those for general power and lighting circuits. Including non-power-limited provisions in Article 724 would have introduced redundancy.

As part of this restructuring in the 2023 NEC^®, Section 300.26 was created to direct users to the appropriate articles: Article 724 for Class 1 power-limited circuits, Article 725 for Class 2 and Class 3, and Article 300 for non-power-limited circuits. However, Article 300 lacked the detailed technical requirements necessary for non-power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits. To correct this issue, Tentative Interim Amendment 23-8 was issued on March 21, 2023. The TIA significantly expanded Section 300.26 by incorporating requirements for conductor ampacity, overcurrent protection, and other foundational topics.

For the 2026 cycle, the text of the TIA was relocated into Chapter 2 and formalized as new Article 206. This move was made because circuiting requirements are more appropriately located in Chapter 2 rather than in Article 300. The new article also includes several revisions to remove unnecessary language, to provide clarity, or to improve readability.

The scope of new Article 206 now includes informational notes directing users to Article 724 for Class 1 power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits, and to Article 725 for Class 2 and Class 3 power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits. Within Section 206.4, language was refined to improve technical accuracy. For example, the allowance to disregard conductor ampacity adjustments and temperature corrections, previously placed within the “overcurrent protection” requirements in 300.26(C)(3), was relocated to 206.4(A), where it correctly applies to conductor ampacity.

Section 206.4(C)(1)(b) was revised to remove references to continuous loads, since that topic is already covered in Article 240. Section 206.4(C)(2)(d) was deleted since conductors are not "listed" for Class 1 use in the same manner as Class 2 or Class 3 cables are listed for Class 2 or 3 applications.

New Section 206.4(C) provides requirements for the separation of non-power-limited remote-control and signaling circuits from other non-power-limited circuits, such as those used for power and lighting, further aligning with core safety principles.

Finally, overcurrent protection requirements previously found in 300.26(C)(3) were deleted and replaced with new language in 206.4(D) referencing 240.4 and 240.5 since the requirements for overcurrent protection already reside in Article 240.

The creation of Article 206 brings much-needed clarity, improves code usability, and reinforces consistent application of rules for non-power-limited circuit installations.

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:

300.26 Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits Classification…

2026 Code Language:

N Article 206 Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits…