Code Change Summary: Section 250.1 was revised for clarity in stating the purpose of Article 250, and Section 250.4 was updated to better align the performance requirements for grounding and bonding with modern installation practices.

SME commentary: In the 2026 NEC^®, both Section 250.1 and Section 250.4 received important refinements that, while subtle in language, have significant implications for clarity and enforcement. Together, these revisions sharpen the intent of Article 250, which now governs grounding and bonding of electrical installations not over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc, nominal.

In the 2026 NEC^®, Section 250.1, the scope of Article 250, was revised to reflect a structural change in the Code. Grounding and bonding requirements for systems over 1000 volts previously found in part 10 of Article 250 have been relocated to new Article 270. The revised scope of Article 250 now simply states “This article covers general requirements for grounding and bonding of electrical installations not over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc, nominal, …”

Additionally, Section 250.4 was revised to make it clear that the general requirements in this section “identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems, electrical equipment, and electrically conductive materials are required to accomplish”, which include two things: System grounding (or the lack thereof) and equipment grounding and bonding. Before this change, the parent text in 250.4 focused primarily on what “system grounding” intended to accomplish, even though the subsections that followed also included equipment grounding and bonding for both grounded and ungrounded systems.

In the 2026 NEC^®, revised Section 250.4 now states “The following general requirements shall identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems, electrical equipment, and electrically conductive materials are required to accomplish…”

“System” grounding is not the same as equipment grounding, or the bonding of electrical equipment or other conductive materials. Both principles are generally addressed in 250.4(A), while only equipment grounding and the bonding of electrical equipment and conductive materials are addressed in 250.4(B) for ungrounded systems.

Together, the revisions in 250.1 and 250.4 remove uncertainty and make it easier to apply Article 250 in the field. With the relocation of rules for systems over 1000 volts into Article 270, the scope of Article 250 is now clearer, and the general requirements more directly identify what grounding and bonding must accomplish for both systems and equipment. These changes improve usability for installers and consistency for inspectors while reinforcing the fundamental safety principles of grounding and bonding.

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:

250.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for grounding and bonding of electrical installations and the following specific requirements…

250.4 General Requirements for Grounding and Bonding. The following general requirements identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems are required to accomplish. The prescriptive methods contained in this article shall be followed to comply with the performance requirements of this section.

2026 Code Language:

250.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for grounding and bonding of electrical installations not over 1000 volts ac, 1500 volts dc, nominal, and the following specific requirements…

250.4 General Requirements for Grounding and Bonding. The following general requirements shall identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems, electrical equipment, and electrically conductive materials are required to accomplish. The prescriptive methods contained in this article shall be followed to comply with the performance requirements of this section.