Article 100 Scope of Article 100 Definitions.
Code Change Summary: Article 100 (Definitions) has been split into three parts.
In the 2020 NEC®, the Scope of Article 100 was modified to include new Part III which only covers definitions that apply to “Hazardous Classified Locations”.
During the 2017 NEC® code cycle, the definitions for terms used only in hazardous locations were moved from Chapter 5 to Article 100 to align with the NEC® Style Manual. Many of the terms that were previously defined in Article 500 were also used in Article 501, 502, 503 and the like. The NEC® Style Manual requires all terms that are used in two or more NEC® articles to be defined in Article 100. Other definitions are included in beginning of each article in which they are used but may also be referenced in Article 100.
In the 2020 NEC®, the definitions for hazardous locations were relocated once again to a separate part of Article 100 which helps to clarify and increase the usability of the NEC®.
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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
Article 100 Scope. This article contains only those definitions essential to the application of this Code. It is not intended to include commonly defined general terms or commonly defined technical terms from related codes and standards. In general, only those terms that are used in two or more articles are defined in Article 100. Other definitions are included in the article in which they are used but may be referenced in Article 100.
Part I of this article contains definitions intended to apply wherever the terms are used throughout this Code. Part II contains definitions applicable to installations and equipment operating at over 1000 volts, nominal.
2020 Code Language:
Article 100 Scope. This article contains only those definitions essential to the application of this Code. It is not intended to include commonly defined general terms or commonly defined technical terms from related codes and standards. In general, only those terms that are used in two or more articles are defined in Article 100. Definitions are also found in XXX.2 sections of other articles.
Part I of this article contains definitions intended to apply wherever the terms are used throughout this Code. Part II contains definitions applicable to installations and equipment operating at over 1000 volts, nominal. Part III contains definitions applicable to Hazardous (Classified) Locations.