Pennsylvania Adopts 2020 NEC: What Homeowners Need to Know Starting July 13th

📢 Important Code Update: Pennsylvania Adopts the 2020 NEC Starting July 13th ⚡

As of July 13, 2025, the state of Pennsylvania will officially adopt the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC). This update brings several important changes that will impact residential electrical work, including safety requirements that homeowners and property managers should be aware of.

As a licensed Master Electrician, I want to help our customers stay informed and ensure your home is both safe and compliant. Here are some of the key changes that will take effect:

🔌 GFCI Protection Expanded GFCI outlets will now be required in more areas of the home, including:

• Outdoor outlets (even those powering HVAC equipment)

• Basements (finished and unfinished)

• Laundry areas This change is aimed at reducing the risk of electrical shock in damp or wet locations.

💡 AFCI Requirements Expanded Additional areas of the home, such as basements and laundry rooms, now require Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection to reduce the risk of electrical fires.

⚠️ Emergency Disconnects Required All new homes must have an exterior emergency disconnect for first responder access during emergencies. This applies to single- and two-family dwellings.

🛠️ Surge Protection Now Required Whole-home surge protection is now mandatory for new panel installations or service upgrades, providing added protection for your electronics and appliances.

🔋 Energy Storage System Requirements Battery systems (like Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, Franklin, etc.) must meet new spacing, ventilation, and installation standards—important for homes with solar or backup batteries.

💡 Load Calculations Updated New rules will impact how we size your electrical service, particularly for homes using electric vehicle chargers, solar systems, or battery storage.

💬 If you're planning any electrical upgrades—like a new panel, generator, EV charger, or battery system—these changes may directly affect your project timeline, budget, and compliance.

We’re already trained and prepared to follow the 2020 NEC, and we’ll make sure your home meets or exceeds the latest standards.

📞 Call us at (412) 722-6961 or visit www.theelectricalcompanyllc.com if you have questions or want to schedule a code-compliant upgrade.

— Ryan Wiedmann

Licensed Master Electrician

The Electrical Company LLC

Proudly serving Western PA