What to expect in the next version of the NESC

Public comment period for the 2028 NESC now open

The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is set for its next revision in 2028, and the comment period on the proposed changes opened July 1, 2025 and will remain open until March 24, 2026​.

Understanding the potential changes is crucial for professionals in the electric utility and telecommunications industries. The NESC sets the foundation for safety standards in electrical systems, impacting various job roles from utility leadership to regulatory agencies to engineering service providers. Updating the NESC is necessary to better protect workers, the public, and facilities during the installation, operation, and maintenance of power and communications networks.

Major changes proposed for the 2028 NESC

Current change proposals and NESC subcommittee recommendations include:

New Part 5 with rules addressing generating stations

• Covers any areas, buildings, or rooms where generation equipment is located
• Specifies that these spaces be accessible only to qualified workers

Changes to joint-use grounding and bonding requirements

• Addresses feedback that the wording in previous Code versions did not meet the intent that every pole ground must be bonded to both the neutral and communication messengers
• Intended to minimize the exposure of a worker on the pole to a potentially fatal voltage

Changes to some clearance rules

• Multiple changes to clearances above ground (Rule 232), including for service drops and areas traversed by vehicles
• Changes to elevation-based adders for determining vertical clearance from high voltage transmission lines to distribution or communication lines
• Clarification on the clearance rules from street light drip loops and traffic light drip loops to communications cables in the communication worker safety zone, when the drip loop is covered by a suitable nonmetallic covering

Updated extreme wind and extreme ice maps

• New maps based on updated weather observations (Rule 250C and 250D)
• May change the amount of ice and wind that must be applied to the line in some regions

Changes to substation fence rules

• Increase in the distance allowed between a substation fence and a neighboring fence from six feet to 10 feet

The NESC revision process

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) updates the Code every five years to stay current with evolving technologies and safety practices in the power and communications sectors. First, they solicit change proposals from the public. Technical subcommittees review the proposals and publish them for public comment. Subcommittees review comments and submit final revisions to the NESC Main Committee and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for approval. Finally, the Code is published by IEEE.

How to obtain a copy of the proposed changes and submit comments

You can request a copy of the proposed changes and submit comments until March 24, 2026. Additional information can be found at standards.ieee.org/nesc.

Training your workforce

Training on the latest NESC rules is critical for ensuring worker safety and compliance. Our NESC training offerings break down the complexities of the Code and how to apply it to daily work, making it accessible and applicable for utility and communications workers.

Know the Code. Stay safe.

Learn more about NESC and OSHA training classes with IKE

Grant Glaus is a registered professional electrical engineer with 25 years of experience in electric utility engineering, including line design, planning studies, joint use, and teaching NESC®, OSHA, and distribution line design classes. He has served on IEEE NESC committees since 2006 and is currently a member of the NESC Main Committee and Subcommittee 5 Overhead Lines–Strength and Loading. Before joining IKE, Grant had 15 years of experience supervising the engineering department at Columbia Rural Electric Association.