There were more than 350 changes to the 2010 California Electric Code (2008 NEC). The following is a summary of some of the significant changes. Please refer to the exact code language for a complete explanation of the changes.

1. Article 100 – There are several new definitions in this article including:

Bonded and Bonding, Branch-circuit Overcurrent Device, Clothes Closet, Device, Ground, Grounded, Grounding Conductor (EGC), Neutral Conductor and Neutral Point, Qualified Person, Short-circuit Current Rating, Surge-Protective Device, Deteriorating Agents (see article 100 for explanation of new terms)

2. Article 110 - Table 110.20 Enclosure Types relocated from 430.91

3. Article 210 Branch Circuits:

• 210.4(A) and (B) Each multiwire branch circuits shall be provided with a means that will simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors of that circuit.
• 210.5(C) - Identification of conductors by phase and voltage required.
• 210.8(A)(2) & (A)(5) – GFCI protection required for all receptacles located in a garage or basements. The exceptions have been deleted.
• 210.8(B) - Outdoor receptacles at other then dwelling units are required to be GFCI protected.
• 210.12(B) - In dwellings, AFCI protection is now required in all rooms except kitchens, baths and garages.

4. 240.24(F) - Panel boards shall not be located over stairs.

5. Article 250 – There are several new definitions relating to grounding and bonding.

6. 250.32 – Equipment grounding conductors required for branch circuits and feeders supplying a second building.

7. 300.5 (C) – Cables under a building must be installed in a conduit and must also be wet location rated.

8. 300.9 – Conductors and cables installed in conduits located in wet locations must be wet location rated.

9. 310.15(B)(2)(c) - Conduits exposed to sunlight on roof tops, see new temperature adjustment table.

10. 314.4 – All metal boxes are required to be grounded and bonded.

11. Article 334 Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable (Romex):

• 334.12(B) – Romex is not permitted in wet or damp locations.
• 334.15(C) – Romex installed in craw spaces must be protected. Cables smaller than # 8/3 or # 6/2 are no longer allowed to be secured/stapled to the bottom edge of floor joists.
• 334.80 – Conductor ampacity derating, in accordance with table 310.15(B)(2)(a), is required for cables installed in contact with thermal insulation, fire stopping or draft stopping without maintaining spacing (i.e. 50% derating for five two wire cables that are bundled together)

12. 338.10 – Type SE cable not allowed underground unless in conduit. Type USE cable is not allowed to be used for wiring in the interior of buildings.

13. Article 355 – A new article for Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit

14. 376.56 – Power distribution blocks installed in a wire way (gutter boxes) must not have uninsulated live parts.

15. Chapters 4, 5 & 6 – Where a disconnecting means is required to be lockable in the open (off) position the provisions for locking must remain in place whether the lock is in place or not.

16. 404.9(B)(1) – A switch may be grounded by connection to a grounded metal box.

17. 406.8(A) & (B) – Receptacles installed in wet or damp locations must be listed weather-resistant type.

18. 406.11 – All dwelling unit receptacles required by 210.52 are required to be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.

19. 408.3(F) – Permanent field marking required for switch boards and panel boards with High-Leg – 120/240 volt Delta with one phase at 208 volt to ground.

20. 408.36 – The definitions for lighting and appliance panel boards and power panel boards have been deleted.

21. Article 410 – Luminaries, Lamp holders and Lamps, The term light fixture has been deleted.

22. 422.52 – Electric drinking fountains must be GFCI protected.

23. 430.103 – Motor disconnects that close (turn on) automatically, such as time clocks, are not permitted as the primary disconnecting means.

24. Chapter 5 – There are numerous changes in Chapter 5 especially in Article 517 Health Care Facilities

25. Article 625 – Electric Truck Parking Space, a new article in the 2008 NEC

26. Article 680 – Swimming Pools

• 680.12 maintenance disconnect required to be located a minimum of 5 feet from inside wall of the pool.
• 680.22(A) receptacles shall be located a minimum of 6 feet from inside wall of the pool.
• 680.22(B) all pool pump motors are required to be GFCI protected.
• 680.26 This entire section was reorganized to clarify the equipotential bonding grid requirements.
• 680.71 a separate branch circuit is required for hydormasage bathtubs. GFCI protection required.

27. 690 Solar Photovoltaic Systems

• 690.4 - equipment, such as inverters, modules, combiner boxes and charge controllers, is required to be listed
• 690.31(A) PV source and output circuits in readily accessible locations shall be installed in conduits.
• 690.47(D) an additional grounding electrode is required for a ground mounted PV array.