What is the purpose of NEC articles?

The purpose of NEC articles is to define practices and standards for electrical installations. The National Electrical Code (NEC) serves as a comprehensive set of guidelines designed to ensure safe and effective electrical installations. This includes specifications on wiring methods, equipment usage, and protective measures to prevent hazards such as electrical fires, shocks, and equipment failures.

By establishing consistent standards, the NEC helps electricians, contractors, and inspectors to interpret regulations uniformly, ensuring that installations meet safety and operational requirements. This uniformity aids in reducing electrical hazards and promotes safer electrical systems across various applications, from residential to industrial settings.

While code enforcement, general safety information, and limitations on design choices are related to the NEC's role, the core objective revolves around defining practices and standards, which serves as the foundation of electrical installations and practices in the field.