The IEC 60364 (Electrical Installations of Buildings) and the ANSI/NFPA 70 (NEC) are the bases for most national wiring rules throughout the world.
The NEC evolved along with the growth of electrical systems in North America more than 100 years ago to establish a uniform level of safety, while the development of IEC 60364 documents ensued in 1969 for reasons of harmonization of electrical installation rules to facilitate trade among European countries.
IEC 60364 is a collection of documents that define fundamental principles, practices, and performance requirements which reflect the European concept of wiring and distribution systems. The NEC is a set of specific rules intended to be used for design, installation, and uniform enforcement of electrical system installations based on North American principles and practices.
IEC 60364 and the NEC both establish performance requirements that address fire and electric shock protection, i.e. protection of persons and property, and installation, use, and maintenance of premises wiring systems and equipment.
Applicable to wiring systems of premises for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Hazardous locations (explosive atmospheres) are covered only in the NEC; they are covered separately in IEC 60079.
In summary, IEC 60364 and the NEC:
- Both establish performance requirements that address fire and electric shock protection, i.e. protection of persons and property.
- Both documents address installation, use, and maintenance of premises wiring systems and equipment.
- Both documents are applicable to wiring systems of premises for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Hazardous locations (explosive atmospheres) are covered only in the NEC; they are covered separately in IEC 60079.
- · Neither document covers installations for generation, transmission, or distribution of electrical energy, nor those under exclusive control of electric or communications utilities.
- IEC 60364 provides broad performance requirements and it is not usable as an installation document by electrical system designers, installers, or enforcing authorities, but rather it can serve as a guide for development of national wiring rules.
- The NEC is a comprehensive set of electrical installation requirements that can be adopted and implemented without development of additional wiring rules.
- Countries adopting IEC 60364 in whole, or only Chapter 13 on Fundamental Principles, need to develop additional rules usable by electrical system designers, installers, and enforcing authorities.
- Both codes need effective coordination with appropriate product standards to be successful in implementing electrical safety.
Layout and Arrangement of NEC
Chapter 1—General
Chapter 2—Wiring and Protection
Chapter 3—Wiring Methods and Materials
Chapter 4—Equipment for General Use
These chapters apply generally to all electrical installations
Chapter 5—Special Occupancies
Chapter 6—Special Equipment
Chapter 7—Special Conditions
These chapters can supplement or modify Chapters 1 through 4
Chapter 8—Communications Systems
Chapter 8 is independent and Chapters 1 through 7 only apply where referenced within Chapter 8
Chapter 9—Tables
Applicable as referenced
Appendix A through D
The appendixes are for information only and are notmandatory
Plan of IEC 60364: Electrical Installations of Buildings
Part 1 : Scope, object, and fundamental principles
Chapter 11 - Scope
Chapter 12 - Object
Chapter 13 - Fundamental principles
Part 2 : Definitions
Chapter 21 Guide to general terms
Part 3 : Assessment of general characteristics
Chapter 31 - Purposes, supplies, and structure
Chapter 32 - Classification of external influences
Chapter 33 - Compatibility
Chapter 34 - Maintainability
Chapter 35 - Safety services
Part 4 : Protection for safety
Chapter 41 - Protection against electric shock (protection against direct and indirect contact)
Chapter 42 - Protection against thermal effects (of equipment during normal operation)
Chapter 43 - Protection against overcurrent (for conductors and cables)
Chapter 44 - Protection against overvoltage
Chapter 45 - Protection against undervoltage
Chapter 46 - Isolation and switching
Chapter 47 - Application of protective measures for safety
Chapter 48 - Choice of protective measures as a function of external influences
Part 5 : Selection and erection of electrical equipment
Chapter 51 - Common rules (e.g., principles for selection and erection)
Chapter 52 - Wiring systems
Chapter 53 - Switchgear and controlgear
Chapter 54 - Earthing arrangements and protective conductors (also equipotential bonding conductors)
Chapter 55 - Other equipment
Chapter 56 - Safety services (selection and erection of the equipment for safety services)
Part 6 : Verification
Chapter 61 Initial verification (prior to commissioning of the installation)
Part 7 : Requirements for special installations or locations
NOTE
Part 7 deviates from Parts 1 to 6 in that it is not divided into chapters but into sections, in order to have more than nine sections available for these additional regulationsSection 702 - Swimming pools
Section 703 - Location containing sauna heaters
Section 704 - Construction and demolition site installation
Section 705 - Electrical installations of agricultural and horticultural premises
Section 706 - Restrictive conducting locations
Section 708 - Electrical installations in caravan parks and caravans
Section 709 - Electrical installations in marinas and pleasure craft
Section 710 - Medical locations and associated areas
Section 711 - Electrical installations in exhibitions, shows, stands, and fun fairs
Section 712 - Not allocated
Section 713 - Furniture
Section 714 - External lighting installations
Source:
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
A Global Perspective
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
By Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Principal Investigator: Paul Duks
April 1999