2002 NEC Changes for rural applications

In the past, many localities have exempted rural agricultural facilities from the applications of the NEC. However, the numbers of states, counties, or localities that exempt agriculture is reduced each year as the electrical applications and electrical equipment increase and rural agricultural operations become more like industrial applications. In any case, the NEC is the document that is used to set minimum requirements for electrical installations and resolve disputes on electrical wiring or electrical equipment issues. Most of the rural agricultural issues fall under Articles processed by Panel 19. This paper describes and discusses the changes that were processed by Panel 19 and other panels where rural agriculturally related changes were made. The changes to NEC Article 455-Phase Converters and NEC Article 547-Agricultural Buildings are discussed. A brief review of the representation and process for changing the NEC is included