Understanding Electrical Power Codes in Illinois

One of the most important things to first be aware of when working or owning a commercial property in Illinois are the regulations surrounding your office. If you’re planning on doing major electrical work, such as running new electrical cables for new services, you’ll need to comply with all local and national electrical power codes. This article will cover a few basics on the power codes in Illinois and some of the ordinances within the largest cities in the state.

Defining Power Codes

So what are power codes exactly? Electrical power codes are guidelines for the installation of electrical wiring and equipment. In the US, the National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is the regional standard of national codes for residential and commercial wiring. Although it is not a federal law, the NEC is adopted by most states and also allows local building departments the ability to add other requirements.

If your current wiring does not meet local codes, chances are that your building department will not require you to change the wiring, as only new work must be up to code. However, if there is old wiring that is unsafe, you are required to change it, and extensive remodeling may be needed.

Common Power Code Violations

According to the Family Handyman, many electrical technicians, both new and pro alike, are subject to mess up during new or corrective electric installations. Some issues include:

Overcrowded service panels
Use of wrong or poor quality materials (circuit breakers, outlet covers, etc.)
Lack of tamper-resistant receptacles or neutral wire for wire switching)

These problems mainly stem from new additions being added to the NEC every few years, while some common mistakes violate codes that have been a mainstay in the books for years.

Illinois City Ordinances

According to the National Electrical Installation Standards, there is no statewide code for Illinois. However local cities can adopt editions of the current National Electrical Code. Here are a collection of resources to help you expand on the additional power codes established in the largest cities in Illinois.