Review is underway for the next significant update to the National Electrical Code (NEC), and surge protection is a key part of the code.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 NEC formally recognizes surge protection as a necessity, not an optional upgrade.
- Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are now required at service equipment supplying dwelling units.
- The update reflects the increased vulnerability of modern electronics to transient voltage events.
- RF, telecom, and network systems benefit significantly from layered surge protection strategies.
- Proper grounding and bonding are essential for NEC-compliant surge protection to be effective.
- NEC requirements establish a foundation, but point-of-use and signal-line protection are still recommended.
Why the NEC Made Surge Protection Mandatory
The National Electrical Code (NEC) made surge protection mandatory to address the growing risk of damage caused by transient overvoltages in modern electrical and electronic systems. As facilities increasingly rely on sensitive digital, RF, and communication equipment, even minor voltage surges from lightning, utility switching, or internal load changes can lead to costly failures, downtime, and safety hazards. The NEC recognized that surge events are no longer rare or isolated incidents but a routine threat to critical infrastructure. By requiring surge protective devices (SPDs), the code aims to improve system reliability, protect connected equipment, and reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
NEC is one of the most significant sets of rules and requirements for network engineers and equipment installers, providing key standards for safety. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) issued the most recent set of standards in 2017, and the 2020 update is a long-term process that currently is in the review stage.
What the 2020 NEC Surge Protection Requirements Cover
The 2020 edition of the NEC introduced requirements that mandate the installation of surge protective devices on many service-level electrical panels, particularly in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. These requirements focus on protecting electrical distribution systems from transient voltage spikes before they propagate to downstream equipment. While the NEC primarily addresses power-line surge protection, it also reinforces the need for coordinated protection strategies that extend to signal lines, including RF, telecom, and data circuits. This approach encourages a comprehensive view of surge mitigation rather than treating power and signal protection as separate concerns.
Surge Protection
Regarding surge protection specifically, a handful of revisions altered the first draft of 2020 NEC, leading to its current iteration. A new section (Section 230.67) requires a certified/listed Type 1 or Type 2 SPD for all services for dwelling units—located within or immediately adjacent to the service equipment.
This requirement recognizes the growing need for reliable surge protection to safeguard sensitive, mission-critical electronic equipment, minimizing the potential for damage and downtime—as well as the greater exposure to surges, transients and other power threats inherent to today’s distributed power architectures.
Structurally, rules for surge arrestors and SPDs now appear in Article 242 of 2020 NEC, titled “Overvoltage Protection,” combined from Articles 280 and 285 of 2017 NEC.
Status and Schedule
NFPA posted the second draft of 2020 NEC in early April, with public input and comment slated to conclude in May. The NFPA Technical Meeting, held at the NFPA Conference and Expo in San Antonio June 17-20, provides a final opportunity for discussion. NFPA will issue 2020 NEC in August.
Other areas covered in 2020 NEC include power over Ethernet, solar installations, electrical vehicle charging, and much more.
Impact on RF, Telecom, and Communication Systems
For RF, telecom, and communication systems, the NEC surge protection mandate has significant implications. These systems often rely on outdoor antennas, towers, and long cable runs that are especially vulnerable to lightning-induced surges. Without proper surge protection, a single event can damage radios, GPS receivers, network equipment, and timing systems. The NEC requirements have increased awareness of the need for integrated surge protection across both power and signal paths, prompting designers and facility managers to incorporate RF surge protectors, grounding, and bonding as part of the overall system design. As a result, communication networks benefit from improved reliability, reduced downtime, and better protection of high-value electronics.
For more information about NEC and the crucial requirements for surge protection, contact Transtector Systems/PolyPhaser today. See more NEC details on the NFPA web site here.
Recommendations for NEC-Compliant Surge Protection
To fully meet the intent of the 2020 NEC and ensure long-term equipment protection, surge protection should be approached as a coordinated system rather than a single device installation. Start by installing NEC-compliant Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) at the main service entrance to intercept high-energy transients before they enter the building’s electrical distribution system.
Ensure that all surge protectors are properly grounded and bonded according to NEC guidelines, as poor grounding significantly reduces their effectiveness. Grounding paths should be short, direct, and have low impedance to allow surge energy to dissipate safely.
For facilities with sensitive electronics, telecommunications equipment, or RF systems, implement a layered surge protection strategy. This includes service-entrance SPDs, panel-level protection, and point-of-use protectors for critical equipment. RF and antenna systems should also incorporate coaxial or signal-line surge protectors, since power-line protection alone does not address surges entering through signal paths.
