Introduction to the Code

Article 90 contains the scope, purpose, and administrative provisions for the electrical code. This Article is a specific requirement of the 2020 Style Manual Section 2.1.1.

This Article plays an important role in helping the user of the document understand how to

Article 90 was introduced to the electrical code in 1959 but well before this formal creation of an Article that was focused on helping the user of this document understand its proper use and application, language existed. It was the 1943 edition of the electrical code that introduced a purpose and scope but we didn’t have it in the form of an Article 90. It wouldn’t be until 1959 that the technical panel responsible introduced an Article 90. The following is a time-line of related events for Article 90.

1923 – Did not include a “Purpose and Scope” section.
1943 – Did include a “Purpose and Scope” for the Code but wasn’t Article 90.
- NOTE: This does not mean that it was added in 1943 as earlier copies between 1923 and 1943 have not been reviewed.
1956 – The sections Purpose and Scope separated from the previous section titled “Purpose and Scope” into two individual sections. Still no Article 90.
1959 – Article 90 is Introduced. 90-1 is Purpose and 90-2 is Scope.
1971 – Removed the word “basic” from (b) noting that this Code contains provisions considered necessary for safety. Not “basic” provisions.
1981 – Small overhaul to include 1st level sub-division titles of “Practical Safeguarding”, “Adequacy”, and “Intention”
2002 – Added 1st level sub-division (C) “Relation to Other International Standards”
2005 – Made minor tweaks to 1st level sub-division (C)
2014 – Removed existing (C) “Intention” moving the sentence “This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons” to (A) and relabeled (D) to (C).