Updated MI Electric Code: What It Means For You

The State of Michigan adopted the 2023 National Electric Code on March 12, 2024. Instead of slogging through the legal jargon, we decided to chat with our master electrician, Bryan Butler, about what this updated code means for electricians and business owners.

How States Adopt Electrical Codes

The National Fire Protection Agency updates the National Electric Code every three years. The code is accepted on a state-by-state basis, sometimes excluding certain sections. MI has a residential electrical code that’s separate and more outdated, but will likely be changed to more closely match the 2023 National Electric Code soon. 

What You Need to Know About Michigan’s Updated Electric Code

Michigan’s newly adopted National Electric Code doesn’t include one and two family homes. It is focused on multi-family dwellings, like nursing homes, resting areas for policemen and firemen, and university dormitory units. Most of the updates in the electrical code don’t change the daily routines of electricians or business owners at all, but a few of them are important to know for electrical inspections. For a thorough breakdown of every change in the electrical code, click here. 

Here are the notable changes in the National Electric Code that may have an impact on building owners and electricians:

1. Any new homes or new electrical services on existing homes must have an emergency electrical shut off on the outside of the building (one big “kill switch”) for first responders to easily access in the event of an emergency.

2. All new homes or new electrical services on existing homes are required to have whole-house surge protectors in every breaker panel. This type of equipment blocks a surge of voltage from entering a home/building electrical system. This helps provide more complete lightning protection and surges from other events, such as a downed power line.

3. Multi-family buildings like apartments and soon (after the next Michigan code update) all kitchen islands and peninsulas will no longer be allowed to have outlets located on the side of the cabinet. A pop-up outlet cut into the countertop will be required.

Bryan Butler says that these updated rules do make things safer, but also more expensive. We pride ourselves on giving the best prices we can for our clients, even if that looks like a referral to one of our trusted partners. Our trusted team is able to do multiple types of electrical work for multi-family buildings, including routine electrical inspections, electrical service upgrades, running electrical for renovated or constructed buildings, and setting up solar arrays. 

We are available for electrical contracting, routine maintenance, and emergency service calls. If you’re looking for an honest, straightforward electrical solution, give us a call at 616-643-8287 – we’re wired to serve.