Articles covered by CMP-3:
Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 300
General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials | Article 335
Instrumentation Tray Cable — formerly Article 727 | Article 720
Limited-Energy System Installations | Article 721
Limited-Energy Power Sources | Article 722
Limited-Energy Cables | Article 723
Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems | Article 724
Class 1 Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 725
Class 2 and Class 3 Power-Limited Circuits | Article 726
Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Systems | Article 728
Fire-Resistive Cable Systems | Article 760
Fire Alarm Systems | Article 772
Top 10 Issues
| Issue | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Consistency of Code Language | Standardize terminology throughout the NEC by eliminating inconsistent wording, duplicate phrases, and varying expressions that describe the same technical concepts. |
| 2. Compliance with the NEC Style Manual | Many proposals seek removal of redundant requirements already addressed elsewhere in the Code, resulting in a cleaner, more concise document. |
| 3. Restoring Lost Requirements | Numerous submitters argue that important technical provisions disappeared during recent article reorganizations and should be restored. |
| 4. Article Organization | Improve article formatting, numbering, and overall structure to make the NEC easier to navigate and maintain. |
| 5. Emerging Technologies | Expand the Code to better accommodate fault-managed power, battery energy storage, portable power systems, EV-based power sources, hydrogen technologies, and new circuit classifications. |
| 6. Installation Clarification | Clarify requirements for raceways, wet locations, roof decks, cable trays, conductor spacing, barriers, and other installation practices. |
| 7. Installer Safety & Reliability | Enhance electrical safety through improved wiring practices, better physical protection, stronger cable support requirements, and fewer failure points. |
| 8. Definition Ownership | Assign definitions to the Code-Making Panels having primary technical expertise to improve long-term consistency and maintenance. |
| 9. Coordination with Other Standards | Improve harmonization between the NEC and companion standards such as UL, ANSI, NFPA 79, and hazardous-location requirements. |
| 10. Reducing Complexity | A recurring objective is to simplify the NEC by reducing duplication, improving readability, and making the Code easier for installers, inspectors, designers, trainers, and licensing authorities to use. |
The Public Inputs demonstrate a broad desire to make the National Electrical Code more consistent, technically complete, better coordinated with related standards, and easier to understand without compromising electrical safety. Many proposals emphasize restoring requirements inadvertently lost during recent reorganizations while preparing the Code to accommodate rapidly emerging electrical technologies.
2029 Public Input Submittals CMP-3
N.B. Public Input No. 2633-NFPA 70-2026 [ Global Input ] PDF Page 6, regarding re-organization of the NEC into below 1000 V and above 1000 V.
Noteworthy proposal concepts:
- Cable trays interfering with HVAC ductwork and fire sprinkler lines. Parallel cable tray feasibility
- Difficulty accessing lighting fixtures and fire alarm components for maintenance.
- Potential violation of plenum clearance and airflow requirements. Some cable trays in plenums reportedly contain non-plenum-rated cables, which is a fire code violation.
- Document flags this as a high-priority remediation item before any LED lighting retrofit proceeds.
- Existing security wiring (CCTV, access control, intrusion detection) is a mix of old analog coax and early Cat 5 cables.
- Many runs exceed recommended length for reliable video transmission. Frequent signal degradation and reliability complaints.
- Security cables are sharing overcrowded cable trays with power-limited lighting control wires and fire alarm cabling.
- Risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) noted due to proximity to higher-voltage lines.
- Plenum space constraints make it difficult to add new IP-based security cameras without major reorganization.
- Current security wiring cannot support newer high-resolution IP cameras or PoE+ powered devices.
- Several editorial proposals by Mike Holt. (He’s generally correct on clarity improvements that he needs for educational purposes)
- When electricians work in ceiling plenums above hallways while students pass below, several serious hazards emerge. Tools, screws, cable scraps, or ceiling tiles can fall, causing head injuries or slips. Disturbed dust, fiberglass, or potential asbestos particles may rain down, creating respiratory risks.
- Live electrical work on lighting or cable trays raises shock/fire dangers if a fault occurs or debris shorts circuits. Open plenums can compromise fire-rated barriers, allowing smoke or flames to spread rapidly in an emergency.
- Noise and visual distractions increase trip hazards for students. Without full barricades, lockout/tagout, and proper fall protection, these overhead activities expose young people to preventable injury. Scheduling work after hours or using full corridor closures is essential.
- Power-limited (Class 2) cabling operates at low voltage (<60V DC) with current/power caps (~100VA), dramatically reducing shock and fire risks. Installation is simpler and cheaper—no conduit or heavy mechanical protection needed in many cases, allowing flexible routing. LEDs run cooler and more efficiently with remote drivers, improving lifespan and energy savings. Easier maintenance and safer for retrofits.
- Severe distance and power limits due to voltage drop and 100W/5A caps require multiple drivers or shorter runs. Higher upfront costs for specialized power supplies. Potential reliability issues from more connection points. Less suitable for high-power or long-distance applications compared to line-voltage wiring.
Public Inputs Relevant to School and College Facilities
| Campus Facility | Relevant Issue | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health Centers, Medical Schools & Campus Hospitals | Improved protection of underground feeders, raceways, and wiring methods, together with replacement of conductors damaged by water, fire, corrosion, or severe physical impact. | Enhances electrical reliability for healthcare occupancies where continuous operation is essential. |
| Athletic Stadiums & Arenas | Improved protection of underground services, direct-buried conductors, warning ribbons, and raceways. | Supports reliable electrical service for stadium lighting, scoreboards, concessions, and outdoor utility infrastructure. |
| Temporary Athletic & Campus Events | Recognition of modern portable power sources, including battery energy storage systems and portable fuel cells, in addition to traditional generators. | Useful for commencement ceremonies, concerts, athletic tournaments, festivals, and temporary event power. |
| Research Laboratories | Expanded wiring methods for hazardous (classified) locations, including ITC-HL cable installations. | May affect university research laboratories, pilot plants, engineering facilities, and chemical research buildings. |
| Residence Halls & Classroom Buildings | Improved protection against concealed wiring damage caused by nails, screws, and furring strips during construction and renovation. | Helps reduce wiring damage during frequent campus remodeling and maintenance projects. |
| Campus Utility Infrastructure | Clarifications involving direct boring, underground raceways, service feeders, and warning ribbon installation. | Relevant to the large underground electrical distribution systems commonly found on university campuses. |
Although these proposals would benefit campus infrastructure, the CMP-3 transcript contains very little discussion directed specifically at educational occupancies. Topics such as healthcare facilities (Article 517), stadium emergency systems, data centers, laboratories as occupancies, residence halls, libraries, and central utility plants largely fall within the jurisdiction of other NEC Code-Making Panels such as CMP-1 and CMP-15 where Mike has been a Principal or Alternate for IEEE.
April 29, 2026
At the request of IEEE Joint IAS/PES Standards Michigan, Mike Anthony moved to CMP-3 from CMP-15.
Articles Under CMP 3
- Article 300 — General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials
- Article 335 — Instrumentation Tray Cable (in some references for the 2029 cycle)
- Article 590 — Temporary Installations (being relocated/renumbered in the 2026 cycle, e.g., potentially to Article 140 in Chapter 1, as temporary wiring is not treated as a special occupancy)
- Article 720 — Limited-Energy System Installations (new/general article covering wiring methods for limited-energy systems)
- Article 721 — Limited-Energy Power Sources
- Article 722 — Limited-Energy Cable (covers cables for power-limited, fault-managed, etc.)
- Article 723 — Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems (newly created in the 2026 cycle)
- Article 725 — Class 2 and Class 3 Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits
- Article 726 — Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Circuits and Equipment
- Article 727 — Instrumentation Tray Cable
- Article 728 — Fire-Resistive Cable Systems
- Article 760 — Fire Alarm Systems (power-limited and non-power-limited portions)
CMP 3 also handles associated content in: Chapter 9 — Tables, including Tables 11(A) & (B) and Tables 12(A) & (B) (related to conductor properties and other supporting tables for the above topics).
- Notes on Changes and Scope
CMP 3 focuses on general wiring rules, cable types, raceways/trays for low-energy applications, and signaling/communications-related wiring (distinct from higher-power utilization equipment or special occupancies handled by other panels). - In the 2026 NEC cycle, there has been significant reorganization of Chapter 7 to consolidate limited-energy systems under articles like 720–726 (and related ones), moving away from older structures. This includes new articles for raceways/cable trays specific to limited-energy systems and adjustments to scopes for clarity.
- Article 206 (Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits) appears in some 2026-related references as newly designated or relocated material handled in this area.
Temporary installations (Article 590) are transitioning out of “special” categories in restructuring efforts.
During today’s sessions of the IEEE E&H Committee and our own we will prepare draft proposals relevant to the safety and sustainability agenda of the USA education facility industry. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
Brown University Electrical Design Criteria | Information Technology Resources Policy
Posted December 20, 2025
The University of Michigan has supported the voice of the United States education facility industry since 1993 — the second longest tenure of any voice in the United States. That voice has survived several organizational changes but remains intact and will continue its Safer-Simpler-Lower Cost-Longer Lasting priorities on Code Panel 3 in the 2029 Edition.
Today, during our customary “Open Door” teleconference we will examine the technical concepts under the purview of Code Panel 3; among them:
Article 206 Signaling Circuits
Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials
Article 335 Instrumentation Tray Cable
Article 590 Temporary Installations
Chapter 7 Large sections of limited energy cabling for signaling and information technology
Chapter 9 Conductor Properties Tables 11A & B, Tables 12A&B
Public Input on the 2029 Edition will be received until April 9, 2026.
- Since the lifespan of educational buildings make the building core and shell susceptible to multiple changes not typically associated with commercial buildings, additional pathways should be placed in areas where the core and shell components of the facility are likely to re-main for extended periods of time
- It is recommended that all areas of an educational building have wireless coverage unless prohibited
