The latest NCEES Electrical and Computer: Power PE Exam Specifications lists six codes that can be tested, accounting for approximately 15% of the exam. Of these six codes, five are National Fire Protection Association (NFPA^®) Standards: NFPA 30B (2015), NFPA 70 (2017), NFPA 70E (2018), NFPA 497 (2017), NFPA 499 (2017).

The following topics are covered in this article:

• NFPA^® Free Online Code Access Instructions
• What's Included in the Free NFPA^® Code Access?
• Should I Purchase the NEC^® (NFPA 70) Handbook?
• What NEC^® (NFPA 70) Topics are Important?
• What about the NESC^® (ANSI Standard C2)?

NFPA^® Free Online Code Access

With the recent conversion of the Power PE exam to computer based testing (CBT), you are no longer responsible for purchasing your own hardcopies of these codes to bring into exam day. Instead, all codes will be provided on the CBT as searchable PDF's.

To review the codes prior to the exam, you may access the NFPA^® Codes and Standards online for free with the following steps.

Step 1:
Find and click on the NFPA^® code among the List of NFPA Codes and Standards.

Step 2:
Under the "View This Document" section, click on the "Free Access" button.

Step 3:
Select the year that matches the latest NCEES Exam Specifications and click "view."

Step 4:
You will be prompted to create a login. After doing so, you will be able to review the code for free online.

NFPA^® Free Online Access Instructions

What's Included in the Free NFPA^® Code Access?

The free online NFPA codes are provided as PDF's with a simple viewing interface and an interactive Table of Contents. The code is not searchable, but this is sufficient to study from for the smaller codes that have less focus on the test: NFPA 30B, NFPA 70E, NFPA 497, and NFPA 499. Your main objective in studying these codes is understanding its intent and the key topics addressing electrical safety in the workplace and hazardous areas. During the exam you will be able to use the search function to find a specific requirement. However, the larger NFPA 70 (aka the NEC^®) code that you should have much more familiarity with for the exam, will be harder to study from using the free interface.

Codebook vs Handbook: It is also important to note that the free online codes are the Codebook versions of the standard. Some of the more heavily used codes, like the NEC^®, are provided as Codebooks and Handbooks. The Codebook version is the simplest with only the code text and some explanations and examples in the back of the book (annex), while the Handbook version has explanatory sections, figures, and sample problems throughout the text that make it easier to interpret and understand. As a comparison, the Handbook is over 1300 pages and the Codebook is just under 900 pages. Which version to aquire will depend on your budget and ability to absorb the code. If cost is not an issue or if you think you'll need supplemental help, go for the Handbook, otherwise the Codebook will do. If you are unsure, start with the free version then go from there. Note that the explanatory Handbook items in blue will not be available during the exam. Pros and cons are listed in the next section.

Should I Purchase the NEC^® (NFPA 70) PDF?

The simple answer is we recommend you purchase the PDF Version of the NEC^®, either Handbook or Codebook. When purchasing, be sure to click on the 2017 PDF version. (See the previous section for discussion on the Codebook vs Handbook.) Our reasoning and alternatives for reviewing the PDF are below.

Here's Why:
As previously mentioned, the free online versions of NFPA 30B, 70E, 497, and 499 will provide you with sufficient review for the exam. The NFPA 70 (the NEC^®) is a different story. This codebook version alone is well over 800 pages and is the most heavily used code in Electrical Engineering design for residential and commercial buildings. You will be expected to be able to lookup specific requirements and perform calculations based a given scenario.

If you are well prepared, you should easily get all or most of the code questions. To do this, we recommend reading key sections and really knowing how to navigate important chapters and tables of the code. The search function during the exam will be an important tool, but practicing and review is important for gaining speed, which is essential for the exam. The Handbook makes reading and understanding the code easier and provides some sample problems. The PDF version of the Handbook will better simulate the exam than a hardcopy.

Alternatives:
Unfortunately the PDF Handbook is the most expensive option. If you are on a budget, the next best alternative is the PDF Codebook version, supplemented with explanations, if needed, from online resources, such as EC&M^®.
Below are pros and cons of the various options.

NEC® Handbook, PDF (Recommended):
Pro: Explanations, figures, sample problems. Easy to read. PDF is searchable, like the exam.
Con: Most expensive option. Excess info that will not be on the exam.

NEC® Codebook, PDF:
Pro: Best simulates the exam. PDF is searchable. More economical. Some explanation and example calculations in the back.
Con: Harder to read. Lacks explanations, figures, or sample problems throughought the text.

NEC® Handbook, Used Hardcopy:
Pro: Explanations, figures, sample problems. Easy to read. More economical.
Con: Least like the actual exam. Not searchable. Excess info that will not be on the exam.

NEC® Codebook, Free Online Access:
Pro: Free. Same version that will be on the exam. Can be used to supplement any of the above.
Con: Not searchable. Difficult to learn from.

What NEC^® (NFPA 70) Topics are Important?

The topics you should focus on are those that are regularly encountered by a practicing engineer and that can be tested in six minutes. We recommend that you at least read through the following NEC^® Articles. The more obscure questions should be searchable. See the EPG Power PE Textbook for additional information and examples on how to apply these articles and the EPG Power PE References Exam for more practice.

1. Article 220: Branch, Feeder, and Service Calculations
2. Article 240: Overcurrent Protection
3. Article 250: Grounding
4. Article 310: Conductors
5. Article 430: Motors, Motor Circuits and Controllers
6. Article 450: Transformers and Transformer Vaults
7. Article 460: Capacitors
8. Article 500: Hazardous Locations
9. Chapter 9, Table 8: Conductor Properties
10. Chapter 9, Table 9: Resistance and Reactance in 3 phase Conductors

What about the NESC^® (ANSI Standard C2)?

The exam specification includes the 2017 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC^®) or ANSI Standard C2. The NESC^® is written by IEEE^® and is thus not provided free through the NFPA^® site. An electronic version can be purchased through the IEEE^® website. However, there won't be nearly as many questions on this code. If you don't already have this codebook for work, the cheapest version, either hardcopy or electronic, is sufficient. You don't really need to read the book, but like the smaller NFPA codes, you'll want to at least know the code intent and generally what is inside. Practice problems for this code are included in the EPG Power PE References Exam.