National Electrical Safety Code

The NESC® is the backbone of electrical safety in utility and communication systems, and understanding it is critical for minimizing risk and ensuring regulatory compliance. Over four days of interactive instruction and hands-on exercises, participants will explore the code’s structure, legal implications, and technical requirements. With a focus on the 2023 updates, this course prepares engineers to apply the NESC® across overhead, underground, and supply station systems. We will also address the changes to the code in the newly released NESC® IEEE C2-2023.

View course details

Who Should Attend?

Electrical engineers and utility professionals responsible for system design, safety, or compliance.
Line workers, technicians, and electricians working with overhead and underground infrastructure.
Safety officers, inspectors, and operations managers overseeing electrical system performance and regulatory adherence.

What You Will Learn

Interpret and apply key provisions of the NESC®, including clearance, grounding, and mechanical loading requirements.
Integrate NESC® standards into the design, construction, and maintenance of overhead and underground systems.
Navigate legal responsibilities and compliance strategies to reduce liability and improve safety outcomes.

Course Details: RA00008-E433

Introduction

Origin and Purpose of National Electric Safety Code (NESC®)
(Sections 1, 2, and 3)

Organization and content
Committee structure and revisions
Application principles and interpretations
Definition of terms and standard references

Understanding Legal Aspects of the NESC®

Standard of care
Theories of liability and negligence
Legal defenses
Preparing for litigation

Conductor Mechanical Loading Conditions

NESC® loading districts
Transverse, vertical, and longitudinal loads
Tension limits and safety factors
Sag and tension characteristics
Ruling span and stringing sag charts

Safety Rules for Overhead Lines (Part 2)

General requirements
Uniform system of clearances
Clearance components and tables
Vertical clearances above ground
Clearances to buildings and structures
Attachments to buildings
Clearances to support structures and clearances between conductors
Climbing and working space
Illustrative clearance examples and problems

Safety Rules for Overhead Lines: Structures and Equipment

Grades of construction
Overhead capacity factors
Strength factors
Overload line equipment
Illustrative structural strength examples and problems

Requirements for Underground Systems (Part 3)

General requirements
Conduit and cable systems
Pad-mounted equipment

Complying with the NESC®

Design and construction standards
Routine inspections
Hazard recognition, correction, and documentation
Public education
Litigation case studies

Grounding in Compliance with the NESC® (Section 9)

Definitions
Grounding requirements, equipment, and methods

Electric Supply Stations and the NESC® (Part 1)

Access, security, and clearances
Equipment installation and maintenance

Rules for the Operation of Electric Lines (Part 4)

Responsibility for safety
General safety practices
Approach distances to energized lines and equipment
Personal and line protective equipment
Tools
Switching and tagging

Course Wrap-up and Evaluation

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

608-262-1122

866-301-1753

Lodging

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $149

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

877-773-5866

608-441-7117

More Madison Lodging Options

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions or if you need to make a change.

In-Person Students: Course materials will be available on the first day of class.

Online Students: Course materials are shipped to you. Please look for an email two weeks before the course start date regarding the address to which you would like your course materials shipped. The email will include a link to an online form. Online attendance registration ends October 19, 2027.

TEXTBOOK (All): The newest version of the NESC book will be released in August 2027 and is required for this course. Check the IEEE website for availability and to purchase the 2027 version:

https://store.accuristech.com/ieee

Please watch the email you provide during registration for course updates and information. If you do not see emails from the "wisc.edu" address, please check your spam folder.

Instructors
R. John Miner
PRESIDENT
R. John Miner, PE, is president of Collaborative Learning, Inc. of Austin and San Antonio, Texas and has more than 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry. A course instructor for the University of Wisconsin for more than 20 years, Miner has conducted educational programs throughout the country and at several overseas locations. He earned a BS degree in electrical engineering with honors and an MS degree in engineering science from the University of Toledo.
M. Thomas Black
Management Consultant
Tom is an independent consultant and course instructor in the electric and gas utility industry. His experience includes both municipal (Colorado Springs and City of Fountain, CO) and Investor owned (Progress Energy) utilities across multiple jurisdictions in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. His range of experience in the utility industry covers 36 years and includes planning and engineering, standards, Construction and Maintenance Manager, Energy Delivery General Manager and Chief Energy Officer responsible for all aspects of energy acquisition including renewables, peaking and base load supply, electric transmission and distribution and gas distribution. Tom has served on the boards of RMEL and the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities CAMU and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He received his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis with honors and is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and Arizona.
Program Director
Shalini Bhat

Total Credits:

CEU 1.7,

PDH 17,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

"John [Miner] is an expert on the NESC® and it was refreshing and informative to attend the class."
—Alan R. Kasanow, Senior Engineer, Indianapolis Power and Light, Indianapolis, Indiana

National Electrical Safety Code

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA00008-E433

Course Location

Pyle Center

Lodging

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

Fluno Center

Instructors

R. John Miner

M. Thomas Black

Program Director

Course Administration

Online Attendance Option Closes October 19, 2027

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Stay Connected

National Electrical Safety Code

2027 and later

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA00008-E433

Expanded accordion Course Outline

Expanded accordion Course Schedule

Expanded accordion Location and Lodging

Expanded accordion Course Notes

Expanded accordion Instructors and Program Director

Expanded accordion Additional Information

Course Administration

Expanded accordion Fee Information

Expanded accordion Payment Options

Expanded accordion Cancellation Policy

Stay Connected

Related Courses

Introduction to Power System and Substation Grounding

National Electrical Code

Fundamentals of Power Delivery for the Non-Electrical Professional

Fundamentals of Substation Equipment and Control Systems

Principles of Substation Design and Construction

Past Courses

National Electrical Safety Code

National Electrical Safety Code