2012 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) IEEE C2-2012 covers basic provisions for safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from the installation, operation or maintenance of (1) conductors and equipment in electric supply stations, and (2) overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines. It also includes work rules for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electric supply and communication lines and equipment. The standard is applicable to the systems and equipment operated by utilities, or similar systems and equipment, of an industrial establishment or complex under the control of qualified persons.

The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is revised every 5 years and published exclusively by IEEE. It sets the ground rules for practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation, or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and associated equipment. The 2012 edition includes updates on the following:

• Scope, application and definition rules revised to clarify application of NESC or National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA 70) in certain situations
• Grounding rules added specificity to the methods to be used to achieve effective grounding connections
• Electrical supply stations rules added options for protecting energized parts
• Overhead general, clearances, and strength and loading rules revised, including adding a new clearance zone and loading requirements
• Underground rules revised inspection rules for direct-buried cables and conduits
• Work rules added options for determining appropriate apparel arc ratings
• Minimum approach distances (MADs) revised to meet the requirements of IEEE Std 516-2009
• Examples of calculating extreme wind loadings