Where the NEC uses the word approved related to installations of conductors and equipment, it is defined as acceptable to the ?

• A. Authority having jurisdiction
• B. National Electrical Code
• C. Engineer of record
• D. Building official

Answer: (A)

In the NEC, the term approved is a defined one: something is approved if it is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. That means the final acceptability of an installation rests with the local official or body responsible for enforcing the code in that area. The authority having jurisdiction can be a building official, electrical inspector, or another designated authority, depending on the locality. The important point is that approval isn’t just about listing or code language in general; it must be approved by the local AHJ. The other options don’t capture that defined relationship: the National Electrical Code itself is the standard, not the approving party; the engineer of record designs to code but doesn’t grant field approval; and while a building official can be the AHJ, the NEC refers to the broader concept of the authority having jurisdiction rather than a single role.