230.85 Emergency disconnect
What changed in 230.85
One- and two-family dwellings now need an emergency disconnect outside the house.
Point by point
- New in 2020: every one- and two-family dwelling needs an emergency disconnect for the service conductors, installed outdoors in a readily accessible spot.
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- 4 more points on exactly what changed
- The 2017 rule next to the 2020 rule, side by side
- Why it changed
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This section across NEC® editions
2020 NEC®NewYou're here
One- and two-family dwellings now need an emergency disconnect outside the house.
2023 NEC®Revised
The outdoor emergency disconnect rule got more detail: on the house or within sight of it, required when service equipment is replaced, a directory for other power sources, and red-and-white labels with 1/2 in letters.
Open the 2023 page →2026 NEC®Revised
Found at 230.70 in the 2026 NEC®.
At one- and two-family homes, the service disconnect itself now has to be outside, replacing the separate emergency disconnect rule that was in 230.85.
Open the 2026 page →More 2020 changes in Article 230
This is a plain-English summary, not the NEC®'s exact wording. Always check the full section in the NEC® edition your area has adopted, plus any local amendments.
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