NEC® Changes · 2026 NEC®

402.6 Fixture wire size

RevisedChanged in the 2026 NEC® (from the 2023 NEC®)· Updated October 24, 2026

What changed in 402.6

The minimum size rule now allows fixture wire made of copper-clad aluminum.

Point by point

  • Fixture wire can now be made of copper-clad aluminum.

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This section across NEC® editions

2020 NEC®No change

This section did not change from 2017 to 2020.

2023 NEC®No change

This section did not change from 2020 to 2023.

2026 NEC®RevisedYou're here

The minimum size rule now allows fixture wire made of copper-clad aluminum.

More 2026 changes in Article 402

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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