Electrical Code Academy, Inc. is proud to announce a new agreement with EC&M Magazine that will expand NEC education, electrical inspection discussion, and real-world code interpretation into a dynamic new series of articles, videos, and podcast conversations.

Beginning in July 2026, Paul Abernathy, founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., will begin authoring an inspector-and-electrician-based article every other month for EC&M Magazine. These articles will be written for the people who work with the National Electrical Code every day: electricians, electrical inspectors, engineers, designers, contractors, AHJs, instructors, and electrical professionals who understand that the NEC is not just a reference book. It is a daily working document that affects installations, inspections, approvals, safety, schedules, and the success of every electrical project.

This partnership creates an exciting opportunity to bring practical, field-driven code discussion to a national audience. The focus will not be limited to simply repeating code language. Instead, the series will explore how the NEC is interpreted, how it is applied, where misunderstandings can occur, and how electrical professionals can work together more effectively when code questions arise in the real world.

Why the Inspector and Electrician Relationship Matters

One of the most important relationships in the electrical industry is the relationship between the electrician and the electrical inspector. Both have important roles. Both are necessary. Both are working toward the same ultimate goal: a safe, compliant, and successful electrical installation.

However, anyone who has spent time in the trade knows that code interpretation can sometimes create tension. An electrician may see an installation one way. An inspector may interpret the NEC another way. An engineer may have design intent that adds another layer to the discussion. When those perspectives collide, the result can either be a productive conversation or an unnecessary conflict.

This new article series will address those moments head-on. It will explore how electricians, inspectors, and engineers can better understand each other’s roles, how to approach disagreements respectfully, and how to keep the focus where it belongs: safety, compliance, quality workmanship, and successful project completion.

What the Industry Can Expect

As part of this agreement, Electrical Code Academy, Inc. and EC&M Magazine will be working together on a consistent flow of educational content designed to serve the electrical industry throughout the year.

The monthly Ask Paul-style video series will provide a direct and practical way to discuss topics that matter to the industry. These videos will focus on questions, concerns, interpretations, and technical issues that electrical professionals face every day. The intent is to deliver information in a way that is useful to the installer, the inspector, the engineer, the contractor, and anyone involved in the electrical safety process.

In addition, the monthly podcast Q&A sessions with EC&M staff will create a conversational platform for discussing the 2026 NEC, electrical inspection issues, electrician concerns, engineering considerations, and the professional interaction required to bring all sides of the industry together.

Key Topics That Will Be Explored

• Important changes and developments in the 2026 National Electrical Code
• Common misunderstandings between electricians and electrical inspectors
• How inspectors and electricians can handle code disagreements professionally
• The role of engineers in NEC interpretation and field application
• How AHJs evaluate installations and enforce adopted codes
• Why documentation, communication, and respect matter during inspections
• Real-world examples of NEC interpretation challenges
• How the electrical industry can improve the inspection process without lowering safety standards

Experience from Both Sides of the Inspection Counter

Paul Abernathy brings a unique perspective to this series because his experience is not limited to one side of the electrical industry. His background includes decades as a working master electrician, electrical inspector, electrical supervisor, and code professional involved in electrical inspections and plan review. That field experience provides a practical foundation for discussing not only what the NEC says, but how it is applied in the real world.

This is especially important because code interpretation does not happen in a vacuum. It happens on jobsites, in plan review offices, during inspections, inside contractor meetings, and sometimes under the pressure of deadlines. Understanding how to navigate those moments is just as important as knowing where to find the code section.

Electricians need inspectors who are fair, consistent, and willing to explain their position. Inspectors need electricians who take pride in their work, understand the adopted code, and are willing to address legitimate concerns. Engineers need both sides to understand the design intent while still respecting the minimum safety requirements of the NEC. When each professional recognizes the role of the others, the entire industry benefits.

Raising the Level of NEC Conversation

Electrical Code Academy, Inc. has always believed that NEC education should be practical, accurate, and grounded in real-world application. This new partnership with EC&M Magazine strengthens that mission by creating another path to reach electricians, inspectors, engineers, and electrical professionals who want more than surface-level code commentary.

The 2026 NEC will bring new opportunities for discussion, and the industry will need clear voices that can explain not only what changed, but why it matters. This partnership is designed to help meet that need through articles, videos, and podcast conversations that are useful, direct, and connected to the actual work being performed in the field.

For Electrical Code Academy, Inc., this is an exciting step forward. For the industry, it is another opportunity to continue building stronger bridges between those who install, those who design, and those who inspect electrical systems.