NEC

NEC typically refers to NEC Corporation, a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics company headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, it has grown into a global provider of IT and networking solutions, electronic devices, and systems integration services. NEC operates in areas such as public safety, government and enterprise IT, cloud services, artificial intelligence, and 5G network infrastructure, with a presence in many regions around the world.

NEC also stands for the National Electrical Code, the standard for electrical safety in the United States. Published by the National Fire Protection Association, the NEC sets minimum requirements for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection. It is updated on a three-year cycle and is adopted and enforced by federal, state, and local authorities. Compliance is typically required for electrical work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Other uses include historical references such as NEC Electronics, a former NEC subsidiary that became part of Renesas Electronics after a 2010 merger. The acronym may also be used by various organizations and companies worldwide, which can cause confusion without context.