Apps for Engineers: Mobile apps for codes and standards

Codes and standards mobile applications have potential to help engineers do their jobs better. CFE Media's Apps for Engineers is an interactive directory of engineering-related applications for Apple iOS and Android operating systems from various companies. Apps are organized by category, company, and type. These are listed in the app as of January 2016.

By CFE Media January 24, 2016

CFE Media’s Apps for Engineers is an interactive directory of engineering-related applications for Apple iOS and Android operating systems from various companies. Apps are organized by category, company, and type. These mobile codes and standards apps include an app with the NFPA catalog, an app that has information on National Electrical Code changes, and an app with information on Ohm’s law. Click on the Apps for Engineers logo on the right to link to where you can download the CFE Media Apps for Engineers mobile application from Google Play and the iOS App Store. 

Captain Code

iOS 6.0 +, Android 4.0+

Cost: Free

Company: Leviton

The app allows for quick identification of codes and review of changes, as it draws from three perspectives to provide clear and comprehensive code data:

  • Actual NEC text extracted directly from the NFPA 70 document
  • Clear analysis from the code experts at the National Training Alliance (formally the NJATC). Their analysis simplifies complicated passages and enables better understanding
  • Manufacturer input (Leviton) to further explain code intent and identify specific solutions for compliance.

NFPA Catalog

iOS 4.2+

Cost: Free

Company: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is the authority on fire, electrical, and building safety. The NFPA Catalog is the source to buy NFPA codes and standards, including the NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 101, NFPA 70E, NFPA 13, NFPA 25, among many others.

Ohm’s Ω Law

iOS 4.0+

Cost: $0.99

Company: MEA Mobile

See how Ohm’s law works by using the UP/DN adjustors to change the variables by just a little bit. View instantaneous E, I, R, and power calculations. The app warns for division by zero and sets value to near zero. Features include:

  • Updates as you edit
  • Number pad digit entry
  • Division by zero warning
  • Solve for E, I, or R.

NEC Changes

iOS 2.0+, Android 1.5+

Cost: Free

Company: Boopsie Inc.

View the 2011 National Electrical Code changes here! Search specific NEC changes by article, connect to the Codes and Standards RSS feed, contact NFPA, and others. More 500 NEC changes are available.

– Edited by Eric R. Eissler, editor-in-chief, Oil & Gas Engineering, eeissler@cfemedia.com.

ONLINE extra

– See additional Apps for Engineers linked below.


Author Bio: Since its founding in 2010, CFE Media and Technology has provided engineers in manufacturing, commercial and industrial buildings, and manufacturing control systems with the knowledge they need to improve their operational efficiency. CFE delivers the right information at the right time around the world through a variety of platforms.