DRAFT
OF
PROPOSED NFPA 70®
2014 Edition
National Electrical Code®
Note: Copies of proposals are published in the NEC ROP for
the 2013 Annual Revision Cycle.
The following draft of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®,
2014, incorporates the committee actions on the public and
committee proposals that make up the A2013 NEC Report on
Proposals. The draft is presented only as an aid to the reviewer.
NFPA
1 BATTERYMARCH PARK, QUINCY, MA 02169-7471
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved
CONTENTS
Contents
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
90
Chapter 1 General
100
Definitions ......................................... 70– 27
I. General ......................................... 70– 27
II. Over 600 Volts, Nominal .................... 70– 35
110
Requirements for Electrical Installations ..... 70– 36
General .........................................
600 Volts, Nominal, or Less ................
Over 600 Volts, Nominal ....................
Tunnel Installations over 600 Volts,
Nominal .........................................
V. Manholes and Other Electrical
Enclosures Intended for Personnel
Entry, All Voltages ............................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
250
70– 36
70– 40
70– 42
70– 46
70– 47
210
Branch Circuits ................................... 70– 51
I. General Provisions ............................ 70– 51
II. Branch-Circuit Ratings ....................... 70– 57
III. Required Outlets .............................. 70– 59
215
Feeders ............................................. 70– 64
220
Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service
Calculations ........................................ 70– 66
225
280
285
70–
70–
Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders ......... 70–
I. General ......................................... 70–
73
75
76
76
Services ............................................ 70– 83
General .........................................
Overhead Service Conductors ..............
Underground Service Conductors ..........
Service-Entrance Conductors ...............
Service Equipment — General .............
Service Equipment — Disconnecting
Means ............................................
VII. Service Equipment — Overcurrent
Protection .......................................
VIII. Services Exceeding 1000 Volts,
Nominal .........................................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
240
Overcurrent Protection ...........................
I. General .........................................
II. Location ........................................
III. Enclosures ......................................
70–2
70–118
70–123
70–123
70–128
70–133
70–135
70–137
70–137
Surge Arresters, Over 1000 Volts .............. 70–141
70–
70–
70–
70–
70–
83
85
86
87
89
Chapter 3 Wiring Methods
300
General Requirements for Wiring
Methods and Materials ........................... 70–144
I. General Requirements ........................ 70–144
II. Requirements for over 1000 Volts,
Nominal ......................................... 70–154
310
Conductors for General Wiring ................ 70–157
I. General ......................................... 70–157
II. Installation ..................................... 70–157
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–177
312
70– 90
Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter Socket
Enclosures .......................................... 70–183
I. Scope and Installation ........................ 70–183
II. Construction Specifications ................. 70–185
70– 92
70– 93
70– 94
70– 94
70– 98
70–101
Surge-Protective Devices (SPDs), 1000
Volts or Less ....................................... 70–142
I. General ......................................... 70–142
II. Installation ..................................... 70–143
III. Connecting SPDs ............................. 70–143
II. Buildings or Other Structures Supplied
by a Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s) ........ 70– 79
III. Over 1000 Volts. [ROP 4–67] .............. 70– 81
230
70–107
70–110
I. General ......................................... 70–141
II. Installation ..................................... 70–141
III. Connecting Surge Arresters ................. 70–141
70– 66
70– 67
70– 69
D
R
General .........................................
Branch-Circuit Load Calculations ..........
Feeder and Service Load Calculations ....
Optional Feeder and Service Load
Calculations .....................................
V. Farm Load Calculations ....................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
I. General .........................................
II. System Grounding ...........................
III. Grounding Electrode System and
Grounding Electrode Conductor ............
IV. Enclosure, Raceway, and Service
Cable Connections .............................
V. Bonding ........................................
VI. Equipment Grounding and Equipment
Grounding Conductors ........................
VII. Methods of Equipment Grounding .........
VIII. Direct-Current Systems ......................
IX. Instruments, Meters, and Relays ...........
X. Grounding of Systems and Circuits of
over 1000 Volts ................................
70–106
Grounding and Bonding ......................... 70–107
AF
Use and Identification of Grounded
Conductors .......................................... 70– 49
70–102
70–102
70–103
70–103
70–104
T
Chapter 2 Wiring and Protection
200
Disconnecting and Guarding ................
Plug Fuses, Fuseholders, and Adapters ...
Cartridge Fuses and Fuseholders ...........
Circuit Breakers ...............................
Supervised Industrial Installations .........
Overcurrent Protection Over 1000
Volts, Nominal .................................
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Introduction ........................................ 70– 23
314
Outlet, Device, Pull, and Junction Boxes;
Conduit Bodies; Fittings; and Handhole
Enclosures .......................................... 70–187
I. Scope and General ............................ 70–187
II. Installation ..................................... 70–187
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–194
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
320
ARTICLE
IV. Pull and Junction Boxes, Conduit
Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures for
Use on Systems over 1000 Volts,
Nominal ......................................... 70–195
342
Armored Cable: Type AC ....................... 70–196
344
I. General ......................................... 70–212
II. Installation ..................................... 70–212
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–214
I. General ......................................... 70–196
II. Installation ..................................... 70–196
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–197
322
Flat Cable Assemblies: Type FC ............... 70–198
I. General ......................................... 70–198
II. Installation ..................................... 70–198
III. Construction ................................... 70–198
324
Flat Conductor Cable: Type FCC .............. 70–199
348
I. General ......................................... 70–201
II. Installation ..................................... 70–201
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–201
I. General ......................................... 70–216
II. Installation ..................................... 70–216
350
Medium Voltage Cable: Type MV ............. 70–202
I. General ......................................... 70–202
II. Installation ..................................... 70–202
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–203
330
D
R
332
336
355
Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit
Cable: Type UF .................................... 70–211
I. General ......................................... 70–211
II. Installation ..................................... 70–211
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–212
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
High Density Polyethylene Conduit: Type
HDPE Conduit ..................................... 70–222
I. General ......................................... 70–222
II. Installation ..................................... 70–222
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–223
Nonmetallic Underground Conduit with
Conductors: Type NUCC ........................ 70–223
I. General ......................................... 70–223
II. Installation ..................................... 70–223
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–224
Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit:
Type RTRC ......................................... 70–224
I. General ......................................... 70–224
II. Installation ..................................... 70–224
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–226
356
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit:
Type LFNC ......................................... 70–227
I. General ......................................... 70–227
II. Installation ..................................... 70–227
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–228
358
Electrical Metallic Tubing: Type EMT ........ 70–228
I. General ......................................... 70–228
II. Installation ..................................... 70–229
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–230
Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and
USE .................................................. 70–210
I. General ......................................... 70–210
II. Installation ..................................... 70–210
III. Construction ................................... 70–211
340
354
Power and Control Tray Cable: Type TC .... 70–209
I. General ......................................... 70–209
II. Installation ..................................... 70–209
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–210
338
353
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM,
NMC, and NMS ................................... 70–206
I. General ......................................... 70–206
II. Installation ..................................... 70–206
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–208
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type
PVC ................................................. 70–219
I. General ......................................... 70–219
II. Installation ..................................... 70–219
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–221
Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Cable:
Type MI ............................................. 70–205
I. General ......................................... 70–205
II. Installation ..................................... 70–205
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–206
334
352
Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC .................... 70–203
I. General ......................................... 70–203
II. Installation ..................................... 70–203
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–204
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit: Type
LFMC ............................................... 70–217
I. General ......................................... 70–217
II. Installation ..................................... 70–217
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–219
AF
328
Flexible Metal Conduit: Type FMC ........... 70–216
T
Integrated Gas Spacer Cable: Type IGS ...... 70–201
Rigid Metal Conduit: Type RMC .............. 70–214
I. General ......................................... 70–214
II. Installation ..................................... 70–214
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–216
I. General ......................................... 70–199
II. Installation ..................................... 70–199
III. Construction ................................... 70–200
326
Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type IMC ...... 70–212
360
Flexible Metallic Tubing: Type FMT ......... 70–230
I. General ......................................... 70–230
II. Installation ..................................... 70–230
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–231
362
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing: Type ENT ... 70–231
I. General ......................................... 70–231
II. Installation ..................................... 70–231
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–233
70–3
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
Auxiliary Gutters ................................. 70–233
393
I. General ......................................... 70–233
II. Installation ..................................... 70–234
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–235
368
370
General Requirements ........................
Installation .....................................
Construction ...................................
Requirements for Over 600 Volts,
Nominal .........................................
70–235
70–235
70–237
70–237
372
Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways ............ 70–239
374
Cellular Metal Floor Raceways ................ 70–240
I. Installation ..................................... 70–240
II. Construction Specifications ................. 70–241
396
I. General ......................................... 70–262
II. Installation ..................................... 70–262
398
399
400
I. General ......................................... 70–266
II. Construction Specifications ................. 70–276
III. Portable Cables Over 600 Volts,
Nominal ......................................... 70–277
402
Fixture Wires ...................................... 70–278
Multioutlet Assembly ............................ 70–244
404
Switches ............................................ 70–282
D
R
Nonmetallic Extensions .......................... 70–245
I. Installation ..................................... 70–282
II. Construction Specifications ................. 70–286
Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and
Attachment Plugs (Caps) ......................... 70–286
408
Switchboards, Switchgear, and
Panelboards ......................................... 70–290
409
Surface Nonmetallic Raceways ................ 70–249
390
Underfloor Raceways ............................ 70–250
392
Cable Trays ........................................ 70–251
I. General ......................................... 70–251
II. Installation ..................................... 70–251
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–258
General .........................................
Switchboards and Switchgear ...............
Panelboards ....................................
Construction Specifications .................
70–290
70–292
70–293
70–294
Industrial Control Panels ........................ 70–295
I.
II.
III.
IV.
I. General ......................................... 70–295
II. Installation ..................................... 70–295
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–296
Surface Metal Raceways ........................ 70–248
I. General ......................................... 70–249
II. Installation ..................................... 70–249
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–250
70–4
406
Strut-Type Channel Raceway ................... 70–247
I. General ......................................... 70–248
II. Installation ..................................... 70–248
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–249
388
Flexible Cords and Cables ...................... 70–266
I. General ......................................... 70–243
II. Installation ..................................... 70–243
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–244
I. General ......................................... 70–247
II. Installation ..................................... 70–247
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–248
386
Outdoor Overhead Conductors over 1000
Volts ................................................. 70–265
Chapter 4 Equipment for General Use
Nonmetallic Wireways ........................... 70–243
I. General ......................................... 70–245
II. Installation ..................................... 70–245
III. Construction Specifications
(Concealable Nonmetallic Extensions
Only) ............................................. 70–246
384
Open Wiring on Insulators ...................... 70–263
I. General ......................................... 70–263
II. Installation ..................................... 70–263
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–265
I. General ......................................... 70–244
II. Installation ..................................... 70–244
382
Messenger-Supported Wiring ................... 70–262
AF
380
Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring ............. 70–261
I. General ......................................... 70–261
II. Installation ..................................... 70–261
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–262
Metal Wireways ................................... 70–241
I. General ......................................... 70–241
II. Installation ..................................... 70–241
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–242
378
394
Cablebus ........................................... 70–238
I. General ......................................... 70–238
II. Installation ..................................... 70–238
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–239
376
I. General ......................................... 70–259
II. Installation ..................................... 70–259
III. Construction Specifications ................. 70–261
Busways ............................................ 70–235
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Low Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power
Distribution Systems .............................. 70–259
T
366
410
Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps ........ 70–297
I. General .........................................
II. Luminaire Locations .........................
III. Provisions at Luminaire Outlet Boxes,
Canopies, and Pans ............................
IV. Luminaire Supports ...........................
V. Grounding ......................................
VI. Wiring of Luminaires ........................
VII. Construction of Luminaires .................
VIII. Installation of Lampholders .................
IX. Lamps and Auxiliary Equipment ...........
X. Special Provisions for Flush and
Recessed Luminaires ..........................
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–297
70–297
70–299
70–299
70–300
70–300
70–302
70–302
70–303
70–303
2014 Edition
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
XI. Construction of Flush and Recessed
Luminaires ......................................
XII. Special Provisions for
Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of
1000 Volts or Less ............................
XIII. Special Provisions for
Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of
More Than 1000 Volts ........................
XIV. Lighting Track .................................
XV. Decorative Lighting and Similar
Accessories .....................................
70–304
70–305
70–306
70–307
411
Lighting Systems Operating at 30 Volts or
Less and Lighting Equipment Connected
to Class-2 Power Sources ........................ 70–307
422
Appliances ......................................... 70–308
I. General .........................................
II. Disconnecting Means ........................
III. Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and
Ground-Fault Protection ......................
IV. Branch-Circuit Conductors ..................
V. Controllers for Motor-Compressors ........
VI. Motor-Compressor and Branch-Circuit
Overload Protection ...........................
VII. Provisions for Room Air Conditioners ....
D
R
General .........................................
Installation .....................................
Resistance Heating Elements ...............
Impedance Heating ...........................
Skin-Effect Heating ...........................
Control and Protection .......................
70–322
70–323
70–323
70–324
70–325
70–325
Fixed Electric Heating Equipment for
Pipelines and Vessels ............................. 70–325
450
III. Motor and Branch-Circuit Overload
Protection .......................................
IV. Motor Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit
and Ground-Fault Protection .................
V. Motor Feeder Short-Circuit and
Ground-Fault Protection ......................
VI. Motor Control Circuits .......................
2014 Edition
455
460
470
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–362
70–362
70–363
70–363
70–364
Generators ......................................... 70–365
Transformers and Transformer Vaults
(Including Secondary Ties) ...................... 70–367
I. General Provisions ............................ 70–367
II. Specific Provisions Applicable to
Different Types of Transformers ............ 70–372
III. Transformer Vaults ........................... 70–373
Phase Converters ................................. 70–374
I. General ......................................... 70–374
II. Specific Provisions Applicable to
Different Types of Phase Converters ....... 70–376
Capacitors .......................................... 70–376
Resistors and Reactors ........................... 70–378
I. 1000 Volts, Nominal, and Under ........... 70–378
II. Over 1000 Volts, Nominal .................. 70–378
480
Storage Batteries .................................. 70–378
490
Equipment, Over 1000 Volts, Nominal ....... 70–381
I. General .........................................
II. Equipment — Specific Provisions .........
III. Equipment — Switchgear and
Industrial Control Assemblies ...............
IV. Mobile and Portable Equipment ............
V. Electrode-Type Boilers .......................
70–381
70–381
70–383
70–387
70–387
Chapter 5 Special Occupancies
500
Hazardous (Classified) Locations, Classes
I, II, and III, Divisions 1 and 2 ................. 70–389
501
Class I Locations ................................. 70–398
70–337
I. General ......................................... 70–398
II. Wiring .......................................... 70–398
III. Equipment ...................................... 70–404
70–341
70–344
70–344
70–357
70–360
I. 1000 Volts, Nominal, and Under ........... 70–376
II. Over 1000 Volts, Nominal .................. 70–377
General .........................................
Installation .....................................
Resistance Heating Elements ...............
Impedance Heating ...........................
Induction Heating .............................
Skin-Effect Heating ...........................
Control and Protection .......................
70–325
70–326
70–326
70–327
70–327
70–328
70–328
430 Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers ...... 70–328
I. General ......................................... 70–328
II. Motor Circuit Conductors ................... 70–334
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
70–354
70–354
70–355
T
445
70–320
Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and
Snow-Melting Equipment ........................ 70–322
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
427
70–314
70–316
70–316
70–318
70–319
70–320
70–346
70–348
70–348
70–352
70–353
Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating
Equipment .......................................... 70–357
AF
III. Control and Protection of Fixed
Electric Space-Heating Equipment .........
IV. Marking of Heating Equipment ............
V. Electric Space-Heating Cables ..............
VI. Duct Heaters ...................................
VII. Resistance-Type Boilers .....................
VIII. Electrode-Type Boilers .......................
IX. Electric Radiant Heating Panels and
Heating Panel Sets ............................
426
440
General .........................................
Installation .....................................
Disconnecting Means .........................
Construction ...................................
Marking ........................................
70–308
70–308
70–311
70–312
70–313
424 Fixed Electric Space-Heating Equipment ..... 70–313
I. General ......................................... 70–313
II. Installation ..................................... 70–314
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Motor Controllers .............................
Motor Control Centers .......................
Disconnecting Means ........................
Adjustable-Speed Drive Systems ...........
Over 1000 Volts, Nominal ..................
Protection of Live Parts — All
Voltages .........................................
XIII. Grounding — All Voltages ..................
XIV. Tables ...........................................
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
70–303
502
Class II Locations ................................ 70–409
I. General ......................................... 70–409
70–5
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
II. Wiring .......................................... 70–409
III. Equipment ...................................... 70–411
503
530
Class III Locations ............................... 70–414
Intrinsically Safe Systems ....................... 70–418
505
Zone 0, 1, and 2 Locations ..................... 70–421
506
Zone 20, 21, and 22 Locations for
Combustible Dusts or Ignitible
Fibers/Flyings ...................................... 70–437
510
Hazardous (Classified) Locations —
Specific .............................................. 70–445
540
General .........................................
Stage or Set ....................................
Dressing Rooms ...............................
Viewing, Cutting, and Patching Tables ....
Cellulose Nitrate Film Storage Vaults .....
Substations .....................................
70–501
70–502
70–504
70–504
70–504
70–504
Motion Picture Projection Rooms ............. 70–505
I. General ......................................... 70–505
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
I. General ......................................... 70–414
II. Wiring .......................................... 70–415
III. Equipment ...................................... 70–416
504
Motion Picture and Television Studios
and Similar Locations ............................ 70–501
II. Equipment and Projectors of the
Professional Type .............................. 70–505
III. Nonprofessional Projectors .................. 70–506
IV. Audio Signal Processing,
Amplification, and Reproduction
Equipment ...................................... 70–506
Commercial Garages, Repair and Storage .... 70–445
Aircraft Hangars .................................. 70–448
545
Manufactured Buildings ......................... 70–506
514
Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities .............. 70–451
547
Agricultural Buildings ........................... 70–507
515
Bulk Storage Plants .............................. 70–456
550
516
Spray Application, Dipping, and Coating
Processes ............................................ 70–461
Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and
Mobile Home Parks ............................... 70–510
Health Care Facilities ............................ 70–467
General .........................................
Wiring and Protection ........................
Essential Electrical System ..................
Inhalation Anesthetizing Locations ........
X-Ray Installations ...........................
Communications, Signaling Systems,
Data Systems, Fire Alarm Systems,
and Systems Less Than 120 Volts,
Nominal .........................................
VII. Isolated Power Systems ......................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
70–484
70–485
Assembly Occupancies .......................... 70–486
70–490
70–492
70–495
70–496
70–496
Control Systems for Permanent
Amusement Attractions ........................... 70–497
70–6
552
General Requirements ........................
Power Sources .................................
Wiring Methods ...............................
Grounding and Bonding .....................
70–499
70–499
70–499
70–500
General .........................................
Combination Electrical Systems ............
Other Power Sources .........................
Nominal 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt
Systems ..........................................
V. Factory Tests ...................................
VI. Recreational Vehicle Parks ..................
70–519
70–521
70–521
General .........................................
Low-Voltage Systems ........................
Combination Electrical Systems ............
Nominal 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt
Systems ..........................................
V. Factory Tests ...................................
70–532
70–532
70–534
70–522
70–530
70–530
Park Trailers ....................................... 70–532
I.
II.
III.
IV.
553
70–534
70–541
Floating Buildings ................................ 70–542
I. General ......................................... 70–542
II. Services and Feeders ......................... 70–542
III. Grounding ...................................... 70–542
555
Marinas and Boatyards .......................... 70–543
590
Temporary Installations .......................... 70–546
Chapter 6 Special Equipment
600
Electric Signs and Outline Lighting ........... 70–549
I. General ......................................... 70–549
II. Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing,
Outline Lighting, and Secondary
Wiring ........................................... 70–553
Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar
Events ............................................... 70–499
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Recreational Vehicles and Recreational
Vehicle Parks ....................................... 70–519
I.
II.
III.
IV.
70–488
70–489
I. General ......................................... 70–497
II. Control Circuits ............................... 70–497
III. Control Circuit Wiring Methods ........... 70–497
525
551
Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion
Picture and Television Studios,
Performance Areas, and Similar Locations ... 70–488
I. General .........................................
II. Fixed Stage Switchboards ...................
III. Fixed Stage Equipment Other Than
Switchboards ...................................
IV. Portable Switchboards on Stage ............
V. Portable Stage Equipment Other Than
Switchboards ...................................
VI. Dressing Rooms ...............................
VII. Grounding ......................................
522
70–467
70–469
70–473
70–480
70–483
D
R
518
520
I. General ......................................... 70–510
II. Mobile and Manufactured Homes .......... 70–511
III. Services and Feeders ......................... 70–518
AF
517
T
511
513
604
Manufactured Wiring Systems ................. 70–555
605
Office Furnishings ................................ 70–556
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
610
Cranes and Hoists ................................ 70–557
I. General .........................................
II. Wiring ..........................................
III. Contact Conductors ...........................
IV. Disconnecting Means ........................
V. Overcurrent Protection .......................
VI. Control ..........................................
VII. Grounding ......................................
620 Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators,
Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and
Stairway Chairlifts ................................
General .........................................
Conductors .....................................
Wiring ..........................................
Installation of Conductors ...................
Traveling Cables ..............................
Disconnecting Means and Control .........
Overcurrent Protection .......................
Machine Rooms, Control Rooms,
Machinery Spaces, and Control Spaces ....
IX. Grounding ......................................
X. Emergency and Standby Power
Systems ..........................................
625 Electric Vehicle Charging System .............
70–563
70–563
70–565
70–567
70–569
70–570
70–570
70–572
70–573
70–573
70–573
70–574
I.
II.
III.
IV.
665
70–574
70–575
70–576
70–579
I. General .........................................
II. Electrified Truck Parking Space
Electrical Wiring Systems ....................
III. Electrified Truck Parking Space Supply
Equipment ......................................
IV. Transport Refrigerated Units (TRUs) ......
630 Electric Welders ...................................
70–579
D
R
I. General .........................................
II. Equipment Construction .....................
III. Installation .....................................
626 Electrified Truck Parking Spaces ..............
I. General .........................................
II. Arc Welders ....................................
III. Resistance Welders ...........................
IV. Welding Cable .................................
640 Audio Signal Processing, Amplification,
and Reproduction Equipment .................... 70–586
I. General .........................................
II. Permanent Audio System Installations ....
III. Portable and Temporary Audio System
Installations .....................................
645 Information Technology Equipment ...........
Electrolytic Cells ................................. 70–604
668
669
Electroplating ...................................... 70–607
670
Industrial Machinery ............................. 70–608
675
Electrically Driven or Controlled
Irrigation Machines ............................... 70–609
I. General ......................................... 70–609
II. Center Pivot Irrigation Machines ........... 70–611
680
Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar
Installations ......................................... 70–611
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
I. General .........................................
II. Power Circuits .................................
III. Signaling Circuits. ............................
646 Modular Data Centers ...........................
I. General .........................................
II. Equipment ......................................
III. Lighting. ........................................
IV. Work Space ....................................
647 Sensitive Electronic Equipment ................
650 Pipe Organs ........................................
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
682
685
General .........................................
Permanently Installed Pools .................
Storable Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs .......
Spas and Hot Tubs ...........................
Fountains .......................................
Pools and Tubs for Therapeutic Use ......
Hydromassage Bathtubs .....................
70–611
70–614
70–621
70–622
70–624
70–626
70–627
Natural and Artificially Made Bodies of
Water ................................................ 70–627
I. General ......................................... 70–627
II. Installation ..................................... 70–628
III. Grounding and Bonding ..................... 70–628
Integrated Electrical Systems ................... 70–629
I. General ......................................... 70–629
II. Orderly Shutdown ............................ 70–629
690
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems .............. 70–630
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
X.
70–586
70–589
70–590
70–591
70–591
70–593
70–594
70–595
70–595
70–598
70–598
70–598
70–599
70–600
70–601
70–602
70–602
70–602
I. General ......................................... 70–603
II. Guarding, Grounding, and Labeling ....... 70–604
70–580
70–581
70–583
70–584
70–584
70–584
70–585
70–586
General .........................................
Control ..........................................
Transformers and Capacitors ................
Guarding and Grounding ....................
Induction and Dielectric Heating
Equipment .......................................... 70–603
AF
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
70–557
70–558
70–560
70–561
70–562
70–562
70–563
X-Ray Equipment ................................ 70–601
660
T
ARTICLE
692
Fuel Cell Systems ................................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
694
General .........................................
Circuit Requirements .........................
Disconnecting Means ........................
Wiring Methods ...............................
Grounding ......................................
Marking ........................................
Connection to Other Sources ...............
Systems over 1000 Volts ....................
Electric Vehicle Charging. ...................
General .........................................
Circuit Requirements .........................
Disconnecting Means ........................
Wiring Methods ...............................
Grounding ......................................
Marking ........................................
Connection to Other Circuits ...............
Outputs Over 1000 Volts ....................
Wind Electric Systems ...........................
I. General .........................................
II. Circuit Requirements .........................
70–630
70–633
70–635
70–637
70–640
70–642
70–643
70–643
70–643
70–643
70–643
70–644
70–645
70–645
70–645
70–645
70–645
70–646
70–646
70–646
70–647
70–7
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
695
Disconnecting Means ........................
Wiring Methods ...............................
Grounding ......................................
Marking ........................................
Connection to Other Sources ...............
Systems over 1000 Volts ....................
70–648
70–649
70–650
70–650
70–651
70–651
II. Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm
(NPLFA) Circuits .............................. 70–696
III. Power-Limited Fire Alarm (PLFA)
Circuits .......................................... 70–698
IV. Listing Requirements ......................... 70–702
770
Fire Pumps ......................................... 70–651
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Chapter 7 Special Conditions
Emergency Systems .............................. 70–658
General .........................................
Circuit Wiring .................................
Sources of Power .............................
Emergency System Circuits for
Lighting and Power ...........................
V. Control — Emergency Lighting
Circuits ..........................................
VI. Overcurrent Protection .......................
I.
II.
III.
IV.
800
General .........................................
Circuit Wiring .................................
Sources of Power .............................
Overcurrent Protection .......................
70–664
70–665
70–665
70–667
810
Optional Standby Systems ...................... 70–667
Interconnected Electric Power Production
Sources .............................................. 70–669
708
D
R
I. General ......................................... 70–669
II. Utility-Interactive Inverters ................. 70–673
III. Generators ...................................... 70–674
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
General .........................................
Circuit Wiring and Equipment ..............
Power Sources and Connection ............
Overcurrent Protection .......................
System Performance and Analysis .........
Circuits and Equipment Operating at Less
Than 50 Volts ...................................... 70–679
725
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
Remote-Control, Signaling, and
Power-Limited Circuits ........................... 70–680
I.
II.
III.
IV.
General .........................................
Class 1 Circuits ...............................
Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits ................
Listing Requirements .........................
70–680
70–681
70–683
70–689
727
Instrumentation Tray Cable: Type ITC ........ 70–691
728
Fire Resistive Cable Systems ................... 70–692
750
Energy Management Systems
760
Fire Alarm Systems .............................. 70–694
................. 70–693
I. General ......................................... 70–694
830
70–733
70–734
70–736
70–737
70–737
70–739
70–740
70–740
70–742
70–745
Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Systems ........................ 70–747
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
840
70–718
70–719
70–721
70–722
70–728
Community Antenna Television and Radio
Distribution Systems .............................. 70–737
I. General .........................................
II. Coaxial Cables Outside and Entering
Buildings ........................................
III. Protection ......................................
IV. Grounding Methods ..........................
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings ....
VI. Listing Requirements .........................
70–674
70–676
70–677
70–679
70–679
720
70–8
820
Critical Operations Power Systems
(COPS) .............................................. 70–674
70–716
Radio and Television Equipment ............... 70–733
I. General .........................................
II. Receiving Equipment — Antenna
Systems ..........................................
III. Amateur and Citizen Band
Transmitting and Receiving Stations
— Antenna Systems ...........................
IV. Interior Installation — Transmitting
Stations ..........................................
I. General ......................................... 70–667
II. Wiring .......................................... 70–669
705
Communications Circuits ........................ 70–716
I. General .........................................
II. Wires and Cables Outside and
Entering Buildings .............................
III. Protection ......................................
IV. Grounding Methods ..........................
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings ...
VI. Listing Requirements .........................
70–663
70–663
Legally Required Standby Systems ............ 70–664
I.
II.
III.
IV.
702
70–662
70–705
70–707
70–707
70–707
70–709
70–713
Chapter 8 Communications Systems
AF
701
70–658
70–659
70–660
General .........................................
Cables Outside and Entering Buildings ...
Protection ......................................
Grounding Methods ..........................
Installation Methods Within Buildings ....
Listing Requirements .........................
T
700
Optical Fiber Cables and Raceways ........... 70–705
General .........................................
Cables Outside and Entering Buildings ...
Protection ......................................
Grounding Methods ..........................
Installation Methods Within Buildings ....
Listing Requirements .........................
70–747
70–749
70–751
70–753
70–755
70–760
Premises-Powered Broadband
Communications Systems ........................ 70–761
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
General .........................................
Cables Outside and Entering Buildings ...
Protection ......................................
Grounding Methods ..........................
Installation Methods Within Buildings ....
Listing Requirements .........................
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–761
70–762
70–763
70–763
70–764
70–764
2014 Edition
CONTENTS
TABLES
TABLES
.......................................................
Informative
Annex A Product Safety Standards 70–782
Chapter 9 Tables
Percent of Cross Section of Conduit and
Tubing for Conductors and Cables ............. 70–765
Informative Annex BApplication Information for
2
Radius of Conduit and Tubing Bends ......... 70–766
4
Dimensions and Percent Area of Conduit
and Tubing
(Areas of Conduit or Tubing for the
Combinations of Wires Permitted in Table
1, Chapter 9) ....................................... 70–766
Informative Annex C Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables
for Conductors and Fixture Wires of the Same
Size .................................................. 70–799
5
Dimensions of Insulated Conductors and
Fixture Wires ....................................... 70–770
5A
Compact Copper and Aluminum Building
Wire Nominal Dimensions* and Areas ........ 70–775
8
Conductor Properties ............................. 70–775
9
Alternating-Current Resistance and
Reactance for 600-Volt Cables, 3-Phase,
60 Hz, 75°C (167°F) — Three Single
Conductors in Conduit ............................ 70–776
Ampacity Calculation ............................ 70–
Informative Annex D Examples ................ 70–
0
0
Informative Annex E Types of
Construction ........................................ 70–863
Informative Annex FAvailability and Reliability for
Critical Operations Power Systems; and Development
and Implementation of Functional Performance
Tests (FPTs) for Critical Operations Power
Systems ............................................. 70–865
Informative Annex GSupervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) ............................ 70–868
Informative Annex HAdministration and
T
1
Conductor Stranding ............................. 70–778
11(A)
Class 2 and Class 3 Alternating-Current
Power Source Limitations ........................ 70–779
11(B)
Class 2 and Class 3 Direct-Current Power
Source Limitations ................................ 70–779
Informative Annex JADA Standards for
12(A)
PLFA Alternating-Current Power Source
Limitations .......................................... 70–780
Index ................................................ 70–882
Enforcement ........................................ 70–870
Informative Annex IRecommended Tightening Torque
Tables from UL Standard 486A-B ............. 70–877
Accessible Design ................................. 70–879
PLFA Direct-Current Power Source
Limitations .......................................... 70–781
D
R
12(B)
AF
10
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–9
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
These lists represent the membership at the time the Committee was balloted on the final text of this
edition. Since that time, changes in the membership may have occurred. A key to classifications is found
at the back of this document.
Technical Correlating Committee on National Electrical Code®
Michael J. Johnston, Chair
National Electrical Contractors Association, MD [IM]
Mark W. Earley, Secretary (Nonvoting)
National Fire Protection Association, MA
Jean A. O’Connor, Recording Secretary (Nonvoting)
National Fire Protection Association, MA
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company, NV [IM]
(Alt. to Michael J. Johnston)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Ernest J. Gallo, Telcordia Technologies, Inc., NJ [UT]
(Alt. to James E. Brunssen)
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Robert A. McCullough, Tuckerton, NJ [E]
(Alt. to Richard P. Owen)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Michael E. McNeil, FMC Bio Polymer, ME [U]
(Alt. to Danny Liggett)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Mark C. Ode, UL LLC, AZ [RT]
(Alt. to John R. Kovacik)
Vincent J. Saporita, Cooper Bussmann, MO [M]
(Alt. to Daniel J. Kissane)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Alternates
Richard G. Biermann, Biermann Electric Company, Inc.,
IA [IM]
(Member Emeritus)
Timothy J. Pope, Canadian Standards Association, Canada
[SE]
Rep. CSA/Canadian Electrical Code Committee
D. Harold Ware, Libra Electric Company, OK [IM]
(Member Emeritus)
Mark W. Earley, NFPA Staff Liaison
AF
T
James E. Brunssen, Telcordia, NJ [UT]
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Merton W. Bunker, Jr., U.S. Department of State, VA [U]
William R. Drake, Actuant Electrical, CA [M]
William T. Fiske, Intertek Testing Services, NY [RT]
Palmer L. Hickman, National Joint Apprentice & Training
Committee, MD [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
David L. Hittinger, Independent Electrical Contractors of
Greater Cincinnati, OH [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Daniel J. Kissane, Legrand/Pass & Seymour, NY [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
John R. Kovacik, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Neil F. LaBrake, Jr., National Grid, NY [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Danny Liggett, The DuPont Company, Inc., TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Richard P. Owen, Oakdale, MN [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
D
R
Thomas L. Adams, Engineering Consultant, IL [UT]
(Alt. to Neil F. LaBrake, Jr.)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Lawrence S. Ayer, Biz Com Electric, Inc., OH [IM]
(Alt. to David L. Hittinger)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
James T. Dollard, Jr., IBEW Local Union 98, PA [L]
(Alt. to Palmer L. Hickman)
Nonvoting
Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on minimizing the risk of
electricity as a source of electric shock and as a potential ignition source of fires and explosions. It shall also be
responsible for text to minimize the propagation of fire and explosions due to electrical installations.
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 1
Articles 90, 100, 110, Chapter 9, Table 10, Annex A, Annex H, and Annex I
Gil Moniz, Chair
National Electrical Manufacturers Association, MA [M]
Michael A. Anthony, University of Michigan, MI [U]
Rep. Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers
Louis A. Barrios, Shell Global Solutions, TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Kenneth P. Boyce, UL LLC, IL [RT]
H. Landis Floyd, The DuPont Company, Inc., DE [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
70–10
Palmer L. Hickman, National Joint Apprentice & Training
Committee, MD [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
David L. Hittinger, Independent Electrical Contractors of
Greater Cincinnati, OH [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Neil F. LaBrake, Jr., National Grid, NY [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Randall R. McCarver, Telcordia Technologies, Inc., NJ [U]
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
James F. Pierce, Intertek Testing Services, OR [RT]
Harry J. Sassaman, Forest Electric Corporation, NJ [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Susan Newman Scearce, State of Tennessee, TN [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Alternates
Nonvoting
Ark Tsisserev, Stantec, Canada [SE]
Rep. CSA/Canadian Electrical Code Committee
T
Thomas L. Adams, Engineering Consultant, IL [UT]
(Alt. to Neil F. LaBrake, Jr.)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Joseph F. Andre, National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, WA [M]
(Alt. to Gil Moniz)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Mark Christian, IBEW Local 175, TN [L]
(Alt. to Palmer L. Hickman)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Benjamin F. Dunford, Ben Dunford Electric Company Inc.,
TN [IM]
(Alt. to David L. Hittinger)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
William T. Fiske, Intertek Testing Services, NY [RT]
(Alt. to James F. Pierce)
Ernest J. Gallo, Telcordia Technologies, Inc., NJ [U]
(Alt. to Randall R. McCarver)
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Joseph Marquardt, ExxonMobil Production Company, AK
[U]
(Alt. to Louis A. Barrios)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Dirk R. F. Muller, UL LLCF, Germany [RT]
(Alt. to Kenneth P. Boyce)
James R. Sanguinetti, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
[U]
(Alt. to Michael A. Anthony)
Rep. Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers
Mohinder P. Sood, City of Alexandria, VA [E]
(Alt. to Susan Newman Scearce)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 2
Articles 210, 215, 220, Annex D, Examples D1 through D6
AF
Mark R. Hilbert, Chair
MR Hilbert Electrical Inspections & Training, NH [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
D
R
Charles L. Boynton, The DuPont Company, Inc., TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Frank Coluccio, New York City Department of Buildings,
NY [E]
Ronald E. Duren, PacifiCorp, WA [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Thomas L. Harman, University of Houston-Clear Lake, TX
[SE]
Donald M. King, IBEW Local Union 313, DE [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Robert L. LaRocca, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Steven Orlowski, National Association of Home Builders,
DC [U]
Jim Pauley, Square D Company/Schneider Electric, KY [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Robert G. Wilkinson, IEC Texas Gulf Coast, TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Thomas H. Wood, Cecil B. Wood, Inc., IL [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Alternates
Jacob G. Benninger, Cornell University, NY [L]
(Alt. to Donald M. King)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Lawrence Brown, National Association of Home Builders,
DC [U]
(Alt. to Steven Orlowski)
Rep. National Association of Home Builders
David A. Dini, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to Robert L. LaRocca)
Daniel J. Kissane, Legrand/Pass & Seymour, NY [M]
(Alt. to Jim Pauley)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
William Ross McCorcle, American Electric Power, OK
[UT]
(Alt. to Ronald E. Duren)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
William J. McGovern, City of Plano, TX [E]
(Alt. to Mark R. Hilbert)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Stephen J. Thorwegen, Jr., FSG Electric, TX [IM]
(Alt. to Robert G. Wilkinson)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Nonvoting
William Burr, Canadian Standards Association, Canada [RT]
Douglas A. Lee, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, MD [C]
Andrew M. Trotta, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, MD [C]
(Alt. to Douglas A. Lee)
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 3
Articles 300, 590, 720, 725, 727, 760, Chapter 9, Tables 11(A) and (B), and Tables 12(A) and (B)
Paul J. Casparro, Chair
Scranton Electricians JATC, PA [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–11
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Alternates
Nonvoting
Edward C. Lawry, Oregon, WI [E]
(Member Emeritus)
AF
Richard S. Anderson, RTKL Associates Inc., VA [M]
(Alt. to Ray R. Keden)
Rep. Building Industry Consulting Services International
Douglas P. Bassett, Tyco/ADT Security Services, Inc., FL
[IM]
(Alt. to Mark A. Sepulveda)
Rep. Electronic Security Association (VL to 720, 725,
727, 760)
Sanford E. Egesdal, Egesdal Associates PLC, MN [M]
(Alt. to Shane M. Clary)
Rep. Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc.
Danny Liggett, The DuPont Company, Inc., TX [U]
(Alt. to David A. Pace)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Mark C. Ode, UL LLC, AZ [RT]
(Alt. to Susan L. Stene)
Roger S. Passmore, IES Industrial, Inc., SC [IM]
(Alt. to Steven J. Owen)
Rep. Associated Builders & Contractors
Louis P. Petrucci, Jr., Bonner Electric Inc., RI [IM]
(Alt. to Adam D. Corbin)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Marty L. Riesberg, IBEW Local Union 22, MD [L]
(Alt. to Paul J. Casparro)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
George A. Straniero, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., NJ [M]
(Alt. to Les Easter)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Joseph J. Wages, Jr., Springdale, AR [E]
(Alt. to Robert J. Walsh)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
T
Steven D. Burlison, Progress Energy, FL [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Shane M. Clary, Bay Alarm Company, CA [M]
Rep. Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc.
Adam D. Corbin, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., NJ [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Les Easter, Atkore International, IL [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Stanley D. Kahn, Tri-City Electric Company, Inc., CA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Ray R. Keden, ERICO, Inc., CA [M]
Rep. Building Industry Consulting Services International
T. David Mills, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, SC
[U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Steven J. Owen, Steven J. Owen, Inc., AL [IM]
Rep. Associated Builders & Contractors
David A. Pace, Olin Corporation, AL [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Mark A. Sepulveda, USA Alarm Systems, Inc., CA [IM]
Rep. Electronic Security Association
(VL to 720, 725, 727, 760)
John E. Sleights, Travelers Insurance Company, CT [I]
Susan L. Stene, UL LLC, CA [RT]
Robert J. Walsh, City of Hayward, CA [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Wendell R. Whistler, Intertek Testing Services, OR [RT]
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 4
Articles 225, 230, 690, 692, 694, 705
D
R
Ronald J. Toomer, Chair
Toomer Electrical Company Inc., LA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Malcolm Allison, Mersen USA Newburyport-MA, LLC, NH
[M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Ward I. Bower, Solar Energy Industries Association, NM
[U]
(VL to 690, 692, 705)
James G. Cialdea, Three-C Electrical Company Inc., MA
[IM]
Rep. InterNational Electrical Testing Association
Tony Dorta, Intertek Testing Services, CA [RT]
Roger D. McDaniel, Georgia Power Company, GA [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
James J. Rogers, Towns of Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West
Tisbury, MA [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
John A. Sigmund, PPG Industries, Inc., LA [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Todd W. Stafford, National Joint Apprentice & Training
Committee, TN [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Robert H. Wills, Intergrid, LLC, NH [U]
Rep. American Wind Energy Association
(VL to 690, 692, 694, 705)
Timothy P. Zgonena, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Vincent C. Zinnante, Westpoint Electric Inc., TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Paul D. Barnhart, UL LLC, NC [RT]
(Alt. to Timothy P. Zgonena)
Alex Z. Bradley, The DuPont Company, Inc., DE [U]
(Alt. to John A. Sigmund)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
William F. Brooks, Brooks Engineering, CA [U]
(Alt. to Ward I. Bower)
Rep. Solar Energy Industries Association (VL to 690,
692, 705)
Thomas E. Buchal, Intertek Testing Services, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Tony Dorta)
Larry D. Cogburn, Cogburn Bros., Inc., FL [IM]
(Alt. to Ronald J. Toomer)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Brian L. Crise, NIETC, OR [L]
(Alt. to Todd W. Stafford)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Mark D. Gibbs, Babcock & Wilcox Y-12, LLC, TN [U]
(Voting Alt. to IEEE Rep.)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Barry N. Hornberger, PECO Energy Company, PA [UT]
(Alt. to Roger D. McDaniel)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Tim LaLonde, Haskin Electric, Inc., WA [IM]
(Alt. to Vincent C. Zinnante)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Alternates
70–12
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Patrick G. Salas, General Electric Company, CT [M]
(Alt. to Malcolm Allison)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Glenn A. Soles, Clark County Department of Development
Services, NV [E]
(Alt. to James J. Rogers)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Nonvoting
Stephen W. Douglas, QPS Evaluation Services Inc., Canada
[SE]
Rep. CSA/Canadian Electrical Code Committee
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 5
Articles 200, 250, 280, 285
Nathan Philips, Chair
Integrated Electronic Systems, OR [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
T
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Paul J. LeVasseur, Bay City JEATC, MI [L]
(Alt. to IBEW Rep.)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Richard E. Loyd, R & N Associates, AZ [M]
(Alt. to Martin J. Brett, Jr.)
Rep. American Iron and Steel Institute
Randall R. McCarver, Telcordia Technologies, Inc., NJ [U]
(Alt. to Trevor N. Bowmer)
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Michael E. McNeil, FMC Bio Polymer, ME [U]
(Alt. to Paul Dobrowsky)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Mike O’Meara, Arizona Public Service Company, AZ [UT]
(Alt. to C. Douglas White)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
William A. Pancake, III, Universal Engineering Sciences,
FL [E]
(Alt. to David A. Williams)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Paul R. Picard, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., MA [M]
(Alt. to Richard Temblador)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Elliot Rappaport, Coconut Creek, FL [U]
(Alt. to Daleep C. Mohla)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Phil Simmons, Simmons Electrical Services, WA [M]
(Alt. to David Brender)
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Thomas R. Siwek, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, IL [M]
(Alt. to Joseph Harding)
Rep. Power Tool Institute
Fred Song, Intertek Testing Services, China [RT]
(Alt. to Christine T. Porter)
D
R
AF
Trevor N. Bowmer, Telcordia Technologies, NJ [U]
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
David Brender, Copper Development Association, Inc., NY
[M]
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Martin J. Brett, Jr., Wheatland Tube Company, DE [M]
Rep. American Iron and Steel Institute
Paul Dobrowsky, Innovative Technology Services, NY [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
G. Scott Harding, F. B. Harding, Inc., MD [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Joseph Harding, Power Tool Institute, OH [M]
William J. Helfrich, U.S. Department of Labor, PA [E]
Charles F. Mello, UL LLC, WA [RT]
Daleep C. Mohla, DCM Electrical Consulting Services, Inc.,
TX [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Christine T. Porter, Intertek Testing Services, WA [RT]
Gregory J. Steinman, Thomas & Betts Corporation, TN [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Richard Temblador, Southwire Company, GA [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
C. Douglas White, CenterPoint Energy, Inc., TX [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
David A. Williams, Delta Charter Township, MI [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Alternates
Ron D. Alley, Northern New Mexico IEC, NM [IM]
(Alt. to G. Scott Harding)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Joseph P. DeGregoria, UL LLC, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Charles F. Mello)
Jacob M. Howlett, Wilson Construction Company, OR [IM]
(Alt. to Nathan Philips)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Ronald Lai, Burndy LLC, NH [M]
(Alt. to Gregory J. Steinman)
Nonvoting
Robert A. Nelson, Canadian Standards Association, Canada
[RT]
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 6
Articles 310, 400, 402, Chapter 9 Tables 5 through 9, and Annex B
Scott Cline, Chair
McMurtrey Electric, Inc., CA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Samuel B. Friedman, General Cable Corporation, RI [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Robert L. Huddleston, Jr., Eastman Chemical Company,
TN [U]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Rep. American Chemistry Council
G. W. Kent, Kent Electric & Plumbing Systems, TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
William F. Laidler, IBEW Local 223 JATC, MA [L]
70–13
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Richard A. Maddox, Clark County Development Services,
NV [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Paul R. Picard, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., MA [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Carl Timothy Wall, Alabama Power Company, AL [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Mario Xerri, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Joseph S. Zimnoch, The Okonite Company, NJ [M]
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Alternates
Peter E. Bowers, Satellite Electric Company, Inc., MD [IM]
(Alt. to G. W. Kent)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
John J. Cangemi, UL LLC, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Mario Xerri)
Richard A. Holub, The DuPont Company, Inc., DE [U]
(Alt. to Robert L. Huddleston, Jr.)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Christel K. Hunter, Alcan Cable, NV [M]
(Alt. to Samuel B. Friedman)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Lowell Lisker, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., MA [M]
(Alt. to Paul R. Picard)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Charles David Mercier, Southwire Company, GA [M]
(Alt. to Joseph S. Zimnoch)
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Michael W. Smith, Schaeffer Electric Company, Inc., MO
[IM]
(Alt. to Scott Cline)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
John Stacey, City of St. Louis, MO [E]
(Alt. to Richard A. Maddox)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
T
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 7
Articles 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 382, 394, 396, 398, 399
Michael W. Smith, Chair
Schaeffer Electric Company, Inc., MO [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
J. Richard Barker, General Cable Corporation, CA [M]
(Alt. to Charles David Mercier)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
William B. Crist, Houston Stafford Electric Company, TX
[IM]
(Alt. to Chris J. Fahrenthold)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Donald G. Dunn, Aramco Services Company, TX [U]
(Alt. to Dennis A. Nielsen)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Rachel E. Krepps, Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, MD
[UT]
(Alt. to John W. Ray)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Keith Owensby, Chattanooga Electrical JATC, TN [L]
(Alt. to Samuel R. La Dart)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Kevin T. Porter, Encore Wire Corporation, TX [M]
(Alt. to George A. Straniero)
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Irozenell Pruitt, E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, TX
[U]
(Alt. to Gregory L. Runyon)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Susan L. Stene, UL LLC, CA [RT]
(Alt. to Thomas H. Cybula)
Allen R. Turner, James City County, Virginia, VA [E]
(Alt. to Charles J. Palmieri)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Wesley L. Wheeler, Cogburn Bros., Inc., FL [IM]
(Alt. to Michael W. Smith)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
D
R
AF
Thomas H. Cybula, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Chris J. Fahrenthold, Facility Solutions Group, TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Herman J. Hall, Austin, TX [M]
Rep. The Vinyl Institute
Christel K. Hunter, Alcan Cable, NV [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Samuel R. La Dart, City of Memphis, TN [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Charles David Mercier, Southwire Company, GA [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Ronald G. Nickson, National Multi Housing Council, DC
[U]
Dennis A. Nielsen, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
CA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Charles J. Palmieri, Town of Norwell, MA [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
John W. Ray, Duke Energy Corporation, NC [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Gregory L. Runyon, Eli Lilly and Company, IN [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
David E. Schumacher, Associated Builders and Contractors,
IA [IM]
Rep. Associated Builders & Contractors
George A. Straniero, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., NJ [M]
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Alternates
Aisha Bajwa, Alcan Cable, CA [M]
(Alt. to Christel K. Hunter)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
70–14
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 8
Articles 342, 344, 348, 350, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 358, 360, 362, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380,
384, 386, 388, 390, 392, Chapter 9, Tables 1 through 4, Example D13, and Annex C
Larry D. Cogburn, Chair
Cogburn Bros., Inc., FL [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Alternates
T
George R. Dauberger, Thomas & Betts Corporation, TN
[M]
(Alt. to David H. Kendall)
Rep. The Vinyl Institute
David A. Gerstetter, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to Richard J. Berman)
Kenneth J. Gilbert, Florida Power & Light Company, FL
[UT]
(Alt. to Leslie R. Zielke)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Gregory L. Maurer, Wheatland Tube Company, PA [M]
(Alt. to Richard E. Loyd)
Rep. American Iron and Steel Institute
Gary W. Pemble, Montana Electrical JATC, MT [L]
(Voting Alt. to IBEW Rep.)
(Alt. to )
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Stephen P. Poholski, Newkirk Electric Associates, Inc., MI
[IM]
(Alt. to Larry D. Cogburn)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Frederic F. Small, Hubbell Incorporated, CT [M]
(Alt. to Rodney J. West)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Michael K. Weitzel, Central Washington Electrical
Education, WA [IM]
(Alt. to Kenneth W. Hengst)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
AF
Richard J. Berman, UL LLC, IL [RT]
David M. Campbell, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., MA [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Kenneth W. Hengst, EAS Contracting, LP, TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
James M. Imlah, City of Hillsboro, OR [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
David H. Kendall, Thomas & Betts Corporation, TN [M]
Rep. The Vinyl Institute
Richard E. Loyd, R & N Associates, AZ [M]
Rep. American Iron and Steel Institute
Michael C. Martin, Lyondellbasell Industries, TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Paul W. Myers, PCS Nitrogen, OH [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Rodney J. West, Square D Company/Schneider Electric, OH
[M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Leslie R. Zielke, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company,
SC [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Timothy M. Andrea, Southwire Company, GA [M]
(Alt. to David M. Campbell)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
D
R
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 9
Articles 312, 314, 404, 408, 450, 490
David G. Humphrey, Chair
County of Henrico, Virginia, VA [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Rodney D. Belisle, NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Trust,
OR [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Billy Breitkreutz, Fluor Corporation, TX [U]
Rep. Associated Builders & Contractors
Wayne Brinkmeyer, Britain Electric Company, TX [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Paul D. Coghill, Intertek Testing Services, OH [RT]
Frederic P. Hartwell, Hartwell Electrical Services, Inc., MA
[SE]
Thomas J. LeMay, LeMay Electric, Inc., GA [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Robert D. Osborne, UL LLC, NC [RT]
Bradford D. Rupp, Allied Moulded Products, Inc., OH [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Sukanta Sengupta, FMC Corporation, NJ [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Ralph H. Young, Eastman Chemical Company, TN [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Alternates
Gregory A. Bowman, NABCO Electric, TN [IM]
(Alt. to Wayne Brinkmeyer)
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Kevin J. Breen, Breen Electrical Contractors Inc., NY [IM]
(Alt. to Thomas J. LeMay)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Jerry M. Ferraro, Northeast Utilities, CT [UT]
(Voting Alt to ELPG/EEI rep.)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
L. Keith Lofland, International Association of Electrical
Inspectors (IAEI), TX [E]
(Alt. to David G. Humphrey)
Kenneth L. McKinney, Jr., UL LLC, NC [RT]
(Alt. to Robert D. Osborne)
Paul W. Myers, PCS Nitrogen, OH [U]
(Alt. to Sukanta Sengupta)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Ronnie H. Ridgeway, Siemens Industry, Inc., TX [M]
(Alt. to Bradford D. Rupp)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Rhett A. Roe, IBEW Local Union 26 JATC, MD [L]
(Alt. to Rodney D. Belisle)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
70–15
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 10
Article 240
Julian R. Burns, Chair
Quality Power Solutions, Inc., NC [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Alternates
AF
Scott A. Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company,
Inc., MA [IM]
(Voting Alt. to NETA Rep.)
Rep. InterNational Electrical Testing Association
Suzanne M. Borek, New Jersey Department of Community
Affairs, NJ [E]
(Alt. to Robert J. Kauer)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Frank G. Ladonne, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to Jeffrey H. Hidaka)
Kevin J. Lippert, Eaton Corporation, PA [M]
(Alt. to Alan Manche)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Richard E. Lofton, II, IBEW Local Union 280, OR [L]
(Alt. to James T. Dollard, Jr.)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Vincent J. Saporita, Cooper Bussmann, MO [M]
(Alt. to George J. Ockuly)
Roy K. Sparks, III, Elanco Animal Health, IN [U]
(Alt. to Carl Fredericks)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Steve A. Struble, Freeman’s Electric Service, Inc., SD [IM]
(Alt. to Julian R. Burns)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Steven E. Townsend, General Motors Corporation, MI [U]
(Alt. to Dennis M. Darling)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
T
Dennis M. Darling, Stantec, Canada [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
James T. Dollard, Jr., IBEW Local Union 98, PA [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Carl Fredericks, The Dow Chemical Company, TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Jeffrey H. Hidaka, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Robert J. Kauer, Building Inspection Underwriters, Inc., PA
[E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Alan Manche, Square D Company/Schneider Electric, KY
[M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
George J. Ockuly, Technical Marketing Consultants, MO
[M]
Richard Sobel, Quantum Electric Corporation, NY [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
John F. Vartanian, National Grid, MA [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
D
R
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 11
Articles 409, 430, 440, 460, 470, Annex D, Example D8
John M. Thompson, Chair
UL LLC, NC [RT]
Luis M. Bas, Intertek Testing Services, FL [RT]
Terry D. Cole, Hamer Electric, Inc., WA [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
James M. Fahey, IBEW Local Union 103/MBTA, MA [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Robert G. Fahey, City of Janesville, WI [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company, NV [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Paul E. Guidry, Fluor Enterprises, Inc., TX [U]
Rep. Associated Builders & Contractors
James C. Missildine, Jr., Southern Company Services, Inc.,
AL [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Arthur S. Neubauer, Arseal Technologies, GA [U]
Rep. American Petroleum Institute
Charles L. Powell, Eastman Chemical Company, TN [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Vincent J. Saporita, Cooper Bussmann, MO [M]
Arthur J. Smith, III, Waldemar S. Nelson & Company,
Inc., LA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Ron Widup, Shermco Industries, TX [IM]
Rep. InterNational Electrical Testing Association
James R. Wright, Siemens Industry, Inc., IL [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Alternates
70–16
Terry W. Cromer, NC Association of Electrical Contractors,
NC [IM]
(Alt. to Terry D. Cole)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Jeffrey A. DesJarlais, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to John M. Thompson)
Travis Foster, LyondellBasell Industries, TX [U]
(Alt. to Charles L. Powell)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Eric Glaude, Chevron, TX [U]
(Alt. to Arthur S. Neubauer)
Rep. American Petroleum Institute
Philip C. Hack, Constellation Energy Power Generation,
MD [UT]
(Alt. to James C. Missildine, Jr.)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Rodney B. Jones, Clackamas County, Oregon, OR [E]
(Alt. to Robert G. Fahey)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Ed Larsen, Schneider Electric USA, IA [M]
(Alt. to James R. Wright)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Jebediah J. Novak, Cedar Rapids Electrical JATC, IA [L]
(Alt. to James M. Fahey)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
George J. Ockuly, Technical Marketing Consultants, MO
[M]
(Alt. to Vincent J. Saporita)
Bobby A. Walton, Intertek, TX [RT]
(Alt. to Luis M. Bas)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 12
Articles 610, 620, 625, 626, 630, 640, 645, 647, 650, 660, 665, 668, 669, 670, 685, and Annex D, Examples
D9 and D10
Timothy M. Croushore, Chair
FirstEnergy Technologies, PA [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
T
Jeffrey W. Blain, Schindler Elevator Corporation, NY [M]
(VL to 610, 620, 630)
(Alt. to Andy Juhasz)
Rep. National Elevator Industry Inc.
William A. Brunner, Main Electric Construction Inc., ND
[IM]
(Alt. to Thomas L. Hedges)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Philip Clark, City of Detroit, MI [E]
(Alt. to IAEI Rep.)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Charles E. Davis, FSG Electric, TX [IM]
(Alt. to Duke W. Schamel)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Jeffrey L. Holmes, IBEW Local Union 1 JATC, MO [L]
(Alt. to IBEW Rep.)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Jody B. Greenwood, Navy Crane Center, VA [U]
(VL to 610)
(Alt. to Angelo G. Horiates)
Gery J. Kissel, General Motors Corporation, MI [U]
(Alt. to Jeffrey S. Menig)
Rep. Society of Automotive Engineers-Hybrid Committee
Todd R. Konieczny, Intertek Testing Services, MA [RT]
(Alt. to Thomas R. Brown)
Joseph F. Prisco, IBM Corporation, MN [U]
(VL to 640, 645, 647, 685)
(Alt. to Robert E. Johnson)
Rep. Information Technology Industry Council
Jose A. Salazar, Southern California Edison Company, CA
[UT]
(Alt. to Timothy M. Croushore)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Emad Tabatabaei, Inductotherm Corporation, NJ [M]
(VL to 610, 630, 665, 668, 669)
(Alt. to Robert C. Turner)
Lori L. Tennant, Square D Company/Schneider Electric, NC
[M]
(Alt. to Todd Lottmann)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
D
R
AF
Thomas R. Brown, Intertek Testing Services, NY [RT]
Karl M. Cunningham, Alcoa, Inc., PA [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
(VL to 610, 625, 630, 645, 660, 665, 668, 669, 685)
Thomas L. Hedges, Hedges Electric & Construction, Inc.,
CA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Angelo G. Horiates, Navy Crane Center, VA [U]
(VL to 610)
Robert E. Johnson, ITE Safety, MA [U]
Rep. Information Technology Industry Council
(VL to 640, 645, 647, 685)
Andy Juhasz, Kone, Inc., IL [M]
Rep. National Elevator Industry Inc.
(VL to 610, 620, 630)
Stanley Kaufman, CableSafe, Inc./OFS, GA [M]
Rep. Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
(VL to 640, 645)
John R. Kovacik, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Todd Lottmann, Cooper Bussmann, MO [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Jeffrey S. Menig, General Motors Company, MI [U]
Rep. Society of Automotive Engineers-Hybrid Committee
Duke W. Schamel, Electrical Service Solutions, Inc., CA
[IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Arthur E. Schlueter, Jr., A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ
Company, GA [M]
Rep. American Institute of Organ Builders
(VL to 640, 650)
Robert C. Turner, Inductotherm Corporation, MD [M]
(VL to 610, 630, 665, 668, 669)
Ryan Gregory Ward, IdleAire, Inc., TN [U]
Rep. Transportation Electrification Committee
(VL to 625, 626)
Kenneth White, Olin Corporation, NY [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Alternates
Timothy M. Andrea, Southwire Company, GA [M]
(VL to 610, 625, 630, 645, 660, 665, 668, 669, 685)
(Alt. to Karl M. Cunningham)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc
Joseph M. Bablo, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to John R. Kovacik)
Nonvoting
Andre R. Cartal, Yardley, PA [E]
(Member Emeritus)
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 13
Articles 445, 455, 480, 695, 700, 701, 702, 708, Annex F, and Annex G
Donald P. Bliss, Chair
NI2 Center for Infrastructure Expertise, NH [U]
Martin D. Adams, Adams Electric, Inc., CO [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
James L. Brown, Detroit Edison, DTE Energy, MI [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Daniel J. Caron, Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting
Engineers, LLC, MA [SE]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Walter F. Constantine, Draka Cableteq USA, MA [M]
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Richard D. Currin, Jr., North Carolina State University, NC
[U]
Rep. American Society of Agricultural & Biological
Engineers
70–17
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Alternates
AF
Lawrence S. Ayer, Biz Com Electric, Inc., OH [IM]
(Alt. to Ronald A. Keenan)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Barry S. Bauman, Alliant Energy, WI [U]
(Alt. to Richard D. Currin, Jr.)
Rep. American Society of Agricultural & Biological
Engineers
Chad E. Beebe, ASHE - AHA, WA [U]
(Alt. to James E. Degnan)
James S. Conrad, RSCC Wire & Cable, CT [M]
(Alt. to Walter F. Constantine)
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
Alfonso J. Dazio, Consolidated Edison Company of New
York, NY [UT]
(Alt. to James L. Brown)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
James T. Dollard, Jr., IBEW Local Union 98, PA [L]
(Alt. to Linda J. Little)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Lawrence W. Forshner, Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting
Engineers LLC, MA [SE]
(Alt. to Daniel J. Caron)
Chad Kennedy, Square D Company/Schneider Electric, SC
[M]
(Alt. to Neil A. Czarnecki)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
John R. Kovacik, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to Mark C. Ode)
Peter M. Olney, Vermont Department of Public Safety, VT
[E]
(Alt. to IAEI Rep.)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Herbert V. Whittall, Electrical Generating Systems
Association, FL [M]
(Alt. to Herbert H. Daugherty)
T
Neil A. Czarnecki, Reliance Controls Corporation, WI [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Herbert H. Daugherty, Electric Generating Systems
Association, FL [M]
James E. Degnan, Sparling, WA [U]
Rep. American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Ronald A. Keenan, M. C. Dean, Inc., VA [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Linda J. Little, IBEW Local 1 Electricians JATC, MO [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Mark C. Ode, UL LLC, AZ [RT]
Shawn Paulsen, CSA International, Canada [RT]
Arnoldo L. Rodriguez, LyondellBasell Industries, TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Michael L. Savage, Sr., Middle Department Inspection
Agency, Inc., MD [E]
Mario C. Spina, Verizon Wireless, OH [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
David Tobias, Jr., Intertek Testing Services, OH [RT]
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 14
Articles 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 510, 511, 513, 514, 515, and 516
Robert A. Jones, Chair
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., TX [IM]
D
R
Harold G. Alexander, American Electric Power Company,
OH [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Marc J. Bernsen, National Electrical Contractors
Association, OR [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Edward M. Briesch, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Jonathan L. Cadd, International Association of Electrical
Inspectors, TX [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
William T. Fiske, Intertek Testing Services, NY [RT]
Mark Goodman, Hydrogen Energy California LLC, CA [U]
Rep. American Petroleum Institute
Joseph H. Kuczka, Killark Electric Manufacturing
Company, MO [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
William G. Lawrence, Jr., FM Global, MA [I]
L. Evans Massey, Baldor Electric Company, SC [M]
Rep. Instrumentation, Systems, & Automation Society
William E. McBride, Northern Electric Company, AK [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Jeremy Neagle, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
& Explosives, MD [U]
John L. Simmons, Florida East Coast JATC, FL [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
David B. Wechsler, The Dow Chemical Company, TX [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Mark C. Wirfs, R & W Engineering, Inc., OR [U]
Rep. Grain Elevator and Processing Society
Alternates
Donald W. Ankele, UL LLC, IL [RT]
(Alt. to Edward M. Briesch)
70–18
Steven J . Blais, EGS Electrical Group, IL [M]
(Alt. to Joseph H. Kuczka)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Mark W. Bonk, Cargill Incorporated, MN [U]
(Alt. to Mark C. Wirfs)
Rep. Grain Elevator and Processing Society
Dave Burns, Shell P&T: Innovation /R&D, TX [U]
(Alt. to Mark Goodman)
Rep. American Petroleum Institute
Larry W. Burns, Burns Electric, Inc., TX [IM]
(Alt. to Robert A. Jones)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Thomas E. Dunne, Long Island Joint Apprenticeship
& Training Committee, NY [L]
(Alt. to John L. Simmons)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Richard A. Holub, The DuPont Company, Inc., DE [U]
(Voting Alt. to ACC Rep.)
Rep. American Chemistry Council
Jack E. Jamison, Jr., Miller Engineering, Inc., WV [E]
(Alt. to Jonathan L. Cadd)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Arkady Levi, Constellation Energy, MD [UT]
(Alt. to Harold G. Alexander)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Ryan Parks, Intertek, TX [RT]
(Alt. to William T. Fiske)
Eddie Ramirez, FM Global, MA [I]
(Alt. to William G. Lawrence, Jr.)
Ted H. Schnaare, Rosemount Incorporated, MN [M]
(Alt. to L. Evans Massey)
Rep. Instrumentation, Systems, & Automation Society
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Nonvoting
Timothy J. Pope, Canadian Standards Association, Canada
[RT]
Eduardo N. Solano, Estudio Ingeniero Solano S.A.,
Argentina [SE]
Fred K. Walker, U.S. Department of the Air Force, FL [U]
Rep. TC on Airport Facilities
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 15
Articles 517, 518, 520, 522, 525, 530, 540
Lawrence E. Todd, Chair
Intertek Testing Services, KY [RT]
Rep. InterNational Electrical Testing Association
James L. Wiseman Square D Company/Schneider Electric,
TN [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Alternates
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Gary A. Beckstrand, Utah Electrical JATC, UT [L]
(Alt. to Stephen M. Lipster)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Chad E. Beebe, ASHE - AHA, WA [U]
(Alt. to Douglas S. Erickson)
James L. Brown, Detroit Edison, DTE Energy, MI [UT]
(Alt. to Kenneth J. Gilbert)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Carmon A. Colvin, Bright Future Electric, LLC, AL [IM]
(Alt. to James C. Seabury III)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Matthew B. Dozier, IDesign Services, TN [U]
(Alt. to James R. Duncan)
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Joe L. DuPriest, Orange County Public Schools, FL [E]
(Alt. to Marcus R. Sampson)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Samuel B. Friedman, General Cable Corporation, RI [M]
(Alt. to Brian E. Rock)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Steven R. Goodman, Alcan Cable, PA [M]
(Alt. to Kevin T. Porter)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Don W. Jhonson, Interior Electric, Inc., FL [IM]
(Alt. to Bruce D. Shelly)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Jay Y. Kogoma, Intertek Testing Services, CA [RT]
(Alt. to Lawrence E. Todd)
Joseph P. Murnane, Jr., UL LLC, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Donald J. Talka)
Steven R. Terry, Electronic Theatre Controls Inc., NY [M]
(VL to 518, 520, 525, 530, 540)
(Alt. to Kenneth E. Vannice)
Rep. U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology
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AF
James R. Duncan, Sparling Electrical Engineering
& Technology Consulting, WA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Kenneth J. Gilbert, Florida Power & Light Company, FL
[UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Mitchell K. Hefter, Philips Controls, TX [IM]
Rep. Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
(VL to 518, 520, 525, 530, 540)
Kim Jones, Funtastic Shows, OR [U]
Rep. Outdoor Amusement Business Association, Inc.
(VL to 525)
Edwin S. Kramer, Radio City Music Hall, NY [L]
Rep. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
(VL to 518, 520, 525, 530, 540)
Gary J. Krupa, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, NE
[U]
Stephen M. Lipster, The Electrical Trades Center, OH [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Hugh O. Nash, Jr., Nash-Consult, TN [SE]
Rep. TC on Electrical Systems
Kevin T. Porter, Encore Wire Corporation, TX [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Marcus R. Sampson, Minnesota Department of Labor
& Industry, MN [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
James C. Seabury III, Enterprise Electric, LLC, TN [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Bruce D. Shelly, Shelly Electric Company, Inc., PA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Michael D. Skinner, CBS Studio Center, CA [U]
Rep. Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
(VL to 518, 520, 525, 530, 540)
Donald J. Talka, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Kenneth E. Vannice, Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc.,
OR [M]
Rep. U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology
(VL to 518, 520, 525, 530, 540)
Michael Velvikis, High Voltage Maintenance Corporation,
WI [IM]
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 16
Articles 770, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840
Thomas E. Moore, Chair
City of Beachwood, OH [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Donna Ballast, dbi, TX [M]
Rep. Telecommunications Industry Association
George Bish, Secure Watch Security, NC [IM]
Rep. Satellite Broadcasting & Communications
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Association
J. Robert Boyer, UTC/Edwards Company, NJ [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
James E. Brunssen, Telcordia, NJ [U]
70–19
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Alternates
AF
Trevor N. Bowmer, Telcordia Technologies, NJ [U]
(Alt. to James E. Brunssen)
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Larry Chan, City of New Orleans, LA [E]
(Voting Alt. to IAEI Rep.)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Terry C. Coleman, National Joint Apprentice & Training
Committee, TN [L]
(Alt. to Harold C. Ohde)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Timothy D. Cooke, Times Fiber Communications, Inc., VA
[UT]
(Alt. to Steven C. Johnson)
Rep. National Cable & Telecommunications Association
John A. Kacperski, Tele Design Services, CA [M]
(Alt. to Robert W. Jensen)
Rep. Building Industry Consulting Services International
Stanley Kaufman, CableSafe, Inc./OFS, GA [M]
(Alt. to Gerald Lee Dorna)
Rep. Insulated Cable Engineers Association Inc
David M. Lettkeman, Dish Network Service, LLC, CO
[IM]
(Alt. to George Bish)
Rep. Satellite Broadcasting & Communications
Association
Jack McNamara, Bosch Security Systems, NY [M]
(Alt. to J. Robert Boyer)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
David B. Schrembeck, DBS Communications, Inc., OH
[IM]
(Alt. to Luigi G. Prezioso)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Anthony Tassone, UL LLC, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Randolph J. Ivans)
T
Rep. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Roland E. Deike, Jr., CenterPoint Energy, Inc., TX [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Gerald Lee Dorna, Belden Wire & Cable Co., IN [M]
Rep. Insulated Cable Engineers Association Inc
Randolph J. Ivans, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Robert W. Jensen, dbi-Telecommunication Infrastructure
Design, TX [M]
Rep. Building Industry Consulting Services International
Steven C. Johnson, Johnson Telecom, LLC, CA [UT]
Rep. National Cable & Telecommunications Association
William J. McCoy, Telco Sales, Inc., TX [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Michael F. Murphy, Intertek Testing Services, MA [RT]
Harold C. Ohde, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, IL [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
W. Douglas Pirkle, Pirkle Electric Company, Inc., GA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Luigi G. Prezioso, M. C. Dean, Inc., VA [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 17
Articles 422, 424, 426, 427, 680, 682
Donald R. Cook, Chair
Shelby County, AL Dept of Development Services, AL [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
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Thomas V. Blewitt, UL LLC, NY [RT]
Bruce R. Hirsch, Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, MD
[UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Don W. Jhonson, Interior Electric, Inc., FL [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Wayne E. Morris, Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers, DC [M]
(VL to 422, 424)
Jurgen Pannock, Whirlpool Corporation, TN [M]
Rep. Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute
(VL to 422, 424)
Marcos Ramirez, Hatfield-Reynolds Electric Company, AZ
[IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Brian E. Rock, Hubbell Incorporated, CT [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Chester L. Sandberg, Shell Exploration & Production Inc.,
CA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Ronald F. Schapp, Intertek Testing Services, OH [RT]
Kenneth M. Shell, Tyco Thermal Controls, CA [M]
Rep. Copper Development Association Inc.
(VL to 426, 427)
Ronald Sweigart, E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company, Inc.,
DE [U]
Rep. American Chemistry Council
(VL to 422, 424, 426, 427, 682)
Lee L. West, Newport Controls, LLC, CA [M]
Rep. Association of Pool & Spa Professionals
70–20
(VL to 680)
Randy J. Yasenchak, IBEW Local Union 607, PA [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Alternates
Dennis L. Baker, Springs & Sons Electrical Contractors
Inc., AZ [IM]
(Alt. to Marcos Ramirez)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Bobby J. Gray, Hoydar/Buck, Inc., WA [IM]
(Alt. to Don W. Jhonson)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
E. P. Hamilton, III, E. P. Hamilton & Associates, Inc., TX
[M]
(VL to 680)
(Alt. to Lee L. West)
Rep. Association of Pool & Spa Professionals
Randal Hunter, Cooper Bussmann, NV [M]
(Alt. to Brian E. Rock)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Brian Myers, IBEW Local Union 98, PA [L]
(Alt. to Randy J. Yasenchak)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Stephen C. Richbourg, Gulf Power Company, FL [UT]
(Alt. to Bruce R. Hirsch)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Gary L. Siggins, UL LLC, CA [RT]
(Alt. to Thomas V. Blewitt)
Kam Fai Siu, Intertek Testing Services, China [RT]
(Alt. to Ronald F. Schapp)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Matt B. Williams, Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers, DC [M]
(VL to 422, 424)
(Alt. to Wayne E. Morris)
Andrew M. Trotta, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, MD [C]
Douglas A. Lee, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, MD [C]
Nonvoting
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 18
Articles 406, 411, 600, 605
Bobby J. Gray, Chair
Hoydar/Buck, Inc., WA [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
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Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Robert T. Carlock, R. T. Carlock Company, TN [IM]
(Alt. to Michael N. Ber)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association, VA
[M]
Rep. International Sign Association
(Alt. to Melvyn J. Kochan)
(VL to 600)
Richard Hollander, City of Tucson, AZ [E]
(Alt. to Amos D. Lowrance, Jr.)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Charles S. Kurten, UL LLC, NY [RT]
(Alt. to Lee C. Hewitt)
Terry K. McGowan, Lighting Ideas, Inc., OH [M]
Rep. American Lighting Association
(Alt. to Michael S. O’Boyle)
(VL to 410, 411)
Jesse Sprinkle, IBEW Local 461, IL [L]
(Alt. to Paul Costello)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Charles M. Trout, Maron Electric Company, FL [IM]
(Alt. to Bobby J. Gray)
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
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AF
Michael N. Ber, IEC, Houston, TX [IM]
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Frederick L. Carpenter, Acuity Brands Lighting, GA [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Kurt J. Clemente, Clark Nexsen Architecture
& Engineering, VA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Paul Costello, NECA and IBEW Local 90 JATC, CT [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Hakim Hasan, Intertek Testing Services, GA [RT]
Lee C. Hewitt, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Melvyn J. Kochan, Young Electric Sign Company, NV [M]
Rep. International Sign Association
(VL to 600)
Amos D. Lowrance, Jr., City of Chattanooga, Tennessee,
TN [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Michael S. O’Boyle, Philips-Lightolier, MA [M]
Rep. American Lighting Association
(VL to 410, 411)
Sondra K. Todd, Westar Energy, Inc., KS [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Randall K. Wright, RKW Consulting, PA [SE]
Alternates
Steve Campolo, Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc., NY
[M]
(Alt. to Frederick L. Carpenter)
CODE-MAKING PANEL NO. 19
Articles 545, 547, 550, 551, 552, 553, 555, 604, 675, and Annex D, Examples D11 and D12
Leslie Sabin-Mercado, Chair
San Diego Gas & Electric Company, CA [UT]
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Barry S. Bauman, Alliant Energy, WI [U]
Rep. American Society of Agricultural & Biological
Engineers
Ron B. Chilton, North Carolina Department of Insurance,
NC [E]
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Garry D. Cole, Shelby/Mansfield KOA, OH [U]
Rep. National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
(VL to 550, 551, 552)
Steven R. Goodman, Alcan Cable, PA [M]
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Bruce A. Hopkins, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association,
VA [M]
(VL to 550, 551, 552)
David W. Johnson, CenTex IEC, TX [IM]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Thomas R. Lichtenstein, UL LLC, IL [RT]
Timothy P. McNeive, Thomas & Betts Corporation, TN [M]
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Ronald Michaelis, South Bend & Vicinity Electrical JATC,
IN [L]
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Doug Mulvaney, Kampgrounds of America, Inc., MT [U]
(VL to 550, 551, 552, 555)
Thomas F. Thierheimer, Britain Electric Company, TX [IM]
Rep. National Electrical Contractors Association
Michael L. Zieman, RADCO, CA [RT]
(VL to 545, 550, 551, 552)
Donald W. Zipse, Zipse Electrical Forensics, LLC, PA [U]
Rep. Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.
70–21
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE COMMITTEE
Alternates
Glenn H. Ankenbrand, Delmarva Power, MD [UT]
(Alt. to Leslie Sabin-Mercado)
Rep. Electric Light & Power Group/EEI
Michael B. F. Atkinson, Kampgrounds of America, Inc., MT
[U]
(Alt. to Doug Mulvaney)
VL to 550, 551, 552, 555)
William Bruce Bowman, Fox Systems, Inc., GA [IM]
(Alt. to David W. Johnson)
Rep. Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Wade Elliott, Utility Services Group, Inc., WA [U]
Rep. National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
(Alt. to Garry D. Cole)
(VL to 550, 551, 552)
Robert J. Fick, Alliant Energy, WI [U]
(Alt. to Barry S. Bauman)
Rep. American Society of Agricultural & Biological
Engineers
John P. Goodsell, Hubbell Incorporated, CT [M]
(Alt. to Timothy P. McNeive)
Rep. National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Dean C. Hunter, Minnesota Department of Labor
& Industry, MN [E]
(Alt. to Ron B. Chilton)
Rep. International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Lowell Lisker, AFC Cable Systems, Inc., MA [M]
(Alt. to Steven R. Goodman)
Rep. The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Kent Perkins, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, VA
[M]
(VL to 550, 551, 552)
(Alt. to Bruce A. Hopkins)
Raymond F. Tucker, Consulting Professional
Engineer/RADCO, CA [RT]
(VL to 545, 550, 551, 552)
(Alt. to Michael L. Zieman)
Ronald D. Weaver, Jr., North Alabama Electrical JATC, AL
[L]
(Alt. to Ronald Michaelis)
Rep. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Eugene W. Wirth, UL LLC, WA [RT]
(Alt. to Thomas R. Lichtenstein)
Jean A. O’Connor, Technical Projects Administrator
Lee F. Richardson, Senior Electrical Engineer
Richard J. Roux, Senior Electrical Specialist
Jean Blanc, Associate Electrical Specialist
AF
William Burke, Division Manager
Mark W. Earley, Chief Electrical Engineer
Mark Cloutier, Senior Electrical Engineer
Christopher Coache, Senior Electrical Engineer
Michael Fontaine, Senior Electrical Engineer
T
NFPA Electrical Engineering Division Technical Staff
These lists represent the membership at the time the Committee was balloted on the text of this edition. Since that
time, changes in the membership may have occurred. A key to classifications is found at the front of this book.
Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on minimizing the risk of
electricity as a source of electric shock and as a potential ignition source of fires and explosions. It shall also be
responsible for text to minimize the propagation of fire and explosions due to electrical installations.
D
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The National Electrical Code Committee proposes for adoption its Report on Proposals to NFPA 70, National
Electrical Code. NFPA 70-2014 is published in Volume 4 of the 2013 National Fire Codes and is in separate
pamphlet form.
This Report has been submitted to letter ballot of the Code-Making Panels of the National Electric Code Committee,
and the results of the ballot can be found in the Report.
This Report has also been submitted to letter ballot of the Technical Correlating Committee, which consists of 12
voting members. It was voted unanimously affirmative to release this Report.
70–22
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 90 — INTRODUCTION
90.2
NFPA 70
2014 Edition
IMPORTANT NOTE: This NFPA document is made
available for use subject to important notices and legal
disclaimers. These notices and disclaimers appear in all
publications containing this document and may be found
under the heading “Important Notices and Disclaimers
Concerning NFPA Documents.” They can also be obtained on request from NFPA or viewed at
www.nfpa.org/disclaimers.
90.1 Purpose.
D
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ARTICLE 90
Introduction
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this Code is the practical
safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising
from the use of electricity. This Code is not intended as a
design specification or an instruction manual for untrained
persons. [ROP 1–3]
(B) Adequacy. This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and
proper maintenance results in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of
electrical use.
Informational Note: Hazards often occur because of overloading of wiring systems by methods or usage not in conformity with this Code. This occurs because initial wiring
did not provide for increases in the use of electricity. An
initial adequate installation and reasonable provisions for
system changes provide for future increases in the use of
electricity.
(C) Relation to Other International Standards. The requirements in this Code address the fundamental principles
of protection for safety contained in Section 131 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60364-1,
Electrical Installations of Buildings. [ROP 1–3]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
90.2 Scope.
(A) Covered. This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and
communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and
optical fiber cables and raceways for the following:
(1) Public and private premises, including buildings, structures, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating
buildings
(2) Yards, lots, parking lots, carnivals, and industrial substations
(3) Installations of conductors and equipment that connect
to the supply of electricity
(4) Installations used by the electric utility, such as office
buildings, warehouses, garages, machine shops, and
recreational buildings, that are not an integral part of a
generating plant, substation, or control center.
AF
This 2011 edition includes the following usability features as aids to the user. Changes other than editorial are
highlighted with gray shading within sections and with vertical ruling for large blocks of changed or new text and for
new tables and changed or new figures. Where one or more
complete paragraphs have been deleted, the deletion is indicated by a bullet (•) between the paragraphs that remain.
The index now has dictionary-style headers with helpful
identifiers at the top of every index page.
Informational Note: IEC 60364-1, Section 131, contains
fundamental principles of protection for safety that encompass protection against electric shock, protection against
thermal effects, protection against overcurrent, protection
against fault currents, and protection against overvoltage.
All of these potential hazards are addressed by the requirements in this Code.
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National Electrical Code®
(B) Not Covered. This Code does not cover the following:
(1) Installations in ships, watercraft other than floating
buildings, railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive
vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles
Informational Note: Although the scope of this Code indicates that the Code does not cover installations in ships,
portions of this Code are incorporated by reference into
Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 110–113.
(2) Installations underground in mines and self-propelled
mobile surface mining machinery and its attendant
electrical trailing cable
(3) Installations of railways for generation, transformation,
transmission, or distribution of power used exclusively
for operation of rolling stock or installations used exclusively for signaling and communications purposes
(4) Installations of communications equipment under the
exclusive control of communications utilities located
outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for
such installations
(5) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric
utility where such installations
a. Consist of service drops or service laterals, and associated metering, or
b. Are on property owned or leased by the electric
utility for the purpose of communications, metering,
generation, control, transformation, transmission, or
distribution of electric energy, or
70–23
90.3
ARTICLE 90 — INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1 — General
Chapter 2 — Wiring and Protection
Chapter 3 — Wiring Methods and Materials
D
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(C) Special Permission. The authority having jurisdiction
for enforcing this Code may grant exception for the installation of conductors and equipment that are not under the
exclusive control of the electric utilities and are used to
connect the electric utility supply system to the service
conductors of the premises served, provided such installations are outside a building or structure, or terminate inside
at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance
of the service conductors. [ROP 1–15]
90.3 Code Arrangement. This Code is divided into the
introduction and nine chapters, as shown in Figure 90.3.
Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 apply generally; Chapters 5, 6, and
7 apply to special occupancies, special equipment, or other
special conditions. These latter chapters supplement or
modify the general rules. Chapters 1 through 4 apply except
as amended by Chapters 5, 6, and 7 for the particular conditions.
Chapter 8 covers communications systems and is not
subject to the requirements of Chapters 1 through 7 except
where the requirements are specifically referenced in Chapter 8.
Chapter 9 consists of tables that are applicable as referenced.
70–24
Applies generally
to all electrical
installations
Chapter 4 — Equipment for General Use
Chapter 5 — Special Occupancies
Supplements or modifies
Chapters 1 through 4
Chapter 6 — Special Equipment
Chapter 7 — Special Conditions
Chapter 8 — Communications Systems
Chapter 8 is not subject
to the requirements of
Chapters 1 through 7 except
where the requirements are
specifically referenced in
Chapter 8.
Chapter 9 — Tables
Applicable as referenced
Informative Annex A through
Informative Annex I
Informational only;
not mandatory
AF
Informational Note to (4) and (5): Examples of utilities may
include those entities that are typically designated or recognized by governmental law or regulation by public
service/utility commissions and that install, operate, and maintain electric supply (such as generation, transmission, or distribution systems) or communications systems (such as telephone, CATV, Internet, satellite, or data services). Utilities
may be subject to compliance with codes and standards covering their regulated activities as adopted under governmental
law or regulation. Additional information can be found through
consultation with the appropriate governmental bodies, such as
state regulatory commissions, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission.
Informative annexes are not part of the requirements of
this Code but are included for informational purposes only.
T
c. Are located in legally established easements or
rights-of-way, or
d. Are located by other written agreements either designated by or recognized by public service commissions, utility commissions, or other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction for such installations. These
written agreements shall be limited to installations
for the purpose of communications, metering, generation, control, transformation, transmission, or
distribution of electric energy where legally established easements or rights-of-way cannot be obtained. These installations shall be limited to federal
lands, Native American reservations through the
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian
Affairs, military bases, lands controlled by port authorities and state agencies and departments, and
lands owned by railroads.
Figure 90.3 Code Arrangement.
90.4 Enforcement. This Code is intended to be suitable
for mandatory application by governmental bodies that exercise legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including signaling and communications systems, and for use by
insurance inspectors. The authority having jurisdiction for
enforcement of the Code has the responsibility for making
interpretations of the rules, for deciding on the approval of
equipment and materials, and for granting the special permission contemplated in a number of the rules.
By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction
may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit
alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining
effective safety.
This Code may require new products, constructions, or
materials that may not yet be available at the time the Code
is adopted. In such event, the authority having jurisdiction
may permit the use of the products, constructions, or materials that comply with the most recent previous edition of
this Code adopted by the jurisdiction.
90.5 Mandatory Rules, Permissive Rules, and Explanatory Material.
(A) Mandatory Rules. Mandatory rules of this Code are
those that identify actions that are specifically required or
prohibited and are characterized by the use of the terms
shall or shall not.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 90 — INTRODUCTION
(C) Explanatory Material. Explanatory material, such as
references to other standards, references to related sections
of this Code, or information related to a Code rule, is included in this Code in the form of informational notes.
Such notes are informational only and are not enforceable
as requirements of this Code.
Brackets containing section references to another NFPA
document are for informational purposes only and are provided as a guide to indicate the source of the extracted text.
These bracketed references immediately follow the extracted text.
Informational Note: The format and language used in this
Code follows guidelines established by NFPA and published in the NEC Style Manual. Copies of this manual can
be obtained from NFPA.
Informational Note No. 1: See requirements in 110.3.
Informational Note No. 2: Listed is defined in Article 100.
Informational Note No. 3: Informative Annex A contains
an informative list of product safety standards for electrical
equipment.
90.8 Wiring Planning.
(A) Future Expansion and Convenience. Plans and
specifications that provide ample space in raceways, spare
raceways, and additional spaces allow for future increases
in electric power and communications circuits. Distribution
centers located in readily accessible locations provide convenience and safety of operation.
(B) Number of Circuits in Enclosures. It is elsewhere
provided in this Code that the number of wires and circuits
confined in a single enclosure be varyingly restricted. Limiting the number of circuits in a single enclosure minimizes
the effects from a short circuit or ground fault. [ROP 1–19].
AF
(D) Informative Annexes. Nonmandatory information
relative to the use of the NEC is provided in informative
annexes. Informative annexes are not part of the enforceable requirements of the NEC, but are included for information purposes only.
ing paragraph and that requires suitability for installation in
accordance with this Code.
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(B) Permissive Rules. Permissive rules of this Code are
those that identify actions that are allowed but not required,
are normally used to describe options or alternative methods, and are characterized by the use of the terms shall be
permitted or shall not be required.
90.9
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90.6 Formal Interpretations. To promote uniformity of
interpretation and application of the provisions of this
Code, formal interpretation procedures have been established and are found in the NFPA Regulations Governing
Committee Projects.
90.7 Examination of Equipment for Safety. For specific
items of equipment and materials referred to in this Code,
examinations for safety made under standard conditions
provide a basis for approval where the record is made generally available through promulgation by organizations
properly equipped and qualified for experimental testing,
inspections of the run of goods at factories, and servicevalue determination through field inspections. This avoids
the necessity for repetition of examinations by different
examiners, frequently with inadequate facilities for such
work, and the confusion that would result from conflicting
reports on the suitability of devices and materials examined
for a given purpose.
It is the intent of this Code that factory-installed internal wiring or the construction of equipment need not be
inspected at the time of installation of the equipment, except to detect alterations or damage, if the equipment has
been listed by a qualified electrical testing laboratory that is
recognized as having the facilities described in the preced-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
90.9 Units of Measurement.
(A) Measurement System of Preference. For the purpose
of this Code, metric units of measurement are in accordance with the modernized metric system known as the
International System of Units (SI).
(B) Dual System of Units. SI units shall appear first, and
inch-pound units shall immediately follow in parentheses.
Conversion from inch-pound units to SI units shall be
based on hard conversion except as provided in 90.9(C).
(C) Permitted Uses of Soft Conversion. The cases given
in 90.9(C)(1) through (C)(4) shall not be required to use
hard conversion and shall be permitted to use soft conversion.
(1) Trade Sizes. Where the actual measured size of a product is not the same as the nominal size, trade size designators shall be used rather than dimensions. Trade practices
shall be followed in all cases.
(2) Extracted Material. Where material is extracted from
another standard, the context of the original material shall
not be compromised or violated. Any editing of the extracted text shall be confined to making the style consistent
with that of the NEC.
(3) Industry Practice. Where industry practice is to express units in inch-pound units, the inclusion of SI units
shall not be required.
(4) Safety. Where a negative impact on safety would result, soft conversion shall be used.
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90.9
ARTICLE 90 — INTRODUCTION
(D) Compliance. Conversion from inch-pound units to SI
units shall be permitted to be an approximate conversion.
Compliance with the numbers shown in either the SI system or the inch-pound system shall constitute compliance
with this Code.
Informational Note No. 2: SI conversions are based on
IEEE/ASTM SI 10-1997, Standard for the Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System.
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Informational Note No. 1: Hard conversion is considered
a change in dimensions or properties of an item into new
sizes that might or might not be interchangeable with the
sizes used in the original measurement. Soft conversion is
considered a direct mathematical conversion and involves a
change in the description of an existing measurement but
not in the actual dimension.
70–26
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 1
Chapter 1 General
and is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or
more functions such as clothes washing, air conditioning,
food mixing, deep frying, and so forth.
ARTICLE 100
Definitions
Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
I. General
Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close
approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other
effective means.
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Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of
being removed or exposed without damaging the building
structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.
Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections
without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite
to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable
ladders, and so forth.
Adjustable Speed Drive. Power conversion equipment
that provides a means of adjusting the speed of an electric
motor. [ROP 11–75]
Informational Note: A variable frequency drive is one type
of electronic adjustable speed drive that controls the rotational speed of an alternating current electric motor by controlling the frequency and voltage of the electrical power
supplied to the motor. [ROP 11–75]
Adjustable Speed Drive System. A combination of an adjustable speed drive, its associated motor(s), and auxiliary
equipment. [ROP 11–75]
Ampacity. The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use
without exceeding its temperature rating.
Appliance. Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is normally built in standardized sizes or types
2014 Edition
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). A device intended
to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
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Askarel. A generic term for a group of nonflammable synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbons used as electrical insulating
media. Askarels of various compositional types are used.
Under arcing conditions, the gases produced, while consisting predominantly of noncombustible hydrogen chloride,
can include varying amounts of combustible gases, depending on the askarel type.
Attachment Plug (Plug Cap) (Plug). A device that, by
insertion in a receptacle, establishes a connection between
the conductors of the attached flexible cord and the conductors connected permanently to the receptacle.
AF
Scope. This article contains only those definitions essential
to the proper application of this Code. It is not intended to
include commonly defined general terms or commonly defined technical terms from related codes and standards. In
general, only those terms that are used in two or more
articles are defined in Article 100. Other definitions are
included in the article in which they are used but may be
referenced in Article 100.
Part I of this article contains definitions intended to
apply wherever the terms are used throughout this Code.
Part II contains definitions applicable only to the parts of
articles specifically covering installations and equipment
operating at over 600 volts, nominal.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization,
office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment,
materials, an installation, or a procedure.
Informational Note: The phrase “authority having jurisdiction,” or its acronym AHJ, is used in NFPA documents in a
broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies
vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is
primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a federal,
state, local, or other regional department or individual such
as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection
department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the authority having jurisdiction. In
many circumstances, the property owner or his or her designated agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the commanding officer or departmental official may be the authority having
jurisdiction.
Automatic. Performing a function without the necessity of
human intervention.
Bathroom. An area including a basin with one or more of
the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or
similar plumbing fixtures.
Battery System. Interconnected battery subsystems consisting of one or more storage batteries and battery chargers, and can include inverters, converters, and associated
electrical equipment. [ROP 13–3]
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ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Bonded (Bonding). Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity.
Bonding Conductor or Jumper. A reliable conductor to
ensure the required electrical conductivity between metal
parts required to be electrically connected.
Bonding Jumper, Equipment. The connection between
two or more portions of the equipment grounding conductor.
Bonding Jumper, Main. The connection between the
grounded circuit conductor and the equipment grounding
conductor at the service.
Bonding Jumper, System. The connection between the
grounded circuit conductor and the supply-side bonding
jumper, or the equipment grounding conductor, or both, at a
separately derived system.
Branch Circuit. The circuit conductors between the final
overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
Adjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying
term indicating that the circuit breaker can be set to trip at
various values of current, time, or both, within a predetermined range.
Instantaneous Trip (as applied to circuit breakers). A
qualifying term indicating that no delay is purposely introduced in the tripping action of the circuit breaker.
Inverse Time (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying
term indicating that there is purposely introduced a delay in
the tripping action of the circuit breaker, which delay decreases as the magnitude of the current increases.
Nonadjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term indicating that the circuit breaker does not have
any adjustment to alter the value of current at which it will
trip or the time required for its operation.
Setting (of circuit breakers). The value of current, time, or
both, at which an adjustable circuit breaker is set to trip.
Clothes Closet. A non-habitable room or space intended
primarily for storage of garments and apparel.
AF
Branch Circuit, Appliance. A branch circuit that supplies
energy to one or more outlets to which appliances are to be
connected and that has no permanently connected luminaires that are not a part of an appliance.
Informational Note: The automatic opening means can be
integral, direct acting with the circuit breaker, or remote
from the circuit breaker.
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CHAPTER 1
Branch Circuit, General-Purpose. A branch circuit that
supplies two or more receptacles or outlets for lighting and
appliances.
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Branch Circuit, Individual. A branch circuit that supplies
only one utilization equipment.
Branch Circuit, Multiwire. A branch circuit that consists
of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage
between them, and a grounded conductor that has equal
voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the
circuit and that is connected to the neutral or grounded
conductor of the system.
Building. A structure that stands alone or that is cut off
from adjoining structures by fire walls with all openings
therein protected by approved fire doors.
Cabinet. An enclosure that is designed for either surface
mounting or flush mounting and is provided with a frame,
mat, or trim in which a swinging door or doors are or can
be hung.
Charge Controller. Equipment that controls dc voltage or
dc current, or both, and that is used to charge a battery or
other energy storage device. [ROP 4–4]
Circuit Breaker. A device designed to open and close a
circuit by nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage
to itself when properly applied within its rating.
70–28
Communications Equipment. The electronic equipment
that performs the telecommunications operations for the
transmission of audio, video, and data, and includes power
equipment (e.g., dc converters, inverters, and batteries),
technical support equipment (e.g., computers), and conductors dedicated solely to the operation of the equipment.
[ROP 16–6]
Concealed. Rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish
of the building.
Informational Note: Wires in concealed raceways are considered concealed, even though they may become accessible by withdrawing them. [ROP 1–31]
Conductor, Bare. A conductor having no covering or electrical insulation whatsoever.
Conductor, Covered. A conductor encased within material
of composition or thickness that is not recognized by this
Code as electrical insulation.
Conductor, Insulated. A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness that is recognized by this
Code as electrical insulation.
Conduit Body. A separate portion of a conduit or tubing
system that provides access through a removable cover(s)
to the interior of the system at a junction of two or more
sections of the system or at a terminal point of the system.
Boxes such as FS and FD or larger cast or sheet metal
boxes are not classified as conduit bodies.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Continuous Load. A load where the maximum current is
expected to continue for 3 hours or more.
Control Circuit. The circuit of a control apparatus or system that carries the electric signals directing the performance of the controller but does not carry the main power
current. [ROP 11–5, ROP 11–8]
Controller. A device or group of devices that serves to
govern, in some predetermined manner, the electric power
delivered to the apparatus to which it is connected.
Cooking Unit, Counter-Mounted. A cooking appliance
designed for mounting in or on a counter and consisting of
one or more heating elements, internal wiring, and built-in
or mountable controls.
Duty, Intermittent. Operation for alternate intervals of (1)
load and no load; or (2) load and rest; or (3) load, no load,
and rest.
Duty, Periodic. Intermittent operation in which the load
conditions are regularly recurrent.
Duty, Short-Time. Operation at a substantially constant
load for a short and definite, specified time.
Duty, Varying. Operation at loads, and for intervals of
time, both of which may be subject to wide variation.
Dwelling, One-Family. A building that consists solely of
one dwelling unit.
Dwelling, Two-Family. A building that consists solely of
two dwelling units.
Dwelling, Multifamily. A building that contains three or
more dwelling units.
Dwelling Unit. A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and
sanitation.
AF
Coordination (Selective). Localization of an overcurrent
condition to restrict outages to the circuit or equipment
affected, accomplished by the selection and installation of
overcurrent protective devices and their ratings or settings
for full range of available overcurrents, from overload to
the maximum available fault current, and for the full range
of overcurrent protective device opening times associated
with those overcurrents. [ROP 10–5]
Duty, Continuous. Operation at a substantially constant
load for an indefinitely long time.
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Connector, Pressure (Solderless). A device that establishes a connection between two or more conductors or
between one or more conductors and a terminal by means
of mechanical pressure and without the use of solder.
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Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors. Conductors drawn
from a copper-clad aluminum rod with the copper metallurgically bonded to an aluminum core, where the copper
forms a minimum of 10 percent of the cross-sectional area
of a solid conductor or each strand of a stranded conductor.
[ROP 6–4]
Cutout Box. An enclosure designed for surface mounting
that has swinging doors or covers secured directly to and
telescoping with the walls of the box proper.
Dead Front. Without live parts exposed to a person on the
operating side of the equipment.
Demand Factor. The ratio of the maximum demand of a
system, or part of a system, to the total connected load of a
system or the part of the system under consideration.
Device. A unit of an electrical system, other than a conductor, that carries or controls electric energy as its principal
function. [ROP 1–31a]
Disconnecting Means. A device, or group of devices, or
other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be
disconnected from their source of supply.
Dusttight. Constructed so that dust will not enter the enclosing case under specified test conditions.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. An intentionally
constructed, low-impedance electrically conductive path
designed and intended to carry current underground-fault
conditions from the point of a ground fault on a wiring
system to the electrical supply source and that facilitates
the operation of the overcurrent protective device or
ground-fault detectors. [ROP 5–6]
Electric Sign. A fixed, stationary, or portable selfcontained, electrically illuminated utilization equipment
with words or symbols designed to convey information or
attract attention.
Electric Power Production and Distribution Network.
Power production, distribution, and utilization equipment
and facilities, such as electric utility systems that deliver
electric power to the connected loads, that are external to
and not controlled by an interactive system.
Electric-Discharge Lighting. Systems of illumination utilizing fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge (HID)
lamps, or neon tubing. [ROP 18–3]
Enclosed. Surrounded by a case, housing, fence, or wall(s)
that prevents persons from accidentally contacting energized parts.
Enclosure. The case or housing of apparatus, or the fence
or walls surrounding an installation to prevent personnel
from accidentally contacting energized parts or to protect
the equipment from physical damage.
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ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Informational Note: See Table 110.29 for examples of enclosure types.
tors, metallic enclosures, metallic raceways, metallic equipment, or earth. [ROP 5–11]
Energized. Electrically connected to, or is, a source of
voltage.
Grounded (Grounding). Connected (connecting) to
ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground
connection.
Equipment. A general term, including fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the like
used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation.
Grounded, Solidly. Connected to ground without inserting
any resistor or impedance device.
Explosionproof Equipment. Equipment enclosed in a case
that is capable of withstanding an explosion of a specified
gas or vapor that may occur within it and of preventing the
ignition of a specified gas or vapor surrounding the enclosure by sparks, flashes, or explosion of the gas or vapor
within, and that operates at such an external temperature
that a surrounding flammable atmosphere will not be ignited thereby.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to deenergize a circuit or portion thereof within an established
period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values
established for a Class A device.
Ground-Fault Current Path. An electrically conductive
path from the point of a ground fault on a wiring system
through normally non–current-carrying conductors, equipment, or the earth to the electrical supply source.
AF
Exposed (as applied to live parts). Capable of being inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance by a person.
Informational Note: Class A ground-fault circuit interrupters trip when the current to ground is 6 mA or higher and
do not trip when the current to ground is less than 4 mA.
For further information, see UL 943, Standard for GroundFault Circuit Interrupters.
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Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/UL 1203-2009, Explosion-Proof and Dust-IgnitionProof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–3]
Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that
is intentionally grounded.
Informational Note: This term applies to parts that are not
suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated. [ROP 1–49]
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Exposed (as applied to wiring methods). On or attached
to the surface or behind panels designed to allow access.
Externally Operable. Capable of being operated without
exposing the operator to contact with live parts.
Feeder. All circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of a separately derived system, or other
power supply source and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.
Festoon Lighting. A string of outdoor lights that is suspended between two points.
Fitting. An accessory such as a locknut, bushing, or other
part of a wiring system that is intended primarily to perform a mechanical rather than an electrical function.
Garage. A building or portion of a building in which one or
more self-propelled vehicles can be kept for use, sale, storage, rental, repair, exhibition, or demonstration purposes.
Informational Note: For commercial garages, repair and
storage, see Article 511.
Ground. The earth.
Ground Fault. An unintentional, electrically conductive
connection between an ungrounded conductor of an electrical circuit and the normally non–current-carrying conduc-
70–30
Informational Note: Examples of ground-fault current
paths could consist of any combination of equipment
grounding conductors, metallic raceways, metallic cable
sheaths, electrical equipment, and any other electrically
conductive material such as metal water and gas piping,
steel framing members, stucco mesh, metal ducting, reinforcing steel, shields of communications cables, and the
earth itself. [ROP 5–13 ROP 5–14]
Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. A system intended to provide protection of equipment from damaging
line-to-ground fault currents by operating to cause a disconnecting means to open all ungrounded conductors of the
faulted circuit. This protection is provided at current levels
less than those required to protect conductors from damage
through the operation of a supply circuit overcurrent device.
Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive path(s) that provides a ground-fault current path and
connects normally non–current-carrying metal parts of
equipment together and to the system grounded conductor
or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both. [ROP
5–14a]
Informational Note No. 1: It is recognized that the equipment grounding conductor also performs bonding.
Informational Note No. 2: See 250.118 for a list of acceptable equipment grounding conductors.
Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Guarded. Covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected by means of suitable covers, casings, barriers, rails, screens, mats, or platforms to remove the likelihood of approach or contact by persons or objects to a point
of danger.
Guest Room. An accommodation combining living, sleeping, sanitary, and storage facilities within a compartment.
Guest Suite. An accommodation with two or more contiguous rooms comprising a compartment, with or without
doors between such rooms, that provides living, sleeping,
sanitary, and storage facilities.
Interactive System. An electric power production system
that is operating in parallel with and capable of delivering
energy to an electric primary source supply system.
Interrupting Rating. The highest current at rated voltage
that a device is identified to interrupt under standard test
conditions.
Informational Note: Equipment intended to interrupt current at other than fault levels may have its interrupting
rating implied in other ratings, such as horsepower or
locked rotor current.
Intersystem Bonding Termination. A device that provides a means for connecting intersystem bonding conductors for communications systems to the grounding electrode
system. [ROP 5–16]
Isolated (as applied to location). Not readily accessible
to persons unless special means for access are used.
AF
Handhole Enclosure. An enclosure for use in underground
systems, provided with an open or closed bottom, and sized
to allow personnel to reach into, but not enter, for the purpose of installing, operating, or maintaining equipment or
wiring or both.
lays; (3) a combination of power and control circuit components. These components, with associated wiring and terminals, are mounted on or contained within an enclosure or
mounted on a subpanel.
The industrial control panel does not include the controlled equipment. [ROP 11–7]
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Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode system.
CHAPTER 1
Hermetic Refrigerant Motor-Compressor. A combination consisting of a compressor and motor, both of which
are enclosed in the same housing, with no external shaft or
shaft seals, the motor operating in the refrigerant. [ROP
11–6]
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Hoistway. Any shaftway, hatchway, well hole, or other vertical opening or space in which an elevator or dumbwaiter
is designed to operate.
Identified (as applied to equipment). Recognizable as
suitable for the specific purpose, function, use, environment, application, and so forth, where described in a particular Code requirement.
Informational Note: Some examples of ways to determine
suitability of equipment for a specific purpose, environment, or application include investigations by a qualified
testing laboratory (listing and labeling), an inspection
agency, or other organizations concerned with product
evaluation.
In Sight From (Within Sight From, Within Sight).
Where this Code specifies that one equipment shall be “in
sight from,” “within sight from,” or “within sight of,” and
so forth, another equipment, the specified equipment is to
be visible and not more than 15 m (50 ft) distant from the
other.
Industrial Control Panel. An assembly of two or more
components consisting of one of the following: (1) power
circuit components only, such as motor controllers, overload relays, fused disconnect switches, and circuit breakers;
(2) control circuit components only, such as pushbuttons,
pilot lights, selector switches, timers, switches, control re-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Kitchen. An area with a sink and permanent provisions for
food preparation and cooking.
Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an
organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer
indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.
Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder or luminaire.
Lighting Track (Track Lighting). A manufactured assembly designed to support and energize luminaires that are
capable of being readily repositioned on the track. Its
length can be altered by the addition or subtraction of sections of track. [ROP 18–5]
Listed. Equipment, materials, or services included in a list
published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation
of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection
of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic
evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either
the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for
a specified purpose.
Informational Note: The means for identifying listed
equipment may vary for each organization concerned with
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ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Live Parts. Energized conductive components.
Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and
not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but
subject to moderate degrees of moisture.
Informational Note: Examples of such locations include
partially protected locations under canopies, marquees,
roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some
basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.
[ROP 1–52]
Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a
building under construction.
Informational
Note:
Electronic
equipment,
electronic/electric-discharge lighting, adjustable-speed
drive systems, and similar equipment may be nonlinear
loads.
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is
taken to supply utilization equipment.
Outline Lighting. An arrangement of incandescent lamps,
electric-discharge lighting, or other electrically powered
light sources to outline or call attention to certain features
such as the shape of a building or the decoration of a
window.
Overcurrent. Any current in excess of the rated current of
equipment or the ampacity of a conductor. It may result
from overload, short circuit, or ground fault.
Informational Note: A current in excess of rating may be
accommodated by certain equipment and conductors for a
given set of conditions. Therefore, the rules for overcurrent
protection are specific for particular situations.
AF
Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete
slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such
as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
Nonlinear Load. A load where the wave shape of the
steady-state current does not follow the wave shape of the
applied voltage.
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product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled. Use of the system
employed by the listing organization allows the authority
having jurisdiction to identify a listed product.
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Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light
source such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts
designed to position the light source and connect it to the
power supply. It may also include parts to protect the light
source or the ballast or to distribute the light. A lampholder
itself is not a luminaire.
Motor Control Center. An assembly of one or more enclosed sections having a common power bus and principally containing motor control units.
Multioutlet Assembly. A type of surface, flush, or freestanding raceway designed to hold conductors and receptacles, assembled in the field or at the factory.
Neutral Conductor. The conductor connected to the neutral point of a system that is intended to carry current under
normal conditions.
Neutral Point. The common point on a wye-connection in
a polyphase system or midpoint on a single-phase, 3-wire
system, or midpoint of a single-phase portion of a 3-phase
delta system, or a midpoint of a 3-wire, direct-current system.
Informational Note: At the neutral point of the system, the
vectorial sum of the nominal voltages from all other phases
within the system that utilize the neutral, with respect to the
neutral point, is zero potential.
Nonautomatic. Requiring human intervention to perform a
function.
70–32
Overcurrent Protective Device, Branch-Circuit. A device capable of providing protection for service, feeder, and
branch circuits and equipment over the full range of overcurrents between its rated current and its interrupting rating. Branch-circuit overcurrent protective devices are provided with interrupting ratings appropriate for the intended
use but no less than 5000 amperes.
Overcurrent Protective Device, Supplementary. A device intended to provide limited overcurrent protection for
specific applications and utilization equipment such as luminaires and appliances. This limited protection is in addition to the protection provided in the required branch circuit by the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device.
Overload. Operation of equipment in excess of normal,
full-load rating, or of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, when it persists for a sufficient length of time,
would cause damage or dangerous overheating. A fault,
such as a short circuit or ground fault, is not an overload.
Panelboard. A single panel or group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a single panel, including
buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped
with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or
power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout
box placed in or against a wall, partition, or other support;
and accessible only from the front.
Photovoltaic (PV) System. The total components and subsystem that, in combination, convert solar energy into electric energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.
[ROP 4–8a]
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ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 1
Plenum. A compartment or chamber to which one or more
air ducts are connected and that forms part of the air distribution system.
Remote-Control Circuit. Any electrical circuit that controls any other circuit through a relay or an equivalent device.
Power Outlet. An enclosed assembly that may include receptacles, circuit breakers, fuseholders, fused switches,
buses, and watt-hour meter mounting means; intended to
supply and control power to mobile homes, recreational
vehicles, park trailers, or boats or to serve as a means for
distributing power required to operate mobile or temporarily installed equipment.
Retrofit Kit. A general term for a complete listed subassembly of parts and devices for field conversion of utilization equipment. [ROP 18–9]
Separately Derived System. A premises wiring system or
portion of a premises wiring system other than a service.
Power for such systems is derived from a source of electric
energy or equipment with no direct connection from circuit
conductors of one system to circuit conductors of another
system, other than connections through the earth, grounding electrode(s), grounding electrode conductors, bonding
jumpers used to connect grounding electrodes, equipment
grounding conductors, metal enclosures, or metallic raceways. [ROP 5–20]
AF
Informational Note: Power sources include, but are not
limited to, interconnected or stand-alone batteries, solar
photovoltaic systems, other distributed generation systems,
or generators. [ROP 1–61]
Informational Note: The equipment may or may not be
operable without opening the enclosure. [ROP 1–63]
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Premises Wiring (System). Interior and exterior wiring,
including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring
together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and
wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed.
This includes (a) wiring from the service point or power
source to the outlets or (b) wiring from and including the
power source to the outlets where there is no service point.
Such wiring does not include wiring internal to appliances, luminaires, motors, controllers, motor control centers, and similar equipment.
Sealable Equipment. Equipment enclosed in a case or
cabinet that is provided with a means of sealing or locking
so that live parts cannot be made accessible without opening the enclosure. [ROP 1–63]
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Qualified Person. One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical
equipment and installations and has received safety training
to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.
Service. The conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy from the serving utility to the wiring system of
the premises served.
Service Cable. Service conductors made up in the form of
a cable.
Informational Note: Refer to NFPA 70E-2009, Standard
for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, for electrical safety
training requirements.
Service Conductors. The conductors from the service
point to the service disconnecting means.
Raceway. An enclosed channel of metallic or nonmetallic
materials designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or
busbars, with additional functions as permitted in this
Code.
Service Conductors, Overhead. The overhead conductors
between the service point and the first point of connection
to the service-entrance conductors at the building or other
structure.
Informational Note: A raceway is identified within specific article definitions. [ROP 8–24]
Service Conductors, Underground. The underground
conductors between the service point and the first point of
connection to the service-entrance conductors in a terminal
box, meter, or other enclosure, inside or outside the building wall.
Rainproof. Constructed, protected, or treated so as to prevent rain from interfering with the successful operation of
the apparatus under specified test conditions.
Raintight. Constructed or protected so that exposure to a
beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under
specified test conditions.
Receptacle. A receptacle is a contact device installed at the
outlet for the connection of an attachment plug. A single
receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact
device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or
more contact devices on the same yoke.
Receptacle Outlet. An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: Where there is no terminal box,
meter, or other enclosure, the point of connection is considered to be the point of entrance of the service conductors
into the building.
Service Drop. The overhead conductors between the utility
electric supply system and the service point.
Service-Entrance Conductors, Overhead System. The
service conductors between the terminals of the service
equipment and a point usually outside the building, clear of
building walls, where joined by tap or splice to the service
drop or overhead service conductors.
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ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Informational Note: Where service equipment is located
outside the building walls, there may be no serviceentrance conductors or they may be entirely outside the
building.
Service Equipment. The necessary equipment, usually
consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s)
and their accessories, connected to the load end of service
conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise
designated area, and intended to constitute the main control
and cutoff of the supply.
Service Lateral. The underground conductors between the
utility electric supply system and the service point.
Service Point. The point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring.
Informational Note: For further information on Type 1,
Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4 SPDs, see UL 1449, Standard
for Surge Protective Devices.
Switch, Bypass Isolation. A manually operated device
used in conjunction with a transfer switch to provide a
means of directly connecting load conductors to a power
source and of disconnecting the transfer switch.
AF
Informational Note: The service point can be described as
the point of demarcation between where the serving utility
ends and the premises wiring begins. The serving utility
generally specifies the location of the service point based
on the conditions of service.
Surge-Protective Device (SPD). A protective device for
limiting transient voltages by diverting or limiting surge
current; it also prevents continued flow of follow current
while remaining capable of repeating these functions and is
designated as follows:
Type 1: Permanently connected SPDs intended for installation between the secondary of the service transformer
and the line side of the service disconnect overcurrent
device.
Type 2: Permanently connected SPDs intended for installation on the load side of the service disconnect overcurrent device, including SPDs located at the branch panel.
Type 3: Point of utilization SPDs.
Type 4: Component SPDs, including discrete components, as well as assemblies.
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Service-Entrance Conductors, Underground System.
The service conductors between the terminals of the service
equipment and the point of connection to the service lateral
or underground service conductors.
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Short-Circuit Current Rating. The prospective symmetrical fault current at a nominal voltage to which an apparatus
or system is able to be connected without sustaining damage exceeding defined acceptance criteria.
Show Window. Any window used or designed to be used
for the display of goods or advertising material, whether it
is fully or partly enclosed or entirely open at the rear and
whether or not it has a platform raised higher than the street
floor level.
Signaling Circuit. Any electrical circuit that energizes signaling equipment.
[ROP 4–8a]
Special Permission. The written consent of the authority
having jurisdiction.
Structure. That which is built or constructed.
Substation. An enclosed assemblage of equipment (e.g.,
switches, interrupting devices, circuit breakers, buses, and
transformers) under the control of qualified persons,
through which electric energy is passed for the purpose of
distribution, switching, or modifying its characteristics.
[ROP 4–10, ROP 9–8a]
Surge Arrester. A protective device for limiting surge voltages by discharging or bypassing surge current; it also prevents continued flow of follow current while remaining capable of repeating these functions.
70–34
Switch, General-Use. A switch intended for use in general
distribution and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes, and
it is capable of interrupting its rated current at its rated
voltage.
Switch, General-Use Snap. A form of general-use switch
constructed so that it can be installed in device boxes or on
box covers, or otherwise used in conjunction with wiring
systems recognized by this Code.
Switch, Isolating. A switch intended for isolating an electrical circuit from the source of power. It has no interrupting rating, and it is intended to be operated only after the
circuit has been opened by some other means.
Switch, Motor-Circuit. A switch rated in horsepower that
is capable of interrupting the maximum operating overload
current of a motor of the same horsepower rating as the
switch at the rated voltage.
Switch, Transfer. An automatic or nonautomatic device for
transferring one or more load conductor connections from
one power source to another.
Switchboard. A large single panel, frame, or assembly of
panels on which are mounted on the face, back, or both,
switches, overcurrent and other protective devices, buses,
and usually instruments. Switchboards are generally accessible from the rear as well as from the front and are not
intended to be installed in cabinets.
Switchgear. An assembly completely enclosed on all sides
and top with sheet metal (except for ventilating openings
and inspection windows) and containing primary power cir-
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 100 — DEFINITIONS
Informational Note: All switchgear subject to NEC requirements is metal enclosed. Switchgear rated below 600
(or 1000) volts may be identified as “Low-Voltage Power
Circuit Breaker Switchgear”. Switchgear rated over 1000
volts may be identified as “Metal-Enclosed Switchgear” or
“Metal-Clad Switchgear”. Switchgear is available in nonarc-resistant or arc-resistant constructions. [ROP 9–7]
Thermal Protector (as applied to motors). A protective
device for assembly as an integral part of a motor or motorcompressor that, when properly applied, protects the motor
against dangerous overheating due to overload and failure
to start.
Informational Note: The thermal protector may consist of
one or more sensing elements integral with the motor or
motor-compressor and an external control device.
Informational Note No. 1: The actual voltage at which a
circuit operates can vary from the nominal within a range
that permits satisfactory operation of equipment. [ROP
1–68]
Informational Note No. 2: See ANSI C84.1-2006, Voltage
Ratings for Electric Power Systems and Equipment (60
Hz). [ROP 1–68]
Voltage to Ground. For grounded circuits, the voltage between the given conductor and that point or conductor of
the circuit that is grounded; for ungrounded circuits, the
greatest voltage between the given conductor and any other
conductor of the circuit.
Watertight. Constructed so that moisture will not enter the
enclosure under specified test conditions.
Weatherproof. Constructed or protected so that exposure
to the weather will not interfere with successful operation.
Informational Note: Rainproof, raintight, or watertight
equipment can fulfill the requirements for weatherproof
where varying weather conditions other than wetness, such
as snow, ice, dust, or temperature extremes, are not a factor.
AF
Thermally Protected (as applied to motors). The words
Thermally Protected appearing on the nameplate of a motor
or motor-compressor indicate that the motor is provided
with a thermal protector.
Voltage, Nominal. A nominal value assigned to a circuit or
system for the purpose of conveniently designating its voltage class (e.g., 120/240 volts, 480Y/277 volts, 600 volts).
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cuit switching, interrupting devices, or both, with buses and
connections. The assembly may include control and auxiliary devices. Access to the interior of the enclosure is provided by doors, removable covers, or both.
CHAPTER 1
Ungrounded. Not connected to ground or to a conductive
body that extends the ground connection.
Uninterruptible Power Supply. A power supply used to
provide alternating current power to a load for some period
of time in the event of a power failure.
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Informational Note: In addition, it may provide a more
constant voltage and frequency supply to the load, reducing
the effects of voltage and frequency variations.
Utility-Interactive Inverter. An inverter intended for use
in parallel with an electric utility to supply common loads
that may deliver power to the utility.
Utilization Equipment. Equipment that utilizes electric
energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating,
lighting, or similar purposes.
Ventilated. Provided with a means to permit circulation of
air sufficient to remove an excess of heat, fumes, or vapors.
Volatile Flammable Liquid. A flammable liquid having a
flash point below 38°C (100°F), or a flammable liquid
whose temperature is above its flash point, or a Class II
combustible liquid that has a vapor pressure not exceeding
276 kPa (40 psia) at 38°C (100°F) and whose temperature
is above its flash point.
Voltage (of a circuit). The greatest root-mean-square (rms)
(effective) difference of potential between any two conductors of the circuit concerned.
Informational Note: Some systems, such as 3-phase
4-wire, single-phase 3-wire, and 3-wire direct current, may
have various circuits of various voltages.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
II. Over 600 Volts, Nominal
Part II contains definitions applicable only to the articles
and parts of articles specifically covering installations and
equipment operating at over 600 volts, nominal. [ROP
1–72]
The definitions in Part I are intended to apply wherever
the terms are used throughout this Code. The definitions in
Part II are applicable only to articles and parts of the articles specifically covering installations and equipment operating at over 600 volts, nominal. [ROP 1–72]
Electronically Actuated Fuse. An overcurrent protective
device that generally consists of a control module that provides current sensing, electronically derived time–current
characteristics, energy to initiate tripping, and an interrupting module that interrupts current when an overcurrent occurs. Electronically actuated fuses may or may not operate
in a current-limiting fashion, depending on the type of control selected.
Fuse. An overcurrent protective device with a circuitopening fusible part that is heated and severed by the passage of overcurrent through it.
Informational Note: A fuse comprises all the parts that
form a unit capable of performing the prescribed functions.
It may or may not be the complete device necessary to
connect it into an electrical circuit.
Controlled Vented Power Fuse. A fuse with provision for
controlling discharge circuit interruption such that no solid
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110.1
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
material may be exhausted into the surrounding atmosphere.
Oil Switch. A switch having contacts that operate under oil
(or askarel or other suitable liquid).
Informational Note: The fuse is designed so that discharged gases will not ignite or damage insulation in the
path of the discharge or propagate a flashover to or between
grounded members or conduction members in the path of
the discharge where the distance between the vent and such
insulation or conduction members conforms to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Regulator Bypass Switch. A specific device or combination of devices designed to bypass a regulator.
Nonvented Power Fuse. A fuse without intentional provision for the escape of arc gases, liquids, or solid particles to
the atmosphere during circuit interruption.
Power Fuse Unit. A vented, nonvented, or controlled
vented fuse unit in which the arc is extinguished by being
drawn through solid material, granular material, or liquid,
either alone or aided by a spring.
I. General
110.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for
the examination and approval, installation and use, access
to and spaces about electrical conductors and equipment;
enclosures intended for personnel entry; and tunnel installations.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex J for information regarding ADA accessibility design. [ROP 1–191a]
110.2 Approval. The conductors and equipment required
or permitted by this Code shall be acceptable only if approved.
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Vented Power Fuse. A fuse with provision for the escape
of arc gases, liquids, or solid particles to the surrounding
atmosphere during circuit interruption.
ARTICLE 110
Requirements for Electrical Installations
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Expulsion Fuse Unit (Expulsion Fuse). A vented fuse unit
in which the expulsion effect of gases produced by the arc
and lining of the fuseholder, either alone or aided by a
spring, extinguishes the arc.
Multiple Fuse. An assembly of two or more single-pole
fuses.
Switching Device. A device designed to close, open, or
both, one or more electrical circuits.
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Circuit Breaker. A switching device capable of making,
carrying, and interrupting currents under normal circuit
conditions, and also of making, carrying for a specified
time, and interrupting currents under specified abnormal
circuit conditions, such as those of short circuit.
Cutout. An assembly of a fuse support with either a fuseholder, fuse carrier, or disconnecting blade. The fuseholder
or fuse carrier may include a conducting element (fuse link)
or may act as the disconnecting blade by the inclusion of a
nonfusible member.
Disconnecting Means. A device, group of devices, or
other means whereby the conductors of a circuit can be
disconnected from their source of supply.
Disconnecting (or Isolating) Switch (Disconnector, Isolator). A mechanical switching device used for isolating a
circuit or equipment from a source of power.
Interrupter Switch. A switch capable of making, carrying,
and interrupting specified currents.
Oil Cutout (Oil-Filled Cutout). A cutout in which all or
part of the fuse support and its fuse link or disconnecting
blade is mounted in oil with complete immersion of the
contacts and the fusible portion of the conducting element
(fuse link) so that arc interruption by severing of the fuse
link or by opening of the contacts will occur under oil.
70–36
Informational Note: See 90.7, Examination of Equipment
for Safety, and 110.3, Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment. See definitions of Approved,
Identified, Labeled, and Listed.
110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use
of Equipment.
(A) Examination. In judging equipment, considerations
such as the following shall be evaluated:
(1) Suitability for installation and use in conformity with
the provisions of this Code
Informational Note: Suitability of equipment use may be
identified by a description marked on or provided with a
product to identify the suitability of the product for a specific purpose, environment, or application. Special conditions of use or other limitations and other pertinent information may be marked on the equipment, included in the
product instructions, or included in the appropriate listing
and labeling information. Suitability of equipment may be
evidenced by listing or labeling.
(2) Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts
designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the
adequacy of the protection thus provided
(3) Wire-bending and connection space
(4) Electrical insulation
(5) Heating effects under normal conditions of use and also
under abnormal conditions likely to arise in service
(6) Arcing effects
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ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment
shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.
110.4 Voltages. Throughout this Code, the voltage considered shall be that at which the circuit operates. The voltage
rating of electrical equipment shall not be less than the
nominal voltage of a circuit to which it is connected.
110.5 Conductors. Conductors normally used to carry current shall be of copper unless otherwise provided in this
Code. Where the conductor material is not specified, the
material and the sizes given in this Code shall apply to
copper conductors. Where other materials are used, the size
shall be changed accordingly.
110.11 Deteriorating Agents. Unless identified for use in
the operating environment, no conductors or equipment
shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to
gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a
deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or
where exposed to excessive temperatures.
Informational Note No. 1: See 300.6 for protection against
corrosion.
Informational Note No. 2: Some cleaning and lubricating
compounds can cause severe deterioration of many plastic
materials used for insulating and structural applications in
equipment.
Equipment not identified for outdoor use and equipment
identified only for indoor use, such as “dry locations,” “indoor use only,” “damp locations,” or enclosure Types 1, 2,
5, 12, 12K, and/or 13, shall be protected against damage
from the weather during construction.
AF
Informational Note: For aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors, see 310.15.
of the circuit. This fault shall be assumed to be either between two or more of the circuit conductors or between any
circuit conductor and the equipment grounding conductor(s) permitted in 250.118. Listed equipment applied in
accordance with their listing shall be considered to meet the
requirements of this section.
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(7) Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity,
and specific use
(8) Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in contact with
the equipment
110.13
110.6 Conductor Sizes. Conductor sizes are expressed in
American Wire Gage (AWG) or in circular mils.
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110.7 Wiring Integrity. Completed wiring installations
shall be free from short circuits, ground faults, or any connections to ground other than as required or permitted elsewhere in this Code.
110.8 Wiring Methods. Only wiring methods recognized
as suitable are included in this Code. The recognized methods of wiring shall be permitted to be installed in any type
of building or occupancy, except as otherwise provided in
this Code.
110.9 Interrupting Rating. Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall have an interrupting rating
sufficient for the nominal circuit voltage and the current
that is available at the line terminals of the equipment.
[ROP 1–85a]
Equipment intended to interrupt current at other than
fault levels shall have an interrupting rating at nominal
circuit voltage sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. [ROP 1–85a]
110.10 Circuit Impedance, Short-Circuit Current Ratings, and Other Characteristics. The overcurrent protective devices, the total impedance, the equipment shortcircuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the
circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to
permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to
do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 3: See Table 110.29 for appropriate
enclosure-type designations.
110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work. Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
Informational Note: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA 1-2010, Standard Practice of Good
Workmanship in Electrical Construction, and other ANSIapproved installation standards. [ROP 1–90]
(A) Unused Openings. Unused openings, other than those
intended for the operation of equipment, those intended for
mounting purposes, or those permitted as part of the design
for listed equipment, shall be closed to afford protection
substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.
Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic
enclosures, they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (1⁄4 in.)
from the outer surface of the enclosure.
(B) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections.
Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars,
wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be
damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as
paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues.
There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect
safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment
such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by
corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.
110.13 Mounting and Cooling of Equipment.
(A) Mounting. Electrical equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. Wooden plugs
70–37
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster, or similar
materials shall not be used.
(B) Cooling. Electrical equipment that depends on the
natural circulation of air and convection principles for cooling of exposed surfaces shall be installed so that room
airflow over such surfaces is not prevented by walls or by
adjacent installed equipment. For equipment designed for
floor mounting, clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm air.
Electrical equipment provided with ventilating openings shall be installed so that walls or other obstructions do
not prevent the free circulation of air through the equipment.
(C) Temperature Limitations. The temperature rating associated with the ampacity of a conductor shall be selected
and coordinated so as not to exceed the lowest temperature
rating of any connected termination, conductor, or device.
Conductors with temperature ratings higher than specified
for terminations shall be permitted to be used for ampacity
adjustment, correction, or both.
(1) Equipment Provisions. The determination of termination provisions of equipment shall be based on
110.14(C)(1)(a) or (C)(1)(b). Unless the equipment is listed
and marked otherwise, conductor ampacities used in determining equipment termination provisions shall be based on
Table 310.15(B)(16) as appropriately modified by
310.15(B)(7). Table 400.5(A)(1) ampacities shall be used
for flexible cords and cables. [ROP 1–98]
(a) Termination provisions of equipment for circuits
rated 100 amperes or less, or marked for 14 AWG through
1 AWG conductors, shall be used only for one of the following:
(1) Conductors rated 60°C (140°F).
(2) Conductors with higher temperature ratings, provided
the ampacity of such conductors is determined based
on the 60°C (140°F) ampacity of the conductor size
used.
(3) Conductors with higher temperature ratings if the
equipment is listed and identified for use with such
conductors.
(4) For motors marked with design letters B, C, or D, conductors having an insulation rating of 75°C (167°F) or
higher shall be permitted to be used, provided the ampacity of such conductors does not exceed the 75°C
(167°F) ampacity.
(b) Termination provisions of equipment for circuits
rated over 100 amperes, or marked for conductors larger
than 1 AWG, shall be used only for one of the following:
(1) Conductors rated 75°C (167°F)
(2) Conductors with higher temperature ratings, provided
the ampacity of such conductors does not exceed the
75°C (167°F) ampacity of the conductor size used, or
up to their ampacity if the equipment is listed and identified for use with such conductors
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110.14 Electrical Connections. Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals, devices such as pressure
terminal or pressure splicing connectors and soldering lugs
shall be identified for the material of the conductor and
shall be properly installed and used. Conductors of dissimilar metals shall not be intermixed in a terminal or splicing
connector where physical contact occurs between dissimilar
conductors (such as copper and aluminum, copper and
copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum), unless the device is identified for the purpose and
conditions of use. Materials such as solder, fluxes, inhibitors, and compounds, where employed, shall be suitable for
the use and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect
the conductors, installation, or equipment.
Connectors and terminals for conductors more finely
stranded than Class B and Class C stranding as shown in
Chapter 9, Table 10, shall be identified for the specific
conductor class or classes.
tors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of
the conductors or with an identified insulating device.
[ROP 1–96]
Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors for direct burial shall be listed for such use.
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110.14
Informational Note: Many terminations and equipment are
either marked with tightening torque or are identified as to
tightening torque in the installation instructions provided.
[ROP 1–93]
(A) Terminals. Connection of conductors to terminal parts
shall ensure a thoroughly good connection without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure
connectors (including set-screw type), solder lugs, or
splices to flexible leads. Connection by means of wirebinding screws or studs and nuts that have upturned lugs or
the equivalent shall be permitted for 10 AWG or smaller
conductors.
Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals
used to connect aluminum shall be so identified.
(B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with
splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered
splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be
soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conduc-
70–38
(2) Separate Connector Provisions. Separately installed
pressure connectors shall be used with conductors at the
ampacities not exceeding the ampacity at the listed and
identified temperature rating of the connector.
Informational Note: With respect to 110.14(C)(1) and
(C)(2), equipment markings or listing information may ad-
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ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
110.22
ditionally restrict the sizing and temperature ratings of connected conductors.
Informational Note: For hazardous (classified) locations,
see Articles 500 through 517. For motors, see 430.14.
110.15 High-Leg Marking. On a 4-wire, delta-connected
system where the midpoint of one phase winding is
grounded, only the conductor or busbar having the higher
phase voltage to ground shall be durably and permanently
marked by an outer finish that is orange in color or by other
effective means. Such identification shall be placed at each
point on the system where a connection is made if the
grounded conductor is also present.
110.19 Light and Power from Railway Conductors. Circuits for lighting and power shall not be connected to any
system that contains trolley wires with a ground return.
110.16 Arc-Flash Hazard Warning. Electrical equipment,
such as switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, industrial
control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control
centers, that are in other than dwelling units, and are likely
to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall be field or factory marked to
warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards. The marking shall meet the requirements in 110.21(B)
and shall be located so as to be clearly visible to qualified
persons before examination, adjustment, servicing, or
maintenance of the equipment. [ROP 9–14a, ROP 1–102,
ROP 1–105, ROP 1–107]
(A) Manufacturer Markings. The manufacturer’s name,
trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be identified shall
be placed on all electrical equipment. Other markings that
indicate voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings shall be
provided as specified elsewhere in this Code. The marking
or label shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the
environment involved. [ROP 1–114]
Exception: Such circuit connections shall be permitted in
car houses, power houses, or passenger and freight stations
operated in connection with electric railways.
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110.21 Marking.
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(B) Field-Applied Markings. Where caution, warning, or
danger signs or labels are required by this Code, the labels
shall meet the following requirements. [ROP 1–114]
(1) The following colors shall be used for the hazard labels: [ROP 1–114]
Informational Note No. 1: NFPA 70E-2012, Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides guidance such
as determining severity of potential exposure, planning safe
work practices, arc flash labeling and selecting personal
protective equipment. [ROP 1–109]
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Informational Note No. 2: ANSI Z535.4-1998, Product
Safety Signs and Labels, provides guidelines for the design
of safety signs and labels for application to products.
110.17 Working Space Marking. Equipment working
space required elsewhere in this code shall be field marked
to indicate the working space required. The marking shall
be located to be clearly visible and shall be permitted to be
on or adjacent to the equipment. The marking shall include
the words:
CAUTION! AREA IN FRONT OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SHALL BE KEPT CLEAR FOR DEPTH: WIDTH:
HEIGHT:
The marking shall also include the dimensions of the
depth, width, and height required to be kept clear for the
working space. It shall be permitted to use one marking for
multiple items of equipment as long as the marking is visible from the working space for each item of equipment.
The markings shall meet the requirements of 110.21(B).
[ROP 1–110]
110.18 Arcing Parts. Parts of electrical equipment that in
ordinary operation produce arcs, sparks, flames, or molten
metal shall be enclosed or separated and isolated from all
combustible material.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
a. DANGER Label: Black text, with white and red
background [ROP 1–114]
b. WARNING Label: Black text with white and orange
background [ROP 1–114]
c. CAUTION Label: Black text with yellow and white
background [ROP 1–114]
(2) The label shall be permanently affixed to the equipment
or wiring method and shall not be hand written. [ROP
1–114]
(3) The label shall be suitable for the environment where it
is installed. [ROP 1–114]
Informational Note: ANSI Z535.4-2011, Product Safety
Signs and Labels, provides guidelines for the design and
durability of safety signs and labels for application to electrical equipment. This standard provides more specific information related to suitable font sizes, colors, various symbols and location requirements for labels. [ROP 1–114]
110.22 Identification of Disconnecting Means.
(A) General. Each disconnecting means shall be legibly
marked to indicate its purpose unless located and arranged
so the purpose is evident. The marking shall be of sufficient
durability to withstand the environment involved.
(B) Engineered Series Combination Systems. Equipment
enclosures for circuit breakers or fuses applied in compliance with series combination ratings selected under engineering supervision in accordance with 240.86(A) shall be
70–39
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
legibly marked in the field as directed by the engineer to
indicate the equipment has been applied with a series combination rating. The marking shall meet the requirements in
110.21(B) and shall be readily visible and state the following: [ROP 1–117]
CAUTION — ENGINEERED SERIES COMBINATION SYSTEM RATED _______ AMPERES. IDENTIFIED REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS REQUIRED.
(C) Tested Series Combination Systems. Equipment enclosures for circuit breakers or fuses applied in compliance
with the series combination ratings marked on the equipment by the manufacturer in accordance with 240.86(B)
shall be legibly marked in the field to indicate the equipment has been applied with a series combination rating.
The marking shall meet the requirements in 110.21(B) and
shall be readily visible and state the following: [ROP
1–117]
110.23 Current Transformers. Unused current transformers associated with potentially energized circuits shall be
short-circuited.
110.24 Available Fault Current.
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(A) Field Marking. Service equipment in other than
dwelling units shall be legibly marked in the field with the
maximum available fault current. The field marking(s) shall
include the date the fault current calculation was performed
and be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment
involved.
Informational Note: Arc flash hazard analysis information
is available in NFPA 70E-2012, Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace. Maximum available fault current
at the service is intended for application to the interrupting
ratings of equipment and not for arc flash hazard analysis.
[ROP 1–121]
(B) Modifications. When modifications to the electrical
installation occur that affect the maximum available fault
current at the service, the maximum available fault current
shall be verified or recalculated as necessary to ensure the
service equipment ratings are sufficient for the maximum
available fault current at the line terminals of the equipment. The required field marking(s) in 110.24(A) shall be
adjusted to reflect the new level of maximum available
fault current.
Exception: The field marking requirements in 110.24(A)
and 110.24(B) shall not be required in industrial installations where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment.
70–40
110.26 Ground-Fault and Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter
Receptacles. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacles
and outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit-interrupter
receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible location. [ROP 1–131]
Informational Note: Locating GFCI and outlet branch circuit type AFCI receptacles in a readily accessible location
will facilitate the periodic testing required by the product
instructions. [ROP 1–131]
II. 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less
110.27 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Access and
working space shall be provided and maintained about all
electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and
maintenance of such equipment.
AF
CAUTION — SERIES COMBINATION SYSTEM
RATED ____ AMPERES. IDENTIFIED REPLACEMENT
COMPONENTS REQUIRED.
110.25 Lockable Disconnecting Means. Where a disconnecting means is required to be lockable open, elsewhere in
this Code, it shall be capable of being locked in the open
position. The provisions for locking shall remain in place
with or without the lock installed. [ROP 1–130]
T
110.23
(A) Working Space. Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to
require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance
while energized shall comply with the dimensions of
110.27(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) or as required or permitted
elsewhere in this Code.
(1) Depth of Working Space. The depth of the working
space in the direction of live parts shall not be less than that
specified in Table 110.27(A)(1) unless the requirements of
110.27(A)(1)(a), (A)(1)(b), or (A)(1)(c) are met. Distances
shall be measured from the exposed live parts or from the
enclosure or opening if the live parts are enclosed.
Table 110.27(A)(1) Working Spaces
Nominal
Voltage to
Ground
Condition 1
Condition 2
Condition 3
0–150
151–600
914 mm (3 ft)
914 mm (3 ft)
914 mm (3 ft)
1.07 m (3 ft
6 in.)
914 mm (3 ft)
1.22 m (4 ft)
Minimum Clear Distance
Note: Where the conditions are as follows:
Condition 1 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space
and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space,
or exposed live parts on both sides of the working space that are
effectively guarded by insulating materials.
Condition 2 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space
and grounded parts on the other side of the working space. Concrete,
brick, or tile walls shall be considered as grounded.
Condition 3 — Exposed live parts on both sides of the working
space.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
110.27
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
(1) Minimum Required. At least one entrance of sufficient area shall be provided to give access to and egress
from working space about electrical equipment.
(2) Large Equipment. For equipment rated 1200 amperes
or more and over 1.8 m (6 ft) wide that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices, there
shall be one entrance to and egress from the required working space not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m
(61⁄2 ft) high at each end of the working space.
A single entrance to and egress from the required working space shall be permitted where either of the conditions
in 110.27(C)(2)(a) or (C)(2)(b) is met.
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(a) Unobstructed Egress. Where the location permits a
continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel, a single
entrance to the working space shall be permitted.
(b) Extra Working Space. Where the depth of the
working space is twice that required by 110.27(A)(1), a
single entrance shall be permitted. It shall be located such
that the distance from the equipment to the nearest edge of
the entrance is not less than the minimum clear distance
specified in Table 110.27(A)(1) for equipment operating at
that voltage and in that condition.
AF
(a) Dead-Front Assemblies. Working space shall not be
required in the back or sides of assemblies, such as deadfront switchboards, switchgear, or motor control centers,
where all connections and all renewable or adjustable parts,
such as fuses or switches, are accessible from locations
other than the back or sides. Where rear access is required
to work on nonelectrical parts on the back of enclosed
equipment, a minimum horizontal working space of
762 mm (30 in.) shall be provided. [ROP 9–14b]
(b) Low Voltage. By special permission, smaller working spaces shall be permitted where all exposed live parts
operate at not greater than 30 volts rms, 42 volts peak, or
60 volts dc.
(c) Existing Buildings. In existing buildings where
electrical equipment is being replaced, Condition 2 working
clearance shall be permitted between dead-front switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, or motor control centers
located across the aisle from each other where conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that written procedures
have been adopted to prohibit equipment on both sides of
the aisle from being open at the same time and qualified
persons who are authorized will service the installation.
[ROP 9–14b]
(2) Width of Working Space. The width of the working
space in front of the electrical equipment shall be the width
of the equipment or 762 mm (30 in.), whichever is greater.
In all cases, the work space shall permit at least a 90 degree
opening of equipment doors or hinged panels.
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(3) Height of Working Space. The work space shall be
clear and extend from the grade, floor, or platform to a
height of 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) or the height of the equipment,
whichever is greater. Within the height requirements of this
section, other equipment that is associated with the electrical installation and is located above or below the electrical
equipment shall be permitted to extend not more than
150 mm (6 in.) beyond the front of the electrical equipment.
Exception No. 1: In existing dwelling units, service equipment or panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes shall
be permitted in spaces where the height of the working
space is less than 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft).
Exception No. 2: Meters that are installed in meter sockets shall be permitted to extend beyond the other equipment. The meter socket shall be required to follow the rules
of this section.
(B) Clear Spaces. Working space required by this section
shall not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live
parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working
space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be
suitably guarded.
(C) Entrance to and Egress from Working Space.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Personnel Doors. Where equipment rated 800 A or
more that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices,
or control devices is installed and there is a personnel
door(s) intended for entrance to and egress from the working space less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of
the working space, the door(s) shall open in the direction of
egress and be equipped with listed panic hardware. [ROP
1–143a, ROP 1–145]
(D) Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all
working spaces about service equipment, switchboards,
switchgear, panelboards, or motor control centers installed
indoors and shall not be controlled by automatic means
only. Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where
the work space is illuminated by an adjacent light source or
as permitted by 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, for
switched receptacles. [ROP 9–14]
(E) Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards,
switchgear, panelboards, and motor control centers shall be
located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
[ROP 9–14d]
Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or
because of other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or
within sight of its operating machinery shall be permitted
in those locations.
(1) Indoor. Indoor installations
110.27(E)(1)(a) through (E)(1)(d).
shall
comply
with
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the
width and depth of the equipment and extending from the
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110.28
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to
the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall
be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated
space required by 110.27(E)(1)(a) shall be permitted to
contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to
avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
(c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be
permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.
so that persons are not likely to come into accidental
contact with the live parts or to bring conducting objects into contact with them.
(3) By location on a suitable balcony, gallery, or platform
elevated and arranged so as to exclude unqualified persons.
(4) By elevation of 2.5 m (8 ft) or more above the floor or
other working surface.
(B) Prevent Physical Damage. In locations where electrical equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage,
enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such
strength as to prevent such damage.
(2) Outdoor. Outdoor installations shall comply with
110.26(E)(2)(a) and (b). [ROP 1–155]
Informational Note: For motors, see 430.232 and 430.233.
For over 600 volts, see 110.34.
(a) Installation Requirements. Outdoor electrical
equipment shall be installed in suitable enclosures and shall
be protected from accidental contact by unauthorized personnel, or by vehicular traffic, or by accidental spillage or
leakage from piping systems. The working clearance space
shall include the zone described in 110.27(A). No architectural appurtenance or other equipment shall be located in
this zone. [ROP 1–155]
(b) Dedicated Equipment Space. The space equal to
the width and depth of the equipment and extending from
grade to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment, shall
be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping or
other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall
be located in this zone. [ROP 1–155]
110.29 Enclosure Types. Enclosures (other than surrounding fences or walls) of switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, industrial control panels, motor control centers,
meter sockets, enclosed switches, transfer switches, power
outlets, circuit breakers, adjustable-speed drive systems,
pullout switches, portable power distribution equipment,
termination boxes, general-purpose transformers, fire pump
controllers, fire pump motors, and motor controllers, rated
not over 600 volts nominal and intended for such locations,
shall be marked with an enclosure-type number as shown in
Table 110.29. [ROP 9–14e]
Table 110.29 shall be used for selecting these enclosures for use in specific locations other than hazardous
(classified) locations. The enclosures are not intended to
protect against conditions such as condensation, icing, corrosion, or contamination that may occur within the enclosure or enter via the conduit or unsealed openings.
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T
(d) Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or
similar ceiling that does not add strength to the building
structure shall not be considered a structural ceiling.
(C) Warning Signs. Entrances to rooms and other guarded
locations that contain exposed live parts shall be marked
with conspicuous warning signs forbidding unqualified persons to enter. The marking shall meet the requirements in
110.21(B). [ROP 1–159]
(F) Locked Electrical Equipment Rooms or Enclosures.
Electrical equipment rooms or enclosures housing electrical
apparatus that are controlled by a lock(s) shall be considered accessible to qualified persons.
III. Over 600 Volts, Nominal
110.28 Guarding of Live Parts.
(A) Live Parts Guarded Against Accidental Contact.
Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this Code,
live parts of electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or
more shall be guarded against accidental contact by approved enclosures or by any of the following means:
(1) By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is
accessible only to qualified persons.
(2) By suitable permanent, substantial partitions or screens
arranged so that only qualified persons have access to
the space within reach of the live parts. Any openings
in such partitions or screens shall be sized and located
70–42
110.30 General. Conductors and equipment used on circuits over 600 volts, nominal, shall comply with Part I of
this article and with 110.30 through 110.40, which supplement or modify Part I. In no case shall the provisions of
this part apply to equipment on the supply side of the service point.
110.31 Enclosure for Electrical Installations. Electrical
installations in a vault, room, or closet or in an area surrounded by a wall, screen, or fence, access to which is
controlled by a lock(s) or other approved means, shall be
considered to be accessible to qualified persons only. The
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
110.31
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Table 110.29 Enclosure Selection
For Outdoor Use
Enclosure-Type Number
3
3R
3S
3X
3RX
3SX
4
4X
6
6P
Incidental contact with the
enclosed equipment
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Rain, snow, and sleet
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sleet*
—
—
X
—
—
X
—
—
—
—
Windblown dust
X
—
X
X
—
X
X
X
X
X
Hosedown
—
—
—
—
—
—
X
X
X
X
Corrosive agents
—
—
—
X
X
X
—
X
—
X
Temporary submersion
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
X
X
Prolonged submersion
—
—
—
—
T
Provides a Degree of
Protection Against the
Following Environmental
Conditions
—
—
—
X
Provides a Degree of
Protection Against the
Following Environmental
Conditions
—
—
For Indoor Use
AF
Enclosure-Type Number
2
4
4X
5
6
6P
12
12K
13
Incidental contact with the
enclosed equipment
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Falling dirt
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Falling liquids and light
splashing
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Circulating dust, lint, fibers,
and flyings
—
—
X
X
—
X
X
X
X
X
Settling airborne dust, lint,
fibers, and flyings
—
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hosedown and splashing
water
—
—
X
X
—
X
X
—
—
—
Oil and coolant seepage
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
X
X
X
Oil or coolant spraying and
splashing
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
X
Corrosive agents
—
—
—
X
—
—
X
—
—
—
Temporary submersion
—
—
—
—
—
X
X
—
—
—
Prolonged submersion
—
—
—
—
—
—
X
—
—
—
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1
*Mechanism shall be operable when ice covered.
Informational Note No. 1: The term raintight is typically used in conjunction with Enclosure Types 3, 3S, 3SX, 3X, 4, 4X, 6, and 6P. The term
rainproof is typically used in conjunction with Enclosure Types 3R, and 3RX. The term watertight is typically used in conjunction with Enclosure
Types 4, 4X, 6, 6P. The term driptight is typically used in conjunction with Enclosure Types 2, 5, 12, 12K, and 13. The term dusttight is typically
used in conjunction with Enclosure Types 3, 3S, 3SX, 3X, 5, 12, 12K, and 13.
Informational Note No. 2: Ingress protection (IP) ratings may be found in ANSI/NEMA 60529, Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures. IP
ratings are not a substitute for Enclosure Type ratings.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–43
110.31
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
type of enclosure used in a given case shall be designed and
constructed according to the nature and degree of the hazard(s) associated with the installation.
For installations other than equipment as described in
110.31(D), a wall, screen, or fence shall be used to enclose
an outdoor electrical installation to deter access by persons
who are not qualified. A fence shall not be less than 2.1 m
(7 ft) in height or a combination of 1.8 m (6 ft) or more of
fence fabric and a 300-mm (1-ft) or more extension utilizing three or more strands of barbed wire or equivalent. The
distance from the fence to live parts shall be not less than
given in Table 110.31.
(4) Locks. Doors shall be equipped with locks, and doors
shall be kept locked, with access allowed only to qualified
persons. Personnel doors shall swing out and be equipped
with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are
normally latched but that open under simple pressure.
(5) Transformers. Where a transformer is installed in a
vault as required by Article 450, the vault shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of Part III of
Article 450.
Table 110.31 Minimum Distance from Fence to Live Parts
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
ANSI/ASTM E119-2011a, Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, and NFPA 80-2010, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. [ROP
1–163]
Minimum Distance to Live Parts
Informational Note No. 2: A typical 3-hour construction is
150 mm (6 in.) thick reinforced concrete.
m
ft
(B) Indoor Installations.
601 – 13,799
13,800– 230,000
Over 230,000
3.05
4.57
5.49
10
15
18
(1) In Places Accessible to Unqualified Persons. Indoor
electrical installations that are accessible to unqualified persons shall be made with metal-enclosed equipment. Switchgear, unit substations, transformers, pull boxes, connection
boxes, and other similar associated equipment shall be
marked with appropriate caution signs. Openings in ventilated dry-type transformers or similar openings in other
equipment shall be designed so that foreign objects inserted
through these openings are deflected from energized parts.
[ROP 9–14f]
AF
Note: For clearances of conductors for specific system voltages and
typical BIL ratings, see ANSI C2-2007, National Electrical Safety
Code.
T
Nominal Voltage
Informational Note: See Article 450 for construction requirements for transformer vaults.
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(A) Electrical Vaults. Where an electrical vault is required
or specified for conductors and equipment operating at over
600 volts, nominal, the following shall apply.
(1) Walls and Roof. The walls and roof shall be constructed of materials that have adequate structural strength
for the conditions, with a minimum fire rating of 3 hours.
For the purpose of this section, studs and wallboard construction shall not be permitted.
(2) Floors. The floors of vaults in contact with the earth
shall be of concrete that is not less than 102 mm (4 in.)
thick, but where the vault is constructed with a vacant
space or other stories below it, the floor shall have adequate
structural strength for the load imposed on it and a minimum fire resistance of 3 hours.
(3) Doors. Each doorway leading into a vault from the
building interior shall be provided with a tight-fitting door
that has a minimum fire rating of 3 hours. The authority
having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require such a door
for an exterior wall opening where conditions warrant.
Exception to (1), (2), and (3): Where the vault is protected with automatic sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or halon, construction with a 1-hour rating shall be
permitted.
70–44
(2) In Places Accessible to Qualified Persons Only. Indoor electrical installations considered accessible only to
qualified persons in accordance with this section shall comply with 110.34, 110.36, and 490.24.
(C) Outdoor Installations.
(1) In Places Accessible to Unqualified Persons. Outdoor
electrical installations that are open to unqualified persons
shall comply with Parts I, II, and III of Article 225.
(2) In Places Accessible to Qualified Persons Only. Outdoor electrical installations that have exposed live parts
shall be accessible to qualified persons only in accordance
with the first paragraph of this section and shall comply
with 110.34, 110.36, and 490.24.
(D) Enclosed Equipment Accessible to Unqualified Persons. Ventilating or similar openings in equipment shall be
designed such that foreign objects inserted through these
openings are deflected from energized parts. Where exposed to physical damage from vehicular traffic, suitable
guards shall be provided. Nonmetallic or metal-enclosed
equipment located outdoors and accessible to the general
public shall be designed such that exposed nuts or bolts
cannot be readily removed, permitting access to live parts.
Where nonmetallic or metal-enclosed equipment is acces-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
110.34
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
110.32 Work Space About Equipment. Sufficient space
shall be provided and maintained about electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance
of such equipment. Where energized parts are exposed, the
minimum clear work space shall be not less than 2.0 m (61⁄2
ft) high (measured vertically from the floor or platform) or
not less than 914 mm (3 ft) wide (measured parallel to the
equipment). The depth shall be as required in 110.34(A). In
all cases, the work space shall permit at least a 90 degree
opening of doors or hinged panels.
110.33 Entrance to Enclosures and Access to Working
Space.
110.34 Work Space and Guarding.
(A) Working Space. Except as elsewhere required or permitted in this Code, equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized
shall have clear working space in the direction of access to
live parts of the electrical equipment and shall be not less
than specified in Table 110.34(A). Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if such are exposed, or from the
enclosure front or opening if such are enclosed.
Exception: Working space shall not be required in back of
equipment such as switchgear or control assemblies where
there are no renewable or adjustable parts (such as fuses or
switches) on the back and where all connections are accessible from locations other than the back. Where rear access
is required to work on nonelectrical parts on the back of
enclosed equipment, a minimum working space of 762 mm
(30 in.) horizontally shall be provided. [ROP 9–14h]
AF
(A) Entrance. At least one entrance to enclosures for electrical installations as described in 110.31 not less than
610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) high shall be
provided to give access to the working space about electrical equipment.
(B) Access. Permanent ladders or stairways shall be provided to give safe access to the working space around electrical equipment installed on platforms, balconies, or mezzanine floors or in attic or roof rooms or spaces.
T
sible to the general public and the bottom of the enclosure
is less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above the floor or grade level, the
enclosure door or hinged cover shall be kept locked. Doors
and covers of enclosures used solely as pull boxes, splice
boxes, or junction boxes shall be locked, bolted, or screwed
on. Underground box covers that weigh over 45.4 kg (100
lb) shall be considered as meeting this requirement.
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(1) Large Equipment. On switchgear and control panels
exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in width, there shall be one entrance
at each end of the equipment. A single entrance to the
required working space shall be permitted where either of
the conditions in 110.33(A)(1)(a) or (A)(1)(b) is met. [ROP
9–14g]
(a) Unobstructed Exit. Where the location permits a
continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel, a single
entrance to the working space shall be permitted.
(b) Extra Working Space. Where the depth of the
working space is twice that required by 110.34(A), a single
entrance shall be permitted. It shall be located so that the
distance from the equipment to the nearest edge of the
entrance is not less than the minimum clear distance specified in Table 110.34(A) for equipment operating at that
voltage and in that condition.
(2) Guarding. Where bare energized parts at any voltage
or insulated energized parts above 600 volts, nominal, to
ground are located adjacent to such entrance, they shall be
suitably guarded.
(3) Personnel Doors. Where there is a personnel door(s)
intended for entrance to and egress from the working space
less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of the working
space, the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and
be equipped with listed panic hardware. [ROP 1–169a]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Table 110.34(A) Minimum Depth of Clear Working Space at
Electrical Equipment
Nominal
Voltage
to Ground
Condition 1
601–2500 V
2501–9000 V
9001–25,000 V
25,001 V–75 kV
Above 75 kV
900 mm (3 ft)
1.2 m (4 ft)
1.5 m (5 ft)
1.8 m (6 ft)
2.5 m (8 ft)
Minimum Clear Distance
Condition 2 Condition 3
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.5
3.0
m
m
m
m
m
(4 ft)
(5 ft)
(6 ft)
(8 ft)
(10 ft)
1.5
1.8
2.8
3.0
3.7
m
m
m
m
m
(5 ft)
(6 ft)
(9 ft)
(10 ft)
(12 ft)
Note: Where the conditions are as follows:
Condition 1 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space
and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space,
or exposed live parts on both sides of the working space that are
effectively guarded by insulating materials.
Condition 2 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space
and grounded parts on the other side of the working space. Concrete,
brick, or tile walls shall be considered as grounded.
Condition 3 — Exposed live parts on both sides of the working
space.
(B) Separation from Low-Voltage Equipment. Where
switches, cutouts, or other equipment operating at 600
volts, nominal, or less are installed in a vault, room, or
enclosure where there are exposed live parts or exposed
wiring operating at over 600 volts, nominal, the highvoltage equipment shall be effectively separated from the
space occupied by the low-voltage equipment by a suitable
partition, fence, or screen.
Exception: Switches or other equipment operating at 600
volts, nominal, or less and serving only equipment within
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ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
the high-voltage vault, room, or enclosure shall be permitted to be installed in the high-voltage vault, room, or enclosure without a partition, fence, or screen if accessible to
qualified persons only.
(C) Locked Rooms or Enclosures. The entrance to all
buildings, vaults, rooms, or enclosures containing exposed
live parts or exposed conductors operating at over 600
volts, nominal, shall be kept locked unless such entrances
are under the observation of a qualified person at all times.
Where the voltage exceeds 600 volts, nominal, permanent and conspicuous danger signs shall be provided. The
danger sign shall meet the requirements in 110.21(B) and
shall read as follows: [ROP 1–175]
DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT
110.40 Temperature Limitations at Terminations. Conductors shall be permitted to be terminated based on the
90°C (194°F) temperature rating and ampacity as given in
Table 310.60(C)(67) through Table 310.60(C)(86), unless
otherwise identified.
IV. Tunnel Installations over 600 Volts, Nominal
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(D) Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all
working spaces about electrical equipment. The lighting
outlets shall be arranged so that persons changing lamps or
making repairs on the lighting system are not endangered
by live parts or other equipment.
The points of control shall be located so that persons
are not likely to come in contact with any live part or
moving part of the equipment while turning on the lights.
metal-clad cable Type MC, as bare wire, cable, and busbars; or as Type MV cables or conductors as provided in
300.37, 300.39, 300.40, and 300.50. Bare live conductors
shall comply with 490.24. [ROP 1-178]
Insulators, together with their mounting and conductor
attachments, where used as supports for wires, singleconductor cables, or busbars, shall be capable of safely
withstanding the maximum magnetic forces that would prevail if two or more conductors of a circuit were subjected to
short-circuit current.
Exposed runs of insulated wires and cables that have a
bare lead sheath or a braided outer covering shall be supported in a manner designed to prevent physical damage to
the braid or sheath. Supports for lead-covered cables shall
be designed to prevent electrolysis of the sheath.
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110.36
(E) Elevation of Unguarded Live Parts. Unguarded live
parts above working space shall be maintained at elevations
not less than required by Table 110.34(E).
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Table 110.34(E) Elevation of Unguarded Live Parts Above
Working Space
Elevation
Nominal Voltage
Between Phases
601–7500 V
7501–35,000 V
Over 35 kV
m
ft
2.8
2.9
2.9 m + 9.5 mm/kV
above 35
9
9 ft 6 in.
9 ft 6 in. +
0.37 in./kV
above 35
(F) Protection of Service Equipment, Switchgear, and
Industrial Control Assemblies. Pipes or ducts foreign to
the electrical installation and requiring periodic maintenance or whose malfunction would endanger the operation
of the electrical system shall not be located in the vicinity
of the service equipment, switchgear, or industrial control
assemblies. Protection shall be provided where necessary to
avoid damage from condensation leaks and breaks in such
foreign systems. Piping and other facilities shall not be
considered foreign if provided for fire protection of the
electrical installation. [ROP 9–14i]
110.36 Circuit Conductors. Circuit conductors shall be
permitted to be installed in raceways; in cable trays; as
70–46
110.51 General.
(A) Covered. The provisions of this part shall apply to the
installation and use of high-voltage power distribution and
utilization equipment that is portable, mobile, or both, such
as substations, trailers, cars, mobile shovels, draglines,
hoists, drills, dredges, compressors, pumps, conveyors, underground excavators, and the like.
(B) Other Articles. The requirements of this part shall be
additional to, or amendatory of, those prescribed in Articles
100 through 490 of this Code.
(C) Protection Against Physical Damage. Conductors
and cables in tunnels shall be located above the tunnel floor
and so placed or guarded to protect them from physical
damage.
110.52 Overcurrent Protection. Motor-operated equipment shall be protected from overcurrent in accordance
with Parts III, IV, and V of Article 430. Transformers shall
be protected from overcurrent in accordance with 450.3.
110.53 Conductors. High-voltage conductors in tunnels
shall be installed in metal conduit or other metal raceway,
Type MC cable, or other approved multiconductor cable.
Multiconductor portable cable shall be permitted to supply
mobile equipment.
110.54 Bonding and Equipment Grounding Conductors.
(A) Grounded and Bonded. All non–current-carrying
metal parts of electrical equipment and all metal raceways
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductors. An equipment
grounding conductor shall be run with circuit conductors
inside the metal raceway or inside the multiconductor cable
jacket. The equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to be insulated or bare.
110.55 Transformers, Switches, and Electrical Equipment. All transformers, switches, motor controllers, motors, rectifiers, and other equipment installed belowground
shall be protected from physical damage by location or
guarding.
110.56 Energized Parts. Bare terminals of transformers,
switches, motor controllers, and other equipment shall be
enclosed to prevent accidental contact with energized parts.
110.71 Strength. Manholes, vaults, and their means of access shall be designed under qualified engineering supervision and shall withstand all loads likely to be imposed on
the structures.
Informational Note: See ANSI C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code, for additional information on the loading
that can be expected to bear on underground enclosures.
110.72 Cabling Work Space. A clear work space not less
than 900 mm (3 ft) wide shall be provided where cables are
located on both sides, and not less than 750 mm (21⁄2 ft)
where cables are only on one side. The vertical headroom
shall be not less than 1.8 m (6 ft) unless the opening is
within 300 mm (1 ft), measured horizontally, of the adjacent interior side wall of the enclosure.
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110.57 Ventilation System Controls. Electrical controls
for the ventilation system shall be arranged so that the
airflow can be reversed.
ating under conditions of maintenance and supervision that
ensure that only qualified persons monitor and supervise
the system, they shall be permitted to be designed and installed in accordance with appropriate engineering practice. If required by the authority having jurisdiction, design
documentation shall be provided.
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and cable sheaths shall be solidly grounded and bonded to
all metal pipes and rails at the portal and at intervals not
exceeding 300 m (1000 ft) throughout the tunnel.
110.74
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110.58 Disconnecting Means. A switch or circuit breaker
that simultaneously opens all ungrounded conductors of the
circuit shall be installed within sight of each transformer or
motor location for disconnecting the transformer or motor.
The switch or circuit breaker for a transformer shall have
an ampere rating not less than the ampacity of the transformer supply conductors. The switch or circuit breaker for
a motor shall comply with the applicable requirements of
Article 430.
110.59 Enclosures. Enclosures for use in tunnels shall be
dripproof, weatherproof, or submersible as required by the
environmental conditions. Switch or contactor enclosures
shall not be used as junction boxes or as raceways for
conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches,
unless the enclosures comply with 312.8.
V. Manholes and Other Electrical Enclosures Intended
for Personnel Entry, All Voltages
110.70 General. Electrical enclosures intended for personnel entry and specifically fabricated for this purpose shall
be of sufficient size to provide safe work space about electrical equipment with live parts that is likely to require
examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while
energized. Such enclosures shall have sufficient size to permit ready installation or withdrawal of the conductors employed without damage to the conductors or to their insulation. They shall comply with the provisions of this part.
Exception: Where electrical enclosures covered by Part V
of this article are part of an industrial wiring system oper-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: A manhole containing only one or more of the
following shall be permitted to have one of the horizontal
work space dimensions reduced to 600 mm (2 ft) where the
other horizontal clear work space is increased so the sum
of the two dimensions is not less than 1.8 m (6 ft):
(1) Optical fiber cables as covered in Article 770
(2) Power-limited fire alarm circuits supplied in accordance with 760.121
(3) Class 2 or Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuits, or both, supplied in accordance with 725.121
110.73 Equipment Work Space. Where electrical equipment with live parts that is likely to require examination,
adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized is
installed in a manhole, vault, or other enclosure designed
for personnel access, the work space and associated requirements in 110.27 shall be met for installations operating at 600 volts or less. Where the installation is over 600
volts, the work space and associated requirements in 110.34
shall be met. A manhole access cover that weighs over 45
kg (100 lb) shall be considered as meeting the requirements
of 110.34(C).
110.74 Conductor Installation. Conductors installed in
manholes and other enclosures intended for personnel entry
shall be cabled, racked up, or arranged in an approved
manner that provides ready and safe access for persons to
enter for installation and maintenance. The installation shall
comply with 110.74(A) or 110.74(B), as applicable.
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110.75
ARTICLE 110 — REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
(B) Over 600 Volts, Nominal. Conductors operating at
over 600 volts shall be provided with bending space in
accordance with 314.71(A) and (B), as applicable.
Exception: Where 314.71(B) applies, each row or column
of ducts on one wall of the enclosure shall be calculated
individually, and the single row or column that provides the
maximum distance shall be used.
110.75 Access to Manholes.
(A) Dimensions. Rectangular access openings shall not be
less than 650 mm × 550 mm (26 in. × 22 in.). Round access
openings in a manhole shall be not less than 650 mm
(26 in.) in diameter.
(E) Marking. Manhole covers shall have an identifying
mark or logo that prominently indicates their function, such
as “electric.”
110.76 Access to Vaults and Tunnels.
(A) Location. Access openings for personnel shall be located where they are not directly above electrical equipment or conductors in the enclosure. Other openings shall
be permitted over equipment to facilitate installation, maintenance, or replacement of equipment.
(B) Locks. In addition to compliance with the requirements
of 110.34, if applicable, access openings for personnel shall
be arranged such that a person on the inside can exit when
the access door is locked from the outside, or in the case of
normally locking by padlock, the locking arrangement shall
be such that the padlock can be closed on the locking system to prevent locking from the outside.
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Exception: A manhole that has a fixed ladder that does not
obstruct the opening or that contains only one or more of
the following shall be permitted to reduce the minimum
cover diameter to 600 mm (2 ft):
(D) Covers. Covers shall be over 45 kg (100 lb) or otherwise designed to require the use of tools to open. They shall
be designed or restrained so they cannot fall into the manhole or protrude sufficiently to contact electrical conductors
or equipment within the manhole.
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(A) 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Wire bending space for
conductors operating at 600 volts or less shall be provided
in accordance with the requirements of 314.28.
(1) Optical fiber cables as covered in Article 770
(2) Power-limited fire alarm circuits supplied in accordance with 760.121
(3) Class 2 or Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuits, or both, supplied in accordance with 725.121
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(B) Obstructions. Manhole openings shall be free of protrusions that could injure personnel or prevent ready egress.
(C) Location. Manhole openings for personnel shall be
located where they are not directly above electrical equipment or conductors in the enclosure. Where this is not practicable, either a protective barrier or a fixed ladder shall be
provided.
70–48
110.77 Ventilation. Where manholes, tunnels, and vaults
have communicating openings into enclosed areas used by
the public, ventilation to open air shall be provided wherever practicable.
110.78 Guarding. Where conductors or equipment, or
both, could be contacted by objects falling or being pushed
through a ventilating grating, both conductors and live parts
shall be protected in accordance with the requirements of
110.28(A)(2) or 110.31(B)(1), depending on the voltage.
110.79 Fixed Ladders. Fixed ladders shall be corrosion
resistant.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 200 — USE AND IDENTIFICATION OF GROUNDED CONDUCTORS
200.6
Chapter 2 Wiring and Protection
200.1 Scope. This article provides requirements for the
following:
(1) Identification of terminals
(2) Grounded conductors in premises wiring systems
(3) Identification of grounded conductors
Informational Note: See Article 100 for definitions of
Grounded Conductor, Equipment Grounding Conductor,
and Grounding Electrode Conductor.
200.2 General. Grounded conductors shall comply with
200.2(A) and (B).
(B) Multiple Circuits. Where more than one neutral conductor associated with different circuits is in an enclosure,
the ungrounded and grounded circuit conductors of each
circuit shall be grouped by cable ties or similar means in at
least one location within the enclosure. [ROP 5–29]
Exception: The requirement for grouping shall not apply if
the circuit conductors enter from a cable or a raceway
unique to the circuit that makes the grouping obvious.
[ROP 5–29]
200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.
(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by one of
the following means:
(1) A continuous white outer finish.
(2) A continuous gray outer finish.
(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor’s entire length on other than green insulation.
[ROP 5–31]
(4) Wires that have their outer covering finished to show a
white or gray color but have colored tracer threads in
the braid identifying the source of manufacture shall be
considered as meeting the provisions of this section.
(5) The grounded conductor of a mineral-insulated, metalsheathed cable (Type MI) shall be identified at the time
of installation by distinctive marking at its terminations. [ROP 5–32]
(6) A single-conductor, sunlight-resistant, outdoor-rated
cable used as a grounded conductor in photovoltaic
power systems, as permitted by 690.31, shall be identified at the time of installation by distinctive white
marking at all terminations.
(7) Fixture wire shall comply with the requirements for
grounded conductor identification as specified in 402.8.
(8) For aerial cable, the identification shall be as above, or
by means of a ridge located on the exterior of the cable
so as to identify it.
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(A) Insulation. The grounded conductor, if insulated, shall
have insulation that is (1) suitable, other than color, for any
ungrounded conductor of the same circuit for systems of
1000 volts or less, or impedance grounded neutral systems
of over 1000 volts, or (2) rated not less than 600 volts for
solidly grounded neutral systems of over 1000 volts as described in 250.184(A). [ROP 5–28]
(A) Installation. Neutral conductors shall not be used for
more than one branch circuit, for more than one multiwire
branch circuit, or for more than one set of ungrounded
feeder conductors unless specifically permitted elsewhere
in this Code. [ROP 5–29]
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ARTICLE 200
Use and Identification of Grounded
Conductors
(B) Continuity. The continuity of a grounded conductor
shall not depend on a connection to a metallic enclosure,
raceway, or cable armor.
Informational Note: See 300.13(B) for the continuity of
grounded conductors used in multiwire branch circuits.
200.3 Connection to Grounded System. Premises wiring
shall not be electrically connected to a supply system unless the latter contains, for any grounded conductor of the
interior system, a corresponding conductor that is
grounded. For the purpose of this section, electrically connected shall mean connected so as to be capable of carrying
current, as distinguished from connection through electromagnetic induction.
Exception: Listed utility-interactive inverters identified for
use in distributed resource generation systems such as photovoltaic and fuel cell power systems shall be permitted to
be connected to premises wiring without a grounded conductor where the connected premises wiring or utility system includes a grounded conductor.
200.4 Neutral Conductors. Neutral conductors shall be
installed in accordance with (A) and (B). [ROP 5–29]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Sizes 4 AWG or Larger. An insulated grounded conductor 4 AWG or larger shall be identified by one of the
following means:
(1) A continuous white outer finish.
(2) A continuous gray outer finish
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ARTICLE 200 — USE AND IDENTIFICATION OF GROUNDED CONDUCTORS
(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor’s entire length on other than green insulation.
[ROP 5–33]
(4) At the time of installation, by a distinctive white or
gray marking at its terminations. This marking shall
encircle the conductor or insulation.
(C) Flexible Cords. An insulated conductor that is intended for use as a grounded conductor, where contained
within a flexible cord, shall be identified by a white or gray
outer finish or by methods permitted by 400.22.
(A) General. The following shall be used only for the
grounded circuit conductor, unless otherwise permitted in
200.7(B) and (C):
(1) A conductor with continuous white or gray covering
(2) A conductor with three continuous white or gray stripes
on other than green insulation [ROP 5–36]
(3) A marking of white or gray color at the termination
(B) Circuits of Less Than 50 Volts. A conductor with
white or gray color insulation or three continuous white
stripes or having a marking of white or gray at the termination for circuits of less than 50 volts shall be required to
be grounded only as required by 250.20(A).
(C) Circuits of 50 Volts or More. The use of insulation
that is white or gray or that has three continuous white or
gray stripes for other than a grounded conductor for circuits
of 50 volts or more shall be permitted only as in (1) and (2).
[ROP 5–38]
(1) If part of a cable assembly that has the insulation permanently reidentified to indicate its use as an ungrounded conductor by marking tape, painting, or other
effective means at its termination and at each location
where the conductor is visible and accessible. Identification shall encircle the insulation and shall be a color
other than white, gray, or green. If used for single-pole,
3-way or 4-way switch loops, the reidentified conductor with white or gray insulation or three continuous
white or gray stripes shall be used only for the supply
to the switch, but not as a return conductor from the
switch to the outlet. [ROP 5–40]
(2) A flexible cord, having one conductor identified by a
white or gray outer finish or three continuous white or
gray stripes or by any other means permitted by
400.22, that is used for connecting an appliance or
equipment permitted by 400.7. This shall apply to flexible cords connected to outlets whether or not the outlet
is supplied by a circuit that has a grounded conductor.
[ROP 5–41]
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(D) Grounded Conductors of Different Systems. Where
grounded conductors of different systems are installed in
the same raceway, cable, box, auxiliary gutter, or other type
of enclosure, each grounded conductor shall be identified
by system. Identification that distinguishes each system
grounded conductor shall be permitted by one of the following means:
(1) One system grounded conductor shall have an outer
covering conforming to 200.6(A) or (B).
(2) The grounded conductor(s) of other systems shall have
a different outer covering conforming to 200.6(A) or
200.6(B) or by an outer covering of white or gray with
a readily distinguishable colored stripe other than green
running along the insulation.
(3) Other and different means of identification as allowed
by 200.6(A) or (B) that will distinguish each system
grounded conductor.
200.7 Use of Insulation of a White or Gray Color or
with Three Continuous White or Gray Stripes [ROP
5–35].
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200.7
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The means of identification shall be documented in a
manner that is readily available or shall be permanently
posted where the conductors of different systems originate.
(E) Grounded Conductors of Multiconductor Cables.
The insulated grounded conductors in a multiconductor
cable shall be identified by a continuous white or gray outer
finish or by three continuous white or gray stripes on other
than green insulation along its entire length. Multiconductor flat cable 4 AWG or larger shall be permitted to employ
an external ridge on the grounded conductor. [ROP 5–34]
Exception No. 1: Where the conditions of maintenance
and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service
the installation, grounded conductors in multiconductor
cables shall be permitted to be permanently identified at
their terminations at the time of installation by a distinctive
white marking or other equally effective means.
Exception No. 2: The grounded conductor of a multiconductor varnished-cloth-insulated cable shall be permitted
to be identified at its terminations at the time of installation
by a distinctive white marking or other equally effective
means.
Informational Note: The color gray may have been used in
the past as an ungrounded conductor. Care should be taken
when working on existing systems.
70–50
Informational Note: The color gray may have been used in
the past as an ungrounded conductor. Care should be taken
when working on existing systems.
200.9 Means of Identification of Terminals. The identification of terminals to which a grounded conductor is to be
connected shall be substantially white in color. The identification of other terminals shall be of a readily distinguishable different color.
Exception: Where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the in-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
210.4
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
stallations, terminals for grounded conductors shall be permitted to be permanently identified at the time of
installation by a distinctive white marking or other equally
effective means.
200.11 Polarity of Connections. No grounded conductor
shall be attached to any terminal or lead so as to reverse the
designated polarity.
200.10 Identification of Terminals.
Exception: Terminal identification shall not be required
for devices that have a normal current rating of over 30
amperes, other than polarized attachment plugs and polarized receptacles for attachment plugs as required in
200.10(B).
I. General Provisions
210.1 Scope. This article covers branch circuits except for
branch circuits that supply only motor loads, which are
covered in Article 430. Provisions of this article and Article
430 apply to branch circuits with combination loads.
210.2 Other Articles for Specific-Purpose Branch Circuits. Branch circuits shall comply with this article and also
with the applicable provisions of other articles of this Code.
The provisions for branch circuits supplying equipment
listed in Table 210.2 amend or supplement the provisions in
this article. [ROP 2–12]
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(B) Receptacles, Plugs, and Connectors. Receptacles,
polarized attachment plugs, and cord connectors for plugs
and polarized plugs shall have the terminal intended for
connection to the grounded conductor identified as follows:
(1) Identification shall be by a metal or metal coating that
is substantially white in color or by the word white or
the letter W located adjacent to the identified terminal.
(2) If the terminal is not visible, the conductor entrance
hole for the connection shall be colored white or
marked with the word white or the letter W.
ARTICLE 210
Branch Circuits
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(A) Device Terminals. All devices, excluding panelboards, provided with terminals for the attachment of conductors and intended for connection to more than one side
of the circuit shall have terminals properly marked for identification, unless the electrical connection of the terminal
intended to be connected to the grounded conductor is
clearly evident.
Informational Note: See 250.126 for identification of wiring device equipment grounding conductor terminals.
(C) Screw Shells. For devices with screw shells, the terminal for the grounded conductor shall be the one connected to the screw shell.
(D) Screw Shell Devices with Leads. For screw shell devices with attached leads, the conductor attached to the
screw shell shall have a white or gray finish. The outer
finish of the other conductor shall be of a solid color that
will not be confused with the white or gray finish used to
identify the grounded conductor.
Informational Note: The color gray may have been used in
the past as an ungrounded conductor. Care should be taken
when working on existing systems.
(E) Appliances. Appliances that have a single-pole switch
or a single-pole overcurrent device in the line or any lineconnected screw shell lampholders, and that are to be connected by (1) a permanent wiring method or (2) fieldinstalled attachment plugs and cords with three or more
wires (including the equipment grounding conductor), shall
have means to identify the terminal for the grounded circuit
conductor (if any).
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
210.3 Rating. Branch circuits recognized by this article
shall be rated in accordance with the maximum permitted
ampere rating or setting of the overcurrent device. The rating for other than individual branch circuits shall be 15, 20,
30, 40, and 50 amperes. Where conductors of higher ampacity are used for any reason, the ampere rating or setting
of the specified overcurrent device shall determine the circuit rating.
Exception: Multioutlet branch circuits greater than 50
amperes shall be permitted to supply nonlighting outlet
loads on industrial premises where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons
service the equipment.
210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits.
(A) General. Branch circuits recognized by this article
shall be permitted as multiwire circuits. A multiwire circuit
shall be permitted to be considered as multiple circuits. All
conductors of a multiwire branch circuit shall originate
from the same panelboard or similar distribution equipment.
Informational Note: A 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected
power system used to supply power to nonlinear loads may
necessitate that the power system design allow for the possibility of high harmonic currents on the neutral conductor.
(B) Disconnecting Means. Each multiwire branch circuit
shall be provided with a means that will simultaneously
disconnect all ungrounded conductors at the point where
the branch circuit originates.
70–51
210.5
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
Table 210.2 Specific-Purpose Branch Circuits
440.6, 440.31,
440.32
640.8
(C) Line-to-Neutral Loads. Multiwire branch circuits
shall supply only line-to-neutral loads.
368.17
Exception No. 1: A multiwire branch circuit that supplies
only one utilization equipment.
720
422.12
725
610.42
600.6
630
626
620.61
760
70–52
Informational Note: See 300.13(B) for continuity of
grounded conductor on multiwire circuits. [ROP 2–17a]
Exception No. 2: Where all ungrounded conductors of the
multiwire branch circuit are opened simultaneously by the
branch-circuit overcurrent device.
(D) Grouping. The ungrounded and grounded circuit conductors of each multiwire branch circuit shall be grouped
by cable ties or similar means in at least one location within
the panelboard or other point of origination.
Exception: The requirement for grouping shall not apply if
the circuit enters from a cable or raceway unique to the
circuit that makes the grouping obvious or if the conductors
are identified at their terminations with numbered wire
markers corresponding to the appropriate circuit number.
[ROP 2–19].
427.4
210.5 Identification for Branch Circuits.
424.3
(A) Grounded Conductor. The grounded conductor of a
branch circuit shall be identified in accordance with 200.6.
426.4
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Air-conditioning and
refrigerating equipment
Audio signal processing,
amplification, and
reproduction equipment
Busways
Circuits and equipment
operating at less than 50
volts
Central heating equipment
other than fixed electric
space-heating equipment
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
remote-control, signaling,
and power-limited circuits
Cranes and hoists
Electric signs and outline
lighting
Electric welders
Electrified truck parking
space
Elevators, dumbwaiters,
escalators, moving walks,
wheelchair lifts, and
stairway chair lifts
Fire alarm systems
Fixed electric heating
equipment for pipelines
and vessels
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment
Fixed outdoor electrical
deicing and snow-melting
equipment
Information technology
equipment
Infrared lamp industrial
heating equipment
Induction and dielectric
heating equipment
Marinas and boatyards
Mobile homes, manufactured
homes, and mobile home
parks
Motion picture and television
studios and similar
locations
Motors, motor circuits, and
controllers
Pipe organs
Recreational vehicles and
recreational vehicle parks
Switchboards and
panelboards
Theaters, audience areas of
motion picture and
television studios, and
similar locations
X-ray equipment
Section
T
Article
AF
Equipment
Informational Note: See 240.15(B) for information on the
use of single-pole circuit breakers as the disconnecting
means.
645.5
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductor. The equipment
grounding conductor shall be identified in accordance with
250.119.
422.48, 424.3
(C) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors. Ungrounded conductors shall be identified in accordance with
210.5(C)(1) and (2), as applicable. [ROP 2–23]
555.19
(1) Branch Circuits Supplied From More Than One
Nominal Voltage System. Where the premises wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch
circuit shall be identified by phase or line and system at all
termination, connection, and splice points in compliance
with 210.5(C)(1)(a) and (b). [ROP 2–23]
650.7
(a) Means of Identification. The means of identification
shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking
tape, tagging, or other approved means. [ROP 2–23]
(b) Posting of Identification Means. The method utilized for conductors originating within each branch-circuit
panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment
shall be documented in a manner that is readily available or
shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment.
[ROP 2–23]
665
550
530
430
551
408.52
520.41, 520.52,
520.62
660.2, 517.73
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
(B) 120 Volts Between Conductors. Circuits not exceeding 120 volts, nominal, between conductors shall be permitted to supply the following:
(1) The terminals of lampholders applied within their voltage ratings
(2) Auxiliary equipment of electric-discharge lamps
Informational Note: See 410.137 for auxiliary equipment
limitations. [ROP 2–26a]
(3) Cord-and-plug-connected or permanently connected
utilization equipment
(C) 277 Volts to Ground. Circuits exceeding 120 volts,
nominal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts,
nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply the following:
(1) Listed electric-discharge or listed light-emitting diodetype luminaires
(2) Listed incandescent luminaires, where supplied at 120
volts or less from the output of a stepdown autotransformer that is an integral component of the luminaire
and the outer shell terminal is electrically connected to
a grounded conductor of the branch circuit
(3) Luminaires equipped with mogul-base screw shell lampholders
(4) Lampholders, other than the screw shell type, applied
within their voltage ratings
(5) Auxiliary equipment of electric-discharge lamps
D
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AF
(a) Positive Polarity, Sizes 6 AWG or smaller. Where
the positive polarity of a dc system does not serve as the
connection point for the grounded conductor, each positive
ungrounded conductor shall be identified by one of the
following means: [ROP 2–23]
(1) A continuous red outer finish. [ROP 2–23]
(2) A continuous red stripe durably marked along the conductor’s entire length on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or black. [ROP 2–23]
(3) Imprinted plus signs “+” or the word “POSITIVE” or
“POS” durably marked on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or black, and repeated at intervals not exceeding 610 mm (24 in.) in accordance with
310.120(B). [ROP 2–23]
(1) Luminaires
(2) Cord-and-plug-connected loads 1440 volt-amperes,
nominal, or less or less than 1⁄4 hp
T
(2) Branch Circuits Supplied From Direct Current Systems. Where a branch circuit is supplied from a dc system
operating at more than 60 volts, each ungrounded conductor of 4 AWG or larger shall be identified by polarity at all
termination, connection, and splice points by marking tape,
tagging, or other approved means; each ungrounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by polarity
at all termination, connection, and splice points in compliance with 210.5(C)(2)(a) and (b). The identification methods utilized for conductors originating within each branchcircuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution
equipment shall be documented in a manner that is readily
available or shall be permanently posted at each branchcircuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution
equipment. [ROP 2–23]
210.6
(b) Negative Polarity, Sizes 6 AWG or smaller. Where
the negative polarity of a dc system does not serve as the
connection point for the grounded conductor, each negative
ungrounded conductor shall be identified by one of the
following means: [ROP 2–23]
(1) A continuous black outer finish. [ROP 2–23]
(2) A continuous black stripe durably marked along the
conductor’s entire length on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or red. [ROP 2–23]
(3) Imprinted minus signs “–” or the word “NEGATIVE”
or “NEG” durably marked on insulation of a color
other than green, white, gray, or red, and repeated at
intervals not exceeding 610 mm (24 in.) in accordance
with 310.120(B). [ROP 2–23]
210.6 Branch-Circuit Voltage Limitations. The nominal
voltage of branch circuits shall not exceed the values permitted by 210.6(A) through (E).
(A) Occupancy Limitation. In dwelling units and guest
rooms or guest suites of hotels, motels, and similar occupancies, the voltage shall not exceed 120 volts, nominal,
between conductors that supply the terminals of the following:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: See 410.137 for auxiliary equipment
limitations. [ROP 2–26a]
(6) Cord-and-plug-connected or permanently connected
utilization equipment
(D) 600 Volts Between Conductors. Circuits exceeding
277 volts, nominal, to ground and not exceeding 600 volts,
nominal, between conductors shall be permitted to supply
the following:
(1) The auxiliary equipment of electric-discharge lamps
mounted in permanently installed luminaires where the
luminaires are mounted in accordance with one of the
following:
a. Not less than a height of 6.7 m (22 ft) on poles or
similar structures for the illumination of outdoor areas such as highways, roads, bridges, athletic fields,
or parking lots
b. Not less than a height of 5.5 m (18 ft) on other
structures such as tunnels
Informational Note: See 410.137 for auxiliary equipment
limitations. [ROP 2–26a]
70–53
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
(2) Cord-and-plug-connected or permanently connected
utilization equipment other than luminaires
(3) Luminaires powered from direct-current systems where
the luminaire contains a listed, dc-rated ballast that provides isolation between the dc power source and the
lamp circuit and protection from electric shock when
changing lamps.
Exception No. 1 to (B), (C), and (D): For lampholders of
infrared industrial heating appliances as provided in
422.14.
Exception No. 2 to (B), (C), and (D): For railway properties as described in 110.19.
(E) Over 600 Volts Between Conductors. Circuits exceeding 600 volts, nominal, between conductors shall be
permitted to supply utilization equipment in installations
where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that only qualified persons service the installation.
Exception to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed burglar alarm system shall not be required
to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection. [ROP
2–36]
Informational Note: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for
power supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
Receptacles installed under the exception to
210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the
requirements of 210.52(G).
(6) Kitchens— where the receptacles are installed to
serve the countertop surfaces
(7) Sinks — located in areas other than kitchens where
receptacles are installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the
outside edge of the sink
(8) Boathouses
(9) Bathtubs or shower stalls — Where receptacles are
installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the outside edge of the
bathtub or shower stall. [ROP 2–46]
(10) Laundry areas [ROP 2–47]
AF
210.7 Multiple Branch Circuits. Where two or more
branch circuits supply devices or equipment on the same
yoke or mounting strap, a means to simultaneously disconnect the ungrounded conductors supplying those devices
shall be provided at the point at which the branch circuits
originate. [ROP 2–27]
of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and
limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like
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210.7
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210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through
(C). The ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be installed in
a readily accessible location. [ROP-2–27a]
Informational Note: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel on feeders.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and
20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in
210.8(A)(1) through (10) shall have ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel. [ROP 2–47]
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a
floor located at or below grade level not intended as
habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work
areas, and areas of similar use
(3) Outdoors
Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to
electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable.
(4) Crawl spaces — at or below grade level
(5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section,
unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas
70–54
(B) Other Than Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, singlephase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(B)(1) through (8) shall have
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Kitchens
(3) Rooftops
(4) Outdoors
Exception No. 1 to (3): Receptacles on rooftops shall not be
required to be readily accessible other than from the rooftop. [ROP 2–52]
Exception No. 2 to (3) and (4): Receptacles that are not
readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit
dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and
vessel heating equipment shall be permitted to be installed
in accordance with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable.
Exception No. 3 to (4): In industrial establishments only,
where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified personnel are involved, an assured
equipment grounding conductor program as specified in
590.6(B)(2) shall be permitted for only those receptacle
outlets used to supply equipment that would create a
greater hazard if power is interrupted or having a design
that is not compatible with GFCI protection.
(5) Sinks — where receptacles are installed within 1.8 m
(6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink.
Exception No. 1 to (5): In industrial laboratories, receptacles used to supply equipment where removal of power
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
(C) Boat Hoists. GFCI protection shall be provided for
outlets not exceeding 240 volts that supply boat hoists installed in dwelling unit locations.
210.9 Circuits Derived from Autotransformers. Branch
circuits shall not be derived from autotransformers unless
the circuit supplied has a grounded conductor that is electrically connected to a grounded conductor of the system
supplying the autotransformer.
210.11 Branch Circuits Required. Branch circuits for
lighting and for appliances, including motor-operated appliances, shall be provided to supply the loads calculated in
accordance with 220.10. In addition, branch circuits shall
be provided for specific loads not covered by 220.10 where
required elsewhere in this Code and for dwelling unit loads
as specified in 210.11(C).
(A) Number of Branch Circuits. The minimum number
of branch circuits shall be determined from the total calculated load and the size or rating of the circuits used. In all
installations, the number of circuits shall be sufficient to
supply the load served. In no case shall the load on any
circuit exceed the maximum specified by 220.18.
(B) Load Evenly Proportioned Among Branch Circuits.
Where the load is calculated on the basis of volt-amperes
per square meter or per square foot, the wiring system up to
and including the branch-circuit panelboard(s) shall be provided to serve not less than the calculated load. This load
shall be evenly proportioned among multioutlet branch circuits within the panelboard(s). Branch-circuit overcurrent
devices and circuits shall be required to be installed only to
serve the connected load.
D
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AF
Exception No. 1: An autotransformer shall be permitted
without the connection to a grounded conductor where
transforming from a nominal 208 volts to a nominal 240volt supply or similarly from 240 volts to 208 volts.
Exception No. 2: In industrial occupancies, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation, autotransformers
shall be permitted to supply nominal 600-volt loads from
nominal 480-volt systems, and 480-volt loads from nominal
600-volt systems, without the connection to a similar
grounded conductor.
Exception No. 3: Branch circuits shall be allowed to be
supplied from a grounding autotransformer without requiring that the circuit supplied have a grounded conductor
that is electrically connected to the grounded conductor of
the system supplying the autotransformer provided that autotransformer has low zero phase sequence impedance at
its load side (<1.0%) and high zero phase sequence impedance at its line side (>30%). [ROP 2–60]
(3) 422.31(B) for an appliance
(4) 424.20 for a fixed electric space-heating unit
(5) 426.51 for electric deicing and snow-melting equipment
(6) 430.85 for a motor controller
(7) 430.103 for a motor
T
would introduce a greater hazard shall be permitted to be
installed without GFCI protection.
Exception No. 2 to (5): For receptacles located in patient
bed locations of general care or critical care areas of
health care facilities other than those covered under
210.8(B)(1), GFCI protection shall not be required.
(6) Indoor wet locations
(7) Locker rooms with associated showering facilities
(8) Garages, service bays, and similar areas [ROP 2–49,
ROP 2–50]
210.11
210.10 Ungrounded
Conductors
Tapped
from
Grounded Systems. Two-wire dc circuits and ac circuits of
two or more ungrounded conductors shall be permitted to
be tapped from the ungrounded conductors of circuits that
have a grounded neutral conductor. Switching devices in
each tapped circuit shall have a pole in each ungrounded
conductor. All poles of multipole switching devices shall
manually switch together where such switching devices
also serve as a disconnecting means as required by the
following:
(1) 410.93 for double-pole switched lampholders
(2) 410.104(B) for electric-discharge lamp auxiliary equipment switching devices
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Dwelling Units.
(1) Small-Appliance Branch Circuits. In addition to the
number of branch circuits required by other parts of this
section, two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits shall be provided for all receptacle outlets specified by
210.52(B).
(2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number
of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at
least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by
210.52(F). This circuit shall have no other outlets.
(3) Bathroom Branch Circuits. In addition to the number
of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at
least one 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to
supply bathroom receptacle outlet(s). Such circuits shall
have no other outlets.
Informational Note: See Examples D1(a), D1(b), D2(b),
D4(a), and D4(b) in Informative Annex D. [ROP 2–62b]
Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single
bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same
70–55
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance
with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).
210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Arcfault circuit-interrupter protection shall be provided as required in 210.12(A) and (B). The arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
[ROP 2–116]
Exception No. 2: Where a listed metal or nonmetallic conduit or tubing or Type MC Cable is encased in not less than
50 mm (2 in.) of concrete for the portion of the branch
circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and
the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install an outlet
branch-circuit type AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
[ROP 2–103]
Exception No. 3: Where an individual branch circuit to a
fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) or
760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel
sheathed cable, Type AC or Type MC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes,
metal wireways or metal auxiliary gutters, AFCI protection
shall be permitted to be omitted. [ROP 2–109]
AF
(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining
rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms,
sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected as described by (1), (2), (3), or (4).[ROP 2–80, ROP 2–82a,
ROP 2–85]
(1) A listed combination type arc-fault circuit interrupter,
installed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit. [ROP 2–92]
(2) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit where all of the following conditions are met:
[ROP 2–92]
Exception No. 1: If RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC, or steel
armored Type AC cables meeting the requirements of
250.118, metal wireways, metal auxiliary gutters, and metal
outlet and junction boxes are installed for the portion of the
branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install an
outlet branch-circuit type AFCI at the first outlet to provide
protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
[ROP 2–102]
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210.12
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a. The branch circuit over current protection device
shall be a listed circuit breaker having an instantaneous trip not exceeding 300 amperes. [ROP 2–92]
b. The branch circuit wiring shall be continuous from
the branch circuit overcurrent device to the outlet
branch circuit arc-fault circuit interrupter.[ROP
2–92]
c. The maximum length of the branch circuit wiring
from the branch circuit overcurrent device to the
first outlet shall not exceed 15.2 m (50 ft) for a 14
AWG or 21.3 m (70 ft) for a 12 AWG conductor.[ROP 2–92]
d. The first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be
identified.[ROP 2–92]
(3) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit where the portion of the branch circuit between the
branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet is
installed using RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC, or steel
armored Type AC cables meeting the requirements of
250.118 and using metal outlet and junction boxes.
[ROP 2–92]
(4) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit where the portion of the branch circuit between the
branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet is
installed using a listed metal or nonmetallic conduit or
tubing encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete. [ROP 2–92]
70–56
Informational Note No. 1: For information on types of
arc-fault circuit interrupters, see UL 1699-2011, Standard
for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters. [ROP 2–92]
Informational Note No. 2: See 29.6.3(5) of NFPA 722010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, for information related to secondary power supply requirements for
smoke alarms installed in dwelling units. [ROP 2–92]
Informational Note No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B)
for power-supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
[ROP 2–92]
(B) Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications —
Dwelling Units. In any of the areas specified in 210.12(A),
where branch-circuit wiring is modified, replaced, or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by one of the
following:
(1) A listed combination-type AFCI located at the origin of
the branch circuit
(2) A listed outlet branch-circuit type AFCI located at the
first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit
Exception: AFCI protection shall not be required where
the extension of the existing conductors is not more than
1.8 m (6 ft.) and does not include any additional outlets or
devices. [ROP 2–115]
210.13 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Each
branch circuit disconnect rated 1000 amperes or more and
installed on solidly grounded wye electrical systems of
more than 150 volts to ground, but not exceeding 600 volts
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
Informational Note: For buildings that contain health care
occupancies, see the requirements of 517.17. [ROP 2–125]
Exception No. 1: The provisions of this section shall not
apply to a disconnecting means for a continuous industrial
process where a nonorderly shutdown will introduce additional or increased hazards. [ROP 2–125]
Exception No. 2: The provisions of this section shall not
apply if ground-fault protection of equipment is provided on
the supply side of the branch circuit and on the load side of
any transformer supplying the branch circuit. [ROP 2–125]
210.17 Electric Vehicle Branch Circuit. Outlet(s) installed for the purpose of charging electric vehicles shall be
supplied by a separate branch circuit. This circuit shall have
no other outlets. [ROP 2–128a]
Informational Note: See 625.2 for the definition of ″Electrical Vehicle″. [ROP 2–128a]
Exception: If the assembly, including the overcurrent devices protecting the branch circuit(s), is listed for operation
at 100 percent of its rating, the allowable ampacity of the
branch circuit conductors shall be permitted to be not less
than the sum of the continuous load plus the noncontinuous
load.
(2) Branch Circuits with More than One Receptacle.
Conductors of branch circuits supplying more than one receptacle for cord-and-plug-connected portable loads shall
have an ampacity of not less than the rating of the branch
circuit.
(3) Household Ranges and Cooking Appliances. Branchcircuit conductors supplying household ranges, wallmounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and other
household cooking appliances shall have an ampacity not
less than the rating of the branch circuit and not less than
the maximum load to be served. For ranges of 83⁄4 kW or
more rating, the minimum branch-circuit rating shall be 40
amperes.
AF
210.18 Guest Rooms and Guest Suites. Guest rooms and
guest suites that are provided with permanent provisions for
cooking shall have branch circuits installed to meet the
rules for dwelling units.
exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of power, heating,
and lighting loads, or combinations of such loads, and
where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and
branch circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, provide reasonable efficiency of operation. See Informational Note No. 2 of 215.2(A)(4) for voltage drop on
feeder conductors.
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phase-to-phase, shall be provided with ground-fault protection of equipment in accordance with the provisions of
230.95. [ROP 2–125]
210.19
(1) General. Branch-circuit conductors shall have an ampacity not less than the maximum load to be served. Conductors shall be sized to carry not less than the larger of (a)
or (b). [ROP 2–131]
Exception No. 1: Conductors tapped from a 50-ampere
branch circuit supplying electric ranges, wall-mounted
electric ovens, and counter-mounted electric cooking units
shall have an ampacity of not less than 20 amperes and
shall be suffıcient for the load to be served. These tap conductors include any conductors that are a part of the leads
supplied with the appliance that are smaller than the
branch-circuit conductors. The taps shall not be longer
than necessary for servicing the appliance.
(a) Where a branch circuit supplies continuous loads
or any combination of continuous and noncontinuous loads,
the minimum branch-circuit conductor size shall have an
allowable ampacity not less than the noncontinuous load
plus 125 percent of the continuous load. [ROP 2–131]
(b) The minimum branch-circuit conductor size shall
have an allowable ampacity not less than the maximum
load to be served after the application of any adjustment or
correction factors. [ROP 2–131]
Exception No. 2: The neutral conductor of a 3-wire
branch circuit supplying a household electric range, a
wall-mounted oven, or a counter-mounted cooking unit
shall be permitted to be smaller than the ungrounded conductors where the maximum demand of a range of 83⁄4-kW
or more rating has been calculated according to Column C
of Table 220.55, but such conductor shall have an ampacity
of not less than 70 percent of the branch-circuit rating and
shall not be smaller than 10 AWG.
Informational Note No. 1: See 310.15 for ampacity ratings
of conductors. [ROP 2–130a, ROP 2–132]
(4) Other Loads. Branch-circuit conductors that supply
loads other than those specified in 210.2 and other than
cooking appliances as covered in 210.19(A)(3) shall have
an ampacity sufficient for the loads served and shall not be
smaller than 14 AWG.
II. Branch-Circuit Ratings
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210.19 Conductors — Minimum Ampacity and Size.
(A) Branch Circuits Not More Than 600 Volts.
Informational Note No. 2: See Part II of Article 430 for
minimum rating of motor branch-circuit conductors.
Informational Note No. 3: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature limitation of conductors.
Informational Note No. 4: Conductors for branch circuits
as defined in Article 100, sized to prevent a voltage drop
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 1: Tap conductors shall have an ampacity
suffıcient for the load served. In addition, they shall have an
ampacity of not less than 15 for circuits rated less than 40
70–57
210.20
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
amperes and not less than 20 for circuits rated at 40 or 50
amperes and only where these tap conductors supply any of
the following loads:
(B) Conductor Protection. Conductors shall be protected
in accordance with 240.4. Flexible cords and fixture wires
shall be protected in accordance with 240.5.
(a) Individual lampholders or luminaires with taps extending not longer than 450 mm (18 in.) beyond any portion of the lampholder or luminaire.
(b) A luminaire having tap conductors as provided in
410.117.
(c) Individual outlets, other than receptacle outlets,
with taps not over 450 mm (18 in.) long.
(d) Infrared lamp industrial heating appliances.
(e) Nonheating leads of deicing and snow-melting
cables and mats.
(C) Equipment. The rating or setting of the overcurrent
protective device shall not exceed that specified in the applicable articles referenced in Table 240.3 for equipment.
Exception No. 2: Fixture wires and flexible cords shall be
permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG as permitted by
240.5.
(A) Lampholders. Where connected to a branch circuit
having a rating in excess of 20 amperes, lampholders shall
be of the heavy-duty type. A heavy-duty lampholder shall
have a rating of not less than 660 watts if of the admedium
type, or not less than 750 watts if of any other type.
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210.21 Outlet Devices. Outlet devices shall have an ampere rating that is not less than the load to be served and
shall comply with 210.21(A) and (B).
(B) Receptacles.
(1) Single Receptacle on an Individual Branch Circuit.
A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit
shall have an ampere rating not less than that of the branch
circuit.
AF
(B) Branch Circuits Over 600 Volts. The ampacity of
conductors shall be in accordance with 310.15 and 310.60,
as applicable. Branch-circuit conductors over 600 volts
shall be sized in accordance with 210.19(B)(1) or (B)(2).
(D) Outlet Devices. The rating or setting shall not exceed
that specified in 210.21 for outlet devices.
(1) General. The ampacity of branch-circuit conductors
shall not be less than 125 percent of the designed potential
load of utilization equipment that will be operated simultaneously.
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(2) Supervised Installations. For supervised installations,
branch-circuit conductor sizing shall be permitted to be determined by qualified persons under engineering supervision. Supervised installations are defined as those portions
of a facility where both of the following conditions are met:
(1) Conditions of design and installation are provided under engineering supervision.
(2) Qualified persons with documented training and experience in over 600-volt systems provide maintenance,
monitoring, and servicing of the system.
210.20 Overcurrent Protection. Branch-circuit conductors and equipment shall be protected by overcurrent protective devices that have a rating or setting that complies
with 210.20(A) through (D).
(A) Continuous and Noncontinuous Loads. Where a
branch circuit supplies continuous loads or any combination of continuous and noncontinuous loads, the rating of
the overcurrent device shall not be less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load.
Exception: Where the assembly, including the overcurrent
devices protecting the branch circuit(s), is listed for operation at 100 percent of its rating, the ampere rating of the
overcurrent device shall be permitted to be not less than the
sum of the continuous load plus the noncontinuous load.
70–58
Exception No. 1:
with 430.81(B).
A receptacle installed in accordance
Exception No. 2: A receptacle installed exclusively for the
use of a cord-and-plug-connected arc welder shall be permitted to have an ampere rating not less than the minimum
branch-circuit conductor ampacity determined by
630.11(A) for arc welders.
Informational Note:
Article 100.
See the definition of receptacle in
(2) Total Cord-and-Plug-Connected Load. Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, a receptacle shall not supply a total cordand-plug-connected load in excess of the maximum
specified in Table 210.21(B)(2).
Table 210.21(B)(2) Maximum Cord-and-Plug-Connected
Load to Receptacle
Circuit Rating
(Amperes)
Receptacle Rating
(Amperes)
Maximum Load
(Amperes)
15 or 20
20
30
15
20
30
12
16
24
(3) Receptacle Ratings. Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, receptacle ratings shall conform to the values listed in Table
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ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
Exception No. 1: Receptacles installed exclusively for the
use of one or more cord-and plug-connected arc welders
shall be permitted to have ampere ratings not less than the
minimum branch-circuit conductor ampacity determined by
630.11(A) or (B), for arc welders. [ROP 2–137]
Exception No. 2: The ampere rating of a receptacle installed for electric discharge lighting shall be permitted to
be based on 410.62(C). [ROP 2–137]
Table 210.21(B)(3) Receptacle Ratings for Various Size
Circuits
Receptacle Rating
(Amperes)
15
20
30
40
50
Not over 15
15 or 20
30
40 or 50
50
(4) Range Receptacle Rating. The ampere rating of a
range receptacle shall be permitted to be based on a single
range demand load as specified in Table 220.55.
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210.22 Permissible Loads, Individual Branch Circuits.
An individual branch circuit shall be permitted to supply
any load for which it is rated, but in no case shall the load
exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. [ROP 2–139]
210.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits. In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit
ampere rating. A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets or receptacles shall supply only the loads specified
according to its size as specified in 210.23(A) through (D)
and as summarized in 210.24 and Table 210.24. [ROP
2–141]
(A) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 15- or 20ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply lighting
units or other utilization equipment, or a combination of
both, and shall comply with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).
Exception: The small-appliance branch circuits, laundry
branch circuits, and bathroom branch circuits required in a
dwelling unit(s) by 210.11(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3) shall
supply only the receptacle outlets specified in that section.
(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment Not Fastened
in Place. The rating of any one cord-and-plug-connected
utilization equipment not fastened in place shall not exceed
80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
2014 Edition
(B) 30-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 30-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply fixed lighting units with
heavy-duty lampholders in other than a dwelling unit(s) or
utilization equipment in any occupancy. A rating of any one
cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment shall not
exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
(C) 40- and 50-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 40- or 50ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply cooking
appliances that are fastened in place in any occupancy. In
other than dwelling units, such circuits shall be permitted to
supply fixed lighting units with heavy-duty lampholders,
infrared heating units, or other utilization equipment.
(D) Branch Circuits Larger Than 50 Amperes. Branch
circuits larger than 50 amperes shall supply only nonlighting outlet loads.
AF
Circuit Rating
(Amperes)
(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total
rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than
luminaires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branchcircuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plugconnected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or
both, are also supplied.
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210.21(B)(3), or, where rated higher than 50 amperes, the
receptacle rating shall not be less than the branch-circuit
rating. [ROP 2–137]
210.50
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
210.24 Branch-Circuit Requirements — Summary. The
requirements for circuits that have two or more outlets or
receptacles, other than the receptacle circuits of
210.11(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3), are summarized in Table
210.24. This table provides only a summary of minimum
requirements. See 210.19, 210.20, and 210.21 for the specific requirements applying to branch circuits.
210.25 Branch Circuits in Buildings with More Than
One Occupancy.
(A) Dwelling Unit Branch Circuits. Branch circuits in
each dwelling unit shall supply only loads within that
dwelling unit or loads associated only with that dwelling
unit.
(B) Common Area Branch Circuits. Branch circuits installed for the purpose of lighting, central alarm, signal,
communications, or other purposes for public or common
areas of a two-family dwelling, a multifamily dwelling, or a
multi-occupancy building shall not be supplied from equipment that supplies an individual dwelling unit or tenant
space.
III. Required Outlets
210.50 General. Receptacle outlets shall be installed as
specified in 210.52 through 210.64. [ROP 2–143]
Informational Note: See Informative Annex J for information regarding ADA accessibility design. [ROP 2–143a]
70–59
210.52
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
Table 210.24 Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements
Circuit Rating
Conductors (min. size):
Circuit wires1
Taps
Fixture wires and cords
— see 240.5
Overcurrent
Protection
Outlet devices:
Lampholders
permitted
Receptacle rating2
Maximum Load
Permissible load
2
20 A
30 A
40 A
50 A
14
14
12
14
10
14
8
12
6
12
15 A
20 A
30 A
40 A
50 A
Any type
Any type
Heavy duty
Heavy duty
Heavy duty
15 max. A
15 or 20 A
30 A
40 or 50 A
50 A
15 A
20 A
30 A
40 A
50 A
See 210.23(A)
See 210.23(A)
See 210.23(B)
See 210.23(C)
See 210.23(C)
These gauges are for copper conductors.
For receptacle rating of cord-connected electric-discharge luminaires, see 410.62(C).
(A) General Provisions. In every kitchen, family room,
dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom,
bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of
dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with the general provisions specified in 210.52(A)(1)
through (A)(4). [ROP 2–147]
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(A) Cord Pendants. A cord connector that is supplied by a
permanently connected cord pendant shall be considered a
receptacle outlet.
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1
15 A
(B) Cord Connections. A receptacle outlet shall be installed wherever flexible cords with attachment plugs are
used. Where flexible cords are permitted to be permanently
connected, receptacles shall be permitted to be omitted for
such cords.
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(C) Appliance Receptacle Outlets. Appliance receptacle
outlets installed in a dwelling unit for specific appliances,
such as laundry equipment, shall be installed within 1.8 m
(6 ft) of the intended location of the appliance.
210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. This section
provides requirements for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets. The receptacles required by this section
shall be in addition to any receptacle that is:
(1) Part of a luminaire or appliance, or
(2) Controlled by a wall switch in accordance with
210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, or
(3) Located within cabinets or cupboards, or
(4) Located more than 1.7 m (51⁄2 ft) above the floor
Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters
equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets or outlets
provided as a separate assembly by the manufacturer shall
be permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the wall
space utilized by such permanently installed heaters. Such
receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits.
Informational Note: Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets.
70–60
(1) Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed such that no
point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall
space is more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from a receptacle outlet.
(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shall
include the following:
(1) Any space 600 mm (2 ft) or more in width (including
space measured around corners) and unbroken along
the floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces, and fixed cabinets
(2) The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls,
excluding sliding panels
(3) The space afforded by fixed room dividers, such as
freestanding bar-type counters or railings
(3) Floor Receptacles. Receptacle outlets in floors shall
not be counted as part of the required number of receptacle
outlets unless located within 450 mm (18 in.) of the wall.
(4) Countertop Receptacles. Receptacles installed for
countertop surfaces as specified in 210.52(C) shall not be
considered as the receptacles required by 210.52(A).
(B) Small Appliances.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry,
breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling
unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
210.52
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all wall and
floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C), and receptacle outlets for
refrigeration equipment.
Space exempt from wall
line if X < 300 mm (12 in.)
Outlet within
600 mm (24 in.)
Outlet within
600 mm (24 in.)
X
Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles
specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a
general-purpose branch circuit as defined in 210.70(A)(1),
Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.
Exception No. 1: A receptacle installed solely for the electrical supply to and support of an electric clock in any of
the rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1).
Space exempt from wall line
if X < 450 mm (18 in.)
Outlet within 600 mm (24 in.)
X
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Exception No. 2: Receptacles installed to provide power
for supplemental equipment and lighting on gas-fired
ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units.
Range, counter-mounted cooking unit extending
from face of counter
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(2) No Other Outlets. The two or more small-appliance
branch circuits specified in 210.52(B)(1) shall have no
other outlets.
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(3) Kitchen Receptacle Requirements. Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be
supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which shall also be permitted to
supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other
rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). Additional smallappliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in
210.52(B)(1). No small-appliance branch circuit shall serve
more than one kitchen.
(C) Countertops. In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms,
dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop spaces shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(5).
(1) Wall Countertop Spaces. A receptacle outlet shall be
installed at each wall countertop space that is 300 mm
(12 in.) or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so
that no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm
(24 in.) measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in
that space.
Exception: Receptacle outlets shall not be required on a
wall directly behind a range, counter-mounted cooking
unit, or sink in the installation described in Figure
210.52(C)(1).
(2) Island Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle
shall be installed at each island countertop space with a
long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short
dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Outlet within
600 mm
(24 in.)
Range, counter-mounted cooking unit mounted in corner
Figure 210.52(C)(1) Determination of Area Behind a Range,
or Counter-Mounted Cooking Unit or Sink.
(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop
space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater
and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A
peninsular countertop is measured from the connecting
edge.
(4) Separate Spaces. Countertop spaces separated by
rangetops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as
separate countertop spaces in applying the requirements of
210.52(C)(1). If a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or
sink is installed in an island or peninsular countertop and
the depth of the countertop behind the range, countermounted cooking unit, or sink is less than 300 mm (12 in.),
the range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink shall be
considered to divide the countertop space into two separate
countertop spaces. Each separate countertop space shall
comply with the applicable requirements in 210.52(C).
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ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
(5) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall
be located on or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.)
above, the countertop. Receptacle outlet assemblies listed
for the application shall be permitted to be installed in
countertops. Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages,
sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception,
or appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets.
Informational Note: See 406.5(E) for requirements for installation of receptacles in countertops.
Exception to (5): To comply with the conditions specified in
(1) or (2), receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be
mounted not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop. Receptacles mounted below a countertop in accordance with this exception shall not be located where the
countertop extends more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond its
support base.
(3) Balconies, Decks, and Porches. Balconies, decks and
porches that are attached to the dwelling unit and are accessible from inside the dwelling shall have at least one
receptacle outlet accessible from balcony, deck, or porch.
The receptacle outlet shall not be located more than 2 m
(61⁄2 ft) above the balcony, deck, or porch walking surface.
[ROP 2–169]
(F) Laundry Areas. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in areas designated for the
installation of laundry equipment. [ROP 2–177]
Exception No. 1: A receptacle for laundry equipment shall
not be required in a dwelling unit of a multifamily building
where laundry facilities are provided on the premises for
use by all building occupants. [ROP 2–178]
Exception No. 2: A receptacle for laundry equipment shall
not be required in other than one-family dwellings where
laundry facilities are not to be installed or permitted. [ROP
2–178]
AF
(1) Construction for the physically impaired
(2) On island and peninsular countertops where the countertop is flat across its entire surface (no backsplashes,
dividers, etc.) and there are no means to mount a receptacle within 500 mm (20 in.) above the countertop,
such as an overhead cabinet
sible from grade and not more than 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) above
grade level shall be installed. [ROP 2–169]
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210.60
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(D) Bathrooms. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle
outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft)
of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet
shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the
basin or basin countertop, located on the countertop, or
installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet. In no case
shall the receptacle be located more than 300 mm (12 in.)
below the top of the basin. Receptacle outlet assemblies
listed for the application shall be permitted to be installed
in the countertop. [ROP 2–166]
Informational Note: See 406.5(E) for requirements for installation of receptacles in countertops.
(E) Outdoor Outlets. Outdoor receptacle outlets shall be
installed in accordance with (E)(1) through (E)(3).
Informational Note: See 210.8(A)(3). [ROP 2–168]
(1) One-Family and Two-Family Dwellings. For a onefamily dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that
is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet readily accessible from grade and not more than 2.0 m (6 1⁄2 ft) above
grade level shall be installed at the front and back of the
dwelling. [ROP 2–169]
(2) Multifamily Dwellings. For each dwelling unit of a
multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at
grade level and provided with individual exterior
entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet readily acces-
70–62
(G) Basements, Garages, and Accessory Buildings. For
a one-family dwelling, at least one receptacle outlet shall be
installed in the following specified areas. These receptacles
shall be in addition to receptacles required for specific
equipment. [ROP 2–178a]
(1) Garages. In each attached garage and in each detached
garage with electric power. The branch circuit supplying
this receptacle(s) shall not supply outlets outside of the
garage. [ROP 2–178a, ROP 2–180]
(2) Accessory Buildings. In each accessory building with
electric power. [ROP 2–178a]
(3) Basements. In each separate unfinished portion of a
basement. [ROP 2–178a]
(H) Hallways. In dwelling units, hallways of 3.0 m (10 ft)
or more in length shall have at least one receptacle outlet.
As used in this subsection, the hallway length shall be
considered the length along the centerline of the hallway
without passing through a doorway.
(I) Foyers. Foyers that are not part of a hallway in accordance with 210.52(H) and that have an area that is greater
than 5.6 m2 (60 ft2) shall have a receptacle(s) located in
each wall space 900 mm (3 ft) or more in width. Doorways,
door-side windows that extend to the floor, and similar
openings shall not be considered wall space. [ROP 2–185]
210.60 Guest Rooms, Guest Suites, Dormitories, and
Similar Occupancies.
(A) General. Guest rooms or guest suites in hotels, motels,
sleeping rooms in dormitories, and similar occupancies
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 210 — BRANCH CIRCUITS
(B) Receptacle Placement. In applying the provisions of
210.52(A), the total number of receptacle outlets shall not
be less than the minimum number that would comply with
the provisions of that section. These receptacle outlets shall
be permitted to be located conveniently for permanent furniture layout. At least two receptacle outlets shall be readily
accessible. Where receptacles are installed behind the bed,
the receptacle shall be located to prevent the bed from
contacting any attachment plug that may be installed or the
receptacle shall be provided with a suitable guard.
Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be
controlled by occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to
wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall switch
location and equipped with a manual override that will
allow the sensor to function as a wall switch.
(2) Additional Locations. Additional lighting outlets shall
be installed in accordance with (A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and
(A)(2)(c).
(a) At least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet
shall be installed in hallways, stairways, attached garages,
and detached garages with electric power.
(b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached
garages with electric power, at least one wall switch–
controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits
with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not
be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.
(c) Where one or more lighting outlet(s) are installed
for interior stairways, there shall be a wall switch at each
floor level, and landing level that includes an entryway, to
control the lighting outlet(s) where the stairway between
floor levels has six risers or more.
AF
210.62 Show Windows. At least one 125-volt, singlephase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be
installed within 450 mm (18 in.) of the top of a show
window for each 3.7 linear m (12 linear ft) or major fraction thereof of show window area measured horizontally at
its maximum width.[ROP 2–187]
Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms,
one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall
be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
T
shall have receptacle outlets installed in accordance with
210.52(A) and (D). Guest rooms or guest suites provided
with permanent provisions for cooking shall have receptacle outlets installed in accordance with all of the applicable rules in 210.52.
210.70
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210.63 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Equipment Outlet. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an accessible location for the servicing of heating, airconditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle
shall be located on the same level and within 7.5 m (25 ft)
of the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the
load side of the equipment disconnecting means.
Informational Note: See 210.8 for ground-fault circuitinterrupter requirements. [ROP 2–190a]
Exception: A receptacle outlet shall not be required at
one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evaporative coolers.
210.64 Electrical Service Areas. At least one 125 volt
single phase 15 or 20 ampere rated receptacle outlet shall
be installed within 15 m (50 ft) of the electrical service
equipment. [ROP 2–191]
Exception: The receptacle outlet shall not be required to
be installed in one and two family dwellings. [ROP 2–191]
210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall
be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets
shall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (A)(2),
and (A)(3).
(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch–controlled
lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room
and bathroom.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception to (A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and (A)(2)(c): In hallways, in stairways, and at outdoor entrances, remote, central, or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted.
(3) Storage or Equipment Spaces. For attics, underfloor
spaces, utility rooms, and basements, at least one lighting
outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch
shall be installed where these spaces are used for storage or
contain equipment requiring servicing. At least one point of
control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces.
The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.
(B) Guest Rooms or Guest Suites. In hotels, motels, or
similar occupancies, guest rooms or guest suites shall have
at least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet installed
in every habitable room and bathroom.
Exception No. 1: In other than bathrooms and kitchens
where provided, one or more receptacles controlled by a
wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be
controlled by occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to
wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall switch
location and equipped with a manual override that allows
the sensor to function as a wall switch.
(C) Other Than Dwelling Units. For attics and underfloor
spaces containing equipment requiring servicing, such as
70–63
215.1
ARTICLE 215 — FEEDERS
ARTICLE 215
Feeders
215.1 Scope. This article covers the installation requirements, overcurrent protection requirements, minimum size,
and ampacity of conductors for feeders supplying branchcircuit loads.
Exception: Feeders for electrolytic cells as covered in
668.3(C)(1) and (C)(4).
(A) Feeders Not More Than 600 Volts.
(1) General. Feeder conductors shall have an ampacity not
less than required to supply the load as calculated in Parts
III, IV, and V of Article 220. Conductors shall be sized to
carry not less than the larger of (a) or (b). [ROP 2–201]
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(a) Where a feeder supplies continuous loads or any
combination of continuous and noncontinuous loads, the
minimum feeder conductor size shall have an allowable
ampacity not less than the noncontinuous load plus
125 percent of the continuous load. [ROP 2–201]
(b) The minimum feeder conductor size shall have an
allowable ampacity not less than the maximum load to be
served after the application of any adjustment or correction
factors. [ROP 2–201]
Informational Note No. 1: See Examples D1 through
D11 in Informative Annex D. [ROP 2–204a]
Informational Note No. 2: Conductors for feeders as defined in Article 100, sized to prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of power, heating, and
lighting loads, or combinations of such loads, and where
the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch
circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will
provide reasonable efficiency of operation. [ROP 2–204a]
Informational Note No. 3: See 210.19(A), Informational
Note No. 4, for voltage drop for branch circuits. [ROP
2–204a]
Exception No. 1: If the assembly, including the overcurrent devices protecting the feeder(s), is listed for operation
at 100 percent of its rating, the allowable ampacity of the
feeder conductors shall be permitted to be not less than the
sum of the continuous load plus the noncontinuous load.
70–64
(2) Grounded Conductor. The size of the feeder circuit
grounded conductor shall not be smaller than that required
by 250.122, except that 250.122(F) shall not apply where
grounded conductors are run in parallel.
Additional minimum sizes shall be as specified in
215.2(A)(2) and (A)(3) under the conditions stipulated.
(3) Ampacity Relative to Service Conductors. The
feeder conductor ampacity shall not be less than that of the
service conductors where the feeder conductors carry the
total load supplied by service conductors with an ampacity
of 55 amperes or less.
[ROP 2–204b]
AF
215.2 Minimum Rating and Size.
Exception No. 2: Feeder conductors that are not terminated at either end except as permitted in 110.14(C)(2)
shall be permitted to have an allowable ampacity, after the
application of any required adjustment or correction factors, not less than the sum of the continuous load plus the
noncontinuous load. This exception shall not apply within
1.2 m (4 ft) of an overcurrent device. [ROP 2–202]
Exception No. 3: Grounded conductors that are not connected to an overcurrent device shall be permitted to be
sized at 100 percent of the continuous and noncontinuous
load. [ROP 2–202]
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heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, at
least one lighting outlet containing a switch or controlled
by a wall switch shall be installed in such spaces. At least
one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to
these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or
near the equipment requiring servicing.
(B) Feeders over 600 Volts. The ampacity of conductors
shall be in accordance with 310.15 and 310.60 as applicable. Where installed, the size of the feeder-circuit
grounded conductor shall not be smaller than that required
by 250.122, except that 250.122(F) shall not apply where
grounded conductors are run in parallel. Feeder conductors
over 600 volts shall be sized in accordance with
215.2(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) Feeders Supplying Transformers. The ampacity of
feeder conductors shall not be less than the sum of the
nameplate ratings of the transformers supplied when only
transformers are supplied.
(2) Feeders Supplying Transformers and Utilization
Equipment. The ampacity of feeders supplying a combination of transformers and utilization equipment shall not be
less than the sum of the nameplate ratings of the transformers and 125 percent of the designed potential load of the
utilization equipment that will be operated simultaneously.
(3) Supervised Installations. For supervised installations,
feeder conductor sizing shall be permitted to be determined
by qualified persons under engineering supervision. Supervised installations are defined as those portions of a facility
where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) Conditions of design and installation are provided under engineering supervision.
(2) Qualified persons with documented training and experience in over 600-volt systems provide maintenance,
monitoring, and servicing of the system.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 215 — FEEDERS
Exception No. 1: Where the assembly, including the overcurrent devices protecting the feeder(s), is listed for operation at 100 percent of its rating, the ampere rating of the
overcurrent device shall be permitted to be not less than the
sum of the continuous load plus the noncontinuous load.
Exception No. 2: Overcurrent protection for feeders over
600 volts, nominal, shall comply with Part IX of Article
240.
215.4 Feeders with Common Neutral Conductor.
215.10 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Each
feeder disconnect rated 1000 amperes or more and installed
on solidly grounded wye electrical systems of more than
150 volts to ground, but not exceeding 600 volts phase-tophase, shall be provided with ground-fault protection of
equipment in accordance with the provisions of 230.95.
Informational Note: For buildings that contain health care
occupancies, see the requirements of 517.17.
Exception No. 1: The provisions of this section shall not
apply to a disconnecting means for a continuous industrial
process where a nonorderly shutdown will introduce additional or increased hazards.
Exception No. 2: The provisions of this section shall not
apply if ground-fault protection of equipment is provided on
the supply side of the feeder and on the load side of any
transformer supplying the feeder.
AF
(A) Feeders with Common Neutral. Up to three sets of
3-wire feeders or two sets of 4-wire or 5-wire feeders shall
be permitted to utilize a common neutral.
215.9 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. Feeders supplying 15- and 20-ampere receptacle branch circuits shall be permitted to be protected by a
ground-fault circuit interrupter in lieu of the provisions for
such interrupters as specified in 210.8 and 590.6(A).
T
215.3 Overcurrent Protection. Feeders shall be protected
against overcurrent in accordance with the provisions of
Part I of Article 240. Where a feeder supplies continuous
loads or any combination of continuous and noncontinuous
loads, the rating of the overcurrent device shall not be less
than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load.
215.12
(B) In Metal Raceway or Enclosure. Where installed in a
metal raceway or other metal enclosure, all conductors of
all feeders using a common neutral conductor shall be enclosed within the same raceway or other enclosure as required in 300.20.
D
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215.5 Diagrams of Feeders. If required by the authority
having jurisdiction, a diagram showing feeder details shall
be provided prior to the installation of the feeders. Such a
diagram shall show the area in square feet of the building
or other structure supplied by each feeder, the total calculated load before applying demand factors, the demand factors used, the calculated load after applying demand factors, and the size and type of conductors to be used.
215.6 Feeder Equipment Grounding Conductor. Where
a feeder supplies branch circuits in which equipment
grounding conductors are required, the feeder shall include
or provide an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with the provisions of 250.134, to which the equipment grounding conductors of the branch circuits shall be
connected. Where the feeder supplies a separate building or
structure, the requirements of 250.32(B) shall apply.
215.7 Ungrounded Conductors Tapped from Grounded
Systems. Two-wire dc circuits and ac circuits of two or
more ungrounded conductors shall be permitted to be
tapped from the ungrounded conductors of circuits having a
grounded neutral conductor. Switching devices in each
tapped circuit shall have a pole in each ungrounded conductor.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
215.11 Circuits Derived from Autotransformers. Feeders shall not be derived from autotransformers unless the
system supplied has a grounded conductor that is electrically connected to a grounded conductor of the system supplying the autotransformer.
Exception No. 1: An autotransformer shall be permitted
without the connection to a grounded conductor where
transforming from a nominal 208 volts to a nominal 240volt supply or similarly from 240 volts to 208 volts.
Exception No. 2: In industrial occupancies, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation, autotransformers
shall be permitted to supply nominal 600-volt loads from
nominal 480-volt systems, and 480-volt loads from nominal
600-volt systems, without the connection to a similar
grounded conductor.
215.12 Identification for Feeders.
(A) Grounded Conductor. The grounded conductor of a
feeder shall be identified in accordance with 200.6.
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductor. The equipment
grounding conductor shall be identified in accordance with
250.119.
(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Ungrounded conductors
shall be identified in accordance with 215.12(C)(1), and
(2), as applicable. [ROP 2–217]
70–65
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
(1) Feeders Supplied From More Than One Nominal
Voltage System. Where the premises wiring system has
feeders supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a feeder shall be identified by phase or line and system at all termination, connection, and splice points in compliance with
215.12(C)(1)(a) and (b). [ROP 2–217]
(a) Means of Identification. The means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding,
marking tape, tagging, or other approved means. [ROP
2–217]
(b) Posting of Identification Means. The method utilized for conductors originating within each feeder panelboard or similar feeder distribution equipment shall be
documented in a manner that is readily available or shall be
permanently posted at each feeder panelboard or similar
feeder distribution equipment. [ROP 2–217]
ARTICLE 220
Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service
Calculations
I. General
220.1 Scope. This article provides requirements for calculating branch-circuit, feeder, and service loads. Part I provides for general requirements for calculation methods. Part
II provides calculation methods for branch-circuit loads.
Parts III and IV provide calculation methods for feeders
and services. Part V provides calculation methods for
farms.
D
R
AF
(2) Feeders Supplied From Direct Current Systems.
Where a feeder is supplied from a dc system operating at
more than 60 volts, each ungrounded conductor of 4 AWG
or larger shall be identified by polarity at all termination,
connection, and splice points by marking tape, tagging, or
other approved means; each ungrounded conductor of 6
AWG or smaller shall be identified by polarity at all termination, connection, and splice points in compliance with
215.12(C)(2)(a) and (b). The identification methods utilized
for conductors originating within each feeder panelboard or
similar feeder distribution equipment shall be documented
in a manner that is readily available or shall be permanently
posted at each feeder panelboard or similar feeder distribution equipment. [ROP 2–217]
(2) A continuous black stripe durably marked along the
conductor’s entire length on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or red. [ROP 2–217]
(3) Imprinted minus signs “–” or the word “NEGATIVE”
or “NEG” durably marked on insulation of a color
other than green, white, gray, or red, and repeated at
intervals not exceeding 610 mm (24 in.) in accordance
with 310.120(B). [ROP 2–217]
T
220.1
Informational Note: See Figure 220.1 for information on
the organization of Article 220.
Part I General
Part II Branch-circuit load calculations
(a) Positive Polarity, Sizes 6 AWG or smaller. Where
the positive polarity of a dc system does not serve as the
connection for the grounded conductor, each positive ungrounded conductor shall be identified by one of the following means: [ROP 2–217]
(1) A continuous red outer finish. [ROP 2–217]
(2) A continuous red stripe durably marked along the conductor’s entire length on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or black. [ROP 2–217]
(3) Imprinted plus signs “+” or the word “POSITIVE” or
“POS” durably marked on insulation of a color other
than green, white, gray, or black, and repeated at intervals not exceeding 610 mm (24 in.) in accordance with
310.120(B). [ROP 2–217]
Figure 220.1 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Calculation
Methods.
(b) Negative Polarity, Sizes 6 AWG or smaller. Where
the negative polarity of a dc system does not serve as the
connection for the grounded conductor, each negative ungrounded conductor shall be identified by one of the following means: [ROP 2–217]
(1) A continuous black outer finish. [ROP 2–217]
220.3 Application of Other Articles. In other articles applying to the calculation of loads in specialized applications, there are requirements provided in Table 220.3 that
are in addition to, or modifications of, those within this
article.
70–66
Part III
Feeder and
service load
calculations
Farm dwellings
only
220.61
Neutral
Loads
Part IV
Optional
feeder and
service load
calculations
Farm dwellings
only
Part V Farm load calculations
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
220.12
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Table 220.3 Additional Load Calculation References
Article
Section (or Part)
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment,
branch-circuit conductor sizing
Cranes and hoists, rating and size of conductors
Electric vehicle charging system branch circuit
and feeder calculations
Electric welders, ampacity calculations
Electrically driven or controlled irrigation
machines
Electrified truck parking space
Electrolytic cell lines
Electroplating, branch-circuit conductor sizing
Elevator feeder demand factors
Fire pumps, voltage drop (mandatory calculation)
Fixed electric heating equipment for pipelines and
vessels, branch-circuit sizing
Fixed electric space-heating equipment,
branch-circuit sizing
Fixed outdoor electric deicing and snow-melting
equipment, branch-circuit sizing
Industrial machinery, supply conductor sizing
Marinas and boatyards, feeder and service load
calculations
Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and mobile
home parks, total load for determining power
supply
Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and mobile
home parks, allowable demand factors for park
electrical wiring systems
Motion picture and television studios and similar
locations – sizing of feeder conductors for
television studio sets
Motors, feeder demand factor
Motors, multimotor and combination-load
equipment
Motors, several motors or a motor(s) and other
load(s)
Over 600-volt branch-circuit calculations
Over 600-volt feeder calculations
Phase converters, conductors
Recreational vehicle parks, basis of calculations
Sensitive electrical equipment, voltage drop
(mandatory calculation)
Solar photovoltaic systems, circuit sizing and
current
Storage-type water heaters
Theaters, stage switchboard feeders
440
Part IV
610
625
610.14
625.14 [ROP 2–219]
630
675
630.11, 630.31
675.7(A), 675.22(A)
626
668
669
620
695
427
668.3(C)
669.5
620.14
695.7
427.4
424
424.3
426
426.4
T
Calculation
670.4(A)
555.12
550
550.18(B)
550
550.31
530
530.19
430
430
430.26
430.25
430
430.24
210
215
455
551
647
210.19(B)
215.2(B)
455.6
551.73(A)
647.4(D)
690
690.8
422
520
422.11(E)
520.27
D
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AF
670
555
220.5 Calculations.
II. Branch-Circuit Load Calculations
(A) Voltages. Unless other voltages are specified, for purposes of calculating branch-circuit and feeder loads, nominal system voltages of 120, 120/240, 208Y/120, 240, 347,
480Y/277, 480, 600Y/347, and 600 volts shall be used.
220.10 General. Branch-circuit loads shall be calculated
as shown in 220.12, 220.14, and 220.16.
(B) Fractions of an Ampere. Calculations shall be permitted to be rounded to the nearest whole ampere, with decimal fractions smaller than 0.5 dropped.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
220.12 Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies. A unit
load of not less than that specified in Table 220.12 for
occupancies specified therein shall constitute the minimum
lighting load. The floor area for each floor shall be calculated from the outside dimensions of the building, dwelling
unit, or other area involved. For dwelling units, the calcu-
70–67
220.14
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
lated floor area shall not include open porches, garages, or
unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use.
Table 220.12 General Lighting Loads by Occupancy
Unit Load
Informational Note: The unit values herein are based on
minimum load conditions and 100 percent power factor and
may not provide sufficient capacity for the installation
contemplated.
AF
(1) A power monitoring system is installed that will provide continuous information regarding the total general
lighting load of the building. [ROP 2–228]
(2) The power monitoring system will be set with alarm
values alert the building owner or manager if the lighting load exceeds the values set by the energy code.
[ROP 2–228]
(3) The demand factors specified in 220.42 are not applied
to the general lighting load. [ROP 2–228]
Armories and auditoriums
Banks
Barber shops and beauty
parlors
Churches
Clubs
Court rooms
Dwelling unitsa
Garages — commercial
(storage)
Hospitals
Hotels and motels, including
apartment houses without
provision for cooking by
tenantsa
Industrial commercial (loft)
buildings
Lodge rooms
Office buildings
Restaurants
Schools
Stores
Warehouses (storage)
In any of the preceding
occupancies except
one-family dwellings and
individual dwelling units of
two-family and multifamily
dwellings:
Assembly halls and
auditoriums
Halls, corridors, closets,
stairways
Storage spaces
T
Exception: Where the building is designed and constructed to comply with an energy code adopted by the
local authority, the lighting load shall be permitted to be
calculated at the values specified in the energy code where
the following conditions are met: [ROP 2–228]
Type of Occupancy
220.14 Other Loads — All Occupancies. In all occupancies, the minimum load for each outlet for general-use receptacles and outlets not used for general illumination shall
not be less than that calculated in 220.14(A) through (L),
the loads shown being based on nominal branch-circuit
voltages.
D
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Exception: The loads of outlets serving switchboards and
switching frames in telephone exchanges shall be waived
from the calculations.
(A) Specific Appliances or Loads. An outlet for a specific
appliance or other load not covered in 220.14(B) through
(L) shall be calculated based on the ampere rating of the
appliance or load served.
(B) Electric Clothes Dryers in Dwelling Units and Electric Cooking Appliances in Dwelling Units and Household Cooking Appliances used in Instructional Programs. Load calculations shall be permitted as specified in
220.54 for electric dryers and in 220.55 for electric ranges
and other cooking appliances. [ROP 2–232]
(C) Motor Outlets. Loads for motor outlets shall be calculated in accordance with the requirements in 430.22,
430.24, and 440.6. [ROP 2–233]
(D) Luminaires. An outlet supplying luminaire(s) shall be
calculated based on the maximum volt-ampere rating of the
equipment and lamps for which the luminaire(s) is rated.
(E) Heavy-Duty Lampholders. Outlets for heavy-duty
lampholders shall be calculated at a minimum of 600 voltamperes.
70–68
a
Volt-Amperes/
Square Meter
Volt-Amperes/
Square Foot
11
39b
33
1
31⁄2b
3
11
22
22
33
6
1
2
2
3
1⁄2
22
22
2
2
22
2
17
39b
22
33
33
3
11⁄2
31⁄2b
2
3
3
1⁄4
11
1
6
12
3
14
⁄
⁄
See 220.14(J).
See 220.14(K).
b
(F) Sign and Outline Lighting. Sign and outline lighting
outlets shall be calculated at a minimum of 1200 voltamperes for each required branch circuit specified in
600.5(A).
(G) Show Windows. Show windows shall be calculated in
accordance with either of the following:
(1) The unit load per outlet as required in other provisions
of this section
(2) At 200 volt-amperes per 300 mm (1 ft) of show
window
(H) Fixed Multioutlet Assemblies. Fixed multioutlet assemblies used in other than dwelling units or the guest
rooms or guest suites of hotels or motels shall be calculated
in accordance with (H)(1) or (H)(2). For the purposes of
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
220.43
this section, the calculation shall be permitted to be based
on the portion that contains receptacle outlets.
(1) Where appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously, each 1.5 m (5 ft) or fraction thereof of each
separate and continuous length shall be considered as
one outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.
(2) Where appliances are likely to be used simultaneously,
each 300 mm (1 ft) or fraction thereof shall be considered as an outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.
(B) Other Than Dwelling Units. Loads for new circuits or
extended circuits in other than dwelling units shall be calculated in accordance with either 220.12 or 220.14, as applicable.
(I) Receptacle Outlets. Except as covered in 220.14(J)
and (K), receptacle outlets shall be calculated at not less
than 180 volt-amperes for each single or for each multiple
receptacle on one yoke. A single piece of equipment consisting of a multiple receptacle comprised of four or more
receptacles shall be calculated at not less than 90 voltamperes per receptacle. This provision shall not be applicable to the receptacle outlets specified in 210.11(C)(1) and
(C)(2).
(A) Motor-Operated and Combination Loads. Where a
circuit supplies only motor-operated loads, Article 430 shall
apply. Where a circuit supplies only air-conditioning equipment, refrigerating equipment, or both, Article 440 shall
apply. For circuits supplying loads consisting of motoroperated utilization equipment that is fastened in place and
has a motor larger than 1⁄8 hp in combination with other
loads, the total calculated load shall be based on 125 percent of the largest motor load plus the sum of the other
loads.
T
(B) Inductive and LED Lighting Loads. For circuits supplying lighting units that have ballasts, transformers, autotransformers, or LED drivers, the calculated load shall be
based on the total ampere ratings of such units and not on
the total watts of the lamps.
D
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AF
(J) Dwelling Occupancies. In one-family, two-family, and
multifamily dwellings and in guest rooms or guest suites of
hotels and motels, the outlets specified in (J)(1), (J)(2), and
(J)(3) are included in the general lighting load calculations
of 220.12. No additional load calculations shall be required
for such outlets.
(1) All general-use receptacle outlets of 20-ampere rating
or less, including receptacles connected to the circuits
in 210.11(C)(3)
(2) The receptacle outlets specified in 210.52(E) and (G)
(3) The lighting outlets specified in 210.70(A) and (B)
220.18 Maximum Loads. The total load shall not exceed
the rating of the branch circuit, and it shall not exceed the
maximum loads specified in 220.18(A) through (C) under
the conditions specified therein.
(C) Range Loads. It shall be permissible to apply demand
factors for range loads in accordance with Table 220.55,
including Note 4.
III. Feeder and Service Load Calculations
(K) Banks and Office Buildings. In banks or office buildings, the receptacle loads shall be calculated to be the larger
of (1) or (2):
(1) The calculated load from 220.14(I)
(2) 11 volt-amperes/m2 or 1 volt-ampere/ft2
220.40 General. The calculated load of a feeder or service
shall not be less than the sum of the loads on the branch
circuits supplied, as determined by Part II of this article,
after any applicable demand factors permitted by Part III or
IV or required by Part V have been applied.
(L) Other Outlets. Other outlets not covered in 220.14(A)
through (K) shall be calculated based on 180 volt-amperes
per outlet.
Informational Note: See Examples D1(a) through D10 in
Informative Annex D. See 220.18(B) for the maximum load
in amperes permitted for lighting units operating at less
than 100 percent power factor.
220.16 Loads for Additions to Existing Installations.
(A) Dwelling Units. Loads added to an existing dwelling
unit(s) shall comply with the following as applicable:
(1) Loads for structural additions to an existing dwelling
unit or for a previously unwired portion of an existing
dwelling unit, either of which exceeds 46.5 m2
(500 ft2), shall be calculated in accordance with 220.12
and 220.14.
(2) Loads for new circuits or extended circuits in previously wired dwelling units shall be calculated in accordance with either 220.12 or 220.14, as applicable.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
220.42 General Lighting. The demand factors specified in
Table 220.42 shall apply to that portion of the total branchcircuit load calculated for general illumination. They shall
not be applied in determining the number of branch circuits
for general illumination.
220.43 Show-Window and Track Lighting.
(A) Show Windows. For show-window lighting, a load of
not less than 660 volt-amperes/linear meter or 200 voltamperes/linear foot shall be included for a show window,
measured horizontally along its base.
70–69
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Table 220.44 Demand Factors for Non-Dwelling Receptacle
Loads
Table 220.42 Lighting Load Demand Factors
Type of
Occupancy
Dwelling units
Hospitals*
Portion of Lighting
Load to Which
Demand Factor
Applies
(Volt-Amperes)
First 3000 or less at
From 3001 to
120,000 at
Remainder over
120,000 at
First 50,000 or less at
Remainder over
50,000 at
Demand Factor
(%)
100
25
40
20
First 20,000 or less at
From 20,001 to
100,000 at
Remainder over
100,000 at
50
Warehouses
(storage)
First 12,500 or less at
Remainder over
12,500 at
100
Total volt-amperes
100
40
30
50
D
R
The demand factors of this table shall not apply to the calculated load
of feeders or services supplying areas in hospitals, hotels, and motels
where the entire lighting is likely to be used at one time, as in operating rooms, ballrooms, or dining rooms.
Informational Note: See 220.14(G) for branch circuits
supplying show windows.
(B) Track Lighting. For track lighting in other than dwelling units or guest rooms or guest suites of hotels or motels,
an additional load of 150 volt-amperes shall be included for
every 600 mm (2 ft) of lighting track or fraction thereof.
Where multicircuit track is installed, the load shall be considered to be divided equally between the track circuits.
Exception: If the track lighting is supplied through a device that limits the current to the track, the load shall be
permitted to be calculated based on the rating of the device
used to limit the current.
220.44 Receptacle Loads — Other Than Dwelling
Units. Receptacle loads calculated in accordance with
220.14(H) and (I) shall be permitted to be made subject to
the demand factors given in Table 220.42 or Table 220.44.
220.50 Motors. Motor loads shall be calculated in accordance with 430.24, 430.25, and 430.26 and with 440.6 for
hermetic refrigerant motor compressors.
220.51 Fixed Electric Space Heating. Fixed electric
space-heating loads shall be calculated at 100 percent of the
70–70
First 10 kVA or less at
Remainder over 10 kVA at
100
50
total connected load. However, in no case shall a feeder or
service load current rating be less than the rating of the
largest branch circuit supplied.
Exception: Where reduced loading of the conductors results from units operating on duty-cycle, intermittently, or
from all units not operating at the same time, the authority
having jurisdiction may grant permission for feeder and
service conductors to have an ampacity less than 100 percent, provided the conductors have an ampacity for the
load so determined.
220.52 Small-Appliance and Laundry Loads — Dwelling Unit.
AF
*
Demand Factor (%)
35
Hotels and motels,
including
apartment houses
without provision
for cooking by
tenants*
All others
Portion of Receptacle Load to Which
Demand Factor Applies
(Volt-Amperes)
T
220.44
(A) Small-Appliance Circuit Load. In each dwelling unit,
the load shall be calculated at 1500 volt-amperes for each
2-wire small-appliance branch circuit as covered by
210.11(C)(1). Where the load is subdivided through two or
more feeders, the calculated load for each shall include not
less than 1500 volt-amperes for each 2-wire smallappliance branch circuit. These loads shall be permitted to
be included with the general lighting load and subjected to
the demand factors provided in Table 220.42.
Exception: The individual branch circuit permitted by
210.52(B)(1), Exception No. 2, shall be permitted to be
excluded from the calculation required by 220.52.
(B) Laundry Circuit Load. A load of not less than 1500
volt-amperes shall be included for each 2-wire laundry
branch circuit installed as covered by 210.11(C)(2). This
load shall be permitted to be included with the general
lighting load and subjected to the demand factors provided
in Table 220.42.
220.53 Appliance Load — Dwelling Unit(s). It shall be
permissible to apply a demand factor of 75 percent to the
nameplate rating load of four or more appliances fastened
in place, other than electric ranges, clothes dryers, spaceheating equipment, or air-conditioning equipment, that are
served by the same feeder or service in a one-family, twofamily, or multifamily dwelling.
220.54 Electric Clothes Dryers — Dwelling Unit(s). The
load for household electric clothes dryers in a dwelling
unit(s) shall be either 5000 watts (volt-amperes) or the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
220.61
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Table 220.54 Demand Factors for Household Electric
Clothes Dryers
Demand Factor
(%)
1–4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
100
85
75
65
60
55
50
47
12–23
47% minus 1% for each dryer exceeding 11
24–42
35% minus 0.5% for each dryer exceeding 23
43 and over
25%
D
R
220.55 Electric Cooking Appliances in Dwelling Units
and Household Cooking Appliances Used in Instructional Programs. [ROP 2-245]. The load for household
electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units, and other household cooking appliances individually rated in excess of 13⁄4 kW shall be permitted to
be calculated in accordance with Table 220.55. Kilovoltamperes (kVA) shall be considered equivalent to kilowatts
(kW) for loads calculated under this section.
Where two or more single-phase ranges are supplied by
a 3-phase, 4-wire feeder or service, the total load shall be
calculated on the basis of twice the maximum number connected between any two phases.
Informational Note No. 1: See the examples in Informative Annex D. [ROP 2–242a]
Informational Note No. 2: See Table 220.56 for commercial cooking equipment.
[ROP 2–24a]
220.56 Kitchen Equipment — Other Than Dwelling
Unit(s). It shall be permissible to calculate the load for
commercial electric cooking equipment, dishwasher
booster heaters, water heaters, and other kitchen equipment
in accordance with Table 220.56. These demand factors
shall be applied to all equipment that has either thermostatic control or intermittent use as kitchen equipment.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Table 220.56 Demand Factors for Kitchen Equipment —
Other Than Dwelling Unit(s)
Number of Units of
Equipment
Demand Factor
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6 and over
100
100
90
80
70
65
220.60 Noncoincident Loads. Where it is unlikely that
two or more noncoincident loads will be in use simultaneously, it shall be permissible to use only the largest
load(s) that will be used at one time for calculating the total
load of a feeder or service.
AF
Number of
Dryers
These demand factors shall not apply to space-heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning equipment.
However, in no case shall the feeder or service calculated load be less than the sum of the largest two kitchen
equipment loads.
T
nameplate rating, whichever is larger, for each dryer
served. The use of the demand factors in Table 220.54 shall
be permitted. Where two or more single-phase dryers are
supplied by a 3-phase, 4-wire feeder or service, the total
load shall be calculated on the basis of twice the maximum
number connected between any two phases. Kilovoltamperes (kVA) shall be considered equivalent to kilowatts
(kW) for loads calculated in this section.
220.61 Feeder or Service Neutral Load.
(A) Basic Calculation. The feeder or service neutral load
shall be the maximum unbalance of the load determined by
this article. The maximum unbalanced load shall be the
maximum net calculated load between the neutral conductor and any one ungrounded conductor.
Exception: For 3-wire, 2-phase or 5-wire, 2-phase systems, the maximum unbalanced load shall be the maximum
net calculated load between the neutral conductor and any
one ungrounded conductor multiplied by 140 percent.
(B) Permitted Reductions. A service or feeder supplying
the following loads shall be permitted to have an additional
demand factor of 70 percent applied to the amount in
220.61(B)(1) or portion of the amount in 220.61(B)(2) determined by the basic calculation:
(1) A feeder or service supplying household electric
ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking
units, and electric dryers, where the maximum unbalanced load has been determined in accordance with
Table 220.55 for ranges and Table 220.54 for dryers
(2) That portion of the unbalanced load in excess of 200
amperes where the feeder or service is supplied from a
3-wire dc or single-phase ac system; or a 4-wire,
3-phase, 3-wire, 2-phase system; or a 5-wire, 2-phase
system
Informational Note: See Examples D1(a), D1(b), D2(b),
D4(a), and D5(a) in Informative Annex D. [ROP 2–247a]
70–71
220.61
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Table 220.55 Demand Factors and Loads for Household Electric Ranges, Wall-Mounted Ovens, Counter-Mounted Cooking
Units, and Other Household Cooking Appliances over 13⁄4 kW Rating (Column C to be used in all cases except as otherwise
permitted in Note 3.)
Demand Factor (%) (See Notes)
Column B
(31⁄2 kW through 83⁄4 kW
Rating)
Column C
Maximum Demand (kW) (See
Notes) (Not over 12 kW Rating)
1
2
3
4
5
80
75
70
66
62
80
65
55
50
45
8
11
14
17
20
6
7
8
9
10
59
56
53
51
49
43
40
36
35
34
21
22
23
24
25
11
12
13
14
15
47
45
43
41
40
32
32
32
32
32
26
27
28
29
30
16
17
18
19
20
39
38
37
36
35
28
28
28
28
28
31
32
33
34
35
21
22
23
24
25
34
33
32
31
30
26
26
26
26
26
36
37
38
39
40
30
30
24
22
15 kW + 1 kW for each range
30
30
30
20
18
16
25 kW + 3⁄4 kW for each range
41–50
51–60
61 and over
AF
D
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26–30
31–40
T
Number of Appliances
Column A
(Less than 31⁄2 kW Rating)
Notes:
1. Over 12 kW through 27 kW ranges all of same rating. For ranges individually rated more than 12 kW but not more than 27 kW, the maximum
demand in Column C shall be increased 5 percent for each additional kilowatt of rating or major fraction thereof by which the rating of individual
ranges exceeds 12 kW.
2. Over 83⁄4 kW through 27 kW ranges of unequal ratings. For ranges individually rated more than 83⁄4 kW and of different ratings, but none
exceeding 27 kW, an average value of rating shall be calculated by adding together the ratings of all ranges to obtain the total connected load (using
12 kW for any range rated less than 12 kW) and dividing by the total number of ranges. Then the maximum demand in Column C shall be increased
5 percent for each kilowatt or major fraction thereof by which this average value exceeds 12 kW.
3. Over 13⁄4 kW through 83⁄4 kW. In lieu of the method provided in Column C, it shall be permissible to add the nameplate ratings of all household
cooking appliances rated more than 13⁄4 kW but not more than 83⁄4 kW and multiply the sum by the demand factors specified in Column A or
Column B for the given number of appliances. Where the rating of cooking appliances falls under both Column A and Column B, the demand
factors for each column shall be applied to the appliances for that column, and the results added together.
4. Branch-Circuit Load. It shall be permissible to calculate the branch-circuit load for one range in accordance with Table 220.55. The branchcircuit load for one wall-mounted oven or one counter-mounted cooking unit shall be the nameplate rating of the appliance. The branch-circuit load
for a counter-mounted cooking unit and not more than two wall-mounted ovens, all supplied from a single branch circuit and located in the same
room, shall be calculated by adding the nameplate rating of the individual appliances and treating this total as equivalent to one range.
5. This table shall also apply to household cooking appliances rated over 13⁄4 kW and used in instructional programs.
70–72
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
220.83
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Informational Note: A 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected
power system used to supply power to nonlinear loads may
necessitate that the power system design allow for the possibility of high harmonic neutral-conductor currents. [ROP
2–247a]
IV. Optional Feeder and Service Load Calculations
220.80 General. Optional feeder and service load calculations shall be permitted in accordance with Part IV.
220.82 Dwelling Unit.
(C) Heating and Air-Conditioning Load. The largest of
the following six selections (load in kVA) shall be included:
(1) 100 percent of the nameplate rating(s) of the air conditioning and cooling.
(2) 100 percent of the nameplate rating(s) of the heat pump
when the heat pump is used without any supplemental
electric heating.
(3) 100 percent of the nameplate rating(s) of the heat pump
compressor and 65 percent of the supplemental electric
heating for central electric space-heating systems. If the
heat pump compressor is prevented from operating at
the same time as the supplementary heat, it does not
need to be added to the supplementary heat for the total
central space heating load.
(4) 65 percent of the nameplate rating(s) of electric space
heating if less than four separately controlled units.
(5) 40 percent of the nameplate rating(s) of electric space
heating if four or more separately controlled units.
(6) 100 percent of the nameplate ratings of electric thermal
storage and other heating systems where the usual load
is expected to be continuous at the full nameplate
value. Systems qualifying under this selection shall not
be calculated under any other selection in 220.82(C).
D
R
AF
(A) Feeder and Service Load. This section applies to a
dwelling unit having the total connected load served by a
single 120/240-volt or 208Y/120-volt set of 3-wire service
or feeder conductors with an ampacity of 100 or greater. It
shall be permissible to calculate the feeder and service
loads in accordance with this section instead of the method
specified in Part III of this article. The calculated load shall
be the result of adding the loads from 220.82(B) and (C).
Feeder and service-entrance conductors whose calculated
load is determined by this optional calculation shall be permitted to have the neutral load determined by 220.61.
d. Water heaters
(4) The nameplate ampere or kVA rating of all permanently connected motors not included in item (3).
T
(C) Prohibited Reductions. There shall be no reduction of
the neutral or grounded conductor capacity applied to the
amount in 220.61(C)(1), or portion of the amount in (C)(2),
from that determined by the basic calculation:
(1) Any portion of a 3-wire circuit consisting of 2 ungrounded conductors and the neutral conductor of a
4-wire, 3-phase, wye-connected system
(2) That portion consisting of nonlinear loads supplied
from a 4-wire, wye-connected, 3-phase system
(B) General Loads. The general calculated load shall be
not less than 100 percent of the first 10 kVA plus 40 percent
of the remainder of the following loads:
(1) 33 volt-amperes/m2 or 3 volt-amperes/ft2 for general
lighting and general-use receptacles. The floor area for
each floor shall be calculated from the outside dimensions of the dwelling unit. The calculated floor area
shall not include open porches, garages, or unused or
unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use.
(2) 1500 volt-amperes for each 2-wire, 20-ampere smallappliance branch circuit and each laundry branch circuit covered in 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2).
(3) The nameplate rating of the following:
a. All appliances that are fastened in place, permanently connected, or located to be on a specific circuit
b. Ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units
c. Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry
branch circuit specified in item (2)
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
220.83 Existing Dwelling Unit. This section shall be permitted to be used to determine if the existing service or
feeder is of sufficient capacity to serve additional loads.
Where the dwelling unit is served by a 120/240-volt or
208Y/120-volt, 3-wire service, it shall be permissible to
calculate the total load in accordance with 220.83(A) or
(B).
(A) Where Additional Air-Conditioning Equipment or
Electric Space-Heating Equipment Is Not to Be Installed. The following percentages shall be used for existing and additional new loads.
Load (kVA)
First 8 kVA of load at
Remainder of load at
Percent of Load
100
40
Load calculations shall include the following:
(1) General lighting and general-use receptacles at 33 voltamperes/m2 or 3 volt-amperes/ft2 as determined by
220.12
70–73
220.84
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
a. All appliances that are fastened in place, permanently connected, or located to be on a specific circuit
b. Ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units
c. Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry
branch circuit specified in item (2)
d. Water heaters
(B) Where Additional Air-Conditioning Equipment or
Electric Space-Heating Equipment Is to Be Installed.
The following percentages shall be used for existing and
additional new loads. The larger connected load of airconditioning or space-heating, but not both, shall be used.
Percent of Load
Air-conditioning equipment
Central electric space heating
Less than four separately
controlled space-heating units
First 8 kVA of all other loads
Remainder of all other loads
100
100
100
100
40
(B) House Loads. House loads shall be calculated in accordance with Part III of this article and shall be in addition
to the dwelling unit loads calculated in accordance with
Table 220.84.
Table 220.84 Optional Calculations — Demand Factors for
Three or More Multifamily Dwelling Units
Number of
Dwelling Units
Demand Factor
(%)
3–5
6–7
8–10
45
44
43
11
12–13
14–15
16–17
18–20
42
41
40
39
38
21
22–23
24–25
26–27
28–30
37
36
35
34
33
31
32–33
34–36
37–38
39–42
32
31
30
29
28
43–45
46–50
51–55
56–61
62 and over
27
26
25
24
23
AF
Load
Exception: When the calculated load for multifamily dwellings without electric cooking in Part III of this article exceeds that calculated under Part IV for the identical load
plus electric cooking (based on 8 kW per unit), the lesser of
the two loads shall be permitted to be used.
(3) Each dwelling unit is equipped with either electric
space heating or air conditioning, or both. Feeders and
service conductors whose calculated load is determined
by this optional calculation shall be permitted to have
the neutral load determined by 220.61.
T
(2) 1500 volt-amperes for each 2-wire, 20-ampere smallappliance branch circuit and each laundry branch circuit covered in 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2)
(3) The nameplate rating of the following:
D
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Other loads shall include the following:
(1) General lighting and general-use receptacles at 33 voltamperes/m2 or 3 volt-amperes/ft2 as determined by
220.12
(2) 1500 volt-amperes for each 2-wire, 20-ampere smallappliance branch circuit and each laundry branch circuit covered in 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2)
(3) The nameplate rating of the following:
a. All appliances that are fastened in place, permanently connected, or located to be on a specific circuit
b. Ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units
c. Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry
branch circuit specified in (2)
d. Water heaters
220.84 Multifamily Dwelling.
(A) Feeder or Service Load. It shall be permissible to
calculate the load of a feeder or service that supplies three
or more dwelling units of a multifamily dwelling in accordance with Table 220.84 instead of Part III of this article if
all the following conditions are met:
(1) No dwelling unit is supplied by more than one feeder.
(2) Each dwelling unit is equipped with electric cooking
equipment.
70–74
(C) Calculated Loads. The calculated load to which the
demand factors of Table 220.84 apply shall include the
following:
(1) 33 volt-amperes/m2 or 3 volt-amperes/ft2 for general
lighting and general-use receptacles
(2) 1500 volt-amperes for each 2-wire, 20-ampere smallappliance branch circuit and each laundry branch circuit covered in 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 220 — BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER, AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
220.85 Two Dwelling Units. Where two dwelling units
are supplied by a single feeder and the calculated load
under Part III of this article exceeds that for three identical
units calculated under 220.84, the lesser of the two loads
shall be permitted to be used.
Exception: If the maximum demand data for a 1-year period is not available, the calculated load shall be permitted
to be based on the maximum demand (measure of average
power demand over a 15-minute period) continuously recorded over a minimum 30-day period using a recording
ammeter or power meter connected to the highest loaded
phase of the feeder or service, based on the initial loading
at the start of the recording. The recording shall reflect the
maximum demand of the feeder or service by being taken
when the building or space is occupied and shall include by
measurement or calculation the larger of the heating or
cooling equipment load, and other loads that may be periodic in nature due to seasonal or similar conditions.
(2) The maximum demand at 125 percent plus the new
load does not exceed the ampacity of the feeder or
rating of the service.
(3) The feeder has overcurrent protection in accordance
with 240.4, and the service has overload protection in
accordance with 230.90.
D
R
AF
220.86 Schools. The calculation of a feeder or service
load for schools shall be permitted in accordance with
Table 220.86 in lieu of Part III of this article where
equipped with electric space heating, air conditioning, or
both. The connected load to which the demand factors of
Table 220.86 apply shall include all of the interior and
exterior lighting, power, water heating, cooking, other
loads, and the larger of the air-conditioning load or spaceheating load within the building or structure.
Feeders and service conductors whose calculated load
is determined by this optional calculation shall be permitted
to have the neutral load determined by 220.61. Where the
building or structure load is calculated by this optional
method, feeders within the building or structure shall have
ampacity as permitted in Part III of this article; however,
the ampacity of an individual feeder shall not be required to
be larger than the ampacity for the entire building.
This section shall not apply to portable classroom buildings.
220.87 Determining Existing Loads. The calculation of a
feeder or service load for existing installations shall be
permitted to use actual maximum demand to determine the
existing load under all of the following conditions:
(1) The maximum demand data is available for a 1-year
period.
T
(3) The nameplate rating of the following:
a. All appliances that are fastened in place, permanently connected, or located to be on a specific circuit
b. Ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units
c. Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry
branch circuit specified in item (2)
d. Water heaters
(4) The nameplate ampere or kVA rating of all permanently connected motors not included in item (3)
(5) The larger of the air-conditioning load or the fixed electric space-heating load
220.102
Table 220.86 Optional Method — Demand Factors for
Feeders and Service Conductors for Schools
220.88 New Restaurants. Calculation of a service or
feeder load, where the feeder serves the total load, for a
new restaurant shall be permitted in accordance with Table
220.88 in lieu of Part III of this article.
The overload protection of the service conductors shall
be in accordance with 230.90 and 240.4.
Feeder conductors shall not be required to be of greater
ampacity than the service conductors.
Service or feeder conductors whose calculated load is
determined by this optional calculation shall be permitted
to have the neutral load determined by 220.61.
V. Farm Load Calculations
220.100 General. Farm loads shall be calculated in accordance with Part V.
220.102 Farm Loads — Buildings and Other Loads.
Connected Load
First 33 VA/m2
Plus,
Over 33 through 220
VA/m2
Plus,
Remainder over 220
VA/m2
2014 Edition
(3 VA/ft2) at
Demand
Factor
(Percent)
100
(3 through 20 VA/ft2)
at
75
(20 VA/ft2) at
25
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Dwelling Unit. The feeder or service load of a farm
dwelling unit shall be calculated in accordance with the
provisions for dwellings in Part III or IV of this article.
Where the dwelling has electric heat and the farm has electric grain-drying systems, Part IV of this article shall not be
used to calculate the dwelling load where the dwelling and
farm loads are supplied by a common service.
(B) Other Than Dwelling Unit. Where a feeder or service
supplies a farm building or other load having two or more
70–75
220.103
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
Table 220.88 Optional Method — Permitted Load Calculations for Service and Feeder Conductors for New Restaurants
Total Connected
Load (kVA)
All Electric Restaurant
Calculated Loads (kVA)
Not All Electric Restaurant
Calculated Loads (kVA)
0–200
201–325
326–800
Over 800
80%
10% (amount over 200) + 160.0
50% (amount over 325) + 172.5
50% (amount over 800) + 410.0
100%
50% (amount over 200) + 200.0
45% (amount over 325) + 262.5
20% (amount over 800) + 476.3
Note: Add all electrical loads, including both heating and cooling loads, to calculate the total connected load. Select the one demand factor that
applies from the table, then multiply the total connected load by this single demand factor.
Table 220.102 Method for Calculating Farm Loads for
Other Than Dwelling Unit
Ampere Load at 240 Volts Maximum
Demand Factor
(%)
Informational Note: For additional information on wiring
over 1000 volts, see ANSI C2-2007, National Electrical
Safety Code. [ROP 4–11]
[ROP 4–12, ROP 4–10]
50
25
225.3 Other Articles. Application of other articles, including additional requirements to specific cases of equipment
and conductors, is shown in Table 225.3.
D
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100
220.103 Farm Loads — Total. Where supplied by a common service, the total load of the farm for service conductors and service equipment shall be calculated in accordance with the farm dwelling unit load and demand factors
specified in Table 220.103. Where there is equipment in
two or more farm equipment buildings or for loads having
the same function, such loads shall be calculated in accordance with Table 220.102 and shall be permitted to be
combined as a single load in Table 220.103 for calculating
the total load.
Table 220.103 Method for Calculating Total Farm Load
Individual Loads Calculated in
Accordance with Table 220.102
Largest load
Second largest load
Third largest load
Remaining loads
Demand Factor
(%)
100
75
65
50
Note: To this total load, add the load of the farm dwelling unit calculated in accordance with Part III or IV of this article. Where the
dwelling has electric heat and the farm has electric grain-drying systems, Part IV of this article shall not be used to calculate the dwelling
load.
70–76
225.1 Scope. This article covers requirements for outside
branch circuits and feeders run on or between buildings,
structures, or poles on the premises; and electrical equipment and wiring for the supply of utilization equipment that
is located on or attached to the outside of buildings, structures, or poles.
AF
The greater of the following:
All loads that are expected to operate
simultaneously, or
125 percent of the full load current of
the largest motor, or
First 60 amperes of the load
Next 60 amperes of all other loads
Remainder of other loads
ARTICLE 225
Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders
T
separate branch circuits, the load for feeders, service conductors, and service equipment shall be calculated in accordance with demand factors not less than indicated in Table
220.102.
I. General
225.4 Conductor Covering. Where within 3.0 m (10 ft) of
any building or structure other than supporting poles or
towers, open individual (aerial) overhead conductors shall
be insulated for the nominal voltage. Conductors in cables
or raceways, except Type MI cable, shall be of the rubbercovered type or thermoplastic type and, in wet locations,
shall comply with 310.10(C). Conductors for festoon lighting shall be of the rubber-covered or thermoplastic type.
[ROP 4–15]
Exception:
Equipment grounding conductors and
grounded circuit conductors shall be permitted to be bare
or covered as specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code.
225.5 Size of Conductors 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less.
The ampacity of outdoor branch-circuit and feeder conductors shall be in accordance with 310.15 based on loads as
determined under 220.10 and Part III of Article 220.
225.6 Conductor Size and Support.
(A) Overhead Spans. Open individual conductors shall
not be smaller than the following:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
Table 225.3 Other Articles
225.7 Lighting Equipment Installed Outdoors.
Article
Branch circuits
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
Communications circuits
Community antenna television and radio
distribution systems
Conductors for general wiring
Electrically driven or controlled
irrigation machines
Electric signs and outline lighting
Feeders
Fire alarm systems
Fixed outdoor electric deicing and
snow-melting equipment
Floating buildings
Grounding and bonding
Hazardous (classified) locations
Hazardous (classified) locations—
specific
Marinas and boatyards
Messenger-supported wiring
Mobile homes, manufactured homes,
and mobile home parks
Open wiring on insulators
Over 1000 volts, general [ROP 4–14]
Overcurrent protection
Radio and television equipment
Services
Solar photovoltaic systems
Swimming pools, fountains, and similar
installations
Use and identification of grounded
conductors
210
725
800
820
310
675
600
215
760
426
553
250
500
510
D
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398
490
240
810
230
690
680
200
(1) For 1000 volts, nominal, or less, 10 AWG copper or 8
AWG aluminum for spans up to 15 m (50 ft) in length,
and 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum for a longer
span unless supported by a messenger wire [ROP
4–17]
(2) For over 1000 volts, nominal, 6 AWG copper or 4
AWG aluminum where open individual conductors,
and 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum where in
cable [ROP 4–17]
(B) Festoon Lighting. Overhead conductors for festoon
lighting shall not be smaller than 12 AWG unless the conductors are supported by messenger wires. In all spans exceeding 12 m (40 ft), the conductors shall be supported by
messenger wire. The messenger wire shall be supported by
strain insulators. Conductors or messenger wires shall not
be attached to any fire escape, downspout, or plumbing
equipment.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Common Neutral. The ampacity of the neutral conductor shall not be less than the maximum net calculated
load current between the neutral conductor and all ungrounded conductors connected to any one phase of the
circuit.
(C) 277 Volts to Ground. Circuits exceeding 120 volts,
nominal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts,
nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply luminaires
for illumination of outdoor areas of industrial establishments, office buildings, schools, stores, and other commercial or public buildings.
(D) 600 Volts Between Conductors. Circuits exceeding
277 volts, nominal, to ground and not exceeding 600 volts,
nominal, between conductors shall be permitted to supply
the auxiliary equipment of electric-discharge lamps in accordance with 210.6(D)(1).
AF
555
396
550
(A) General. For the supply of lighting equipment installed outdoors, the branch circuits shall comply with Article 210 and 225.7(B) through (D).
T
Equipment/Conductors
2014 Edition
225.11
225.8 [ROP 4–18] Calculation of Loads 1000 Volts,
Nominal, or Less.
(A) Branch Circuits. The load on outdoor branch circuits
shall be as determined by 220.10.
(B) Feeders. The load on outdoor feeders shall be as determined by Part III of Article 220.
225.10 Wiring on Buildings (or Other Structures). The
installation of outside wiring on surfaces of buildings (or
other structures) shall be permitted for circuits of not over
1000 volts, nominal, as open wiring on insulators, as multiconductor cable, as Type MC cable, as Type UF cable, as
Type MI cable, as messenger-supported wiring, in rigid
metal conduit (RMC), in intermediate metal conduit (IMC),
in rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit, in reinforced
thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC), in cable trays, as
cablebus, in wireways, in auxiliary gutters, in electrical metallic tubing (EMT), in flexible metal conduit (FMC), in
liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), in liquidtight
flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC), and in busways. Circuits of over 1000 volts, nominal, shall be installed as provided in 300.37. [ROP 4–19 — 26]
225.11 Feeder and Branch Circuit Conductors, Entering, Exiting, or Attached to Buildings or Structures.
Feeder and branch-circuit conductors entering or exiting
buildings or structures shall be in installed in accordance
with the requirements of 230.52. Overhead branch-circuits
and feeders attached to buildings or structures shall be in-
70–77
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
stalled in accordance with the requirements of 230.54.
[ROP 4–27]
225.12 Open-Conductor Supports. Open conductors
shall be supported on glass or porcelain knobs, racks,
brackets, or strain insulators.
225.14 Open-Conductor Spacings.
(A) 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Conductors of 1000
volts, nominal, or less, shall comply with the spacings provided in Table 230.51(C). [ROP 4–29]
(B) Over 1000 Volts, Nominal. Conductors of over 1000
volts, nominal, shall comply with the spacings provided in
110.36 and 490.24. [ROP 4–29]
(C) Separation from Other Circuits. Open conductors
shall be separated from open conductors of other circuits or
systems by not less than 100 mm (4 in.).
(B) Attachment. Feeder and/or branch circuit conductors
shall not be attached to a mast between a weatherhead or
end of the conduit and a coupling, where the coupling is
located above the last point of securing to the building or
other structure or is located above the building or other
structure. [ROP 4–30]
225.18 Clearance for Overhead Conductors and
Cables. Overhead spans of open conductors and open multiconductor cables of not over 1000 volts, nominal, shall
have a clearance of not less than the following: [ROP
4–31]
(1) 3.0 m (10 ft) — above finished grade, sidewalks, or
from any platform or projection from which they might
be reached where the voltage does not exceed 150 volts
to ground and accessible to pedestrians only
(2) 3.7 m (12 ft) — over residential property and driveways, and those commercial areas not subject to truck
traffic where the voltage does not exceed 300 volts to
ground
(3) 4.5 m (15 ft) — for those areas listed in the 3.7-m
(12-ft) classification where the voltage exceeds 300
volts to ground
(4) 5.5 m (18 ft) — over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other
than residential property, and other land traversed by
vehicles, such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard
(5) 7.5 m (24.5 ft) — over track rails of railroads
AF
(D) Conductors on Poles. Conductors on poles shall have
a separation of not less than 300 mm (1 ft) where not
placed on racks or brackets. Conductors supported on poles
shall provide a horizontal climbing space not less than the
following:
(1) Power conductors below communications conductors
— 750 mm (30 in.)
(2) Power conductors alone or above communications conductors:
tors. Hubs intended for use with a conduit that serves as a
mast for support of feeder or branch circuit conductors
shall be identified for use with a mast. [ROP 4–30]
T
225.12
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a. 300 volts or less — 600 mm (24 in.)
b. Over 300 volts — 750 mm (30 in.)
(3) Communications conductors below power conductors
— same as power conductors
(4) Communications conductors alone — no requirement
225.15 Supports over Buildings. Supports over a building
shall be in accordance with 230.29.
225.16 Attachment to Buildings.
(A) Point of Attachment. The point of attachment to a
building shall be in accordance with 230.26.
(B) Means of Attachment. The means of attachment to a
building shall be in accordance with 230.27.
225.17 Masts as Supports. Only feeder or branch-circuit
conductors specified within this section shall be permitted
to be attached to the feeder and/or branch-circuit mast.
Masts used for the support of final spans of feeders or
branch circuits shall be installed in accordance with (A)
and (B). [ROP 4–30]
(A) Strength. The mast shall be of adequate strength or be
supported by braces or guys to withstand safely the strain
imposed by the overhead feeder or branch circuit conduc-
70–78
225.19 Clearances from Buildings for Conductors of
Not over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 4–32].
(A) Above Roofs. Overhead spans of open conductors and
open multiconductor cables shall have a vertical clearance
of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above the roof surface. The
vertical clearance above the roof level shall be maintained
for a distance not less than 900 mm (3 ft) in all directions
from the edge of the roof.
Exception No. 1: The area above a roof surface subject to
pedestrian or vehicular traffıc shall have a vertical clearance from the roof surface in accordance with the clearance requirements of 225.18.
Exception No. 2: Where the voltage between conductors
does not exceed 300, and the roof has a slope of 100 mm in
300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.) or greater, a reduction in clearance
to 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Where the voltage between conductors
does not exceed 300, a reduction in clearance above only
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
Exception No. 4: The requirement for maintaining the vertical clearance 900 mm (3 ft) from the edge of the roof shall
not apply to the final conductor span where the conductors
are attached to the side of a building.
(B) From Nonbuilding or Nonbridge Structures. From
signs, chimneys, radio and television antennas, tanks, and
other nonbuilding or nonbridge structures, clearances —
vertical, diagonal, and horizontal — shall not be less than
900 mm (3 ft).
(C) Horizontal Clearances. Clearances shall not be less
than 900 mm (3 ft).
(D) Final Spans. Final spans of feeders or branch circuits
shall comply with 225.19(D)(1), (D)(2), and (D)(3).
225.22 Raceways on Exterior Surfaces of Buildings or
Other Structures. Raceways on exteriors of buildings or
other structures shall be arranged to drain and shall be
suitable for use in wet locations.
225.24 Outdoor Lampholders. Where outdoor lampholders are attached as pendants, the connections to the circuit
wires shall be staggered. Where such lampholders have
terminals of a type that puncture the insulation and make
contact with the conductors, they shall be attached only to
conductors of the stranded type.
225.25 Location of Outdoor Lamps. Locations of lamps
for outdoor lighting shall be below all energized conductors, transformers, or other electric utilization equipment,
unless either of the following apply:
(1) Clearances or other safeguards are provided for
relamping operations.
(2) Equipment is controlled by a disconnecting means that
is lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 4–37]
AF
(1) Clearance from Windows. Final spans to the building
they supply, or from which they are fed, shall be permitted
to be attached to the building, but they shall be kept not less
than 900 mm (3 ft) from windows that are designed to be
opened, and from doors, porches, balconies, ladders, stairs,
fire escapes, or similar locations.
225.21 Multiconductor Cables on Exterior Surfaces of
Buildings (or Other Structures). Supports for multiconductor cables on exterior surfaces of buildings (or other
structures) shall be as provided in 230.51. [ROP 4–35]
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the overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.) shall be permitted if (1) not more than 1.8 m (6 ft)
of the conductors, 1.2 m (4 ft) horizontally, pass above the
roof overhang and (2) they are terminated at a through-theroof raceway or approved support.
225.30
D
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Exception: Conductors run above the top level of a window shall be permitted to be less than the 900-mm (3-ft)
requirement.
(2) Vertical Clearance. The vertical clearance of final
spans above, or within 900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally
of, platforms, projections, or surfaces from which they
might be reached shall be maintained in accordance with
225.18.
(3) Building Openings. The overhead branch-circuit and
feeder conductors shall not be installed beneath openings
through which materials may be moved, such as openings
in farm and commercial buildings, and shall not be installed
where they obstruct entrance to these buildings’ openings.
(E) Zone for Fire Ladders. Where buildings exceed three
stories or 15 m (50 ft) in height, overhead lines shall be
arranged, where practicable, so that a clear space (or zone)
at least 1.8 m (6 ft) wide will be left either adjacent to the
buildings or beginning not over 2.5 m (8 ft) from them to
facilitate the raising of ladders when necessary for fire
fighting.
225.20 Mechanical Protection of Conductors. Mechanical protection of conductors on buildings, (or other structures) structures, or poles shall be as provided for services
in 230.50.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
225.26 Vegetation as Support. Vegetation such as trees
shall not be used for support of overhead conductor spans.
225.27 Raceway Seal. Where a raceway enters a building
or structure from an underground distribution system, it
shall be sealed in accordance with 300.5(G). Spare or unused raceways shall also be sealed. Sealants shall be identified for use with the cable insulation, conductor insulation, bare conductor, shield, or other components. [ROP
4–38]
II. Buildings or Other Structures Supplied by a
Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s)
225.30 Number of Supplies. A building or other structure
that is served by a branch circuit or feeder on the load side
of a service disconnecting means shall be supplied by only
one feeder or branch circuit unless permitted in 225.30(A)
through (E). For the purpose of this section, a multiwire
branch circuit shall be considered a single circuit.
Where a branch circuit or feeder originates in these
additional buildings or other structures, only one feeder or
branch circuit shall be permitted to supply power back to
the original building or structure, unless permitted in
225.30(A) through (E).
[ROP 4–39]
(A) Special Conditions. Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted to supply the following:
70–79
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
Fire pumps
Emergency systems
Legally required standby systems
Optional standby systems
Parallel power production systems
Systems designed for connection to multiple sources of
supply for the purpose of enhanced reliability
(B) Special Occupancies. By special permission, additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted for either of the following:
(1) Multiple-occupancy buildings where there is no space
available for supply equipment accessible to all occupants
(2) A single building or other structure sufficiently large to
make two or more supplies necessary
(C) Capacity Requirements. Additional feeders or branch
circuits shall be permitted where the capacity requirements
are in excess of 2000 amperes at a supply voltage of 1000
volts or less. [ROP 4–46]
Exception No. 4: For poles or similar structures used only
for support of signs installed in accordance with Article
600, the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located elsewhere on the premises.
225.33 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The disconnecting means for each supply
permitted by 225.30 shall consist of not more than six
switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard or switchgear. There shall be no more than six disconnects per supply grouped in any one location. [ROP
9–14j]
Exception: For the purposes of this section, disconnecting
means used solely for the control circuit of the ground-fault
protection system, or the control circuit of the poweroperated supply disconnecting means, installed as part of
the listed equipment, shall not be considered a supply disconnecting means.
AF
(D) Different Characteristics. Additional feeders or
branch circuits shall be permitted for different voltages,
frequencies, or phases or for different uses, such as control
of outside lighting from multiple locations.
Exception No. 3: For towers or poles used as lighting
standards, the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be
located elsewhere on the premises.
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225.31
D
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(E) Documented Switching Procedures. Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted to supply installations under single management where documented safe
switching procedures are established and maintained for
disconnection.
225.31 Disconnecting Means. Means shall be provided
for disconnecting all ungrounded conductors that supply or
pass through the building or structure.
225.32 Location. The disconnecting means shall be installed either inside or outside of the building or structure
served or where the conductors pass through the building or
structure. The disconnecting means shall be at a readily
accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. For the purposes of this section, the requirements
in 230.6 shall be utilized.
(B) Single-Pole Units. Two or three single-pole switches
or breakers capable of individual operation shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded
conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are
equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to
disconnect all ungrounded conductors with no more than
six operations of the hand.
225.34 Grouping of Disconnects.
(A) General. The two to six disconnects as permitted in
225.33 shall be grouped. Each disconnect shall be marked
to indicate the load served.
Exception: One of the two to six disconnecting means
permitted in 225.33, where used only for a water pump also
intended to provide fire protection, shall be permitted to be
located remote from the other disconnecting means.
Exception No. 1: For installations under single management, where documented safe switching procedures are established and maintained for disconnection, and where the
installation is monitored by qualified individuals, the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located elsewhere on the premises.
(B) Additional Disconnecting Means. The one or more
additional disconnecting means for fire pumps or for emergency, legally required standby or optional standby system
permitted by 225.30 shall be installed sufficiently remote
from the one to six disconnecting means for normal supply
to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of
supply.
Exception No. 2: For buildings or other structures qualifying under the provisions of Article 685, the disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be located elsewhere on the
premises.
225.35 Access to Occupants. In a multiple-occupancy
building, each occupant shall have access to the occupant’s
supply disconnecting means.
70–80
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
225.50
Exception: In a multiple-occupancy building where electric supply and electrical maintenance are provided by the
building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the supply disconnecting means supplying more than one occupancy shall be
permitted to be accessible to authorized management personnel only.
can be attached by means of pressure connectors shall be
permitted for this purpose. [ROP 9–14k]
In a multisection switchboard or switchgear, disconnects for the grounded conductor shall be permitted to be in
any section of the switchboard or switchgear, provided that
any such switchboard section or switchgear section is
marked. [ROP 9–14k]
225.36 Type. The disconnecting means specified in 225.31
shall be comprised of a circuit breaker, molded case switch,
general use switch, snap switch, or other approved means.
Where applied in accordance with 250.32(B) Exception,
the disconnecting means shall be suitable for use as service
equipment. [ROP 4–55]
(D) Indicating. The building or structure disconnecting
means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or
closed position.
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AF
225.37 Identification. Where a building or structure has
any combination of feeders, branch circuits, or services
passing through it or supplying it, a permanent plaque or
directory shall be installed at each feeder and branch-circuit
disconnect location denoting all other services, feeders, or
branch circuits supplying that building or structure or passing through that building or structure and the area served by
each.
225.39 Rating of Disconnect. The feeder or branch-circuit
disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than the
calculated load to be supplied, determined in accordance
with Parts I and II of Article 220 for branch circuits, Part III
or IV of Article 220 for feeders, or Part V of Article 220 for
farm loads. Where the branch circuit or feeder disconnecting means consists of more than one switch or circuit
breaker, as permitted by 225.33, combining the ratings of
all the switches or circuit breakers for determining the rating of the disconnecting means shall be permitted. In no
case shall the rating be lower than specified in 225.39(A),
(B), (C), or (D).
Exception No. 1: A plaque or directory shall not be required for large-capacity multibuilding industrial installations under single management, where it is ensured that
disconnection can be accomplished by establishing and
maintaining safe switching procedures.
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Exception No. 2: This identification shall not be required
for branch circuits installed from a dwelling unit to a second building or structure.
225.38 Disconnect Construction. Disconnecting means
shall meet the requirements of 225.38(A) through (D).
[ROP 4–63]
(A) Manually or Power Operable. The disconnecting
means shall consist of either (1) a manually operable switch
or a circuit breaker equipped with a handle or other suitable
operating means or (2) a power-operable switch or circuit
breaker, provided the switch or circuit breaker can be
opened by hand in the event of a power failure.
(B) Simultaneous Opening of Poles. Each building or
structure disconnecting means shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded supply conductors that it controls from
the building or structure wiring system.
(C) Disconnection of Grounded Conductor. Where the
building or structure disconnecting means does not disconnect the grounded conductor from the grounded conductors
in the building or structure wiring, other means shall be
provided for this purpose at the location of disconnecting
means. A terminal or bus to which all grounded conductors
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) One-Circuit Installation. For installations to supply
only limited loads of a single branch circuit, the branch
circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less
than 15 amperes.
(B) Two-Circuit Installations. For installations consisting
of not more than two 2-wire branch circuits, the feeder or
branch-circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of
not less than 30 amperes.
(C) One-Family Dwelling. For a one-family dwelling, the
feeder disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less
than 100 amperes, 3-wire.
(D) All Others. For all other installations, the feeder or
branch-circuit disconnecting means shall have a rating of
not less than 60 amperes.
225.40 Access to Overcurrent Protective Devices. Where
a feeder overcurrent device is not readily accessible,
branch-circuit overcurrent devices shall be installed on the
load side, shall be mounted in a readily accessible location,
and shall be of a lower ampere rating than the feeder overcurrent device.
III. Over 1000 Volts. [ROP 4–67]
225.50 Sizing of Conductors. The sizing of conductors
over 1000 volts shall be in accordance with 210.19(B) for
branch circuits and 215.2(B) for feeders. [ROP 4–66]
70–81
225.51
ARTICLE 225 — OUTSIDE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FEEDERS
Exception: The isolating switch shall not be required
where the disconnecting means is mounted on removable
truck panels or switchgear units that cannot be opened
unless the circuit is disconnected and that, when removed
from the normal operating position, automatically disconnect the circuit breaker or switch from all energized parts.
[ROP 9–14l, ROP 4–68]]
225.52 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Location. A building or structure disconnecting means
shall be located in accordance with 225.32, or it shall be
electrically operated by a similarly located remote-control
device.
225.56 Inspections and Tests.
(A) Pre-Energization and Operating Tests. The complete electrical system design, including settings for protective, switching, and control circuits, shall be prepared in
advance and made available on request to the authority
having jurisdiction and shall be performance tested when
first installed on site. Each protective, switching, and control circuit shall be adjusted in accordance with the system
design and tested by actual operation using current injection or equivalent methods as necessary to ensure that each
and every such circuit operates correctly to the satisfaction
of the authority having jurisdiction. [ROP 4–81]
(1) Instrument Transformers. All instrument transformers shall be tested to verify correct polarity and burden.
AF
(B) Type. Each building or structure disconnect shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded supply conductors
it controls and shall have a fault-closing rating not less than
the maximum available short-circuit current available at its
supply terminals.
(F) Identification. Where a building or structure has any
combination of feeders, branch circuits, or services passing
through or supplying it, a permanent plaque or directory
shall be installed at each feeder and branch-circuit disconnect location that denotes all other services, feeders, or
branch circuits supplying that building or structure or passing through that building or structure and the area served by
each.
T
225.51 Isolating Switches. Where oil switches or air, oil,
vacuum, or sulfur hexafluoride circuit breakers constitute a
building disconnecting means, an isolating switch with visible break contacts and meeting the requirements of
230.204(B), (C), and (D) shall be installed on the supply
side of the disconnecting means and all associated equipment.
D
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Exception: Where the individual disconnecting means
consists of fused cutouts, the simultaneous disconnection of
all ungrounded supply conductors shall not be required if
there is a means to disconnect the load before opening the
cutouts. A permanent legible sign shall be installed adjacent to the fused cutouts worded “DISCONNECT LOAD
BEFORE OPENING CUTOUTS.” [ROP 4–72]
Where fused switches or separately mounted fuses are
installed, the fuse characteristics shall be permitted to contribute to the fault closing rating of the disconnecting
means.
(C) Locking. Disconnecting means shall be lockable in
accordance with 110.25. [ROP 4–73, ROP 4–74]
Exception: Where an individual disconnecting means consists of fused cutouts, a suitable enclosure capable of being
locked and sized to contain all cutout fuse holders shall be
installed at a convenient location to the fused cutouts
(D) Indicating. Disconnecting means shall clearly indicate
whether they are in the open “off” or closed “on” position.
(2) Protective Relays. Each protective relay shall be demonstrated to operate by injecting current or voltage, or both,
at the associated instrument transformer output terminal
and observing that the associated switching and signaling
functions occur correctly and in proper time and sequence
to accomplish the protective function intended.
(3) Switching Circuits. Each switching circuit shall be observed to operate the associated equipment being switched.
(4) Control and Signal Circuits. Each control or signal
circuit shall be observed to perform its proper control function or produce a correct signal output.
(5) Metering Circuits. All metering circuits shall be verified to operate correctly from potential and current sources
in a similar manner to protective relay circuits. [ROP 4–82]
(6) Acceptance Tests. Complete acceptance tests shall be
performed, after the substation installation is completed, on
all assemblies, equipment, conductors, and control and protective systems, as applicable, to verify the integrity of all
the systems. [ROP 4–83]
(E) Uniform Position. Where disconnecting means
handles are operated vertically, the “up” position of the
handle shall be the “on” position.
(7) Relays and Metering Utilizing Phase Differences. All
relays and metering that use phase differences for operation
shall be verified by measuring phase angles at the relay
under actual load conditions after operation commences.
Exception: A switching device having more than one “on”
position, such as a double throw switch, shall not be required to comply with this requirement.
(B) Test Report. A test report covering the results of the
tests required in 225.56(A) shall be delivered to the authority having jurisdiction prior to energization.
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2014 Edition
230.2
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
225.60 Clearances over Roadways, Walkways, Rail,
Water, and Open Land.
(A) 22 kV, Nominal, to Ground or Less. The clearances
over roadways, walkways, rail, water, and open land for
conductors and live parts up to 22 kV, nominal, to ground
or less shall be not less than the values shown in Table
225.60.
(B) Over 22 kV Nominal to Ground. Clearances for the
categories shown in Table 225.60 shall be increased by
10 mm (0.4 in.) per kV above 22,000 volts.
Clearance from
Conductors or Live
Parts from:
Building walls,
projections, and
windows
Balconies, catwalks, and
similar areas accessible
to people
Over or under roofs or
projections not readily
accessible to people
Over roofs accessible to
vehicles but not trucks
Over roofs accessible to
trucks
Other structures
AF
(C) Special Cases. For special cases, such as where crossings will be made over lakes, rivers, or areas using large
vehicles such as mining operations, specific designs shall
be engineered considering the special circumstances and
shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
Table 225.61 Clearances over Buildings and Other
Structures
T
Informational Note: For an example of acceptance specifications, see NETA ATS-2007, Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Distribution Equipment and
Systems, published by the InterNational Electrical Testing
Association. [ROP 4–84]
Informational Note: For additional information, see ANSI
C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code.
Table 225.60 Clearances over Roadways, Walkways, Rail,
Water, and Open Land
D
R
Location
m
ft
Open land subject to vehicles,
cultivation, or grazing
Roadways, driveways, parking
lots, and alleys
Walkways
Rails
Spaces and ways for pedestrians
and restricted traffic
Water areas not suitable for
boating
5.6
18.5
5.6
18.5
4.1
8.1
4.4
13.5
26.5
14.5
5.2
17.0
225.61 Clearances over Buildings and Other Structures.
(A) 22 kV Nominal to Ground or Less. The clearances
over buildings and other structures for conductors and live
parts up to 22 kV, nominal, to ground or less shall be not
less than the values shown in Table 225.61.
(B) Over 22 kV Nominal to Ground. Clearances for the
categories shown in Table 225.61 shall be increased by
10 mm (0.4 in.) per kV above 22,000 volts.
Informational Note: For additional information, see ANSI
C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Vertical
m
ft
m
ft
2.3
7.5
—
—
2.3
7.5
4.1
13.5
—
—
3.8
12.5
—
—
4.1
13.5
—
—
5.6
18.5
2.3
7.5
—
—
ARTICLE 230
Services
230.1 Scope. This article covers service conductors and
equipment for control and protection of services and their
installation requirements.
Informational Note: See Figure 230.1.
Clearance
2014 Edition
Horizontal
I. General
230.2 Number of Services. A building or other structure
served shall be supplied by only one service unless permitted in 230.2(A) through (D). For the purpose of 230.40,
Exception No. 2 only, underground sets of conductors, 1/0
AWG and larger, running to the same location and connected together at their supply end but not connected together at their load end shall be considered to be supplying
one service.
(A) Special Conditions. Additional services shall be permitted to supply the following:
(1) Fire pumps
(2) Emergency systems
(3) Legally required standby systems
(4) Optional standby systems
(5) Parallel power production systems
(6) Systems designed for connection to multiple sources of
supply for the purpose of enhanced reliability
(B) Special Occupancies. By special permission, additional services shall be permitted for either of the following:
70–83
230.3
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
(E) Identification. Where a building or structure is supplied by more than one service, or any combination of
branch circuits, feeders, and services, a permanent plaque
or directory shall be installed at each service disconnect
location denoting all other services, feeders, and branch
circuits supplying that building or structure and the area
served by each. See 225.37.
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Serving Utility
Part II
230.24
Overhead
Last pole
Underground
Street main
Overhead
service conductors
Clearances
Underground
Part III
service conductors
Depth of burial
230.32
and protection
Service head
Terminal box,
meter, or other
enclosure
Service-entrance
conductors
Part IV
Service equipment—general
Part V
Article 250
Part VI
Disconnecting means
Overcurrent protection
Part VII
Articles 210, 225
Articles 215, 225
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Branch circuits
Feeders
Figure 230.1 Services. [ROP 4–96]
(1) Multiple-occupancy buildings where there is no available space for service equipment accessible to all occupants
(2) A single building or other structure sufficiently large to
make two or more services necessary
(C) Capacity Requirements. Additional services shall be
permitted under any of the following:
(1) Where the capacity requirements are in excess of 2000
amperes at a supply voltage of 1000 volts or less [ROP
4–98]
(2) Where the load requirements of a single-phase installation are greater than the serving agency normally supplies through one service
(3) By special permission
(D) Different Characteristics. Additional services shall
be permitted for different voltages, frequencies, or phases,
or for different uses, such as for different rate schedules.
70–84
230.6 Conductors Considered Outside the Building.
Conductors shall be considered outside of a building or
other structure under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where installed under not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of
concrete beneath a building or other structure
(2) Where installed within a building or other structure in a
raceway that is encased in concrete or brick not less
than 50 mm (2 in.) thick
(3) Where installed in any vault that meets the construction
requirements of Article 450, Part III
(4) Where installed in conduit and under not less than 450
mm (18 in.) of earth beneath a building or other structure
(5) Where installed within rigid metal conduit (Type
RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (Type IMC) used
to accommodate the clearance requirements in 230.24
and routed directly through an eave but not a wall of a
building. [ROP 4–103]
AF
Grounding and bonding
230.3 One Building or Other Structure Not to Be Supplied Through Another. Service conductors supplying a
building or other structure shall not pass through the interior of another building or other structure.
T
General
Overhead Service Conductors
Underground Service Conductors
Service-Entrance Conductors
Service Equipment—General
Service Equipment—Disconnecting Means
Service Equipment—Overcurrent Protection
Services Exceeding 1000 Volts, Nominal
230.7 Other Conductors in Raceway or Cable. Conductors other than service conductors shall not be installed in
the same service raceway or service cable.
Exception No. 1: Grounding electrode conductors and
equipment bonding jumpers or conductors. [ROP 4–105]
Exception No. 2: Load management control conductors
having overcurrent protection.
230.8 Raceway Seal. Where a service raceway enters a
building or structure from an underground distribution system, it shall be sealed in accordance with 300.5(G). Spare
or unused raceways shall also be sealed. Sealants shall be
identified for use with the cable insulation, shield, or other
components.
230.9 Clearances on Buildings. Service conductors and
final spans shall comply with 230.9(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Clearances. Service conductors installed as open conductors or multiconductor cable without an overall outer
jacket shall have a clearance of not less than 900 mm (3 ft)
from windows that are designed to be opened, doors,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
Exception: Conductors run above the top level of a window shall be permitted to be less than the 900-mm (3-ft)
requirement.
(B) Vertical Clearance. The vertical clearance of final
spans above, or within 900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally
of, platforms, projections, or surfaces from which they
might be reached shall be maintained in accordance with
230.24(B).
(C) Building Openings. Overhead service conductors
shall not be installed beneath openings through which materials may be moved, such as openings in farm and commercial buildings, and shall not be installed where they
obstruct entrance to these building openings.
II. Overhead Service Conductors
230.22 Insulation or Covering. Individual conductors
shall be insulated or covered.
Exception: The grounded conductor of a multiconductor
cable shall be permitted to be bare.
D
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230.23 Size and Rating.
(A) General. Conductors shall have sufficient ampacity to
carry the current for the load as calculated in accordance
with Article 220 and shall have adequate mechanical
strength.
(B) Minimum Size. The conductors shall not be smaller
than 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum or copper-clad
aluminum.
Exception: Conductors supplying only limited loads of a
single branch circuit — such as small polyphase power,
controlled water heaters, and similar loads — shall not be
smaller than 12 AWG hard-drawn copper or equivalent.
(C) Grounded Conductors. The grounded conductor shall
not be less than the minimum size as required by
250.24(C).
230.24 Clearances. Overhead service conductors shall not
be readily accessible and shall comply with 230.24(A)
through (E) for services not over 1000 volts, nominal.
[ROP 4–108]
(A) Above Roofs. Conductors shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above the roof surface.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 1: The area above a roof surface subject to
pedestrian or vehicular traffıc shall have a vertical clearance from the roof surface in accordance with the clearance requirements of 230.24(B).
Exception No. 2: Where the voltage between conductors
does not exceed 300 and the roof has a slope of 100 mm in
300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.) or greater, a reduction in clearance
to 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Where the voltage between conductors
does not exceed 300, a reduction in clearance above only
the overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.) shall be permitted if (1) not more than 1.8 m (6 ft)
of overhead service conductors, 1.2 m (4 ft) horizontally,
pass above the roof overhang, and (2) they are terminated
at a through-the-roof raceway or approved support.
Informational Note: See 230.28 for mast supports.
Exception No. 4: The requirement for maintaining the vertical clearance 900 mm (3 ft) from the edge of the roof shall
not apply to the final conductor span where the service
drop or overhead service conductors are attached to the
side of a building. [ROP 4–109]
AF
230.10 Vegetation as Support. Vegetation such as trees
shall not be used for support of overhead service conductors.
The vertical clearance above the roof level shall be maintained for a distance of not less than 900 mm (3 ft) in all
directions from the edge of the roof.
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porches, balconies, ladders, stairs, fire escapes, or similar
locations.
230.24
Exception No. 5: Where the voltage between conductors
does not exceed 300 and the roof area is guarded or isolated, a reduction in clearance to 900 mm (3 ft) shall be
permitted.
(B) Vertical Clearance for Overhead Service Conductors. Overhead service conductors, where not in excess of
600 volts, nominal, shall have the following minimum
clearance from final grade:
(1) 3.0 m (10 ft) — at the electrical service entrance to
buildings, also at the lowest point of the drip loop of
the building electrical entrance, and above areas or
sidewalks accessible only to pedestrians, measured
from final grade or other accessible surface only for
overhead service conductors supported on and cabled
together with a grounded bare messenger where the
voltage does not exceed 150 volts to ground [ROP
4–111]
(2) 3.7 m (12 ft) — over residential property and driveways, and those commercial areas not subject to truck
traffic where the voltage does not exceed 300 volts to
ground
(3) 4.5 m (15 ft) — for those areas listed in the 3.7-m
(12-ft) classification where the voltage exceeds 300
volts to ground
(4) 5.5 m (18 ft) — over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other
70–85
230.26
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
than residential property, and other land such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard
(C) Clearance from Building Openings. See 230.9.
(A) Insulation. Underground service conductors shall be
insulated for the applied voltage. [ROP 4–115]
Exception: A grounded conductor shall be permitted to be
uninsulated as follows:
(D) Clearance from Swimming Pools. See 680.8.
230.26 Point of Attachment. The point of attachment of
the overhead service conductors to a building or other
structure shall provide the minimum clearances as specified
in 230.9 and 230.24. In no case shall this point of attachment be less than 3.0 m (10 ft) above finished grade. [ROP
4–112]
(B) Wiring Methods. Underground service conductors
shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of this code covering the type of wiring method used
and shall be limited to the following methods: [ROP
4–115]
(1) Type RMC conduit
(2) Type IMC conduit
(3) Type NUCC conduit
(4) Type HDPE conduit
(5) Type PVC conduit
(6) Type RTRC conduit
(7) Type IGS cable
(8) Type USE cable
(9) Type MV or MC cable, identified for direct burial
applications
(10) Type MI cable, where suitably protected against
physical damage and corrosive conditions
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230.27 Means of Attachment. Multiconductor cables used
for overhead service conductors shall be attached to buildings or other structures by fittings identified for use with
service conductors. Open conductors shall be attached to
fittings identified for use with service conductors or to noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulators securely attached to
the building or other structure.
(1) Bare copper used in a raceway
(2) Bare copper for direct burial where bare copper is
judged to be suitable for the soil conditions
(3) Bare copper for direct burial without regard to soil
conditions where part of a cable assembly identified for
underground use
(4) Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum without individual
insulation or covering where part of a cable assembly
identified for underground use in a raceway or for direct burial
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(E) Clearance from Communication Wires and Cables.
Clearance from communication wires and cables shall be in
accordance with 800.44(A)(4).
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230.28 Service Masts as Supports. Only power service
drop or overhead service conductors shall be permitted to
be attached to a service mast. Service masts used for the
support of service drop or overhead service conductors
shall be installed in accordance with (A) and (B). [ROP
4–114]
(A) Strength. The service mast shall be of adequate
strength or be supported by braces or guys to withstand
safely the strain imposed by the service drop or overhead
service conductors. Hubs intended for use with a conduit
that serves as a service mast shall be identified for use with
service entrance equipment. [ROP 4–114]
(B) Attachment. Service drop or overhead service conductors shall not be attached to a service mast between a
weatherhead or end of the conduit and a coupling, where
the coupling is located above the last point of securing to
the building or other structure or is located above the building or other structure. [ROP 4–114]
230.29 Supports over Buildings. Service conductors
passing over a roof shall be securely supported by substantial structures. Where practicable, such supports shall be
independent of the building.
III. Underground Service Conductors
230.30 Installation. [ROP 4–115, ROP 4–116]]
70–86
230.31 Size and Rating.
(A) General. Underground service conductors shall have
sufficient ampacity to carry the current for the load as calculated in accordance with Article 220 and shall have adequate mechanical strength.
(B) Minimum Size. The conductors shall not be smaller
than 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum or copper-clad
aluminum.
Exception: Conductors supplying only limited loads of a
single branch circuit — such as small polyphase power,
controlled water heaters, and similar loads — shall not be
smaller than 12 AWG copper or 10 AWG aluminum or
copper-clad aluminum.
(C) Grounded Conductors. The grounded conductor shall
not be less than the minimum size required by 250.24(C).
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ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
230.33 Spliced Conductors. Service conductors shall be
permitted to be spliced or tapped in accordance with
110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15.
IV. Service-Entrance Conductors
230.40 Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets.
Each service drop, set of overhead service conductors, set
of underground service conductors, or service lateral shall
supply only one set of service-entrance conductors.
Exception: A grounded conductor shall be permitted to be
uninsulated as follows:
(1) Bare copper used in a raceway or part of a service
cable assembly
(2) Bare copper for direct burial where bare copper is
judged to be suitable for the soil conditions
(3) Bare copper for direct burial without regard to soil
conditions where part of a cable assembly identified for
underground use
(4) Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum without individual
insulation or covering where part of a cable assembly
or identified for underground use in a raceway, or for
direct burial
(5) Bare conductors used in an auxiliary gutter
230.42 Minimum Size and Rating.
(A) General. The ampacity of the service-entrance conductors before the application of any adjustment or correction factors shall not be less than either 230.42(A)(1) or
(A)(2). Loads shall be determined in accordance with Part
III, IV, or V of Article 220, as applicable. Ampacity shall be
determined from 310.15. The maximum allowable current
of busways shall be that value for which the busway has
been listed or labeled.
(1) The sum of the noncontinuous loads plus 125 percent
of continuous loads
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Exception No. 1: A building with more than one occupancy shall be permitted to have one set of serviceentrance conductors for each service, as defined in 230.2,
run to each occupancy or group of occupancies. If the
number of service disconnect locations for any given classification of service does not exceed six, the requirements of
230.2(E) shall apply at each location. If the number of
service disconnect locations exceeds six for any given supply classification, all service disconnect locations for all
supply characteristics, together with any branch circuit or
feeder supply sources, if applicable, shall be clearly described using suitable graphics or text, or both, on one or
more plaques located in an approved, readily accessible
location(s) on the building or structure served and as near
as practicable to the point(s) of attachment or entry(ies) for
each service drop or service lateral, and for each set of
overhead or underground service conductors.
230.41 Insulation of Service-Entrance Conductors.
Service-entrance conductors entering or on the exterior of
buildings or other structures shall be insulated.
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230.32 Protection Against Damage. Underground service
conductors shall be protected against damage in accordance
with 300.5. Service conductors entering a building or other
structure shall be installed in accordance with 230.6 or protected by a raceway wiring method identified in 230.43.
230.43
Exception No. 2: Where two to six service disconnecting
means in separate enclosures are grouped at one location
and supply separate loads from one service drop, set of
overhead service conductors, set of underground service
conductors, or service lateral, one set of service-entrance
conductors shall be permitted to supply each or several
such service equipment enclosures.
Exception No. 3: A single-family dwelling unit and its
accessory structures shall be permitted to have one set of
service-entrance conductors run to each from a single service drop, set of overhead service conductors, set of underground service conductors, or service lateral.
Exception No. 4: Two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, and multiple occupancy buildings shall be permitted
to have one set of service-entrance conductors installed to
supply the circuits covered in 210.25.
Exception No. 5: One set of service-entrance conductors
connected to the supply side of the normal service disconnecting means shall be permitted to supply each or several
systems covered by 230.82(5) or 230.82(6).
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Exception: Grounded conductors that are not connected to
an overcurrent device shall be permitted to be sized at
100 percent of the continuous and noncontinuous load.
(2) The sum of the noncontinuous load plus the continuous
load if the service-entrance conductors terminate in an
overcurrent device where both the overcurrent device
and its assembly are listed for operation at 100 percent
of their rating
(B) Specific Installations. In addition to the requirements
of 230.42(A), the minimum ampacity for ungrounded conductors for specific installations shall not be less than the
rating of the service disconnecting means specified in
230.79(A) through (D).
(C) Grounded Conductors. The grounded conductor shall
not be smaller than the minimum size as required by
250.24(C).
230.43 Wiring Methods for 1000 Volts, Nominal, or
Less. Service-entrance conductors shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Code
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ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
Exception: Conductors, other than service-entrance conductors, shall be permitted to be installed in a cable tray
with service-entrance conductors, provided a solid fixed
barrier of a material compatible with the cable tray is
installed to separate the service-entrance conductors from
other conductors installed in the cable tray.
230.46 Spliced Conductors. Service-entrance conductors
shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped in accordance
with 110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15.
230.50 Protection Against Physical Damage.
(A) Underground Service-Entrance Conductors. Underground service-entrance conductors shall be protected
against physical damage in accordance with 300.5.
(B) All Other Service-Entrance Conductors. All other
service-entrance conductors, other than underground service entrance conductors, shall be protected against physical damage as specified in 230.50(B)(1) or (B)(2).
(1) Service-Entrance Cables. Service-entrance cables,
where subject to physical damage, shall be protected by any
of the following:
(1) Rigid metal conduit (RMC) [ROP 4–122]
(2) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) [ROP 4–123]
(3) Schedule 80 PVC conduit
(4) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) [ROP 4–131]
(5) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC)
(6) Other approved means
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covering the type of wiring method used and shall be limited to the following methods: [ROP 4–121]
(1) Open wiring on insulators
(2) Type IGS cable
(3) Rigid metal conduit (RMC) [ROP 4–122]
(4) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) [ROP 4–123]
(5) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) [ROP 4–131]
(6) Electrical nonmetallic tubing
(7) Service-entrance cables
(8) Wireways
(9) Busways
(10) Auxiliary gutters
(11) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC)
(12) Cablebus
(13) Type MC cable
(14) Mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable Type MI
[ROP 4–125]
(15) Flexible metal conduit (FMC) not over 1.8 m (6 ft)
long or liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) not
over 1.8 m (6 ft) long between raceways, or between
raceway and service equipment, with a supply-side
bonding jumper routed with the flexible metal conduit
(FMC) or the liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(LFMC) according to the provisions of 250.102(A),
(B), (C), and (E) [ROP 4–126–129]
(16) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC)
[ROP 4–130]
(17) High density polyethylene conduit (HDPE)
(18) Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
(NUCC)
(19) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC)
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230.44
230.44 Cable Trays. Cable tray systems shall be permitted
to support service-entrance conductors. Cable trays used to
support service-entrance conductors shall contain only
service-entrance conductors and shall be limited to the following methods:
(1) Type SE cable
(2) Type MC cable
(3) Type MI cable
(4) Type IGS cable
(5) Single conductors 1/0 and larger with CT rating [ROP
4–134, ROP 4–135]
Such cable trays shall be identified with permanently
affixed labels with the wording “Service-Entrance Conductors.” The labels shall be located so as to be visible after
installation with a spacing not to exceed 3 m (10 ft) so that
the service-entrance conductors are able to be readily traced
through the entire length of the cable tray. [ROP 4–133]
70–88
(2) Other Than Service-Entrance Cables. Individual
open conductors and cables, other than service-entrance
cables, shall not be installed within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade
level or where exposed to physical damage.
Exception: Type MI and Type MC cable shall be permitted
within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade level where not exposed to
physical damage or where protected in accordance with
300.5(D).
230.51 Mounting Supports. Service-entrance cables or
individual open service-entrance conductors shall be supported as specified in 230.51(A), (B), or (C).
(A) Service-Entrance Cables. Service-entrance cables
shall be supported by straps or other approved means
within 300 mm (12 in.) of every service head, gooseneck,
or connection to a raceway or enclosure and at intervals not
exceeding 750 mm (30 in.).
(B) Other Cables. Cables that are not approved for
mounting in contact with a building or other structure shall
be mounted on insulating supports installed at intervals not
exceeding 4.5 m (15 ft) and in a manner that maintains a
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230.62
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
(C) Individual Open Conductors. Individual open conductors shall be installed in accordance with Table
230.51(C). Where exposed to the weather, the conductors
shall be mounted on insulators or on insulating supports
attached to racks, brackets, or other approved means.
Where not exposed to the weather, the conductors shall be
mounted on glass or porcelain knobs.
230.52 Individual Conductors Entering Buildings or
Other Structures. Where individual open conductors enter
a building or other structure, they shall enter through roof
bushings or through the wall in an upward slant through
individual, noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating tubes.
Drip loops shall be formed on the conductors before they
enter the tubes.
230.54 Overhead Service Locations.
Exception: Where it is impracticable to locate the service
head or gooseneck above the point of attachment, the service head or gooseneck location shall be permitted not
farther than 600 mm (24 in.) from the point of attachment.
(D) Secured. Service-entrance cables shall be held securely in place.
(E) Separately Bushed Openings. Service heads shall
have conductors of different potential brought out through
separately bushed openings.
Exception: For jacketed multiconductor service-entrance
cable without splice.
(F) Drip Loops. Drip loops shall be formed on individual
conductors. To prevent the entrance of moisture, serviceentrance conductors shall be connected to the service-drop
or overhead service conductors either (1) below the level of
the service head or (2) below the level of the termination of
the service-entrance cable sheath.
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230.53 Raceways to Drain. Where exposed to the
weather, raceways enclosing service-entrance conductors
shall be suitable for use in wet locations and arranged to
drain. Where embedded in masonry, raceways shall be arranged to drain.
goosenecks in service-entrance cables shall be located
above the point of attachment of the service-drop or overhead service conductors to the building or other structure.
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clearance of not less than 50 mm (2 in.) from the surface
over which they pass.
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(A) Service Head. Service raceways shall be equipped
with a service head at the point of connection to servicedrop or overhead service conductors. The service head shall
be listed for use in wet locations.
(B) Service-Entrance Cables Equipped with Service
Head or Gooseneck. Service-entrance cables shall be
equipped with a service head. The service head shall be
listed for use in wet locations.
Exception: Type SE cable shall be permitted to be formed
in a gooseneck and taped with a self-sealing weatherresistant thermoplastic.
(C) Service Heads and Goosenecks Above Service-Drop
or Overhead Service Attachment. Service heads and
(G) Arranged That Water Will Not Enter Service Raceway or Equipment. Service-entrance and overhead service
conductors shall be arranged so that water will not enter
service raceway or equipment.
230.56 Service Conductor with the Higher Voltage to
Ground. On a 4-wire, delta-connected service where the
midpoint of one phase winding is grounded, the service
conductor having the higher phase voltage to ground shall
be durably and permanently marked by an outer finish that
is orange in color, or by other effective means, at each
termination or junction point.
V. Service Equipment — General
230.62 Service Equipment — Enclosed or Guarded. Energized parts of service equipment shall be enclosed as
Table 230.51(C) Supports
Minimum Clearance
Maximum Distance Between
Supports
Between Conductors
From Surface
Maximum
Volts
m
ft
mm
in.
mm
in.
1000 [ROP 4–136]
1000 [ROP 4–136]
300
1000* [ROP 4–136]
2.7
4.5
1.4
1.4*
9
15
41⁄2
41⁄2*
150
300
75
65*
6
12
3
21⁄2*
50
50
50
25*
2
2
2
1*
*Where not exposed to weather.
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230.66
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
(A) Enclosed. Energized parts shall be enclosed so that
they will not be exposed to accidental contact or shall be
guarded as in 230.62(B).
(B) Guarded. Energized parts that are not enclosed shall
be installed on a switchboard, panelboard, or control board
and guarded in accordance with 110.18 and 110.28. Where
energized parts are guarded as provided in 110.28(A)(1)
and (A)(2), a means for locking or sealing doors providing
access to energized parts shall be provided.
230.66 Marking. Service equipment rated at 1000 volts or
less shall be marked to identify it as being suitable for use
as service equipment. All service equipment shall be listed.
Individual meter socket enclosures shall not be considered
service equipment. [ROP 4–141]
VI. Service Equipment — Disconnecting Means
(B) Single-Pole Units. Two or three single-pole switches
or breakers, capable of individual operation, shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded
conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are
equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to
disconnect all conductors of the service with no more than
six operations of the hand.
Informational Note: See 408.36, Exception No. 1 and Exception No. 3, for service equipment in certain panelboards,
and see 430.95 for service equipment in motor control
centers.
AF
230.70 General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all
conductors in a building or other structure from the serviceentrance conductors.
switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single
enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a
switchboard or in switchgear. There shall be not more than
six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location. [ROP 4–14m]
For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means
installed as part of listed equipment and used solely for the
following shall not be considered a service disconnecting
means:
(1) Power monitoring equipment
(2) Surge-protective device(s)
(3) Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system
(4) Power-operable service disconnecting means
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specified in 230.62(A) or guarded as specified in
230.62(B).
(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be
installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and
(A)(3).
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(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location
either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the
point of entrance of the service conductors.
(2) Bathrooms. Service disconnecting means shall not be
installed in bathrooms.
(3) Remote Control. Where a remote control device(s) is
used to actuate the service disconnecting means, the service
disconnecting means shall be located in accordance with
230.70(A)(1).
(B) Marking. Each service disconnect shall be permanently marked to identify it as a service disconnect.
(C) Suitable for Use. Each service disconnecting means
shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. Service
equipment installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall
comply with the requirements of Articles 500 through 517.
230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The service disconnecting means for each
service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of serviceentrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1,
3, 4, or 5, shall consist of not more than six switches or sets
of circuit breakers, or a combination of not more than six
70–90
230.72 Grouping of Disconnects.
(A) General. The two to six disconnects as permitted in
230.71 shall be grouped. Each disconnect shall be marked
to indicate the load served.
Exception: One of the two to six service disconnecting
means permitted in 230.71, where used only for a water
pump also intended to provide fire protection, shall be permitted to be located remote from the other disconnecting
means. If remotely installed in accordance with this exception, a plaque shall be posted at the location of the remaining grouped disconnects denoting its location.
(B) Additional Service Disconnecting Means. The one or
more additional service disconnecting means for fire
pumps, emergency systems, legally required standby, or optional standby services permitted by 230.2 shall be installed
remote from the one to six service disconnecting means for
normal service to minimize the possibility of simultaneous
interruption of supply.
(C) Access to Occupants. In a multiple-occupancy building, each occupant shall have access to the occupant’s service disconnecting means.
Exception: In a multiple-occupancy building where electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by the
building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the service discon-
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ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
230.82
necting means supplying more than one occupancy shall be
permitted to be accessible to authorized management personnel only.
(D) All Others. For all other installations, the service disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 60
amperes.
230.74 Simultaneous Opening of Poles. Each service disconnect shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded
service conductors that it controls from the premises wiring
system.
230.80 Combined Rating of Disconnects. Where the service disconnecting means consists of more than one switch
or circuit breaker, as permitted by 230.71, the combined
ratings of all the switches or circuit breakers used shall not
be less than the rating required by 230.79.
230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Service Disconnect. Only the following equipment shall be
permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service
disconnecting means:
(1) Cable limiters or other current-limiting devices.
(2) Meters and meter sockets nominally rated not in excess
of 1000 volts, provided all metal housings and service
enclosures are grounded in accordance with Part VII
and bonded in accordance with Part V of Article 250.
[ROP 4–154]
(3) Meter disconnect switches nominally rated not in excess of 1000 volts that have a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available short-circuit
current, provided all metal housings and service enclosures are grounded in accordance with Part VII and
bonded in accordance with Part V of Article 250. A
meter disconnect switch shall be capable of interrupting the load served. [ROP 4–154]
(4) Instrument transformers (current and voltage), impedance shunts, load management devices, surge arresters,
and Type 1 surge-protective devices.
(5) Taps used only to supply load management devices,
circuits for standby power systems, fire pump equipment, and fire and sprinkler alarms, if provided with
service equipment and installed in accordance with requirements for service-entrance conductors.
(6) Solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, or interconnected electric power production sources.
(7) Control circuits for power-operable service disconnecting means, if suitable overcurrent protection and disconnecting means are provided.
(8) Ground-fault protection systems or Type 2 surgeprotective devices, where installed as part of listed
equipment, if suitable overcurrent protection and disconnecting means are provided.
(9) Connections used only to supply listed communications
equipment under the exclusive control of the serving
electric utility, if suitable overcurrent protection and
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230.76 Manually or Power Operable. The service disconnecting means for ungrounded service conductors shall
consist of one of the following:
(1) A manually operable switch or circuit breaker equipped
with a handle or other suitable operating means
(2) A power-operated switch or circuit breaker, provided
the switch or circuit breaker can be opened by hand in
the event of a power supply failure
230.81 Connection to Terminals. The service conductors
shall be connected to the service disconnecting means by
pressure connectors, clamps, or other approved means.
Connections that depend on solder shall not be used.
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230.75 Disconnection of Grounded Conductor. Where
the service disconnecting means does not disconnect the
grounded conductor from the premises wiring, other means
shall be provided for this purpose in the service equipment.
A terminal or bus to which all grounded conductors can be
attached by means of pressure connectors shall be permitted for this purpose. In a multisection switchboard or
switchgear, disconnects for the grounded conductor shall be
permitted to be in any section of the switchboard or switchgear, provided that any such switchboard or switchgear section is marked. [ROP 4–153, ROP 9–14n]
230.77 Indicating. The service disconnecting means shall
plainly indicate whether it is in the open (off) or closed (on)
position.
230.79 Rating of Service Disconnecting Means. The service disconnecting means shall have a rating not less than
the calculated load to be carried, determined in accordance
with Part III, IV, or V of Article 220, as applicable. In no
case shall the rating be lower than specified in 230.79(A),
(B), (C), or (D).
(A) One-Circuit Installations. For installations to supply
only limited loads of a single branch circuit, the service
disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 15
amperes.
(B) Two-Circuit Installations. For installations consisting
of not more than two 2-wire branch circuits, the service
disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 30
amperes.
(C) One-Family Dwellings. For a one-family dwelling,
the service disconnecting means shall have a rating of not
less than 100 amperes, 3-wire.
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ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
disconnecting means are provided. For installations of
equipment by the serving electric utility, a disconnecting means is not required if the supply is installed as
part of a meter socket, such that access can only be
gained with the meter removed.
VII. Service Equipment — Overcurrent Protection
230.90 Where Required. Each ungrounded service conductor shall have overload protection.
(A) Ungrounded Conductor. Such protection shall be
provided by an overcurrent device in series with each ungrounded service conductor that has a rating or setting not
higher than the allowable ampacity of the conductor. A set
of fuses shall be considered all the fuses required to protect
all the ungrounded conductors of a circuit. Single-pole circuit breakers, grouped in accordance with 230.71(B), shall
be considered as one protective device.
Exception No. 1: For motor-starting currents, ratings that
comply with 430.52, 430.62, and 430.63 shall be permitted.
230.94 Relative Location of Overcurrent Device and
Other Service Equipment. The overcurrent device shall
protect all circuits and devices.
Exception No. 1: The service switch shall be permitted on
the supply side.
Exception No. 2: High-impedance shunt circuits, surge
arresters, Type 1 surge-protective devices, surge-protective
capacitors, and instrument transformers (current and voltage) shall be permitted to be connected and installed on the
supply side of the service disconnecting means as permitted
by 230.82.
Exception No. 3: Circuits for load management devices
shall be permitted to be connected on the supply side of the
service overcurrent device where separately provided with
overcurrent protection.
Exception No. 4: Circuits used only for the operation of
fire alarm, other protective signaling systems, or the supply
to fire pump equipment shall be permitted to be connected
on the supply side of the service overcurrent device where
separately provided with overcurrent protection.
AF
Exception No. 2: Fuses and circuit breakers with a rating
or setting that complies with 240.4(B) or (C) and 240.6
shall be permitted.
230.93 Protection of Specific Circuits. Where necessary
to prevent tampering, an automatic overcurrent device that
protects service conductors supplying only a specific load,
such as a water heater, shall be permitted to be locked or
sealed where located so as to be accessible.
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230.90
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Exception No. 3: Two to six circuit breakers or sets of
fuses shall be permitted as the overcurrent device to provide the overload protection. The sum of the ratings of the
circuit breakers or fuses shall be permitted to exceed the
ampacity of the service conductors, provided the calculated
load does not exceed the ampacity of the service
conductors.
Exception No. 4: Overload protection for fire pump supply
conductors shall comply with 695.4(B)(2)(a).
Exception No. 5: Overload protection for 120/240-volt,
3-wire, single-phase dwelling services shall be permitted in
accordance with the requirements of 310.15(B)(7). [ROP
4–157]
(B) Not in Grounded Conductor. No overcurrent device
shall be inserted in a grounded service conductor except a
circuit breaker that simultaneously opens all conductors of
the circuit.
230.91 Location. The service overcurrent device shall be
an integral part of the service disconnecting means or shall
be located immediately adjacent thereto.
230.92 Locked Service Overcurrent Devices. Where the
service overcurrent devices are locked or sealed or are not
readily accessible to the occupant, branch-circuit or feeder
overcurrent devices shall be installed on the load side, shall
be mounted in a readily accessible location, and shall be of
lower ampere rating than the service overcurrent device.
70–92
Exception No. 5: Meters nominally rated not in excess of
600 volts shall be permitted, provided all metal housings
and service enclosures are grounded.
Exception No. 6: Where service equipment is power operable, the control circuit shall be permitted to be connected
ahead of the service equipment if suitable overcurrent protection and disconnecting means are provided.
230.95 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Groundfault protection of equipment shall be provided for solidly
grounded wye electric services of more than 150 volts to
ground but not exceeding 1000 volts phase-to-phase for
each service disconnect rated 1000 amperes or more. The
grounded conductor for the solidly grounded wye system
shall be connected directly to ground through a grounding
electrode system, as specified in 250.50, without inserting
any resistor or impedance device. [ROP 4–158]
The rating of the service disconnect shall be considered
to be the rating of the largest fuse that can be installed or
the highest continuous current trip setting for which the
actual overcurrent device installed in a circuit breaker is
rated or can be adjusted.
Exception: The ground-fault protection provisions of this
section shall not apply to a service disconnect for a continuous industrial process where a nonorderly shutdown
will introduce additional or increased hazards.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 230 — SERVICES
230.205
(A) Setting. The ground-fault protection system shall operate to cause the service disconnect to open all ungrounded conductors of the faulted circuit. The maximum
setting of the ground-fault protection shall be 1200 amperes, and the maximum time delay shall be one second for
ground-fault currents equal to or greater than 3000 amperes.
230.202 Service-Entrance Conductors. Service-entrance
conductors to buildings or enclosures shall be installed to
conform to 230.202(A) and (B).
(B) Fuses. If a switch and fuse combination is used, the
fuses employed shall be capable of interrupting any current
higher than the interrupting capacity of the switch during a
time that the ground-fault protective system will not cause
the switch to open.
(B) Wiring Methods. Service-entrance conductors shall
be installed by one of the wiring methods covered in
300.37 and 300.50.
(A) Where Required. Where oil switches or air, oil,
vacuum, or sulfur hexafluoride circuit breakers constitute
the service disconnecting means, an isolating switch with
visible break contacts shall be installed on the supply side
of the disconnecting means and all associated service
equipment.
Exception: An isolating switch shall not be required where
the circuit breaker or switch is mounted on removable truck
panels or switchgear units where both of the following conditions apply: [ROP 9–14o, ROP 4–163]
AF
Informational Note No. 1: Ground-fault protection that
functions to open the service disconnect affords no protection from faults on the line side of the protective element. It
serves only to limit damage to conductors and equipment
on the load side in the event of an arcing ground fault on
the load side of the protective element.
230.204 Isolating Switches.
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(C) Performance Testing. The ground-fault protection
system shall be performance tested when first installed on
site. The test shall be conducted in accordance with instructions that shall be provided with the equipment. A written
record of this test shall be made and shall be available to
the authority having jurisdiction.
(A) Conductor Size. Service-entrance conductors shall not
be smaller than 6 AWG unless in multiconductor cable.
Multiconductor cable shall not be smaller than 8 AWG.
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Informational Note No. 2: This added protective equipment at the service equipment may make it necessary to
review the overall wiring system for proper selective overcurrent protection coordination. Additional installations of
ground-fault protective equipment may be needed on feeders and branch circuits where maximum continuity of electric service is necessary.
Informational Note No. 3: Where ground-fault protection
is provided for the service disconnect and interconnection
is made with another supply system by a transfer device,
means or devices may be needed to ensure proper groundfault sensing by the ground-fault protection equipment.
Informational Note No. 4: See 517.17(A) for information
on where an additional step of ground-fault protection is
required for hospitals and other buildings with critical areas
or life support equipment.
VIII. Services Exceeding 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 4–160]
230.200 General. Service conductors and equipment used
on circuits exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, shall comply
with all the applicable provisions of the preceding sections
of this article and with the following sections that supplement or modify the preceding sections. In no case shall the
provisions of Part VIII apply to equipment on the supply
side of the service point. [ROP 4–162a]
Informational Note: For clearances of conductors of over
1000 volts, nominal, see ANSI C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code. [ROP 4–162a]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) Cannot be opened unless the circuit is disconnected.
(2) Where all energized parts are automatically disconnected when the circuit breaker or switch is removed
from the normal operating position.
(B) Fuses as Isolating Switch. Where fuses are of the type
that can be operated as a disconnecting switch, a set of such
fuses shall be permitted as the isolating switch.
(C) Accessible to Qualified Persons Only. The isolating
switch shall be accessible to qualified persons only.
(D) Connection to Ground. Isolating switches shall be
provided with a means for readily connecting the load side
conductors to a grounding electrode system, equipment
ground busbar, or grounded steel structure when disconnected from the source of supply.
A means for grounding the load side conductors to a
grounding electrode system, equipment grounding busbar,
or grounded structural steel shall not be required for any
duplicate isolating switch installed and maintained by the
electric supply company.
230.205 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be
located in accordance with 230.70.
For either overhead or underground primary distribution systems on private property, the service disconnect
shall be permitted to be located in a location that is not
readily accessible, if the disconnecting means can be oper-
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ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
ated by mechanical linkage from a readily accessible point,
or electronically in accordance with 230.205(C), where applicable.
(B) Type. Each service disconnect shall simultaneously
disconnect all ungrounded service conductors that it controls and shall have a fault-closing rating that is not less
than the maximum short-circuit current available at its supply terminals.
Where fused switches or separately mounted fuses are
installed, the fuse characteristics shall be permitted to contribute to the fault-closing rating of the disconnecting
means.
(C) Remote Control. For multibuilding, industrial installations under single management, the service disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be located at a separate building or structure. In such cases, the service disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be electrically operated by a
readily accessible, remote-control device.
230.210 Service Equipment — General Provisions. Service equipment, including instrument transformers, shall
conform to Article 490, Part I.
230.211 Switchgear. Switchgear shall consist of a substantial metal structure and a sheet metal enclosure. Where
installed over a combustible floor, suitable protection
thereto shall be provided. [ROP 9–14p. ROP 4–165]
230.212 Over 35,000 Volts. Where the voltage exceeds
35,000 volts between conductors that enter a building, they
shall terminate in a switchgear compartment or a vault conforming to the requirements of 450.41 through 450.48.
[ROP 9–14q, ROP 4–165a]
AF
230.206 Overcurrent Devices as Disconnecting Means.
Where the circuit breaker or alternative for it, as specified
in 230.208 for service overcurrent devices, meets the requirements specified in 230.205, they shall constitute the
service disconnecting means.
230.209 Surge Arresters (Lightning Arresters). Surge
arresters installed in accordance with the requirements of
Article 280 shall be permitted on each ungrounded overhead service conductor.
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230.206
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230.208 Protection Requirements. A short-circuit protective device shall be provided on the load side of, or as an
integral part of, the service disconnect, and shall protect all
ungrounded conductors that it supplies. The protective device shall be capable of detecting and interrupting all values of current, in excess of its trip setting or melting point,
that can occur at its location. A fuse rated in continuous
amperes not to exceed three times the ampacity of the conductor, or a circuit breaker with a trip setting of not more
than six times the ampacity of the conductors, shall be
considered as providing the required short-circuit protection.
Informational Note: See Table 310.60(C)(67) through
Table 310.60(C)(86) for ampacities of conductors rated
2001 volts and above.
Overcurrent devices shall conform to 230.208(A) and
(B).
(A) Equipment Type. Equipment used to protect serviceentrance conductors shall meet the requirements of Article
490, Part II.
(B) Enclosed Overcurrent Devices. The restriction to
80 percent of the rating for an enclosed overcurrent device
for continuous loads shall not apply to overcurrent devices
installed in systems operating at over 1000 volts. [ROP
4–164]
70–94
ARTICLE 240
Overcurrent Protection
I. General
240.1 Scope. Parts I through VII of this article provide the
general requirements for overcurrent protection and overcurrent protective devices not more than 1000 volts, nominal. Part VIII covers overcurrent protection for those portions of supervised industrial installations operating at
voltages of not more than 1000 volts, nominal. Part IX
covers overcurrent protection over 1000 volts, nominal.
[ROP 10–16]
Informational Note: Overcurrent protection for conductors
and equipment is provided to open the circuit if the current
reaches a value that will cause an excessive or dangerous
temperature in conductors or conductor insulation. See also
110.9 for requirements for interrupting ratings and 110.10
for requirements for protection against fault currents.
240.2 Definitions.
Current-Limiting Overcurrent Protective Device. A device that, when interrupting currents in its current-limiting
range, reduces the current flowing in the faulted circuit to a
magnitude substantially less than that obtainable in the
same circuit if the device were replaced with a solid conductor having comparable impedance.
Supervised Industrial Installation. For the purposes of
Part VIII, the industrial portions of a facility where all of
the following conditions are met:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
240.4
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
This definition excludes installations in buildings used
by the industrial facility for offices, warehouses, garages,
machine shops, and recreational facilities that are not an
integral part of the industrial plant, substation, or control
center.
Tap Conductors. As used in this article, a tap conductor is
defined as a conductor, other than a service conductor, that
has overcurrent protection ahead of its point of supply that
exceeds the value permitted for similar conductors that are
protected as described elsewhere in 240.4.
Equipment
Article
Air-conditioning and refrigerating
equipment
Appliances
Assembly occupancies
Audio signal processing,
amplification, and reproduction
equipment
Branch circuits
Busways
Capacitors
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
Cranes and hoists
Electric signs and outline lighting
Electric welders
Electrolytic cells
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators,
moving walks, wheelchair lifts, and
stairway chairlifts
Emergency systems
Fire alarm systems
Fire pumps
Fixed electric heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment
Fixed outdoor electric deicing and
snow-melting equipment
Generators
Health care facilities
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment
Industrial machinery
Luminaires, lampholders, and lamps
Motion picture and television studios
and similar locations
Motors, motor circuits, and
controllers
Phase converters
Pipe organs
Receptacles
Services
Solar photovoltaic systems
Switchboards and panelboards
Theaters, audience areas of motion
picture and television studios, and
similar locations
Transformers and transformer vaults
X-ray equipment
440
AF
240.3 Other Articles. Equipment shall be protected
against overcurrent in accordance with the article in this
Code that covers the type of equipment specified in Table
240.3.
Table 240.3 Other Articles
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(1) Conditions of maintenance and engineering supervision
ensure that only qualified persons monitor and service
the system.
(2) The premises wiring system has 2500 kVA or greater of
load used in industrial process(es), manufacturing activities, or both, as calculated in accordance with Article 220.
(3) The premises has at least one service or feeder that is
more than 150 volts to ground and more than 300 volts
phase-to-phase.
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240.4 Protection of Conductors. Conductors, other than
flexible cords, flexible cables, and fixture wires, shall be
protected against overcurrent in accordance with their ampacities specified in 310.15, unless otherwise permitted or
required in 240.4(A) through (G).
Informational Note: See ICEA P-32-382-2007 for information on allowable short-circuit currents for insulated
copper and aluminum conductors.
(A) Power Loss Hazard. Conductor overload protection
shall not be required where the interruption of the circuit
would create a hazard, such as in a material-handling magnet circuit or fire pump circuit. Short-circuit protection
shall be provided.
Informational Note: See NFPA 20-2010, Standard for the
Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.
(B) Overcurrent Devices Rated 800 Amperes or Less.
The next higher standard overcurrent device rating (above
the ampacity of the conductors being protected) shall be
permitted to be used, provided all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The conductors being protected are not part of a branch
circuit supplying more than one receptacle for cordand-plug-connected portable loads.
(2) The ampacity of the conductors does not correspond
with the standard ampere rating of a fuse or a circuit
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
422
518
640
210
368
460
725
610
600
630
668
620
700
760
695
427
424
426
445
517
665
670
410
530
430
455
650
406
230
690
408
520
450
660
breaker without overload trip adjustments above its rating (but that shall be permitted to have other trip or
rating adjustments).
(3) The next higher standard rating selected does not exceed 800 amperes.
(C) Overcurrent Devices Rated over 800 Amperes.
Where the overcurrent device is rated over 800 amperes,
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240.5
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(D) Small Conductors. Unless specifically permitted in
240.4(E) or (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed
that required by (D)(1) through (D)(7) after any correction
factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors
have been applied.
(1)
ing
(1)
(2)
18 AWG Copper. 7 amperes, provided all the followconditions are met:
Continuous loads do not exceed 5.6 amperes.
Overcurrent protection is provided by one of the following:
a. Branch-circuit-rated circuit breakers listed and
marked for use with 18 AWG copper wire
b. Branch-circuit-rated fuses listed and marked for use
with 18 AWG copper wire
c. Class CC, Class J, or Class T fuses
16 AWG Copper. 10 amperes, provided all the followconditions are met:
Continuous loads do not exceed 8 amperes.
Overcurrent protection is provided by one of the following:
(G) Overcurrent Protection for Specific Conductor Applications. Overcurrent protection for the specific conductors shall be permitted to be provided as referenced in Table
240.4(G).
Table 240.4(G) Specific Conductor Applications
Conductor
Article
Air-conditioning and
refrigeration
equipment circuit
conductors
Capacitor circuit
conductors
Control and
instrumentation
circuit conductors
(Type ITC)
Electric welder
circuit conductors
Fire alarm system
circuit conductors
440, Parts III,
VI
Motor-operated
appliance circuit
conductors
Motor and
motor-control
circuit conductors
Phase converter
supply conductors
Remote-control,
signaling, and
power-limited
circuit conductors
Secondary tie
conductors
422, Part II
AF
(2)
ing
(1)
(2)
3-wire) transformer secondary conductors shall not be considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protective device. Conductors supplied by the secondary side of a
single-phase transformer having a 2-wire (single-voltage)
secondary, or a three-phase, delta-delta connected transformer having a 3-wire (single-voltage) secondary, shall be
permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the primary (supply) side of the transformer, provided this protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does
not exceed the value determined by multiplying the secondary conductor ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage ratio.
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the ampacity of the conductors it protects shall be equal to
or greater than the rating of the overcurrent device defined
in 240.6.
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a. Branch-circuit-rated circuit breakers listed and
marked for use with 16 AWG copper wire
b. Branch-circuit-rated fuses listed and marked for use
with 16 AWG copper wire
c. Class CC, Class J, or Class T fuses
(3) 14 AWG Copper. 15 amperes
460
727
460.8(B) and
460.25(A)–(D)
727.9
630
630.12 and 630.32
760
760.43, 760.45,
760.121, and Chapter
9, Tables 12(A) and
12(B)
(4) 12 AWG Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum.
15 amperes
(5) 12 AWG Copper. 20 amperes
(6) 10 AWG Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum.
25 amperes
(7) 10 AWG Copper. 30 amperes
(E) Tap Conductors. Tap conductors shall be permitted to
be protected against overcurrent in accordance with the following:
(1) 210.19(A)(3) and (A)(4), Household Ranges and Cooking Appliances and Other Loads
(2) 240.5(B)(2), Fixture Wire
(3) 240.21, Location in Circuit
(4) 368.17(B), Reduction in Ampacity Size of Busway
(5) 368.17(C), Feeder or Branch Circuits (busway taps)
(6) 430.53(D), Single Motor Taps
(F) Transformer Secondary Conductors. Single-phase
(other than 2-wire) and multiphase (other than delta-delta,
70–96
Section
430, Parts II, III,
IV, V, VI,
VII[ROP10–20]
455
725
450
455.7
725.43, 725.45,
725.121, and Chapter
9, Tables 11(A) and
11(B)
450.6
240.5 Protection of Flexible Cords, Flexible Cables, and
Fixture Wires. Flexible cord and flexible cable, including
tinsel cord and extension cords, and fixture wires shall be
protected against overcurrent by either 240.5(A) or (B).
(A) Ampacities. Flexible cord and flexible cable shall be
protected by an overcurrent device in accordance with their
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(B) Branch-Circuit Overcurrent Device. Flexible cord
shall be protected, where supplied by a branch circuit, in
accordance with one of the methods described in
240.5(B)(1), (B)(3), or (B)(4). Fixture wire shall be protected, where supplied by a branch circuit, in accordance
with 240.5(B)(2).
(1) Supply Cord of Listed Appliance or Luminaire.
Where flexible cord or tinsel cord is approved for and used
with a specific listed appliance or luminaire, it shall be
considered to be protected when applied within the appliance or luminaire listing requirements. For the purposes of
this section, a luminaire may be either portable or permanent.
(C) Restricted Access Adjustable-Trip Circuit Breakers. A circuit breaker(s) that has restricted access to the
adjusting means shall be permitted to have an ampere rating(s) that is equal to the adjusted current setting (long-time
pickup setting). Restricted access shall be defined as located behind one of the following:
(1) Removable and sealable covers over the adjusting
means
(2) Bolted equipment enclosure doors
(3) Locked doors accessible only to qualified personnel
240.8 Fuses or Circuit Breakers in Parallel. Fuses and
circuit breakers shall be permitted to be connected in parallel where they are factory assembled in parallel and listed
as a unit. Individual fuses, circuit breakers, or combinations
thereof shall not otherwise be connected in parallel.
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(2) Fixture Wire. Fixture wire shall be permitted to be
tapped to the branch-circuit conductor of a branch circuit in
accordance with the following:
(1) 20-ampere circuits — 18 AWG, up to 15 m (50 ft) of
run length
(2) 20-ampere circuits — 16 AWG, up to 30 m (100 ft) of
run length
(3) 20-ampere circuits — 14 AWG and larger
(4) 30-ampere circuits — 14 AWG and larger
(5) 40-ampere circuits — 12 AWG and larger
(6) 50-ampere circuits — 12 AWG and larger
(B) Adjustable-Trip Circuit Breakers. The rating of
adjustable-trip circuit breakers having external means for
adjusting the current setting (long-time pickup setting), not
meeting the requirements of 240.6(C), shall be the maximum setting possible.
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ampacity as specified in Table 400.5(A)(1) and Table
400.5(A)(2). Fixture wire shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with its ampacity as specified in
Table 402.5. Supplementary overcurrent protection, as covered in 240.10, shall be permitted to be an acceptable
means for providing this protection.
240.12
(3) Extension Cord Sets. Flexible cord used in listed extension cord sets shall be considered to be protected when
applied within the extension cord listing requirements.
(4) Field Assembled Extension Cord Sets. Flexible cord
used in extension cords made with separately listed and
installed components shall be permitted to be supplied by a
branch circuit in accordance with the following:
20-ampere circuits — 16 AWG and larger
240.6 Standard Ampere Ratings.
(A) Fuses and Fixed-Trip Circuit Breakers. The standard ampere ratings for fuses and inverse time circuit
breakers shall be considered 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,
60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300,
350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600, 2000,
2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 amperes. Additional
standard ampere ratings for fuses shall be 1, 3, 6, 10, and
601. The use of fuses and inverse time circuit breakers with
nonstandard ampere ratings shall be permitted.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
240.9 Thermal Devices. Thermal relays and other devices
not designed to open short circuits or ground faults shall
not be used for the protection of conductors against overcurrent due to short circuits or ground faults, but the use of
such devices shall be permitted to protect motor branchcircuit conductors from overload if protected in accordance
with 430.40.
240.10 Supplementary Overcurrent Protection. Where
supplementary overcurrent protection is used for luminaires, appliances, and other equipment or for internal circuits and components of equipment, it shall not be used as
a substitute for required branch-circuit overcurrent devices
or in place of the required branch-circuit protection.
Supplementary overcurrent devices shall not be required to
be readily accessible.
240.11 Oversized Ungrounded Conductors. Where circuit conductors are increased in size for voltage drop or
derating purposes, the conductors shall be marked or
tagged at the point where the conductor(s) receive their
supply with the maximum level of overcurrent protection.
The identification means shall be suitable for the environment. [ROP 10–18]
Exception: Where conditions of maintenance and engineering supervision ensure that only qualified persons
monitor, service, and document the system. [ROP 10–18]
240.12 Electrical System Coordination. Where an orderly shutdown is required to minimize the hazard(s) to
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240.13
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
personnel and equipment, a system of coordination based
on the following two conditions shall be permitted:
(1) Coordinated short-circuit protection
(2) Overload indication based on monitoring systems or
devices
dividual single-pole circuit breakers rated 120/240 volts ac
with identified handle ties shall be permitted as the protection for each ungrounded conductor, if the systems have a
grounded neutral point and the voltage to ground does not
exceed 120 volts.
Informational Note: The monitoring system may cause the
condition to go to alarm, allowing corrective action or an
orderly shutdown, thereby minimizing personnel hazard
and equipment damage.
(4) 3-Wire Direct-Current Circuits. Individual singlepole circuit breakers rated 125/250 volts dc with identified
handle ties shall be permitted as the protection for each
ungrounded conductor for line-to-line connected loads for
3-wire, direct-current circuits supplied from a system with
a grounded neutral where the voltage to ground does not
exceed 125 volts.
240.15 Ungrounded Conductors.
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(A) Overcurrent Device Required. A fuse or an overcurrent trip unit of a circuit breaker shall be connected in
series with each ungrounded conductor. A combination of a
current transformer and overcurrent relay shall be considered equivalent to an overcurrent trip unit.
Informational Note: For motor circuits, see Parts III, IV, V,
and XI of Article 430.
(B) Circuit Breaker as Overcurrent Device. Circuit
breakers shall open all ungrounded conductors of the circuit
both manually and automatically unless otherwise permitted in 240.15(B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(4).
(1) Multiwire Branch Circuits. Individual single-pole circuit breakers, with identified handle ties, shall be permitted
as the protection for each ungrounded conductor of multiwire branch circuits that serve only single-phase line-toneutral loads.
(2) Grounded Single-Phase Alternating-Current Circuits. In grounded systems, individual single-pole circuit
breakers rated 120/240 volts ac, with identified handle ties,
shall be permitted as the protection for each ungrounded
conductor for line-to-line connected loads for single-phase
circuits.
(3) 3-Phase and 2-Phase Systems. For line-to-line loads
in 4-wire, 3-phase systems or 5-wire, 2-phase systems, in-
70–98
II. Location
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240.21 Location in Circuit. Overcurrent protection shall
be provided in each ungrounded circuit conductor and shall
be located at the point where the conductors receive their
supply except as specified in 240.21(A) through (H). Conductors supplied under the provisions of 240.21(A) through
(H) shall not supply another conductor except through an
overcurrent protective device meeting the requirements of
240.4.
AF
240.13 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Groundfault protection of equipment shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of 230.95 for solidly grounded
wye electrical systems of more than 150 volts to ground but
not exceeding 1000 volts phase-to-phase for each individual device used as a building or structure main disconnecting means rated 1000 amperes or more. [ROP 10–24]
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the
disconnecting means for the following:
(1) Continuous industrial processes where a nonorderly
shutdown will introduce additional or increased hazards
(2) Installations where ground-fault protection is provided
by other requirements for services or feeders
(3) Fire pumps
(A) Branch-Circuit Conductors. Branch-circuit tap conductors meeting the requirements specified in 210.19 shall
be permitted to have overcurrent protection as specified in
210.20.
(B) Feeder Taps. Conductors shall be permitted to be
tapped, without overcurrent protection at the tap, to a
feeder as specified in 240.21(B)(1) through (B)(5). The provisions of 240.4(B) shall not be permitted for tap conductors.
(1) Taps Not over 3 m (10 ft) Long. If the length of the
tap conductors does not exceed 3 m (10 ft) and the tap
conductors comply with all of the following:
(1) The ampacity of the tap conductors is
a. Not less than the combined calculated loads on the
circuits supplied by the tap conductors, and
b. Not less than the rating of the equipment containing
an overcurrent device(s) supplied by the tap conductors or not less than the rating of the overcurrent
protective device at the termination of the tap conductors. [ROP 10–32]
Exception: Listed surge protective device(s) (SPD) installed in accordance with 285.23 or 285.24. [ROP 10–32]
(2) The tap conductors do not extend beyond the switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, disconnecting means, or
control devices they supply. [ROP 9–14r]
(3) Except at the point of connection to the feeder, the tap
conductors are enclosed in a raceway, which shall ex-
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ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(4) For field installations, if the tap conductors leave the
enclosure or vault in which the tap is made, the ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than one-tenth of
the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the
feeder conductors.
Informational Note: For overcurrent protection requirements for panelboards, see 408.36.
AF
(2) Taps Not over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long. Where the length of
the tap conductors does not exceed 7.5 m (25 ft) and the tap
conductors comply with all the following:
(1) The ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than
one-third of the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors.
(2) The tap conductors terminate in a single circuit breaker
or a single set of fuses that limit the load to the ampacity of the tap conductors. This device shall be permitted
to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices
on its load side.
(3) The tap conductors are protected from physical damage
by being enclosed in an approved raceway or by other
approved means.
walls and the installation complies with all the following
conditions:
(1) Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the systems.
(2) The tap conductors are not over 7.5 m (25 ft) long
horizontally and not over 30 m (100 ft) total length.
(3) The ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than
one-third the rating of the overcurrent device protecting
the feeder conductors.
(4) The tap conductors terminate at a single circuit breaker
or a single set of fuses that limit the load to the ampacity of the tap conductors. This single overcurrent device shall be permitted to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices on its load side.
(5) The tap conductors are protected from physical damage
by being enclosed in an approved raceway or by other
approved means.
(6) The tap conductors are continuous from end-to-end and
contain no splices.
(7) The tap conductors are sized 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG
aluminum or larger.
(8) The tap conductors do not penetrate walls, floors, or
ceilings.
(9) The tap is made no less than 9 m (30 ft) from the floor.
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tend from the tap to the enclosure of an enclosed
switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, or control devices, or to the back of an open switchboard. [ROP
9–14r]
240.21
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(3) Taps Supplying a Transformer [Primary Plus Secondary Not over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long]. Where the tap conductors supply a transformer and comply with all the following conditions:
(1) The conductors supplying the primary of a transformer
have an ampacity at least one-third the rating of the
overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors.
(2) The conductors supplied by the secondary of the transformer shall have an ampacity that is not less than the
value of the primary-to-secondary voltage ratio multiplied by one-third of the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors.
(3) The total length of one primary plus one secondary
conductor, excluding any portion of the primary conductor that is protected at its ampacity, is not over 7.5
m (25 ft).
(4) The primary and secondary conductors are protected
from physical damage by being enclosed in an approved raceway or by other approved means.
(5) The secondary conductors terminate in a single circuit
breaker or set of fuses that limit the load current to not
more than the conductor ampacity that is permitted by
310.15.
(4) Taps over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long. Where the feeder is in a
high bay manufacturing building over 11 m (35 ft) high at
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(5) Outside Taps of Unlimited Length. Where the conductors are located outside of a building or structure, except
at the point of load termination, and comply with all of the
following conditions:
(1) The tap conductors are protected from physical damage
in an approved manner. [ROP 10–36]
(2) The tap conductors terminate at a single circuit breaker
or a single set of fuses that limits the load to the ampacity of the tap conductors. This single overcurrent
device shall be permitted to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices on its load side. [ROP
10–36]
(3) The overcurrent device for the tap conductors is an
integral part of a disconnecting means or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto. [ROP 10–36]
(4) The disconnecting means for the tap conductors is installed at a readily accessible location complying with
one of the following: [ROP 10–36]
a. Outside of a building or structure
b. Inside, nearest the point of entrance of the tap conductors [ROP 10–36]
c. Where installed in accordance with 230.6, nearest
the point of entrance of the tap conductors [ROP
10–36]
(C) Transformer Secondary Conductors. A set of conductors feeding a single load, or each set of conductors
feeding separate loads, shall be permitted to be connected
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ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
to a transformer secondary, without overcurrent protection
at the secondary, as specified in 240.21(C)(1) through
(C)(6). The provisions of 240.4(B) shall not be permitted
for transformer secondary conductors.
Informational Note: For overcurrent protection requirements for transformers, see 450.3.
(4) Outside Secondary Conductors. Where the conductors are located outdoors of a building or structure, except
at the point of load termination, and comply with all of the
following conditions:
(1) The conductors are protected from physical damage in
an approved manner.
(2) The conductors terminate at a single circuit breaker or
a single set of fuses that limit the load to the ampacity
of the conductors. This single overcurrent device shall
be permitted to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices on its load side.
(3) The overcurrent device for the conductors is an integral
part of a disconnecting means or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto.
(4) The disconnecting means for the conductors is installed
at a readily accessible location complying with one of
the following:
AF
(1) Protection by Primary Overcurrent Device. Conductors supplied by the secondary side of a single-phase transformer having a 2-wire (single-voltage) secondary, or a
three-phase, delta-delta connected transformer having a
3-wire (single-voltage) secondary, shall be permitted to be
protected by overcurrent protection provided on the primary (supply) side of the transformer, provided this protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does not exceed the
value determined by multiplying the secondary conductor
ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage
ratio.
Single-phase (other than 2-wire) and multiphase (other
than delta-delta, 3-wire) transformer secondary conductors
are not considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protective device.
(3) Industrial Installation Secondary Conductors Not
over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long. For the supply of switchgear and
switchboards in industrial installations only, where the
length of the secondary conductors does not exceed 7.5 m
(25 ft) and complies with all of the following: [ROP
10–42]
(1) Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the systems.
(2) The ampacity of the secondary conductors is not less
than the secondary current rating of the transformer,
and the sum of the ratings of the overcurrent devices
does not exceed the ampacity of the secondary conductors.
(3) All overcurrent devices are grouped.
(4) The secondary conductors are protected from physical
damage by being enclosed in an approved raceway or
by other approved means.
T
240.21
(2) Transformer Secondary Conductors Not over 3 m
(10 ft) Long. If the length of secondary conductor does not
exceed 3 m (10 ft) and complies with all of the following:
(1) The ampacity of the secondary conductors is
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a. Not less than the combined calculated loads on the
circuits supplied by the secondary conductors, and
b. Not less than the rating of the equipment containing
an overcurrent device(s) supplied by the secondary
conductors or not less than the rating of the
overcurrent-protective device at the termination of
the secondary conductors. [ROP 10–39]
Exception: Listed surge protective device(s) (SPD) installed in accordance with 285.23 or 285.24. [ROP 10–39]
(2) The secondary conductors do not extend beyond the
switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, disconnecting
means, or control devices they supply. [ROP 9–14s]
(3) The secondary conductors are enclosed in a raceway,
which shall extend from the transformer to the enclosure of an enclosed switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, or control devices or to the back of an open
switchboard. [ROP 9–14s]
(4) For field installations where the secondary conductors
leave the enclosure or vault in which the supply connection is made, the rating of the overcurrent device
protecting the primary of the transformer, multiplied by
the primary to secondary transformer voltage ratio,
shall not exceed 10 times the ampacity of the secondary conductor.
Informational Note: For overcurrent protection requirements for panelboards, see 408.36.
70–100
a. Outside of a building or structure
b. Inside, nearest the point of entrance of the conductors
c. Where installed in accordance with 230.6, nearest
the point of entrance of the conductors
(5) Secondary Conductors from a Feeder Tapped
Transformer. Transformer secondary conductors installed
in accordance with 240.21(B)(3) shall be permitted to have
overcurrent protection as specified in that section.
(6) Secondary Conductors Not over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long.
Where the length of secondary conductor does not exceed
7.5 m (25 ft) and complies with all of the following:
(1) The secondary conductors shall have an ampacity that
is not less than the value of the primary-to-secondary
voltage ratio multiplied by one-third of the rating of the
overcurrent device protecting the primary of the transformer.
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ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
240.30
(2) The secondary conductors terminate in a single circuit
breaker or set of fuses that limit the load current to not
more than the conductor ampacity that is permitted by
310.15.
(3) The secondary conductors are protected from physical
damage by being enclosed in an approved raceway or
by other approved means.
(2) For supplementary overcurrent protection, as described
in 240.10.
(3) For overcurrent devices, as described in 225.40 and
230.92.
(4) For overcurrent devices adjacent to utilization equipment that they supply, access shall be permitted to be
by portable means.
(D) Service Conductors. Service conductors shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent devices in accordance
with 230.91.
(B) Occupancy. Each occupant shall have ready access to
all overcurrent devices protecting the conductors supplying
that occupancy, unless otherwise permitted in 240.24(B)(1)
and (B)(2).
(F) Motor Circuit Taps. Motor-feeder and branch-circuit
conductors shall be permitted to be protected against overcurrent in accordance with 430.28 and 430.53, respectively.
AF
(G) Conductors from Generator Terminals. Conductors
from generator terminals that meet the size requirement in
445.13 shall be permitted to be protected against overload
by the generator overload protective device(s) required by
445.12.
(1) Service and Feeder Overcurrent Devices. Where
electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by
the building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the service overcurrent devices and feeder overcurrent devices supplying
more than one occupancy shall be permitted to be accessible only to authorized management personnel in the following:
(1) Multiple-occupancy buildings
(2) Guest rooms or guest suites
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(E) Busway Taps. Busways and busway taps shall be permitted to be protected against overcurrent in accordance
with 368.17.
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(H) Battery Conductors. Overcurrent protection shall be
permitted to be installed as close as practicable to the storage battery terminals in an unclassified location. Installation of the overcurrent protection within a hazardous (classified) location shall also be permitted.
(2) Branch-Circuit Overcurrent Devices. Where electric
service and electrical maintenance are provided by the
building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the branch-circuit
overcurrent devices supplying any guest rooms or guest
suites without permanent provisions for cooking shall be
permitted to be accessible only to authorized management
personnel.
240.22 Grounded Conductor. No overcurrent device shall
be connected in series with any conductor that is intentionally grounded, unless one of the following two conditions is
met:
(1) The overcurrent device opens all conductors of the circuit, including the grounded conductor, and is designed
so that no pole can operate independently.
(2) Where required by 430.36 or 430.37 for motor overload protection.
(D) Not in Vicinity of Easily Ignitible Material. Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily
ignitible material, such as in clothes closets.
240.23 Change in Size of Grounded Conductor. Where a
change occurs in the size of the ungrounded conductor, a
similar change shall be permitted to be made in the size of
the grounded conductor.
(E) Not Located in Bathrooms. In dwelling units, dormitories, and guest rooms or guest suites, overcurrent devices,
other than supplementary overcurrent protection, shall not
be located in bathrooms.
240.24 Location in or on Premises.
(F) Not Located over Steps. Overcurrent devices shall not
be located over steps of a stairway.
(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible and shall be installed so that the center of the grip
of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker,
when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft
7 in.) above the floor or working platform, unless one of the
following applies:
(1) For busways, as provided in 368.17(C).
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(C) Not Exposed to Physical Damage. Overcurrent devices shall be located where they will not be exposed to
physical damage.
Informational Note: See 110.11, Deteriorating Agents.
III. Enclosures
240.30 General.
(A) Protection from Physical Damage. Overcurrent devices shall be protected from physical damage by one of the
following:
70–101
240.32
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(B) Operating Handle. The operating handle of a circuit
breaker shall be permitted to be accessible without opening
a door or cover.
240.32 Damp or Wet Locations. Enclosures for overcurrent devices in damp or wet locations shall comply with
312.2.
IV. Disconnecting and Guarding
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240.40 Disconnecting Means for Fuses. Cartridge fuses
in circuits of any voltage where accessible to other than
qualified persons, and all fuses in circuits over 150 volts to
ground, shall be provided with a disconnecting means on
their supply side so that each circuit containing fuses can be
independently disconnected from the source of power. A
current-limiting device without a disconnecting means shall
be permitted on the supply side of the service disconnecting
means as permitted by 230.82. A single disconnecting
means shall be permitted on the supply side of more than
one set of fuses as permitted by 430.112, Exception, for
group operation of motors and 424.22(C) for fixed electric
space-heating equipment.
240.41 Arcing or Suddenly Moving Parts. Arcing or suddenly moving parts shall comply with 240.41(A) and (B).
(A) Location. Fuses and circuit breakers shall be located
or shielded so that persons will not be burned or otherwise
injured by their operation.
(B) Suddenly Moving Parts. Handles or levers of circuit
breakers, and similar parts that may move suddenly in such
a way that persons in the vicinity are likely to be injured by
being struck by them, shall be guarded or isolated.
V. Plug Fuses, Fuseholders, and Adapters
240.50 General.
(A) Maximum Voltage. Plug fuses shall be permitted to
be used in the following circuits:
70–102
(B) Marking. Each fuse, fuseholder, and adapter shall be
marked with its ampere rating.
(C) Hexagonal Configuration. Plug fuses of 15-ampere
and lower rating shall be identified by a hexagonal configuration of the window, cap, or other prominent part to distinguish them from fuses of higher ampere ratings.
(D) No Energized Parts. Plug fuses, fuseholders, and
adapters shall have no exposed energized parts after fuses
or fuses and adapters have been installed.
(E) Screw Shell. The screw shell of a plug-type fuseholder
shall be connected to the load side of the circuit.
240.51 Edison-Base Fuses.
(A) Classification. Plug fuses of the Edison-base type
shall be classified at not over 125 volts and 30 amperes and
below.
AF
240.33 Vertical Position. Enclosures for overcurrent devices shall be mounted in a vertical position unless that is
shown to be impracticable. Circuit breaker enclosures shall
be permitted to be installed horizontally where the circuit
breaker is installed in accordance with 240.81. Listed
busway plug-in units shall be permitted to be mounted in
orientations corresponding to the busway mounting position.
(1) Circuits not exceeding 125 volts between conductors
(2) Circuits supplied by a system having a grounded neutral point where the line-to-neutral voltage does not
exceed 150 volts
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(1) Installation in enclosures, cabinets, cutout boxes, or
equipment assemblies
(2) Mounting on open-type switchboards, panelboards, or
control boards that are in rooms or enclosures free from
dampness and easily ignitible material and are accessible only to qualified personnel
(B) Replacement Only. Plug fuses of the Edison-base type
shall be used only for replacements in existing installations
where there is no evidence of overfusing or tampering.
240.52 Edison-Base Fuseholders. Fuseholders of the
Edison-base type shall be installed only where they are
made to accept Type S fuses by the use of adapters.
240.53 Type S Fuses. Type S fuses shall be of the plug
type and shall comply with 240.53(A) and (B).
(A) Classification. Type S fuses shall be classified at not
over 125 volts and 0 to 15 amperes, 16 to 20 amperes, and
21 to 30 amperes.
(B) Noninterchangeable. Type S fuses of an ampere classification as specified in 240.53(A) shall not be interchangeable with a lower ampere classification. They shall
be designed so that they cannot be used in any fuseholder
other than a Type S fuseholder or a fuseholder with a Type
S adapter inserted.
240.54 Type S Fuses, Adapters, and Fuseholders.
(A) To Fit Edison-Base Fuseholders. Type S adapters
shall fit Edison-base fuseholders.
(B) To Fit Type S Fuses Only. Type S fuseholders and
adapters shall be designed so that either the fuseholder itself or the fuseholder with a Type S adapter inserted cannot
be used for any fuse other than a Type S fuse.
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ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(D) Nontamperable. Type S fuses, fuseholders, and adapters shall be designed so that tampering or shunting (bridging) would be difficult.
(E) Interchangeability. Dimensions of Type S fuses, fuseholders, and adapters shall be standardized to permit interchangeability regardless of the manufacturer.
VI. Cartridge Fuses and Fuseholders
240.60 General.
240.80 Method of Operation. Circuit breakers shall be
trip free and capable of being closed and opened by manual
operation. Their normal method of operation by other than
manual means, such as electrical or pneumatic, shall be
permitted if means for manual operation are also provided.
240.81 Indicating. Circuit breakers shall clearly indicate
whether they are in the open “off” or closed “on” position.
Where circuit breaker handles are operated vertically
rather than rotationally or horizontally, the “up” position of
the handle shall be the “on” position.
240.82 Nontamperable. A circuit breaker shall be of such
design that any alteration of its trip point (calibration) or
the time required for its operation requires dismantling of
the device or breaking of a seal for other than intended
adjustments.
240.83 Marking.
(A) Durable and Visible. Circuit breakers shall be marked
with their ampere rating in a manner that will be durable
and visible after installation. Such marking shall be permitted to be made visible by removal of a trim or cover.
AF
(A) Maximum Voltage — 300-Volt Type. Cartridge fuses
and fuseholders of the 300-volt type shall be permitted to
be used in the following circuits:
(1) Circuits not exceeding 300 volts between conductors
(2) Single-phase line-to-neutral circuits supplied from a
3-phase, 4-wire, solidly grounded neutral source where
the line-to-neutral voltage does not exceed 300 volts
VII. Circuit Breakers
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(C) Nonremovable. Type S adapters shall be designed so
that once inserted in a fuseholder, they cannot be removed.
240.85
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(B) Noninterchangeable — 0–6000-Ampere Cartridge
Fuseholders. Fuseholders shall be designed so that it will
be difficult to put a fuse of any given class into a fuseholder
that is designed for a current lower, or voltage higher, than
that of the class to which the fuse belongs. Fuseholders for
current-limiting fuses shall not permit insertion of fuses
that are not current-limiting.
(C) Marking. Fuses shall be plainly marked, either by
printing on the fuse barrel or by a label attached to the
barrel showing the following:
(1) Ampere rating
(2) Voltage rating
(3) Interrupting rating where other than 10,000 amperes
(4) Current limiting where applicable
(5) The name or trademark of the manufacturer
The interrupting rating shall not be required to be
marked on fuses used for supplementary protection.
(D) Renewable Fuses. Class H cartridge fuses of the renewable type shall be permitted to be used only for replacement in existing installations where there is no evidence of
overfusing or tampering.
240.61 Classification. Cartridge fuses and fuseholders
shall be classified according to voltage and amperage
ranges. Fuses rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less shall be
permitted to be used for voltages at or below their ratings.
[ROP 10–50]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Location. Circuit breakers rated at 100 amperes or less
and 1000 volts or less shall have the ampere rating molded,
stamped, etched, or similarly marked into their handles or
escutcheon areas. [ROP 10–51]
(C) Interrupting Rating. Every circuit breaker having an
interrupting rating other than 5000 amperes shall have its
interrupting rating shown on the circuit breaker. The interrupting rating shall not be required to be marked on circuit
breakers used for supplementary protection.
(D) Used as Switches. Circuit breakers used as switches in
120-volt and 277-volt fluorescent lighting circuits shall be
listed and shall be marked SWD or HID. Circuit breakers
used as switches in high-intensity discharge lighting circuits shall be listed and shall be marked as HID.
(E) Voltage Marking. Circuit breakers shall be marked
with a voltage rating not less than the nominal system voltage that is indicative of their capability to interrupt fault
currents between phases or phase to ground.
240.85 Applications. A circuit breaker with a straight voltage rating, such as 240V or 480V, shall be permitted to be
applied in a circuit in which the nominal voltage between
any two conductors does not exceed the circuit breaker’s
voltage rating. A two-pole circuit breaker shall not be used
for protecting a 3-phase, corner-grounded delta circuit unless the circuit breaker is marked 1φ–3φ to indicate such
suitability.
70–103
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
A circuit breaker with a slash rating, such as 120/240V
or 480Y/277V, shall be permitted to be applied in a solidly
grounded circuit where the nominal voltage of any conductor to ground does not exceed the lower of the two values
of the circuit breaker’s voltage rating and the nominal voltage between any two conductors does not exceed the higher
value of the circuit breaker’s voltage rating.
Informational Note: Proper application of molded case circuit breakers on 3-phase systems, other than solidly
grounded wye, particularly on corner grounded delta systems, considers the circuit breakers’ individual poleinterrupting capability.
240.86 Series Ratings. Where a circuit breaker is used on
a circuit having an available fault current higher than the
marked interrupting rating by being connected on the load
side of an acceptable overcurrent protective device having a
higher rating, the circuit breaker shall meet the requirements specified in (A) or (B), and (C).
(A) Documentation. Documentation shall be available to
those authorized to design, install, operate, or inspect the
installation as to the location of the circuit breaker(s).
[ROP 10–53a]
(B) Method to Reduce Clearing Time. One of the following means shall be provided: [ROP 10–53a]
(1) Zone-selective interlocking or
(2) Differential relaying or
(3) Energy-reducing maintenance switching with local status indicator or
(4) Energy-reducing active arc flash mitigation system
(5) An approved equivalent means
Informational Note No. 1: An energy-reducing maintenance switch allows a worker to set a circuit breaker trip
unit to “no intentional delay” to reduce the clearing time
while the worker is working within an arc-flash boundary
as defined in NFPA 70E-2009, Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace, and then to set the trip unit back to
a normal setting after the potentially hazardous work is
complete. [ROP 10–53a]
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(A) Selected Under Engineering Supervision in Existing
Installations. The series rated combination devices shall be
selected by a licensed professional engineer engaged primarily in the design or maintenance of electrical installations. The selection shall be documented and stamped by
the professional engineer. This documentation shall be
available to those authorized to design, install, inspect,
maintain, and operate the system. This series combination
rating, including identification of the upstream device, shall
be field marked on the end use equipment.
For calculated applications, the engineer shall ensure
that the downstream circuit breaker(s) that are part of the
series combination remain passive during the interruption
period of the line side fully rated, current-limiting device.
(2) Does not have an instantaneous trip function engaged
and
(3) Does not have an instantaneous override or the instantaneous override setting is above the arcing current
then (A) and (B) shall apply.
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240.86
(B) Tested Combinations. The combination of line-side
overcurrent device and load-side circuit breaker(s) is tested
and marked on the end use equipment, such as switchboards and panelboards.
Informational Note to (A) and (B): See 110.22 for marking of
series combination systems.
(C) Motor Contribution. Series ratings shall not be used
where
(1) Motors are connected on the load side of the higherrated overcurrent device and on the line side of the
lower-rated overcurrent device, and
(2) The sum of the motor full-load currents exceeds 1 percent of the interrupting rating of the lower-rated circuit
breaker.
240.87 Noninstantaneous Trip. Where a circuit breaker:
[ROP 10–53a]
(1) Utilizes short time delay and
70–104
Informational Note No. 2: An energy-reducing active arc
flash mitigation system helps in reducing arcing duration in
the electrical distribution system. No change in circuit
breaker or the settings of other devices is required during
maintenance when a worker is working within an arc-flash
boundary as defined in NFPA 70E-2012, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. [ROP 10–53a]
VIII. Supervised Industrial Installations
240.90 General. Overcurrent protection in areas of supervised industrial installations shall comply with all of the
other applicable provisions of this article, except as provided in Part VIII. The provisions of Part VIII shall be
permitted only to apply to those portions of the electrical
system in the supervised industrial installation used exclusively for manufacturing or process control activities.
240.91 Protection of Conductors. Conductors shall be
protected in accordance with 240.91(A) or (B).
(A) General. Conductors shall be protected in accordance
with 240.4.
(B) Devices Rated Over 800 Amperes. Where the overcurrent device is rated over 800 amperes, the ampacity of
the conductors it protects shall be equal to or greater than
95 percent of the rating of the overcurrent device specified
in 240.6 in accordance with (B)(1) and (2).
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240.92
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(1) The conductors are protected within recognized time
vs. current limits for short-circuit currents
(2) All equipment in which the conductors terminate is
listed and marked for the application
240.92 Location in Circuit. An overcurrent device shall
be connected in each ungrounded circuit conductor as required in 240.92(A) through (E).
(A) Feeder and Branch-Circuit Conductors. Feeder and
branch-circuit conductors shall be protected at the point the
conductors receive their supply as permitted in 240.21 or as
otherwise permitted in 240.92(B), (C), (D), or (E).
Table 240.92(B) Tap Conductor Short-Circuit Current
Ratings.
Tap conductors are considered to be protected under
short-circuit conditions when their short-circuit temperature
limit is not exceeded. Conductor heating under short-circuit
conditions is determined by (1) or (2):
(1) Short-Circuit Formula for Copper Conductors
(I2/A2)t = 0.0297 log10 [(T2 + 234)/(T1 + 234)]
(2) Short-Circuit Formula for Aluminum Conductors
(I2/A2)t = 0.0125 log10 [(T2 + 228)/(T1 + 228)]
(B) Feeder Taps. For feeder taps specified in
240.21(B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(4), the tap conductors shall
be permitted to be sized in accordance with Table
240.92(B).
where:
(C) Transformer Secondary Conductors of Separately
Derived Systems. Conductors shall be permitted to be connected to a transformer secondary of a separately derived
system, without overcurrent protection at the connection,
where the conditions of 240.92(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3)
are met.
t = time of short circuit in seconds (for times less than or equal
to 10 seconds)
I = short-circuit current in amperes
T
A = conductor area in circular mils
T1 = initial conductor temperature in degrees Celsius.
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T2 = final conductor temperature in degrees Celsius.
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(1) Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection. The
conductors shall be protected from short-circuit and
ground-fault conditions by complying with one of the following conditions:
(1) The length of the secondary conductors does not exceed 30 m (100 ft) and the transformer primary overcurrent device has a rating or setting that does not exceed 150 percent of the value determined by
multiplying the secondary conductor ampacity by the
secondary-to-primary transformer voltage ratio.
(2) The conductors are protected by a differential relay
with a trip setting equal to or less than the conductor
ampacity.
Informational Note: A differential relay is connected to be
sensitive only to short-circuit or fault currents within the
protected zone and is normally set much lower than the
conductor ampacity. The differential relay is connected to
trip protective devices that de-energize the protected conductors if a short-circuit condition occurs.
(3) The conductors shall be considered to be protected if
calculations, made under engineering supervision, determine that the system overcurrent devices will protect
the conductors within recognized time vs. current limits
for all short-circuit and ground-fault conditions.
(2) Overload Protection. The conductors shall be protected against overload conditions by complying with one
of the following:
(1) The conductors terminate in a single overcurrent device
that will limit the load to the conductor ampacity.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Copper conductor with paper, rubber, varnished cloth insulation,
T2 = 200
Copper conductor with thermoplastic insulation, T2 = 150
Copper conductor with cross-linked polyethylene insulation, T2
= 250
Copper conductor with ethylene propylene rubber insulation, T2
= 250
Aluminum conductor with paper, rubber, varnished cloth
insulation, T2 = 200
Aluminum conductor with thermoplastic insulation, T2 = 150
Aluminum conductor with cross-linked polyethylene insulation,
T2 = 250
Aluminum conductor with ethylene propylene rubber insulation,
T2 = 250
(2) The sum of the overcurrent devices at the conductor
termination limits the load to the conductor ampacity.
The overcurrent devices shall consist of not more than
six circuit breakers or sets of fuses, mounted in a single
enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on
a switchboard or switchgear. There shall be no more
than six overcurrent devices grouped in any one location. [ROP 9–15a]
(3) Overcurrent relaying is connected [with a current transformer(s), if needed] to sense all of the secondary con-
70–105
240.100
ARTICLE 240 — OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(3) Physical Protection. The secondary conductors are
protected from physical damage by being enclosed in an
approved raceway or by other approved means.
(1) Overcurrent Relays and Current Transformers. Circuit breakers used for overcurrent protection of 3-phase
circuits shall have a minimum of three overcurrent relay
elements operated from three current transformers. The
separate overcurrent relay elements (or protective functions) shall be permitted to be part of a single electronic
protective relay unit.
On 3-phase, 3-wire circuits, an overcurrent relay element in the residual circuit of the current transformers shall
be permitted to replace one of the phase relay elements.
An overcurrent relay element, operated from a current
transformer that links all phases of a 3-phase, 3-wire circuit, shall be permitted to replace the residual relay element
and one of the phase-conductor current transformers.
Where the neutral conductor is not regrounded on the load
side of the circuit as permitted in 250.184(B), the current
transformer shall be permitted to link all 3-phase conductors and the grounded circuit conductor (neutral).
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(D) Outside Feeder Taps. Outside conductors shall be
permitted to be tapped to a feeder or to be connected at a
transformer secondary, without overcurrent protection at
the tap or connection, where all the following conditions
are met:
(1) The conductors are protected from physical damage in
an approved manner.
(2) The sum of the overcurrent devices at the conductor
termination limits the load to the conductor ampacity.
The overcurrent devices shall consist of not more than
six circuit breakers or sets of fuses mounted in a single
enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on
a switchboard or switchgear. There shall be no more
than six overcurrent devices grouped in any one location. [ROP 9–15b]
(3) The tap conductors are installed outdoors of a building
or structure except at the point of load termination.
(4) The overcurrent device for the conductors is an integral
part of a disconnecting means or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto.
(5) The disconnecting means for the conductors are installed at a readily accessible location complying with
one of the following:
a. Outside of a building or structure
b. Inside, nearest the point of entrance of the conductors
c. Where installed in accordance with 230.6, nearest
the point of entrance of the conductors
ungrounded conductor located at the point where the conductor receives its supply or at an alternative location in the
circuit when designed under engineering supervision that
includes but is not limited to considering the appropriate
fault studies and time–current coordination analysis of the
protective devices and the conductor damage curves. The
overcurrent protection shall be permitted to be provided by
either 240.100(A)(1) or (A)(2).
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ductor current and limit the load to the conductor ampacity by opening upstream or downstream devices.
(4) Conductors shall be considered to be protected if calculations, made under engineering supervision, determine that the system overcurrent devices will protect
the conductors from overload conditions.
(E) Protection by Primary Overcurrent Device. Conductors supplied by the secondary side of a transformer
shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection
provided on the primary (supply) side of the transformer,
provided the primary device time–current protection characteristic, multiplied by the maximum effective primary-tosecondary transformer voltage ratio, effectively protects the
secondary conductors.
IX. Overcurrent Protection Over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 10–60]
240.100 Feeders and Branch Circuits.
(A) Location and Type of Protection. Feeder and branchcircuit conductors shall have overcurrent protection in each
70–106
(2) Fuses. A fuse shall be connected in series with each
ungrounded conductor.
(B) Protective Devices. The protective device(s) shall be
capable of detecting and interrupting all values of current
that can occur at their location in excess of their trip-setting
or melting point.
(C) Conductor Protection. The operating time of the protective device, the available short-circuit current, and the
conductor used shall be coordinated to prevent damaging or
dangerous temperatures in conductors or conductor insulation under short-circuit conditions.
240.101 Additional Requirements for Feeders.
(A) Rating or Setting of Overcurrent Protective Devices. The continuous ampere rating of a fuse shall not
exceed three times the ampacity of the conductors. The
long-time trip element setting of a breaker or the minimum
trip setting of an electronically actuated fuse shall not exceed six times the ampacity of the conductor. For fire
pumps, conductors shall be permitted to be protected for
overcurrent in accordance with 695.4(B)(2).
(B) Feeder Taps. Conductors tapped to a feeder shall be
permitted to be protected by the feeder overcurrent device
where that overcurrent device also protects the tap conductor.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.4
250.2 Definitions.
I. General
250.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for
grounding and bonding of electrical installations, and the
specific requirements in (1) through (6).
(1) Systems, circuits, and equipment required, permitted,
or not permitted to be grounded
(2) Circuit conductor to be grounded on grounded systems
(3) Location of grounding connections
(4) Types and sizes of grounding and bonding conductors
and electrodes
(5) Methods of grounding and bonding
(6) Conditions under which guards, isolation, or insulation
may be substituted for grounding
Part I General
Part VIII Direct-current
systems
Part X Grounding of
systems and circuits of
over 1000 volts
Part III Grounding electrode
system and grounding
electrode conductor
Part V Bonding
Part IV Enclosure,
raceway, and service
cable grounding
Part VII Methods of
equipment grounding
Part IX Instruments,
meters, and relays
Figure 250.1 Grounding and Bonding. [ROP 5–45]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Grounded Systems.
(1) Electrical System Grounding. Electrical systems that
are grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that
will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or
unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and that will
stabilize the voltage to earth during normal operation.
Informational Note: An important consideration for limiting the imposed voltage is the routing of bonding and
grounding electrode conductors so that they are not any
longer than necessary to complete the connection without
disturbing the permanent parts of the installation and so
that unnecessary bends and loops are avoided.
(2) Grounding of Electrical Equipment. Normally non–
current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical
conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected to earth so as to limit the voltage
to ground on these materials.
Part VI Equipment
grounding and equipment
grounding conductors
2014 Edition
250.3 Application of Other Articles. For other articles
applying to particular cases of installation of conductors
and equipment, grounding and bonding requirements are
identified in Table 250.3 that are in addition to, or modifications of, those of this article.
250.4 General Requirements for Grounding and Bonding. The following general requirements identify what
grounding and bonding of electrical systems are required to
accomplish. The prescriptive methods contained in Article
250 shall be followed to comply with the performance requirements of this section.
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Part II System
grounding
Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. An intentionally
constructed, low-impedance electrically conductive path
designed and intended to carry current under ground-fault
conditions from the point of a ground fault on a wiring
system to the electrical supply source and that facilitates
the operation of the overcurrent protective device or
ground-fault detectors. [ROP 5–46]
[ROP 5–13, ROP 5–14]
AF
Informational Note: See Figure 250.1 for information on
the organization of Article 250 covering grounding and
bonding requirements.
Bonding Jumper, Supply-Side. A conductor installed on
the supply side of a service or within a service equipment
enclosure(s), or for a separately derived system, that ensures the required electrical conductivity between metal
parts required to be electrically connected.
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ARTICLE 250
Grounding and Bonding
(3) Bonding of Electrical Equipment. Normally non–
current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical
conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that establishes an effective groundfault current path.
70–107
250.4
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Table 250.3 Additional Grounding and Bonding Requirements
Conductor/Equipment
70–108
Section
547.9 and 547.10
640.7
210.5, 210.6, 406.3
370.9
392.60
460.10, 460.27
392
720
800
820.93, 820.100, 820.103
310
610
675.11(C), 675.12, 675.13, 675.14, 675.15
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600
668
620
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Agricultural buildings
Audio signal processing, amplification, and
reproduction equipment
Branch circuits
Cablebus
Cable trays
Capacitors
Circuits and equipment operating at less than 50
volts
Communications circuits
Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems
Conductors for general wiring
Cranes and hoists
Electrically driven or controlled irrigation machines
Electric signs and outline lighting
Electrolytic cells
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
wheelchair lifts, and stairway chairlifts
Fixed electric heating equipment for pipelines and
vessels
Fixed outdoor electric deicing and snow-melting
equipment
Flexible cords and cables
Floating buildings
Grounding-type receptacles, adapters, cord
connectors, and attachment plugs
Hazardous (classified) locations
Health care facilities
Induction and dielectric heating equipment
Industrial machinery
Information technology equipment
Intrinsically safe systems
Luminaires and lighting equipment
Luminaires, lampholders, and lamps
Marinas and boatyards
Mobile homes and mobile home park
Motion picture and television studios and similar
locations
Motors, motor circuits, and controllers
Natural and artificially made bodies of water
Outlet, device, pull, and junction boxes; conduit
bodies; and fittings
Over 600 volts, nominal, underground wiring
methods
Panelboards
Pipe organs
Radio and television equipment
Receptacles and cord connectors
Recreational vehicles and recreational vehicle parks
Services
Solar photovoltaic systems
Swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations
Switchboards and panelboards
Switches
Theaters, audience areas of motion picture and
television studios, and similar locations
Transformers and transformer vaults
Use and identification of grounded conductors
X-ray equipment
Article
427.29, 427.48
426.27
400.22, 400.23
553.8, 553.10, 553.11
406.9
500–517
517
665
670
645.15
504.50
410.40, 410.42, 410.46, 410.155(B)
410
555.15
550
530.20, 530.64(B)
430
682
682.30, 682.31, 682.32, 682.33
314.4, 314.25
300.50(C)
408.40
650
810
406.3
551
230
690.41, 690.42, 690.43, 690.45, 690.47
680
408.3(D)
404.12
520.81
450.10
200
660
517.78
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(5) Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. Electrical
equipment and wiring and other electrically conductive material likely to become energized shall be installed in a
manner that creates a low-impedance circuit facilitating the
operation of the overcurrent device or ground detector for
high-impedance grounded systems. It shall be capable of
safely carrying the maximum ground-fault current likely to
be imposed on it from any point on the wiring system
where a ground fault may occur to the electrical supply
source. The earth shall not be considered as an effective
ground-fault current path.
(B) Ungrounded Systems.
(B) Alterations to Stop Objectionable Current. If the
use of multiple grounding connections results in objectionable current, one or more of the following alterations shall
be permitted to be made, provided that the requirements of
250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4) are met:
(1) Discontinue one or more but not all of such grounding
connections.
(2) Change the locations of the grounding connections.
(3) Interrupt the continuity of the conductor or conductive
path causing the objectionable current.
(4) Take other suitable remedial and approved action.
(C) Temporary Currents Not Classified as Objectionable Currents. Temporary currents resulting from abnormal conditions, such as ground faults, shall not be classified
as objectionable current for the purposes specified in
250.6(A) and (B).
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(1) Grounding Electrical Equipment. Non–currentcarrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall
be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage
imposed by lightning or unintentional contact with highervoltage lines and limit the voltage to ground on these materials.
surge arresters, surge-protective devices, and conductive
normally non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment
shall be installed and arranged in a manner that will prevent
objectionable current.
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(4) Bonding of Electrically Conductive Materials and
Other Equipment. Normally non–current-carrying electrically conductive materials that are likely to become energized shall be connected together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that establishes an effective groundfault current path.
250.8
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(2) Bonding of Electrical Equipment. Non–currentcarrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall
be connected together and to the supply system grounded
equipment in a manner that creates a low-impedance path
for ground-fault current that is capable of carrying the
maximum fault current likely to be imposed on it.
(3) Bonding of Electrically Conductive Materials and
Other Equipment. Electrically conductive materials that
are likely to become energized shall be connected together
and to the supply system grounded equipment in a manner
that creates a low-impedance path for ground-fault current
that is capable of carrying the maximum fault current likely
to be imposed on it.
(4) Path for Fault Current. Electrical equipment, wiring,
and other electrically conductive material likely to become
energized shall be installed in a manner that creates a lowimpedance circuit from any point on the wiring system to
the electrical supply source to facilitate the operation of
overcurrent devices should a second ground fault from a
different phase occur on the wiring system. The earth shall
not be considered as an effective fault-current path.
250.6 Objectionable Current.
(A) Arrangement to Prevent Objectionable Current.
The grounding of electrical systems, circuit conductors,
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Limitations to Permissible Alterations. The provisions of this section shall not be considered as permitting
electronic equipment from being operated on ac systems or
branch circuits that are not connected to an equipment
grounding conductor as required by this article. Currents
that introduce noise or data errors in electronic equipment
shall not be considered the objectionable currents addressed
in this section.
(E) Isolation of Objectionable Direct-Current Ground
Currents. Where isolation of objectionable dc ground currents from cathodic protection systems is required, a listed
ac coupling/dc isolating device shall be permitted in the
equipment grounding conductor path to provide an effective return path for ac ground-fault current while blocking
dc current.
250.8 Connection of Grounding and Bonding Equipment.
(A) Permitted Methods. Equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode conductors, and bonding jumpers
shall be connected by one or more of the following means:
[ROP 5–53]
(1) Listed pressure connectors
(2) Terminal bars
(3) Pressure connectors listed as grounding and bonding
equipment
(4) Exothermic welding process
(5) Machine screw-type fasteners that engage not less than
two threads or are secured with a nut
70–109
250.10
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(B) Methods Not Permitted. Connection devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used.
250.10 Protection of Ground Clamps and Fittings.
Ground clamps or other fittings exposed to physical damage shall be enclosed in metal, wood, or equivalent protective covering. [ROP 5–55]
250.12 Clean Surfaces. Nonconductive coatings (such as
paint, lacquer, and enamel) on equipment to be grounded
shall be removed from threads and other contact surfaces to
ensure good electrical continuity or be connected by means
of fittings designed so as to make such removal unnecessary.
II. System Grounding
(D) Impedance Grounded Neutral Systems. Impedance
grounded neutral systems shall be grounded in accordance
with 250.36 or 250.187.
250.21 Alternating-Current Systems of 50 Volts to 1000
Volts Not Required to Be Grounded. [ROP 5–61]
(A) General. The following ac systems of 50 volts to 1000
volts shall be permitted to be grounded but shall not be
required to be grounded: [ROP 5–61]
(1) Electrical systems used exclusively to supply industrial
electric furnaces for melting, refining, tempering, and
the like
(2) Separately derived systems used exclusively for rectifiers that supply only adjustable-speed industrial drives
(3) Separately derived systems supplied by transformers
that have a primary voltage rating of 1000 volts or less,
provided that all the following conditions are met:
[ROP 5–62]
a. The system is used exclusively for control circuits.
b. The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation.
c. Continuity of control power is required.
(4) Other systems that are not required to be grounded in
accordance with the requirements of 250.20(B)
AF
250.20 Alternating-Current Systems to Be Grounded.
Alternating-current systems shall be grounded as provided
for in 250.20(A), (B), (C), or (D). Other systems shall be
permitted to be grounded. If such systems are grounded,
they shall comply with the applicable provisions of this
article.
(C) Alternating-Current Systems of Over 1000 Volts.
Alternating-current systems supplying mobile or portable
equipment shall be grounded as specified in 250.188.
Where supplying other than mobile or portable equipment,
such systems shall be permitted to be grounded. [ROP
5–60]
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(6) Thread-forming machine screws that engage not less
than two threads in the enclosure
(7) Connections that are part of a listed assembly
(8) Other listed means
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Informational Note: An example of a system permitted to
be grounded is a corner-grounded delta transformer connection. See 250.26(4) for conductor to be grounded.
(A) Alternating-Current Systems of Less Than 50 Volts.
Alternating-current systems of less than 50 volts shall be
grounded under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where supplied by transformers, if the transformer supply system exceeds 150 volts to ground
(2) Where supplied by transformers, if the transformer supply system is ungrounded
(3) Where installed outside as overhead conductors
(B) Alternating-Current Systems of 50 Volts to 1000
Volts. Alternating-current systems of 50 volts to 1000 volts
that supply premises wiring and premises wiring systems
shall be grounded under any of the following conditions:
[ROP 5–58]
(1) Where the system can be grounded so that the maximum voltage to ground on the ungrounded conductors
does not exceed 150 volts
(2) Where the system is 3-phase, 4-wire, wye connected in
which the neutral conductor is used as a circuit conductor
(3) Where the system is 3-phase, 4-wire, delta connected in
which the midpoint of one phase winding is used as a
circuit conductor
70–110
(B) Ground Detectors. Ground detectors shall be installed
in accordance with 250.21(B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) Ungrounded alternating current systems as permitted in
250.21(A)(1) through (A)(4) operating at not less than
120 volts and 1000 volts or less shall have ground
detectors installed on the system. [ROP 5–63]
(2) The ground detection sensing equipment shall be connected as close as practicable to where the system receives its supply.
(C) Marking. Ungrounded systems shall be legibly
marked “Caution Ungrounded System Operating — _____
Volts Between Conductors” at the source or first disconnecting means of the system. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
[ROP 5–66]
250.22 Circuits Not to Be Grounded. The following circuits shall not be grounded:
(1) Circuits for electric cranes operating over combustible
fibers in Class III locations, as provided in 503.155
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.24 Grounding
Current Systems.
Service-Supplied
Alternating-
(A) System Grounding Connections. A premises wiring
system supplied by a grounded ac service shall have a
grounding electrode conductor connected to the grounded
service conductor, at each service, in accordance with
250.24(A)(1) through (A)(5).
Informational Note: See 250.30 for separately derived systems, 250.32 for connections at separate buildings or structures, and 250.142 for use of the grounded circuit conductor for grounding equipment.
(B) Main Bonding Jumper. For a grounded system, an
unspliced main bonding jumper shall be used to connect the
equipment grounding conductor(s) and the servicedisconnect enclosure to the grounded conductor within the
enclosure for each service disconnect in accordance with
250.28.
Exception No. 1: Where more than one service disconnecting means is located in an assembly listed for use as service equipment, an unspliced main bonding jumper shall
bond the grounded conductor(s) to the assembly enclosure.
Exception No. 2: Impedance grounded neutral systems
shall be permitted to be connected as provided in 250.36
and 250.187.
AF
(1) General. The grounding electrode conductor connection shall be made at any accessible point from the load end
of the overhead service conductors, service drop, underground service conductors, or service lateral to and including the terminal or bus to which the grounded service conductor is connected at the service disconnecting means.
[ROP 5–68]
(5) Load-Side Grounding Connections. A grounded conductor shall not be connected to normally non–currentcarrying metal parts of equipment, to equipment grounding
conductor(s), or be reconnected to ground on the load side
of the service disconnecting means except as otherwise permitted in this article.
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(2) Circuits in health care facilities as provided in 517.61
and 517.160
(3) Circuits for equipment within electrolytic cell working
zone as provided in Article 668
(4) Secondary circuits of lighting systems as provided in
411.5(A)
(5) Secondary circuits of lighting systems as provided in
680.23(A)(2).
250.24
Informational Note: See definitions of Service Conductors, Overhead, Service Conductors, Underground, Service
Drop, and Service Lateral in Article 100. [ROP 5–68]
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(2) Outdoor Transformer. Where the transformer supplying the service is located outside the building, at least one
additional grounding connection shall be made from the
grounded service conductor to a grounding electrode, either
at the transformer or elsewhere outside the building.
Exception: The additional grounding electrode conductor
connection shall not be made on high-impedance grounded
neutral systems. The system shall meet the requirements of
250.36.
(3) Dual-Fed Services. For services that are dual fed
(double ended) in a common enclosure or grouped together
in separate enclosures and employing a secondary tie, a
single grounding electrode conductor connection to the tie
point of the grounded conductor(s) from each power source
shall be permitted.
(4) Main Bonding Jumper as Wire or Busbar. Where the
main bonding jumper specified in 250.28 is a wire or busbar and is installed from the grounded conductor terminal
bar or bus to the equipment grounding terminal bar or bus
in the service equipment, the grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment
grounding terminal, bar, or bus to which the main bonding
jumper is connected.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Grounded Conductor Brought to Service Equipment. Where an ac system operating at 1000 volts or less is
grounded at any point, the grounded conductor(s) shall be
routed with the ungrounded conductors to each service disconnecting means and shall be connected to each disconnecting means grounded conductor(s) terminal or bus. A
main bonding jumper shall connect the grounded conductor(s) to each service disconnecting means enclosure. The
grounded conductor(s) shall be installed in accordance with
250.24(C)(1) through (C)(4). [ROP 5–73]
Exception: Where two or more service disconnecting
means are located in a single assembly listed for use as
service equipment, it shall be permitted to connect the
grounded conductor(s) to the assembly common grounded
conductor(s) terminal or bus. The assembly shall include a
main bonding jumper for connecting the grounded conductor(s) to the assembly enclosure.
(1) Sizing for a Single Raceway. The grounded conductor
shall not be smaller than specified in Table 250.102(C)
[ROP 5–42]
(2) Parallel Conductors in Two or More Raceways. If
the ungrounded service-entrance conductors are installed in
parallel in two or more raceways, the grounded conductor
shall also be installed in parallel. The size of the grounded
conductor in each raceway shall be based on the total circular mil area of the parallel ungrounded conductors in the
raceway, as indicated in 250.24(C)(1), but not smaller than
1/0 AWG.
70–111
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note: See 310.10(H) for grounded conductors connected in parallel.
(3) Delta-Connected Service. The grounded conductor of
a 3-phase, 3-wire delta service shall have an ampacity not
less than that of the ungrounded conductors.
(4) High Impedance. The grounded conductor on a highimpedance grounded neutral system shall be grounded in
accordance with 250.36.
(D) Grounding Electrode Conductor. A grounding electrode conductor shall be used to connect the equipment
grounding conductors, the service-equipment enclosures,
and, where the system is grounded, the grounded service
conductor to the grounding electrode(s) required by Part III
of this article. This conductor shall be sized in accordance
with 250.66.
High-impedance grounded neutral system connections
shall be made as covered in 250.36.
[ROP 5–74a]
(C) Attachment. Main bonding jumpers and system bonding jumpers shall be connected in the manner specified by
the applicable provisions of 250.8.
(D) Size. Main bonding jumpers and system bonding
jumpers shall be sized in accordance with 250.28(D)(1)
through (D)(3).
(1) General. Main bonding jumpers and system bonding
jumpers shall not be smaller than specified in Table
250.102(C) . [ROP 5–42]
(2) Main Bonding Jumper for Service with More Than
One Enclosure. Where a service consists of more than a
single enclosure as permitted in 230.71(A), the main bonding jumper for each enclosure shall be sized in accordance
with 250.28(D)(1) based on the largest ungrounded service
conductor serving that enclosure.
(3) Separately Derived System with More Than One
Enclosure. Where a separately derived system supplies
more than a single enclosure, the system bonding jumper
for each enclosure shall be sized in accordance with
250.28(D)(1) based on the largest ungrounded feeder conductor serving that enclosure, or a single system bonding
jumper shall be installed at the source and sized in accordance with 250.28(D)(1) based on the equivalent size of the
largest supply conductor determined by the largest sum of
the areas of the corresponding conductors of each set.
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(E) Ungrounded System Grounding Connections. A premises wiring system that is supplied by an ac service that is
ungrounded shall have, at each service, a grounding electrode conductor connected to the grounding electrode(s)
required by Part III of this article. The grounding electrode
conductor shall be connected to a metal enclosure of the
service conductors at any accessible point from the load
end of the overhead service conductors, service drop, underground service conductors, or service lateral to the service disconnecting means. [ROP 5–75]
(B) Construction. Where a main bonding jumper or a system bonding jumper is a screw only, the screw shall be
identified with a green finish that shall be visible with the
screw installed.
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250.26
250.26 Conductor to Be Grounded — AlternatingCurrent Systems. For ac premises wiring systems, the
conductor to be grounded shall be as specified in the following:
(1) Single-phase, 2-wire — one conductor
(2) Single-phase, 3-wire — the neutral conductor
(3) Multiphase systems having one wire common to all
phases — the neutral conductor [ROP 5–77]
(4) Multiphase systems where one phase is grounded —
one phase conductor
(5) Multiphase systems in which one phase is used as in
(2) — the neutral conductor
250.28 Main Bonding Jumper and System Bonding
Jumper. For a grounded system, main bonding jumpers
and system bonding jumpers shall be installed as follows:
(A) Material. Main bonding jumpers and system bonding
jumpers shall be of copper or other corrosion-resistant material. A main bonding jumper and a system bonding
jumper shall be a wire, bus, screw, or similar suitable conductor.
70–112
250.30 Grounding Separately Derived AlternatingCurrent Systems. In addition to complying with
250.30(A) for grounded systems, or as provided in
250.30(B) for ungrounded systems, separately derived systems shall comply with 250.20, 250.21, 250.22, or 250.26,
as applicable. Multiple separately derived systems that are
connected in parallel shall be installed in accordance with
250.30. [ROP 5–80a, ROP 5–82]
Informational Note No. 1: An alternate ac power source,
such as an on-site generator, is not a separately derived
system if the grounded conductor is solidly interconnected
to a service-supplied system grounded conductor. An example of such a situation is where alternate source transfer
equipment does not include a switching action in the
grounded conductor and allows it to remain solidly connected to the service-supplied grounded conductor when
the alternate source is operational and supplying the load
served.
Informational Note No. 2: See 445.13 for the minimum
size of conductors that carry fault current.
(A) Grounded Systems. A separately derived ac system
that is grounded shall comply with 250.30(A)(1) through
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note: See 250.32 for connections at separate buildings or structures, and 250.142 for use of the
grounded circuit conductor for grounding equipment.
Exception: Impedance grounded neutral system grounding
connections shall be made as specified in 250.36 or
250.187, as applicable.
(2) Supply-Side Bonding Jumper. If the source of a separately derived system and the first disconnecting means are
located in separate enclosures, a supply-side bonding
jumper shall be installed with the circuit conductors from
the source enclosure to the first disconnecting means. A
supply-side bonding jumper shall not be required to be
larger than the derived ungrounded conductors. The supplyside bonding jumper shall be permitted to be of nonflexible
metal raceway type or of the wire or bus type as follows:
(a) A supply-side bonding jumper of the wire type
shall comply with 250.102(C), based on the size of the
derived ungrounded conductors.
(b) A supply-side bonding jumper of the bus type shall
have a cross-sectional area not smaller than a supply-side
bonding jumper of the wire type as determined in
250.102(C).
Exception: A supply-side bonding jumper shall not be required between enclosures for installations made in compliance with 250.30(A)(1) Exception No. 2. [ROP 5–88]
AF
(1) System Bonding Jumper. An unspliced system bonding jumper shall comply with 250.28(A) through (D). This
connection shall be made at any single point on the separately derived system from the source to the first system
disconnecting means or overcurrent device, or it shall be
made at the source of a separately derived system that has
no disconnecting means or overcurrent devices, in accordance with 250.30(A)(1)(a) or (b). The system bonding
jumper shall remain within the enclosure where it originates. If the source is located outside the building or structure supplied, a system bonding jumper shall be installed at
the grounding electrode connection in compliance with
250.30(C).
tor to the supply-side bonding jumper, the disconnecting
means enclosure, and the equipment grounding
conductor(s).
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(A)(8). Except as otherwise permitted in this article, a
grounded conductor shall not be connected to normally
non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment, be connected to equipment grounding conductors, or be reconnected to ground on the load side of the system bonding
jumper.
250.30
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Exception No. 1: For systems installed in accordance with
450.6, a single system bonding jumper connection to the tie
point of the grounded circuit conductors from each power
source shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: If a building or structure is supplied by a
feeder from an outdoor transformer, a system bonding
jumper at both the source and the first disconnecting means
shall be permitted if doing so does not establish a parallel
path for the grounded conductor. If a grounded conductor
is used in this manner, it shall not be smaller than the size
specified for the system bonding jumper but shall not be
required to be larger than the ungrounded conductor(s).
For the purposes of this exception, connection through the
earth shall not be considered as providing a parallel path.
[ROP 5–85]
Exception No. 3: The size of the system bonding jumper
for a system that supplies a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3
circuit, and is derived from a transformer rated not more
than 1000 volt-amperes, shall not be smaller than the derived ungrounded conductors and shall not be smaller than
14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum.
(a) Installed at the Source. The system bonding
jumper shall connect the grounded conductor to the supplyside bonding jumper and the normally non–current-carrying
metal enclosure.
(b) Installed at the First Disconnecting Means. The
system bonding jumper shall connect the grounded conduc-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Grounded Conductor. If a grounded conductor is installed and the system bonding jumper connection is not
located at the source, 250.30(A)(3)(a) through (A)(3)(d)
shall apply.
(a) Sizing for a Single Raceway. The grounded conductor shall not be smaller than specified in Table
250.102(C) . [ROP 5–42]
(b) Parallel Conductors in Two or More Raceways. If
the ungrounded conductors are installed in parallel in two
or more raceways, the grounded conductor shall also be
installed in parallel. The size of the grounded conductor in
each raceway shall be based on the total circular mil area of
the parallel derived ungrounded conductors in the raceway
as indicated in 250.30(A)(3)(a), but not smaller than 1/0
AWG.
Informational Note: See 310.10(H) for grounded conductors connected in parallel.
(c) Delta-Connected System. The grounded conductor
of a 3-phase, 3-wire delta system shall have an ampacity
not less than that of the ungrounded conductors.
(d) Impedance Grounded System. The grounded conductor of an impedance grounded neutral system shall be
installed in accordance with 250.36 or 250.187, as
applicable.
(4) Grounding Electrode. The grounding electrode shall
be as near as practicable to, and preferably in the same area
as, the grounding electrode conductor connection to the
system. The grounding electrode shall be the nearest of one
of the following:
70–113
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(1) Metal water pipe grounding electrode as specified in
250.52(A)(1)
(2) Structural metal grounding electrode as specified in
250.52(A)(2)
Exception No. 1: Any of the other electrodes identified in
250.52(A) shall be used if the electrodes specified by
250.30(A)(4) are not available.
Exception No. 2 to (1) and (2): If a separately derived
system originates in listed equipment suitable for use as
service equipment, the grounding electrode used for the
service or feeder equipment shall be permitted as the
grounding electrode for the separately derived system.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.104(D) for bonding
requirements for interior metal water piping in the area
served by separately derived systems.
Informational Note No. 2: See 250.50 and 250.58 for requirements for bonding all electrodes together if located at
the same building or structure.
(6) Grounding Electrode Conductor, Multiple Separately Derived Systems. A common grounding electrode
conductor for multiple separately derived systems shall be
permitted. If installed, the common grounding electrode
conductor shall be used to connect the grounded conductor
of the separately derived systems to the grounding electrode as specified in 250.30(A)(4). A grounding electrode
conductor tap shall then be installed from each separately
derived system to the common grounding electrode conductor. Each tap conductor shall connect the grounded conductor of the separately derived system to the common
grounding electrode conductor. This connection shall be
made at the same point on the separately derived system
where the system bonding jumper is connected.
Exception No. 1: If the system bonding jumper specified in
250.30(A)(1) is a wire or busbar, it shall be permitted to
connect the grounding electrode conductor tap to the
equipment grounding terminal, bar, or bus, provided the
equipment grounding terminal, bar, or bus is of suffıcient
size for the separately derived system.
AF
(5) Grounding Electrode Conductor, Single Separately
Derived System. A grounding electrode conductor for a
single separately derived system shall be sized in accordance with 250.66 for the derived ungrounded conductors.
It shall be used to connect the grounded conductor of the
derived system to the grounding electrode as specified in
250.30(A)(4). This connection shall be made at the same
point on the separately derived system where the system
bonding jumper is connected.
250.30(A)(1), Exception No. 3, and the transformer frame
or enclosure is grounded by one of the means specified in
250.134.
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250.30
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Exception No. 1: If the system bonding jumper specified in
250.30(A)(1) is a wire or busbar, it shall be permitted to
connect the grounding electrode conductor to the equipment grounding terminal, bar, or bus, provided the equipment grounding terminal, bar, or bus is of suffıcient size for
the separately derived system.
Exception No. 2: If the source of a separately derived
system is located within equipment listed and identified as
suitable for use as service equipment, the grounding electrode conductor from the service or feeder equipment to the
grounding electrode shall be permitted as the grounding
electrode conductor for the separately derived system, provided the grounding electrode conductor is of suffıcient size
for the separately derived system. If the equipment grounding bus internal to the equipment is not smaller than the
required grounding electrode conductor for the separately
derived system, the grounding electrode connection for the
separately derived system shall be permitted to be made to
the bus. [ROP 5–90]
Exception No. 3: A grounding electrode conductor shall
not be required for a system that supplies a Class 1, Class
2, or Class 3 circuit and is derived from a transformer
rated not more than 1000 volt-amperes, provided the
grounded conductor is bonded to the transformer frame or
enclosure by a jumper sized in accordance with
70–114
Exception No. 2: A grounding electrode conductor shall
not be required for a system that supplies a Class 1, Class
2, or Class 3 circuit and is derived from a transformer
rated not more than 1000 volt-amperes, provided the system grounded conductor is bonded to the transformer
frame or enclosure by a jumper sized in accordance with
250.30(A)(1), Exception No. 3, and the transformer frame
or enclosure is grounded by one of the means specified in
250.134.
(a) Common Grounding Electrode Conductor. The
common grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted
to be one of the following:
(1) A conductor of the wire type not smaller than 3/0 AWG
copper or 250 kcmil aluminum
(2) The metal frame of the building or structure that complies with 250.52(A)(2) or is connected to the grounding electrode system by a conductor that shall not be
smaller than 3/0 AWG copper or 250 kcmil aluminum
(b) Tap Conductor Size. Each tap conductor shall be
sized in accordance with 250.66 based on the derived ungrounded conductors of the separately derived system it
serves.
Exception: If the source of a separately derived system is
located within equipment listed and identified as suitable
for use as service equipment, the grounding electrode conductor from the service or feeder equipment to the grounding electrode shall be permitted as the grounding electrode
conductor for the separately derived system, provided the
grounding electrode conductor is of suffıcient size for the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(c) Connections. All tap connections to the common
grounding electrode conductor shall be made at an accessible location by one of the following methods:
(1) A connector listed as grounding and bonding equipment.
(2) Listed connections to aluminum or copper busbars not
smaller than 6 mm × 50 mm (1⁄4 in. × 2 in.). If aluminum busbars are used, the installation shall comply
with 250.64(A).
(3) The exothermic welding process.
Tap conductors shall be connected to the common
grounding electrode conductor in such a manner that the
common grounding electrode conductor remains without a
splice or joint.
Exception: The grounding electrode conductor connection
for impedance grounded neutral systems shall comply with
250.36 or 250.187, as applicable.
250.32 Buildings or Structures Supplied by a Feeder(s)
or Branch Circuit(s).
(A) Grounding Electrode. Building(s) or structure(s) supplied by feeder(s) or branch circuit(s) shall have a grounding electrode or grounding electrode system installed in
accordance with Part III of Article 250. The grounding
electrode conductor(s) shall be connected in accordance
with 250.32(B) or (C). Where there is no existing grounding electrode, the grounding electrode(s) required in 250.50
shall be installed.
Exception: A grounding electrode shall not be required
where only a single branch circuit, including a multiwire
branch circuit, supplies the building or structure and the
branch circuit includes an equipment grounding conductor
for grounding the normally non–current-carrying metal
parts of equipment.
AF
(7) Installation. The installation of all grounding electrode
conductors shall comply with 250.64(A), (B), (C), and (E).
the source location to one or more grounding electrodes in
compliance with 250.50. In addition, the installation shall
comply with 250.30(A) for grounded systems or with
250.30(B) for ungrounded systems.
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separately derived system. If the equipment grounding bus
internal to the equipment is not smaller than the required
grounding electrode conductor for the separately derived
system, the grounding electrode connection for the separately derived system shall be permitted to be made to the
bus. [ROP 5–91]
250.32
(8) Bonding. Structural steel and metal piping shall be
connected to the grounded conductor of a separately derived system in accordance with 250.104(D).
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(B) Ungrounded Systems. The equipment of an ungrounded separately derived system shall be grounded and
bonded as specified in 250.30(B)(1) through (B)(3).
(1) Grounding Electrode Conductor. A grounding electrode conductor, sized in accordance with 250.66 for the
largest derived ungrounded conductor (s) or set of derived
ungrounded conductors, shall be used to connect the metal
enclosures of the derived system to the grounding electrode
as specified in 250.30(A)(5) or (6), as applicable. This connection shall be made at any point on the separately derived
system from the source to the first system disconnecting
means. If the source is located outside the building or structure supplied, a grounding electrode connection shall be
made in compliance with 250.30(C).
(2) Grounding Electrode. Except as permitted by 250.34
for portable and vehicle-mounted generators, the grounding
electrode shall comply with 250.30(A)(4).
(3) Bonding Path and Conductor. A supply-side bonding
jumper shall be installed from the source of a separately
derived system to the first disconnecting means in compliance with 250.30(A)(2).
(C) Outdoor Source. If the source of the separately derived system is located outside the building or structure
supplied, a grounding electrode connection shall be made at
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Grounded Systems.
(1) Supplied by a Feeder or Branch Circuit. An equipment grounding conductor, as described in 250.118, shall
be run with the supply conductors and be connected to the
building or structure disconnecting means and to the
grounding electrode(s). The equipment grounding conductor shall be used for grounding or bonding of equipment,
structures, or frames required to be grounded or bonded.
The equipment grounding conductor shall be sized in accordance with 250.122. Any installed grounded conductor
shall not be connected to the equipment grounding conductor or to the grounding electrode(s).
Exception No. 1: For installations made in compliance
with previous editions of this Code that permitted such connection, the grounded conductor run with the supply to the
building or structure shall be permitted to serve as the
ground-fault return path if all of the following requirements
continue to be met: [ROP 5–244c]
(1) An equipment grounding conductor is not run with the
supply to the building or structure.
(2) There are no continuous metallic paths bonded to the
grounding system in each building or structure involved.
(3) Ground-fault protection of equipment has not been installed on the supply side of the feeder(s).
70–115
250.34
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(1) That required by 220.61
(2) That required by 250.122
Exception No. 2: If system bonding jumpers are installed
in accordance with 250.30(A)(1), Exception No. 2, the
feeder grounded circuit conductor at the building or structure served shall be connected to the equipment grounding
conductors, grounding electrode conductor and the enclosure for the first disconnecting means. [ROP 5–244c]
(2) Supplied by Separately Derived System.
(C) Ungrounded Systems.
AF
(a) With Overcurrent Protection. If overcurrent protection is provided where the conductors originate, the installation shall comply with 250.32(B)(1).
(b) Without Overcurrent Protection. If overcurrent
protection is not provided where the conductors originate,
the installation shall comply with 250.30(A). If installed,
the supply-side bonding jumper shall be connected to the
building or structure disconnecting means and to the
grounding electrode(s).
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(1) Supplied by a Feeder or Branch Circuit. An equipment grounding conductor, as described in 250.118, shall
be installed with the supply conductors and be connected to
the building or structure disconnecting means and to the
grounding electrode(s). The grounding electrode(s) shall
also be connected to the building or structure disconnecting
means.
(2) Supplied by a Separately Derived System.
(a) With Overcurrent Protection. If overcurrent protection is provided where the conductors originate, the installation shall comply with (C)(1).
(b) Without Overcurrent Protection. If overcurrent
protection is not provided where the conductors originate,
the installation shall comply with 250.30(B). If installed,
the supply-side bonding jumper shall be connected to the
building or structure disconnecting means and to the
grounding electrode(s).
(D) Disconnecting Means Located in Separate Building
or Structure on the Same Premises. Where one or more
disconnecting means supply one or more additional buildings or structures under single management, and where
these disconnecting means are located remote from those
buildings or structures in accordance with the provisions of
225.32, Exception No. 1 and No. 2, 700.12(B)(6),
70–116
701.12(B)(5), or 702.12, all of the following conditions
shall be met:
(1) The connection of the grounded conductor to the
grounding electrode, to normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment, or to the equipment grounding conductor at a separate building or structure shall
not be made.
(2) An equipment grounding conductor for grounding and
bonding any normally non–current-carrying metal parts
of equipment, interior metal piping systems, and building or structural metal frames is run with the circuit
conductors to a separate building or structure and connected to existing grounding electrode(s) required in
Part III of this article, or, where there are no existing
electrodes, the grounding electrode(s) required in Part
III of this article shall be installed where a separate
building or structure is supplied by more than one
branch circuit.
(3) The connection between the equipment grounding conductor and the grounding electrode at a separate building or structure shall be made in a junction box, panelboard, or similar enclosure located immediately inside
or outside the separate building or structure.
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If the grounded conductor is used for grounding in accordance with the provision of this exception, the size of the
grounded conductor shall not be smaller than the larger of
either of the following:
(E) Grounding Electrode Conductor. The size of the
grounding electrode conductor to the grounding electrode(s) shall not be smaller than given in 250.66, based on
the largest ungrounded supply conductor. The installation
shall comply with Part III of this article.
250.34 Portable and Vehicle-Mounted Generators.
(A) Grounded Conductor Bonding.. A system conductor
that is required to be grounded by 250.20 and 250.26 shall
be connected to the generator frame if used as a portable
generator as provided in (B) or a vehicle-mounted generator as provided in (C) or if the generator is a connected as
a separately derived system as provided in 250.30. [ROP
5–95]
(B) Portable Generators. The frame of a portable generator shall not be required to be connected to a grounding
electrode as defined in 250.52 for a system supplied by the
generator under the following conditions: [ROP 5–95]
(1) The generator supplies only equipment mounted on the
generator, cord-and-plug-connected equipment through
receptacles mounted on the generator, or both, and
(2) The normally non–current-carrying metal parts of
equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the receptacles are connected to the generator
frame.
(C) Vehicle-Mounted Generators. The frame of a vehicle
shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode as defined in 250.52 for a system supplied by a gen-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note: See 250.30 for grounding and bonding connections if portable or vehicle-mounted generators
supply fixed wiring systems. [ROP 5–95]
(B) Grounded System Conductor. The grounded system
conductor from the neutral point of the transformer or generator to its connection point to the grounding impedance
shall be fully insulated.
The grounded system conductor shall have an ampacity
of not less than the maximum current rating of the grounding impedance but in no case shall the grounded system
conductor be smaller than 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum or copper-clad aluminum.
(C) System Grounding Connection. The system shall not
be connected to ground except through the grounding impedance.
Informational Note: The impedance is normally selected
to limit the ground-fault current to a value slightly greater
than or equal to the capacitive charging current of the system. This value of impedance will also limit transient overvoltages to safe values. For guidance, refer to criteria for
limiting transient overvoltages in ANSI/IEEE 142-2007,
Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems. [ROP 5–98a]
AF
250.35 Permanently Installed Generators. A conductor
that provides an effective ground-fault current path shall be
installed with the supply conductors from a permanently
installed generator(s) to the first disconnecting mean(s) in
accordance with (A) or (B).
not available, the grounding impedance shall be installed
between the grounding electrode conductor and the neutral
point derived from a grounding transformer.
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erator located on this vehicle under the following conditions: [ROP 5–95]
(1) The frame of the generator is bonded to the vehicle
frame, and
(2) The generator supplies only equipment located on the
vehicle or cord-and-plug-connected equipment through
receptacles mounted on the vehicle, or both equipment
located on the vehicle and cord-and-plug-connected
equipment through receptacles mounted on the vehicle
or on the generator, and
(3) The normally non–current-carrying metal parts of
equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the receptacles are connected to the generator
frame. [ROP 5–95]
250.36
(A) Separately Derived System. If the generator is installed as a separately derived system, the requirements in
250.30 shall apply.
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(B) Nonseparately Derived System. If the generator is
installed as a nonseparately derived system, and overcurrent protection is not integral with the generator assembly, a
supply-side bonding jumper shall be installed between the
generator equipment grounding terminal and the equipment
grounding terminal, bar, or bus of the disconnecting
mean(s). It shall be sized in accordance with 250.102(C)
based on the size of the conductors supplied by the generator.
250.36 High-Impedance Grounded Neutral Systems.
High-impedance grounded neutral systems in which a
grounding impedance, usually a resistor, limits the groundfault current to a low value shall be permitted for 3-phase
ac systems of 480 volts to 1000 volts if all the following
conditions are met:
(1) The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that only qualified persons service the installation.
(2) Ground detectors are installed on the system.
(3) Line-to-neutral loads are not served.
High-impedance grounded neutral systems shall comply with the provisions of 250.36(A) through (G).
(A) Grounding Impedance Location. The grounding impedance shall be installed between the grounding electrode
conductor and the system neutral point. If a neutral point is
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Neutral Point to Grounding Impedance Conductor
Routing. The conductor connecting the neutral point of the
transformer or generator to the grounding impedance shall
be permitted to be installed in a separate raceway from the
ungrounded conductors. It shall not be required to run this
conductor with the phase conductors to the first system
disconnecting means or overcurrent device.
(E) Equipment Bonding Jumper. The equipment bonding jumper (the connection between the equipment grounding conductors and the grounding impedance) shall be an
unspliced conductor run from the first system disconnecting
means or overcurrent device to the grounded side of the
grounding impedance.
(F) Grounding Electrode Conductor Connection Location. For services or separately derived systems, the
grounding electrode conductor shall be connected at any
point from the grounded side of the grounding impedance
to the equipment grounding connection at the service
equipment or the first system disconnecting means of a
separately derived system. [ROP 5–99]
(G) Equipment Bonding Jumper Size. The equipment
bonding jumper shall be sized in accordance with (1) or (2)
as follows:
(1) If the grounding electrode conductor connection is
made at the grounding impedance, the equipment bonding jumper shall be sized in accordance with 250.66,
based on the size of the service entrance conductors for
70–117
250.50
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
III. Grounding Electrode System and Grounding
Electrode Conductor
250.50 Grounding Electrode System. All grounding electrodes as described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(7) that are
present at each building or structure served shall be bonded
together to form the grounding electrode system. Where
none of these grounding electrodes exist, one or more of
the grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4) through
(A)(8) shall be installed and used.
250.52 Grounding Electrodes.
(A) Electrodes Permitted for Grounding.
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(1) Metal Underground Water Pipe. A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m
(10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing bonded to
the pipe) and electrically continuous (or made electrically
continuous by bonding around insulating joints or insulating pipe) to the points of connection of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductor(s) or jumper(s),
if installed.
(2) Metal Frame of the Building or Structure. The metal
frame of the building or structure that is connected to the
earth by one or more of the following methods:
(1) At least one structural metal member that is in direct
contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more, with or
without concrete encasement.
(2) Hold-down bolts securing the structural steel column
that are connected to a concrete-encased electrode that
complies with 250.52(A)(3) and is located in the support footing or foundation. The hold-down bolts shall
be connected to the concrete-encased electrode by
welding, exothermic welding, the usual steel tie wires,
or other approved means.
(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode. A concrete-encased
electrode shall consist of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of either (1)
or (2):
(1) One or more bare or zinc galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods of
70–118
Metallic components shall be encased by at least
50 mm (2 in.) of concrete and shall be located horizontally
within that portion of a concrete foundation or footing that
is in direct contact with the earth or wi thin vertical foundations or structural components or members that are in
direct contact with the earth. If multiple concrete-encased
electrodes are present at a building or structure, it shall be
permissible to bond only one into the grounding electrode
system. [ROP 5–107]
Informational Note: Concrete installed with insulation, vapor barriers, films or similar items separating the concrete
from the earth is not considered to be in “direct contact”
with the earth.
(4) Ground Ring. A ground ring encircling the building or
structure, in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at
least 6.0 m (20 ft) of bare copper conductor not smaller
than 2 AWG.
AF
Exception: Concrete-encased electrodes of existing buildings or structures shall not be required to be part of the
grounding electrode system where the steel reinforcing bars
or rods are not accessible for use without disturbing the
concrete.
not less than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) in diameter, installed in
one continuous 6.0 m (20 ft) length, or if in multiple
pieces connected together by the usual steel tie wires,
exothermic welding, welding, or other effective means
to create a 6.0 m (20 ft) or greater length; or
(2) Bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG
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a service or the derived phase conductors for a separately derived system.
(2) If the grounding electrode conductor is connected at the
first system disconnecting means or overcurrent device,
the equipment bonding jumper shall be sized the same
as the neutral conductor in 250.36(B).
(5) Rod and Pipe Electrodes. Rod and pipe electrodes
shall not be less than 2.44 m (8 ft) in length and shall
consist of the following materials.
(a) Grounding electrodes of pipe or conduit shall not
be smaller than metric designator 21 (trade size 3⁄4) and,
where of steel, shall have the outer surface galvanized or
otherwise metal-coated for corrosion protection.
(b) Rod-type grounding electrodes of stainless steel
and copper or zinc coated steel shall be at least 15.87 mm
(5⁄8 in.) in diameter, unless listed.
(6) Other Listed Electrodes. Other listed grounding electrodes shall be permitted.
(7) Plate Electrodes. Each plate electrode shall expose not
less than 0.186 m2 (2 ft2) of surface to exterior soil. Electrodes of bare or conductively coated iron or steel plates
shall be at least 6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.) in thickness. Solid, uncoated electrodes of nonferrous metal shall be at least
1.5 mm (0.06 in.) in thickness.
(8) Other Local Metal Underground Systems or Structures. Other local metal underground systems or structures
such as piping systems, underground tanks, and underground metal well casings that are not bonded to a metal
water pipe.
(B) Not Permitted for Use as Grounding Electrodes.
The following systems and materials shall not be used as
grounding electrodes:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note: See 250.104(B) for bonding requirements of gas piping.
250.53 Grounding Electrode System Installation. [ROP
5–111a]
(A) Rod, Pipe, and Plate Electrodes. Rod, pipe, and plate
electrodes shall meet the requirements of 250.53(A)(1)
through (A)(3).
(1) Below Permanent Moisture Level. If practicable, rod,
pipe, and plate electrodes shall be embedded below permanent moisture level. Rod, pipe, and plate electrodes shall be
free from nonconductive coatings such as paint or enamel.
(1) Continuity. Continuity of the grounding path or the
bonding connection to interior piping shall not rely on water meters or filtering devices and similar equipment.
(2) Supplemental Electrode Required. A metal underground water pipe shall be supplemented by an additional
electrode of a type specified in 250.52(A)(2) through
(A)(8). If the supplemental electrode is of the rod, pipe, or
plate type, it shall comply with 250.53(A). The supplemental electrode shall be bonded to one of the following:
(1) Grounding electrode conductor
(2) Grounded service-entrance conductor
(3) Nonflexible grounded service raceway
(4) Any grounded service enclosure
(5) As provided by 250.32(B)
Exception: The supplemental electrode shall be permitted
to be bonded to the interior metal water piping at any
convenient point as specified in 250.68(C)(1), Exception.
AF
(2) Supplemental Electrode Required. A single rod, pipe,
or plate electrode shall be supplemented by an additional
electrode of a type specified in 250.52(A)(2) through
(A)(8). The supplemental electrode shall be permitted to be
bonded to one of the following:
(1) Rod, pipe, or plate electrode
(2) Grounding electrode conductor
(3) Grounded service-entrance conductor
(4) Nonflexible grounded service raceway
(5) Any grounded service enclosure
(D) Metal Underground Water Pipe. If used as a grounding electrode, metal underground water pipe shall meet the
requirements of 250.53(D)(1) and (D)(2).
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(1) Metal underground gas piping systems
(2) Aluminum
250.54
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Exception: If a single rod, pipe, or plate grounding electrode has a resistance to earth of 25 ohms or less, the
supplemental electrode shall not be required.
(3) Supplemental Electrode. If multiple rod, pipe, or plate
electrodes are installed to meet the requirements of this
section, they shall not be less than 1.8 m (6 ft) apart.
Informational Note: The paralleling efficiency of rods is
increased by spacing them twice the length of the longest
rod.
(B) Electrode Spacing. Where more than one of the electrodes of the type specified in 250.52(A)(5) or (A)(7) are
used, each electrode of one grounding system (including
that used for strike termination devices) shall not be less
than 1.83 m (6 ft) from any other electrode of another
grounding system. Two or more grounding electrodes that
are bonded together shall be considered a single grounding
electrode system.
(C) Bonding Jumper. The bonding jumper(s) used to connect the grounding electrodes together to form the grounding electrode system shall be installed in accordance with
250.64(A), (B), and (E), shall be sized in accordance with
250.66, and shall be connected in the manner specified in
250.70.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(E) Supplemental Electrode Bonding Connection Size.
Where the supplemental electrode is a rod, pipe, or plate
electrode, that portion of the bonding jumper that is the sole
connection to the supplemental grounding electrode shall
not be required to be larger than 6 AWG copper wire or 4
AWG aluminum wire.
(F) Ground Ring. The ground ring shall be buried at a
depth below the earth’s surface of not less than 750 mm
(30 in.).
(G) Rod and Pipe Electrodes. The electrode shall be installed such that at least 2.44 m (8 ft) of length is in contact
with the soil. It shall be driven to a depth of not less than
2.44 m (8 ft) except that, where rock bottom is encountered, the electrode shall be driven at an oblique angle not
to exceed 45 degrees from the vertical or, where rock bottom is encountered at an angle up to 45 degrees, the electrode shall be permitted to be buried in a trench that is at
least 750 mm (30 in.) deep. The upper end of the electrode
shall be flush with or below ground level unless the aboveground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in
250.10.
(H) Plate Electrode. Plate electrodes shall be installed not
less than 750 mm (30 in.) below the surface of the earth.
250.54 Auxiliary Grounding Electrodes. One or more
grounding electrodes shall be permitted to be connected to
the equipment grounding conductors specified in 250.118
and shall not be required to comply with the electrode
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ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
bonding requirements of 250.50 or 250.53(C) or the resistance requirements of 250.53(A)(2) Exception, but the
earth shall not be used as an effective ground-fault current
path as specified in 250.4(A)(5) and 250.4(B)(4).
250.58 Common Grounding Electrode. Where an ac system is connected to a grounding electrode in or at a building or structure, the same electrode shall be used to ground
conductor enclosures and equipment in or on that building
or structure. Where separate services, feeders, or branch
circuits supply a building and are required to be connected
to a grounding electrode(s), the same grounding electrode(s) shall be used.
Two or more grounding electrodes that are bonded together shall be considered as a single grounding electrode
system in this sense.
(C) Continuous. Except as provided in 250.30(A)(5) and
(A)(6), 250.30(B)(1), and 250.68(C), grounding electrode
conductor(s) shall be installed in one continuous length
without a splice or joint. If necessary, splices or connections shall be made as permitted in (1) through (4):
(1) Splicing of the wire-type grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted only by irreversible compressiontype connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment or by the exothermic welding process.
(2) Sections of busbars shall be permitted to be connected
together to form a grounding electrode conductor.
(3) Bolted, riveted, or welded connections of structural
metal frames of buildings or structures.
(4) Threaded, welded, brazed, soldered or bolted-flange
connections of metal water piping.
AF
250.60 Use of Strike Termination Devices. Conductors
and driven pipes, rods, or plate electrodes used for grounding strike termination devices shall not be used in lieu of
the grounding electrodes required by 250.50 for grounding
wiring systems and equipment. This provision shall not
prohibit the required bonding together of grounding electrodes of different systems.
is carried. Grounding electrode conductors shall be permitted to be installed on or through framing members. A 4
AWG or larger copper or aluminum grounding electrode
conductor shall be protected if exposed to physical damage.
A 6 AWG grounding electrode conductor that is free from
exposure to physical damage shall be permitted to be run
along the surface of the building construction without metal
covering or protection if it is securely fastened to the construction; otherwise, it shall be protected in rigid metal
conduit RMC, intermediate metal conduit (IMC), rigid
polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC), reinforced thermosetting
resin conduit (RTRC), electrical metallic tubing EMT, or
cable armor. Grounding electrode conductors smaller than 6
AWG shall be protected in (RMC), IMC, PVC , RTRC,
(EMT), or cable armor.
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250.58
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.106 for spacing from
strike termination devices. See 800.100(D), 810.21(J), and
820.100(D) for bonding of electrodes.
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Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate grounding electrodes will limit potential differences
between them and between their associated wiring systems.
250.62 Grounding Electrode Conductor Material. The
grounding electrode conductor shall be of copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum. The material selected shall
be resistant to any corrosive condition existing at the installation or shall be protected against corrosion. The conductor shall be solid or stranded, insulated, covered, or bare.
250.64 Grounding Electrode Conductor Installation.
Grounding electrode conductors at the service, at each
building or structure where supplied by a feeder(s) or
branch circuit(s), or at a separately derived system shall be
installed as specified in 250.64(A) through (F).
(A) Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors.
Bare aluminum or copper-clad aluminum grounding electrode conductors shall not be used where in direct contact
with masonry or the earth or where subject to corrosive
conditions. Where used outside, aluminum or copper-clad
aluminum grounding electrode conductors shall not be terminated within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth.
(B) Securing and Protection Against Physical Damage.
Where exposed, a grounding electrode conductor or its enclosure shall be securely fastened to the surface on which it
70–120
(D) Service with Multiple Disconnecting Means Enclosures. If a service consists of more than a single enclosure
as permitted in 230.71(A), grounding electrode connections
shall be made in accordance with 250.64(D)(1), (D)(2), or
(D)(3).
(1) Common Grounding Electrode Conductor and
Taps. A common grounding electrode conductor and
grounding electrode conductor taps shall be installed. The
common grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in
accordance with 250.66, based on the sum of the circular
mil area of the largest ungrounded service-entrance conductor(s). If the service-entrance conductors connect directly to
overhead service conductors, service drop, underground
service conductors, or service lateral, the common grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in accordance with
Table 250.66, Note 1. [ROP 5–121]
A grounding electrode conductor tap shall extend to the
inside of each service disconnecting means enclosure. The
grounding electrode conductor taps shall be sized in accordance with 250.66 for the largest service-entrance conductor serving the individual enclosure. The tap conductors
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(4) Wiring Methods. If a raceway is used as protection for
a grounding electrode conductor, the installation shall comply with the requirements of the appropriate raceway article. [ROP 5–124]
(F) Installation to Electrode(s). Grounding electrode conductor(s) and bonding jumpers interconnecting grounding
electrodes shall be installed in accordance with (1), (2), or
(3). The grounding electrode conductor shall be sized for
the largest grounding electrode conductor required among
all the electrodes connected to it.
(1) The grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted
to be run to any convenient grounding electrode available in the grounding electrode system where the other
electrode(s), if any, is connected by bonding jumpers
that are installed in accordance with 250.53(C).
(2) Grounding electrode conductor(s) shall be permitted to
be run to one or more grounding electrode(s) individually.
(3) Bonding jumper(s) from grounding electrode(s) shall
be permitted to be connected to an aluminum or copper
busbar not less than 6 mm × 50 mm (1⁄4 in. × 2 in.). The
busbar shall be securely fastened and shall be installed
in an accessible location. Connections shall be made by
a listed connector or by the exothermic welding process. The grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted to be run to the busbar. Where aluminum busbars are used, the installation shall comply with
250.64(A).
AF
(2) Individual Grounding Electrode Conductors. A
grounding electrode conductor shall be connected between
the grounded conductor in each service equipment disconnecting means enclosure and the grounding electrode system. Each grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in
accordance with 250.66 based on the service-entrance conductor(s) supplying the individual service disconnecting
means.
or larger than, the enclosed grounding electrode conductor.
[ROP 5–124]
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shall be connected to the common grounding electrode conductor by one of the following methods in such a manner
that the common grounding electrode conductor remains
without a splice or joint:
(1) Exothermic welding.
(2) Connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment.
(3) Connections to an aluminum or copper busbar not less
than 6 mm thick × 50 mm wide (1⁄4 in. × 2 in.) and of
sufficient length to accommodate the number of terminations necessary for the installation. The busbar shall
be securely fastened and shall be installed in an accessible location. Connections shall be made by a listed
connector or by the exothermic welding process. If aluminum busbars are used, the installation shall comply
with 250.64(A). [ROP 5–120]
250.66
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(3) Common Location. A grounding electrode conductor
shall be connected to the grounded service conductor(s) in
a wireway or other accessible enclosure on the supply side
of the service disconnecting means. The connection shall
be made with exothermic welding or a connector listed as
grounding and bonding equipment. The grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in accordance with 250.66
based on the service-entrance conductor(s) at the common
location where the connection is made.
(E) Raceways and Enclosures for Grounding Electrode
Conductors. [ROP 5–124]
(1) General. Ferrous metal raceways and enclosures for
grounding electrode conductors shall be electrically continuous from the point of attachment to cabinets or equipment to the grounding electrode and shall be securely fastened to the ground clamp or fitting. Ferrous metal
raceways and enclosures shall be bonded at each end of the
raceway or enclosure to the grounding electrode or grounding electrode conductor. Nonferrous metal raceways and
enclosures shall not be required to be electrically continuous. [ROP 5–124]
(2) Methods. Bonding shall be in compliance with
250.92(B) ensured by one of the methods in 250.92(B)(2)
through (B)(4). [ROP 5–124]
(3) Size. The bonding jumper for a grounding electrode
conductor raceway or cable armor shall be the same size as,
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
250.66 Size of Alternating-Current Grounding Electrode Conductor. The size of the grounding electrode conductor at the service, at each building or structure where
supplied by a feeder(s) or branch circuit(s), or at a separately derived system of a grounded or ungrounded ac system shall not be less than given in Table 250.66, except as
permitted in 250.66(A) through (C).
[ROP 5–128a]
(A) Connections to Rod, Pipe, or Plate Electrode(s).
Where the grounding electrode conductor is connected to a
single, or multiple rod, pipe, or plate electrode(s) or any
combination thereof as permitted in 250.52(5) or (A)(7),
that portion of the conductor that is the sole connection to
the grounding electrode(s) shall not be required to be larger
than 6 AWG copper wire or 4 AWG aluminum wire. [ROP
5–131]
(B) Connections to Concrete-Encased Electrodes.
Where the grounding electrode conductor is connected to a
single or multiple concrete-encased electrode(s) as permitted in 250.52(A)(3), that portion of the conductor that is the
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250.68
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
branch circuit(s), or at a separately derived system and associated bonding jumper(s) shall be made as specified
250.68(A) through (C).
Size of Largest Ungrounded
Service-Entrance
Conductor or Equivalent
Area for Parallel
Conductorsa (AWG/kcmil)
Size of Grounding Electrode
Conductor (AWG/kcmil)
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminumb
Copper
Copper
1/0 or smaller
8
6
1 or 1/0
2/0 or 3/0
6
4
2/0 or 3/0
4/0 or 250
4
2
Over 3/0
through
350
Over 250
through 500
2
1/0
Over 350
through
600
Over 500
through 900
1/0
3/0
Over 600
through
1100
Over 900
through 1750
2/0
Over 1100
Over 1750
3/0
4/0
250
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Notes:
1. If multiple sets of service-entrance conductors connect directly to a
service drop, set of overhead service conductors, set of underground
service conductors, or service lateral, the equivalent size of the largest
service-entrance conductor shall be determined by the largest sum of
the areas of the corresponding conductors of each set. [ROP 5–128]
2. Where there are no service-entrance conductors, the grounding
electrode conductor size shall be determined by the equivalent size of
the largest service-entrance conductor required for the load to be
served.
a
This table also applies to the derived conductors of separately derived ac systems.
b
See installation restrictions in 250.64(A).
sole connection to the grounding electrode(s) shall not be
required to be larger than 4 AWG copper wire. [ROP
5–135]
(C) Connections to Ground Rings. Where the grounding
electrode conductor is connected to a ground ring as permitted in 250.52(A)(4), that portion of the conductor that is
the sole connection to the grounding electrode shall not be
required to be larger than the conductor used for the ground
ring.
250.68 Grounding Electrode Conductor and Bonding
Jumper Connection to Grounding Electrodes. The connection of a grounding electrode conductor at the service, at
each building or structure where supplied by a feeder(s) or
70–122
Exception No. 1: An encased or buried connection to a
concrete-encased, driven, or buried grounding electrode
shall not be required to be accessible.
Exception No. 2: Exothermic or irreversible compression
connections used at terminations, together with the mechanical means used to attach such terminations to fireproofed structural metal whether or not the mechanical
means is reversible, shall not be required to be accessible.
(B) Effective Grounding Path. The connection of a
grounding electrode conductor or bonding jumper to a
grounding electrode shall be made in a manner that will
ensure an effective grounding path. Where necessary to ensure the grounding path for a metal piping system used as a
grounding electrode, bonding shall be provided around insulated joints and around any equipment likely to be disconnected for repairs or replacement. Bonding jumpers
shall be of sufficient length to permit removal of such
equipment while retaining the integrity of the grounding
path.
AF
2 or smaller
(A) Accessibility. All mechanical elements used to terminate a grounding electrode conductor or bonding jumper to
a grounding electrode shall be accessible.
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Table 250.66 Grounding Electrode Conductor for
Alternating-Current Systems
(C) Grounding Electrode Connections. Grounding electrode conductors and bonding jumpers shall be permitted to
be connected at the following locations and used to extend
the connection to an electrode(s): [ROP 5–138]
(1) Interior metal water piping located not more than 1.52
m (5 ft) from the point of entrance to the building shall
be permitted to be used as a conductor to interconnect
electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system.
Exception: In industrial, commercial, and institutional
buildings or structures, if conditions of maintenance and
supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the
installation, interior metal water piping located more than
1.52 m (5 ft) from the point of entrance to the building shall
be permitted as a bonding conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system, or as
a grounding electrode conductor, if the entire length, other
than short sections passing perpendicularly through walls,
floors, or ceilings, of the interior metal water pipe that is
being used for the conductor is exposed.
(2) The structural frame of a building that is directly connected to a grounding electrode as specified in
250.52(A)(2) or 250.68(C)(2)(a), (b), or (c) shall be
permitted as a bonding conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system,
or as a grounding electrode conductor.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.84 Underground Service Cable or Raceway.
(A) Underground Service Cable. The sheath or armor of
a continuous underground metal-sheathed or armored service cable system that is connected to the grounded system
conductor on the supply side shall not be required to be
connected to the grounded system conductor at the building
or structure. The sheath or armor shall be permitted to be
insulated from the interior metal raceway or piping.
(B) Underground Service Raceway Containing Cable.
An underground metal service raceway that contains a
metal-sheathed or armored cable connected to the grounded
system conductor shall not be required to be connected to
the grounded system conductor at the building or structure.
The sheath or armor shall be permitted to be insulated from
the interior metal raceway or piping.
250.86 Other Conductor Enclosures and Raceways. Except as permitted by 250.112(I), metal enclosures and raceways for other than service conductors shall be connected
to the equipment grounding conductor.
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250.70 Methods of Grounding and Bonding Conductor
Connection to Electrodes. The grounding or bonding conductor shall be connected to the grounding electrode by
exothermic welding, listed lugs, listed pressure connectors,
listed clamps, or other listed means. Connections depending on solder shall not be used. Ground clamps shall be
listed for the materials of the grounding electrode and the
grounding electrode conductor and, where used on pipe,
rod, or other buried electrodes, shall also be listed for direct
soil burial or concrete encasement. Not more than one conductor shall be connected to the grounding electrode by a
single clamp or fitting unless the clamp or fitting is listed
for multiple conductors. One of the following methods
shall be used:
(1) A pipe fitting, pipe plug, or other approved device
screwed into a pipe or pipe fitting
(2) A listed bolted clamp of cast bronze or brass, or plain
or malleable iron
(3) For indoor communications purposes only, a listed
sheet metal strap-type ground clamp having a rigid
metal base that seats on the electrode and having a
strap of such material and dimensions that it is not
likely to stretch during or after installation
(4) An equally substantial approved means
grounded system conductor or grounding electrode
conductor.
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a. By connecting the structural metal frame to the reinforcing bars of a concrete-encased electrode, as
provided in 250.52(A)(3), or ground ring as provided in 250.52(A)(4)
b. By bonding the structural metal frame to one or
more of the grounding electrodes, as specified in
250.52(A)(5) or (A)(7), that comply with
250.53(A)(2)
c. By other approved means of establishing a connection to earth
(3) A concrete encased electrode of either the conductor
type, reinforcing rod or bar installed in accordance with
250.52(A)(3) extended from its location within the concrete to an accessible location above the concrete shall
be permitted. [ROP 5–138]
250.90
IV. Enclosure, Raceway, and Service Cable
Connections
250.80 Service Raceways and Enclosures. Metal enclosures and raceways for service conductors and equipment
shall be connected to the grounded system conductor if the
electrical system is grounded or to the grounding electrode
conductor for electrical systems that are not grounded.
Exception: A metal elbow that is installed in an underground nonmetallic raceway and is isolated from possible
contact by a minimum cover of 450 mm (18 in.) to any part
of the elbow shall not be required to be connected to the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 1: Metal enclosures and raceways for conductors added to existing installations of open wire, knoband-tube wiring, and nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall not
be required to be connected to the equipment grounding
conductor where these enclosures or wiring methods comply with (1) through (4) as follows:
(1) Do not provide an equipment ground
(2) Are in runs of less than 7.5 m (25 ft)
(3) Are free from probable contact with ground, grounded
metal, metal lath, or other conductive material
(4) Are guarded against contact by persons
Exception No. 2: Short sections of metal enclosures or
raceways used to provide support or protection of cable
assemblies from physical damage shall not be required to
be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
Exception No. 3: A metal elbow shall not be required to be
connected to the equipment grounding conductor where it
is installed in a run of nonmetallic raceway and is isolated
from possible contact by a minimum cover of 450 mm
(18 in.) to any part of the elbow or is encased in not less
than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete.
V. Bonding
250.90 General. Bonding shall be provided where necessary to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current likely to be imposed.
70–123
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.92 Services.
(A) Bonding of Equipment for Services. The normally
non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment indicated in
250.92(A)(1) and (A)(2) shall be bonded together.
(1) All raceways, cable trays, cablebus framework, auxiliary gutters, or service cable armor or sheath that enclose, contain, or support service conductors, except as
permitted in 250.80
(2) All enclosures containing service conductors, including
meter fittings, boxes, or the like, interposed in the service raceway or armor
Exception: In existing buildings or structures where any of
the intersystem bonding and grounding electrode conductors
required
by
770.100(B)(2),
800.100(B)(2),
810.21(F)(2), 820.100(B)(2), and 830.100(B)(2) exist, installation of the intersystem bonding termination is not required. An accessible means external to enclosures for connecting intersystem bonding and grounding electrode
conductors shall be permitted at the service equipment and
at the disconnecting means for any additional buildings or
structures by at least one of the following means:
(1) Exposed nonflexible metallic raceways
(2) An exposed grounding electrode conductor
(3) Approved means for the external connection of a copper or other corrosion-resistant bonding or grounding
electrode conductor to the grounded raceway or
equipment
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(B) Method of Bonding at the Service. Bonding jumpers
meeting the requirements of this article shall be used
around impaired connections, such as reducing washers or
oversized, concentric, or eccentric knockouts. Standard
locknuts or bushings shall not be the only means for the
bonding required by this section but shall be permitted to
be installed to make a mechanical connection of the raceway(s).
Electrical continuity at service equipment, service raceways, and service conductor enclosures shall be ensured by
one of the following methods:
(1) Bonding equipment to the grounded service conductor
in a manner provided in 250.8
(2) Connections utilizing threaded couplings or threaded
hubs on enclosures if made up wrenchtight
(3) Threadless couplings and connectors if made up tight
for metal raceways and metal-clad cables
(4) Other listed devices, such as bonding-type locknuts,
bushings, or bushings with bonding jumpers
(5) At the disconnecting means for a building or structure,
be securely mounted and electrically connected to the
metallic enclosure for the building or structure disconnecting means, or be mounted at the disconnecting
means and be connected to the metallic enclosure or to
the grounding electrode conductor with a minimum 6
AWG copper conductor.
(6) The terminals shall be listed as grounding and bonding
equipment.
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250.92
250.94 Bonding for Other Systems. An intersystem
bonding termination for connecting intersystem bonding
conductors required for other systems shall be provided
external to enclosures at the service equipment or metering
equipment enclosure and at the disconnecting means for
any additional buildings or structures. The intersystem
bonding termination shall comply with the following:
(1) Be accessible for connection and inspection.
(2) Consist of a set of terminals with the capacity for connection of not less than three intersystem bonding conductors.
(3) Not interfere with opening the enclosure for a service,
building or structure disconnecting means, or metering
equipment.
(4) At the service equipment, be securely mounted and
electrically connected to an enclosure for the service
equipment, to the meter enclosure, or to an exposed
nonflexible metallic service raceway, or be mounted at
one of these enclosures and be connected to the enclosure or to the grounding electrode conductor with a
minimum 6 AWG copper conductor
70–124
Informational Note No. 1: A 6 AWG copper conductor
with one end bonded to the grounded nonflexible metallic
raceway or equipment and with 150 mm (6 in.) or more of
the other end made accessible on the outside wall is an
example of the approved means covered in 250.94, Exception item (3).
Informational Note No. 2: See 770.100, 800.100, 810.21,
820.100, and 830.100 for intersystem bonding and grounding requirements for conductive optical fiber cables, communications circuits, radio and television equipment,
CATV circuits and network-powered broadband communications systems, respectively.
250.96 Bonding Other Enclosures.
(A) General. Metal raceways, cable trays, cable armor,
cable sheath, enclosures, frames, fittings, and other metal
non–current-carrying parts that are to serve as equipment
grounding conductors, with or without the use of supplementary equipment grounding conductors, shall be bonded
where necessary to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current likely to be imposed on them. Any nonconductive paint, enamel, or similar coating shall be removed at threads, contact points, and
contact surfaces or be connected by means of fittings designed so as to make such removal unnecessary.
(B) Isolated Grounding Circuits. Where installed for the
reduction of electrical noise (electromagnetic interference)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note: Use of an isolated equipment grounding conductor does not relieve the requirement for grounding the raceway system.
250.97 Bonding for Over 250 Volts. For circuits of over
250 volts to ground, the electrical continuity of metal raceways and cables with metal sheaths that contain any conductor other than service conductors shall be ensured by
one or more of the methods specified for services in
250.92(B), except for (B)(1).
250.102 Bonding Conductors and Jumpers.
(A) Material. Bonding jumpers shall be of copper or other
corrosion-resistant material. A bonding jumper shall be a
wire, bus, screw, or similar suitable conductor.
(B) Attachment. Bonding jumpers shall be attached in the
manner specified by the applicable provisions of 250.8 for
circuits and equipment and by 250.70 for grounding electrodes.
(C) Size — Supply-Side Bonding Jumper.
(1) Size for Supply Conductors in a Single Raceway or
Cable. The supply-side bonding jumper shall not be
smaller than specified in Table 250.102(C). [ROP 5–42]
(2) Size for Parallel Conductor Installations in Two or
More Raceways. Where the ungrounded supply conductors are paralleled in two or more raceways or cables, and
an individual supply-side bonding jumper is used for bonding these raceways or cables, the size of the supply-side
bonding jumper for each raceway or cable shall be selected
from Table 250.102(C) based on the size of the ungrounded
supply conductors in each raceway or cable. A single
supply-side bonding jumper installed for bonding two or
more raceways or cables shall be sized in accordance with
250.102(C)(1). [ROP 5–42]
AF
Exception: Where oversized, concentric, or eccentric
knockouts are not encountered, or where a box or enclosure
with concentric or eccentric knockouts is listed to provide a
reliable bonding connection, the following methods shall be
permitted:
Informational Note: See 501.30, 502.30, 503.30, 505.25,
or 506.25 for specific bonding requirements. [ROP 5–160]
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on the grounding circuit, an equipment enclosure supplied
by a branch circuit shall be permitted to be isolated from a
raceway containing circuits supplying only that equipment
by one or more listed nonmetallic raceway fittings located
at the point of attachment of the raceway to the equipment
enclosure. The metal raceway shall comply with provisions
of this article and shall be supplemented by an internal
insulated equipment grounding conductor installed in accordance with 250.146(D) to ground the equipment enclosure.
250.102
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(1) Threadless couplings and connectors for cables with
metal sheaths
(2) Two locknuts, on rigid metal conduit or intermediate
metal conduit, one inside and one outside of boxes and
cabinets
(3) Fittings with shoulders that seat firmly against the box
or cabinet, such as electrical metallic tubing connectors, flexible metal conduit connectors, and cable connectors, with one locknut on the inside of boxes and
cabinets
(4) Listed fittings
250.98 Bonding Loosely Jointed Metal Raceways. Expansion fittings and telescoping sections of metal raceways
shall be made electrically continuous by equipment bonding jumpers or other means.
250.100 Bonding in Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Regardless of the voltage of the electrical system, the electrical continuity of non–current-carrying metal parts of
equipment, raceways, and other enclosures in any hazardous (classified) location as defined in 500.5, 505.5, and
506.5 shall be ensured by any of the bonding methods
specified in 250.92(B)(2) through (B)(4). One or more of
these bonding methods shall be used whether or not equipment grounding conductors of the wire type are installed.
[ROP 5–160]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Different Materials. Where the ungrounded supply
conductors and the supply-side bonding jumper are of different materials (copper or aluminum), the minimum size
of the supply-side bonding jumper shall be based on the
assumed use of ungrounded conductors of the same material as the supply-side bonding jumper and with an ampacity equivalent to that of the installed ungrounded supply
conductors.
(D) Size — Equipment Bonding Jumper on Load Side
of an Overcurrent Device. The equipment bonding jumper
on the load side of an overcurrent device(s) shall be sized
in accordance with 250.122.
A single common continuous equipment bonding
jumper shall be permitted to connect two or more raceways
or cables if the bonding jumper is sized in accordance with
250.122 for the largest overcurrent device supplying circuits therein.
(E) Installation. Bonding jumpers or conductors and
equipment bonding jumpers shall be permitted to be installed inside or outside of a raceway or an enclosure.
(1) Inside a Raceway or an Enclosure. If installed inside
a raceway, equipment bonding jumpers and bonding jumpers or conductors shall comply with the requirements of
250.119 and 250.148.
70–125
250.104
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Table 250.102(C) Grounded Conductor, Main Bonding
Jumper, System Bonding Jumper, and Supply Side Bonding
Jumper for Alternating-Current Systems [ROP 5–42]
or equipment bonding jumper shall not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft)
and shall be routed with the raceway or enclosure.
Size of Largest
Ungrounded Conductor or
Equivalent Area for
Parallel Conductors
(AWG/kcmil)
Exception: An equipment bonding jumper or supply-side
bonding jumper longer than 1.8 m (6 ft) shall be permitted
at outside pole locations for the purpose of bonding or
grounding isolated sections of metal raceways or elbows
installed in exposed risers of metal conduit or other metal
raceway, and for bonding grounding electrodes, and shall
not be required to be routed with a raceway or enclosure.
a
1/0 or
smaller
2/0 or 3/0
4/0 or 250
8
6
4
6
4
2
Over 250
through 500
2
1/0
Over 500
through 900
1/0
3/0
Over 900
through 1750
Over 1750
2/0
4/0
See Notes
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For the purposes of this table, the term bonding jumper refers to
main bonding jumpers, system bonding jumpers, and supply-side
bonding jumpers.
Notes:
1. If the ungrounded supply conductors are larger than 1100 kcmil
copper or 1750 kcmil aluminum the grounded conductor or bonding
jumper shall have an area not less than 12 1⁄2 percent of the area of the
largest ungrounded supply conductor or equivalent area for parallel
supply conductors. The grounded conductor or bonding jumper shall
not be required to be larger than the largest ungrounded conductor or
set of ungrounded conductors.
2. If the ungrounded supply conductors and the bonding jumper are of
different materials (copper, aluminum or copper-clad aluminum), the
minimum size of the grounded conductor or bonding jumper shall be
based on the assumed use of ungrounded supply conductors of the
same material as the grounded conductor or bonding jumper and with
an ampacity equivalent to that of the installed ungrounded supply
conductors.
3. If multiple sets of service-entrance conductors are used as permitted
in 230.40 Exception No. 2, or if multiple sets of ungrounded supply
conductors are installed for a separately derived system, the equivalent size of the largest ungrounded supply conductor(s) shall be determined by the largest sum of the areas of the corresponding conductors
of each set.
4. If there are no service-entrance conductors, the supply conductor
size shall be determined by the equivalent size of the largest serviceentrance conductor required for the load to be served.
Informational Note: See Chapter 9, Table 8 for the circular
mil area of conductors 18 AWG to 4/0 AWG. [ROP 5–42]
(2) Outside a Raceway or an Enclosure. If installed on
the outside, the length of the bonding jumper or conductor
70–126
(3) Protection. Bonding jumpers or conductors and equipment bonding jumpers shall be installed in accordance with
250.64(A) and (B).
250.104 Bonding of Piping Systems and Exposed Structural Metal. [ROP 5–164]
(A) Metal Water Piping. The metal water piping system
shall be bonded as required in (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) of
this section. The bonding jumper(s) shall be installed in
accordance with 250.64(A), (B), and (E). The points of
attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.
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2 or smaller
1 or 1/0
2/0 or 3/0
Over 3/0
through
350
Over 350
through
600
Over 600
through
1100
Over 1100
Copper
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
(1) General. Metal water piping system(s) installed in or
attached to a building or structure shall be bonded to the
service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the
service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or to the one or more grounding electrodes used.
The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with
Table 250.66 except as permitted in 250.104(A)(2) and
(A)(3).
AF
Copper
Aluminum
or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
Size of Grounded
Conductor or Bonding
Jumpera (AWG/kcmil)
(2) Buildings of Multiple Occupancy. In buildings of
multiple occupancy where the metal water piping system(s)
installed in or attached to a building or structure for the
individual occupancies is metallically isolated from all
other occupancies by use of nonmetallic water piping, the
metal water piping system(s) for each occupancy shall be
permitted to be bonded to the equipment grounding terminal of the panelboard, switchboard, or metal-enclosed
switchgear enclosure (other than service equipment) supplying that occupancy. The bonding jumper shall be sized
in accordance with Table 250.122, based on the rating of
the overcurrent protective device for the circuit supplying
the occupancy. [ROP 9–15c, ROP 5–167]
(3) Multiple Buildings or Structures Supplied by a
Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s). The metal water piping
system(s) installed in or attached to a building or structure
shall be bonded to the building or structure disconnecting
means enclosure where located at the building or structure,
to the equipment grounding conductor run with the supply
conductors, or to the one or more grounding electrodes
used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance
with 250.66, based on the size of the feeder or branch
circuit conductors that supply the building or structure. The
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ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(B) Other Metal Piping. If installed in, or attached to, a
building or structure, a metal piping system(s), including
gas piping, that is likely to become energized shall be
bonded to the service equipment enclosure; the grounded
conductor at the service; the grounding electrode conductor, if of sufficient size; or to one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding conductor(s) or jumper(s) shall be
sized in accordance with 250.122, using the rating of the
circuit that is likely to energize the piping system(s). The
equipment grounding conductor for the circuit that is likely
to energize the piping shall be permitted to serve as the
bonding means. The points of attachment of the bonding
jumper(s) shall be accessible.
Informational Note No. 1: Bonding all piping and metal
air ducts within the premises will provide additional safety.
Exception No. 2: A separate water piping bonding jumper
shall not be required where the metal frame of a building or
structure is used as the grounding electrode for a separately derived system and is bonded to the metal water
piping in the area served by the separately derived system.
(2) Structural Metal. Where exposed structural metal that
is interconnected to form the building frame exists in the
area served by the separately derived system, it shall be
bonded to the grounded conductor of each separately derived system. This connection shall be made at the same
point on the separately derived system where the grounding
electrode conductor is connected. Each bonding jumper
shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.66 based on the
largest ungrounded conductor of the separately derived system.
Exception No. 1: A separate bonding jumper to the building structural metal shall not be required where the metal
frame of a building or structure is used as the grounding
electrode for the separately derived system.
AF
Informational Note No. 2: Additional information for gas
piping systems can be found in Section 7.13 of NFPA 542012, National Fuel Gas Code. [ROP 5–172a]
the separately derived system and the water piping system
is in the area served.
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bonding jumper shall not be required to be larger than the
largest ungrounded feeder or branch circuit conductor supplying the building or structure. [ROP 5–168]
250.106
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(C) Structural Metal. Exposed structural metal that is interconnected to form a metal building frame and is not
intentionally grounded or bonded and is likely to become
energized shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure; the grounded conductor at the service; the disconnecting means for buildings or structures supplied by a feeder
or branch circuit; the grounding electrode conductor, if of
sufficient size; or to one or more grounding electrodes used.
The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with
Table 250.66 and installed in accordance with 250.64(A),
(B), and (E). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible unless installed in compliance with
250.68(A), Exception No. 2.
(D) Separately Derived Systems. Metal water piping systems and structural metal that is interconnected to form a
building frame shall be bonded to separately derived systems in accordance with (D)(1) through (D)(3).
(1) Metal Water Piping System(s). The grounded conductor of each separately derived system shall be bonded to the
nearest available point of the metal water piping system(s)
in the area served by each separately derived system. This
connection shall be made at the same point on the separately derived system where the grounding electrode conductor is connected. Each bonding jumper shall be sized in
accordance with Table 250.66 based on the largest ungrounded conductor of the separately derived system.
Exception No. 1: A separate bonding jumper to the metal
water piping system shall not be required where the metal
water piping system is used as the grounding electrode for
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 2: A separate bonding jumper to the building structural metal shall not be required where the water
piping of a building or structure is used as the grounding
electrode for a separately derived system and is bonded to
the building structural metal in the area served by the separately derived system.
(3) Common Grounding Electrode Conductor. Where a
common grounding electrode conductor is installed for
multiple separately derived systems as permitted by
250.30(A)(6), and exposed structural metal that is interconnected to form the building frame or interior metal piping
exists in the area served by the separately derived system,
the metal piping and the structural metal member shall be
bonded to the common grounding electrode conductor in
the area served by the separately derived system.
Exception: A separate bonding jumper from each derived
system to metal water piping and to structural metal members shall not be required where the metal water piping and
the structural metal members in the area served by the
separately derived system are bonded to the common
grounding electrode conductor.
250.106 Lightning Protection Systems. The lightning
protection system ground terminals shall be bonded to the
building or structure grounding electrode system.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of strike
termination devices. For further information, see
NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems, which contains detailed information on
grounding, bonding, and sideflash distance from lightning
protection systems.
70–127
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Informational Note No. 2: Metal raceways, enclosures,
frames, and other non–current-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment installed on a building equipped with a
lightning protection system may require bonding or spacing
from the lightning protection conductors in accordance
with NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the Installation of
Lightning Protection Systems.
VI. Equipment Grounding and Equipment Grounding
Conductors
(B) Pipe Organs. Generator and motor frames in an electrically operated pipe organ, unless effectively insulated
from ground and the motor driving it.
(C) Motor Frames. Motor frames, as provided by
430.242.
(D) Enclosures for Motor Controllers. Enclosures for
motor controllers unless attached to ungrounded portable
equipment.
(E) Elevators and Cranes. Electrical equipment for elevators and cranes.
(F) Garages, Theaters, and Motion Picture Studios.
Electrical equipment in commercial garages, theaters, and
motion picture studios, except pendant lampholders supplied by circuits not over 150 volts to ground.
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250.110 Equipment Fastened in Place (Fixed) or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods. Exposed, normally non–current-carrying metal parts of fixed equipment
supplied by or enclosing conductors or components that are
likely to become energized shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where within 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically or 1.5 m (5 ft)
horizontally of ground or grounded metal objects and
subject to contact by persons
(2) Where located in a wet or damp location and not isolated
(3) Where in electrical contact with metal
(4) Where in a hazardous (classified) location as covered
by Articles 500 through 517
(5) Where supplied by a wiring method that provides an
equipment grounding conductor, except as permitted by
250.86 Exception No. 2 for short sections of metal
enclosures
(6) Where equipment operates with any terminal at over
150 volts to ground
(A) Switchboard or Switchgear Frames and Structures.
Switchboard or switchgear frames and structures supporting switching equipment, except frames of 2-wire dc
switchboards or switchgear where effectively insulated
from ground. [ROP 9–15d]
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250.110
Exception No. 1: If exempted by special permission, the
metal frame of electrically heated appliances that have the
frame permanently and effectively insulated from ground
shall not be required to be grounded.
Exception No. 2: Distribution apparatus, such as transformer and capacitor cases, mounted on wooden poles at a
height exceeding 2.5 m (8 ft) above ground or grade level
shall not be required to be grounded.
Exception No. 3: Listed equipment protected by a system
of double insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required
to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
Where such a system is employed, the equipment shall be
distinctively marked.
250.112 Specific Equipment Fastened in Place (Fixed)
or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods. Except as
permitted in 250.112(F) and (I), exposed, normally non–
current-carrying metal parts of equipment described in
250.112(A) through (K), and normally non–currentcarrying metal parts of equipment and enclosures described
in 250.112(L) and (M), shall be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor, regardless of voltage.
70–128
(G) Electric Signs. Electric signs, outline lighting, and associated equipment as provided in 600.7.
(H) Motion Picture Projection Equipment. Motion picture projection equipment.
(I) Remote-Control, Signaling, and Fire Alarm Circuits.
Equipment supplied by Class 1 circuits shall be grounded
unless operating at less than 50 volts. Equipment supplied
by Class 1 power-limited circuits, by Class 2 and Class 3
remote-control and signaling circuits, and by fire alarm circuits shall be grounded where system grounding is required
by Part II or Part VIII of this article.
(J) Luminaires. Luminaires as provided in Part V of Article 410.
(K) Skid-Mounted Equipment. Permanently mounted
electrical equipment and skids shall be connected to the
equipment grounding conductor sized as required by
250.122.
(L) Motor-Operated Water Pumps. Motor-operated water pumps, including the submersible type.
(M) Metal Well Casings. Where a submersible pump is
used in a metal well casing, the well casing shall be connected to the pump circuit equipment grounding conductor.
250.114 Equipment Connected by Cord and Plug. Under any of the conditions described in 250.114(1) through
(4), exposed, normally non–current-carrying metal parts of
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Exception: Listed tools, listed appliances, and listed
equipment covered in 250.114(2) through (4) shall not be
required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor where protected by a system of double insulation or
its equivalent. Double insulated equipment shall be distinctively marked.
(1) In hazardous (classified) locations (see Articles 500
through 517)
(2) Where operated at over 150 volts to ground
Exception No. 1: Motors, where guarded, shall not be
required to be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor.
Exception No. 2: Metal frames of electrically heated appliances, exempted by special permission, shall not be required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor, in which case the frames shall be permanently and
effectively insulated from ground.
(3) In residential occupancies:
250.116 Nonelectrical Equipment. The metal parts of the
following nonelectrical equipment described in this section
shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor:
(1) Frames and tracks of electrically operated cranes and
hoists
(2) Frames of nonelectrically driven elevator cars to which
electrical conductors are attached
(3) Hand-operated metal shifting ropes or cables of electric
elevators
Informational Note: Where extensive metal in or on buildings or structures may become energized and is subject to
personal contact, adequate bonding and grounding will provide additional safety. [ROP 5–182]
250.118 Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
The equipment grounding conductor run with or enclosing
the circuit conductors shall be one or more or a combination of the following:
(1) A copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum conductor. This conductor shall be solid or stranded; insulated, covered, or bare; and in the form of a wire or
a busbar of any shape.
(2) Rigid metal conduit.
(3) Intermediate metal conduit.
(4) Electrical metallic tubing.
(5) Listed flexible metal conduit meeting all the following
conditions:
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a. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners
b. Clothes-washing, clothes-drying, dish-washing machines; ranges; kitchen waste disposers; information
technology equipment; sump pumps and electrical
aquarium equipment
c. Hand-held motor-operated tools, stationary and
fixed motor-operated tools, and light industrial
motor-operated tools
d. Motor-operated appliances of the following types:
hedge clippers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and
wet scrubbers
e. Portable handlamps
(4) In other than residential occupancies:
a. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners
b. Clothes-washing, clothes-drying, dish-washing machines; information technology equipment; sump
pumps and electrical aquarium equipment
c. Hand-held motor-operated tools, stationary and
fixed motor-operated tools, and light industrial
motor-operated tools
d. Motor-operated appliances of the following types:
hedge clippers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and
wet scrubbers
e. Portable handlamps
f. Cord-and-plug-connected appliances used in damp
or wet locations or by persons standing on the
ground or on metal floors or working inside of metal
tanks or boilers
g. Tools likely to be used in wet or conductive locations
Exception: Tools and portable handlamps likely to be used
in wet or conductive locations shall not be required to be
connected to an equipment grounding conductor where
supplied through an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary of not over 50 volts.
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cord-and-plug-connected equipment shall be connected to
the equipment grounding conductor.
250.118
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
a. The conduit is terminated in listed fittings.
b. The circuit conductors contained in the conduit are
protected by overcurrent devices rated at 20 amperes or less.
c. The combined length of flexible metal conduit and
flexible metallic tubing and liquidtight flexible
metal conduit in the same ground-fault current
path does not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
d. If used to connect equipment where flexibility is
necessary to minimize the transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide flexibility for
equipment that requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed.
(6) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit meeting all
the following conditions:
a. The conduit is terminated in listed fittings.
b. For metric designators 12 through 16 (trade sizes
3⁄8 through 1 / ), the circuit conductors contained in
2
the conduit are protected by overcurrent devices
rated at 20 amperes or less.
70–129
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
c. For metric designators 21 through 35 (trade sizes
3⁄4 through 11⁄4), the circuit conductors contained in
the conduit are protected by overcurrent devices
rated not more than 60 amperes and there is no
flexible metal conduit, flexible metallic tubing, or
liquidtight flexible metal conduit in trade sizes
metric designators 12 through 16 (trade sizes 3⁄8
through 1⁄2) in the ground-fault current path.
d. The combined length of flexible metal conduit and
flexible metallic tubing and liquidtight flexible
metal conduit in the same ground-fault current
path does not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
e. If used to connect equipment where flexibility is
necessary to minimize the transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide flexibility for
equipment that requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed.
(7) Flexible metallic tubing where the tubing is terminated in listed fittings and meeting the following conditions:
250.119 Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Unless required elsewhere in this Code, equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare,
covered, or insulated. Individually covered or insulated
equipment grounding conductors shall have a continuous
outer finish that is either green or green with one or more
yellow stripes except as permitted in this section. Conductors with insulation or individual covering that is green,
green with one or more yellow stripes, or otherwise identified as permitted by this section shall not be used for ungrounded or grounded circuit conductors.
Exception No. 1: Power-limited Class 2 or Class 3 cables,
power-limited fire alarm cables, or communications cables
containing only circuits operating at less than 50 volts
where connected to equipment not required to be grounded
in accordance with 250.112(I) shall be permitted to use a
conductor with green insulation or green with one or more
yellow stripes for other than equipment grounding purposes. [ROP 5–188]
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a. The circuit conductors contained in the tubing are
protected by overcurrent devices rated at 20 amperes or less.
b. The combined length of flexible metal conduit and
flexible metallic tubing and liquidtight flexible
metal conduit in the same ground-fault current
path does not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
(8) Armor of Type AC cable as provided in 320.108.
(9) The copper sheath of mineral-insulated, metalsheathed cable Type MI. [ROP 5–144]
(10) Type MC cable that provides an effective ground-fault
current path in accordance with one or more of the
following:
Informational Note: For effective ground-fault current
path, see Article 100, Definitions. [ROP 5–184a]
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250.119
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
a. It contains an insulated or uninsulated equipment
grounding conductor in compliance with
250.118(1)
b. The combined metallic sheath and uninsulated
equipment grounding/bonding conductor of interlocked metal tape–type MC cable that is listed and
identified as an equipment grounding conductor
c. The metallic sheath or the combined metallic
sheath and equipment grounding conductors of the
smooth or corrugated tube-type MC cable that is
listed and identified as an equipment grounding
conductor
Cable trays as permitted in 392.10 and 392.60.
Cablebus framework as permitted in 370.3.
Other listed electrically continuous metal raceways
and listed auxiliary gutters.
Surface metal raceways listed for grounding.
70–130
Exception No. 2: Flexible cords that do not have an equipment grounding conductor, where the insulation and jacket
are integral with each other, shall be permitted to have a
continuous outer finish that is green. [ROP 5–188]
Informational Note: An example of a flexible cord with
integral type insulation is Type SPT-2, 2 conductor. [ROP
5–188]
Exception No. 3: Conductors with green insulation shall be
permitted to be used as ungrounded signal conductors
where installed between the output terminations of traffıc
signal control and traffıc signal indicating heads. Signaling
circuits installed in accordance with this exception shall
include an equipment grounding conductor in accordance
with 250.118. Wire type equipment grounding conductors
shall be bare or have insulation or covering that is green
with one or more yellow stripes. [ROP 5–41a]
(A) Conductors 4 AWG and Larger. Equipment grounding conductors 4 AWG and larger shall comply with
250.119(A)(1) and (A)(2). [ROP 5–189]
(1) An insulated or covered conductor 4 AWG and larger
shall be permitted, at the time of installation, to be
permanently identified as an equipment grounding conductor at each end and at every point where the conductor is accessible. [ROP 5–189]
Exception: Conductors 4 AWG and larger shall not be
required to be marked in conduit bodies that contain no
splices or unused hubs. [ROP 5–189]
(2) Identification shall encircle the conductor and shall be
accomplished by one of the following:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(B) Multiconductor Cable. Where the conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, one or more insulated conductors in a multiconductor cable, at the time of installation,
shall be permitted to be permanently identified as equipment grounding conductors at each end and at every point
where the conductors are accessible by one of the following
means:
(1) Stripping the insulation from the entire exposed length
(2) Coloring the exposed insulation green
(3) Marking the exposed insulation with green tape or
green adhesive labels
250.121 Use of Equipment Grounding Conductors. An
equipment grounding conductor shall not be used as a
grounding electrode conductor.
250.122 Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
(A) General. Copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum
equipment grounding conductors of the wire type shall not
be smaller than shown in Table 250.122, but in no case
shall they be required to be larger than the circuit conductors supplying the equipment. Where a cable tray, a raceway, or a cable armor or sheath is used as the equipment
grounding conductor, as provided in 250.118 and
250.134(A), it shall comply with 250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4).
Equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to
be sectioned within a multiconductor cable, provided the
combined circular mil area complies with Table 250.122.
(B) Increased in Size. Where ungrounded conductors are
increased in size from the minimum size that has sufficient
ampacity for the intended installation, wire type equipment
grounding conductors, where installed, shall be increased in
size proportionately according to the circular mil area of
the ungrounded conductors. [ROP 5–199]
AF
(C) Flexible Cord. An uninsulated equipment grounding
conductor shall be permitted, but, if individually covered,
the covering shall have a continuous outer finish that is
either green or green with one or more yellow stripes.
protected from physical damage by an identified raceway or
cable armor unless installed within hollow spaces of the
framing members of buildings or structures and where not
subject to physical damage.
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a. Stripping the insulation or covering from the entire
exposed length
b. Coloring the insulation or covering green at the termination
c. Marking the insulation or covering with green tape
or green adhesive labels at the termination
250.122
250.120 Equipment Grounding Conductor Installation.
An equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in
accordance with 250.120(A), (B), and (C).
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(A) Raceway, Cable Trays, Cable Armor, Cablebus, or
Cable Sheaths. Where it consists of a raceway, cable tray,
cable armor, cablebus framework, or cable sheath or where
it is a wire within a raceway or cable, it shall be installed in
accordance with the applicable provisions in this Code using fittings for joints and terminations approved for use
with the type raceway or cable used. All connections,
joints, and fittings shall be made tight using suitable tools.
Informational Note: See the UL guide information on
FHIT systems for equipment grounding conductors installed in a raceway that are part of an electrical circuit
protective system or a fire-rated cable listed to maintain
circuit integrity.
(B) Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors. Equipment grounding conductors of bare or insulated
aluminum or copper-clad aluminum shall be permitted.
Bare conductors shall not come in direct contact with masonry or the earth or where subject to corrosive conditions.
Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not
be terminated within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth.
(C) Equipment Grounding Conductors Smaller Than 6
AWG. Where not routed with circuit conductors as permitted in 250.130(C) and 250.134(B) Exception No. 2, equipment grounding conductors smaller than 6 AWG shall be
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Multiple Circuits. Where a single equipment grounding conductor is run with multiple circuits in the same
raceway, cable, or cable tray, it shall be sized for the largest
overcurrent device protecting conductors in the raceway,
cable, or cable tray. Equipment grounding conductors installed in cable trays shall meet the minimum requirements
of 392.10(B)(1)(c).
(D) Motor Circuits. Equipment grounding conductors for
motor circuits shall be sized in accordance with (D)(1) or
(D)(2).
(1) General. The equipment grounding conductor size
shall not be smaller than determined by 250.122(A) based
on the rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and groundfault protective device.
(2) Instantaneous-Trip Circuit Breaker and Motor
Short-Circuit Protector. Where the overcurrent device is
an instantaneous-trip circuit breaker or a motor short-circuit
protector, the equipment grounding conductor shall be
sized not smaller than that given by 250.122(A) using the
maximum permitted rating of a dual element time-delay
fuse selected for branch-circuit short-circuit and groundfault protection in accordance with 430.52(C)(1), Exception
No. 1.
70–131
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(E) Flexible Cord and Fixture Wire. The equipment
grounding conductor in a flexible cord with the largest circuit conductor 10 AWG or smaller, and the equipment
grounding conductor used with fixture wires of any size in
accordance with 240.5, shall not be smaller than 18 AWG
copper and shall not be smaller than the circuit conductors.
The equipment grounding conductor in a flexible cord with
a circuit conductor larger than 10 AWG shall be sized in
accordance with Table 250.122.
(F) Conductors in Parallel. Conductors installed in parallel shall have equipment grounding conductors installed in
accordance with (1) or (2). Each equipment grounding conductor shall be sized in compliance with 250.122. [ROP
5–201a]
(1) If conductors are installed in multiple raceways or
cables as permitted in 310.10(H), wire type equipment
grounding conductors, if installed, shall be in parallel
in each raceway or cable and shall not be required to be
larger than the largest ungrounded conductor installed
in each raceway or cable. [ROP 5–201a]
Rating or Setting of
Automatic Overcurrent
Device in Circuit Ahead
of Equipment, Conduit,
etc., Not Exceeding
(Amperes)
Copper
15
20
60
100
14
12
10
8
12
10
8
6
200
300
400
6
4
3
4
2
1
500
600
800
2
1
1/0
1/0
2/0
3/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
4/0
250
350
2000
2500
3000
250
350
400
400
600
600
4000
5000
6000
500
700
800
750
1200
1200
1000
1200
1600
AF
Exception: Under engineering supervision in industrial locations the total area of the combined equipment grounding
conductors of the wire type shall not be less than the circular mil area specified in Table 250.122. The individual
equipment grounding conductors shall not be smaller than
6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum. [ROP 5–201a]
Table 250.122 Minimum Size Equipment Grounding
Conductors for Grounding Raceway and Equipment
T
250.124
D
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(2) If conductors are installed in the same raceway, cable,
or cable tray as permitted in 310.10(H), a single equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted. Equipment grounding conductors installed in cable tray shall
meet the minimum requirements of 392.10(B)(1)(c).
[ROP 5–201a]
(G) Feeder Taps. Equipment grounding conductors run
with feeder taps shall not be smaller than shown in Table
250.122 based on the rating of the overcurrent device ahead
of the feeder but shall not be required to be larger than the
tap conductors.
250.124 Equipment Grounding Conductor Continuity.
(A) Separable Connections. Separable connections such
as those provided in drawout equipment or attachment
plugs and mating connectors and receptacles shall provide
for first-make, last-break of the equipment grounding conductor. First-make, last-break shall not be required where
interlocked equipment, plugs, receptacles, and connectors
preclude energization without grounding continuity.
(B) Switches. No automatic cutout or switch shall be
placed in the equipment grounding conductor of a premises
wiring system unless the opening of the cutout or switch
disconnects all sources of energy.
70–132
Size (AWG or kcmil)
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum*
Note: Where necessary to comply with 250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4), the
equipment grounding conductor shall be sized larger than given in this
table.
*See installation restrictions in 250.120.
250.126 Identification of Wiring Device Terminals. The
terminal for the connection of the equipment grounding
conductor shall be identified by one of the following:
(1) A green, not readily removable terminal screw with a
hexagonal head.
(2) A green, hexagonal, not readily removable terminal
nut.
(3) A green pressure wire connector. If the terminal for the
equipment grounding conductor is not visible, the conductor entrance hole shall be marked with the word
green or ground, the letters G or GR, a grounding symbol, or otherwise identified by a distinctive green color.
If the terminal for the equipment grounding conductor
is readily removable, the area adjacent to the terminal
shall be similarly marked. [ROP 5–207]
Informational Note:
250.126.
See Informational Note Figure
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.138
grounded, shall be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor in accordance with 250.134.
VII. Methods of Equipment Grounding
250.130 Equipment Grounding Conductor Connections. Equipment grounding conductor connections at the
source of separately derived systems shall be made in accordance with 250.30(A)(1). Equipment grounding conductor connections at service equipment shall be made as indicated in 250.130(A) or (B). For replacement of non–
grounding-type receptacles with grounding-type receptacles
and for branch-circuit extensions only in existing installations that do not have an equipment grounding conductor in
the branch circuit, connections shall be permitted as indicated in 250.130(C).
(A) Equipment Grounding Conductor Types. By connecting to any of the equipment grounding conductors permitted by 250.118.
(B) With Circuit Conductors. By connecting to an equipment grounding conductor contained within the same raceway, cable, or otherwise run with the circuit conductors.
Exception No. 1: As provided in 250.130(C), the equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to be run
separately from the circuit conductors.
AF
(A) For Grounded Systems. The connection shall be
made by bonding the equipment grounding conductor to the
grounded service conductor and the grounding electrode
conductor.
250.134 Equipment Fastened in Place or Connected by
Permanent Wiring Methods (Fixed) — Grounding. Unless grounded by connection to the grounded circuit conductor as permitted by 250.32, 250.140, and 250.142, non–
current-carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and
other enclosures, if grounded, shall be connected to an
equipment grounding conductor by one of the methods
specified in 250.134(A) or (B).
T
Informational Note Figure 250.126 One Example of a Symbol
Used to Identify the Grounding Termination Point for an
Equipment Grounding Conductor.
(B) For Ungrounded Systems. The connection shall be
made by bonding the equipment grounding conductor to the
grounding electrode conductor.
D
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(C) Nongrounding Receptacle Replacement or Branch
Circuit Extensions. The equipment grounding conductor
of a grounding-type receptacle or a branch-circuit extension
shall be permitted to be connected to any of the following:
(1) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode system as described in 250.50
(2) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor
(3) The equipment grounding terminal bar within the enclosure where the branch circuit for the receptacle or
branch circuit originates
(4) To an equipment grounding conductor that is part of
another branch circuit that originates from the enclosure where the branch circuit for the receptacle or
branch circuit originates [ROP 5–209]
(5) For grounded systems, the grounded service conductor
within the service equipment enclosure
(6) For ungrounded systems, the grounding terminal bar
within the service equipment enclosure
Informational Note: See 406.4(D) for the use of a groundfault circuit-interrupting type of receptacle.
250.132 Short Sections of Raceway. Isolated sections of
metal raceway or cable armor, where required to be
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Exception No. 2: For dc circuits, the equipment grounding
conductor shall be permitted to be run separately from the
circuit conductors.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.102 and 250.168 for
equipment bonding jumper requirements.
Informational Note No. 2: See 400.7 for use of cords for
fixed equipment.
250.136 Equipment Considered Grounded. Under the
conditions specified in 250.136(A) and (B), the normally
non–current-carrying metal parts of the equipment shall be
considered grounded.
(A) Equipment Secured to Grounded Metal Supports.
Electrical equipment secured to and in electrical contact
with a metal rack or structure provided for its support and
connected to an equipment grounding conductor by one of
the means indicated in 250.134. The structural metal frame
of a building shall not be used as the required equipment
grounding conductor for ac equipment.
(B) Metal Car Frames. Metal car frames supported by
metal hoisting cables attached to or running over metal
sheaves or drums of elevator machines that are connected
to an equipment grounding conductor by one of the methods indicated in 250.134.
250.138 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. Non–
current-carrying metal parts of cord-and-plug-connected
equipment, if grounded, shall be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor by one of the methods in 250.138(A)
or (B).
70–133
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(A) By Means of an Equipment Grounding Conductor.
By means of an equipment grounding conductor run with
the power supply conductors in a cable assembly or flexible
cord properly terminated in a grounding-type attachment
plug with one fixed grounding contact.
Exception: The grounding contacting pole of groundingtype plug-in ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted to be of the movable, self-restoring type on circuits
operating at not over 150 volts between any two conductors
or over 150 volts between any conductor and ground.
(B) By Means of a Separate Flexible Wire or Strap. By
means of a separate flexible wire or strap, insulated or bare,
connected to an equipment grounding conductor, and protected as well as practicable against physical damage,
where part of equipment.
(B) Load-Side Equipment. Except as permitted in
250.30(A)(1) and 250.32(B) Exception, a grounded circuit
conductor shall not be used for grounding non–currentcarrying metal parts of equipment on the load side of the
service disconnecting means or on the load side of a separately derived system disconnecting means or the overcurrent devices for a separately derived system not having a
main disconnecting means.
Exception No. 1: The frames of ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and clothes dryers under the conditions permitted for existing installations by
250.140 shall be permitted to be connected to the grounded
circuit conductor.
Exception No. 2: It shall be permissible to ground meter
enclosures by connection to the grounded circuit conductor
on the load side of the service disconnect where all of the
following conditions apply:
AF
250.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers. Frames
of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted
cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes
that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be
connected to the equipment grounding conductor in the
manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138.
(2) On the supply side or within the enclosure of the main
disconnecting means for separate buildings as provided
in 250.32(B)
(3) On the supply side or within the enclosure of the main
disconnecting means or overcurrent devices of a separately derived system where permitted by 250.30(A)(1)
T
250.140
D
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Exception: For existing branch-circuit installations only
where an equipment grounding conductor is not present in
the outlet or junction box, the frames of electric ranges,
wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units,
clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of
the circuit for these appliances shall be permitted to be
connected to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
(1) The supply circuit is 120/240-volt, single-phase,
3-wire; or 208Y/120-volt derived from a 3-phase,
4-wire, wye-connected system.
(2) The grounded conductor is not smaller than 10 AWG
copper or 8 AWG aluminum.
(3) The grounded conductor is insulated, or the grounded
conductor is uninsulated and part of a Type SE serviceentrance cable and the branch circuit originates at the
service equipment.
(4) Grounding contacts of receptacles furnished as part of
the equipment are bonded to the equipment.
250.142 Use of Grounded Circuit Conductor for
Grounding Equipment.
(A) Supply-Side Equipment. A grounded circuit conductor shall be permitted to ground non–current-carrying metal
parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures at any
of the following locations:
(1) On the supply side or within the enclosure of the ac
service-disconnecting means
70–134
(1) No service ground-fault protection is installed.
(2) All meter enclosures are located immediately adjacent
to the service disconnecting means.
(3) The size of the grounded circuit conductor is not
smaller than the size specified in Table 250.122 for
equipment grounding conductors.
Exception No. 3: Direct-current systems shall be permitted
to be grounded on the load side of the disconnecting means
or overcurrent device in accordance with 250.164.
Exception No. 4: Electrode-type boilers operating at over
1000 volts shall be grounded as required in 490.72(E)(1)
and 490.74. [ROP 5–212]
250.144 Multiple Circuit Connections. Where equipment
is grounded and is supplied by separate connection to more
than one circuit or grounded premises wiring system, an
equipment grounding conductor termination shall be provided for each such connection as specified in 250.134 and
250.138.
250.146 Connecting Receptacle Grounding Terminal to
Box. An equipment bonding jumper shall be used to connect the grounding terminal of a grounding-type receptacle
to a grounded box unless grounded as in 250.146(A)
through (D). The equipment bonding jumper shall be sized
in accordance with Table 250.122 based on the rating of the
overcurrent device protecting the circuit conductors.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.162
(A) Surface-Mounted Box. Where the box is mounted on
the surface, direct metal-to-metal contact between the device yoke and the box or a contact yoke or device that
complies with 250.146(B) shall be permitted to ground the
receptacle to the box. At least one of the insulating washers
shall be removed from receptacles that do not have a contact yoke or device that complies with 250.146(B) to ensure
direct metal-to-metal contact. This provision shall not apply
to cover-mounted receptacles unless the box and cover
combination are listed as providing satisfactory ground
continuity between the box and the receptacle. A listed exposed work cover shall be permitted to be the grounding
and bonding means when (1) the device is attached to the
cover with at least two fasteners that are permanent (such
as a rivet) or have a thread locking or screw or nut locking
means and (2) when the cover mounting holes are located
on a flat non-raised portion of the cover.
be connected within the box or to the box with devices
suitable for the use in accordance with 250.148(A) through
(E).
(B) Contact Devices or Yokes. Contact devices or yokes
designed and listed as self-grounding shall be permitted in
conjunction with the supporting screws to establish bonding between the device yoke and flush-type boxes. [ROP
5–214]
(C) Metal Boxes. A connection shall be made between the
one or more equipment grounding conductors and a metal
box by means of a grounding screw that shall be used for
no other purpose, equipment listed for grounding, or a
listed grounding device.
Exception: The equipment grounding conductor permitted
in 250.146(D) shall not be required to be connected to the
other equipment grounding conductors or to the box.
(A) Connections. Connections and splices shall be made
in accordance with 110.14(B) except that insulation shall
not be required.
AF
T
(B) Grounding Continuity. The arrangement of grounding connections shall be such that the disconnection or the
removal of a receptacle, luminaire, or other device fed from
the box does not interfere with or interrupt the grounding
continuity.
(C) Floor Boxes. Floor boxes designed for and listed as
providing satisfactory ground continuity between the box
and the device shall be permitted.
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(D) Isolated Ground Receptacles. Where installed for the
reduction of electrical noise (electromagnetic interference)
on the grounding circuit, a receptacle in which the grounding terminal is purposely insulated from the receptacle
mounting means shall be permitted. The receptacle grounding terminal shall be connected to an insulated equipment
grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors. This
equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to pass
through one or more panelboards without a connection to
the panelboard grounding terminal bar as permitted in
408.40, Exception, so as to terminate within the same
building or structure directly at an equipment grounding
conductor terminal of the applicable derived system or service. Where installed in accordance with the provisions of
this section, this equipment grounding conductor shall also
be permitted to pass through boxes, wireways, or other
enclosures without being connected to such enclosures.
[ROP 5–215, ROP 5–216]
Informational Note: Use of an isolated equipment grounding conductor does not relieve the requirement for grounding the raceway system and outlet box.
250.148 Continuity and Attachment of Equipment
Grounding Conductors to Boxes. Where circuit conductors are spliced within a box, or terminated on equipment
within or supported by a box, any equipment grounding
conductor(s) associated with those circuit conductors shall
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Nonmetallic Boxes. One or more equipment grounding conductors brought into a nonmetallic outlet box shall
be arranged such that a connection can be made to any
fitting or device in that box requiring grounding.
(E) Solder. Connections depending solely on solder shall
not be used.
VIII. Direct-Current Systems
250.160 General. Direct-current systems shall comply
with Part VIII and other sections of Article 250 not specifically intended for ac systems.
250.162 Direct-Current Circuits and Systems to Be
Grounded. Direct-current circuits and systems shall be
grounded as provided for in 250.162(A) and (B).
(A) Two-Wire, Direct-Current Systems. A 2-wire, dc
system supplying premises wiring and operating at greater
than 60 volts but not greater than 300 volts shall be
grounded. [ROP 5–221]
Exception No. 1: A system equipped with a ground detector and supplying only industrial equipment in limited areas shall not be required to be grounded where installed
adjacent to or integral with the source of supply. [ROP
5–221].
Exception No. 2: A rectifier-derived dc system supplied
from an ac system complying with 250.20 shall not be required to be grounded.
70–135
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Exception No. 3: Direct-current fire alarm circuits having
a maximum current of 0.030 ampere as specified in Article
760, Part III, shall not be required to be grounded.
(B) Three-Wire, Direct-Current Systems. The neutral
conductor of all 3-wire, dc systems supplying premises wiring shall be grounded.
250.164 Point of Connection for Direct-Current Systems.
(A) Off-Premises Source. Direct-current systems to be
grounded and supplied from an off-premises source shall
have the grounding connection made at one or more supply
stations. A grounding connection shall not be made at individual services or at any point on the premises wiring.
(E) Connected to a Ground Ring. Where connected to a
ground ring as in 250.52(A)(4), that portion of the grounding electrode conductor that is the sole connection to the
grounding electrode shall not be required to be larger than
the conductor used for the ground ring.
250.167 Direct-Current Ground Fault Detection. [ROP
5–223]
(A) Ungrounded Systems. Ground fault detection systems
shall be required for ungrounded systems.[ROP 5–223]
(B) Grounded Systems. Ground fault detection shall be
permitted for grounded systems. [ROP 5–223]
(C) Marking. Direct-current systems shall be legibly
marked to indicate the grounding type at the dc source or
the first disconnecting means of the system. The marking
shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. [ROP 5–223]
AF
(B) On-Premises Source. Where the dc system source is
located on the premises, a grounding connection shall be
made at one of the following:
(1) The source
(2) The first system disconnection means or overcurrent
device
(3) By other means that accomplish equivalent system protection and that utilize equipment listed and identified
for the use
(D) Connected to a Concrete-Encased Electrode. Where
connected to a concrete-encased electrode as in
250.52(A)(3), that portion of the grounding electrode conductor that is the sole connection to the grounding electrode
shall not be required to be larger than 4 AWG copper wire.
T
250.164
D
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250.166 Size of the Direct-Current Grounding Electrode Conductor. The size of the grounding electrode conductor for a dc system shall be as specified in 250.166(A)
and (B), except as permitted by 250.166(C) through (E).
The grounding electrode conductor for a dc system shall
meet the sizing requirements in this section but shall not be
required to be larger than 3/0 copper or 250 kcmil aluminum. [ROP 5–222]
(A) Not Smaller Than the Neutral Conductor. Where
the dc system consists of a 3-wire balancer set or a balancer
winding with overcurrent protection as provided in
445.12(D), the grounding electrode conductor shall not be
smaller than the neutral conductor and not smaller than 8
AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum.
(B) Not Smaller Than the Largest Conductor. Where the
dc system is other than as in 250.166(A), the grounding
electrode conductor shall not be smaller than the largest
conductor supplied by the system, and not smaller than 8
AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum.
(C) Connected to Rod, Pipe, or Plate Electrodes. Where
connected to rod, pipe, or plate electrodes as in
250.52(A)(5) or (A)(7), that portion of the grounding electrode conductor that is the sole connection to the grounding
electrode shall not be required to be larger than 6 AWG
copper wire or 4 AWG aluminum wire.
70–136
Informational Note: NFPA 70E-2012 identifies four
direct-current grounding types in detail. [ROP 5–223]
250.168 Direct-Current System Bonding Jumper. For
direct-current systems that are to be grounded, an unspliced
bonding jumper shall be used to connect the equipment
grounding conductor(s) to the grounded conductor at the
source or the first system disconnecting means where the
system is grounded. The size of the bonding jumper shall
not be smaller than the system grounding electrode conductor specified in 250.166 and shall comply with the provisions of 250.28(A), (B), and (C).
250.169 Ungrounded Direct-Current Separately Derived Systems. Except as otherwise permitted in 250.34 for
portable and vehicle-mounted generators, an ungrounded
dc separately derived system supplied from a stand-alone
power source (such as an engine–generator set) shall have a
grounding electrode conductor connected to an electrode
that complies with Part III of this article to provide for
grounding of metal enclosures, raceways, cables, and exposed non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment. The
grounding electrode conductor connection shall be to the
metal enclosure at any point on the separately derived system from the source to the first system disconnecting means
or overcurrent device, or it shall be made at the source of a
separately derived system that has no disconnecting means
or overcurrent devices.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
IX. Instruments, Meters, and Relays
250.170 Instrument Transformer Circuits. Secondary
circuits of current and potential instrument transformers
shall be grounded where the primary windings are connected to circuits of 300 volts or more to ground and, where
installed on or in metal-enclosed switchgear and switchboards, shall be grounded irrespective of voltage. [ROP
5–224, ROP 9–15e]
Exception No. 1: Circuits where the primary windings are
connected to circuits of 1000 volts or less with no live parts
or wiring exposed or accessible to other than qualified
persons. [ROP 5–225]
Exception No. 2: Current transformer secondaries connected in a three-phase delta configuration shall not be
required to be grounded.
250.176 Cases of Instruments, Meters, and Relays —
Operating Voltage 1000 Volts and Over. Where instruments, meters, and relays have current-carrying parts of
1000 volts and over to ground, they shall be isolated by
elevation or protected by suitable barriers, grounded metal,
or insulating covers or guards. Their cases shall not be
connected to the equipment grounding conductor. [ROP
5–228]
Exception: Cases of electrostatic ground detectors where
the internal ground segments of the instrument are connected to the instrument case and grounded and the ground
detector is isolated by elevation.
250.178 Instrument Equipment Grounding Conductor.
The equipment grounding conductor for secondary circuits
of instrument transformers and for instrument cases shall
not be smaller than 12 AWG copper or 10 AWG aluminum.
Cases of instrument transformers, instruments, meters, and
relays that are mounted directly on grounded metal surfaces
of enclosures or grounded metal switchboard or metalenclosed switchgear panels shall be considered to be
grounded, and no additional equipment grounding conductor shall be required. [ROP 9–15g]
AF
250.172 Instrument Transformer Cases. Cases or frames
of instrument transformers shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor where accessible to other than
qualified persons.
boards having exposed live parts on the front of panels
shall not have their cases connected to the equipment
grounding conductor. Mats of insulating rubber or other
suitable floor insulation shall be provided for the operator
where the voltage to ground exceeds 150.
T
The size of the grounding electrode conductor shall be
in accordance with 250.166.
250.184
Exception: Cases or frames of current transformers, the
primaries of which are not over 150 volts to ground and
that are used exclusively to supply current to meters.
D
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250.174 Cases of Instruments, Meters, and Relays Operating at 1000 Volts or Less. Instruments, meters, and
relays operating with windings or working parts at 1000
volts or less shall be connected to the equipment grounding
conductor as specified in 250.174(A), (B), or (C). [ROP
5–227]
(A) Not on Switchboards or Switchgear. Instruments,
meters, and relays not located on switchboards or switchgear operating with windings or working parts at 300 volts
or more to ground, and accessible to other than qualified
persons, shall have the cases and other exposed metal parts
connected to the equipment grounding conductor. [ROP
9–15f]
(B) On Metal-Enclosed Switchgear and Dead Front
Switchboards. Instruments, meters, and relays (whether
operated from current and potential transformers or connected directly in the circuit) on or in metal-enclosed
switchgear and switchboards having no live parts on the
front of the panels shall have the cases connected to the
equipment grounding conductor. [ROP 5–227]
X. Grounding of Systems and Circuits of over 1000
Volts [ROP 5–231]
250.180 General. Where systems over 1000 volts are
grounded, they shall comply with all applicable provisions
of the preceding sections of this article and with 250.182
through 250.194, which supplement and modify the preceding sections. [ROP 5–230]
250.182 Derived Neutral Systems. A system neutral point
derived from a grounding transformer shall be permitted to
be used for grounding systems over 1 kV.
250.184 Solidly Grounded Neutral Systems. Solidly
grounded neutral systems shall be permitted to be either
single point grounded or multigrounded neutral.
(A) Neutral Conductor.
(1) Insulation Level. The minimum insulation level for
neutral conductors of solidly grounded systems shall be 600
volts.
(C) On Live-Front Switchboards. Instruments, meters,
and relays (whether operated from current and potential
transformers or connected directly in the circuit) on switch-
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70–137
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
Exception No. 1: Bare copper conductors shall be permitted to be used for the neutral conductor of the following:
(1) Service-entrance conductors
(2) Service laterals or underground service conductors
[ROP 5–233]
(3) Direct-buried portions of feeders.
Exception No. 2: Bare conductors shall be permitted for
the neutral conductor of overhead portions installed
outdoors.
Exception No. 3: The grounded neutral conductor shall be
permitted to be a bare conductor if isolated from phase
conductors and protected from physical damage.
Informational Note: See 225.4 for conductor covering
where within 3.0 m (10 ft) of any building or other
structure.
(2) Ampacity. The neutral conductor shall be of sufficient
ampacity for the load imposed on the conductor but not less
than 331⁄3 percent of the ampacity of the phase conductors.
AF
Exception: In industrial and commercial premises under
engineering supervision, it shall be permissible to size the
ampacity of the neutral conductor to not less than 20 percent of the ampacity of the phase conductor.
(C) Multigrounded Neutral Systems. Where a multigrounded neutral system is used, the following shall apply:
(1) The neutral conductor of a solidly grounded neutral
system shall be permitted to be grounded at more than
one point. Grounding shall be permitted at one or more
of the following locations:
a. Transformers supplying conductors to a building or
other structure
b. Underground circuits where the neutral conductor is
exposed
c. Overhead circuits installed outdoors
(2) The multigrounded neutral conductor shall be grounded
at each transformer and at other additional locations by
connection to a grounding electrode.
(3) At least one grounding electrode shall be installed and
connected to the multigrounded neutral conductor every 400 m (1300 ft).
(4) The maximum distance between any two adjacent electrodes shall not be more than 400 m (1300 ft).
(5) In a multigrounded shielded cable system, the shielding
shall be grounded at each cable joint that is exposed to
personnel contact.
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250.186
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
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(B) Single-Point Grounded Neutral System. Where a
single-point grounded neutral system is used, the following
shall apply:
(1) A single-point grounded neutral system shall be permitted to be supplied from (a) or (b):
a. A separately derived system
b. A multigrounded neutral system with an equipment
grounding conductor connected to the multigrounded neutral conductor at the source of the
single-point grounded neutral system
A grounding electrode shall be provided for the system.
A grounding electrode conductor shall connect the
grounding electrode to the system neutral conductor.
A bonding jumper shall connect the equipment grounding conductor to the grounding electrode conductor.
An equipment grounding conductor shall be provided
to each building, structure, and equipment enclosure.
A neutral conductor shall only be required where
phase-to-neutral loads are supplied.
The neutral conductor, where provided, shall be insulated and isolated from earth except at one location.
An equipment grounding conductor shall be run with
the phase conductors and shall comply with (a), (b),
and (c):
a. Shall not carry continuous load
b. May be bare or insulated
c. Shall have sufficient ampacity for fault current duty
70–138
250.186 Ground Fault Circuit Conductor Brought to
Service Equipment. [ROP 5–234]
(A) Systems with a Grounded Conductor at the Service
Point. Where an ac system operating at over 1000 volts is
grounded at any point and is provided with a grounded conductor at the service point, grounded conductor(s) shall be
installed and routed with the ungrounded conductors to each
service disconnecting means and shall be connected to each
disconnecting means grounded conductor(s) terminal or bus.
A main bonding jumper shall connect the grounded conductor(s) to each service disconnecting means enclosure. The
grounded conductor(s) shall be installed in accordance with
250.186(A)(1) through (A)(3). The size of the grounded circuit conductor(s) shall be the larger of that determined by
250.184 or 250.186(A)(1) or (2). [ROP 5–234]
Exception: Where two or more service disconnecting
means are located in a single assembly listed for use as
service equipment, it shall be permitted to connect the
grounded conductor(s) to the assembly common grounded
conductor(s) terminal or bus. The assembly shall include a
main bonding jumper for connecting the grounded conductor(s) to the assembly enclosure. [ROP 5–234]
(1) Sizing for a Single Raceway or Overhead Conductor. The grounded conductor shall not be smaller than the
required grounding electrode conductor specified in Table
250.66 but shall not be required to be larger than the largest
ungrounded service entrance conductor(s). In addition, for
sets of ungrounded service-entrance conductors larger than
1100 kcmil copper or 1750 kcmil aluminum, the grounded
conductor shall not be smaller than 121⁄2 percent of the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
250.188
cated in 250.186(A)(1), but not smaller than 1/0 AWG.
[ROP 5–234]
(2) Parallel Conductors in Two or More Raceways or
Overhead Conductors. If the ungrounded service-entrance
conductors are installed in parallel in two or more raceways
or as overhead parallel conductors, the grounded conductors shall also be installed in parallel. The size of the
grounded conductor in each raceway or overhead shall be
based on the total circular mil area of the parallel ungrounded conductors in the raceway or overhead, as indicated in 250.186(A)(1), but not smaller than 1/0 AWG.
[ROP 5–234]
250.187 Impedance Grounded Neutral Systems. Impedance grounded neutral systems in which a grounding impedance, usually a resistor, limits the ground-fault current
shall be permitted where all of the following conditions are
met:
(1) The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that only qualified persons service the installation.
(2) Ground detectors are installed on the system.
(3) Line-to-neutral loads are not served.
Informational Note: See 310.10(H) for grounded conductors connected in parallel. [ROP 5–234]
Impedance grounded neutral systems shall comply with
the provisions of 250.187(A) through (D).
(3) Delta-Connected Service. The grounded conductor of
a 3-phase, 3-wire delta service shall have an ampacity not
less than that of the ungrounded conductors. [ROP 5–234]
(A) Location. The grounding impedance shall be inserted
in the grounding electrode conductor between the grounding electrode of the supply system and the neutral point of
the supply transformer or generator.
(B) Identified and Insulated. The neutral conductor of an
impedance grounded neutral system shall be identified, as
well as fully insulated with the same insulation as the phase
conductors.
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(B) Systems without a Grounded Conductor at the Service Point. Where an ac system operating at greater than
1000 volts is grounded at any point and is not provided
with a grounded conductor at the service point, a supply
side bonding jumper shall be installed and routed with the
ungrounded conductors to each service disconnecting
means and shall be connected to each disconnecting means
equipment grounding conductor terminal or bus. The supply side bonding jumper shall be installed in accordance
with 250.186(B)(1) and (B)(2). [ROP 5–234]
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circular mil area of the largest set of service-entrance ungrounded conductor(s). [ROP 5–234]
Exception: Where two or more service disconnecting
means are located in a single assembly listed for use as
service equipment, it shall be permitted to connect the supply side bonding jumper to the assembly common equipment grounding terminal or bus. [ROP 5–234]
(1) Sizing for a Single Raceway or Overhead Conductor. The supply side bonding jumper shall not be smaller
than the required grounding electrode conductor specified
in Table 250.66 but shall not be required to be larger than
the largest ungrounded service entrance conductor(s). In
addition, for sets of ungrounded service-entrance conductors larger than 1100 kcmil copper or 1750 kcmil aluminum, the supply side bonding jumper shall not be smaller
than 121⁄2 percent of the circular mil area of the largest set
of service-entrance ungrounded conductor(s). [ROP 5–234]
(2) Parallel Conductors in Two or More Raceways or
Overhead Conductors. If the ungrounded service-entrance
conductors are installed in parallel in two or more raceways
or overhead conductors, the supply side bonding jumper
shall also be installed in parallel. The size of the supply
side bonding jumper in each raceway or overhead shall be
based on the total circular mil area of the parallel ungrounded conductors in the raceway or overhead, as indi-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) System Neutral Conductor Connection. The system
neutral conductor shall not be connected to ground, except
through the neutral grounding impedance.
(D) Equipment Grounding Conductors. Equipment
grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare and
shall be electrically connected to the ground bus and
grounding electrode conductor.
250.188 Grounding of Systems Supplying Portable or
Mobile Equipment. Systems supplying portable or mobile
equipment over 1000 volts, other than substations installed
on a temporary basis, shall comply with 250.188(A)
through (F). [ROP 5–235]
(A) Portable or Mobile Equipment. Portable or mobile
equipment over 1000 volts shall be supplied from a system
having its neutral conductor grounded through an impedance. Where a delta-connected system over 1000 volts is
used to supply portable or mobile equipment, a system neutral point and associated neutral conductor shall be derived.
[ROP 5–236]
(B) Exposed Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts. Exposed non–current-carrying metal parts of portable or mobile equipment shall be connected by an equipment grounding conductor to the point at which the system neutral
impedance is grounded.
(C) Ground-Fault Current. The voltage developed between the portable or mobile equipment frame and ground
70–139
250.190
ARTICLE 250 — GROUNDING AND BONDING
(D) Ground-Fault Detection and Relaying. Ground-fault
detection and relaying shall be provided to automatically
de-energize any component of a system over 1000 volts
that has developed a ground fault. The continuity of the
equipment grounding conductor shall be continuously
monitored so as to de-energize automatically the circuit of
the system over 1000 volts to the portable or mobile equipment upon loss of continuity of the equipment grounding
conductor. [ROP 5–237]
(E) Isolation. The grounding electrode to which the portable or mobile equipment system neutral impedance is
connected shall be isolated from and separated in the
ground by at least 6.0 m (20 ft) from any other system or
equipment grounding electrode, and there shall be no direct
connection between the grounding electrodes, such as buried pipe and fence, and so forth.
250.190 Grounding of Equipment.
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(A) Equipment Grounding. All non–current-carrying
metal parts of fixed, portable, and mobile equipment and
associated fences, housings, enclosures, and supporting
structures shall be grounded.
Exception: Where isolated from ground and located such
that any person in contact with ground cannot contact such
metal parts when the equipment is energized, the metal
parts shall not be required to be grounded.
Informational Note: See 250.110, Exception No. 2, for
pole-mounted distribution apparatus.
(B) Grounding Electrode Conductor. If a grounding
electrode conductor connects non–current-carrying metal
parts to ground, the grounding electrode conductor shall be
sized in accordance with Table 250.66, based on the size of
the largest ungrounded service, feeder, or branch-circuit
conductors supplying the equipment. The grounding electrode conductor shall not be smaller than 6 AWG copper or
4 AWG aluminum.
(C) Equipment Grounding Conductor. Equipment
grounding conductors shall comply with 250.190(C)(1)
through (C)(3).
(1) General. Equipment grounding conductors that are not
an integral part of a cable assembly shall not be smaller
than 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum.
70–140
(3) Sizing. Equipment grounding conductors shall be sized
in accordance with Table 250.122 based on the current rating of the fuse or the overcurrent setting of the protective
relay.
Informational Note: The overcurrent rating for a circuit
breaker is the combination of the current transformer ratio
and the current pickup setting of the protective relay.
250.191 Grounding System at Alternating-Current
Substations. For ac substations, the grounding system shall
be in accordance with Part III of Article 250.
Informational Note: For further information on outdoor ac
substation grounding, see ANSI/IEEE 80-2000, IEEE
Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding.
AF
(F) Trailing Cable and Couplers. Trailing cable and couplers of systems over 1000 volts for interconnection of
portable or mobile equipment shall meet the requirements
of Part III of Article 400 for cables and 490.55 for couplers.
[ROP 5–238]
(2) Shielded Cables. The metallic insulation shield encircling the current carrying conductors shall be permitted to
be used as an equipment grounding conductor, if it is rated
for clearing time of ground fault current protective device
operation without damaging the metallic shield. The metallic tape insulation shield and drain wire insulation shield
shall not be used as an equipment grounding conductor for
solidly grounded systems.
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by the flow of maximum ground-fault current shall not
exceed 100 volts.
250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and Other
Metal Structures. Metallic Fences enclosing and other
metal structures in or surrounding a substation with exposed electrical conductors and equipment shall be
grounded and bonded to limit step, touch and transfer voltages. [ROP 5–241]
(A) Metal Fences. Where metal fences are located within
5 m (16 Ft) of the exposed electrical conductors or equipment, the fence shall be bonded with wire type bonding
jumpers to the grounding electrode system as follows:
(1) Bonding jumpers shall be installed at each fence corner
and at a maximum 50 m (160 ft) intervals along the
fence.
(2) Where bare overhead conductors cross the fence, bonding jumpers shall be installed on each side of the crossing.
(3) Gates shall be bonded to the gate support post and each
gate support post bonded to the grounding electrode
system.
(4) Any gate or other opening in the fence shall be bonded
across the opening by a buried bonding jumper.
(5) The grounding grid or grounding electrode systems
shall be extended to cover the swing of all gates
(6) The barbed wire strands above the fence shall be
bonded to the grounding electrode system
Alternate designs performed under engineering supervision shall be permitted for grounding or bonding of metal
fences.
[ROP 5–241]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 280 — SURGE ARRESTERS, OVER 1000 VOLTS
Informational Note No. 1: A non-conducting fence or section may provide isolation for transfer of voltage to other
areas.[ROP 5–241]
Informational Note No. 2: See IEEE 80-2000 IEEE Guide
for Safety In AC Substation Grounding for design and installation of fence grounding. [ROP 5–241]
(B) Metal Structures. All exposed conductive metal structures including guy wires within 2.5 m (8 Ft) vertically or 5
m (16 Ft) horizontally of exposed conductors or equipment
and subject to contact by persons shall be bonded to the
grounding electrode systems in the area. [ROP 5–241]
ARTICLE 280
Surge Arresters, Over 1000 Volts
280.24
(B) Silicon Carbide Types. The rating of a silicon
carbide-type surge arrester shall be not less than 125 percent of the rating specified in 280.4(A).
Informational Note No. 1: For further information on
surge arresters, see ANSI/IEEE C62.11-2005, Standard for
Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating-Current
Power Circuits (>1 kV); and ANSI/IEEE C62.22-2009,
Guide for the Application of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters
for Alternating-Current Systems. [ROP 5–242a]
Informational Note No. 2: The selection of a properly
rated metal oxide arrester is based on considerations of
maximum continuous operating voltage and the magnitude
and duration of overvoltages at the arrester location as affected by phase-to-ground faults, system grounding techniques, switching surges, and other causes. See the manufacturer’s application rules for selection of the specific
arrester to be used at a particular location.
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II. Installation
[ROP 5–241a]
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I. General
280.11 Location. Surge arresters shall be permitted to be
located indoors or outdoors. Surge arresters shall be made
inaccessible to unqualified persons, unless listed for installation in accessible locations.
280.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements, installation requirements, and connection requirements for
surge arresters installed on premises wiring systems over
1000 volts. [ROP 5–241b]
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280.2 Uses Not Permitted. A surge arrester shall not be
installed where the rating of the surge arrester is less than
the maximum continuous phase-to-ground power frequency
voltage available at the point of application.
280.3 Number Required. Where used at a point on a circuit, a surge arrester shall be connected to each ungrounded
conductor. A single installation of such surge arresters shall
be permitted to protect a number of interconnected circuits,
provided that no circuit is exposed to surges while disconnected from the surge arresters.
280.4 Surge Arrester Selection. The surge arresters shall
comply with 280.4(A) and (B).
(A) Rating. The rating of a surge arrester shall be equal to
or greater than the maximum continuous operating voltage
available at the point of application.
280.12 Routing of Surge Arrester Grounding Conductors. The conductor used to connect the surge arrester to
line, bus, or equipment and to a grounding conductor connection point as provided in 280.21 shall not be any longer
than necessary and shall avoid unnecessary bends.
III. Connecting Surge Arresters
280.21 Connection. The arrester shall be connected to one
of the following:
(1) Grounded service conductor
(2) Grounding electrode conductor
(3) Grounding electrode for the service
(4) Equipment grounding terminal in the service
equipment
280.23 Surge-Arrester Conductors. The conductor between the surge arrester and the line and the surge arrester
and the grounding connection shall not be smaller than 6
AWG copper or aluminum.
(1) Solidly Grounded Systems. The maximum continuous
operating voltage shall be the phase-to-ground voltage of
the system.
280.24 Interconnections. The surge arrester protecting a
transformer that supplies a secondary distribution system
shall be interconnected as specified in 280.24(A), (B), or
(C).
(2) Impedance or Ungrounded System. The maximum
continuous operating voltage shall be the phase-to-phase
voltage of the system.
(A) Metallic Interconnections. A metallic interconnection
shall be made to the secondary grounded circuit conductor
or the secondary circuit grounding electrode conductor pro-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–141
ARTICLE 285 — SURGE-PROTECTIVE DEVICES (SPDS), 1000 VOLTS OR LESS
vided that, in addition to the direct grounding connection at
the surge arrester, the following occurs:
(1) Additional Grounding Connection. The grounded
conductor of the secondary has elsewhere a grounding connection to a continuous metal underground water piping
system. In urban water-pipe areas where there are at least
four water-pipe connections on the neutral conductor and
not fewer than four such connections in each mile of neutral conductor, the metallic interconnection shall be permitted to be made to the secondary neutral conductor with
omission of the direct grounding connection at the surge
arrester.
(2) Multigrounded Neutral System Connection. The
grounded conductor of the secondary system is a part of a
multigrounded neutral system or static wire of which the
primary neutral conductor or static wire has at least four
grounding connections in each mile of line in addition to a
grounding connection at each service.
[ROP 5–243a]
I. General
285.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements, installation requirements, and connection requirements for
SPDs [surge arresters and transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSSs)] permanently installed on premises wiring
systems 1000 volts or less. [ROP 5–243b]
Informational Note No. 1: Surge arresters 1000 volts or
less are also known as Type 1 SPDs. [ROP 5–234b]
Informational Note No. 2: Transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSSs) are also known as Type 2 and Type 3
SPDs.
285.3 Uses Not Permitted. An SPD (surge arrester or
TVSS) device shall not be installed in the following:
(1) Circuits over 1000 volts [ROP 5–244a]
(2) On ungrounded systems, impedance grounded systems,
or corner grounded delta systems unless listed specifically for use on these systems.
(3) Where the rating of the SPD (surge arrester or TVSS)
is less than the maximum continuous phase-to-ground
power frequency voltage available at the point of
application
AF
(B) Through Spark Gap or Device. Where the surge arrester grounding electrode conductor is not connected as in
280.24(A), or where the secondary is not grounded as in
280.24(A) but is otherwise grounded as in 250.52, an interconnection shall be made through a spark gap or listed
device as required by 280.24(B)(1) or (B)(2).
ARTICLE 285
Surge-Protective Devices (SPDs), 1000
Volts or Less
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280.25
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(1) Ungrounded or Unigrounded Primary System. For
ungrounded or unigrounded primary systems, the spark gap
or listed device shall have a 60-Hz breakdown voltage of at
least twice the primary circuit voltage but not necessarily
more than 10 kV, and there shall be at least one other
ground on the grounded conductor of the secondary that is
not less than 6.0 m (20 ft) distant from the surge-arrester
grounding electrode.
(2) Multigrounded Neutral Primary System. For multigrounded neutral primary systems, the spark gap or listed
device shall have a 60-Hz breakdown of not more than 3
kV, and there shall be at least one other ground on the
grounded conductor of the secondary that is not less than
6.0 m (20 ft) distant from the surge-arrester grounding electrode.
(C) By Special Permission. An interconnection of the
surge-arrester ground and the secondary neutral conductor,
other than as provided in 280.24(A) or (B), shall be permitted to be made only by special permission.
280.25 Grounding Electrode Conductor Connections
and Enclosures. Except as indicated in this article, surgearrester grounding electrode conductor connections shall be
made as specified in Article 250, Parts III and X. Grounding electrode conductors installed in metal enclosures shall
comply with 250.64(E).
70–142
Informational Note: For further information on SPDs
(TVSSs), see NEMA LS 1-1992, Standard for Low Voltage
Surge Suppression Devices. The selection of a properly
rated SPD (TVSS) is based on criteria such as maximum
continuous operating voltage, the magnitude and duration
of overvoltages at the suppressor location as affected by
phase-to-ground faults, system grounding techniques, and
switching surges.
285.4 Number Required. Where used at a point on a circuit, the SPD (surge arrester or TVSS) shall be connected
to each ungrounded conductor.
285.5 Listing. An SPD (surge arrester or TVSS) shall be a
listed device.
285.6 Short-Circuit Current Rating. The SPD (surge arrester or TVSS) shall be marked with a short-circuit current
rating and shall not be installed at a point on the system
where the available fault current is in excess of that rating.
This marking requirement shall not apply to receptacles.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 285 — SURGE-PROTECTIVE DEVICES (SPDS), 1000 VOLTS OR LESS
285.11 Location. SPDs (surge arresters or TVSSs) shall be
permitted to be located indoors or outdoors and shall be
made inaccessible to unqualified persons, unless listed for
installation in accessible locations.
285.12 Routing of Connections. The conductors used to
connect the SPD (surge arrester or TVSS) to the line or bus
and to ground shall not be any longer than necessary and
shall avoid unnecessary bends.
285.13 Type 4 and Other Component Type SPDs. Type
4 component assemblies and other component type SPDs
are only intended for factory installation and shall not be
installed in the field. [ROP 5–244b]
III. Connecting SPDs
285.23 Type 1 SPDs (Surge Arresters). Type 1 SPDs
shall be installed in accordance with 285.23(A) and (B).
arresters) shall be
be permitted to be
service disconnect
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(A) Installation. Type 1 SPDs (surge
installed as follows:
(1) Type 1 SPDs (surge arresters) shall
connected to the supply side of the
as permitted in 230.82(4) or
(2) Type 1 SPDs (surge arresters) shall
connected as specified in 285.24.
be permitted to be
(B) At the Service. When installed at services, Type 1
SPDs shall be connected to one of the following:
(1) Grounded service conductor
(2) Grounding electrode conductor
(3) Grounding electrode for the service
(4) Equipment grounding terminal in the service
equipment
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Service-Supplied Building or Structure. Type 2
SPDs (TVSSs) shall be connected anywhere on the load
side of a service disconnect overcurrent device required in
230.91, unless installed in accordance with 230.82(8).
(B) Feeder-Supplied Building or Structure. Type 2 SPDs
(TVSSs) shall be connected at the building or structure
anywhere on the load side of the first overcurrent device at
the building or structure.
(C) Separately Derived System. The SPD (TVSS) shall
be connected on the load side of the first overcurrent device
in a separately derived system.
285.25 Type 3 SPDs. Type 3 SPDs (TVSSs) shall be permitted to be installed on the load side of branch-circuit
overcurrent protection up to the equipment served. If included in the manufacturer’s instructions, the Type 3 SPD
connection shall be a minimum 10 m (30 ft) of conductor
distance from the service or separately derived system disconnect.
AF
285.21 Connection. Where an SPD (surge arrester or
TVSS) device is installed, it shall comply with 285.23
through 285.28.
285.24 Type 2 SPDs (TVSSs). Type 2 SPDs (TVSSs)
shall be installed in accordance with 285.24(A) through
(C).
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II. Installation
285.28
285.26 Conductor Size. Line and grounding conductors
shall not be smaller than 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum.
285.27 Connection Between Conductors. An SPD (surge
arrester or TVSS) shall be permitted to be connected between any two conductors — ungrounded conductor(s),
grounded conductor, equipment grounding conductor, or
grounding electrode conductor. The grounded conductor
and the equipment grounding conductor shall be interconnected only by the normal operation of the SPD (surge
arrester or TVSS) during a surge.
285.28 Grounding Electrode Conductor Connections
and Enclosures. Except as indicated in this article, SPD
grounding connections shall be made as specified in Article
250, Part III. Grounding electrode conductors installed in
metal enclosures shall comply with 250.64(E).
70–143
CHAPTER 3
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
Chapter 3 Wiring Methods [ROP 3–8]
ARTICLE 300
General Requirements for Wiring
Methods and Materials [ROP 3–8]
(B) Temperature. Temperature limitation of conductors
shall be in accordance with 310.15(A)(3).
300.3 Conductors.
(A) Single Conductors. Single conductors specified in
Table 310.104(A) shall only be installed where part of a
recognized wiring method of Chapter 3.
I. General Requirements
300.1 Scope.
(B) Conductors of the Same Circuit. All conductors of
the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor
and all equipment grounding conductors and bonding conductors shall be contained within the same raceway, auxiliary gutter, cable tray, cablebus assembly, trench, cable, or
cord, unless otherwise permitted in accordance with
300.3(B)(1) through (B)(4).
AF
(B) Integral Parts of Equipment. The provisions of this
article are not intended to apply to the conductors that form
an integral part of equipment, such as motors, controllers,
motor control centers, or factory assembled control equipment or listed utilization equipment.
Exception: Individual conductors shall be permitted
where installed as separate overhead conductors in accordance with 225.6.
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(A) All Wiring Installations. This article covers general
requirements for wiring methods and materials for all wiring installations unless modified by other articles in Chapter 3. [ROP 3–9]
(C) Metric Designators and Trade Sizes. Metric designators and trade sizes for conduit, tubing, and associated fittings and accessories shall be as designated in Table
300.1(C).
Metric
Designator
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
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Table 300.1(C) Metric Designators and Trade Sizes
Trade
Size
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
38
12
Note: The metric designators and trade sizes are for identification
purposes only and are not actual dimensions.
300.2 Limitations.
(A) Voltage. Wiring methods specified in Chapter 3 shall
be used for 1000 volts, nominal, or less where not specifically limited in some section of Chapter 3. They shall be
permitted for over 600 volts, nominal, where specifically
permitted elsewhere in this Code. [ROP 3–10]
70–144
(1) Paralleled Installations. Conductors shall be permitted to be run in parallel in accordance with the provisions
of 310.10(H). The requirement to run all circuit conductors
within the same raceway, auxiliary gutter, cable tray,
trench, cable, or cord shall apply separately to each portion
of the paralleled installation, and the equipment grounding
conductors shall comply with the provisions of 250.122.
Parallel runs in cable tray shall comply with the provisions
of 392.20(C).
Exception: Conductors installed in nonmetallic raceways
run underground shall be permitted to be arranged as isolated phase installations. The raceways shall be installed in
close proximity, and the conductors shall comply with the
provisions of 300.20(B).
(2) Grounding and Bonding Conductors. Equipment
grounding conductors shall be permitted to be installed outside a raceway or cable assembly where in accordance with
the provisions of 250.130(C) for certain existing installations or in accordance with 250.134(B), Exception No. 2,
for dc circuits. Equipment bonding conductors shall be permitted to be installed on the outside of raceways in accordance with 250.102(E).
(3) Nonferrous Wiring Methods. Conductors in wiring
methods with a nonmetallic or other nonmagnetic sheath,
where run in different raceways, auxiliary gutters, cable
trays, trenches, cables, or cords, shall comply with the provisions of 300.20(B). Conductors in single-conductor Type
MI cable with a nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the
provisions of 332.31. Conductors of single-conductor Type
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
(4) Enclosures. Where an auxiliary gutter runs between a
column-width panelboard and a pull box, and the pull box
includes neutral terminations, the neutral conductors of circuits supplied from the panelboard shall be permitted to
originate in the pull box.
(C) Conductors of Different Systems.
300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage, conductors, raceways, and cables
shall be protected.
(A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members.
(1) Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations,
where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed
through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members,
holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less
than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood
member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the
cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by
screws or nails by a steel plate(s) or bushing(s), at least
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width
installed to cover the area of the wiring.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to
protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Exception No. 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.
AF
(1) 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Conductors of ac and dc
circuits, rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less, shall be permitted to occupy the same equipment wiring enclosure, cable,
or raceway. All conductors shall have an insulation rating
equal to at least the maximum circuit voltage applied to any
conductor within the enclosure, cable, or raceway. [ROP
3–12]
Secondary wiring to electric-discharge lamps of 1000
volts or less, if insulated for the secondary voltage involved, shall be permitted to occupy the same luminaire,
sign, or outline lighting enclosure as the branch circuit conductors. [ROP 3–12]
Conductors having nonshielded insulation and operating at different voltage levels shall not occupy the same
enclosure, cable, or raceway.
T
MC cable with a nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the
provisions of 330.31, 330.116, and 300.20(B).
300.4
Informational Note No. 1: See 725.136(A) for Class 2 and
Class 3 circuit conductors.
Informational Note No. 2: See 690.4(B) for photovoltaic
source and output circuits.
D
R
(2) Over 1000 Volts, Nominal. Conductors of circuits
rated over 1000 volts, nominal, shall not occupy the same
equipment wiring enclosure, cable, or raceway with conductors of circuits rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less unless
otherwise permitted in (C)(2)(a) through (C)(2)(d). [ROP
3–12]
(a) Primary leads of electric-discharge lamp ballasts insulated for the primary voltage of the ballast, where contained within the individual wiring enclosure, shall be permitted to occupy the same luminaire, sign, or outline
lighting enclosure as the branch-circuit conductors. [ROP
3–12]
(b) Excitation, control, relay, and ammeter conductors
used in connection with any individual motor or starter
shall be permitted to occupy the same enclosure as the
motor-circuit conductors. [ROP 3–12]
(c) In motors, transformers, switchgear, switchboards,
control assemblies, and similar equipment, conductors of
different voltage ratings shall be permitted. [ROP 3–12,
ROP 3–15, ROP 3–15a]
(d) In manholes, if the conductors of each system are
permanently and effectively separated from the conductors
of the other systems and securely fastened to racks, insulators, or other approved supports, conductors of different
voltage ratings shall be permitted. [ROP 3–12]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Notches in Wood. Where there is no objection because
of weakening the building structure, in both exposed and
concealed locations, cables or raceways shall be permitted
to be laid in notches in wood studs, joists, rafters, or other
wood members where the cable or raceway at those points
is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate at least
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width,
installed to cover the area of the wiring. The steel plate
shall be installed before the building finish is applied.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to
protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Exception No. 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.
(B) Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cables and Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing Through Metal Framing Members.
(1) Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable. In both exposed and
concealed locations where nonmetallic-sheathed cables
pass through either factory- or field-punched, cut, or drilled
slots or holes in metal members, the cable shall be protected by listed bushings or listed grommets covering all
metal edges that are securely fastened in the opening prior
to installation of the cable.
(2) Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable and Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing. Where nails or screws are likely to penetrate
70–145
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
nonmetallic-sheathed cable or electrical nonmetallic tubing,
a steel sleeve, steel plate, or steel clip not less than 1.6 mm
(1⁄16 in.) in thickness shall be used to protect the cable or
tubing.
Exception: A listed and marked steel plate less than
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.
(C) Cables Through Spaces Behind Panels Designed to
Allow Access. Cables or raceway-type wiring methods, installed behind panels designed to allow access, shall be
supported according to their applicable articles.
(F) Cables and Raceways Installed in Shallow Grooves.
Cable- or raceway-type wiring methods installed in a
groove, to be covered by wallboard, siding, paneling, carpeting, or similar finish, shall be protected by 1.6 mm (1⁄16
in.) thick steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent or by not less
than 32-mm (11⁄4-in.) free space for the full length of the
groove in which the cable or raceway is installed.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the equivalent
shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Exception No. 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.
(G) Insulated Fittings. Where raceways contain 4 AWG
or larger insulated circuit conductors, and these conductors
enter a cabinet, a box, an enclosure, or a raceway, the conductors shall be protected by an identified fitting providing
a smoothly rounded insulating surface, unless the conductors are separated from the fitting or raceway by identified
insulating material that is securely fastened in place.
AF
(D) Cables and Raceways Parallel to Framing Members and Furring Strips. In both exposed and concealed
locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is
installed parallel to framing members, such as joists,
rafters, or studs, or is installed parallel to furring strips, the
cable or raceway shall be installed and supported so that the
nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less
than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the framing
member or furring strips where nails or screws are likely to
penetrate. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the
cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by
nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick.
Exception: Rigid metal conduit and intermediate metal
conduit shall not be required to comply with 300.4(E).
T
300.5
D
R
Exception No. 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the equivalent
shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Exception No. 2: For concealed work in finished buildings, or finished panels for prefabricated buildings where
such supporting is impracticable, it shall be permissible to
fish the cables between access points.
Exception No. 3: A listed and marked steel plate less than
1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.
(E) Cables, Raceways, or Boxes Installed in or Under
Roof Decking. A cable, raceway, or box, installed in exposed or concealed locations under metal-corrugated sheet
roof decking, shall be installed and supported so there is
not less than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) measured from the lowest
surface of the roof decking to the top of the cable, raceway,
or box. A cable, raceway, or box shall not be installed in
concealed locations in metal-corrugated, sheet decking–
type roof.
Informational Note: Roof decking material is often repaired or replaced after the initial raceway or cabling and
roofing installation and may be penetrated by the screws or
other mechanical devices designed to provide “hold down”
strength of the waterproof membrane or roof insulating
material.
70–146
Exception: Where threaded hubs or bosses that are an
integral part of a cabinet, box, enclosure, or raceway provide a smoothly rounded or flared entry for conductors.
Conduit bushings constructed wholly of insulating material shall not be used to secure a fitting or raceway. The
insulating fitting or insulating material shall have a temperature rating not less than the insulation temperature rating of the installed conductors.
(H) Structural Joints. A listed expansion/deflection fitting
or other approved means shall be used where a raceway
crosses a structural joint intended for expansion, contraction or deflection, used in buildings, bridges, parking garages, or other structures.
300.5 Underground Installations.
(A) Minimum Cover Requirements. Direct-buried cable
or conduit or other raceways shall be installed to meet the
minimum cover requirements of Table 300.5.
(B) Wet Locations. The interior of enclosures or raceways
installed underground shall be considered to be a wet location. Insulated conductors and cables installed in these enclosures or raceways in underground installations shall
comply with 310.10(C). Any connections or splices in an
underground installation shall be approved for wet locations. [ROP 3–40]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
300.5
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
Table 300.5 Minimum Cover Requirements, 0 to 1000 Volts, Nominal, Burial in Millimeters (Inches) [ROP 3–36]
Type of Wiring Method or Circuit
Column 5
Circuits for
Control of
Column 4
Irrigation and
Residential
Column 3
Landscape
Branch Circuits
Nonmetallic
Raceways Listed Rated 120 Volts or Lighting Limited
Less with GFCI to Not More Than
for Direct Burial
30 Volts and
Protection and
Without
Installed with
Maximum
Concrete
Type UF or in
Overcurrent
Encasement or
Other Identified
Protection of 20
Other Approved
Cable or Raceway
Amperes
Raceways
Column 2
Rigid Metal
Conduit or
Intermediate
Metal Conduit
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
All locations not specified
below
600
24
150
6
450
18
300
12
150
6
In trench below 50 mm (2 in.)
thick concrete or equivalent
450
18
150
6
300
12
150
6
150
6
0
0
0
0
100
4
Location of Wiring Method
or Circuit
0
0
(in raceway or
Type MC or Type
MI cable
identified for
direct burial)
AF
Under a building
T
Column 1
Direct Burial
Cables or
Conductors
100
4
150
6
0
0
(in raceway or
Type MC or Type
MI cable identified
for direct burial) )
Under minimum of 102 mm
(4 in.) thick concrete exterior
slab with no vehicular traffic
and the slab extending not
less than 152 mm (6 in.)
beyond the underground
installation
450
Under streets, highways, roads,
alleys, driveways, and
parking lots
600
24
600
24
600
24
600
24
600
24
One- and two-family dwelling
driveways and outdoor
parking areas, and used only
for dwelling-related purposes
450
18
450
18
450
18
300
12
450
18
In or under airport runways,
including adjacent areas
where trespassing prohibited
450
18
450
18
450
18
450
18
450
18
D
R
18
0
0
(in raceway or
Type MC or Type
MI cable identified
for direct burial) )
150
6
(direct burial)
(direct burial)
100
100
4
(in raceway)
4
(in raceway)
Notes:
1. Cover is defined as the shortest distance in millimeters (inches) measured between a point on the top surface of any direct-buried conductor,
cable, conduit, or other raceway and the top surface of finished grade, concrete, or similar cover.
2. Raceways approved for burial only where concrete encased shall require concrete envelope not less than 50 mm (2 in.) thick.
3. Lesser depths shall be permitted where cables and conductors rise for terminations or splices or where access is otherwise required.
4. Where one of the wiring method types listed in Columns 1 through 3 is used for one of the circuit types in Columns 4 and 5, the shallowest depth
of burial shall be permitted.
5. Where solid rock prevents compliance with the cover depths specified in this table, the wiring shall be installed in metal or nonmetallic raceway
permitted for direct burial. The raceways shall be covered by a minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete extending down to rock.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–147
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
(C) Underground Cables and Conductors Under Buildings. Underground cable and conductors installed under a
building shall be in a raceway. [ROP 3–41]
Exception No. 1: Type MI Cable shall be permitted under
a building without installation in a raceway where embedded in concrete, fill, or other masonry in accordance with
332.10(6) or in underground runs where suitably protected
against physical damage and corrosive conditions in accordance with 332.10(10).
Exception No. 2: Type MC Cable listed for direct burial or
concrete encasement shall be permitted under a building
without installation in a raceway in accordance with
330.10(A)(5) and in wet locations in accordance with
330.10(A)(11).
(D) Protection from Damage. Direct-buried conductors
and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance
with 300.5(D)(1) through (D)(4).
(G) Raceway Seals. Conduits or raceways through which
moisture may contact live parts shall be sealed or plugged
at either or both ends.
Informational Note: Presence of hazardous gases or vapors may also necessitate sealing of underground conduits
or raceways entering buildings.
(H) Bushing. A bushing, or terminal fitting, with an integral bushed opening shall be used at the end of a conduit or
other raceway that terminates underground where the conductors or cables emerge as a direct burial wiring method.
A seal incorporating the physical protection characteristics
of a bushing shall be permitted to be used in lieu of a
bushing.
(I) Conductors of the Same Circuit. All conductors of
the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor
and all equipment grounding conductors shall be installed
in the same raceway or cable or shall be installed in close
proximity in the same trench.
AF
(1) Emerging from Grade. Direct-buried conductors and
cables emerging from grade and specified in columns 1 and
4 of Table 300.5 shall be protected by enclosures or raceways extending from the minimum cover distance below
grade required by 300.5(A) to a point at least 2.5 m (8 ft)
above finished grade. In no case shall the protection be
required to exceed 450 mm (18 in.) below finished grade.
of granular or selected material, suitable running boards,
suitable sleeves, or other approved means.
T
300.5
D
R
(2) Conductors Entering Buildings. Conductors entering
a building shall be protected to the point of entrance.
(3) Service Conductors. Underground service conductors
that are not encased in concrete and that are buried 450 mm
(18 in.) or more below grade shall have their location identified by a warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at
least 300 mm (12 in.) above the underground installation.
(4) Enclosure or Raceway Damage. Where the enclosure
or raceway is subject to physical damage, the conductors
shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, RTRC-XW, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, or equivalent. [ROP 3–97]
(E) Splices and Taps. Direct-buried conductors or cables
shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped without the use of
splice boxes. The splices or taps shall be made in accordance with 110.14(B).
(F) Backfill. Backfill that contains large rocks, paving materials, cinders, large or sharply angular substances, or corrosive material shall not be placed in an excavation where
materials may damage raceways, cables, or other substructures or prevent adequate compaction of fill or contribute to
corrosion of raceways, cables, or other substructures.
Where necessary to prevent physical damage to the
raceway or cable, protection shall be provided in the form
70–148
Exception No. 1: Conductors shall be permitted to be installed in parallel in raceways, multiconductor cables, or
direct-buried single conductor cables. Each raceway or
multiconductor cable shall contain all conductors of the
same circuit, including equipment grounding conductors.
Each direct-buried single conductor cable shall be located
in close proximity in the trench to the other single conductor cables in the same parallel set of conductors in the
circuit, including equipment grounding conductors.
Exception No. 2: Isolated phase, polarity, grounded conductor, and equipment grounding and bonding conductor
installations shall be permitted in nonmetallic raceways or
cables with a nonmetallic covering or nonmagnetic sheath
in close proximity where conductors are paralleled as permitted in 310.10(H), and where the conditions of 300.20(B)
are met.
(J) Earth Movement. Where direct-buried conductors,
raceways, or cables are subject to movement by settlement
or frost, direct-buried conductors, raceways, or cables shall
be arranged so as to prevent damage to the enclosed conductors or to equipment connected to the raceways.
Informational Note: This section recognizes “S” loops in
underground direct burial to raceway transitions, expansion
fittings in raceway risers to fixed equipment, and, generally,
the provision of flexible connections to equipment subject
to settlement or frost heaves.
(K) Directional Boring. Cables or raceways installed using directional boring equipment shall be approved for the
purpose.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
(A) Ferrous Metal Equipment. Ferrous metal raceways,
cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, cable armor, boxes,
cable sheathing, cabinets, metal elbows, couplings, nipples,
fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be suitably
protected against corrosion inside and outside (except
threads at joints) by a coating of approved corrosionresistant material. Where corrosion protection is necessary
and the conduit is threaded in the field, the threads shall be
coated with an approved electrically conductive, corrosionresistant compound.
Informational Note: Field-cut threads are those threads
that are cut in conduit anywhere other than at the factory
where the product is listed. [ROP 3–51]
(1) Exposed to Sunlight. Where exposed to sunlight, the
materials shall be listed as sunlight resistant or shall be
identified as sunlight resistant.
(2) Chemical Exposure. Where subject to exposure to
chemical solvents, vapors, splashing, or immersion, materials or coatings shall either be inherently resistant to
chemicals based on their listing or be identified for the
specific chemical reagent.
(D) Indoor Wet Locations. In portions of dairy processing
facilities, laundries, canneries, and other indoor wet locations, and in locations where walls are frequently washed or
where there are surfaces of absorbent materials, such as
damp paper or wood, the entire wiring system, where installed exposed, including all boxes, fittings, raceways, and
cable used therewith, shall be mounted so that there is at
least a 6-mm (1⁄4-in.) airspace between it and the wall or
supporting surface.
AF
Exception: Stainless steel shall not be required to have
protective coatings.
tings, supports, and support hardware shall be made of material approved for the condition and shall comply with
(C)(1) and (C)(2) as applicable to the specific installation.
T
300.6 Protection Against Corrosion and Deterioration.
Raceways, cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, cable
armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings,
fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be of materials suitable for the environment in which they are to be
installed.
300.7
D
R
(1) Protected from Corrosion Solely by Enamel. Where
protected from corrosion solely by enamel, ferrous metal
raceways, cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, cable armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, metal elbows, couplings, nipples, fittings, supports, and support hardware
shall not be used outdoors or in wet locations as described
in 300.6(D).
(2) Organic Coatings on Boxes or Cabinets. Where
boxes or cabinets have an approved system of organic coatings and are marked “Raintight,” “Rainproof,” or “Outdoor
Type,” they shall be permitted outdoors.
(3) In Concrete or in Direct Contact with the Earth.
Ferrous metal raceways, cable armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, nipples, fittings, supports,
and support hardware shall be permitted to be installed in
concrete or in direct contact with the earth, or in areas
subject to severe corrosive influences where made of material approved for the condition, or where provided with
corrosion protection approved for the condition.
(B) Aluminum Metal Equipment. Aluminum raceways,
cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, cable armor, boxes,
cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, nipples, fittings, supports, and support hardware embedded or encased
in concrete or in direct contact with the earth shall be provided with supplementary corrosion protection.
(C) Nonmetallic Equipment. Nonmetallic raceways,
cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, boxes, cables with a
nonmetallic outer jacket and internal metal armor or jacket,
cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, nipples, fit-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: Nonmetallic raceways, boxes, and fittings shall
be permitted to be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry, tile, or similar surface.
Informational Note: In general, areas where acids and alkali chemicals are handled and stored may present such
corrosive conditions, particularly when wet or damp. Severe corrosive conditions may also be present in portions of
meatpacking plants, tanneries, glue houses, and some
stables; in installations immediately adjacent to a seashore
and swimming pool areas; in areas where chemical deicers
are used; and in storage cellars or rooms for hides, casings,
fertilizer, salt, and bulk chemicals.
300.7 Raceways Exposed to Different Temperatures.
(A) Sealing. Where portions of a raceway or sleeve are
known to be subjected to different temperatures, and where
condensation is known to be a problem, as in cold storage
areas of buildings or where passing from the interior to the
exterior of a building, the raceway or sleeve shall be filled
with an approved material to prevent the circulation of
warm air to a colder section of the raceway or sleeve. An
explosionproof seal shall not be required for this purpose.
(B) Expansion Fittings. Raceways shall be provided with
expansion fittings where necessary to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction.
Informational Note: Table 352.44 and Table 355.44 provide the expansion information for polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) and for reinforced thermosetting resin conduit
(RTRC), respectively. A nominal number for steel conduit
can be determined by multiplying the expansion length in
Table 352.44 by 0.20. The coefficient of expansion for steel
electrical metallic tubing, intermediate metal conduit, and
70–149
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
rigid metal conduit is 1.170 × 10-5 (0.0000117 mm per mm
of conduit for each °C in temperature change) [0.650 × 10-5
(0.0000065 in. per inch of conduit for each °F in temperature change)]. [ROP 3–58]
A nominal number for aluminum conduit and aluminum electrical metallic tubing can be determined by multiplying the expansion length in Table 352.44 by 0.40. The
coefficient of expansion for aluminum electrical metallic
tubing and aluminum rigid metal conduit is 2.34 × 10−5
(0.0000234 mm per mm of conduit for each °C in temperature change) [1.30 × 10−5 (0.000013) in. per inch of conduit
for each °F in temperature change].
300.8 Installation of Conductors with Other Systems.
Raceways or cable trays containing electrical conductors
shall not contain any pipe, tube, or equal for steam, water,
air, gas, drainage, or any service other than electrical.
Exception: The ceiling support system shall be permitted
to support wiring and equipment that have been tested as
part of the fire-rated assembly.
Informational Note: One method of determining fire rating
is testing in accordance with ANSI/ASTM E119-2011a,
Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. [ROP 3–64]
(2) Non–Fire-Rated Assemblies. Wiring located within
the cavity of a non–fire-rated floor–ceiling or roof–ceiling
assembly shall not be secured to, or supported by, the ceiling assembly, including the ceiling support wires. An independent means of secure support shall be provided and
shall be permitted to be attached to the assembly. Where
independent support wires are used, they shall be distinguishable by color, tagging, or other effective means.
Exception: The ceiling support system shall be permitted
to support branch-circuit wiring and associated equipment
where installed in accordance with the ceiling system
manufacturer’s instructions.
AF
300.9 Raceways in Wet Locations Abovegrade. Where
raceways are installed in wet locations abovegrade, the interior of these raceways shall be considered to be a wet
location. Insulated conductors and cables installed in raceways in wet locations abovegrade shall comply with
310.10(C).
bly, including the ceiling support wires. An independent
means of secure support shall be provided and shall be
permitted to be attached to the assembly. Where independent support wires are used, they shall be distinguishable
by color, tagging, or other effective means from those that
are part of the fire-rated design.
T
300.8
D
R
300.10 Electrical Continuity of Metal Raceways and
Enclosures. Metal raceways, cable armor, and other metal
enclosures for conductors shall be metallically joined together into a continuous electrical conductor and shall be
connected to all boxes, fittings, and cabinets so as to provide effective electrical continuity. Unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, raceways and cable assemblies shall be mechanically secured to boxes, fittings,
cabinets, and other enclosures.
Exception No. 1: Short sections of raceways used to provide support or protection of cable assemblies from physical damage shall not be required to be made electrically
continuous.
Exception No. 2: Equipment enclosures to be isolated, as
permitted by 250.96(B), shall not be required to be metallically joined to the metal raceway.
300.11 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes,
cabinets, and fittings shall be securely fastened in place.
Support wires that do not provide secure support shall not
be permitted as the sole support. Support wires and associated fittings that provide secure support and that are installed in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be
permitted as the sole support. Where independent support
wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables
and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.
(1) Fire-Rated Assemblies. Wiring located within the cavity of a fire-rated floor–ceiling or roof–ceiling assembly
shall not be secured to, or supported by, the ceiling assem-
70–150
(B) Raceways Used as Means of Support. Raceways
shall be used only as a means of support for other raceways, cables, or nonelectrical equipment under any of the
following conditions:
(1) Where the raceway or means of support is identified as
a means of support [ROP 3–65]
(2) Where the raceway contains power supply conductors
for electrically controlled equipment and is used to support Class 2 circuit conductors or cables that are solely
for the purpose of connection to the equipment control
circuits
(3) Where the raceway is used to support boxes or conduit
bodies in accordance with 314.23 or to support luminaires in accordance with 410.36(E)
(C) Cables Not Used as Means of Support. Cable wiring
methods shall not be used as a means of support for other
cables, raceways, or nonelectrical equipment.
300.12 Mechanical Continuity — Raceways and
Cables. Metal or nonmetallic raceways, cable armors, and
cable sheaths shall be continuous between cabinets, boxes,
fittings, or other enclosures or outlets.
Exception No. 1: Short sections of raceways used to provide support or protection of cable assemblies from physical damage shall not be required to be mechanically
continuous.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
300.16
Exception No. 2: Raceways and cables installed into the
bottom of open bottom equipment, such as switchboards,
motor control centers, and floor or pad-mounted transformers, shall not be required to be mechanically secured to the
equipment.
(C) Protection. A box or conduit body shall not be required where cables enter or exit from conduit or tubing
that is used to provide cable support or protection against
physical damage. A fitting shall be provided on the end(s)
of the conduit or tubing to protect the cable from abrasion.
300.13 Mechanical and Electrical Continuity — Conductors.
(D) Type MI Cable. A box or conduit body shall not be
required where accessible fittings are used for straightthrough splices in mineral-insulated metal-sheathed cable.
(B) Device Removal. In multiwire branch circuits, the
continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on
device connections such as lampholders, receptacles, and
so forth, where the removal of such devices would interrupt
the continuity.
Informational Note: See 334.30(C); 545.10; 550.15(I);
551.47(E), Exception No. 1; and 552.48(E), Exception No.
1.
(F) Fitting. A fitting identified for the use shall be permitted in lieu of a box or conduit body where conductors are
not spliced or terminated within the fitting. The fitting shall
be accessible after installation.
(G) Direct-Buried Conductors. As permitted in 300.5(E),
a box or conduit body shall not be required for splices and
taps in direct-buried conductors and cables.
AF
300.14 Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions, and Switch Points. At least 150 mm (6 in.) of free
conductor, measured from the point in the box where it
emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at
each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the
connection of luminaires or devices. Where the opening to
an outlet, junction, or switch point is less than 200 mm
(8 in.) in any dimension, each conductor shall be long
enough to extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) outside the opening.
(E) Integral Enclosure. A wiring device with integral enclosure identified for the use, having brackets that securely
fasten the device to walls or ceilings of conventional onsite frame construction, for use with nonmetallic-sheathed
cable, shall be permitted in lieu of a box or conduit body.
T
(A) General. Conductors in raceways shall be continuous
between outlets, boxes, devices, and so forth. There shall be
no splice or tap within a raceway unless permitted by
300.15; 368.56(A); 376.56; 378.56; 384.56; 386.56;
388.56; or 390.7.
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Exception: Conductors that are not spliced or terminated
at the outlet, junction, or switch point shall not be required
to comply with 300.14.
300.15 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, or Fittings — Where Required. A box shall be installed at each outlet and switch
point for concealed knob-and-tube wiring.
Fittings and connectors shall be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.
Where the wiring method is conduit, tubing, Type AC
cable, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, nonmetallicsheathed cable, or other cables, a box or conduit body shall
be installed at each conductor splice point, outlet point,
switch point, junction point, termination point, or pull
point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through (L).
(A) Wiring Methods with Interior Access. A box or conduit body shall not be required for each splice, junction,
switch, pull, termination, or outlet points in wiring methods
with removable covers, such as wireways, multioutlet assemblies, auxiliary gutters, and surface raceways. The covers shall be accessible after installation.
(B) Equipment. An integral junction box or wiring compartment as part of approved equipment shall be permitted
in lieu of a box.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(H) Insulated Devices. As permitted in 334.40(B), a box
or conduit body shall not be required for insulated devices
supplied by nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
(I) Enclosures. A box or conduit body shall not be required where a splice, switch, terminal, or pull point is in a
cabinet or cutout box, in an enclosure for a switch or overcurrent device as permitted in 312.8, in a motor controller
as permitted in 430.10(A), or in a motor control center.
(J) Luminaires. A box or conduit body shall not be required where a luminaire is used as a raceway as permitted
in 410.64.
(K) Embedded. A box or conduit body shall not be required for splices where conductors are embedded as permitted in 424.40, 424.41(D), 426.22(B), 426.24(A), and
427.19(A).
(L) Manholes and Handhole Enclosures. A box or conduit body shall not be required for conductors in manholes
or handhole enclosures, except where connecting to electrical equipment. The installation shall comply with the provisions of Part V of Article 110 for manholes, and 314.30
for handhole enclosures.
300.16 Raceway or Cable to Open or Concealed Wiring.
(A) Box, Conduit Body, or Fitting. A box, conduit body,
or terminal fitting having a separately bushed hole for each
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ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
conductor shall be used wherever a change is made from
conduit, electrical metallic tubing, electrical nonmetallic
tubing, nonmetallic-sheathed cable, Type AC cable, Type
MC cable, or mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable and
surface raceway wiring to open wiring or to concealed
knob-and-tube wiring. A fitting used for this purpose shall
contain no taps or splices and shall not be used at luminaire
outlets. A conduit body used for this purpose shall contain
no taps or splices, unless it complies with 314.16(C)(2).
(B) Bushing. A bushing shall be permitted in lieu of a box
or terminal where the conductors emerge from a raceway
and enter or terminate at equipment, such as open switchboards, unenclosed control equipment, or similar equipment. The bushing shall be of the insulating type for other
than lead-sheathed conductors.
(A) Complete Runs. Raceways, other than busways or exposed raceways having hinged or removable covers, shall
be installed complete between outlet, junction, or splicing
points prior to the installation of conductors. Where required to facilitate the installation of utilization equipment,
the raceway shall be permitted to be initially installed without a terminating connection at the equipment. Prewired
raceway assemblies shall be permitted only where specifically permitted in this Code for the applicable wiring
method.
Exception: Short sections of raceways used to contain
conductors or cable assemblies for protection from physical damage shall not be required to be installed complete
between outlet, junction, or splicing points.
(B) Welding. Metal raceways shall not be supported, terminated, or connected by welding to the raceway unless
specifically designed to be or otherwise specifically permitted to be in this Code.
AF
300.17 Number and Size of Conductors in Raceway.
The number and size of conductors in any raceway shall
not be more than will permit dissipation of the heat and
ready installation or withdrawal of the conductors without
damage to the conductors or to their insulation.
300.18 Raceway Installations.
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300.17
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Informational Note: See the following sections of this
Code: intermediate metal conduit, 342.22; rigid metal conduit, 344.22; flexible metal conduit, 348.22; liquidtight
flexible metal conduit, 350.22; PVC conduit, 352.22;
HDPE conduit, 353.22; RTRC, 355.22; liquidtight nonmetallic flexible conduit, 356.22; electrical metallic tubing,
358.22; flexible metallic tubing, 360.22; electrical nonmetallic tubing, 362.22; cellular concrete floor raceways,
372.11; cellular metal floor raceways, 374.5; metal wireways, 376.22; nonmetallic wireways, 378.22; surface metal
raceways, 386.22; surface nonmetallic raceways, 388.22;
underfloor raceways, 390.6; fixture wire, 402.7; theaters,
520.6; signs, 600.31(C); elevators, 620.33; audio signal
processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment,
640.23(A) and 640.24; Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits, Article 725; fire alarm circuits, Article 760; and optical fiber cables and raceways, Article 770.
300.19 Supporting Conductors in Vertical Raceways.
(A) Spacing Intervals — Maximum. Conductors in vertical raceways shall be supported if the vertical rise exceeds
the values in Table 300.19(A). One cable support shall be
provided at the top of the vertical raceway or as close to the
top as practical. Intermediate supports shall be provided as
necessary to limit supported conductor lengths to not
greater than those values specified in Table 300.19(A).
Exception: Steel wire armor cable shall be supported at
the top of the riser with a cable support that clamps the
steel wire armor. A safety device shall be permitted at the
lower end of the riser to hold the cable in the event there is
slippage of the cable in the wire-armored cable support.
Additional wedge-type supports shall be permitted to re-
Table 300.19(A) Spacings for Conductor Supports
Conductors
Conductor Size
18 AWG through 8 AWG
6 AWG through 1/0 AWG
2/0 AWG through 4/0 AWG
Over 4/0 AWG through 350 kcmil
Over 350 kcmil through 500 kcmil
Over 500 kcmil through 750 kcmil
Over 750 kcmil
70–152
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
Support of
Conductors in
Vertical
Raceways
m
ft
m
ft
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
30
60
55
41
36
28
26
100
200
180
135
120
95
85
30
30
25
18
15
12
11
100
100
80
60
50
40
35
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
than
than
than
than
than
than
than
Copper
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
300.22
lieve the strain on the equipment terminals caused by expansion of the cable under load.
all the conductors in the circuit through an insulating wall
sufficiently large for all of the conductors of the circuit.
(B) Fire-Rated Cables and Conductors. Support methods and spacing intervals for fire-rated cables and conductors shall comply with any restrictions provided in the listing of the electrical circuit protective system used and in no
case shall exceed the values in Table 300.19(A).
Exception: In the case of circuits supplying vacuum or
electric-discharge lighting systems or signs or X-ray apparatus, the currents carried by the conductors are so small
that the inductive heating effect can be ignored where these
conductors are placed in metal enclosures or pass through
metal.
Informational Note: Because aluminum is not a magnetic
metal, there will be no heating due to hysteresis; however,
induced currents will be present. They will not be of sufficient magnitude to require grouping of conductors or special treatment in passing conductors through aluminum
wall sections.
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300.21 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and
ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made so that the
possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not
be substantially increased. Openings around electrical penetrations into or through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved
methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.
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(C) Support Methods. One of the following methods of
support shall be used:
(1) By clamping devices constructed of or employing insulating wedges inserted in the ends of the raceways.
Where clamping of insulation does not adequately support the cable, the conductor also shall be clamped.
(2) By inserting boxes at the required intervals in which
insulating supports are installed and secured in a satisfactory manner to withstand the weight of the conductors attached thereto, the boxes being provided with
covers.
(3) In junction boxes, by deflecting the cables not less than
90 degrees and carrying them horizontally to a distance
not less than twice the diameter of the cable, the cables
being carried on two or more insulating supports and
additionally secured thereto by tie wires if desired.
Where this method is used, cables shall be supported at
intervals not greater than 20 percent of those mentioned
in the preceding tabulation.
(4) By a method of equal effectiveness.
300.20 Induced Currents in Ferrous Metal Enclosures
or Ferrous Metal Raceways.
(A) Conductors Grouped Together. Where conductors
carrying alternating current are installed in ferrous metal
enclosures or ferrous metal raceways, they shall be arranged so as to avoid heating the surrounding ferrous metal
by induction. To accomplish this, all phase conductors and,
where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment
grounding conductors shall be grouped together.
Exception No. 1: Equipment grounding conductors for
certain existing installations shall be permitted to be installed separate from their associated circuit conductors
where run in accordance with the provisions of 250.130(C).
Exception No. 2: A single conductor shall be permitted to
be installed in a ferromagnetic enclosure and used for skineffect heating in accordance with the provisions of 426.42
and 427.47.
(B) Individual Conductors. Where a single conductor
carrying alternating current passes through metal with magnetic properties, the inductive effect shall be minimized by
(1) cutting slots in the metal between the individual holes
through which the individual conductors pass or (2) passing
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction
materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain
many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain
the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or
openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions
on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fireresistance-rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm
(24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies
between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 300.21 can be found in building
codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
300.22 Wiring in Ducts Not Used for Air Handling,
Fabricated Ducts for Environmental Air, and Other
Spaces for Environmental Air (Plenums). The provisions
of this section shall apply to the installation and uses of
electrical wiring and equipment in ducts used for dust,
loose stock, or vapor removal; ducts specifically fabricated
for environmental air; and other spaces used for environmental air (plenums).
Informational Note:
heaters.
See Article 424, Part VI, for duct
(A) Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor Removal. No
wiring systems of any type shall be installed in ducts used
to transport dust, loose stock, or flammable vapors. No
wiring system of any type shall be installed in any duct, or
shaft containing only such ducts, used for vapor removal or
for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment.
(B) Ducts Specifically Fabricated for Environmental
Air. Equipment, devices, and the wiring methods specified
in this section shall be permitted within such ducts only if
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ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
necessary for the direct action upon, or sensing of, the
contained air. Where equipment or devices are installed and
illumination is necessary to facilitate maintenance and repair, enclosed gasketed-type luminaires shall be permitted.
[ROP 3–81]
Only wiring methods consisting of Type MI cable without an overall nonmetallic covering, Type MC cable employing a smooth or corrugated impervious metal sheath
without an overall nonmetallic covering, electrical metallic
tubing, flexible metallic tubing, intermediate metal conduit,
or rigid metal conduit without an overall nonmetallic covering shall be installed in ducts specifically fabricated to
transport environmental air. Flexible metal conduit shall be
permitted, in lengths not to exceed 1.2 m (4 ft), to connect
physically adjustable equipment and devices permitted to
be in these fabricated ducts. The connectors used with flexible metal conduit shall effectively close any openings in
the connection. [ROP 3–83]
Informational Note: One method of defining adequate
fire-resistant and low-smoke producing characteristics is in
ANSI/UL 2043-2008, Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke
Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 3–86]
(2) Cable Tray Systems. The provisions in (a) or (b) shall
apply to the use of metallic cable tray systems in other
spaces used for environmental air (plenums), where accessible, as follows:
(a) Metal Cable Tray Systems. Metal cable tray systems shall be permitted to support the wiring methods in
300.22(C)(1).
(b) Solid Side and Bottom Metal Cable Tray Systems.
Solid side and bottom metal cable tray systems with solid
metal covers shall be permitted to enclose wiring methods
and cables, not already covered in 300.22(C)(1), in accordance with 392.10(A) and (B).
(3) Equipment. Electrical equipment with a metal enclosure, or electrical equipment with a nonmetallic enclosure
listed for use within an air-handling space and having adequate fire-resistant and low-smoke-producing characteristics, and associated wiring material suitable for the ambient
temperature shall be permitted to be installed in such other
space unless prohibited elsewhere in this Code.
AF
(C) Other Spaces Used for Environmental Air (Plenums). This section shall apply to spaces not specifically
fabricated for environmental air-handling purposes but used
for air-handling purposes as a plenum. This section shall
not apply to habitable rooms or areas of buildings, the
prime purpose of which is not air handling.
Cable ties used to secure cables shall be listed as having
adequate fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics. [ROP 3–86]
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300.23
Informational Note No. 1: The space over a hung ceiling
used for environmental air-handling purposes is an example
of the type of other space to which this section applies.
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Informational Note No. 2: The phrase “Other Spaces Used
for Environmental Air (Plenum)” as used in this section
correlates with the use of the term “plenum” in NFPA 90A2009, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and
Ventilating Systems, and other mechanical codes where the
plenum is used for return air purposes, as well as some
other air-handling spaces.
Exception: This section shall not apply to the joist or stud
spaces of dwelling units where the wiring passes through
such spaces perpendicular to the long dimension of such
spaces.
(1) Wiring Methods. The wiring methods for such other
space shall be limited to totally enclosed, nonventilated,
insulated busway having no provisions for plug-in connections, Type MI cable without an overall nonmetallic covering, Type MC cable without an overall nonmetallic covering, Type AC cable, or other factory-assembled
multiconductor control or power cable that is specifically
listed for use within an air-handling space, or listed prefabricated cable assemblies of metallic manufactured wiring
systems without nonmetallic sheath. Other types of cables,
conductors, and raceways shall be permitted to be installed
in electrical metallic tubing, flexible metallic tubing, intermediate metal conduit, rigid metal conduit without an overall nonmetallic covering, flexible metal conduit, or, where
accessible, surface metal raceway or metal wireway with
metal covers. [ROP 3–84]
70–154
Informational Note: One method of defining adequate
fire-resistant and low-smoke producing characteristics for
electrical equipment with a nonmetallic enclosure is in
ANSI/UL 2043-2008, Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke
Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces.
Exception: Integral fan systems shall be permitted where
specifically identified for use within an air-handling space.
(D) Information Technology Equipment. Electrical wiring in air-handling areas beneath raised floors for information technology equipment shall be permitted in accordance
with Article 645.
300.23 Panels Designed to Allow Access. Cables, raceways, and equipment installed behind panels designed to
allow access, including suspended ceiling panels, shall be
arranged and secured so as to allow the removal of panels
and access to the equipment.
II. Requirements for over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 3–89]
300.31 Covers Required. Suitable covers shall be installed on all boxes, fittings, and similar enclosures to pre-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
vent accidental contact with energized parts or physical
damage to parts or insulation.
of
Different
Systems.
metal sheath and where protection against moisture or
physical damage is necessary, the insulation of the conductors shall be protected by a cable sheath terminating device.
See
300.50 Underground Installations.
300.34 Conductor Bending Radius. The conductor shall
not be bent to a radius less than 8 times the overall diameter
for nonshielded conductors or 12 times the overall diameter
for shielded or lead-covered conductors during or after installation. For multiconductor or multiplexed singleconductor cables having individually shielded conductors,
the minimum bending radius is 12 times the diameter of the
individually shielded conductors or 7 times the overall diameter, whichever is greater.
300.35 Protection Against Induction Heating. Metallic
raceways and associated conductors shall be arranged so as
to avoid heating of the raceway in accordance with the
applicable provisions of 300.20.
(1) Shielded Cables and Nonshielded Cables in MetalSheathed Cable Assemblies. Underground cables, including nonshielded, Type MC and moisture-impervious metal
sheath cables, shall have those sheaths grounded through an
effective grounding path meeting the requirements of
250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4). They shall be direct buried or installed in raceways identified for the use.
(2) Industrial Establishments. In industrial establishments, where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the installed
cable, nonshielded single-conductor cables with insulations
types up to 2000 volts that are listed for direct burial shall
be permitted to be directly buried. [ROP 3–96]
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300.37 Aboveground Wiring Methods. Aboveground
conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, in intermediate metal conduit, in electrical metallic tubing, in
RTRC and PVC conduit, in cable trays, in auxiliary gutters,
as busways, as cablebus, in other identified raceways, or as
exposed runs of metal-clad cable suitable for the use and
purpose. In locations accessible to qualified persons only,
exposed runs of Type MV cables, bare conductors, and bare
busbars shall also be permitted. Busbars shall be permitted
to be either copper or aluminum.
(A) General. Underground conductors shall be identified
for the voltage and conditions under which they are installed. Direct-burial cables shall comply with the provisions of 310.10(F). Underground cables shall be installed in
accordance with 300.50(A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) and the
installation shall meet the depth requirements of Table
300.50. [ROP 3–96]
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300.32 Conductors
300.3(C)(2).
300.50
300.39 Braid-Covered Insulated Conductors — Exposed Installation. Exposed runs of braid-covered insulated conductors shall have a flame-retardant braid. If the
conductors used do not have this protection, a flameretardant saturant shall be applied to the braid covering
after installation. This treated braid covering shall be
stripped back a safe distance at conductor terminals, according to the operating voltage. Where practicable, this
distance shall not be less than 25 mm (1 in.) for each
kilovolt of the conductor-to-ground voltage of the circuit.
300.40 Insulation Shielding. Metallic and semiconducting
insulation shielding components of shielded cables shall be
removed for a distance dependent on the circuit voltage and
insulation. Stress reduction means shall be provided at all
terminations of factory-applied shielding.
Metallic shielding components such as tapes, wires, or
braids, or combinations thereof, shall be connected to a
grounding conductor, grounding busbar, or a grounding
electrode.
300.42 Moisture or Mechanical Protection for MetalSheathed Cables. Where cable conductors emerge from a
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Other Nonshielded Cables. Other nonshielded cables
not covered in 300.50(A)(1) or (A)(2) shall be installed in
rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or rigid
nonmetallic conduit encased in not less than 75 mm (3 in.)
of concrete. [ROP 3–96]
(B) Wet Locations. The interior of enclosures or raceways
installed underground shall be considered to be a wet location. Insulated conductors and cables installed in these enclosures or raceways in underground installations shall be
listed for use in wet locations and shall comply with
310.10(C). Any connections or splices in an underground
installation shall be approved for wet locations.
(C) Protection from Damage. Conductors emerging from
the ground shall be enclosed in listed raceways. Raceways
installed on poles shall be of rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, RTRC-XW, Schedule 80 PVC conduit,
or equivalent, extending from the minimum cover depth
specified in Table 300.50 to a point 2.5 m (8 ft) above
finished grade. Conductors entering a building shall be protected by an approved enclosure or raceway from the minimum cover depth to the point of entrance. Where directburied conductors, raceways, or cables are subject to
movement by settlement or frost, they shall be installed to
prevent damage to the enclosed conductors or to the equip-
70–155
300.50
ARTICLE 300 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3–8]
Table 300.50 Minimum Covera Requirements
General Conditions (not otherwise specified)
Column 1
Column 2
Special Conditions (use if applicable)
Column 3
Column 4
Column 5
Column 6
Raceways
Under
Buildings or
Cables in
Areas Subject to
Exterior
Airport
Vehicular Traffic,
Concrete
Runways or
Such as
Slabs, 100 mm
Adjacent
Rigid Metal
(4 in.)
Areas Where Thoroughfares and
Conduit and
Minimum
Trespass Is Commercial Parking
Intermediate
Areas
Thicknessc
Prohibited
Metal Conduit
RTRC, PVC,
and HDPE
Conduitb
Circuit Voltage
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
Over 600 V
through 22 kV
750
30
450
18
150
6
100
4
450
18
600
24
Over 22 kV
through 40 kV
900
36
600
24
150
6
100
4
450
18
600
24
1000
42
750
30
150
6
100
4
450
18
600
24
Over 40 kV
T
Direct-Buried
Cablesd
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General Notes:
1. Lesser depths shall be permitted where cables and conductors rise for terminations or splices or where access is otherwise required.
2. Where solid rock prevents compliance with the cover depths specified in this table, the wiring shall be installed in a metal or nonmetallic raceway
permitted for direct burial. The raceways shall be covered by a minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete extending down to rock.
3. In industrial establishments, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that qualified persons will service the installation, the
minimum cover requirements, for other than rigid metal conduit and intermediate metal conduit, shall be permitted to be reduced 150 mm (6 in.)
for each 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete or equivalent placed entirely within the trench over the underground installation.
Specific Footnotes:
a
Cover is defined as the shortest distance in millimeters (inches) measured between a point on the top surface of any direct-buried conductor, cable,
conduit, or other raceway and the top surface of finished grade, concrete, or similar cover.
b
Listed by a qualified testing agency as suitable for direct burial without encasement. All other nonmetallic systems shall require 50 mm (2 in.)
of concrete or equivalent above conduit in addition to the table depth.
c
The slab shall extend a minimum of 150 mm (6 in.) beyond the underground installation, and a warning ribbon or other effective means suitable
for the conditions shall be placed above the underground installation.
d
Underground direct-buried cables that are not encased or protected by concrete and are buried 750 mm (30 in.) or more below grade shall have
their location identified by a warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at least 300 mm (12 in.) above the cables.
ment connected to the raceways. Metallic enclosures shall
be grounded.
(D) Splices. Direct burial cables shall be permitted to be
spliced or tapped without the use of splice boxes, provided
they are installed using materials suitable for the application. The taps and splices shall be watertight and protected
from mechanical damage. Where cables are shielded, the
shielding shall be continuous across the splice or tap.
Exception: At splices of an engineered cabling system,
metallic shields of direct-buried single-conductor cables
with maintained spacing between phases shall be permitted
to be interrupted and overlapped. Where shields are interrupted and overlapped, each shield section shall be
grounded at one point.
sive materials shall not be placed in an excavation where
materials can damage or contribute to the corrosion of raceways, cables, or other substructures or where it may prevent adequate compaction of fill.
Protection in the form of granular or selected material
or suitable sleeves shall be provided to prevent physical
damage to the raceway or cable.
(F) Raceway Seal. Where a raceway enters from an underground system, the end within the building shall be sealed
with an identified compound so as to prevent the entrance
of moisture or gases, or it shall be so arranged to prevent
moisture from contacting live parts.
(E) Backfill. Backfill containing large rocks, paving materials, cinders, large or sharply angular substances, or corro-
70–156
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
I. General
310.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for
conductors and their type designations, insulations, markings, mechanical strengths, ampacity ratings, and uses.
These requirements do not apply to conductors that form an
integral part of equipment, such as motors, motor controllers, and similar equipment, or to conductors specifically
provided for elsewhere in this Code.
Informational Note: For flexible cords and cables, see Article 400. For fixture wires, see Article 402.
310.2 Definitions.
Electrical Ducts. Electrical conduits, or other raceways
round in cross section, that are suitable for use underground
or embedded in concrete.
Informational Note: Thermal resistivity is the reciprocal
of thermal conductivity and is designated Rho, which is
expressed in the units °C-cm/W. [ROP 6–5]
II. Installation
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310.10 Uses Permitted. The conductors described in
310.104 shall be permitted for use in any of the wiring
methods covered in Chapter 3 and as specified in their
respective tables or as permitted elsewhere in this Code.
[ROP 6–8]
(A) Dry Locations. Insulated conductors and cables used
in dry locations shall be any of the types identified in this
Code.
(B) Dry and Damp Locations. Insulated conductors and
cables used in dry and damp locations shall be Types FEP,
FEPB, MTW, PFA, RHH, RHW, RHW-2, SA, THHN,
THW, THW-2, THHW, THWN, THWN-2, TW, XHH,
XHHW, XHHW-2, Z, or ZW.
(C) Wet Locations. Insulated conductors and cables used
in wet locations shall comply with one of the following:
(1) Be moisture-impervious metal-sheathed
(2) Be types MTW, RHW, RHW-2, TW, THW, THW-2,
THHW, THWN, THWN-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW
(3) Be of a type listed for use in wet locations
(D) Locations Exposed to Direct Sunlight. Insulated conductors or cables used where exposed to direct rays of the
sun shall comply with (D)(1) or (D)(2):
2014 Edition
(E) Shielding. Non-shielded, ozone-resistant insulated
conductors with a maximum phase-to-phase voltage of
5000 volts shall be permitted in Type MC cables in industrial establishments where the conditions of maintenance
and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service
the installation. For other establishments, solid dielectric
insulated conductors operated above 2000 volts in permanent installations shall have ozone-resistant insulation and
shall be shielded. All metallic insulation shields shall be
connected to a grounding electrode conductor, a grounding
busbar, an equipment grounding conductor, or a grounding
electrode.
Informational Note: The primary purposes of shielding are
to confine the voltage stresses to the insulation, dissipate
insulation leakage current, drain off the capacitive charging
current, and carry ground-fault current to facilitate operation of ground-fault protective devices in the event of an
electrical cable fault.
AF
Thermal Resistivity. As used in this Code, the heat transfer capability through a substance by conduction.
(1) Conductors and cables shall be listed, or listed and
marked, as being sunlight resistant
(2) Conductors and cables shall be covered with insulating
material, such as tape or sleeving, that is listed, or
listed and marked, as being sunlight resistant
T
ARTICLE 310
Conductors for General Wiring
310.10
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 1: Nonshielded insulated conductors listed
by a qualified testing laboratory shall be permitted for use
up to 2400 volts under the following conditions:
(a) Conductors shall have insulation resistant to electric discharge and surface tracking, or the insulated conductor(s) shall be covered with a material resistant to
ozone, electric discharge, and surface tracking.
(b) Where used in wet locations, the insulated conductor(s) shall have an overall nonmetallic jacket or a continuous metallic sheath.
(c) Insulation and jacket thicknesses shall be in accordance with Table 310.104(D).
Exception No. 2: Nonshielded insulated conductors listed
by a qualified testing laboratory shall be permitted for use
up to 5000 volts to replace existing nonshielded conductors, on existing equipment in industrial establishments
only, under the following conditions:
(a) Where the condition of maintenance and supervision ensures that only qualified personnel install and service the installation.
(b) Conductors shall have insulation resistant to electric discharge and surface tracking, or the insulated conductor(s) shall be covered with a material resistant to
ozone, electric discharge, and surface tracking.
(c) Where used in wet locations, the insulated conductor(s) shall have an overall nonmetallic jacket or a continuous metallic sheath.
(d) Insulation and jacket thicknesses shall be in accordance with Table 310.104(D).
70–157
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Exception No. 3: Where permitted in 310.10(F), Exception
No. 2.
(F) Direct-Burial Conductors. Conductors used for
direct-burial applications shall be of a type identified for
such use.
Cables rated above 2000 volts shall be shielded.
Exception No. 1: Nonshielded multiconductor cables rated
2001–2400 volts shall be permitted if the cable has an
overall metallic sheath or armor.
The metallic shield, sheath, or armor shall be connected
to a grounding electrode conductor, grounding busbar, or a
grounding electrode.
Exception No. 2: Airfield lighting cable used in series circuits that are rated up to 5000 volts and are powered by
regulators shall be permitted to be nonshielded.
Informational Note to Exception No. 2: Exception No. 2 can
be used to alleviate overheating of neutral conductors in existing installations due to high content of triplen harmonic
currents.
(2) Conductor and Installation Characteristics. The paralleled conductors in each phase, polarity, neutral,
grounded circuit conductor, equipment grounding conductor, or equipment bonding jumper shall comply with all of
the following: [ROP 6–15]
(1) Be the same length
(2) Consist of the same conductor material
(3) Be the same size in circular mil area
(4) Have the same insulation type
(5) Be terminated in the same manner
(6) When paralleled in ferrous metal enclosures or raceways, conductors shall be grouped to prevent inductive
heating. [ROP 6–15]
AF
Informational Note to Exception No. 2: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circulars (ACs) provide additional practices and methods for airport lighting.
or more of the parallel conductors become inadvertently
disconnected.
Exception No. 2: Under engineering supervision, 2 AWG
and 1 AWG grounded neutral conductors shall be permitted
to be installed in parallel for existing installations.
T
Informational Note: Relocation or replacement of equipment may not comply with the term existing as related to
this exception.
Informational Note No. 1: See 300.5 for installation requirements for conductors rated 1000 volts or less. [ROP
6–14]
Informational Note No. 2: See 300.50 for installation requirements for conductors rated over 1000 volts. [ROP
6–14]
D
R
(G) Corrosive Conditions. Conductors exposed to oils,
greases, vapors, gases, fumes, liquids, or other substances
having a deleterious effect on the conductor or insulation
shall be of a type suitable for the application.
(H) Conductors in Parallel.
(1) General. Aluminum, copper-clad aluminum, or copper
conductors, for each phase, polarity, neutral, or grounded
circuit shall be permitted to be connected in parallel (electrically joined at both ends) only in sizes 1/0 AWG and
larger where installed in accordance with 310.10(H)(2)
through (H)(6).
Exception No. 1: Conductors in sizes smaller than 1/0
AWG shall be permitted to be run in parallel to supply
control power to indicating instruments, contactors, relays,
solenoids, and similar control devices, or for frequencies of
360 Hz and higher, provided all of the following apply:
(a) They are contained within the same raceway or
cable.
(b) The ampacity of each individual conductor is sufficient to carry the entire load current shared by the parallel conductors.
(c) The overcurrent protection is such that the ampacity of each individual conductor will not be exceeded if one
70–158
Informational Note: Where conductors are paralleled in
ferrous metal enclosures or raceways, failure to group one
conductor from each phase in each raceway or grouping
within a wiring method may result in overheating and current imbalance. [ROP 6–15]
(3) Separate Cables or Raceways. Where run in separate
cables or raceways, the cables or raceways with conductors
shall have the same number of conductors and shall have
the same electrical characteristics. Conductors of one
phase, polarity, neutral, grounded circuit conductor, or
equipment bonding conductor shall not be required to have
the same physical characteristics as those of another phase,
polarity, neutral, grounded circuit conductor, or equipment
grounding conductor. [ROP 6–13]
(4) Ampacity Adjustment. Conductors installed in parallel shall comply with the provisions of 310.15(B)(3)(a).
(5) Equipment Bonding Conductors. Where parallel
equipment bonding conductors are used, they shall be sized
in accordance with 250.122. Sectioned equipment bonding
conductors smaller than 1/0 AWG shall be permitted in
multiconductor cables provided the combined circular mil
area of the sectioned equipment bonding conductors in each
cable complies with 250.122. [ROP 6–13, ROP 6–16a]
(6) Bonding Jumpers. Where parallel equipment bonding
jumpers or supply side bonding jumpers are installed in
raceways, they shall be sized and installed in accordance
with 250.102. [ROP 6–17]
310.15 Ampacities for Conductors Rated 0–2000 Volts.
(A) General.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Informational Note No. 1: Ampacities provided by this
section do not take voltage drop into consideration. See
210.19(A), Informational Note No. 4, for branch circuits
and 215.2(A), Informational Note No. 2, for feeders.
Informational Note No. 2: For the allowable ampacities of
Type MTW wire, see Table 13.5.1 in NFPA 79-2007, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery.
(2) Selection of Ampacity. Where more than one ampacity
applies for a given circuit length, the lowest value shall be
used.
Exception: Where two different ampacities apply to adjacent portions of a circuit, the higher ampacity shall be
permitted to be used beyond the point of transition, a distance equal to 3.0 m (10 ft) or 10 percent of the circuit
length figured at the higher ampacity, whichever is less.
Informational Note: Table 310.15(B)(16) through Table
310.15(B)(19) are application tables for use in determining
conductor sizes on loads calculated in accordance with Article 220. Allowable ampacities result from consideration of
one or more of the following:
(1) Temperature compatibility with connected equipment,
especially the connection points.
(2) Coordination with circuit and system overcurrent protection.
(3) Compliance with the requirements of product listings
or certifications. See 110.3(B).
(4) Preservation of the safety benefits of established industry practices and standardized procedures.
AF
Informational Note: See 110.14(C) for conductor temperature limitations due to termination provisions.
(B) Tables. Ampacities for conductors rated 0 to 2000
volts shall be as specified in the Allowable Ampacity Table
310.15(B)(16) through Table 310.15(B)(19), and Ampacity
Table 310.15(B)(20) and Table 310.15(B)(21) as modified
by 310.15(B)(1) through (B)(7).
The temperature correction and adjustment factors shall
be permitted to be applied to the ampacity for the temperature rating of the conductor, if the corrected and adjusted
ampacity does not exceed the ampacity for the temperature
rating of the termination in accordance with the provisions
of 110.14(C).
T
(1) Tables or Engineering Supervision. Ampacities for
conductors shall be permitted to be determined by tables as
provided in 310.15(B) or under engineering supervision, as
provided in 310.15(C).
(1) General. For explanation of type letters used in tables
and for recognized sizes of conductors for the various conductor insulations, see Table 310.104(A) and Table
310.104(B). For installation requirements, see 310.1
through 310.15(A)(3) and the various articles of this Code.
For flexible cords, see Table 400.4, Table 400.5(A)(1), and
Table 400.5(A)(2).
Informational Note No. 1: The temperature rating of a
conductor [see Table 310.104(A) and Table 310.104(C)] is
the maximum temperature, at any location along its length,
that the conductor can withstand over a prolonged time
period without serious degradation. The allowable ampacity
tables, the ampacity tables of Article 310 and the ampacity
tables of Informative Annex B, the ambient temperature
correction factors in 310.15(B)(2), and the notes to the
tables provide guidance for coordinating conductor sizes,
types, allowable ampacities, ampacities, ambient temperatures, and number of associated conductors. The principal
determinants of operating temperature are as follows:
(2) Ambient Temperature Correction Factors. Ampacities for ambient temperatures other than those shown in the
ampacity tables shall be corrected in accordance with Table
310.15(B)(2)(a) or Table 310.15(B)(2)(b) , or shall be permitted to be calculated using the following equation:
D
R
(3) Temperature Limitation of Conductors. No conductor shall be used in such a manner that its operating temperature exceeds that designated for the type of insulated
conductor involved. In no case shall conductors be associated together in such a way, with respect to type of circuit,
the wiring method employed, or the number of conductors,
that the limiting temperature of any conductor is exceeded.
(1) Ambient temperature — ambient temperature may vary
along the conductor length as well as from time to
time.
(2) Heat generated internally in the conductor as the result
of load current flow, including fundamental and harmonic currents.
(3) The rate at which generated heat dissipates into the
ambient medium. Thermal insulation that covers or surrounds conductors affects the rate of heat dissipation.
(4) Adjacent load-carrying conductors — adjacent conductors have the dual effect of raising the ambient temperature and impeding heat dissipation.
Informational Note No. 2: Refer to 110.14(C) for the temperature limitation of terminations.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
I′ = I
Tc − Ta ′
Tc − Ta
where:
I' = ampacity corrected for ambient temperature
I = ampacity shown in the tables
Tc = temperature rating of conductor (°C)
Ta' = new ambient temperature (°C)
Ta = ambient temperature used in the table (°C)
(3) Adjustment Factors.
(a) More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in a
Raceway or Cable. Where the number of current-carrying
conductors in a raceway or cable exceeds three, or where
single conductors or multiconductor cables are installed
without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer
than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed in raceways, the
70–159
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) Ambient Temperature Correction Factors Based on 30°C (86°F)
For ambient temperatures other than 30°C (86°F), multiply the allowable ampacities specified in the ampacity tables by the appropriate
correction factor shown below.
Temperature Rating of Conductor
60°C
75°C
90°C
Ambient Temperature
(°F)
10 or less
1.29
1.20
1.15
50 or less
11–15
1.22
1.15
1.12
51–59
16–20
1.15
1.11
1.08
60–68
21–25
1.08
1.05
1.04
69–77
26–30
1.00
1.00
1.00
78–86
31–35
0.91
0.94
0.96
87–95
36–40
0.82
0.88
0.91
96–104
41–45
0.71
0.82
0.87
105–113
46–50
0.58
0.75
0.82
114–122
51–55
0.41
0.67
0.76
123–131
56–60
—
0.58
0.71
132–140
61–65
—
0.47
0.65
141–149
66–70
—
0.33
0.58
150–158
71–75
—
—
0.50
159–167
76–80
—
—
0.41
168–176
81–85
—
—
0.29
177–185
AF
D
R
allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be reduced as
shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be counted as
a current-carrying conductor.
Where conductors of different systems, as provided in
300.3, are installed in a common raceway or cable, the
adjustment factors shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall
apply only to the number of power and lighting conductors
(Articles 210, 215, 220, and 230).
Informational Note No. 1: See Annex B, Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(11), for adjustment factors for more than
three current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
with load diversity.
Informational Note No. 2: See 366.23(A) for adjustment
factors for conductors in sheet metal auxiliary gutters and
376.22(B) for adjustment factors for conductors in metal
wireways.
(1) Where conductors are installed in cable trays, the
provisions of 392.80 shall apply. [ROP 6–47]
(2) Adjustment factors shall not apply to conductors in
raceways having a length not exceeding 600 mm (24 in.).
[ROP 6–47]
70–160
T
Ambient Temperature
(°C)
(3) Adjustment factors shall not apply to underground
conductors entering or leaving an outdoor trench if those
conductors have physical protection in the form of rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid polyvinyl
chloride conduit (PVC), or reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit (RTRC) having a length not exceeding 3.05 m
(10 ft), and if the number of conductors does not exceed
four. [ROP 6–47]
(4) Adjustment factors shall not apply to Type AC cable
or to Type MC cable under the following conditions: [ROP
6–47]
a. The cables do not have an overall outer jacket. [ROP
6–47]
b. Each cable has not more than three current-carrying
conductors. [ROP 6–47]
c. The conductors are 12 AWG copper. [ROP 6–47]
d. Not more than 20 current-carrying conductors are
installed without maintaining spacing, are stacked, or are
supported on“bridle rings.” [ROP 6–47]
(5) An adjustment factor of 60 percent shall be applied
to Type AC cable or Type MC cable under the following
conditions: [ROP 6–47]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(2)(b) Ambient Temperature Correction Factors Based on 40ºC (104ºF)
For ambient temperatures other than 40°C (104°F), multiply the allowable ampacities specified in the ampacity tables by the appropriate
correction factor shown below.
Ambient
Temperature
(°C)
60°C
75°C
90°C
150°C
200°C
250°C
Ambient
Temperature
(ºF)
10 or less
1.58
1.36
1.26
1.13
1.09
1.07
50 or less
11–15
1.50
1.31
1.22
1.11
1.08
1.06
51–59
16–20
1.41
1.25
1.18
1.09
1.06
1.05
60–68
21–25
1.32
1.2
1.14
1.07
1.05
1.04
69–77
26–30
1.22
1.13
1.10
1.04
1.03
1.02
78–86
31–35
1.12
1.07
1.05
1.02
1.02
1.01
87–95
36–40
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
96–104
41–45
0.87
0.93
0.95
0.98
0.98
0.99
105–113
46–50
0.71
0.85
0.89
0.95
0.97
0.98
114–122
51–55
0.50
0.76
0.84
0.93
0.95
0.96
123–131
56–60
—
0.65
0.77
0.90
0.94
0.95
132–140
61–65
—
0.53
66–70
—
0.38
71–75
—
—
76–80
—
—
81–90
—
—
T
AF
D
R
91–100
Temperature Rating of Conductor
0.71
0.88
0.92
0.94
141–149
0.63
0.85
0.90
0.93
150–158
0.55
0.83
0.88
0.91
159–167
0.45
0.80
0.87
0.90
168–176
—
0.74
0.83
0.87
177–194
—
—
—
0.67
0.79
0.85
195–212
—
—
—
0.60
0.75
0.82
213–230
—
—
—
0.52
0.71
0.79
231–248
—
—
—
0.43
0.66
0.76
249–266
—
—
—
0.30
0.61
0.72
267–284
—
—
—
—
0.50
0.65
285–320
161–180
—
—
—
—
0.35
0.58
321–356
181–200
—
—
—
—
—
0.49
357–392
201–225
—
—
—
—
—
0.35
393–437
101–110
111–120
121–130
131–140
141–160
a. The cables do not have an overall outer jacket. [ROP
6–47]
b. The number of current carrying conductors exceeds
20. [ROP 6–47]
c. The cables are stacked or bundled longer that
600 mm (24 in) without spacing being maintained.[ROP
6–47]
(b) More Than One Conduit, Tube, or Raceway. Spacing between conduits, tubing, or raceways shall be maintained.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(c) Raceways and Cables Exposed to Sunlight on Rooftops. Where raceways or cables are exposed to direct sunlight on or above rooftops, the adjustments shown in Table
310.15(B)(3)(c) shall be added to the outdoor temperature
to determine the applicable ambient temperature for application of the correction factors in Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) or
Table 310.15(B)(2)(b). [ROP 6–31]
Informational Note: One source for the ambient temperatures in various locations is the ASHRAE Handbook —
Fundamentals. [ROP 6–45]
70–161
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Number of
Conductors1
Percent of Values in Table
310.15(B)(16) through Table
310.15(B)(19) as Adjusted for
Ambient Temperature if
Necessary
4–6
7–9
10–20
21–30
31–40
41 and above
80
70
50
45
40
35
Number of conductors is the total number of conductors in the raceway or cable, including spare conductors. The count shall be adjusted
in accordance with 310.15(B)(5) and (6), and shall not include conductors that are connected to electrical components but that cannot be
simultaneously energized. [ROP 6–40]
Table 310.15(B)(3)(c) Ambient Temperature Adjustment for
Raceways or Cables Exposed to Sunlight on or Above
Rooftops [ROP 6–29, ROP 6–31]
Distance Above Roof to Bottom of
Raceway or Cable
°C
33
Greater than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.)–90 mm
(31⁄2 in.)
28
°F
60
50
D
R
0–13 mm (1⁄2 in.)
Greater than 300 mm (12 in.)–900 mm
(36 in.)
14
25
Informational Note to Table 310.15(B)(3)(c): The temperature
adders in Table 310.15(B)(3)(c) are based on the measured
temperature rise above the local climatic ambient temperatures
due to sunlight heating. [ROP 6–46]
(4) Bare or Covered Conductors. Where bare or covered
conductors are installed with insulated conductors, the temperature rating of the bare or covered conductor shall be
equal to the lowest temperature rating of the insulated conductors for the purpose of determining ampacity.
(5) Neutral Conductor.
(a) A neutral conductor that carries only the unbalanced current from other conductors of the same circuit
70–162
(6) Grounding or Bonding Conductor. A grounding or
bonding conductor shall not be counted when applying the
provisions of 310.15(B)(3)(a).
(7) 120/240 Volt, Single-Phase Dwelling Services and
Feeders. For service and feeder conductors of 120/240volt, single-phase, individual dwelling unit one-family,
two-family, and multifamily service ratings from 100 amperes through 400 amperes, an adjustment factor of 0.83 of
the service ampere rating shall be permitted to be used to
determine the size of the ungrounded conductors. The
grounded conductor shall be permitted to be smaller than
the ungrounded conductors, provided that the requirements
of 215.2, 220.61, and 230.42 are met. [ROP 6–49a]
AF
Temperature Adder
shall not be required to be counted when applying the provisions of 310.15(B)(3)(a).
(b) In a 3-wire circuit consisting of two phase conductors and the neutral conductor of a 4-wire, 3-phase, wyeconnected system, a common conductor carries approximately the same current as the line-to-neutral load currents
of the other conductors and shall be counted when applying
the provisions of 310.15(B)(3)(a).
(c) On a 4-wire, 3-phase wye circuit where the major
portion of the load consists of nonlinear loads, harmonic
currents are present in the neutral conductor; the neutral
conductor shall therefore be considered a current-carrying
conductor.
T
Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) Adjustment Factors for More Than
Three Current-Carrying Conductors in a Raceway or Cable
Informational Note No. 1: The conductor ampacity may
require other correction or adjustment factors applicable to
the conductor installation. [ROP 6–49a]
Informational Note No. 2: See example DXXX in Annex
D. [ROP 6–49a]
(C) Engineering Supervision. Under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities shall be permitted to be calculated by means of the following general equation:
I =
Tc − Ta
× 103 amperes
Rdc (1 + Yc ) Rca
where:
Tc = conductor temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)
Ta = ambient temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)
Rdc = dc resistance of conductor at temperature Tc
Yc = component ac resistance resulting from skin
effect and proximity effect
Rca = effective thermal resistance between conductor
and surrounding ambient
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated Up to and Including 2000
Volts, 60°C Through 90°C (140°F Through 194°F), Not More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in Raceway, Cable, or
Earth (Directly Buried), Based on Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C (140°F)
90°C (194°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types TBS, SA,
SIS, THHN,
THHW, THW-2,
THWN-2, RHH,
RHW-2, USE-2,
XHH, XHHW,
XHHW-2, ZW-2
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD
ALUMINUM
—
—
15
20
30
40
—
—
20
25
35
50
14
18
25
30
40
55
6
4
3
2
1
55
70
85
95
110
65
85
100
115
130
75
95
115
130
145
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
125
145
165
195
150
175
200
230
250
300
350
400
500
215
240
260
280
320
255
285
310
335
380
350
385
400
410
435
455
495
525
545
555
Size AWG or kcmil
—
—
—
15
25
35
—
—
—
20
30
40
—
—
—
25
35
45
—
—
—
12**
10**
8
40
55
65
75
85
50
65
75
90
100
55
75
85
100
115
6
4
3
2
1
170
195
225
260
100
115
130
150
120
135
155
180
135
150
175
205
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
290
320
350
380
430
170
195
210
225
260
205
230
250
270
310
230
260
280
305
350
250
300
350
400
500
420
460
475
490
520
475
520
535
555
585
285
315
320
330
355
340
375
385
395
425
385
425
435
445
480
600
700
750
800
900
545
590
625
650
665
615
665
705
735
750
375
405
435
455
470
445
485
520
545
560
500
545
585
615
630
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
D
R
AF
18**
16**
14**
12**
10**
8
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
75°C (167°F)
Types TBS, SA,
SIS, FEP,
FEPB, MI,
RHH, RHW-2,
THHN, THHW,
THW-2,
THWN-2,
Types RHW,
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
USE-2, XHH,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
XHHW,
Types TW, THWN, XHHW,
Types TW, UF
XHHW-2, ZW-2
UF
USE, ZW
USE
COPPER
600
700
750
800
900
60°C
(140°F)
T
Size AWG or
kcmil
75°C (167°F)
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 30°C (86°F).
**Refer to 240.4(D) for conductor overcurrent protection limitations.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–163
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(17) (formerly Table 310.17) Allowable Ampacities of Single-Insulated Conductors Rated Up to and Including
2000 Volts in Free Air, Based on Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C (140°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
60°C (140°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types TBS, SA, SIS,
Types TBS, SA, SIS,
FEP, FEPB, MI, RHH,
THHN, THHW,
Types RHW, RHW-2, THHN, THHW,
THW-2, THWN-2,
Types RHW,
THW-2, THWN-2,
THHW, THW,
THHW, THW, RHH, RHW-2, USE-2,
THWN,
USE-2, XHH, XHHW,
XHH, XHHW,
THWN,
Types TW, UF XHHW, ZW
XHHW-2, ZW-2
Types TW, UF
XHHW
XHHW-2, ZW-2
Size AWG or
kcmil
COPPER
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Size AWG or
kcmil
—
—
25
30
40
60
—
—
30
35
50
70
18
24
35
40
55
80
—
—
—
25
35
45
—
—
—
30
40
55
—
—
—
35
45
60
—
—
—
12**
10**
8
6
4
3
2
1
80
105
120
140
165
95
125
145
170
195
105
140
165
190
220
60
80
95
110
130
75
100
115
135
155
85
115
130
150
175
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
195
225
260
300
230
265
310
360
260
300
350
405
150
175
200
235
180
210
240
280
205
235
270
315
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
340
375
420
455
515
405
445
505
545
620
455
500
570
615
700
265
290
330
355
405
315
350
395
425
485
355
395
445
480
545
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
575
630
655
680
730
690
755
785
815
870
780
850
885
920
980
455
500
515
535
580
545
595
620
645
700
615
670
700
725
790
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
780
890
980
1070
1155
1055
1200
1325
1445
1560
625
710
795
875
960
750
855
950
1050
1150
845
965
1070
1185
1295
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
D
R
935
1065
1175
1280
1385
T
18
16
14**
12**
10**
8
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 30°C (86°F).
**Refer to 240.4(D) for conductor overcurrent protection limitations.
70–164
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.15
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(18) (formerly Table 310.18) Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated Up to and Including 2000
Volts, 150°C Through 250°C (302°F Through 482°F). Not More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in Raceway or
Cable, Based on Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
150°C (302°F)
200°C (392°F)
250°C (482°F)
150°C (302°F)
Type Z
Types FEP, FEPB,
PFA, SA
Types PFAH, TFE
Type Z
NICKEL OR
NICKEL-COATED
COPPER
ALUMINUM OR
COPPER-CLAD
ALUMINUM
Size AWG or kcmil
Size AWG or kcmil
COPPER
34
43
55
76
36
45
60
83
39
54
73
93
—
30
44
57
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
96
120
143
160
186
110
125
152
171
197
117
148
166
191
215
75
94
109
124
145
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
215
251
288
332
229
260
297
346
169
198
227
260
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
T
14
12
10
8
AF
244
273
308
361
D
R
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
Table 310.15(B)(19) (formerly Table 310.19) Allowable Ampacities of Single-Insulated Conductors, Rated Up to and Including
2000 Volts, 150°C Through 250°C (302°F Through 482°F), in Free Air, Based on Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
150°C (302°F)
200°C (392°F)
250°C (482°F)
150°C (302°F)
Type Z
Types FEP,
FEPB, PFA, SA
Types PFAH, TFE
Type Z
NICKEL, OR
NICKEL-COATED COPPER
ALUMINUM OR
COPPER-CLAD
ALUMINUM
Size AWG or kcmil
Size AWG or kcmil
COPPER
14
12
10
8
46
60
80
106
54
68
90
124
59
78
107
142
—
47
63
83
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
155
190
214
255
293
165
220
252
293
344
205
278
327
381
440
112
148
170
198
228
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
339
390
451
529
399
467
546
629
532
591
708
830
263
305
351
411
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–165
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(20) (formerly Table 310.20) Ampacities of Not More Than Three Single Insulated Conductors, Rated Up to and
Including 2000 Volts, Supported on a Messenger, Based on Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types RHW, THHW,
THW, THWN,
XHHW, ZW
Types MI, THHN,
THHW, THW-2,
THWN-2, RHH,
RHW-2, USE-2,
XHHW, XHHW-2,
ZW-2
Types RHW, THW,
THWN, THHW,
XHHW
Types THHN, THHW,
RHH, XHHW, RHW-2,
XHHW-2, THW-2,
THWN-2, USE-2, ZW-2
Size AWG or kcmil
COPPER
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Size AWG or kcmil
57
76
101
118
135
158
66
89
117
138
158
185
44
59
78
92
106
123
51
69
91
107
123
144
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
183
212
245
287
214
247
287
335
143
165
192
224
167
193
224
262
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
320
359
397
430
496
374
419
464
503
580
251
282
312
339
392
292
328
364
395
458
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
553
610
638
660
704
748
647
714
747
773
826
879
440
488
512
532
572
612
514
570
598
622
669
716
600
700
750
800
900
1000
AF
T
8
6
4
3
2
1
D
R
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
310.60 Conductors Rated 2001 to 35,000 Volts. [ROP
6–5, ROP 6–67a]
peratures other than those specified in the ampacity tables
shall be corrected in accordance with 310.60(B)(4).
(A) Ampacities of Conductors Rated 2001 to 35,000
Volts. Ampacities for solid dielectric-insulated conductors
shall be permitted to be determined by tables or under engineering supervision, as provided in 310.60(B) and (D).
Informational Note No. 1: For ampacities calculated in
accordance with 310.60(A), reference IEEE 835-1994 (IPCEA Pub. No. P-46-426), Standard Power Cable Ampacity
Tables, and the references therein for availability of all factors and constants.
(1) Selection of Ampacity. Where more than one calculated or tabulated ampacity could apply for a given circuit
length, the lowest value shall be used.
Informational Note No. 2: Ampacities provided by this
section do not take voltage drop into consideration. See
210.19(A), Informational Note No. 4, for branch circuits
and 215.2(A), Informational Note No. 2, for feeders.
Informational Note: See 110.40 for conductor temperature
limitations due to termination provisions.
(1) Grounded Shields. Ampacities shown are for shields
grounded at multiple points except that ampacities in Table
310.60(C)(69), Table 310.60(C)(70), Table 310.60(C)(81),
and Table 310.60(C)(82) are for cable with shields
grounded at one point only. Where shields for those cables
are grounded at more than one point, ampacities shall be
adjusted to take into consideration the heating due to shield
currents. [ROP 6–68]
(B) Tables. Ampacities for conductors rated 2001 to
35,000 volts shall be as specified in Table 310.60(C)(67)
through Table 310.60(C)(86). Ampacities for ambient tem-
(2) Burial Depth of Underground Circuits. Where the
burial depth of direct burial or electrical duct bank circuits
is modified from the values shown in a figure or table,
Exception: Where two different ampacities apply to adjacent portions of a circuit, the higher ampacity shall be
permitted to be used beyond the point of transition, a distance equal to 3.0 m (10 ft) or 10 percent of the circuit
length calculated at the higher ampacity, whichever is less.
70–166
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(21) (formerly Table 310.21) Ampacities of Bare or Covered Conductors in Free Air, Based on 40°C (104°F)
Ambient, 80°C (176°F) Total Conductor Temperature, 610 mm/sec (2 ft/sec) Wind Velocity
Copper Conductors
Bare
AAC Aluminum Conductors
Covered
Bare
Covered
Amperes
AWG or
kcmil
Amperes
AWG or
kcmil
Amperes
AWG or
kcmil
Amperes
8
6
4
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
500
750
1000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
98
124
155
209
282
329
382
444
494
556
773
1000
1193
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
8
6
4
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
500
750
1000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
103
130
163
219
297
344
401
466
519
584
812
1050
1253
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
8
6
4
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
266.8
336.4
397.5
477.0
556.5
636.0
795.0
954.0
1033.5
1272
1590
2000
76
96
121
163
220
255
297
346
403
468
522
588
650
709
819
920
968
1103
1267
1454
8
6
4
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
266.8
336.4
397.5
477.0
556.5
636.0
795.0
—
1033.5
1272
1590
2000
80
101
127
171
231
268
312
364
423
492
548
617
682
744
860
—
1017
1201
1381
1527
AF
T
AWG or
kcmil
ampacities shall be permitted to be modified as indicated in
(C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b).
D
R
(a) Where burial depths are increased in part(s) of an
electrical duct run, no decrease in ampacity of the conductors is needed, provided the total length of parts of the duct
run increased in depth is less than 25 percent of the total
run length.
(b) Where burial depths are deeper than shown in a
specific underground ampacity table or figure, an ampacity
derating factor of 6 percent per 300-mm (1-ft) increase in
depth for all values of rho shall be permitted.
where:
I' = ampacity corrected for ambient temperature
I = ampacity shown in the table for Tc and Ta
Tc = temperature rating of conductor (°C)
Ta' = new ambient temperature (°C)
Ta = ambient temperature used in the table (°C)
(C) Engineering Supervision. Under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities shall be permitted to be calculated by using the following general equation:
I =
No rating change is needed where the burial depth is
decreased.
(3) Electrical Ducts in Figure 310.60. At locations where
electrical ducts enter equipment enclosures from under
ground, spacing between such ducts, as shown in Figure
310.60, shall be permitted to be reduced without requiring
the ampacity of conductors therein to be reduced.
(4) Ambient Temperature Correction. Ampacities for
ambient temperatures other than those specified in the ampacity tables shall be corrected in accordance with Table
310.60(C)(4) or shall be permitted to be calculated using
the following equation: [ROP 6–68a]
T − Ta ′
I′ = I c
Tc − Ta
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Tc − (Ta + ∆Td )
× 103 amperes
Rdc (1 + Yc ) Rca
where:
Tc =
Ta =
∆Td =
Rdc =
Yc =
Rca
conductor temperature (°C)
ambient temperature (°C)
dielectric loss temperature rise
dc resistance of conductor at temperature Tc
component ac resistance resulting from skin
effect and proximity effect
= effective thermal resistance between conductor
and surrounding ambient
Informational Note: The dielectric loss temperature rise
(∆Td) is negligible for single circuit extruded dielectric
cables rated below 46 kV.
70–167
310.60
Detail 1
290 mm ¥ 290 mm
(11.5 in. ¥ 11.5 in.)
Electrical duct bank
One electrical duct
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
190 mm (7.5 in.)
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
190 mm (7.5 in.)
Detail 2
475 mm ¥ 475 mm
(19 in. ¥ 19 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Three electrical ducts
or
675 mm ¥ 290 mm
(27 in. ¥ 11.5 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Three electrical ducts
190 mm (7.5 in.)
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
190 mm (7.5 in.)
Detail 3
475 mm ¥ 675 mm
(19 in. ¥ 27 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Six electrical ducts
or
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
Detail 5
Buried 3
conductor
cable
Detail 6
Buried 3
conductor
cables
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
600 mm
(24 in.)
AF
600 mm
(24 in.)
T
675 mm ¥ 475 mm
(27 in. ¥ 19 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Six electrical ducts
Detail 7
Buried triplexed
cables (1 circuit)
D
R
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
Detail 9
Buried single-conductor
cables (1 circuit)
Detail 8
Buried triplexed
cables (2 circuits)
600 mm
(24 in.)
190 mm 190 mm
(7.5 in.) (7.5 in.)
Detail 10
Buried single-conductor
cables (2 circuits)
Note: Minimum burial depths to top electrical ducts or cables shall be
in accordance with 300.50. Maximum depth to the top of electrical
duct banks shall be 750 mm (30 in.) and maximum depth to the top
of direct buried cables shall be 900 mm (36 in.).
Legend
Backfill (earth or concrete)
Electrical duct
Cable or cables
Figure 310.60 Cable Installation Dimensions for Use with Table 310.60(C)(77) Through Table
310.60(C)(86).
70–168
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
For ambient temperatures other than 40°ºC (104°F), multiply the
allowable ampacities specified in the ampacity tables by the
appropriate factor shown below.
90°C
105°C
Ambient
Temperature
(°F)
10 or less
1.26
1.21
50 or less
11–15
1.22
1.18
51–59
16–20
1.18
1.14
60–68
21–25
1.14
1.11
69–77
26–30
1.10
1.07
78–86
31–35
1.05
1.04
87–95
36–40
1.00
1.00
96–104
41–45
0.95
0.96
105–113
46–50
0.89
0.92
114–122
51–55
0.84
0.88
123–131
56–60
0.77
0.83
132–140
61–65
0.71
0.78
66–70
0.63
0.73
71–75
0.55
0.68
76–80
0.45
0.62
81–85
0.32
0.55
—
0.48
186–194
—
0.39
195–203
—
0.28
204–212
86–90
91–95
96–100
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
141–149
150–158
159–167
168–176
177–185
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
65
90
120
160
185
74
99
130
175
205
—
100
130
170
195
—
110
140
195
225
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
215
250
290
335
240
275
320
375
225
260
300
345
255
295
340
390
250
350
500
750
1000
375
465
580
750
880
415
515
645
835
980
380
470
580
730
850
430
525
650
820
950
AF
Temperature Rating of Conductor
D
R
Ambient
Temperature
(°C)
Table 310.60(C)(67) Ampacities of Insulated Single Copper
Conductor Cables Triplexed in Air Based on Conductor
Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F) and
Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
T
Table 310.60(C)(4) Ambient Temperature Correction Factors
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
Table 310.60(C)(68) Ampacities of Insulated Single
Aluminum Conductor Cables Triplexed in Air Based on
Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
50
70
90
125
145
57
77
100
135
160
—
75
100
130
150
—
84
110
150
175
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
170
195
225
265
185
215
250
290
175
200
230
270
200
230
265
305
250
350
500
750
1000
295
365
460
600
715
325
405
510
665
800
300
370
460
590
700
335
415
515
660
780
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–169
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(69) Ampacities of Insulated Single Copper
Conductor Isolated in Air Based on Conductor Temperatures
of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F) and Ambient Air
Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Table 310.60(C)(70) Ampacities of Insulated Single
Aluminum Conductor Isolated in Air Based on Conductor
Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F) and
Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
5001–15,000
Volts Ampacity
15,001–35,000
Volts Ampacity
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor 90°C
105°C
Size
(194°F) (221°F)
(AWG
Type
Type
or kcmil) MV-90 MV-105
90°C
105°C
(194°F) (221°F)
Type
Type
MV-90 MV-105
90°C
105°C
(194°F) (221°F)
Type
Type
MV-90 MV-105
Conductor 90°C
105°C
Size
(194°F) (221°F)
(AWG
Type
Type
or kcmil) MV-90 MV-105
5001–15,000
Volts Ampacity
15,001–35,000
Volts Ampacity
90°C
105°C
(194°F) (221°F)
Type
Type
MV-90 MV-105
90°C
105°C
(194°F) (221°F)
Type
Type
MV-90 MV-105
83
110
145
190
225
93
120
160
215
250
—
110
150
195
225
—
125
165
215
250
—
—
—
—
225
—
—
—
—
250
8
6
4
2
1
64
85
115
150
175
71
95
125
165
195
—
87
115
150
175
—
97
130
170
195
—
—
—
—
175
—
—
—
—
195
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
260
300
345
400
290
330
385
445
260
300
345
400
290
335
385
445
260
300
345
395
290
330
380
445
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
200
230
270
310
225
260
300
350
200
235
270
310
225
260
300
350
200
230
270
310
225
260
300
345
250
350
500
750
445
550
695
900
495
615
775
1000
445
550
685
885
495
610
765
990
440
545
680
870
490
605
755
970
250
350
500
750
345
430
545
710
385
480
605
790
345
430
535
700
385
480
600
780
345
430
530
685
380
475
590
765
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
1075
1230
1365
1495
1605
1200
1370
1525
1665
1790
1060
1210
1345
1470
1575
1185
1350
1500
1640
1755
1040
1185
1315
1430
1535
1160
1320
1465
1595
1710
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
855
980
1105
1215
1320
950
1095
1230
1355
1475
840
970
1085
1195
1295
940
1080
1215
1335
1445
825
950
1060
1165
1265
920
1055
1180
1300
1410
AF
T
8
6
4
2
1
D
R
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
Table 310.60(C)(71) Ampacities of an Insulated
Three-Conductor Copper Cable Isolated in Air Based on
Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
90°C
(AWG
(194°F)
or kcmil) Type MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C (194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
59
79
105
140
160
66
88
115
154
180
—
93
120
165
185
—
105
135
185
210
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
185
215
250
285
205
240
280
320
215
245
285
325
240
275
315
360
250
350
500
750
1000
320
395
485
615
705
355
440
545
685
790
360
435
535
670
770
400
490
600
745
860
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
70–170
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(72) Ampacities of an Insulated
Three-Conductor Aluminum Cable Isolated in Air Based on
Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F)*
Table 310.60(C)(74) Ampacities of an Insulated Triplexed or
Three Single-Conductor Aluminum Cables in Isolated
Conduit in Air Based on Conductor Temperatures of 90°C
(194°F) and 105°C (221°F) and Ambient Air Temperature of
40°C (104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
46
61
81
110
125
51
68
90
120
140
—
72
95
125
145
—
80
105
145
165
1/0
2/0
145
170
160
185
170
190
185
215
3/0
4/0
195
225
215
250
220
255
245
285
250
350
500
750
1000
250
310
385
495
585
280
345
430
550
650
280
345
425
540
635
315
385
475
600
705
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
D
R
Table 310.60(C)(73) Ampacities of an Insulated Triplexed or
Three Single-Conductor Copper Cables in Isolated Conduit
in Air Based on Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F)
and 105°C (221°F) and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C
(104°F)*
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
43
58
76
100
120
48
65
85
115
135
—
65
84
115
130
—
72
94
130
150
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
140
160
190
215
155
175
210
240
150
175
200
230
170
200
225
260
250
350
500
750
1000
250
305
380
490
580
280
340
425
545
645
255
310
385
485
565
290
350
430
540
640
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
Table 310.60(C)(75) Ampacities of an Insulated
Three-Conductor Copper Cable in Isolated Conduit in Air
Based on Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and
105°C (221°F) and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C
(104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
105°C
(221°F) Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F) Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
55
75
97
130
155
61
84
110
145
175
—
83
110
150
170
—
93
120
165
190
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
180
205
240
280
200
225
270
305
195
225
260
295
215
255
290
330
250
350
500
750
1000
315
385
475
600
690
355
430
530
665
770
330
395
480
585
675
365
440
535
655
755
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
2014 Edition
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
Conductor
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
AF
8
6
4
2
1
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
T
2001–5000 Volts Ampacity
Conductor
Size
90°C
(AWG
(194°F)
or kcmil) Type MV-90
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts Ampacity
Conductor
Size
90°C
(AWG
(194°F)
or kcmil) Type MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
52
69
91
125
140
58
77
100
135
155
—
83
105
145
165
—
92
120
165
185
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
165
190
220
255
185
210
245
285
195
220
250
290
215
245
280
320
250
350
500
750
1000
280
350
425
525
590
315
390
475
585
660
315
385
470
570
650
350
430
525
635
725
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
70–171
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(76) Ampacities of an Insulated
Three-Conductor Aluminum Cable in Isolated Conduit in
Air Based on Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and
105°C (221°F) and Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C
(104°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
41
53
71
96
110
46
59
79
105
125
—
64
84
115
130
—
71
94
125
145
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
130
150
170
200
145
165
190
225
150
170
195
225
170
190
220
255
250
350
500
750
1000
220
275
340
430
505
245
305
380
480
560
250
305
380
470
550
280
340
425
520
615
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
D
R
*Refer to 310.60(C)(4) for the ampacity correction factors where the
ambient air temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 1.)
8
6
4
2
1
64
85
110
145
170
69
92
120
155
180
—
90
115
155
175
—
97
125
165
185
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
195
220
250
290
210
235
270
310
200
230
260
295
215
245
275
315
250
350
500
750
1000
320
385
470
585
670
345
415
505
630
720
325
390
465
565
640
345
415
500
610
690
AF
90°C
(194°F)
Type MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
T
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Table 310.60(C)(77) Ampacities of Three Single-Insulated
Copper Conductors in Underground Electrical Ducts (Three
Conductors per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient Earth
Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in
Accordance with Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor,
Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures
of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Three Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 2.)
8
6
4
2
1
56
73
95
125
140
60
79
100
130
150
—
77
99
130
145
—
83
105
135
155
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
160
185
210
235
175
195
225
255
165
185
210
240
175
200
225
255
250
350
500
750
1000
260
315
375
460
525
280
335
405
495
565
260
310
370
440
495
280
330
395
475
535
Six Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 3.)
70–172
8
6
4
2
1
48
62
80
105
115
52
67
86
110
125
—
64
82
105
120
—
68
88
115
125
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
135
150
170
195
145
160
185
210
135
150
170
190
145
165
185
205
250
350
500
750
1000
210
250
300
365
410
225
270
325
395
445
210
245
290
350
390
225
265
310
375
415
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.60
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(78) Ampacities of Three Single-Insulated
Aluminum Conductors in Underground Electrical Ducts
(Three Conductors per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient
Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct
Arrangement in Accordance with Figure 310.60, 100 Percent
Load Factor, Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor
Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Table 310.60(C)(79) Ampacities of Three Insulated Copper
Conductors Cabled Within an Overall Covering
(Three-Conductor Cable) in Underground Electrical Ducts
(One Cable per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient Earth
Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in
Accordance with Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor,
Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures
of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°C)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 1.)
50
66
86
115
130
54
71
93
125
140
—
70
91
120
135
—
75
98
130
145
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
150
170
195
225
160
185
210
245
155
175
200
230
165
190
215
245
250
350
500
750
1000
250
305
370
470
545
270
325
400
505
590
250
305
370
455
525
270
330
400
490
565
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
350
500
750
1000
D
R
Three Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 2.)
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 1.)
8
6
4
2
1
59
78
100
135
155
64
84
110
145
165
—
88
115
150
170
—
95
125
160
185
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
175
200
230
265
190
220
250
285
195
220
250
285
210
235
270
305
250
350
500
750
1000
290
355
430
530
600
315
380
460
570
645
310
375
450
545
615
335
400
485
585
660
Three Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 2.)
44
57
74
96
110
47
61
80
105
120
—
60
77
100
110
—
65
83
105
120
125
145
160
185
135
155
175
200
125
145
165
185
140
155
175
200
205
245
295
370
425
220
265
320
395
460
200
245
290
355
405
220
260
315
385
440
Six Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 3.)
8
6
4
2
1
53
69
89
115
135
57
74
96
125
145
—
75
97
125
140
—
81
105
135
155
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
150
170
195
225
165
185
210
240
160
185
205
230
175
195
220
250
250
350
500
750
1000
245
295
355
430
485
265
315
380
465
520
255
305
360
430
485
270
325
385
465
515
Six Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 3.)
8
6
4
2
1
38
48
62
80
91
41
52
67
86
98
—
50
64
80
90
—
54
69
88
99
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
105
115
135
150
110
125
145
165
105
115
130
150
110
125
145
160
250
350
500
750
1000
165
195
240
290
335
180
210
255
315
360
165
195
230
280
320
175
210
250
305
345
2014 Edition
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
AF
8
6
4
2
1
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
T
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
8
6
4
2
1
46
60
77
98
110
50
65
83
105
120
—
63
81
105
115
—
68
87
110
125
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
125
145
165
185
135
155
175
200
130
150
170
190
145
160
180
200
250
350
500
750
1000
200
240
290
350
390
220
270
310
375
420
205
245
290
340
380
220
275
305
365
405
70–173
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(80) Ampacities of Three Insulated
Aluminum Conductors Cabled Within an Overall Covering
(Three-Conductor Cable) in Underground Electrical Ducts
(One Cable per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient Earth
Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in
Accordance with Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor,
Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures
of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°C)
Table 310.60(C)(81) Ampacities of Single Insulated Copper
Conductors Directly Buried in Earth Based on Ambient
Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Arrangement per Figure
310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal Resistance (RHO)
of 90, Conductor Temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and 105°C
(221°C)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 1.)
46
61
80
105
120
50
66
86
110
130
—
69
89
115
135
—
74
96
125
145
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
140
160
180
205
150
170
195
220
150
170
195
220
165
185
210
240
250
350
500
750
1000
230
280
340
425
495
245
310
365
460
535
245
295
355
440
510
8
6
4
2
1
41
54
70
90
105
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
120
135
155
175
250
350
500
750
1000
190
230
280
345
400
D
R
Three Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 2.)
265
315
385
475
545
44
58
75
97
110
—
59
75
100
110
—
64
81
105
120
125
145
165
185
125
140
160
180
135
155
175
195
205
250
300
375
430
200
240
285
350
400
215
255
305
375
430
Six Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 3.)
8
6
4
2
1
36
46
60
77
87
39
50
65
83
94
—
49
63
80
90
—
53
68
86
98
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
99
110
130
145
105
120
140
155
105
115
130
150
110
125
140
160
250
350
500
750
1000
160
190
230
280
320
170
205
245
305
345
160
190
230
275
315
170
205
245
295
335
70–174
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit,
Three Conductors (See
Figure
310.60, Detail 9.)
8
6
4
2
1
110
140
180
230
260
115
150
195
250
280
—
130
170
210
240
—
140
180
225
260
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
295
335
385
435
320
365
415
465
275
310
355
405
295
335
380
435
250
350
500
750
1000
470
570
690
845
980
510
615
745
910
1055
440
535
650
805
930
475
575
700
865
1005
AF
8
6
4
2
1
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
T
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Two Circuits,
Six Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 10.)
8
6
4
2
1
100
130
165
215
240
110
140
180
230
260
—
120
160
195
225
—
130
170
210
240
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
275
310
355
400
295
335
380
430
255
290
330
375
275
315
355
405
250
350
500
750
1000
435
520
630
775
890
470
560
680
835
960
410
495
600
740
855
440
530
645
795
920
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(82) Ampacities of Single Insulated
Aluminum Conductors Directly Buried in Earth Based on
Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Arrangement
per Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal
Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures of 90°C
(194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Table 310.60(C)(83) Ampacities of Three Insulated Copper
Conductors Cabled Within an Overall Covering
(Three-Conductor Cable), Directly Buried in Earth Based on
Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Arrangement
per Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal
Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures of 90°C
(194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
One Circuit, Three
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 9.)
90
115
150
195
220
—
100
130
165
185
—
110
140
175
200
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
230
265
300
340
250
285
320
365
215
245
275
315
230
260
295
340
250
350
500
750
1000
370
445
540
665
780
395
480
580
720
840
345
415
510
635
740
370
450
545
680
795
2014 Edition
D
R
Two Circuits, Six
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 10.)
250
350
500
750
1000
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
85
105
135
180
200
89
115
150
190
215
—
115
145
185
210
—
120
155
200
225
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
230
260
295
335
245
280
320
360
240
270
305
350
255
290
330
375
250
350
500
750
1000
365
440
530
650
730
395
475
570
700
785
380
460
550
665
750
410
495
590
720
810
Two Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 6.)
80
100
130
165
190
85
110
140
180
200
—
95
125
155
175
—
100
130
165
190
215
245
275
310
230
260
295
335
200
225
255
290
215
245
275
315
340
410
495
610
710
365
440
530
655
765
320
385
470
580
680
345
415
505
625
730
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
8
6
4
2
1
AF
85
110
140
180
205
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 5.)
8
6
4
2
1
8
6
4
2
1
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
T
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
8
6
4
2
1
80
100
130
165
185
84
105
140
180
200
—
105
135
170
195
—
115
145
185
210
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
215
240
275
310
230
260
295
335
220
250
280
320
235
270
305
345
250
350
500
750
1000
340
410
490
595
665
365
440
525
640
715
350
420
500
605
675
375
450
535
650
730
70–175
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(84) Ampacities of Three Insulated
Aluminum Conductors Cabled Within an Overall Covering
(Three-Conductor Cable), Directly Buried in Earth Based on
Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Arrangement
per Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal
Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures of 90°C
(194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Table 310.60(C)(85) Ampacities of Three Triplexed Single
Insulated Copper Conductors Directly Buried in Earth
Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F),
Arrangement per Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor,
Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures
90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
65
80
105
140
155
70
88
115
150
170
—
90
115
145
165
—
95
125
155
175
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
180
205
230
260
190
220
250
280
185
210
240
270
200
225
260
295
250
350
500
750
1000
285
345
420
520
600
310
375
450
560
650
300
360
435
540
620
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
165
190
215
245
250
350
500
750
1000
265
320
385
480
550
70–176
320
390
470
580
665
D
R
60
75
100
130
145
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
8
6
4
2
1
90
120
150
195
225
95
130
165
205
240
—
115
150
190
215
—
120
160
205
230
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
255
290
330
375
270
310
360
405
245
275
315
360
260
295
340
385
250
350
500
750
1000
410
490
590
725
825
445
580
635
780
885
390
470
565
685
770
410
505
605
740
830
AF
8
6
4
2
1
8
6
4
2
1
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
One Circuit, Three
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 7.)
One Circuit (See Figure
310.60, Detail 5.)
Two Circuits (See Figure
310.60, Detail 6.)
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
T
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
66
83
110
140
155
—
80
105
135
150
—
95
115
145
165
180
205
230
260
170
195
220
250
185
210
240
270
285
345
415
515
590
275
330
395
485
560
295
355
425
525
600
Two Circuits, Six
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 8.)
8
6
4
2
1
85
110
140
180
205
90
115
150
195
220
—
105
140
175
200
—
115
150
190
215
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
235
265
300
340
250
285
320
365
225
255
290
325
240
275
315
350
250
350
500
750
1000
370
445
535
650
740
395
480
575
700
795
355
425
510
615
690
380
455
545
660
745
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.60(C)(86) Ampacities of Three Triplexed Single
Insulated Aluminum Conductors Directly Buried in Earth
Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F),
Arrangement per Figure 310.60, 100 Percent Load Factor,
Thermal Resistance (RHO) of 90, Conductor Temperatures
90°C (194°F) and 105°C (221°F)
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table
310.104(C).]
2001–5000 Volts
Ampacity
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
5001–35,000 Volts
Ampacity
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
90°C
(194°F)
Type
MV-90
105°C
(221°F)
Type
MV-105
III. Construction Specifications
310.104 Conductor Constructions and Applications. Insulated conductors shall comply with the applicable provisions of Table 310.104(A) through Table 310.104(E).
Informational Note: Thermoplastic insulation may stiffen
at temperatures lower than −10°C (+14°F). Thermoplastic
insulation may also be deformed at normal temperatures
where subjected to pressure, such as at points of support.
Thermoplastic insulation might result in the migration of
plasticizer between the conductor and insulation. Plasticizer
might migrate onto conductor terminations and associated
equipment. [ROP 6–71]
70
90
120
155
175
75
100
130
165
190
—
90
115
145
165
—
95
125
155
175
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
200
225
255
290
210
240
275
310
190
215
245
280
205
230
265
305
250
350
500
750
1000
320
385
465
580
670
350
420
500
625
725
305
370
445
550
635
325
400
480
590
680
AF
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
350
500
750
1000
D
R
Two Circuits, Six
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 8.)
8
6
4
2
1
T
One Circuit, Three
Conductors (See Figure
310.60, Detail 7.)
65
85
110
140
160
70
95
120
150
170
—
85
105
135
155
—
90
115
145
170
180
205
235
265
195
220
250
285
175
200
225
255
190
215
245
275
290
350
420
520
600
310
375
455
560
645
280
335
405
485
565
300
360
435
525
605
Table 310.104(A) Conductor Applications and Insulations Rated 600 Volts7 [ROP 6–70]
Trade Name
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
2014 Edition
Type Letter
FEP or
FEPB
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Thickness of Insulation
Application Provisions
Insulation
AWG or kcmil
mm
mils
Outer Covering1
None
90°C
194°F
Dry and damp locations Fluorinated ethylene
propylene
14–10
8–2
0.51
0.76
20
30
200°C
392°F
Dry locations — special Fluorinated ethylene
propylene
applications2
14–8
0.36
14
Glass braid
6–2
0.36
14
Glass or other suitable
braid material
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–177
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Trade Name
Continued
Type Letter
Mineral insulation
(metal sheathed)
MI
Moisture-, heat-,
and oil-resistant
thermoplastic
MTW
Paper
Perfluoro-alkoxy
PFA
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Thickness of Insulation
Application Provisions
Insulation
90°C
194°F
250°C
482°F
Dry and wet locations
Magnesium oxide
60°C
140°F
Machine tool wiring in
wet locations
90°C
194°F
Machine tool wiring in
dry locations.
Informational Note: See
NFPA 79.
85°C
185°F
For underground service Paper
conductors, or by special
permission
90°C
194°F
200°C
392°F
Dry and damp locations Perfluoro-alkoxy
For special applications2
Flame-retardant,
moisture-, heat-, and
oil-resistant
thermoplastic
Dry locations — special
applications2
PFAH
250°C
482°F
Dry locations only. Only Perfluoro-alkoxy
for leads within
apparatus or within
raceways connected to
apparatus (nickel or
nickel-coated copper
only)
Thermoset
•
RHH
90°C
194°F
Dry and damp locations
Moistureresistant
thermoset
•
RHW
mils
Outer Covering1
18–163
16–10
9–4
3–500
0.58
0.91
1.27
1.40
23
36
50
55
Copper or alloy steel
22–12
10
8
6
4–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
Dry and wet locations
Flame-retardant,
moistureresistant thermoset
90°C
194°F
(A)
(B)
(A)
(B)
0.76
0.76
1.14
1.52
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
0.38
0.51
0.76
0.76
1.02
1.27
1.52
1.78
30
30
45
60
60
80
95
110
15
20
30
30
40
50
60
70
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
0.51
0.76
1.14
20
30
45
None
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
0.51
0.76
1.14
20
30
45
None
14-10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
45
60
80
95
110
125
Moisture-resistant,
flame-retardant,
nonmetallic covering1
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
45
60
80
95
110
125
Moisture-resistant,
flame-retardant,
nonmetallic covering
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
45
60
80
95
110
125
Glass or other suitable
braid material
Dry and damp locations Silicone rubber
200°C
392°F
For special application2
90°C
194°F
Switchboard and
switchgear wiring only
[ROP 9–15h]
Flame-retardant
thermoset
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
0.76
1.14
2.41
30
45
55
Thermoplastic and TBS
fibrous outer braid
90°C
194°F
Switchboard and
switchgear wiring only
[ROP 9–15h]
Thermoplastic
14–10
8
6–2
1–4/0
0.76
1.14
1.52
2.03
30
45
60
80
Extended polytetra- TFE
fluoroethylene
250°C
482°F
Dry locations only. Only Extruded polytetrafor leads within
fluoroethylene
apparatus or within
raceways connected to
apparatus, or as open
wiring (nickel or
nickel-coated copper
only)
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
0.51
0.76
1.14
20
30
45
70–178
SIS
(A) None
(B) Nylon jacket or
equivalent
Lead sheath
90°C
194°F
Thermoset
SA
D
R
Silicone
RHW-2
75°C
167°F
mm
AF
Perfluoro-alkoxy
AWG or kcmil
T
Table 310.104(A)
None
Flame-retardant,
nonmetallic covering
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
None
2014 Edition
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Continued
Table 310.104(A)
Trade Name
Type Letter
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Thickness of Insulation
Application Provisions
Insulation
AWG or kcmil
mm
mils
Outer Covering1
THHN
90°C
194°F
Dry and damp locations Flame-retardant,
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
14–12
10
8–6
4–2
1–4/0
250–500
501–1000
0.38
0.51
0.76
1.02
1.27
1.52
1.78
15
20
30
40
50
60
70
Nylon jacket or
equivalent
Moisture- and
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
THHW
75°C
167°F
Wet location
Dry location
14–10
8
6–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
30
45
60
80
95
110
125
None
90°C
194°F
Flame-retardant,
moisture- and
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
THW
75°C
167°F
90°C
194°F
Dry and wet locations
Flame-retardant,
moisture- and
Special applications
heat-resistant
within electric discharge thermoplastic
lighting equipment.
Limited to 1000
open-circuit volts or less.
(size 14-8 only as
permitted in 410.68)
14–10
8
6–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
30
45
60
80
95
110
125
None
THW-2
90°C
194°F
Dry and wet locations
THWN
75°C
167°F
Dry and wet locations
Flame-retardant,
moisture- and
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
90°C
194°F
0.38
0.51
0.76
1.02
1.27
1.52
1.78
15
20
30
40
50
60
70
Nylon jacket or
equivalent
THWN-2
14–12
10
8–6
4–2
1–4/0
250–500
501–1000
TW
60°C
140°F
Dry and wet locations
Flame-retardant,
moistureresistant thermoplastic
14–10
8
6–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
30
45
60
80
95
110
125
None
60°C
140°F
See Article 340.
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
1.52
2.03
2.41
604
804
954
Integral with insulation
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
1.14
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
45
60
80
956
110
125
Moisture-resistant
nonmetallic covering
(See 338.2.)
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.40
1.65
2.03
2.41
30
45
55
65
80
95
Moistureresistant
thermoplastic
Underground feeder UF
and branch-circuit
cable — single
conductor (for
Type UF cable
employing more
than one
conductor, see
Article 340.)
Underground
USE
serviceentrance cable —
single conductor
(for Type USE
cable employing
more than one
conductor, see
Article 338.)
Thermoset
2014 Edition
AF
Moisture- and
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
D
R
Moisture- and
heat-resistant
thermoplastic
T
Heat-resistant
thermoplastic
75°C
167°F5
Moistureresistant
Moisture- and
heat-resistant
75°C
167°F5
See Article 338.
USE-2
90°C
194°F
Dry and wet locations
XHH
90°C
194°F
Dry and damp locations Flame-retardant
thermoset
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Heat- and
moisture-resistant
None
70–179
310.104
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Continued
Table 310.104(A)
Trade Name
Type Letter
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Thickness of Insulation
Application Provisions
Insulation
AWG or kcmil
mm
mils
Outer Covering1
Moistureresistant
thermoset
XHHW
90°C
194°F
75°C
167°F
Dry and damp locations Flame-retardant,
moistureresistant thermoset
Wet locations
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.40
1.65
2.03
2.41
30
45
55
65
80
95
None
Moistureresistant
thermoset
XHHW-2
90°C
194°F
Dry and wet locations
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
0.76
1.14
1.40
1.65
2.03
2.41
30
45
55
65
80
95
None
Modified ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene
Z
90°C
194°F
150°C
302°F
Dry and damp locations Modified ethylene
tetrafluoroDry locations — special ethylene
applications2
14–12
10
8–4
3–1
1/0–4/0
0.38
0.51
0.64
0.89
1.14
15
20
25
35
45
None
Modified ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene
ZW
75°C
167°F
90°C
194°F
150°C
302°F
Wet locations
Modified ethylene
tetrafluoroDry and damp locations ethylene
14–10
8–2
0.76
1.14
30
45
None
90°C
194°F
Dry and wet locations
1
2
3
T
Dry locations — special
applications2
AF
ZW-2
Flame-retardant,
moistureresistant thermoset
Some insulations do not require an outer covering.
Where design conditions require maximum conductor operating temperatures above 90°C (194°F).
For signaling circuits permitting 300-volt insulation.
•
4
Includes integral jacket.
For ampacity limitation, see 340.80.
6
Insulation thickness shall be permitted to be 2.03 mm (80 mils) for listed Type USE conductors that have been subjected to special investigations.
The nonmetallic covering over individual rubber-covered conductors of aluminum-sheathed cable and of lead-sheathed or multiconductor cable
shall not be required to be flame retardant. For Type MC cable, see 330.104. For nonmetallic-sheathed cable, see Article 334, Part III. For Type UF
cable, see Article 340, Part III.
7
Conductors can be rated up to 1000 volts if listed and marked. [ROP 6–70]
D
R
5
Table 310.104(B) Thickness of Insulation for Nonshielded Types RHH and RHW Solid Dielectric Insulated Conductors Rated
2000 Volts
Column A1
1
2
Column B2
Conductor Size
(AWG or kcmil)
mm
mils
mm
mils
14–10
8
6–2
1–2/0
3/0–4/0
213–500
501–1000
1001–2000
2.03
2.03
2.41
2.79
2.79
3.18
3.56
3.56
80
80
95
110
110
125
140
140
1.52
1.78
1.78
2.29
2.29
2.67
3.05
3.56
60
70
70
90
90
105
120
140
Column A insulations are limited to natural, SBR, and butyl rubbers.
Column B insulations are materials such as cross-linked polyethylene, ethylene propylene rubber, and composites thereof.
70–180
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
310.110
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.104(C) Conductor Application and Insulation Rated 2001 Volts and Higher
Trade
Name
Type Letter
Medium voltage solid
dielectric
Maximum Operating
Temperature
Application
Provision
90°C
105°C
Dry or wet locations
MV-90
MV-105*
Insulation
Outer Covering
Thermoplastic or thermosetting
Jacket, sheath, or
armor
*Where design conditions require maximum conductor temperatures above 90°C.
Table 310.104(D) Thickness of Insulation and Jacket for Nonshielded Solid Dielectric Insulated Conductors Rated 2001 to 5000
Volts
Dry Locations, Single Conductor
With Jacket
Insulation
Single Conductor
Jacket
mm
mils
mm
mils
mm
8
6
4–2
1–2/0
3/0–4/0
213–500
501–750
751–1000
1001–1250
1251–1500
1501–2000
2.79
2.79
2.79
2.79
2.79
3.05
3.30
3.30
3.56
3.56
3.56
110
110
110
110
110
120
130
130
140
140
140
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.92
2.92
2.92
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
115
115
115
0.76
0.76
1.14
1.14
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.65
2.03
2.03
mils
mm
30
30
45
45
65
65
65
65
65
80
80
AF
Conductor Size
(AWG or kcmil)
Insulation
mils
T
Without
Jacket
Insulation
Wet or Dry Locations
3.18
3.18
3.18
3.18
3.18
3.56
3.94
3.94
4.32
4.32
4.32
125
125
125
125
125
140
155
155
170
170
170
Jacket
Multiconductor
Insulation*
mm
mils
mm
mils
2.03
2.03
2.03
2.03
2.41
2.79
3.18
3.18
3.56
3.56
3.94
80
80
80
80
95
110
125
125
140
140
155
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.92
2.92
3.56
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
115
115
140
D
R
*Under a common overall covering such as a jacket, sheath, or armor.
310.106 Conductors.
(A) Minimum Size of Conductors. The minimum size of
conductors shall be as shown in Table 310.106(A), except
as permitted elsewhere in this Code.
(B) Conductor Material. Conductors in this article shall
be of aluminum, copper-clad aluminum, or copper unless
otherwise specified.
Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be
made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy
conductor material. Stranded aluminum conductors 8 AWG
through 1000 kcmil marked as Type RHH, RHW, XHHW,
THW, THHW, THWN, THHN, service-entrance Type SE
Style U and SE Style R shall be made of an AA-8000 series
electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material.
Informational Note: See 250.184 for insulation of neutral
conductors of a solidly grounded high-voltage system.
310.110 Conductor Identification.
(A) Grounded Conductors. Insulated or covered
grounded conductors shall be identified in accordance with
200.6.
(B) Equipment Bonding Conductors. Equipment
grounding conductors shall be in accordance with 250.119.
[ROP 6–13]
(C) Stranded Conductors. Where installed in raceways,
conductors 8 AWG and larger, not specifically permitted or
required elsewhere in this Code to be solid, shall be
stranded.
(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Conductors that are intended for use as ungrounded conductors, whether used as a
single conductor or in multiconductor cables, shall be finished to be clearly distinguishable from grounded and
grounding conductors. Distinguishing markings shall not
conflict in any manner with the surface markings required
by 310.120(B)(1). Branch-circuit ungrounded conductors
shall be identified in accordance with 210.5(C). Feeders
shall be identified in accordance with 215.12.
(D) Insulated. Conductors, not specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code to be covered or bare, shall be insulated.
Exception: Conductor identification shall be permitted in
accordance with 200.7.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–181
310.120
ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.104(E) Thickness of Insulation for Shielded Solid Dielectric Insulated Conductors Rated 2001 to 35,000 Volts
2001–5000
Volts
100
Percent
Conductor Insulation
Size
Level 1
(AWG
or kcmil) mm mils
8
6–4
2
1
1/0–2000
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
90
90
90
90
90
5001–8000 Volts
8001–15,000 Volts
100
Percent
Insulation
Level 1
133
Percent
Insulation
Level 2
173
Percent
Insulation
Level3
100
Percent
Insulation
Level1
133
Percent
Insulation
Level2
mm mils
mm mils
mm mils
mm mils
mm
—
2.92
2.92
2.92
2.92
—
3.56
3.56
3.56
3.56
—
4.45
4.45
4.45
4.45
— —
— —
4.45 175
4.45 175
4.45 175
—
—
5.59
5.59
5.59
—
115
115
115
115
—
140
140
140
140
—
175
175
175
175
15,001–25,000 Volts
173
Percent
Insulation
Level3
100
Percent
Insulation
Level1
133
Percent
Insulation
Level2
173
Percent
Insulation
Level 3
mils
mm mils
mm mils
mm mils
mm mils
—
—
220
220
220
—
—
6.60
6.60
6.60
— —
— —
— —
6.60 260
6.60 260
— —
— —
— —
8.13 320
8.13 320
—
—
260
260
260
25,001–28,000 volts
100
Percent
Insulation
Level1
133
Percent
Insulation
Level 2
—
—
—
10.67
10.67
—
—
—
420
420
28,001–35,000 volts
173
Percent
Insulation
Level3
100
Percent
Insulation
Level1
133
Percent
Insulation
Level2
173
Percent
Insulation
Level3
mm
mils
mm
mils
mm
mils
mm
mils
mm
mils
mm
mils
1
1/0–2000
7.11
7.11
280
280
8.76
8.76
345
345
11.30
11.30
445
445
—
8.76
—
345
—
10.67
—
—
420 14.73
—
580
AF
T
Conductor
Size
(AWG
or kcmil)
1
D
R
100 Percent Insulation Level. Cables in this category shall be permitted to be applied where the system is provided with relay protection such
that ground faults will be cleared as rapidly as possible but, in any case, within 1 minute. While these cables are applicable to the great majority
of cable installations that are on grounded systems, they shall be permitted to be used also on other systems for which the application of cables is
acceptable, provided the above clearing requirements are met in completely de-energizing the faulted section.
2
133 Percent Insulation Level. This insulation level corresponds to that formerly designated for ungrounded systems. Cables in this category shall
be permitted to be applied in situations where the clearing time requirements of the 100 percent level category cannot be met and yet there is
adequate assurance that the faulted section will be de-energized in a time not exceeding 1 hour. Also, they shall be permitted to be used in
100 percent insulation level applications where additional insulation is desirable.
3
173 Percent Insulation Level. Cables in this category shall be permitted to be applied under all of the following conditions:
(1) In industrial establishments where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation
(2) Where the fault clearing time requirements of the 133 percent level category cannot be met
(3) Where an orderly shutdown is essential to protect equipment and personnel
(4) There is adequate assurance that the faulted section will be de-energized in an orderly shutdown
Also, cables with this insulation thickness shall be permitted to be used in 100 or 133 percent insulation level applications where additional
insulation strength is desirable.
Table 310.106(A) Minimum Size of Conductors
Minimum Conductor Size (AWG)
Conductor
Voltage Rating
(Volts)
Copper
Aluminum or Copper-Clad
Aluminum
0–2000
2001–5000
5001–8000
8001–15,000
15,001–28,000
28,001–35,000
14
8
6
2
1
1/0
12
8
6
2
1
1/0
(1) The maximum rated voltage.
(2) The proper type letter or letters for the type of wire or
cable as specified elsewhere in this Code.
(3) The manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other distinctive marking by which the organization responsible for
the product can be readily identified.
(4) The AWG size or circular mil area.
Informational Note: See Conductor Properties, Table 8 of
Chapter 9, for conductor area expressed in SI units for
conductor sizes specified in AWG or circular mil area.
(5) Cable assemblies where the neutral conductor is
smaller than the ungrounded conductors shall be so
marked.
310.120 Marking.
(B) Method of Marking.
(A) Required Information. All conductors and cables
shall be marked to indicate the following information, using the applicable method described in 310.120(B):
(1) Surface Marking. The following conductors and
cables shall be durably marked on the surface. The AWG
size or circular mil area shall be repeated at intervals not
70–182
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 312 — CABINETS, CUTOUT BOXES, AND METER SOCKET ENCLOSURES
exceeding 610 mm (24 in.). All other markings shall be
repeated at intervals not exceeding 1.0 m (40 in.).
(1) Single-conductor and multiconductor rubber- and
thermoplastic-insulated wire and cable
(2) Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
(3) Service-entrance cable
(4) Underground feeder and branch-circuit cable
(5) Tray cable
(6) Irrigation cable
(7) Power-limited tray cable
(8) Instrumentation tray cable
(1) D — For two insulated conductors laid parallel within
an outer nonmetallic covering
(2) M — For an assembly of two or more insulated conductors twisted spirally within an outer nonmetallic
covering
(D) Optional Markings. All conductors and cables contained in Chapter 3 shall be permitted to be surface marked
to indicate special characteristics of the cable materials.
These markings include, but are not limited to, markings
for limited smoke, sunlight resistant, and so forth.
(2) Marker Tape. Metal-covered multiconductor cables
shall employ a marker tape located within the cable and
running for its complete length.
ARTICLE 312
Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter
Socket Enclosures
Exception No. 1: Type MI cable.
T
Exception No. 2: Type AC cable.
I. Scope and Installation
[ROP 9–16]
AF
Exception No. 3: The information required in 310.120(A)
shall be permitted to be durably marked on the outer nonmetallic covering of Type MC, Type ITC, or Type PLTC
cables at intervals not exceeding 1.0 m (40 in.).
312.4
Exception No. 4: The information required in 310.120(A)
shall be permitted to be durably marked on a nonmetallic
covering under the metallic sheath of Type ITC or Type
PLTC cable at intervals not exceeding 1.0 m (40 in.).
D
R
Informational Note: Included in the group of metalcovered cables are Type AC cable (Article 320) , Type MC
cable (Article 330), and lead-sheathed cable.
(3) Tag Marking. The following conductors and cables
shall be marked by means of a printed tag attached to the
coil, reel, or carton:
(1) Type MI cable
(2) Switchboard wires
(3) Metal-covered, single-conductor cables
(4) Type AC cable
(4) Optional Marking of Wire Size. The information required in 310.120(A)(4) shall be permitted to be marked on
the surface of the individual insulated conductors for the
following multiconductor cables:
(1) Type MC cable
(2) Tray cable
(3) Irrigation cable
(4) Power-limited tray cable
(5) Power-limited fire alarm cable
(6) Instrumentation tray cable
(C) Suffixes to Designate Number of Conductors. A type
letter or letters used alone shall indicate a single insulated
conductor. The letter suffixes shall be indicated as follows:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
312.1 Scope. This article covers the installation and construction specifications of cabinets, cutout boxes, and meter
socket enclosures.
312.2 Damp and Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture
or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet
or cutout box, and shall be mounted so there is at least
6-mm (1⁄4-in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall
or other supporting surface. Enclosures installed in wet locations shall be weatherproof. For enclosures in wet locations, raceways or cables entering above the level of uninsulated live parts shall use fittings listed for wet locations.
Exception: Nonmetallic enclosures shall be permitted to
be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry,
tile, or similar surface.
Informational Note: For protection against corrosion, see
300.6.
312.3 Position in Wall. In walls of concrete, tile, or other
noncombustible material, cabinets shall be installed so that
the front edge of the cabinet is not set back of the finished
surface more than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.). In walls constructed of
wood or other combustible material, cabinets shall be flush
with the finished surface or project therefrom.
312.4 Repairing Noncombustible Surfaces. Noncombustible surfaces that are broken or incomplete shall be repaired so there will be no gaps or open spaces greater than
70–183
ARTICLE 312 — CABINETS, CUTOUT BOXES, AND METER SOCKET ENCLOSURES
3 mm (1⁄8 in.) at the edge of the cabinet or cutout box
employing a flush-type cover.
312.5 Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter Socket Enclosures. Conductors entering enclosures within the scope of
this article shall be protected from abrasion and shall comply with 312.5(A) through (C).
(A) Openings to Be Closed. Openings through which conductors enter shall be closed in an approved manner. [ROP
9–2]
(B) Metal Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter Socket
Enclosures. Where metal enclosures within the scope of
this article are installed with messenger-supported wiring,
open wiring on insulators, or concealed knob-and-tube wiring, conductors shall enter through insulating bushings or,
in dry locations, through flexible tubing extending from the
last insulating support and firmly secured to the enclosure.
(C) Cables. Where cable is used, each cable shall be secured to the cabinet, cutout box, or meter socket enclosure.
(A) Width of Wiring Gutters. Conductors shall not be
deflected within a cabinet or cutout box unless a gutter
having a width in accordance with Table 312.6(A) is provided. Conductors in parallel in accordance with 310.10(H)
shall be judged on the basis of the number of conductors in
parallel.
(B) Wire-Bending Space at Terminals. Wire-bending
space at each terminal shall be provided in accordance with
312.6(B)(1) or (B)(2).
(1) Conductors Not Entering or Leaving Opposite Wall.
Table 312.6(A) shall apply where the conductor does not
enter or leave the enclosure through the wall opposite its
terminal.
(2) Conductors Entering or Leaving Opposite Wall.
Table 312.6(B) shall apply where the conductor does enter
or leave the enclosure through the wall opposite its terminal.
Exception No. 1: Where the distance between the wall and
its terminal is in accordance with Table 312.6(A), a conductor shall be permitted to enter or leave an enclosure
through the wall opposite its terminal, provided the conductor enters or leaves the enclosure where the gutter joins
an adjacent gutter that has a width that conforms to Table
312.6(B) for the conductor.
Exception No. 2: A conductor not larger than 350 kcmil
shall be permitted to enter or leave an enclosure containing
only a meter socket(s) through the wall opposite its terminal, provided the distance between the terminal and the
opposite wall is not less than that specified in Table
312.6(A) and the terminal is a lay-in type, where the terminal is either of the following:
AF
Exception: Cables with entirely nonmetallic sheaths shall
be permitted to enter the top of a surface-mounted enclosure through one or more nonflexible raceways not less
than 450 mm (18 in.) and not more than 3.0 m (10 ft) in
length, provided all of the following conditions are met:
Exception: Wire-bending space in enclosures for motor
controllers with provisions for one or two wires per terminal shall comply with 430.10(B).
T
312.5
D
R
(a) Each cable is fastened within 300 mm (12 in.),
measured along the sheath, of the outer end of the raceway.
(b) The raceway extends directly above the enclosure
and does not penetrate a structural ceiling.
(c) A fitting is provided on each end of the raceway to
protect the cable(s) from abrasion and the fittings remain
accessible after installation.
(d) The raceway is sealed or plugged at the outer end
using approved means so as to prevent access to the enclosure through the raceway.
(e) The cable sheath is continuous through the raceway and extends into the enclosure beyond the fitting not
less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
(f) The raceway is fastened at its outer end and at
other points in accordance with the applicable article.
(g) Where installed as conduit or tubing, the allowable
cable fill does not exceed that permitted for complete conduit or tubing systems by Table 1 of Chapter 9 of this Code
and all applicable notes thereto.
(a) Directed toward the opening in the enclosure and
within a 45 degree angle of directly facing the enclosure
wall
(b) Directly facing the enclosure wall and offset not
greater than 50 percent of the bending space specified in
Table 312.6(A)
Informational Note: Offset is the distance measured along
the enclosure wall from the axis of the centerline of the
terminal to a line passing through the center of the opening
in the enclosure.
Informational Note: See Table 1 in Chapter 9, including
Note 9, for allowable cable fill in circular raceways. See
310.15(B)(3)(a) for required ampacity reductions for multiple cables installed in a common raceway.
(C) Conductors 4 AWG or Larger. Installation shall comply with 300.4(G).
312.6 Deflection of Conductors. Conductors at terminals
or conductors entering or leaving cabinets or cutout boxes
and the like shall comply with 312.6(A) through (C).
312.7 Space in Enclosures. Cabinets and cutout boxes
shall have approved space to accommodate all conductors
installed in them without crowding. [ROP 9–2]
70–184
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
312.11
ARTICLE 312 — CABINETS, CUTOUT BOXES, AND METER SOCKET ENCLOSURES
Table 312.6(A) Minimum Wire-Bending Space at Terminals and Minimum Width of Wiring Gutters
Wires per Terminal
1
14–10
8–6
4–3
2
1
1/0–2/0
3/0–4/0
250
300–350
400–500
600–700
750–900
1000–1250
1500–2000
mm
2
4
5
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
Not specified
38.1
11⁄2
50.8
2
63.5
21⁄2
76.2
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
31⁄2
4
41⁄2
5
6
8
8
10
12
127
152
152
203
203
254
305
—
—
5
6
6
8
8
10
12
—
—
178
203
203
254
254
305
356
—
—
7
8
8
10
10
12
14
—
—
—
—
254
305
305
356
406
—
—
—
—
10
12
12
14
16
—
—
—
—
—
—
356
406
457
—
—
—
—
—
—
14
16
18
—
—
88.9
102
114
127
152
203
203
254
305
in.
3
T
Wire Size (AWG or
kcmil)
AF
Note: Bending space at terminals shall be measured in a straight line from the end of the lug or wire connector (in the direction that the wire leaves
the terminal) to the wall, barrier, or obstruction.
D
R
312.8 Switch and Overcurrent Device Enclosures with
Splices, Taps, and Feed-Through Conductors. The wiring space of enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices
shall be permitted for conductors feeding through, spliced,
or tapping off to other enclosures, switches, or overcurrent
devices where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The total of all conductors installed at any cross section
of the wiring space does not exceed 40 percent of the
cross-sectional area of that space.
(2) The total area of all conductors, splices, and taps installed at any cross section of the wiring space does not
exceed 75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that
space.
(3) A warning label complying with 110.21(B) is applied
to the enclosure that identifies the closest disconnecting
means for any feed-through conductors. [ROP 9–26]
312.9 Side or Back Wiring Spaces or Gutters. Cabinets
and cutout boxes shall be provided with back-wiring
spaces, gutters, or wiring compartments as required by
312.11(C) and (D).
II. Construction Specifications
(B) Strength. The design and construction of enclosures
within the scope of this article shall be such as to secure
ample strength and rigidity. If constructed of sheet steel, the
metal thickness shall not be less than 1.35 mm (0.053 in.)
uncoated.
(C) Nonmetallic Cabinets. Nonmetallic cabinets shall be
listed, or they shall be submitted for approval prior to installation.
312.11 Spacing. The spacing within cabinets and cutout
boxes shall comply with 312.11(A) through (D).
(A) General. Spacing within cabinets and cutout boxes
shall provide approved spacing for the distribution of wires
and cables placed in them and for a separation between
metal parts of devices and apparatus mounted within them
in accordance with (A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3). [ROP 9–2]
(1) Base. Other than at points of support, there shall be an
airspace of at least 1.59 mm (0.0625 in.) between the base
of the device and the wall of any metal cabinet or cutout
box in which the device is mounted.
312.10 Material. Cabinets, cutout boxes, and meter socket
enclosures shall comply with 312.10(A) through (C).
(2) Doors. There shall be an airspace of at least 25.4 mm
(1.00 in.) between any live metal part, including live metal
parts of enclosed fuses, and the door.
(A) Metal Cabinets and Cutout Boxes. Metal enclosures
within the scope of this article shall be protected both inside and outside against corrosion.
[ROP 9–26a]
Exception: Where the door is lined with an approved insulating material or is of a thickness of metal not less than
2.36 mm (0.093 in.) uncoated, the airspace shall not be less
than 12.7 mm (0.500 in.).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–185
312.11
ARTICLE 312 — CABINETS, CUTOUT BOXES, AND METER SOCKET ENCLOSURES
Table 312.6(B) Minimum Wire-Bending Space at Terminals
Wires per Terminal
1
2
All Other
Conductors
Compact
Stranded
AA-8000
Aluminum
Alloy
Conductors
(See Note 3.)
14–10
8
6
4
3
2
1
12–8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
38.1
50.8
76.2
76.2
88.9
114
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
140
152
165a
178b
51⁄2
6
61⁄2a
7b
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
350
400
500
600
700–750
800–900
1000
—
216d
254e
305e
330e
356e
381e
406e
432e
81⁄2d
10e
12e
13e
14e
15e
16e
17e
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Not specified
11⁄2
2
3
3
3 1 ⁄2
4 1 ⁄2
140
152
165a
190c
51⁄2
6
61⁄2a
71⁄2c
AF
D
R
457
483
508
559
610
610
610
3
18
19
20
22
24
24
24
178
190
203
216a
T
Wire Size (AWG or kcmil)
4 or More
in.
7
71⁄2
8
81⁄2a
mm
in.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
229d
254d
305e
330e
356e
406e
457e
483e
81⁄2d
10d
12e
13e
14e
16e
18e
19e
254b
279b
330e
356e
381e
457e
508e
559e
9b
11b
13e
14e
15e
18e
20e
22e
254
305
356d
381e
406e
483e
559e
610e
10
12
14d
15e
16e
19e
22e
24e
508
559
20
22
559
610
22
24
610
610
—
—
—
—
—
24
24
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1. Bending space at terminals shall be measured in a straight line from the end of the lug or wire connector in a direction perpendicular to the
enclosure wall.
2. For removable and lay-in wire terminals intended for only one wire, bending space shall be permitted to be reduced by the following number
of millimeters (inches):
a
12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.)
b
25.4 mm (1 in.)
c
38.1 mm (11⁄2 in.)
d
50.8 mm (2 in.)
e
76.2 mm (3 in.)
3. This column shall be permitted to determine the required wire-bending space for compact stranded aluminum conductors in sizes up to 1000
kcmil and manufactured using AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material in accordance with 310.14.
(3) Live Parts. There shall be an airspace of at least
12.7 mm (0.500 in.) between the walls, back, gutter partition, if of metal, or door of any cabinet or cutout box and
the nearest exposed current-carrying part of devices
mounted within the cabinet where the voltage does not
exceed 250. This spacing shall be increased to at least
25.4 mm (1.00 in.) for voltages of 251 to 1000, nominal.
[ROP 9–27]
70–186
Exception: Where the conditions in 312.11(A)(2), Exception, are met, the airspace for nominal voltages from 251 to
600 shall be permitted to be not less than 12.7 mm
(0.500 in.).
(B) Switch Clearance. Cabinets and cutout boxes shall be
deep enough to allow the closing of the doors when 30ampere branch-circuit panelboard switches are in any posi-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
(C) Wiring Space. Cabinets and cutout boxes that contain
devices or apparatus connected within the cabinet or box to
more than eight conductors, including those of branch circuits, meter loops, feeder circuits, power circuits, and similar circuits, but not including the supply circuit or a continuation thereof, shall have back-wiring spaces or one or
more side-wiring spaces, side gutters, or wiring compartments.
(D) Wiring Space — Enclosure. Side-wiring spaces, side
gutters, or side-wiring compartments of cabinets and cutout
boxes shall be made tight enclosures by means of covers,
barriers, or partitions extending from the bases of the devices contained in the cabinet, to the door, frame, or sides
of the cabinet.
Exception No. 1: Where internal bonding means are provided between all entries, nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted to be used with metal raceways or metal-armored
cables.
Exception No. 2: Where integral bonding means with a
provision for attaching an equipment bonding jumper inside the box are provided between all threaded entries in
nonmetallic boxes listed for the purpose, nonmetallic boxes
shall be permitted to be used with metal raceways or metalarmored cables.
314.4 Metal Boxes. Metal boxes shall be grounded and
bonded in accordance with Parts I, IV, V, VI, VII, and X of
Article 250 as applicable, except as permitted in 250.112(I).
II. Installation
AF
Exception: Side-wiring spaces, side gutters, and sidewiring compartments of cabinets shall not be required to be
made tight enclosures where those side spaces contain only
conductors that enter the cabinet directly opposite to the
devices where they terminate.
314.3 Nonmetallic Boxes. Nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted only with open wiring on insulators, concealed
knob-and-tube wiring, cabled wiring methods with entirely
nonmetallic sheaths, flexible cords, and nonmetallic raceways.
T
tion, when combination cutout switches are in any position,
or when other single-throw switches are opened as far as
their construction permits.
314.16
D
R
Partially enclosed back-wiring spaces shall be provided
with covers to complete the enclosure. Wiring spaces that
are required by 312.11(C) and are exposed when doors are
open shall be provided with covers to complete the enclosure. Where space is provided for feed-through conductors
and for splices as required in 312.8, additional barriers shall
not be required. [ROP 9–2]
ARTICLE 314
Outlet, Device, Pull, and Junction Boxes;
Conduit Bodies; Fittings; and Handhole
Enclosures
I. Scope and General
314.1 Scope. This article covers the installation and use of
all boxes and conduit bodies used as outlet, device, junction, or pull boxes, depending on their use, and handhole
enclosures. Cast, sheet metal, nonmetallic, and other boxes
such as FS, FD, and larger boxes are not classified as conduit bodies. This article also includes installation requirements for fittings used to join raceways and to connect
raceways and cables to boxes and conduit bodies.
314.2 Round Boxes. Round boxes shall not be used where
conduits or connectors requiring the use of locknuts or
bushings are to be connected to the side of the box.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall be placed or
equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the box, conduit body, or fitting. Drainage
openings shall be permitted to be installed in the field in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Boxes,
conduit bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings installed in
wet locations shall be listed for use in wet locations. [ROP
9–35, ROP 9–33]
Informational Note No. 1:
314.27(B).
For boxes in floors, see
Informational Note No. 2: For protection against corrosion, see 300.6.
314.16 Number of Conductors in Outlet, Device, and
Junction Boxes, and Conduit Bodies. Boxes and conduit
bodies shall be of an approved size to provide free space
for all enclosed conductors. In no case shall the volume of
the box, as calculated in 314.16(A), be less than the fill
calculation as calculated in 314.16(B). The minimum volume for conduit bodies shall be as calculated in 314.16(C).
[ROP 9–2]
The provisions of this section shall not apply to terminal housings supplied with motors or generators.
Informational Note: For volume requirements of motor or
generator terminal housings, see 430.12.
Boxes and conduit bodies enclosing conductors 4 AWG
or larger shall also comply with the provisions of 314.28.
(A) Box Volume Calculations. The volume of a wiring
enclosure (box) shall be the total volume of the assembled
70–187
314.16
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
canopy volume shall be compared with the volume required
for the luminaire supply fixture wires in accordance with
Table 314.16(B) in order to determine whether additional
volume in the box is required to accommodate the luminaire supply fixture wires. [ROP 9–37a]
sections and, where used, the space provided by plaster
rings, domed covers, extension rings, and so forth, that are
marked with their volume or are made from boxes the dimensions of which are listed in Table 314.16(A).
(1) Standard Boxes. The volumes of standard boxes that
are not marked with their volume shall be as given in Table
314.16(A).
(B) Box Fill Calculations. The volumes in paragraphs
314.16(B)(1) through (B)(5), as applicable, shall be added
together. No allowance shall be required for small fittings
such as locknuts and bushings.
(2) Other Boxes. Boxes 1650 cm3 (100 in.3) or less, other
than those described in Table 314.16(A), and nonmetallic
boxes shall be durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with their volume. Boxes described in Table
314.16(A) that have a volume larger than is designated in
the table shall be permitted to have their volume marked as
required by this section.
(1) Conductor Fill. Each conductor that originates outside
the box and terminates or is spliced within the box shall be
counted once, and each conductor that passes through the
box without splice or termination shall be counted once.
Each loop or coil of unbroken conductor not less than twice
the minimum length required for free conductors in 300.14
shall be counted twice. The conductor fill shall be calculated using Table 314.16(B). A conductor, no part of which
leaves the box, shall not be counted.
T
(3) Luminaire Canopies. Where a luminaire or similar
canopy is marked with its volume in accordance with
410.20, the marked volume shall not be counted as part of
the volume of the box to which it is mounted. The marked
AF
Table 314.16(A) Metal Boxes
Minimum
Volume
Box Trade Size
mm
in.
cm3
in.3
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
205
254
353
12.5
15.5
21.5
8
10
14
7
8
12
6
7
10
5
6
9
5
6
8
5
5
7
2
3
4
100 × 32
100 × 38
100 × 54
(4 × 11⁄4)
(4 × 11⁄2)
(4 × 21⁄8)
100 × 32
100 × 38
100 × 54
(4× 11⁄4)
(4 × 11⁄2)
(4 × 21⁄8)
square
square
square
295
344
497
18.0
21.0
30.3
12
14
20
10
12
17
9
10
15
8
9
13
7
8
12
6
7
10
3
4
6
120 × 32
120 × 38
120 × 54
(411⁄16 × 11⁄4)
(411⁄16 × 11⁄2)
(411⁄16 × 21⁄8)
square
square
square
418
484
689
25.5
29.5
42.0
17
19
28
14
16
24
12
14
21
11
13
18
10
11
16
8
9
14
5
5
8
75 × 50 × 38
75 × 50 × 50
75× 50 × 57
75 × 50 × 65
75 × 50 × 70
75 × 50 × 90
(3 × 2 × 11⁄2)
(3 × 2 × 2)
(3× 2 × 21⁄4)
(3 × 2 × 21⁄2)
(3 × 2 × 23⁄4)
(3 × 2 × 31⁄2)
device
device
device
device
device
device
123
164
172
205
230
295
7.5
10.0
10.5
12.5
14.0
18.0
5
6
7
8
9
12
4
5
6
7
8
10
3
5
5
6
7
9
3
4
4
5
6
8
3
4
4
5
5
7
2
3
3
4
4
6
1
2
2
2
2
3
100 × 54 × 38
100 × 54 × 48
100 × 54 × 54
(4 × 21⁄8 × 11⁄2)
(4 × 21⁄8 × 17⁄8)
(4 × 21⁄8 × 21⁄8)
device
device
device
169
213
238
10.3
13.0
14.5
6
8
9
5
7
8
5
6
7
4
5
6
4
5
5
3
4
4
2
2
2
95 × 50 × 65
95 × 50 × 90
(33⁄4 × 2 × 21⁄2)
(33⁄4 × 2 × 31⁄2)
masonry box/gang
masonry box/gang
230
344
14.0
21.0
9
14
8
12
7
10
6
9
5
8
4
7
2
4
D
R
round/octagonal
round/octagonal
round/octagonal
Maximum Number of Conductors*
(arranged by AWG size)
min. 44.5 depth
min. 60.3 depth
FS — single cover/gang (13⁄4)
FD — single cover/gang (23⁄8)
221
295
13.5
18.0
9
12
7
10
6
9
6
8
5
7
4
6
2
3
min. 44.5 depth
min. 60.3 depth
FS — multiple cover/gang (13⁄4)
FD — multiple cover/gang (23⁄8)
295
395
18.0
24.0
12
16
10
13
9
12
8
10
7
9
6
8
3
4
*Where no volume allowances are required by 314.16(B)(2) through (B)(5).
70–188
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
(C) Conduit Bodies.
(1) General. Conduit bodies enclosing 6 AWG conductors
or smaller, other than short-radius conduit bodies as described in 314.16(C)(3), shall have a cross-sectional area
not less than twice the cross-sectional area of the largest
conduit or tubing to which they can be attached. The maximum number of conductors permitted shall be the maximum number permitted by Table 1 of Chapter 9 for the
conduit or tubing to which it is attached.
(2) With Splices, Taps, or Devices. Only those conduit
bodies that are durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with their volume shall be permitted to contain
splices, taps, or devices. The maximum number of conductors shall be calculated in accordance with 314.16(B). Conduit bodies shall be supported in a rigid and secure manner.
AF
(2) Clamp Fill. Where one or more internal cable clamps,
whether factory or field supplied, are present in the box, a
single volume allowance in accordance with Table
314.16(B) shall be made based on the largest conductor
present in the box. No allowance shall be required for a
cable connector with its clamping mechanism outside the
box.
A clamp assembly that incorporates a cable termination
for the cable conductors shall be listed and marked for use
with specific nonmetallic boxes. Conductors that originate
within the clamp assembly shall be included in conductor
fill calculations covered in 314.16(B)(1) as though they
entered from outside the box. The clamp assembly shall not
require a fill allowance but the volume of the portion of the
assembly that remains within the box after installation shall
be excluded from the box volume as marked in
314.16(A)(2). [ROP 9–37]
ing jumpers enter a box, a single volume allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be made based on the
largest equipment grounding conductor or equipment bonding jumper present in the box. Where an additional set of
equipment grounding conductors, as permitted by
250.146(D), is present in the box, an additional volume
allowance shall be made based on the largest equipment
grounding conductor in the additional set.
T
Exception: An equipment grounding conductor or conductors or not over four fixture wires smaller than 14 AWG, or
both, shall be permitted to be omitted from the calculations
where they enter a box from a domed luminaire or similar
canopy and terminate within that box.
314.17
(3) Support Fittings Fill. Where one or more luminaire
studs or hickeys are present in the box, a single volume
allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be
made for each type of fitting based on the largest conductor
present in the box.
D
R
(4) Device or Equipment Fill. For each yoke or strap containing one or more devices or equipment, a double volume
allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be
made for each yoke or strap based on the largest conductor
connected to a device(s) or equipment supported by that
yoke or strap. A device or utilization equipment wider than
a single 50 mm (2 in.) device box as described in Table
314.16(A) shall have double volume allowances provided
for each gang required for mounting.
Table 314.16(B) Volume Allowance Required per Conductor
Free Space Within Box for Each
Conductor
Size of Conductor
(AWG)
cm3
in.3
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
24.6
28.7
32.8
36.9
41.0
49.2
81.9
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
3.00
5.00
(5) Equipment Grounding Conductor Fill. Where one or
more equipment grounding conductors or equipment bond-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Short Radius Conduit Bodies. Conduit bodies such as
capped elbows and service-entrance elbows that enclose
conductors 6 AWG or smaller, and are only intended to
enable the installation of the raceway and the contained
conductors, shall not contain splices, taps, or devices and
shall be of an approved size to provide free space for all
conductors enclosed in the conduit body. [ROP 9–2]
314.17 Conductors Entering Boxes, Conduit Bodies, or
Fittings. Conductors entering boxes, conduit bodies, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion and shall comply
with 314.17(A) through (D).
(A) Openings to Be Closed. Openings through which conductors enter shall be closed in an approved manner. [ROP
9–2]
(B) Metal Boxes and Conduit Bodies. Where metal boxes
or conduit bodies are installed with messenger-supported
wiring, open wiring on insulators, or concealed knob-andtube wiring, conductors shall enter through insulating bushings or, in dry locations, through flexible tubing extending
from the last insulating support to not less than 6 mm (1⁄4
in.) inside the box and beyond any cable clamps. Except as
provided in 300.15(C), the wiring shall be firmly secured to
the box or conduit body. Where raceway or cable is installed with metal boxes or conduit bodies, the raceway or
cable shall be secured to such boxes and conduit bodies.
(C) Nonmetallic Boxes and Conduit Bodies. Nonmetallic
boxes and conduit bodies shall be suitable for the lowest
70–189
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
temperature-rated conductor entering the box. Where nonmetallic boxes and conduit bodies are used with messengersupported wiring, open wiring on insulators, or concealed
knob-and-tube wiring, the conductors shall enter the box
through individual holes. Where flexible tubing is used to
enclose the conductors, the tubing shall extend from the last
insulating support to not less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) inside the
box and beyond any cable clamp. Where nonmetallicsheathed cable or multiconductor Type UF cable is used,
the sheath shall extend not less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) inside
the box and beyond any cable clamp. In all instances, all
permitted wiring methods shall be secured to the boxes.
Exception: A surface extension shall be permitted to be
made from the cover of a box where the cover is designed
so it is unlikely to fall off or be removed if its securing
means becomes loose. The wiring method shall be flexible
for an approved length that permits removal of the cover
and provides access to the box interior, and arranged so
that any grounding continuity is independent of the connection between the box and cover. [ROP 9–2]
314.23 Supports. Enclosures within the scope of this article shall be supported in accordance with one or more of
the provisions in 314.23(A) through (H).
(A) Surface Mounting. An enclosure mounted on a building or other surface shall be rigidly and securely fastened in
place. If the surface does not provide rigid and secure support, additional support in accordance with other provisions
of this section shall be provided.
(B) Structural Mounting. An enclosure supported from a
structural member or from grade shall be rigidly supported
either directly or by using a metal, polymeric, or wood
brace. [ROP 9–1]
AF
Exception: Where nonmetallic-sheathed cable or multiconductor Type UF cable is used with single gang boxes
not larger than a nominal size 57 mm × 100 mm (21⁄4 in.
× 4 in.) mounted in walls or ceilings, and where the cable
is fastened within 200 mm (8 in.) of the box measured along
the sheath and where the sheath extends through a cable
knockout not less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.), securing the cable to
the box shall not be required. Multiple cable entries shall
be permitted in a single cable knockout opening.
ring over the box. Equipment grounding shall be in accordance with Part VI of Article 250.
T
314.19
(D) Conductors 4 AWG or Larger. Installation shall comply with 300.4(G).
Informational Note: See 110.12(A) for requirements on
closing unused cable and raceway knockout openings.
D
R
314.19 Boxes Enclosing Flush Devices. Boxes used to enclose flush devices shall be of such design that the devices
will be completely enclosed on back and sides and substantial support for the devices will be provided. Screws for
supporting the box shall not be used in attachment of the
device contained therein.
314.20 In Wall or Ceiling. In walls or ceilings with a
surface of concrete, tile, gypsum, plaster, or other noncombustible material, boxes employing a flush-type cover or
faceplate shall be installed so that the front edge of the box,
plaster ring, extension ring, or listed extender will not be
set back of the finished surface more than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
In walls and ceilings constructed of wood or other combustible surface material, boxes, plaster rings, extension
rings, or listed extenders shall be flush with the finished
surface or project therefrom.
314.21 Repairing Noncombustible Surfaces. Noncombustible surfaces that are broken or incomplete around
boxes employing a flush-type cover or faceplate shall be
repaired so there will be no gaps or open spaces greater
than 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) at the edge of the box.
314.22 Surface Extensions. Surface extensions shall be
made by mounting and mechanically securing an extension
70–190
(1) Nails and Screws. Nails and screws, where used as a
fastening means, shall be attached by using brackets on the
outside of the enclosure, or they shall pass through the
interior within 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of the back or ends of the
enclosure. Screws shall not be permitted to pass through the
box unless exposed threads in the box are protected using
approved means to avoid abrasion of conductor insulation.
(2) Braces. Metal braces shall be protected against corrosion and formed from metal that is not less than 0.51 mm
(0.020 in.) thick uncoated. Wood braces shall have a cross
section not less than nominal 25 mm × 50 mm (1 in.
× 2 in.). Wood braces in wet locations shall be treated for
the conditions. Polymeric braces shall be identified as being
suitable for the use.
(C) Mounting in Finished Surfaces. An enclosure
mounted in a finished surface shall be rigidly secured
thereto by clamps, anchors, or fittings identified for the
application.
(D) Suspended Ceilings. An enclosure mounted to structural or supporting elements of a suspended ceiling shall be
not more than 1650 cm3 (100 in.3) in size and shall be
securely fastened in place in accordance with either (D)(1)
or (D)(2).
(1) Framing Members. An enclosure shall be fastened to
the framing members by mechanical means such as bolts,
screws, or rivets, or by the use of clips or other securing
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
(2) Support Wires. The installation shall comply with the
provisions of 300.11(A). The enclosure shall be secured
using identified methods to ceiling support wire(s), including any additional support wire(s) installed for ceiling support. Support wire(s) used for enclosure support shall be
fastened at each end so as to be taut within the ceiling
cavity. [ROP 9–45]
(a) The conduit is securely fastened at a point so that
the length of conduit beyond the last point of conduit support does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft).
(b) The unbroken conduit length before the last point
of conduit support is 300 mm (12 in.) or greater, and that
portion of the conduit is securely fastened at some point not
less than 300 mm (12 in.) from its last point of support.
(c) Where accessible to unqualified persons, the luminaire or lampholder, measured to its lowest point, is at least
2.5 m (8 ft) above grade or standing area and at least
900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally to the 2.5 m (8 ft)
elevation from windows, doors, porches, fire escapes, or
similar locations.
(d) A luminaire supported by a single conduit does not
exceed 300 mm (12 in.) in any direction from the point of
conduit entry.
(e) The weight supported by any single conduit does
not exceed 9 kg (20 lb).
(f) At the luminaire or lampholder end, the conduit(s)
is threaded wrenchtight into the box, conduit body, or integral wiring enclosure, or into identified hubs. Where a box
or conduit body is used for support, the luminaire shall be
secured directly to the box or conduit body, or through a
threaded conduit nipple not over 75 mm (3 in.) long. [ROP
9–53]
AF
(E) Raceway-Supported Enclosure, Without Devices,
Luminaires, or Lampholders. An enclosure that does not
contain a device(s) other than splicing devices or support a
luminaire(s), lampholder, or other equipment and is supported by entering raceways shall not exceed 1650 cm3
(100 in.3) in size. It shall have threaded entries or have
identified hubs. It shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrenchtight into the enclosure or hubs. Each
conduit shall be secured within 900 mm (3 ft) of the enclosure, or within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure if all
conduit entries are on the same side. [ROP 9–47]
Exception No. 2: An unbroken length(s) of rigid or intermediate metal conduit shall be permitted to support a box
used for luminaire or lampholder support, or to support a
wiring enclosure that is an integral part of a luminaire and
used in lieu of a box in accordance with 300.15(B), where
all of the following conditions are met:
T
means identified for use with the type of ceiling framing
member(s) and enclosure(s) employed. The framing members shall be supported in an approved manner and securely
fastened to each other and to the building structure. [ROP
9–2]
314.23
D
R
Exception: The following wiring methods shall be permitted to support a conduit body of any size, including a conduit body constructed with only one conduit entry, provided
the trade size of the conduit body is not larger than the
largest trade size of the conduit or tubing: [ROP 9–46]
Intermediate metal conduit, Type IMC
Rigid metal conduit, Type RMC
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, Type PVC
Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit, Type RTRC
Electrical metallic tubing, Type EMT
(G) Enclosures in Concrete or Masonry. An enclosure
supported by embedment shall be identified as suitably protected from corrosion and securely embedded in concrete or
masonry.
(F) Raceway-Supported Enclosures, with Devices, Luminaires, or Lampholders. An enclosure that contains a
device(s), other than splicing devices, or supports a luminaire(s), lampholder, or other equipment and is supported
by entering raceways shall not exceed 1650 cm3 (100 in.3)
in size. It shall have threaded entries or identified hubs. It
shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded
wrenchtight into the enclosure or hubs. Each conduit shall
be secured within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure. [ROP
9–49]
(1) Flexible Cord. A box shall be supported from a multiconductor cord or cable in an approved manner that protects the conductors against strain, such as a strain-relief
connector threaded into a box with a hub.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Exception No. 1: Rigid metal or intermediate metal conduit shall be permitted to support a conduit body of any
size, including a conduit body constructed with only one
conduit entry, provided the trade size of the conduit body is
not larger than the largest trade size of the conduit.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(H) Pendant Boxes. An enclosure supported by a pendant
shall comply with 314.23(H)(1) or (H)(2).
(2) Conduit. A box supporting lampholders or luminaires,
or wiring enclosures within luminaires used in lieu of boxes
in accordance with 300.15(B), shall be supported by rigid
or intermediate metal conduit stems. For stems longer than
450 mm (18 in.), the stems shall be connected to the wiring
system with flexible fittings suitable for the location. At the
luminaire end, the conduit(s) shall be threaded wrenchtight
into the box or wiring enclosure, or into identified hubs.
[ROP 9–54]
Where supported by only a single conduit, the threaded
joints shall be prevented from loosening by the use of set-
70–191
314.24
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
screws or other effective means, or the luminaire, at any
point, shall be at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above grade or standing
area and at least 900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally to the
2.5 m (8 ft) elevation from windows, doors, porches, fire
escapes, or similar locations. A luminaire supported by a
single conduit shall not exceed 300 mm (12 in.) in any
horizontal direction from the point of conduit entry.
(5) Conductors 14 AWG and Smaller. Boxes that enclose
devices or utilization equipment supplied by 14 AWG or
smaller conductors shall have a depth that is not less than
23.8 mm (15⁄16 in.).
314.24 Depth of Boxes. Outlet and device boxes shall
have an approved depth to allow equipment installed within
them to be mounted properly and without likelihood of
damage to conductors within the box. [ROP 9–2]
314.25 Covers and Canopies. In completed installations,
each box shall have a cover, faceplate, lampholder, or luminaire canopy, except where the installation complies with
410.24(B). Screws used for the purpose of attaching covers,
or other equipment to the box, shall be either machine
screws matching the thread gage or size that is integral to
the box or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. [ROP 9–55]
(A) Nonmetallic or Metal Covers and Plates. Nonmetallic or metal covers and plates shall be permitted. Where
metal covers or plates are used, they shall comply with the
grounding requirements of 250.110.
Informational Note: For additional grounding requirements, see 410.42 for metal luminaire canopies, and 404.12
and 406.6(B) for metal faceplates.
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(B) Outlet and Device Boxes with Enclosed Devices or
Utilization Equipment. Outlet and device boxes that enclose devices or utilization equipment shall have a minimum internal depth that accommodates the rearward projection of the equipment and the size of the conductors that
supply the equipment. The internal depth shall include,
where used, that of any extension boxes, plaster rings, or
raised covers. The internal depth shall comply with all applicable provisions of (B)(1) through (B)(5).
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(A) Outlet Boxes Without Enclosed Devices or Utilization Equipment. Outlet boxes that do not enclose devices
or utilization equipment shall have a minimum internal
depth of 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.).
Exception to (1) through (5):
Devices or utilization
equipment that is listed to be installed with specified boxes
shall be permitted.
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(1) Large Equipment. Boxes that enclose devices or utilization equipment that projects more than 48 mm (17⁄8 in.)
rearward from the mounting plane of the box shall have a
depth that is not less than the depth of the equipment plus
6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
(2) Conductors Larger Than 4 AWG. Boxes that enclose
devices or utilization equipment supplied by conductors
larger than 4 AWG shall be identified for their specific
function.
Exception to (2): Devices or utilization equipment supplied
by conductors larger than 4 AWG shall be permitted to be
mounted on or in junction and pull boxes larger than
1650 cm3 (100 in.3) if the spacing at the terminals meets
the requirements of 312.6.
(3) Conductors 8, 6, or 4 AWG. Boxes that enclose devices or utilization equipment supplied by 8, 6, or 4 AWG
conductors shall have an internal depth that is not less than
52.4 mm (21⁄16 in.).
(4) Conductors 12 or 10 AWG. Boxes that enclose devices or utilization equipment supplied by 12 or 10 AWG
conductors shall have an internal depth that is not less than
30.2 mm (13⁄16 in.). Where the equipment projects rearward
from the mounting plane of the box by more than 25 mm
(1 in.), the box shall have a depth not less than that of the
equipment plus 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
70–192
(B) Exposed Combustible Wall or Ceiling Finish. Where
a luminaire canopy or pan is used, any combustible wall or
ceiling finish exposed between the edge of the canopy or
pan and the outlet box shall be covered with noncombustible material if required by 410.23. [ROP 9–55a]
(C) Flexible Cord Pendants. Covers of outlet boxes and
conduit bodies having holes through which flexible cord
pendants pass shall be provided with identified bushings or
shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the
cords may bear. So-called hard rubber or composition bushings shall not be used. [ROP 9–56]
314.27 Outlet Boxes.
(A) Boxes at Luminaire or Lampholder Outlets. Outlet
boxes or fittings designed for the support of luminaires and
lampholders, and installed as required by 314.23, shall be
permitted to support a luminaire or lampholder.
(1) Vertical Surface Outlets. Boxes used at luminaire or
lampholder outlets in or on a vertical surface shall be identified and marked on the interior of the box to indicate the
maximum weight of the luminaire that is permitted to be
supported by the box if other than 23 kg (50 lb). [ROP
9–58]
Exception: A vertically mounted luminaire or lampholder
weighing not more than 3 kg (6 lb) shall be permitted to be
supported on other boxes or plaster rings that are secured
to other boxes, provided the luminaire or its supporting
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ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
(2) Ceiling Outlets. At every outlet used exclusively for
lighting, the box shall be designed or installed so that a
luminaire or lampholder may be attached. Boxes shall be
required to support a luminaire weighing a minimum of 23
kg (50 lb). A luminaire that weighs more than 23 kg (50 lb)
shall be supported independently of the outlet box, unless
the outlet box is listed and marked on the interior of the box
to indicate the maximum weight the box shall be permitted
to support. [ROP 9–62]
(B) Floor Boxes. Boxes listed specifically for this application shall be used for receptacles located in the floor.
Exception: Where the authority having jurisdiction judges
them free from likely exposure to physical damage, moisture, and dirt, boxes located in elevated floors of show
windows and similar locations shall be permitted to be
other than those listed for floor applications. Receptacles
and covers shall be listed as an assembly for this type of
location.
(1) Straight Pulls. In straight pulls, the length of the box
or conduit body shall not be less than eight times the metric
designator (trade size) of the largest raceway.
(2) Angle or U Pulls, or Splices. Where splices or where
angle or U pulls are made, the distance between each raceway entry inside the box or conduit body and the opposite
wall of the box or conduit body shall not be less than six
times the metric designator (trade size) of the largest raceway in a row. This distance shall be increased for additional
entries by the amount of the sum of the diameters of all
other raceway entries in the same row on the same wall of
the box. Each row shall be calculated individually, and the
single row that provides the maximum distance shall be
used.
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(C) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fan Outlets.
Outlet boxes or outlet box systems used as the sole support
of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan shall be listed, shall be
marked by their manufacturer as suitable for this purpose,
and shall not support ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans that
weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb). For outlet boxes or outlet
box systems designed to support ceiling-suspended
(paddle) fans that weigh more than 16 kg (35 lb), the required marking shall include the maximum weight to be
supported.
Where spare, separately switched, ungrounded conductors are provided to a ceiling mounted outlet box, in a
location acceptable for a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan in
single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwellings, the
outlet box or outlet box system shall be listed for sole
support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan. [ROP 9–63]
(A) Minimum Size. For raceways containing conductors
of 4 AWG or larger that are required to be insulated, and for
cables containing conductors of 4 AWG or larger, the minimum dimensions of pull or junction boxes installed in a
raceway or cable run shall comply with (A)(1) through
(A)(3). Where an enclosure dimension is to be calculated
based on the diameter of entering raceways, the diameter
shall be the metric designator (trade size) expressed in the
units of measurement employed.
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yoke, or the lampholder, is secured to the box with no fewer
than two No. 6 or larger screws. [ROP 9–58]
314.28
(D) Utilization Equipment. Boxes used for the support of
utilization equipment other than ceiling-suspended (paddle)
fans shall meet the requirements of 314.27(A) for the support of a luminaire that is the same size and weight.
Exception: Utilization equipment weighing not more than
3 kg (6 lb) shall be permitted to be supported on other
boxes or plaster rings that are secured to other boxes, provided the equipment or its supporting yoke is secured to the
box with no fewer than two No. 6 or larger screws.
314.28 Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies.
Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes
shall comply with 314.28(A) through (E).
Exception: Terminal housings supplied with motors shall
comply with the provisions of 430.12.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: Where a raceway or cable entry is in the wall
of a box or conduit body opposite a removable cover, the
distance from that wall to the cover shall be permitted to
comply with the distance required for one wire per terminal
in Table 312.6(A).
The distance between raceway entries enclosing the
same conductor shall not be less than six times the metric
designator (trade size) of the larger raceway.
When transposing cable size into raceway size in
314.28(A)(1) and (A)(2), the minimum metric designator
(trade size) raceway required for the number and size of
conductors in the cable shall be used.
(3) Smaller Dimensions. Boxes or conduit bodies of dimensions less than those required in 314.28(A)(1) and
(A)(2) shall be permitted for installations of combinations
of conductors that are less than the maximum conduit or
tubing fill (of conduits or tubing being used) permitted by
Table 1 of Chapter 9, provided the box or conduit body has
been listed for, and is permanently marked with, the maximum number and maximum size of conductors permitted.
The conductor fill for listed conduit bodies of dimensions less than those required in 314.28(A)(2) and having a
radius of the curve to the centerline not less than as indicated in Table 2, Chapter 9 for one shot and full shoe
benders shall be limited only by Table 1 of Chapter 9 as
applied to the entering raceways. These conduit bodies
shall be marked to show they have been specifically evaluated in accordance with this provision. [ROP 9–67]
70–193
ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
(B) Conductors in Pull or Junction Boxes. In pull boxes
or junction boxes having any dimension over 1.8 m (6 ft),
all conductors shall be cabled or racked up in an approved
manner.
(C) Covers. All pull boxes, junction boxes, and conduit
bodies shall be provided with covers compatible with the
box or conduit body construction and suitable for the conditions of use. Where used, metal covers shall comply with
the grounding requirements of 250.110.
(D) Permanent Barriers. Where permanent barriers are
installed in a box, each section shall be considered as a
separate box.
(E) Power Distribution Blocks. Power distribution blocks
shall be permitted in pull and junction boxes over 1650 cm3
(100 in.3) for connections of conductors where installed in
boxes and where the installation complies with (1) through
(5).
314.30 Handhole Enclosures. Handhole enclosures shall
be designed and installed to withstand all loads likely to be
imposed on them. They shall be identified for use in underground systems.
Informational Note: See ANSI/SCTE 77-2002, Specification for Underground Enclosure Integrity, for additional
information on deliberate and nondeliberate traffic loading
that can be expected to bear on underground enclosures.
(A) Size. Handhole enclosures shall be sized in accordance
with 314.28(A) for conductors operating at 1000 volts or
below, and in accordance with 314.71 for conductors operating at over 1000 volts. For handhole enclosures without
bottoms where the provisions of 314.28(A)(2), Exception,
or 314.71(B)(1), Exception No. 1, apply, the measurement
to the removable cover shall be taken from the end of the
conduit or cable assembly. [ROP 9–68]
(B) Wiring Entries. Underground raceways and cable assemblies entering a handhole enclosure shall extend into
the enclosure, but they shall not be required to be mechanically connected to the enclosure.
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Exception: Equipment grounding terminal bars shall be
permitted in smaller enclosures.
cohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for excavation.
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314.29
(1) Installation. Power distribution blocks installed in
boxes shall be listed.
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(2) Size. In addition to the overall size requirement in the
first sentence of 314.28(A)(2), the power distribution block
shall be installed in a box with dimensions not smaller than
specified in the installation instructions of the power distribution block.
(3) Wire Bending Space. Wire bending space at the terminals of power distribution blocks shall comply with
312.6.
(4) Live Parts. Power distribution blocks shall not have
uninsulated live parts exposed within a box, whether or not
the box cover is installed.
(5) Through Conductors. Where the pull or junction
boxes are used for conductors that do not terminate on the
power distribution block(s), the through conductors shall be
arranged so the power distribution block terminals are unobstructed following installation.
314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible. Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing
any part of the building or structure, or, in underground
circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or
other substance that is to be used to establish the finished
grade. [ROP 9–1]
Exception: Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be
permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or non-
70–194
(C) Enclosed Wiring. All enclosed conductors and any
splices or terminations, if present, shall be listed as suitable
for wet locations.
(D) Covers. Handhole enclosure covers shall have an identifying mark or logo that prominently identifies the function
of the enclosure, such as “electric.” Handhole enclosure
covers shall require the use of tools to open, or they shall
weigh over 45 kg (100 lb). Metal covers and other exposed
conductive surfaces shall be bonded in accordance with
250.92 if the conductors in the handhole are service conductors, or in accordance with 250.96(A) if the conductors
in the handhole are feeder or branch-circuit conductors.
III. Construction Specifications
314.40 Metal Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Fittings.
(A) Corrosion Resistant. Metal boxes, conduit bodies,
and fittings shall be corrosion resistant or shall be wellgalvanized, enameled, or otherwise properly coated inside
and out to prevent corrosion.
Informational Note: See 300.6 for limitation in the use of
boxes and fittings protected from corrosion solely by
enamel.
(B) Thickness of Metal. Sheet steel boxes not over
1650 cm3 (100 in.3) in size shall be made from steel not
less than 1.59 mm (0.0625 in.) thick. The wall of a malleable iron box or conduit body and a die-cast or
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 314 — OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES:FITTINGS, AND HANDHOLES
Exception No. 1: Listed boxes and conduit bodies shown
to have equivalent strength and characteristics shall be
permitted to be made of thinner or other metals.
Exception No. 2: The walls of listed short radius conduit
bodies, as covered in 314.16(C)(2), shall be permitted to be
made of thinner metal.
(C) Metal Boxes Over 1650 cm3 (100 in.3). Metal boxes
over 1650 cm3 (100 in.3) in size shall be constructed so as
to be of ample strength and rigidity. If of sheet steel, the
metal thickness shall not be less than 1.35 mm (0.053 in.)
uncoated.
[ROP 9–28]
314.70 General.
(A) Pull and Junction Boxes. Where pull and junction
boxes are used on systems over 1000 volts, the installation
shall comply with the provisions of Part IV and with the
following general provisions of this article: [ROP 9–70]
(1) Part I, 314.2; 314.3; and 314.4
(2) Part II, 314.15; 314.17; 314.20; 314.23(A), (B), or (G);
314.28(B); and 314.29
(3) Part III, 314.40(A) and (C); and 314.41
(B) Conduit Bodies. Where conduit bodies are used on
systems over 1000 volts, the installation shall comply with
the provisions of Part IV and with the following general
provisions of this article: [ROP 9–71]
(1) Part I, 314.4
(2) Part II, 314.15; 314.17; 314.23(A), (E), or (G); and
314.29
(3) Part III, 314.40(A); and 314.41
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(D) Grounding Provisions. A means shall be provided in
each metal box for the connection of an equipment grounding conductor. The means shall be permitted to be a tapped
hole or equivalent.
IV. Pull and Junction Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and
Handhole Enclosures for Use on Systems over
1000 Volts, Nominal
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permanent-mold cast aluminum, brass, bronze, or zinc box
or conduit body shall not be less than 2.38 mm (3⁄32 in.)
thick. Other cast metal boxes or conduit bodies shall have a
wall thickness not less than 3.17 mm (1⁄8 in.).
314.71
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314.41 Covers. Metal covers shall be of the same material
as the box or conduit body with which they are used, or
they shall be lined with firmly attached insulating material
that is not less than 0.79 mm (1⁄32 in.) thick, or they shall be
listed for the purpose. Metal covers shall be the same thickness as the boxes or conduit body for which they are used,
or they shall be listed for the purpose. Covers of porcelain
or other approved insulating materials shall be permitted if
of such form and thickness as to afford the required protection and strength.
314.42 Bushings. Covers of outlet boxes and conduit bodies having holes through which flexible cord pendants may
pass shall be provided with approved bushings or shall
have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cord may
bear. Where individual conductors pass through a metal
cover, a separate hole equipped with a bushing of suitable
insulating material shall be provided for each conductor.
Such separate holes shall be connected by a slot as required
by 300.20.
314.43 Nonmetallic Boxes. Provisions for supports or
other mounting means for nonmetallic boxes shall be outside of the box, or the box shall be constructed so as to
prevent contact between the conductors in the box and the
supporting screws.
314.44 Marking. All boxes and conduit bodies, covers,
extension rings, plaster rings, and the like shall be durably
and legibly marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Handhole Enclosures. Where handhole enclosures are
used on systems over 1000 volts, the installation shall comply with the provisions of Part IV and with the following
general provisions of this article: [ROP 9–72]
(1) Part I, 314.3; and 314.4
(2) Part II, 314.15; 314.17; 314.23(G); 314.28(B); 314.29;
and 314.30
314.71 Size of Pull and Junction Boxes, Conduit Bodies,
and Handhole Enclosures. Pull and junction boxes and
handhole enclosures shall provide approved space and dimensions for the installation of conductors, and they shall
comply with the specific requirements of this section. Conduit bodies shall be permitted if they meet the dimensional
requirements for boxes. [ROP 9–2]
Exception: Terminal housings supplied with motors shall
comply with the provisions of 430.12.
(A) For Straight Pulls. The length of the box shall not be
less than 48 times the outside diameter, over sheath, of the
largest shielded or lead-covered conductor or cable entering
the box. The length shall not be less than 32 times the
outside diameter of the largest nonshielded conductor or
cable.
(B) For Angle or U Pulls.
(1) Distance to Opposite Wall. The distance between each
cable or conductor entry inside the box and the opposite
70–195
314.72
ARTICLE 320 — ARMORED CABLE: TYPE AC
wall of the box shall not be less than 36 times the outside
diameter, over sheath, of the largest cable or conductor.
This distance shall be increased for additional entries by the
amount of the sum of the outside diameters, over sheath, of
all other cables or conductor entries through the same wall
of the box.
(F) Suitable for Expected Handling. Boxes and their
covers shall be capable of withstanding the handling to
which they are likely to be subjected.
Exception No. 1: Where a conductor or cable entry is in
the wall of a box opposite a removable cover, the distance
from that wall to the cover shall be permitted to be not less
than the bending radius for the conductors as provided in
300.34.
ARTICLE 320
Armored Cable: Type AC
Exception No. 2: Where cables are nonshielded and not
lead covered, the distance of 36 times the outside diameter
shall be permitted to be reduced to 24 times the outside
diameter.
I. General
320.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for armored cable, Type AC.
320.2 Definition.
Armored Cable, Type AC. A fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible interlocked metallic armor.
See 320.100.
Exception: Where cables are nonshielded and not lead
covered, the distance of 36 times the outside diameter shall
be permitted to be reduced to 24 times the outside diameter.
II. Installation
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(2) Distance Between Entry and Exit. The distance between a cable or conductor entry and its exit from the box
shall not be less than 36 times the outside diameter, over
sheath, of that cable or conductor.
(C) Removable Sides. One or more sides of any pull box
shall be removable.
314.72 Construction and Installation Requirements.
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(A) Corrosion Protection. Boxes shall be made of material inherently resistant to corrosion or shall be suitably
protected, both internally and externally, by enameling, galvanizing, plating, or other means.
(B) Passing Through Partitions. Suitable bushings,
shields, or fittings having smooth, rounded edges shall be
provided where conductors or cables pass through partitions and at other locations where necessary.
(C) Complete Enclosure. Boxes shall provide a complete
enclosure for the contained conductors or cables.
(D) Wiring Is Accessible. Boxes and conduit bodies shall
be installed so that the conductors are accessible without
removing any fixed part of the building or structure. Working space shall be provided in accordance with 110.34.
(E) Suitable Covers. Boxes shall be closed by suitable
covers securely fastened in place. Underground box covers
that weigh over 45 kg (100 lb) shall be considered meeting
this requirement. Covers for boxes shall be permanently
marked “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT.”
The marking shall be on the outside of the box cover and
shall be readily visible. Letters shall be block type and at
least 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) in height.
70–196
320.10 Uses Permitted. Type AC cable shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) For feeders and branch circuits in both exposed and
concealed installations
(2) In cable trays
(3) In dry locations
(4) Embedded in plaster finish on brick or other masonry,
except in damp or wet locations
(5) To be run or fished in the air voids of masonry block or
tile walls where such walls are not exposed or subject
to excessive moisture or dampness
Informational Note: The “Uses Permitted” is not an allinclusive list.
320.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type AC cable shall not be
used as follows:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) In damp or wet locations
(3) In air voids of masonry block or tile walls where such
walls are exposed or subject to excessive moisture or
dampness
(4) Where exposed to corrosive conditions
(5) Embedded in plaster finish on brick or other masonry
in damp or wet locations
320.15 Exposed Work. Exposed runs of cable, except as
provided in 300.11(A), shall closely follow the surface of
the building finish or of running boards. Exposed runs shall
also be permitted to be installed on the underside of joists
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 320 — ARMORED CABLE: TYPE AC
320.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Type
AC cable shall be protected in accordance with 300.4(A),
(C), and (D) where installed through or parallel to framing
members.
320.23 In Accessible Attics. Type AC cables in accessible
attics or roof spaces shall be installed as specified in
320.23(A) and (B).
(A) Cables Run Across the Top of Floor Joists. Where
run across the top of floor joists, or within 2.1 m (7 ft) of
the floor or floor joists across the face of rafters or studding,
the cable shall be protected by guard strips that are at least
as high as the cable. Where this space is not accessible by
permanent stairs or ladders, protection shall only be required within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the nearest edge of the scuttle
hole or attic entrance. [ROP 7–21]
320.40 Boxes and Fittings. At all points where the armor
of AC cable terminates, a fitting shall be provided to protect
wires from abrasion, unless the design of the outlet boxes
or fittings is such as to afford equivalent protection, and, in
addition, an insulating bushing or its equivalent protection
shall be provided between the conductors and the armor.
The connector or clamp by which the Type AC cable is
fastened to boxes or cabinets shall be of such design that
the insulating bushing or its equivalent will be visible for
inspection. Where change is made from Type AC cable to
other cable or raceway wiring methods, a box, fitting, or
conduit body shall be installed at junction points as required in 300.15.
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(B) Cable Installed Parallel to Framing Members.
Where the cable is installed parallel to the sides of rafters,
studs, or ceiling or floor joists, neither guard strips nor
running boards shall be required, and the installation shall
also comply with 300.4(D).
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed
spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable
(2) Is not more than 600 mm (2 ft) in length at terminals
where flexibility is necessary
(3) Is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) in length from the last
point of cable support to the point of connection to a
luminaire(s) or other electrical equipment and the cable
and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling. For the purposes of this section, Type AC cable
fittings shall be permitted as a means of cable support.
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where supported at each joist and located so as not to be
subject to physical damage.
320.104
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320.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Type AC cable shall be
made such that the cable is not damaged. The radius of the
curve of the inner edge of any bend shall not be less than
five times the diameter of the Type AC cable.
320.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) General. Type AC cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings, designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.
320.80 Ampacity. The ampacity shall be determined in
accordance with 310.15.
(A) Thermal Insulation. Armored cable installed in thermal insulation shall have conductors rated at 90°C (194°F).
The ampacity of cable installed in these applications shall
not exceed that of a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor. The
90°C (194°F) rating shall be permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment and correction calculations; however, the
ampacity shall not exceed that of a 60°C (140°F) rated
conductor.
(B) Securing. Unless otherwise permitted, Type AC cable
shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet
box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting and at intervals not
exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) where installed on or across framing members.
(B) Cable Tray. The ampacity of Type AC cable installed
in cable tray shall be determined in accordance with
392.80(A).
(C) Supporting. Unless otherwise permitted, Type AC
cable shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m
(41⁄2 ft).
Horizontal runs of Type AC cable installed in wooden
or metal framing members or similar supporting means
shall be considered supported where such support does not
exceed 1.4-m (41⁄2-ft) intervals.
320.100 Construction. Type AC cable shall have an armor
of flexible metal tape and shall have an internal bonding
strip of copper or aluminum in intimate contact with the
armor for its entire length.
(D) Unsupported Cables. Type AC cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable complies with any of
the following:
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
III. Construction Specifications
320.104 Conductors. Insulated conductors shall be of a
type listed in Table 310.104(A) or those identified for use in
this cable. In addition, the conductors shall have an overall
moisture-resistant and fire-retardant fibrous covering. For
Type ACT, a moisture-resistant fibrous covering shall be
required only on the individual conductors.
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320.108
ARTICLE 322 — FLAT CABLE ASSEMBLIES: TYPE FC
320.108 Equipment Grounding Conductor. Type AC
cable shall provide an adequate path for fault current as
required by 250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4) to act as an equipment
grounding conductor.
(3) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as specifically permitted by other articles in this Code
(4) Outdoors or in wet or damp locations unless identified
for the use
320.120 Marking. The cable shall be marked in accordance with 310.120, except that Type AC shall have ready
identification of the manufacturer by distinctive external
markings on the cable armor throughout its entire length.
322.30 Securing and Supporting. The flat cable assemblies shall be supported by means of their special design
features, within the surface metal raceways.
The surface metal raceways shall be supported as required for the specific raceway to be installed.
322.40 Boxes and Fittings.
I. General
322.2 Definition.
(B) Luminaire Hangers. Luminaire hangers installed with
the flat cable assemblies shall be identified for the use.
(C) Fittings. Fittings to be installed with flat cable assemblies shall be designed and installed to prevent physical
damage to the cable assemblies.
AF
322.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for flat cable assemblies, Type
FC.
(A) Dead Ends. Each flat cable assembly dead end shall
be terminated in an end-cap device identified for the use.
The dead-end fitting for the enclosing surface metal
raceway shall be identified for the use.
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ARTICLE 322
Flat Cable Assemblies: Type FC
Flat Cable Assembly, Type FC. An assembly of parallel
conductors formed integrally with an insulating material
web specifically designed for field installation in surface
metal raceway.
(D) Extensions. All extensions from flat cable assemblies
shall be made by approved wiring methods, within the
junction boxes, installed at either end of the flat cable assembly runs.
II. Installation
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322.56 Splices and Taps.
322.10 Uses Permitted. Flat cable assemblies shall be permitted only as follows:
(1) As branch circuits to supply suitable tap devices for
lighting, small appliances, or small power loads. The
rating of the branch circuit shall not exceed 30 amperes.
(2) Where installed for exposed work.
(3) In locations where they will not be subjected to physical damage. Where a flat cable assembly is installed
less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above the floor or fixed working
platform, it shall be protected by a cover identified for
the use.
(4) In surface metal raceways identified for the use. The
channel portion of the surface metal raceway systems
shall be installed as complete systems before the flat
cable assemblies are pulled into the raceways.
322.12 Uses Not Permitted. Flat cable assemblies shall
not be used as follows:
(1) Where exposed to corrosive conditions, unless suitable
for the application
(2) In hoistways or on elevators or escalators
70–198
(A) Splices. Splices shall be made in listed junction boxes.
(B) Taps. Taps shall be made between any phase conductor and the grounded conductor or any other phase conductor by means of devices and fittings identified for the use.
Tap devices shall be rated at not less than 15 amperes, or
more than 300 volts to ground, and shall be color-coded in
accordance with the requirements of 322.120(C).
III. Construction
322.100 Construction. Flat cable assemblies shall consist
of two, three, four, or five conductors.
322.104 Conductors. Flat cable assemblies shall have
conductors of 10 AWG special stranded copper wires.
322.112 Insulation. The entire flat cable assembly shall be
formed to provide a suitable insulation covering all the
conductors and using one of the materials recognized in
Table 310.104(A) for general branch-circuit wiring.
322.120 Marking.
(A) Temperature Rating. In addition to the provisions of
310.120, Type FC cable shall have the temperature rating
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 324 — FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE: TYPE FCC
324.10
durably marked on the surface at intervals not exceeding
600 mm (24 in.).
another metal shield, to a receptacle housing or selfcontained device, or to a transition assembly.
(B) Identification of Grounded Conductor. The
grounded conductor shall be identified throughout its length
by means of a distinctive and durable white or gray marking.
Top Shield. A grounded metal shield covering under-carpet
components of the FCC system for the purposes of providing protection against physical damage.
(C) Terminal Block Identification. Terminal blocks identified for the use shall have distinctive and durable markings for color or word coding. The grounded conductor
section shall have a white marking or other suitable designation. The next adjacent section of the terminal block shall
have a black marking or other suitable designation. The
next section shall have a red marking or other suitable
designation. The final or outer section, opposite the
grounded conductor section of the terminal block, shall
have a blue marking or other suitable designation.
Transition Assembly. An assembly to facilitate connection
of the FCC system to other wiring systems, incorporating
(1) a means of electrical interconnection and (2) a suitable
box or covering for providing electrical safety and protection against physical damage.
Type FCC Cable. Three or more flat copper conductors
placed edge-to-edge and separated and enclosed within an
insulating assembly.
324.6 Listing Requirements. Type FCC cable and associated fittings shall be listed.
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Informational Note: The color gray may have been used in
the past as an ungrounded conductor. Care should be taken
when working on existing systems.
II. Installation
AF
324.10 Uses Permitted.
ARTICLE 324
Flat Conductor Cable: Type FCC
(A) Branch Circuits. Use of FCC systems shall be permitted both for general-purpose and appliance branch circuits
and for individual branch circuits.
(B) Branch-Circuit Ratings.
I. General
D
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324.1 Scope. This article covers a field-installed wiring
system for branch circuits incorporating Type FCC cable
and associated accessories as defined by the article. The
wiring system is designed for installation under carpet
squares.
324.2 Definitions.
(1) Voltage. Voltage between ungrounded conductors shall
not exceed 300 volts. Voltage between ungrounded conductors and the grounded conductor shall not exceed 150 volts.
(2) Current. General-purpose and appliance branch circuits shall have ratings not exceeding 20 amperes. Individual branch circuits shall have ratings not exceeding 30
amperes.
Bottom Shield. A protective layer that is installed between
the floor and Type FCC flat conductor cable to protect the
cable from physical damage and may or may not be incorporated as an integral part of the cable.
(C) Floors. Use of FCC systems shall be permitted on
hard, sound, smooth, continuous floor surfaces made of
concrete, ceramic, or composition flooring, wood, and similar materials.
Cable Connector. A connector designed to join Type FCC
cables without using a junction box.
(D) Walls. Use of FCC systems shall be permitted on wall
surfaces in surface metal raceways.
FCC System. A complete wiring system for branch circuits
that is designed for installation under carpet squares. The
FCC system includes Type FCC cable and associated
shielding, connectors, terminators, adapters, boxes, and receptacles.
(E) Damp Locations. Use of FCC systems in damp locations shall be permitted.
Insulating End. An insulator designed to electrically insulate the end of a Type FCC cable.
Metal Shield Connections. Means of connection designed
to electrically and mechanically connect a metal shield to
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(F) Heated Floors. Materials used for floors heated in excess of 30°C (86°F) shall be identified as suitable for use at
these temperatures.
(G) System Height. Any portion of an FCC system with a
height above floor level exceeding 2.3 mm (0.090 in.) shall
be tapered or feathered at the edges to floor level.
70–199
324.12
ARTICLE 324 — FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE: TYPE FCC
324.18 Crossings. Crossings of more than two Type FCC
cable runs shall not be permitted at any one point. Crossings of a Type FCC cable over or under a flat communications or signal cable shall be permitted. In each case, a
grounded layer of metal shielding shall separate the two
cables, and crossings of more than two flat cables shall not
be permitted at any one point.
324.30 Securing and Supporting. All FCC system components shall be firmly anchored to the floor or wall using
an adhesive or mechanical anchoring system identified for
this use. Floors shall be prepared to ensure adherence of the
FCC system to the floor until the carpet squares are placed.
324.42 Devices.
(A) Receptacles. All receptacles, receptacle housings, and
self-contained devices used with the FCC system shall be
identified for this use and shall be connected to the Type
FCC cable and metal shields. Connection from any grounding conductor of the Type FCC cable shall be made to the
shield system at each receptacle.
(B) Receptacles and Housings. Receptacle housings and
self-contained devices designed either for floor mounting or
for in-wall or on-wall mounting shall be permitted for use
with the FCC system. Receptacle housings and selfcontained devices shall incorporate means for facilitating
entry and termination of Type FCC cable and for electrically connecting the housing or device with the metal
shield. Receptacles and self-contained devices shall comply
with 406.4. Power and communications outlets installed
together in common housing shall be permitted in accordance with 800.133(A)(1)(c), Exception No. 2.
AF
324.40 Boxes and Fittings.
carpet squares not larger than 1.0 m (39.37 in.) square.
Carpet squares that are adhered to the floor shall be attached with release-type adhesives. [ROP 7–23]
T
324.12 Uses Not Permitted. FCC systems shall not be
used in the following locations:
(1) Outdoors or in wet locations
(2) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(3) In any hazardous (classified) location
(4) In residential, school, and hospital buildings
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(A) Cable Connections and Insulating Ends. All Type
FCC cable connections shall use connectors identified for
their use, installed such that electrical continuity, insulation,
and sealing against dampness and liquid spillage are provided. All bare cable ends shall be insulated and sealed
against dampness and liquid spillage using listed insulating
ends.
(B) Polarization of Connections. All receptacles and connections shall be constructed and installed so as to maintain
proper polarization of the system.
(C) Shields.
(1) Top Shield. A metal top shield shall be installed over
all floor-mounted Type FCC cable, connectors, and insulating ends. The top shield shall completely cover all cable
runs, corners, connectors, and ends.
(2) Bottom Shield. A bottom shield shall be installed beneath all Type FCC cable, connectors, and insulating ends.
(D) Connection to Other Systems. Power feed, grounding
connection, and shield system connection between the FCC
system and other wiring systems shall be accomplished in a
transition assembly identified for this use.
(E) Metal-Shield Connectors. Metal shields shall be connected to each other and to boxes, receptacle housings,
self-contained devices, and transition assemblies using
metal-shield connectors.
324.41 Floor Coverings. Floor-mounted Type FCC cable,
cable connectors, and insulating ends shall be covered with
70–200
324.56 Splices and Taps.
(A) FCC Systems Alterations. Alterations to FCC systems shall be permitted. New cable connectors shall be
used at new connection points to make alterations. It shall
be permitted to leave unused cable runs and associated
cable connectors in place and energized. All cable ends
shall be covered with insulating ends.
(B) Transition Assemblies. All transition assemblies shall
be identified for their use. Each assembly shall incorporate
means for facilitating entry of the Type FCC cable into the
assembly, for connecting the Type FCC cable to grounded
conductors, and for electrically connecting the assembly to
the metal cable shields and to equipment grounding conductors.
324.60 Grounding. All metal shields, boxes, receptacle
housings, and self-contained devices shall be electrically
continuous to the equipment grounding conductor of the
supplying branch circuit. All such electrical connections
shall be made with connectors identified for this use. The
electrical resistivity of such shield system shall not be more
than that of one conductor of the Type FCC cable used in
the installation.
III. Construction
324.100 Construction.
(A) Type FCC Cable. Type FCC cable shall be listed for
use with the FCC system and shall consist of three, four, or
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
326.104
ARTICLE 326 — INTEGRATED GAS SPACER CABLE: TYPE IGS
five flat copper conductors, one of which shall be an equipment grounding conductor.
(B) Shields.
duit as an integrated gas spacer cable rated 0 through 600
volts.
II. Installation
(2) Resistivity. Metal shields shall have cross-sectional areas that provide for electrical resistivity of not more than
that of one conductor of the Type FCC cable used in the
installation.
324.101 Corrosion Resistance. Metal components of the
system shall be either corrosion resistant, coated with
corrosion-resistant materials, or insulated from contact with
corrosive substances.
326.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type IGS cable shall not be
used as interior wiring or be exposed in contact with buildings.
326.24 Bending Radius. Where the coilable nonmetallic
conduit and cable is bent for installation purposes or is
flexed or bent during shipment or installation, the radii of
bends measured to the inside of the bend shall not be less
than specified in Table 326.24.
AF
324.112 Insulation. The insulating material of the cable
shall be moisture resistant and flame retardant. All insulating materials in the FCC systems shall be identified for
their use.
326.10 Uses Permitted. Type IGS cable shall be permitted
for use under ground, including direct burial in the earth, as
the following:
(1) Service-entrance conductors
(2) Feeder or branch-circuit conductors
(3) Service conductors, underground [ROP 7–26]
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(1) Materials and Dimensions. All top and bottom shields
shall be of designs and materials identified for their use.
Top shields shall be metal. Both metallic and nonmetallic
materials shall be permitted for bottom shields.
Table 326.24 Minimum Radii of Bends
324.120 Markings.
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(A) Cable Marking. Type FCC cable shall be clearly and
durably marked on both sides at intervals of not more than
610 mm (24 in.) with the information required by
310.120(A) and with the following additional information:
(1) Material of conductors
(2) Maximum temperature rating
(3) Ampacity
(B) Conductor Identification. Conductors shall be clearly
and durably identified on both sides throughout their length
as specified in 310.110.
ARTICLE 326
Integrated Gas Spacer Cable: Type IGS
I. General
326.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for integrated gas spacer cable,
Type IGS.
326.2 Definition.
Integrated Gas Spacer Cable, Type IGS. A factory assembly of one or more conductors, each individually insulated and enclosed in a loose fit, nonmetallic flexible con-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Conduit Size
Minimum Radii
Metric Designator
Trade Size
mm
in.
53
78
103
2
3
4
600
900
1150
24
35
45
326.26 Bends. A run of Type IGS cable between pull
boxes or terminations shall not contain more than the
equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total), including those bends located immediately at the pull box or
terminations.
326.40 Fittings. Terminations and splices for Type IGS
cable shall be identified as a type that is suitable for maintaining the gas pressure within the conduit. A valve and cap
shall be provided for each length of the cable and conduit
to check the gas pressure or to inject gas into the conduit.
326.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type IGS cable shall
not exceed the values shown in Table 326.80.
III. Construction Specifications
326.104 Conductors. The conductors shall be solid aluminum rods, laid parallel, consisting of one to nineteen
12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) diameter rods. The minimum conductor
size shall be 250 kcmil, and the maximum size shall be
4750 kcmil.
70–201
326.112
ARTICLE 328 — MEDIUM VOLTAGE CABLE: TYPE MV
Table 326.80 Ampacity of Type IGS Cable
Size (kcmil)
Amperes
Size (kcmil)
Amperes
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
119
168
206
238
266
292
315
336
357
2500
3000
3250
3500
3750
4000
4250
4500
4750
376
412
429
445
461
476
491
505
519
Thickness
mm
250–1000
1250–4750
1.02
1.52
in.
0.040
0.060
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326.116 Conduit. The conduit shall be a medium density
polyethylene identified as suitable for use with natural gas
rated pipe in metric designator 53, 78, or 103 (trade size 2,
3, or 4). The percent fill dimensions for the conduit are
shown in Table 326.116.
The size of the conduit permitted for each conductor
size shall be calculated for a percent fill not to exceed those
found in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Table 326.116 Conduit Dimensions
Conduit Size
Actual
Outside
Diameter
Actual Inside
Diameter
Metric
Designator
Trade
Size
mm
in.
mm
in.
53
78
103
2
3
4
60
89
114
2.375
3.500
4.500
49.46
73.30
94.23
1.947
2.886
3.710
326.120 Marking. The cable shall be marked in accordance with 310.120(A), 310.120(B)(1), and 310.120(D).
70–202
328.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for medium voltage cable, Type
MV.
328.2 Definition.
Medium Voltage Cable, Type MV. A single or multiconductor solid dielectric insulated cable rated 2001 volts or
higher.
II. Installation
328.10 Uses Permitted. Type MV cable shall be permitted
for use on power systems rated up to and including 35,000
volts, nominal, as follows:
(1) In wet or dry locations.
(2) In raceways.
(3) In cable trays, where identified for the use, in accordance with 392.10, 392.20(B), (C), and (D), 392.22(C),
392.30(B)(1), 392.46, 392.56, and 392.60. Type MV
cable that has an overall metallic sheath or armor, complies with the requirements for Type MC cable, and is
identified as “MV or MC” shall be permitted to be
installed in cable trays in accordance with
392.10(B)(2).
(4) Direct buried in accordance with 300.50.
(5) In messenger-supported wiring in accordance with Part
II of Article 396.
(6) As exposed runs in accordance with 300.37. Type MV
cable that has an overall metallic sheath or armor, complies with the requirements for Type MC cable, and is
identified as “MV or MC” shall be permitted to be
installed as exposed runs of metal-clad cable in accordance with 300.37.
AF
Table 326.112 Paper Spacer Thickness
Size (kcmil)
I. General
T
326.112 Insulation. The insulation shall be dry kraft paper
tapes and a pressurized sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF6), both
approved for electrical use. The nominal gas pressure shall
be 138 kPa gauge (20 lb/in.2 gauge). The thickness of the
paper spacer shall be as specified in Table 326.112.
ARTICLE 328
Medium Voltage Cable: Type MV
Informational Note: The “Uses Permitted” is not an allinclusive list.
328.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type MV cable shall not be
used where exposed to direct sunlight, unless identified for
the use.
328.14 Installation. Type MV cable shall be installed, terminated, and tested by qualified persons.
Informational Note: IEEE 576-2000, Recommended Practice for Installation, Termination, and Testing of Insulated
Power Cables as Used in Industrial and Commercial Ap-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 330 — METAL-CLAD CABLE: TYPE MC
328.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type MV cable shall
be determined in accordance with 310.60. The ampacity of
Type MV cable installed in cable tray shall be determined
in accordance with 392.80(B).
III. Construction Specifications
328.100 Construction. Type MV cables shall have copper,
aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum conductors and shall
comply with Table 310.104(C) and Table 310.104(D) or
Table 310.104(E).
328.120 Marking. Medium voltage cable shall be marked
as required by 310.120.
I. General
330.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of metal-clad cable, Type MC.
330.2 Definition.
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Metal Clad Cable, Type MC. A factory assembly of one
or more insulated circuit conductors with or without optical
fiber members enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal
tape, or a smooth or corrugated metallic sheath.
II. Installation
330.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) General Uses. Type MC cable shall be permitted as
follows:
(1) For services, feeders, and branch circuits.
(2) For power, lighting, control, and signal circuits.
(3) Indoors or outdoors.
(4) Exposed or concealed.
(5) To be direct buried where identified for such use.
(6) In cable tray where identified for such use.
(7) In any raceway.
(8) As aerial cable on a messenger.
(9) In hazardous (classified) locations where specifically
permitted by other articles in this Code.
(10) In dry locations and embedded in plaster finish on
brick or other masonry except in damp or wet locations.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Specific Uses. Type MC cable shall be permitted to be
installed in compliance with Parts II and III of Article 725
and 770.133 as applicable and in accordance with
330.10(B)(1) through (B)(4).
(1) Cable Tray. Type MC cable installed in cable tray shall
comply with 392.10, 392.12, 392.18, 392.20, 392.22,
392.30, 392.46, 392.56, 392.60(C), and 392.80.
(2) Direct Buried. Direct-buried cable shall comply with
300.5 or 300.50, as appropriate.
AF
ARTICLE 330
Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
(11) In wet locations where a corrosion resistant jacket is
provided over the metallic covering and any of the
following conditions are met: [ROP 7–27]
a. The metallic covering is impervious to moisture.
b. A jacket resistant to moisture is provided under the
metal covering. [ROP 7–27, ROP 7–26a]
c. The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations. [ROP 7–27,
ROP 7–26a]
(12) Where single-conductor cables are used, all phase
conductors and, where used, the grounded conductor
shall be grouped together to minimize induced voltage
on the sheath.
T
plications, includes installation information and testing criteria for MV cable.
330.23
(3) Installed as Service-Entrance Cable. Type MC cable
installed as service-entrance cable shall be permitted in accordance with 230.43.
(4) Installed Outside of Buildings or Structures or as
Aerial Cable. Type MC cable installed outside of buildings
or structures or as aerial cable shall comply with 225.10,
396.10, and 396.12.
Informational Note: The “Uses Permitted” is not an allinclusive list.
330.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type MC cable shall not be
used under either of the following conditions:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) Where exposed to any of the destructive corrosive conditions in (a) or (b), unless the metallic sheath or armor
is resistant to the conditions or is protected by material
resistant to the conditions:
a. Direct buried in the earth or embedded in concrete
unless identified for direct burial
b. Exposed to cinder fills, strong chlorides, caustic alkalis, or vapors of chlorine or of hydrochloric acids
330.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Type
MC cable shall be protected in accordance with 300.4(A),
(C), and (D) where installed through or parallel to framing
members.
330.23 In Accessible Attics. The installation of Type MC
cable in accessible attics or roof spaces shall also comply
with 320.23.
70–203
330.24
ARTICLE 330 — METAL-CLAD CABLE: TYPE MC
(A) Smooth Sheath.
(1) Ten times the external diameter of the metallic sheath
for cable not more than 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) in external
diameter
(2) Twelve times the external diameter of the metallic
sheath for cable more than 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) but not more
than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) in external diameter
(3) Fifteen times the external diameter of the metallic
sheath for cable more than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) in external
diameter
(B) Interlocked-Type Armor or Corrugated Sheath.
Seven times the external diameter of the metallic sheath.
330.30 Securing and Supporting.
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(A) General. Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings or other approved means designed and installed so as
not to damage the cable.
(B) Securing. Unless otherwise provided, cables shall be
secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft). Cables containing four or fewer conductors sized no larger than 10
AWG shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of every
box, cabinet, fitting, or other cable termination.
(C) Supporting. Unless otherwise provided, cables shall
be supported at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
Horizontal runs of Type MC cable installed in wooden
or metal framing members or similar supporting means
shall be considered supported and secured where such support does not exceed 1.8-m (6-ft) intervals.
(D) Unsupported Cables. Type MC cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed
spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impractical; or
(2) Is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) in length from the last
point of cable support to the point of connection to
luminaires or other electrical equipment and the cable
and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling. For the purpose of this section, Type MC cable
fittings shall be permitted as a means of cable support.
70–204
330.31 Single Conductors. Where single-conductor cables
with a nonferrous armor or sheath are used, the installation
shall comply with 300.20.
330.40 Boxes and Fittings. Fittings used for connecting
Type MC cable to boxes, cabinets, or other equipment shall
be listed and identified for such use.
330.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type MC cable shall
be determined in accordance with 310.15 or 310.60 for 14
AWG and larger conductors and in accordance with Table
402.5 for 18 AWG and 16 AWG conductors. The installation shall not exceed the temperature ratings of terminations and equipment.
AF
(C) Shielded Conductors. Twelve times the overall diameter of one of the individual conductors or seven times the
overall diameter of the multiconductor cable, whichever is
greater.
(3) Is Type MC of the interlocked armor type in lengths
not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) from the last point where
it is securely fastened and is used to connect equipment
where flexibility is necessary to minimize the transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide flexibility for equipment that requires movement after installation. [ROP 7–31]
T
330.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Type MC cable shall be
so made that the cable will not be damaged. The radius of
the curve of the inner edge of any bend shall not be less
than required in 330.24(A) through (C).
(A) Type MC Cable Installed in Cable Tray. The ampacities for Type MC cable installed in cable tray shall be
determined in accordance with 392.80.
(B) Single Type MC Conductors Grouped Together.
Where single Type MC conductors are grouped together in
a triangular or square configuration and installed on a messenger or exposed with a maintained free airspace of not
less than 2.15 times one conductor diameter (2.15 × O.D.)
of the largest conductor contained within the configuration
and adjacent conductor configurations or cables, the ampacity of the conductors shall not exceed the allowable ampacities in the following tables:
(1) Table 310.15(B)(20) for conductors rated 0 through
2000 volts
(2) Table 310.60(C)(67) and Table 310.60(C)(68) for conductors rated over 2000 volts
III. Construction Specifications
330.104 Conductors. Conductors shall be of copper, aluminum, copper-clad aluminum, nickel or nickel-coated
copper, solid or stranded. The minimum conductor size
shall be 18 AWG copper, nickel or nickel-coated copper, or
12 AWG aluminum or copper-clad aluminum.
330.108 Equipment Grounding Conductor. Where Type
MC cable is used to provide an equipment grounding conductor, it shall comply with 250.118(10) and 250.122.
330.112 Insulation. Insulated conductors shall comply
with 330.112(A) or (B).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 332 — MINERAL-INSULATED, METAL-SHEATHED CABLE: TYPE MI
(B) Over 1000 Volts. Insulated conductors shall be of a
type listed in Table 310.104(B) and Table 310.104(C).
[ROP 7–34]
330.116 Sheath. Metallic covering shall be one of the following types: smooth metallic sheath, corrugated metallic
sheath, interlocking metal tape armor. The metallic sheath
shall be continuous and close fitting. A nonmagnetic sheath
or armor shall be used on single conductor Type MC.
Supplemental protection of an outer covering of corrosionresistant material shall be permitted and shall be required
where such protection is needed. The sheath shall not be
used as a current-carrying conductor.
See 300.6 for protection against
Informational Note: The “Uses Permitted” is not an allinclusive list.
332.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type MI cable shall not be
used under the following conditions or in the following
locations:
(1) In underground runs unless protected from physical
damage, where necessary
(2) Where exposed to conditions that are destructive and
corrosive to the metallic sheath, unless additional protection is provided
AF
Informational Note:
corrosion.
(6) Where embedded in plaster, concrete, fill, or other
masonry, whether above or below grade
(7) In hazardous (classified) locations where specifically
permitted by other articles in this Code
(8) Where exposed to oil and gasoline
(9) Where exposed to corrosive conditions not deteriorating to its sheath
(10) In underground runs where suitably protected against
physical damage and corrosive conditions
(11) In or attached to cable tray
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(A) 1000 Volts or Less. Insulated conductors in sizes 18
AWG and 16 AWG shall be of a type listed in Table 402.3,
with a maximum operating temperature not less than 90°C
(194°F) and as permitted by 725.49. Conductors larger than
16 AWG shall be of a type listed in Table 310.104(A) or of
a type identified for use in Type MC cable. [ROP 7–34]
332.30
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ARTICLE 332
Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed
Cable: Type MI
I. General
332.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for mineral-insulated, metalsheathed cable, Type MI.
332.2 Definition.
Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Cable, Type MI. A
factory assembly of one or more conductors insulated with
a highly compressed refractory mineral insulation and enclosed in a liquidtight and gastight continuous copper or
alloy steel sheath.
II. Installation
332.10 Uses Permitted. Type MI cable shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) For services, feeders, and branch circuits
(2) For power, lighting, control, and signal circuits
(3) In dry, wet, or continuously moist locations
(4) Indoors or outdoors
(5) Where exposed or concealed
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
332.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Type
MI cable shall be protected in accordance with 300.4 where
installed through or parallel to framing members.
332.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Type MI cable shall be
so made that the cable will not be damaged. The radius of
the inner edge of any bend shall not be less than required as
follows:
(1) Five times the external diameter of the metallic sheath
for cable not more than 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) in external
diameter
(2) Ten times the external diameter of the metallic sheath
for cable greater than 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) but not more than
25 mm (1 in.) in external diameter
332.30 Securing and Supporting. Type MI cable shall be
supported and secured by staples, straps, hangers, or similar
fittings, designed and installed so as not to damage the
cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
(A) Horizontal Runs Through Holes and Notches. In
other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with
300.4 shall be considered supported and secured where
such support does not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft) intervals.
(B) Unsupported Cable. Type MI cable shall be permitted
to be unsupported where the cable is fished between access
points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or
structures and supporting is impracticable.
(C) Cable Trays. All MI cable installed in cable trays
shall comply with 392.30(A).
70–205
332.31
ARTICLE 334 — NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE: TYPES NM, NMC, AND NMS
332.31 Single Conductors. Where single-conductor cables
are used, all phase conductors and, where used, the neutral
conductor shall be grouped together to minimize induced
voltage on the sheath.
ARTICLE 334
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM,
NMC, and NMS
332.40 Boxes and Fittings.
(B) Terminal Seals. Where Type MI cable terminates, an
end seal fitting shall be installed immediately after stripping
to prevent the entrance of moisture into the insulation. The
conductors extending beyond the sheath shall be individually provided with an insulating material.
332.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type MI cable shall be
determined in accordance with 310.15. The conductor temperature at the end seal fitting shall not exceed the temperature rating of the listed end seal fitting, and the installation
shall not exceed the temperature ratings of terminations or
equipment.
334.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
334.2 Definitions.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable. A factory assembly of two
or more insulated conductors enclosed within an overall
nonmetallic jacket.
Type NM. Insulated conductors enclosed within an overall
nonmetallic jacket.
Type NMC. Insulated conductors enclosed within an overall, corrosion resistant, nonmetallic jacket.
Type NMS. Insulated power or control conductors with
signaling, data, and communications conductors within an
overall nonmetallic jacket.
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(A) Type MI Cable Installed in Cable Tray. The ampacities for Type MI cable installed in cable tray shall be determined in accordance with 392.80(A).
I. General
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(A) Fittings. Fittings used for connecting Type MI cable to
boxes, cabinets, or other equipment shall be identified for
such use.
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(B) Single Type MI Conductors Grouped Together.
Where single Type MI conductors are grouped together in a
triangular or square configuration, as required by 332.31,
and installed on a messenger or exposed with a maintained
free air space of not less than 2.15 times one conductor
diameter (2.15 × O.D.) of the largest conductor contained
within the configuration and adjacent conductor configurations or cables, the ampacity of the conductors shall not
exceed the allowable ampacities of Table 310.15(B)(17).
III. Construction Specifications
332.104 Conductors. Type MI cable conductors shall be
of solid copper, nickel, or nickel-coated copper with a resistance corresponding to standard AWG and kcmil sizes.
332.108 Equipment Grounding Conductor. Where the
outer sheath is made of copper, it shall provide an adequate
path to serve as an equipment grounding conductor. Where
the outer sheath is made of steel, a separate equipment
grounding conductor shall be provided.
332.112 Insulation. The conductor insulation in Type MI
cable shall be a highly compressed refractory mineral that
provides proper spacing for all conductors.
332.116 Sheath. The outer sheath shall be of a continuous
construction to provide mechanical protection and moisture
seal.
70–206
334.6 Listed. Type NM, Type NMC, and Type NMS
cables shall be listed.
II. Installation
334.10 Uses Permitted. Type NM, Type NMC, and Type
NMS cables shall be permitted to be used in the following,
except as prohibited in 334.12: [ROP 7–37]
(1) One- and two-family dwellings and their attached or
detached garages, and their storage buildings.
(2) Multifamily dwellings permitted to be of Types III, IV,
and V construction. [ROP 7–37]
(3) Other structures permitted to be of Types III, IV, and V
construction. Cables shall be concealed within walls,
floors, or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies. [ROP 7–37]
Informational Note No. 1: Types of building construction
and occupancy classifications are defined in NFPA 2202009, Standard on Types of Building Construction, or the
applicable building code, or both.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informative Annex E for
determination of building types [NFPA 220, Table 3-1].
(4) Cable trays in structures permitted to be Types III, IV,
or V where the cables are identified for the use.
Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 334 — NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE: TYPES NM, NMC, AND NMS
(A) Type NM. Type NM cable shall be permitted as follows:
(1) For both exposed and concealed work in normally dry
locations except as prohibited in 334.10(3)
(2) To be installed or fished in air voids in masonry block
or tile walls
(B) Type NMC. Type NMC cable shall be permitted as
follows:
(1) For both exposed and concealed work in dry, moist,
damp, or corrosive locations, except as prohibited by
334.10(3)
(2) In outside and inside walls of masonry block or tile
(3) In a shallow chase in masonry, concrete, or adobe protected against nails or screws by a steel plate at least
1.59 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick and covered with plaster,
adobe, or similar finish
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334.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Types NM, NMC, and NMS. Types NM, NMC, and
NMS cables shall not be permitted as follows:
(1) In any dwelling or structure not specifically permitted
in 334.10(1), (2), (3), and (5) [ROP 7–37]
(2) Exposed in dropped or suspended ceilings in other
than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings
(3) As service-entrance cable
(4) In commercial garages having hazardous (classified)
locations as defined in 511.3
(5) In theaters and similar locations, except where permitted in 518.4(B)
(6) In motion picture studios
(7) In storage battery rooms
(8) In hoistways or on elevators or escalators
(9) Embedded in poured cement, concrete, or aggregate
(10) In hazardous (classified) locations, except where specifically permitted by other articles in this Code.
(B) Types NM and NMS. Types NM and NMS cables
shall not be used under the following conditions or in the
following locations:
(1) Where exposed to corrosive fumes or vapors
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in
334.15(A) through (C).
(A) To Follow Surface. Cable shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or of running boards.
(B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be
protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked
with the suffix -XW, or other approved means. Where passing through a floor, the cable shall be enclosed in rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked
with the suffix -XW, or other approved means extending at
least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor.
Type NMC cable installed in shallow chases or grooves
in masonry, concrete, or adobe shall be protected in accordance with the requirements in 300.4(F) and covered with
plaster, adobe, or similar finish.
AF
(C) Type NMS. Type NMS cable shall be permitted as
follows:
(1) For both exposed and concealed work in normally dry
locations except as prohibited by 334.10(3)
(2) To be installed or fished in air voids in masonry block
or tile walls
(2) Where embedded in masonry, concrete, adobe, fill, or
plaster
(3) In a shallow chase in masonry, concrete, or adobe and
covered with plaster, adobe, or similar finish
(4) In wet or damp locations
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(5) Types I and II construction where installed within raceways permitted to be installed in Types I and II
construction.
334.17
(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where
cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements
and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables
not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors
directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables
shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable installed on the
wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be
installed in a listed conduit or tubing or shall be protected
in accordance with 300.4. Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable insulating bushing or adapter at the
point the cable enters the raceway. The sheath of the
nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall extend through the conduit or tubing and into the outlet or device box not less than
6 mm (1⁄4 in.). The cable shall be secured within 300 mm
(12 in.) of the point where the cable enters the conduit or
tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and metal outlet boxes shall
be connected to an equipment grounding conductor complying with the provisions of 250.86 and 250.148.
334.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Types
NM, NMC, or NMS cable shall be protected in accordance
with 300.4 where installed through or parallel to framing
members. Grommets used as required in 300.4(B)(1) shall
remain in place and be listed for the purpose of cable protection.
70–207
ARTICLE 334 — NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE: TYPES NM, NMC, AND NMS
334.23 In Accessible Attics. The installation of cable in
accessible attics or roof spaces shall also comply with
320.23.
334.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Types NM, NMC, and
NMS cable shall be so made that the cable will not be
damaged. The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any
bend during or after installation shall not be less than five
times the diameter of the cable.
334.30 Securing and Supporting. Nonmetallic-sheathed
cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties,
straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so
as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m
(41⁄2 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet box,
junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables shall not be
stapled on edge.
Sections of cable protected from physical damage by
raceway shall not be required to be secured within the raceway.
(C) Devices with Integral Enclosures. Wiring devices
with integral enclosures identified for such use shall be
permitted as provided by 300.15(E).
334.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Types NM, NMC, and
NMS cable shall be determined in accordance with 310.15.
The allowable ampacity shall not exceed that of a 60°C
(140°F) rated conductor. The 90°C (194°F) rating shall be
permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment and correction calculations, provided the final derated ampacity does
not exceed that of a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor. The
ampacity of Types NM, NMC, and NMS cable installed in
cable tray shall be determined in accordance with
392.80(A).
Where more than two NM cables containing two or
more current-carrying conductors are installed, without
maintaining spacing between the cables, through the same
opening in wood framing that is to be sealed with thermal
insulation, caulk, or sealing foam, the allowable ampacity
of each conductor shall be adjusted in accordance with
Table 310.15(B)(3)(a) and the provisions of 310.15(A)(2),
Exception, shall not apply.
Where more than two NM cables containing two or
more current-carrying conductors are installed in contact
with thermal insulation without maintaining spacing between cables, the allowable ampacity of each conductor
shall be adjusted in accordance with Table 310.15(B)(3)(a).
AF
(A) Horizontal Runs Through Holes and Notches. In
other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with
300.4 shall be considered to be supported and secured
where such support does not exceed 1.4-m (41⁄2-ft) intervals
and the nonmetallic-sheathed cable is securely fastened in
place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of
each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other nonmetallicsheathed cable termination.
(B) Devices of Insulating Material. Self-contained
switches, self-contained receptacles, and nonmetallicsheathed cable interconnector devices of insulating material
that are listed shall be permitted to be used without boxes
in exposed cable wiring and for repair wiring in existing
buildings where the cable is concealed. Openings in such
devices shall form a close fit around the outer covering of
the cable, and the device shall fully enclose the part of the
cable from which any part of the covering has been removed. Where connections to conductors are by bindingscrew terminals, there shall be available as many terminals
as conductors. [ROP 7–49, 7–50, 7–51]
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334.23
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Informational Note: See 314.17(C) for support where nonmetallic boxes are used.
(B) Unsupported Cables. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed
spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable.
(2) Is not more than 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) from the last point of
cable support to the point of connection to a luminaire
or other piece of electrical equipment and the cable and
point of connection are within an accessible ceiling.
(C) Wiring Device Without a Separate Outlet Box. A
wiring device identified for the use, without a separate outlet box, and incorporating an integral cable clamp shall be
permitted where the cable is secured in place at intervals
not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.)
from the wiring device wall opening, and there shall be at
least a 300 mm (12 in.) loop of unbroken cable or 150 mm
(6 in.) of a cable end available on the interior side of the
finished wall to permit replacement.
334.40 Boxes and Fittings.
(A) Boxes of Insulating Material. Nonmetallic outlet
boxes shall be permitted as provided by 314.3.
70–208
III. Construction Specifications
334.100 Construction. The outer cable sheath of
nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be a nonmetallic material.
334.104 Conductors. The 600-volt insulated conductors
shall be sizes 14 AWG through 2 AWG copper conductors
or sizes 12 AWG through 2 AWG aluminum or copper-clad
aluminum conductors. The communications conductors
shall comply with Part V of Article 800.
334.108 Equipment Grounding Conductor. In addition
to the insulated conductors, the cable shall have an insulated, covered, or bare equipment grounding conductor.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 336 — POWER AND CONTROL TRAY CABLE: TYPE TC
Informational Note: Types NM, NMC, and NMS cable
identified by the markings NM-B, NMC-B, and NMS-B
meet this requirement.
334.116 Sheath. The outer sheath of nonmetallic-sheathed
cable shall comply with 334.116(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Type NM. The overall covering shall be flame retardant and moisture resistant.
(B) Type NMC. The overall covering shall be flame retardant, moisture resistant, fungus resistant, and corrosion resistant.
ARTICLE 336
Power and Control Tray Cable: Type TC
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I. General
336.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for power and control tray cable,
Type TC.
336.2 Definition.
Power and Control Tray Cable, Type TC. A factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without associated bare or covered grounding conductors, under
a nonmetallic jacket.
II. Installation
336.10 Uses Permitted. Type TC cable shall be permitted
to be used as follows:
(1) For power, lighting, control, and signal circuits.
(2) In cable trays.
(3) In raceways.
(4) In outdoor locations supported by a messenger wire.
(5) For Class 1 circuits as permitted in Parts II and III of
Article 725.
(6) For non–power-limited fire alarm circuits if conductors
comply with the requirements of 760.49.
2014 Edition
Exception: Where not subject to physical damage, Type
TC-ER shall be permitted to transition between cable trays
and between cable trays and utilization equipment or devices for a distance not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft) without
continuous support. The cable shall be mechanically supported where exiting the cable tray to ensure that the minimum bending radius is not exceeded.
(8) Where installed in wet locations, Type TC cable shall
also be resistant to moisture and corrosive agents.
AF
(C) Type NMS. The overall covering shall be flame retardant and moisture resistant. The sheath shall be applied so
as to separate the power conductors from the communications conductors.
(7) In industrial establishments where the conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified
persons service the installation, and where the cable is
continuously supported and protected against physical
damage using mechanical protection, such as struts,
angles, or channels, Type TC tray cable that complies
with the crush and impact requirements of Type MC
cable and is identified for such use with the marking
Type TC–ER shall be permitted between a cable tray
and the utilization equipment or device. The cable shall
be secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
Equipment grounding for the utilization equipment
shall be provided by an equipment grounding conductor within the cable. In cables containing conductors
sized 6 AWG or smaller, the equipment grounding conductor shall be provided within the cable or, at the time
of installation, one or more insulated conductors shall
be permanently identified as an equipment grounding
conductor in accordance with 250.119(B).
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334.112 Insulation. The insulated power conductors shall
be one of the types listed in Table 310.104(A) that are
suitable for branch-circuit wiring or one that is identified
for use in these cables. Conductor insulation shall be rated
at 90°C (194°F).
336.24
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
336.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type TC tray cable shall not
be installed or used as follows:
(1) Installed where it will be exposed to physical damage
(2) Installed outside a raceway or cable tray system, except
as permitted in 336.10(4) and 336.10(7)
(3) Used where exposed to direct rays of the sun, unless
identified as sunlight resistant
(4) Direct buried, unless identified for such use
336.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Type TC cable shall be
made so as not to damage the cable. For Type TC cable
without metal shielding, the minimum bending radius shall
be as follows:
(1) Four times the overall diameter for cables 25 mm
(1 in.) or less in diameter
(2) Five times the overall diameter for cables larger than
25 mm (1 in.) but not more than 50 mm (2 in.) in
diameter
(3) Six times the overall diameter for cables larger than 50
mm (2 in.) in diameter
70–209
336.80
ARTICLE 338 — SERVICE-ENTRANCE CABLE: TYPES SE AND USE
Type TC cables with metallic shielding shall have a
minimum bending radius of not less than 12 times the cable
overall diameter.
336.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type TC tray cable
shall be determined in accordance with 392.80(A) for 14
AWG and larger conductors, in accordance with 402.5 for
18 AWG through 16 AWG conductors where installed in
cable tray, and in accordance with 310.15 where installed in
a raceway or as messenger-supported wiring.
338.2 Definitions.
Service-Entrance Cable. A single conductor or multiconductor assembly provided with or without an overall covering, primarily used for services, and of the following
types:
Type SE. Service-entrance cable having a flame-retardant,
moisture-resistant covering.
Type USE. Service-entrance cable, identified for underground use, having a moisture-resistant covering, but not
required to have a flame-retardant covering.
III. Construction Specifications
338.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) Service-Entrance Conductors. Service-entrance
cable shall be permitted to be used as service-entrance conductors and shall be installed in accordance with 230.6,
230.7, and Parts II, III, and IV of Article 230.
(B) Branch Circuits or Feeders.
(1) Grounded Conductor Insulated. Type SE serviceentrance cables shall be permitted in wiring systems where
all of the circuit conductors of the cable are of the thermoset or thermoplastic type.
AF
336.104 Conductors. The insulated conductors of Type
TC cables shall be in sizes 18 AWG to 1000 kcmil copper,
nickel, or nickel-coated copper, and sizes 12 AWG through
1000 kcmil aluminum or copper-clad aluminum. Insulated
conductors of sizes 14 AWG, and larger copper, nickel, or
nickel-coated copper, and sizes 12 AWG through 1000 kcmil aluminum or copper-clad aluminum shall be one of the
types listed in Table 310.104(A) or Table 310.104(B) that is
suitable for branch circuit and feeder circuits or one that is
identified for such use.
II. Installation
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336.100 Construction. A metallic sheath or armor as defined in 330.116 shall not be permitted either under or over
the nonmetallic jacket. Metallic shield(s) shall be permitted
over groups of conductors, under the outer jacket, or both.
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(A) Fire Alarm Systems. Where used for fire alarm systems, conductors shall also be in accordance with 760.49.
(B) Thermocouple Circuits. Conductors in Type TC cable
used for thermocouple circuits in accordance with Part III
of Article 725 shall also be permitted to be any of the
materials used for thermocouple extension wire.
(C) Class 1 Circuit Conductors. Insulated conductors of
18 AWG and 16 AWG copper shall also be in accordance
with 725.49.
336.116 Jacket. The outer jacket shall be a flameretardant, nonmetallic material.
336.120 Marking. There shall be no voltage marking on a
Type TC cable employing thermocouple extension wire.
ARTICLE 338
Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and
USE
I. General
338.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of service-entrance cable.
70–210
(2) Use of Uninsulated Conductor. Type SE serviceentrance cable shall be permitted for use where the insulated conductors are used for circuit wiring and the uninsulated conductor is used only for equipment grounding
purposes.
Exception: In existing installations, uninsulated conductors shall be permitted as a grounded conductor in accordance with 250.32 and 250.140, where the uninsulated
grounded conductor of the cable originates in service
equipment, and with 225.30 through 225.40.
(3) Temperature Limitations. Type SE service-entrance
cable used to supply appliances shall not be subject to conductor temperatures in excess of the temperature specified
for the type of insulation involved.
(4) Installation Methods for Branch Circuits and Feeders.
(a) Interior Installations. In addition to the provisions
of this article, Type SE service-entrance cable used for interior wiring shall comply with the installation requirements of Part II of Article 334, excluding 334.80.
Where installed in thermal insulation, the ampacity shall be
in accordance with the 60°C (140°F) conductor temperature
rating. The maximum conductor temperature rating shall be
permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment and correction purposes, if the final derated ampacity does not exceed
that for a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 340 — UNDERGROUND FEEDER AND BRANCH-CIRCUIT CABLE: TYPE UF
340.10
Informational Note No. 1: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature limitation of conductors.
These constructions shall not require an outer overall covering.
Informational Note No. 2: For the installation of main
power feeder conductors in dwelling units refer to
310.15(B)(7).
Informational Note: See 230.41, Exception, item (2), for
directly buried, uninsulated service-entrance conductors.
(b) Exterior Installations. In addition to the provisions
of this article, service-entrance cable used for feeders or
branch circuits, where installed as exterior wiring, shall be
installed in accordance with Part I of Article 225. The cable
shall be supported in accordance with 334.30. Type USE
cable installed as underground feeder and branch circuit
cable shall comply with Part II of Article 340.
Type SE or USE cable containing two or more conductors shall be permitted to have one conductor uninsulated.
338.120 Marking. Service-entrance cable shall be marked
as required in 310.120. Cable with the neutral conductor
smaller than the ungrounded conductors shall be so
marked.
338.12 Uses Not Permitted.
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ARTICLE 340
Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit
Cable: Type UF
I. General
AF
(A) Service-Entrance Cable. Service-entrance cable (SE)
shall not be used under the following conditions or in the
following locations:
(1) Where subject to physical damage unless protected in
accordance with 230.50(B)
(2) Underground with or without a raceway
(3) For exterior branch circuits and feeder wiring unless
the installation complies with the provisions of Part I of
Article 225 and is supported in accordance with 334.30
or is used as messenger-supported wiring as permitted
in Part II of Article 396
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(B) Underground Service-Entrance Cable. Underground
service-entrance cable (USE) shall not be used under the
following conditions or in the following locations:
(1) For interior wiring
(2) For aboveground installations except where USE cable
emerges from the ground and is terminated in an enclosure at an outdoor location and the cable is protected in
accordance with 300.5(D)
(3) As aerial cable unless it is a multiconductor cable identified for use aboveground and installed as messengersupported wiring in accordance with 225.10 and Part II
of Article 396
338.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Types USE and SE
cable shall be so made that the cable will not be damaged.
The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any bend,
during or after installation, shall not be less than five times
the diameter of the cable.
III. Construction
338.100 Construction. Cabled, single-conductor, Type
USE constructions recognized for underground use shall be
permitted to have a bare copper conductor cabled with the
assembly. Type USE single, parallel, or cabled conductor
assemblies recognized for underground use shall be permitted to have a bare copper concentric conductor applied.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
340.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for underground feeder and
branch-circuit cable, Type UF.
340.2 Definition.
Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit Cable, Type
UF. A factory assembly of one or more insulated conductors with an integral or an overall covering of nonmetallic
material suitable for direct burial in the earth.
340.6 Listing Requirements. Type UF cable shall be
listed.
II. Installation
340.10 Uses Permitted. Type UF cable shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) For use underground, including direct burial in the
earth. For underground requirements, see 300.5.
(2) As single-conductor cables. Where installed as singleconductor cables, all conductors of the feeder grounded
conductor or branch circuit, including the grounded
conductor and equipment grounding conductor, if any,
shall be installed in accordance with 300.3.
(3) For wiring in wet, dry, or corrosive locations under the
recognized wiring methods of this Code.
(4) Installed as nonmetallic-sheathed cable. Where so installed, the installation and conductor requirements
shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 334 and
shall be of the multiconductor type.
70–211
340.12
ARTICLE 342 — INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE IMC
(5) For solar photovoltaic systems in accordance with
690.31.
(6) As single-conductor cables as the nonheating leads for
heating cables as provided in 424.43.
(7) Supported by cable trays. Type UF cable supported by
cable trays shall be of the multiconductor type.
tute wiring method for NM cable, the conductor insulation
shall be rated 90°C (194°F).
340.116 Sheath. The overall covering shall be flame retardant; moisture, fungus, and corrosion resistant; and suitable
for direct burial in the earth.
Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
ARTICLE 342
Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type IMC
I. General
T
342.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for intermediate metal conduit
(IMC) and associated fittings.
342.2 Definition.
Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC). A steel threadable
raceway of circular cross section designed for the physical
protection and routing of conductors and cables and for use
as an equipment grounding conductor when installed with
its integral or associated coupling and appropriate fittings.
D
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AF
340.12 Uses Not Permitted. Type UF cable shall not be
used as follows:
(1) As service-entrance cable
(2) In commercial garages
(3) In theaters and similar locations
(4) In motion picture studios
(5) In storage battery rooms
(6) In hoistways or on elevators or escalators
(7) In hazardous (classified) locations, except as specifically permitted by other articles in this Code
(8) Embedded in poured cement, concrete, or aggregate,
except where embedded in plaster as nonheating leads
where permitted in 424.43
(9) Where exposed to direct rays of the sun, unless identified as sunlight resistant
(10) Where subject to physical damage
(11) As overhead cable, except where installed as
messenger-supported wiring in accordance with Part
II of Article 396
340.24 Bending Radius. Bends in Type UF cable shall be
so made that the cable is not damaged. The radius of the
curve of the inner edge of any bend shall not be less than
five times the diameter of the cable.
340.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Type UF cable shall be
that of 60°C (140°F) conductors in accordance with 310.15.
III. Construction Specifications
340.104 Conductors. The conductors shall be sizes 14
AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum or copper-clad aluminum through 4/0 AWG.
340.108 Equipment Grounding Conductor. In addition
to the insulated conductors, the cable shall be permitted to
have an insulated or bare equipment grounding conductor.
340.112 Insulation. The conductors of Type UF shall be
one of the moisture-resistant types listed in Table
310.104(A) that is suitable for branch-circuit wiring or one
that is identified for such use. Where installed as a substi-
70–212
342.6 Listing Requirements. IMC, factory elbows and
couplings, and associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
342.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) All Atmospheric Conditions and Occupancies. Use
of IMC shall be permitted under all atmospheric conditions
and occupancies.
(B) Corrosion Environments. IMC, elbows, couplings,
and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in
direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe
corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the condition.
(C) Cinder Fill. IMC shall be permitted to be installed in
or under cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture
where protected on all sides by a layer of noncinder concrete not less than 50 mm (2 in.) thick; where the conduit is
not less than 450 mm (18 in.) under the fill; or where
protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for
the condition.
(D) Wet Locations. All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and
so forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 342 — INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE IMC
See 300.6 for protection against
342.14 Dissimilar Metals. Where practicable, dissimilar
metals in contact anywhere in the system shall be avoided
to eliminate the possibility of galvanic action.
Aluminum fittings and enclosures shall be permitted to
be used with IMC.
342.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. IMC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
(B) Maximum. IMC larger than metric designator 103
(trade size 4) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
(B) Supports. IMC shall be supported in accordance with
one of the following:
(1) Conduit shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 3
m (10 ft).
(2) The distance between supports for straight runs of conduit shall be permitted in accordance with Table
344.30(B)(2), provided the conduit is made up with
threaded couplings and such supports prevent transmission of stresses to termination where conduit is deflected between supports.
(3) Exposed vertical risers from industrial machinery or
fixed equipment shall be permitted to be supported at
intervals not exceeding 6 m (20 ft) if the conduit is
made up with threaded couplings, the conduit is supported and securely fastened at the top and bottom of
the riser, and no other means of intermediate support is
readily available.
(4) Horizontal runs of IMC supported by openings through
framing members at intervals not exceeding 3 m (10 ft)
and securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of termination points shall be permitted.
AF
342.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
(1) IMC shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of
each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination.
(2) Where structural members do not readily permit fastening within 900 mm (3 ft), fastening shall be permitted
to be increased to a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft).
(3) Where approved, conduit shall not be required to be
securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of the service
head for above-the-roof termination of a mast.
T
Informational Note:
corrosion.
342.56
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342.24 Bends — How Made. Bends of IMC shall be so
made that the conduit will not be damaged and the internal
diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. The
radius of the curve of any field bend to the centerline of the
conduit shall not be less than indicated in Table 2, Chapter
9.
342.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
342.28 Reaming and Threading. All cut ends shall be
reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
Where conduit is threaded in the field, a standard cutting
die with a taper of 1 in 16 (3⁄4 in. taper per foot) shall be
used.
Informational Note: See ANSI/ASME B.1.20.1-1983,
Standard for Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch).
342.30 Securing and Supporting. IMC shall be installed
as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall
be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance
with 342.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. IMC shall be secured in accordance with one of the following:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
342.42 Couplings and Connectors.
(A) Threadless. Threadless couplings and connectors used
with conduit shall be made tight. Where buried in masonry
or concrete, they shall be the concretetight type. Where
installed in wet locations, they shall comply with 314.15.
Threadless couplings and connectors shall not be used on
threaded conduit ends unless listed for the purpose.
(B) Running Threads. Running threads shall not be used
on conduit for connection at couplings.
342.46 Bushings. Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing shall be provided to protect the
wires from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or enclosure is
designed to provide such protection.
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors 4 AWG and larger at bushings.
342.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
70–213
342.60
ARTICLE 344 — RIGID METAL CONDUIT: TYPE RMC
III. Construction Specifications
342.120 Marking. Each length shall be clearly and durably marked at least every 1.5 m (5 ft) with the letters IMC.
Each length shall be marked as required in 110.21.
342.130 Standard Lengths. The standard length of IMC
shall be 3.05 m (10 ft), including an attached coupling, and
each end shall be threaded. Longer or shorter lengths with
or without coupling and threaded or unthreaded shall be
permitted.
ARTICLE 344
Rigid Metal Conduit: Type RMC
(4) Ferrous Raceways and Fittings. Ferrous raceways
and fittings protected from corrosion solely by enamel shall
be permitted only indoors and in occupancies not subject to
severe corrosive influences.
(B) Corrosive Environments.
(1) Galvanized Steel, Stainless Steel, and Red Brass
RMC, Elbows, Couplings, and Fittings. Galvanized steel,
stainless steel, and red brass RMC elbows, couplings, and
fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in
direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe
corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the condition.
(2) Supplementary Protection of Aluminum RMC. Aluminum RMC shall be provided with approved supplementary corrosion protection where encased in concrete or in
direct contact with the earth.
(C) Cinder Fill. Galvanized steel, stainless steel, and red
brass RMC shall be permitted to be installed in or under
cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture where protected on all sides by a layer of noncinder concrete not less
than 50 mm (2 in.) thick; where the conduit is not less than
450 mm (18 in.) under the fill; or where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the condition.
AF
I. General
contact with the earth shall be provided with approved
supplementary corrosion protection.
T
342.60 Grounding. IMC shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
344.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for rigid metal conduit (RMC)
and associated fittings.
344.2 Definition.
D
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Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC). A threadable raceway of
circular cross section designed for the physical protection
and routing of conductors and cables and for use as an
equipment grounding conductor when installed with its integral or associated coupling and appropriate fittings. [ROP
8–47, ROP 8–48]
(D) Wet Locations. All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and
so forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.
Informational Note:
corrosion.
See 300.6 for protection against
344.10 Uses Permitted.
344.14 Dissimilar Metals. Where practicable, dissimilar
metals in contact anywhere in the system shall be avoided
to eliminate the possibility of galvanic action. Aluminum
fittings and enclosures shall be permitted to be used with
steel RMC, and steel fittings and enclosures shall be permitted to be used with aluminum RMC where not subject to
severe corrosive influences.
(A) Atmospheric Conditions and Occupancies.
344.20 Size.
(1) Galvanized Steel and Stainless Steel RMC. Galvanized steel and stainless steel RMC shall be permitted under all atmospheric conditions and occupancies.
(A) Minimum. RMC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
344.6 Listing Requirements. RMC, factory elbows and
couplings, and associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
(2) Red Brass RMC. Red brass RMC shall be permitted to
be installed for direct burial and swimming pool applications.
(3) Aluminum RMC. Aluminum RMC shall be permitted
to be installed where judged suitable for the environment.
Rigid aluminum conduit encased in concrete or in direct
70–214
Exception: For enclosing the leads of motors as permitted
in 430.245(B).
(B) Maximum. RMC larger than metric designator 155
(trade size 6) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
344.60
ARTICLE 344 — RIGID METAL CONDUIT: TYPE RMC
344.24 Bends — How Made. Bends of RMC shall be so
made that the conduit will not be damaged and so that the
internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. The radius of the curve of any field bend to the
centerline of the conduit shall not be less than indicated in
Table 2, Chapter 9.
344.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
Table 344.30(B)(2) Supports for Rigid Metal Conduit
Conduit Size
Informational Note: See ANSI/ASME B.1.20.1-1983,
Standard for Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch).
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344.30 Securing and Supporting. RMC shall be installed
as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall
be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance
with 344.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. RMC shall be secured in accordance with one of the following: [ROP 8–49]
(1) RMC shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft)
of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet,
conduit body, or other conduit termination. [ROP
8–49]
(2) Fastening shall be permitted to be increased to a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) where structural members do not
readily permit fastening within 900 mm (3 ft). [ROP
8–49]
(3) Where approved, conduit shall not be required to be
securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of the service
head for above-the-roof termination of a mast. [ROP
8–49]
(B) Supports. RMC shall be supported in accordance with
one of the following:
(1) Conduit shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 3
m (10 ft).
(2) The distance between supports for straight runs of conduit shall be permitted in accordance with Table
344.30(B)(2), provided the conduit is made up with
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Maximum Distance
Between Rigid Metal
Conduit Supports
Metric
Designator
Trade Size
m
ft
16–21
27
35–41
53–63
78 and larger
⁄–⁄
1
11⁄4–11⁄2
2–21⁄2
3 and larger
3.0
3.7
4.3
4.9
6.1
10
12
14
16
20
AF
344.28 Reaming and Threading. All cut ends shall be
reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
Where conduit is threaded in the field, a standard cutting
die with a 1 in 16 taper (3⁄4 in. taper per foot) shall be used.
threaded couplings and such supports prevent transmission of stresses to termination where conduit is deflected between supports.
(3) Exposed vertical risers from industrial machinery or
fixed equipment shall be permitted to be supported at
intervals not exceeding 6 m (20 ft) if the conduit is
made up with threaded couplings, the conduit is supported and securely fastened at the top and bottom of
the riser, and no other means of intermediate support is
readily available.
(4) Horizontal runs of RMC supported by openings
through framing members at intervals not exceeding 3
m (10 ft) and securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of
termination points shall be permitted.
T
344.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
12 34
344.42 Couplings and Connectors.
(A) Threadless. Threadless couplings and connectors used
with conduit shall be made tight. Where buried in masonry
or concrete, they shall be the concretetight type. Where
installed in wet locations, they shall comply with 314.15.
Threadless couplings and connectors shall not be used on
threaded conduit ends unless listed for the purpose.
(B) Running Threads. Running threads shall not be used
on conduit for connection at couplings.
344.46 Bushings. Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing shall be provided to protect the
wires from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or enclosure is
designed to provide such protection.
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors sizes 4 AWG and larger at bushings.
344.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
344.60 Grounding. RMC shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
70–215
344.100
ARTICLE 348 — FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE FMC
348.20 Size.
344.100 Construction. RMC is made of steel (ferrous)
with protective coatings or aluminum (nonferrous). Special
Uses types are red brass and stainless steel. [ROP 8–52a]
(A) Minimum. FMC less than metric designator 16 (trade
size 1⁄2) shall not be used unless permitted in 348.20(A)(1)
through (A)(5) for metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8).
(1) For enclosing the leads of motors as permitted in
430.245(B)
(2) In lengths not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft) for any of the
following uses:
a. For utilization equipment
b. As part of a listed assembly
c. For tap connections to luminaires as permitted in
410.117(C)
(3) For manufactured wiring systems as permitted in
604.6(A)
(4) In hoistways as permitted in 620.21(A)(1)
(5) As part of a listed assembly to connect wired luminaire
sections as permitted in 410.137(C)
344.120 Marking. Each length shall be clearly and durably identified in every 3 m (10 ft) as required in the first
sentence of 110.21. Nonferrous conduit of corrosionresistant material shall have suitable markings.
344.130 Standard Lengths. The standard length of RMC
shall be 3.05 m (10 ft), including an attached coupling, and
each end shall be threaded. Longer or shorter lengths with
or without coupling and threaded or unthreaded shall be
permitted.
I. General
348.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for flexible metal conduit
(FMC) and associated fittings.
348.2 Definition.
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Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC). A raceway of circular
cross section made of helically wound, formed, interlocked
metal strip.
348.6 Listing Requirements. FMC and associated fittings
shall be listed.
II. Installation
348.10 Uses Permitted. FMC shall be permitted to be
used in exposed and concealed locations.
348.12 Uses Not Permitted. FMC shall not be used in the
following:
(1) In wet locations
(2) In hoistways, other than as permitted in 620.21(A)(1)
(3) In storage battery rooms
(4) In any hazardous (classified) location except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(5) Where exposed to materials having a deteriorating effect on the installed conductors, such as oil or gasoline
(6) Underground or embedded in poured concrete or aggregate
(7) Where subject to physical damage
70–216
(B) Maximum. FMC larger than metric designator 103
(trade size 4) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
AF
ARTICLE 348
Flexible Metal Conduit: Type FMC
T
III. Construction Specifications
348.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9, or as permitted in Table
348.22, or for metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8).
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
348.24 Bends — How Made. Bends in conduit shall be
made so that the conduit is not damaged and the internal
diameter of the conduit is not effectively reduced. Bends
shall be permitted to be made manually without auxiliary
equipment. The radius of the curve to the centerline of any
bend shall not be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9
using the column “Other Bends.”
348.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
348.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges, except where fittings
that thread into the convolutions are used.
348.30 Securing and Supporting. FMC shall be securely
fastened in place and supported in accordance with
348.30(A) and (B).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
350.10
ARTICLE 350 — LIQUIDTIGHT FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE LFMC
Table 348.22 Maximum Number of Insulated Conductors in Metric Designator 12 (Trade Size 3⁄8) Flexible Metal Conduit
(FMC)* [ROP 8–53]
Types RFH-2, SF-2
Types TFN, THHN,
THWN
Types TF, XHHW, TW
Types FEP, FEBP, PF,
PGF
Size (AWG)
Fittings
Inside
Conduit
Fittings
Outside
Conduit
Fittings
Inside
Conduit
Fittings
Outside
Conduit
Fittings
Inside
Conduit
Fittings
Outside
Conduit
Fittings
Inside
Conduit
Fittings
Outside
Conduit
18
16
14
12
10
2
1
1
—
—
3
2
2
—
—
3
3
2
1
1
5
4
3
2
1
5
4
3
2
1
8
6
4
3
1
5
4
3
2
1
8
6
4
3
2
*In addition, one insulated, covered, or bare equipment grounding conductor of the same size shall be permitted.
AF
Exception No. 1: Where FMC is fished between access
points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or
structures and supporting is impracticable.
Exception No. 2: Where flexibility is necessary after installation, lengths from the last point where the raceway is
securely fastened shall not exceed the following:
348.60 Grounding and Bonding. If used to connect
equipment where flexibility is necessary to minimize the
transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide
flexibility for equipment that requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding conductor shall be installed.
Where flexibility is not required after installation, FMC
shall be permitted to be used as an equipment grounding
conductor when installed in accordance with 250.118(5).
Where required or installed, equipment grounding conductors shall be installed in accordance with 250.134(B).
Where required or installed, equipment bonding jumpers shall be installed in accordance with 250.102.
T
(A) Securely Fastened. FMC shall be securely fastened in
place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of
each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination and shall be supported and secured at intervals not to
exceed 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft).
D
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(1) 900 mm (3 ft) for metric designators 16 through 35
(trade sizes 1⁄2 through 11⁄4)
(2) 1200 mm (4 ft) for metric designators 41 through 53
(trade sizes 11⁄2 through 2)
(3) 1500 mm (5 ft) for metric designators 63 (trade size
21⁄2) and larger
Exception No. 3: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from
a luminaire terminal connection for tap connections to luminaires as permitted in 410.117(C).
Exception No. 4: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from
the last point where the raceway is securely fastened for
connections within an accessible ceiling to luminaire(s) or
other equipment. For the purposes of this section, listed
flexible metal conduit fittings shall be permitted as a means
of support. [ROP 8–54]
(B) Supports. Horizontal runs of FMC supported by openings through framing members at intervals not greater than
1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) and securely fastened within 300 mm (12 in.)
of termination points shall be permitted.
348.42 Couplings and Connectors. Angle connectors
shall not be concealed.
348.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 350
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit:
Type LFMC
I. General
350.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for liquidtight flexible metal
conduit (LFMC) and associated fittings.
350.2 Definition.
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC). A raceway
of circular cross section having an outer liquidtight, nonmetallic, sunlight-resistant jacket over an inner flexible
metal core with associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of electric conductors.
350.6 Listing Requirements. LFMC and associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
350.10 Uses Permitted. LFMC shall be permitted to be
used in exposed or concealed locations as follows:
70–217
ARTICLE 350 — LIQUIDTIGHT FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE LFMC
(1) Where conditions of installation, operation, or maintenance require flexibility or protection from liquids, vapors, or solids
(2) As permitted by 501.10(B), 502.10, 503.10, and 504.20
and in other hazardous (classified) locations where specifically approved, and by 553.7(B)
(3) For direct burial where listed and marked for the
purpose
350.12 Uses Not Permitted. LFMC shall not be used as
follows:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) Where any combination of ambient and conductor temperature produces an operating temperature in excess
of that for which the material is approved
350.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. LFMC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
350.30 Securing and Supporting. LFMC shall be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance with
350.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. LFMC shall be securely fastened
in place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of
each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination and shall be supported and secured at intervals not to
exceed 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft).
Exception No. 1: Where LFMC is fished between access
points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or
structures and supporting is impractical.
Exception No. 2: Where flexibility is necessary after installation, lengths from the last point where the raceway is
securely fastened shall not exceed the following:
(1) 900 mm (3 ft) for metric designators 16 through 35
(trade sizes 1⁄2 through 11⁄4)
(2) 1200 mm (4 ft) for metric designators 41 through 53
(trade sizes 11⁄2 through 2)
(3) 1500 mm (5 ft) for metric designators 63 (trade size
21⁄2) and larger
Exception No. 3: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from
a luminaire terminal connection for tap conductors to luminaires, as permitted in 410.117(C).
Exception No. 4: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from
the last point where the raceway is securely fastened for
connections within an accessible ceiling to luminaire(s) or
other equipment. For the purposes of this section, listed
LFMC fittings shall be permitted as a means of support.
[ROP 8–57]
AF
Exception: LFMC of metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8)
shall be permitted as covered in 348.20(A).
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
T
350.12
(B) Maximum. The maximum size of LFMC shall be metric designator 103 (trade size 4).
D
R
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
350.22 Number of Conductors or Cables.
(A) Metric Designators 16 through 103 (Trade Sizes 1⁄2
through 4). The number of conductors shall not exceed
that permitted by the percentage fill specified in Table 1,
Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
(B) Metric Designator 12 (Trade Size 3⁄8). The number of
conductors shall not exceed that permitted in Table 348.22,
“Fittings Outside Conduit” columns.
350.24 Bends — How Made. Bends in conduit shall be so
made that the conduit will not be damaged and the internal
diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced.
Bends shall be permitted to be made manually without auxiliary equipment. The radius of the curve to the centerline
of any bend shall not be less than required in Table 2,
Chapter 9 using the column “Other Bends.”
350.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
70–218
(B) Supports. Horizontal runs of LFMC supported by
openings through framing members at intervals not greater
than 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) and securely fastened within 300 mm
(12 in.) of termination points shall be permitted.
350.42 Couplings and Connectors. Only fittings listed for
use with LFMC shall be used. Angle connectors shall not
be concealed. Straight LFMC fittings shall be permitted for
direct burial where marked. [ROP 8–58, ROP 8–59]
Informational Note: There are Listed LFMC fittings able
to be used with LFNC. LFNC Fittings are not used with
LFMC. [ROP 8–58, ROP 8–59]
350.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
350.60 Grounding. Grounding and bonding for LFMC
shall be installed in accordance with 350.60(A) and (B).
[ROP 8–60]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 352 — RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT: TYPE PVC
Informational Note: See 501.30(B), 502.30(B), 503.30(B),
505.25(B), and 506.25(B) for types of equipment grounding conductors.
III. Construction Specifications
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350.120 Marking. LFMC shall be marked according to
110.21. The trade size and other information required by
the listing shall also be marked on the conduit. Conduit
suitable for direct burial shall be so marked.
ARTICLE 352
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type
PVC
I. General
352.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC) and associated fittings.
Informational Note: Refer to Article 353 for High Density
Polyethylene Conduit: Type HDPE, and Article 355 for Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit: Type RTRC.
352.2 Definition.
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC). A rigid nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section, with integral or
associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of electrical conductors and cables. [ROP 8–63]
352.6 Listing Requirements. PVC conduit, factory elbows, and associated fittings shall be listed.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
352.10 Uses Permitted. The use of PVC conduit shall be
permitted in accordance with 352.10(A) through (I). [ROP
8–64]
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause some nonmetallic conduits to become brittle and, therefore, more
susceptible to damage from physical contact.
(A) Concealed. PVC conduit shall be permitted in walls,
floors, and ceilings.
(B) Corrosive Influences. PVC conduit shall be permitted
in locations subject to severe corrosive influences as covered in 300.6 and where subject to chemicals for which the
materials are specifically approved.
(C) Cinders. PVC conduit shall be permitted in cinder fill.
(D) Wet Locations. PVC conduit shall be permitted in
portions of dairies, laundries, canneries, or other wet locations, and in locations where walls are frequently washed,
the entire conduit system, including boxes and fittings used
therewith, shall be installed and equipped so as to prevent
water from entering the conduit. All supports, bolts, straps,
screws, and so forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or be protected against corrosion by approved
corrosion-resistant materials.
AF
(B) Where Air Conditioning or Refrigerating Equipment is
installed outdoors, an equipment grounding conductor per
250.118(1) shall be provided within the raceway and shall
be sized per 250.122. [ROP 8–60]
II. Installation
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(A) If used to connect equipment where flexibility is necessary to minimize the transmission of vibration from
equipment or to provide flexibility for equipment that requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding
conductor shall be installed. [ROP 8–60]
Where flexibility is not required after installation,
LFMC shall be permitted to be used as an equipment
grounding conductor when installed in accordance with
250.118(6).
Where required or installed, equipment grounding conductors shall be installed in accordance with 250.134(B).
Where required or installed, equipment bonding jumpers shall be installed in accordance with 250.102.
352.10
(E) Dry and Damp Locations. PVC conduit shall be permitted for use in dry and damp locations not prohibited by
352.12.
(F) Exposed. PVC conduit shall be permitted for exposed
work. PVC conduit used exposed in areas of physical damage shall be identified for the use.
Informational Note: PVC Conduit, Type Schedule 80, is
identified for areas of physical damage.
(G) Underground Installations. For underground installations, PVC shall be permitted for direct burial and underground encased in concrete. See 300.5 and 300.50.
(H) Support of Conduit Bodies. PVC conduit shall be
permitted to support nonmetallic conduit bodies not larger
than the largest trade size of an entering raceway. These
conduit bodies shall not support luminaires or other equipment and shall not contain devices other than splicing devices as permitted by 110.14(B) and 314.16(C)(2).
(I) Insulation Temperature Limitations. Conductors or
cables rated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature rating of PVC conduit shall be permitted to be installed
in PVC conduit, provided the conductors or cables are not
operated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature
rating of the PVC conduit.
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ARTICLE 352 — RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT: TYPE PVC
352.12 Uses Not Permitted. PVC conduit shall not be
used under the conditions specified in 352.12(A) through
(E).
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. In any hazardous
(classified) location, except as permitted by other articles of
this Code.
(B) Support of Luminaires. For the support of luminaires
or other equipment not described in 352.10(H).
(C) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage
unless identified for such use.
(D) Ambient Temperatures. Where subject to ambient
temperatures in excess of 50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise.
(E) Theaters and Similar Locations. In theaters and similar locations, except as provided in 518.4 and 520.5.
352.20 Size.
(A) Securely Fastened. PVC conduit shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction
box, device box, conduit body, or other conduit termination. Conduit listed for securing at other than 900 mm (3 ft)
shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the
listing.
(B) Supports. PVC conduit shall be supported as required
in Table 352.30. Conduit listed for support at spacings other
than as shown in Table 352.30 shall be permitted to be
installed in accordance with the listing. Horizontal runs of
PVC conduit supported by openings through framing members at intervals not exceeding those in Table 352.30 and
securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of termination
points shall be permitted.
Table 352.30 Support of Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit
(PVC)
AF
(A) Minimum. PVC conduit smaller than metric designator 16 (trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
shall be fastened so that movement from thermal expansion
or contraction is permitted. PVC conduit shall be securely
fastened and supported in accordance with 352.30(A) and
(B).
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352.12
(B) Maximum. PVC conduit larger than metric designator
155 (trade size 6) shall not be used.
Informational Note: The trade sizes and metric designators are for identification purposes only and do not relate to
actual dimensions. See 300.1(C).
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352.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
352.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be so made that
the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter
of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. Field bends
shall be made only with identified bending equipment. The
radius of the curve to the centerline of such bends shall not
be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9. [ROP 8–69]
352.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
352.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed inside
and outside to remove rough edges.
352.30 Securing and Supporting. PVC conduit shall be
installed as a complete system as provided in 300.18 and
70–220
Maximum Spacing Between
Supports
Conduit Size
Metric
Designator
Trade Size
mm or m
ft
16–27
35–53
63–78
91–129
155
1⁄2–1
11⁄4–2
21⁄2–3
31⁄2–5
6
900 mm
1.5 m
1.8 m
2.1 m
2.5 m
3
5
6
7
8
352.44 Expansion Fittings. Expansion fittings for PVC
conduit shall be provided to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction where the length change, in accordance with Table 352.44, is expected to be 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) or
greater in a straight run between securely mounted items
such as boxes, cabinets, elbows, or other conduit terminations.
352.46 Bushings. Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided to
protect the wire from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or
enclosure design provides equivalent protection.
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors 4 AWG and larger at bushings.
352.48 Joints. All joints between lengths of conduit, and
between conduit and couplings, fittings, and boxes, shall be
made by an approved method.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
352.120
ARTICLE 352 — RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT: TYPE PVC
Table 352.44 Expansion Characteristics of PVC Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit Coefficient of Thermal Expansion = 6.084× 10−5
mm/mm/°C (3.38 × 10–5 in./in./°F)
Length Change of
PVC Conduit
(mm/m)
Temperature
Change (°F)
Length Change of
PVC Conduit
(in./100 ft)
Temperature
Change (°F)
Length Change of PVC
Conduit (in./100 ft)
5
10
15
20
25
30
0.30
0.61
0.91
1.22
1.52
1.83
5
10
15
20
25
30
0.20
0.41
0.61
0.81
1.01
1.22
105
110
115
120
125
130
4.26
4.46
4.66
4.87
5.07
5.27
35
40
45
50
2.13
2.43
2.74
3.04
35
40
45
50
1.42
1.62
1.83
2.03
135
140
145
150
5.48
5.68
5.88
6.08
55
60
65
70
75
3.35
3.65
3.95
4.26
4.56
55
60
65
70
75
2.23
2.43
2.64
2.84
3.04
155
160
165
170
175
6.29
6.49
6.69
6.90
7.10
80
85
90
95
100
4.87
5.17
5.48
5.78
6.08
80
85
90
95
100
3.24
3.45
3.65
3.85
4.06
180
185
190
195
200
7.30
7.50
7.71
7.91
8.11
AF
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352.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
352.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the conduit.
Exception No. 1: As permitted in 250.134(B), Exception
No. 2, for dc circuits and 250.134(B), Exception No. 1, for
separately run equipment grounding conductors.
Exception No. 2: Where the grounded conductor is used to
ground equipment as permitted in 250.142.
III. Construction Specifications
352.100 Construction. PVC conduit shall be made of
rigid (nonplasticized) polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC conduit and fittings shall be composed of suitable nonmetallic
material that is resistant to moisture and chemical atmospheres. For use aboveground, it shall also be flame retardant, resistant to impact and crushing, resistant to distortion
from heat under conditions likely to be encountered in service, and resistant to low temperature and sunlight effects.
For use underground, the material shall be acceptably resistant to moisture and corrosive agents and shall be of sufficient strength to withstand abuse, such as by impact and
crushing, in handling and during installation. Where in-
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Temperature
Change (°C)
tended for direct burial, without encasement in concrete,
the material shall also be capable of withstanding continued
loading that is likely to be encountered after installation.
352.120 Marking. Each length of PVC conduit shall be
clearly and durably marked at least every 3 m (10 ft) as
required in the first sentence of 110.21. The type of material
shall also be included in the marking unless it is visually
identifiable. For conduit recognized for use aboveground,
these markings shall be permanent. For conduit limited to
underground use only, these markings shall be sufficiently
durable to remain legible until the material is installed.
Conduit shall be permitted to be surface marked to indicate
special characteristics of the material.
Informational Note: Examples of these markings include
but are not limited to “limited smoke” and “sunlight
resistant.”
70–221
353.1
ARTICLE 353 — HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE CONDUIT: TYPE HDPE CONDUIT
ARTICLE 353
High Density Polyethylene Conduit:
Type HDPE Conduit
Informational Note: Refer to Article 352 for Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type PVC and Article 355 for Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit: Type RTRC.
353.2 Definition.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Conduit. A nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section, with associated
couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of
electrical conductors.
Informational Note: The trade sizes and metric designators are for identification purposes only and do not relate to
actual dimensions. See 300.1(C).
353.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
353.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be so made that
the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter
of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. Bends shall
be permitted to be made manually without auxiliary equipment, and the radius of the curve to the centerline of such
bends shall not be less than shown in Table 354.24. For
conduits of metric designators 129 and 155 (trade sizes 5
and 6) the allowable radii of bends shall be in accordance
with specifications provided by the manufacturer.
AF
353.6 Listing Requirements. HDPE conduit and associated fittings shall be listed.
(B) Maximum. HDPE conduit larger than metric designator 155 (trade size 6) shall not be used.
T
353.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for high density polyethylene
(HDPE) conduit and associated fittings.
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353.10 Uses Permitted. The use of HDPE conduit shall be
permitted under the following conditions:
(1) In discrete lengths or in continuous lengths from a reel
(2) In locations subject to severe corrosive influences as
covered in 300.6 and where subject to chemicals for
which the conduit is listed
(3) In cinder fill
(4) In direct burial installations in earth or concrete
Informational Note to (4): Refer to 300.5 and 300.50 for underground installations.
(5) Above ground, except as prohibited in 353.12, where
encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete.
(6) Conductors or cables rated at a temperature higher than
the listed temperature rating of HDPE conduit shall be
permitted to be installed in HDPE conduit, provided
the conductors or cables are not operated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature rating of the
HDPE conduit.
353.12 Uses Not Permitted. HDPE conduit shall not be
used under the following conditions:
(1) Where exposed
(2) Within a building
(3) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
70–222
353.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. HDPE conduit smaller than metric designator 16 (trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
I. General
II. Installation
(4) Where subject to ambient temperatures in excess of
50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise
353.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
353.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed inside
and outside to remove rough edges.
353.46 Bushings. Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided to
protect the wire from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or
enclosure design provides equivalent protection.
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors 4 AWG and larger at bushings.
353.48 Joints. All joints between lengths of conduit, and
between conduit and couplings, fittings, and boxes, shall be
made by an approved method.
Informational Note: HDPE conduit can be joined using
either heat fusion, electrofusion, or mechanical fittings.
353.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 354 — NONMETALLIC UNDERGROUND CONDUIT WITH CONDUCTORS: TYPE NUCC
Exception No. 1: The equipment grounding conductor
shall be permitted to be run separately from the conduit
where used for grounding dc circuits as permitted in
250.134, Exception No. 2.
Exception No. 2: The equipment grounding conductor
shall not be required where the grounded conductor is used
to ground equipment as permitted in 250.142.
III. Construction Specifications
354.12 Uses Not Permitted. NUCC shall not be used in
the following:
(1) In exposed locations
(2) Inside buildings
Exception: The conductor or the cable portion of the assembly, where suitable, shall be permitted to extend within
the building for termination purposes in accordance with
300.3.
(3) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles of this Code
AF
353.100 Construction. HDPE conduit shall be composed
of high density polyethylene that is resistant to moisture
and chemical atmospheres. The material shall be resistant
to moisture and corrosive agents and shall be of sufficient
strength to withstand abuse, such as by impact and crushing, in handling and during installation. Where intended for
direct burial, without encasement in concrete, the material
shall also be capable of withstanding continued loading that
is likely to be encountered after installation.
(1) For direct burial underground installation (For minimum cover requirements, see Table 300.5 and Table
300.50 under Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit.)
(2) Encased or embedded in concrete
(3) In cinder fill
(4) In underground locations subject to severe corrosive
influences as covered in 300.6 and where subject to
chemicals for which the assembly is specifically approved
(5) Aboveground, except as prohibited in 354.12, where
encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete
T
353.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the conduit.
354.28
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353.120 Marking. Each length of HDPE shall be clearly
and durably marked at least every 3 m (10 ft) as required in
110.21. The type of material shall also be included in the
marking.
ARTICLE 354
Nonmetallic Underground Conduit with
Conductors: Type NUCC
I. General
354.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for nonmetallic underground
conduit with conductors (NUCC).
354.2 Definition.
Nonmetallic Underground Conduit with Conductors
(NUCC). A factory assembly of conductors or cables inside
a nonmetallic, smooth wall raceway with a circular cross
section. [ROP 8–73]
354.6 Listing Requirements. NUCC and associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
354.10 Uses Permitted. The use of NUCC and fittings
shall be permitted in the following:
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
354.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. NUCC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
(B) Maximum. NUCC larger than metric designator 103
(trade size 4) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
354.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors or cables shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill in Table 1, Chapter 9.
354.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be manually
made so that the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. The radius of the curve of the centerline of such
bends shall not be less than shown in Table 354.24.
354.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between termination points.
354.28 Trimming. For termination, the conduit shall be
trimmed away from the conductors or cables using an approved method that will not damage the conductor or cable
insulation or jacket. All conduit ends shall be trimmed inside and out to remove rough edges.
70–223
354.46
ARTICLE 355 — REINFORCED THERMOSETTING RESIN CONDUIT: TYPE RTRC
Minimum Bending
Radius
Conduit Size
Metric
Designator
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
103
Trade Size
1
3
/2
/4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
4
mm
in.
250
300
350
450
500
650
900
1200
1500
10
12
14
18
20
26
36
48
60
(D) Conductor Fill. The maximum number of conductors
or cables in NUCC shall not exceed that permitted by the
percentage fill in Table 1, Chapter 9.
354.120 Marking. NUCC shall be clearly and durably
marked at least every 3.05 m (10 ft) as required by 110.21.
The type of conduit material shall also be included in the
marking.
Identification of conductors or cables used in the assembly shall be provided on a tag attached to each end of the
assembly or to the side of a reel. Enclosed conductors or
cables shall be marked in accordance with 310.120.
ARTICLE 355
Reinforced Thermosetting Resin
Conduit: Type RTRC
AF
354.46 Bushings. Where the NUCC enters a box, fitting,
or other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided
to protect the conductor or cable from abrasion unless the
design of the box, fitting, or enclosure provides equivalent
protection.
(C) Conductors and Cables. Conductors and cables used
in NUCC shall be listed and shall comply with 310.10(C).
Conductors of different systems shall be installed in accordance with 300.3(C).
T
Table 354.24 Minimum Bending Radius for Nonmetallic
Underground Conduit with Conductors (NUCC)
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors size 4 AWG or larger.
354.48 Joints. All joints between conduit, fittings, and
boxes shall be made by an approved method.
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354.50 Conductor Terminations. All terminations between the conductors or cables and equipment shall be
made by an approved method for that type of conductor or
cable.
354.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in junction boxes or other enclosures.
354.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, an assembly containing a separate equipment
grounding conductor shall be used.
I. General
355.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specification for reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit (RTRC) and associated fittings.
Informational Note: Refer to Article 352 for Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type PVC, and Article 353 for
High Density Polyethylene Conduit: Type HDPE.
355.2 Definition.
Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit (RTRC). A
rigid nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section, with
integral or associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for
the installation of electrical conductors and cables. [ROP
8–75]
III. Construction Specifications
354.100 Construction.
(A) General. NUCC is an assembly that is provided in
continuous lengths shipped in a coil, reel, or carton.
(B) Nonmetallic Underground Conduit. The nonmetallic
underground conduit shall be listed and composed of a material that is resistant to moisture and corrosive agents. It
shall also be capable of being supplied on reels without
damage or distortion and shall be of sufficient strength to
withstand abuse, such as impact or crushing, in handling
and during installation without damage to conduit or conductors.
70–224
355.6 Listing Requirements. RTRC, factory elbows, and
associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
355.10 Uses Permitted. The use of RTRC shall be permitted in accordance with 355.10(A) through (I).
(A) Concealed. RTRC shall be permitted in walls, floors,
and ceilings.
(B) Corrosive Influences. RTRC shall be permitted in locations subject to severe corrosive influences as covered in
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 355 — REINFORCED THERMOSETTING RESIN CONDUIT: TYPE RTRC
355.30
300.6 and where subject to chemicals for which the materials are specifically approved.
(E) Theaters and Similar Locations. In theaters and similar locations, except as provided in 518.4 and 520.5.
(C) Cinders. RTRC shall be permitted in cinder fill.
355.20 Size.
(D) Wet Locations. RTRC shall be permitted in portions
of dairies, laundries, canneries, or other wet locations, and
in locations where walls are frequently washed, the entire
conduit system, including boxes and fittings used therewith,
shall be installed and equipped so as to prevent water from
entering the conduit. All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and
so forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or be protected against corrosion by approved corrosion-resistant
materials.
(A) Minimum. RTRC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
(F) Exposed. RTRC shall be permitted for exposed work if
identified for such use.
Informational Note: RTRC, Type XW, is identified for
areas of physical damage.
355.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9. Cables shall be permitted to
be installed where such use is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed
the allowable percentage fill specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
355.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be so made that
the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter
of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. Field bends
shall be made only with identified bending equipment. The
radius of the curve to the centerline of such bends shall not
be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9. [ROP 8–77]
AF
(G) Underground Installations. For underground installations, see 300.5 and 300.50.
Informational Note: The trade sizes and metric designators are for identification purposes only and do not relate to
actual dimensions. See 300.1(C).
T
(E) Dry and Damp Locations. RTRC shall be permitted
for use in dry and damp locations not prohibited by 355.12.
(B) Maximum. RTRC larger than metric designator 155
(trade size 6) shall not be used.
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(H) Support of Conduit Bodies. RTRC shall be permitted
to support nonmetallic conduit bodies not larger than the
largest trade size of an entering raceway. These conduit
bodies shall not support luminaires or other equipment and
shall not contain devices other than splicing devices as
permitted by 110.14(B) and 314.16(C)(2).
(I) Insulation Temperature Limitations. Conductors or
cables rated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature rating of RTRC conduit shall be permitted to be installed in RTRC conduit, if the conductors or cables are not
operated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature
rating of the RTRC conduit.
355.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
355.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed inside
and outside to remove rough edges.
355.12 Uses Not Permitted. RTRC shall not be used under the following conditions.
355.30 Securing and Supporting. RTRC shall be installed
as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall
be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance
with 355.30(A) and (B).
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
(1) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(2) In Class I, Division 2 locations, except as permitted in
501.10(B)(3)
(A) Securely Fastened. RTRC shall be securely fastened
within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box,
device box, conduit body, or other conduit termination.
Conduit listed for securing at other than 900 mm (3 ft) shall
be permitted to be installed in accordance with the listing.
(B) Support of Luminaires. For the support of luminaires
or other equipment not described in 355.10(H).
(B) Supports. RTRC shall be supported as required in
Table 355.30. Conduit listed for support at spacing other
than as shown in Table 355.30 shall be permitted to be
installed in accordance with the listing. Horizontal runs of
RTRC supported by openings through framing members at
intervals not exceeding those in Table 355.30 and securely
fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of termination points shall be
permitted.
(C) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage
unless identified for such use.
(D) Ambient Temperatures. Where subject to ambient
temperatures in excess of 50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise.
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70–225
355.44
ARTICLE 355 — REINFORCED THERMOSETTING RESIN CONDUIT: TYPE RTRC
355.48 Joints. All joints between lengths of conduit, and
between conduit and couplings, fitting, and boxes, shall be
made by an approved method.
Table 355.30 Support of Reinforced Thermosetting Resin
Conduit (RTRC)
Maximum Spacing Between
Supports
Metric
Designator
Trade Size
mm or m
ft
16–27
35–53
63–78
91–129
155
⁄ –1
11⁄4–2
21⁄2–3
31⁄2–5
6
900 mm
1.5 m
1.8 m
2.1 m
2.5 m
3
5
6
7
8
12
355.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
355.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the conduit.
Exception No. 1: As permitted in 250.134(B), Exception
No. 2, for dc circuits and 250.134(B), Exception No. 1, for
separately run equipment grounding conductors.
355.44 Expansion Fittings. Expansion fittings for RTRC
shall be provided to compensate for thermal expansion and
contraction where the length change, in accordance with
Table 355.44, is expected to be 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) or greater in
a straight run between securely mounted items such as
boxes, cabinets, elbows, or other conduit terminations.
III. Construction Specifications
355.100 Construction. RTRC and fittings shall be composed of suitable nonmetallic material that is resistant to
moisture and chemical atmospheres. For use aboveground,
it shall also be flame retardant, resistant to impact and
crushing, resistant to distortion from heat under conditions
likely to be encountered in service, and resistant to low
temperature and sunlight effects. For use underground, the
material shall be acceptably resistant to moisture and cor-
AF
355.46 Bushings. Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided to
protect the wire from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or
enclosure design provides equivalent protection.
Exception No. 2: Where the grounded conductor is used to
ground equipment as permitted in 250.142.
T
Conduit Size
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors 4 AWG and larger at bushings.
D
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Table 355.44 Expansion Characteristics of Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit (RTRC) Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
= 2.7 × 10–5 mm/mm/°C (1.5 × 10–5 in./in./°F)
Temperature
Change (°C)
Length Change of
RTRC Conduit
(mm/m)
Temperature
Change (°F)
Length Change of
RTRC Conduit
(in./100 ft)
Temperature
Change (°F)
Length Change of
RTRC Conduit
(in./100 ft)
5
10
15
20
25
0.14
0.27
0.41
0.54
0.68
5
10
15
20
25
0.09
0.18
0.27
0.36
0.45
105
110
115
120
125
1.89
1.98
2.07
2.16
2.25
30
35
40
45
50
0.81
0.95
1.08
1.22
1.35
30
35
40
45
50
0.54
0.63
0.72
0.81
0.90
130
135
140
145
150
2.34
2.43
2.52
2.61
2.70
55
60
65
70
75
80
1.49
1.62
1.76
1.89
2.03
2.16
55
60
65
70
75
80
0.99
1.08
1.17
1.26
1.35
1.44
155
160
165
170
175
180
2.79
2.88
2.97
3.06
3.15
3.24
85
90
95
100
2.30
2.43
2.57
2.70
85
90
95
100
1.53
1.62
1.71
1.80
185
190
195
200
3.33
3.42
3.51
3.60
70–226
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 356 — LIQUIDTIGHT FLEXIBLE NONMETALLIC CONDUIT: TYPE LFNC
355.120 Marking. Each length of RTRC shall be clearly
and durably marked at least every 3 m (10 ft) as required in
the first sentence of 110.21. The type of material shall also
be included in the marking unless it is visually identifiable.
For conduit recognized for use aboveground, these markings shall be permanent. For conduit limited to underground use only, these markings shall be sufficiently durable to remain legible until the material is installed.
Conduit shall be permitted to be surface marked to indicate
special characteristics of the material.
ARTICLE 356
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic
Conduit: Type LFNC
D
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I. General
356.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) and associated fittings.
356.2 Definition.
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC). A
raceway of circular cross section of various types as follows:
(1) A smooth seamless inner core and cover bonded together and having one or more reinforcement layers
between the core and covers, designated as Type
LFNC-A
(2) A smooth inner surface with integral reinforcement
within the raceway wall, designated as Type LFNC-B
[ROP 8–80]
(3) A corrugated internal and external surface without integral reinforcement within the raceway wall, designated as LFNC-C [ROP 8–80]
LFNC is flame resistant and with fittings and is approved for the installation of electrical conductors.
Informational Note: FNMC is an alternative designation
for LFNC.
2014 Edition
II. Installation
356.10 Uses Permitted. LFNC shall be permitted to be
used in exposed or concealed locations for the following
purposes:
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause some types
of nonmetallic conduits to become brittle and therefore
more susceptible to damage from physical contact.
(1) Where flexibility is required for installation, operation,
or maintenance.
(2) Where protection of the contained conductors is required from vapors, liquids, or solids.
(3) For outdoor locations where listed and marked as suitable for the purpose.
(4) For direct burial where listed and marked for the purpose.
(5) Type LFNC-B shall be permitted to be installed in
lengths longer than 1.8 m (6 ft) where secured in accordance with 356.30.
(6) Type LFNC-B as a listed manufactured prewired assembly, metric designator 16 through 27 (trade size 1⁄2
through 1) conduit.
(7) For encasement in concrete where listed for direct
burial and installed in compliance with 356.42.
AF
Informational Note: Examples of these markings include
but are not limited to “limited smoke” and “sunlight
resistant.”
356.6 Listing Requirements. LFNC and associated fittings shall be listed.
T
rosive agents and shall be of sufficient strength to withstand
abuse, such as by impact and crushing, in handling and
during installation. Where intended for direct burial, without encasement in concrete, the material shall also be capable of withstanding continued loading that is likely to be
encountered after installation.
356.20
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
356.12 Uses Not Permitted. LFNC shall not be used as
follows:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) Where any combination of ambient and conductor temperatures is in excess of that for which the LFNC is
approved
(3) In lengths longer than 1.8 m (6 ft), except as permitted
by 356.10(5) or where a longer length is approved as
essential for a required degree of flexibility [ROP
8–81a]
(4) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
356.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. LFNC smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used unless permitted in
356.20(A)(1) or (A)(2) for metric designator 12 (trade size
3⁄8).
(1) For enclosing the leads of motors as permitted in
430.245(B)
(2) In lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft ) as part of a listed
assembly for tap connections to luminaires as required
in 410.117(C), or for utilization equipment
70–227
ARTICLE 358 — ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING: TYPE EMT
(B) Maximum. LFNC larger than metric designator 103
(trade size 4) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
356.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
356.24 Bends — How Made. Bends in conduit shall be so
made that the conduit is not damaged and the internal diameter of the conduit is not effectively reduced. Bends shall
be permitted to be made manually without auxiliary equipment. The radius of the curve to the centerline of any bend
shall not be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9 using the
column “Other Bends.”
356.42 Couplings and Connectors. Only fittings listed for
use with LFNC shall be used. Angle connectors shall not be
used for concealed raceway installations. Straight LFNC
fittings are permitted for direct burial or encasement in
concrete.
356.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
356.60 Grounding and Bonding. If used to connect
equipment where flexibility is necessary to minimize the
transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide
flexibility for equipment that requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding conductor shall be installed. [ROP 8–84]
Where required or installed, equipment grounding conductors shall be installed in accordance with 250.134(B).
Where required or installed, equipment bonding jumpers shall be installed in accordance with 250.102.
AF
356.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
duit fittings shall be permitted as a means of support.
[ROP 8–83a]
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356.22
356.28 Trimming. All cut ends of conduit shall be
trimmed inside and outside to remove rough edges.
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356.30 Securing and Supporting. Type LFNC-B shall be
securely fastened and supported in accordance with one of
the following:
(1) Where installed in lengths exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft), the
conduit shall be securely fastened at intervals not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) on
each side of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or
fitting.
(2) Securing or supporting of the conduit shall not be required where it is fished, installed in lengths not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) at terminals where flexibility is
required, or installed in lengths not exceeding 1.8 m
(6 ft) from a luminaire terminal connection for tap conductors to luminaires permitted in 410.117(C).
(3) Horizontal runs of LFNC supported by openings
through framing members at intervals not exceeding
900 mm (3 ft) and securely fastened within 300 mm
(12 in.) of termination points shall be permitted.
(4) Securing or supporting of LFNC-B shall not be required where installed in lengths not exceeding 1.8 m
(6 ft) from the last point where the raceway is securely
fastened for connections within an accessible ceiling to
luminaire(s) or other equipment. For the purpose of this
section, listed Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Con-
70–228
III. Construction Specifications
356.100 Construction. LFNC-B as a prewired manufactured assembly shall be provided in continuous lengths capable of being shipped in a coil, reel, or carton without
damage.
356.120 Marking. LFNC shall be marked at least every
600 mm (2 ft) in accordance with 110.21. The marking
shall include a type designation in accordance with 356.2
and the trade size. Conduit that is intended for outdoor use
or direct burial shall be marked.
The type, size, and quantity of conductors used in
prewired manufactured assemblies shall be identified by
means of a printed tag or label attached to each end of the
manufactured assembly and either the carton, coil, or reel.
The enclosed conductors shall be marked in accordance
with 310.120.
ARTICLE 358
Electrical Metallic Tubing: Type EMT
I. General
358.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for electrical metallic tubing
(EMT) and associated fittings.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 358 — ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING: TYPE EMT
358.30
358.2 Definition.
358.20 Size.
Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT). An unthreaded thinwall raceway of circular cross section designed for the
physical protection and routing of conductors and cables
and for use as an equipment grounding conductor when
installed utilizing appropriate fittings. EMT is generally
made of steel (ferrous) with protective coatings or aluminum (nonferrous).
(A) Minimum. EMT smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
Exception: For enclosing the leads of motors as permitted
in 430.245(B).
358.6 Listing Requirements. EMT, factory elbows, and
associated fittings shall be listed.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
358.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) Exposed and Concealed. The use of EMT shall be
permitted for both exposed and concealed work.
(C) Wet Locations. All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and
so forth shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.
See 300.6 for protection against
D
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Informational Note:
corrosion.
358.12 Uses Not Permitted. EMT shall not be used under
the following conditions:
(1) Where, during installation or afterward, it will be subject to severe physical damage.
(2) Where protected from corrosion solely by enamel.
(3) In cinder concrete or cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture unless protected on all sides by a
layer of noncinder concrete at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick
or unless the tubing is at least 450 mm (18 in.) under
the fill.
(4) In any hazardous (classified) location except as permitted by other articles in this Code.
(5) For the support of luminaires or other equipment except conduit bodies no larger than the largest trade size
of the tubing.
(6) Where practicable, dissimilar metals in contact anywhere in the system shall be avoided to eliminate the
possibility of galvanic action.
Exception: Aluminum fittings and enclosures shall be permitted to be used with steel EMT where not subject to
severe corrosive influences.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
358.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be made so that
the tubing is not damaged and the internal diameter of the
tubing is not effectively reduced. The radius of the curve of
any field bend to the centerline of the tubing shall not be
less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9 for one-shot and full
shoe benders.
AF
(B) Corrosion Protection. Ferrous or nonferrous EMT, elbows, couplings, and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in direct contact with the earth, or in
areas subject to severe corrosive influences where protected
by corrosion protection and approved as suitable for the
condition.
358.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
T
II. Installation
(B) Maximum. The maximum size of EMT shall be metric designator 103 (trade size 4).
358.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
358.28 Reaming and Threading.
(A) Reaming. All cut ends of EMT shall be reamed or
otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
(B) Threading. EMT shall not be threaded.
Exception: EMT with factory threaded integral couplings
complying with 358.100.
358.30 Securing and Supporting. EMT shall be installed
as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall
be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance
with 358.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. EMT shall be securely fastened in
place at least every 3 m (10 ft). In addition, each EMT run
between termination points shall be securely fastened
within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box,
device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination.
Exception No. 1: Fastening of unbroken lengths shall be
permitted to be increased to a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) where
70–229
358.42
ARTICLE 360 — FLEXIBLE METALLIC TUBING: TYPE FMT
structural members do not readily permit fastening within
900 mm (3 ft).
threads shall be designed so as to prevent bending of the
tubing at any part of the thread.
Exception No. 2: For concealed work in finished buildings
or prefinished wall panels where such securing is impracticable, unbroken lengths (without coupling) of EMT shall
be permitted to be fished.
358.120 Marking. EMT shall be clearly and durably
marked at least every 3 m (10 ft) as required in the first
sentence of 110.21.
358.42 Couplings and Connectors. Couplings and connectors used with EMT shall be made up tight. Where buried in masonry or concrete, they shall be concretetight type.
Where installed in wet locations, they shall comply with
314.15.
I. General
360.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for flexible metallic tubing
(FMT) and associated fittings.
360.2 Definition.
Flexible Metallic Tubing (FMT). A raceway that is circular in cross section, flexible, metallic, and liquidtight without a nonmetallic jacket.
AF
358.44 Expansion Fittings. Expansion fittings for EMT
shall be provided to compensate for thermal expansion and
contraction where the length is expected to be 6 mm (1⁄4
inch) or greater in a straight run between securely mounted
items such as boxes, cabinets, elbows, or other conduit
terminations. [ROP 8–87]
ARTICLE 360
Flexible Metallic Tubing: Type FMT
T
(B) Supports. Horizontal runs of EMT supported by openings through framing members at intervals not greater than
3 m (10 ft) and securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of
termination points shall be permitted.
D
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Informational Note: The coefficient of expansion for steel
electrical metallic tubing is 1.170x10E-5 (0.0000117 mm
per mm of tubing for each degree C in temperature change)
[0.650 X10E-5 (0.0000065 in. per inch of tubing for each
degree F in temperature change)]. The coefficient of expansion for aluminum electrical metallic tubing is 2.34x10E-5
(0.0000234 mm per mm of tubing for each degree C in
temperature change)[1.30X10E-5 (0.000013 in. per inch of
tubing for each degree F in temperature change)]. [ROP
8–87]
358.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
358.60 Grounding. Grounding and bonding EMT shall be
installed in accordance with 358.60(A) and (B). [ROP
8–90]
(A) EMT shall be permitted as an equipment grounding
conductor. [ROP 8–90]
(B) Where Air Conditioning or Refrigerating Equipment is
installed outdoors, an equipment grounding conductor per
250.118(1) shall be provided within the raceway and shall
be sized per 250.122. [ROP 8–90]
III. Construction Specifications
358.100 Construction. Factory-threaded integral couplings shall be permitted. Where EMT with a threaded integral coupling is used, threads for both the tubing and
coupling shall be factory-made. The coupling and EMT
70–230
360.6 Listing Requirements. FMT and associated fittings
shall be listed.
II. Installation
360.10 Uses Permitted. FMT shall be permitted to be used
for branch circuits as follows:
(1) In dry locations
(2) Where concealed
(3) In accessible locations
(4) For system voltages of 1000 volts maximum
360.12 Uses Not Permitted. FMT shall not be used as
follows:
(1) In hoistways
(2) In storage battery rooms
(3) In hazardous (classified) locations unless otherwise
permitted under other articles in this Code
(4) Underground for direct earth burial, or embedded in
poured concrete or aggregate
(5) Where subject to physical damage
(6) In lengths over 1.8 m (6 ft)
360.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. FMT smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
362.10
ARTICLE 362 — ELECTRICAL NONMETALLIC TUBING: TYPE ENT
Exception No. 1: FMT of metric designator 12 (trade size
3⁄8) shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with
300.22(B) and (C).
Exception No. 2: FMT of metric designator 12 (trade size
⁄ ) shall be permitted in lengths not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft)
as part of a listed assembly or for luminaires. See
410.117(C).
38
(B) Maximum. The maximum size of FMT shall be metric
designator 21 (trade size 3⁄4).
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
Table 360.24(B) Minimum Radii for Fixed Bends
Minimum Radii
for Fixed Bends
Metric
Designator
Trade Size
mm
in.
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
88.9
101.6
127.0
31⁄2
4
5
12
16
21
38
12
360.60 Grounding. FMT shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor where installed in accordance
with 250.118(7).
360.22 Number of Conductors.
D
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(B) FMT — Metric Designator 12 (Trade Size 3⁄8). The
number of conductors in metric designator 12 (trade size
3⁄8) shall not exceed that permitted in Table 348.22.
360.24 Bends.
(A) Infrequent Flexing Use. When FMT is infrequently
flexed in service after installation, the radii of bends measured to the inside of the bend shall not be less than specified in Table 360.24(A).
Table 360.24(A) Minimum Radii for Flexing Use
Minimum Radii
for Flexing Use
Metric
Designator
12
16
21
Trade Size
mm
in.
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
254.0
317.5
444.5
10
121⁄2
171⁄2
38
12
(B) Fixed Bends. Where FMT is bent for installation purposes and is not flexed or bent as required by use after
installation, the radii of bends measured to the inside of the
bend shall not be less than specified in Table 360.24(B).
360.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
in accordance with 300.15.
2014 Edition
III. Construction Specifications
T
360.120 Marking. FMT shall be marked according to
110.21.
AF
(A) FMT — Metric Designators 16 and 21 (Trade Sizes
1⁄2 and 3⁄4 ). The number of conductors in metric designators 16 (trade size 1⁄2) and 21 (trade size 3⁄4) shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill specified in Table
1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 362
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing: Type
ENT
I. General
362.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for electrical nonmetallic tubing
(ENT) and associated fittings.
362.2 Definition.
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT). A nonmetallic, pliable, corrugated raceway of circular cross section with integral or associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for
the installation of electrical conductors. ENT is composed
of a material that is resistant to moisture and chemical
atmospheres and is flame retardant.
A pliable raceway is a raceway that can be bent by hand
with a reasonable force but without other assistance.
362.6 Listing Requirements. ENT and associated fittings
shall be listed.
II. Installation
362.10 Uses Permitted. For the purpose of this article, the
first floor of a building shall be that floor that has 50 percent or more of the exterior wall surface area level with or
above finished grade. One additional level that is the first
level and not designed for human habitation and used only
for vehicle parking, storage, or similar use shall be permit-
70–231
ARTICLE 362 — ELECTRICAL NONMETALLIC TUBING: TYPE ENT
ted. The use of ENT and fittings shall be permitted in the
following:
(1) In any building not exceeding three floors above grade
as follows:
a. For exposed work, where not prohibited by 362.12
b. Concealed within walls, floors, and ceilings
(2) In any building exceeding three floors above grade,
ENT shall be concealed within walls, floors, and ceilings where the walls, floors, and ceilings provide a
thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute
finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies. The 15-minute-finish-rated thermal barrier shall
be permitted to be used for combustible or noncombustible walls, floors, and ceilings.
Exception to (2): Where a fire sprinkler system(s) is installed in accordance with NFPA 13-2010, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, on all floors, ENT shall
be permitted to be used within walls, floors, and ceilings,
exposed or concealed, in buildings exceeding three floors
abovegrade.
(9) Conductors or cables rated at a temperature higher than
the listed temperature rating of ENT shall be permitted
to be installed in ENT, if the conductors or cables are
not operated at a temperature higher than the listed
temperature rating of the ENT.
362.12 Uses Not Permitted. ENT shall not be used in the
following:
(1) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(2) For the support of luminaires and other equipment
(3) Where subject to ambient temperatures in excess of
50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise
(4) For direct earth burial
(5) Where the voltage is over 600 volts
(6) In exposed locations, except as permitted by 362.10(1),
362.10(5), and 362.10(7)
(7) In theaters and similar locations, except as provided in
518.4 and 520.5
(8) Where exposed to the direct rays of the sun, unless
identified as sunlight resistant
(9) Where subject to physical damage
AF
Informational Note: A finish rating is established for assemblies containing combustible (wood) supports. The finish rating is defined as the time at which the wood stud or
wood joist reaches an average temperature rise of 121°C
(250°F) or an individual temperature of 163°C (325°F) as
measured on the plane of the wood nearest the fire. A finish
rating is not intended to represent a rating for a membrane
ceiling.
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause some types
of nonmetallic conduits to become brittle and therefore
more susceptible to damage from physical contact.
T
362.12
D
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(3) In locations subject to severe corrosive influences as
covered in 300.6 and where subject to chemicals for
which the materials are specifically approved.
(4) In concealed, dry, and damp locations not prohibited by
362.12.
(5) Above suspended ceilings where the suspended ceilings provide a thermal barrier of material that has at
least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of
fire-rated assemblies, except as permitted in
362.10(1)(a).
Exception to (5): ENT shall be permitted to be used above
suspended ceilings in buildings exceeding three floors
above grade where the building is protected throughout by
a fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with
NFPA 13-2010, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems.
(6) Encased in poured concrete, or embedded in a concrete
slab on grade where ENT is placed on sand or approved screenings, provided fittings identified for this
purpose are used for connections.
(7) For wet locations indoors as permitted in this section or
in a concrete slab on or belowgrade, with fittings listed
for the purpose.
(8) Metric designator 16 through 27 (trade size 1⁄2 through
1) as listed manufactured prewired assembly.
70–232
362.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. ENT smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1⁄2) shall not be used.
(B) Maximum. ENT larger than metric designator 53
(trade size 2) shall not be used.
Informational Note: See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes
only and do not relate to actual dimensions.
362.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill in
Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use
is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill
specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
362.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be so made that
the tubing will not be damaged and the internal diameter of
the tubing will not be effectively reduced. Bends shall be
permitted to be made manually without auxiliary equipment, and the radius of the curve to the centerline of such
bends shall not be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9
using the column “Other Bends.”
362.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
366.2
ARTICLE 366 — AUXILIARY GUTTERS
362.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed inside
and outside to remove rough edges.
362.30 Securing and Supporting. ENT shall be installed
as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall
be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance
with 362.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. ENT shall be securely fastened at
intervals not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft). In addition, ENT
shall be securely fastened in place within 900 mm (3 ft) of
each outlet box, device box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting
where it terminates.
Exception No. 1: Lengths not exceeding a distance of 1.8
m (6 ft) from a luminaire terminal connection for tap connections to lighting luminaires shall be permitted without
being secured.
362.100 Construction. ENT shall be made of material that
does not exceed the ignitibility, flammability, smoke generation, and toxicity characteristics of rigid (nonplasticized)
polyvinyl chloride.
ENT, as a prewired manufactured assembly, shall be
provided in continuous lengths capable of being shipped in
a coil, reel, or carton without damage.
362.120 Marking. ENT shall be clearly and durably
marked at least every 3 m (10 ft) as required in the first
sentence of 110.21. The type of material shall also be included in the marking. Marking for limited smoke shall be
permitted on the tubing that has limited smoke-producing
characteristics.
The type, size, and quantity of conductors used in
prewired manufactured assemblies shall be identified by
means of a printed tag or label attached to each end of the
manufactured assembly and either the carton, coil, or reel.
The enclosed conductors shall be marked in accordance
with 310.120.
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Exception No. 2: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from
the last point where the raceway is securely fastened for
connections within an accessible ceiling to luminaire(s) or
other equipment.
III. Construction Specifications
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total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
Exception No. 3: For concealed work in finished buildings
or prefinished wall panels where such securing is impracticable, unbroken lengths (without coupling) of ENT shall
be permitted to be fished.
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(B) Supports. Horizontal runs of ENT supported by openings in framing members at intervals not exceeding
900 mm (3 ft) and securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft)
of termination points shall be permitted.
362.46 Bushings. Where a tubing enters a box, fitting, or
other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided to
protect the wire from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or
enclosure design provides equivalent protection.
Informational Note: See 300.4(G) for the protection of
conductors size 4 AWG or larger.
362.48 Joints. All joints between lengths of tubing and
between tubing and couplings, fittings, and boxes shall be
by an approved method.
362.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
only in accordance with 300.15.
Informational Note: See Article 314 for rules on the installation and use of boxes and conduit bodies.
362.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the raceway in compliance with Article 250,
Part VI.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 366
Auxiliary Gutters
I. General
366.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction requirements of metallic auxiliary gutters and
nonmetallic auxiliary gutters and associated fittings. [ROP
8–96]
366.2 Definitions.
Metallic Auxiliary Gutter. A sheet metal enclosure used to
supplement wiring spaces at meter centers, distribution centers, switchgear, switchboards, and similar points of wiring
systems. The enclosure has hinged or removable covers for
housing and protecting electrical wires, cable, and busbars.
The enclosure is designed for conductors to be laid or set in
place after the enclosures have been installed as a complete
system. [ROP 8–98, ROP 9–73a]
Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutter. A flame retardant, nonmetallic enclosure used to supplement wiring spaces at
meter centers, distribution centers, switchgear, switchboards, and similar points of wiring systems. The enclosure
has hinged or removable covers for housing and protecting
electrical wires, cable, and busbars. The enclosure is designed for conductors to be laid or set in place after the
enclosures have been installed as a complete system. [ROP
8–98, ROP 9–73a]
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366.6
ARTICLE 366 — AUXILIARY GUTTERS
366.6 Listing Requirements.
(A) Outdoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters installed outdoors shall comply with the following:
(1) Be listed as suitable for exposure to sunlight
(2) Be listed as suitable for use in wet locations
(3) Be listed for maximum ambient temperature of the
installation
(B) Indoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters installed indoors shall be listed for the maximum ambient temperature
of the installation.
II. Installation
20 percent of the interior cross-sectional area of the sheet
metal auxiliary gutter. The adjustment factors in
310.15(B)(3)(a) shall be applied only where the number of
current-carrying conductors, including neutral conductors
classified as current-carrying under the provisions of
310.15(B)(5), exceeds 30. Conductors for signaling circuits
or controller conductors between a motor and its starter and
used only for starting duty shall not be considered as
current-carrying conductors. [ROP 8–96]
(B) Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutters. The sum of crosssectional areas of all contained conductors at any cross
section of the nonmetallic auxiliary gutter shall not exceed
20 percent of the interior cross-sectional area of the nonmetallic auxiliary gutter.
366.10 Uses Permitted.
(1) Indoor and Outdoor Use. Sheet metal auxiliary gutters shall be permitted for indoor and outdoor use.
(A) Sheet Metal Auxiliary Gutters. Where the number of
current-carrying conductors contained in the sheet metal
auxiliary gutter is 30 or less, the adjustment factors specified in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply. The current carried
continuously in bare copper bars in sheet metal auxiliary
gutters shall not exceed 1.55 amperes/mm2 (1000
amperes/in.2) of cross section of the conductor. For aluminum bars, the current carried continuously shall not exceed
1.09 amperes/mm2 (700 amperes/in.2) of cross section of
the conductor.
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(2) Wet Locations. Sheet metal auxiliary gutters installed
in wet locations shall be suitable for such locations.
366.23 Ampacity of Conductors.
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(A) Sheet Metal Auxiliary Gutters. [ROP 8–96]
(B) Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutters. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters shall be listed for the maximum ambient temperature of the installation and marked for the installed
conductor insulation temperature rating.
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(1) Outdoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters shall be permitted to be installed outdoors where listed and marked as
suitable for the purpose.
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause nonmetallic
auxiliary gutters to become brittle and therefore more susceptible to damage from physical contact.
(2) Indoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters shall be permitted to be installed indoors.
366.12 Uses Not Permitted. Auxiliary gutters shall not be
used:
(1) To enclose switches, overcurrent devices, appliances,
or other similar equipment
(2) To extend a greater distance than 9 m (30 ft) beyond
the equipment that it supplements
Exception: As permitted in 620.35 for elevators, an auxiliary gutter shall be permitted to extend a distance greater
than 9 m (30 ft) beyond the equipment it supplements.
Informational Note: For wireways, see Articles 376 and
378. For busways, see Article 368.
(B) Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutters. The adjustment factors specified in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall be applicable to the
current-carrying conductors in the nonmetallic auxiliary
gutter.
366.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Sheet Metal Auxiliary Gutters. Sheet metal auxiliary
gutters shall be supported and secured throughout their entire length at intervals not exceeding 1.5 m (5 ft).
(B) Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutters. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters shall be supported and secured at intervals not
to exceed 900 mm (3 ft) and at each end or joint, unless
listed for other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft).
366.44 Expansion Fittings. Expansion fittings shall be installed where expected length change, due to expansion and
contraction due to temperature change, is more than 6 mm
(0.25 in.).
366.22 Number of Conductors.
366.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall comply
with 366.56(A) through (D).
(A) Sheet Metal Auxiliary Gutters. The sum of the crosssectional areas of all contained conductors at any cross
section of a sheet metal auxiliary gutter shall not exceed
(A) Within Gutters. Splices or taps shall be permitted
within gutters where they are accessible by means of removable covers or doors. The conductors, including splices
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
368.10
ARTICLE 368 — BUSWAYS
and taps, shall not fill the gutter to more than 75 percent of
its area.
boxes, and at other locations where necessary to prevent
abrasion of the insulation of the conductors.
(B) Bare Conductors. Taps from bare conductors shall
leave the gutter opposite their terminal connections, and
conductors shall not be brought in contact with uninsulated
current-carrying parts of different potential.
(D) Covers. Covers shall be securely fastened to the gutter.
(C) Suitably Identified. All taps shall be suitably identified at the gutter as to the circuit or equipment that they
supply.
(D) Overcurrent Protection. Tap connections from conductors in auxiliary gutters shall be provided with overcurrent protection as required in 240.21.
(E) Clearance of Bare Live Parts. Bare conductors shall
be securely and rigidly supported so that the minimum
clearance between bare current-carrying metal parts of different potential mounted on the same surface will not be
less than 50 mm (2 in.), nor less than 25 mm (1 in.) for
parts that are held free in the air. A clearance not less than
25 mm (1 in.) shall be secured between bare currentcarrying metal parts and any metal surface. Adequate provisions shall be made for the expansion and contraction of
busbars.
366.58 Insulated Conductors.
366.120 Marking.
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(A) Outdoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters installed outdoors shall have the following markings:
(1) Suitable for exposure to sunlight
(2) Suitable for use in wet locations
(3) Installed conductor insulation temperature rating
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(A) Deflected Insulated Conductors. Where insulated
conductors are deflected within an auxiliary gutter, either at
the ends or where conduits, fittings, or other raceways or
cables enter or leave the gutter, or where the direction of
the gutter is deflected greater than 30 degrees, dimensions
corresponding to one wire per terminal in Table 312.6(A)
shall apply.
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(B) Auxiliary Gutters Used as Pull Boxes. Where insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through an
auxiliary gutter, the distance between raceway and cable
entries enclosing the same conductor shall not be less than
that required in 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and
314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls.
(B) Indoors. Nonmetallic auxiliary gutters installed indoors shall be marked with the installed conductor insulation temperature rating.
ARTICLE 368
Busways
366.60 Grounding. Sheet metal auxiliary gutters shall be
connected to an equipment grounding conductor(s), to an
equipment bonding jumper, or to the grounded conductor
where permitted or required by 250.92(B)(1) or 250.142.
I. General Requirements
III. Construction Specifications
368.1 Scope. This article covers service-entrance, feeder,
and branch-circuit busways and associated fittings.
366.100 Construction.
(A) Electrical and Mechanical Continuity. Gutters shall
be constructed and installed so that adequate electrical and
mechanical continuity of the complete system is secured.
(B) Substantial Construction. Gutters shall be of substantial construction and shall provide a complete enclosure for
the contained conductors. All surfaces, both interior and
exterior, shall be suitably protected from corrosion. Corner
joints shall be made tight, and where the assembly is held
together by rivets, bolts, or screws, such fasteners shall be
spaced not more than 300 mm (12 in.) apart.
(C) Smooth Rounded Edges. Suitable bushings, shields,
or fittings having smooth, rounded edges shall be provided
where conductors pass between gutters, through partitions,
around bends, between gutters and cabinets or junction
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
368.2 Definition.
Busway. A raceway consisting of a grounded metal enclosure containing factory-mounted, bare or insulated conductors, which are usually copper or aluminum bars, rods, or
tubes. [ROP 8–105]
Informational Note: For cablebus, refer to Article 370.
II. Installation
368.10 Uses Permitted. Busways shall be permitted to be
installed where they are located in accordance with
368.10(A) through (C).
(A) Exposed. Busways shall be permitted to be located in
the open where visible, except as permitted in 368.10(C).
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368.12
ARTICLE 368 — BUSWAYS
(C) Through Walls and Floors. Busways shall be permitted to be installed through walls or floors in accordance
with (C)(1) and (C)(2).
(1) Walls. Unbroken lengths of busway shall be permitted
to be extended through dry walls.
368.17 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
shall be provided in accordance with 368.17(A) through
(D).
(A) Rating of Overcurrent Protection — Feeders. A
busway shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with the allowable current rating of the busway.
Exception No. 1: The applicable provisions of 240.4 shall
be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Where used as transformer secondary
ties, the provisions of 450.6(A)(3) shall be permitted.
(B) Reduction in Ampacity Size of Busway. Overcurrent
protection shall be required where busways are reduced in
ampacity.
Exception: For industrial establishments only, omission of
overcurrent protection shall be permitted at points where
busways are reduced in ampacity, provided that the length
of the busway having the smaller ampacity does not exceed
15 m (50 ft) and has an ampacity at least equal to one-third
the rating or setting of the overcurrent device next back on
the line, and provided that such busway is free from contact
with combustible material.
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(2) Floors. Floor penetrations shall comply with (a) and
(b):
(E) Working Platform. Lighting busway and trolley
busway shall not be installed less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above
the floor or working platform unless provided with an identified cover. [ROP 8–106]
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(B) Behind Access Panels. Busways shall be permitted to
be installed behind access panels, provided the busways are
totally enclosed, of nonventilating-type construction, and
installed so that the joints between sections and at fittings
are accessible for maintenance purposes. Where installed
behind access panels, means of access shall be provided,
and either of the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The space behind the access panels shall not be used
for air-handling purposes.
(2) Where the space behind the access panels is used for
environmental air, other than ducts and plenums, there
shall be no provisions for plug-in connections, and the
conductors shall be insulated.
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(a) Busways shall be permitted to be extended vertically through dry floors if totally enclosed (unventilated)
where passing through and for a minimum distance of 1.8
m (6 ft) above the floor to provide adequate protection from
physical damage.
(b) In other than industrial establishments, where a
vertical riser penetrates two or more dry floors, a minimum
100-mm (4-in.) high curb shall be installed around all floor
openings for riser busways to prevent liquids from entering
the opening. The curb shall be installed within 300 mm
(12 in.) of the floor opening. Electrical equipment shall be
located so that it will not be damaged by liquids that are
retained by the curb.
Informational Note: See 300.21 for information concerning the spread of fire or products of combustion.
368.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Physical Damage. Busways shall not be installed
where subject to severe physical damage or corrosive vapors.
(B) Hoistways. Busways shall not be installed in hoistways.
(C) Hazardous Locations. Busways shall not be installed
in any hazardous (classified) location, unless specifically
approved for such use.
Informational Note: See 501.10(B).
(D) Wet Locations. Busways shall not be installed outdoors or in wet or damp locations unless identified for such
use.
70–236
(C) Feeder or Branch Circuits. Where a busway is used
as a feeder, devices or plug-in connections for tapping off
feeder or branch circuits from the busway shall contain the
overcurrent devices required for the protection of the feeder
or branch circuits. The plug-in device shall consist of an
externally operable circuit breaker or an externally operable
fusible switch. Where such devices are mounted out of
reach and contain disconnecting means, suitable means
such as ropes, chains, or sticks shall be provided for operating the disconnecting means from the floor.
Exception No. 1: As permitted in 240.21.
Exception No. 2: For fixed or semifixed luminaires, where
the branch-circuit overcurrent device is part of the luminaire cord plug on cord-connected luminaires.
Exception No. 3: Where luminaires without cords are
plugged directly into the busway and the overcurrent device
is mounted on the luminaire.
(D) Rating of Overcurrent Protection — Branch Circuits. A busway used as a branch circuit shall be protected
against overcurrent in accordance with 210.20.
368.30 Support. Busways shall be securely supported at
intervals not exceeding 1.5 m (5 ft) unless otherwise designed and marked.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 368 — BUSWAYS
368.58 Dead Ends. A dead end of a busway shall be
closed.
368.60 Grounding. Busway shall be connected to an
equipment grounding conductor(s), to an equipment bonding jumper, or to the grounded conductor where permitted
or required by 250.92(B)(1) or 250.142.
III. Construction
368.120 Marking. Busways shall be marked with the voltage and current rating for which they are designed, and
with the manufacturer’s name or trademark in such a manner as to be visible after installation.
IV. Requirements for Over 600 Volts, Nominal
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(A) General. Branches from busways shall be permitted to
use any of the following wiring methods:
(1) Type AC armored cable
(2) Type MC metal-clad cable
(3) Type MI mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable
(4) Type IMC intermediate metal conduit
(5) Type RMC rigid metal conduit
(6) Type FMC flexible metal conduit
(7) Type LFMC liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(8) Type PVC rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(9) Type RTRC reinforced thermosetting resin conduit
(10) Type LFNC liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
(11) Type EMT electrical metallic tubing
(12) Type ENT electrical nonmetallic tubing
(13) Busways
(14) Strut-type channel raceway
(15) Surface metal raceway
(16) Surface nonmetallic raceway
(C) Branches from Trolley-Type Busways. Suitable cord
and cable assemblies approved for extra-hard usage or hard
usage and listed bus drop cable shall be permitted as
branches from trolley-type busways for the connection of
movable equipment in accordance with 400.7 and 400.8.
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368.56 Branches from Busways. Branches from busways
shall be permitted to be made in accordance with
368.56(A), (B), and (C).
368.238
Where a separate equipment grounding conductor is
used, connection of the equipment grounding conductor to
the busway shall comply with 250.8 and 250.12.
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(B) Cord and Cable Assemblies. Suitable cord and cable
assemblies approved for extra-hard usage or hard usage and
listed bus drop cable shall be permitted as branches from
busways for the connection of portable equipment or the
connection of stationary equipment to facilitate their interchange in accordance with 400.7 and 400.8 and the following conditions:
(1) The cord or cable shall be attached to the building by
an approved means.
(2) The length of the cord or cable from a busway plug-in
device to a suitable tension take-up support device shall
not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
(3) The cord and cable shall be installed as a vertical riser
from the tension take-up support device to the equipment served.
(4) Strain relief cable grips shall be provided for the cord
or cable at the busway plug-in device and equipment
terminations.
Exception to (B)(2): In industrial establishments only,
where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation,
lengths exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) shall be permitted between
the busway plug-in device and the tension take-up support
device where the cord or cable is supported at intervals not
exceeding 2.5 m (8 ft).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
368.214 Adjacent and Supporting Structures. Metalenclosed busways shall be installed so that temperature rise
from induced circulating currents in any adjacent metallic
parts will not be hazardous to personnel or constitute a fire
hazard.
368.234 Barriers and Seals.
(A) Vapor Seals. Busway runs that have sections located
both inside and outside of buildings shall have a vapor seal
at the building wall to prevent interchange of air between
indoor and outdoor sections.
Exception: Vapor seals shall not be required in forcedcooled bus.
(B) Fire Barriers. Fire barriers shall be provided where
fire walls, floors, or ceilings are penetrated.
Informational Note: See 300.21 for information concerning the spread of fire or products of combustion.
368.236 Drain Facilities. Drain plugs, filter drains, or
similar methods shall be provided to remove condensed
moisture from low points in busway run.
368.237 Ventilated Bus Enclosures. Ventilated busway
enclosures shall be installed in accordance with Article 110,
Part III, and 490.24.
368.238 Terminations and Connections. Where bus enclosures terminate at machines cooled by flammable gas,
seal-off bushings, baffles, or other means shall be provided
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ARTICLE 370 — CABLEBUS
to prevent accumulation of flammable gas in the busway
enclosures.
All conductor termination and connection hardware
shall be accessible for installation, connection, and maintenance.
368.239 Switches. Switching devices or disconnecting
links provided in the busway run shall have the same momentary rating as the busway. Disconnecting links shall be
plainly marked to be removable only when bus is deenergized. Switching devices that are not load-break shall
be interlocked to prevent operation under load, and disconnecting link enclosures shall be interlocked to prevent access to energized parts.
[ROP 8–109a]
I. General
370.1 Scope. This article covers the use and installation
requirements of cablebus and associated fittings.
370.2 Definition.
Cablebus. An assembly of units or sections with insulated
conductors with associated fittings forming a structural system used to securely fasten or support conductors and conductor terminations in a completely enclosed ventilated
protective metal housing. Cablebus is ordinarily assembled
at the point of installation from the components furnished
or specified by the manufacturer in accordance with instructions for the specific job. This assembly is designed to
carry fault current and to withstand the magnetic forces of
such current.
AF
368.240 Wiring 600 Volts or Less, Nominal. Secondary
control devices and wiring that are provided as part of the
metal-enclosed bus run shall be insulated by fire-retardant
barriers from all primary circuit elements with the exception of short lengths of wire, such as at instrument transformer terminals.
ARTICLE 370
Cablebus
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368.239
368.244 Expansion Fittings. Flexible or expansion connections shall be provided in long, straight runs of bus to
allow for temperature expansion or contraction, or where
the busway run crosses building vibration insulation joints.
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368.258 Neutral Conductor. Neutral bus, where required,
shall be sized to carry all neutral load current, including
harmonic currents, and shall have adequate momentary and
short-circuit rating consistent with system requirements.
368.260 Grounding. Metal-enclosed busway shall be
grounded.
368.320 Marking. Each busway run shall be provided
with a permanent nameplate on which the following information shall be provided:
(1) Rated voltage.
(2) Rated continuous current; if bus is forced-cooled, both
the normal forced-cooled rating and the self-cooled
(not forced-cooled) rating for the same temperature rise
shall be given.
(3) Rated frequency.
(4) Rated impulse withstand voltage.
(5) Rated 60-Hz withstand voltage (dry).
(6) Rated momentary current.
(7) Manufacturer’s name or trademark.
Informational Note: See ANSI C37.23-1987 (R1991),
Guide for Metal-Enclosed Bus and Calculating Losses in
Isolated-Phase Bus, for construction and testing requirements for metal-enclosed buses.
70–238
II. Installation
370.10 Uses Permitted. Approved cablebus shall be permitted:
(1) At any voltage or current for which spaced conductors
are rated and shall be installed only for exposed work,
except as permitted in 370.18.
(2) For branch circuits, feeders, and services.
(3) To be installed outdoors or in corrosive, wet, or damp
locations where identified for the use.
370.12 Uses Not Permitted. Cablebus shall not be permitted to be installed:
(1) In hoistways.
(2) In hazardous (classified) locations unless specifically
approved for the use.
370.18 Cablebus Installation.
(A) Transversely Routed. Cablebus shall be permitted to
extend transversely through partitions or walls, other than
fire walls, provided the section within the wall is continuous, protected against physical damage, and unventilated.
(B) Through Dry Floors and Platforms. Except where
firestops are required, cablebus shall be permitted to extend
vertically through dry floors and platforms, provided the
cablebus is totally enclosed at the point where it passes
through the floor or platform and for a distance of 1.8 m
(6 ft) above the floor or platform.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 372 — CELLULAR CONCRETE FLOOR RACEWAYS
370.20 Conductor Size and Termination.
(A) Conductors. The current carrying conductors in cablebus shall:
(1) Have an insulation rating of 75°C (167°F) or higher
and be an approved type suitable for the application.
(2) Be sized in accordance with the design of the cablebus,
in no case smaller than 1/0.
(B) Termination. Approved terminating means shall be
used for connections to cablebus conductors.
370.60 Grounding. A cablebus system shall be grounded
and/or bonded as applicable:
(1) Cablebus framework, where bonded, shall be permitted
to be used as the equipment grounding conductor for
branch circuits and feeders.
(2) A cablebus installation shall be grounded and bonded
in accordance with Article 250, excluding 250.86, Exception No. 2.
370.80 Ampacity of Conductors. The ampacity of conductors in cablebus shall be in accordance with Table
310.15(B)(17) and , or with Table 310.60(C)(69) and Table
310.60(C)(70) for installations over 600 Volts.
III. Construction Specifications
370.120 Marking. Each section of cablebus shall be
marked with the manufacturer’s name or trade designation
and the maximum diameter, number, voltage rating, and
ampacity of the conductors to be installed. Markings shall
be located so as to be visible after installation.
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370.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors shall be that for which the cablebus is designed.
(4) Additional physical protection where required, such as
guards where subject to severe physical damage.
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(C) Through Floors and Platforms in Wet Locations.
Except where firestops are required, cablebus shall be permitted to extend vertically through floors and platforms in
wet locations where:
(1) There are curbs or other suitable means to prevent waterflow through the floor or platform opening, and
(2) Where the cablebus is totally enclosed at the point
where it passes through the floor or platform and for a
distance of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the floor or platform.
370.23 Overcurrent Protection. Cablebus shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with the allowable
ampacity of the cablebus conductors in accordance with
240.4.
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Exception: Overcurrent protection shall be permitted in
accordance with 240.100 and 240.101 for over 600 volts,
nominal.
370.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Cablebus Supports. Cablebus shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding 3.7 m (12 ft). Where spans
longer than 3.7 m (12 ft) are required, the structure shall be
specifically designed for the required span length.
(B) Conductor Supports. The insulated conductors shall
be supported on blocks or other identified mounting means.
The individual conductors in a cablebus shall be supported at intervals not greater than 900 mm (3 ft) for horizontal runs and 450 mm (1.5 ft) for vertical runs. Vertical
and horizontal spacing between supported conductors shall
not be less than one conductor diameter at the points of
support.
370.42 Fittings. A cablebus system shall include approved
fittings for the following:
(1) Changes in horizontal or vertical direction of the run.
(2) Dead ends.
(3) Terminations in or on connected apparatus or equipment or the enclosures for such equipment.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
372.4
ARTICLE 372
Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways
372.1 Scope. This article covers cellular concrete floor
raceways, the hollow spaces in floors constructed of precast
cellular concrete slabs, together with suitable metal fittings
designed to provide access to the floor cells.
372.2 Definitions.
Cell. A single, enclosed tubular space in a floor made of
precast cellular concrete slabs, the direction of the cell being parallel to the direction of the floor member.
Header. Transverse metal raceways for electrical conductors, providing access to predetermined cells of a precast
cellular concrete floor, thereby permitting the installation of
electrical conductors from a distribution center to the floor
cells.
372.4 Uses Not Permitted. Conductors shall not be installed in precast cellular concrete floor raceways as follows:
(1) Where subject to corrosive vapor
(2) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
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ARTICLE 374 — CELLULAR METAL FLOOR RACEWAYS
(3) In commercial garages, other than for supplying ceiling
outlets or extensions to the area below the floor but not
above
Informational Note: See 300.8 for installation of conductors with other systems.
372.5 Header. The header shall be installed in a straight
line at right angles to the cells. The header shall be mechanically secured to the top of the precast cellular concrete
floor. The end joints shall be closed by a metal closure
fitting and sealed against the entrance of concrete. The
header shall be electrically continuous throughout its entire
length and shall be electrically bonded to the enclosure of
the distribution center.
372.6 Connection to Cabinets and Other Enclosures.
Connections from headers to cabinets and other enclosures
shall be made by means of listed metal raceways and listed
fittings.
conductors supplying the outlet shall be removed from the
raceway. No splices or reinsulated conductors, such as
would be the case of abandoned outlets on loop wiring,
shall be allowed in raceways.
372.17 Ampacity of Conductors. The ampacity adjustment factors, provided in 310.15(B)(3), shall apply to conductors installed in cellular concrete floor raceways.
ARTICLE 374
Cellular Metal Floor Raceways
374.1 Scope. This article covers the use and installation
requirements for cellular metal floor raceways.
374.2 Definitions.
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372.5
Cellular Metal Floor Raceway. The hollow spaces of cellular metal floors, together with suitable fittings, that may
be approved as enclosed channel for electrical conductors.
[ROP 8–119]
372.8 Markers. A suitable number of markers shall be
installed for the future location of cells.
Cell. A single enclosed tubular space in a cellular metal
floor member, the axis of the cell being parallel to the axis
of the metal floor member.
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372.7 Junction Boxes. Junction boxes shall be leveled to
the floor grade and sealed against the free entrance of water
or concrete. Junction boxes shall be of metal and shall be
mechanically and electrically continuous with the header.
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372.9 Inserts. Inserts shall be leveled and sealed against
the entrance of concrete. Inserts shall be of metal and shall
be fitted with grounded-type receptacles. A grounding conductor shall connect the insert receptacles to a positive
ground connection provided on the header. Where cutting
through the cell wall for setting inserts or other purposes
(such as providing access openings between header and
cells), chips and other dirt shall not be allowed to remain in
the raceway, and the tool used shall be designed so as to
prevent the tool from entering the cell and damaging the
conductors.
372.10 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than 1/0
AWG shall be installed, except by special permission.
372.11 Maximum Number of Conductors. The combined cross-sectional area of all conductors or cables shall
not exceed 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of the cell
or header.
372.12 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
only in header access units or junction boxes. A continuous
unbroken conductor connecting the individual outlets is not
a splice or tap.
372.13 Discontinued Outlets. When an outlet is abandoned, discontinued, or removed, the sections of circuit
70–240
Header. A transverse raceway for electrical conductors,
providing access to predetermined cells of a cellular metal
floor, thereby permitting the installation of electrical conductors from a distribution center to the cells.
374.3 Uses Not Permitted. Conductors shall not be installed in cellular metal floor raceways as follows:
(1) Where subject to corrosive vapor
(2) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(3) In commercial garages, other than for supplying ceiling
outlets or extensions to the area below the floor but not
above
Informational Note: See 300.8 for installation of conductors with other systems.
I. Installation
374.4 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than 1/0
AWG shall be installed, except by special permission.
374.5 Maximum Number of Conductors in Raceway.
The combined cross-sectional area of all conductors or
cables shall not exceed 40 percent of the interior crosssectional area of the cell or header.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
376.21
ARTICLE 376 — METAL WIREWAYS
374.6 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
only in header access units or junction boxes.
For the purposes of this section, so-called loop wiring
(continuous unbroken conductor connecting the individual
outlets) shall not be considered to be a splice or tap.
374.7 Discontinued Outlets. When an outlet is abandoned, discontinued, or removed, the sections of circuit
conductors supplying the outlet shall be removed from the
raceway. No splices or reinsulated conductors, such as
would be the case with abandoned outlets on loop wiring,
shall be allowed in raceways.
II. Construction Specifications
374.100 General. Cellular metal floor raceways shall be
constructed so that adequate electrical and mechanical continuity of the complete system will be secured. They shall
provide a complete enclosure for the conductors. The interior surfaces shall be free from burrs and sharp edges, and
surfaces over which conductors are drawn shall be smooth.
Suitable bushings or fittings having smooth rounded edges
shall be provided where conductors pass.
374.8 Markers. A suitable number of markers shall be
installed for locating cells in the future.
376.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for metal wireways and associated fittings.
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374.10 Inserts. Inserts shall be leveled to the floor grade
and sealed against the entrance of concrete. Inserts shall be
of metal and shall be electrically continuous with the raceway. In cutting through the cell wall and setting inserts,
chips and other dirt shall not be allowed to remain in the
raceway, and tools shall be used that are designed to prevent the tool from entering the cell and damaging the conductors.
I. General
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374.9 Junction Boxes. Junction boxes shall be leveled to
the floor grade and sealed against the free entrance of water
or concrete. Junction boxes used with these raceways shall
be of metal and shall be electrically continuous with the
raceway.
ARTICLE 376
Metal Wireways
374.11 Connection to Cabinets and Extensions from
Cells. Connections between raceways and distribution centers and wall outlets shall be made by means of liquidtight
flexible metal conduit, flexible metal conduit where not
installed in concrete, rigid metal conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, or approved fittings. Where there are provisions for the termination of an
equipment grounding conductor, rigid polyvinyl chloride
conduit, reinforced thermosetting resin conduit, electrical
nonmetallic tubing, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted. Where installed in concrete, liquidtight flexible metal conduit and liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be listed and marked for direct burial.
[ROP 8–120a, ROP 8–126]
376.2 Definition.
Metal Wireways. Sheet metal troughs with hinged or removable covers for housing and protecting electrical wires
and cable and in which conductors are laid in place after
the raceway has been installed as a complete system. [ROP
8–132]
II. Installation
376.10 Uses Permitted. The use of metal wireways shall
be permitted as follows:
(1) For exposed work.
(2) In any hazardous (classified) location, as permitted by
other articles in this Code.
(3) In wet locations where wireways are listed for the purpose.
(4) In concealed spaces as an extension that passes transversely through walls, if the length passing through the
wall is unbroken. Access to the conductors shall be
maintained on both sides of the wall.
Informational Note: Liquidtight flexible metal conduit and
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit that is suitable for
installation in concrete is listed and marked for direct
burial.
376.12 Uses Not Permitted. Metal wireways shall not be
used in the following:
(1) Where subject to severe physical damage
(2) Where subject to severe corrosive environments
374.17 Ampacity of Conductors. The ampacity adjustment factors in 310.15(B)(3) shall apply to conductors installed in cellular metal floor raceways.
376.21 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the wireway is designed shall be installed in any
wireway.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–241
ARTICLE 376 — METAL WIREWAYS
376.22 Number of Conductors and Ampacity. The number of conductors and their ampacity shall comply with
376.22(A) and (B).
(A) Cross-Sectional Areas of Wireway. The sum of the
cross-sectional areas of all contained conductors at any
cross section of a wireway shall not exceed 20 percent of
the interior cross-sectional area of the wireway.
(B) Adjustment Factors. The adjustment factors in
310.15(B)(3)(a) shall be applied only where the number of
current-carrying conductors, including neutral conductors
classified as current-carrying under the provisions of
310.15(B)(5), exceeds 30 at any cross section of the wireway. Conductors for signaling circuits or controller conductors between a motor and its starter and used only for starting duty shall not be considered as current-carrying
conductors. [ROP 8–137]
376.23 Insulated Conductors. Insulated conductors installed in a metallic wireway shall comply with 376.23(A)
and (B).
(A) Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be permitted
within a wireway, provided they are accessible. The conductors, including splices and taps, shall not fill the wireway to more than 75 percent of its area at that point.
(B) Power Distribution Blocks.
(1) Installation. Power distribution blocks installed in
metal wireways shall be listed.
(2) Size of Enclosure. In addition to the wiring space requirement in 376.56(A), the power distribution block shall
be installed in a wireway with dimensions not smaller than
specified in the installation instructions of the power distribution block.
(3) Wire Bending Space. Wire bending space at the terminals of power distribution blocks shall comply with
312.6(B).
(4) Live Parts. Power distribution blocks shall not have
uninsulated live parts exposed within a wireway, whether
or not the wireway cover is installed.
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(A) Deflected Insulated Conductors. Where insulated
conductors are deflected within a metallic wireway, either
at the ends or where conduits, fittings, or other raceways or
cables enter or leave the metallic wireway, or where the
direction of the metallic wireway is deflected greater than
30 degrees, dimensions corresponding to one wire per terminal in Table 312.6(A) shall apply.
376.56 Splices, Taps, and Power Distribution Blocks.
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376.22
(B) Metallic Wireways Used as Pull Boxes. Where insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through a
wireway, the distance between raceway and cable entries
enclosing the same conductor shall not be less than that
required by 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and
314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls. When transposing cable size
into raceway size, the minimum metric designator (trade
size) raceway required for the number and size of conductors in the cable shall be used.
376.30 Securing and Supporting. Metal wireways shall
be supported in accordance with 376.30(A) and (B).
(5) Through Conductors. Where the wireway is used for
conductors that do not terminate on the power distribution
block(s), the through conductors shall be arranged so the
power distribution block terminals are unobstructed following installation. [ROP 8–142]
376.58 Dead Ends. Dead ends of metal wireways shall be
closed.
376.70 Extensions from Metal Wireways. Extensions
from wireways shall be made with cord pendants installed
in accordance with 400.10 or with any wiring method in
Chapter 3 that includes a means for equipment grounding.
Where a separate equipment grounding conductor is employed, connection of the equipment grounding conductors
in the wiring method to the wireway shall comply with
250.8 and 250.12.
(A) Horizontal Support. Wireways shall be supported
where run horizontally at each end and at intervals not to
exceed 1.5 m (5 ft) or for individual lengths longer than 1.5
m (5 ft) at each end or joint, unless listed for other support
intervals. The distance between supports shall not exceed 3
m (10 ft).
III. Construction Specifications
(B) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of wireways shall be
securely supported at intervals not exceeding 4.5 m (15 ft)
and shall not have more than one joint between supports.
Adjoining wireway sections shall be securely fastened together to provide a rigid joint.
(B) Substantial Construction. Wireways shall be of substantial construction and shall provide a complete enclosure
for the contained conductors. All surfaces, both interior and
exterior, shall be suitably protected from corrosion. Corner
joints shall be made tight, and where the assembly is held
70–242
376.100 Construction.
(A) Electrical and Mechanical Continuity. Wireways
shall be constructed and installed so that electrical and mechanical continuity of the complete system are assured.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 378 — NONMETALLIC WIREWAYS
378.30
together by rivets, bolts, or screws, such fasteners shall be
spaced not more than 300 mm (12 in.) apart.
the conductors shall be maintained on both sides of the
wall.
(C) Smooth Rounded Edges. Suitable bushings, shields,
or fittings having smooth, rounded edges shall be provided
where conductors pass between wireways, through partitions, around bends, between wireways and cabinets or
junction boxes, and at other locations where necessary to
prevent abrasion of the insulation of the conductors.
378.12 Uses Not Permitted. Nonmetallic wireways shall
not be used in the following:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(3) Where exposed to sunlight unless listed and marked as
suitable for the purpose
(4) Where subject to ambient temperatures other than those
for which nonmetallic wireway is listed
(5) For conductors whose insulation temperature limitations would exceed those for which the nonmetallic
wireway is listed
(D) Covers. Covers shall be securely fastened to the wireway.
376.120 Marking. Metal wireways shall be so marked that
their manufacturer’s name or trademark will be visible after
installation.
I. General
378.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for nonmetallic wireways and
associated fittings.
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378.2 Definition.
Nonmetallic Wireways. Flame retardant, nonmetallic
troughs with removable covers for housing and protecting
electrical wires and cables in which conductors are laid in
place after the raceway has been installed as a complete
system. [ROP 8–144]
378.6 Listing Requirements. Nonmetallic wireways and
associated fittings shall be listed.
II. Installation
378.10 Uses Permitted. The use of nonmetallic wireways
shall be permitted in the following:
(1) Only for exposed work, except as permitted in
378.10(4).
(2) Where subject to corrosive environments where identified for the use.
(3) In wet locations where listed for the purpose.
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause nonmetallic
wireways to become brittle and therefore more susceptible
to damage from physical contact.
(4) As extensions to pass transversely through walls if the
length passing through the wall is unbroken. Access to
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
378.22 Number of Conductors. The sum of crosssectional areas of all contained conductors at any cross
section of the nonmetallic wireway shall not exceed 20 percent of the interior cross-sectional area of the nonmetallic
wireway. Conductors for signaling circuits or controller
conductors between a motor and its starter and used only
for starting duty shall not be considered as current-carrying
conductors.
The adjustment factors specified in 310.15(B)(3)(a)
shall be applicable to the current-carrying conductors up to
and including the 20 percent fill specified above.
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ARTICLE 378
Nonmetallic Wireways
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378.21 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the nonmetallic wireway is designed shall be
installed in any nonmetallic wireway.
378.23 Insulated Conductors. Insulated conductors installed in a nonmetallic wireway shall comply with
378.23(A) and (B).
(A) Deflected Insulated Conductors. Where insulated
conductors are deflected within a nonmetallic wireway, either at the ends or where conduits, fittings, or other raceways or cables enter or leave the nonmetallic wireway, or
where the direction of the nonmetallic wireway is deflected
greater than 30 degrees, dimensions corresponding to one
wire per terminal in Table 312.6(A) shall apply.
(B) Nonmetallic Wireways Used as Pull Boxes. Where
insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through a
wireway, the distance between raceway and cable entries
enclosing the same conductor shall not be less than that
required in 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and in
314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls. When transposing cable size
into raceway size, the minimum metric designator (trade
size) raceway required for the number and size of conductors in the cable shall be used.
378.30 Securing and Supporting. Nonmetallic wireway
shall be supported in accordance with 378.30(A) and (B).
70–243
378.44
ARTICLE 380 — MULTIOUTLET ASSEMBLY
(B) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of nonmetallic wireway shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding
1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and
shall not have more than one joint between supports. Adjoining nonmetallic wireway sections shall be securely fastened together to provide a rigid joint.
378.44 Expansion Fittings. Expansion fittings for nonmetallic wireway shall be provided to compensate for thermal
expansion and contraction where the length change is expected to be 6 mm (0.25 in.) or greater in a straight run.
Informational Note: See Table 352.44 for expansion characteristics of PVC conduit. The expansion characteristics of
PVC nonmetallic wireway are identical.
I. General
380.1 Scope. This article covers the use and installation
requirements for multioutlet assemblies.
Informational Note: See the definition of multioutlet assembly in Article 100.
II. Installation
380.10 Uses Permitted. The use of a multioutlet assembly
shall be permitted in dry locations.
380.12 Uses Not Permitted. A multioutlet assembly shall
not be installed as follows:
(1) Where concealed, except that it shall be permissible to
surround the back and sides of a metal multioutlet assembly by the building finish or recess a nonmetallic
multioutlet assembly in a baseboard
(2) Where subject to severe physical damage
(3) Where the voltage is 300 volts or more between conductors unless the assembly is of metal having a thickness of not less than 1.02 mm (0.040 in.)
(4) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(5) In hoistways
(6) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
AF
378.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be permitted within a nonmetallic wireway, provided they are accessible. The conductors, including splices and taps, shall not
fill the nonmetallic wireway to more than 75 percent of its
area at that point.
ARTICLE 380
Multioutlet Assembly
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(A) Horizontal Support. Nonmetallic wireways shall be
supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed
900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for
other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft).
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378.58 Dead Ends. Dead ends of nonmetallic wireway
shall be closed using listed fittings.
378.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the nonmetallic wireway. A separate equipment
grounding conductor shall not be required where the
grounded conductor is used to ground equipment as permitted in 250.142.
378.70 Extensions from Nonmetallic Wireways. Extensions from nonmetallic wireway shall be made with cord
pendants or any wiring method of Chapter 3. A separate
equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in, or an
equipment grounding connection shall be made to, any of
the wiring methods used for the extension.
III. Construction Specifications
378.120 Marking. Nonmetallic wireways shall be marked
so that the manufacturer’s name or trademark and interior
cross-sectional area in square inches shall be visible after
installation. Marking for limited smoke shall be permitted
on the nonmetallic wireways that have limited smokeproducing characteristics.
70–244
380.23 Insulated Conductors. For field assembled multioutlet assemblies, insulated conductors shall comply with
380.23(A) and (B), as applicable. [ROP 8–145].
(A) Deflected Insulated Conductors. Where insulated
conductors are deflected within a multioutlet assembly, either at the ends or where conduits, fittings, or other raceways or cables enter or leave the multioutlet assembly, or
where the direction of the multioutlet assembly is deflected
greater than 30 degrees, dimensions corresponding to one
wire per terminal in Table 312.6(A) shall apply.
(B) Multioutlet Assemblies Used as Pull Boxes. Where
insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through a
multioutlet assembly, the distance between raceway and
cable entries enclosing the same conductor shall not be less
than that required by 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and
314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls. When transposing cable size
into raceway size, the minimum metric designator (trade
size) raceway required for the number and size of conductors in the cable shall be used.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
382.30
ARTICLE 382 — NONMETALLIC EXTENSIONS
ARTICLE 382
Nonmetallic Extensions
I. General
382.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for nonmetallic extensions.
382.2 Definitions.
250.130(C),
406.4(D)(3)(b),
or
(B) Exposed and in a Dry Location. The extension shall
be run exposed, or concealed as permitted in 382.15, and in
a dry location.
(C) Residential or Offices. For nonmetallic surface extensions mounted directly on the surface of walls or ceilings,
the building shall be occupied for residential or office purposes and shall not exceed three floors abovegrade. Where
identified for the use, concealable nonmetallic extensions
shall be permitted more than three floors abovegrade.
Informational Note No. 1: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature limitation of conductors.
Informational Note No. 2: See 362.10 for definition of
First Floor.
382.12 Uses Not Permitted. Nonmetallic extensions shall
not be used as follows:
(1) In unfinished basements, attics, or roof spaces
(2) Where the voltage between conductors exceeds 150
volts for nonmetallic surface extensions and 300 volts
for aerial cable
(3) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(4) Where run through a floor or partition, or outside the
room in which it originates
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Concealable Nonmetallic Extension. A listed assembly of
two, three, or four insulated circuit conductors within a
nonmetallic jacket, an extruded thermoplastic covering, or
a sealed nonmetallic covering. The classification includes
surface extensions intended for mounting directly on the
surface of walls or ceilings, and concealed with paint, texture, joint compound, plaster, wallpaper, tile, wall paneling,
or other similar materials.
comply
with
406.4(D)(3)(c).
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380.76 Metal Multioutlet Assembly Through Dry Partitions. It shall be permissible to extend a metal multioutlet
assembly through (not run within) dry partitions if arrangements are made for removing the cap or cover on all exposed portions and no outlet is located within the partitions.
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Nonmetallic Extension. An assembly of two insulated
conductors within a nonmetallic jacket or an extruded thermoplastic covering. The classification includes surface extensions intended for mounting directly on the surface of
walls or ceilings.
382.6 Listing Requirements. Concealable nonmetallic extensions and associated fittings and devices shall be listed.
The starting/source tap device for the extension shall contain and provide the following protection for all load-side
extensions and devices.
(1) Supplementary overcurrent protection
(2) Level of protection equivalent to a Class A GFCI
(3) Level of protection equivalent to a portable GFCI
(4) Line and load-side miswire protection
(5) Provide protection from the effects of arc faults
II. Installation
382.10 Uses Permitted. Nonmetallic extensions shall be
permitted only in accordance with 382.10(A), (B), and (C).
(A) From an Existing Outlet. The extension shall be from
an existing outlet on a 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit.
Where a concealable nonmetallic extension originates from
a non–grounding-type receptacle, the installation shall
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
382.15 Exposed.
(A) Nonmetallic Extensions. One or more extensions
shall be permitted to be run in any direction from an existing outlet, but not on the floor or within 50 mm (2 in.) from
the floor.
(B) Concealable Nonmetallic Extensions. Where identified for the use, nonmetallic extensions shall be permitted
to be concealed with paint, texture, concealing compound,
plaster, wallpaper, tile, wall paneling, or other similar materials and installed in accordance with 382.15(A).
382.26 Bends.
(A) Nonmetallic Extensions. A bend that reduces the normal spacing between the conductors shall be covered with a
cap to protect the assembly from physical damage.
(B) Concealable Nonmetallic Extensions. Concealable
extensions shall be permitted to be folded back over themselves and flattened as required for installation.
382.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Nonmetallic Extensions. Nonmetallic surface extensions shall be secured in place by approved means at intervals not exceeding 200 mm (8 in.), with an allowance for
70–245
ARTICLE 382 — NONMETALLIC EXTENSIONS
300 mm (12 in.) to the first fastening where the connection
to the supplying outlet is by means of an attachment plug.
There shall be at least one fastening between each two
adjacent outlets supplied. An extension shall be attached to
only woodwork or plaster finish and shall not be in contact
with any metal work or other conductive material other
than with metal plates on receptacles.
(B) Concealable Nonmetallic Extensions. All surfacemounted concealable nonmetallic extension components
shall be firmly anchored to the wall or ceiling using an
adhesive or mechanical anchoring system identified for this
use.
382.40 Boxes and Fittings. Each run shall terminate in a
fitting, connector, or box that covers the end of the assembly. All fittings, connectors, and devices shall be of a type
identified for the use.
382.42 Devices.
(A) Ungrounded Conductor (Center Layer). The ungrounded conductor shall consist of one or more ungrounded flat conductor(s) enclosed in accordance with
382.104(B) and (C) and identified in accordance with
310.110(C).
(B) Grounded Conductor (Inner Sectioned Layers). The
grounded conductor shall consist of two sectioned inner flat
conductors that enclose the center ungrounded conductor(s). The sectioned grounded conductor shall be enclosed
by the sectioned grounding conductor and identified in accordance with 200.6.
(C) Grounding Conductor (Outer Sectioned Layers).
The grounding conductor shall consist of two overall sectioned conductors that enclose the grounded conductor and
ungrounded conductor(s) and shall comply with
250.4(A)(5). The grounding conductor layers shall be identified by any one of the following methods:
(1) As permitted in 250.119
(2) A clear covering
(3) One or more continuous green stripes or hash marks
(4) The term “Equipment Ground” printed at regular intervals throughout the cable
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(A) Receptacles. All receptacles, receptacle housings, and
self-contained devices used with concealable nonmetallic
extensions shall be identified for this use.
382.104 Flat Conductors. Concealable nonmetallic extensions shall be constructed, using flat copper conductors
equivalent to 14 AWG or 12 AWG conductor sizes, and
constructed per 382.104(A), (B), and (C).
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382.40
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(B) Receptacles and Housings. Receptacle housings and
self-contained devices designed either for surface or for
recessed mounting shall be permitted for use with concealable nonmetallic extensions. Receptacle housings and selfcontained devices shall incorporate means for facilitating
entry and termination of concealable nonmetallic extensions and for electrically connecting the housing or device.
Receptacle and self-contained devices shall comply with
406.4. Power and communications outlets installed together
in common housing shall be permitted in accordance with
800.133(A)(1)(c), Exception No. 2.
382.56 Splices and Taps. Extensions shall consist of a
continuous unbroken length of the assembly, without
splices, and without exposed conductors between fittings,
connectors, or devices. Taps shall be permitted where approved fittings completely covering the tap connections are
used. Aerial cable and its tap connectors shall be provided
with an approved means for polarization. Receptacle-type
tap connectors shall be of the locking type.
III. Construction Specifications (Concealable
Nonmetallic Extensions Only)
382.100 Construction. Concealable nonmetallic extensions shall be a multilayer flat conductor design consisting
of a center ungrounded conductor enclosed by a sectioned
grounded conductor, and an overall sectioned grounding
conductor.
70–246
382.112 Insulation. The ungrounded and grounded flat
conductor layers shall be individually insulated and comply
with 310.15(A)(3). The grounding conductor shall be covered or insulated.
382.120 Marking.
(A) Cable. Concealable nonmetallic extensions shall be
clearly and durably marked on both sides at intervals of not
more than 610 mm (24 in.) with the information required
by 310.120(A) and with the following additional information:
(1) Material of conductors
(2) Maximum temperature rating
(3) Ampacity
(B) Conductor Identification. Conductors shall be clearly
and durably identified on both sides throughout their length
as specified in 382.104.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
384.56
ARTICLE 384 — STRUT-TYPE CHANNEL RACEWAY
I. General
384.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of strut-type channel raceway.
384.2 Definition.
Strut-Type Channel Raceway. A metallic raceway that is
intended to be mounted to the surface of or suspended from
a structure, with associated accessories for the installation
of electrical conductors and cables.
384.6 Listing Requirements. Strut-type channel raceways, closure strips, and accessories shall be listed and
identified for such use.
II. Installation
ceed the percentage fill using Table 384.22 and applicable
cross-sectional area of specific types and sizes of wire
given in the tables in Chapter 9.
The adjustment factors of 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply to conductors installed in strut-type channel raceways
where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The cross-sectional area of the raceway exceeds
2500 mm2 (4 in.2).
(2) The current-carrying conductors do not exceed 30 in
number.
(3) The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all contained
conductors does not exceed 20 percent of the interior
cross-sectional area of the strut-type channel raceways.
Table 384.22 Channel Size and Inside Cross-Sectional Area
Area
Size
Channel
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ARTICLE 384
Strut-Type Channel Raceway
15⁄8 ×
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384.12 Uses Not Permitted. Strut-type channel raceways
shall not be used as follows:
(1) Where concealed.
(2) Ferrous channel raceways and fittings protected from
corrosion solely by enamel shall not be permitted
where subject to severe corrosive influences.
384.21 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the raceway is listed shall be installed in struttype channel raceways.
384.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors permitted in strut-type channel raceways shall not ex-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
/16
25% Area†
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
0.887
572
0.355
229
0.222
143
15⁄8 × 1
1.151
743
0.460
297
0.288
186
15⁄8 × 13⁄8
15⁄8 × 15⁄8
15⁄8 × 27⁄16
15⁄8 × 31⁄4
11⁄2 × 3⁄4
1.677
2.028
3.169
4.308
0.849
1076
1308
2045
2780
548
0.671
0.811
1.267
1.723
0.340
433
523
817
1112
219
0.419
0.507
0.792
1.077
0.212
270
327
511
695
137
11⁄2 × 11⁄2
11⁄2 × 17⁄8
11⁄2 × 3
1.828 1179
2.301 1485
3.854 2487
0.731
0.920
1.542
472
594
995
0.457
0.575
0.964
295
371
622
AF
384.10 Uses Permitted. The use of strut-type channel
raceways shall be permitted in the following:
(1) Where exposed.
(2) In dry locations.
(3) In locations subject to corrosive vapors where protected by finishes judged suitable for the condition.
(4) Where the voltage is 600 volts or less.
(5) As power poles.
(6) In Class I, Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations
as permitted in 501.10(B)(3).
(7) As extensions of unbroken lengths through walls, partitions, and floors where closure strips are removable
from either side and the portion within the wall, partition, or floor remains covered.
(8) Ferrous channel raceways and fittings protected from
corrosion solely by enamel shall be permitted only
indoors.
13
in.2 mm2
40% Area*
*
Raceways with external joiners shall use a 40 percent wire fill calculation to determine the number of conductors permitted.
†
Raceways with internal joiners shall use a 25 percent wire fill calculation to determine the number of conductors permitted.
384.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Surface Mount. A surface mount strut-type channel
raceway shall be secured to the mounting surface with retention straps external to the channel at intervals not exceeding 3 m (10 ft) and within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet
box, cabinet, junction box, or other channel raceway termination.
(B) Suspension Mount. Strut-type channel raceways shall
be permitted to be suspension mounted in air with identified methods at intervals not to exceed 3 m (10 ft) and
within 900 mm (3 ft) of channel raceway terminations and
ends. [ROP 8–148]
384.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be permitted in raceways that are accessible after installation by having a removable cover. The conductors, including splices
and taps, shall not fill the raceway to more than 75 percent
70–247
384.60
ARTICLE 386 — SURFACE METAL RACEWAYS
of its area at that point. All splices and taps shall be made
by approved methods.
associated couplings, connectors, boxes, and fittings for the
installation of electrical conductors.
384.60 Grounding. Strut-type channel raceway enclosures
providing a transition to or from other wiring methods shall
have a means for connecting an equipment grounding conductor. Strut-type channel raceways shall be permitted as
an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with
250.118(13). Where a snap-fit metal cover for strut-type
channel raceways is used to achieve electrical continuity in
accordance with the listing, this cover shall not be permitted as the means for providing electrical continuity for a
receptacle mounted in the cover.
386.6 Listing Requirements. Surface metal raceway and
associated fittings shall be listed.
386.12 Uses Not Permitted. Surface metal raceways shall
not be used in the following:
(1) Where subject to severe physical damage, unless otherwise approved
(2) Where the voltage is 300 volts or more between conductors, unless the metal has a thickness of not less
than 1.02 mm (0.040 in.) nominal
(3) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(4) In hoistways
(5) Where concealed, except as permitted in 386.10
AF
384.100 Construction. Strut-type channel raceways and
their accessories shall be of a construction that distinguishes them from other raceways. Raceways and their elbows, couplings, and other fittings shall be designed such
that the sections can be electrically and mechanically
coupled together and installed without subjecting the wires
to abrasion. They shall comply with 384.100(A), (B), and
(C).
386.10 Uses Permitted. The use of surface metal raceways shall be permitted in the following:
(1) In dry locations.
(2) In Class I, Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations
as permitted in 501.10(B)(3).
(3) Under raised floors, as permitted in 645.5(E)(2).
(4) Extension through walls and floors. Surface metal raceway shall be permitted to pass transversely through dry
walls, dry partitions, and dry floors if the length passing through is unbroken. Access to the conductors shall
be maintained on both sides of the wall, partition, or
floor.
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III. Construction Specifications
II. Installation
(A) Material. Raceways and accessories shall be formed
of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.
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(B) Corrosion Protection. Steel raceways and accessories
shall be protected against corrosion by galvanizing or by an
organic coating.
Informational Note: Enamel and PVC coatings are examples of organic coatings that provide corrosion
protection.
(C) Cover. Covers of strut-type channel raceways shall be
either metallic or nonmetallic.
384.120 Marking. Each length of strut-type channel raceways shall be clearly and durably identified as required in
the first sentence of 110.21.
386.21 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the raceway is designed shall be installed in
surface metal raceway.
386.2 Definition.
386.22 Number of Conductors or Cables. The number of
conductors or cables installed in surface metal raceway
shall not be greater than the number for which the raceway
is designed. Cables shall be permitted to be installed where
such use is not prohibited by the respective cable articles.
The adjustment factors of 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply to conductors installed in surface metal raceways where
all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The cross-sectional area of the raceway exceeds
2500 mm2 (4 in.2).
(2) The current-carrying conductors do not exceed 30 in
number.
(3) The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all contained
conductors does not exceed 20 percent of the interior
cross-sectional area of the surface metal raceway.
Surface Metal Raceway. A metallic raceway that is intended to be mounted to the surface of a structure, with
386.30 Securing and Supporting. Surface metal raceways
and associated fittings shall be supported in accordance
ARTICLE 386
Surface Metal Raceways
I. General
386.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for surface metal raceways and
associated fittings.
70–248
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 388 — SURFACE NONMETALLIC RACEWAYS
388.56
with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. [ROP
8–153]
with associated couplings, connectors, boxes, and fittings
for the installation of electrical conductors.
386.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be permitted in surface metal raceways having a removable cover
that is accessible after installation. The conductors, including splices and taps, shall not fill the raceway to more than
75 percent of its area at that point. Splices and taps in
surface metal raceways without removable covers shall be
made only in boxes. All splices and taps shall be made by
approved methods.
Taps of Type FC cable installed in surface metal raceway shall be made in accordance with 322.56(B).
388.6 Listing Requirements. Surface nonmetallic raceway and associated fittings shall be listed.
386.70 Combination Raceways. When combination surface metallic raceways are used for both signaling and for
lighting and power circuits, the different systems shall be
run in separate compartments identified by stamping, imprinting, or color coding of the interior finish.
388.10 Uses Permitted. Surface nonmetallic raceways
shall be permitted as follows:
(1) The use of surface nonmetallic raceways shall be permitted in dry locations.
(2) Extension through walls and floors shall be permitted.
Surface nonmetallic raceway shall be permitted to pass
transversely through dry walls, dry partitions, and dry
floors if the length passing through is unbroken. Access
to the conductors shall be maintained on both sides of
the wall, partition, or floor.
T
386.60 Grounding. Surface metal raceway enclosures providing a transition from other wiring methods shall have a
means for connecting an equipment grounding conductor.
II. Installation
386.120 Marking. Each length of surface metal raceways
shall be clearly and durably identified as required in the
first sentence of 110.21. [ROP 8–154]
388.21 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the raceway is designed shall be installed in
surface nonmetallic raceway.
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III. Construction Specifications
AF
386.100 Construction. Surface metal raceways shall be of
such construction as will distinguish them from other raceways. Surface metal raceways and their elbows, couplings,
and similar fittings shall be designed so that the sections
can be electrically and mechanically coupled together and
installed without subjecting the wires to abrasion.
Where covers and accessories of nonmetallic materials
are used on surface metal raceways, they shall be identified
for such use.
388.12 Uses Not Permitted. Surface nonmetallic raceways shall not be used in the following:
(1) Where concealed, except as permitted in 388.10(2)
(2) Where subject to severe physical damage
(3) Where the voltage is 300 volts or more between conductors, unless listed for higher voltage
(4) In hoistways
(5) In any hazardous (classified) location, except as permitted by other articles in this Code
(6) Where subject to ambient temperatures exceeding those
for which the nonmetallic raceway is listed
(7) For conductors whose insulation temperature limitations would exceed those for which the nonmetallic
raceway is listed
ARTICLE 388
Surface Nonmetallic Raceways
388.22 Number of Conductors or Cables. The number of
conductors or cables installed in surface nonmetallic raceway shall not be greater than the number for which the
raceway is designed. Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use is not prohibited by the respective
cable articles.
I. General
388.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for surface nonmetallic raceways and associated fittings.
388.2 Definition.
Surface Nonmetallic Raceway. A nonmetallic raceway
that is intended to be mounted to the surface of a structure,
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
388.30 Securing and Supporting. Surface nonmetallic
raceways and associated fittings shall be supported in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
[ROP 8–156]
388.56 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be permitted in surface nonmetallic raceways having a cover capable
of being opened in place that is accessible after installation.
70–249
388.60
ARTICLE 390 — UNDERFLOOR RACEWAYS
The conductors, including splices and taps, shall not fill the
raceway to more than 75 percent of its area at that point.
Splices and taps in surface nonmetallic raceways without
covers capable of being opened in place shall be made only
in boxes. All splices and taps shall be made by approved
methods.
390.3 Use.
388.60 Grounding. Where equipment grounding is required, a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be
installed in the raceway.
(B) Not Permitted. Underfloor raceways shall not be installed (1) where subject to corrosive vapors or (2) in any
hazardous (classified) locations, except as permitted by
504.20 and in Class I, Division 2 locations as permitted in
501.10(B)(3). Unless made of a material judged suitable for
the condition or unless corrosion protection approved for
the condition is provided, ferrous or nonferrous metal underfloor raceways, junction boxes, and fittings shall not be
installed in concrete or in areas subject to severe corrosive
influences.
III. Construction Specifications
(A) Raceways Not over 100 mm (4 in.) Wide. Half-round
and flat-top raceways not over 100 mm (4 in.) in width
shall have not less than 20 mm (3⁄4 in.) of concrete or wood
above the raceway.
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AF
388.100 Construction. Surface nonmetallic raceways shall
be of such construction as will distinguish them from other
raceways. Surface nonmetallic raceways and their elbows,
couplings, and similar fittings shall be designed so that the
sections can be mechanically coupled together and installed
without subjecting the wires to abrasion.
Surface nonmetallic raceways and fittings are made of
suitable nonmetallic material that is resistant to moisture
and chemical atmospheres. It shall also be flame retardant,
resistant to impact and crushing, resistant to distortion from
heat under conditions likely to be encountered in service,
and resistant to low-temperature effects.
390.4 Covering. Raceway coverings shall comply with
390.4(A) through (D).
T
388.70 Combination Raceways. When combination surface nonmetallic raceways are used both for signaling and
for lighting and power circuits, the different systems shall
be run in separate compartments identified by stamping,
imprinting, or color coding of the interior finish.
(A) Permitted. The installation of underfloor raceways
shall be permitted beneath the surface of concrete or other
flooring material or in office occupancies where laid flush
with the concrete floor and covered with linoleum or
equivalent floor covering.
388.120 Marking. Surface nonmetallic raceways that have
limited smoke-producing characteristics shall be permitted
to be so identified. Each length of surface nonmetallic raceways shall be clearly and durably identified as required in
the first sentence of 110.21. [ROP 8–157]
ARTICLE 390
Underfloor Raceways
390.1 Scope. This article covers the use and installation
requirements for underfloor raceways.
390.2 Definition.
Underfloor Raceway. A raceway and associated components designed and intended for installation beneath or
flush with the surface of a floor for the installation of cables
and electrical conductors.
70–250
Exception: As permitted in 390.4(C) and (D) for flat-top
raceways.
(B) Raceways over 100 mm (4 in.) Wide But Not over
200 mm (8 in.) Wide. Flat-top raceways over 100 mm
(4 in.) but not over 200 mm (8 in.) wide with a minimum of
25 mm (1 in.) spacing between raceways shall be covered
with concrete to a depth of not less than 25 mm (1 in.).
Raceways spaced less than 25 mm (1 in.) apart shall be
covered with concrete to a depth of 38 mm (11⁄2 in.).
(C) Trench-Type Raceways Flush with Concrete.
Trench-type flush raceways with removable covers shall be
permitted to be laid flush with the floor surface. Such approved raceways shall be designed so that the cover plates
provide adequate mechanical protection and rigidity
equivalent to junction box covers.
(D) Other Raceways Flush with Concrete. In office occupancies, approved metal flat-top raceways, if not over
100 mm (4 in.) in width, shall be permitted to be laid flush
with the concrete floor surface, provided they are covered
with substantial linoleum that is not less than 1.6 mm (1⁄16
in.) thick or with equivalent floor covering. Where more
than one and not more than three single raceways are each
installed flush with the concrete, they shall be contiguous
with each other and joined to form a rigid assembly.
390.5 Size of Conductors. No conductor larger than that
for which the raceway is designed shall be installed in
underfloor raceways.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
392.10
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
390.6 Maximum Number of Conductors in Raceway.
The combined cross-sectional area of all conductors or
cables shall not exceed 40 percent of the interior crosssectional area of the raceway.
390.7 Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made
only in junction boxes.
For the purposes of this section, so-called loop wiring
(continuous, unbroken conductor connecting the individual
outlets) shall not be considered to be a splice or tap.
390.15 Connections to Cabinets and Wall Outlets. Connections from underfloor raceways to distribution centers
and wall outlets shall be made by approved fittings or by
any of the wiring methods in Chapter 3, where installed in
accordance with the provisions of the respective articles.
390.17 Ampacity of Conductors. The ampacity adjustment factors, in 310.15(B)(3), shall apply to conductors
installed in underfloor raceways.
Exception: Splices and taps shall be permitted in trenchtype flush raceway having a removable cover that is accessible after installation. The conductors, including splices
and taps, shall not fill more than 75 percent of the raceway
area at that point.
I. General
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392.1 Scope. This article covers cable tray systems, including ladder, ventilated trough, ventilated channel, solid
bottom, and other similar structures.
Informational Note: For further information on cable
trays, see ANSI/NEMA–VE 1-2002, Metal Cable Tray Systems; NECA/NEMA 105-2007, Standard for Installing
Metal Cable Tray Systems; and NEMA–FG 1-1998, Nonmetallic Cable Tray Systems.
AF
390.8 Discontinued Outlets. When an outlet is abandoned, discontinued, or removed, the sections of circuit
conductors supplying the outlet shall be removed from the
raceway. No splices or reinsulated conductors, such as
would be the case with abandoned outlets on loop wiring,
shall be allowed in raceways.
ARTICLE 392
Cable Trays
D
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390.9 Laid in Straight Lines. Underfloor raceways shall
be laid so that a straight line from the center of one junction
box to the center of the next junction box coincides with
the centerline of the raceway system. Raceways shall be
firmly held in place to prevent disturbing this alignment
during construction.
390.10 Markers at Ends. A suitable marker shall be installed at or near each end of each straight run of raceways
to locate the last insert.
390.11 Dead Ends. Dead ends of raceways shall be closed.
390.13 Junction Boxes. Junction boxes shall be leveled to
the floor grade and sealed to prevent the free entrance of
water or concrete. Junction boxes used with metal raceways
shall be metal and shall be electrically continuous with the
raceways.
390.14 Inserts. Inserts shall be leveled and sealed to prevent the entrance of concrete. Inserts used with metal raceways shall be metal and shall be electrically continuous
with the raceway. Inserts set in or on fiber raceways before
the floor is laid shall be mechanically secured to the raceway. Inserts set in fiber raceways after the floor is laid shall
be screwed into the raceway. When cutting through the
raceway wall and setting inserts, chips and other dirt shall
not be allowed to remain in the raceway, and tools shall be
used that are designed so as to prevent the tool from entering the raceway and damaging conductors that may be in
place.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
392.2 Definition.
Cable Tray System. A unit or assembly of units or sections
and associated fittings forming a structural system used to
securely fasten or support cables and raceways.
II. Installation
392.10 Uses Permitted. Cable tray shall be permitted to be
used as a support system for service conductors, feeders,
branch circuits, communications circuits, control circuits,
and signaling circuits. Cable tray installations shall not be
limited to industrial establishments. Where exposed to direct rays of the sun, insulated conductors and jacketed
cables shall be identified as being sunlight resistant. Cable
trays and their associated fittings shall be identified for the
intended use.
(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring methods in Table
392.10(A) shall be permitted to be installed in cable tray
systems under the conditions described in their respective
articles and sections.
(B) In Industrial Establishments. The wiring methods in
Table 392.10(A) shall be permitted to be used in any industrial establishment under the conditions described in their
respective articles. In industrial establishments only, where
conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installed cable tray system,
70–251
392.12
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
[ROP 8–158a]
Article
320
820
725
800
800
358
362
760
348
360
727
342
350
356
330
332
(2) Single- and multiconductor medium voltage cables shall
be Type MV cable. Single conductors shall be installed in
accordance with 392.10(B)(1).
(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Cable trays in
hazardous (classified) locations shall contain only the cable
types and raceways permitted by other articles in this Code.
(D) Nonmetallic Cable Tray. In addition to the uses permitted elsewhere in 392.10, nonmetallic cable tray shall be
permitted in corrosive areas and in areas requiring voltage
isolation.
392.12 Uses Not Permitted. Cable tray systems shall not
be used in hoistways or where subject to severe physical
damage.
AF
830
334
760
770
770
D
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Armored Cable: Type AC
CATV Cables
Class 2 and Class 3 cables
Communications cables
Communications raceways
Electrical Metallic Tubing: Type EMT
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing: Type
ENT
Fire alarm cables
Flexible Metal Conduit: Type FMC
Flexible Metallic Tubing: Type FMT
Instrumentation Tray Cable: Type ITC
Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type
IMC
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit:
Type LFMC
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit: Type LFNC
Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed
Cable: Type MI
Network-powered broadband communications cables
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types
NM, NMC and NMS
Non-Powered-Limited fire alarm cable
Optical fiber cables
Optical fiber raceways
Other factory-assembled, multiconductor control, signal, or power cables
that are specifically approved for
installation in cable trays
Power and Control Tray Cable: Type
TC
Power-limited fire alarm cable
Power-limited tray cable
Rigid Metal Conduit: Type RMC
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit:
Type PVC
Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit: Type RTRC
Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and
USE
Signaling raceway
Underground Feeder and BranchCircuit Cable: Type UF
single-conductor cables are installed in ladder cable tray,
the maximum allowable rung spacing for the ladder cable
tray shall be 225 mm (9 in.).
(b) Welding cables shall comply with the provisions of
Article 630, Part IV.
(c) Single conductors used as equipment grounding
conductors shall be insulated, covered, or bare, and they
shall be 4 AWG or larger.
T
Table 392.10(A) Wiring Methods
336
760
725
344
352
355
338
725
340
any of the cables in 392.10(B)(1) and (B)(2) shall be permitted to be installed in ladder, ventilated trough, solid
bottom, or ventilated channel cable trays.
392.18 Cable Tray Installation.
(A) Complete System. Cable trays shall be installed as a
complete system. Field bends or modifications shall be so
made that the electrical continuity of the cable tray system
and support for the cables is maintained. Cable tray systems
shall be permitted to have mechanically discontinuous segments between cable tray runs or between cable tray runs
and equipment.
(B) Completed Before Installation. Each run of cable
tray shall be completed before the installation of cables.
(C) Covers. In portions of runs where additional protection is required, covers or enclosures providing the required
protection shall be of a material that is compatible with the
cable tray.
(D) Through Partitions and Walls. Cable trays shall be
permitted to extend transversely through partitions and
walls or vertically through platforms and floors in wet or
dry locations where the installations, complete with installed cables, are made in accordance with the requirements of 300.21.
(1) Single-conductor cables shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with (B)(1)(a) through (B)(1)(c).
(E) Exposed and Accessible. Cable trays shall be exposed
and accessible, except as permitted by 392.18(D).
(a) Single-conductor cable shall be 1/0 AWG or larger
and shall be of a type listed and marked on the surface for
use in cable trays. Where 1/0 AWG through 4/0 AWG
(F) Adequate Access. Sufficient space shall be provided
and maintained about cable trays to permit adequate access
for installing and maintaining the cables.
70–252
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
(D) Single Conductors. Where any of the single conductors installed in ladder or ventilated trough cable trays are
1/0 through 4/0 AWG, all single conductors shall be installed in a single layer. Conductors that are bound together
to comprise each circuit group shall be permitted to be
installed in other than a single layer.
392.22 Number of Conductors or Cables.
(A) Number of Multiconductor Cables, Rated 2000
Volts or Less, in Cable Trays. The number of multiconductor cables, rated 2000 volts or less, permitted in a single
cable tray shall not exceed the requirements of this section.
The conductor sizes apply to both aluminum and copper
conductors.
(1) Ladder or Ventilated Trough Cable Trays Containing Any Mixture of Cables. Where ladder or ventilated
trough cable trays contain multiconductor power or lighting
cables, or any mixture of multiconductor power, lighting,
control, and signal cables, the maximum number of cables
shall conform to the following:
AF
(H) Marking. Cable trays containing conductors rated
over 600 volts shall have a permanent, legible warning
notice carrying the wording “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP AWAY” placed in a readily visible position
on all cable trays, with the spacing of warning notices not
to exceed 3 m (10 ft). The danger marking(s) or labels shall
comply with 110.21(B). [ROP 8–180]
imbalance in the paralleled conductors due to inductive reactance.
Single conductors shall be securely bound in circuit
groups to prevent excessive movement due to fault-current
magnetic forces unless single conductors are cabled together, such as triplexed assemblies.
T
(G) Raceways, Cables, Boxes, and Conduit Bodies Supported from Cable Tray Systems. In industrial facilities
where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that only qualified persons service the installation and
where the cable tray systems are designed and installed to
support the load, such systems shall be permitted to support
raceways and cables, and boxes and conduit bodies covered
in 314.1. For raceways terminating at the tray, a listed cable
tray clamp or adapter shall be used to securely fasten the
raceway to the cable tray system. Additional supporting and
securing of the raceway shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the appropriate raceway article. For raceways or cables running parallel to and attached to the bottom or side of a cable tray system, fastening and supporting
shall be in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate raceway or cable article.
For boxes and conduit bodies attached to the bottom or
side of a cable tray system, fastening and supporting shall
be in accordance with the requirements of 314.23.
392.22
Exception: Where not accessible (as applied to equipment), in industrial establishments where the conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified
persons service the installation, cable tray system warning
notices shall be located where necessary for the installation
to assure safe maintenance and operation. [ROP 8–182]
(C) Connected in Parallel. Where single conductor cables
comprising each phase, neutral, or grounded conductor of
an alternating-current circuit are connected in parallel as
permitted in 310.10(H), the conductors shall be installed in
groups consisting of not more than one conductor per
phase, neutral, or grounded conductor to prevent current
(2) Ladder or Ventilated Trough Cable Trays Containing Multiconductor Control and/or Signal Cables Only.
Where a ladder or ventilated trough cable tray having a
usable inside depth of 150 mm (6 in.) or less contains
multiconductor control and/or signal cables only, the sum
of the cross-sectional areas of all cables at any cross section
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(B) Cables Rated Over 600 Volts. Cables rated over 600
volts and those rated 600 volts or less installed in the same
cable tray shall comply with either of the following:
(1) The cables rated over 600 volts are Type MC.
(2) The cables rated over 600 volts are separated from the
cables rated 600 volts or less by a solid fixed barrier of
a material compatible with the cable tray.
(a) Where all of the cables are 4/0 AWG or larger, the
sum of the diameters of all cables shall not exceed the cable
tray width, and the cables shall be installed in a single
layer. Where the cable ampacity is determined according to
392.80(A)(1)(c), the cable tray width shall not be less than
the sum of the diameters of the cables and the sum of the
required spacing widths between the cables.
(b) Where all of the cables are smaller than 4/0 AWG,
the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all cables shall not
exceed the maximum allowable cable fill area in Column 1
of Table 392.22(A) for the appropriate cable tray width.
(c) Where 4/0 AWG or larger cables are installed in
the same cable tray with cables smaller than 4/0 AWG, the
sum of the cross-sectional areas of all cables smaller than
4/0 AWG shall not exceed the maximum allowable fill area
resulting from the calculation in Column 2 of Table
392.22(A) for the appropriate cable tray width. The 4/0
AWG and larger cables shall be installed in a single layer,
and no other cables shall be placed on them.
392.20 Cable and Conductor Installation.
(A) Multiconductor Cables Rated 600 Volts or Less.
Multiconductor cables rated 600 volts or less shall be permitted to be installed in the same cable tray.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–253
392.22
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
Table 392.22(A) Allowable Cable Fill Area for Multiconductor Cables in Ladder, Ventilated Trough, or Solid Bottom Cable
Trays for Cables Rated 2000 Volts or Less
Maximum Allowable Fill Area for Multiconductor Cables
Ladder or Ventilated Trough or Wire
Mesh Cable Trays, 392.22(A)(1)
Solid Bottom Cable Trays, 392.22(A)(3)
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
50
2.0
1,500
2.5
1,500 – (30 Sd)b
1,200
2.0
1,200 – (25 Sd)b
2.0 – Sdb
100
4.0
3,000
4.5
3,000 – (30 Sd)b
2,300
3.5
2,300 – (25 Sd)
3.5 – Sd
150
200
6.0
8.0
4,500
6,000
7.0
9.5
4,500 – (30 Sd)b
6,000 – (30 Sd)b
3,500
4,500
5.5
7.0
3,500 – (25 Sd)b
4,500 – (25 Sd)
5.5–Sd
7.0 – Sd
225
9.0
6,800
10.5
6,800 – (30 Sd)
5,100
8.0
5,100 – (25 Sd)
8.0 – Sd
300
400
12.0
16.0
9,000
12,000
14.0
18.5
9,000 – (30 Sd)
12,000 – (30 Sd)
7,100
9,400
11.0
14.5
7,100 – (25 Sd)
9,400 – (25 Sd)
11.0 – Sd
14.5 – Sd
450
500
18.0
20.0
13,500
15,000
21.0
23.5
13,500 – (30 Sd)
15,000 – (30 Sd)
10,600
11,800
16.5
18.5
10,600 – (25 Sd)
11,800 – (25 Sd)
16.5 – Sd
18.5 – Sd
600
750
900
24.0
30.0
36.0
18,000
22,500
27,000
28.0
35.0
42.0
18,000 – (30 Sd)
22,500 – (30 Sd)
27,000 – (30 Sd)
2.5 – (1.2
Sd)b
4.5 – (1.2
Sd)
7 – (1.2 Sd)
9.5 – (1.2
Sd)
10.5 – (1.2
Sd)
14 – (1.2 Sd)
18.5 – (1.2
Sd)
21 – (1.2 Sd)
23.5 – (1.2
Sd)
28 – (1.2 Sd)
35 – (1.2 Sd)
42 – (1.2 Sd)
14,200
17,700
21,300
22.0
27.5
33.0
14,200 – (25 Sd)
17,700 – (25 Sd)
21,300 – (25 Sd)
22.0 – Sd
27.5 – Sd
33.0 – Sd
Column 2a
Applicable for 392.22(A)(1)(c)
Only
T
Inside Width of
Cable Tray
AF
Column 3
Applicable for
392.22(A)(3)(b)
Only
Column 1
Applicable for
392.22(A)(1)(b)
Only
Column 4a
Applicable for 392.22(A)(3)(c)
Only
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a
The maximum allowable fill areas in Columns 2 and 4 shall be calculated. For example, the maximum allowable fill in mm2 for a 150-mm wide
cable tray in Column 2 shall be 4500 minus (30 multiplied by Sd) [the maximum allowable fill, in square inches, for a 6-in. wide cable tray in
Column 2 shall be 7 minus (1.2 multiplied by Sd)].
b
The term Sd in Columns 2 and 4 is equal to the sum of the diameters, in mm, of all cables 107.2 mm (in inches, of all 4/0 AWG) and larger
multiconductor cables in the same cable tray with smaller cables.
shall not exceed 50 percent of the interior cross-sectional
area of the cable tray. A depth of 150 mm (6 in.) shall be
used to calculate the allowable interior cross-sectional area
of any cable tray that has a usable inside depth of more than
150 mm (6 in.).
(3) Solid Bottom Cable Trays Containing Any Mixture
of Cables. Where solid bottom cable trays contain multiconductor power or lighting cables, or any mixture of multiconductor power, lighting, control, and signal cables, the
maximum number of cables shall conform to the following:
(a) Where all of the cables are 4/0 AWG or larger, the
sum of the diameters of all cables shall not exceed 90 percent of the cable tray width, and the cables shall be installed in a single layer.
(b) Where all of the cables are smaller than 4/0 AWG,
the sum of the cross- sectional areas of all cables shall not
exceed the maximum allowable cable fill area in Column 3
of Table 392.22(A) for the appropriate cable tray width.
(c) Where 4/0 AWG or larger cables are installed in the
same cable tray with cables smaller than 4/0 AWG, the sum
70–254
of the cross-sectional areas of all cables smaller than 4/0
AWG shall not exceed the maximum allowable fill area
resulting from the computation in Column 4 of Table
392.22(A) for the appropriate cable tray width. The 4/0
AWG and larger cables shall be installed in a single layer,
and no other cables shall be placed on them.
(4) Solid Bottom Cable Tray Containing Multiconductor Control and/or Signal Cables Only. Where a solid
bottom cable tray having a usable inside depth of 150 mm
(6 in.) or less contains multiconductor control and/or signal
cables only, the sum of the cross sectional areas of all
cables at any cross section shall not exceed 40 percent of
the interior cross-sectional area of the cable tray. A depth of
150 mm (6 in.) shall be used to calculate the allowable
interior cross-sectional area of any cable tray that has a
usable inside depth of more than 150 mm (6 in.).
(5) Ventilated Channel Cable Trays Containing Multiconductor Cables of Any Type. Where ventilated channel
cable trays contain multiconductor cables of any type, the
following shall apply:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
Table 392.22(A)(5) Allowable Cable Fill Area for
Multiconductor Cables in Ventilated Channel Cable Trays
for Cables Rated 2000 Volts or Less
Maximum Allowable Fill Area for
Multiconductor Cables
Inside Width of
Cable Tray
Column 1
One Cable
Column 2
More Than
One Cable
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
75
100
150
3
4
6
1500
2900
4500
2.3
4.5
7.0
850
1600
2450
1.3
2.5
3.8
(1) Ladder or Ventilated Trough Cable Trays. Where
ladder or ventilated trough cable trays contain singleconductor cables, the maximum number of single conductors shall conform to the following:
(a) Where all of the cables are 1000 kcmil or larger, the
sum of the diameters of all single-conductor cables shall
not exceed the cable tray width, and the cables shall be
installed in a single layer. Conductors that are bound together to comprise each circuit group shall be permitted to
be installed in other than a single layer.
(b) Where all of the cables are from 250 kcmil through
900 kcmil, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all
single-conductor cables shall not exceed the maximum allowable cable fill area in Column 1 of Table 392.22(B)(1)
for the appropriate cable tray width.
(c) Where 1000 kcmil or larger single-conductor cables
are installed in the same cable tray with single-conductor
cables smaller than 1000 kcmil, the sum of the cross sectional areas of all cables smaller than 1000 kcmil shall not
exceed the maximum allowable fill area resulting from the
computation in Column 2 of Table 392.22(B)(1) for the
appropriate cable tray width.
(d) Where any of the single conductor cables are 1/0
through 4/0 AWG, the sum of the diameters of all single
conductor cables shall not exceed the cable tray width.
AF
mm
cable tray section shall not exceed the requirements of this
section. The single conductors, or conductor assemblies,
shall be evenly distributed across the cable tray. The conductor sizes apply to both aluminum and copper conductors.
T
(a) Where only one multiconductor cable is installed,
the cross-sectional area shall not exceed the value specified
in Column 1 of Table 392.22(A)(5).
(b) Where more than one multiconductor cable is installed, the sum of the cross-sectional area of all cables
shall not exceed the value specified in Column 2 of Table
392.22(A)(5).
392.30
(6) Solid Channel Cable Trays Containing Multiconductor Cables of Any Type. Where solid channel cable
trays contain multiconductor cables of any type, the following shall apply:
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(a) Where only one multiconductor cable is installed,
the cross-sectional area of the cable shall not exceed the
value specified in Column 1 of Table 392.22(A)(6).
(b) Where more than one multiconductor cable is installed, the sum of the cross-sectional area of all cable shall
not exceed the value specified in Column 2 of Table
392.22(A)(6).
Table 392.22(A)(6) Allowable Cable Fill Area for
Multiconductor Cables in Solid Channel Cable Trays for
Cables Rated 2000 Volts or Less
Inside Width of
Cable Tray
Column 1
One Cable
Column 2
More Than
One Cable
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
50
75
100
150
2
3
4
6
850
1300
2400
3600
1.3
2.0
3.7
5.5
500
700
1400
2100
0.8
1.1
2.1
3.2
(B) Number of Single-Conductor Cables, Rated 2000
Volts or Less, in Cable Trays. The number of single conductor cables, rated 2000 volts or less, permitted in a single
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Ventilated Channel Cable Trays. Where 50 mm
(2 in.), 75 mm (3 in.), 100 mm (4 in.), or 150 mm (6 in.)
wide ventilated channel cable trays contain singleconductor cables, the sum of the diameters of all single
conductors shall not exceed the inside width of the channel.
(C) Number of Type MV and Type MC Cables (2001
Volts or Over) in Cable Trays. The number of cables rated
2001 volts or over permitted in a single cable tray shall not
exceed the requirements of this section.
The sum of the diameters of single-conductor and multiconductor cables shall not exceed the cable tray width,
and the cables shall be installed in a single layer. Where
single conductor cables are triplexed, quadruplexed, or
bound together in circuit groups, the sum of the diameters
of the single conductors shall not exceed the cable tray
width, and these groups shall be installed in single layer
arrangement.
392.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Cable Trays. Cable trays shall be supported at intervals in accordance with the installation instructions.
70–255
392.46
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
Table 392.22(B)(1) Allowable Cable Fill Area for Single-Conductor Cables in Ladder, Ventilated Trough, or Wire Mesh Cable
Trays for Cables Rated 2000 Volts or Less
Maximum Allowable Fill Area for Single-Conductor
Cables in Ladder, Ventilated Trough, or Wire Mesh Cable Trays
Inside Width of Cable Tray
Column 2a
Applicable for 392.22(B)(1)(c)
Only
Column 1
Applicable for 392.22(B)(1)(b)
Only
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
50
100
150
200
225
300
400
450
500
600
750
900
2
4
6
8
9
12
16
18
20
24
30
36
1,400
2,800
4,200
5,600
6,100
8,400
11,200
12,600
14,000
16,800
21,000
25,200
2.0
4.5
6.5
8.5
9.5
13.0
17.5
19.5
21.5
26.0
32.5
39.0
1,400 – (28 Sd)b
2,800 – (28 Sd)
4,200 – (28 Sd)b
5,600 – (28 Sd)
6,100 – (28 Sd)
8,400 – (28 Sd)
11,200 – (28 Sd)
12,600 – (28 Sd)
14,000 – (28 Sd)
16,800 – (28 Sd)
21,000 – (28 Sd)
25,200 – (28 Sd)
2.0 – (1.1 Sd)b
4.5 – (1.1 Sd)
6.5 – (1.1 Sd)b
8.5 – (1.1 Sd)
9.5 – (1.1 Sd)
13.0 – (1.1 Sd)
17.5 – (1.1 Sd)
19.5 – (1.1 Sd)
21.5 – (1.1 Sd)
26.0 – (1.1 Sd)
32.5 – (1.1 Sd)
39.0 – (1.1 Sd)
The maximum allowable fill areas in Column 2 shall be calculated. For example, the maximum allowable fill, in mm2, for a 150 mm wide cable
tray in Column 2 shall be 4200 minus (28 multiplied by Sd) [the maximum allowable fill, in square inches, for a 6-in. wide cable tray in Column
2 shall be 6.5 minus (1.1 multiplied by Sd)].
b
The term Sd in Column 2 is equal to the sum of the diameters, in mm, of all cables 507 mm2 (in inches, of all 1000 kcmil) and larger
single-conductor cables in the same cable tray with small cables.
AF
a
T
mm
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(B) Cables and Conductors. Cables and conductors shall
be secured to and supported by the cable tray system in
accordance with (1), (2) and (3) as applicable:
(1) In other than horizontal runs, the cables shall be fastened securely to transverse members of the cable runs.
(2) Supports shall be provided to prevent stress on cables
where they enter raceways from cable tray systems.
(3) The system shall provide for the support of cables and
raceway wiring methods in accordance with their corresponding articles. Where cable trays support individual conductors and where the conductors pass from
one cable tray to another, or from a cable tray to raceway(s) or from a cable tray to equipment where the
conductors are terminated, the distance between the
cable trays or between the cable tray and the raceway(s) or the equipment shall not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
The conductors shall be secured to the cable tray(s) at
the transition, and they shall be protected, by guarding
or by location, from physical damage.
392.46 Bushed Conduit and Tubing. A box shall not be
required where cables or conductors are installed in bushed
conduit and tubing used for support or for protection
against physical damage.
392.56 Cable Splices. Cable splices made and insulated by
approved methods shall be permitted to be located within a
cable tray, provided they are accessible. Splices shall be
70–256
permitted to project above the side rails where not subject
to physical damage.
392.60 Grounding and Bonding.
(A) Metallic Cable Trays. Metallic cable trays shall be
permitted to be used as equipment grounding conductors
where continuous maintenance and supervision ensure that
qualified persons service the installed cable tray system and
the cable tray complies with provisions of this section. Metallic cable trays that support electrical conductors shall be
grounded as required for conductor enclosures in accordance with 250.96 and Part IV of Article 250. Metal cable
trays containing only non-power conductors shall be electrically continuous through approved connections or the use
of a bonding jumper not smaller than a 10 AWG.
Informational Note: Examples of non-power conductors
include nonconductive optical fiber cables and Class 2 and
Class 3 Remote Control Signaling and Power Limiting
Circuits.
(B) Steel or Aluminum Cable Tray Systems. Steel or
aluminum cable tray systems shall be permitted to be used
as equipment grounding conductors, provided all the following requirements are met:
(1) The cable tray sections and fittings are identified as an
equipment grounding conductor.
(2) The minimum cross-sectional area of cable trays conform to the requirements in Table 392.60(A).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
Maximum Fuse
Ampere Rating,
Minimum Cross-Sectional Area of
Circuit Breaker
Metala
Ampere Trip Setting,
or Circuit Breaker
Protective Relay
Aluminum
Ampere Trip Setting
Steel Cable Trays
Cable Trays
for Ground-Fault
Protection of Any
Cable Circuit in the
Cable Tray System
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
60
100
200
400
600
1000
1200
1600
2000
129
258
451.5
645
967.5
—
—
—
—
0.20
0.40
0.70
1.00
1.50b
—
—
—
—
129
129
129
258
258
387
645
967.5
1290
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.40
0.40
0.60
1.00
1.50
2.00b
a
Informational Note: See Table B.310.15(B)(2)(3).
(2) Single-Conductor Cables. The allowable ampacity of
single-conductor cables shall be as permitted by
310.15(A)(2). The adjustment factors of 310.15(B)(3)(a)
shall not apply to the ampacity of cables in cable trays. The
ampacity of single-conductor cables, or single conductors
cabled together (triplexed, quadruplexed, etc.), nominally
rated 2000 volts or less, shall comply with the following:
AF
Total cross-sectional area of both side rails for ladder or trough cable
trays; or the minimum cross-sectional area of metal in channel cable
trays or cable trays of one-piece construction.
b
Steel cable trays shall not be used as equipment grounding conductors for circuits with ground-fault protection above 600 amperes. Aluminum cable trays shall not be used as equipment grounding conductors for circuits with ground-fault protection above 2000 amperes.
(a) The adjustment factors of 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply only to multiconductor cables with more than three
current-carrying conductors. Adjustment factors shall be
limited to the number of current-carrying conductors in the
cable and not to the number of conductors in the cable tray.
(b) Where cable trays are continuously covered for
more than 1.8 m (6 ft) with solid unventilated covers, not
over 95 percent of the allowable ampacities of Table
310.15(B)(16) and Table 310.15(B)(18) shall be permitted
for multiconductor cables.
(c) Where multiconductor cables are installed in a
single layer in uncovered trays, with a maintained spacing
of not less than one cable diameter between cables, the
ampacity shall not exceed the allowable ambient
temperature-corrected ampacities of multiconductor cables,
with not more than three insulated conductors rated 0
through 2000 volts in free air, in accordance with
310.15(C).
T
Table 392.60(A) Metal Area Requirements for Cable Trays
Used as Equipment Grounding Conductor
392.80
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(3) All cable tray sections and fittings are legibly and durably marked to show the cross-sectional area of metal
in channel cable trays, or cable trays of one-piece construction, and the total cross-sectional area of both side
rails for ladder or trough cable trays.
(4) Cable tray sections, fittings, and connected raceways
are bonded in accordance with 250.96, using bolted
mechanical connectors or bonding jumpers sized and
installed in accordance with 250.102.
(C) Transitions. Where metallic cable tray systems are
mechanically discontinuous, as permitted in 392.18(A), a
bonding jumper sized in accordance with 250.102 shall
connect the two sections of the cable tray, or the cable tray
and the raceway or equipment. Bonding shall be in accordance with 250.96.
392.80 Ampacity of Conductors.
(A) Ampacity of Cables, Rated 2000 Volts or Less, in
Cable Trays.
(1) Multiconductor Cables. The allowable ampacity of
multiconductor cables, nominally rated 2000 volts or less,
installed according to the requirements of 392.22(A) shall
be as given in Table 310.15(B)(16) and Table
310.15(B)(18), subject to the provisions of (A)(1)(a), (b),
(c), and 310.15(A)(2).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(a) Where installed according to the requirements of
392.22(B), the ampacities for 600 kcmil and larger singleconductor cables in uncovered cable trays shall not exceed
75 percent of the allowable ampacities in Table
310.15(B)(17) and Table 310.15(B)(19). Where cable trays
are continuously covered for more than 1.8 m (6 ft) with
solid unventilated covers, the ampacities for 600 kcmil and
larger cables shall not exceed 70 percent of the allowable
ampacities in Table 310.15(B)(17) and Table
310.15(B)(19).
(b) Where installed according to the requirements of
392.22(B), the ampacities for 1/0 AWG through 500 kcmil
single-conductor cables in uncovered cable trays shall not
exceed 65 percent of the allowable ampacities in Table
310.15(B)(17) and Table 310.15(B)(19). Where cable trays
are continuously covered for more than 1.8 m (6 ft) with
solid unventilated covers, the ampacities for 1/0 AWG
through 500 kcmil cables shall not exceed 60 percent of the
allowable ampacities in Table 310.15(B)(17) and Table
310.15(B)(19).
(c) Where single conductors are installed in a single
layer in uncovered cable trays, with a maintained space of
not less than one cable diameter between individual conductors, the ampacity of 1/0 AWG and larger cables shall
not exceed the allowable ampacities in Table 310.15(B)(17)
and Table 310.15(B)(19).
70–257
392.100
ARTICLE 392 — CABLE TRAYS
(d) Where single conductors are installed in a triangular or square configuration in uncovered cable trays, with a
maintained free airspace of not less than 2.15 times one
conductor diameter (2.15 × O.D.) of the largest conductor
contained within the configuration and adjacent conductor
configurations or cables, the ampacity of 1/0 AWG and
larger cables shall not exceed the allowable ampacities of
two or three single insulated conductors rated 0 through
2000 volts supported on a messenger in accordance with
310.15(B).
Informational Note: See Table 310.15(B)(20).
(a) The ampacities for 1/0 AWG and larger singleconductor cables in uncovered cable trays shall not exceed
75 percent of the allowable ampacities in Table
310.60(C)(69) and Table 310.60(C)(70). Where the cable
trays are covered for more than 1.8 m (6 ft) with solid
unventilated covers, the ampacities for 1/0 AWG and larger
single-conductor cables shall not exceed 70 percent of the
allowable ampacities in Table 310.60(C)(69)and Table
310.60(C)(70).
(b) Where single-conductor cables are installed in a
single layer in uncovered cable trays, with a maintained
space of not less than one cable diameter between individual conductors, the ampacity of 1/0 AWG and larger
cables shall not exceed the allowable ampacities in Table
310.60(C)(69) and Table 310.60(C)(70).
(c) Where single conductors are installed in a triangular or square configuration in uncovered cable trays, with a
maintained free air space of not less than 2.15 times the
diameter (2.15 × O.D.) of the largest conductor contained
within the configuration and adjacent conductor configurations or cables, the ampacity of 1/0 AWG and larger cables
shall not exceed the allowable ampacities in Table
310.60(C)(67) and Table 310.60(C)(68).
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AF
(3) Combinations of Multiconductor and SingleConductor Cables. Where a cable tray contains a combination of multiconductor and single-conductor cables, the
allowable ampacities shall be as given in 392.80(A)(1) for
multiconductor cables and 392.80(A)(2) for singleconductor cables, provided that the following conditions
apply:
(1) The sum of the multiconductor cable fill area as a percentage of the allowable fill area for the tray calculated
in accordance with 392.22(A), and the single-conductor
cable fill area as a percentage of the allowable fill area
for the tray calculated in accordance with 392.22(B),
totals not more than 100 percent.
(2) Multiconductor cables are installed according to
392.22(A) and single-conductor cables are installed according to 392.22(B) and 392.22(C) and (D).
cabled together (triplexed, quadruplexed, etc.), shall comply with the following:
T
Exception to (2)(3)(c): For solid bottom cable trays the
ampacity of single conductor cables shall be determined by
310.15(C).
(B) Ampacity of Type MV and Type MC Cables (2001
Volts or Over) in Cable Trays. The ampacity of cables,
rated 2001 volts, nominal, or over, installed according to
392.22(C) shall not exceed the requirements of this section.
(1) Multiconductor Cables (2001 Volts or Over). The
allowable ampacity of multiconductor cables shall be as
given in Table 310.60(C)(75) and Table 310.60(C)(76),
subject to the following provisions:
(a) Where cable trays are continuously covered for
more than 1.8 m (6 ft) with solid unventilated covers, not
more than 95 percent of the allowable ampacities of Table
310.60(C)(75) and Table 310.60(C)(76) shall be permitted
for multiconductor cables.
(b) Where multiconductor cables are installed in a
single layer in uncovered cable trays, with maintained spacing of not less than one cable diameter between cables, the
ampacity shall not exceed the allowable ampacities of
Table 310.60(C)(71) and Table 310.60(C)(72).
III. Construction Specifications
392.100 Construction.
(A) Strength and Rigidity. Cable trays shall have suitable
strength and rigidity to provide adequate support for all
contained wiring.
(B) Smooth Edges. Cable trays shall not have sharp edges,
burrs, or projections that could damage the insulation or
jackets of the wiring.
(C) Corrosion Protection. Cable tray systems shall be
corrosion resistant. If made of ferrous material, the system
shall be protected from corrosion as required by 300.6.
(D) Side Rails. Cable trays shall have side rails or equivalent structural members.
(E) Fittings. Cable trays shall include fittings or other suitable means for changes in direction and elevation of runs.
(F) Nonmetallic Cable Tray. Nonmetallic cable trays
shall be made of flame-retardant material.
(2) Single-Conductor Cables (2001 Volts or Over). The
ampacity of single-conductor cables, or single conductors
70–258
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 393 — LOW VOLTAGE SUSPENDED CEILING POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
ARTICLE 393
Low Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power
Distribution Systems
393.10
Rail. The structural support for the suspended ceiling system typically forming the ceiling grid supporting the ceiling
tile and listed utilization equipment, such as sensors, actuators, A/V devices and low voltage luminaires similar electrical equipment.
Reverse Polarity Protection (Backfeed Protection). A
system that prevents two interconnected power supplies
connected positive to negative from passing current from
one power source into a second power source.
[ROP 18–10a]
I. General
393.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of low
voltage suspended ceiling power distribution systems.
Suspended Ceiling Grid. A system which serves as a support for a finished ceiling surface and other utilization
equipment.
393.2 Definitions.
(A) Listed System. Low voltage suspended ceiling distribution systems operating at 30 volts or less ac or 60 volts
dc or less shall be listed as a complete system with the
utilization equipment, power supply, and fittings as part of
the same identified system.
AF
Busbar Support. An insulator that runs the length of a
section of suspended ceiling bus rail that serves to support
and isolate the busbars from the suspended grid rail.
393.6 Listing Requirements. Suspended ceiling power
distribution systems and associated fittings shall be listed as
in 393.6(A) or 393.6(B).
T
Busbar. A non-insulated conductor electrically connected
to the source of supply and physically supported on an
insulator providing a power rail for connection to utilization equipment, such as sensors, actuators, A/V devices,
low voltage luminaire assemblies and similar electrical
equipment.
Connector. A term used to refer to an electro-mechanical
fitting.
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Connector, Load. An electro-mechanical connector used
for power from the busbar to utilization equipment.
Connector, Pendant. An electro-mechanical or mechanical
connector used to suspend low voltage luminaire or utilization equipment below the grid rail and to supply power
from the busbar to utilization equipment.
Connector, Power Feed. An electro-mechanical connector
used to connect the power supply to a power distribution
cable, to connect directly to the busbar, or from a power
distribution cable to the busbar.
Connector, Rail to Rail. An electro-mechanical connector
used to interconnect busbars from one ceiling grid rail to
another grid rail.
Grid Bus Rail. A combination of the busbar, busbar support, and the structural suspended ceiling grid system.
Low Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power Distribution
System. A system that serves as a support for a finished
ceiling surface and consists of a busbar and busbar support
system to distribute power to utilization equipment supplied by a Class 2 power supply.
Power Supply. A Class 2 power supply connected between
the branch circuit power distribution system and the busbar
low voltage suspended ceiling power distribution system.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Assembly of Listed Parts. A low voltage suspended
ceiling power distribution system assembled from the following parts, listed according to the appropriate function,
shall be permitted:
(1) Listed low voltage utilization equipment
(2) Listed Class 2 power supply
(3) Listed or identified fittings, including connectors and
grid rails with bare conductors
(4) Listed low voltage cables in accordance with 725.179,
conductors in raceways, or other fixed wiring methods
for the secondary circuit.
II. Installation
393.10 Uses Permitted. Low voltage suspended ceiling
power distribution systems shall be permanently connected
and shall be permitted as follows:
(1) For listed utilization equipment capable of operation at
a maximum of 30 volts ac (42.4 volts peak) or 60 volts
dc (24.8 volts peak for dc interrupted at a rate of 10 to
200 Hz) and limited to Class 2 power levels in Table
11(A) and Table 11(B) for lighting, control, and signaling circuits
(2) In indoor dry locations
(3) For residential, commercial, and industrial installations
(4) In other spaces used for environmental air in accordance with 300.22(C), electrical equipment having a
metal enclosure or with nonmetallic enclosure and fittings, shall be listed for use within an air handling
70–259
ARTICLE 393 — LOW VOLTAGE SUSPENDED CEILING POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
space and, have adequate fire-resistant and low-smokeproducing characteristics, and associated wiring material suitable for the ambient temperature
Informational Note: One method of defining adequate fire
resistant and low-smoke producing characteristics for electrical equipment with a nonmetallic enclosure is in ANSI/
UL 2043-2008, Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed
in Air-Handling Spaces.
(5) For lighting in general or critical patient care areas
393.14 Installation.
D
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(A) General Requirements. Support wiring shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and
sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in
such a manner that the cable is not be damaged by normal
building use. Such cables shall be supported by straps,
staples, hangers, cable ties, or similar fittings designed and
installed so as not to damage the cable.
Informational Note: Suspended ceiling low voltage power
grid distribution systems should be installed by qualified
persons in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation
instructions.
(B) Insulated Conductors. Exposed insulated secondary
circuit conductors shall be listed and of the type, and installed as described in 393.14(B)(1) or (B)(2):
(1) Class 2 cable supplied by a Listed Class 2 power
source and installed in accordance with Parts I and III
of Article 725
(2) Wiring methods described in Chapter 3
393.21 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Location. A disconnecting means for the Class 2 supply to the power grid system shall be located so as to be
accessible and within sight of the Class 2 power source for
servicing or maintenance of the grid system.
(B) Multiwire Branch Circuits. Where connected to a
multiwire branch circuit, the disconnecting means shall si-
70–260
393.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Attached to Building Structure. A suspended ceiling
low voltage power distribution system shall be secured to
the mounting surface of the building structure by hanging
wires, screws, or bolts in accordance with the installation
and operation instructions. Mounting hardware, such as
screws or bolts, shall either be packaged with the suspended ceiling low voltage lighting power distribution system or the installation instructions shall specify the types of
mounting fasteners to be used.
(B) Attachment of Power Grid Rails. The individual
power grid rails shall be mechanically secured to the overall ceiling grid assembly.
393.40 Connectors and Enclosures.
(A) Connectors. Connections to busbar grid rail, cables,
and conductors shall be made with listed insulating devices
and these connections shall be accessible after installation.
A soldered connection shall be made mechanically secure
before being soldered. Other means of securing leads, such
as push-on terminals and spade-type connectors, shall provide a secure mechanical connection. The following connectors shall be permitted to be used as connection or interconnection devices:
(1) Load connectors shall be used for power from the busbar to listed utilization equipment.
(2) A pendant connector shall be permitted to suspend low
voltage luminaires or utilization equipment below the
grid rail and to supply power from the busbar to the
utilization equipment.
(3) A power feed connector shall be permitted to connect
the power supply directly to a power distribution cable
and to the busbar.
(4) Rail-to-rail connectors shall be permitted to interconnect busbars from one ceiling grid rail to another grid
rail.
AF
393.12 Uses Not Permitted. Suspended ceiling power distribution systems shall not be installed in the following:
(1) In damp or wet locations
(2) Where subject to corrosive fumes or vapors, such as
storage battery rooms
(3) Where subject to physical damage
(4) In concealed locations
(5) In hazardous (classified) locations
(6) As part of a fire-rated floor ceiling or roof-ceiling assembly, unless specifically listed as part of the
assembly
multaneously break all the supply conductors to the power
supply in accordance with 210.4(B).
T
393.12
Informational Note: For quick-connect terminals; see UL
310, Standard for Electrical Quick-Connect and for mechanical splicing devices, and see UL 486A and 486B,
Standard for Wire Connectors.
(B) Enclosures. Where made in a wall, connections shall
be installed in an enclosure in accordance with Parts I, II
and III of Article 314.
393.45 Overcurrent and Reverse Polarity (Back Feed)
Protection.
(A) Overcurrent Protection. The listed Class 2 power
supply or transformer primary shall be protected at not
greater than 20 amperes.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 394 — CONCEALED KNOB-AND-TUBE WIRING
(C) Reverse Polarity (Back Feed) Protection of DC Systems. A suspended ceiling low voltage power distribution
system shall be permitted to have reverse polarity (back
feed) protection of DC circuits by one of the following
means:
(1) If the power supply is provided as part of the system,
the power supply is provided with reverse polarity
(back feed) protection; or
(2) If the power supply is not provided as part of the system, reverse polarity or back feed protection can be
provided as part of the grid rail busbar or as a part of
the power feed connector.
393.56 Splices. A busbar splice shall be provided with insulation and mechanical protection equivalent to that of the
grid rail busbars involved.
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393.60 Grounding.
(A) Grounding of Supply Side of Class 2 Power Source.
The supply side of the Class 2 power source shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor in accordance
with the applicable requirements in Part IV of Article 250.
(B) Grounding of Load Side of Class 2 Power Source.
Class 2 load side circuits for suspended ceiling low voltage
power grid distribution systems shall not be grounded.
III. Construction Specifications
393.104 Sizes and Types of Conductors.
(A) Load Side Utilization Conductor Size. Currentcarrying conductors for load side utilization equipment
shall be copper and shall be 18 AWG minimum.
Exception: Conductors of a size smaller than 18 AWG but
not smaller than 24 AWG shall be permitted to be used for
Class 2 circuits. Where used, these conductors shall be
installed in a Chapter 3 wiring method, totally enclosed,
shall not be subject to movement or strain, and shall comply with the ampacity requirements in Table 522.22.
(B) Power Feed Bus Rail Conductor Size. The power
feed bus rail shall be 16 AWG minimum or equivalent. For
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 394
Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring
I. General
394.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of concealed knob-and-tube wiring.
394.2. Definition.
Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring. A wiring method using knobs, tubes, and flexible nonmetallic tubing for the
protection and support of single insulated conductors.
II. Installation
AF
393.57 Connections. Connections in busbar grid rails,
cables, and conductors shall be made with listed insulating
devices and be accessible after installation. Where made in
a wall, connections shall be installed in an enclosure in
accordance with Parts I, II, and III of Article 314, as applicable.
a busbar with a circular cross section, the diameter shall be
0.051 in. (1.29 mm) minimum, and, for other than circular
busbars, the area shall be 0.002 in.2 (1.32 mm2) minimum.
T
(B) Interconnection of Power Sources. Listed Class 2
sources shall not have the output connections paralleled or
otherwise interconnected, unless listed for such interconnection.
394.19
394.10 Uses Permitted. Concealed knob-and-tube wiring
shall be permitted to be installed in the hollow spaces of
walls and ceilings, or in unfinished attics and roof spaces as
provided by 394.23, only as follows:
(1) For extensions of existing installations
(2) Elsewhere by special permission
394.12 Uses Not Permitted. Concealed knob-and-tube
wiring shall not be used in the following:
(1) Commercial garages
(2) Theaters and similar locations
(3) Motion picture studios
(4) Hazardous (classified) locations
(5) Hollow spaces of walls, ceilings, and attics where such
spaces are insulated by loose, rolled, or foamed-inplace insulating material that envelops the conductors
394.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Conductors shall comply with 398.17 where passing through
holes in structural members. Where passing through wood
cross members in plastered partitions, conductors shall be
protected by noncombustible, nonabsorbent, insulating
tubes extending not less than 75 mm (3 in.) beyond the
wood member.
394.19 Clearances.
(A) General. A clearance of not less than 75 mm (3 in.)
shall be maintained between conductors and a clearance of
not less than 25 mm (1 in.) between the conductor and the
surface over which it passes.
70–261
394.23
ARTICLE 396 — MESSENGER-SUPPORTED WIRING
(B) Limited Conductor Space. Where space is too limited
to provide these minimum clearances, such as at meters,
panelboards, outlets, and switch points, the individual conductors shall be enclosed in flexible nonmetallic tubing,
which shall be continuous in length between the last support and the enclosure or terminal point.
(B) Securing. Where solid knobs are used, conductors
shall be securely tied thereto by tie wires having insulation
equivalent to that of the conductor.
(C) Clearance from Piping, Exposed Conductors, and
So Forth. Conductors shall comply with 398.19 for clearances from other exposed conductors, piping, and so forth.
394.56 Splices and Taps. Splices shall be soldered unless
approved splicing devices are used. In-line or strain splices
shall not be used.
394.23 In Accessible Attics. Conductors in unfinished attics and roof spaces shall comply with 394.23(A) or (B).
III. Construction Specifications
ARTICLE 396
Messenger-Supported Wiring
AF
(A) Accessible by Stairway or Permanent Ladder. Conductors shall be installed along the side of or through bored
holes in floor joists, studs, or rafters. Where run through
bored holes, conductors in the joists and in studs or rafters
to a height of not less than 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor or
floor joists shall be protected by substantial running boards
extending not less than 25 mm (1 in.) on each side of the
conductors. Running boards shall be securely fastened in
place. Running boards and guard strips shall not be required where conductors are installed along the sides of
joists, studs, or rafters.
394.104 Conductors. Conductors shall be of a type specified by Article 310.
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Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
394.42 Devices. Switches shall comply with 404.4 and
404.10(B).
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(B) Not Accessible by Stairway or Permanent Ladder.
Conductors shall be installed along the sides of or through
bored holes in floor joists, studs, or rafters.
Exception: In buildings completed before the wiring is
installed, attic and roof spaces that are not accessible by
stairway or permanent ladder and have headroom at all
points less than 900 mm (3 ft), the wiring shall be permitted
to be installed on the edges of rafters or joists facing the
attic or roof space.
394.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Supporting. Conductors shall be rigidly supported on
noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating materials and
shall not contact any other objects. Supports shall be installed as follows:
(1) Within 150 mm (6 in.) of each side of each tap or
splice, and
(2) At intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft).
Where it is impracticable to provide supports, conductors shall be permitted to be fished through hollow spaces
in dry locations, provided each conductor is individually
enclosed in flexible nonmetallic tubing that is in continuous
lengths between supports, between boxes, or between a
support and a box.
70–262
I. General
396.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for messenger-supported wiring.
396.2 Definition.
Messenger-Supported Wiring. An exposed wiring support
system using a messenger wire to support insulated conductors by any one of the following:
(1) A messenger with rings and saddles for conductor support
(2) A messenger with a field-installed lashing material for
conductor support
(3) Factory-assembled aerial cable
(4) Multiplex cables utilizing a bare conductor, factory assembled and twisted with one or more insulated conductors, such as duplex, triplex, or quadruplex type of
construction
II. Installation
396.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) Cable Types. The cable types in Table 396.10(A) shall
be permitted to be installed in messenger-supported wiring
under the conditions described in the article or section referenced for each.
(B) In Industrial Establishments. In industrial establishments only, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installed
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 398 — OPEN WIRING ON INSULATORS
Article
396.56 Conductor Splices and Taps. Conductor splices
and taps made and insulated by approved methods shall be
permitted in messenger-supported wiring.
328
330
332
396.60 Grounding. The messenger shall be grounded as
required by 250.80 and 250.86 for enclosure grounding.
Table 396.10(A) Cable Types
Cable Type
Medium-voltage cable
Metal-clad cable
Mineral-insulated,
metal-sheathed cable
Multiconductor
service-entrance cable
Multiconductor underground
feeder and branch-circuit
cable
Other factory-assembled,
multiconductor control,
signal, or power cables that
are identified for the use
Power and control tray cable
Power-limited tray cable
Section
398.15
338
340
ARTICLE 398
Open Wiring on Insulators
I. General
336
725.154(C) and
725.179(E)
398.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of open wiring on insulators.
messenger-supported wiring, the following shall be permitted:
(1) Any of the conductor types shown in Table 310.104(A)
or Table 310.104(B)
(2) MV cable
T
398.2 Definition.
Where exposed to weather, conductors shall be listed
for use in wet locations. Where exposed to direct rays of
the sun, conductors or cables shall be sunlight resistant.
II. Installation
AF
Open Wiring on Insulators. An exposed wiring method
using cleats, knobs, tubes, and flexible tubing for the protection and support of single insulated conductors run in or
on buildings.
396.12 Uses Not Permitted. Messenger-supported wiring
shall not be used in hoistways or where subject to physical
damage.
398.12 Uses Not Permitted. Open wiring on insulators
shall not be installed where concealed by the building
structure.
396.30 Messenger.
398.15 Exposed Work.
(A) Support. The messenger shall be supported at dead
ends and at intermediate locations so as to eliminate tension
on the conductors. The conductors shall not be permitted to
come into contact with the messenger supports or any
structural members, walls, or pipes.
(A) Dry Locations. In dry locations, where not exposed to
physical damage, conductors shall be permitted to be separately enclosed in flexible nonmetallic tubing. The tubing
shall be in continuous lengths not exceeding 4.5 m (15 ft)
and secured to the surface by straps at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft).
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(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Messengersupported wiring shall be permitted to be used in hazardous
(classified) locations where the contained cables and
messenger-supported wiring are specifically permitted by
other articles in this Code.
398.10 Uses Permitted. Open wiring on insulators shall be
permitted only for industrial or agricultural establishments
on systems of 600 volts, nominal, or less, as follows:
(1) Indoors or outdoors
(2) In wet or dry locations
(3) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(4) For services
(B) Neutral Conductor. Where the messenger is used as a
neutral conductor, it shall comply with the requirements of
225.4, 250.184(A), 250.184(B)(7), and 250.187(B).
(C) Equipment Grounding Conductor. Where the messenger is used as an equipment grounding conductor, it
shall comply with the requirements of 250.32(B), 250.118,
250.184(B)(8), and 250.187(D).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Entering Spaces Subject to Dampness, Wetness, or
Corrosive Vapors. Conductors entering or leaving locations subject to dampness, wetness, or corrosive vapors
shall have drip loops formed on them and shall then pass
upward and inward from the outside of the buildings, or
from the damp, wet, or corrosive location, through noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating tubes.
70–263
398.17
ARTICLE 398 — OPEN WIRING ON INSULATORS
Informational Note: See 230.52 for individual conductors
entering buildings or other structures.
398.23 In Accessible Attics. Conductors in unfinished attics and roof spaces shall comply with 398.23(A) or (B).
(C) Exposed to Physical Damage. Conductors within 2.1
m (7 ft) from the floor shall be considered exposed to
physical damage. Where open conductors cross ceiling
joists and wall studs and are exposed to physical damage,
they shall be protected by one of the following methods:
(1) Guard strips not less than 25 mm (1 in.) nominal in
thickness and at least as high as the insulating supports,
placed on each side of and close to the wiring.
(2) A substantial running board at least 13 mm (1⁄2 in.)
thick in back of the conductors with side protections.
Running boards shall extend at least 25 mm (1 in.)
outside the conductors, but not more than 50 mm
(2 in.), and the protecting sides shall be at least 50 mm
(2 in.) high and at least 25 mm (1 in.), nominal, in
thickness.
(3) Boxing made in accordance with 398.15(C)(1) or
(C)(2) and furnished with a cover kept at least 25 mm
(1 in.) away from the conductors within. Where protecting vertical conductors on side walls, the boxing
shall be closed at the top and the holes through which
the conductors pass shall be bushed.
(4) Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid
nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
When installed in metal piping, the conductors shall be
encased in continuous lengths of approved flexible
tubing.
(A) Accessible by Stairway or Permanent Ladder. Conductors shall be installed along the side of or through bored
holes in floor joists, studs, or rafters. Where run through
bored holes, conductors in the joists and in studs or rafters
to a height of not less than 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor or
floor joists shall be protected by substantial running boards
extending not less than 25 mm (1 in.) on each side of the
conductors. Running boards shall be securely fastened in
place. Running boards and guard strips shall not be required for conductors installed along the sides of joists,
studs, or rafters.
(B) Not Accessible by Stairway or Permanent Ladder.
Conductors shall be installed along the sides of or through
bored holes in floor joists, studs, or rafters.
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AF
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Exception: In buildings completed before the wiring is
installed, in attic and roof spaces that are not accessible by
stairway or permanent ladder and have headroom at all
points less than 900 mm (3 ft), the wiring shall be permitted
to be installed on the edges of rafters or joists facing the
attic or roof space.
398.17 Through or Parallel to Framing Members. Open
conductors shall be separated from contact with walls,
floors, wood cross members, or partitions through which
they pass by tubes or bushings of noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating material. Where the bushing is shorter
than the hole, a waterproof sleeve of noninductive material
shall be inserted in the hole and an insulating bushing
slipped into the sleeve at each end in such a manner as to
keep the conductors absolutely out of contact with the
sleeve. Each conductor shall be carried through a separate
tube or sleeve.
Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
398.19 Clearances. Open conductors shall be separated at
least 50 mm (2 in.) from metal raceways, piping, or other
conducting material, and from any exposed lighting, power,
or signaling conductor, or shall be separated therefrom by a
continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor in addition to the
insulation of the conductor. Where any insulating tube is
used, it shall be secured at the ends. Where practicable,
conductors shall pass over rather than under any piping
subject to leakage or accumulations of moisture.
70–264
398.30 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Conductor Sizes Smaller Than 8 AWG. Conductors
smaller than 8 AWG shall be rigidly supported on noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating materials and shall not
contact any other objects. Supports shall be installed as
follows:
(1) Within 150 mm (6 in.) from a tap or splice
(2) Within 300 mm (12 in.) of a dead-end connection to a
lampholder or receptacle
(3) At intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) and at closer
intervals sufficient to provide adequate support where
likely to be disturbed
(B) Conductor Sizes 8 AWG and Larger. Supports for
conductors 8 AWG or larger installed across open spaces
shall be permitted up to 4.5 m (15 ft) apart if noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating spacers are used at least every 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) to maintain at least 65 mm (21⁄2 in.)
between conductors.
Where not likely to be disturbed in buildings of mill
construction, 8 AWG and larger conductors shall be permitted to be run across open spaces if supported from each
wood cross member on approved insulators maintaining
150 mm (6 in.) between conductors.
(C) Industrial Establishments. In industrial establishments only, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the system,
conductors of sizes 250 kcmil and larger shall be permitted
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 399 — OUTDOOR OVERHEAD CONDUCTORS OVER 1000 VOLTS
(D) Mounting of Conductor Supports. Where nails are
used to mount knobs, they shall not be smaller than tenpenny. Where screws are used to mount knobs, or where
nails or screws are used to mount cleats, they shall be of a
length sufficient to penetrate the wood to a depth equal to at
least one-half the height of the knob and the full thickness
of the cleat. Cushion washers shall be used with nails.
(E) Tie Wires. Conductors 8 AWG or larger and supported
on solid knobs shall be securely tied thereto by tie wires
having an insulation equivalent to that of the conductor.
398.42 Devices. Surface-type snap switches shall be
mounted in accordance with 404.10(A), and boxes shall not
be required. Other type switches shall be installed in accordance with 404.4.
III. Construction Specifications
399.30 Support.
(A) Conductors. Documentation of the engineered design
by a licensed professional engineer engaged primarily in
the design of such systems for the spacing between conductors shall be available upon request of the authority having
jurisdiction and shall include consideration of the following:
(1) Applied voltage
(2) Conductor size
(3) Distance between support structures
(4) Type of structure
(5) Wind/ice loading
(6) Surge protection
(B) Structures. Structures of wood, metal, concrete, or
combinations of those materials, shall be provided for support of overhead conductors over 600 volts, nominal. Documentation of the engineered design by a licensed professional engineer engaged primarily in the design of such
systems and the installation of each support structure shall
be available upon request of the authority having jurisdiction and shall include consideration of the following:
(1) Soil conditions
(2) Foundations and structure settings
(3) Weight of all supported conductors and equipment
(4) Weather loading and other conditions such as but not
limited to ice, wind, temperature, and lightning
(5) Angle where change of direction occurs
(6) Spans between adjacent structures
(7) Effect of dead-end structures
(8) Strength of guys and guy anchors
(9) Structure size and material(s)
(10) Hardware
AF
398.104 Conductors. Conductors shall be of a type specified by Article 310.
399.12 Uses Not Permitted. Overhead conductors, over
600 volts, nominal shall not be permitted to be installed
indoors.
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to be run across open spaces where supported at intervals
up to 9.0 m (30 ft) apart.
399.30
[ROP 7–82]
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ARTICLE 399
Outdoor Overhead Conductors over
1000 Volts
399.1 Scope. This article covers the use and installation for
outdoor overhead conductors over 1000 volts, nominal.
[ROP 7–84]
399.2 Definition.
Outdoor Overhead Conductors. Single conductors, insulated, covered, or bare, installed outdoors on support structures in free air. [ROP 7–85]
399.10 Uses Permitted. Outdoor overhead conductors
over 1000 volts, nominal, shall be permitted only for systems rated over 1000 volts, nominal, as follows: [ROP
7–86]
(1) Outdoors in free air [ROP 7–87]
(2) For service conductors, feeders, or branch circuits
Informational Note: For additional information on outdoor
overhead conductors over 1000 volts, see ANSI/IEEE C22007, National Electrical Safety Code. [ROP 7–86]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Insulators. Insulators used to support conductors shall
be rated for all of the following:
(1) Applied phase-to-phase voltage
(2) Mechanical strength required for each individual installation
(3) Impulse withstand BIL in accordance with Table
490.24
Informational Note: 399.30(A), (B), and (C) are not allinclusive lists.
70–265
CHAPTER 4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Chapter 4 Equipment for General Use
400.3 Suitability. Flexible cords and cables and their associated fittings shall be suitable for the conditions of use
and location.
ARTICLE 400
Flexible Cords and Cables
I. General
400.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements, applications, and construction specifications for flexible cords
and flexible cables.
400.4 Types. Flexible cords and flexible cables shall conform to the description in Table 400.4. Types of flexible
cords and flexible cables other than those listed in the table
shall be allowed only by special permission. [ROP 8–86]
400.2 Other Articles. Flexible cords and flexible cables
shall comply with this article and with the applicable provisions of other articles of this Code.
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Table 400.4 Flexible Cords and Cables (See 400.4.)
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
C
Elevator
cable
E 5, 7,11, 12
[ROP 6–77]
Elevator
cable
EO 5,7,12
[ROP 6–77]
300
600
18–16
15–10
[ROP
6–77]
300 or 20–2
600
300 or 20–2
600
Insulation
2 or
more
Thermoset or
thermoplastic
2 or more
Thermoset
2 or more
AWG
or
kcmil
AF
Lamp
cord
Voltage
Number
of
Conductors
D
R
Type
Letter
Trade
Name
AWG
or
kcmil
Thermoset
Braid
on Each
Conductor
Outer
Covering
mm
mils
18–16
15–10
[ROP
6–77]
0.76
1.14
30
45
Cotton
None
Pendant
or
portable
Dry
locations
20–16
15–12
12–10
8–2 [ROP
6–77]
0.51
0.76
1.14
1.52
20
30
45
60
Cotton
Three cotton,
Outer one
flameretardant &
moistureresistant. [ROP
6–77]
Elevator
lighting
and
control
Unclassified
locations
20–16
15–12
12–10
8–2 [ROP
6–77]
0.51
0.76
1.14
1.52
20
30
45
60
Flexible
nylon jacket
20–16
15–12
12–10
8–2
[ROP
6–77]
0.51
0.76
1.14
1.52
20
30
45
60
Cotton
Outer one
Three cotton,
flameretardant &
moistureresistant. [ROP
6–77]
Elevator
lighting
and
control
Unclassified
locations
Use
One cotton and
a neoprene
jacket. [ROP
6–77]
Elevator
cable
70–266
ETP 7,12
[ROP 6–77]
300 or
600
Rayon
Thermoplastic
ETT 7,12
[ROP 6–77]
300 or
600
None
One cotton or
equivalent and
a thermoplastic
jacket
Not
hard
usage
Hazardous
(classified)
locations
Hazardous (classified)
locations
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
600
18–500
[ROP
6–77]
EVJ 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
300
18–12
[ROP
6–77]
EVE 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
600
18–500
[ROP
6–77]
EVJE 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
300
18–12
[ROP
6–77]
2 or more
Thermoset with
plus
optional nylon
grounding
[ROP 6–77]
conductor(s),
plus optional
hybrid data,
signal
communications,
and optical
fiber cables
2 or more
Thermoplastic
plus
elastomer with
grounding
optional nylon
conductor(s), [ROP 6–77]
plus optional
hybrid data,
signal
communications,
and optical
fiber cables
Portable
power
cable
Heater
cord
AWG
or
kcmil
mm
mils
18–15
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
250–500
[ROP
6–77]
0.76
(0.51)
1.14
(0.76)
1.52
(1.14)
2.03
(1.52)
2.41
(1.90)
[ROP6–77]
30
(20)
45
(30)
60
(45)
80
(60)
95
(75)
[ROP
6–77]
18–12
0.76
(0.51)
[ROP6–77]
30
(20)
[ROP
6–77]
Braid
on Each
Conductor
Optional
18–15
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
250– 500
[ROP
6–79]
0.76
(0.51)
1.14
(0.76)
1.52
(1.14)
2.03
(1.52)
2.41
(1.90)
[ROP6–77]
30
(20)
45
(30)
60
(45)
80
(60)
95
(75)
[ROP
6–77]
18–12
0.76
(0.51)
[ROP6–77]
30
(20)
[ROP
6–77]
18–15
14–10
8–2
1–4/0
250– 500
[ROP
6–77]
0.76
(0.51)
1.14
(0.76)
1.52
(1.14)
2.03
(1.52)
2.41
(1.90)
[ROP6–77]
30
(20)
45
(30)
60
(45)
80
(60)
95
(75)
[ROP
6–77]
18–12
0.76
(0.51)
[ROP 6–77]
30
(20)
[ROP
6–77]
Outer
Covering
Oil-resistant
thermoset
[ROP 6–79]
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
[ROP 6–79]
600
18–500
[ROP
6–77]
EVJT 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
300
18–12
[ROP
6–77]
G
2000
12–500
2–6 plus
grounding
conductor(s)
Thermoset
12–2
1–4/0
250–500
1.52
2.03
2.41
60
80
95
Oilresistant
thermoset
G-GC6
[ROP 6–80]
2000
12–500
3–6 plus
Thermoset
grounding
conductors
and 1 ground
check
conductor
12–2
1–4/0
250–500
1.52
2.03
2.41
60
80
95
Oil-resistant
thermoset
HPD
300
18–12
2, 3, or 4
18–16
15–12
[ROP
6–77]
0.38
0.76
15
30
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Thermoset
Extra
hard
usage
Hard
usage
EVT 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
2 or more
Thermoplastic
plus
with optional
grounding
nylon [ROP
conductor(s), 6–77]
plus optional
hybrid data,
signal
communications,
and optical
fiber cables
Use
Electric Wet
Extra
vehicle
locations hard
charging
usage
Hard
usage
T
EV 13,14
[ROP 6–77]
Insulation
D
R
Electric
vehicle
cable
Voltage
Number
of
Conductors
AF
Type
Letter
Trade
Name
AWG
or
kcmil
Optional
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
[ROP 6–79]
Electric Wet
Extra
vehicle
Locationshard
charging
usage
Hard
usage
None
Portable and extra hard
usage
Cotton or rayon Portable
heaters
Dry
locations
Not
hard
usage
70–267
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
Thermoset HSJ
jacketed
heater
cords
HSJO
HSJOW15
[ROP 6–85]
HSJOO
HSJOOW 15
[ROP 6–85]
Nonintegral
parallel
cords
mm
mils
Use
18–12
2 or 3
Oil-resistant
thermoset
18–16
15, 14
12
[ROP
6–77]
1.14
1.52
2.41
45
60
95
None
Oil-resistant
thermoset
Portable
Damp Not
locations hard
usage
300
18–12
2, 3, or 4
Thermoset
18–16
15–12
[ROP
6–77]
0.76
1.14
30
45
None
Cotton and
Thermoset
Portable
or
portable
heater
Damp
locations
300
18–12
Cotton and
oil-resistant
thermoset
300 18–12
[ROP [ROP
6–85] 6–85]
300
18–12
Oil-resistant
thermoset
300 18–12
[ROP [ROP
6–85] 6–85]
300
NISP-2
300
300
NISPE-18
[ROP 6–77]
20–18
2 or 3
Thermoset
18–16
20–18
Thermoplastic
elastomer
20–18
0.38
15
18–16
0.76
30
20–18
0.38
15
18–16
0.76
30
20–18
0.38
15
18–16
0.76
30
300
NISPT-18
[ROP 6–77]
300
NISPT-28
[ROP 6–77]
300
Twisted
portable
cord
PD
300
600
18–16
14–10
2 or more
Thermoset or
thermoplastic
18–16
15–10
[ROP
6–77]
0.76
1.14
30
45
Portable
power
cable
PPE6 [ROP
6–80]
2000
12–500
1–6 plus
optional
grounding
conductor(s)
Thermoplastic
elastomer
12–2
1–4/0
250–500
1.52
2.03
2.41
60
80
95
Hard
service
cord
S6 [ROP
6–77]
600
18–2
2 or more
Thermoset
18–15
14–10
8–2 [ROP
6–77]
0.76
1.14
1.52
30
45
60
600
8–250
1 or more
Thermoset
8–2
1–4/0
250
1.52
2.03
2.41
60
80
95
18–16
20–18
Thermoplastic
18–16
Hard
usage
Damp
and wet
locations
[ROP
6–85]
Damp
locations
[ROP
6–85]
Damp
and wet
locations
[ROP
6–85]
NISPE-28
[ROP 6–77]
70–268
Outer
Covering
300
NISP-1
Flexible
SC2,6 [ROP
stage and 6–81, ROP
lighting 6–87]
power
cable
Braid
on Each
Conductor
T
HPN8
[ROP 6–77]
Insulation
AWG
or
kcmil
AF
Parallel
heater
cord
Voltage
Number
of
Conductors
D
R
Type
Letter
Trade
Name
AWG
or
kcmil
None
Thermoset
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Not
hard
usage
Dry
locations
Not
hard
usage
Thermoplastic
elastomer
Thermoplastic
Cotton
None
Cotton or rayon Pendant
or
portable
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
Portable, extra hard
usage
Thermoset
Pendant
or
portable
Thermoset
Portable, extra hard
usage
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Damp
locations
Extra
hard
usage
2014 Edition
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
Type
Letter
Trade
Name
Number
of
Conductors
Insulation
AWG
or
kcmil
mm
mils
Braid
on Each
Conductor
Outer
Covering
SCE2,6
[ROP 6–81,
ROP 6–87]
600
Thermoplastic
elastomer
Thermoplastic
elastomer
SCT2,6
[ROP 6–81,
ROP 6–87]
600
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic
SE6 [ROP
6–77]
600
SEW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
SEO6 [ROP
6–77]
600
SEOW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
SEOO6
[ROP 6–77]
600
SEOOW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
Junior hard SJ
service
cord
SJE
300
2 or more
Thermoplastic
elastomer
300
SJEO
300
SJEOW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SJEOO
300
SJEOOW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SJO
300
18–15
14–9
8–2 [ROP
6–89]
0.76
1.14
1.52
30
45
60
None
Thermoplastic
elastomer
Use
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Extra
hard
usage
T
Damp
and wet
locations
Oilresistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
AF
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
Damp
locations
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
18–10
2–6
300
SJEW15
[ROP 6–77]
2014 Edition
18–2
D
R
Hard
service
cord
Voltage
AWG
or
kcmil
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Thermoset
Thermoplastic
elastomer
18–11
10 [ROP
6–89]
0.76
1.14
Damp
and wet
locations
30
45
None
Thermoset
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Hard
usage
Thermoplastic
elastomer
Damp
and wet
locations
Oilresistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
Damp
locations
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
Damp
and wet
locations
Thermoset
Oilresistant
thermoset
Damp
locations
70–269
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
Hard
service
cord
Voltage
300
SJOO
300
SJOOW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SJT
300
SJTW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SJTO
300
SJTOW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SJTOO
300
SJTOOW15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SO6 [ROP
6–77]
600
SOW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
SOO6 [ROP
6–77]
600
SOOW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
mils
Outer
Covering
Use
Damp
and wet
locations
Oil-resistant
thermoset
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
18–12
10
0.76
1.14
30
45
Oilresistant
thermolastic
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
18–2
2 or more
Thermoset
Oilresistant
thermoset
All
SP-1
thermoset
parallel
cord
300
20–18
SP-2
300
SP-3
300
70–270
mm
Braid
on Each
Conductor
T
SJOW15
[ROP 6–77]
Insulation
AWG
or
kcmil
AF
Type
Letter
Number
of
Conductors
D
R
Trade
Name
AWG
or
kcmil
2 or 3
Thermoset
18–15
[ROP
6–89]
0.76
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
30
None
Oilresistant
thermoset
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Extra
hard
usage
Damp
and wet
locations
14–9
8–2 [ROP
6–89]
1.14
1.52
45
60
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
20–18
0.76
30
18–16
18-16
1.14
45
18–10
18–16
15, 14
12
10 [ROP
6–77]
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.80
60
80
95
110
None
None
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Not
hard
usage
Refrigerators,
room air
conditioners,
and as
permitted
in
422.16(B)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
Type
Letter
Trade
Name
Voltage
Number
of
Conductors
AWG
or
kcmil
Insulation
AWG
or
kcmil
mm
mils
20–18
0.76
30
300
20-18
SPE-28
[ROP 6–77]
300
18–16
18–16
1.14
45
SPE-38
[ROP 6–77]
300
18–10
18–16
15, 14
12
10
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.80
60
80
95
110
300
20–18
Hard
service
cord
Thermoplastic
SPT-1W15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SPT-2
300
SPT-2W15
[ROP 6–77]
300
SPT-3
300
18–10
2 or 3
300
10–4
3 or 4
Thermoset
SRDE
300
10–4
3 or 4
SRDT
300
10–4
ST6 [ROP
6–77]
600
18–2
STW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
SRD
2014 Edition
2
18–16
2 or 3
2
20–18
18–16
D
R
Range,
dryer
cable
2 or 3
Thermoplastic
elastomer
0.76
AF
All
SPT-1
thermoplastic
parallel
cord
[ROP
6–78]
2 or 3
T
All
SPE-18
elastomer [ROP 6–77]
(thermoplastic)
parallel
cord
1.14
30
Braid
on Each
Conductor
None
Outer
Covering
None
None
None
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Not
hard
usage
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
60
80
95
110
10–4
1.14
45
None
Thermoset
Thermoplastic
elastomer
None
Thermoplastic
elastomer
3 or 4
Thermoplastic
None
Thermoplastic
2 or more
Thermoplastic
None
Thermoplastic
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Not
Hard
usage
Refrigerators,
room air
conditioners,
and as
permitted
in
422.16(B)
45
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.80
0.76
1.14
1.52
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
18–16
15, 14
12
10 [ROP
6–77]
18–15
14–9
8–2 [ROP
6–89]
Use
Pendant
or
portable
30
45
60
Refriger Damp
ators,
locaroom
tions
air
conditioners,
and as
permitted
in
422.16(B)
Not
hard
usage
Portable
Damp
locations
Ranges,
dryers
Pendant
or
portable
Damp
locations
Extra
hard
usage
Damp
and wet
locations
70–271
400.4
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Continued
Table 400.4
Nominal
Insulation
Thickness [ROP 6–76a]
Type
Letter
Voltage
Insulation
AWG
or
kcmil
mm
Braid
on Each
Conductor
mils
STO6 [ROP
6–77]
600
STOW6,15
[ROP 6–77]
600
STOO6
[ROP 6–77]
600
STOOW6
[ROP 6–77]
600
SV
300
SVE
300
SVEO
300
SVEOO
300
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
SVO
300
SVOO
300
SVT
300
SVTO
300
D
R
Trade
Name
Number
of
Conductors
AWG
or
kcmil
SVTOO
300
Parallel
tinsel
cord
TPT4 [ROP
6–77]
300
27
2
Thermoplastic
27
0.76
30
None
Jacketed
tinsel
cord
TST4 [ROP
6–77]
300
27
2
Thermoplastic
27
0.38
15
None
Portable
powercable
W6[ROP
6–80]
2000
12–2
1–4/0
250–500
501–1000
1.52
2.03
2.41
2.80
60
80
95
110
Use
Damp
locations
Oilresistant
thermolastic
Damp
and wet
locations
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
Damp
locations
Damp
and wet
locations
2 or 3
Thermoset
18–16
0.38
15
None
T
18–16
Thermoplastic
elastomer
AF
Vacuum
cleaner
cord
Outer
Covering
Damp
locations
Not
hard
usage
Thermoplastic
Attached Damp
locato an
appliance tions
Not
hard
usage
Thermoplastic
Attached Damp
locato an
appliance tions
Not
hard
usage
Oilresistant
thermoset
Portable, extra hard
usage
Thermoset
Pendant
or
portable
Thermoplastic
elastomer
Oilresistant
thermoplastic
elastomer
Thermoset
Oilresistant
thermoset
Oil-resistant
thermoset
Oilresistant
thermoset
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic
Oilresistant
thermoplastic
Oil-resistant
thermoplastic
12–500
501–1000
1–6
1
Thermoset
[ROP 6–76a]
2
The required outer covering on some single-conductor cables may be integral with the insulation.
70–272
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
400.5
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
3
AF
T
All types listed in Table 400.4 shall have individual conductors twisted together except for Types HPN, SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, SPE-1, SPE-2, SPE-3,
SPT-1, SPT-2, SPT-3, SPT-1W, SPT-2W, TPT, NISP-1, NISP-2, NISPT-1, NISPT-2, NISPE-1, NISPE-2, and three-conductor parallel versions of
SRD, SRDE, and SRDT. [ROP 6–91]
4
Types TPT and TST shall be permitted in lengths not exceeding 2.5 m (8 ft) where attached directly, or by means of a special type of plug, to a
portable appliance rated at 50 watts or less and of such nature that extreme flexibility of the cord is essential.
5
Rubber-filled or varnished cambric tapes shall be permitted as a substitute for the inner braids.
6
Types G, G-GC, S, SC, SCE, SCT, SE, SEO, SEOO, SEW, SEOW, SEOOW, SO, SOO, SOW, SOOW, ST, STO, STOO, STW, STOW, STOOW,
PPE, and W shall be permitted for use on theater stages, in garages, and elsewhere where flexible cords are permitted by this Code. [ROP 6–92]
7
Elevator traveling cables for operating control and signal circuits shall contain nonmetallic fillers as necessary to maintain concentricity. Cables
shall have steel supporting members as required for suspension by 620.41. In locations subject to excessive moisture or corrosive vapors or gases,
supporting members of other materials shall be permitted. Where steel supporting members are used, they shall run straight through the center of
the cable assembly and shall not be cabled with the copper strands of any conductor.
In addition to conductors used for control and signaling circuits, Types E, EO, ETP, and ETT elevator cables shall be permitted to incorporate
in the construction one or more 20 AWG telephone conductor pairs, one or more coaxial cables, or one or more optical fibers. The 20 AWG
conductor pairs shall be permitted to be covered with suitable shielding for telephone, audio, or higher frequency communications circuits; the
coaxial cables consist of a center conductor, insulation, and shield for use in video or other radio frequency communications circuits. The optical
fiber shall be suitably covered with flame-retardant thermoplastic. The insulation of the conductors shall be rubber or thermoplastic of thickness not
less than specified for the other conductors of the particular type of cable. Metallic shields shall have their own protective covering. Where used,
these components shall be permitted to be incorporated in any layer of the cable assembly but shall not run straight through the center.
8
The third conductor in Type HPN shall be used as an equipment grounding conductor only. The insulation of the equipment grounding conductor
for Types SPE-1, SPE-2, SPE-3, SPT-1, SPT-2, SPT-3, NISPT-1, NISPT-2, NISPE-1, and NISPE-2 shall be permitted to be thermoset polymer.
[ROP 6–13]
9
The individual conductors of all cords, except those of heat-resistant cords, shall have a thermoset or thermoplastic insulation, except that the
equipment grounding conductor where used shall be in accordance with 400.23(B).
[ROP 6–93]
11
Insulations and outer coverings that meet the requirements as flame retardant, limited smoke, and are so listed, shall be permitted to be marked
for limited smoke after the code type designation.
12
Elevator cables in sizes 20 AWG through 14 AWG are rated 300 volts, and sizes 10 through 2 are rated 600 volts. 12 AWG is rated 300 volts with
a 0.76-mm (30-mil) insulation thickness and 600 volts with a 1.14-mm (45-mil) insulation thickness.
13
Conductor size for Types EV, EVJ, EVE, EVJE, EVT, and EVJT cables apply to nonpower-limited circuits only. Conductors of power-limited
(data, signal, or communications) circuits may extend beyond the stated AWG size range. All conductors shall be insulated for the same cable
voltage rating.
14
Insulation thickness for Types EV, EVJ, EVEJE, EVT, and EVJT cables of nylon construction is indicated in parentheses.
15
Cords that comply with the requirements for outdoor cords and are so listed shall be permitted to be designated as weather and water resistant
with the suffix “W” after the code type designation. Cords with the “W” suffix are suitable for use in wet locations and are sunlight resistant.
D
R
400.5 Ampacities for Flexible Cords and Cables.
(A) Ampacity Tables. Table 400.5(A)(1) provides the allowable ampacities, and Table 400.5(A)(2) provides the
ampacities for flexible cords and cables with not more than
three current-carrying conductors. These tables shall be
used in conjunction with applicable end-use product standards to ensure selection of the proper size and type. Where
cords and cables are used in ambient temperatures other
than 30°C (86°F), the temperature correction factors from
Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) that correspond to temperature rating
of the cord or cable shall be applied to the ampacity in
Table 400.5(A)(1) and Table 400.5(A)(2). Cords and cables
rated 105°C shall use correction factors in 90°C column of
Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) for temperature correction. Where
the number of current-carrying conductors exceeds three,
the allowable ampacity or the ampacity of each conductor
shall be reduced from the 3-conductor rating as shown in
Table 400.5(A)(3). [ROP 6–93a, ROP 6–99]]
Informational Note: See Informative Annex B, Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(11), for adjustment factors for more than
three current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
with load diversity.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Table 400.5(A)(3) Adjustment Factors for More Than Three
Current-Carrying Conductors in a Flexible Cord or Cable
Number of Conductors
Percent of Value in Table
400.5(A)(1) and Table
400.5(A)(2) [ROP 6–97, ROP
6–98]
4–6
7–9
10–20
21–30
31–40
41 and above
80
70
50
45
40
35
A neutral conductor that carries only the unbalanced current
from other conductors of the same circuit shall not be required
to meet the requirements of a current-carrying conductor.
In a 3-wire circuit consisting of two phase conductors
and the neutral conductor of a 4-wire, 3-phase, wyeconnected system, a common conductor carries approximately the same current as the line-to-neutral currents of
the other conductors and shall be considered to be a
current-carrying conductor.
On a 4-wire, 3-phase, wye circuit where more than
50 percent of the load consists of nonlinear loads, there are
70–273
400.6
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Table 400.5(A)(1) Allowable Ampacity for Flexible Cords and Cables [Based on Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86°F). See
400.13 and Table 400.4.] [ROP 6–95, ROP 6–85, ROP 6–94a, ROP 6–96]
Thermoset Types C, E, EO, PD, S, SJ, SJO,
SJOW, SJOO, SJOOW, SO, SOW, SOO, SOOW,
SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, SRD, SV, SVO, SVOO, NISP-1,
NISP-2
27a
20
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
6
4
2
0.5
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
a
Column A1
—
5b
7
9
10
12
15
17
20
23
25
29
35
45
60
80
Column B2
—
c
10
12
13
16
18
21
25
27
30
34
40
55
70
95
T
Thermoplastic Types
TPT, TST
AF
Copper Conductor
Size (AWG)
Thermoplastic Types ETP, ETT, SE, SEW, SEO,
SEOO, SEOW, SEOOW, SJE, SJEW, SJEO,
SJEOO, SJEOW, SJEOOW, SJT, SJTW, SJTO,
SJTOW, SJTOO, SJTOOW, SPE-1, SPE-2, SPE-3,
SPT-1, SPT-1W, SPT-2, SPT-2W, SPT-3, NISPE-1,
NISPE-2, NISPT-1, NISPT-2, ST, STW, SRDE,
Types HPD, HPN, HSJ,
SRDT, STO, STOW, STOO, STOOW, SVE,
HSJO, HSJOW,
SVEO, SVEOO, SVT, SVTO, SVTOO
HSJOO, HSJOOW
—
—
10
13
15
17
20
—
30
—
35
—
—
—
—
—
D
R
Tinsel cord.
Elevator cables only.
c
7 amperes for elevator cables only; 2 amperes for other types.
1
The allowable currents under Column A apply to 3-conductor cords and other multiconductor cords connected to utilization equipment so that only
3 conductors are current-carrying.
2
The allowable currents under Column B apply to 2-conductor cords and other multiconductor cords connected to utilization equipment so that only
2 conductors are current-carrying.
b
harmonic currents present in the neutral conductor and the
neutral conductor shall be considered to be a currentcarrying conductor.
An equipment grounding conductor shall not be considered a current-carrying conductor. [ROP 6–13]
Where a single conductor is used for both equipment
grounding and to carry unbalanced current from other conductors, as provided for in 250.140 for electric ranges and
electric clothes dryers, it shall not be considered as a
current-carrying conductor.
(B) Ultimate Insulation Temperature. In no case shall
conductors be associated together in such a way with respect to the kind of circuit, the wiring method used, or the
number of conductors such that the limiting temperature of
the conductors is exceeded.
70–274
(C) Engineering Supervision. Under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities shall be permitted to be calculated in accordance with 310.15(C).
400.6 Markings.
(A) Standard Markings. Flexible cords and cables shall
be marked by means of a printed tag attached to the coil
reel or carton. The tag shall contain the information required in 310.120(A). Types S, SC, SCE, SCT, SE, SEO,
SEOO, SJ, SJE, SJEO, SJEOO, SJO, SJT, SJTO, SJTOO,
SO, SOO, ST, STO, STOO, SEW, SEOW, SEOOW, SJEW,
SJEOW, SJEOOW, SJOW, SJTW, SJTOW, SJTOOW,
SOW, SOOW, STW, STOW, and STOOW flexible cords
and G, G-GC, PPE, and W flexible cables shall be durably
marked on the surface at intervals not exceeding 610 mm
(24 in.) with the type designation, size, and number of
conductors. Required markings on tags, cords and cables
shall also include the maximum operating temperature of
the flexible cord or cable. [ROP 6–100]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
400.7
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Table 400.5(A)(2) Ampacity of Cable Types SC, SCE, SCT, PPE, G, G-GC, and W. [Based on Ambient Temperature
of 30°C (86°F). See Table 400.4.]
Temperature Rating of Cable
Copper
Conductor
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
60°C (140°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
E2
F3
D1
E2
F3
D1
E2
F3
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
—
—
60
80
105
120
140
165
31
44
55
72
96
113
128
150
26
37
48
63
84
99
112
131
—
—
70
95
125
145
170
195
37
52
65
88
115
135
152
178
31
43
57
77
101
118
133
156
—
—
80
105
140
165
190
220
42
59
74
99
130
152
174
202
35
49
65
87
114
133
152
177
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
195
225
260
300
173
199
230
265
151
174
201
232
230
265
310
360
207
238
275
317
181
208
241
277
260
300
350
405
234
271
313
361
205
237
274
316
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
340
375
420
455
515
575
630
655
680
730
780
296
330
363
392
448
—
—
—
—
—
—
259
289
318
343
392
—
—
—
—
—
—
405
445
505
545
620
690
755
785
815
870
935
354
395
435
469
537
—
—
—
—
—
—
310
346
381
410
470
—
—
—
—
—
—
455
505
570
615
700
780
855
885
920
985
1055
402
449
495
535
613
—
—
—
—
—
—
352
393
433
468
536
—
—
—
—
—
—
AF
D
R
1
T
D1
The ampacities under subheading D shall be permitted for single-conductor Types SC, SCE, SCT, PPE, and W cable only where the individual
conductors are not installed in raceways and are not in physical contact with each other except in lengths not to exceed 600 mm (24 in.) where
passing through the wall of an enclosure.
2
The ampacities under subheading E apply to two-conductor cables and other multiconductor cables connected to utilization equipment so that only
two conductors are current-carrying.
3
The ampacities under subheading F apply to three-conductor cables and other multiconductor cables connected to utilization equipment so that
only three conductors are current-carrying.
(B) Optional Markings. Flexible cords and cable types
listed in Table 400.4 shall be permitted to be surface
marked to indicate special characteristics of the cable materials. These markings include, but are not limited to,
markings for limited smoke, sunlight resistance, and so
forth.
400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for
the following:
(1) Pendants
(2) Wiring of luminaires
(3) Connection of portable luminaires, portable and mobile signs, or appliances
(4) Elevator cables
(5) Wiring of cranes and hoists
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(6) Connection of utilization equipment to facilitate frequent interchange
(7) Prevention of the transmission of noise or vibration
(8) Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit
ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the
appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord
connection
(9) Connection of accessory equipment associated with
mechanical equipment, alarms, or antennas using a
listed non-detachable power supply cord 1.83 m (6 ft)
or less above an accessible suspended or dropped ceiling where not prohibited by 300.22. [ROP 6–103]
(10) Connection of moving parts
(11) Where specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code
70–275
400.8
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Exception: As permitted in 368.56.
400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted
in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the
following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings,
suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar
openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted
to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the
provisions of 368.56(B)
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located
above suspended or dropped ceilings
(7) Where subject to physical damage
D
R
400.9 Splices. Flexible cord shall be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap where initially installed in
applications permitted by 400.7(A). The repair of hardservice cord and junior hard-service cord (see Trade Name
column in Table 400.4) 14 AWG and larger shall be permitted if conductors are spliced in accordance with
110.14(B) and the completed splice retains the insulation,
outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the
cord being spliced.
400.10 Pull at Joints and Terminals. Flexible cords and
cables shall be connected to devices and to fittings so that
tension is not transmitted to joints or terminals.
Exception: Listed portable single-pole devices that are intended to accommodate such tension at their terminals
shall be permitted to be used with single-conductor flexible
cable.
Informational Note: Some methods of preventing pull on a
cord from being transmitted to joints or terminals are knotting the cord, winding with tape, and using support or strain
relief fittings. [ROP 6–104]
400.11 In Show Windows and Showcases. Flexible cords
used in show windows and showcases shall be Types S, SE,
SEO, SEOO, SJ, SJE, SJEO, SJEOO, SJO, SJOO, SJT,
SJTO, SJTOO, SO, SOO, ST, STO, STOO, SEW, SEOW,
SEOOW, SJEW, SJEOW, SJEOOW, SJOW, SJOOW,
70–276
Exception No. 1:
luminaires.
For the wiring of chain-supported
Exception No. 2: As supply cords for portable luminaires
and other merchandise being displayed or exhibited.
400.13 Overcurrent Protection. Flexible cords not
smaller than 18 AWG, and tinsel cords or cords having
equivalent characteristics of smaller size approved for use
with specific appliances, shall be considered as protected
against overcurrent in accordance with 240.5.
400.14 Protection from Damage. Flexible cords and
cables shall be protected by bushings or fittings where passing through holes in covers, outlet boxes, or similar enclosures.
In industrial establishments where the conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, flexible cords and cables shall
be permitted to be installed in aboveground raceways that
are no longer than 15 m (50 ft) to protect the flexible cord
or cable from physical damage. Where more than three
current-carrying conductors are installed within the raceway, the allowable ampacity shall be reduced in accordance
with Table 400.5(A)(3).
AF
(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code
SJTW, SJTOW, SJTOOW, SOW, SOOW, STW, STOW, or
STOOW.
T
(B) Attachment Plugs. Where used as permitted in
400.7(A)(3), (A)(6), and (A)(8), each flexible cord shall be
equipped with an attachment plug and shall be energized
from a receptacle outlet or cord connector body.
II. Construction Specifications
400.20 Labels. Flexible cords shall be examined and
tested at the factory and labeled before shipment.
400.21 Construction.
(A) Conductors. The individual conductors of a flexible
cord or cable shall have flexible stranding and shall not be
smaller than the sizes specified in Table 400.4.
(B) Nominal Insulation Thickness. The nominal thickness of insulation for conductors of flexible cords and
cables shall not be less than specified in Table 400.4.
400.22 Grounded-Conductor Identification. One conductor of flexible cords that is intended to be used as a
grounded circuit conductor shall have a continuous marker
that readily distinguishes it from the other conductor or
conductors. The identification shall consist of one of the
methods indicated in 400.22(A) through (F).
(A) Colored Braid. A braid finished to show a white or
gray color and the braid on the other conductor or conductors finished to show a readily distinguishable solid color or
colors.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 400 — FLEXIBLE CORDS AND CABLES
Exception: In the case of Types C and PD and cords
having the braids on the individual conductors finished to
show white or gray. In such cords, the identifying marker
shall be permitted to consist of the solid white or gray
finish on one conductor, provided there is a colored tracer
in the braid of each other conductor.
(C) Colored Insulation. A white or gray insulation on one
conductor and insulation of a readily distinguishable color
or colors on the other conductor or conductors for cords
having no braids on the individual conductors.
For jacketed cords furnished with appliances, one conductor having its insulation colored light blue, with the
other conductors having their insulation of a readily distinguishable color other than white or gray.
(A) Colored Braid. A braid finished to show a continuous
green color or a continuous green color with one or more
yellow stripes.
(B) Colored Insulation or Covering. For cords having no
braids on the individual conductors, an insulation of a continuous green color or a continuous green color with one or
more yellow stripes.
400.24 Attachment Plugs. Where a flexible cord is provided with an equipment grounding conductor and
equipped with an attachment plug, the attachment plug
shall comply with 250.138(A) and (B).
III. Portable Cables Over 600 Volts, Nominal
400.30 Scope. Part III applies to single and multiconductor
portable cables used to connect mobile equipment and machinery. [ROP 6–106]
T
(B) Tracer in Braid. A tracer in a braid of any color contrasting with that of the braid and no tracer in the braid of
the other conductor or conductors. No tracer shall be used
in the braid of any conductor of a flexible cord that contains
a conductor having a braid finished to show white or gray.
400.36
400.31 Construction.
(A) Conductors. The conductors shall be 12 AWG copper
or larger and shall employ flexible stranding.
AF
Exception: Cords that have insulation on the individual
conductors integral with the jacket.
The insulation shall be permitted to be covered with an
outer finish to provide the desired color.
D
R
(D) Colored Separator. A white or gray separator on one
conductor and a separator of a readily distinguishable solid
color on the other conductor or conductors of cords having
insulation on the individual conductors integral with the
jacket.
(E) Tinned Conductors. One conductor having the individual strands tinned and the other conductor or conductors
having the individual strands untinned for cords having insulation on the individual conductors integral with the
jacket.
(F) Surface Marking. One or more ridges, grooves, or
white stripes located on the exterior of the cord so as to
identify one conductor for cords having insulation on the
individual conductors integral with the jacket.
400.23 Equipment Grounding Conductor Identification. A conductor intended to be used as an equipment
grounding conductor shall have a continuous identifying
marker readily distinguishing it from the other conductor or
conductors. Conductors having a continuous green color or
a continuous green color with one or more yellow stripes
shall not be used for other than equipment grounding conductors. Cords or cables consisting of integral insulation
and jacket without a nonintegral grounding conductor may
be green. The identifying marker shall consist of one of the
methods in 400.23(A) or (B). [ROP 6–105]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductor(s). An equipment
grounding conductor(s) shall be provided in cables with
three or more conductors. The total area shall not be less
than that of the size of the equipment grounding conductor
required in 250.122. [ROP 6–106a]
400.32 Shielding. All shields shall be connected to an
equipment grounding conductor.
400.33 Equipment Grounding Conductors. Equipment
grounding conductors shall be connected in accordance
with Parts VI and VII of Article 250.
400.34 Minimum Bending Radii. The minimum bending
radii for portable cables during installation and handling in
service shall be adequate to prevent damage to the cable.
400.35 Fittings. Connectors used to connect lengths of
cable in a run shall be of a type that locks firmly together.
Provisions shall be made to prevent opening or closing
these connectors while energized. Suitable means shall be
used to eliminate tension at connectors and terminations.
400.36 Splices and Terminations. Portable cables shall
not contain splices unless the splices are of the permanent
molded, vulcanized types in accordance with 110.14(B).
Terminations on portable cables rated over 600 volts, nominal, shall be accessible only to authorized and qualified
personnel.
70–277
402.1
ARTICLE 402 — FIXTURE WIRES
ARTICLE 402
Fixture Wires
402.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements and
construction specifications for fixture wires.
402.2 Other Articles. Fixture wires shall comply with this
article and also with the applicable provisions of other articles of this Code.
Informational Note: For application in luminaires, see Article 410.
402.3 Types. Fixture wires shall be of a type listed in Table
402.3, and they shall comply with all requirements of that
table. The fixture wires listed in Table 402.3 are all suitable
for service at 600 volts, nominal, unless otherwise specified.
Informational Note: Thermoplastic insulation may stiffen
at temperatures colder than −10°C (+14°F), requiring that
care be exercised during installation at such temperatures.
Thermoplastic insulation may also be deformed at normal
temperatures where subjected to pressure, requiring that
care be exercised during installation and at points of
support.
Table 402.3 Fixture Wires
Heat-resistant
rubbercovered
fixture wire —
flexible
stranding
FFH-2
Insulation
AWG
mm
mils
Heat-resistant
rubber
18–16
0.76
30
Cross-linked
synthetic
polymer
18–16
0.76
30
Ethylene
chlorotrifluoroethylene
18–14
0.38
Outer
Covering
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Application
Provisions
Nonmetallic
covering
75°C
167°F
Fixture wiring
15
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
AF
Name
Type
Letter
T
Thickness of
Insulation
HF
ECTFE —
flexible
stranding
HFF
Ethylene
chlorotrifluoroethylene
18–14
0.38
15
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
Tape insulated
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
KF-1
Aromatic
polyimide
tape
Aromatic
polyimide
tape
18–10
0.14
5.5
None
200°C
392°F
18–10
0.21
8.4
None
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
Fixture wiring
Tape insulated
fixture wire
— flexible
stranding
KFF-1
Aromatic
polyimide
tape
Aromatic
polyimide
tape
18–10
0.14
5.5
None
200°C
392°F
18–10
0.21
8.4
None
200°C
392°F
Perfluoroalkoxy—
solid or 7strand
(nickel or
nickel-coated
copper)
PAF
Perfluoroalkoxy
18–14
0.51
20
None
250°C
482°F
70–278
D
R
ECTFE —
solid or 7strand
KF-2
KFF-2
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
Fixture wiring
Fixture wiring
(nickel or
nickel-coated
copper)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
402.3
ARTICLE 402 — FIXTURE WIRES
Table 402.3
Continued
Thickness of
Insulation
Type
Letter
Name
AWG
mm
mils
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Application
Provisions
Perfluoroalkoxy
18–14
0.51
20
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
PF
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
18–14
0.51
20
None
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
fixture wire
— flexible
stranding
PFF
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
18–14
0.51
20
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
PGF
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
fixture wire
— flexible
stranding
PGFF
Fluorinated
ethylene
propylene
Extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene
— solid or
7-strand
(nickel or
nickel-coated
copper)
Extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene
— flexible
stranding
26-36 (AWG
silver or
nickelcoated copper)
2014 Edition
AF
T
PAFF
18–14
0.36
14
Glass braid
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
18–14
0.36
14
Glass braid
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
D
R
Perfluoro-alkoxy
— flexible
stranding
Insulation
Outer
Covering
PTF
Extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene
18–14
0.51
20
None
250°C
482°F
Fixture wiring
(nickel or
nickel-coated
copper)
PTFF
Extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene
18–14
0.51
20
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
(silver or
nickel-coated
copper)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–279
402.3
ARTICLE 402 — FIXTURE WIRES
Table 402.3
Continued
Thickness of
Insulation
Heat-resistant
cross-linked
synthetic
polymer-insulated
fixture wire
— solid or 7strand
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Application
Provisions
Insulation
AWG
mm
mils
RFH-1
Heat-resistant
rubber
18
0.38
15
Nonmetallic
covering
75°C
167°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
RFH-2
Heat-resistant
rubber
Cross-linked
synthetic
polymer
18–16
0.76
30
None or nonmetallic
covering
75°C
167°F
Fixture wiring
RFHH-2*
Cross-linked
synthetic
polymer
18–16
0.76
30
None or nonmetallic
covering
90°C
194°F
Fixture wiring
—
18–16
1.14
45
RFHH-3*
T
Heat-resistant
rubbercovered
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
Outer
Covering
AF
Name
Type
Letter
18
0.38
15
Nonmetallic
covering
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
Silicone
rubber
18–12
10
0.76
1.14
30
45
Nonmetallic
covering
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
SFF-1
Silicone
rubber
18
0.38
15
Nonmetallic
covering
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
SFF-2
Silicone
rubber
18–12
10
0.76
1.14
30
45
Nonmetallic
covering
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
TF*
Thermoplastic
18–16
0.76
30
None
60°C
140°F
Fixture wiring
Thermoplastic
covered
fixture wire
— flexible
stranding
TFF*
Thermoplastic
18–16
0.76
30
None
60°C
140°F
Fixture wiring
Heat-resistant
thermoplastic
covered
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
TFN*
Thermoplastic
18–16
0.38
15
Nylon-jacketed or
equivalent
90°C
194°F
Fixture wiring
Silicone
rubber
SF-2
Silicone
insulated
fixture wire
— flexible
stranding
Thermoplastic
covered
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
70–280
D
R
SF-1
Silicone
insulated
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
402.7
ARTICLE 402 — FIXTURE WIRES
Table 402.3
Continued
Thickness of
Insulation
AWG
mm
mils
Heat-resistant
thermoplastic
covered
fixture wire
— flexible
stranded
TFFN*
Thermoplastic
18–16
0.38
15
Nylon-jacketed or
equivalent
90°C
194°F
Fixture wiring
Cross-linked
polyolefin
insulated
fixture wire
— solid or
7-strand
XF*
Cross-linked
polyolefin
18–14
12-10
0.76
1.14
30
45
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
Cross-linked
polyolefin
insulated
fixture wire
— flexible
stranded
XFF*
Cross-linked
polyolefin
18–14
12–10
0.76
1.14
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
— limited to
300 volts
Flexible
stranding
High temp.
modified
ETFE—
solid or 7strand
Modified
ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene
30
45
AF
ZF
18–14
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Modified ETFE
— solid or
7- strand
T
Insulation
Name
Outer
Covering
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Type
Letter
Application
Provisions
0.38
15
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
ZFF
Modified
ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene
18–14
0.38
15
None
150°C
302°F
Fixture wiring
ZHF
Modified
ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene
18–14
0.38
15
None
200°C
392°F
Fixture wiring
*Insulations and outer coverings that meet the requirements of flame retardant, limited smoke, and are so listed shall be permitted to be marked for
limited smoke after the Code type designation.
402.5 Allowable Ampacities for Fixture Wires. The allowable ampacity of fixture wire shall be as specified in
Table 402.5.
No conductor shall be used under such conditions that
its operating temperature exceeds the temperature specified
in Table 402.3 for the type of insulation involved.
Informational Note: See 310.15(A)(3) for temperature
limitation of conductors.
402.6 Minimum Size. Fixture wires shall not be smaller
than 18 AWG.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Table 402.5 Allowable Ampacity for Fixture Wires
Size (AWG)
Allowable Ampacity
18
16
14
12
10
6
8
17
23
28
402.7 Number of Conductors in Conduit or Tubing. The
number of fixture wires permitted in a single conduit or
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402.8
ARTICLE 404 — SWITCHES
402.8 Grounded Conductor Identification. Fixture wires
that are intended to be used as grounded conductors shall
be identified by one or more continuous white stripes on
other than green insulation or by the means described in
400.22(A) through (E).
402.9 Marking.
(A) Method of Marking. Thermoplastic insulated fixture
wire shall be durably marked on the surface at intervals not
exceeding 610 mm (24 in.). All other fixture wire shall be
marked by means of a printed tag attached to the coil, reel,
or carton.
Exception:
conductor.
Switch loops shall not require a grounded
(B) Grounded Conductors. Switches or circuit breakers
shall not disconnect the grounded conductor of a circuit.
Exception: A switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted
to disconnect a grounded circuit conductor where all circuit conductors are disconnected simultaneously, or where
the device is arranged so that the grounded conductor cannot be disconnected until all the ungrounded conductors of
the circuit have been disconnected.
(C) Switches Controlling Lighting Loads. Where
switches control lighting loads supplied by a grounded general purpose branch circuit, the grounded circuit conductor
for the controlled lighting circuit shall be provided at the
switch location.
Exception No. 1: The grounded circuit conductor shall be
permitted to be omitted from the switch enclosure where
either of the following conditions in (1) or (2) apply:
AF
(B) Optional Marking. Fixture wire types listed in Table
402.3 shall be permitted to be surface marked to indicate
special characteristics of the cable materials. These markings include, but are not limited to, markings for limited
smoke, sunlight resistance, and so forth.
metal raceways or metal-armored cables, wiring between
switches and outlets shall be in accordance with 300.20(A).
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tubing shall not exceed the percentage fill specified in Table
1, Chapter 9.
402.10 Uses Permitted. Fixture wires shall be permitted
(1) for installation in luminaires and in similar equipment
where enclosed or protected and not subject to bending or
twisting in use, or (2) for connecting luminaires to the
branch-circuit conductors supplying the luminaires.
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402.11 Uses Not Permitted. Fixture wires shall not be
used as branch-circuit conductors except as permitted elsewhere in this Code.
402.12 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
for fixture wires shall be as specified in 240.5.
ARTICLE 404
Switches
I. Installation
404.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to all
switches, switching devices, and circuit breakers used as
switches, operating at 1000 volts and below, unless specifically referenced elsewhere in this Code for higher voltages.
[ROP 9–74]
404.2 Switch Connections.
(A) Three-Way and Four-Way Switches. Three-way and
four-way switches shall be wired so that all switching is
done only in the ungrounded circuit conductor. Where in
70–282
(1) Conductors for switches controlling lighting loads enter the box through a raceway. The raceway shall have
suffıcient cross-sectional area to accommodate the extension of the grounded circuit conductor of the lighting circuit to the switch location whether or not the
conductors in the raceway are required to be increased
in size to comply with 310.15(B))(3)(a).
(2) Cable assemblies for switches controlling lighting
loads enter the box through a framing cavity that is
open at the top or bottom on the same floor level, or
through a wall, floor, or ceiling that is unfinished on
one side.
Exception No. 2: The grounded circuit conductor shall not
be required to be provided at switch locations where snap
switches with integral enclosures complying with 300.15(E)
control the lighting loads. [ROP 9–87]
Exception No. 3: Where multiple switch locations control
the same lighting load in an interior room or space, a
grounded circuit conductor of the lighting circuit shall not
be required at each such location if one has been provided
at one or more switching points that is (are) visible from
most areas within the room including all principal entry
points. Where a switch controls a receptacle load or a
lighting load that does not serve a habitable room or bathroom, or where automatic control of lighting has been provided or the switch is not within the lit area, a grounded
circuit conductor shall not be required. [ROP 9–89]
Informational Note: The provision for a (future) grounded
conductor is to complete a circuit path for electronic lighting control devices.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 404 — SWITCHES
(A) General. Switches and circuit breakers shall be of the
externally operable type mounted in an enclosure listed for
the intended use. The minimum wire-bending space at terminals and minimum gutter space provided in switch enclosures shall be as required in 312.6.
Exception No. 1: Pendant- and surface-type snap switches
and knife switches mounted on an open-face switchboard
or panelboard shall be permitted without enclosures.
Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed
in accordance with 110.28(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4)
shall be permitted without enclosures.
(B) Used as a Raceway. Enclosures shall not be used as
junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches or
overcurrent devices, unless the enclosure complies with
312.8.
404.4 Damp or Wet Locations.
(C) Connection of Switches. Single-throw knife switches
and switches with butt contacts shall be connected such that
their blades are de-energized when the switch is in the open
position. Bolted pressure contact switches shall have barriers that prevent inadvertent contact with energized blades.
Single-throw knife switches, bolted pressure contact
switches, molded case switches, switches with butt contacts, and circuit breakers used as switches shall be connected so that the terminals supplying the load are deenergized when the switch is in the open position.
Exception: The blades and terminals supplying the load of
a switch shall be permitted to be energized when the switch
is in the open position where the switch is connected to
circuits or equipment inherently capable of providing a
backfeed source of power. For such installations, a permanent sign shall be installed on the switch enclosure or immediately adjacent to open switches with the following
words or equivalent: WARNING — LOAD SIDE TERMINALS MAY BE ENERGIZED BY BACKFEED. The warning sign or label shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP 9–94]
AF
(A) Surface-Mounted Switch or Circuit Breaker. A
surface-mounted switch or circuit breaker shall be enclosed
in a weatherproof enclosure or cabinet that shall comply
with 312.2.
(B) Double-Throw Knife Switches. Double-throw knife
switches shall be permitted to be mounted so that the throw
is either vertical or horizontal. Where the throw is vertical,
integral mechanical means shall be provided to hold the
blades in the open position when so set.
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404.3 Enclosure.
404.8
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(B) Flush-Mounted Switch or Circuit Breaker. A flushmounted switch or circuit breaker shall be equipped with a
weatherproof cover.
(C) Switches in Tub or Shower Spaces. Switches shall
not be installed within tubs or shower spaces unless installed as part of a listed tub or shower assembly.
404.5 Time Switches, Flashers, and Similar Devices.
Time switches, flashers, and similar devices shall be of the
enclosed type or shall be mounted in cabinets or boxes or
equipment enclosures. Energized parts shall be barriered to
prevent operator exposure when making manual adjustments or switching.
404.7 Indicating. General-use and motor-circuit switches,
circuit breakers, and molded case switches, where mounted
in an enclosure as described in 404.3, shall clearly indicate
whether they are in the open (off) or closed (on) position.
Where these switch or circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally, the
up position of the handle shall be the closed (on) position.
[ROP 9–96]
Exception No. 1: Vertically operated double-throw
switches shall be permitted to be in the closed (on) position
with the handle in either the up or down position.
Exception: Devices mounted so they are accessible only to
qualified persons shall be permitted without barriers, provided they are located within an enclosure such that any
energized parts within 152 mm (6.0 in.) of the manual adjustment or switch are covered by suitable barriers.
Exception No. 2: On busway installations, tap switches
employing a center-pivoting handle shall be permitted to be
open or closed with either end of the handle in the up or
down position. The switch position shall be clearly indicating and shall be visible from the floor or from the usual
point of operation.
404.6 Position and Connection of Switches.
404.8 Accessibility and Grouping.
(A) Single-Throw Knife Switches. Single-throw knife
switches shall be placed so that gravity will not tend to
close them. Single-throw knife switches, approved for use
in the inverted position, shall be provided with an integral
mechanical means that ensures that the blades remain in the
open position when so set.
(A) Location. All switches and circuit breakers used as
switches shall be located so that they may be operated from
a readily accessible place. They shall be installed such that
the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch
or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, is not more
than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working platform.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–283
ARTICLE 404 — SWITCHES
Exception No. 1: On busway installations, fused switches
and circuit breakers shall be permitted to be located at the
same level as the busway. Suitable means shall be provided
to operate the handle of the device from the floor.
Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed
adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that
they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0
m (6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.
Exception No. 3: Hookstick operable isolating switches
shall be permitted at greater heights.
(B) Voltage Between Adjacent Devices. A snap switch
shall not be grouped or ganged in enclosures with other
snap switches, receptacles, or similar devices, unless they
are arranged so that the voltage between adjacent devices
does not exceed 300 volts, or unless they are installed in
enclosures equipped with identified, securely installed barriers between adjacent devices.
Exception No. 2 to (B): Listed kits or listed assemblies shall
not be required to be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The device is provided with a nonmetallic faceplate
that cannot be installed on any other type of device,
(2) The device does not have mounting means to accept
other configurations of faceplates,
(3) The device is equipped with a nonmetallic yoke, and
(4) All parts of the device that are accessible after installation of the faceplate are manufactured of nonmetallic
materials.
AF
(C) Multipole Snap Switches. A multipole, general-use
snap switch shall not be permitted to be fed from more than
a single circuit unless it is listed and marked as a twocircuit or three-circuit switch, or unless its voltage rating is
not less than the nominal line-to-line voltage of the system
supplying the circuits.
include or provide an equipment grounding conductor, a
snap switch without a connection to an equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted for replacement purposes
only. A snap switch wired under the provisions of this exception and located within 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically, or 1.5 m
(5 ft) horizontally, of ground or exposed grounded metal
objects shall be provided with a faceplate of nonconducting
noncombustible material with nonmetallic attachment
screws, unless the switch mounting strap or yoke is nonmetallic or the circuit is protected by a ground-fault circuit
interrupter.
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404.9
Informational Note: See 210.7 for disconnect requirements where more than one circuit supplies a switch.
404.9 Provisions for General-Use Snap Switches.
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(A) Faceplates. Faceplates provided for snap switches
mounted in boxes and other enclosures shall be installed so
as to completely cover the opening and, where the switch is
flush mounted, seat against the finished surface.
(B) Grounding. Snap switches, including dimmer and
similar control switches, shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor and shall provide a means to
connect metal faceplates to the equipment grounding conductor, whether or not a metal faceplate is installed. Snap
switches shall be considered to be part of an effective
ground-fault current path if either of the following conditions is met:
(1) The switch is mounted with metal screws to a metal
box or metal cover that is connected to an equipment
grounding conductor or to a nonmetallic box with integral means for connecting to an equipment grounding
conductor.
(2) An equipment grounding conductor or equipment
bonding jumper is connected to an equipment grounding termination of the snap switch.
Exception No. 1 to (B): Where no means exists within the
snap-switch enclosure for connecting to the equipment
grounding conductor, or where the wiring method does not
70–284
Exception No. 3 to (B): A snap switch with integral nonmetallic enclosure complying with 300.15(E) shall be permitted without a connection to an equipment grounding
conductor.
(C) Construction. Metal faceplates shall be of ferrous
metal not less than 0.76 mm (0.030 in.) in thickness or of
nonferrous metal not less than 1.02 mm (0.040 in.) in thickness. Faceplates of insulating material shall be noncombustible and not less than 2.54 mm (0.100 in.) in thickness, but
they shall be permitted to be less than 2.54 mm (0.100 in.)
in thickness if formed or reinforced to provide adequate
mechanical strength.
404.10 Mounting of Snap Switches.
(A) Surface Type. Snap switches used with open wiring
on insulators shall be mounted on insulating material that
separates the conductors at least 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) from the
surface wired over.
(B) Box Mounted. Flush-type snap switches mounted in
boxes that are set back of the finished surface as permitted
in 314.20 shall be installed so that the extension plaster ears
are seated against the surface. Flush-type snap switches
mounted in boxes that are flush with the finished surface or
project from it shall be installed so that the mounting yoke
or strap of the switch is seated against the box. Screws used
for the purpose of attaching a snap switch to a box shall be
either machine screws matching the thread gage or size that
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 404 — SWITCHES
404.11 Circuit Breakers as Switches. A hand-operable
circuit breaker equipped with a lever or handle, or a poweroperated circuit breaker capable of being opened by hand in
the event of a power failure, shall be permitted to serve as
a switch if it has the required number of poles.
Informational Note:
240.81 and 240.83.
See the provisions contained in
404.13 Knife Switches.
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(A) Isolating Switches. Knife switches rated at over 1200
amperes at 250 volts or less, and at over 1000 amperes at
251 to 1000 volts, shall be used only as isolating switches
and shall not be opened under load. [ROP 9–99]
(B) To Interrupt Currents. To interrupt currents over
1200 amperes at 250 volts, nominal, or less, or over 600
amperes at 251 to 600 volts, nominal, a circuit breaker or a
switch of special design listed for such purpose shall be
used.
(C) General-Use Switches. Knife switches of ratings less
than specified in 404.13(A) and (B) shall be considered
general-use switches.
Informational Note: See the definition of General-Use
Switch in Article 100.
(D) Motor-Circuit Switches. Motor-circuit switches shall
be permitted to be of the knife-switch type.
Informational Note: See the definition of a Motor-Circuit
Switch in Article 100.
404.14 Rating and Use of Snap Switches. Snap switches
shall be used within their ratings and as indicated in
404.14(A) through (F).
Informational Note No. 1: For switches on signs and outline lighting, see 600.6.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Alternating-Current General-Use Snap Switch. A
form of general-use snap switch suitable only for use on ac
circuits for controlling the following:
(1) Resistive and inductive loads not exceeding the ampere
rating of the switch at the voltage applied [ROP 9–100]
(2) Tungsten-filament lamp loads not exceeding the ampere rating of the switch at 120 volts
(3) Motor loads not exceeding 80 percent of the ampere
rating of the switch at its rated voltage
(B) Alternating-Current or Direct-Current GeneralUse Snap Switch. A form of general-use snap switch suitable for use on either ac or dc circuits for controlling the
following:
(1) Resistive loads not exceeding the ampere rating of the
switch at the voltage applied.
(2) Inductive loads not exceeding 50 percent of the ampere
rating of the switch at the applied voltage. Switches
rated in horsepower are suitable for controlling motor
loads within their rating at the voltage applied.
(3) Tungsten-filament lamp loads not exceeding the ampere rating of the switch at the applied voltage if
T-rated.
AF
404.12 Grounding of Enclosures. Metal enclosures for
switches or circuit breakers shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor as specified in Part IV of Article
250. Metal enclosures for switches or circuit breakers used
as service equipment shall comply with the provisions of
Part V of Article 250. Where nonmetallic enclosures are
used with metal raceways or metal-armored cables, provision shall be made for connecting the equipment grounding
conductor(s).
Except as covered in 404.9(B), Exception No. 1, nonmetallic boxes for switches shall be installed with a wiring
method that provides or includes an equipment grounding
conductor.
Informational Note No. 2: For switches controlling motors, see 430.83, 430.109, and 430.110.
T
is integral to the box or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. [ROP 9–98]
404.14
(C) CO/ALR Snap Switches. Snap switches rated 20 amperes or less directly connected to aluminum conductors
shall be listed and marked CO/ALR.
(D) Alternating-Current Specific-Use Snap Switches
Rated for 347 Volts. Snap switches rated 347 volts ac shall
be listed and shall be used only for controlling the loads
permitted by (D)(1) and (D)(2).
(1) Noninductive Loads. Noninductive loads other than
tungsten-filament lamps not exceeding the ampere and voltage ratings of the switch.
(2) Inductive Loads. Inductive loads not exceeding the
ampere and voltage ratings of the switch. Where particular
load characteristics or limitations are specified as a condition of the listing, those restrictions shall be observed regardless of the ampere rating of the load.
The ampere rating of the switch shall not be less than
15 amperes at a voltage rating of 347 volts ac. Flush-type
snap switches rated 347 volts ac shall not be readily interchangeable in box mounting with switches identified in
404.14(A) and (B).
(E) Dimmer Switches. General-use dimmer switches shall
be used only to control permanently installed incandescent
luminaires unless listed for the control of other loads and
installed accordingly.
70–285
404.15
ARTICLE 406 — RECEPTACLES, CORD CONNECTORS, AND ATTACHMENT PLUGS (CAPS)
(F) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Loads. Where a snap
switch is used to control cord-and-plug-connected equipment on a general-purpose branch circuit, each snap switch
controlling receptacle outlets or cord connectors that are
supplied by permanently connected cord pendants shall be
rated at not less than the rating of the maximum permitted
ampere rating or setting of the overcurrent device protecting the receptacles or cord connectors, as provided in
210.21(B).
Informational Note: See 210.50(A) and 400.7(A)(1) for
equivalency to a receptacle outlet of a cord connector that
is supplied by a permanently connected cord pendant.
Exception: Where a snap switch is used to control not
more than one receptacle on a branch circuit, the switch
shall be permitted to be rated at not less than the rating of
the receptacle.
406.2 Definition.
Child Care Facility. A building or structure, or portion
thereof, for educational, supervisory, or personal care services for more than four children 7 years old or less.
406.3 Receptacle Rating and Type.
(A) Receptacles. Receptacles shall be listed and marked
with the manufacturer’s name or identification and voltage
and ampere ratings.
(B) Rating. Receptacles and cord connectors shall be rated
not less than 15 amperes, 125 volts, or 15 amperes, 250
volts, and shall be of a type not suitable for use as lampholders.
Informational Note: See 210.21(B) for receptacle ratings
where installed on branch circuits.
404.15 Marking.
(D) Isolated Ground Receptacles. Receptacles incorporating an isolated grounding conductor connection intended
for the reduction of electrical noise (electromagnetic interference) as permitted in 250.146(D) shall be identified by
an orange triangle located on the face of the receptacle.
AF
(A) Ratings. Switches shall be marked with the current,
voltage, and, if horsepower rated, the maximum rating for
which they are designed.
T
(C) Receptacles for Aluminum Conductors. Receptacles
rated 20 amperes or less and designed for the direct connection of aluminum conductors shall be marked CO/ALR.
II. Construction Specifications
D
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(B) Off Indication. Where in the off position, a switching
device with a marked OFF position shall completely disconnect all ungrounded conductors to the load it controls.
404.16 Knife Switches Rated 600 to 1000 Volts. Auxiliary contacts of a renewable or quick-break type or the
equivalent shall be provided on all knife switches rated 600
to 1000 volts and designed for use in breaking current over
200 amperes. [ROP 9–103]
404.17 Fused Switches. A fused switch shall not have
fuses in parallel except as permitted in 240.8.
404.18 Wire-Bending Space. The wire-bending space required by 404.3 shall meet Table 312.6(B) spacings to the
enclosure wall opposite the line and load terminals.
ARTICLE 406
Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and
Attachment Plugs (Caps)
406.1 Scope. This article covers the rating, type, and installation of receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment
plugs (cord caps).
70–286
(1) Isolated Equipment Grounding Conductor Required. Receptacles so identified shall be used only with
equipment grounding conductors that are isolated in accordance with 250.146(D).
(2) Installation in Nonmetallic Boxes. Isolated ground receptacles installed in nonmetallic boxes shall be covered
with a nonmetallic faceplate.
Exception: Where an isolated ground receptacle is installed in a nonmetallic box, a metal faceplate shall be
permitted if the box contains a feature or accessory that
permits the effective grounding of the faceplate.
(E) Controlled Receptacle Marking. All nonlockingtype, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles that are controlled by an automatic control device or incorporate control features that remove power from the outlet for the
purpose of energy management or building automation
shall be marked with the symbol shown below placed on
the controlled receptacle outlet where visible after installation. [ROP 18–15]
Figure 406.3(E)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 406 — RECEPTACLES, CORD CONNECTORS, AND ATTACHMENT PLUGS (CAPS)
406.4 General Installation Requirements. Receptacle
outlets shall be located in branch circuits in accordance
with Part III of Article 210. General installation requirements shall be in accordance with 406.4(A) through (F).
(A) Grounding Type. Except as provided in 406.4(D), receptacles installed on 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits
shall be of the grounding type. Grounding-type receptacles
shall be installed only on circuits of the voltage class and
current for which they are rated, except as provided in
Table 210.21(B)(2) and Table 210.21(B)(3). [ROP 18–17]
(B) To Be Grounded. Receptacles and cord connectors
that have equipment grounding conductor contacts shall
have those contacts connected to an equipment grounding
conductor.
(a) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with another non–grounding-type receptacle(s).
(b) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with a ground-fault circuit interruptertype of receptacle(s). These receptacles shall be marked
“No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor shall not be connected from the ground-fault circuitinterrupter-type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the
ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle.
(c) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle(s)
where supplied through a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
Grounding-type receptacles supplied through the groundfault circuit interrupter shall be marked “GFCI Protected”
and “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding
conductor shall not be connected between the groundingtype receptacles.
AF
Exception No. 1: Receptacles mounted on portable and
vehicle-mounted generators in accordance with 250.34.
(2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles. Where attachment to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist
in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply
with (D)(2)(a), (D)(2)(b), or (D)(2)(c).
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Exception: The marking is not required for receptacles
controlled by a wall switch as permitted by 210.70 to provide the required room lighting outlets. [ROP 18–15]
406.4
Exception No. 2: Replacement receptacles as permitted by
406.4(D).
D
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(C) Methods of Grounding. The equipment grounding
conductor contacts of receptacles and cord connectors shall
be grounded by connection to the equipment grounding
conductor of the circuit supplying the receptacle or cord
connector.
Informational Note: For installation requirements for the
reduction of electrical noise, see 250.146(D).
The branch-circuit wiring method shall include or provide an equipment grounding conductor to which the equipment grounding conductor contacts of the receptacle or
cord connector are connected.
Informational Note No. 1:
grounding means.
See 250.118 for acceptable
Informational Note No. 2: For extensions of existing
branch circuits, see 250.130.
(D) Replacements. Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(6), as applicable. Arcfault circuit-interrupter and ground-fault circuit-interrupter
type receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible
location. [ROP 18–18]
(1) Grounding-Type Receptacles. Where a grounding
means exists in the receptacle enclosure or an equipment
grounding conductor is installed in accordance with
250.130(C), grounding-type receptacles shall be used and
shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in
accordance with 406.4(C) or 250.130(C).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters. Ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protected receptacles shall be provided
where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are
required to be so protected elsewhere in this Code.
(4) Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Where a
receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection as specified
elsewhere in this Code, a replacement receptacle at this
outlet shall be one of the following:
(1) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter receptacle
(2) A receptacle protected by a listed outlet branch circuit
type arc-fault circuit interrupter type receptacle
(3) A receptacle protected by a listed combination type
arc-fault circuit interrupter type circuit breaker
This requirement becomes effective January 1, 2014.
(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. Listed tamperresistant receptacles shall be provided where replacements
are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be
tamper-resistant elsewhere in this Code.
(6) Weather-Resistant Receptacles. Weather-resistant receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at
receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere in this Code.
(E) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. The installation of grounding-type receptacles shall not be used as a
requirement that all cord-and-plug-connected equipment be
of the grounded type.
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ARTICLE 406 — RECEPTACLES, CORD CONNECTORS, AND ATTACHMENT PLUGS (CAPS)
Informational Note: See 250.114 for types of cord-andplug-connected equipment to be grounded.
(F) Noninterchangeable Types. Receptacles connected to
circuits that have different voltages, frequencies, or types of
current (ac or dc) on the same premises shall be of such
design that the attachment plugs used on these circuits are
not interchangeable.
406.5 Receptacle Mounting. Receptacles shall be
mounted in identified boxes or assemblies. The boxes or
assemblies shall be securely fastened in place unless otherwise permitted elsewhere in this Code. Screws installed for
the receptacles fastened to the box shall be machine screws
matching the thread gage or size that is integral to the box.
[ROP 18–28, ROP 18–30, ROP 18–31]
406.6 Receptacle Faceplates (Cover Plates). Receptacle
faceplates shall be installed so as to completely cover the
opening and seat against the mounting surface.
Receptacle faceplates mounted inside a box having a
recess-mounted receptacle shall effectively close the opening and seat against the mounting surface.
(A) Thickness of Metal Faceplates. Metal faceplates shall
be of ferrous metal not less than 0.76 mm (0.030 in.) in
thickness or of nonferrous metal not less than 1.02 mm
(0.040 in.) in thickness.
(B) Grounding. Metal faceplates shall be grounded.
(C) Faceplates of Insulating Material. Faceplates of insulating material shall be noncombustible and not less than
2.54 mm (0.10 in.) in thickness but shall be permitted to be
less than 2.54 mm (0.10 in.) in thickness if formed or reinforced to provide adequate mechanical strength.
AF
(A) Boxes That Are Set Back. Receptacles mounted in
boxes that are set back from the finished surface as permitted in 314.20 shall be installed such that the mounting yoke
or strap of the receptacle is held rigidly at the finished
surface.
(H) Voltage Between Adjacent Devices. A receptacle
shall not be grouped or ganged in enclosures with other
receptacles, snap switches, or similar devices, unless they
are arranged so that the voltage between adjacent devices
does not exceed 300 volts, or unless they are installed in
enclosures equipped with identified, securely installed barriers between adjacent devices.
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406.5
(B) Boxes That Are Flush. Receptacles mounted in boxes
that are flush with the finished surface or project therefrom
shall be installed such that the mounting yoke or strap of
the receptacle is held rigidly against the box or box cover.
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(C) Receptacles Mounted on Covers. Receptacles
mounted to and supported by a cover shall be held rigidly
against the cover by more than one screw or shall be a
device assembly or box cover listed and identified for securing by a single screw.
(D) Position of Receptacle Faces. After installation, receptacle faces shall be flush with or project from faceplates
of insulating material and shall project a minimum of
0.4 mm (0.015 in.) from metal faceplates.
Exception: Listed kits or assemblies encompassing receptacles and nonmetallic faceplates that cover the receptacle
face, where the plate cannot be installed on any other receptacle, shall be permitted.
(E) Receptacles in Countertops and Similar Work Surfaces. Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up position in countertops or similar work surfaces. [ROP 18–32,
ROP 18–34]
(F) Receptacles in Seating Areas and Other Similar
Surfaces. Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up
position in seating areas or similar surfaces unless they are
part of an assembly listed for the application. [ROP 18–34]
(G) Exposed Terminals. Receptacles shall be enclosed so
that live wiring terminals are not exposed to contact.
70–288
406.7 Attachment Plugs, Cord Connectors, and
Flanged Surface Devices. All attachment plugs, cord connectors, and flanged surface devices (inlets and outlets)
shall be listed and marked with the manufacturer’s name or
identification and voltage and ampere ratings.
(A) Construction of Attachment Plugs and Cord Connectors. Attachment plugs and cord connectors shall be
constructed so that there are no exposed current-carrying
parts except the prongs, blades, or pins. The cover for wire
terminations shall be a part that is essential for the operation of an attachment plug or connector (dead-front construction).
(B) Connection of Attachment Plugs. Attachment plugs
shall be installed so that their prongs, blades, or pins are not
energized unless inserted into an energized receptacle or
cord connectors. No receptacle shall be installed so as to
require the insertion of an energized attachment plug as its
source of supply.
(C) Attachment Plug Ejector Mechanisms. Attachment
plug ejector mechanisms shall not adversely affect engagement of the blades of the attachment plug with the contacts
of the receptacle.
(D) Flanged Surface Inlet. A flanged surface inlet shall be
installed such that the prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless an energized cord connector is inserted into it.
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ARTICLE 406 — RECEPTACLES, CORD CONNECTORS, AND ATTACHMENT PLUGS (CAPS)
406.9 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations.
(a) A receptacle installed in a wet location, where the
product intended to be plugged into it is not attended while
in use, shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof with the
attachment plug cap inserted or removed.
(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the
product intended to be plugged into it will be attended
while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure
that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.
(C) Bathtub and Shower Space. Receptacles shall not be
installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall.
(D) Protection for Floor Receptacles. Standpipes of floor
receptacles shall allow floor-cleaning equipment to be operated without damage to receptacles.
(E) Flush Mounting with Faceplate. The enclosure for a
receptacle installed in an outlet box flush-mounted in a
finished surface shall be made weatherproof by means of a
weatherproof faceplate assembly that provides a watertight
connection between the plate and the finished surface.
AF
(A) Damp Locations. A receptacle installed outdoors in a
location protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is
weatherproof when the receptacle is covered (attachment
plug cap not inserted and receptacle covers closed).
An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be
considered suitable for damp locations.
A receptacle shall be considered to be in a location
protected from the weather where located under roofed
open porches, canopies, marquees, and the like, and will
not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff. All 15and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles
shall be a listed weather-resistant type.
(2) Other Receptacles. All other receptacles installed in a
wet location shall comply with (B)(2)(a) or (B)(2)(b).
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406.8 Noninterchangeability. Receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment plugs shall be constructed such that
receptacle or cord connectors do not accept an attachment
plug with a different voltage or current rating from that for
which the device is intended. However, a 20-ampere T-slot
receptacle or cord connector shall be permitted to accept a
15-ampere attachment plug of the same voltage rating.
Non–grounding-type receptacles and connectors shall not
accept grounding-type attachment plugs.
406.10
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Informational Note: The types of receptacles covered by
this requirement are identified as 5-15, 5-20, 6-15, and
6-20 in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical
Manufacturers Association Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles.
(B) Wet Locations.
(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles in a Wet Location.
15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed
in a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted.
An outlet box hood installed for this purpose shall be listed
and shall be identified as “extra-duty.” All 15- and 20ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles
shall be listed weather-resistant type. [ROP 18–37, ROP
18–38]
Informational Note No. 1: Requirements for extra-duty
outlet box hoods are found in ANSI/UL 514D-2000, Cover
Plates for Flush-Mounted Wiring Devices.
Informational Note No. 2: The types of receptacles covered by this requirement are identified as 5-15, 5-20, 6-15,
and 6-20 in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical
Manufacturers Association Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles.
Exception: 15- and 20-ampere, 125- through 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location and subject to routine
high-pressure spray washing shall be permitted to have an
enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is
removed.
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406.10 Grounding-Type Receptacles, Adapters, Cord
Connectors, and Attachment Plugs.
(A) Grounding Poles. Grounding-type receptacles, cord
connectors, and attachment plugs shall be provided with
one fixed grounding pole in addition to the circuit poles.
The grounding contacting pole of grounding-type plug-in
ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted to be of
the movable, self-restoring type on circuits operating at not
over 150 volts between any two conductors or any conductor and ground.
(B) Grounding-Pole Identification. Grounding-type receptacles, adapters, cord connections, and attachment plugs
shall have a means for connection of an equipment grounding conductor to the grounding pole.
A terminal for connection to the grounding pole shall be
designated by one of the following:
(1) A green-colored hexagonal-headed or -shaped terminal
screw or nut, not readily removable.
(2) A green-colored pressure wire connector body (a wire
barrel).
(3) A similar green-colored connection device, in the case
of adapters. The grounding terminal of a grounding
adapter shall be a green-colored rigid ear, lug, or similar device. The equipment grounding connection shall
be so designed that it cannot make contact with
current-carrying parts of the receptacle, adapter, or attachment plug. The adapter shall be polarized.
(4) If the terminal for the equipment grounding conductor
is not visible, the conductor entrance hole shall be
70–289
ARTICLE 408 — SWITCHBOARDS, SWITCHGEAR, AND PANELBOARDS
marked with the word green or ground, the letters G or
GR, a grounding symbol, or otherwise identified by a
distinctive green color. If the terminal for the equipment grounding conductor is readily removable, the
area adjacent to the terminal shall be similarly marked.
Informational Note:
406.10(B)(4).
See Informational Note Figure
Informational Note Figure 406.10(B)(4) One Example of a
Symbol Used to Identify the Termination Point for an Equipment Grounding Conductor.
(C) Grounding Terminal Use. A grounding terminal shall
not be used for purposes other than grounding.
406.15 Dimmer Controlled Receptacles. A receptacle
supplying lighting loads shall not be connected to a dimmer
unless the plug/receptacle combination is a nonstandard
configuration type that is specifically listed and identified
for each such unique combination. [ROP 18–53]
ARTICLE 408
Switchboards, Switchgear, and
Panelboards
AF
(D) Grounding-Pole Requirements. Grounding-type attachment plugs and mating cord connectors and receptacles
shall be designed such that the equipment grounding connection is made before the current-carrying connections.
Grounding-type devices shall be so designed that grounding poles of attachment plugs cannot be brought into contact with current-carrying parts of receptacles or cord connectors.
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (5 1⁄2 ft) above the
floor.
(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance.
(3) A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one
place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected
in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8).
(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as
permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a).
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406.11
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(E) Use. Grounding-type attachment plugs shall be used
only with a cord having an equipment grounding conductor.
Informational Note: See 250.126 for identification of
grounding conductor terminals. [ROP 18–39a]
406.11 Connecting Receptacle Grounding Terminal to
Box. The connection of the receptacle grounding terminal
shall comply with 250.146.
406.12 Tamper Resistant Receptacles. [ROP 18–41a]
(A) Dwelling Units. In all areas specified in 210.52, all
nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles
shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(B) Guest Rooms and Guest Suites of Hotels and Motels. All nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located in guest rooms and guest suites of hotels
and motels shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(C) Child Care Facilities. In all child care facilities, all
nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles
shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
Exception to (A), (B), and (C): Receptacles in the following
locations shall not be required to be tamper-resistant:
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[ROP 9–104a]
I. General
408.1 Scope. This article covers switchboards, switchgear,
and panelboards. It does not apply to equipment operating
at over 1000 volts, except as specifically referenced elsewhere in the Code. [ROP 9–104a]
408.2 Other Articles. Switches, circuit breakers, and overcurrent devices used on switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards and their enclosures shall comply with this article
and also with the requirements of Articles 240, 250, 312,
404, and other articles that apply. Switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards in hazardous (classified) locations
shall comply with the applicable provisions of Articles 500
through 517. [ROP 9–103a, ROP 9–107]
408.3 Support and Arrangement of Busbars and Conductors.
(A) Conductors and Busbars on a Switchboard, Switchgear, or Panelboard. Conductors and busbars on a switchboard, switchgear, or panelboard shall comply with
408.3(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) as applicable. [ROP
9–103a]
(1) Location. Conductors and busbars shall be located so
as to be free from physical damage and shall be held firmly
in place.
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ARTICLE 408 — SWITCHBOARDS, SWITCHGEAR, AND PANELBOARDS
(3) Same Vertical Section. Other than the required interconnections and control wiring, only those conductors that
are intended for termination in a vertical section of a
switchboard or switchgear shall be located in that section.
[ROP 9–103a]
Exception: Conductors shall be permitted to travel horizontally through vertical sections of switchboards or
switchgear where such conductors are isolated from busbars by a barrier. [ROP 9–103a]
(B) Overheating and Inductive Effects. The arrangement
of busbars and conductors shall be such as to avoid overheating due to inductive effects.
Exception: Equipment within the same single section or
multisection switchboard , switchgear or panelboard as the
meter on 3-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected systems shall be
permitted to have the same phase configuration as the metering equipment. [ROP 9–103a]
Informational Note: See 110.15 for requirements on marking the busbar or phase conductor having the higher voltage
to ground where supplied from a 4-wire, delta-connected
system.
(2) DC Bus Arrangement. There shall be no specific bus
arrangement required of DC ungrounded buses. Arrangement of DC buses shall be field marked as to polarity,
grounding system, and nominal voltage. [ROP 9–110]
Caution sign(s) or label(s) provided in accordance with
items (1) through (5) shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP
9–112]
(F) Switchboard, Switchgear or Panelboard Identification. [ROP 9–111]
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(C) Used as Service Equipment. Each switchboard,
switchgear, or panelboard, if used as service equipment,
shall be provided with a main bonding jumper sized in
accordance with 250.28(D) or the equivalent placed within
the panelboard or one of the sections of the switchboard or
switchgear for connecting the grounded service conductor
on its supply side to the switchboard, switchgear, or panelboard frame. All sections of a switchboard or switchgear
shall be bonded together using an equipment bonding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122 or Table
250.66 as appropriate. [ROP 9–103a]
rangements shall be permitted for additions to existing installations and shall be marked. [ROP 9–103a]
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(2) Service Switchboards and Switchgear. Barriers shall
be placed in all service switchboards and switchgear such
that no uninsulated, ungrounded service busbar or service
terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or
maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations.
[ROP 9–103a]
408.3
Exception: Switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards
used as service equipment on high-impedance groundedneutral systems in accordance with 250.36 shall not be
required to be provided with a main bonding jumper. [ROP
9–103a]
(D) Terminals. In switchboards , switchgear and panelboards, load terminals for field wiring, including grounded
circuit conductor load terminals and connections to the
equipment grounding conductor bus for load equipment
grounding conductors, shall be so located that it is not
necessary to reach across or beyond an uninsulated ungrounded line bus in order to make connections. [ROP
9–103a]
(E) Bus Arrangement. [ROP 9–103a]
(1) AC Phase Arrangement. AC phase arrangement on
3-phase buses shall be A, B, C from front to back, top to
bottom, or left to right, as viewed from the front of the
switchboard , switchgear or panelboard. The B phase shall
be that phase having the higher voltage to ground on
3-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected systems. Other busbar ar-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) High-Leg Identification. A switchboard, switchgear,
or panelboard containing a 4-wire, delta-connected system
where the midpoint of one phase winding is grounded shall
be legibly and permanently field marked as follows:
“Caution _____ Phase Has _____ Volts to Ground”
(2) Ungrounded AC Systems. A switchboard, switchgear,
or panelboard containing an ungrounded AC electrical system as permitted in 250.21 shall be legibly and permanently
field marked as follows:
“Caution Ungrounded System Operating — _____
Volts Between Conductors”
(3) High-Impedance Grounded Neutral AC System. A
switchboard, switchgear, or panelboard containing a highimpedance grounded neutral AC system in accordance with
250.36 shall be legibly and permanently field marked as
follows:
“Caution High Impedance-Grounded Neutral AC System Operating — _____ Volts Between Conductors” and
“May Operate — _____ Volts to Ground for Indefinite Periods Under Fault Conditions”
(4) Ungrounded DC Systems. A switchboard, switchgear,
or panelboard containing an ungrounded DC electrical system in accordance with 250.169 shall be legibly and permanently field marked as follows:
“Caution Ungrounded DC System Operating — _____
Volts Between Conductors”
(5) Resistively Grounded DC Systems. A switchboard,
switchgear, or panelboard, containing a resistive connection
between current carrying conductors and the grounding
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ARTICLE 408 — SWITCHBOARDS, SWITCHGEAR, AND PANELBOARDS
system to stabilize voltage to ground shall be legibly and
permanently field marked as follows:
“Caution DC System Operating — _____.Volts Between Conductors” and “May Operate — _____ Volts to
Ground for Indefinite Periods Under Fault Conditions”
(G) Minimum Wire-Bending Space. The minimum wirebending space at terminals and minimum gutter space provided in panelboards, switchgear, and switchboards shall be
as required in 312.6. [ROP 9–103a]
408.4 Field Identification Required.
Minimum Spacing Between Bottom
of Enclosure and Busbars, Their
Supports, or Other Obstructions
Conductor
Insulated busbars, their
supports, or other
obstructions
Noninsulated busbars
mm
in.
200
8
250
10
locations shall be installed in accordance with 312.2. [ROP
9–103a]
408.17 Location Relative to Easily Ignitible Material.
Switchboards and switchgear shall be placed so as to reduce to a minimum the probability of communicating fire
to adjacent combustible materials. Where installed over a
combustible floor, suitable protection thereto shall be provided. [ROP 9–103a]
AF
(A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification. Every
circuit and circuit modification shall be legibly identified as
to its clear, evident, and specific purpose or use. The identification shall include an approved degree of detail that
allows each circuit to be distinguished from all others.
Spare positions that contain unused overcurrent devices or
switches shall be described accordingly. The identification
shall be included in a circuit directory that is located on the
face or inside of the panel door in the case of a panelboard,
and located at each switch or circuit breaker in a switchboard or switchgear. No circuit shall be described in a manner that depends on transient conditions of occupancy.
[ROP 9–2, ROP 9–103a]
Table 408.5 Clearance for Conductors Entering Bus
Enclosures
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408.4
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(B) Source of Supply. All switchboards , switchgear, and
panelboards supplied by a feeder(s) in other than one- or
two-family dwellings shall be marked to indicate each device or equipment where the power originates. [ROP 9–2,
ROP 9–103a]
408.5 Clearance for Conductor Entering Bus Enclosures. Where conduits or other raceways enter a switchboard, switchgear, floor-standing panelboard, or similar enclosure at the bottom, approved space shall be provided to
permit installation of conductors in the enclosure. The wiring space shall not be less than shown in Table 408.5 where
the conduit or raceways enter or leave the enclosure below
the busbars, their supports, or other obstructions. The conduit or raceways, including their end fittings, shall not rise
more than 75 mm (3 in.) above the bottom of the enclosure.
[ROP 9–2, ROP 9–103a]
408.7 Unused Openings. Unused openings for circuit
breakers and switches shall be closed using identified closures, or other approved means that provide protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.
II. Switchboards and Switchgear
[ROP 9–103a]
408.16 Switchboards and Switchgear in Damp or Wet
Locations. Switchboards and switchgear in damp or wet
70–292
408.18 Clearances.
(A) From Ceiling. For other than a totally enclosed
switchboard or switchgear, a space not less than 900 mm
(3 ft) shall be provided between the top of the switchboard
or switchgear and any combustible ceiling, unless a noncombustible shield is provided between the switchboard or
switchgear and the ceiling. [ROP 9–103a]
(B) Around Switchboards and Switchgear. Clearances
around switchboards and switchgear shall comply with the
provisions of 110.26. [ROP 9–103a]
408.19 Conductor Insulation. An insulated conductor
used within a switchboard or switchgear shall be listed,
shall be flame retardant, and shall be rated not less than the
voltage applied to it and not less than the voltage applied to
other conductors or busbars with which it may come in
contact. [ROP 9–103a]
408.20 Location of Switchboards and Switchgear.
Switchboards and switchgear that have any exposed live
parts shall be located in permanently dry locations and then
only where under competent supervision and accessible
only to qualified persons. Switchboards and switchgear
shall be located such that the probability of damage from
equipment or processes is reduced to a minimum. [ROP
9–103a]
408.22 Grounding of Instruments, Relays, Meters, and
Instrument Transformers on Switchboards and Switchgear. Instruments, relays, meters, and instrument transformers located on switchboards and switchgear shall be
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ARTICLE 408 — SWITCHBOARDS, SWITCHGEAR, AND PANELBOARDS
III. Panelboards
408.30 General. All panelboards shall have a rating not
less than the minimum feeder capacity required for the load
calculated in accordance with Part III, IV, or V of Article
220, as applicable.
[ROP 9–121a]
408.36 Overcurrent Protection. In addition to the requirement of 408.30, a panelboard shall be protected by an
overcurrent protective device having a rating not greater
than that of the panelboard. This overcurrent protective device shall be located within or at any point on the supply
side of the panelboard.
(D) Back-Fed Devices. Plug-in-type overcurrent protection devices or plug-in type main lug assemblies that are
backfed and used to terminate field-installed ungrounded
supply conductors shall be secured in place by an additional fastener that requires other than a pull to release the
device from the mounting means on the panel.
408.37 Panelboards in Damp or Wet Locations. Panelboards in damp or wet locations shall be installed to comply with 312.2.
408.38 Enclosure. Panelboards shall be mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or identified enclosures and shall be
dead-front. [ROP 9–125]
Exception: Panelboards other than of the dead-front, externally operable type shall be permitted where accessible
only to qualified persons.
408.39 Relative Arrangement of Switches and Fuses. In
panelboards, fuses of any type shall be installed on the load
side of any switches.
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Exception No. 1: Individual protection shall not be required for a panelboard used as service equipment with
multiple disconnecting means in accordance with 230.71.
In panelboards protected by three or more main circuit
breakers or sets of fuses, the circuit breakers or sets of
fuses shall not supply a second bus structure within the
same panelboard assembly.
Exception No. 2: Individual protection shall not be required for a panelboard protected on its supply side by two
main circuit breakers or two sets of fuses having a combined rating not greater than that of the panelboard. A
panelboard constructed or wired under this exception shall
not contain more than 42 overcurrent devices. For the purposes of determining the maximum of 42 overcurrent devices, a 2-pole or a 3-pole circuit breaker shall be considered as two or three overcurrent devices, respectively.
Exception No. 3: For existing panelboards, individual
protection shall not be required for a panelboard used as
service equipment for an individual residential occupancy.
that has less than 3-phase buses. Delta breakers shall not be
installed in panelboards.
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grounded as specified in 250.170 through 250.178. [ROP
9–103a]
408.41
(A) Snap Switches Rated at 30 Amperes or Less. Panelboards equipped with snap switches rated at 30 amperes or
less shall have overcurrent protection of 200 amperes or
less.
(B) Supplied Through a Transformer. Where a panelboard is supplied through a transformer, the overcurrent
protection required by 408.36 shall be located on the secondary side of the transformer.
Exception: Fuses installed as part of service equipment in
accordance with the provisions of 230.94 shall be permitted
on the line side of the service switch.
408.40 Grounding of Panelboards. Panelboard cabinets
and panelboard frames, if of metal, shall be in physical
contact with each other and shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor. Where the panelboard is used
with nonmetallic raceway or cable or where separate equipment grounding conductors are provided, a terminal bar for
the equipment grounding conductors shall be secured inside
the cabinet. The terminal bar shall be bonded to the cabinet
and panelboard frame, if of metal; otherwise it shall be
connected to the equipment grounding conductor that is run
with the conductors feeding the panelboard.
Exception: Where an isolated equipment grounding conductor is provided as permitted by 250.146(D), the insulated equipment grounding conductor that is run with the
circuit conductors shall be permitted to pass through the
panelboard without being connected to the panelboard’s
equipment grounding terminal bar.
Exception: A panelboard supplied by the secondary side
of a transformer shall be considered as protected by the
overcurrent protection provided on the primary side of the
transformer where that protection is in accordance with
240.21(C)(1).
Equipment grounding conductors shall not be connected to a terminal bar provided for grounded conductors
or neutral conductors unless the bar is identified for the
purpose and is located where interconnection between
equipment grounding conductors and grounded circuit conductors is permitted or required by Article 250.
(C) Delta Breakers. A 3-phase disconnect or overcurrent
device shall not be connected to the bus of any panelboard
408.41 Grounded Conductor Terminations. Each
grounded conductor shall terminate within the panelboard
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ARTICLE 408 — SWITCHBOARDS, SWITCHGEAR, AND PANELBOARDS
in an individual terminal that is not also used for another
conductor.
Exception: Grounded conductors of circuits with parallel
conductors shall be permitted to terminate in a single terminal if the terminal is identified for connection of more
than one conductor.
IV. Construction Specifications
408.50 Panels. The panels of switchboards and switchgear
shall be made of moisture-resistant, noncombustible material. [ROP 9–103a]
408.51 Busbars. Insulated or bare busbars shall be rigidly
mounted.
408.52 Protection of Instrument Circuits. Instruments,
pilot lights, voltage (potential) transformers, and other
switchboard or switchgear devices with potential coils shall
be supplied by a circuit that is protected by standard overcurrent devices rated 15 amperes or less. [ROP 9–129]
and designed to contain not over 42 overcurrent devices.
For the purposes of this exception, a 2-pole or a 3-pole
circuit breaker shall be considered as two or three overcurrent devices, respectively.
Exception No. 2: Either the top or bottom wire-bending
space for any panelboard shall be permitted to be sized in
accordance with Table 312.6(A) where at least one side
wire-bending space is sized in accordance with Table
312.6(B)) for the largest conductor to be terminated in any
side wire-bending space.
Exception No. 3: The top and bottom wire-bending space
shall be permitted to be sized in accordance with Table
312.6(A) spacings if the panelboard is designed and constructed for wiring using only a single 90 degree bend for
each conductor, including the grounded circuit conductor,
and the wiring diagram shows and specifies the method of
wiring that shall be used.
Exception No. 4: Either the top or the bottom wirebending space, but not both, shall be permitted to be sized
in accordance with Table 312.6(A) where there are no conductors terminated in that space.
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408.50
(B) Side Wire-Bending Space. Side wire-bending space
shall be in accordance with Table 312.6(A) for the largest
conductor to be terminated in that space.[ROP 9–130]
Exception No. 2: For ratings of 2 amperes or less, special
types of enclosed fuses shall be permitted.
(C) Back Wire-Bending Space. Where a raceway or cable
entry is in the wall of the enclosure opposite a removable
cover, the distance from that wall to the cover shall be
permitted to comply with the distance required for one wire
per terminal in Table 312.6(A). The distance between the
center of the rear entry and the nearest termination for the
entering conductors shall not be less than the distance given
in Table 312.6(B). [ROP 9–130]
AF
Exception No. 1: Overcurrent devices rated more than 15
amperes shall be permitted where the interruption of the
circuit could create a hazard. Short-circuit protection shall
be provided.
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408.53 Component Parts. Switches, fuses, and fuseholders used on panelboards shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Articles 240 and 404.
408.54 Maximum Number of Overcurrent Devices. A
panelboard shall be provided with physical means to prevent the installation of more overcurrent devices than that
number for which the panelboard was designed, rated, and
listed.
For the purposes of this section, a 2-pole circuit breaker
or fusible switch shall be considered two overcurrent devices; a 3-pole circuit breaker or fusible switch shall be
considered three overcurrent devices.
408.55 Wire-Bending Space Within an Enclosure Containing a Panelboard. [ROP 9–130]
(A) Top and Bottom Wire-Bending Space. The enclosure
for a panelboard shall have the top and bottom wirebending space sized in accordance with Table 312.6(B) for
the largest conductor entering or leaving the enclosure.
[ROP 9–130]
Exception No. 1: Either the top or bottom wire-bending
space shall be permitted to be sized in accordance with
Table 312.6(A) for a panelboard rated 225 amperes or less
70–294
408.56 Minimum Spacings. The distance between bare
metal parts, busbars, and so forth shall not be less than
specified in Table 408.56.
Where close proximity does not cause excessive heating, parts of the same polarity at switches, enclosed fuses,
and so forth shall be permitted to be placed as close together as convenience in handling will allow.
Exception: The distance shall be permitted to be less than
that specified in Table 408.56 at circuit breakers and
switches and in listed components installed in switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards. [ROP 9–103a]
408.58 Panelboard Marking. Panelboards shall be durably marked by the manufacturer with the voltage and the
current rating and the number of AC phases or DC phases
for which they are designed and with the manufacturer’s
name or trademark in such a manner so as to be visible
after installation, without disturbing the interior parts or
wiring. [ROP 9–134]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
409.21
ARTICLE 409 — INDUSTRIAL CONTROL PANELS
AC or DC
Voltage
[ROP 9–133]
Not over 125
volts,
nominal
Not over 250
volts,
nominal
Not over
1000 volts,
nominal
[ROP
9–132]
Opposite
Polarity
Where
Mounted on
the Same
Surface
Opposite
Polarity
Where Held
Free in Air
Live Parts to
Ground*
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
19.1
34
⁄
12.7
12
⁄
12.7
12
31.8
11⁄4
19.1
34
⁄
12.7
12
50.8
2
25.4
1
25.4
1
⁄
⁄
ARTICLE 409
Industrial Control Panels
I. General
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409.1 Scope. This article covers industrial control panels
intended for general use and operating at 1000 volts or less.
[ROP 11–10]
Informational Note: ANSI/UL 508A, Standard for Industrial Control Panels, is a safety standard for industrial control panels. [ROP 11–11]
[ROP 11–5, ROP 11–7]
409.3 Other Articles. In addition to the requirements of
Article 409, industrial control panels that contain branch
circuits for specific loads or components, or are for control
of specific types of equipment addressed in other articles of
this Code, shall be constructed and installed in accordance
with the applicable requirements from the specific articles
in Table 409.3.
II. Installation
409.20 Conductor — Minimum Size and Ampacity. The
size of the industrial control panel supply conductor shall
have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the full-load
current rating of all heating loads plus 125 percent of the
full-load current rating of the highest rated motor plus the
sum of the full-load current ratings of all other connected
2014 Edition
Equipment/Occupancy
Article
Branch circuits
Luminaires
Motors, motor circuits, and
controllers
Air-conditioning and
refrigerating equipment
Capacitors
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Commercial garages; aircraft
hangars; motor fuel
dispensing facilities; bulk
storage plants; spray
application, dipping, and
coating processes; and
inhalation anesthetizing
locations
Cranes and hoists
Electrically driven or
controlled irrigation
machines
Elevators, dumbwaiters,
escalators, moving walks,
wheelchair lifts, and
stairway chair lifts
Industrial machinery
Resistors and reactors
Transformers
Class 1, Class 2, and Class
3 remote-control,
signaling, and
power-limited circuits
210
410
430
AF
*For spacing between live parts and doors of cabinets, see
312.11(A)(1), (2), and (3).
Table 409.3 Other Articles
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Table 408.56 Minimum Spacings Between Bare Metal Parts
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Section
440
460.8, 460.9
500, 501, 502,
503, 504, 505
511, 513, 514,
515, 516, and
517 Part IV
610
675
620
670
470
450
725
motors and apparatus based on their duty cycle that may be
in operation at the same time. [ROP 11–13]
409.21 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) General. Industrial control panels shall be provided
with overcurrent protection in accordance with Parts I, II,
and IX of Article 240.
(B) Location. This protection shall be provided for each
incoming supply circuit by either of the following:
(1) An overcurrent protective device located ahead of the
industrial control panel.
(2) A single main overcurrent protective device located
within the industrial control panel. Where overcurrent
protection is provided as part of the industrial control
panel, the supply conductors shall be considered as either feeders or taps as covered by 240.21.
(C) Rating. The rating or setting of the overcurrent protective device for the circuit supplying the industrial control
panel shall not be greater than the sum of the largest rating
or setting of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-
70–295
409.22
ARTICLE 409 — INDUSTRIAL CONTROL PANELS
Exception: Where one or more instantaneous trip circuit
breakers or motor short-circuit protectors are used for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection
as permitted by 430.52(C), the procedure specified above
for determining the maximum rating of the protective device for the circuit supplying the industrial control panel
shall apply with the following provision: For the purpose of
the calculation, each instantaneous trip circuit breaker or
motor short-circuit protector shall be assumed to have a
rating not exceeding the maximum percentage of motor
full-load current permitted by Table 430.52 for the type of
control panel supply circuit protective device employed.
409.104 Wiring Space.
(A) General. Industrial control panel enclosures shall not
be used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for
conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches
or overcurrent devices or other equipment, unless the conductors fill less than 40 percent of the cross-sectional area
of the wiring space. In addition, the conductors, splices,
and taps shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section
to more than 75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that
space.
(B) Wire Bending Space. Wire bending space within industrial control panels for field wiring terminals shall be in
accordance with the requirements in 430.10(B).
AF
Where no branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device is provided with the industrial control
panel for motor or combination of motor and non-motor
loads, the rating or setting of the overcurrent protective
device shall be based on 430.52 and 430.53, as applicable.
(B) Phase Arrangement. The phase arrangement on
3-phase horizontal common power and vertical buses shall
be A, B, C from front to back, top to bottom, or left to right,
as viewed from the front of the industrial control panel. The
B phase shall be that phase having the higher voltage to
ground on 3-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected systems. Other
busbar arrangements shall be permitted for additions to existing installations, and the phases shall be permanently
marked.
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fault protective device provided with the industrial control
panel, plus 125 percent of the full-load current rating of all
resistance heating loads, plus the sum of the full-load currents of all other motors and apparatus that could be in
operation at the same time.
409.22 Short-Circuit Current Rating. An industrial control panel shall not be installed where the available fault
current exceeds its short-circuit current rating as marked in
accordance with 409.110(4).
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409.30 Disconnecting Means. Disconnecting means that
supply motor loads shall comply with Part IX of Article
430.
409.60 Grounding. Multisection industrial control panels
shall be bonded together with an equipment grounding conductor or an equivalent equipment grounding bus sized in
accordance with Table 250.122. Equipment grounding conductors shall be connected to this equipment grounding bus
or to an equipment grounding termination point provided in
a single-section industrial control panel.
III. Construction Specifications
409.100 Enclosures. Table 110.29 shall be used as the basis for selecting industrial control panel enclosures for use
in specific locations other than hazardous (classified) locations. The enclosures are not intended to protect against
conditions such as condensation, icing, corrosion, or contamination that may occur within the enclosure or enter via
the conduit or unsealed openings.
409.102 Busbars and Conductors. Industrial control panels utilizing busbars shall comply with 409.102(A) and (B).
(A) Support and Arrangement. Busbars shall be protected from physical damage and be held firmly in place.
70–296
409.106 Spacings. Spacings in feeder circuits between uninsulated live parts of adjacent components, between uninsulated live parts of components and grounded or accessible non–current-carrying metal parts, between uninsulated
live parts of components and the enclosure, and at field
wiring terminals shall be as shown in Table 430.97.
Exception: Spacings shall be permitted to be less than
those specified in Table 430.97 at circuit breakers and
switches and in listed components installed in industrial
control panels.
409.108 Service Equipment. Where used as service
equipment, each industrial control panel shall be of the type
that is suitable for use as service equipment.
Where a grounded conductor is provided, the industrial
control panel shall be provided with a main bonding
jumper, sized in accordance with 250.28(D), for connecting
the grounded conductor, on its supply side, to the industrial
control panel equipment ground bus or equipment ground
terminal.
409.110 Marking. An industrial control panel shall be
marked with the following information that is plainly visible after installation:
(1) Manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other descriptive
marking by which the organization responsible for the
product can be identified.
(2) Supply voltage, number of phases, frequency, and fullload current for each incoming supply circuit.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
410.10
ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
Informational Note: ANSI/UL 508A, Standard for Industrial Control Panels, Supplement SB, is an example of an
approved method. [ROP 11–11]
300 mm (12 in.)
or shelf width
1.8 m (6 ft)
or
rod height
300 mm (12 in.)
or shelf width
300 mm
(12 in.)
or shelf
width
300 mm
(12 in.)
600 mm
(24 in.)
600 mm
(24 in.)
AF
Exception to (4): Short-circuit current rating markings are
not required for industrial control panels containing only
control circuit components.
(5) If the industrial control panel is intended as service
equipment, it shall be marked to identify it as being
suitable for use as service equipment.
(6) Electrical wiring diagram or the identification number
of a separate electrical wiring diagram or a designation
referenced in a separate wiring diagram.
(7) An enclosure type number shall be marked on the industrial control panel enclosure.
greater; for a closet that permits access to both sides of a
hanging rod, this space includes the volume below the
highest rod extending 300 mm (12 in.) on either side of the
rod on a plane horizontal to the floor extending the entire
length of the rod. See Figure 410.2.
T
(3) Industrial control panels supplied by more than one
power source such that more than one disconnecting
means is required to disconnect all power within the
control panel shall be marked to indicate that more than
one disconnecting means is required to de-energize the
equipment.
(4) Short-circuit current rating of the industrial control
panel based on one of the following:
a. Short-circuit current rating of a listed and labeled
assembly
b. Short-circuit current rating established utilizing an
approved method
Figure 410.2 Closet Storage Space.
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[ROP 18–5]
ARTICLE 410
Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps
I. General
410.1 Scope. This article covers luminaires, portable luminaires, lampholders, pendants, incandescent filament lamps,
arc lamps, electric-discharge lamps, decorative lighting
products, lighting accessories for temporary seasonal and
holiday use, portable flexible lighting products, and the wiring and equipment forming part of such products and lighting installations.
410.2 Definition. [ROP 18–5]
Closet Storage Space. The volume bounded by the sides
and back closet walls and planes extending from the closet
floor vertically to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) or to the highest
clothes-hanging rod and parallel to the walls at a horizontal
distance of 600 mm (24 in.) from the sides and back of the
closet walls, respectively, and continuing vertically to the
closet ceiling parallel to the walls at a horizontal distance of
300 mm (12 in.) or the width of the shelf, whichever is
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
410.5 Live Parts. Luminaires, portable luminaires, lampholders, and lamps shall have no live parts normally exposed to contact. Exposed accessible terminals in lampholders and switches shall not be installed in metal
luminaire canopies or in open bases of portable table or
floor luminaires.
Exception: Cleat-type lampholders located at least 2.5 m
(8 ft) above the floor shall be permitted to have exposed
terminals.
410.6 Listing Required. All luminaires and lampholders
and retrofit kits shall be listed. [ROP 18–59]
410.8 Inspection. Luminaires shall be installed such that
the connections between the luminaire conductors and the
circuit conductors can be inspected without requiring the
disconnection of any part of the wiring unless the luminaires are connected by attachment plugs and receptacles.
II. Luminaire Locations
410.10 Luminaires in Specific Locations.
(A) Wet and Damp Locations. Luminaires installed in
wet or damp locations shall be installed such that water
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ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
cannot enter or accumulate in wiring compartments, lampholders, or other electrical parts. All luminaires installed
in wet locations shall be marked, “Suitable for Wet Locations.” All luminaires installed in damp locations shall be
marked “Suitable for Wet Locations” or “Suitable for
Damp Locations.”
(B) Corrosive Locations. Luminaires installed in corrosive locations shall be of a type suitable for such locations.
410.11 Luminaires Near Combustible Material. Luminaires shall be constructed, installed, or equipped with
shades or guards so that combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).
410.12 Luminaires over Combustible Material. Lampholders installed over highly combustible material shall be
of the unswitched type. Unless an individual switch is provided for each luminaire, lampholders shall be located at
least 2.5 m (8 ft) above the floor or shall be located or
guarded so that the lamps cannot be readily removed or
damaged.
410.14 Luminaires in Show Windows. Chain-supported
luminaires used in a show window shall be permitted to be
externally wired. No other externally wired luminaires shall
be used.
410.16 Luminaires in Clothes Closets.
AF
(C) In Ducts or Hoods. Luminaires shall be permitted to
be installed in commercial cooking hoods where all of the
following conditions are met:
(1) The luminaire shall be identified for use within commercial cooking hoods and installed such that the temperature limits of the materials used are not exceeded.
(2) The luminaire shall be constructed so that all exhaust
vapors, grease, oil, or cooking vapors are excluded
from the lamp and wiring compartment. Diffusers shall
be resistant to thermal shock.
(3) Parts of the luminaire exposed within the hood shall be
corrosion resistant or protected against corrosion, and
the surface shall be smooth so as not to collect deposits
and to facilitate cleaning.
(4) Wiring methods and materials supplying the luminaire(s) shall not be exposed within the cooking hood.
sured from the lowest surface of the roof decking to the top
of the luminaire. [ROP 18–66]
T
410.11
Informational Note: See 110.11 for conductors and equipment exposed to deteriorating agents.
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(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cordconnected luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires, lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended
(paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured
900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from
the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This
zone is all encompassing and includes the space directly
over the tub or shower stall. Luminaires located within the
actual outside dimension of the bathtub or shower to a
height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub
rim or shower threshold shall be marked for damp locations, or marked for wet locations where subject to shower
spray.
(E) Luminaires in Indoor Sports, Mixed-Use, and AllPurpose Facilities. Luminaires subject to physical damage,
using a mercury vapor or metal halide lamp, installed in
playing and spectator seating areas of indoor sports, mixeduse, or all-purpose facilities shall be of the type that protects the lamp with a glass or plastic lens. Such luminaires
shall be permitted to have an additional guard.
(F) Luminaires Installed in or Under Roof Decking. Luminaires installed in exposed or concealed locations under
metal - corrugated sheet roof decking, shall be installed and
supported so there is not less than 38 mm (1 1/2 in.) mea-
70–298
(A) Luminaire Types Permitted. Only luminaires of the
following types shall be permitted in a closet:
(1) Surface-mounted or recessed incandescent or LED luminaires with completely enclosed light sources
(2) Surface-mounted or recessed fluorescent luminaires
(3) Surface-mounted fluorescent or LED luminaires identified as suitable for installation within the closet storage
space
(B) Luminaire Types Not Permitted. Incandescent luminaires with open or partially enclosed lamps and pendant
luminaires or lampholders shall not be permitted.
(C) Location. The minimum clearance between luminaires
installed in clothes closets and the nearest point of a closet
storage space shall be as follows:
(1) 300 mm (12 in.) for surface-mounted incandescent or
LED luminaires with a completely enclosed light
source installed on the wall above the door or on the
ceiling.
(2) 150 mm (6 in.) for surface-mounted fluorescent luminaires installed on the wall above the door or on the
ceiling.
(3) 150 mm (6 in.) for recessed incandescent or LED luminaires with a completely enclosed light source installed in the wall or the ceiling.
(4) 150 mm (6 in.) for recessed fluorescent luminaires installed in the wall or the ceiling.
(5) Surface-mounted fluorescent or LED luminaires shall
be permitted to be installed within the closet storage
space where identified for this use.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
III. Provisions at Luminaire Outlet Boxes, Canopies,
and Pans
410.20 Space for Conductors. Canopies and outlet boxes
taken together shall provide sufficient space so that luminaire conductors and their connecting devices are capable
of being installed in accordance with 314.16. Only canopies
marked with internal volume shall be included in the total
box volume calculation. [ROP 18–68]
410.30 Supports.
(A) General. Luminaires and lampholders shall be securely supported. A luminaire that weighs more than 3 kg
(6 lb) or exceeds 400 mm (16 in.) in any dimension shall
not be supported by the screw shell of a lampholder.
(B) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles Supporting Luminaires.
Metal or nonmetallic poles shall be permitted to be used to
support luminaires and as a raceway to enclose supply conductors, provided the following conditions are met:
(1) A pole shall have a handhole not less than 50 mm ×
100 mm (2 in. × 4 in.) with a cover suitable for use in
wet locations to provide access to the supply terminations within the pole or pole base.
Exception No. 1: No handhole shall be required in a pole
2.5 m (8 ft) or less in height abovegrade where the supply
wiring method continues without splice or pull point, and
where the interior of the pole and any splices are accessible
by removing the luminaire.
Exception No. 2: No handhole shall be required in a pole
6.0 m (20 ft) or less in height abovegrade that is provided
with a hinged base.
(2) Where raceway risers or cable is not installed within
the pole, a threaded fitting or nipple shall be brazed,
welded, or attached to the pole opposite the handhole
for the supply connection.
(3) A metal pole shall be provided with an equipment
grounding terminal as follows:
a. A pole with a handhole shall have the equipment
grounding terminal accessible from the handhole.
b. A pole with a hinged base shall have the equipment
grounding terminal accessible within the base.
AF
410.21 Temperature Limit of Conductors in Outlet
Boxes. Luminaires shall be of such construction or installed
so that the conductors in outlet boxes shall not be subjected
to temperatures greater than that for which the conductors
are rated.
Branch-circuit wiring, other than 2-wire or multiwire
branch circuits supplying power to luminaires connected
together, shall not be passed through an outlet box that is an
integral part of a luminaire unless the luminaire is identified
for through-wiring.
IV. Luminaire Supports
T
410.18 Space for Cove Lighting. Coves shall have adequate space and shall be located so that lamps and equipment can be properly installed and maintained.
410.36
Informational Note: See 410.64(C) for wiring supplying
power to luminaires connected together.
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410.22 Outlet Boxes to Be Covered. In a completed installation, each outlet box shall be provided with a cover
unless covered by means of a luminaire canopy, lampholder, receptacle, or similar device.
410.23 Covering of Combustible Material at Outlet
Boxes. Any combustible wall or ceiling finish exposed between the edge of a luminaire canopy or pan and an outlet
box having a surface area of 1160 mm2 (180 in2) or more,
shall be covered with noncombustible material. [ROP
18–69]
410.24 Connection of Electric-Discharge and LED Luminaires.
(A) Independent of the Outlet Box. Electric-discharge
and LED luminaires supported independently of the outlet
box shall be connected to the branch circuit through metal
raceway, nonmetallic raceway, Type MC cable, Type AC
cable, Type MI cable, nonmetallic sheathed cable, or by
flexible cord as permitted in 410.62(B) or 410.62(C).
(B) Access to Boxes. Electric-discharge and LED luminaires surface mounted over concealed outlet, pull, or junction boxes and designed not to be supported solely by the
outlet box shall be provided with suitable openings in the
back of the luminaire to provide access to the wiring in the
box.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception to (3): No grounding terminal shall be required
in a pole 2.5 m (8 ft) or less in height abovegrade where the
supply wiring method continues without splice or pull, and
where the interior of the pole and any splices are accessible
by removing the luminaire.
(4) A metal pole with a hinged base shall have the hinged
base and pole bonded together.
(5) Metal raceways or other equipment grounding conductors shall be bonded to the metal pole with an equipment grounding conductor recognized by 250.118 and
sized in accordance with 250.122.
(6) Conductors in vertical poles used as raceway shall be
supported as provided in 300.19.
410.36 Means of Support.
(A) Outlet Boxes. Outlet boxes or fittings installed as required by 314.23 and complying with the provisions of
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ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
314.27(A)(1) and 314.27(A)(2) shall be permitted to support luminaires.
(B) Suspended Ceilings. Framing members of suspended
ceiling systems used to support luminaires shall be securely
fastened to each other and shall be securely attached to the
building structure at appropriate intervals. Luminaires shall
be securely fastened to the ceiling framing member by mechanical means such as bolts, screws, or rivets. Listed clips
identified for use with the type of ceiling framing member(s) and luminaire(s) shall also be permitted.
(C) Luminaire Studs. Luminaire studs that are not a part
of outlet boxes, hickeys, tripods, and crowfeet shall be
made of steel, malleable iron, or other material suitable for
the application.
(D) Insulating Joints. Insulating joints that are not designed to be mounted with screws or bolts shall have an
exterior metal casing, insulated from both screw connections.
Exception No. 2: Replacement luminaires shall be permitted to connect an equipment grounding conductor from the
outlet in compliance with 250.130(C). The luminaire shall
then comply with 410.42.
Exception No. 3: Where no equipment grounding conductor exists at the outlet, replacement luminaires that are
GFCI protected shall not be required to be connected to an
equipment grounding conductor.
410.46 Equipment Grounding Conductor Attachment.
Luminaires with exposed metal parts shall be provided with
a means for connecting an equipment grounding conductor
for such luminaires.
VI. Wiring of Luminaires
AF
(E) Raceway Fittings. Raceway fittings used to support a
luminaire(s) shall be capable of supporting the weight of
the complete fixture assembly and lamp(s).
Exception No. 1: Luminaires made of insulating material
that is directly wired or attached to outlets supplied by a
wiring method that does not provide a ready means for
grounding attachment to an equipment grounding conductor shall be made of insulating material and shall have no
exposed conductive parts.
T
410.40
(F) Busways. Luminaires shall be permitted to be connected to busways in accordance with 368.17(C).
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(G) Trees. Outdoor luminaires and associated equipment
shall be permitted to be supported by trees.
Informational Note No. 1: See 225.26 for restrictions for
support of overhead conductors.
Informational Note No. 2: See 300.5(D) for protection of
conductors.
V. Grounding
410.40 General. Luminaires and lighting equipment shall
be grounded as required in Article 250 and Part V of this
article.
410.42 Luminaire(s) with Exposed Conductive Parts.
Exposed metal parts shall be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor or insulated from the equipment
grounding conductor and other conducting surfaces or be
inaccessible to unqualified personnel. Lamp tie wires,
mounting screws, clips, and decorative bands on glass
spaced at least 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) from lamp terminals shall
not be required to be grounded.
410.44 Methods of Grounding. Luminaires and equipment shall be mechanically connected to an equipment
grounding conductor as specified in 250.118 and sized in
accordance with 250.122.
70–300
410.48 Luminaire Wiring — General. Wiring on or
within luminaires shall be neatly arranged and shall not be
exposed to physical damage. Excess wiring shall be
avoided. Conductors shall be arranged so that they are not
subjected to temperatures above those for which they are
rated.
410.50 Polarization of Luminaires. Luminaires shall be
wired so that the screw shells of lampholders are connected
to the same luminaire or circuit conductor or terminal. The
grounded conductor, where connected to a screw shell lampholder, shall be connected to the screw shell.
410.52 Conductor Insulation. Luminaires shall be wired
with conductors having insulation suitable for the environmental conditions, current, voltage, and temperature to
which the conductors will be subjected.
Informational Note: For ampacity of fixture wire, maximum operating temperature, voltage limitations, minimum
wire size, and other information, see Article 402. [ROP
18–72a]
410.54 Pendant Conductors for Incandescent Filament
Lamps.
(A) Support. Pendant lampholders with permanently attached leads, where used for other than festoon wiring,
shall be hung from separate stranded rubber-covered conductors that are soldered directly to the circuit conductors
but supported independently thereof.
(B) Size. Unless part of listed decorative lighting assemblies, pendant conductors shall not be smaller than 14 AWG
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
(C) Twisted or Cabled. Pendant conductors longer than
900 mm (3 ft) shall be twisted together where not cabled in
a listed assembly.
410.56 Protection of Conductors and Insulation.
(A) Properly Secured. Conductors shall be secured in a
manner that does not tend to cut or abrade the insulation.
(B) Protection Through Metal. Conductor insulation
shall be protected from abrasion where it passes through
metal.
(C) Luminaire Stems. Splices and taps shall not be located within luminaire arms or stems.
(D) Splices and Taps. No unnecessary splices or taps shall
be made within or on a luminaire.
(D) No Other Equipment. Equipment other than showcases shall not be electrically connected to showcases.
(E) Secondary Circuit(s). Where showcases are cordconnected, the secondary circuit(s) of each electricdischarge lighting ballast shall be limited to one showcase.
410.62 Cord-Connected Lampholders and Luminaires.
(A) Lampholders. Where a metal lampholder is attached
to a flexible cord, the inlet shall be equipped with an insulating bushing that, if threaded, is not smaller than metric
designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) pipe size. The cord hole shall
be of a size appropriate for the cord, and all burrs and fins
shall be removed in order to provide a smooth bearing
surface for the cord.
Bushing having holes 7 mm (9⁄32 in.) in diameter shall
be permitted for use with plain pendant cord and holes 11
mm (13⁄32 in.) in diameter with reinforced cord.
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Informational Note: For approved means of making connections, see 110.14.
(C) Support. Flexible cords shall be secured to the undersides of showcases such that all of the following conditions
are ensured:
(1) The wiring is not exposed to physical damage.
(2) The separation between cases is not in excess of 50 mm
(2 in.), or more than 300 mm (12 in.) between the first
case and the supply receptacle.
(3) The free lead at the end of a group of showcases has a
female fitting not extending beyond the case.
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for mogul-base or medium-base screw shell lampholders or
smaller than 18 AWG for intermediate or candelabra-base
lampholders.
410.62
(E) Stranding. Stranded conductors shall be used for wiring on luminaire chains and on other movable or flexible
parts.
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(F) Tension. Conductors shall be arranged so that the
weight of the luminaire or movable parts does not put tension on the conductors.
410.59 Cord-Connected Showcases. Individual showcases, other than fixed, shall be permitted to be connected
by flexible cord to permanently installed receptacles, and
groups of not more than six such showcases shall be permitted to be coupled together by flexible cord and separable
locking-type connectors with one of the group connected
by flexible cord to a permanently installed receptacle.
The installation shall comply with 410.59(A) through
(E).
(A) Cord Requirements. Flexible cord shall be of the
hard-service type, having conductors not smaller than the
branch-circuit conductors, having ampacity at least equal to
the branch-circuit overcurrent device, and having an equipment grounding conductor.
Informational Note: See Table 250.122 for size of equipment grounding conductor.
(B) Receptacles, Connectors, and Attachment Plugs.
Receptacles, connectors, and attachment plugs shall be of a
listed grounding type rated 15 or 20 amperes.
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(B) Adjustable Luminaires. Luminaires that require adjusting or aiming after installation shall not be required to
be equipped with an attachment plug or cord connector,
provided the exposed cord is of the hard-usage or extrahard-usage type and is not longer than that required for
maximum adjustment. The cord shall not be subject to
strain or physical damage.
(C) Electric-Discharge and LED Luminaires.
(1) Cord-Connected Installation. A luminaire or a listed
assembly shall be permitted to be cord connected if the
following conditions apply:
(1) The luminaire is located directly below the outlet or
busway.
(2) The flexible cord meets all the following:
a. Is visible for its entire length outside the luminaire
b. Is not subject to strain or physical damage
c. Is terminated in a grounding-type attachment plug
cap or busway plug, or is a part of a listed assembly
incorporating a manufactured wiring system connector in accordance with 604.6(C), or has a luminaire assembly with a strain relief and canopy having a maximum 152 mm (6 in.) long section of
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ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
raceway for attachment to an outlet box above a
suspended ceiling
(2) Provided with Mogul-Base, Screw Shell Lampholders. Electric-discharge luminaires provided with mogulbase, screw shell lampholders shall be permitted to be connected to branch circuits of 50 amperes or less by cords
complying with 240.5. Receptacles and attachment plugs
shall be permitted to be of a lower ampere rating than the
branch circuit but not less than 125 percent of the luminaire
full-load current.
(3) Equipped with Flanged Surface Inlet. Electricdischarge luminaires equipped with a flanged surface inlet
shall be permitted to be supplied by cord pendants
equipped with cord connectors. Inlets and connectors shall
be permitted to be of a lower ampere rating than the branch
circuit but not less than 125 percent of the luminaire load
current.
(A) Marking. All luminaires shall be marked with the
maximum lamp wattage or electrical rating, manufacturer’s
name, trademark, or other suitable means of identification.
A luminaire requiring supply wire rated higher than 60°C
(140°F) shall be marked with the minimum supply wire
temperature rating on the luminaire and shipping carton or
equivalent.
(B) Electrical Rating. The electrical rating shall include
the voltage and frequency and shall indicate the current
rating of the unit, including the ballast, transformer, LED
driver, power supply, or autotransformer.
410.82 Portable Luminaires.
(A) General. Portable luminaires shall be wired with flexible cord recognized by 400.4 and an attachment plug of
the polarized or grounding type. Where used with Edisonbase lampholders, the grounded conductor shall be identified and attached to the screw shell and the identified blade
of the attachment plug.
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410.64 Luminaires as Raceways. Luminaires shall not be
used as a raceway for circuit conductors unless they comply with 410.64(A), (B), or (C).
410.74 Luminaire Rating.
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410.64
(A) Listed. Luminaires listed and marked for use as a raceway shall be permitted to be used as a raceway.
(B) Through-Wiring. Luminaires identified for throughwiring, as permitted by 410.21, shall be permitted to be
used as a raceway.
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(C) Luminaires Connected Together. Luminaires designed for end-to-end connection to form a continuous assembly, or luminaires connected together by recognized
wiring methods, shall be permitted to contain the conductors of a 2-wire branch circuit, or one multiwire branch
circuit, supplying the connected luminaires and shall not be
required to be listed as a raceway. One additional 2-wire
branch circuit separately supplying one or more of the connected luminaires shall also be permitted.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
Multiwire Branch Circuit.
410.68 Feeder and Branch-Circuit Conductors and Ballasts. Feeder and branch-circuit conductors within 75 mm
(3 in.) of a ballast, LED driver, power supply, or transformer shall have an insulation temperature rating not
lower than 90°C (194°F), unless supplying a luminaire
marked as suitable for a different insulation temperature.
VII. Construction of Luminaires
410.70 Combustible Shades and Enclosures. Adequate
airspace shall be provided between lamps and shades or
other enclosures of combustible material.
70–302
(B) Portable Handlamps. In addition to the provisions of
410.82(A), portable handlamps shall comply with the following:
(1) Metal shell, paper-lined lampholders shall not be used.
(2) Handlamps shall be equipped with a handle of molded
composition or other insulating material.
(3) Handlamps shall be equipped with a substantial guard
attached to the lampholder or handle.
(4) Metallic guards shall be grounded by means of an
equipment grounding conductor run with circuit conductors within the power-supply cord.
(5) Portable handlamps shall not be required to be
grounded where supplied through an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary of not over 50
volts.
410.84 Cord Bushings. A bushing or the equivalent shall
be provided where flexible cord enters the base or stem of a
portable luminaire. The bushing shall be of insulating material unless a jacketed type of cord is used.
VIII. Installation of Lampholders
410.90 Screw Shell Type. Lampholders of the screw shell
type shall be installed for use as lampholders only. Where
supplied by a circuit having a grounded conductor, the
grounded conductor shall be connected to the screw shell.
410.93 Double-Pole Switched Lampholders. Where supplied by the ungrounded conductors of a circuit, the switch-
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ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
410.120
ing device of lampholders of the switched type shall simultaneously disconnect both conductors of the circuit.
Exception No. 1: Thermal protection shall not be required
in a recessed luminaire identified for use and installed in
poured concrete.
410.96 Lampholders in Wet or Damp Locations. Lampholders installed in wet locations shall be listed for use in
wet locations. Lampholders installed in damp locations
shall be listed for damp locations or shall be listed for wet
locations.
Exception No. 2: Thermal protection shall not be required
in a recessed luminaire whose design, construction, and
thermal performance characteristics are equivalent to a
thermally protected luminaire and are identified as inherently protected.
410.97 Lampholders Near Combustible Material. Lampholders shall be constructed, installed, or equipped with
shades or guards so that combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).
410.116 Clearance and Installation.
410.103 Bases, Incandescent Lamps. An incandescent
lamp for general use on lighting branch circuits shall not be
equipped with a medium base if rated over 300 watts, or
with a mogul base if rated over 1500 watts. Special bases or
other devices shall be used for over 1500 watts.
(2) Type IC. A recessed luminaire that is identified for
contact with insulation, Type IC, shall be permitted to be in
contact with combustible materials at recessed parts, points
of support, and portions passing through or finishing off the
opening in the building structure.
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410.104 Electric-Discharge Lamp Auxiliary Equipment.
(1) Non-Type IC. A recessed luminaire that is not identified for contact with insulation shall have all recessed parts
spaced not less than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) from combustible materials. The points of support and the trim finishing off the
openings in the ceiling, wall, or other finished surface shall
be permitted to be in contact with combustible materials.
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IX. Lamps and Auxiliary Equipment
(A) Clearance.
(A) Enclosures. Auxiliary equipment for electricdischarge lamps shall be enclosed in noncombustible cases
and treated as sources of heat.
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(B) Switching. Where supplied by the ungrounded conductors of a circuit, the switching device of auxiliary equipment shall simultaneously disconnect all conductors.
X. Special Provisions for Flush and Recessed
Luminaires
410.110 General. Luminaires installed in recessed cavities
in walls or ceilings, including suspended ceilings, shall
comply with 410.115 through 410.122.
410.115 Temperature.
(A) Combustible Material. Luminaires shall be installed
so that adjacent combustible material will not be subjected
to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).
(B) Fire-Resistant Construction. Where a luminaire is recessed in fire-resistant material in a building of fireresistant construction, a temperature higher than 90°C
(194°F) but not higher than 150°C (302°F) shall be considered acceptable if the luminaire is plainly marked for that
service.
(C) Recessed Incandescent Luminaires. Incandescent luminaires shall have thermal protection and shall be identified as thermally protected.
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(B) Installation. Thermal insulation shall not be installed
above a recessed luminaire or within 75 mm (3 in.) of the
recessed luminaire’s enclosure, wiring compartment, ballast, transformer, LED driver, or power supply unless the
luminaire is identified as Type IC for insulation contact.
410.117 Wiring.
(A) General. Conductors that have insulation suitable for
the temperature encountered shall be used.
(B) Circuit Conductors. Branch-circuit conductors that
have an insulation suitable for the temperature encountered
shall be permitted to terminate in the luminaire.
(C) Tap Conductors. Tap conductors of a type suitable for
the temperature encountered shall be permitted to run from
the luminaire terminal connection to an outlet box placed at
least 300 mm (1 ft) from the luminaire. Such tap conductors shall be in suitable raceway or Type AC or MC cable
of at least 450 mm (18 in.) but not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) in
length.
XI. Construction of Flush and Recessed Luminaires
410.118 Temperature. Luminaires shall be constructed
such that adjacent combustible material is not subject to
temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).
410.120 Lamp Wattage Marking. Incandescent lamp luminaires shall be marked to indicate the maximum allow-
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410.121
ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
able wattage of lamps. The markings shall be permanently
installed, in letters at least 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) high, and shall be
located where visible during relamping.
410.121 Solder Prohibited. No solder shall be used in the
construction of a luminaire recessed housing.
410.122 Lampholders. Lampholders of the screw shell
type shall be of porcelain or other suitable insulating materials.
XII. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge Lighting
Systems of 1000 Volts or Less
410.130 General.
(2) Inherently Protected. Thermal protection shall not be
required in a recessed high-intensity luminaire whose design, construction, and thermal performance characteristics
are equivalent to a thermally protected luminaire and are
identified as inherently protected.
(3) Installed in Poured Concrete. Thermal protection
shall not be required in a recessed high-intensity discharge
luminaire identified for use and installed in poured concrete.
(4) Recessed Remote Ballasts. A recessed remote ballast
for a high-intensity discharge luminaire shall have thermal
protection that is integral with the ballast and shall be identified as thermally protected.
(5) Metal Halide Lamp Containment. Luminaires that
use a metal halide lamp other than a thick-glass parabolic
reflector lamp (PAR) shall be provided with a containment
barrier that encloses the lamp, or shall be provided with a
physical means that only allows the use of a lamp that is
Type O.
(B) Considered as Energized. The terminals of an
electric-discharge lamp shall be considered as energized
where any lamp terminal is connected to a circuit of over
300 volts.
Informational Note: See ANSI Standard C78.389, American National Standard for Electric Lamps — High Intensity
Discharge, Methods of Measuring Characteristics.
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(A) Open-Circuit Voltage of 1000 Volts or Less. Equipment for use with electric-discharge lighting systems and
designed for an open-circuit voltage of 1000 volts or less
shall be of a type identified for such service.
(C) Transformers of the Oil-Filled Type. Transformers
of the oil-filled type shall not be used.
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(D) Additional Requirements. In addition to complying
with the general requirements for luminaires, such equipment shall comply with Part XII of this article.
(E) Thermal Protection — Fluorescent Luminaires.
(1) Integral Thermal Protection. The ballast of a fluorescent luminaire installed indoors shall have integral thermal
protection. Replacement ballasts shall also have thermal
protection integral with the ballast.
(2) Simple Reactance Ballasts. A simple reactance ballast
in a fluorescent luminaire with straight tubular lamps shall
not be required to be thermally protected.
(3) Exit Luminaires. A ballast in a fluorescent exit luminaire shall not have thermal protection.
(4) Egress Luminaires. A ballast in a fluorescent luminaire that is used for egress lighting and energized only
during a failure of the normal supply shall not have thermal
protection.
(G) Disconnecting Means.
(1) General. In indoor locations other than dwellings and
associated accessory structures, fluorescent luminaires that
utilize double-ended lamps and contain ballast(s) that can
be serviced in place shall have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire. For existing
installed luminaires without disconnecting means, at the
time a ballast is replaced, a disconnecting means shall be
installed. The line side terminals of the disconnecting
means shall be guarded.
Exception No. 1: A disconnecting means shall not be required for luminaires installed in hazardous (classified)
location(s).
Exception No. 2: A disconnecting means shall not be required for emergency illumination required in 700.16.
Exception No. 3: For cord-and-plug-connected luminaires, an accessible separable connector or an accessible
plug and receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(F) High-Intensity Discharge Luminaires.
Exception No. 4: A disconnecting means shall not be required in industrial establishments with restricted public
access where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the installation
by written procedures.
(1) Recessed. Recessed high-intensity luminaires designed
to be installed in wall or ceiling cavities shall have thermal
protection and be identified as thermally protected.
Exception No. 5: Where more than one luminaire is installed and supplied by other than a multiwire branch circuit, a disconnecting means shall not be required for every
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ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
(2) Multiwire Branch Circuits. When connected to multiwire branch circuits, the disconnecting means shall simultaneously break all the supply conductors to the ballast,
including the grounded conductor.
(3) Location. The disconnecting means shall be located so
as to be accessible to qualified persons before servicing or
maintaining the ballast. Where the disconnecting means is
external to the luminaire, it shall be a single device, and
shall be attached to the luminaire or the luminaire shall be
located within sight of the disconnecting means.
410.134 Direct-Current Equipment. Luminaires installed
on dc circuits shall be equipped with auxiliary equipment
and resistors designed for dc operation. The luminaires
shall be marked for dc operation.
410.136 Luminaire Mounting.
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(A) Exposed Components. Luminaires that have exposed
ballasts, transformers, LED drivers, or power supplies shall
be installed such that ballasts, transformers, LED drivers,
or power supplies shall not be in contact with combustible
material unless listed for such condition.
(B) Combustible Low-Density Cellulose Fiberboard.
Where a surface-mounted luminaire containing a ballast,
transformer, LED driver, or power supply is to be installed
on combustible low-density cellulose fiberboard, it shall be
marked for this condition or shall be spaced not less than
38 mm (11⁄2 in.) from the surface of the fiberboard. Where
such luminaires are partially or wholly recessed, the provisions of 410.110 through 410.122 shall apply.
Informational Note: Combustible low-density cellulose fiberboard includes sheets, panels, and tiles that have a density of 320 kg/m3 (20 lb/ft3) or less and that are formed of
bonded plant fiber material but does not include solid or
laminated wood or fiberboard that has a density in excess of
320 kg/m3 (20 lb/ft3) or is a material that has been integrally treated with fire-retarding chemicals to the degree
that the flame spread index in any plane of the material will
not exceed 25, determined in accordance with tests for surface burning characteristics of building materials. See
ANSI/ASTM E84-2011b, Test Method for Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials. [ROP 18–81]
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(A) Metal Cabinets. Auxiliary equipment, including reactors, capacitors, resistors, and similar equipment, where not
installed as part of a luminaire assembly, shall be enclosed
in accessible, permanently installed metal cabinets.
(B) Separate Mounting. Separately mounted ballasts,
transformers, LED drivers, or power supplies that are listed
for direct connection to a wiring system shall not be required to be additionally enclosed.
(C) Wired Luminaire Sections. Wired luminaire sections
are paired, with a ballast(s) supplying a lamp or lamps in
both. For interconnection between paired units, it shall be
permissible to use metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) flexible metal conduit in lengths not exceeding 7.5 m (25 ft), in
conformance with Article 348. Luminaire wire operating at
line voltage, supplying only the ballast(s) of one of the
paired luminaires shall be permitted in the same raceway as
the lamp supply wires of the paired luminaires.
410.138 Autotransformers. An autotransformer that is
used to raise the voltage to more than 300 volts, as part of
a ballast for supplying lighting units, shall be supplied only
by a grounded system.
AF
410.135 Open-Circuit Voltage Exceeding 300 Volts.
Equipment having an open-circuit voltage exceeding 300
volts shall not be installed in dwelling occupancies unless
such equipment is designed so that there will be no exposed
live parts when lamps are being inserted, are in place, or
are being removed.
410.137 Equipment Not Integral with Luminaire.
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luminaire when the design of the installation includes disconnecting means, such that the illuminated space cannot
be left in total darkness.
410.141
410.139 Switches. Snap switches shall comply with
404.14.
XIII. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge
Lighting Systems of More Than 1000 Volts
410.140 General.
(A) Listing. Electric-discharge lighting systems with an
open-circuit voltage exceeding 1000 volts shall be listed
and installed in conformance with that listing.
(B) Dwelling Occupancies. Equipment that has an opencircuit voltage exceeding 1000 volts shall not be installed
in or on dwelling occupancies.
(C) Live Parts. The terminal of an electric-discharge lamp
shall be considered as a live part.
(D) Additional Requirements. In addition to complying
with the general requirements for luminaires, such equipment shall comply with Part XIII of this article.
Informational Note: For signs and outline lighting, see
Article 600.
410.141 Control.
(A) Disconnection. Luminaires or lamp installation shall
be controlled either singly or in groups by an externally
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410.142
ARTICLE 410 — LUMINAIRES, LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
operable switch or circuit breaker that opens all ungrounded primary conductors.
XIV. Lighting Track
(B) Within Sight or Locked Type. The switch or circuit
breaker shall be located within sight from the luminaires or
lamps, or it shall be permitted to be located elsewhere if it
is lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 18–83]
(A) Lighting Track. Lighting track shall be permanently
installed and permanently connected to a branch circuit.
Only lighting track fittings shall be installed on lighting
track. Lighting track fittings shall not be equipped with
general-purpose receptacles.
410.143 Transformers.
(A) Type. Transformers shall be enclosed, identified for
the use, and listed.
(C) Locations Not Permitted. Lighting track shall not be
installed in the following locations:
(1) Where likely to be subjected to physical damage
(2) In wet or damp locations
(3) Where subject to corrosive vapors
(4) In storage battery rooms
(5) In hazardous (classified) locations
(6) Where concealed
(7) Where extended through walls or partitions
(8) Less than 1.5 m (5 ft) above the finished floor except
where protected from physical damage or track operating at less than 30 volts rms open-circuit voltage
(9) Where prohibited by 410.10(D)
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(B) Voltage. The secondary circuit voltage shall not exceed 15,000 volts, nominal, under any load condition. The
voltage to ground of any output terminals of the secondary
circuit shall not exceed 7500 volts under any load conditions.
(B) Connected Load. The connected load on lighting
track shall not exceed the rating of the track. Lighting track
shall be supplied by a branch circuit having a rating not
more than that of the track. The load calculation in
220.43(B) does not limit the length of track on a single
branch circuit, and it does not limit the number of luminaires on a single track. [ROP 18–84a]
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410.142 Lamp Terminals and Lampholders. Parts that
must be removed for lamp replacement shall be hinged or
held captive. Lamps or lampholders shall be designed so
that there are no exposed live parts when lamps are being
inserted or removed.
410.151 Installation.
(C) Rating. Transformers shall have a secondary shortcircuit current rating of not more than 150 mA if the opencircuit voltage is over 7500 volts, and not more than 300
mA if the open-circuit voltage rating is 7500 volts or less.
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(D) Secondary Connections. Secondary circuit outputs
shall not be connected in parallel or in series.
410.144 Transformer Locations.
(A) Accessible. Transformers shall be accessible after installation.
(B) Secondary Conductors. Transformers shall be installed as near to the lamps as practicable to keep the secondary conductors as short as possible.
(C) Adjacent to Combustible Materials. Transformers
shall be located so that adjacent combustible materials are
not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).
410.145 Exposure to Damage. Lamps shall not be located
where normally exposed to physical damage.
410.146 Marking. Each luminaire or each secondary circuit of tubing having an open-circuit voltage of over 1000
volts shall have a clearly legible marking in letters not less
than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) high reading “Caution ____ volts.” The
voltage indicated shall be the rated open-circuit voltage.
The caution sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 18–84]
70–306
(D) Support. Fittings identified for use on lighting track
shall be designed specifically for the track on which they
are to be installed. They shall be securely fastened to the
track, shall maintain polarization and connections to the
equipment grounding conductor, and shall be designed to
be suspended directly from the track.
410.153 Heavy-Duty Lighting Track. Heavy-duty lighting track is lighting track identified for use exceeding 20
amperes. Each fitting attached to a heavy-duty lighting
track shall have individual overcurrent protection.
410.154 Fastening. Lighting track shall be securely
mounted so that each fastening is suitable for supporting
the maximum weight of luminaires that can be installed.
Unless identified for supports at greater intervals, a single
section 1.2 m (4 ft) or shorter in length shall have two
supports, and, where installed in a continuous row, each
individual section of not more than 1.2 m (4 ft) in length
shall have one additional support.
410.155 Construction Requirements.
(A) Construction. The housing for the lighting track system shall be of substantial construction to maintain rigidity.
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ARTICLE 411 — LIGHTING SYSTEMS OPERATING AT 30 VOLTS OR LESS AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT CONNECTED TO CLASS-2 POWER
SOURCES
411.5
The conductors shall be installed within the track housing,
permitting insertion of a luminaire, and designed to prevent
tampering and accidental contact with live parts. Components of lighting track systems of different voltages shall
not be interchangeable. The track conductors shall be a
minimum 12 AWG or equal and shall be copper. The track
system ends shall be insulated and capped.
(B) Grounding. Lighting track shall be grounded in accordance with Article 250, and the track sections shall be securely coupled to maintain continuity of the circuitry, polarization, and grounding throughout.
XV. Decorative Lighting and Similar Accessories
(B) Assembly of Listed Parts. A lighting system assembled from the following listed parts shall be permitted:
(1) Low-voltage luminaires
(2) Low-voltage luminaire power supply [ROP 18–85]
(3) Low-voltage luminaire fittings
(4) Cord (secondary circuit) for which the luminaires and
power supply are listed for use
(5) Cable, conductors in conduit, or other fixed wiring
method for the secondary circuit
The luminaires, power supply, and luminaire fittings
(including the exposed bare conductors) of an exposed bare
conductor lighting system shall be listed for use as part of
the same identified lighting system.
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410.160 Listing of Decorative Lighting. Decorative lighting and similar accessories used for holiday lighting and
similar purposes, in accordance with 590.3(B), shall be
listed.
(A) Listed System. Lighting systems operating at 30 volts
or less shall be listed as a complete system. The luminaires,
power supply, and luminaire fittings (including the exposed
bare conductors) of an exposed bare conductor lighting system shall be listed for the use as part of the same identified
lighting system.
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[ROP 18–85]
411.4 Specific Location Requirements.
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ARTICLE 411
Lighting Systems Operating at 30 Volts
or Less and Lighting Equipment
Connected to Class-2 Power Sources
(A) Walls, Floors, and Ceilings. Conductors concealed or
extended through a wall, floor, or ceiling shall be in accordance with (1) or (2):
(1) Installed using any of the wiring methods specified in
Chapter 3
(2) Installed using wiring supplied by a listed Class 2
power source and installed in accordance with 725.130
411.1 Scope. This article covers lighting systems operating
at 30 volts or less and their associated components. This
article also covers lighting equipment connected to a Class
2 power source. [ROP 18–85]
(B) Pools, Spas, Fountains, and Similar Locations.
Lighting systems shall be installed not less than 3 m (10 ft)
horizontally from the nearest edge of the water, unless permitted by Article 680.
411.2 Definitions.
411.5 Secondary Circuits.
Lighting Equipment Connected to Class 2 Power
Sources. Lighting equipment marked for connection to a
Class 2 power source rated in conformance with Chapter 9
Table 11(A) or 11(B). [ROP 18–85]
(A) Grounding. Secondary circuits shall not be grounded.
Lighting Systems Operating at 30 Volts or Less. A lighting system consisting of an isolating power supply, the
low-voltage luminaires, and associated equipment that are
all identified for the use. The output circuits of the power
supply are rated for not more than 25 amperes and operate
at 30 volts (42.4 volts peak) or less under all load conditions.
(C) Bare Conductors. Exposed bare conductors and
current-carrying parts shall be permitted for indoor installations only. Bare conductors shall not be installed less than
2.1 m (7 ft) above the finished floor, unless specifically
listed for a lower installation height.
411.3 Listing Required. Lighting systems operating at 30
volts or less shall comply with 411.3(A) or 411.3(B). Class
2 power sources and lighting equipment connected to Class
2 power sources shall be listed. [ROP 18–85]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Isolation. The secondary circuit shall be insulated
from the branch circuit by an isolating transformer.
(D) Insulated Conductors. Exposed insulated secondary
circuit conductors shall be of the type, and installed as,
described in (1), (2), or (3):
(1) Class 2 cable supplied by a Class 2 power source and
installed in accordance with Parts I and III of Article
725.
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411.6
ARTICLE 422 — APPLIANCES
(2) Conductors, cord, or cable of the listed system and
installed not less than 2.1 m (7 ft) above the finished
floor unless the system is specifically listed for a lower
installation height.
(3) Wiring methods described in Chapter 3
411.6 Branch Circuit. Lighting systems covered by this
article shall be supplied from a maximum 20-ampere
branch circuit. [ROP 18–85]
411.7 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Where installed
in hazardous (classified) locations, these systems shall conform with Articles 500 through 517 in addition to this article.
422.1 Scope. This article covers electrical appliances used
in any occupancy.
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Portable (as applied to ground-fault circuit interrupter
protection). Indicating that the ground-fault circuit interrupter is intended to protect personnel from fault current to
ground on equipment or circuits supplied by plug-and-cordconnections or by temporary wiring installations and additionally functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof
when one or more of the following defects occurs: [ROP
17–18a]
(1) The grounded conductor to the power supply is opened;
(2) The grounded conductor is transposed with an ungrounded conductor to the power supply;
(3) One of the ungrounded conductors to the power supply
on a polyphase system or on a single-phase, 3-wire
system is opened.
Vending Machine. Any self-service device that dispenses
products or merchandise without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation and is designed to require insertion of coin, paper currency, token,
card, key, or receipt of payment by other means.
422.3 Other Articles. The requirements of Article 430
shall apply to the installation of motor-operated appliances,
and the requirements of Article 440 shall apply to the installation of appliances containing a hermetic refrigerant
motor-compressor(s), except as specifically amended in this
article.
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II. Installation
422.10 Branch-Circuit Rating. This section specifies the
ratings of branch circuits capable of carrying appliance current without overheating under the conditions specified.
(A) Individual Circuits. The rating of an individual
branch circuit shall not be less than the marked rating of the
appliance or the marked rating of an appliance having combined loads as provided in 422.62.
The rating of an individual branch circuit for motoroperated appliances not having a marked rating shall be in
accordance with Part II of Article 430.
The branch-circuit rating for an appliance that is a continuous load, other than a motor-operated appliance, shall
not be less than 125 percent of the marked rating, or not
less than 100 percent of the marked rating if the branchcircuit device and its assembly are listed for continuous
loading at 100 percent of its rating.
Branch circuits and branch-circuit conductors for
household ranges and cooking appliances shall be permitted to be in accordance with Table 220.55 and shall be
sized in accordance with 210.19(A)(3).
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I. General
422.2 Definition.
422.5 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. The device providing GFCI protection required in
this Article shall be readily accessible. [ROP 17–19]
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ARTICLE 422
Appliances
422.4 Live Parts. Appliances shall have no live parts normally exposed to contact other than those parts functioning
as open-resistance heating elements, such as the heating
element of a toaster, which are necessarily exposed.
(B) Circuits Supplying Two or More Loads. For branch
circuits supplying appliance and other loads, the rating
shall be determined in accordance with 210.23.
422.11 Overcurrent Protection. Appliances shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with 422.11(A)
through (G) and 422.10.
(A) Branch-Circuit Overcurrent Protection. Branch circuits shall be protected in accordance with 240.4.
If a protective device rating is marked on an appliance,
the branch-circuit overcurrent device rating shall not exceed the protective device rating marked on the appliance.
(B) Household-Type Appliances with Surface Heating
Elements. Household-type appliances with surface heating
elements having a maximum demand of more than 60 amperes calculated in accordance with Table 220.55 shall have
their power supply subdivided into two or more circuits,
each of which shall be provided with overcurrent protection
rated at not over 50 amperes.
(C) Infrared Lamp Commercial and Industrial Heating
Appliances. Infrared lamp commercial and industrial heat-
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ARTICLE 422 — APPLIANCES
422.14
ing appliances shall have overcurrent protection not exceeding 50 amperes.
(3) Elements are contained within an ASME-rated and
stamped vessel.
(D) Open-Coil or Exposed Sheathed-Coil Types of Surface Heating Elements in Commercial-Type Heating
Appliances. Open-coil or exposed sheathed-coil types of
surface heating elements in commercial-type heating appliances shall be protected by overcurrent protective devices
rated at not over 50 amperes.
(3) Water Heaters and Steam Boilers. Resistance-type
immersion electric heating elements shall be permitted to
be subdivided into circuits not exceeding 120 amperes and
protected at not more than 150 amperes. [ROP 17–21]
(1) Where contained in ASME rated and stamped vessels
(2) Where included in listed instantaneous water heaters
(3) Where installed in low-pressure water heater tanks or
open-outlet water heater vessels
Informational Note: Low-pressure and open-outlet heaters
are atmospheric-pressure water heaters as defined in IEC
60335-2-21 Household and similar electrical appliances –
Safety – Particular requirements for storage water heaters.
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(G) Motor-Operated Appliances. Motors of motoroperated appliances shall be provided with overload protection in accordance with Part III of Article 430. Hermetic
refrigerant motor-compressors in air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment shall be provided with overload protection in accordance with Part VI of Article 440. Where appliance overcurrent protective devices that are separate
from the appliance are required, data for selection of these
devices shall be marked on the appliance. The minimum
marking shall be that specified in 430.7 and 440.4.
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(E) Single Non–motor-Operated Appliance. If the
branch circuit supplies a single non–motor-operated appliance, the rating of overcurrent protection shall comply with
the following:
(1) Not exceed that marked on the appliance.
(2) Not exceed 20 amperes if the overcurrent protection
rating is not marked and the appliance is rated 13.3
amperes or less; or
(3) Not exceed 150 percent of the appliance rated current if
the overcurrent protection rating is not marked and the
appliance is rated over 13.3 amperes. Where 150 percent of the appliance rating does not correspond to a
standard overcurrent device ampere rating, the next
higher standard rating shall be permitted.
(F) Electric Heating Appliances Employing ResistanceType Heating Elements Rated More Than 48 Amperes.
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(1) Electric Heating Appliances. Electric heating appliances employing resistance-type heating elements rated
more than 48 amperes, other than household appliances
with surface heating elements covered by 422.11(B), and
commercial-type heating appliances covered by 422.11(D),
shall have the heating elements subdivided. Each subdivided load shall not exceed 48 amperes and shall be protected at not more than 60 amperes.
These supplementary overcurrent protective devices
shall be (1) factory-installed within or on the heater enclosure or provided as a separate assembly by the heater
manufacturer; (2) accessible; and (3) suitable for branchcircuit protection.
The main conductors supplying these overcurrent protective devices shall be considered branch-circuit conductors.
(2) Commercial Kitchen and Cooking Appliances. Commercial kitchen and cooking appliances using sheathedtype heating elements not covered in 422.11(D) shall be
permitted to be subdivided into circuits not exceeding 120
amperes and protected at not more than 150 amperes where
one of the following is met:
(1) Elements are integral with and enclosed within a cooking surface.
(2) Elements are completely contained within an enclosure
identified as suitable for this use.
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422.12 Central Heating Equipment. Central heating
equipment other than fixed electric space-heating equipment shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit.
Exception No. 1: Auxiliary equipment, such as a pump,
valve, humidifier, or electrostatic air cleaner directly associated with the heating equipment, shall be permitted to be
connected to the same branch circuit.
Exception No. 2: Permanently connected air-conditioning
equipment shall be permitted to be connected to the same
branch circuit.
422.13 Storage-Type Water Heaters. A fixed storagetype water heater that has a capacity of 450 L (120 gal) or
less shall be considered a continuous load for the purposes
of sizing branch circuits.
Informational Note: For branch-circuit rating, see 422.10.
422.14 Infrared Lamp Industrial Heating Appliances.
In industrial occupancies, infrared heating appliance lampholders shall be permitted to be operated in series on circuits of over 150 volts to ground, provided the voltage
rating of the lampholders is not less than the circuit voltage.
Each section, panel, or strip carrying a number of infrared lampholders (including the internal wiring of such section, panel, or strip) shall be considered an appliance. The
terminal connection block of each such assembly shall be
considered an individual outlet.
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422.15
ARTICLE 422 — APPLIANCES
(A) Listed central vacuum outlet assemblies shall be permitted to be connected to a branch circuit in accordance
with 210.23(A).
(B) The ampacity of the connecting conductors shall not be
less than the ampacity of the branch circuit conductors to
which they are connected.
(C) Accessible non–current-carrying metal parts of the central vacuum outlet assembly likely to become energized
shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor in
accordance with 250.110. Incidental metal parts such as
screws or rivets installed into or on insulating material shall
not be considered likely to become energized.
422.16 Flexible Cords.
(B) Specific Appliances.
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(1) Electrically Operated In-Sink Waste Disposers.
Electrically operated in-sink waste disposers shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord
identified as suitable in the installation instructions of the
appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions are met: [ROP 17–23]
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a groundingtype attachment plug.
Exception: A listed in-sink waste disposer distinctly
marked to identify it as protected by a system of double
insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required to be
terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug. [ROP
17–23]
(2) The length of the cord shall not be less than 450 mm
(18 in.) and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles shall be located to avoid physical damage
to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle shall be accessible.
(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.
Built-in dishwashers and trash compactors shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord
identified as suitable for the purpose in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer where all of the
following conditions are met:
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Exception: A listed dishwasher or trash compactor distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of
double insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required to
be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord shall be 0.9 m to 1.2 m (3 ft to
4 ft) measured from the face of the attachment plug to
the plane of the rear of the appliance.
(3) Receptacles shall be located to avoid physical damage
to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle shall be located in the space occupied
by the appliance or adjacent thereto.
(5) The receptacle shall be accessible.
(3) Wall-Mounted Ovens and Counter-Mounted Cooking Units. Wall-mounted ovens and counter-mounted cooking units complete with provisions for mounting and for
making electrical connections shall be permitted to be permanently connected or, only for ease in servicing or for
installation, cord-and-plug-connected.
A separable connector or a plug and receptacle combination in the supply line to an oven or cooking unit shall be
approved for the temperature of the space in which it is
located.
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(A) General. Flexible cord shall be permitted (1) for the
connection of appliances to facilitate their frequent interchange or to prevent the transmission of noise or vibration
or (2) to facilitate the removal or disconnection of appliances that are fastened in place, where the fastening means
and mechanical connections are specifically designed to
permit ready removal for maintenance or repair and the
appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection.
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a groundingtype attachment plug.
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422.15 Central Vacuum Outlet Assemblies.
(4) Range Hoods. Range hoods shall be permitted to be
cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as
suitable for use on range hoods in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord is terminated with a grounding-type
attachment plug.
Exception: A listed range hood distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its
equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a
grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord is not less than 450 mm (18 in.)
and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles are located to avoid physical damage to the
flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle is accessible.
(5) The receptacle is supplied by an individual branch
circuit.
422.17 Protection of Combustible Material. Each electrically heated appliance that is intended by size, weight,
and service to be located in a fixed position shall be placed
so as to provide ample protection between the appliance
and adjacent combustible material.
422.18 Support of Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
Ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be supported inde-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 422 — APPLIANCES
422.19 Space for Conductors. Canopies of ceilingsuspended (paddle) fans and outlet boxes taken together
shall provide sufficient space so that conductors and their
connecting devices are capable of being installed in accordance with 314.16. Canopies shall be marked with their
volume in order to be included in the total box volume
calculation. [ROP 17–30]
422.20 Outlet Boxes to Be Covered. In a completed installation, each outlet box shall be provided with a cover
unless covered by means of a ceiling suspended (paddle)
fan canopy. [ROP 17–30]
Informational Note:
switches, see 422.34.
For appliances employing unit
(C) Appliances Rated over 1⁄8 Horsepower. For permanently connected appliances rated over 1⁄8 hp, the branchcircuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve
as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit
breaker is within sight from the appliance. If the appliance
is not within sight of the switch or circuit breaker, a disconnecting means shall be installed within sight of the appliance. The disconnecting means shall comply with
430.109 and 430.110. [ROP 17–35]
Exception: If an appliance of more than 1⁄8 hp is provided
with a unit switch that complies with 422.34(A), (B), (C), or
(D), the switch or circuit breaker serving as the other disconnecting means shall be permitted to be out of sight from
the appliance.
422.33 Disconnection of Cord-and-Plug-Connected Appliances.
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422.21 Covering of Combustible Material at Outlet
Boxes. Any combustible ceiling finish exposed between the
edge of a ceiling suspended (paddle) fan canopy or pan and
an outlet box shall be covered with noncombustible material. [ROP 17–30]
switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance
or is lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 17–33]
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pendently of an outlet box or by listed outlet box or outlet
box systems identified for the use and installed in accordance with 314.27(C).
422.34
422.22 Other Installation Methods. Appliances employing methods of installation other than covered by this article shall be permitted to be used only by special permission.
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422.23 Tire Inflation and Automotive Vacuum Machines. Tire inflation machines and automotive vacuum
machines provided for public use shall be protected by a
ground-fault circuit-interrupter. [ROP 17–31]
III. Disconnecting Means
422.30 General. A means shall be provided to simultaneously disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded
conductors in accordance with the following sections of
Part III. If an appliance is supplied by more than one
branch-circuit or feeder, these disconnecting means shall be
grouped and identified as the appliance disconnect.
422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.
(A) Rated at Not over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1⁄8 Horsepower. For permanently connected appliances rated at not
over 300 volt-amperes or 1⁄8 hp, the branch-circuit overcurrent device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting
means.
(B) Appliances Rated over 300 Volt-Amperes. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 voltamperes, the branch circuit switch or circuit breaker shall
be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Separable Connector or an Attachment Plug and
Receptacle. For cord-and-plug-connected appliances, an
accessible separable connector or an accessible plug and
receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting
means. Where the separable connector or plug and receptacle are not accessible, cord-and-plug-connected appliances shall be provided with disconnecting means in accordance with 422.31.
(B) Connection at the Rear Base of a Range. For cordand-plug-connected household electric ranges, an attachment plug and receptacle connection at the rear base of a
range, if it is accessible from the front by removal of a
drawer, shall be considered as meeting the intent of
422.33(A).
(C) Rating. The rating of a receptacle or of a separable
connector shall not be less than the rating of any appliance
connected thereto.
Exception: Demand factors authorized elsewhere in this
Code shall be permitted to be applied to the rating of a
receptacle or of a separable connector.
422.34 Unit Switch(es) as Disconnecting Means. A unit
switch(es) with a marked-off position that is a part of an
appliance and disconnects all ungrounded conductors shall
be permitted as the disconnecting means required by this
article where other means for disconnection are provided in
occupancies specified in 422.34(A) through (D).
(A) Multifamily Dwellings. In multifamily dwellings, the
other disconnecting means shall be within the dwelling
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422.35
ARTICLE 422 — APPLIANCES
(B) Two-Family Dwellings. In two-family dwellings, the
other disconnecting means shall be permitted either inside
or outside of the dwelling unit in which the appliance is
installed. In this case, an individual switch or circuit
breaker for the dwelling unit shall be permitted and shall
also be permitted to control lamps and other appliances.
(C) One-Family Dwellings. In one-family dwellings, the
service disconnecting means shall be permitted to be the
other disconnecting means.
(D) Other Occupancies. In other occupancies, the branchcircuit switch or circuit breaker, where readily accessible
for servicing of the appliance, shall be permitted as the
other disconnecting means.
IV. Construction
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422.40 Polarity in Cord-and-Plug-Connected Appliances. If the appliance is provided with a manually operated, line-connected, single-pole switch for appliance on–
off operation, an Edison-base lampholder, or a 15- or 20ampere receptacle, the attachment plug shall be of the
polarized or grounding type.
A 2-wire, nonpolarized attachment plug shall be permitted to be used on a listed double-insulated shaver.
Informational Note: For polarity of Edison-base lampholders, see 410.82(A).
422.41 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Appliances Subject
to Immersion. Cord-and-plug-connected portable, freestanding hydromassage units and hand-held hair dryers
shall be constructed to provide protection for personnel
against electrocution when immersed while in the “on” or
“off” position.
422.42 Signals for Heated Appliances. In other than
dwelling-type occupancies, each electrically heated appliance or group of appliances intended to be applied to combustible material shall be provided with a signal or an integral temperature-limiting device.
422.43 Flexible Cords.
(A) Heater Cords. All cord-and-plug-connected smoothing irons and electrically heated appliances that are rated at
more than 50 watts and produce temperatures in excess of
121°C (250°F) on surfaces with which the cord is likely to
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(B) Other Heating Appliances. All other cord-and-plugconnected electrically heated appliances shall be connected
with one of the approved types of cord listed in Table
400.4, selected in accordance with the usage specified in
that table.
422.44 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Immersion Heaters.
Electric heaters of the cord-and-plug-connected immersion
type shall be constructed and installed so that currentcarrying parts are effectively insulated from electrical contact with the substance in which they are immersed.
422.45 Stands for Cord-and-Plug-Connected Appliances. Each smoothing iron and other cord-and-plugconnected electrically heated appliance intended to be applied to combustible material shall be equipped with an
approved stand, which shall be permitted to be a separate
piece of equipment or a part of the appliance.
422.46 Flatirons. Electrically heated smoothing irons shall
be equipped with an identified temperature-limiting means.
AF
422.35 Switch and Circuit Breaker to Be Indicating.
Switches and circuit breakers used as disconnecting means
shall be of the indicating type.
be in contact shall be provided with one of the types of
approved heater cords listed in Table 400.4.
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unit, or on the same floor as the dwelling unit in which the
appliance is installed, and shall be permitted to control
lamps and other appliances.
422.47 Water Heater Controls. All storage or
instantaneous-type water heaters shall be equipped with a
temperature-limiting means in addition to its control thermostat to disconnect all ungrounded conductors. Such
means shall comply with both of the following:
(1) Installed to sense maximum water temperature.
(2) Be either a trip-free, manually reset type or a type having a replacement element. Such water heaters shall be
marked to require the installation of a temperature and
pressure relief valve.
Exception No. 1: Storage water heaters that are identified
as being suitable for use with a supply water temperature
of 82°C (180°F) or above and a capacity of 60 kW or
above.
Exception No. 2: Instantaneous-type water heaters that
are identified as being suitable for such use, with a capacity
of 4 L (1 gal) or less.
Informational Note: See ANSI Z21.22-1999/CSA 4.4M99, Relief Valves for Hot Water Supply Systems.
422.48 Infrared Lamp Industrial Heating Appliances.
(A) 300 Watts or Less. Infrared heating lamps rated at 300
watts or less shall be permitted with lampholders of the
medium-base, unswitched porcelain type or other types
identified as suitable for use with infrared heating lamps
rated 300 watts or less.
(B) Over 300 Watts. Screw shell lampholders shall not be
used with infrared lamps rated over 300 watts, unless the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
424.1
lampholders are identified as being suitable for use with
infrared heating lamps rated over 300 watts.
(B) To Be Visible. Marking shall be located so as to be
visible or easily accessible after installation.
422.49 High-Pressure Spray Washers. All single-phase
cord-and-plug-connected high-pressure spray washing machines rated at 250 volts or less shall be provided with
factory-installed ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection
for personnel. The ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be
identified for portable use. The ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be an integral part of the attachment plug or
shall be located in the supply cord within 300 mm (12 in.)
of the attachment plug. [ROP 17–18a]
422.61 Marking of Heating Elements. All heating elements that are rated over one ampere, replaceable in the
field, and a part of an appliance shall be legibly marked
with the ratings in volts and amperes, or in volts and watts,
or with the manufacturer’s part number.
422.51 Vending Machines. [ROP 17–38]
(B) Additional Nameplate Markings. Appliances, other
than those factory-equipped with cords and attachment
plugs and with nameplates in compliance with 422.60, shall
be marked in accordance with 422.62(B)(1) or (B)(2).
AF
(A) Cord- and Plug Connected. Cord-and-plugconnected vending machines manufactured or remanufactured on or after January 1, 2005, shall include a groundfault circuit interrupter identified for portable use as an
integral part of the attachment plug or be located within
300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug. Older vending
machines manufactured or remanufactured prior to January
1, 2005, shall be connected to a GFCI-protected outlet.
[ROP 17–38, ROP 17–18a]
(A) Nameplate Horsepower Markings. Where a motoroperated appliance nameplate includes a horsepower rating,
that rating shall not be less than the horsepower rating on
the motor nameplate. Where an appliance consists of multiple motors, or one or more motors and other loads, the
nameplate value shall not be less than the equivalent horsepower of the combined loads, calculated in accordance with
430.110(C)(1).
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422.50 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Pipe Heating Assemblies. Cord-and-plug-connected pipe heating assemblies intended to prevent freezing of piping shall be listed.
422.62 Appliances Consisting of Motors and Other
Loads.
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(B) Other than Cord-and –Plug Connected. Vending
machines not utilizing a cord-and-plug connection shall be
connected to a ground fault circuit interrupter protected
circuit. [ROP 17–38]
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/UL 541-2010, Standard for Refrigerated Vending
Machines, or ANSI/UL 751-2010, Standard for Vending
Machines. [ROP 17–41]
422.52 Electric Drinking Fountains. Electric drinking
fountains shall be protected with ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection.
V. Marking
(1) Marking. In addition to the marking required in
422.60, the marking on an appliance consisting of a motor
with other load(s) or motors with or without other load(s)
shall specify the minimum supply circuit conductor ampacity and the maximum rating of the circuit overcurrent protective device. This requirement shall not apply to an appliance with a nameplate in compliance with 422.60 where
both the minimum supply circuit conductor ampacity and
maximum rating of the circuit overcurrent protective device
are not more than 15 amperes.
(2) Alternate Marking Method. An alternative marking
method shall be permitted to specify the rating of the largest motor in volts and amperes, and the additional load(s) in
volts and amperes, or volts and watts in addition to the
marking required in 422.60. The ampere rating of a motor
1⁄8 horsepower or less or a nonmotor load 1 ampere or less
shall be permitted to be omitted unless such loads constitute the principal load.
422.60 Nameplate.
(A) Nameplate Marking. Each electrical appliance shall
be provided with a nameplate giving the identifying name
and the rating in volts and amperes, or in volts and watts. If
the appliance is to be used on a specific frequency or frequencies, it shall be so marked.
Where motor overload protection external to the appliance is required, the appliance shall be so marked.
Informational Note: See 422.11 for overcurrent protection
requirements.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 424
Fixed Electric Space-Heating Equipment
I. General
424.1 Scope. This article covers fixed electric equipment
used for space heating. For the purpose of this article, heat-
70–313
424.2
ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
ing equipment shall include heating cable, unit heaters,
boilers, central systems, or other approved fixed electric
space-heating equipment. This article shall not apply to
process heating and room air conditioning.
424.2 Other Articles. Fixed electric space-heating equipment incorporating a hermetic refrigerant motorcompressor shall also comply with Article 440.
Informational Note No. 1: See 110.11 for equipment exposed to deteriorating agents.
Informational Note No. 2: See 680.27(C) for pool deck
areas.
(A) Branch-Circuit Requirements. Individual branch circuits shall be permitted to supply any volt-ampere or wattage rating of fixed electric space-heating equipment for
which they are rated.
Branch circuits supplying two or more outlets for fixed
electric space-heating equipment shall be rated 15, 20, 25,
or 30 amperes. In other than a dwelling unit, fixed infrared
heating equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from
branch circuits rated not over 50 amperes.
(B) Branch-Circuit Sizing. Fixed electric space-heating
equipment and motors shall be considered continuous load.
III. Control and Protection of Fixed Electric
Space-Heating Equipment
424.19 Disconnecting Means. Means shall be provided to
simultaneously disconnect the heater, motor controller(s),
and supplementary overcurrent protective device(s) of all
fixed electric space-heating equipment from all ungrounded
conductors. Where heating equipment is supplied by more
than one source, feeder, or branch circuit, the disconnecting
means shall be grouped and marked. The disconnecting
means specified in 424.19(A) and (B) shall have an ampere
rating not less than 125 percent of the total load of the
motors and the heaters. The provision for locking or adding
a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at
the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting
means and shall remain in place with or without the lock
installed. [ROP 17–49]
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424.6 Listed Equipment. Electric baseboard heaters, heating cables, duct heaters, and radiant heating systems shall
be listed and labeled.
424.13 Spacing from Combustible Materials. Fixed
electric space-heating equipment shall be installed to provide the required spacing between the equipment and adjacent combustible material, unless it is listed to be installed
in direct contact with combustible material.
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424.3 Branch Circuits.
II. Installation
(B) Damp or Wet Locations. Heaters and related equipment installed in damp or wet locations shall be listed for
such locations and shall be constructed and installed so that
water or other liquids cannot enter or accumulate in or on
wired sections, electrical components, or ductwork.
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424.9 General. All fixed electric space-heating equipment
shall be installed in an approved manner.
Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters
equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets, or outlets
provided as a separate listed assembly, shall be permitted in
lieu of a receptacle outlet(s) that is required by 210.50(B).
Such receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater
circuits.
Informational Note: Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets.
424.10 Special Permission. Fixed electric space-heating
equipment and systems installed by methods other than
covered by this article shall be permitted only by special
permission.
(A) Heating Equipment with Supplementary Overcurrent Protection. The disconnecting means for fixed electric
space-heating equipment with supplementary overcurrent
protection shall be within sight from the supplementary
overcurrent protective device(s), on the supply side of these
devices, if fuses, and, in addition, shall comply with either
424.19(A)(1) or (A)(2).
424.12 Locations.
(1) Heater Containing No Motor Rated over 1⁄8 Horsepower. The above disconnecting means or unit switches
complying with 424.19(C) shall be permitted to serve as the
required disconnecting means for both the motor controller(s) and heater under either of the following conditions:
(1) The disconnecting means provided is also within sight
from the motor controller(s) and the heater.
(2) The disconnecting means is lockable in accordance
with 110.25. [ROP 17–48]
(A) Exposed to Physical Damage. Where subject to
physical damage, fixed electric space-heating equipment
shall be protected in an approved manner.
(2) Heater Containing a Motor(s) Rated over 1⁄8 Horsepower. The above disconnecting means shall be permitted
to serve as the required disconnecting means for both the
424.11 Supply Conductors. Fixed electric space-heating
equipment requiring supply conductors with over 60°C insulation shall be clearly and permanently marked. This
marking shall be plainly visible after installation and shall
be permitted to be adjacent to the field connection box.
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(B) Heating Equipment Without Supplementary Overcurrent Protection.
(1) Without Motor or with Motor Not over 1⁄8 Horsepower. For fixed electric space-heating equipment without
a motor rated over 1⁄8 hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting
means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight
from the heater or is lockable in accordance with 110.25.
[ROP 17–50]
(A) Serving as Both Controllers and Disconnecting
Means. Thermostatically controlled switching devices and
combination thermostats and manually controlled switches
shall be permitted to serve as both controllers and disconnecting means, provided they meet all of the following
conditions:
(1) Provided with a marked “off” position
(2) Directly open all ungrounded conductors when manually placed in the “off” position
(3) Designed so that the circuit cannot be energized automatically after the device has been manually placed in
the “off” position
(4) Located as specified in 424.19
(B) Thermostats That Do Not Directly Interrupt All
Ungrounded Conductors. Thermostats that do not directly
interrupt all ungrounded conductors and thermostats that
operate remote-control circuits shall not be required to meet
the requirements of 424.20(A). These devices shall not be
permitted as the disconnecting means.
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(2) Over 1⁄8 Horsepower. For motor-driven electric spaceheating equipment with a motor rated over 1⁄8 hp, a disconnecting means shall be located within sight from the motor
controller or shall be permitted to comply with the requirements in 424.19(A)(2).
424.20 Thermostatically Controlled Switching Devices.
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motor controller(s) and heater under either of the following
conditions:
(1) Where the disconnecting means is in sight from the
motor controller(s) and the heater and complies with
Part IX of Article 430.
(2) Where a motor(s) of more than 1⁄8 hp and the heater are
provided with a single unit switch that complies with
422.34(A), (B), (C), or (D), the disconnecting means
shall be permitted to be out of sight from the motor
controller.
424.22
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(C) Unit Switch(es) as Disconnecting Means. A unit
switch(es) with a marked “off” position that is part of a
fixed heater and disconnects all ungrounded conductors
shall be permitted as the disconnecting means required by
this article where other means for disconnection are provided in the types of occupancies in 424.19(C)(1) through
(C)(4).
(1) Multifamily Dwellings. In multifamily dwellings, the
other disconnecting means shall be within the dwelling
unit, or on the same floor as the dwelling unit in which the
fixed heater is installed, and shall also be permitted to control lamps and appliances.
(2) Two-Family Dwellings. In two-family dwellings, the
other disconnecting means shall be permitted either inside
or outside of the dwelling unit in which the fixed heater is
installed. In this case, an individual switch or circuit
breaker for the dwelling unit shall be permitted and shall
also be permitted to control lamps and appliances.
(3) One-Family Dwellings. In one-family dwellings, the
service disconnecting means shall be permitted to be the
other disconnecting means.
(4) Other Occupancies. In other occupancies, the branchcircuit switch or circuit breaker, where readily accessible
for servicing of the fixed heater, shall be permitted as the
other disconnecting means.
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424.21 Switch and Circuit Breaker to Be Indicating.
Switches and circuit breakers used as disconnecting means
shall be of the indicating type.
424.22 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Branch-Circuit Devices. Electric space-heating
equipment, other than such motor-operated equipment as
required by Articles 430 and 440 to have additional overcurrent protection, shall be permitted to be protected
against overcurrent where supplied by one of the branch
circuits in Article 210.
(B) Resistance Elements. Resistance-type heating elements in electric space-heating equipment shall be protected at not more than 60 amperes. Equipment rated more
than 48 amperes and employing such elements shall have
the heating elements subdivided, and each subdivided load
shall not exceed 48 amperes. Where a subdivided load is
less than 48 amperes, the rating of the supplementary overcurrent protective device shall comply with 424.3(B). A
boiler employing resistance-type immersion heating elements contained in an ASME-rated and stamped vessel
shall be permitted to comply with 424.72(A).
(C) Overcurrent Protective Devices. The supplementary
overcurrent protective devices for the subdivided loads
specified in 424.22(B) shall be (1) factory-installed within
or on the heater enclosure or supplied for use with the
heater as a separate assembly by the heater manufacturer;
(2) accessible, but shall not be required to be readily accessible; and (3) suitable for branch-circuit protection.
Informational Note: See 240.10.
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ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
Where cartridge fuses are used to provide this overcurrent protection, a single disconnecting means shall be permitted to be used for the several subdivided loads.
Informational Note No. 1: For supplementary overcurrent
protection, see 240.10.
Informational Note No. 2: For disconnecting means for
cartridge fuses in circuits of any voltage, see 240.40.
(D) Branch-Circuit Conductors. The conductors supplying the supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall
be considered branch-circuit conductors.
Where the heaters are rated 50 kW or more, the conductors supplying the supplementary overcurrent protective
devices specified in 424.22(C) shall be permitted to be
sized at not less than 100 percent of the nameplate rating of
the heater, provided all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The heater is marked with a minimum conductor size.
(2) The conductors are not smaller than the marked minimum size.
(3) A temperature-actuated device controls the cyclic operation of the equipment.
424.29 Marking of Heating Elements. All heating elements that are replaceable in the field and are part of an
electric heater shall be legibly marked with the ratings in
volts and watts or in volts and amperes.
V. Electric Space-Heating Cables
424.34 Heating Cable Construction. Heating cables shall
be furnished complete with factory-assembled nonheating
leads at least 2.1 m (7 ft) in length.
424.35 Marking of Heating Cables. Each unit shall be
marked with the identifying name or identification symbol,
catalog number, and ratings in volts and watts or in volts
and amperes.
Each unit length of heating cable shall have a permanent legible marking on each nonheating lead located
within 75 mm (3 in.) of the terminal end. The lead wire
shall have the following color identification to indicate the
circuit voltage on which it is to be used:
(1) 120 volt, nominal — yellow
(2) 208 volt, nominal — blue
(3) 240 volt, nominal — red
(4) 277 volt, nominal — brown
(5) 480 volt, nominal — orange
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(E) Conductors for Subdivided Loads. Field-wired conductors between the heater and the supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall be sized at not less than
125 percent of the load served. The supplementary overcurrent protective devices specified in 424.22(C) shall protect
these conductors in accordance with 240.4.
Where the heaters are rated 50 kW or more, the ampacity of field-wired conductors between the heater and the
supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall be permitted to be not less than 100 percent of the load of their
respective subdivided circuits, provided all of the following
conditions are met:
(1) The heater is marked with a minimum conductor size.
(2) The conductors are not smaller than the marked minimum size.
(3) A temperature-activated device controls the cyclic operation of the equipment.
(B) Location. This nameplate shall be located so as to be
visible or easily accessible after installation.
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424.28
424.36 Clearances of Wiring in Ceilings. Wiring located
above heated ceilings shall be spaced not less than 50 mm
(2 in.) above the heated ceiling and shall be considered as
operating at an ambient temperature of 50°C (122°F). The
ampacity of conductors shall be calculated on the basis of
the correction factors shown in the 0–2000 volt ampacity
tables of Article 310. If this wiring is located above thermal
insulation having a minimum thickness of 50 mm (2 in.),
the wiring shall not require correction for temperature.
424.38 Area Restrictions.
IV. Marking of Heating Equipment
424.28 Nameplate.
(A) Marking Required. Each unit of fixed electric spaceheating equipment shall be provided with a nameplate giving the identifying name and the normal rating in volts and
watts or in volts and amperes.
Electric space-heating equipment intended for use on
alternating current only, direct current only, or both shall be
marked to so indicate. The marking of equipment consisting of motors over 1⁄8 hp and other loads shall specify the
rating of the motor in volts, amperes, and frequency, and
the heating load in volts and watts or in volts and amperes.
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(A) Shall Not Extend Beyond the Room or Area. Heating cables shall not extend beyond the room or area in
which they originate.
(B) Uses Prohibited. Heating cables shall not be installed
in the following:
(1) In closets
(2) Over walls
(3) Over partitions that extend to the ceiling, unless they
are isolated single runs of embedded cable
(4) Over cabinets whose clearance from the ceiling is less
than the minimum horizontal dimension of the cabinet
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ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
(C) In Closet Ceilings as Low-Temperature Heat
Sources to Control Relative Humidity. The provisions of
424.38(B) shall not prevent the use of cable in closet ceilings as low-temperature heat sources to control relative humidity, provided they are used only in those portions of the
ceiling that are unobstructed to the floor by shelves or other
permanent luminaires.
424.39 Clearance from Other Objects and Openings.
Heating elements of cables shall be separated at least
200 mm (8 in.) from the edge of outlet boxes and junction
boxes that are to be used for mounting surface luminaires.
A clearance of not less than 50 mm (2 in.) shall be provided
from recessed luminaires and their trims, ventilating openings, and other such openings in room surfaces. No heating
cable shall be covered by any surface-mounted equipment.
(G) Dry Board Installations. In dry board installations,
the entire ceiling below the heating cable shall be covered
with gypsum board not exceeding 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) thickness.
The void between the upper layer of gypsum board, plaster
lath, or other fire-resistant material and the surface layer of
gypsum board shall be completely filled with thermally
conductive, nonshrinking plaster or other approved material
or equivalent thermal conductivity.
(H) Free from Contact with Conductive Surfaces.
Cables shall be kept free from contact with metal or other
electrically conductive surfaces.
(I) Joists. In dry board applications, cable shall be installed parallel to the joist, leaving a clear space centered
under the joist of 65 mm (21⁄2 in.) (width) between centers
of adjacent runs of cable. A surface layer of gypsum board
shall be mounted so that the nails or other fasteners do not
pierce the heating cable.
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424.40 Splices. Embedded cables shall be spliced only
where necessary and only by approved means, and in no
case shall the length of the heating cable be altered.
(F) Secured. Cables shall be secured by means of approved stapling, tape, plaster, nonmetallic spreaders, or
other approved means either at intervals not exceeding
400 mm (16 in.) or at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft)
for cables identified for such use. Staples or metal fasteners
that straddle the cable shall not be used with metal lath or
other electrically conductive surfaces.
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to the nearest cabinet edge that is open to the room or
area
424.43
424.41 Installation of Heating Cables on Dry Board, in
Plaster, and on Concrete Ceilings.
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(A) In Walls. Cables shall not be installed in walls unless
it is necessary for an isolated single run of cable to be
installed down a vertical surface to reach a dropped ceiling.
(B) Adjacent Runs. Adjacent runs of cable not exceeding
9 watts/m (23⁄4 watts/ft) shall not be installed less than
38 mm (11⁄2 in.) on centers.
(C) Surfaces to Be Applied. Heating cables shall be applied only to gypsum board, plaster lath, or other fireresistant material. With metal lath or other electrically conductive surfaces, a coat of plaster shall be applied to
completely separate the metal lath or conductive surface
from the cable.
(J) Crossing Joists. Cables shall cross joists only at the
ends of the room unless the cable is required to cross joists
elsewhere in order to satisfy the manufacturer’s instructions
that the installer avoid placing the cable too close to ceiling
penetrations and luminaires.
424.42 Finished Ceilings. Finished ceilings shall not be
covered with decorative panels or beams constructed of
materials that have thermal insulating properties, such as
wood, fiber, or plastic. Finished ceilings shall be permitted
to be covered with paint, wallpaper, or other approved surface finishes.
424.43 Installation of Nonheating Leads of Cables.
Informational Note: See also 424.41(F).
(D) Splices. All heating cables, the splice between the
heating cable and nonheating leads, and 75-mm (3-in.)
minimum of the nonheating lead at the splice shall be embedded in plaster or dry board in the same manner as the
heating cable.
(E) Ceiling Surface. The entire ceiling surface shall have
a finish of thermally noninsulating sand plaster that has a
nominal thickness of 13 mm (1⁄2 in.), or other noninsulating
material identified as suitable for this use and applied according to specified thickness and directions.
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(A) Free Nonheating Leads. Free nonheating leads of
cables shall be installed in accordance with approved wiring methods from the junction box to a location within the
ceiling. Such installations shall be permitted to be single
conductors in approved raceways, single or multiconductor
Type UF, Type NMC, Type MI, or other approved conductors.
(B) Leads in Junction Box. Not less than 150 mm (6 in.)
of free nonheating lead shall be within the junction box.
The marking of the leads shall be visible in the junction
box.
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ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
(C) Excess Leads. Excess leads of heating cables shall not
be cut but shall be secured to the underside of the ceiling
and embedded in plaster or other approved material, leaving only a length sufficient to reach the junction box with
not less than 150 mm (6 in.) of free lead within the box.
424.58 Identification. Heaters installed in an air duct shall
be identified as suitable for the installation.
424.44 Installation of Cables in Concrete or Poured
Masonry Floors.
(A) Watts per Linear Meter (Foot). Constant wattage
heating cables shall not exceed 54 watts per linear meter
(161⁄2 watts per linear foot) of cable.
Informational Note: Heaters installed within 1.2 m (4 ft)
of the outlet of an air-moving device, heat pump, air conditioner, elbows, baffle plates, or other obstructions in ductwork may require turning vanes, pressure plates, or other
devices on the inlet side of the duct heater to ensure an
even distribution of air over the face of the heater.
(B) Spacing Between Adjacent Runs. The spacing between adjacent runs of cable shall not be less than 25 mm
(1 in.) on centers.
424.60 Elevated Inlet Temperature. Duct heaters intended for use with elevated inlet air temperature shall be
identified as suitable for use at the elevated temperatures.
(C) Secured in Place. Cables shall be secured in place by
nonmetallic frames or spreaders or other approved means
while the concrete or other finish is applied.
Cables shall not be installed where they bridge expansion joints unless protected from expansion and contraction.
424.61 Installation of Duct Heaters with Heat Pumps
and Air Conditioners. Heat pumps and air conditioners
having duct heaters closer than 1.2 m (4 ft) to the heat
pump or air conditioner shall have both the duct heater and
heat pump or air conditioner identified as suitable for such
installation and so marked.
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424.59 Airflow. Means shall be provided to ensure uniform airflow over the face of the heater in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions. [ROP 17–2]
424.62 Condensation. Duct heaters used with air conditioners or other air-cooling equipment that could result in
condensation of moisture shall be identified as suitable for
use with air conditioners.
(E) Leads Protected. Leads shall be protected where they
leave the floor by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, electrical metallic tubing, or by other approved means.
424.63 Fan Circuit Interlock. Means shall be provided to
ensure that the fan circuit is energized when any heater
circuit is energized. However, time- or temperaturecontrolled delay in energizing the fan motor shall be permitted.
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(D) Spacing Between Heating Cable and Metal Embedded in the Floor. Spacing shall be maintained between the
heating cable and metal embedded in the floor, unless the
cable is a grounded metal-clad cable. [ROP 17–55]
(F) Bushings or Approved Fittings. Bushings or approved fittings shall be used where the leads emerge within
the floor slab.
(G) Ground-Fault
Circuit-Interrupter
Protection.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel
shall be provided for cables installed in electrically heated
floors of bathrooms, kitchens, and in hydromassage bathtub
locations.
424.45 Inspection and Tests. Cable installations shall be
made with due care to prevent damage to the cable assembly and shall be inspected and approved before cables are
covered or concealed.
VI. Duct Heaters
424.57 General. Part VI shall apply to any heater mounted
in the airstream of a forced-air system where the airmoving unit is not provided as an integral part of the equipment.
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424.64 Limit Controls. Each duct heater shall be provided
with an approved, integral, automatic-reset temperaturelimiting control or controllers to de-energize the circuit or
circuits.
In addition, an integral independent supplementary control or controllers shall be provided in each duct heater that
disconnects a sufficient number of conductors to interrupt
current flow. This device shall be manually resettable or
replaceable.
424.65 Location of Disconnecting Means. Duct heater
controller equipment shall be either accessible with the disconnecting means installed at or within sight from the controller or as permitted by 424.19(A).
424.66 Installation. Duct heaters shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in such a
manner that operation does not create a hazard to persons
or property. Furthermore, duct heaters shall be located with
respect to building construction and other equipment so as
to permit access to the heater. Sufficient clearance shall be
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ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
424.74
Where cartridge fuses are used to provide this overcurrent protection, a single disconnecting means shall be permitted for the several subdivided circuits. See 240.40.
Informational Note: For additional installation information, see NFPA 90A-2009, Standard for the Installation of
Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, and NFPA 90B2009, Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating
and Air-Conditioning Systems.
(D) Conductors Supplying Supplementary Overcurrent
Protective Devices. The conductors supplying these
supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall be considered branch-circuit conductors.
Where the heaters are rated 50 kW or more, the conductors supplying the overcurrent protective device specified in 424.72(C) shall be permitted to be sized at not less
than 100 percent of the nameplate rating of the heater,
provided all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The heater is marked with a minimum conductor size.
(2) The conductors are not smaller than the marked minimum size.
(3) A temperature- or pressure-actuated device controls the
cyclic operation of the equipment.
VII. Resistance-Type Boilers
424.70 Scope. The provisions in Part VII of this article
shall apply to boilers employing resistance-type heating elements. Electrode-type boilers shall not be considered as
employing resistance-type heating elements. See Part VIII
of this article.
424.71 Identification. Resistance-type boilers shall be
identified as suitable for the installation.
424.72 Overcurrent Protection.
(E) Conductors for Subdivided Loads. Field-wired conductors between the heater and the supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall be sized at not less than
125 percent of the load served. The supplementary overcurrent protective devices specified in 424.72(C) shall protect
these conductors in accordance with 240.4.
Where the heaters are rated 50 kW or more, the ampacity of field-wired conductors between the heater and the
supplementary overcurrent protective devices shall be permitted to be not less than 100 percent of the load of their
respective subdivided circuits, provided all of the following
conditions are met:
(1) The heater is marked with a minimum conductor size.
(2) The conductors are not smaller than the marked minimum size.
(3) A temperature-activated device controls the cyclic operation of the equipment.
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(A) Boiler Employing Resistance-Type Immersion
Heating Elements in an ASME-Rated and Stamped Vessel. A boiler employing resistance-type immersion heating
elements contained in an ASME-rated and stamped vessel
shall have the heating elements protected at not more than
150 amperes. Such a boiler rated more than 120 amperes
shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not
exceeding 120 amperes.
Where a subdivided load is less than 120 amperes, the
rating of the overcurrent protective device shall comply
with 424.3(B).
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maintained to permit replacement of controls and heating
elements and for adjusting and cleaning of controls and
other parts requiring such attention. See 110.27.
(B) Boiler Employing Resistance-Type Heating Elements Rated More Than 48 Amperes and Not Contained in an ASME-Rated and Stamped Vessel. A boiler
employing resistance-type heating elements not contained
in an ASME-rated and stamped vessel shall have the heating elements protected at not more than 60 amperes. Such a
boiler rated more than 48 amperes shall have the heating
elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes.
Where a subdivided load is less than 48 amperes, the
rating of the overcurrent protective device shall comply
with 424.3(B).
(C) Supplementary Overcurrent Protective Devices.
The supplementary overcurrent protective devices for the
subdivided loads as required by 424.72(A) and (B) shall be
as follows:
(1) Factory-installed within or on the boiler enclosure or
provided as a separate assembly by the boiler manufacturer
(2) Accessible, but need not be readily accessible
(3) Suitable for branch-circuit protection
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424.73 Overtemperature Limit Control. Each boiler designed so that in normal operation there is no change in
state of the heat transfer medium shall be equipped with a
temperature-sensitive limiting means. It shall be installed to
limit maximum liquid temperature and shall directly or indirectly disconnect all ungrounded conductors to the heating elements. Such means shall be in addition to a
temperature-regulating system and other devices protecting
the tank against excessive pressure.
424.74 Overpressure Limit Control. Each boiler designed so that in normal operation there is a change in state
of the heat transfer medium from liquid to vapor shall be
equipped with a pressure-sensitive limiting means. It shall
be installed to limit maximum pressure and shall directly or
indirectly disconnect all ungrounded conductors to the
heating elements. Such means shall be in addition to a
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424.80
ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
VIII. Electrode-Type Boilers
424.80 Scope. The provisions in Part VIII of this article
shall apply to boilers for operation at 600 volts, nominal, or
less, in which heat is generated by the passage of current
between electrodes through the liquid being heated.
Informational Note:
Article 490.
For over 600 volts, see Part V of
424.81 Identification. Electrode-type boilers shall be identified as suitable for the installation.
424.85 Grounding. For those boilers designed such that
fault currents do not pass through the pressure vessel, and
the pressure vessel is electrically isolated from the electrodes, all exposed non–current-carrying metal parts, including the pressure vessel, supply, and return connecting
piping, shall be grounded.
For all other designs, the pressure vessel containing the
electrodes shall be isolated and electrically insulated from
ground.
424.86 Markings. All electrode-type boilers shall be
marked to show the following:
(1) The manufacturer’s name.
(2) The normal rating in volts, amperes, and kilowatts.
(3) The electrical supply required specifying frequency,
number of phases, and number of wires.
(4) The marking “Electrode-Type Boiler.”
(5) A warning marking, “All Power Supplies Shall Be Disconnected Before Servicing, Including Servicing the
Pressure Vessel.” A field-applied warning marking or
label shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP 17–57]
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424.82 Branch-Circuit Requirements. The size of
branch-circuit conductors and overcurrent protective devices shall be calculated on the basis of 125 percent of the
total load (motors not included). A contactor, relay, or other
device, approved for continuous operation at 100 percent of
its rating, shall be permitted to supply its full-rated load.
See 210.19(A), Exception. The provisions of this section
shall not apply to conductors that form an integral part of
an approved boiler.
Where an electrode boiler is rated 50 kW or more, the
conductors supplying the boiler electrode(s) shall be permitted to be sized at not less than 100 percent of the nameplate rating of the electrode boiler, provided all the following conditions are met:
(1) The electrode boiler is marked with a minimum conductor size.
(2) The conductors are not smaller than the marked minimum size.
(3) A temperature- or pressure-actuated device controls the
cyclic operation of the equipment.
system and other devices protecting the tank against excessive pressure.
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pressure-regulating system and other devices protecting the
tank against excessive pressure.
424.83 Overtemperature Limit Control. Each boiler, designed so that in normal operation there is no change in
state of the heat transfer medium, shall be equipped with a
temperature-sensitive limiting means. It shall be installed to
limit maximum liquid temperature and shall directly or indirectly interrupt all current flow through the electrodes.
Such means shall be in addition to the temperatureregulating system and other devices protecting the tank
against excessive pressure.
424.84 Overpressure Limit Control. Each boiler, designed so that in normal operation there is a change in state
of the heat transfer medium from liquid to vapor, shall be
equipped with a pressure-sensitive limiting means. It shall
be installed to limit maximum pressure and shall directly or
indirectly interrupt all current flow through the electrodes.
Such means shall be in addition to a pressure-regulating
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The nameplate shall be located so as to be visible after
installation.
IX. Electric Radiant Heating Panels and Heating
Panel Sets
424.90 Scope. The provisions of Part IX of this article
shall apply to radiant heating panels and heating panel sets.
424.91 Definitions.
Heating Panel. A complete assembly provided with a junction box or a length of flexible conduit for connection to a
branch circuit.
Heating Panel Set. A rigid or nonrigid assembly provided
with nonheating leads or a terminal junction assembly identified as being suitable for connection to a wiring system.
424.92 Markings.
(A) Location. Markings shall be permanent and in a location that is visible prior to application of panel finish.
(B) Identified as Suitable. Each unit shall be identified as
suitable for the installation.
(C) Required Markings. Each unit shall be marked with
the identifying name or identification symbol, catalog number, and rating in volts and watts or in volts and amperes.
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ARTICLE 424 — FIXED ELECTRIC SPACE-HEATING EQUIPMENT
424.93 Installation.
(A) General.
(1) Manufacturer’s Instructions. Heating panels and heating panel sets shall be installed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
(2) Parallel to Joists or Nailing Strips. Heating panel sets
shall be installed parallel to joists or nailing strips.
(3) Installation of Nails, Staples, or Other Fasteners.
Nailing or stapling of heating panel sets shall be done only
through the unheated portions provided for this purpose.
Heating panel sets shall not be cut through or nailed
through any point closer than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) to the element.
Nails, staples, or other fasteners shall not be used where
they penetrate current-carrying parts.
(4) Installed as Complete Unit. Heating panel sets shall be
installed as complete units unless identified as suitable for
field cutting in an approved manner.
424.94 Clearances of Wiring in Ceilings. Wiring located
above heated ceilings shall be spaced not less than 50 mm
(2 in.) above the heated ceiling and shall be considered as
operating at an ambient of 50°C (122°F). The ampacity
shall be calculated on the basis of the correction factors
given in the 0–2000 volt ampacity tables of Article 310. If
this wiring is located above thermal insulations having a
minimum thickness of 50 mm (2 in.), the wiring shall not
require correction for temperature.
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(2) Locations Not Permitted. The heating portion shall not
be installed as follows:
(1) In or behind surfaces where subject to physical damage
(2) Run through or above walls, partitions, cupboards, or
similar portions of structures that extend to the ceiling
(3) Run in or through thermal insulation, but shall be permitted to be in contact with the surface of thermal
insulation
(1) Mounting Location. Heating panel sets shall be permitted to be secured to the lower face of joists or mounted
in between joists, headers, or nailing strips.
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(D) Labels Provided by Manufacturer. The manufacturers of heating panels or heating panel sets shall provide
marking labels that indicate that the space-heating installation incorporates heating panels or heating panel sets and
instructions that the labels shall be affixed to the panelboards to identify which branch circuits supply the circuits
to those space-heating installations. If the heating panels
and heating panel set installations are visible and distinguishable after installation, the labels shall not be required
to be provided and affixed to the panelboards.
424.96
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(3) Separation from Outlets for Luminaires. Edges of
panels and panel sets shall be separated by not less than
200 mm (8 in.) from the edges of any outlet boxes and
junction boxes that are to be used for mounting surface
luminaires. A clearance of not less than 50 mm (2 in.) shall
be provided from recessed luminaires and their trims, ventilating openings, and other such openings in room surfaces, unless the heating panels and panel sets are listed and
marked for lesser clearances, in which case they shall be
permitted to be installed at the marked clearances. Sufficient area shall be provided to ensure that no heating panel
or heating panel set is to be covered by any surfacemounted units.
(4) Surfaces Covering Heating Panels. After the heating
panels or heating panel sets are installed and inspected, it
shall be permitted to install a surface that has been identified by the manufacturer’s instructions as being suitable for
the installation. The surface shall be secured so that the
nails or other fastenings do not pierce the heating panels or
heating panel sets.
(5) Surface Coverings. Surfaces permitted by
424.93(A)(4) shall be permitted to be covered with paint,
wallpaper, or other approved surfaces identified in the
manufacturer’s instructions as being suitable.
(B) Heating Panel Sets.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
424.95 Location of Branch-Circuit and Feeder Wiring
in Walls.
(A) Exterior Walls. Wiring methods shall comply with
Article 300 and 310.15(A)(3).
(B) Interior Walls. Any wiring behind heating panels or
heating panel sets located in interior walls or partitions
shall be considered as operating at an ambient temperature
of 40°C (104°F), and the ampacity shall be calculated on
the basis of the correction factors given in the 0–2000 volt
ampacity tables of Article 310.
424.96 Connection to Branch-Circuit Conductors.
(A) General. Heating panels or heating panel sets assembled together in the field to form a heating installation
in one room or area shall be connected in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions.
(B) Heating Panels. Heating panels shall be connected to
branch-circuit wiring by an approved wiring method.
(C) Heating Panel Sets.
(1) Connection to Branch-Circuit Wiring. Heating panel
sets shall be connected to branch-circuit wiring by a
method identified as being suitable for the purpose.
70–321
424.97
ARTICLE 426 — FIXED OUTDOOR ELECTRIC DEICING AND SNOW-MELTING EQUIPMENT
(2) Panel Sets with Terminal Junction Assembly. A heating panel set provided with terminal junction assembly
shall be permitted to have the nonheating leads attached at
the time of installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
facturer’s instructions and shall also comply with
424.99(C)(1) through (C)(5).
424.97 Nonheating Leads. Excess nonheating leads of
heating panels or heating panel sets shall be permitted to be
cut to the required length. They shall meet the installation
requirements of the wiring method employed in accordance
with 424.96. Nonheating leads shall be an integral part of a
heating panel and a heating panel set and shall not be subjected to the ampacity requirements of 424.3(B) for branch
circuits.
(2) Connection to Conductors. Heating panels and heating panel sets shall be connected to branch-circuit and supply wiring by wiring methods recognized in Chapter 3.
(A) Maximum Heated Area. Heating panels or heating
panel sets shall not exceed 355 watts/m2 (33 watts/ft2) of
heated area.
(4) Coverings. After heating panels or heating panel sets
are installed and inspected, they shall be permitted to be
covered by a floor covering that has been identified by the
manufacturer as being suitable for the installation. The covering shall be secured to the heating panel or heating panel
sets with release-type adhesives or by means identified for
this use.
(5) Fault Protection. A device to open all ungrounded
conductors supplying the heating panels or heating panel
sets, provided by the manufacturer, shall function when a
low- or high-resistance line-to-line, line-to-grounded conductor, or line-to-ground fault occurs, such as the result of
a penetration of the element or element assembly.
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(B) Secured in Place and Identified as Suitable. Heating
panels or heating panel sets shall be secured in place by
means specified in the manufacturer’s instructions and
identified as suitable for the installation.
(3) Anchoring. Heating panels and heating panel sets shall
be firmly anchored to the floor using an adhesive or anchoring system identified for this use.
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424.98 Installation in Concrete or Poured Masonry.
(1) Expansion Joints. Heating panels or heating panel sets
shall not be installed where they bridge expansion joints
unless protected from expansion and contraction.
(C) Expansion Joints. Heating panels or heating panel
sets shall not be installed where they bridge expansion
joints unless provision is made for expansion and contraction.
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(D) Spacings. Spacings shall be maintained between heating panels or heating panel sets and metal embedded in the
floor. Grounded metal-clad heating panels shall be permitted to be in contact with metal embedded in the floor.
(E) Protection of Leads. Leads shall be protected where
they leave the floor by rigid metal conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing, or by other approved means.
(F) Bushings or Fittings Required. Bushings or approved
fittings shall be used where the leads emerge within the
floor slabs.
424.99 Installation Under Floor Covering.
(A) Identification. Heating panels or heating panel sets for
installation under floor covering shall be identified as suitable for installation under floor covering.
(B) Maximum Heated Area. Heating panels or panel sets
installed under floor covering shall not exceed 160
watts/m2 (15 watts/ft2) of heated area.
(C) Installation. Listed heating panels or panel sets, if installed under floor covering, shall be installed on floor surfaces that are smooth and flat in accordance with the manu-
70–322
Informational Note: An integral grounding shield may be
required to provide this protection.
ARTICLE 426
Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and
Snow-Melting Equipment
I. General
426.1 Scope. The requirements of this article shall apply to
electrically energized heating systems and the installation
of these systems.
(A) Embedded. Embedded in driveways, walks, steps, and
other areas.
(B) Exposed. Exposed on drainage systems, bridge structures, roofs, and other structures.
426.2 Definitions.
Heating System. A complete system consisting of components such as heating elements, fastening devices, nonheating circuit wiring, leads, temperature controllers, safety
signs, junction boxes, raceways, and fittings.
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ARTICLE 426 — FIXED OUTDOOR ELECTRIC DEICING AND SNOW-MELTING EQUIPMENT
Resistance Heating Element. A specific separate element
to generate heat that is embedded in or fastened to the
surface to be heated.
Informational Note: Tubular heaters, strip heaters, heating
cable, heating tape, and heating panels are examples of
resistance heaters.
Skin-Effect Heating System. A system in which heat is
generated on the inner surface of a ferromagnetic envelope
embedded in or fastened to the surface to be heated.
426.14 Special Permission. Fixed outdoor deicing and
snow-melting equipment employing methods of construction or installation other than covered by this article shall
be permitted only by special permission.
III. Resistance Heating Elements
426.20 Embedded Deicing and Snow-Melting Equipment.
(A) Watt Density. Panels or units shall not exceed 1300
watts/m2 (120 watts/ft2) of heated area.
(B) Spacing. The spacing between adjacent cable runs is
dependent upon the rating of the cable and shall be not less
than 25 mm (1 in.) on centers.
(C) Cover. Units, panels, or cables shall be installed as
follows:
(1) On a substantial asphalt or masonry base at least
50 mm (2 in.) thick and have at least 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) of
asphalt or masonry applied over the units, panels, or
cables; or
(2) They shall be permitted to be installed over other approved bases and embedded within 90 mm (31⁄2 in.) of
masonry or asphalt but not less than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.)
from the top surface; or
(3) Equipment that has been listed for other forms of installation shall be installed only in the manner for
which it has been identified.
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Informational Note: Typically, an electrically insulated
conductor is routed through and connected to the envelope
at the other end. The envelope and the electrically insulated
conductor are connected to an ac voltage source from an
isolating transformer.
posting of appropriate caution signs or markings where
clearly visible.
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Impedance Heating System. A system in which heat is
generated in a pipe or rod, or combination of pipes and
rods, by causing current to flow through the pipe or rod by
direct connection to an ac voltage source from an isolating
transformer. The pipe or rod shall be permitted to be embedded in the surface to be heated, or constitute the exposed components to be heated.
426.21
426.3 Application of Other Articles. Cord-and-plugconnected fixed outdoor electric deicing and snow-melting
equipment intended for specific use and identified as suitable for this use shall be installed according to Article 422.
II. Installation
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426.4 Continuous Load. Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting equipment shall be considered as a continuous load.
426.10 General. Equipment for outdoor electric deicing
and snow melting shall be identified as being suitable for
the following:
(1) The chemical, thermal, and physical environment
(2) Installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s
drawings and instructions
(D) Secured. Cables, units, and panels shall be secured in
place by frames or spreaders or other approved means
while the masonry or asphalt finish is applied.
(E) Expansion and Contraction. Cables, units, and panels shall not be installed where they bridge expansion joints
unless provision is made for expansion and contraction.
426.21 Exposed Deicing and Snow-Melting Equipment.
426.11 Use. Electric heating equipment shall be installed
in such a manner as to be afforded protection from physical
damage.
426.12 Thermal Protection. External surfaces of outdoor
electric deicing and snow-melting equipment that operate at
temperatures exceeding 60°C (140°F) shall be physically
guarded, isolated, or thermally insulated to protect against
contact by personnel in the area.
426.13 Identification. The presence of outdoor electric deicing and snow-melting equipment shall be evident by the
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Secured. Heating element assemblies shall be secured
to the surface being heated by approved means.
(B) Overtemperature. Where the heating element is not
in direct contact with the surface being heated, the design
of the heater assembly shall be such that its temperature
limitations shall not be exceeded.
(C) Expansion and Contraction. Heating elements and
assemblies shall not be installed where they bridge expansion joints unless provision is made for expansion and contraction.
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ARTICLE 426 — FIXED OUTDOOR ELECTRIC DEICING AND SNOW-MELTING EQUIPMENT
(D) Flexural Capability. Where installed on flexible
structures, the heating elements and assemblies shall have a
flexural capability that is compatible with the structure.
426.22 Installation of Nonheating Leads for Embedded
Equipment.
(A) Grounding Sheath or Braid. Nonheating leads having a grounding sheath or braid shall be permitted to be
embedded in the masonry or asphalt in the same manner as
the heating cable without additional physical protection.
(B) Raceways. All but 25 mm to 150 mm (1 in. to 6 in.) of
nonheating leads not having a grounding sheath shall be
enclosed in a rigid metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing,
intermediate metal conduit, or other raceways within asphalt or masonry. The distance from the factory splice to
raceway shall not be less than 25 mm (1 in.) or more than
150 mm (6 in.).
(C) Bushings. Insulating bushings shall be used in the asphalt or masonry where leads enter conduit or tubing.
426.25 Marking. Each factory-assembled heating unit
shall be legibly marked within 75 mm (3 in.) of each end of
the nonheating leads with the permanent identification symbol, catalog number, and ratings in volts and watts or in
volts and amperes.
426.26 Corrosion Protection. Ferrous and nonferrous
metal raceways, cable armor, cable sheaths, boxes, fittings,
supports, and support hardware shall be permitted to be
installed in concrete or in direct contact with the earth, or in
areas subject to severe corrosive influences, where made of
material suitable for the condition, or where provided with
corrosion protection identified as suitable for the condition.
426.27 Grounding Braid or Sheath. Grounding means,
such as copper braid, metal sheath, or other approved
means, shall be provided as part of the heated section of the
cable, panel, or unit.
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(D) Expansion and Contraction. Leads shall be protected
in expansion joints and where they emerge from masonry
or asphalt by rigid conduit, electrical metallic tubing, intermediate metal conduit, other raceways, or other approved
means.
(B) Circuit Connections. Splices and terminations at the
end of the nonheating leads, other than the heating element
end, shall be installed in a box or fitting in accordance with
110.14 and 300.15.
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426.22
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(E) Leads in Junction Boxes. Not less than 150 mm
(6 in.) of free nonheating lead shall be within the junction
box.
426.23 Installation of Nonheating Leads for Exposed
Equipment.
(A) Nonheating Leads. Power supply nonheating leads
(cold leads) for resistance elements shall be identified for
the temperature encountered. Not less than 150 mm (6 in.)
of nonheating leads shall be provided within the junction
box. Preassembled factory-supplied and field-assembled
nonheating leads on approved heaters shall be permitted to
be shortened if the markings specified in 426.25 are retained.
(B) Protection. Nonheating power supply leads shall be
enclosed in a rigid conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
electrical metallic tubing, or other approved means.
426.24 Electrical Connection.
(A) Heating Element Connections. Electrical connections, other than factory connections of heating elements to
nonheating elements embedded in masonry or asphalt or on
exposed surfaces, shall be made with insulated connectors
identified for the use.
70–324
426.28 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Groundfault protection of equipment shall be provided for fixed
outdoor electric deicing and snow-melting equipment.
IV. Impedance Heating
426.30 Personnel Protection. Exposed elements of impedance heating systems shall be physically guarded, isolated, or thermally insulated with a weatherproof jacket to
protect against contact by personnel in the area.
426.31 Isolation Transformer. An isolation transformer
with a grounded shield between the primary and secondary
windings shall be used to isolate the distribution system
from the heating system.
426.32 Voltage Limitations. Unless protected by groundfault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel, the secondary winding of the isolation transformer connected to
the impedance heating elements shall not have an output
voltage greater than 30 volts ac.
Where ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel is provided, the voltage shall be permitted to be
greater than 30 but not more than 80 volts.
426.33 Induced Currents. All current-carrying components shall be installed in accordance with 300.20.
426.34 Grounding. An impedance heating system that is
operating at a voltage greater than 30 but not more than 80
shall be grounded at a designated point(s).
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427.1
ARTICLE 427 — FIXED ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT FOR PIPELINES AND VESSELS
V. Skin-Effect Heating
426.51 Controllers.
426.40 Conductor Ampacity. The current through the
electrically insulated conductor inside the ferromagnetic
envelope shall be permitted to exceed the ampacity values
shown in Article 310, provided it is identified as suitable
for this use.
(A) Temperature Controller with “Off” Position. Temperature controlled switching devices that indicate an “off”
position and that interrupt line current shall open all ungrounded conductors when the control device is in the “off”
position. These devices shall not be permitted to serve as
the disconnecting means unless they are lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 17–70]
426.42 Single Conductor in Enclosure. The provisions of
300.20 shall not apply to the installation of a single conductor in a ferromagnetic envelope (metal enclosure).
(C) Remote Temperature Controller. Remote controlled
temperature-actuated devices shall not be required to meet
the requirements of 426.51(A). These devices shall not be
permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(D) Combined Switching Devices. Switching devices
consisting of combined temperature-actuated devices and
manually controlled switches that serve both as the controller and the disconnecting means shall comply with all of
the following conditions:
(1) Open all ungrounded conductors when manually placed
in the “off” position
(2) Be so designed that the circuit cannot be energized
automatically if the device has been manually placed in
the “off” position
(3) Be lockable in accordance with 110.25 [ROP 17–71]
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426.43 Corrosion Protection. Ferromagnetic envelopes,
ferrous or nonferrous metal raceways, boxes, fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be permitted to be installed in concrete or in direct contact with the earth, or in
areas subjected to severe corrosive influences, where made
of material suitable for the condition, or where provided
with corrosion protection identified as suitable for the condition. Corrosion protection shall maintain the original wall
thickness of the ferromagnetic envelope.
(B) Temperature Controller Without “Off” Position.
Temperature controlled switching devices that do not have
an “off” position shall not be required to open all ungrounded conductors and shall not be permitted to serve as
the disconnecting means.
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426.41 Pull Boxes. Where pull boxes are used, they shall
be accessible without excavation by location in suitable
vaults or abovegrade. Outdoor pull boxes shall be of watertight construction.
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426.44 Grounding. The ferromagnetic envelope shall be
connected to an equipment grounding conductor at both
ends; and, in addition, it shall be permitted to be connected
to an equipment grounding conductor at intermediate points
as required by its design.
The provisions of 250.30 shall not apply to the installation of skin-effect heating systems.
426.54 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Deicing and SnowMelting Equipment. Cord-and-plug-connected deicing
and snow-melting equipment shall be listed.
Informational Note: For grounding methods, see Article
250.
VI. Control and Protection
426.50 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Disconnection. All fixed outdoor deicing and snowmelting equipment shall be provided with a means for simultaneous disconnection from all ungrounded conductors.
Where readily accessible to the user of the equipment, the
branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted
to serve as the disconnecting means. The disconnecting
means shall be of the indicating type and be provided with
a positive lockout in the “off” position.
(B) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. The factoryinstalled attachment plug of cord-and-plug-connected
equipment rated 20 amperes or less and 150 volts or less to
ground shall be permitted to be the disconnecting means.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 427
Fixed Electric Heating Equipment for
Pipelines and Vessels
I. General
427.1 Scope. The requirements of this article shall apply to
electrically energized heating systems and the installation
of these systems used with pipelines or vessels or both.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/IEEE Std. 515-2002, Standard for the Testing, Design, Installation and Maintenance of Electrical Resistance
Heat Tracing for Industrial Applications; ANSI/IEEE Std.
844-2000, Recommended Practice for Electrical Impedance, Induction, and Skin Effect Heating of Pipelines and
Vessels; and ANSI/NECA 202-2006, Standard for Installing
70–325
427.2
ARTICLE 427 — FIXED ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT FOR PIPELINES AND VESSELS
and Maintaining Industrial Heat Tracing Systems. [ROP
17–72]
427.11 Use. Electric heating equipment shall be installed
in such a manner as to be afforded protection from physical
damage.
427.2 Definitions.
Impedance Heating System. A system in which heat is
generated in a pipeline or vessel wall by causing current to
flow through the pipeline or vessel wall by direct connection to an ac voltage source from a dual-winding transformer.
Induction Heating System. A system in which heat is generated in a pipeline or vessel wall by inducing current and
hysteresis effect in the pipeline or vessel wall from an external isolated ac field source.
[ROP 17–73]
427.12 Thermal Protection. External surfaces of pipeline
and vessel heating equipment that operate at temperatures
exceeding 60°C (140°F) shall be physically guarded, isolated, or thermally insulated to protect against contact by
personnel in the area.
427.13 Identification. The presence of electrically heated
pipelines, vessels, or both, shall be evident by the posting
of appropriate caution signs or markings at intervals not
exceeding 6 m (20 ft) along the pipeline or vessel and on or
adjacent to equipment in the piping system that requires
periodic servicing.
III. Resistance Heating Elements
Resistance Heating Element. A specific separate element
to generate heat that is applied to the pipeline or vessel
externally or internally.
427.14 Secured. Heating element assemblies shall be secured to the surface being heated by means other than the
thermal insulation.
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Pipeline. A length of pipe including pumps, valves, flanges,
control devices, strainers, and/or similar equipment for conveying fluids.
Informational Note: Tubular heaters, strip heaters, heating
cable, heating tape, heating blankets, and immersion heaters are examples of resistance heaters.
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Skin-Effect Heating System. A system in which heat is
generated on the inner surface of a ferromagnetic envelope
attached to a pipeline or vessel, or both.
427.15 Not in Direct Contact. Where the heating element
is not in direct contact with the pipeline or vessel being
heated, means shall be provided to prevent overtemperature
of the heating element unless the design of the heater assembly is such that its temperature limitations will not be
exceeded.
Informational Note: Typically, an electrically insulated
conductor is routed through and connected to the envelope
at the other end. The envelope and the electrically insulated
conductor are connected to an ac voltage source from a
dual-winding transformer.
427.16 Expansion and Contraction. Heating elements
and assemblies shall not be installed where they bridge
expansion joints unless provisions are made for expansion
and contraction.
Vessel. A container such as a barrel, drum, or tank for
holding fluids or other material.
427.17 Flexural Capability. Where installed on flexible
pipelines, the heating elements and assemblies shall have a
flexural capability that is compatible with the pipeline.
427.3 Application of Other Articles. Cord-connected
pipe heating assemblies intended for specific use and identified as suitable for this use shall be installed according to
Article 422.
427.4 Continuous Load. Fixed electric heating equipment
for pipelines and vessels shall be considered continuous
load.
II. Installation
427.10 General. Equipment for pipeline and vessel electric heating shall be identified as being suitable for (1) the
chemical, thermal, and physical environment and (2) installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s drawings and
instructions.
70–326
427.18 Power Supply Leads.
(A) Nonheating Leads. Power supply nonheating leads
(cold leads) for resistance elements shall be suitable for the
temperature encountered. Not less than 150 mm (6 in.) of
nonheating leads shall be provided within the junction box.
Preassembled factory-supplied and field-assembled nonheating leads on approved heaters shall be permitted to be
shortened if the markings specified in 427.20 are retained.
(B) Power Supply Leads Protection. Nonheating power
supply leads shall be protected where they emerge from
electrically heated pipeline or vessel heating units by rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, or other raceways identified as suitable for the
application.
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ARTICLE 427 — FIXED ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT FOR PIPELINES AND VESSELS
427.36
(C) Interconnecting Leads. Interconnecting nonheating
leads connecting portions of the heating system shall be
permitted to be covered by thermal insulation in the same
manner as the heaters.
427.26 Isolation Transformer. A dual-winding transformer with a grounded shield between the primary and
secondary windings shall be used to isolate the distribution
system from the heating system.
427.19 Electrical Connections.
427.27 Voltage Limitations. Unless protected by groundfault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel, the secondary winding of the isolation transformer connected to
the pipeline or vessel being heated shall not have an output
voltage greater than 30 volts ac.
Where ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel is provided, the voltage shall be permitted to be
greater than 30 but not more than 80 volts.
(B) Circuit Connections. Splices and terminations outside
the thermal insulation shall be installed in a box or fitting in
accordance with 110.14 and 300.15.
427.20 Marking. Each factory-assembled heating unit
shall be legibly marked within 75 mm (3 in.) of each end of
the nonheating leads with the permanent identification symbol, catalog number, and ratings in volts and watts or in
volts and amperes.
(1) Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the installed systems.
(2) Ground-fault protection of equipment is provided.
(3) The pipeline or vessel being heated is completely enclosed in a grounded metal enclosure.
(4) The transformer secondary connections to the pipeline
or vessel being heated are completely enclosed in a
grounded metal mesh or metal enclosure.
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427.22 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Groundfault protection of equipment shall be provided for electric
heat tracing and heating panels. This requirement shall not
apply in industrial establishments where there is alarm indication of ground faults and the following conditions apply:
(1) Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the installed systems.
(2) Continued circuit operation is necessary for safe operation of equipment or processes.
Exception: In industrial establishments, the isolation
transformer connected to the pipeline or vessel being
heated shall be permitted to have an output voltage not
greater than 132 volts ac to ground where all of the following conditions apply:
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(A) Nonheating Interconnections. Nonheating interconnections, where required under thermal insulation, shall be
made with insulated connectors identified as suitable for
this use.
427.23 Grounded Conductive Covering. Electric heating
equipment shall be listed and have a grounded conductive
covering in accordance with 427.23(A) or (B). The conductive covering shall provide an effective ground path for
equipment protection.
(A) Heating Wires or Cables. Heating wires or cables
shall have a grounded conductive covering that surrounds
the heating element and bus wires, if any, and their electrical insulation.
(B) Heating Panels. Heating panels shall have a grounded
conductive covering over the heating element and its electrical insulation on the side opposite the side attached to the
surface to be heated.
IV. Impedance Heating
427.25 Personnel Protection. All accessible external surfaces of the pipeline, vessel, or both, being heated shall be
physically guarded, isolated, or thermally insulated (with a
weatherproof jacket for outside installations) to protect
against contact by personnel in the area.
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427.28 Induced Currents. All current-carrying components shall be installed in accordance with 300.20.
427.29 Grounding. The pipeline, vessel, or both, that is
being heated and operating at a voltage greater than 30 but
not more than 80 shall be grounded at designated points.
427.30 Secondary Conductor Sizing. The ampacity of the
conductors connected to the secondary of the transformer
shall be at least 100 percent of the total load of the heater.
V. Induction Heating
427.35 Scope. This part covers the installation of line frequency induction heating equipment and accessories for
pipelines and vessels.
Informational Note: See Article 665 for other applications.
427.36 Personnel Protection. Induction coils that operate
or may operate at a voltage greater than 30 volts ac shall be
enclosed in a nonmetallic or split metallic enclosure, isolated, or made inaccessible by location to protect personnel
in the area.
70–327
427.37
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
VI. Skin-Effect Heating
427.45 Conductor Ampacity. The ampacity of the electrically insulated conductor inside the ferromagnetic envelope
shall be permitted to exceed the values given in Article 310,
provided it is identified as suitable for this use.
427.46 Pull Boxes. Pull boxes for pulling the electrically
insulated conductor in the ferromagnetic envelope shall be
permitted to be buried under the thermal insulation, provided their locations are indicated by permanent markings
on the insulation jacket surface and on drawings. For outdoor installations, pull boxes shall be of watertight construction.
(B) Temperature Control Without “Off” Position. Temperature controlled switching devices that do not have an
“off” position shall not be required to open all ungrounded
conductors and shall not be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(C) Remote Temperature Controller. Remote controlled
temperature-actuated devices shall not be required to meet
the requirements of 427.56(A) and (B). These devices shall
not be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(D) Combined Switching Devices. Switching devices
consisting of combined temperature-actuated devices and
manually controlled switches that serve both as the controllers and the disconnecting means shall comply with all the
following conditions:
(1) Open all ungrounded conductors when manually placed
in the “off” position
(2) Be designed so that the circuit cannot be energized
automatically if the device has been manually placed in
the “off” position
(3) Be capable of being locked in the open position
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427.47 Single Conductor in Enclosure. The provisions of
300.20 shall not apply to the installation of a single conductor in a ferromagnetic envelope (metal enclosure).
“off” position and that interrupt line current shall open all
ungrounded conductors when the control device is in this
“off” position. These devices shall not be permitted to serve
as the disconnecting means unless capable of being locked
in the open position.
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427.37 Induced Current. Induction coils shall be prevented from inducing circulating currents in surrounding
metallic equipment, supports, or structures by shielding,
isolation, or insulation of the current paths. Stray current
paths shall be bonded to prevent arcing.
Informational Note:
methods.
D
R
427.48 Grounding. The ferromagnetic envelope shall be
grounded at both ends, and, in addition, it shall be permitted to be grounded at intermediate points as required by its
design. The ferromagnetic envelope shall be bonded at all
joints to ensure electrical continuity.
The provisions of 250.30 shall not apply to the installation of skin-effect heating systems.
See Article 250 for grounding
427.57 Overcurrent Protection. Heating equipment shall
be considered as protected against overcurrent where supplied by a branch circuit as specified in 210.3 and 210.23.
VII. Control and Protection
427.55 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Switch or Circuit Breaker. Means shall be provided
to simultaneously disconnect all fixed electric pipeline or
vessel heating equipment from all ungrounded conductors.
The branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker, where readily
accessible to the user of the equipment, shall be permitted
to serve as the disconnecting means. The disconnecting
means shall be of the indicating type and shall be provided
with a positive lockout in the “off” position.
ARTICLE 430
Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers
I. General
430.1 Scope. This article covers motors, motor branchcircuit and feeder conductors and their protection, motor
overload protection, motor control circuits, motor controllers, and motor control centers.
(B) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. The factoryinstalled attachment plug of cord-and-plug-connected
equipment rated 20 amperes or less and 150 volts or less to
ground shall be permitted to be the disconnecting means.
Informational Note No. 1: Installation requirements for
motor control centers are covered in 110.27(E). Airconditioning and refrigerating equipment are covered in Article 440.
427.56 Controls.
Informational Note No. 2: Figure 430.1 is for information
only.
(A) Temperature Control with “Off” Position.
Temperature-controlled switching devices that indicate an
70–328
430.2 Definitions. [ROP 11–75]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
To Supply
Motor feeder
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Part IX
Part X
Part XI
Part XII
Part XIII
Part XIV
Part II
430.24,
430.25, 430.26
Motor feeder
short-circuit and
ground-fault protection
Part V
Part IX
Motor branch-circuit
short-circuit and
ground-fault protection
Part IV
Motor circuit conductor
Part II
Part VII
Motor controller
Motor control circuits
Motor overload protection
Part VI
Part III
Part I
Motor
Part III
Thermal protection
Secondary resistor
D
R
Secondary controller
Secondary conductors
Part II
430.23
Part II
430.23 and Article 470
Figure 430.1 Article 430 Contents.
Controller. For the purpose of this article, a controller is
any switch or device that is normally used to start and stop
a motor by making and breaking the motor circuit current.
[ROP 11–8]
System Isolation Equipment. A redundantly monitored,
remotely operated contactor-isolating system, packaged to
provide the disconnection/isolation function, capable of
verifiable operation from multiple remote locations by
means of lockout switches, each having the capability of
being padlocked in the “off” (open) position.
Valve Actuator Motor (VAM) Assemblies. A manufactured assembly, used to operate a valve, consisting of an
actuator motor and other components such as controllers,
torque switches, limit switches, and overload protection.
Informational Note: VAMs typically have short-time duty
and high-torque characteristics.
430.4 Part-Winding Motors. A part-winding start induction or synchronous motor is one that is arranged for start-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: A short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall be permitted for both windings if the device will
allow the motor to start. Where time-delay (dual-element)
fuses are used, they shall be permitted to have a rating not
exceeding 150 percent of the motor full-load current.
AF
Motor disconnecting means
ing by first energizing part of its primary (armature) winding and, subsequently, energizing the remainder of this
winding in one or more steps. A standard part-winding start
induction motor is arranged so that one-half of its primary
winding can be energized initially, and, subsequently, the
remaining half can be energized, both halves then carrying
equal current. A hermetic refrigerant compressor motor
shall not be considered a standard part-winding start induction motor.
Where separate overload devices are used with a standard part-winding start induction motor, each half of the
motor winding shall be individually protected in accordance with 430.32 and 430.37 with a trip current one-half
that specified.
Each motor-winding connection shall have branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection rated at not
more than one-half that specified by 430.52.
T
General, 430.1 through 430.18
Motor Circuit Conductors, 430.21 through 430.29
Motor and Branch-Circuit Overload Protection, 430.31
through 430.44
Motor Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection, 430.51 through 430.58
Motor Feeder Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection,
430.61 through 430.63
Motor Control Circuits, 430.71 through 430.74
Motor Controllers, 430.81 through 430.90
Motor Control Centers, 430.92 through 430.98
Disconnecting Means, 430.101 through 430.113
Adjustable Speed Drive Systems, 430.120 through 430.128
Over 600 Volts, Nominal, 430.221 through 430.227
Protection of Live Parts—All Voltages, 430.231
through 430.233
Grounding—All Voltages, 430.241 through 430.245
Tables, Tables 430.247 through 430.251(B)
430.6
430.5 Other Articles. Motors and controllers shall also
comply with the applicable provisions of Table 430.5.
430.6 Ampacity and Motor Rating Determination. The
size of conductors supplying equipment covered by Article
430 shall be selected from the allowable ampacity tables in
accordance with 310.15(B) or shall be calculated in accordance with 310.15(C). Where flexible cord is used, the size
of the conductor shall be selected in accordance with 400.5.
The required ampacity and motor ratings shall be determined as specified in 430.6(A), (B), (C), and (D).
(A) General Motor Applications. For general motor applications, current ratings shall be determined based on
(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Table Values. Other than for motors built for low
speeds (less than 1200 RPM) or high torques, and for multispeed motors, the values given in Table 430.247, Table
430.248, Table 430.249, and Table 430.250 shall be used to
determine the ampacity of conductors or ampere ratings of
switches, branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection, instead of the actual current rating marked on the
motor nameplate. Where a motor is marked in amperes, but
not horsepower, the horsepower rating shall be assumed to
be that corresponding to the value given in Table 430.247,
Table 430.248, Table 430.249, and Table 430.250, interpolated if necessary. Motors built for low speeds (less than
1200 RPM) or high torques may have higher full-load currents, and multispeed motors will have full-load current
varying with speed, in which case the nameplate current
ratings shall be used.
70–329
430.7
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Table 430.5 Other Articles
Equipment/Occupancy
Article
Air-conditioning and
refrigerating equipment
Capacitors
Commercial garages;
aircraft hangars; motor
fuel dispensing
facilities; bulk storage
plants; spray
application, dipping,
and coating processes;
and inhalation
anesthetizing locations
Cranes and hoists
Electrically driven or
controlled irrigation
machines
Elevators, dumbwaiters,
escalators, moving
walks, wheelchair lifts,
and stairway chair lifts
Fire pumps
Hazardous (classified)
locations
440
(2) Nameplate Values. Separate motor overload protection
shall be based on the motor nameplate current rating.
(B) Torque Motors. For torque motors, the rated current
shall be locked-rotor current, and this nameplate current
shall be used to determine the ampacity of the branchcircuit conductors covered in 430.22 and 430.24, the ampere rating of the motor overload protection, and the ampere rating of motor branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protection in accordance with 430.52(B).
610
675
Informational Note: For motor controllers and disconnecting means, see 430.83(D) and 430.110.
695
500–503, 505,
and 506 [ROP
11–26]
670
T
620
540.11 and
540.20
530
470
520.48
450
Exception No. 1: Multispeed motors shall be in accordance with 430.22(A) and 430.52.
Exception No. 2: For equipment that employs a shadedpole or permanent-split capacitor-type fan or blower motor
that is marked with the motor type, the full load current for
such motor marked on the nameplate of the equipment in
which the fan or blower motor is employed shall be used
instead of the horsepower rating to determine the ampacity
or rating of the disconnecting means, the branch-circuit
conductors, the controller, the branch-circuit short-circuit
and ground-fault protection, and the separate overload protection. This marking on the equipment nameplate shall not
be less than the current marked on the fan or blower motor
nameplate.
Exception No. 3: For a listed motor-operated appliance
that is marked with both motor horsepower and full-load
current, the motor full-load current marked on the name-
70–330
(C) Alternating-Current Adjustable Voltage Motors.
For motors used in alternating-current, adjustable voltage,
variable torque drive systems, the ampacity of conductors,
or ampere ratings of switches, branch-circuit short-circuit
and ground-fault protection, and so forth, shall be based on
the maximum operating current marked on the motor or
control nameplate, or both. If the maximum operating current does not appear on the nameplate, the ampacity determination shall be based on 150 percent of the values given
in Table 430.249 and Table 430.250.
AF
Motion picture and
television studios and
similar locations
Resistors and reactors
Theaters, audience areas
of motion picture and
television studios, and
similar locations
Transformers and
transformer vaults
460.8, 460.9
511, 513, 514,
515, 516, and
517 Part IV
D
R
Industrial machinery
Motion picture projectors
Section
plate of the appliance shall be used instead of the horsepower rating on the appliance nameplate to determine the
ampacity or rating of the disconnecting means, the branchcircuit conductors, the controller, the branch-circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protection, and any separate overload protection.
(D) Valve Actuator Motor Assemblies. For valve actuator
motor assemblies (VAMs), the rated current shall be the
nameplate full-load current, and this current shall be used
to determine the maximum rating or setting of the motor
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device and the ampacity of the conductors.
430.7 Marking on Motors and Multimotor Equipment.
(A) Usual Motor Applications. A motor shall be marked
with the following information:
(1) Manufacturer’s name.
(2) Rated volts and full-load current. For a multispeed
motor, full-load current for each speed, except
shaded-pole and permanent-split capacitor motors
where amperes are required only for maximum speed.
(3) Rated frequency and number of phases if an ac motor.
(4) Rated full-load speed.
(5) Rated temperature rise or the insulation system class
and rated ambient temperature.
(6) Time rating. The time rating shall be 5, 15, 30, or 60
minutes, or continuous.
(7) Rated horsepower if 1⁄8 hp or more. For a multispeed
motor 1⁄8 hp or more, rated horsepower for each speed,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
430.7
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
except shaded-pole and permanent-split capacitor motors 1⁄8 hp or more where rated horsepower is required
only for maximum speed. Motors of arc welders are
not required to be marked with the horsepower rating.
(8) Code letter or locked-rotor amperes if an alternatingcurrent motor rated 1⁄2 hp or more. On polyphase
wound-rotor motors, the code letter shall be omitted.
Table 430.7(B) Locked-Rotor Indicating Code Letters
Code Letter
Kilovolt-Amperes per Horsepower
with Locked Rotor
A
B
C
D
0–3.14
3.15–3.54
3.55–3.99
4.0–4.49
E
F
G
H
4.5–4.99
5.0–5.59
5.6–6.29
6.3–7.09
J
K
L
M
7.1–7.99
8.0–8.99
9.0–9.99
10.0–11.19
N
P
R
S
11.2–12.49
12.5–13.99
14.0–15.99
16.0–17.99
T
U
V
18.0–19.99
20.0–22.39
22.4 and up
Informational Note: See 430.7(B).
(9) Design letter for design B, C, or D motors.
D
R
AF
(10) Secondary volts and full-load current if a wound-rotor
induction motor.
(11) Field current and voltage for dc excited synchronous
motors.
(12) Winding — straight shunt, stabilized shunt, compound, or series, if a dc motor. Fractional horsepower
dc motors 175 mm (7 in.) or less in diameter shall not
be required to be marked.
(13) A motor provided with a thermal protector complying
with 430.32(A)(2) or (B)(2) shall be marked “Thermally Protected.” Thermally protected motors rated
100 watts or less and complying with 430.32(B)(2)
shall be permitted to use the abbreviated marking
“T.P.”
(14) A motor complying with 430.32(B)(4) shall be
marked “Impedance Protected.” Impedance-protected
motors rated 100 watts or less and complying with
430.32(B)(4) shall be permitted to use the abbreviated
marking “Z.P.”
(15) Motors equipped with electrically powered condensation prevention heaters shall be marked with the rated
heater voltage, number of phases, and the rated power
in watts.
T
Informational Note: Motor design letter definitions are
found in ANSI/NEMA MG 1-1993, Motors and Generators, Part 1, Definitions, and in IEEE 100-1996, Standard
Dictionary of Electrical and Electronic Terms.
(B) Locked-Rotor Indicating Code Letters. Code letters
marked on motor nameplates to show motor input with
locked rotor shall be in accordance with Table 430.7(B).
The code letter indicating motor input with locked rotor
shall be in an individual block on the nameplate, properly
designated.
(1) Multispeed Motors. Multispeed motors shall be
marked with the code letter designating the locked-rotor
kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp) for the highest
speed at which the motor can be started.
Exception: Constant horsepower multispeed motors shall
be marked with the code letter giving the highest lockedrotor kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp).
(2) Single-Speed Motors. Single-speed motors starting on
wye connection and running on delta connections shall be
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
marked with a code letter corresponding to the locked-rotor
kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp) for the wye
connection.
(3) Dual-Voltage Motors. Dual-voltage motors that have a
different locked-rotor kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp) on the two voltages shall be marked with the
code letter for the voltage giving the highest locked-rotor
kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp).
(4) 50/60 Hz Motors. Motors with 50- and 60-Hz ratings
shall be marked with a code letter designating the lockedrotor kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp) on 60 Hz.
(5) Part-Winding Motors. Part-winding start motors shall
be marked with a code letter designating the locked-rotor
kilovolt-ampere (kVA) per horsepower (hp) that is based on
the locked-rotor current for the full winding of the motor.
(C) Torque Motors. Torque motors are rated for operation
at standstill and shall be marked in accordance with
430.7(A), except that locked-rotor torque shall replace
horsepower.
(D) Multimotor and Combination-Load Equipment.
(1) Factory-Wired. Multimotor and combination-load
equipment shall be provided with a visible nameplate
marked with the manufacturer’s name, the rating in volts,
frequency, number of phases, minimum supply circuit conductor ampacity, and the maximum ampere rating of the
70–331
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device. The
conductor ampacity shall be calculated in accordance with
430.24 and counting all of the motors and other loads that
will be operated at the same time. The short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device rating shall not exceed the
value calculated in accordance with 430.53. Multimotor
equipment for use on two or more circuits shall be marked
with the preceding information for each circuit.
(2) Not Factory-Wired. Where the equipment is not
factory-wired and the individual nameplates of motors and
other loads are visible after assembly of the equipment, the
individual nameplates shall be permitted to serve as the
required marking.
430.8 Marking on Controllers. A controller shall be
marked with the manufacturer’s name or identification, the
voltage, the current or horsepower rating, the short-circuit
current rating, and other necessary data to properly indicate
the applications for which it is suitable. [ROP 11–28]
(C) Torque Requirements. Control circuit devices with
screw-type pressure terminals used with 14 AWG or
smaller copper conductors shall be torqued to a minimum
of 0.8 N·m (7 lb-in.) unless identified for a different torque
value.
430.10 Wiring Space in Enclosures.
(A) General. Enclosures for motor controllers and disconnecting means shall not be used as junction boxes, auxiliary
gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to the other apparatus unless designs are employed
that provide adequate space for this purpose.
Informational Note: See 312.8 for switch and overcurrentdevice enclosures.
(B) Wire-Bending Space in Enclosures. Minimum wirebending space within the enclosures for motor controllers
shall be in accordance with Table 430.10(B) where measured in a straight line from the end of the lug or wire
connector (in the direction the wire leaves the terminal) to
the wall or barrier. Where alternate wire termination means
are substituted for that supplied by the manufacturer of the
controller, they shall be of a type identified by the manufacturer for use with the controller and shall not reduce the
minimum wire-bending space.
D
R
AF
Exception No. 1: The short-circuit current rating is not
required for controllers applied in accordance with
430.81(A) or (B).
Exception No. 2: The short-circuit rating is not required to
be marked on the controller when the short-circuit current
rating of the controller is marked elsewhere on the
assembly.
Exception No. 3: The short-circuit rating is not required to
be marked on the controller when the assembly into which
it is installed has a marked short-circuit current rating.
Exception No. 4: Short-circuit ratings are not required for
controllers rated less than 2 hp at 300 V or less and listed
exclusively for general-purpose branch circuits.
(B) Conductors. Motor controllers and terminals of control circuit devices shall be connected with copper conductors unless identified for use with a different conductor.
T
430.8
Table 430.10(B) Minimum Wire-Bending Space at the
Terminals of Enclosed Motor Controllers
Wires per Terminal*
A controller that includes motor overload protection
suitable for group motor application shall be marked with
the motor overload protection and the maximum branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection for such
applications.
Combination controllers that employ adjustable instantaneous trip circuit breakers shall be clearly marked to indicate the ampere settings of the adjustable trip element.
Where a controller is built in as an integral part of a
motor or of a motor-generator set, individual marking of
the controller shall not be required if the necessary data are
on the nameplate. For controllers that are an integral part of
equipment approved as a unit, the above marking shall be
permitted on the equipment nameplate.
Informational Note: See 110.10 for information on circuit
impedance and other characteristics.
430.9 Terminals.
(A) Markings. Terminals of motors and controllers shall
be suitably marked or colored where necessary to indicate
the proper connections.
70–332
Size of
Wire
(AWG or
kcmil)
mm
in.
mm
in.
14–10
8–6
4–3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0–4/0
250
300
350–500
600–700
750–900
Not specified
38
11⁄2
50
2
65
21⁄2
75
3
125
5
150
6
175
7
200
8
250
10
300
12
350
14
450
18
—
—
—
—
—
125
150
175
200
250
300
400
475
—
—
—
—
—
5
6
7
8
10
12
16
19
1
2
*
Where provision for three or more wires per terminal exists, the
minimum wire-bending space shall be in accordance with the requirements of Article 312.
430.11 Protection Against Liquids. Suitable guards or enclosures shall be provided to protect exposed current-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
430.12
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
430.12 Motor Terminal Housings.
(A) Material. Where motors are provided with terminal
housings, the housings shall be of metal and of substantial
construction.
Exception: In other than hazardous (classified) locations,
substantial, nonmetallic, noncombustible housings shall be
permitted, provided an internal grounding means between
the motor frame and the equipment grounding connection
is incorporated within the housing.
Table 430.12(B) Terminal Housings — Wire-to-Wire
Connections
Motors 275 mm (11 in.) in Diameter or Less
1 and smallera
11⁄2, 2, and 3b
5 and 71⁄2
10 and 15
Usable Volume
Minimum
D
R
Cover Opening
Minimum Dimension
Horsepower
mm
41
45
50
65
in.
cm3
in.3
15⁄8
13⁄4
2
21⁄2
170
275
365
595
10.5
16.8
22.4
36.4
45
70
110
160
250
400
600
2014 Edition
65
84
100
125
150
175
200
2.5
3.3
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Terminal Box
Minimum
Dimensions
Usable Volume
Minimum
mm
in.
cm3
in.3
68
105
165
240
375
600
900
65
84
100
125
150
175
200
2.5
3.3
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
425
900
1,640
2,950
5,410
9,840
18,040
26
55
100
180
330
600
1,100
Note: Auxiliary leads for such items as brakes, thermostats, space
heaters, and exciting fields shall be permitted to be neglected if their
current-carrying area does not exceed 25 percent of the currentcarrying area of the machine power leads.
a
For motors rated 1 hp and smaller, and with the terminal housing
partially or wholly integral with the frame or end shield, the volume
of the terminal housing shall not be less than 18.0 cm3 (1.1 in.3) per
wire-to-wire connection. The minimum cover opening dimension is
not specified.
b
For motors rated 11⁄2, 2, and 3 hp, and with the terminal housing
partially or wholly integral with the frame or end shield, the volume
of the terminal housing shall not be less than 23.0 cm3 (1.4 in.3) per
wire-to-wire connection. The minimum cover opening dimension is
not specified.
(C) Dimensions and Space — Fixed Terminal Connections. Where these terminal housings enclose rigidly
mounted motor terminals, the terminal housing shall be of
sufficient size to provide minimum terminal spacings and
usable volumes in accordance with Table 430.12(C)(1) and
Table 430.12(C)(2).
Table 430.12(C)(1) Terminal Spacings — Fixed Terminals
Motors Over 275 mm (11 in.) in Diameter —
Alternating-Current Motors
Maximum
Terminal
Full Load
Box Cover
Current for
Opening
3-Phase
Minimum
Motors with Dimension
Maximum of
12 Leads
(Amperes) mm in.
Maximum
Full-Load
Current for
Motors with
Maximum of
6 Leads
(Amperes)
AF
(B) Dimensions and Space — Wire-to-Wire Connections. Where these terminal housings enclose wire-to-wire
connections, they shall have minimum dimensions and usable volumes in accordance with Table 430.12(B).
Direct-Current Motors
T
carrying parts of motors and the insulation of motor leads
where installed directly under equipment, or in other locations where dripping or spraying oil, water, or other liquid
is capable of occurring, unless the motor is designed for the
existing conditions.
Minimum Spacing
Usable
Volume
Minimum
cm3
in.3
595
36.4
1,265
77
2,295 140
4,135 252
7,380 450
13,775 840
25,255 1540
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Typical
Maximum
Horsepower
3-Phase
230
Volt
460
Volt
15
25
40
60
100
150
250
30
50
75
125
200
300
500
Between Line
Terminals
Nominal
Volts
240 or less
Over 250 –
1000 [ROP
11–20]
Between Line
Terminals and Other
Uninsulated Metal
Parts
mm
in.
mm
in.
6
10
14
⁄
⁄
6
10
14
38
⁄
⁄
38
(D) Large Wire or Factory Connections. For motors
with larger ratings, greater number of leads, or larger wire
sizes, or where motors are installed as a part of factory-
70–333
430.13
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Power-Supply
Conductor Size
(AWG)
14
12 and 10
8 and 6
Minimum Usable Volume per
Power-Supply Conductor
cm3
in.3
16
20
37
1
11⁄4
21⁄4
wired equipment, without additional connection being required at the motor terminal housing during equipment installation, the terminal housing shall be of ample size to
make connections, but the foregoing provisions for the volumes of terminal housings shall not be considered applicable.
430.16 Exposure to Dust Accumulations. In locations
where dust or flying material collects on or in motors in
such quantities as to seriously interfere with the ventilation
or cooling of motors and thereby cause dangerous temperatures, suitable types of enclosed motors that do not overheat
under the prevailing conditions shall be used.
Informational Note: Especially severe conditions may require the use of enclosed pipe-ventilated motors, or enclosure in separate dusttight rooms, properly ventilated from a
source of clean air.
430.17 Highest Rated or Smallest Rated Motor. In determining compliance with 430.24, 430.53(B), and
430.53(C), the highest rated or smallest rated motor shall
be based on the rated full-load current as selected from
Table 430.247, Table 430.248, Table 430.249, and Table
430.250.
430.18 Nominal Voltage of Rectifier Systems. The nominal value of the ac voltage being rectified shall be used to
determine the voltage of a rectifier derived system.
AF
(E) Equipment Grounding Connections. A means for attachment of an equipment grounding conductor termination
in accordance with 250.8 shall be provided at motor terminal housings for wire-to-wire connections or fixed terminal
connections. The means for such connections shall be permitted to be located either inside or outside the motor terminal housing.
Exception: Installation of these motors on wooden floors
or supports shall be permitted.
T
Table 430.12(C)(2) Usable Volumes — Fixed Terminals
D
R
Exception: Where a motor is installed as a part of factorywired equipment that is required to be grounded and without additional connection being required at the motor terminal housing during equipment installation, a separate
means for motor grounding at the motor terminal housing
shall not be required.
430.13 Bushing. Where wires pass through an opening in
an enclosure, conduit box, or barrier, a bushing shall be
used to protect the conductors from the edges of openings
having sharp edges. The bushing shall have smooth, wellrounded surfaces where it may be in contact with the conductors. If used where oils, greases, or other contaminants
may be present, the bushing shall be made of material not
deleteriously affected.
Informational Note: For conductors exposed to deteriorating agents, see 310.10(G).
430.14 Location of Motors.
(A) Ventilation and Maintenance. Motors shall be located so that adequate ventilation is provided and so that
maintenance, such as lubrication of bearings and replacing
of brushes, can be readily accomplished.
Exception: The nominal dc voltage of the rectifier shall be
used if it exceeds the peak value of the ac voltage being
rectified.
II. Motor Circuit Conductors
430.21 General. Part II specifies ampacities of conductors
that are capable of carrying the motor current without overheating under the conditions specified.
The provisions of Part II shall not apply to motor circuits rated over 1000 volts, nominal. [ROP 11–20]
Informational Note: For over 600 volts, nominal, see Part
XI. [ROP 11–29b]
The provisions of Articles 250, 300, and 310 shall not
apply to conductors that form an integral part of equipment,
such as motors, motor controllers, motor control centers, or
other factory-assembled control equipment.
Informational Note: See 110.14(C) and 430.9(B) for
equipment device terminal requirements. [ROP 11–29b]
Exception: Ventilation shall not be required for submersible types of motors.
430.22 Single Motor. Conductors that supply a single motor used in a continuous duty application shall have an
ampacity of not less than 125 percent of the motor full-load
current rating, as determined by 430.6(A)(1), or not less
than specified in 430.22(A) through (G).
(B) Open Motors. Open motors that have commutators or
collector rings shall be located or protected so that sparks
cannot reach adjacent combustible material.
(A) Direct-Current Motor-Rectifier Supplied. For dc
motors operating from a rectified power supply, the conductor ampacity on the input of the rectifier shall not be
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430.22
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(B) Multispeed Motor. For a multispeed motor, the selection of branch-circuit conductors on the line side of the
controller shall be based on the highest of the full-load
current ratings shown on the motor nameplate. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors between the controller
and the motor shall not be less than 125 percent of the
current rating of the winding(s) that the conductors energize.
Nameplate Current Rating Percentages
Classification of
Service
15-Minute
5-Minute
Rated
Rated Motor
Motor
30- & 60- ContinMinute
uous
Rated
Rated
Motor
Motor
Short-time duty
operating valves,
raising or lowering
rolls, etc.
110
120
150
—
Intermittent duty
freight and
passenger elevators,
tool heads, pumps,
drawbridges,
turntables, etc. (for
arc welders, see
630.11)
85
85
90
140
Periodic duty rolls,
ore- and
coal-handling
machines, etc.
85
90
95
140
110
120
150
200
Varying duty
AF
(C) Wye-Start, Delta-Run Motor. For a wye-start, deltarun connected motor, the ampacity of the branch-circuit
conductors on the line side of the controller shall not be
less than 125 percent of the motor full-load current as determined by 430.6(A)(1). The ampacity of the conductors
between the controller and the motor shall not be less than
72 percent of the motor full-load current rating as determined by 430.6(A)(1).
Table 430.22(E) Duty-Cycle Service
T
less than 125 percent of the rated input current to the rectifier. For dc motors operating from a rectified single-phase
power supply, the conductors between the field wiring output terminals of the rectifier and the motor shall have an
ampacity of not less than the following percentages of the
motor full-load current rating:
(1) Where a rectifier bridge of the single-phase, half-wave
type is used, 190 percent.
(2) Where a rectifier bridge of the single-phase, full-wave
type is used, 150 percent.
D
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Informational Note: The individual motor circuit conductors of a wye-start, delta-run connected motor carry 58 percent of the rated load current. The multiplier of 72 percent
is obtained by multiplying 58 percent by 1.25.
(D) Part-Winding Motor. For a part-winding connected
motor, the ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors on the
line side of the controller shall not be less than 125 percent
of the motor full-load current as determined by
430.6(A)(1). The ampacity of the conductors between the
controller and the motor shall not be less than 62.5 percent
of the motor full-load current rating as determined by
430.6(A)(1).
Informational Note: The multiplier of 62.5 percent is obtained by multiplying 50 percent by 1.25.
(E) Other Than Continuous Duty. Conductors for a motor used in a short-time, intermittent, periodic, or varying
duty application shall have an ampacity of not less than the
percentage of the motor nameplate current rating shown in
Table 430.22(E), unless the authority having jurisdiction
grants special permission for conductors of lower ampacity.
(F) Separate Terminal Enclosure. The conductors between a stationary motor rated 1 hp or less and the separate
terminal enclosure permitted in 430.245(B) shall be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG but not smaller than 18
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Note: Any motor application shall be considered as continuous duty
unless the nature of the apparatus it drives is such that the motor will
not operate continuously with load under any condition of use.
AWG, provided they have an ampacity as specified in
430.22(A).
(G) Conductors for Small Motors. Conductors for small
motors shall not be smaller than 14 AWG unless otherwise
permitted in 430.22(G)(1) or (G)(2).
(1) 18 AWG Copper. Where installed in a cabinet or enclosure, 18 AWG individual copper conductors, copper
conductors that are part of a jacketed multiconductor cable
assembly, or copper conductors in a flexible cord shall be
permitted, under either of the following sets of conditions:
(1) The circuit supplies a motor with a full-load current
rating, as determined by 430.6(A)(1), greater than 3.5
amperes and less than or equal to 5 amperes and all the
following conditions are met: [ROP 11–29a]
a. The circuit is protected in accordance with 430.52.
b. The circuit is provided with maximum Class 10 or
Class 10a overload protection in accordance with
430.32. [ROP 11–29a]
c. Overcurrent protection is provided in accordance
with 240.4(D)(1)(2).
(2) The circuit supplies a motor with a full-load current
rating, as determined by 430.6(A)(1), of 3.5 amperes or
less and all the following conditions are met: [ROP
11–29a]
a. The circuit is protected in accordance with 430.52.
b. The circuit is provided with maximum Class 20
overload protection in accordance with 430.32.
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
c. Overcurrent protection is provided in accordance
with 240.4(D)(1)(2).
(2) 16 AWG Copper. Where installed in a cabinet or enclosure, 16 AWG individual copper conductors, copper
conductors that are part of a jacketed multiconductor cable
assembly, or copper conductors in a flexible cord shall be
permitted under either of the following sets of conditions:
(1) The circuit supplies a motor with a full-load current
rating, as determined by 430.6(A)(1), greater than 5.5
amperes and less than or equal to 8 amperes or less and
all the following conditions are met: [ROP 11–29a]
a. The circuit is protected in accordance with 430.52.
b. The circuit is provided with maximum Class 20
overload protection in accordance with 430.32.
c. Overcurrent protection is provided in accordance
with 240.4(D)(2)(2).
D
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430.23 Wound-Rotor Secondary.
(A) Continuous Duty. For continuous duty, the conductors
connecting the secondary of a wound-rotor ac motor to its
controller shall have an ampacity not less than 125 percent
of the full-load secondary current of the motor.
(B) Other Than Continuous Duty. For other than continuous duty, these conductors shall have an ampacity, in
percent of full-load secondary current, not less than that
specified in Table 430.22(E).
(C) Resistor Separate from Controller. Where the secondary resistor is separate from the controller, the ampacity
of the conductors between controller and resistor shall not
be less than that shown in Table 430.23(C).
430.24 Several Motors or a Motor(s) and Other
Load(s). Conductors supplying several motors, or a motor(s) and other load(s), shall have an ampacity not less
than the sum of each of the following:
(1) 125 percent of the full-load current rating of the highest
rated motor, as determined by 430.6(A)
(2) Sum of the full-load current ratings of all the other
motors in the group, as determined by 430.6(A)
(3) 100 percent of the noncontinuous non-motor load
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Resistor Duty Classification
Light starting duty
Heavy starting duty
Extra-heavy starting duty
Light intermittent duty
Medium intermittent duty
Heavy intermittent duty
Continuous duty
Ampacity of Conductor in
Percent of Full-Load
Secondary Current
35
45
55
65
75
85
110
(4) 125 percent of the continuous non-motor load.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
No. D8.
Exception No. 1: Where one or more of the motors of the
group are used for short-time, intermittent, periodic, or
varying duty, the ampere rating of such motors to be used
in the summation shall be determined in accordance with
430.22(E). For the highest rated motor, the greater of either the ampere rating from 430.22(E) or the largest continuous duty motor full-load current multiplied by 1.25
shall be used in the summation.
AF
a. The circuit is protected in accordance with 430.52.
b. The circuit is provided with maximum Class 10 or
Class 10A overload protection in accordance with
430.32. [ROP 11–29a]
c. Overcurrent protection is provided in accordance
with 240.4(D)(2)(2).
(2) The circuit supplies a motor with a full-load current
rating, as determined by 430.6(A)(1), of 5.5 amperes or
less and all the following conditions are met: [ROP
11–29a]
Table 430.23(C) Secondary Conductor
T
430.23
Exception No. 2: The ampacity of conductors supplying
motor-operated fixed electric space-heating equipment
shall comply with 424.3(B).
Exception No. 3: Where the circuitry is interlocked so as
to prevent simultaneous operation of selected motors or
other loads, the conductor ampacity shall be permitted to
be based on the summation of the currents of the motors
and other loads to be operated simultaneously that results
in the highest total current.
430.25 Multimotor and Combination-Load Equipment.
The ampacity of the conductors supplying multimotor and
combination-load equipment shall not be less than the minimum circuit ampacity marked on the equipment in accordance with 430.7(D). Where the equipment is not factorywired and the individual nameplates are visible in
accordance with 430.7(D)(2), the conductor ampacity shall
be determined in accordance with 430.24.
430.26 Feeder Demand Factor. Where reduced heating of
the conductors results from motors operating on duty-cycle,
intermittently, or from all motors not operating at one time,
the authority having jurisdiction may grant permission for
feeder conductors to have an ampacity less than specified in
430.24, provided the conductors have sufficient ampacity
for the maximum load determined in accordance with the
sizes and number of motors supplied and the character of
their loads and duties.
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430.32
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
430.27 Capacitors with Motors. Where capacitors are installed in motor circuits, conductors shall comply with
460.8 and 460.9.
Table 430.29 Conductor Rating Factors for Power Resistors
Time in Seconds
On
AF
430.28 Feeder Taps. Feeder tap conductors shall have an
ampacity not less than that required by Part II, shall terminate in a branch-circuit protective device, and, in addition,
shall meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Be enclosed either by an enclosed controller or by a
raceway, be not more than 3.0 m (10 ft) in length, and,
for field installation, be protected by an overcurrent
device on the line side of the tap conductor, the rating
or setting of which shall not exceed 1000 percent of the
tap conductor ampacity
(2) Have an ampacity of at least one-third that of the feeder
conductors, be suitably protected from physical damage or enclosed in a raceway, and be not more than 7.5
m (25 ft) in length
(3) Have an ampacity not less than the feeder conductors
430.29 Constant Voltage Direct-Current Motors —
Power Resistors. Conductors connecting the motor controller to separately mounted power accelerating and dynamic braking resistors in the armature circuit shall have an
ampacity not less than the value calculated from Table
430.29 using motor full-load current. If an armature shunt
resistor is used, the power accelerating resistor conductor
ampacity shall be calculated using the total of motor fullload current and armature shunt resistor current.
Armature shunt resistor conductors shall have an ampacity of not less than that calculated from Table 430.29
using rated shunt resistor current as full-load current.
D
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Exception: Feeder taps over 7.5 m (25 ft) long. In highbay manufacturing buildings [over 11 m (35 ft) high at
walls], where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the systems, conductors tapped to a feeder shall be permitted to be not over
7.5 m (25 ft) long horizontally and not over 30.0 m (100 ft)
in total length where all of the following conditions are
met:
(1) The ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than
one-third that of the feeder conductors.
(2) The tap conductors terminate with a single circuit
breaker or a single set of fuses complying with (1) Part
IV, where the load-side conductors are a branch circuit,
or (2) Part V, where the load-side conductors are a
feeder.
(3) The tap conductors are suitably protected from physical damage and are installed in raceways.
(4) The tap conductors are continuous from end-to-end
and contain no splices.
(5) The tap conductors shall be 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG
aluminum or larger.
(6) The tap conductors shall not penetrate walls, floors, or
ceilings.
(7) The tap shall not be made less than 9.0 m (30 ft) from
the floor.
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Off
T
Informational Note: Demand factors determined in the design of new facilities can often be validated against actual
historical experience from similar installations. Refer to
ANSI/IEEE Std. 141, IEEE Recommended Practice for
Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants, and
ANSI/IEEE Std. 241, Recommended Practice for Electric
Power Systems in Commercial Buildings, for information
on the calculation of loads and demand factor.
5
10
15
15
15
15
75
70
75
45
30
15
Continuous Duty
Ampacity of
Conductor in
Percent of
Full-Load Current
35
45
55
65
75
85
110
III. Motor and Branch-Circuit Overload Protection
430.31 General. Part III specifies overload devices intended to protect motors, motor-control apparatus, and motor branch-circuit conductors against excessive heating due
to motor overloads and failure to start.
Informational Note No. 1: See Informative Annex D, Example No. D8. [ROP 11–29b]
Informational Note No. 2: See the definition of Overload
in Article 100. [ROP 11–29b]
These provisions shall not require overload protection
where a power loss would cause a hazard, such as in the
case of fire pumps.
Informational Note: For protection of fire pump supply
conductors, see 695.7.
The provisions of Part III shall not apply to motor circuits rated over 1000 volts, nominal. [ROP 11–20]
Informational Note: For over 1000 volts, nominal, see Part
XI. [ROP 11–20]
[ROP 11–29b]
430.32 Continuous-Duty Motors.
(A) More Than 1 Horsepower. Each motor used in a continuous duty application and rated more than 1 hp shall be
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430.32
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
protected against overload by one of the means in
430.32(A)(1) through (A)(4).
approved assembly that does not normally subject the motor to overloads.
(1) Separate Overload Device. A separate overload device that is responsive to motor current. This device shall
be selected to trip or shall be rated at no more than the
following percent of the motor nameplate full-load current
rating:
(4) Larger Than 1500 Horsepower. For motors larger
than 1500 hp, a protective device having embedded temperature detectors that cause current to the motor to be
interrupted when the motor attains a temperature rise
greater than marked on the nameplate in an ambient temperature of 40°C.
Motors with a marked service factor
1.15 or greater
Motors with a marked temperature
rise 40°C or less
All other motors
(B) One Horsepower or Less, Automatically Started.
Any motor of 1 hp or less that is started automatically shall
be protected against overload by one of the following
means.
125%
115%
(2) Thermal Protector. A thermal protector integral with
the motor, approved for use with the motor that it protects
on the basis that it will prevent dangerous overheating of
the motor due to overload and failure to start. Where the
motor current-interrupting device is separate from the motor and its control circuit is operated by a protective device
integral with the motor, it shall be arranged so that the
opening of the control circuit results in interruption of current to the motor.
AF
Modification of this value shall be permitted as provided in
430.32(C). For a multispeed motor, each winding connection shall be considered separately.
Where a separate motor overload device is connected so
that it does not carry the total current designated on the
motor nameplate, such as for wye-delta starting, the proper
percentage of nameplate current applying to the selection or
setting of the overload device shall be clearly designated on
the equipment, or the manufacturer’s selection table shall
take this into account.
(1) Separate Overload Device. By a separate overload
device following the requirements of 430.32(A)(1).
For a multispeed motor, each winding connection shall
be considered separately. Modification of this value shall be
permitted as provided in 430.32(C).
T
125%
D
R
Informational Note: Where power factor correction capacitors are installed on the load side of the motor overload
device, see 460.9.
(2) Thermal Protector. A thermal protector integral with
the motor, approved for use with the motor it protects on
the basis that it will prevent dangerous overheating of the
motor due to overload and failure to start. The ultimate trip
current of a thermally protected motor shall not exceed the
following percentage of motor full-load current given in
Table 430.248, Table 430.249, and Table 430.250:
Motor full-load current 9 amperes or less
Motor full-load current from 9.1 to, and
including, 20 amperes
Motor full-load current greater than 20 amperes
170%
156%
140%
If the motor current-interrupting device is separate from the
motor and its control circuit is operated by a protective
device integral with the motor, it shall be arranged so that
the opening of the control circuit will result in interruption
of current to the motor.
(3) Integral with Motor. A protective device integral with
a motor that will protect the motor against damage due to
failure to start shall be permitted if the motor is part of an
70–338
(3) Integral with Motor. A protective device integral with
a motor that protects the motor against damage due to failure to start shall be permitted (1) if the motor is part of an
approved assembly that does not subject the motor to overloads, or (2) if the assembly is also equipped with other
safety controls (such as the safety combustion controls on a
domestic oil burner) that protect the motor against damage
due to failure to start. Where the assembly has safety controls that protect the motor, it shall be so indicated on the
nameplate of the assembly where it will be visible after
installation.
(4) Impedance-Protected. If the impedance of the motor
windings is sufficient to prevent overheating due to failure
to start, the motor shall be permitted to be protected as
specified in 430.32(D)(2)(a) for manually started motors if
the motor is part of an approved assembly in which the
motor will limit itself so that it will not be dangerously
overheated.
Informational Note: Many ac motors of less than 1⁄20 hp,
such as clock motors, series motors, and so forth, and also
some larger motors such as torque motors, come within this
classification. It does not include split-phase motors having
automatic switches that disconnect the starting windings.
(C) Selection of Overload Device. Where the sensing element or setting or sizing of the overload device selected in
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
430.38
accordance with 430.32(A)(1) and 430.32(B)(1) is not sufficient to start the motor or to carry the load, higher size
sensing elements or incremental settings or sizing shall be
permitted to be used, provided the trip current of the overload device does not exceed the following percentage of
motor nameplate full-load current rating:
Any motor application shall be considered to be for
continuous duty unless the nature of the apparatus it drives
is such that the motor cannot operate continuously with
load under any condition of use.
Motors with marked service factor 1.15
or greater
Motors with a marked temperature rise
40°C or less
All other motors
(A) Nonautomatically Started. For a nonautomatically
started motor, the overload protection shall be permitted to
be shunted or cut out of the circuit during the starting period of the motor if the device by which the overload protection is shunted or cut out cannot be left in the starting
position and if fuses or inverse time circuit breakers rated
or set at not over 400 percent of the full-load current of the
motor are located in the circuit so as to be operative during
the starting period of the motor.
140%
130%
If not shunted during the starting period of the motor as
provided in 430.35, the overload device shall have sufficient time delay to permit the motor to start and accelerate
its load.
(D) One
Started.
Horsepower
or
Less,
Nonautomatically
(1) Permanently Installed. Overload protection shall be
in accordance with 430.32(B).
D
R
(2) Not Permanently Installed.
(a) Within Sight from Controller. Overload protection
shall be permitted to be furnished by the branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device; such device, however, shall not be larger than that specified in Part
IV of Article 430.
Exception: Any such motor shall be permitted on a nominal 120-volt branch circuit protected at not over 20
amperes.
(b) Not Within Sight from Controller. Overload protection shall be in accordance with 430.32(B).
(E) Wound-Rotor Secondaries. The secondary circuits of
wound-rotor ac motors, including conductors, controllers,
resistors, and so forth, shall be permitted to be protected
against overload by the motor-overload device.
430.33 Intermittent and Similar Duty. A motor used for
a condition of service that is inherently short-time, intermittent, periodic, or varying duty, as illustrated by Table
430.22(E), shall be permitted to be protected against overload by the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device, provided the protective device rating or
setting does not exceed that specified in Table 430.52.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Automatically Started. The motor overload protection shall not be shunted or cut out during the starting
period if the motor is automatically started.
Exception: The motor overload protection shall be permitted to be shunted or cut out during the starting period on
an automatically started motor where the following apply:
AF
Informational Note: A Class 20 overload relay will provide a longer motor acceleration time than a Class 10 or
Class 10A overload relay. A class 30 overload relay will
provide a longer motor acceleration time than a Class 20
overload relay. Use of a higher class overload relay may
preclude the need for selection of a higher trip current.
[ROP 11–33a]
T
140%
430.35 Shunting During Starting Period.
(a) The motor starting period exceeds the time delay
of available motor overload protective devices, and
(b) Listed means are provided to perform the following:
(1) Sense motor rotation and automatically prevent the
shunting or cutout in the event that the motor fails to
start, and
(2) Limit the time of overload protection shunting or cutout
to less than the locked rotor time rating of the protected
motor, and
(3) Provide for shutdown and manual restart if motor running condition is not reached.
430.36 Fuses — In Which Conductor. Where fuses are
used for motor overload protection, a fuse shall be inserted
in each ungrounded conductor and also in the grounded
conductor if the supply system is 3-wire, 3-phase ac with
one conductor grounded.
430.37 Devices Other Than Fuses — In Which Conductor. Where devices other than fuses are used for motor
overload protection, Table 430.37 shall govern the minimum allowable number and location of overload units such
as trip coils or relays.
430.38 Number of Conductors Opened by Overload
Device. Motor overload devices, other than fuses or thermal protectors, shall simultaneously open a sufficient number of ungrounded conductors to interrupt current flow to
the motor.
70–339
430.39
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Kind of Motor
Supply System
Number and
Location of
Overload Units,
Such as Trip Coils
or Relays
2-wire, 1-phase ac
or dc ungrounded
1 in either
conductor
1-phase ac or dc
2-wire, 1-phase ac
or dc, one
conductor
grounded
1 in ungrounded
conductor
1-phase ac or dc
3-wire, 1-phase ac
or dc, grounded
neutral conductor
1 in either
ungrounded
conductor
1-phase ac
Any 3-phase
1 in ungrounded
conductor
2-phase ac
3-wire, 2-phase ac, 2, one in each
phase
ungrounded
2-phase ac
3-wire, 2-phase ac, 2 in ungrounded
conductors
one conductor
grounded
430.42 Motors on General-Purpose Branch Circuits.
Overload protection for motors used on general-purpose
branch circuits as permitted in Article 210 shall be provided
as specified in 430.42(A), (B), (C), or (D).
(A) Not over 1 Horsepower. One or more motors without
individual overload protection shall be permitted to be connected to a general-purpose branch circuit only where the
installation complies with the limiting conditions specified
in 430.32(B) and 430.32(D) and 430.53(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(B) Over 1 Horsepower. Motors of ratings larger than
specified in 430.53(A) shall be permitted to be connected to
general-purpose branch circuits only where each motor is
protected by overload protection selected to protect the motor as specified in 430.32. Both the controller and the motor
overload device shall be approved for group installation
with the short-circuit and ground-fault protective device
selected in accordance with 430.53.
AF
1-phase ac or dc
circuit breaker by which they must be protected, the overload devices shall be protected in accordance with this
marking.
[ROP 11–29b]
T
Table 430.37 Overload Units
4-wire, 2-phase ac, 2, one for each
phase in
grounded or
ungrounded
ungrounded
conductors
2-phase ac
Grounded neutral
or 5-wire, 2-phase
ac, ungrounded
2, one for each
phase in any
ungrounded phase
wire
3-phase ac
Any 3-phase
3, one in each
phase*
D
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2-phase ac
*Exception: An overload unit in each phase shall not be required
where overload protection is provided by other approved means.
430.39 Motor Controller as Overload Protection. A motor controller shall also be permitted to serve as an overload
device if the number of overload units complies with Table
430.37 and if these units are operative in both the starting
and running position in the case of a dc motor, and in the
running position in the case of an ac motor.
(C) Cord-and-Plug-Connected. Where a motor is connected to a branch circuit by means of an attachment plug
and a receptacle or a cord connector, and individual overload protection is omitted as provided in 430.42(A), the
rating of the attachment plug and receptacle or cord connector shall not exceed 15 amperes at 125 volts or 250
volts. Where individual overload protection is required as
provided in 430.42(B) for a motor or motor-operated appliance that is attached to the branch circuit through an attachment plug and a receptacle or a cord connector, the overload device shall be an integral part of the motor or of the
appliance. The rating of the attachment plug and receptacle
or the cord connector shall determine the rating of the circuit to which the motor may be connected, as provided in
210.21(B).
(D) Time Delay. The branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device protecting a circuit to which
a motor or motor-operated appliance is connected shall
have sufficient time delay to permit the motor to start and
accelerate its load.
430.40 Overload Relays. Overload relays and other devices for motor overload protection that are not capable of
opening short circuits or ground faults shall be protected by
fuses or circuit breakers with ratings or settings in accordance with 430.52 or by a motor short-circuit protector in
accordance with 430.52.
430.43 Automatic Restarting. A motor overload device
that can restart a motor automatically after overload tripping shall not be installed unless approved for use with the
motor it protects. A motor overload device that can restart a
motor automatically after overload tripping shall not be
installed if automatic restarting of the motor can result in
injury to persons.
Exception: Where approved for group installation and
marked to indicate the maximum size of fuse or inverse time
430.44 Orderly Shutdown. If immediate automatic shutdown of a motor by a motor overload protective device(s)
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430.52
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
IV. Motor Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and
Ground-Fault Protection
430.51 General. Part IV specifies devices intended to protect the motor branch-circuit conductors, the motor control
apparatus, and the motors against overcurrent due to short
circuits or ground faults. These rules add to or amend the
provisions of Article 240. The devices specified in Part IV
do not include the types of devices required by 210.8,
230.95, and 590.6.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
D8. [ROP 11–29b]
Percentage of Full-Load Current
Nontime
Delay
Type of Motor
Fuse1
Informational Note: For over 1000 volts, nominal, see Part
XI. [ROP 11–20, ROP 11–29b]
430.52 Rating or Setting for Individual Motor Circuit.
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(A) General. The motor branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device shall comply with 430.52(B)
and either 430.52(C) or (D), as applicable.
(B) All Motors. The motor branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device shall be capable of carrying
the starting current of the motor.
(C) Rating or Setting.
(1) In Accordance with Table 430.52. A protective device
that has a rating or setting not exceeding the value calculated according to the values given in Table 430.52 shall be
used.
Exception No. 1: Where the values for branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective devices determined by Table 430.52 do not correspond to the standard
sizes or ratings of fuses, nonadjustable circuit breakers,
thermal protective devices, or possible settings of adjustable circuit breakers, a higher size, rating, or possible setting that does not exceed the next higher standard ampere
rating shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Where the rating specified in Table
430.52, or the rating modified by Exception No. 1, is not
suffıcient for the starting current of the motor:
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Dual Element
(Time-Delay)
Fuse1
Instantaneous Inverse
Trip
Time
Breaker
Breaker2
Single-phase
motors
300
175
800
250
AC polyphase
motors other
than
wound-rotor
300
175
800
250
Squirrel cage
— other than
Design B
energy-efficient
300
175
800
250
Design B
energy-efficient
300
175
1100
250
Synchronous3
300
175
800
250
Wound rotor
150
150
800
150
150
150
250
150
AF
The provisions of Part IV shall not apply to motor circuits rated over 1000 volts, nominal. [ROP 11–20]
Table 430.52 Maximum Rating or Setting of Motor
Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protective
Devices
T
would introduce additional or increased hazard(s) to a person(s) and continued motor operation is necessary for safe
shutdown of equipment or process, a motor overload sensing device(s) complying with the provisions of Part III of
this article shall be permitted to be connected to a supervised alarm instead of causing immediate interruption of
the motor circuit, so that corrective action or an orderly
shutdown can be initiated.
Direct current
(constant
voltage)
Note: For certain exceptions to the values specified, see 430.54.
1
The values in the Nontime Delay Fuse column apply to Time-Delay
Class CC fuses.
2
The values given in the last column also cover the ratings of nonadjustable inverse time types of circuit breakers that may be modified as
in 430.52(C)(1), Exception No. 1 and No. 2.
3
Synchronous motors of the low-torque, low-speed type (usually 450
rpm or lower), such as are used to drive reciprocating compressors,
pumps, and so forth, that start unloaded, do not require a fuse rating or
circuit-breaker setting in excess of 200 percent of full-load current.
(a) The rating of a nontime-delay fuse not exceeding
600 amperes or a time-delay Class CC fuse shall be permitted to be increased but shall in no case exceed 400 percent of the full-load current.
(b) The rating of a time-delay (dual-element) fuse shall
be permitted to be increased but shall in no case exceed
225 percent of the full-load current.
(c) The rating of an inverse time circuit breaker shall
be permitted to be increased but shall in no case exceed
400 percent for full-load currents of 100 amperes or less or
300 percent for full-load currents greater than 100 amperes.
(d) The rating of a fuse of 601–6000 ampere classification shall be permitted to be increased but shall in no
case exceed 300 percent of the full-load current.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
D8, and Figure 430.1.
(2) Overload Relay Table. Where maximum branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device rat-
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
ings are shown in the manufacturer’s overload relay table
for use with a motor controller or are otherwise marked on
the equipment, they shall not be exceeded even if higher
values are allowed as shown above.
(3) Instantaneous Trip Circuit Breaker. An instantaneous trip circuit breaker shall be used only if adjustable
and if part of a listed combination motor controller having
coordinated motor overload and short-circuit and groundfault protection in each conductor, and the setting is adjusted to no more than the value specified in Table 430.52.
Informational Note: For the purpose of this article, instantaneous trip circuit breakers may include a damping means
to accommodate a transient motor inrush current without
nuisance tripping of the circuit breaker.
(5) Power Electronic Devices. Semiconductor fuses intended for the protection of electronic devices shall be permitted in lieu of devices listed in Table 430.52 for power
electronic devices, associated electromechanical devices
(such as bypass contactors and isolation contactors) and
conductors in a solid-state motor controller system, provided that the marking for replacement fuses is provided
adjacent to the fuses. [ROP 11–35a]
(6) Self-Protected Combination Controller. A listed selfprotected combination controller shall be permitted in lieu
of the devices specified in Table 430.52. Adjustable
instantaneous-trip settings shall not exceed 1300 percent of
full-load motor current for other than Design B energyefficient motors and not more than 1700 percent of full-load
motor current for Design B energy-efficient motors.
AF
Exception No. 1: Where the setting specified in Table
430.52 is not suffıcient for the starting current of the motor,
the setting of an instantaneous trip circuit breaker shall be
permitted to be increased but shall in no case exceed
1300 percent of the motor full-load current for other than
Design B energy-effıcient motors and no more than
1700 percent of full-load motor current for Design B
energy-effıcient motors. Trip settings above 800 percent for
other than Design B energy-effıcient motors and above
1100 percent for Design B energy-effıcient motors shall be
permitted where the need has been demonstrated by engineering evaluation. In such cases, it shall not be necessary
to first apply an instantaneous-trip circuit breaker at
800 percent or 1100 percent.
(b) The branch-circuit conductors supplying each
winding are sized according to the full-load current of the
highest full-load current winding.
(c) The controller for each winding has a horsepower
rating not less than that required for the winding having the
highest horsepower rating.
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430.53
D
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Informational Note: For additional information on the requirements for a motor to be classified “energy efficient,”
see NEMA Standards Publication No. MG1-1993, Revision, Motors and Generators, Part 12.59.
Exception No. 2: Where the motor full-load current is 8
amperes or less, the setting of the instantaneous-trip circuit
breaker with a continuous current rating of 15 amperes or
less in a listed combination motor controller that provides
coordinated motor branch-circuit overload and shortcircuit and ground-fault protection shall be permitted to be
increased to the value marked on the controller.
(4) Multispeed Motor. For a multispeed motor, a single
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall be
permitted for two or more windings of the motor, provided
the rating of the protective device does not exceed the
above applicable percentage of the nameplate rating of the
smallest winding protected.
Informational Note: Proper application of self-protected
combination controllers on 3-phase systems, other than solidly grounded wye, particularly on corner grounded delta
systems, considers the self-protected combination controllers’ individual pole-interrupting capability.
(7) Motor Short-Circuit Protector. A motor short-circuit
protector shall be permitted in lieu of devices listed in
Table 430.52 if the motor short-circuit protector is part of a
listed combination motor controller having coordinated motor overload protection and short-circuit and ground-fault
protection in each conductor and it will open the circuit at
currents exceeding 1300 percent of motor full-load current
for other than Design B energy-efficient motors and
1700 percent of motor full-load motor current for Design B
energy-efficient motors.
Informational Note: A motor short-circuit protector, as
used in this section, is a fused device and is not an instantaneous trip circuit breaker.
(D) Torque Motors. Torque motor branch circuits shall be
protected at the motor nameplate current rating in accordance with 240.4(B).
Exception: For a multispeed motor, a single short-circuit
and ground-fault protective device shall be permitted to be
used and sized according to the full-load current of the
highest current winding, where all of the following conditions are met:
430.53 Several Motors or Loads on One Branch Circuit. Two or more motors or one or more motors and other
loads shall be permitted to be connected to the same branch
circuit under conditions specified in 430.53(D) and in
430.53(A), (B), or (C). The branch-circuit protective device
shall be fuses or inverse time circuit breakers.
(a) Each winding is equipped with individual overload
protection sized according to its full-load current.
(A) Not Over 1 Horsepower. Several motors, each not
exceeding 1 hp in rating, shall be permitted on a nominal
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(B) If Smallest Rated Motor Protected. If the branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device is
selected not to exceed that allowed by 430.52 for the smallest rated motor, two or more motors or one or more motors
and other load(s), with each motor having individual overload protection, shall be permitted to be connected to a
branch circuit where it can be determined that the branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device will
not open under the most severe normal conditions of service that might be encountered.
Informational Note: See 110.10 for circuit impedance and
other characteristics.
(D) Single Motor Taps. For group installations described
above, the conductors of any tap supplying a single motor
shall not be required to have an individual branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device, provided
they comply with one of the following:
(1) No conductor to the motor shall have an ampacity less
than that of the branch-circuit conductors.
(2) No conductor to the motor shall have an ampacity less
than one-third that of the branch-circuit conductors,
with a minimum in accordance with 430.22. The conductors from the point of the tap to the motor overload
device shall be not more than 7.5 m (25 ft) long and be
protected from physical damage by being enclosed in
an approved raceway or by use of other approved
means. [ROP 11–36b]
(3) Conductors from the branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device to a listed manual motor
controller additionally marked “Suitable for Tap Conductor Protection in Group Installations,” or to a
branch-circuit protective device, shall be permitted to
have an ampacity not less than one-tenth the rating or
setting of the branch-circuit short-circuit and groundfault protective device. The conductors from the controller to the motor shall have an ampacity in accordance with 430.22. The conductors from the point of
the tap to the controller(s) shall (1) be suitably protected from physical damage and enclosed either by an
enclosed controller or by a raceway and be not more
than 3 m (10 ft) long or (2) have an ampacity not less
than that of the branch-circuit conductors. [ROP
11–36b]
D
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AF
(C) Other Group Installations. Two or more motors of
any rating or one or more motors and other load(s), with
each motor having individual overload protection, shall be
permitted to be connected to one branch circuit where the
motor controller(s) and overload device(s) are (1) installed
as a listed factory assembly and the motor branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device either is
provided as part of the assembly or is specified by a marking on the assembly, or (2) the motor branch-circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protective device, the motor controller(s), and overload device(s) are field-installed as
separate assemblies listed for such use and provided with
manufacturers’ instructions for use with each other, and (3)
all of the following conditions are complied with:
(1) Each motor overload device is either (a) listed for
group installation with a specified maximum rating of
fuse, inverse time circuit breaker, or both, or (b) selected such that the ampere rating of the motor-branch
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device does
not exceed that permitted by 430.52 for that individual
motor overload device and corresponding motor load.
(2) Each motor controller is either (a) listed for group installation with a specified maximum rating of fuse, circuit breaker, or both, or (b) selected such that the ampere rating of the motor-branch short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device does not exceed that permitted by 430.52 for that individual controller and corresponding motor load.
(3) Each circuit breaker is listed and is of the inverse time
type.
(4) The branch circuit shall be protected by fuses or inverse time circuit breakers having a rating not exceed-
ing that specified in 430.52 for the highest rated motor
connected to the branch circuit plus an amount equal to
the sum of the full-load current ratings of all other
motors and the ratings of other loads connected to the
circuit. Where this calculation results in a rating less
than the ampacity of the branch circuit conductors, it
shall be permitted to increase the maximum rating of
the fuses or circuit breaker to a value not exceeding
that permitted by 240.4(B). [ROP 11–36a]
(5) The branch-circuit fuses or inverse time circuit breakers are not larger than allowed by 430.40 for the overload relay protecting the smallest rated motor of the
group.
(6) Overcurrent protection for loads other than motor loads
shall be in accordance with Parts I through VII of Article 240.
T
120-volt branch circuit protected at not over 20 amperes or
a branch circuit of 1000 volts, nominal, or less, protected at
not over 15 amperes, if all of the following conditions are
met: [ROP 11–20]
(1) The full-load rating of each motor does not exceed 6
amperes.
(2) The rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device marked on any of the
controllers is not exceeded.
(3) Individual overload protection conforms to 430.32.
430.54
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
430.54 Multimotor and Combination-Load Equipment.
The rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
fault protective device for multimotor and combinationload equipment shall not exceed the rating marked on the
equipment in accordance with 430.7(D).
430.55 Combined Overcurrent Protection. Motor
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection and
motor overload protection shall be permitted to be combined in a single protective device where the rating or setting of the device provides the overload protection specified
in 430.32.
430.56 Branch-Circuit Protective Devices — In Which
Conductor. Branch-circuit protective devices shall comply
with the provisions of 240.15.
430.57 Size of Fuseholder. Where fuses are used for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection,
the fuseholders shall not be of a smaller size than required
to accommodate the fuses specified by Table 430.52.
Exception No. 1: Where one or more instantaneous trip
circuit breakers or motor short-circuit protectors are used
for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection as permitted in 430.52(C), the procedure provided
above for determining the maximum rating of the feeder
protective device shall apply with the following provision:
For the purpose of the calculation, each instantaneous trip
circuit breaker or motor short-circuit protector shall be
assumed to have a rating not exceeding the maximum percentage of motor full-load current permitted by Table
430.52 for the type of feeder protective device employed.
Exception No. 2: Where the feeder overcurrent protective
device also provides overcurrent protection for a motor
control center, the provisions of 430.94 shall apply.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
D8.
(B) Other Installations. Where feeder conductors have an
ampacity greater than required by 430.24, the rating or
setting of the feeder overcurrent protective device shall be
permitted to be based on the ampacity of the feeder conductors.
AF
Exception: Where fuses having time delay appropriate for
the starting characteristics of the motor are used, it shall be
permitted to use fuseholders sized to fit the fuses that are
used.
one of the protective devices shall be considered the largest
for the above calculations.
T
430.55
D
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430.58 Rating of Circuit Breaker. A circuit breaker for
motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection shall have a current rating in accordance with 430.52
and 430.110.
V. Motor Feeder Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection
430.61 General. Part V specifies protective devices intended to protect feeder conductors supplying motors
against overcurrents due to short circuits or grounds.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
D8.
430.62 Rating or Setting — Motor Load.
(A) Specific Load. A feeder supplying a specific fixed motor load(s) and consisting of conductor sizes based on
430.24 shall be provided with a protective device having a
rating or setting not greater than the largest rating or setting
of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device for any motor supplied by the feeder [based on
the maximum permitted value for the specific type of a
protective device in accordance with 430.52, or 440.22(A)
for hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors], plus the sum
of the full-load currents of the other motors of the group.
Where the same rating or setting of the branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device is used on
two or more of the branch circuits supplied by the feeder,
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430.63 Rating or Setting — Motor Load and Other
Load(s). Where a feeder supplies a motor load and other
load(s), the feeder protective device shall have a rating not
less than that required for the sum of the other load(s) plus
the following:
(1) For a single motor, the rating permitted by 430.52
(2) For a single hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor, the
rating permitted by 440.22
(3) For two or more motors, the rating permitted by 430.62
Exception: Where the feeder overcurrent device provides
the overcurrent protection for a motor control center, the
provisions of 430.94 shall apply.
VI. Motor Control Circuits
430.71 General. Part VI contains modifications of the general requirements and applies to the particular conditions of
motor control circuits.
[ROP 11–29b]
430.72 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) General. A motor control circuit tapped from the load
side of a motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device(s) and functioning to control the motor(s)
connected to that branch circuit shall be protected against
overcurrent in accordance with 430.72. Such a tapped control circuit shall not be considered to be a branch circuit
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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430.72
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
and shall be permitted to be protected by either a supplementary or branch-circuit overcurrent protective device(s).
A motor control circuit other than such a tapped control
circuit shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance
with 725.43 or the notes to Table 11(A) and Table 11(B) in
Chapter 9, as applicable.
vided. The overcurrent protection shall not exceed the values specified in Column A of Table 430.72(B).
(2) Branch-Circuit Overcurrent Protective Device. Conductors shall be permitted to be protected by the motor
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device and shall require only short-circuit and ground-fault
protection. Where the conductors do not extend beyond the
motor control equipment enclosure, the rating of the protective device(s) shall not exceed the value specified in
Column B of Table 430.72(B). Where the conductors extend beyond the motor control equipment enclosure, the
rating of the protective device(s) shall not exceed the value
specified in Column C of Table 430.72(B).
(B) Conductor Protection. The overcurrent protection for
conductors shall be provided as specified in 430.72(B)(1)
or (B)(2).
Exception No. 1: Where the opening of the control circuit
would create a hazard as, for example, the control circuit of
a fire pump motor, and the like, conductors of control circuits shall require only short-circuit and ground-fault protection and shall be permitted to be protected by the motor
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective
device(s).
(C) Control Circuit Transformer. Where a motor control
circuit transformer is provided, the transformer shall be
protected in accordance with 430.72(C)(1), (C)(2), (C)(3),
(C)(4), or (C)(5).
Exception No. 2: Conductors supplied by the secondary
side of a single-phase transformer having only a two-wire
(single-voltage) secondary shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the primary
(supply) side of the transformer, provided this protection
does not exceed the value determined by multiplying the
appropriate maximum rating of the overcurrent device for
the secondary conductor from Table 430.72(B) by the
secondary-to-primary voltage ratio. Transformer secondary conductors (other than two-wire) shall not be considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protection.
AF
T
Exception: Overcurrent protection shall be omitted where
the opening of the control circuit would create a hazard as,
for example, the control circuit of a fire pump motor and
the like.
(1) Compliance with Article 725. Where the transformer
supplies a Class 1 power-limited circuit, Class 2, or Class 3
remote-control circuit complying with the requirements of
Article 725, protection shall comply with Article 725.
(2) Compliance with Article 450. Protection shall be permitted to be provided in accordance with 450.3.
D
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(1) Separate Overcurrent Protection. Where the motor
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device does not provide protection in accordance with
430.72(B)(2), separate overcurrent protection shall be pro-
(3) Less Than 50 Volt-Amperes. Control circuit transformers rated less than 50 volt-amperes (VA) and that are
an integral part of the motor controller and located within
Table 430.72(B) Maximum Rating of Overcurrent Protective Device in Amperes
Column A
Separate Protection
Provided
Control
Circuit
Conductor
Size (AWG)
Copper
18
16
14
12
10
Larger than 10
7
10
(Note
(Note
(Note
(Note
1)
1)
1)
1)
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
—
—
—
(Note 1)
(Note 1)
(Note 1)
Protection Provided by Motor Branch-Circuit Protective Device(s)
Column B
Conductors Within
Enclosure
Column C
Conductors Extend Beyond
Enclosure
Copper
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
Copper
Aluminum or
Copper-Clad
Aluminum
25
40
100
120
160
(Note 2)
—
—
—
100
140
(Note 2)
7
10
45
60
90
(Note 3)
—
—
—
45
75
(Note 3)
Notes:
1. Value specified in 310.15 as applicable.
2. 400 percent of value specified in Table 310.15(B)(17) for 60°C conductors.
3. 300 percent of value specified in Table 310.15(B)(16) for 60°C conductors.
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
the motor controller enclosure shall be permitted to be protected by primary overcurrent devices, impedance limiting
means, or other inherent protective means.
(4) Primary Less Than 2 Amperes. Where the control
circuit transformer rated primary current is less than 2 amperes, an overcurrent device rated or set at not more than
500 percent of the rated primary current shall be permitted
in the primary circuit.
(5) Other Means. Protection shall be permitted to be provided by other approved means.
430.73 Protection of Conductors from Physical Damage. Where damage to a motor control circuit would constitute a hazard, all conductors of such a remote motor
control circuit that are outside the control device itself shall
be installed in a raceway or be otherwise protected from
physical damage.
430.75 Disconnection.
D
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(A) General. Motor control circuits shall be arranged so
that they will be disconnected from all sources of supply
when the disconnecting means is in the open position. The
disconnecting means shall be permitted to consist of two or
more separate devices, one of which disconnects the motor
and the controller from the source(s) of power supply for
the motor, and the other(s), the motor control circuit(s)
from its power supply. Where separate devices are used,
they shall be located immediately adjacent to each other.
Exception No. 1: Where more than 12 motor control circuit conductors are required to be disconnected, the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located other than
immediately adjacent to each other where all of the following conditions are complied with:
(a) Access to energized parts is limited to qualified persons in accordance with Part XII of this article.
(b) A warning sign is permanently located on the outside of each equipment enclosure door or cover permitting
access to the live parts in the motor control circuit(s),
warning that motor control circuit disconnecting means are
remotely located and specifying the location and identification of each disconnect. Where energized parts are not in
an equipment enclosure as permitted by 430.232 and
430.233, an additional warning sign(s) shall be located
70–346
Exception No. 2: The motor control circuit disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be remote from the motor controller power supply disconnecting means where the opening of one or more motor control circuit disconnecting
means is capable of resulting in potentially unsafe conditions for personnel or property and the conditions of items
(a) and (b) of Exception No. 1 are complied with.
(B) Control Transformer in Controller Enclosure.
Where a transformer or other device is used to obtain a
reduced voltage for the motor control circuit and is located
in the controller enclosure, such transformer or other device
shall be connected to the load side of the disconnecting
means for the motor control circuit.
VII. Motor Controllers
430.81 General. Part VII is intended to require suitable
controllers for all motors.
(A) Stationary Motor of 1⁄8 Horsepower or Less. For a
stationary motor rated at 1⁄8 hp or less that is normally left
running and is constructed so that it cannot be damaged by
overload or failure to start, such as clock motors and the
like, the branch-circuit disconnecting means shall be permitted to serve as the controller.
AF
430.74 Electrical Arrangement of Control Circuits.
Where one conductor of the motor control circuit is
grounded, the motor control circuit shall be arranged so that
a ground fault in the control circuit remote from the motor
controller will (1) not start the motor and (2) not bypass
manually operated shutdown devices or automatic safety
shutdown devices.
where visible to persons who may be working in the area of
the energized parts.
T
430.73
(B) Portable Motor of 1⁄3 Horsepower or Less. For a
portable motor rated at 1⁄3 hp or less, the controller shall be
permitted to be an attachment plug and receptacle or cord
connector.
430.82 Controller Design.
(A) Starting and Stopping. Each controller shall be capable of starting and stopping the motor it controls and
shall be capable of interrupting the locked-rotor current of
the motor.
(B) Autotransformer. An autotransformer starter shall
provide an “off” position, a running position, and at least
one starting position. It shall be designed so that it cannot
rest in the starting position or in any position that will
render the overload device in the circuit inoperative.
(C) Rheostats. Rheostats shall be in compliance with the
following:
(1) Motor-starting rheostats shall be designed so that the
contact arm cannot be left on intermediate segments.
The point or plate on which the arm rests when in the
starting position shall have no electrical connection
with the resistor.
(2) Motor-starting rheostats for dc motors operated from a
constant voltage supply shall be equipped with auto-
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
430.89
matic devices that will interrupt the supply before the
speed of the motor has fallen to less than one-third its
normal rate.
and the nominal voltage between any two conductors does
not exceed the higher value of the controller’s voltage rating.
430.83 Ratings. The controller shall have a rating as specified in 430.83(A), unless otherwise permitted in 430.83(B)
or (C), or as specified in (D), under the conditions specified.
430.84 Need Not Open All Conductors. The controller
shall not be required to open all conductors to the motor.
(1) Horsepower Ratings. Controllers, other than inverse
time circuit breakers and molded case switches, shall have
horsepower ratings at the application voltage not lower than
the horsepower rating of the motor.
(2) Circuit Breaker. A branch-circuit inverse time circuit
breaker rated in amperes shall be permitted as a controller
for all motors. Where this circuit breaker is also used for
overload protection, it shall conform to the appropriate provisions of this article governing overload protection.
430.87 Number of Motors Served by Each Controller.
Each motor shall be provided with an individual controller.
Exception No. 1: For motors rated 1000 volts or less, a
single controller rated at not less than the equivalent horsepower, as determined in accordance with 430.110(C)(1), of
all the motors in the group shall be permitted to serve the
group under any of the following conditions: [ROP 11–20]
AF
(3) Molded Case Switch. A molded case switch rated in
amperes shall be permitted as a controller for all motors.
430.85 In Grounded Conductors. One pole of the controller shall be permitted to be placed in a permanently
grounded conductor, provided the controller is designed so
that the pole in the grounded conductor cannot be opened
without simultaneously opening all conductors of the circuit.
T
(A) General.
Exception: Where the controller serves also as a disconnecting means, it shall open all ungrounded conductors to
the motor as provided in 430.111.
(B) Small Motors. Devices as specified in 430.81(A) and
(B) shall be permitted as a controller.
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(C) Stationary Motors of 2 Horsepower or Less. For
stationary motors rated at 2 hp or less and 300 volts or less,
the controller shall be permitted to be either of the following:
(1) A general-use switch having an ampere rating not less
than twice the full-load current rating of the motor
(2) On ac circuits, a general-use snap switch suitable only
for use on ac (not general-use ac–dc snap switches)
where the motor full-load current rating is not more
than 80 percent of the ampere rating of the switch
(D) Torque Motors. For torque motors, the controller
shall have a continuous-duty, full-load current rating not
less than the nameplate current rating of the motor. For a
motor controller rated in horsepower but not marked with
the foregoing current rating, the equivalent current rating
shall be determined from the horsepower rating by using
Table 430.247, Table 430.248, Table 430.249, or Table
430.250.
(E) Voltage Rating. A controller with a straight voltage
rating, for example, 240 volts or 480 volts, shall be permitted to be applied in a circuit in which the nominal voltage
between any two conductors does not exceed the controller’s voltage rating. A controller with a slash rating, for
example, 120/240 volts or 480Y/277 volts, shall only be
applied in a solidly grounded circuit in which the nominal
voltage to ground from any conductor does not exceed the
lower of the two values of the controller’s voltage rating
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(a) Where a number of motors drive several parts of a
single machine or piece of apparatus, such as metal and
woodworking machines, cranes, hoists, and similar apparatus
(b) Where a group of motors is under the protection of
one overcurrent device as permitted in 430.53(A)
(c) Where a group of motors is located in a single
room within sight from the controller location
Exception No. 2: A branch-circuit disconnecting means
serving as the controller as allowed in 430.81(A) shall be
permitted to serve more than one motor.
430.88 Adjustable-Speed Motors. Adjustable-speed motors that are controlled by means of field regulation shall be
equipped and connected so that they cannot be started under a weakened field.
Exception: Starting under a weakened field shall be permitted where the motor is designed for such starting.
430.89 Speed Limitation. Machines of the following
types shall be provided with speed-limiting devices or other
speed-limiting means:
(1) Separately excited dc motors
(2) Series motors
(3) Motor-generators and converters that can be driven at
excessive speed from the dc end, as by a reversal of
current or decrease in load
70–347
430.90
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(1) Where the inherent characteristics of the machines,
the system, or the load and the mechanical connection
thereto are such as to safely limit the speed
(2) Where the machine is always under the manual
control of a qualified operator
430.90 Combination Fuseholder and Switch as Controller. The rating of a combination fuseholder and switch used
as a motor controller shall be such that the fuseholder will
accommodate the size of the fuse specified in Part III of
this article for motor overload protection.
Exception: Where fuses having time delay appropriate for
the starting characteristics of the motor are used, fuseholders of smaller size than specified in Part III of this article
shall be permitted.
VIII. Motor Control Centers
430.97 Busbars and Conductors.
(A) Support and Arrangement. Busbars shall be protected from physical damage and be held firmly in place.
Other than for required interconnections and control wiring,
only those conductors that are intended for termination in a
vertical section shall be located in that section.
Exception: Conductors shall be permitted to travel horizontally through vertical sections where such conductors
are isolated from the busbars by a barrier.
(B) Phase Arrangement. The phase arrangement on
3-phase horizontal common power and vertical buses shall
be A, B, C from front to back, top to bottom, or left to right,
as viewed from the front of the motor control center. The B
phase shall be that phase having the higher voltage to
ground on 3-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected systems. Other
busbar arrangements shall be permitted for additions to existing installations and shall be marked.
AF
430.92 General. Part VIII covers motor control centers
installed for the control of motors, lighting, and power circuits.
in accordance with Table 250.122. Equipment grounding
conductors shall be connected to this equipment grounding
bus or to a grounding termination point provided in a
single-section motor control center.
T
Exception: Separate speed-limiting devices or means shall
not be required under either of the following conditions:
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430.94 Overcurrent Protection. Motor control centers
shall be provided with overcurrent protection in accordance
with Parts I, II, and VIII of Article 240. The ampere rating
or setting of the overcurrent protective device shall not
exceed the rating of the common power bus. This protection shall be provided by (1) an overcurrent protective device located ahead of the motor control center or (2) a main
overcurrent protective device located within the motor control center.
430.95 Service Equipment. Where used as service equipment, each motor control center shall be provided with a
single main disconnecting means to disconnect all ungrounded service conductors.
Exception: Rear-mounted units connected to a vertical bus
that is common to front-mounted units shall be permitted to
have a C, B, A phase arrangement where properly
identified.
(C) Minimum Wire-Bending Space. The minimum wirebending space at the motor control center terminals and
minimum gutter space shall be as required in Article 312.
(D) Spacings. Spacings between motor control center bus
terminals and other bare metal parts shall not be less than
specified in Table 430.97.
(E) Barriers. Barriers shall be placed in all serviceentrance motor control centers to isolate service busbars
and terminals from the remainder of the motor control center.
430.98 Marking.
Exception: A second service disconnect shall be permitted
to supply additional equipment.
Where a grounded conductor is provided, the motor
control center shall be provided with a main bonding
jumper, sized in accordance with 250.28(D), within one of
the sections for connecting the grounded conductor, on its
supply side, to the motor control center equipment ground
bus.
(A) Motor Control Centers. Motor control centers shall
be marked according to 110.21, and the marking shall be
plainly visible after installation. Marking shall also include
common power bus current rating and motor control center
short-circuit rating. [ROP 11–28]
(B) Motor Control Units. Motor control units in a motor
control center shall comply with 430.8.
Exception: High-impedance grounded neutral systems
shall be permitted to be connected as provided in 250.36.
IX. Disconnecting Means
430.96 Grounding. Multisection motor control centers
shall be connected together with an equipment grounding
conductor or an equivalent equipment grounding bus sized
430.101 General. Part IX is intended to require disconnecting means capable of disconnecting motors and controllers from the circuit.
[ROP 11–29b]
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430.105
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Table 430.97 Minimum Spacing Between Bare Metal Parts
Opposite Polarity Where
Mounted on the Same Surface
Not over 125 volts, nominal
Not over 250 volts, nominal
Not over 600 volts, nominal
Live Parts to Ground
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
19.1
31.8
50.8
3⁄4
11⁄4
2
12.7
19.1
25.4
12
⁄
⁄
1
12.7
12.7
25.4
12
430.102 Location.
(A) Controller. An individual disconnecting means shall
be provided for each controller and shall disconnect the
controller. The disconnecting means shall be located in
sight from the controller location.
⁄
⁄
1
12
if it is in sight from the motor location and the driven
machinery location.
Exception to (1) and (2): The disconnecting means for the
motor shall not be required under either condition (a) or
condition (b), provided the controller disconnecting means
required in 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance with
110.25. [ROP 11–49]
(a) Where such a location of the disconnecting means
for the motor is impracticable or introduces additional or
increased hazards to persons or property
AF
Exception No. 1: For motor circuits over 1000 volts,
nominal, a controller disconnecting means lockable in accordance with 110.25 shall be permitted to be out of sight
of the controller, provided the controller is marked with a
warning label giving the location of the disconnecting
means. [ROP 11–20, ROP 11–45]
34
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Nominal Voltage
Opposite Polarity Where
Held Free in Air
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Exception No. 2: A single disconnecting means shall be
permitted for a group of coordinated controllers that drive
several parts of a single machine or piece of apparatus.
The disconnecting means shall be located in sight from the
controllers, and both the disconnecting means and the controllers shall be located in sight from the machine or
apparatus.
Exception No. 3: The disconnecting means shall not be
required to be in sight from valve actuator motor (VAM)
assemblies containing the controller where such a location
introduces additional or increased hazards to persons or
property and conditions (a) and (b) are met.
(a) The valve actuator motor assembly is marked with
a warning label giving the location of the disconnecting
means.
(b) The disconnecting means shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 11–48]
(B) Motor. A disconnecting means shall be provided for a
motor in accordance with (B)(1) or (B)(2).
(1) Separate Motor Disconnect. A disconnecting means
for the motor shall be located in sight from the motor location and the driven machinery location.
(2) Controller Disconnect. The controller disconnecting
means required in accordance with 430.102(A) shall be
permitted to serve as the disconnecting means for the motor
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: Some examples of increased or additional hazards include, but are not limited to, motors rated
in excess of 100 hp, multimotor equipment, submersible
motors, motors associated with adjustable speed drives, and
motors located in hazardous (classified) locations. [ROP
11–29b]
(b) In industrial installations, with written safety procedures, where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment
Informational Note: For information on lockout/tagout
procedures, see NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety
in the Workplace. [ROP 11–29b]
430.103 Operation. The disconnecting means shall open
all ungrounded supply conductors and shall be designed so
that no pole can be operated independently. The disconnecting means shall be permitted in the same enclosure with the
controller. The disconnecting means shall be designed so
that it cannot be closed automatically.
Informational Note: See 430.113 for equipment receiving
energy from more than one source.
430.104 To Be Indicating. The disconnecting means shall
plainly indicate whether it is in the open (off) or closed (on)
position.
430.105 Grounded Conductors. One pole of the disconnecting means shall be permitted to disconnect a permanently grounded conductor, provided the disconnecting
means is designed so that the pole in the grounded conductor cannot be opened without simultaneously disconnecting
all conductors of the circuit.
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ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
430.107 Readily Accessible. At least one of the disconnecting means shall be readily accessible.
430.108 Every Disconnecting Means. Every disconnecting means in the motor circuit between the point of attachment to the feeder or branch circuit and the point of connection to the motor shall comply with the requirements of
430.109 and 430.110.
430.109 Type. The disconnecting means shall be a type
specified in 430.109(A), unless otherwise permitted in
430.109(B) through (G), under the conditions specified.
(A) General.
(1) Motor Circuit Switch. A listed motor-circuit switch
rated in horsepower.
(2) Molded Case Circuit Breaker. A listed molded case
circuit breaker.
(3) Molded Case Switch. A listed molded case switch.
(D) Autotransformer-Type Controlled Motors. For motors of over 2 hp to and including 100 hp, the separate
disconnecting means required for a motor with an
autotransformer-type controller shall be permitted to be a
general-use switch where all of the following provisions are
met:
(1) The motor drives a generator that is provided with
overload protection.
(2) The controller is capable of interrupting the lockedrotor current of the motors, is provided with a no voltage release, and is provided with running overload protection not exceeding 125 percent of the motor fullload current rating.
(3) Separate fuses or an inverse time circuit breaker rated
or set at not more than 150 percent of the motor fullload current is provided in the motor branch circuit.
AF
(4) Instantaneous Trip Circuit Breaker. An instantaneous trip circuit breaker that is part of a listed combination
motor controller.
the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be one of the
devices specified in (1), (2), or (3):
(1) A general-use switch having an ampere rating not less
than twice the full-load current rating of the motor
(2) On ac circuits, a general-use snap switch suitable only
for use on ac (not general-use ac–dc snap switches)
where the motor full-load current rating is not more
than 80 percent of the ampere rating of the switch
(3) A listed manual motor controller having a horsepower
rating not less than the rating of the motor and marked
“Suitable as Motor Disconnect”
T
430.107
(5) Self-Protected Combination Controller. Listed selfprotected combination controller.
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(6) Manual Motor Controller. Listed manual motor controllers additionally marked “Suitable as Motor Disconnect” shall be permitted as a disconnecting means where
installed between the final motor branch-circuit shortcircuit protective device and the motor. Listed manual motor controllers additionally marked“Suitable as Motor Disconnect” shall be permitted as disconnecting means on the
line side of the fuses permitted in 430.52(C)(5). In this
case, the fuses permitted in 430.52(C)(5) shall be considered supplementary fuses, and suitable branch-circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protective devices shall be installed
on the line side of the manual motor controller additionally
marked “Suitable as Motor Disconnect.”
(7) System Isolation Equipment. System isolation equipment shall be listed for disconnection purposes. System
isolation equipment shall be installed on the load side of the
overcurrent protection and its disconnecting means. The
disconnecting means shall be one of the types permitted by
430.109(A)(1) through (A)(3).
(B) Stationary Motors of 1⁄8 Horsepower or Less. For
stationary motors of 1⁄8 hp or less, the branch-circuit overcurrent device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(C) Stationary Motors of 2 Horsepower or Less. For
stationary motors rated at 2 hp or less and 300 volts or less,
70–350
(E) Isolating Switches. For stationary motors rated at
more than 40 hp dc or 100 hp ac, the disconnecting means
shall be permitted to be a general-use or isolating switch
where plainly marked “Do not operate under load.”
(F) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Motors. For a cord-andplug-connected motor, a horsepower-rated attachment plug
and receptacle, flanged surface inlet and cord connector, or
attachment plug and cord connector having ratings no less
than the motor ratings shall be permitted to serve as the
disconnecting means. Horsepower-rated attachment plugs,
flanged surface inlets, receptacles, or cord connectors shall
not be required for cord-and-plug-connected appliances in
accordance with 422.33, room air conditioners in accordance with 440.63, or portable motors rated 1⁄3 hp or less.
(G) Torque Motors. For torque motors, the disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be a general-use switch.
430.110 Ampere Rating and Interrupting Capacity.
(A) General. The disconnecting means for motor circuits
rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less shall have an ampere
rating not less than 115 percent of the full-load current
rating of the motor. [ROP 11–20]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(B) For Torque Motors. Disconnecting means for a
torque motor shall have an ampere rating of at least
115 percent of the motor nameplate current.
(C) For Combination Loads. Where two or more motors
are used together or where one or more motors are used in
combination with other loads, such as resistance heaters,
and where the combined load may be simultaneous on a
single disconnecting means, the ampere and horsepower
ratings of the combined load shall be determined as follows.
(3) Small Motors. For small motors not covered by Table
430.247, Table 430.248, Table 430.249, or Table 430.250,
the locked-rotor current shall be assumed to be six times
the full-load current.
430.111 Switch or Circuit Breaker as Both Controller
and Disconnecting Means. A switch or circuit breaker
shall be permitted to be used as both the controller and
disconnecting means if it complies with 430.111(A) and is
one of the types specified in 430.111(B).
(A) General. The switch or circuit breaker complies with
the requirements for controllers specified in 430.83, opens
all ungrounded conductors to the motor, and is protected by
an overcurrent device in each ungrounded conductor
(which shall be permitted to be the branch-circuit fuses).
The overcurrent device protecting the controller shall be
permitted to be part of the controller assembly or shall be
permitted to be separate. An autotransformer-type controller shall be provided with a separate disconnecting means.
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AF
(1) Horsepower Rating. The rating of the disconnecting
means shall be determined from the sum of all currents,
including resistance loads, at the full-load condition and
also at the locked-rotor condition. The combined full-load
current and the combined locked-rotor current so obtained
shall be considered as a single motor for the purpose of this
requirement as follows.
The full-load current equivalent to the horsepower rating of each motor shall be selected from Table 430.247,
Table 430.248, Table 430.249, or Table 430.250. These
full-load currents shall be added to the rating in amperes of
other loads to obtain an equivalent full-load current for the
combined load.
The locked-rotor current equivalent to the horsepower
rating of each motor shall be selected from Table
430.251(A) or Table 430.251(B). The locked-rotor currents
shall be added to the rating in amperes of other loads to
obtain an equivalent locked-rotor current for the combined
load. Where two or more motors or other loads cannot be
started simultaneously, the largest sum of locked-rotor currents of a motor or group of motors that can be started
simultaneously and the full-load currents of other concurrent loads shall be permitted to be used to determine the
equivalent locked-rotor current for the simultaneous combined loads. In cases where different current ratings are
obtained when applying these tables, the largest value obtained shall be used.
Exception: A listed nonfused motor-circuit switch having
a horsepower rating equal to or greater than the equivalent
horsepower of the combined loads, determined in accordance with 430.110(C)(1), shall be permitted to have an
ampere rating less than 115 percent of the sum of all currents at the full-load condition.
T
Exception: A listed unfused motor-circuit switch having a
horsepower rating not less than the motor horsepower shall
be permitted to have an ampere rating less than 115 percent of the full-load current rating of the motor.
430.112
Exception: Where part of the concurrent load is resistance
load, and where the disconnecting means is a switch rated
in horsepower and amperes, the switch used shall be permitted to have a horsepower rating that is not less than the
combined load of the motor(s), if the ampere rating of the
switch is not less than the locked-rotor current of the motor(s) plus the resistance load.
(2) Ampere Rating. The ampere rating of the disconnecting means shall not be less than 115 percent of the sum of
all currents at the full-load condition determined in accordance with 430.110(C)(1).
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Type. The device shall be one of the types specified in
430.111(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) Air-Break Switch. An air-break switch, operable directly by applying the hand to a lever or handle.
(2) Inverse Time Circuit Breaker. An inverse time circuit
breaker operable directly by applying the hand to a lever or
handle. The circuit breaker shall be permitted to be both
power and manually operable.
(3) Oil Switch. An oil switch used on a circuit whose
rating does not exceed 1000 volts or 100 amperes, or by
special permission on a circuit exceeding this capacity
where under expert supervision. The oil switch shall be
permitted to be both power and manually operable. [ROP
11–20]
430.112 Motors Served by Single Disconnecting Means.
Each motor shall be provided with an individual disconnecting means.
Exception: A single disconnecting means shall be permitted to serve a group of motors under any one of the conditions of (a), (b), and (c). The single disconnecting means
shall be rated in accordance with 430.110(C).
(a) Where a number of motors drive several parts of a
single machine or piece of apparatus, such as metal- and
woodworking machines, cranes, and hoists.
70–351
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(b) Where a group of motors is under the protection of
one set of branch-circuit protective devices as permitted by
430.53(A).
(c) Where a group of motors is in a single room within
sight from the location of the disconnecting means.
430.113 Energy from More Than One Source. Motor
and motor-operated equipment receiving electric energy
from more than one source shall be provided with disconnecting means from each source of electric energy immediately adjacent to the equipment served. Each source shall
be permitted to have a separate disconnecting means.
Where multiple disconnecting means are provided, a permanent warning sign shall be provided on or adjacent to
each disconnecting means.
Exception No. 1: Where a motor receives electric energy
from more than one source, the disconnecting means for the
main power supply to the motor shall not be required to be
immediately adjacent to the motor, provided the controller
disconnecting means is lockable in accordance with 110.25.
[ROP 11–54]
X. Adjustable-Speed Drive Systems
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430.120 General. The installation provisions of Part I
through Part IX are applicable unless modified or supplemented by Part X.
[ROP 11–29b]
430.122 Conductors — Minimum Size and Ampacity.
(A) Branch/Feeder Circuit Conductors. Circuit conductors supplying power conversion equipment included as
part of an adjustable-speed drive system shall have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the rated input current to
the power conversion equipment.
Informational Note: Power conversion equipment can
have multiple power ratings and corresponding input
currents.
(B) Bypass Device. For an adjustable-speed drive system
that utilizes a bypass device, the conductor ampacity shall
not be less than required by 430.6. The ampacity of circuit
conductors supplying power conversion equipment included as part of an adjustable-speed drive system that utilizes a bypass device shall be the larger of either of the
following:
(1) 125 percent of the rated input current to the power
conversion equipment
70–352
430.124 Overload Protection. Overload protection of the
motor shall be provided.
(A) Included in Power Conversion Equipment. Where
the power conversion equipment is marked to indicate that
motor overload protection is included, additional overload
protection shall not be required.
(B) Bypass Circuits. For adjustable speed drive systems
that utilize a bypass device to allow motor operation at
rated full-load speed, motor overload protection as described in Article 430, Part III, shall be provided in the
bypass circuit.
(C) Multiple Motor Applications. For multiple motor application, individual motor overload protection shall be provided in accordance with Article 430, Part III.
430.126 Motor Overtemperature Protection.
(A) General. Adjustable speed drive systems shall protect
against motor overtemperature conditions where the motor
is not rated to operate at the nameplate rated current over
the speed range required by the application. This protection
shall be provided in addition to the conductor protection
required in 430.32. Protection shall be provided by one of
the following means.
(1) Motor thermal protector in accordance with 430.32
(2) Adjustable speed drive system with load and speedsensitive overload protection and thermal memory retention upon shutdown or power loss
AF
Exception No. 2: A separate disconnecting means shall
not be required for a Class 2 remote-control circuit conforming with Article 725, rated not more than 30 volts, and
isolated and ungrounded.
(2) 125 percent of the motor full-load current rating as
determined by 430.6
T
430.113
Exception to (2): Thermal memory retention upon shutdown or power loss is not required for continuous duty
loads.
(3) Overtemperature protection relay utilizing thermal sensors embedded in the motor and meeting the requirements of 430.32(A)(2) or (B)(2)
(4) Thermal sensor embedded in the motor whose communications are received and acted upon by an adjustable
speed drive system
Informational Note: The relationship between motor current and motor temperature changes when the motor is operated by an adjustable speed drive. In certain applications,
overheating of motors can occur when operated at reduced
speed, even at current levels less than a motor’s rated fullload current. The overheating can be the result of reduced
motor cooling when its shaft-mounted fan is operating less
than rated nameplate RPM. As part of the analysis to determine whether overheating will occur, it is necessary to consider the continuous torque capability curves for the motor
given the application requirements. This will assist in determining whether the motor overload protection will be
able, on its own, to provide protection against overheating.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(B) Multiple Motor Applications. For multiple motor applications, individual motor overtemperature protection
shall be provided as required in 430.126(A).
(C) Automatic Restarting and Orderly Shutdown. The
provisions of 430.43 and 430.44 shall apply to the motor
overtemperature protection means.
430.131 Several Motors or Loads on One Branch Circuit including Power Conversion Equipment . For installations meeting all the requirements of 430.53 that include
one or more power converters, the branch circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protective fuses or inverse time
circuit breakers shall be of a type and rating or setting
permitted for use with the power conversion equipment
using the full load current rating of the connected motor
load in accordance with 430.53.
Informational Note: For the purposes of 430.53 and
430.131 power conversion equipment is considered a motor
controller.
[ROP 11–60a]
AF
430.128 Disconnecting Means. The disconnecting means
shall be permitted to be in the incoming line to the conversion equipment and shall have a rating not less than
115 percent of the rated input current of the conversion
unit.
pass circuit/device(s). Where a single branch-circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protective device is provided for
circuits containing both power conversion equipment and a
bypass circuit, the branch circuit protective device type and
its rating or setting shall be in accordance with that determined for the power conversion equipment and for the bypass circuit/device(s) equipment. [ROP 11–60a]
T
These overheating protection requirements are only intended to apply to applications where an adjustable speed
drive, as defined in Article 100, is used. [ROP 11–29b]
For motors that utilize external forced air or liquid
cooling systems, overtemperature can occur if the cooling
system is not operating. Although this issue is not unique to
adjustable speed applications, externally cooled motors are
most often encountered with such applications. In these
instances, overtemperature protection using direct temperature sensing is recommended [i.e., 430.126(A)(1), (A)(3),
or (A)(4)], or additional means should be provided to ensure that the cooling system is operating (flow or pressure
sensing, interlocking of adjustable speed drive system and
cooling system, etc.).
430.225
430.130 Branch Circuit Short-Circuit and GroundFault Protection for Single Motor Circuits Containing
Power Conversion Equipment. [ROP 11–60a]
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(A) Circuits Containing Power Conversion Equipment.
Circuits containing power conversion equipment shall be
protected by a branch circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device in accordance with the following:
(1) The rating and type of protection shall be determined
by 430.52 (C) (1), (3), (5) or (6) using the full load
current rating of the motor load as determined by
430.6.
(2) Where maximum branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective ratings are stipulated for specific device types in the manufacturers instructions
with the power conversion equipment or are otherwise
marked on the equipment, they shall not be exceeded
even if higher values are permitted in 430.130 (A) (1).
(3) A self-protected combination controller shall only be
permitted where specifically identified in the manufacturer’s instructions with the power conversion equipment or otherwise marked on the equipment.
Informational Note: The type of protective device, its rating and setting may be marked on or provided with the
power conversion equipment.
[ROP 11–60a]
(B) Bypass Circuit/Device. Branch circuit short-circuit
and ground-fault protection shall also be provided for by-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
XI. Over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 11–20, ROP 11–61]
430.221 General. Part XI recognizes the additional hazard
due to the use of higher voltages. It adds to or amends the
other provisions of this article.
430.222 Marking on Controllers. In addition to the marking required by 430.8, a controller shall be marked with the
control voltage.
430.223 Raceway Connection to Motors. Flexible metal
conduit or liquidtight flexible metal conduit not exceeding
1.8 m (6 ft) in length shall be permitted to be employed for
raceway connection to a motor terminal enclosure.
430.224 Size of Conductors. Conductors supplying motors shall have an ampacity not less than the current at
which the motor overload protective device(s) is selected to
trip.
430.225 Motor-Circuit Overcurrent Protection.
(A) General. Each motor circuit shall include coordinated
protection to automatically interrupt overload and fault currents in the motor, the motor-circuit conductors, and the
motor control apparatus.
Exception: Where a motor is critical to an operation and
the motor should operate to failure if necessary to prevent a
greater hazard to persons, the sensing device(s) shall be
permitted to be connected to a supervised annunciator or
alarm instead of interrupting the motor circuit.
70–353
430.226
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
(1) Type of Overload Device. Each motor shall be protected against dangerous heating due to motor overloads
and failure to start by a thermal protector integral with the
motor or external current-sensing devices, or both. Protective device settings for each motor circuit shall be determined under engineering supervision.
(2) Wound-Rotor Alternating-Current Motors. The secondary circuits of wound-rotor ac motors, including conductors, controllers, and resistors rated for the application,
shall be considered as protected against overcurrent by the
motor overload protection means.
(3) Operation. Operation of the overload interrupting device shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors.
(C) Fault-Current Protection.
(1) Type of Protection. Fault-current protection shall be
provided in each motor circuit as specified by either (1)(a)
or (1)(b).
D
R
(a) A circuit breaker of suitable type and rating arranged so that it can be serviced without hazard. The circuit
breaker shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded
conductors. The circuit breaker shall be permitted to sense
the fault current by means of integral or external sensing
elements.
(b) Fuses of a suitable type and rating placed in each
ungrounded conductor. Fuses shall be used with suitable
disconnecting means, or they shall be of a type that can also
serve as the disconnecting means. They shall be arranged
so that they cannot be serviced while they are energized.
(2) Reclosing. Fault-current interrupting devices shall not
automatically reclose the circuit.
Exception: Automatic reclosing of a circuit shall be permitted where the circuit is exposed to transient faults and
where such automatic reclosing does not create a hazard to
persons.
(3) Combination Protection. Overload protection and
fault-current protection shall be permitted to be provided by
the same device.
430.226 Rating of Motor Control Apparatus. The ultimate trip current of overcurrent (overload) relays or other
motor-protective devices used shall not exceed 115 percent
of the controller’s continuous current rating. Where the mo-
70–354
430.227 Disconnecting Means. The controller disconnecting means shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25.
[ROP 11–64]
XII. Protection of Live Parts — All Voltages
430.231 General. Part XII specifies that live parts shall be
protected in a manner judged adequate for the hazard involved.
430.232 Where Required. Exposed live parts of motors
and controllers operating at 50 volts or more between terminals shall be guarded against accidental contact by enclosure or by location as follows:
(1) By installation in a room or enclosure that is accessible
only to qualified persons
(2) By installation on a suitable balcony, gallery, or platform, elevated and arranged so as to exclude unqualified persons
(3) By elevation 2.5 m (8 ft) or more above the floor
AF
(4) Automatic Reset. Overload sensing devices shall not
automatically reset after trip unless resetting of the overload sensing device does not cause automatic restarting of
the motor or there is no hazard to persons created by automatic restarting of the motor and its connected machinery.
tor branch-circuit disconnecting means is separate from the
controller, the disconnecting means current rating shall not
be less than the ultimate trip setting of the overcurrent
relays in the circuit.
T
(B) Overload Protection.
Exception: Live parts of motors operating at more than 50
volts between terminals shall not require additional guarding for stationary motors that have commutators, collectors, and brush rigging located inside of motor-end brackets and not conductively connected to supply circuits
operating at more than 150 volts to ground.
430.233 Guards for Attendants. Where live parts of motors or controllers operating at over 50 volts to ground are
guarded against accidental contact only by location as
specified in 430.232, and where adjustment or other attendance may be necessary during the operation of the apparatus, suitable insulating mats or platforms shall be provided so that the attendant cannot readily touch live parts
unless standing on the mats or platforms. [ROP 11–68]
Informational Note: For working space, see 110.27 and
110.34.
XIII. Grounding — All Voltages
430.241 General. Part XIII specifies the grounding of exposed non–current-carrying metal parts, likely to become
energized, of motor and controller frames to prevent a voltage aboveground in the event of accidental contact between
energized parts and frames. Insulation, isolation, or guarding are suitable alternatives to grounding of motors under
certain conditions.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
430.245
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Where the frame of the motor is not grounded, it shall
be permanently and effectively insulated from the ground.
430.243 Portable Motors. The frames of portable motors
that operate over 150 volts to ground shall be guarded or
grounded.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.114(4) for grounding
of portable appliances in other than residential occupancies.
Informational Note No. 2: See 250.119(C) for color of
equipment grounding conductor.
(C) Grounding of Controller-Mounted Devices. Instrument transformer secondaries and exposed non–currentcarrying metal or other conductive parts or cases of instrument transformers, meters, instruments, and relays shall be
grounded as specified in 250.170 through 250.178.
AF
Exception No. 1: Listed motor-operated tools, listed
motor-operated appliances, and listed motor-operated
equipment shall not be required to be grounded where protected by a system of double insulation or its equivalent.
Double-insulated equipment shall be distinctively marked.
provided the leads to the motor are stranded conductors
within Type AC cable, interlocked metal tape Type MC
cable where listed and identified in accordance with
250.118(10)(a), or armored cord or are stranded leads enclosed in liquidtight flexible metal conduit, flexible metal
conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid metal conduit, or
electrical metallic tubing not smaller than metric designator
12 (trade size 3⁄8), the armor or raceway being connected
both to the motor and to the box.
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit and rigid nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted to enclose the leads to
the motor, provided the leads are stranded and the required
equipment grounding conductor is connected to both the
motor and to the box.
Where stranded leads are used, protected as specified
above, each strand within the conductor shall be not larger
than 10 AWG and shall comply with other requirements of
this Code for conductors to be used in raceways.
T
430.242 Stationary Motors. The frames of stationary motors shall be grounded under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where supplied by metal-enclosed wiring
(2) Where in a wet location and not isolated or guarded
(3) If in a hazardous (classified) location
(4) If the motor operates with any terminal at over 150
volts to ground
D
R
Exception No. 2: Listed motor-operated tools, listed
motor-operated appliances, and listed motor-operated
equipment connected by a cord and attachment plug other
than those required to be grounded in accordance with
250.114.
430.244 Controllers. Controller enclosures shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor regardless of
voltage. Controller enclosures shall have means for attachment of an equipment grounding conductor termination in
accordance with 250.8.
Exception: Enclosures attached to ungrounded portable
equipment shall not be required to be grounded.
430.245 Method of Grounding. Connection to the equipment grounding conductor shall be done in the manner
specified in Part VI of Article 250.
(A) Grounding Through Terminal Housings. Where the
wiring to motors is metal-enclosed cable or in metal raceways, junction boxes to house motor terminals shall be
provided, and the armor of the cable or the metal raceways
shall be connected to them in the manner specified in
250.96(A) and 250.97.
[ROP 11–29b]
XIV. Tables
Table 430.248 Full-Load Currents in Amperes, Single-Phase
Alternating-Current Motors
The following values of full-load currents are for motors running at usual speeds and motors with normal torque
characteristics. The voltages listed are rated motor voltages.
The currents listed shall be permitted for system voltage
ranges of 110 to 120 and 220 to 240 volts.
Horsepower
115
Volts
200
Volts
208
Volts
230
Volts
⁄
⁄
1⁄3
1⁄2
3⁄4
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
71⁄2
10
4.4
5.8
7.2
9.8
13.8
16
20
24
34
56
80
100
2.5
3.3
4.1
5.6
7.9
9.2
11.5
13.8
19.6
32.2
46.0
57.5
2.4
3.2
4.0
5.4
7.6
8.8
11.0
13.2
18.7
30.8
44.0
55.0
2.2
2.9
3.6
4.9
6.9
8.0
10
12
17
28
40
50
16
14
(B) Separation of Junction Box from Motor. The junction box required by 430.245(A) shall be permitted to be
separated from the motor by not more than 1.8 m (6 ft),
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–355
430.245
ARTICLE 430 — MOTORS, MOTOR CIRCUITS, AND CONTROLLERS
Table 430.247 Full-Load Current in Amperes, Direct-Current Motors
The following values of full-load currents* are for motors running at base speed.
Armature Voltage Rating*
120 Volts
180 Volts
240 Volts
500 Volts
550 Volts
⁄
⁄
1⁄2
3⁄4
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
71⁄2
4.0
5.2
6.8
9.6
12.2
—
—
—
—
—
3.1
4.1
5.4
7.6
9.5
13.2
17
25
40
58
2.0
2.6
3.4
4.8
6.1
8.3
10.8
16
27
—
1.6
2.0
2.7
3.8
4.7
6.6
8.5
12.2
20
29
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
13.6
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
12.2
10
15
20
25
30
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
76
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
38
55
72
89
106
140
18
27
34
43
51
67
16
24
31
38
46
61
50
60
75
100
125
150
200
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
173
206
255
341
425
506
675
83
99
123
164
205
246
330
75
90
111
148
185
222
294
14
13
D
R
*These are average dc quantities.
Table 430.249 Full-Load Current, Two-Phase
Alternating-Current Motors (4-Wire)
Table 430.249
The following values of full-load current are for motors
running at speeds usual for belted motors and motors with
normal torque characteristics. Current in the common conductor of a 2-phase, 3-wire system will be 1.41 times the
value given. The voltages listed are rated motor voltages.
The currents listed shall be permitted for system voltage
ranges of 110 to 120, 220 to 240, 440 to 480, and 550 to
1000 volts. [ROP 11–20]
Induction-Type Squirrel Cage and
Wound Rotor (Amperes)
Horsepower
115
Volts
230
Volts
460
Volts
575
Volts
2300
Volts
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
4.0
4.8
6.4
9.0
11.8
—
—
2.0
2.4
3.2
4.5
5.9
8.3
13.2
1.0
1.2
1.6
2.3
3.0
4.2
6.6
0.8
1.0
1.3
1.8
2.4
3.3
5.3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
12
34
70–356
T
90 Volts
AF
Horsepower
Continued
Induction-Type Squirrel Cage and
Wound Rotor (Amperes)
Horsepower
115
Volts
230
Volts
460
Volts
575
Volts
9.0
8.0
71⁄2
—
19
10
15
20
25
30
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
24
36
47
59
69
90
12
18
23
29
35
45
10
14
19
24
28
36
—
—
—
—
—
—
50
60
75
100
125
150
200
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
113
133
166
218
270
312
416
56
67
83
109
135
156
208
45
53
66
87
108
125
167
—
14
18
23
28
32
43
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2300
Volts
—
2014 Edition
440.2
ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
Table 430.250 Full-Load Current, Three-Phase Alternating-Current Motors
The following values of full-load currents are typical for motors running at speeds usual for belted motors and motors with
normal torque characteristics.
The voltages listed are rated motor voltages. The currents listed shall be permitted for system voltage ranges of 110 to
120, 220 to 240, 440 to 480, and 550 to 1000 volts. [ROP 11–20]
Induction-Type Squirrel Cage and Wound Rotor (Amperes)
Horsepower
115
Volts
200
Volts
208
Volts
230
Volts
460
Volts
575
Volts
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
71⁄2
4.4
6.4
8.4
12.0
13.6
—
—
—
2.5
3.7
4.8
6.9
7.8
11.0
17.5
25.3
2.4
3.5
4.6
6.6
7.5
10.6
16.7
24.2
2.2
3.2
4.2
6.0
6.8
9.6
15.2
22
1.1
1.6
2.1
3.0
3.4
4.8
7.6
11
0.9
1.3
1.7
2.4
2.7
3.9
6.1
9
10
15
20
25
30
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
32.2
48.3
62.1
78.2
92
120
30.8
46.2
59.4
74.8
88
114
50
60
75
100
125
150
200
—
—
—
—
—
—
150
177
221
285
359
414
552
143
169
211
273
343
396
528
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
250
300
350
400
450
500
—
—
—
—
—
—
2300
Volts
230
Volts
460
Volts
575
Volts
2300
Volts
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11
17
22
27
32
41
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
53
63
83
—
—
—
26
32
41
—
—
—
21
26
33
—
—
—
—
—
—
14
21
27
34
40
52
130
154
192
248
312
360
480
65
77
96
124
156
180
240
52
62
77
99
125
144
192
—
16
20
26
31
37
49
104
123
155
202
253
302
400
52
61
78
101
126
151
201
42
49
62
81
101
121
161
—
12
15
20
25
30
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
302
361
414
477
515
590
242
289
336
382
412
472
60
72
83
95
103
118
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
T
28
42
54
68
80
104
AF
34
D
R
12
Synchronous-Type Unity Power
Factor* (Amperes)
*For 90 and 80 percent power factor, the figures shall be multiplied by 1.1 and 1.25, respectively.
440.2 Definitions.
ARTICLE 440
Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating
Equipment
I. General
440.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to electric
motor-driven air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment
and to the branch circuits and controllers for such equipment. It provides for the special considerations necessary
for circuits supplying hermetic refrigerant motorcompressors and for any air-conditioning or refrigerating
equipment that is supplied from a branch circuit that supplies a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Branch-Circuit Selection Current. The value in amperes
to be used instead of the rated-load current in determining
the ratings of motor branch-circuit conductors, disconnecting means, controllers, and branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective devices wherever the running overload protective device permits a sustained current greater
than the specified percentage of the rated-load current. The
value of branch-circuit selection current will always be
equal to or greater than the marked rated-load current.
[ROP 11–6]
Leakage-Current Detector-Interrupter (LCDI). A device
provided in a power supply cord or cord set that senses
leakage current flowing between or from the cord conduc-
70–357
440.3
ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
Table 430.251(B) Conversion Table of Polyphase Design B, C, and D Maximum Locked-Rotor Currents for Selection of
Disconnecting Means and Controllers as Determined from Horsepower and Voltage Rating and Design Letter
For use only with 430.110, 440.12, 440.41 and 455.8(C).
Maximum Motor Locked-Rotor Current in Amperes, Two- and Three-Phase, Design B, C, and D*
200 Volts
208 Volts
230 Volts
460 Volts
575 Volts
B, C, D
B, C, D
B, C, D
B, C, D
B, C, D
B, C, D
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
71⁄2
40
50
60
80
100
—
—
—
23
28.8
34.5
46
57.5
73.6
105.8
146
22.1
27.6
33
44
55
71
102
140
20
25
30
40
50
64
92
127
10
12.5
15
20
25
32
46
63.5
8
10
12
16
20
25.6
36.8
50.8
10
15
20
25
30
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
186.3
267
334
420
500
667
179
257
321
404
481
641
162
232
290
365
435
580
81
116
145
183
218
290
50
60
75
100
125
150
200
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
834
1001
1248
1668
2087
2496
3335
725
870
1085
1450
1815
2170
2900
363
435
543
725
908
1085
1450
290
348
434
580
726
868
1160
250
300
350
400
450
500
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1825
2200
2550
2900
3250
3625
1460
1760
2040
2320
2600
2900
802
962
1200
1603
2007
2400
3207
AF
34
D
R
12
T
115 Volts
Rated
Horsepower
—
—
—
—
—
—
64.8
93
116
146
174
232
*Design A motors are not limited to a maximum starting current or locked rotor current.
Table 430.251(A) Conversion Table of Single-Phase LockedRotor Currents for Selection of Disconnecting Means and
Controllers as Determined from Horsepower and Voltage
Rating
For use only with 430.110, 440.12, 440.41, and 455.8(C).
Maximum Locked-Rotor Current in
Amperes, Single Phase
Rated
Horsepower
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄2
2
3
5
71⁄2
10
12
34
70–358
115 Volts
208 Volts
230 Volts
58.8
82.8
96
120
144
204
336
480
1000
32.5
45.8
53
66
80
113
186
265
332
29.4
41.4
48
60
72
102
168
240
300
tors and interrupts the circuit at a predetermined level of
leakage current.
Rated-Load Current. The rated-load current for a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor is the current resulting
when the motor-compressor is operated at the rated load,
rated voltage, and rated frequency of the equipment it
serves.
440.3 Other Articles.
(A) Article 430. These provisions are in addition to, or
amendatory of, the provisions of Article 430 and other articles in this Code, which apply except as modified in this
article.
(B) Articles 422, 424, or 430. The rules of Articles 422,
424, or 430, as applicable, shall apply to air-conditioning
and refrigerating equipment that does not incorporate a her-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
(C) Article 422. Equipment such as room air conditioners,
household refrigerators and freezers, drinking water coolers, and beverage dispensers shall be considered appliances, and the provisions of Article 422 shall also apply.
(D) Other Applicable Articles. Hermetic refrigerant
motor-compressors, circuits, controllers, and equipment
shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Table
440.3(D).
Table 440.3(D) Other Articles
Equipment/Occupancy
Article
Section
460.9
(B) Multimotor and Combination-Load Equipment.
Multimotor and combination-load equipment shall be provided with a visible nameplate marked with the maker’s
name, the rating in volts, frequency and number of phases,
minimum supply circuit conductor ampacity, the maximum
rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device, and the short-circuit current rating of the
motor controllers or industrial control panel. The ampacity
shall be calculated by using Part IV and counting all the
motors and other loads that will be operated at the same
time. The branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device rating shall not exceed the value calculated
by using Part III. Multimotor or combination-load equipment for use on two or more circuits shall be marked with
the above information for each circuit.
D
R
AF
Capacitors
511, 513, 514,
Commercial garages,
515, 516, and 517
aircraft hangars, motor
Part IV
fuel dispensing facilities,
bulk storage plants, spray
application, dipping, and
coating processes, and
inhalation anesthetizing
locations
Hazardous (classified)
500–503, 505,
locations
and 506 [ROP
11–77]
Motion picture and
530
television studios and
similar locations
Resistors and reactors
470
marked with the words “thermally protected.” Where a protective system complying with 440.52(A)(4) and (B)(4) is
used and is furnished with the equipment, the equipment
nameplate shall be marked with the words, “thermally protected system.” Where a protective system complying with
440.52(A)(4) and (B)(4) is specified, the equipment nameplate shall be appropriately marked.
T
metic refrigerant motor-compressor. This equipment includes devices that employ refrigeration compressors
driven by conventional motors, furnaces with airconditioning evaporator coils installed, fan-coil units, remote forced air-cooled condensers, remote commercial refrigerators, and so forth.
440.5
440.4 Marking on Hermetic
Compressors and Equipment.
Refrigerant
Exception No. 1: Multimotor and combination-load equipment that is suitable under the provisions of this article for
connection to a single 15- or 20-ampere, 120-volt, or a
15-ampere, 208- or 240-volt, single-phase branch circuit
shall be permitted to be marked as a single load.
Exception No. 2: The minimum supply circuit conductor
ampacity and the maximum rating of the branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall not be
required to be marked on a room air conditioner complying
with 440.62(A).
Motor-
(A) Hermetic Refrigerant Motor-Compressor Nameplate. A hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor shall be
provided with a nameplate that shall indicate the manufacturer’s name, trademark, or symbol; identifying designation; phase; voltage; and frequency. The rated-load current
in amperes of the motor-compressor shall be marked by the
equipment manufacturer on either or both the motorcompressor nameplate and the nameplate of the equipment
in which the motor-compressor is used. The locked-rotor
current of each single-phase motor-compressor having a
rated-load current of more than 9 amperes at 115 volts, or
more than 4.5 amperes at 230 volts, and each polyphase
motor-compressor shall be marked on the motorcompressor nameplate. Where a thermal protector complying with 440.52(A)(2) and (B)(2) is used, the motorcompressor nameplate or the equipment nameplate shall be
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 3: Multimotor and combination-load equipment used in one- and two-family dwellings, cord-andattachment-plug-connected equipment, or equipment supplied from a branch circuit protected at 60 A or less shall
not be required to be marked with a short-circuit current
rating.
(C) Branch-Circuit Selection Current. A hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor, or equipment containing such a
compressor, having a protection system that is approved for
use with the motor-compressor that it protects and that permits continuous current in excess of the specified percentage of nameplate rated-load current given in 440.52(B)(2)
or (B)(4) shall also be marked with a branch-circuit selection current that complies with 440.52(B)(2) or (B)(4). This
marking shall be provided by the equipment manufacturer
and shall be on the nameplate(s) where the rated-load current(s) appears.
440.5 Marking on Controllers. A controller shall be
marked with the manufacturer’s name, trademark, or sym-
70–359
440.6
ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
bol; identifying designation; voltage; phase; full-load and
locked-rotor current (or horsepower) rating; and other data
as may be needed to properly indicate the motorcompressor for which it is suitable. [ROP 11–79]
used to determine the highest rated motor shall be the
equivalent value corresponding to the motor horsepower
rating selected from Table 430.248, Table 430.249, or Table
430.250.
440.6 Ampacity and Rating. The size of conductors for
equipment covered by this article shall be selected from
Table 310.15(B)(16) through Table 310.15(B)(19) or calculated in accordance with 310.15 as applicable. The required
ampacity of conductors and rating of equipment shall be
determined according to 440.6(A) and 440.6(B).
Exception: Where so marked, the branch-circuit selection
current shall be used instead of the rated-load current in
determining the highest rated (largest) motor-compressor.
440.9 Grounding and Bonding. Where equipment is installed outdoors with either Liquidtight Flexible Metal
Conduit or Electrical Metallic Tubing, an equipment
grounding conductor shall be provided as required per
350.60(B) and 358.60(B) [ROP 11–83]
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(A) Hermetic Refrigerant Motor-Compressor. For a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor, the rated-load current
marked on the nameplate of the equipment in which the
motor-compressor is employed shall be used in determining
the rating or ampacity of the disconnecting means, the
branch-circuit conductors, the controller, the branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protection, and the separate
motor overload protection. Where no rated-load current is
shown on the equipment nameplate, the rated-load current
shown on the compressor nameplate shall be used.
440.8 Single Machine. An air-conditioning or refrigerating system shall be considered to be a single machine under
the provisions of 430.87, Exception, and 430.112, Exception. The motors shall be permitted to be located remotely
from each other.
II. Disconnecting Means
440.11 General. The provisions of Part II are intended to
require disconnecting means capable of disconnecting airconditioning and refrigerating equipment, including motorcompressors and controllers from the circuit conductors.
Exception No. 2: For cord-and-plug-connected equipment, the nameplate marking shall be used in accordance
with 440.22(B), Exception No. 2.
[ROP 11–29b]
(A) Hermetic Refrigerant Motor-Compressor. A disconnecting means serving a hermetic refrigerant motorcompressor shall be selected on the basis of the nameplate
rated-load current or branch-circuit selection current,
whichever is greater, and locked-rotor current, respectively,
of the motor-compressor as follows.
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Exception No. 1: Where so marked, the branch-circuit
selection current shall be used instead of the rated-load
current to determine the rating or ampacity of the disconnecting means, the branch-circuit conductors, the controller, and the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protection.
(B) Multimotor Equipment. For multimotor equipment
employing a shaded-pole or permanent split-capacitor-type
fan or blower motor, the full-load current for such motor
marked on the nameplate of the equipment in which the fan
or blower motor is employed shall be used instead of the
horsepower rating to determine the ampacity or rating of
the disconnecting means, the branch-circuit conductors, the
controller, the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protection, and the separate overload protection. This marking on the equipment nameplate shall not be less than the
current marked on the fan or blower motor nameplate.
440.7 Highest Rated (Largest) Motor. In determining
compliance with this article and with 430.24, 430.53(B)
and 430.53(C), and 430.62(A), the highest rated (largest)
motor shall be considered to be the motor that has the
highest rated-load current. Where two or more motors have
the same highest rated-load current, only one of them shall
be considered as the highest rated (largest) motor. For other
than hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors, and fan or
blower motors as covered in 440.6(B), the full-load current
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440.12 Rating and Interrupting Capacity.
(1) Ampere Rating. The ampere rating shall be at least
115 percent of the nameplate rated-load current or branchcircuit selection current, whichever is greater.
Exception: A listed unfused motor circuit switch, without
fuseholders, having a horsepower rating not less than the
equivalent horsepower determined in accordance with
440.12(A)(2) shall be permitted to have an ampere rating
less than 115 percent of the specified current.
(2) Equivalent Horsepower. To determine the equivalent
horsepower in complying with the requirements of
430.109, the horsepower rating shall be selected from Table
430.248, Table 430.249, or Table 430.250 corresponding to
the rated-load current or branch-circuit selection current,
whichever is greater, and also the horsepower rating from
Table 430.251(A) or Table 430.251(B) corresponding to the
locked-rotor current. In case the nameplate rated-load current or branch-circuit selection current and locked-rotor
current do not correspond to the currents shown in Table
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ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
(B) Combination Loads. Where the combined load of two
or more hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors or one or
more hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor with other
motors or loads may be simultaneous on a single disconnecting means, the rating for the disconnecting means shall
be determined in accordance with 440.12(B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) Horsepower Rating. The horsepower rating of the disconnecting means shall be determined from the sum of all
currents, including resistance loads, at the rated-load condition and also at the locked-rotor condition. The combined
rated-load current and the combined locked-rotor current so
obtained shall be considered as a single motor for the purpose of this requirement as required by (1)(a) and (1)(b).
Exception: A listed unfused motor circuit switch, without
fuseholders, having a horsepower rating not less than the
equivalent horsepower determined by 440.12(B)(1) shall be
permitted to have an ampere rating less than 115 percent of
the sum of all currents.
(C) Small Motor-Compressors. For small motorcompressors not having the locked-rotor current marked on
the nameplate, or for small motors not covered by Table
430.247, Table 430.248, Table 430.249, or Table 430.250,
the locked-rotor current shall be assumed to be six times
the rated-load current.
(D) Disconnecting Means. Every disconnecting means in
the refrigerant motor-compressor circuit between the point
of attachment to the feeder and the point of connection to
the refrigerant motor-compressor shall comply with the requirements of 440.12.
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(a) The full-load current equivalent to the horsepower
rating of each motor, other than a hermetic refrigerant
motor-compressor, and fan or blower motors as covered in
440.6(B) shall be selected from Table 430.248, Table
430.249, or Table 430.250. These full-load currents shall be
added to the motor-compressor rated-load current(s) or
branch-circuit selection current(s), whichever is greater,
and to the rating in amperes of other loads to obtain an
equivalent full-load current for the combined load.
(b) The locked-rotor current equivalent to the horsepower rating of each motor, other than a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor, shall be selected from Table
430.251(A) or Table 430.251(B), and, for fan and blower
motors of the shaded-pole or permanent split-capacitor type
marked with the locked-rotor current, the marked value
shall be used. The locked-rotor currents shall be added to
the motor-compressor locked-rotor current(s) and to the rating in amperes of other loads to obtain an equivalent
locked-rotor current for the combined load. Where two or
more motors or other loads such as resistance heaters, or
both, cannot be started simultaneously, appropriate combinations of locked-rotor and rated-load current or branchcircuit selection current, whichever is greater, shall be an
acceptable means of determining the equivalent lockedrotor current for the simultaneous combined load.
(2) Full-Load Current Equivalent. The ampere rating of
the disconnecting means shall be at least 115 percent of the
sum of all currents at the rated-load condition determined
in accordance with 440.12(B)(1).
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430.248, Table 430.249, Table 430.250, Table 430.251(A),
or Table 430.251(B), the horsepower rating corresponding
to the next higher value shall be selected. In case different
horsepower ratings are obtained when applying these
tables, a horsepower rating at least equal to the larger of the
values obtained shall be selected.
440.14
Exception: Where part of the concurrent load is a resistance load and the disconnecting means is a switch rated in
horsepower and amperes, the switch used shall be permitted to have a horsepower rating not less than the combined
load to the motor-compressor(s) and other motor(s) at the
locked-rotor condition, if the ampere rating of the switch is
not less than this locked-rotor load plus the resistance load.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(E) Disconnecting Means Rated in Excess of 100 Horsepower. Where the rated-load or locked-rotor current as determined above would indicate a disconnecting means rated
in excess of 100 hp, the provisions of 430.109(E) shall
apply.
440.13 Cord-Connected Equipment. For cord-connected
equipment such as room air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, drinking water coolers, and beverage
dispensers, a separable connector or an attachment plug and
receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting
means.
Informational Note: For room air conditioners, see 440.63.
440.14 Location. Disconnecting means shall be located
within sight from and readily accessible from the airconditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the
air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment.
The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels
that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or
refrigeration equipment or to obscure the equipment nameplate(s).
Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided
in accordance with 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance
with 110.25 and the refrigerating or air conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility with
written safety procedures, and where the conditions of
maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified
persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means
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ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
within sight from the equipment shall not be required.
[ROP 11–86]
Exception No. 2: Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with
440.13, their location shall be accessible but shall not be
required to be readily accessible.
Informational Note No. 1: See Parts VII and IX of Article
430 for additional requirements.
Informational Note No. 2: See 110.27.
III. Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection
440.21 General. The provisions of Part III specify devices
intended to protect the branch-circuit conductors, control
apparatus, and motors in circuits supplying hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors against overcurrent due to short
circuits and ground faults. They are in addition to or amendatory of the provisions of Article 240.
(2) Motor-Compressor Not Largest Load. Where a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor is not the largest load
connected to the circuit, the rating or setting of the branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall
not exceed a value equal to the sum of the rated-load current or branch-circuit selection current, whichever is
greater, rating(s) for the motor-compressor(s) plus the value
specified in 430.53(C)(4) where other motor loads are supplied, or the value specified in 240.4 where only nonmotor
loads are supplied in addition to the motor-compressor(s).
Exception No. 1: Equipment that starts and operates on a
15- or 20-ampere 120-volt, or 15-ampere 208- or 240-volt
single-phase branch circuit, shall be permitted to be protected by the 15- or 20-ampere overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit, but if the maximum branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device rating
marked on the equipment is less than these values, the
circuit protective device shall not exceed the value marked
on the equipment nameplate.
Exception No. 2: The nameplate marking of cord-andplug-connected equipment rated not greater than 250 volts,
single-phase, such as household refrigerators and freezers,
drinking water coolers, and beverage dispensers, shall be
used in determining the branch-circuit requirements, and
each unit shall be considered as a single motor unless the
nameplate is marked otherwise.
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440.22 Application and Selection.
exceed the value specified in 440.22(A) for the largest
motor-compressor plus the sum of the rated-load current or
branch-circuit selection current, whichever is greater, of the
other motor-compressor(s) and the ratings of the other
loads supplied.
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440.21
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(A) Rating or Setting for Individual MotorCompressor. The motor-compressor branch-circuit shortcircuit and ground-fault protective device shall be capable
of carrying the starting current of the motor. A protective
device having a rating or setting not exceeding 175 percent
of the motor-compressor rated-load current or branchcircuit selection current, whichever is greater, shall be permitted, provided that, where the protection specified is not
sufficient for the starting current of the motor, the rating or
setting shall be permitted to be increased but shall not exceed 225 percent of the motor rated-load current or branchcircuit selection current, whichever is greater.
Exception: The rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit
and ground-fault protective device shall not be required to
be less than 15 amperes.
(B) Rating or Setting for Equipment. The equipment
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall be capable of carrying the starting current of the
equipment. Where the hermetic refrigerant motorcompressor is the only load on the circuit, the protection
shall comply with 440.22(A). Where the equipment incorporates more than one hermetic refrigerant motorcompressor or a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor and
other motors or other loads, the equipment short-circuit and
ground-fault protection shall comply with 430.53 and
440.22(B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) Motor-Compressor Largest Load. Where a hermetic
refrigerant motor-compressor is the largest load connected
to the circuit, the rating or setting of the branch-circuit
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device shall not
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(C) Protective Device Rating Not to Exceed the Manufacturer’s Values. Where maximum protective device ratings shown on a manufacturer’s overload relay table for use
with a motor controller are less than the rating or setting
selected in accordance with 440.22(A) and (B), the protective device rating shall not exceed the manufacturer’s values marked on the equipment.
IV. Branch-Circuit Conductors
440.31 General. The provisions of Part IV and Article 310
specify ampacities of conductors required to carry the motor current without overheating under the conditions specified, except as modified in 440.6(A), Exception No. 1.
The provisions of these articles shall not apply to integral conductors of motors, to motor controllers and the like,
or to conductors that form an integral part of approved
equipment.
[ROP 11–29b]
440.32 Single Motor-Compressor. Branch-circuit conductors supplying a single motor-compressor shall have an am-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
Informational Note: The individual motor circuit conductors of wye-start, delta-run connected motor-compressors
carry 58 percent of the rated load current. The multiplier of
72 percent is obtained by multiplying 58 percent by 1.25.
440.41 Rating.
(A) Motor-Compressor Controller. A motor-compressor
controller shall have both a continuous-duty full-load current rating and a locked-rotor current rating not less than
the nameplate rated-load current or branch-circuit selection
current, whichever is greater, and locked-rotor current, respectively, of the compressor. In case the motor controller
is rated in horsepower but is without one or both of the
foregoing current ratings, equivalent currents shall be determined from the ratings as follows. Table 430.248, Table
430.249, and Table 430.250 shall be used to determine the
equivalent full-load current rating. Table 430.251(A) and
Table 430.251(B) shall be used to determine the equivalent
locked-rotor current ratings.
(B) Controller Serving More Than One Load. A controller serving more than one motor-compressor or a motorcompressor and other loads shall have a continuous-duty
full-load current rating and a locked-rotor current rating not
less than the combined load as determined in accordance
with 440.12(B).
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440.33 Motor-Compressor(s) With or Without Additional Motor Loads. Conductors supplying one or more
motor-compressor(s) with or without an additional load(s)
shall have an ampacity not less than the sum of the ratedload or branch-circuit selection current ratings, whichever
is larger, of all the motor-compressors plus the full-load
currents of the other motors, plus 25 percent of the highest
motor or motor-compressor rating in the group.
V. Controllers for Motor-Compressors
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pacity not less than 125 percent of either the motorcompressor rated-load current or the branch-circuit
selection current, whichever is greater.
For a wye-start, delta-run connected motor-compressor,
the selection of branch-circuit conductors between the controller and the motor-compressor shall be permitted to be
based on 72 percent of either the motor-compressor ratedload current or the branch-circuit selection current, whichever is greater.
440.52
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Exception No. 1: Where the circuitry is interlocked so as
to prevent the starting and running of a second motorcompressor or group of motor-compressors, the conductor
size shall be determined from the largest motor-compressor
or group of motor-compressors that is to be operated at a
given time.
Exception No. 2: The branch-circuit conductors for room
air conditioners shall be in accordance with Part VII of
Article 440.
440.34 Combination Load. Conductors supplying a
motor-compressor load in addition to other load(s) as calculated from Article 220 and other applicable articles shall
have an ampacity sufficient for the other load(s) plus the
required ampacity for the motor-compressor load determined in accordance with 440.33 or, for a single motorcompressor, in accordance with 440.32.
Exception: Where the circuitry is interlocked so as to prevent simultaneous operation of the motor-compressor(s)
and all other loads connected, the conductor size shall be
determined from the largest size required for the motorcompressor(s) and other loads to be operated at a given
time.
440.35 Multimotor and Combination-Load Equipment.
The ampacity of the conductors supplying multimotor and
combination-load equipment shall not be less than the minimum circuit ampacity marked on the equipment in accordance with 440.4(B).
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
VI. Motor-Compressor and Branch-Circuit Overload
Protection
440.51 General. The provisions of Part VI specify devices
intended to protect the motor-compressor, the motor-control
apparatus, and the branch-circuit conductors against excessive heating due to motor overload and failure to start.
Informational Note: See 240.4(G) for application of Parts
III and VI of Article 440.
440.52 Application and Selection.
(A) Protection of Motor-Compressor. Each motorcompressor shall be protected against overload and failure
to start by one of the following means:
(1) A separate overload relay that is responsive to motorcompressor current. This device shall be selected to trip
at not more than 140 percent of the motor-compressor
rated-load current.
(2) A thermal protector integral with the motorcompressor, approved for use with the motorcompressor that it protects on the basis that it will prevent dangerous overheating of the motor-compressor
due to overload and failure to start. If the currentinterrupting device is separate from the motorcompressor and its control circuit is operated by a protective device integral with the motor-compressor, it
shall be arranged so that the opening of the control
circuit will result in interruption of current to the
motor-compressor.
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ARTICLE 440 — AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT
(3) A fuse or inverse time circuit breaker responsive to
motor current, which shall also be permitted to serve as
the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device. This device shall be rated at not more than
125 percent of the motor-compressor rated-load current. It shall have sufficient time delay to permit the
motor-compressor to start and accelerate its load. The
equipment or the motor-compressor shall be marked
with this maximum branch-circuit fuse or inverse time
circuit breaker rating.
(4) A protective system, furnished or specified and approved for use with the motor-compressor that it protects on the basis that it will prevent dangerous overheating of the motor-compressor due to overload and
failure to start. If the current-interrupting device is
separate from the motor-compressor and its control circuit is operated by a protective device that is not integral with the current-interrupting device, it shall be arranged so that the opening of the control circuit will
result in interruption of current to the
motor-compressor.
Exception: The fuse or inverse time circuit breaker size
marking shall be permitted on the nameplate of the equipment in which the overload relay or other overload device
is used.
440.54 Motor-Compressors and Equipment on 15- or
20-Ampere Branch Circuits — Not Cord-andAttachment-Plug-Connected. Overload protection for
motor-compressors and equipment used on 15- or 20ampere 120-volt, or 15-ampere 208- or 240-volt singlephase branch circuits as permitted in Article 210 shall be
permitted as indicated in 440.54(A) and 440.54(B).
(A) Overload Protection. The motor-compressor shall be
provided with overload protection selected as specified in
440.52(A). Both the controller and motor overload protective device shall be identified for installation with the shortcircuit and ground-fault protective device for the branch
circuit to which the equipment is connected.
(B) Time Delay. The short-circuit and ground-fault protective device protecting the branch circuit shall have sufficient time delay to permit the motor-compressor and other
motors to start and accelerate their loads.
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(B) Protection of Motor-Compressor Control Apparatus and Branch-Circuit Conductors. The motorcompressor controller(s), the disconnecting means, and the
branch-circuit conductors shall be protected against overcurrent due to motor overload and failure to start by one of
the following means, which shall be permitted to be the
same device or system protecting the motor-compressor in
accordance with 440.52(A):
size of fuse or inverse time circuit breaker by which they
shall be protected.
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440.53
Exception: Overload protection of motor-compressors and
equipment on 15- and 20-ampere, single-phase, branch circuits shall be permitted to be in accordance with 440.54
and 440.55.
(1) An overload relay selected in accordance with
440.52(A)(1)
(2) A thermal protector applied in accordance with
440.52(A)(2), that will not permit a continuous current
in excess of 156 percent of the marked rated-load current or branch-circuit selection current
(3) A fuse or inverse time circuit breaker selected in accordance with 440.52(A)(3)
(4) A protective system, in accordance with 440.52(A)(4),
that will not permit a continuous current in excess of
156 percent of the marked rated-load current or branchcircuit selection current
440.53 Overload Relays. Overload relays and other devices for motor overload protection that are not capable of
opening short circuits shall be protected by fuses or inverse
time circuit breakers with ratings or settings in accordance
with Part III unless identified for group installation or for
part-winding motors and marked to indicate the maximum
70–364
440.55 Cord-and-Attachment-Plug-Connected MotorCompressors and Equipment on 15- or 20-Ampere
Branch Circuits. Overload protection for motorcompressors and equipment that are cord-and-attachmentplug-connected and used on 15- or 20-ampere 120-volt, or
15-ampere 208- or 240-volt, single-phase branch circuits as
permitted in Article 210 shall be permitted as indicated in
440.55(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Overload Protection. The motor-compressor shall be
provided with overload protection as specified in
440.52(A). Both the controller and the motor overload protective device shall be identified for installation with the
short-circuit and ground-fault protective device for the
branch circuit to which the equipment is connected.
(B) Attachment Plug and Receptacle or Cord Connector Rating. The rating of the attachment plug and receptacle or cord connector shall not exceed 20 amperes at 125
volts or 15 amperes at 250 volts.
(C) Time Delay. The short-circuit and ground-fault protective device protecting the branch circuit shall have sufficient time delay to permit the motor-compressor and other
motors to start and accelerate their loads.
VII. Provisions for Room Air Conditioners
440.60 General. The provisions of Part VII shall apply to
electrically energized room air conditioners that control
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445.12
ARTICLE 445 — GENERATORS
temperature and humidity. For the purpose of Part VII, a
room air conditioner (with or without provisions for heating) shall be considered as an ac appliance of the air-cooled
window, console, or in-wall type that is installed in the
conditioned room and that incorporates a hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor(s). The provisions of Part VII cover
equipment rated not over 250 volts, single phase, and the
equipment shall be permitted to be cord-and-attachmentplug-connected. [ROP 11–79]
A room air conditioner that is rated 3-phase or rated
over 250 volts shall be directly connected to a wiring
method recognized in Chapter 3, and provisions of Part VII
shall not apply.
440.61 Grounding. The enclosures of room air conditioners shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.110, 250.112, and 250.114.
the room air conditioner are readily accessible and located
within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the floor, or (2) an approved manually
operable disconnecting means is installed in a readily accessible location within sight from the room air conditioner.
440.64 Supply Cords. Where a flexible cord is used to
supply a room air conditioner, the length of such cord shall
not exceed 3.0 m (10 ft) for a nominal, 120-volt rating or
1.8 m (6 ft) for a nominal, 208- or 240-volt rating.
440.65 Leakage-Current Detector-Interrupter (LCDI)
and Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). Single-phase
cord-and-plug-connected room air conditioners shall be
provided with factory-installed LCDI or AFCI protection.
The LCDI or AFCI protection shall be an integral part of
the attachment plug or be located in the power supply cord
within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug.
ARTICLE 445
Generators
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(A) Room Air Conditioner as a Single Motor Unit. A
room air conditioner shall be considered as a single motor
unit in determining its branch-circuit requirements where
all the following conditions are met:
(1) It is cord-and-attachment-plug-connected.
(2) Its rating is not more than 40 amperes and 250 volts,
single phase.
(3) Total rated-load current is shown on the room airconditioner nameplate rather than individual motor currents.
(4) The rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device does not exceed the ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors or the rating of
the receptacle, whichever is less.
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440.62 Branch-Circuit Requirements.
(B) Where No Other Loads Are Supplied. The total
marked rating of a cord-and-attachment-plug-connected
room air conditioner shall not exceed 80 percent of the
rating of a branch circuit where no other loads are supplied.
(C) Where Lighting Units or Other Appliances Are Also
Supplied. The total marked rating of a cord-andattachment-plug-connected room air conditioner shall not
exceed 50 percent of the rating of a branch circuit where
lighting outlets, other appliances, or general-use receptacles
are also supplied. Where the circuitry is interlocked to prevent simultaneous operation of the room air conditioner and
energization of other outlets on the same branch circuit, a
cord-and-attachment-plug-connected room air conditioner
shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit rating.
440.63 Disconnecting Means. An attachment plug and receptacle or cord connector shall be permitted to serve as the
disconnecting means for a single-phase room air conditioner rated 250 volts or less if (1) the manual controls on
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
445.1 Scope. This article contains installation and other
requirements for generators.
445.10 Location. Generators shall be of a type suitable for
the locations in which they are installed. They shall also
meet the requirements for motors in 430.14.
445.11 Marking. Each generator shall be provided with a
nameplate giving the manufacturer’s name, the rated frequency, number of phases if of alternating current, the rating in kilowatts or kilovolt amperes, the normal volts and
amperes corresponding to the rating, rated revolutions per
minute, and rated ambient temperature or rated temperature
rise, and time rating. Nameplates for all stationary generators and portable generators rated more than 15 kW, shall
also give the power factor, the subtransient and transient
impedances, insulation system class, and time rating. [ROP
13–11]
Marking shall be provided by the manufacturer to indicate whether or not the generator neutral is bonded to the
generator frame. Where the bonding of a generator is modified in the field, additional marking shall be required to
indicate whether or not the generator neutral is bonded to
the generator frame. [ROP 13–10]
445.12 Overcurrent and Overload Protection. [ROP
13–12]
(A) Constant-Voltage Generators. Constant-voltage generators, except ac generator exciters, shall be protected
from overload by inherent design, circuit breakers, fuses,
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ARTICLE 445 — GENERATORS
protective relays, or other identified overcurrent protective
means suitable for the conditions of use.
shall not be less than 100 percent of the nameplate current
rating of the generator.
(B) Two-Wire Generators. Two-wire, dc generators shall
be permitted to have overcurrent protection in one conductor only if the overcurrent device is actuated by the entire
current generated other than the current in the shunt field.
The overcurrent device shall not open the shunt field.
445.14 Protection of Live Parts. Live parts of generators
operated at more than 50 volts to ground shall not be exposed to accidental contact where accessible to unqualified
persons.
(D) Balancer Sets. Two-wire, dc generators used in conjunction with balancer sets to obtain neutral points for
3-wire systems shall be equipped with overcurrent devices
that disconnect the 3-wire system in case of excessive unbalancing of voltages or currents.
445.16 Bushings. Where field-installed wiring passes
through an opening in an enclosure, a conduit box, or a
barrier, a bushing shall be used to protect the conductors
from the edges of an opening having sharp edges. The
bushing shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces where it
may be in contact with the conductors. If used where oils,
grease, or other contaminants may be present, the bushing
shall be made of a material not deleteriously affected.
[ROP 13–13]
445.17 Generator Terminal Housings. Generator terminal housings shall comply with 430.12. Where a horsepower rating is required to determine the required minimum size of the generator terminal housing, the full-load
current of the generator shall be compared with comparable
motors in Table 430.247 through Table 430.250. The higher
horsepower rating of Table 430.247 and Table 430.250
shall be used whenever the generator selection is between
two ratings.
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(E) Three-Wire, Direct-Current Generators. Threewire, dc generators, whether compound or shunt wound,
shall be equipped with overcurrent devices, one in each
armature lead, and connected so as to be actuated by the
entire current from the armature. Such overcurrent devices
shall consist either of a double-pole, double-coil circuit
breaker or of a 4-pole circuit breaker connected in the main
and equalizer leads and tripped by two overcurrent devices,
one in each armature lead. Such protective devices shall be
interlocked so that no one pole can be opened without simultaneously disconnecting both leads of the armature
from the system.
445.15 Guards for Attendants. Where necessary for the
safety of attendants, the requirements of 430.233 shall apply.
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(C) 65 Volts or Less. Generators operating at 65 volts or
less and driven by individual motors shall be considered as
protected by the overcurrent device protecting the motor if
these devices will operate when the generators are delivering not more than 150 percent of their full-load rated current.
Exception to (A) through (E): Where deemed by the authority having jurisdiction that a generator is vital to the operation of an electrical system and the generator should
operate to failure to prevent a greater hazard to persons,
the overload sensing device(s) shall be permitted to be connected to an annunciator or alarm supervised by authorized personnel instead of interrupting the generator
circuit.
445.13 Ampacity of Conductors. The ampacity of the
conductors from the generator terminals to the first distribution device(s) containing overcurrent protection shall not
be less than 115 percent of the nameplate current rating of
the generator. It shall be permitted to size the neutral conductors in accordance with 220.61. Conductors that must
carry ground-fault currents shall not be smaller than required by 250.30(A). Neutral conductors of dc generators
that must carry ground-fault currents shall not be smaller
than the minimum required size of the largest conductor.
Exception: Where the design and operation of the generator prevent overloading, the ampacity of the conductors
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Exception: This section shall not apply to generators
rated over 600 volts. [ROP 11–14]
445.18 Disconnecting Means Required for Generators.
Generators shall be equipped with a disconnect(s), lockable
in the open position in accordance with 110.25, by means
of which the generator and all protective devices and control apparatus are able to be disconnected entirely from the
circuits supplied by the generator except where both of the
following conditions apply: [ROP 13–15, ROP 13–16]
(1) The driving means for the generator can be readily shut
down.
(2) The generator is not arranged to operate in parallel with
another generator or other source of voltage.
[ROP 13–16a]
445.20 Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection for
Receptacles on 15 kW or Smaller, Portable Generators.
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets, that are a part of a 15 kW or smaller, portable
generator, shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel integral to the generator or receptacle.
[ROP 13–19]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
450.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of all
transformers.
Exception No. 1: Current transformers.
Exception No. 2: Dry-type transformers that constitute a
component part of other apparatus and comply with the
requirements for such apparatus.
Exception No. 3: Transformers that are an integral part of
an X-ray, high-frequency, or electrostatic-coating
apparatus.
Exception No. 4: Transformers used with Class 2 and
Class 3 circuits that comply with Article 725.
Exception No. 5: Transformers for sign and outline lighting that comply with Article 600.
(B) Transformers 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Overcurrent protection shall be provided in accordance with
Table 450.3(B). [ROP 9–135]
Exception: Where the transformer is installed as a motor
control circuit transformer in accordance with
430.72(C)(1) through (C)(6).
(C) Voltage (Potential) Transformers. Voltage (potential)
transformers installed indoors or enclosed shall be protected with primary fuses. [ROP 9–141]
Informational Note: For protection of instrument circuits
including voltage transformers, see 408.52.
450.4 Autotransformers 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less[ROP 9–135].
(A) Overcurrent Protection. Each autotransformer 1000
volts, nominal, or less shall be protected by an individual
overcurrent device installed in series with each ungrounded
input conductor. Such overcurrent device shall be rated or
set at not more than 125 percent of the rated full-load input
current of the autotransformer. Where this calculation does
not correspond to a standard rating of a fuse or nonadjustable circuit breaker and the rated input current is 9 amperes
or more, the next higher standard rating described in 240.6
shall be permitted. An overcurrent device shall not be installed in series with the shunt winding (the winding common to both the input and the output circuits) of the autotransformer between Points A and B as shown in Figure
450.4. [ROP 9–135]
AF
Exception No. 6: Transformers for electric-discharge
lighting that comply with Article 410.
(A) Transformers Over 1000 Volts, Nominal. Overcurrent protection shall be provided in accordance with Table
450.3(A). [ROP 9–135]
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ARTICLE 450
Transformers and Transformer Vaults
(Including Secondary Ties)
450.4
Exception No. 7: Transformers used for power-limited fire
alarm circuits that comply with Part III of Article 760.
Exception No. 8: Transformers used for research, development, or testing, where effective arrangements are provided to safeguard persons from contacting energized parts.
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This article covers the installation of transformers dedicated to supplying power to a fire pump installation as
modified by Article 695 .
This article also covers the installation of transformers
in hazardous (classified) locations as modified by Articles
501 through 504.
I. General Provisions
450.2 Definition. For the purpose of this article, the following definition shall apply.
Transformer. An individual transformer, single- or
polyphase, identified by a single nameplate, unless otherwise indicated in this article.
450.3 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection of
transformers shall comply with 450.3(A), (B), or (C). As
used in this section, the word transformer shall mean a
transformer or polyphase bank of two or more single-phase
transformers operating as a unit.
Informational Note No. 1: See 240.4, 240.21, 240.100,
and 240.101 for overcurrent protection of conductors.
Informational Note No. 2: Nonlinear loads can increase
heat in a transformer without operating its overcurrent protective device.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
A
Shunt winding(s)
B
Figure 450.4 Autotransformer.
Exception: Where the rated input current of the autotransformer is less than 9 amperes, an overcurrent device rated
or set at not more than 167 percent of the input current
shall be permitted.
(B) Transformer Field-Connected as an Autotransformer. A transformer field-connected as an autotransformer shall be identified for use at elevated voltage.
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450.5
ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
Table 450.3(A) Maximum Rating or Setting of Overcurrent Protection for Transformers
Over 1000 Volts (as a Percentage of Transformer-Rated Current) [ROP 9–135]
Secondary Protection (See Note 2.)
Primary Protection over 1000
Volts
Any location
Fuse Rating
Circuit Breaker
(See Note 4.)
Fuse Rating
Circuit Breaker
or Fuse Rating
Not more than
6%
600%
(See Note 1.)
300%
(See Note 1.)
300%
(See Note 1.)
250%
(See Note 1.)
125%
(See Note 1.)
More than 6%
and not more
than 10%
400%
(See Note 1.)
300%
(See Note 1.)
250%
(See Note 1.)
225%
(See Note 1.)
125%
(See Note 1.)
Any
300%
(See Note 1.)
250%
(See Note 1.)
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not more than
6%
600%
300%
300%
(See Note 5.)
250%
(See Note 5.)
250%
(See Note 5.)
More than 6%
and not more
than 10%
400%
300%
250%
(See Note 5.)
225%
(See Note 5.)
250%
(See Note 5.)
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Supervised
locations
only (See
Note 3.)
1000 Volts or Less
Circuit Breaker
(See Note 4.)
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Location
Limitations
Over 1000 Volts
Transformer
Rated
Impedance
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Notes:
1. Where the required fuse rating or circuit breaker setting does not correspond to a standard rating or setting, a higher rating or setting that does
not exceed the following shall be permitted: [ROP 9–138]
a. The next higher standard rating or setting for fuses and circuit breakers 1000 volts and below or [ROP 9–138, ROP 9–135]
b. The next higher commercially available rating or setting for fuses and circuit breakers above 1000 volts. [ROP 9–138, ROP 9–135]
2. Where secondary overcurrent protection is required, the secondary overcurrent device shall be permitted to consist of not more than six circuit
breakers or six sets of fuses grouped in one location. Where multiple overcurrent devices are utilized, the total of all the device ratings shall not
exceed the allowed value of a single overcurrent device. If both circuit breakers and fuses are used as the overcurrent device, the total of the device
ratings shall not exceed that allowed for fuses.
3. A supervised location is a location where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons monitor and service the
transformer installation.
4. Electronically actuated fuses that may be set to open at a specific current shall be set in accordance with settings for circuit breakers.
5. A transformer equipped with a coordinated thermal overload protection by the manufacturer shall be permitted to have separate secondary
protection omitted.
Informational Note: For information on permitted uses of
autotransformers, see 210.9 and 215.11.
from a 3-phase, 3-wire ungrounded system shall conform to
450.5(A)(1) through (A)(4).
450.5 Grounding Autotransformers. Grounding autotransformers covered in this section are zigzag or
T-connected transformers connected to 3-phase, 3-wire ungrounded systems for the purpose of creating a 3-phase,
4-wire distribution system or providing a neutral point for
grounding purposes. Such transformers shall have a continuous per-phase current rating and a continuous neutral
current rating. Zig-zag connected transformers shall not be
installed on the load side of any system grounding connection, including those made in accordance with 250.24(B),
250.30(A)(1), or 250.32(B) Exception.
(1) Connections. The transformer shall be directly connected to the ungrounded phase conductors and shall not be
switched or provided with overcurrent protection that is
independent of the main switch and common-trip overcurrent protection for the 3-phase, 4-wire system.
Informational Note: The phase current in a grounding autotransformer is one-third the neutral current.
(A) Three-Phase, 4-Wire System. A grounding autotransformer used to create a 3-phase, 4-wire distribution system
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(2) Overcurrent Protection. An overcurrent sensing device shall be provided that will cause the main switch or
common-trip overcurrent protection referred to in
450.5(A)(1) to open if the load on the autotransformer
reaches or exceeds 125 percent of its continuous current
per-phase or neutral rating. Delayed tripping for temporary
overcurrents sensed at the autotransformer overcurrent device shall be permitted for the purpose of allowing proper
operation of branch or feeder protective devices on the
4-wire system.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
450.6
ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
Table 450.3(B) Maximum Rating or Setting of Overcurrent Protection for Transformers
1000 Volts and Less (as a Percentage of Transformer-Rated Current) [ROP 9–135]
Primary Protection
Protection
Method
Secondary Protection (See Note 2.)
Currents of 9 Amperes
or More
Currents Less
Than 9 Amperes
Currents Less
Than 2 Amperes
Currents of 9
Amperes or More
Currents Less
Than 9 Amperes
Primary only
protection
125% (See Note 1.)
167%
300%
Not required
Not required
Primary and
secondary
protection
250% (See Note 3.)
125% (See Note 1.)
167%
250% (See Note 3.) 250% (See Note 3.)
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Notes:
1. Where 125 percent of this current does not correspond to a standard rating of a fuse or nonadjustable circuit breaker, a higher rating that does
not exceed the next higher standard rating shall be permitted.
2. Where secondary overcurrent protection is required, the secondary overcurrent device shall be permitted to consist of not more than six circuit
breakers or six sets of fuses grouped in one location. Where multiple overcurrent devices are utilized, the total of all the device ratings shall not
exceed the allowed value of a single overcurrent device.
3. A transformer equipped with coordinated thermal overload protection by the manufacturer and arranged to interrupt the primary current shall be
permitted to have primary overcurrent protection rated or set at a current value that is not more than six times the rated current of the transformer
for transformers having not more than 6 percent impedance and not more than four times the rated current of the transformer for transformers
having more than 6 percent but not more than 10 percent impedance.
(3) Transformer Fault Sensing. A fault-sensing system
that causes the opening of a main switch or common-trip
overcurrent device for the 3-phase, 4-wire system shall be
provided to guard against single-phasing or internal faults.
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Informational Note: This can be accomplished by the use
of two subtractive-connected donut-type current transformers installed to sense and signal when an unbalance occurs
in the line current to the autotransformer of 50 percent or
more of rated current.
(4) Rating. The autotransformer shall have a continuous
neutral-current rating that is not less than the maximum
possible neutral unbalanced load current of the 4-wire system. [ROP 9–2]
(B) Ground Reference for Fault Protection Devices. A
grounding autotransformer used to make available a specified magnitude of ground-fault current for operation of a
ground-responsive protective device on a 3-phase, 3-wire
ungrounded system shall conform to 450.5(B)(1) and
(B)(2).
(1) Rating. The autotransformer shall have a continuous
neutral-current rating not less than the specified groundfault current. [ROP 9–2]
(2) Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection shall
comply with (a) and (b).
(a) Operation and Interrupting Rating. An overcurrent
protective device having an interrupting rating in compliance with 110.9 and that will open simultaneously all ungrounded conductors when it operates shall be applied in
the grounding autotransformer branch circuit.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(b) Ampere Rating. The overcurrent protection shall be
rated or set at a current not exceeding 125 percent of the
autotransformer continuous per-phase current rating or
42 percent of the continuous-current rating of any seriesconnected devices in the autotransformer neutral connection. Delayed tripping for temporary overcurrents to permit
the proper operation of ground-responsive tripping devices
on the main system shall be permitted but shall not exceed
values that would be more than the short-time current rating of the grounding autotransformer or any series connected devices in the neutral connection thereto.
Exception: For high-impedance grounded systems covered
in 250.36, where the maximum ground-fault current is designed to be not more than 10 amperes, and where the
grounding autotransformer and the grounding impedance
are rated for continuous duty, an overcurrent device rated
not more than 20 amperes that will simultaneously open all
ungrounded conductors shall be permitted to be installed
on the line side of the grounding autotransformer.
(C) Ground Reference for Damping Transitory Overvoltages. A grounding autotransformer used to limit transitory overvoltages shall be of suitable rating and connected
in accordance with 450.5(A)(1).
450.6 Secondary Ties. As used in this article, a secondary
tie is a circuit operating at 1000 volts, nominal, or less
between phases that connects two power sources or power
supply points, such as the secondaries of two transformers.
The tie shall be permitted to consist of one or more conductors per phase or neutral. Conductors connecting the
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ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
secondaries of transformers in accordance with 450.7 shall
not be considered secondary ties. [ROP 9–135]
As used in this section, the word transformer means a
transformer or a bank of transformers operating as a unit.
(A) Tie Circuits. Tie circuits shall be provided with overcurrent protection at each end as required in Parts I, II, and
VIII of Article 240.
Under the conditions described in 450.6(A)(1) and
450.6(A)(2), the overcurrent protection shall be permitted
to be in accordance with 450.6(A)(3).
(1) Loads at Transformer Supply Points Only. Where all
loads are connected at the transformer supply points at each
end of the tie and overcurrent protection is not provided in
accordance with Parts I, II, and VIII of Article 240, the
rated ampacity of the tie shall not be less than 67 percent of
the rated secondary current of the highest rated transformer
supplying the secondary tie system.
(5) Tie Circuit Control. Where the operating voltage exceeds 150 volts to ground, secondary ties provided with
limiters shall have a switch at each end that, when open,
de-energizes the associated tie conductors and limiters. The
current rating of the switch shall not be less than the rated
current ampacity of the conductors connected to the switch.
It shall be capable of interrupting its rated current, and it
shall be constructed so that it will not open under the magnetic forces resulting from short-circuit current.
AF
(2) Loads Connected Between Transformer Supply
Points. Where load is connected to the tie at any point
between transformer supply points and overcurrent protection is not provided in accordance with Parts I, II, and VIII
of Article 240, the rated ampacity of the tie shall not be less
than 100 percent of the rated secondary current of the highest rated transformer supplying the secondary tie system.
(b) Not Interconnected. The loads shall be connected to
one or more individual conductors of a paralleled conductor
tie without interconnecting the conductors of each phase or
neutral and without the protection specified in 450.6(A)(3)
at load connection points. Where this is done, the tie conductors of each phase or neutral shall have a combined
capacity ampacity of not less than 133 percent of the rated
secondary current of the highest rated transformer supplying the secondary tie system, the total load of such taps
shall not exceed the rated secondary current of the highest
rated transformer, and the loads shall be equally divided on
each phase and on the individual conductors of each phase
as far as practicable.
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450.7
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Exception: Tie circuits comprised of multiple conductors
per phase shall be permitted to be sized and protected in
accordance with 450.6(A)(4).
(3) Tie Circuit Protection. Under the conditions described
in 450.6(A)(1) and (A)(2), both supply ends of each ungrounded tie conductor shall be equipped with a protective
device that opens at a predetermined temperature of the tie
conductor under short-circuit conditions. This protection
shall consist of one of the following: (1) a fusible link cable
connector, terminal, or lug, commonly known as a limiter,
each being of a size corresponding with that of the conductor and of construction and characteristics according to the
operating voltage and the type of insulation on the tie conductors or (2) automatic circuit breakers actuated by devices having comparable time–current characteristics.
(4) Interconnection of Phase Conductors Between
Transformer Supply Points. Where the tie consists of
more than one conductor per phase or neutral, the conductors of each phase or neutral shall comply with one of the
following provisions.
(a) Interconnected. The conductors shall be interconnected in order to establish a load supply point, and the
protective device specified in 450.6(A)(3) shall be provided
in each ungrounded tie conductor at this point on both sides
of the interconnection. The means of interconnection shall
have an ampacity not less than the load to be served.
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(B) Overcurrent Protection for Secondary Connections.
Where secondary ties are used, an overcurrent device rated
or set at not more than 250 percent of the rated secondary
current of the transformers shall be provided in the secondary connections of each transformer supplying the tie system. In addition, an automatic circuit breaker actuated by a
reverse-current relay set to open the circuit at not more than
the rated secondary current of the transformer shall be provided in the secondary connection of each transformer.
(C) Grounding. Where the secondary tie system is
grounded, each transformer secondary supplying the tie
system shall be grounded in accordance with the requirements of 250.30 for separately derived systems.
450.7 Parallel Operation. Transformers shall be permitted
to be operated in parallel and switched as a unit, provided
the overcurrent protection for each transformer meets the
requirements of 450.3(A) for primary and secondary protective devices over 1000 volts, or 450.3(B) for primary
and secondary protective devices 1000 volts or less. [ROP
9–135]
450.8 Guarding. Transformers shall be guarded as specified in 450.8(A) through (D).
(A) Mechanical Protection. Appropriate provisions shall
be made to minimize the possibility of damage to transformers from external causes where the transformers are
exposed to physical damage.
(B) Case or Enclosure. Dry-type transformers shall be
provided with a noncombustible moisture-resistant case or
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
(C) Exposed Energized Parts. Switches or other equipment operating at 1000 volts, nominal, or less and serving
only equipment within a transformer enclosure shall be permitted to be installed in the transformer enclosure if accessible to qualified persons only. All energized parts shall be
guarded in accordance with 110.28 and 110.34. [ROP
9–135]
(D) Voltage Warning. The operating voltage of exposed
live parts of transformer installations shall be indicated by
signs or visible markings on the equipment or structures.
450.9 Ventilation. The ventilation shall dispose of the
transformer full-load heat losses without creating a temperature rise that is in excess of the transformer rating.
[ROP 9–2]
450.11 Marking.
(A) General. Each transformer shall be provided with a
nameplate giving the following information:
(1) The name of the manufacturer
(2) Rated kilovolt-amperes
(3) Frequency
(4) Primary and secondary voltage
(5) The impedance of transformers 25 kVA and larger
(6) Required clearances for transformers with ventilating
openings
(7) The amount and kind of insulating liquid where used
(8) For dry-type transformers, the temperature class for the
insulation system
[ROP 9–145]
(B) Source Marking. A transformer shall be permitted to
be supplied at the marked secondary voltage provided the
installation is in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. [ROP 9–145]
AF
Informational Note No. 1: See ANSI/IEEE C57.12.001993, General Requirements for Liquid-Immersed Distribution, Power, and Regulating Transformers, and ANSI/IEEE
C57.12.01-1989, General Requirements for Dry-Type Distribution and Power Transformers.
for electrical equipment and other exposed metal parts in
Parts V, VI, and VII of Article 250. [ROP 9–144]
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enclosure that provides protection against the accidental
insertion of foreign objects.
450.14
Informational Note No. 2: Additional losses may occur in
some transformers where nonsinusoidal currents are
present, resulting in increased heat in the transformer above
its rating. See ANSI/IEEE C57.110-1993, Recommended
Practice for Establishing Transformer Capability When
Supplying Nonsinusoidal Load Currents, where transformers are utilized with nonlinear loads.
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Transformers with ventilating openings shall be installed so that the ventilating openings are not blocked by
walls or other obstructions. The required clearances shall be
clearly marked on the transformer.
450.10 Grounding.
(A) Dry-Type Transformer Enclosures. Where separate
equipment grounding conductors and supply-side bonding
jumpers are installed, a terminal bar for all grounding and
bonding conductor connections shall be secured inside the
transformer enclosure. The terminal bar shall be bonded to
the enclosure in accordance with 250.12 and shall not be
installed on or over any vented portion of the enclosure.
[ROP 9–144]
Exception: Where a dry-type transformer is equipped with
wire-type connections (leads), the grounding and bonding
connections shall be permitted to be connected together
using any of the methods in 250.8 and shall be bonded to
the enclosure, if of metal. [ROP 9–144]
(B) Other Metal Parts. Where grounded, exposed non–
current-carrying metal parts of transformer installations, including fences, guards, and so forth, shall be grounded and
bonded under the conditions and in the manner specified
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
450.12 Terminal Wiring Space. The minimum wirebending space at fixed, 1000-volt and below terminals of
transformer line and load connections shall be as required
in 312.6. Wiring space for pigtail connections shall conform to Table 314.16(B). [ROP 9–135]
450.13 Accessibility. All transformers and transformer
vaults shall be readily accessible to qualified personnel for
inspection and maintenance or shall meet the requirements
of 450.13(A) or 450.13(B).
(A) Open Installations. Dry-type transformers 1000 volts,
nominal, or less, located in the open on walls, columns, or
structures, shall not be required to be readily accessible.
[ROP 9–135]
(B) Hollow Space Installations. Dry-type transformers
1000 volts, nominal, or less and not exceeding 50 kVA shall
be permitted in hollow spaces of buildings not permanently
closed in by structure, provided they meet the ventilation
requirements of 450.9 and separation from combustible materials requirements of 450.21(A). Transformers so installed
shall not be required to be readily accessible. [ROP 9–135]
450.14 Disconnecting Means. Transformers, other than
Class 2 or Class 3 transformers, shall have a disconnecting
means located either in sight of the transformer or in a
remote location. Where located in a remote location, the
disconnecting means shall be lockable in accordance with
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ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
110.25, and its location shall be field marked on the transformer. [ROP 9–146]
II. Specific Provisions Applicable to Different Types of
Transformers
450.21 Dry-Type Transformers Installed Indoors.
(A) Not over 1121⁄2 kVA. Dry-type transformers installed
indoors and rated 1121⁄2 kVA or less shall have a separation
of at least 300 mm (12 in.) from combustible material unless separated from the combustible material by a fireresistant, heat-insulated barrier.
Exception: This rule shall not apply to transformers rated
for 1000 volts, nominal, or less that are completely enclosed, with or without ventilating openings. [ROP 9–135]
(B) Outdoor Installations. Less-flammable liquid-filled
transformers shall be permitted to be installed outdoors,
attached to, adjacent to, or on the roof of buildings, where
installed in accordance with (1) or (2):
(1) For Type I and Type II buildings, the installation shall
comply with all restrictions provided for in the listing
of the liquid.
Informational Note: Installations adjacent to combustible
material, fire escapes, or door and window openings may
require additional safeguards such as those listed in 450.27.
AF
(B) Over 1121⁄2 kVA. Individual dry-type transformers of
more than 1121⁄2 kVA rating shall be installed in a transformer room of fire-resistant construction. Unless specified
otherwise in this article, the term fire resistant means a
construction having a minimum fire rating of 1 hour.
(1) In Type I or Type II buildings, in areas where all of the
following requirements are met:
a. The transformer is rated 35,000 volts or less.
b. No combustible materials are stored.
c. A liquid confinement area is provided.
d. The installation complies with all restrictions provided for in the listing of the liquid.
(2) With an automatic fire extinguishing system and a liquid confinement area, provided the transformer is rated
35,000 volts or less
(3) In accordance with 450.26
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450.21
Exception No. 1: Transformers with Class 155 or higher
insulation systems and separated from combustible material by a fire-resistant, heat-insulating barrier or by not less
than 1.83 m (6 ft) horizontally and 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically.
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Exception No. 2: Transformers with Class 155 or higher
insulation systems and completely enclosed except for ventilating openings.
Informational Note: See ANSI/ASTM E119-2011a,
Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. [ROP 9–150]
(C) Over 35,000 Volts. Dry-type transformers rated over
35,000 volts shall be installed in a vault complying with
Part III of this article.
450.22 Dry-Type Transformers Installed Outdoors.
Dry-type transformers installed outdoors shall have a
weatherproof enclosure.
Transformers exceeding 1121⁄2 kVA shall not be located
within 300 mm (12 in.) of combustible materials of buildings unless the transformer has Class 155 insulation systems or higher and is completely enclosed except for ventilating openings.
450.23 Less-Flammable Liquid-Insulated Transformers. Transformers insulated with listed less-flammable liquids that have a fire point of not less than 300°C shall be
permitted to be installed in accordance with 450.23(A) or
450.23(B).
(A) Indoor Installations. Indoor installations shall be permitted in accordance with one of the following:
70–372
(2) In accordance with 450.27.
Informational Note No. 1: As used in this section, Type I
and Type II buildings refers to Type I and Type II building
construction as defined in NFPA 220-2009, Standard on
Types of Building Construction. Combustible materials refers to those materials not classified as noncombustible or
limited-combustible as defined in NFPA 220-2009.
Informational Note No. 2: See definition of Listed in Article 100.
450.24 Nonflammable Fluid-Insulated Transformers.
Transformers insulated with a dielectric fluid identified as
nonflammable shall be permitted to be installed indoors or
outdoors. Such transformers installed indoors and rated
over 35,000 volts shall be installed in a vault. Such transformers installed indoors shall be furnished with a liquid
confinement area and a pressure-relief vent. The transformers shall be furnished with a means for absorbing any gases
generated by arcing inside the tank, or the pressure-relief
vent shall be connected to a chimney or flue that will carry
such gases to an environmentally safe area.
Informational Note: Safety may be increased if fire hazard
analyses are performed for such transformer installations.
For the purposes of this section, a nonflammable dielectric fluid is one that does not have a flash point or fire point
and is not flammable in air.
450.25 Askarel-Insulated Transformers Installed Indoors. Askarel-insulated transformers installed indoors and
rated over 25 kVA shall be furnished with a pressure-relief
vent. Where installed in a poorly ventilated place, they
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 450 — TRANSFORMERS AND TRANSFORMER VAULTS (INCLUDING SECONDARY TIES)
450.26 Oil-Insulated Transformers Installed Indoors.
Oil-insulated transformers installed indoors shall be installed in a vault constructed as specified in Part III of this
article.
Exception No. 1: Where the total capacity does not exceed
1121⁄2 kVA, the vault specified in Part III of this article shall
be permitted to be constructed of reinforced concrete that is
not less than 100 mm (4 in.) thick.
Oil enclosures shall be permitted to consist of fireresistant dikes, curbed areas or basins, or trenches filled
with coarse, crushed stone. Oil enclosures shall be provided
with trapped drains where the exposure and the quantity of
oil involved are such that removal of oil is important.
Informational Note: For additional information on transformers installed on poles or structures or under ground,
see ANSI C2-2007, National Electrical Safety Code.
AF
Exception No. 2: Where the nominal voltage does not
exceed 1000, a vault shall not be required if suitable arrangements are made to prevent a transformer oil fire from
igniting other materials and the total capacity in one location does not exceed 10 kVA in a section of the building
classified as combustible or 75 kVA where the surrounding
structure is classified as fire-resistant construction. [ROP
9–135]
450.27 Oil-Insulated Transformers Installed Outdoors.
Combustible material, combustible buildings, and parts of
buildings, fire escapes, and door and window openings
shall be safeguarded from fires originating in oil-insulated
transformers installed on roofs, attached to or adjacent to a
building or combustible material.
In cases where the transformer installation presents a
fire hazard, one or more of the following safeguards shall
be applied according to the degree of hazard involved:
(1) Space separations
(2) Fire-resistant barriers
(3) Automatic fire suppression systems
(4) Enclosures that confine the oil of a ruptured transformer tank
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shall be furnished with a means for absorbing any gases
generated by arcing inside the case, or the pressure-relief
vent shall be connected to a chimney or flue that carries
such gases outside the building. Askarel-insulated transformers rated over 35,000 volts shall be installed in a vault.
450.42
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Exception No. 3: Electric furnace transformers that have
a total rating not exceeding 75 kVA shall be permitted to be
installed without a vault in a building or room of fireresistant construction, provided suitable arrangements are
made to prevent a transformer oil fire from spreading to
other combustible material.
Exception No. 4: A transformer that has a total rating not
exceeding 75 kVA and a supply voltage of 1000 volts or less
that is an integral part of charged-particle-accelerating
equipment shall be permitted to be installed without a vault
in a building or room of noncombustible or fire-resistant
construction, provided suitable arrangements are made to
prevent a transformer oil fire from spreading to other combustible material. [ROP 9–135]
Exception No. 5: Transformers shall be permitted to be
installed in a detached building that does not comply with
Part III of this article if neither the building nor its contents
present a fire hazard to any other building or property, and
if the building is used only in supplying electric service and
the interior is accessible only to qualified persons.
Exception No. 6: Oil-insulated transformers shall be permitted to be used without a vault in portable and mobile
surface mining equipment (such as electric excavators) if
each of the following conditions is met:
(a) Provision is made for draining leaking fluid to the
ground.
(b) Safe egress is provided for personnel.
(c) A minimum 6-mm (1⁄4-in.) steel barrier is provided
for personnel protection.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
450.28 Modification of Transformers. When modifications are made to a transformer in an existing installation
that change the type of the transformer with respect to Part
II of this article, such transformer shall be marked to show
the type of insulating liquid installed, and the modified
transformer installation shall comply with the applicable
requirements for that type of transformer.
III. Transformer Vaults
450.41 Location. Vaults shall be located where they can be
ventilated to the outside air without using flues or ducts
wherever such an arrangement is practicable.
450.42 Walls, Roofs, and Floors. The walls and roofs of
vaults shall be constructed of materials that have approved
structural strength for the conditions with a minimum fire
resistance of 3 hours. The floors of vaults in contact with
the earth shall be of concrete that is not less than 100 mm
(4 in.) thick, but, where the vault is constructed with a
vacant space or other stories below it, the floor shall have
approved structural strength for the load imposed thereon
and a minimum fire resistance of 3 hours. For the purposes
of this section, studs and wallboard construction shall not
be permitted. [ROP 9–2, ROP 9–151]
Exception: Where transformers are protected with automatic sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or halon, construction of 1-hour rating shall be permitted.
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
ANSI/ASTM E119-2011a, Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. [ROP 9–152]
70–373
ARTICLE 455 — PHASE CONVERTERS
Informational Note No. 2: A typical 3-hour construction is
150 mm (6 in.) thick reinforced concrete.
450.43 Doorways. Vault doorways shall be protected in
accordance with 450.43(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Type of Door. Each doorway leading into a vault from
the building interior shall be provided with a tight-fitting
door that has a minimum fire rating of 3 hours. The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require such a
door for an exterior wall opening where conditions warrant.
Exception: Where transformers are protected with automatic sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or halon, construction of 1-hour rating shall be permitted.
Informational Note: For additional information, see
NFPA 80-2010, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.
Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 555-2011, Standard for
Fire Dampers. [ROP 9–152]
(F) Ducts. Ventilating ducts shall be constructed of fireresistant material.
450.46 Drainage. Where practicable, vaults containing
more than 100 kVA transformer capacity shall be provided
with a drain or other means that will carry off any accumulation of oil or water in the vault unless local conditions
make this impracticable. The floor shall be pitched to the
drain where provided.
450.47 Water Pipes and Accessories. Any pipe or duct
system foreign to the electrical installation shall not enter
or pass through a transformer vault. Piping or other facilities provided for vault fire protection, or for transformer
cooling, shall not be considered foreign to the electrical
installation.
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(B) Sills. A door sill or curb that is of an approved height
that will confine the oil from the largest transformer within
the vault shall be provided, and in no case shall the height
be less than 100 mm (4 in.). [ROP 9–2]
(E) Dampers. All ventilation openings to the indoors shall
be provided with automatic closing fire dampers that operate in response to a vault fire. Such dampers shall possess a
standard fire rating of not less than 11⁄2 hours.
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450.43
(C) Locks. Doors shall be equipped with locks, and doors
shall be kept locked, access being allowed only to qualified
persons. Personnel doors shall swing out and be equipped
with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are
normally latched but open under simple pressure.
450.48 Storage in Vaults. Materials shall not be stored in
transformer vaults.
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450.45 Ventilation Openings. Where required by 450.9,
openings for ventilation shall be provided in accordance
with 450.45(A) through (F).
(A) Location. Ventilation openings shall be located as far
as possible from doors, windows, fire escapes, and combustible material.
(B) Arrangement. A vault ventilated by natural circulation of air shall be permitted to have roughly half of the
total area of openings required for ventilation in one or
more openings near the floor and the remainder in one or
more openings in the roof or in the sidewalls near the roof,
or all of the area required for ventilation shall be permitted
in one or more openings in or near the roof.
(C) Size. For a vault ventilated by natural circulation of air
to an outdoor area, the combined net area of all ventilating
openings, after deducting the area occupied by screens,
gratings, or louvers, shall not be less than 1900 mm2
(3 in.2) per kVA of transformer capacity in service, and in
no case shall the net area be less than 0.1 m2 (1 ft2) for any
capacity under 50 kVA.
(D) Covering. Ventilation openings shall be covered with
durable gratings, screens, or louvers, according to the treatment required in order to avoid unsafe conditions.
70–374
ARTICLE 455
Phase Converters
I. General
455.1 Scope. This article covers the installation and use of
phase converters.
455.2 Definitions.
Manufactured Phase. The manufactured or derived phase
originates at the phase converter and is not solidly connected to either of the single-phase input conductors.
Phase Converter. An electrical device that converts singlephase power to 3-phase electric power.
Informational Note: Phase converters have characteristics
that modify the starting torque and locked-rotor current of
motors served, and consideration is required in selecting a
phase converter for a specific load.
Rotary-Phase Converter. A device that consists of a rotary
transformer and capacitor panel(s) that permits the operation of 3-phase loads from a single-phase supply.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 455 — PHASE CONVERTERS
455.3 Other Articles. Phase converters shall comply with
this article and with the applicable provisions of other articles of this Code.
455.4 Marking. Each phase converter shall be provided
with a permanent nameplate indicating the following:
(1) Manufacturer’s name
(2) Rated input and output voltages
(3) Frequency
(4) Rated single-phase input full-load amperes
(5) Rated minimum and maximum single load in kilovoltamperes (kVA) or horsepower
(6) Maximum total load in kilovolt-amperes (kVA) or
horsepower
(7) For a rotary-phase converter, 3-phase amperes at full
load
455.6 Conductors.
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(A) Ampacity. The ampacity of the single-phase supply
conductors shall be determined by 455.6(A)(1) or (A)(2).
Informational Note: Single-phase conductors sized to prevent a voltage drop not exceeding 3 percent from the source
of supply to the phase converter may help ensure proper
starting and operation of motor loads.
(1) Variable Loads. Where the loads to be supplied are
variable, the conductor ampacity shall not be less than
125 percent of the phase converter nameplate single-phase
input full-load amperes.
(2) Fixed Loads. Where the phase converter supplies specific fixed loads, and the conductor ampacity is less than
125 percent of the phase converter nameplate single-phase
input full-load amperes, the conductors shall have an ampacity not less than 250 percent of the sum of the full-load,
3-phase current rating of the motors and other loads served
where the input and output voltages of the phase converter
are identical. Where the input and output voltages of the
phase converter are different, the current as determined by
this section shall be multiplied by the ratio of output to
input voltage.
(B) Manufactured Phase Marking. The manufactured
phase conductors shall be identified in all accessible locations with a distinctive marking. The marking shall be consistent throughout the system and premises.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Variable Loads. Where the loads to be supplied are
variable, overcurrent protection shall be set at not more
than 125 percent of the phase converter nameplate singlephase input full-load amperes.
(B) Fixed Loads. Where the phase converter supplies specific fixed loads and the conductors are sized in accordance
with 455.6(A)(2), the conductors shall be protected in accordance with their ampacity. The overcurrent protection
determined from this section shall not exceed 125 percent
of the phase converter nameplate single-phase input amperes.
455.8 Disconnecting Means. Means shall be provided to
disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded single-phase
supply conductors to the phase converter.
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455.5 Equipment Grounding Connection. A means for
attachment of an equipment grounding conductor termination in accordance with 250.8 shall be provided.
455.7 Overcurrent Protection. The single-phase supply
conductors and phase converter shall be protected from
overcurrent by 455.7(A) or (B). Where the required fuse or
nonadjustable circuit breaker rating or settings of adjustable
circuit breakers do not correspond to a standard rating or
setting, a higher rating or setting that does not exceed the
next higher standard rating shall be permitted.
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Static-Phase Converter. A device without rotating parts,
sized for a given 3-phase load to permit operation from a
single-phase supply.
455.8
(A) Location. The disconnecting means shall be readily
accessible and located in sight from the phase converter.
(B) Type. The disconnecting means shall be a switch rated
in horsepower, a circuit breaker, or a molded-case switch.
Where only nonmotor loads are served, an ampere-rated
switch shall be permitted.
(C) Rating. The ampere rating of the disconnecting means
shall not be less than 115 percent of the rated maximum
single-phase input full-load amperes or, for specific fixed
loads, shall be permitted to be selected from 455.8(C)(1) or
(C)(2).
(1) Current Rated Disconnect. The disconnecting means
shall be a circuit breaker or molded-case switch with an
ampere rating not less than 250 percent of the sum of the
following:
(1) Full-load, 3-phase current ratings of the motors
(2) Other loads served
(2) Horsepower Rated Disconnect. The disconnecting
means shall be a switch with a horsepower rating. The
equivalent locked rotor current of the horsepower rating of
the switch shall not be less than 200 percent of the sum of
the following:
(1) Nonmotor loads
(2) The 3-phase, locked-rotor current of the largest motor
as determined from Table 430.251(B)
(3) The full-load current of all other 3-phase motors operating at the same time
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455.9
ARTICLE 460 — CAPACITORS
(D) Voltage Ratios. The calculations in 455.8(C) shall apply directly where the input and output voltages of the
phase converter are identical. Where the input and output
voltages of the phase converter are different, the current
shall be multiplied by the ratio of the output to input voltage.
ments of such apparatus are excluded from these requirements.
This article also covers the installation of capacitors in
hazardous (classified) locations as modified by Articles 501
through 503.
460.2 Enclosing and Guarding.
455.10 Terminal Housings. A terminal housing in accordance with the provisions of 430.12 shall be provided on a
phase converter.
II. Specific Provisions Applicable to Different Types of
Phase Converters
(B) Accidental Contact. Where capacitors are accessible
to unauthorized and unqualified persons, they shall be enclosed, located, or guarded so that persons cannot come
into accidental contact or bring conducting materials into
accidental contact with exposed energized parts, terminals,
or buses associated with them. However, no additional
guarding is required for enclosures accessible only to authorized and qualified persons.
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455.20 Disconnecting Means. The single-phase disconnecting means for the input of a static phase converter shall
be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means for the
phase converter and a single load if the load is within sight
of the disconnecting means.
(A) Containing More Than 11 L (3 gal) of Flammable
Liquid. Capacitors containing more than 11 L (3 gal) of
flammable liquid shall be enclosed in vaults or outdoor
fenced enclosures complying with Article 110, Part III. This
limit shall apply to any single unit in an installation of
capacitors.
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455.9 Connection of Single-Phase Loads. Where singlephase loads are connected on the load side of a phase converter, they shall not be connected to the manufactured
phase.
I. 1000 Volts, Nominal, and Under
[ROP 11–93]
460.6 Discharge of Stored Energy. Capacitors shall be
provided with a means of discharging stored energy.
455.22 Power Interruption. Utilization equipment supplied by a rotary-phase converter shall be controlled in such
a manner that power to the equipment will be disconnected
in the event of a power interruption.
(A) Time of Discharge. The residual voltage of a capacitor shall be reduced to 50 volts, nominal, or less within 1
minute after the capacitor is disconnected from the source
of supply.
Informational Note: Magnetic motor starters, magnetic
contactors, and similar devices, with manual or time delay
restarting for the load, provide restarting after power
interruption.
(B) Means of Discharge. The discharge circuit shall be
either permanently connected to the terminals of the capacitor or capacitor bank or provided with automatic means of
connecting it to the terminals of the capacitor bank on removal of voltage from the line. Manual means of switching
or connecting the discharge circuit shall not be used.
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455.21 Start-Up. Power to the utilization equipment shall
not be supplied until the rotary-phase converter has been
started.
455.23 Capacitors. Capacitors that are not an integral part
of the rotary-phase conversion system but are installed for a
motor load shall be connected to the line side of that motor
overload protective device.
ARTICLE 460
Capacitors
460.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of capacitors on electrical circuits.
Surge capacitors or capacitors included as a component
part of other apparatus and conforming with the require-
70–376
460.8 Conductors.
(A) Ampacity. The ampacity of capacitor circuit conductors shall not be less than 135 percent of the rated current of
the capacitor. The ampacity of conductors that connect a
capacitor to the terminals of a motor or to motor circuit
conductors shall not be less than one-third the ampacity of
the motor circuit conductors and in no case less than
135 percent of the rated current of the capacitor.
(B) Overcurrent Protection. An overcurrent device shall
be provided in each ungrounded conductor for each capacitor bank. The rating or setting of the overcurrent device
shall be as low as practicable.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 460 — CAPACITORS
(C) Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means shall
be provided in each ungrounded conductor for each capacitor bank and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The disconnecting means shall open all ungrounded
conductors simultaneously.
(2) The disconnecting means shall be permitted to disconnect the capacitor from the line as a regular operating
procedure.
(3) The rating of the disconnecting means shall not be less
than 135 percent of the rated current of the capacitor.
Exception: A separate disconnecting means shall not be
required where a capacitor is connected on the load side of
a motor controller.
(B) Isolation.
(1) General. A means shall be installed to isolate from all
sources of voltage each capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor installation that will be removed from service as a
unit. The isolating means shall provide a visible gap in the
electrical circuit adequate for the operating voltage.
(2) Isolating or Disconnecting Switches with No Interrupting Rating. Isolating or disconnecting switches (with
no interrupting rating) shall be interlocked with the loadinterrupting device or shall be provided with prominently
displayed caution signs in accordance with 490.22 to prevent switching load current.
(C) Additional Requirements for Series Capacitors. The
proper switching sequence shall be ensured by use of one
of the following:
(1) Mechanically sequenced isolating and bypass switches
(2) Interlocks
(3) Switching procedure prominently displayed at the
switching location
AF
460.9 Rating or Setting of Motor Overload Device.
Where a motor installation includes a capacitor connected
on the load side of the motor overload device, the rating or
setting of the motor overload device shall be based on the
improved power factor of the motor circuit.
The effect of the capacitor shall be disregarded in determining the motor circuit conductor rating in accordance
with 430.22.
(2) Interrupting the maximum continuous load current of
each capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor installation
that will be switched as a unit
(3) Withstanding the maximum inrush current, including
contributions from adjacent capacitor installations
(4) Carrying currents due to faults on capacitor side of
switch
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Exception: A separate overcurrent device shall not be required for a capacitor connected on the load side of a
motor overload protective device.
460.25
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460.10 Grounding. Capacitor cases shall be connected to
the equipment grounding conductor.
Exception: Capacitor cases shall not be connected to the
equipment grounding conductor where the capacitor units
are supported on a structure designed to operate at other
than ground potential.
460.12 Marking. Each capacitor shall be provided with a
nameplate giving the name of the manufacturer, rated voltage, frequency, kilovar or amperes, number of phases, and,
if filled with a combustible liquid, the volume of liquid.
Where filled with a nonflammable liquid, the nameplate
shall so state. The nameplate shall also indicate whether a
capacitor has a discharge device inside the case.
II. Over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 11–94]
460.24 Switching.
(A) Load Current. Group-operated switches shall be used
for capacitor switching and shall be capable of the following:
(1) Carrying continuously not less than 135 percent of the
rated current of the capacitor installation
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460.25 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Provided to Detect and Interrupt Fault Current. A
means shall be provided to detect and interrupt fault current
likely to cause dangerous pressure within an individual capacitor.
(B) Single Pole or Multipole Devices. Single-pole or multipole devices shall be permitted for this purpose.
(C) Protected Individually or in Groups. Capacitors
shall be permitted to be protected individually or in groups.
(D) Protective Devices Rated or Adjusted. Protective devices for capacitors or capacitor equipment shall be rated or
adjusted to operate within the limits of the safe zone for
individual capacitors. If the protective devices are rated or
adjusted to operate within the limits for Zone 1 or Zone 2,
the capacitors shall be enclosed or isolated.
In no event shall the rating or adjustment of the protective devices exceed the maximum limit of Zone 2.
Informational Note: For definitions of Safe Zone, Zone 1,
and Zone 2, see ANSI/IEEE 18-1992, Shunt Power
Capacitors.
70–377
460.26
ARTICLE 480 — STORAGE BATTERIES
460.27 Grounding. Capacitor cases shall be connected to
the equipment grounding conductor. If the capacitor neutral
point is connected to a grounding electrode conductor, the
connection shall be made in accordance with Part III of
Article 250.
Exception: Capacitor cases shall not be connected to the
equipment grounding conductor where the capacitor units
are supported on a structure designed to operate at other
than ground potential.
460.28 Means for Discharge.
(A) Means to Reduce the Residual Voltage. A means
shall be provided to reduce the residual voltage of a capacitor to 50 volts or less within 5 minutes after the capacitor is
disconnected from the source of supply.
Exception: Other conductor insulations shall be permitted
for motor starting service.
II. Over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 11–98]
470.18 General.
(A) Protected Against Physical Damage. Resistors and
reactors shall be protected against physical damage.
(B) Isolated by Enclosure or Elevation. Resistors and reactors shall be isolated by enclosure or elevation to protect
personnel from accidental contact with energized parts.
(C) Combustible Materials. Resistors and reactors shall
not be installed in close enough proximity to combustible
materials to constitute a fire hazard and shall have a clearance of not less than 305 mm (12 in.) from combustible
materials.
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(B) Connection to Terminals. A discharge circuit shall be
either permanently connected to the terminals of the capacitor or provided with automatic means of connecting it to
the terminals of the capacitor bank after disconnection of
the capacitor from the source of supply. The windings of
motors, transformers, or other equipment directly connected to capacitors without a switch or overcurrent device
interposed shall meet the requirements of 460.28(A).
470.4 Conductor Insulation. Insulated conductors used
for connections between resistance elements and controllers
shall be suitable for an operating temperature of not less
than 90°C (194°F).
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460.26 Identification. Each capacitor shall be provided
with a permanent nameplate giving the manufacturer’s
name, rated voltage, frequency, kilovar or amperes, number
of phases, and the volume of liquid identified as flammable,
if such is the case.
ARTICLE 470
Resistors and Reactors
I. 1000 Volts, Nominal, and Under
[ROP 11–96]
470.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of separate
resistors and reactors on electrical circuits.
Exception: Resistors and reactors that are component
parts of other apparatus.
This article also covers the installation of resistors and
reactors in hazardous (classified) locations as modified by
Articles 501 through 504.
(D) Clearances. Clearances from resistors and reactors to
grounded surfaces shall be adequate for the voltage involved.
[ROP 11–29b]
(E) Temperature Rise from Induced Circulating Currents. Metallic enclosures of reactors and adjacent metal
parts shall be installed so that the temperature rise from
induced circulating currents is not hazardous to personnel
or does not constitute a fire hazard.
470.19 Grounding. Resistor and reactor cases or enclosures shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
Exception: Resistor or reactor cases or enclosures supported on a structure designed to operate at other than
ground potential shall not be connected to the equipment
grounding conductor.
470.20 Oil-Filled Reactors. Installation of oil-filled reactors, in addition to the above requirements, shall comply
with applicable requirements of Article 450.
470.2 Location. Resistors and reactors shall not be placed
where exposed to physical damage.
ARTICLE 480
Storage Batteries
470.3 Space Separation. A thermal barrier shall be required if the space between the resistors and reactors and
any combustible material is less than 305 mm (12 in.).
480.1 Scope. The provisions of this article shall apply to
all stationary installations of storage batteries.
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 480 — STORAGE BATTERIES
Informational Note: The following standards are frequently referenced for the installation of stationary batteries:
Sealed Cell or Battery. A cell or battery that has no provision for the routine addition of water or electrolyte or for
external measurement of electrolyte specific gravity and
might contain pressure relief venting.
Storage Battery. A battery comprised of one or more rechargeable cells of the lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other
rechargeable electrochemical types.
Terminal. That part of a cell, container, or battery to which
an external connection is made (commonly identified as
post, pillar, pole, or terminal post). [ROP 13–32]
480.3 Battery and Cell Terminations. [ROP 13–22]
(A) Dissimilar Metals. Where mating dissimilar metals,
antioxidant material suitable for the battery connection
shall be used.
Informational Note: The battery manufacturer’s installation and instruction manual can be used for guidance for
acceptable materials.
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(1) IEEE 484, Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries for
Stationary Applications, 2008
(2) IEEE 485, Recommended Practice for Sizing Vented
Lead-Acid Storage Batteries for Stationary Applications, 1997
(3) IEEE 1145, Recommended Practice for Installation
and Maintenance of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries for
Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, 2007
(4) IEEE 1187, Recommended Practice for Installation
Design, and Installation of Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid
Batteries for Stationary Applications, 2002
(5) IEEE 1375, IEEE Guide for the Protection of Stationary Battery Systems, 1996 (R2003)
(6) IEEE 1578 - Recommended Practice for Stationary
Battery Spill Containment and Management , 2007
(7) IEEE 1635/ASHRAE 21 – Guide for the Ventilation
and Thermal Management of Stationary Battery Installations (TBD)
480.5
[ROP 13–24]
[ROP 13–22]
Cell. The basic electrochemical unit, characterized by an
anode and a cathode, used to receive, store, and deliver
electrical energy. [ROP 13–26]
Container. A vessel that holds the plates, electrolyte, and
other elements of a single unit in a battery.
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Informational Note: A container may be single-cell or
multi-cell and is sometimes referred to in the industry as a
“jar.”
[ROP 13–27]
Electrolyte. The medium that provides the ion transport
mechanism between the positive and negative electrodes of
a cell. [ROP 13–28]
Intercell Connector. An electrically conductive bar or
cable used to connect adjacent cells. [ROP 13–29]
Intertier Connector. An electrical conductor used to connect two cells on different tiers of the same rack or different
shelves of the same rack. [ROP 13–30]
Nominal Voltage (Battery or Cell). The value assigned to
a cell or battery of a given voltage class for the purpose of
convenient designation. The operating voltage of the cell or
battery may vary above or below this value. [ROP 13–31]
Informational Note: The most common nominal cell voltages are 2 volts per cell for the lead-acid systems, 1.2 volts
per cell for alkali systems, and 3.6 – 3.8 volts per cell for
Li-ion systems. Nominal voltages might vary with different
chemistries. [ROP 13–25]
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(B) Intercell and Intertier Conductors and Connections. Ampacity of field-assembled intercell and intertier
connectors and conductors shall be of such cross-sectional
area that the temperature rise under maximum load conditions and at maximum ambient temperature shall not exceed the safe operating temperature of the conductor insulation or of the material of the conductor supports.
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480.2 Definitions.
[ROP 13–3]
Informational Note: Conductors sized to prevent a voltage
drop exceeding 3% of maximum anticipated load, and
where the maximum total voltage drop to the furthest point
of connection does not exceed 5% may not be appropriate
for all battery applications. IEEE 1375-2003, Guide for the
Protection of Stationary Battery Systems provides guidance
for overcurrent protection and associated cable sizing.
[ROP 13–22]
(C) Battery Terminals. Electrical connections to the battery, and cable(s) between cells on separate levels or racks,
shall not put mechanical strain the battery terminals. Terminal plates shall be used where practicable. [ROP 13–22]
480.4 Wiring and Equipment Supplied from Batteries.
Wiring and equipment supplied from storage batteries shall
be subject to the applicable provisions of this Code applying to wiring and equipment operating at the same voltage,
unless otherwise permitted by 480.5.
480.5 Overcurrent Protection for Prime Movers. Overcurrent protection shall not be required for conductors from
a battery with a nominal voltage of 50 volts or less if the
battery provides power for starting, ignition, or control of
prime movers. Section 300.3 shall not apply to these conductors.
70–379
ARTICLE 480 — STORAGE BATTERIES
480.6 Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means shall
be provided for all ungrounded conductors derived from a
stationary battery system with a nominal voltage over 50
volts. A disconnecting means shall be readily accessible
and located within sight of the battery system. [ROP
13–33]
Informational Note: See 240.21(H) for information on the
location of the overcurrent device for battery conductors.
480.7 Insulation of Batteries Not Over 250 Volts. This
section shall apply to storage batteries having cells connected so as to operate at a nominal battery voltage of not
over 250 volts.
(A) Vented Lead-Acid Batteries. Cells and multi-cell batteries with covers sealed to containers of nonconductive,
heat-resistant material shall not require additional insulating support.
(B) Trays. Trays are frames, such as crates or shallow
boxes usually of wood or other nonconductive material,
constructed or treated so as to be resistant to deteriorating
action by the electrolyte.
(C) Accessibility. The terminals of all cells or multi-cell
units shall be readily accessible for readings, inspection,
and cleaning where required by the equipment design. One
side of transparent battery containers shall be readily accessible for inspection of the internal components. [ROP
13–38]
480.9 Battery Locations. Battery locations shall conform
to 480.9(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Ventilation. Provisions shall be made for sufficient
diffusion and ventilation of the gases from the battery to
prevent the accumulation of an explosive mixture.
(B) Live Parts. Guarding of live parts shall comply with
110.28.
AF
(B) Vented Alkaline-Type Batteries. Cells with covers
sealed to containers of nonconductive, heat-resistant material shall require no additional insulation support. Cells in
containers of conductive material shall be installed in trays
of nonconductive material with not more than 20 cells (24
volts, nominal) in the series circuit in any one tray. [ROP
13–27]
(2) Other construction such as fiberglass or other suitable
nonconductive materials
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480.6
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(C) Rubber Containers. Cells in rubber or composition
containers shall require no additional insulating support
where the total nominal voltage of all cells in series does
not exceed 150 volts. Where the total voltage exceeds 150
volts, batteries shall be sectionalized into groups of 150
volts or less, and each group shall have the individual cells
installed in trays or on racks. [ROP 13–27]
(D) Sealed Cells or Batteries. Sealed cells and multicompartment sealed batteries constructed of nonconductive,
heat-resistant material shall not require additional insulating support. Batteries constructed of a conducting container
shall have insulating support if a voltage is present between
the container and ground.
[ROP 13–37]
480.8 Racks and Trays. Racks and trays shall comply
with 480.8(A) and (B).
(A) Racks. Racks, as required in this article, are rigid
frames designed to support cells or trays. They shall be
substantial and be made of one of the following:
(1) Metal, treated so as to be resistant to deteriorating action by the electrolyte and provided with nonconducting members directly supporting the cells or with continuous insulating material other than paint on
conducting members
70–380
(C) Spaces About Battery Systems. Spaces about battery
systems shall comply with 110.26. Working space shall be
measured from the edge of the battery cabinet, racks, or
trays. [ROP 13–42]
For battery racks, there shall be a minimum clearance
of 25 mm (1 in.) between a cell container and any wall or
structure on the side not requiring access for maintenance.
Battery stands shall be permitted to contact adjacent walls
or structures, provided that the battery shelf has a free air
space for not less than 90 percent of its length. [ROP
13–42]
(D) Top Terminal Batteries. Where top-terminal batteries
are installed on tiered racks, working space in accordance
with the battery manufacturer’s instructions shall be provided between the highest point on a cell and the row or
ceiling above it.
Informational Note: Battery manufacturer’s installation instructions typically define how much top working space is
necessary for a particular battery model.
[ROP 13–44]
(E) Egress. Personnel door(s) intended for entrance to and
egress from rooms designated as battery rooms shall be
equipped with door(s) that open in the direction of egress
and shall be equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or
other devices that are normally latched but open under
simple pressure. [ROP 13–45]
480.10 Vents.
(A) Vented Cells. Each vented cell shall be equipped with
a flame arrester that is designed to prevent destruction of
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
(B) Sealed Cells. Sealed battery or cells shall be equipped
with a pressure-release vent to prevent excessive accumulation of gas pressure, or the battery or cell shall be designed to prevent scatter of cell parts in event of a cell
explosion.
ARTICLE 490
Equipment, Over 1000 Volts, Nominal
[ROP 9–153]
I. General
Informational Note No. 1: See NFPA 70E-2009, Standard
for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, for electrical safety
requirements for employee workplaces.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information on hazard signs and labels, see ANSI Z535.4-1998, Product Signs
and Safety Labels.
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490.2 Definition.
(2) Operating Characteristics. Circuit breakers shall have
the following equipment or operating characteristics:
(1) An accessible mechanical or other identified means for
manual tripping, independent of control power
(2) Be release free (trip free)
(3) If capable of being opened or closed manually while
energized, main contacts that operate independently of
the speed of the manual operation
(4) A mechanical position indicator at the circuit breaker to
show the open or closed position of the main contacts
(5) A means of indicating the open and closed position of
the breaker at the point(s) from which they may be
operated
(3) Nameplate. A circuit breaker shall have a permanent
and legible nameplate showing manufacturer’s name or
trademark, manufacturer’s type or identification number,
continuous current rating, interrupting rating in megavoltamperes (MVA) or amperes, and maximum voltage rating.
Modification of a circuit breaker affecting its rating(s) shall
be accompanied by an appropriate change of nameplate
information.
AF
490.1 Scope. This article covers the general requirements
for equipment operating at more than 1000 volts, nominal.
[ROP 9–153]
(c) Oil circuit breakers shall be arranged or located so
that adjacent readily combustible structures or materials are
safeguarded in an approved manner.
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the cell due to ignition of gases within the cell by an external spark or flame under normal operating conditions.
490.21
High Voltage. For the purposes of this article, more than
1000 volts, nominal. [ROP 9–153]
490.3 Oil-Filled Equipment. Installation of electrical
equipment, other than transformers covered in Article 450,
containing more than 38 L (10 gal) of flammable oil per
unit shall meet the requirements of Parts II and III of Article 450.
II. Equipment — Specific Provisions
490.21 Circuit-Interrupting Devices.
(A) Circuit Breakers.
(4) Rating. Circuit breakers shall have the following ratings:
(1) The continuous current rating of a circuit breaker shall
not be less than the maximum continuous current
through the circuit breaker.
(2) The interrupting rating of a circuit breaker shall not be
less than the maximum fault current the circuit breaker
will be required to interrupt, including contributions
from all connected sources of energy.
(3) The closing rating of a circuit breaker shall not be less
than the maximum asymmetrical fault current into
which the circuit breaker can be closed.
(4) The momentary rating of a circuit breaker shall not be
less than the maximum asymmetrical fault current at
the point of installation.
(5) The rated maximum voltage of a circuit breaker shall
not be less than the maximum circuit voltage.
(1) Location.
(a) Circuit breakers installed indoors shall be mounted
either in metal-enclosed units or fire-resistant cell-mounted
units, or they shall be permitted to be open-mounted in
locations accessible to qualified persons only.
(b) Circuit breakers used to control oil-filled transformers in a vault shall either be located outside the transformer vault or be capable of operation from outside the
vault.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Power Fuses and Fuseholders.
(1) Use. Where fuses are used to protect conductors and
equipment, a fuse shall be placed in each ungrounded conductor. Two power fuses shall be permitted to be used in
parallel to protect the same load if both fuses have identical
ratings and both fuses are installed in an identified common
mounting with electrical connections that divide the current
equally. Power fuses of the vented type shall not be used
70–381
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
indoors, underground, or in metal enclosures unless identified for the use.
(2) Interrupting Rating. The interrupting rating of power
fuses shall not be less than the maximum fault current the
fuse is required to interrupt, including contributions from
all connected sources of energy.
(3) Voltage Rating. The maximum voltage rating of power
fuses shall not be less than the maximum circuit voltage.
Fuses having a minimum recommended operating voltage
shall not be applied below this voltage.
(4) Identification of Fuse Mountings and Fuse Units.
Fuse mountings and fuse units shall have permanent and
legible nameplates showing the manufacturer’s type or designation, continuous current rating, interrupting current rating, and maximum voltage rating.
(5) Fuses. Fuses that expel flame in opening the circuit
shall be designed or arranged so that they function properly
without hazard to persons or property.
(2) Operation. Where fused cutouts are not suitable to
interrupt the circuit manually while carrying full load, an
approved means shall be installed to interrupt the entire
load. Unless the fused cutouts are interlocked with the
switch to prevent opening of the cutouts under load, a conspicuous sign shall be placed at such cutouts identifying
that they shall not be operated under load.
(3) Interrupting Rating. The interrupting rating of distribution cutouts shall not be less than the maximum fault
current the cutout is required to interrupt, including contributions from all connected sources of energy.
(4) Voltage Rating. The maximum voltage rating of cutouts shall not be less than the maximum circuit voltage.
(5) Identification. Distribution cutouts shall have on their
body, door, or fuse tube a permanent and legible nameplate
or identification showing the manufacturer’s type or designation, continuous current rating, maximum voltage rating,
and interrupting rating.
AF
(6) Fuseholders. Fuseholders shall be designed or installed so that they are de-energized while a fuse is being
replaced. A field applied permanent and legible sign, in
accordance with 110.21(B) shall be installed immediately
adjacent to the fuseholders worded: [ROP 9–157]
DANGER - DISCONNECT CIRCUIT BEFORE REPLACING FUSES.
(1) Installation. Cutouts shall be located so that they may
be readily and safely operated and re-fused, and so that the
exhaust of the fuses does not endanger persons. Distribution cutouts shall not be used indoors, underground, or in
metal enclosures.
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490.21
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Exception: Fuses and fuseholders designed to permit fuse
replacement by qualified persons using identified equipment without de-energizing the fuseholder shall be permitted. [ROP 9–158, ROP 9–152b]
(7) High-Voltage Fuses. Switchgear and substations that
utilize high-voltage fuses shall be provided with a gangoperated disconnecting switch. Isolation of the fuses from
the circuit shall be provided by either connecting a switch
between the source and the fuses or providing roll-out
switch and fuse-type construction. The switch shall be of
the load-interrupter type, unless mechanically or electrically interlocked with a load-interrupting device arranged
to reduce the load to the interrupting capability of the
switch. [ROP 9–152b]
(6) Fuse Links. Fuse links shall have a permanent and
legible identification showing continuous current rating and
type.
(7) Structure Mounted Outdoors. The height of cutouts
mounted outdoors on structures shall provide safe clearance
between lowest energized parts (open or closed position)
and standing surfaces, in accordance with 110.34(E).
(D) Oil-Filled Cutouts.
(1) Continuous Current Rating. The continuous current
rating of oil-filled cutouts shall not be less than the maximum continuous current through the cutout.
(2) Interrupting Rating. The interrupting rating of oilfilled cutouts shall not be less than the maximum fault
current the oil-filled cutout is required to interrupt, including contributions from all connected sources of energy.
Exception: More than one switch shall be permitted as the
disconnecting means for one set of fuses where the switches
are installed to provide connection to more than one set of
supply conductors. The switches shall be mechanically or
electrically interlocked to permit access to the fuses only
when all switches are open. A conspicuous sign shall be
placed at the fuses identifying the presence of more than
one source.
(3) Voltage Rating. The maximum voltage rating of oilfilled cutouts shall not be less than the maximum circuit
voltage.
(C) Distribution Cutouts and Fuse Links — Expulsion
Type.
(5) Identification. Oil-filled cutouts shall have a permanent and legible nameplate showing the rated continuous
70–382
(4) Fault Closing Rating. Oil-filled cutouts shall have a
fault closing rating not less than the maximum asymmetrical fault current that can occur at the cutout location, unless
suitable interlocks or operating procedures preclude the
possibility of closing into a fault.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
(6) Fuse Links. Fuse links shall have a permanent and
legible identification showing the rated continuous current.
(7) Location. Cutouts shall be located so that they are
readily and safely accessible for re-fusing, with the top of
the cutout not over 1.5 m (5 ft) above the floor or platform.
(8) Enclosure. Suitable barriers or enclosures shall be provided to prevent contact with nonshielded cables or energized parts of oil-filled cutouts.
490.23 Voltage Regulators. Proper switching sequence for
regulators shall be ensured by use of one of the following:
(1) Mechanically sequenced regulator bypass switch(es)
(2) Mechanical interlocks
(3) Switching procedure prominently displayed at the
switching location
490.24 Minimum Space Separation. In field-fabricated
installations, the minimum air separation between bare live
conductors and between such conductors and adjacent
grounded surfaces shall not be less than the values given in
Table 490.24. These values shall not apply to interior portions or exterior terminals of equipment designed, manufactured, and tested in accordance with accepted national standards.
AF
(E) Load Interrupters. Load-interrupter switches shall be
permitted if suitable fuses or circuit breakers are used in
conjunction with these devices to interrupt fault currents.
Where these devices are used in combination, they shall be
coordinated electrically so that they will safely withstand
the effects of closing, carrying, or interrupting all possible
currents up to the assigned maximum short-circuit rating.
Where more than one switch is installed with interconnected load terminals to provide for alternate connection to
different supply conductors, each switch shall be provided
with a conspicuous sign identifying this hazard.
490.22 Isolating Means. Means shall be provided to completely isolate an item of equipment from all ungrounded
conductors. The use of isolating switches shall not be required where there are other ways of de-energizing the
equipment for inspection and repairs, such as draw-out-type
switchgear units and removable truck panels. [ROP
9–152b]
Isolating switches not interlocked with an approved
circuit-interrupting device shall be provided with a sign
warning against opening them under load. The warning
sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP
9–164]
An identified fuseholder and fuse shall be permitted as
an isolating switch. [ROP 9–162]
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current, rated maximum voltage, and rated interrupting current.
490.30
(1) Continuous Current Rating. The continuous current
rating of interrupter switches shall equal or exceed the
maximum continuous current at the point of installation.
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(2) Voltage Rating. The maximum voltage rating of interrupter switches shall equal or exceed the maximum circuit
voltage.
(3) Identification. Interrupter switches shall have a permanent and legible nameplate including the following information: manufacturer’s type or designation, continuous current rating, interrupting current rating, fault closing rating,
maximum voltage rating.
(4) Switching of Conductors. The switching mechanism
shall be arranged to be operated from a location where the
operator is not exposed to energized parts and shall be
arranged to open all ungrounded conductors of the circuit
simultaneously with one operation. Switches shall be arranged to be locked in the open position. Metal-enclosed
switches shall be operable from outside the enclosure.
(5) Stored Energy for Opening. The stored-energy operator shall be permitted to be left in the uncharged position
after the switch has been closed if a single movement of the
operating handle charges the operator and opens the switch.
(6) Supply Terminals. The supply terminals of fused interrupter switches shall be installed at the top of the switch
enclosure, or, if the terminals are located elsewhere, the
equipment shall have barriers installed so as to prevent
persons from accidentally contacting energized parts or
dropping tools or fuses into energized parts.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
490.25 Backfeed. Installations where the possibility of
backfeed exists shall comply with (a) and (b). [ROP 9–165]
(a) A permanent sign in accordance with 110.21(B)
shall be installed on the disconnecting means enclosure or
immediately adjacent to open disconnecting means with the
following words or equivalent: “DANGER — CONTACTS
ON EITHER SIDE OF THIS DEVICE MAY BE ENERGIZED BY BACKFEED.” [ROP 9–165]
(b) A permanent and legible single-line diagram of the
local switching arrangement, clearly identifying each point
of connection to the high-voltage section, shall be provided
within sight of each point of connection. [ROP 9–165]
III. Equipment — Switchgear and Industrial Control
Assemblies
[ROP 9–152b]
490.30 General. This part covers assemblies of switchgear
and industrial control equipment, including but not limited
to switches, interrupting devices and their control, metering, protection and regulating equipment, where an integral
part of the assembly, with associated interconnections and
70–383
490.31
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
Table 490.24 Minimum Clearance of Live Parts
Minimum Clearance of Live Parts
46
69
115
138
161
230
Phase-to-Phase
Indoors
Phase-to-Ground
Outdoors
Indoors
Outdoors
Indoors
Outdoors
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
60
75
95
110
125
150
200
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
95
95
110
110
150
150
200
200
250
250
350
550
550
650
650
750
750
900
1050
115
140
195
230
270
320
460
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4.5
5.5
7.5
9.0
10.5
12.5
18.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
180
180
305
305
385
385
460
460
535
535
790
1350
1350
1605
1605
1830
1830
2265
2670
7
7
12
12
15
15
18
18
21
21
31
53
53
63
63
72
72
89
105
80
105
130
170
190
245
335
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.5
7.5
9.5
13.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
155
155
180
180
255
255
335
335
435
435
635
1070
1070
1270
1270
1475
1475
1805
2110
6
6
7
7
10
10
13
13
17
17
25
42
42
50
50
58
58
71
83
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2.4–4.16
7.2
13.8
14.4
23
34.5
Impulse Withstand,
Basic Impulse Level
B.I.L (kV)
AF
Nominal
Voltage
Rating
(kV)
Note: The values given are the minimum clearance for rigid parts and bare conductors under favorable service conditions. They shall be increased
for conductor movement or under unfavorable service conditions or wherever space limitations permit. The selection of the associated impulse
withstand voltage for a particular system voltage is determined by the characteristics of the surge protective equipment.
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supporting structures. This part also includes switchgear
assemblies that form a part of unit substations, power centers, or similar equipment. [ROP 9–152b, ROP 9–166]
490.31 Arrangement of Devices in Assemblies. Arrangement of devices in assemblies shall be such that individual
components can safely perform their intended function
without adversely affecting the safe operation of other components in the assembly.
490.32 Guarding of High-Voltage Energized Parts
Within a Compartment. Where access for other than visual inspection is required to a compartment that contains
energized high-voltage parts, barriers shall be provided to
prevent accidental contact by persons, tools, or other equipment with energized parts. Exposed live parts shall only be
permitted in compartments accessible to qualified persons.
Fuses and fuseholders designed to enable future replacement without de-energizing the fuseholder shall only be
permitted for use by qualified persons.
490.33 Guarding of Energized Parts Operating at 1000
Volts, Nominal, or Less Within Compartments. Energized bare parts mounted on doors shall be guarded where
the door must be opened for maintenance of equipment or
removal of draw-out equipment. [ROP 9–153]
70–384
490.34 Clearance for Cable Conductors Entering Enclosure. The unobstructed space opposite terminals or opposite raceways or cables entering a switchgear or control
assembly shall be approved for the type of conductor and
method of termination. [ROP 9–2]
490.35 Accessibility of Energized Parts.
(A) High-Voltage Equipment. Doors that would provide
unqualified persons access to high-voltage energized parts
shall be locked. Permanent signs in accordance with
110.21(B) shall be installed on panels or doors that give
access to live parts over 1000 volts carrying the wording
“DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT.” [ROP
9–171]
(B) Control Equipment. Where operating at 1000 volts,
nominal, or less, control equipment, relays, motors, and the
like shall not be installed in compartments with exposed
high-voltage energized parts or high-voltage wiring, unless
either of the following conditions is met: [ROP 9–153]
(1) The access means is interlocked with the high-voltage
switch or disconnecting means to prevent the access
means from being opened or removed.
(2) The high-voltage switch or disconnecting means is in
the isolating position.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
490.36 Grounding. Frames of switchgear and control assemblies shall be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor or, where permitted, the grounded conductor.
490.37 Grounding of Devices. The metal cases or frames,
or both, such as instruments, relays, meters, and instrument
and control transformers, located in or on switchgear or
control assemblies, shall be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor or, where permitted, the grounded
conductor. [ROP 9–173]
490.43 Stored Energy for Opening. The stored energy
operator shall be permitted to be left in the uncharged position after the switch has been closed if a single movement
of the operating handle charges the operator and opens the
switch.
490.44 Fused Interrupter Switches.
(A) Supply Terminals. The supply terminals of fused interrupter switches shall be installed at the top of the switch
enclosure or, if the terminals are located elsewhere, the
equipment shall have barriers installed so as to prevent
persons from accidentally contacting energized parts or
dropping tools or fuses into energized parts.
(B) Backfeed. Where fuses can be energized by backfeed,
a sign shall be placed on the enclosure door identifying this
hazard.
AF
490.38 Door Stops and Cover Plates. External hinged
doors or covers shall be provided with stops to hold them in
the open position. Cover plates intended to be removed for
inspection of energized parts or wiring shall be equipped
with lifting handles and shall not exceed 1.1 m2 (12 ft2) in
area or 27 kg (60 lb) in weight, unless they are hinged and
bolted or locked.
490.42 Interlocks — Interrupter Switches. Interrupter
switches equipped with stored energy mechanisms shall
have mechanical interlocks to prevent access to the switch
compartment unless the stored energy mechanism is in the
discharged or blocked position.
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(C) High-Voltage Instruments or Control Transformers
and Space Heaters. High-voltage instrument or control
transformers and space heaters shall be permitted to be
installed in the high-voltage compartment without access
restrictions beyond those that apply to the high-voltage
compartment generally.
490.47
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490.39 Gas Discharge from Interrupting Devices. Gas
discharged during operating of interrupting devices shall be
directed so as not to endanger personnel.
490.40 Visual Inspection Windows. Windows intended
for visual inspection of disconnecting switches or other devices shall be of suitable transparent material.
490.41 Location of Industrial Control Equipment. Routinely operated industrial control equipment shall meet the
requirements of (A) unless infrequently operated, as covered in 490.41(B).
(A) Control and Instrument Transfer Switch Handles
or Push Buttons. Control and instrument transfer switch
handles or push buttons shall be in a readily accessible
location at an elevation of not over 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.).
Exception: Operating handles requiring more than 23 kg
(50 lb) of force shall be located no higher than 1.7 m
(66 in.) in either the open or closed position.
(B) Infrequently Operated Devices. Where operating
handles for such devices as draw-out fuses, fused potential
or control transformers and their primary disconnects, and
bus transfer and isolating switches are only operated infrequently, the handles shall be permitted to be located where
they are safely operable and serviceable from a portable
platform.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Switching Mechanism. The switching mechanism
shall be arranged to be operated from a location outside the
enclosure where the operator is not exposed to energized
parts and shall be arranged to open all ungrounded conductors of the circuit simultaneously with one operation.
Switches shall be locable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP
9–175]
490.45 Circuit Breakers — Interlocks.
(A) Circuit Breakers. Circuit breakers equipped with
stored energy mechanisms shall be designed to prevent the
release of the stored energy unless the mechanism has been
fully charged.
(B) Mechanical Interlocks. Mechanical interlocks shall
be provided in the housing to prevent the complete withdrawal of the circuit breaker from the housing when the
stored energy mechanism is in the fully charged position,
unless a suitable device is provided to block the closing
function of the circuit breaker before complete withdrawal.
490.46 Circuit Breaker Locking. Circuit breakers shall be
capable of being locked in the open position or, if they are
installed in a drawout mechanism, that mechanism shall be
capable of being locked in such a position that the mechanism cannot be moved into the connected position. In either
case, the provision shall be lockable in accordance with
110.25. [ROP 9–176]
490.47 Switchgear Used as Service Equipment. Switchgear installed as high-voltage service equipment shall in-
70–385
490.48
ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
clude a ground bus for the connection of service cable
shields and to facilitate the attachment of safety grounds for
personnel protection. This bus shall be extended into the
compartment where the service conductors are terminated.
Where the compartment door or panel gives access to parts
that can only be de-energized and visibly isolated by the
serving utility, the warning sign required by 490.35(A)
shall include notice that access is limited to the serving
utility or following an authorization of the serving utility.
[ROP 9–152b, ROP 9–178]
490.48 Substations. [ROP 4–86, ROP 4–89]
(A) Documentation. Documentation of the engineered design by a qualified licensed professional engineer engaged
primarily in the design of substations shall be available
upon request of the authority having jurisdiction and shall
include consideration of the following: [ROP 4–86, ROP
4–89]
(2) Protective Grounding.
(3) Guarding Live Parts.
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(4) Transformers and Regulators.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Application
Electrical protection
Mechanical protection and support
Isolation
Termination
(6) Circuit Breakers, Switches, and Fuses.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(2) Isolating Equipment. Permanent legible signs shall be
installed at isolating equipment warning against operation
while carrying current, unless the equipment is interlocked
so that it cannot be operated under load.
(3) Fuse Locations. Suitable warning signs shall be
erected in a conspicuous place adjacent to fuses, warning
operators not to replace fuses while the circuit is energized.
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(a) Each group-operated isolating switch or disconnecting means shall bear a warning notice to the effect that
contacts on either side of the device might be energized.
(b) A permanent, legible, single-line diagram of the
station switching arrangement, clearly identifying each
point of connection to the high-voltage section, shall be
provided in a conspicuous location within sight of each
point of connection.
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Types of enclosures
Rooms and spaces
Supporting and securing electric equipment
Exits
Fire-extinguishing equipment
(5) Conductors.
(a) At all entrances to electrical equipment vaults and
electrical equipment rooms, areas, or enclosures
(b) At points of access to conductors on all highvoltage conduit systems and cable systems
(c) On all cable trays containing high-voltage conductors with the maximum spacing of warning notices not to
exceed 3 m (10 ft.)
(4) Backfeed. The following steps shall be taken where the
possibility of backfeed exists:
(1) General.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
— KEEP OUT″ shall be placed in a conspicuous position
in the following areas: [ROP 4–87, ROP 4–91]
Arrangement
Application
Devices containing oil
Switches and disconnecting devices
Disconnection of fuses
(7) Switchgear Assemblies.
(5) Switchgear. Where switchgear is installed, the following steps shall be taken: [ROP 4–93]
(a) A permanent, legible, single-line diagram of the
switchgear shall be provided in a readily visible location
within sight of the switchgear, and this diagram shall
clearly identify interlocks, isolation means, and all possible
sources of voltage to the installation under normal or emergency conditions, including all equipment contained in
each cubicle, and the marking on the switchgear shall
cross-reference the diagram.
Exception to (a):Where the equipment consists solely of a
single cubicle or metal-enclosed unit substation containing
only one set of high-voltage switching devices, diagrams
shall not be required.
(B) Warning Signs. [ROP 4–86]
(b)
Permanent, legible signs complying with
110.21(B) shall be installed on panels or doors that provide
access to live parts over 1000 volts and shall carry the
wording “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE” to warn of the
danger of opening while energized. [ROP 4–94, ROP
9–153]
(1) General. A permanent, legible warning notice complying with 110.21(B) and including the wording “DANGER
— HIGH VOLTAGE” followed by ″ — KEEP AWAY” or ″
(c) Where the panel provides access to parts that can
only be de-energized and visibly isolated by the serving
utility, the warning shall include that access is limited to the
(8) Metal-Enclosed Bus.
(9) Surge Arresters.
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ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
(C) Diagram. A permanent, legible, single-line diagram of
the switchgear shall be provided in a readily visible location within the same room or enclosed area with the switchgear and this diagram shall clearly identify interlocks, isolation means, and all possible sources of voltage to the
installation under normal or emergency conditions, and the
marking on the switchgear shall cross-reference the diagram. [ROP 9–179]
Exception: Where the equipment consists solely of a single
cubicle or metal-enclosed unit substation containing only
one set of high-voltage switching devices, diagrams are not
required. [ROP 9–179]
IV. Mobile and Portable Equipment
490.51 General.
490.54 Collector Rings. The collector ring assemblies on
revolving-type machines (shovels, draglines, etc.) shall be
guarded to prevent accidental contact with energized parts
by personnel on or off the machine.
490.55 Power Cable Connections to Mobile Machines.
A metallic enclosure shall be provided on the mobile machine for enclosing the terminals of the power cable. The
enclosure shall include terminal connections to the machine
frame for the equipment grounding conductor. Ungrounded
conductors shall be attached to insulators or be terminated
in approved high-voltage cable couplers (which include
equipment grounding conductor connectors) of proper voltage and ampere rating. The method of cable termination
used shall prevent any strain or pull on the cable from
stressing the electrical connections. The enclosure shall
have provision for locking so that only authorized and
qualified persons may open it and shall be marked as follows:
DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT.
The danger marking(s) or labels shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 9–181]
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(A) Covered. The provisions of this part shall apply to
installations and use of high-voltage power distribution and
utilization equipment that is portable, mobile, or both, such
as substations and switch houses mounted on skids, trailers,
or cars; mobile shovels; draglines; cranes; hoists; drills;
dredges; compressors; pumps; conveyors; underground excavators; and the like.
enter. The danger marking(s) or labels shall comply with
110.21(B). Circuit breakers and protective equipment shall
have the operating means projecting through the metal
cabinet or enclosure so these units can be reset without
opening locked doors. With doors closed, reasonable safe
access for normal operation of these units shall be provided. [ROP 9–180]
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serving utility or following an authorization of the serving
utility.
490.72
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(B) Other Requirements. The requirements of this part
shall be additional to, or amendatory of, those prescribed in
Articles 100 through 725 of this Code. Special attention
shall be paid to Article 250.
(C) Protection. Approved enclosures, guarding, or both,
shall be provided to protect portable and mobile equipment
from physical damage. [ROP 9–2]
(D) Disconnecting Means. Disconnecting means shall be
installed for mobile and portable high-voltage equipment
according to the requirements of Part VIII of Article 230
and shall disconnect all ungrounded conductors.
490.52 Overcurrent Protection. Motors driving single or
multiple dc generators supplying a system operating on a
cyclic load basis do not require overload protection, provided that the thermal rating of the ac drive motor cannot
be exceeded under any operating condition. The branchcircuit protective device(s) shall provide short-circuit and
locked-rotor protection and shall be permitted to be external to the equipment.
490.53 Enclosures. All energized switching and control
parts shall be enclosed in grounded metal cabinets or enclosures. These cabinets or enclosures shall be marked
“DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT” and shall
be locked so that only authorized and qualified persons can
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490.56 High-Voltage Portable Cable for Main Power
Supply. Flexible high-voltage cable supplying power to
portable or mobile equipment shall comply with Article 250
and Article 400, Part III.
V. Electrode-Type Boilers
490.70 General. The provisions of this part shall apply to
boilers operating over 1000 volts, nominal, in which heat is
generated by the passage of current between electrodes
through the liquid being heated. [ROP 9–153]
490.71 Electrical Supply System. Electrode-type boilers
shall be supplied only from a 3-phase, 4-wire solidly
grounded wye system, or from isolating transformers arranged to provide such a system. Control circuit voltages
shall not exceed 150 volts, shall be supplied from a
grounded system, and shall have the controls in the ungrounded conductor.
490.72 Branch-Circuit Requirements.
(A) Rating. Each boiler shall be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated not less than 100 percent of the
total load.
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ARTICLE 490 — EQUIPMENT, OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL
(B) Common-Trip Fault-Interrupting Device. The circuit shall be protected by a 3-phase, common-trip faultinterrupting device, which shall be permitted to automatically reclose the circuit upon removal of an overload
condition but shall not reclose after a fault condition.
(C) Phase-Fault Protection. Phase-fault protection shall
be provided in each phase, consisting of a separate phaseovercurrent relay connected to a separate current transformer in the phase.
(D) Ground Current Detection. Means shall be provided
for detection of the sum of the neutral conductor and equipment grounding conductor currents and shall trip the
circuit-interrupting device if the sum of those currents exceeds the greater of 5 amperes or 71⁄2 percent of the boiler
full-load current for 10 seconds or exceeds an instantaneous
value of 25 percent of the boiler full-load current.
490.73 Pressure and Temperature Limit Control. Each
boiler shall be equipped with a means to limit the maximum temperature, pressure, or both, by directly or indirectly interrupting all current flow through the electrodes.
Such means shall be in addition to the temperature, pressure, or both, regulating systems and pressure relief or
safety valves.
490.74 Bonding. All exposed non–current-carrying metal
parts of the boiler and associated exposed metal structures
or equipment shall be bonded to the pressure vessel or to
the neutral conductor to which the vessel is connected in
accordance with 250.102, except the ampacity of the bonding jumper shall not be less than the ampacity of the neutral
conductor.
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(E) Grounded Neutral Conductor. The grounded neutral
conductor shall be as follows:
(1) Connected to the pressure vessel containing the electrodes
(2) Insulated for not less than 1000 volts
(3) Have not less than the ampacity of the largest ungrounded branch-circuit conductor
(4) Installed with the ungrounded conductors in the same
raceway, cable, or cable tray, or, where installed as
open conductors, in close proximity to the ungrounded
conductors
(5) Not used for any other circuit
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490.73
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ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
500.2
Chapter 5 Special Occupancies
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 497-2008, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas, and NFPA 499-2008, Recommended Practice for the
Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous
(Classified) Locations for Electrical Installation in Chemical Process Areas. Only editorial changes were made to the
extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
Informational Note: Associated nonincendive field wiring
apparatus has designated associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus connections for nonincendive field wiring apparatus and may also have connections for other electrical
apparatus.
Combustible Dust. Any finely divided solid material that
is 420 microns (0.017 in.) or smaller in diameter (material
passing a U.S. No. 40 Standard Sieve) and presents a fire or
explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air. [499,
2008]
Combustible Gas Detection System. A protection technique utilizing stationary gas detectors in industrial establishments.
Control Drawing. A drawing or other document provided
by the manufacturer of the intrinsically safe or associated
apparatus, or of the nonincendive field wiring apparatus or
associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus, that details
the allowed interconnections between the intrinsically safe
and associated apparatus or between the nonincendive field
wiring apparatus or associated nonincendive field wiring
apparatus.
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500.1 Scope — Articles 500 Through 504. Articles 500
through 504 cover the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages in Class I,
Divisions 1 and 2; Class II, Divisions 1 and 2; and Class
III, Divisions 1 and 2 locations where fire or explosion
hazards may exist due to flammable gases, flammable
liquid–produced vapors, combustible liquid–produced vapors, combustible dusts, or ignitible fibers/flyings.
(2) Electrical apparatus not so protected that shall not be
used in a hazardous (classified) location
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ARTICLE 500
Hazardous (Classified) Locations, Classes
I, II, and III, Divisions 1 and 2
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Informational Note No. 1: The unique hazards associated
with explosives, pyrotechnics, and blasting agents are not
addressed in this article.
Informational Note No. 2: For the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
in Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 hazardous (classified) locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors or flammable liquids, refer to Article
505.
Informational Note No. 3: For the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 hazardous (classified)
locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
combustible dusts or ignitible fibers/flyings, refer to Article
506.
500.2 Definitions. For purposes of Articles 500 through
504 and Articles 510 through 516, the following definitions
apply.
Associated Nonincendive Field Wiring Apparatus. Apparatus in which the circuits are not necessarily nonincendive themselves but that affect the energy in nonincendive
field wiring circuits and are relied upon to maintain nonincendive energy levels. Associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus may be either of the following:
(1) Electrical apparatus that has an alternative type of protection for use in the appropriate hazardous (classified)
location
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Cord Connector A fitting intended to terminate a cord to a
box or similar device and reduce the strain at points of
termination and may include an explosionproof, a dust ignition proof, or a flameproof seal. [ROP 14–11b]
Dust-Ignitionproof. Equipment enclosed in a manner that
excludes dusts and does not permit arcs, sparks, or heat
otherwise generated or liberated inside of the enclosure to
cause ignition of exterior accumulations or atmospheric
suspensions of a specified dust on or in the vicinity of the
enclosure.
Informational Note: For further information on dustignitionproof enclosures, see Type 9 enclosure in
ANSI/NEMA 250-1991, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, and ANSI/UL 1203-2009, Explosionproof and DustIgnitionproof Electrical Equipment for Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–3]
Dusttight. Enclosures constructed so that dust will not enter under specified test conditions.
Informational Note: See ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II,
Division 2, and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous
(Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–10]
Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Materials, fittings,
devices, appliances, and the like that are part of, or in
connection with, an electrical installation.
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ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
Informational Note: Portable or transportable equipment
having self-contained power supplies, such as batteryoperated equipment, could potentially become an ignition
source in hazardous (classified) locations. See ANSI/ISA12.12.03-2011, Standard for Portable Electronic Products
Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, Zone 2 and
Class III, Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–10]
Explosionproof Equipment. Equipment enclosed in a case
that is capable of withstanding an explosion of a specified
gas or vapor that may occur within it and of preventing the
ignition of a specified gas or vapor surrounding the enclosure by sparks, flashes, or explosion of the gas or vapor
within, and that operates at such an external temperature
that a surrounding flammable atmosphere will not be ignited thereby.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/UL 1203-2009, Explosion-Proof and Dust-IgnitionProof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–3]
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, and Class III,
Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–10]
Nonincendive Field Wiring. Wiring that enters or leaves
an equipment enclosure and, under normal operating conditions of the equipment, is not capable, due to arcing or
thermal effects, of igniting the flammable gas–air, vapor–
air, or dust–air mixture. Normal operation includes opening, shorting, or grounding the field wiring.
Nonincendive Field Wiring Apparatus. Apparatus intended to be connected to nonincendive field wiring.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, and Class III,
Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–10]
Oil Immersion. Electrical equipment immersed in a protective liquid in such a way that an explosive atmosphere
that may be above the liquid or outside the enclosure cannot be ignited.
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Hermetically Sealed. Equipment sealed against the entrance of an external atmosphere where the seal is made by
fusion, for example, soldering, brazing, welding, or the fusion of glass to metal.
mal operating conditions, of causing ignition of a specified
flammable gas–air, vapor–air, or dust–air mixture due to
arcing or thermal means.
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500.3
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, and Class III,
Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–10]
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Nonincendive Circuit. A circuit, other than field wiring, in
which any arc or thermal effect produced under intended
operating conditions of the equipment is not capable, under
specified test conditions, of igniting the flammable gas–air,
vapor–air, or dust–air mixture.
Informational Note:
Conditions are described in
ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, and Class III,
Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–10]
Nonincendive Component. A component having contacts
for making or breaking an incendive circuit and the contacting mechanism is constructed so that the component is
incapable of igniting the specified flammable gas–air or
vapor–air mixture. The housing of a nonincendive component is not intended to exclude the flammable atmosphere
or contain an explosion.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-12.12.01-2011, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, and Class III,
Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–10]
Nonincendive
Equipment.
Equipment
having
electrical/electronic circuitry that is incapable, under nor-
70–390
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/UL 698-1995, Industrial Control Equipment for Use
in Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Purged and Pressurized. The process of (1) purging, supplying an enclosure with a protective gas at a sufficient flow
and positive pressure to reduce the concentration of any
flammable gas or vapor initially present to an acceptable
level; and (2) pressurization, supplying an enclosure with a
protective gas with or without continuous flow at sufficient
pressure to prevent the entrance of a flammable gas or
vapor, a combustible dust, or an ignitible fiber.
Informational Note: For further information, see ANSI/
NFPA 496-2008, Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for
Electrical Equipment.
Unclassified Locations. Locations determined to be neither
Class I, Division 1; Class I, Division 2; Class I, Zone 0;
Class I, Zone 1; Class I, Zone 2; Class II, Division 1; Class
II, Division 2; Class III, Division 1; Class III, Division 2;
Zone 20; Zone 21; Zone 22; or any combination thereof.
500.3 Other Articles. Except as modified in Articles 500
through 504, all other applicable rules contained in this
Code shall apply to electrical equipment and wiring installed in hazardous (classified) locations.
500.4 General.
(A) Documentation. All areas designated as hazardous
(classified) locations shall be properly documented. This
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ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
(B) Reference Standards. Important information relating
to topics covered in Chapter 5 may be found in other publications.
Informational Note No. 1: It is important that the authority
having jurisdiction be familiar with recorded industrial experience as well as with the standards of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), the American Petroleum
Institute (API), and the International Society of Automation
(ISA), that may be of use in the classification of various
locations, the determination of adequate ventilation, and the
protection against static electricity and lightning hazards.
(A) Classifications of Locations. Locations shall be classified depending on the properties of the flammable gas,
flammable liquid-produced vapor, combustible-liquid produced vapors, combustible dusts, or fibers/flyings that may
be present, and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is present. Each room, section, or area shall be considered individually in determining
its classification. Where pyrophoric materials are the only
materials used or handled, these locations are outside the
scope of this article. [ROP 14–15a]
Informational Note: Through the exercise of ingenuity in
the layout of electrical installations for hazardous (classified) locations, it is frequently possible to locate much of
the equipment in a reduced level of classification or in an
unclassified location and, thus, to reduce the amount of
special equipment required.
Rooms and areas containing ammonia refrigeration systems that are equipped with adequate mechanical ventilation may be classified as “unclassified” locations.
Informational Note: For further information regarding
classification and ventilation of areas involving ammonia,
see ANSI/ASHRAE 15-1994, Safety Code for Mechanical
Refrigeration, and ANSI/CGA G2.1-1989, Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous
Ammonia.
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Informational Note No. 2: For further information on the
classification of locations, see NFPA 30-2008, Flammable
and Combustible Liquids Code; NFPA 32-2007, Standard
for Drycleaning Plants; NFPA 33-2011, Standard for Spray
Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials;
NFPA 34-2011, Standard for Dipping and Coating Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids;
NFPA 35-2005, Standard for the Manufacture of Organic
Coatings; NFPA 36-2009, Standard for Solvent Extraction
Plants; NFPA 45-2011, Standard on Fire Protection for
Laboratories Using Chemicals; NFPA 55-2010, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code; NFPA 58-2011,
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code; NFPA 59-2008, Utility LPGas Plant Code; NFPA 497-2008, Recommended Practice
for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical
Installations in Chemical Process Areas; NFPA 499-2008,
Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for
Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas;
NFPA 820-2008, Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities; ANSI/API RP5001997, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations of Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities
Classified as Class I, Division 1 and Division 2; ISA-12.101988, Area Classification in Hazardous (Classified) Dust
Locations.
500.5 Classifications of Locations.
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documentation shall be available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electrical equipment at the location.
500.5
Informational Note No. 3: For further information on protection against static electricity and lightning hazards in
hazardous (classified) locations, see NFPA 77-2007, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity; NFPA 780-2011,
Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems; and API RP 2003-1998, Protection Against Ignitions
Arising Out of Static Lightning and Stray Currents.
Informational Note No. 4: For further information on ventilation, see NFPA 30-2008, Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code; and API RP 500-1997, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Division
1 and Division 2.
Informational Note No. 5: For further information on electrical systems for hazardous (classified) locations on offshore oil- and gas-producing platforms, see ANSI/API RP
14F-1999, Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore
Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Division
1 and Division 2 Locations.
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(B) Class I Locations. Class I locations are those in which
flammable gases, flammable liquid–produced vapors, or
combustible liquid–produced vapors are or may be present
in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or
ignitible mixtures. Class I locations shall include those
specified in 500.5(B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) Class I, Division 1. A Class I, Division 1 location is a
location
(1) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases,
flammable liquid–produced vapors, or combustible
liquid–produced vapors can exist under normal operating conditions, or
(2) In which ignitible concentrations of such flammable
gases, flammable liquid–produced vapors, or combustible liquids above their flash points may exist frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or
because of leakage, or
(3) In which breakdown or faulty operation of equipment
or processes might release ignitible concentrations of
flammable gases, flammable liquid–produced vapors,
or combustible liquid–produced vapors and might also
cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment in
such a way as to directly cause the electrical equipment
to become a source of ignition.
Informational Note No. 1: This classification usually includes the following locations:
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ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
(1) Where volatile flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases are transferred from one container to another
(2) Interiors of spray booths and areas in the vicinity of
spraying and painting operations where volatile flammable solvents are used
(3) Locations containing open tanks or vats of volatile
flammable liquids
(4) Drying rooms or compartments for the evaporation of
flammable solvents
(5) Locations containing fat- and oil-extraction equipment using volatile flammable solvents
(6) Portions of cleaning and dyeing plants where flammable liquids are used
(7) Gas generator rooms and other portions of gas manufacturing plants where flammable gas may escape
(8) Inadequately ventilated pump rooms for flammable
gas or for volatile flammable liquids
(9) The interiors of refrigerators and freezers in which
volatile flammable materials are stored in open,
lightly stoppered, or easily ruptured containers
(10) All other locations where ignitible concentrations of
flammable vapors or gases are likely to occur in the
course of normal operations
Informational Note No. 1: This classification usually includes locations where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases or vapors are used but that, in the judgment of
the authority having jurisdiction, would become hazardous
only in case of an accident or of some unusual operating
condition. The quantity of flammable material that might
escape in case of accident, the adequacy of ventilating
equipment, the total area involved, and the record of the
industry or business with respect to explosions or fires are
all factors that merit consideration in determining the classification and extent of each location.
Informational Note No. 2: Piping without valves, checks,
meters, and similar devices would not ordinarily introduce
a hazardous condition even though used for flammable liquids or gases. Depending on factors such as the quantity
and size of the containers and ventilation, locations used for
the storage of flammable liquids or liquefied or compressed
gases in sealed containers may be considered either hazardous (classified) or unclassified locations. See NFPA 302008, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, and
NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code.
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Informational Note No. 2: In some Division 1 locations,
ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or vapors may
be present continuously or for long periods of time. Examples include the following:
positive mechanical ventilation and which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation
of the ventilating equipment, or
(3) That is adjacent to a Class I, Division 1 location, and to
which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases,
flammable liquid–produced vapors, or combustible
liquid–produced vapors above their flash points might
occasionally be communicated unless such communication is prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of clean air and effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided.
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500.5
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(1) The inside of inadequately vented enclosures containing instruments normally venting flammable gases or
vapors to the interior of the enclosure
(2) The inside of vented tanks containing volatile flammable liquids
(3) The area between the inner and outer roof sections of a
floating roof tank containing volatile flammable fluids
(4) Inadequately ventilated areas within spraying or coating operations using volatile flammable fluids
(5) The interior of an exhaust duct that is used to vent
ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors
Experience has demonstrated the prudence of avoiding the
installation of instrumentation or other electrical equipment in
these particular areas altogether or where it cannot be avoided
because it is essential to the process and other locations are not
feasible [see 500.5(A), Informational Note] using electrical
equipment or instrumentation approved for the specific application or consisting of intrinsically safe systems as described
in Article 504.
(2) Class I, Division 2. A Class I, Division 2 location is a
location
(1) In which volatile flammable gases, flammable liquid–
produced vapors, or combustible liquid–produced vapors are handled, processed, or used, but in which the
liquids, vapors, or gases will normally be confined
within closed containers or closed systems from which
they can escape only in case of accidental rupture or
breakdown of such containers or systems or in case of
abnormal operation of equipment, or
(2) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases,
flammable liquid–produced vapors, or combustible
liquid–produced vapors are normally prevented by
70–392
(C) Class II Locations. Class II locations are those that
are hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust.
Class II locations shall include those specified in
500.5(C)(1) and (C)(2).
(1) Class II, Division 1. A Class II, Division 1 location is
a location
(1) In which combustible dust is in the air under normal
operating conditions in quantities sufficient to produce
explosive or ignitible mixtures, or
(2) Where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of
machinery or equipment might cause such explosive or
ignitible mixtures to be produced, and might also provide a source of ignition through simultaneous failure
of electrical equipment, through operation of protection
devices, or from other causes, or
(3) In which Group E combustible dusts may be present in
quantities sufficient to be hazardous.
Informational Note: Dusts containing magnesium or aluminum are particularly hazardous, and the use of extreme
precaution is necessary to avoid ignition and explosion.
(2) Class II, Division 2. A Class II, Division 2 location is
a location
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
Informational Note No. 1: The quantity of combustible
dust that may be present and the adequacy of dust removal
systems are factors that merit consideration in determining
the classification and may result in an unclassified area.
Informational Note: This grouping is based on the characteristics of the materials. Facilities are available for testing
and identifying equipment for use in the various atmospheric groups.
(A) Class I Group Classifications. Class I groups shall be
according to 500.6(A)(1) through (A)(4).
Informational Note No. 1: Informational Note Nos. 2 and
3 apply to 500.6(A).
Informational Note No. 2: The explosion characteristics of
air mixtures of gases or vapors vary with the specific material involved. For Class I locations, Groups A, B, C, and
D, the classification involves determinations of maximum
explosion pressure and maximum safe clearance between
parts of a clamped joint in an enclosure. It is necessary,
therefore, that equipment be identified not only for class but
also for the specific group of the gas or vapor that will be
present.
Informational Note No. 3: Certain chemical atmospheres
may have characteristics that require safeguards beyond
those required for any of the Class I groups. Carbon disulfide is one of these chemicals because of its low autoignition temperature (90°C) and the small joint clearance permitted to arrest its flame. [ROP 14–18]
AF
Informational Note No. 2: Where products such as seed
are handled in a manner that produces low quantities of
dust, the amount of dust deposited may not warrant
classification.
Exception: Equipment identified for a specific gas, vapor,
or dust.
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(1) In which combustible dust due to abnormal operations
may be present in the air in quantities sufficient to
produce explosive or ignitible mixtures; or
(2) Where combustible dust accumulations are present but
are normally insufficient to interfere with the normal
operation of electrical equipment or other apparatus,
but could as a result of infrequent malfunctioning of
handling or processing equipment become suspended
in the air; or
(3) In which combustible dust accumulations on, in, or in
the vicinity of the electrical equipment could be sufficient to interfere with the safe dissipation of heat from
electrical equipment, or could be ignitible by abnormal
operation or failure of electrical equipment.
500.6
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(D) Class III Locations. Class III locations are those that
are hazardous because of the presence of easily ignitible
fibers or where materials producing combustible flyings are
handled, manufactured, or used, but in which such
fibers/flyings are not likely to be in suspension in the air in
quantities sufficient to produce ignitible mixtures. Class III
locations shall include those specified in 500.5(D)(1) and
(D)(2).
(1) Class III, Division 1. A Class III, Division 1 location
is a location in which easily ignitible fibers/flyings are
handled, manufactured, or used.
Informational Note No. 1: Such locations usually include
some parts of rayon, cotton, and other textile mills; combustible fibers/flyings manufacturing and processing plants;
cotton gins and cotton-seed mills; flax-processing plants;
clothing manufacturing plants; woodworking plants; and
establishments and industries involving similar hazardous
processes or conditions.
Informational Note No. 2: Easily ignitible fibers/flyings
include rayon, cotton (including cotton linters and cotton
waste), sisal or henequen, istle, jute, hemp, tow, cocoa fiber,
oakum, baled waste kapok, Spanish moss, excelsior, and
other materials of similar nature.
(2) Class III, Division 2. A Class III, Division 2 location
is a location in which easily ignitible fibers/flyings are
stored or handled other than in the process of manufacture.
500.6 Material Groups. For purposes of testing, approval,
and area classification, various air mixtures (not oxygenenriched) shall be grouped in accordance with 500.6(A)
and (B).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) Group A. Acetylene. [497:3.3.5.1.1]
(2) Group B. Flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced
vapor, or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with
air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum
experimental safe gap (MESG) value less than or equal to
0.45 mm or a minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio)
less than or equal to 0.40. [497:3.3.5.1.2]
Informational Note: A typical Class I, Group B material is
hydrogen.
Exception No. 1: Group D equipment shall be permitted to
be used for atmospheres containing butadiene, provided all
conduit runs into explosionproof equipment are provided
with explosionproof seals installed within 450 mm (18 in.)
of the enclosure.
Exception No. 2: Group C equipment shall be permitted to
be used for atmospheres containing allyl glycidyl ether,
n-butyl glycidyl ether, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and
acrolein, provided all conduit runs into explosionproof
equipment are provided with explosionproof seals installed
within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure.
(3) Group C. Flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced
vapor, or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with
air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum
experimental safe gap (MESG) value greater than 0.45 mm
and less than or equal to 0.75 mm, or a minimum igniting
current ratio (MIC ratio) greater than 0.40 and less than or
equal to 0.80. [497:3.3.5.1.3]
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ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
Informational Note: A typical Class I, Group C material is
ethylene.
(4) Group D. Flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced
vapor, or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with
air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum
experimental safe gap (MESG) value greater than 0.75 mm
or a minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio) greater
than 0.80. [497:3.3.5.1.4]
Informational Note No. 1: A typical Class I, Group D
material is propane.
Informational Note No. 2: For classification of areas involving ammonia atmospheres, see ANSI/ASHRAE 151994, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration, and
ANSI/CGA G2.1-1989, Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia.
(B) Class II Group Classifications. Class II groups shall
be in accordance with 500.6(B)(1) through (B)(3).
Informational Note No. 3: Certain dusts may require additional precautions due to chemical phenomena that can
result in the generation of ignitible gases. See ANSI/IEEE
C2-2012, National Electrical Safety Code, Section 127A,
Coal Handling Areas. [ROP 14–19]
500.7 Protection Techniques. Section 500.7(A) through
(L) shall be acceptable protection techniques for electrical
and electronic equipment in hazardous (classified) locations.
(A) Explosionproof Equipment. This protection technique shall be permitted for equipment in Class I, Division
1 or 2 locations.
AF
(1) Group E. Atmospheres containing combustible metal
dusts, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, or other combustible dusts whose particle size,
abrasiveness, and conductivity present similar hazards in
the use of electrical equipment. [499:3.3.4.1]
Informational Note No. 2: The explosion characteristics of
air mixtures of dust vary with the materials involved. For
Class II locations, Groups E, F, and G, the classification
involves the tightness of the joints of assembly and shaft
openings to prevent the entrance of dust in the dustignitionproof enclosure, the blanketing effect of layers of
dust on the equipment that may cause overheating, and the
ignition temperature of the dust. It is necessary, therefore,
that equipment be identified not only for the class but also
for the specific group of dust that will be present.
T
500.7
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Informational Note: Certain metal dusts may have characteristics that require safeguards beyond those required for
atmospheres containing the dusts of aluminum, magnesium,
and their commercial alloys. For example, zirconium, thorium, and uranium dusts have extremely low ignition temperatures [as low as 20°C (68°F)] and minimum ignition
energies lower than any material classified in any of the
Class I or Class II groups.
(2) Group F. Atmospheres containing combustible carbonaceous dusts that have more than 8 percent total entrapped
volatiles (see ASTM D 3175-02, Standard Test Method for
Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample for Coal and Coke,
for coal and coke dusts) or that have been sensitized by
other materials so that they present an explosion hazard.
Coal, carbon black, charcoal, and coke dusts are examples
of carbonaceous dusts. [499:3.3.4.2]
Informational Note: Testing of specific dust samples, following established ASTM testing procedures, is a method
used to identify the combustibility of a specific dust and the
need to classify those locations containing that material as
Group F.
(3) Group G. Atmospheres containing combustible dusts
not included in Group E or F, including flour, grain, wood,
plastic, and chemicals.
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information on
group classification of Class II materials, see NFPA 4992008, Recommended Practice for the Classification of
Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas.
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(B) Dust Ignitionproof. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Class II, Division 1 or 2 locations.
(C) Dusttight. This protection technique shall be permitted for equipment in Class II, Division 2 or Class III, Division 1 or 2 locations.
(D) Purged and Pressurized. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in any hazardous (classified) location for which it is identified.
(E) Intrinsic Safety. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Class I, Division 1 or 2; or
Class II, Division 1 or 2; or Class III, Division 1 or 2
locations. The provisions of Articles 501 through 503 and
Articles 510 through 516 shall not be considered applicable
to such installations, except as required by Article 504, and
installation of intrinsically safe apparatus and wiring shall
be in accordance with the requirements of Article 504.
(F) Nonincendive Circuit. This protection technique shall
be permitted for equipment in Class I, Division 2; Class II,
Division 2; or Class III, Division 1 or 2 locations.
(G) Nonincendive Equipment. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in Class I, Division 2;
Class II, Division 2; or Class III, Division 1 or 2 locations.
(H) Nonincendive Component. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in Class I, Division 2;
Class II, Division 2; or Class III, Division 1 or 2 locations.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
(J) Hermetically Sealed. This protection technique shall
be permitted for equipment in Class I, Division 2; Class II,
Division 2; or Class III, Division 1 or 2 locations.
(K) Combustible Gas Detection System. A combustible
gas detection system shall be permitted as a means of protection in industrial establishments with restricted public
access and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation. Where such a system is installed, equipment specified in 500.7(K)(1), (K)(2), or (K)(3) shall be permitted.
The type of detection equipment, its listing, installation
location(s), alarm and shutdown criteria, and calibration
frequency shall be documented when combustible gas detectors are used as a protection technique.
(L) Other Protection Techniques. Other protection techniques used in equipment identified for use in hazardous
(classified) locations.
500.8 Equipment. Articles 500 through 504 require equipment construction and installation that ensure safe performance under conditions of proper use and maintenance.
Informational Note No. 1: It is important that inspection
authorities and users exercise more than ordinary care with
regard to installation and maintenance.
Informational Note No. 2: Since there is no consistent
relationship between explosion properties and ignition temperature, the two are independent requirements.
Informational Note No. 3: Low ambient conditions require
special consideration. Explosionproof or dust-ignitionproof
equipment may not be suitable for use at temperatures
lower than −25ºC (−13ºF) unless they are identified for
low-temperature service. However, at low ambient temperatures, flammable concentrations of vapors may not exist in a location classified as Class I, Division 1 at normal
ambient temperature.
AF
Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1, Explosive Atmospheres - Part 29-1:
Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for
flammable gases, and ANSI/UL 2075, Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors.
Combustible gas detection equipment shall be listed for
Class I, Division 1, for the appropriate material group, and
for the detection of the specific gas or vapor to be encountered.
T
(I) Oil Immersion. This protection technique shall be permitted for current-interrupting contacts in Class I, Division
2 locations as described in 501.115(B)(1)(2).
500.8
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
ANSI/API RP 500, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum
Facilities Classified as Class I, Division I or Division 2.
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Informational Note No. 3: For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-2, Explosive Atmospheres - Part 29-2:
Gas detectors - Selection, installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable gases and oxygen.
Informational Note No. 4: For further information, see
ISA-TR12.13.03, Guide for Combustible Gas Detection as
a Method of Protection.
(1) Inadequate Ventilation. In a Class I, Division 1 location that is so classified due to inadequate ventilation, electrical equipment suitable for Class I, Division 2 locations
shall be permitted. Combustible gas detection equipment
shall be listed for Class I, Division 1, for the appropriate
material group, and for the detection of the specific gas or
vapor to be encountered.
(2) Interior of a Building. In a building located in, or with
an opening into, a Class I, Division 2 location where the
interior does not contain a source of flammable gas or vapor, electrical equipment for unclassified locations shall be
permitted. Combustible gas detection equipment shall be
listed for Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Division 2, for the
appropriate material group, and for the detection of the
specific gas or vapor to be encountered.
(3) Interior of a Control Panel. In the interior of a control
panel containing instrumentation utilizing or measuring
flammable liquids, gases, or vapors, electrical equipment
suitable for Class I, Division 2 locations shall be permitted.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Suitability. Suitability of identified equipment shall be
determined by one of the following:
(1) Equipment listing or labeling
(2) Evidence of equipment evaluation from a qualified testing laboratory or inspection agency concerned with
product evaluation
(3) Evidence acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
such as a manufacturer’s self-evaluation or an owner’s
engineering judgment.
Informational Note: Additional documentation for equipment may include certificates demonstrating compliance
with applicable equipment standards, indicating special
conditions of use, and other pertinent information. Guidelines for certificates may be found in ANSI/ISA 12.00.02,
Certificate Standard for AEx Equipment for Hazardous
(Classified) Locations.
(B) Approval for Class and Properties.
(1) Equipment shall be identified not only for the class of
location but also for the explosive, combustible, or ignitible
properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fibers/flyings
that will be present. In addition, Class I equipment shall not
have any exposed surface that operates at a temperature in
excess of the autoignition temperature of the specific gas or
vapor. Class II equipment shall not have an external temperature higher than that specified in 500.8(D)(2). Class III
equipment shall not exceed the maximum surface temperatures specified in 503.5. [ROP 14–23]
70–395
500.8
ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
Informational Note: Luminaires and other heat-producing
apparatus, switches, circuit breakers, and plugs and receptacles are potential sources of ignition and are investigated
for suitability in classified locations. Such types of equipment, as well as cable terminations for entry into explosionproof enclosures, are available as listed for Class I, Division 2 locations. Fixed wiring, however, may utilize wiring
methods that are not evaluated with respect to classified
locations. Wiring products such as cable, raceways, boxes,
and fittings, therefore, are not marked as being suitable for
Class I, Division 2 locations. Also see 500.8(C)(6)(a).
wise specified or allowed in (C)(6), the marking shall include the information specified in (C)(1) through (C)(5).
(2) Equipment that has been identified for a Division 1
location shall be permitted in a Division 2 location of the
same class, group, and temperature class and shall comply
with (a) or (b) as applicable.
Informational Note: Equipment not marked to indicate a
division, or marked “Division 1” or “Div. 1,” is suitable for
both Division 1 and 2 locations; see 500.8(B)(2). Equipment marked “Division 2” or “Div. 2” is suitable for Division 2 locations only.
(a) Intrinsically safe apparatus having a control drawing requiring the installation of associated apparatus for a
Division 1 installation shall be permitted to be installed in a
Division 2 location if the same associated apparatus is used
for the Division 2 installation.
(b) Equipment that is required to be explosionproof
shall incorporate seals in accordance with 501.15(A) or (D)
when the wiring methods of 501.10(B) are employed.
(3) Material Classification Group. The marking shall
specify the applicable material classification group(s) in accordance with 500.6.
(1) Class. The marking shall specify the class(es) for
which the equipment is suitable.
(2) Division. The marking shall specify the division if the
equipment is suitable for Division 2 only. Equipment suitable for Division 1 shall be permitted to omit the division
marking.
T
Exception: Fixed luminaires marked for use only in Class
I, Division 2 or Class II, Division 2 locations shall not be
required to indicate the group.
AF
(4) Equipment Temperature. The marking shall specify
the temperature class or operating temperature at a 40°C
ambient temperature, or at the higher ambient temperature
if the equipment is rated and marked for an ambient temperature of greater than 40°C. For equipment installed in a
Class II, Division 1 location, the temperature class or operating temperature shall be based on operation of the equipment when blanketed with the maximum amount of dust
that can accumulate on the equipment. The temperature
class, if provided, shall be indicated using the temperature
class (T Codes) shown in Table 500.8(C). Equipment for
Class I and Class II shall be marked with the maximum
safe operating temperature, as determined by simultaneous
exposure to the combinations of Class I and Class II conditions. [ROP 14–24]
Exception: Equipment of the non–heat-producing type,
such as junction boxes, conduit, and fittings, and equipment
of the heat-producing type having a maximum temperature
not more than 100°C shall not be required to have a
marked operating temperature or temperature class.
(3) Where specifically permitted in Articles 501 through
503, general-purpose equipment or equipment in generalpurpose enclosures shall be permitted to be installed in
Division 2 locations if the equipment does not constitute a
source of ignition under normal operating conditions.
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(4) Equipment that depends on a single compression seal,
diaphragm, or tube to prevent flammable or combustible
fluids from entering the equipment shall be identified for a
Class I, Division 2 location even if installed in an unclassified location. Equipment installed in a Class I, Division 1
location shall be identified for the Class I, Division 1 location.
Informational Note: Equipment used for flow measurement is an example of equipment having a single compression seal, diaphragm, or tube.
(5) Unless otherwise specified, normal operating conditions
for motors shall be assumed to be rated full-load steady
conditions.
(6) Where flammable gases, flammable liquid–produced
vapors, combustible liquid–produced vapors, or combustible dusts are or may be present at the same time, the
simultaneous presence of both shall be considered when
determining the safe operating temperature of the electrical
equipment.
Informational Note: The characteristics of various atmospheric mixtures of gases, vapors, and dusts depend on the
specific material involved.
(C) Marking. Equipment shall be marked to show the environment for which it has been evaluated. Unless other-
70–396
Informational Note: More than one marked temperature
class or operating temperature, for gases and vapors, dusts,
and different ambient temperatures, may appear.
(5) Ambient Temperature Range. Electrical equipment
designed for use in the ambient temperature range between
–25°C to +40°C shall require no ambient temperature
marking. For equipment rated for a temperature range other
than –25°C to +40°C, the marking shall specify the special
range of ambient temperatures in degrees Celsius. The
marking shall include either the symbol “Ta” or “Tamb.”
Informational Note: As an example, such a marking might
be “–30°C ≤ Ta ≤ +40°C.”
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
500.8
ARTICLE 500 — HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASSES I, II, AND III, DIVISIONS 1 AND 2
Table 500.8(C) Classification of Maximum Surface
Temperature
Maximum Temperature
°C
°F
Temperature Class
(T Code)
450
300
280
260
230
215
200
180
165
160
135
120
100
85
842
572
536
500
446
419
392
356
329
320
275
248
212
185
T1
T2
T2A
T2B
T2C
T2D
T3
T3A
T3B
T3C
T4
T4A
T5
T6
Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas. [ROP 14–26]
(2) Class II Temperature. The temperature marking
specified in 500.8(C) shall be less than the ignition temperature of the specific dust to be encountered. For organic
dusts that may dehydrate or carbonize, the temperature
marking shall not exceed the lower of either the ignition
temperature or 165°C (329°F).
Informational Note: See NFPA 499-2008, Recommended
Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of
Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas, for minimum ignition
temperatures of specific dusts.
The ignition temperature for which equipment was approved prior to this requirement shall be assumed to be as
shown in Table 500.8(D)(2).
(6) Special Allowances.
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(a) General-Purpose Equipment. Fixed generalpurpose equipment in Class I locations, other than fixed
luminaires, that is acceptable for use in Class I, Division 2
locations shall not be required to be marked with the class,
division, group, temperature class, or ambient temperature
range.
(b) Dusttight Equipment. Fixed dusttight equipment,
other than fixed luminaires, that is acceptable for use in
Class II, Division 2 and Class III locations shall not be
required to be marked with the class, division, group, temperature class, or ambient temperature range.
(c) Associated Apparatus. Associated intrinsically safe
apparatus and associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus that are not protected by an alternative type of protection shall not be marked with the class, division, group, or
temperature class. Associated intrinsically safe apparatus
and associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus shall be
marked with the class, division, and group of the apparatus
to which it is to be connected.
(d) Simple Apparatus. “Simple apparatus” as defined in
Article 504, shall not be required to be marked with class,
division, group, temperature class, or ambient temperature
range.
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Table 500.8(D)(2) Class II Temperatures
Equipment
Not Subject
to
Overloading
Equipment (Such as Motors or
Power Transformers) That May
Be Overloaded
Normal
Operation
Abnormal
Operation
Class II
Group
°C
°F
°C
°F
°C
°F
E
F
G
200
200
165
392
392
329
200
150
120
392
302
248
200
200
165
392
392
329
(E) Threading. The supply connection entry thread form
shall be NPT or metric. Conduit and fittings shall be made
wrenchtight to prevent sparking when fault current flows
through the conduit system, and to ensure the explosionproof integrity of the conduit system where applicable.
Equipment provided with threaded entries for field wiring
connections shall be installed in accordance with
500.8(E)(1) or (E)(2) and with (E)(3).
(1) Class I Temperature. The temperature marking specified in 500.8(C) shall not exceed the autoignition temperature of the specific gas or vapor to be encountered. [ROP
14–25]
(1) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
NPT Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment provided with threaded entries for NPT threaded conduit or
fittings, listed conduit, listed conduit fittings, or listed cable
fittings shall be used. All NPT threaded conduit and fittings
shall be threaded with a National (American) Standard Pipe
Taper (NPT) thread. [ROP 14–27]
NPT threaded entries into explosionproof equipment
shall be made up with at least five threads fully engaged.
Informational Note: For information regarding autoignition temperatures of gases and vapors, see NFPA 497-2008,
Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable
Liquids, Gases, or Vapors, and of Hazardous (Classified)
Exception: For listed explosionproof equipment, joints
with factory threaded NPT entries shall be made up with at
least 41⁄2 threads fully engaged.
(D) Temperature.
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70–397
500.9
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
Informational Note No. 1: Thread specifications for male
NPT threads are located in ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983,
Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch).
sion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors or
flammable liquids.
Informational Note No. 2: Female NPT threaded entries
use a modified National Standard Pipe Taper (NPT) thread
with thread form per ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983, Pipe
Threads, General Purpose (Inch). See ANSI/UL 12032009, Explosionproof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical
Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
[ROP 14–3]
Informational Note: For the requirements for electrical
and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages in
Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2 hazardous (classified) locations
where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable
gases or vapors or flammable liquids, refer to Article 505.
T
II. Wiring
501.10 Wiring Methods. Wiring methods shall comply
with 501.10(A) or (B).
(A) Class I, Division 1.
AF
(2) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
Metric Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment
with metric threaded entries, listed conduit fittings or listed
cable fittings shall be used. Such entries shall be identified
as being metric, or listed adapters to permit connection to
conduit or NPT threaded fittings shall be provided with the
equipment and shall be used for connection to conduit or
NPT threaded fittings.
Metric threaded entries into explosionproof equipment
shall have a class of fit of at least 6g/6H and shall be made
up with at least five threads fully engaged for Group C and
Group D, and at least eight threads fully engaged for Group
A and Group B.
501.5 Zone Equipment. Equipment listed and marked in
accordance with 505.9(C)(2) for use in Zone 0, 1, or 2
locations shall be permitted in Class I, Division 2 locations
for the same gas and with a suitable temperature class.
Equipment listed and marked in accordance with
505.9(C)(2) for use in Zone 0 locations shall be permitted
in Class I, Division 1 or Division 2 locations for the same
gas and with a suitable temperature class.
Informational Note: Threading specifications for metric
threaded entries are located in ISO 965-1-1998, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 1:
Principles and basic data, and ISO 965-3-1998, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 3:
Deviations for constructional screw threads.
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(3) Unused Openings. All unused openings shall be
closed with listed metal close-up plugs. The plug engagement shall comply with 500.8(E)(1) or (E)(2).
(F) Optical Fiber Cables. Where an optical fiber cable
contains conductors that are capable of carrying current
(composite optical fiber cable), the optical fiber cable shall
be installed in accordance with the requirements of Article
500, 501, 502, or 503, as applicable.
500.9 Specific Occupancies. Articles 510 through 517
cover garages, aircraft hangars, motor fuel dispensing facilities, bulk storage plants, spray application, dipping and
coating processes, and health care facilities.
ARTICLE 501
Class I Locations
I. General
501.1 Scope. Article 501 covers the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
in Class I, Division 1 and 2 locations where fire or explo-
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(1) General. In Class I, Division 1 locations, the wiring
methods in (a) through (d) shall be permitted.
(a) Threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit.
Exception: Type PVC conduit and Type RTRC conduit
shall be permitted where encased in a concrete envelope a
minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) thick and provided with not less
than 600 mm (24 in.) of cover measured from the top of the
conduit to grade. The concrete encasement shall be permitted to be omitted where subject to the provisions of 514.8,
Exception No. 2, and 515.8(A). Threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit shall be
used for the last 600 mm (24 in.) of the underground run to
emergence or to the point of connection to the aboveground
raceway. An equipment grounding conductor shall be included to provide for electrical continuity of the raceway
system and for grounding of non–current-carrying metal
parts.
(b) Type MI cable terminated with fittings listed for the
location. Type MI cable shall be installed and supported in
a manner to avoid tensile stress at the termination fittings.
(c) In industrial establishments with restricted public
access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, Type MC-HL cable listed for use in Class I, Zone 1 or
Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath, an overall jacket of suitable polymeric material, and a separate equipment grounding conductor(s) in accordance with 250.122, and terminated with
fittings listed for the application.
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ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
(2) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections, as at motor terminals, flexible fittings
listed for the location, or flexible cord in accordance with
the provisions of 501.140 shall be permitted. [ROP 14–35]
Informational Note: For entry into enclosures required to
be explosionproof, see further information on construction,
testing and marking of cables, explosionproof cable fittings,
and explosionproof cord connectors in ANSI/UL 22252011, Cables and Cable-Fittings for Use in Hazardous
(Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–31]
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(B) Class I, Division 2.
(1) General. In Class I, Division 2 locations, the following
wiring methods shall be permitted:
(1) All wiring methods permitted in 501.10(A).
(2) Enclosed gasketed busways and enclosed gasketed
wireways.
(3) Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable in accordance
with the provisions of Article 725, including installation in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings.
(4) Type ITC and Type ITC-ER cable as permitted in 727.4
and terminated with listed fittings.
(5) Type MC, MV, TC, or TC-ER cable, including installation in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings. [ROP 14–36]
(6) In industrial establishments with restricted public access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation and where metallic conduit does not provide
sufficient corrosion resistance, listed reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC), factory elbows, and associated fittings, all marked with the suffix -XW, and
Schedule 80 PVC conduit, factory elbows, and associ-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Flexible Connections. Where provision must be made
for flexibility, one or more of the following shall be permitted: [ROP 14–37a]
(1) Listed flexible metal fittings.
(2) Flexible metal conduit with listed fittings.
(3) Interlocked armor Type MC cable with listed fittings.
[ROP 14–38]
(4) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings.
(5) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings.
(6) Flexible cord listed for extra-hard usage and terminated
with listed fittings. A conductor for use as an equipment
grounding conductor shall be included in the flexible
cord.
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(3) Boxes and Fittings. All boxes and fittings shall be
approved for Class I, Division 1.
ated fittings shall be permitted.
Where seals are required for boundary conditions as
defined in 501.15(A)(4), the Division 1 wiring method
shall extend into the Division 2 area to the seal, which
shall be located on the Division 2 side of the Division
1–Division 2 boundary.
(7) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR,
OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays or any other raceway
as stated in 501.10(B). Fiber optic cables shall be
sealed in accordance with 501.15. [ROP 14–37]
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Type MC-HL cable shall be installed in accordance
with the provisions of Article 330, Part II.
(d) In industrial establishments with restricted public
access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, Type ITC-HL cable listed for use in Class I, Zone 1 or
Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath and an overall jacket of suitable
polymeric material, and terminated with fittings listed for
the application, and installed in accordance with the provisions of Article 727.
(e) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP,
OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be
permitted to be installed in raceways as stated in
501.10(A). These fiber optic cables shall be sealed in accordance with 501.15. [ROP 14–32]
501.10
Informational Note: See 501.30(B) for grounding requirements where flexible conduit is used.
(7) For elevator use, an identified elevator cable, type EO,
ETP, or ETT, and as shown under the “use” column in
Table 400.4 for “Hazardous (classified) locations” and
terminated with listed fittings. [ROP 14–37a]
(3) Nonincendive Field Wiring. Nonincendive field wiring shall be permitted using any of the wiring methods
permitted for unclassified locations. Nonincendive field
wiring systems shall be installed in accordance with the
control drawing(s). Simple apparatus, not shown on the
control drawing, shall be permitted in a nonincendive field
wiring circuit, provided the simple apparatus does not interconnect the nonincendive field wiring circuit to any other
circuit.
Informational Note: Simple apparatus is defined in 504.2.
Separate nonincendive field wiring circuits shall be installed in accordance with one of the following:
(1) In separate cables
(2) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit are within a grounded metal shield
(3) In multiconductor cables or in raceways, where the
conductors of each circuit have insulation with a minimum thickness of 0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
70–399
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
(4) Boxes and Fittings. Boxes and fittings shall not be
required to be explosionproof except as required by
501.105(B)(1), 501.115(B)(1), and 501.150(B)(1).
Informational Note: For entry into enclosures required to
be explosionproof, see further information on construction,
testing and marking of cables, explosionproof cable fittings,
and explosionproof cord connectors in ANSI/UL 22252011, Cables and Cable-Fittings for Use in Hazardous
(Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–31]
501.15 Sealing and Drainage. Seals in conduit and cable
systems shall comply with 501.15(A) through (F). Sealing
compound shall be used in Type MI cable termination fittings to exclude moisture and other fluids from the cable
insulation.
(1) Are enclosed within a chamber hermetically sealed
against the entrance of gases or vapors
(2) Are immersed in oil in accordance with
501.115(B)(1)(2)
(3) Are enclosed within a factory-sealed explosionproof
chamber located within the enclosure, identified for the
location, and marked “factory sealed” or equivalent,
unless the enclosure entry is metric designator 53
(trade size 2) or larger
(4) Are in nonincendive circuits
Factory-sealed enclosures shall not be considered to
serve as a seal for another adjacent explosionproof enclosure that is required to have a conduit seal.
Conduit seals shall be installed within 450 mm (18 in.)
from the enclosure. Only explosionproof unions, couplings,
reducers, elbows, capped elbows, and conduit bodies similar to L, T, and Cross types that are not larger than the trade
size of the conduit shall be permitted between the sealing
fitting and the explosionproof enclosure.
AF
Informational Note No. 1: Seals are provided in conduit
and cable systems to minimize the passage of gases and
vapors and prevent the passage of flames from one portion
of the electrical installation to another through the conduit.
Such communication through Type MI cable is inherently
prevented by construction of the cable. Unless specifically
designed and tested for the purpose, conduit and cable seals
are not intended to prevent the passage of liquids, gases, or
vapors at a continuous pressure differential across the seal.
Even at differences in pressure across the seal equivalent to
a few inches of water, there may be a slow passage of gas
or vapor through a seal and through conductors passing
through the seal. See 501.15(E)(2). Temperature extremes
and highly corrosive liquids and vapors can affect the ability of seals to perform their intended function. See
501.15(C)(2).
Exception to 501.15(A)(1)(1): Seals shall not be required
for conduit entering an enclosure where such switches, circuit breakers, fuses, relays, or resistors comply with one of
the following:
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501.15
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Informational Note No. 2: Gas or vapor leakage and
propagation of flames may occur through the interstices
between the strands of standard stranded conductors larger
than 2 AWG. Special conductor constructions, for example,
compacted strands or sealing of the individual strands, are
means of reducing leakage and preventing the propagation
of flames.
(A) Conduit Seals, Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations, conduit seals shall be located in accordance with 501.15(A)(1) through (A)(4).
(1) Entering Enclosures. In each conduit entry into an
explosionproof enclosure where either of the following apply:
(1) The enclosure contains apparatus, such as switches, circuit breakers, fuses, relays, or resistors, that may produce arcs, sparks, or high temperatures that are considered to be an ignition source in normal operation.
(2) The entry is metric designator 53 (trade size 2) or
larger and the enclosure contains terminals, splices, or
taps.
For the purposes of this section, high temperatures shall
be considered to be any temperatures exceeding 80 percent
of the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius of the
gas or vapor involved.
70–400
(2) Pressurized Enclosures. In each conduit entry into a
pressurized enclosure where the conduit is not pressurized
as part of the protection system. Conduit seals shall be
installed within 450 mm (18 in.) from the pressurized enclosure.
Informational Note No. 1: Installing the seal as close as
possible to the enclosure will reduce problems with purging
the dead airspace in the pressurized conduit.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
NFPA 496-2008, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.
(3) Two or More Explosionproof Enclosures. Where two
or more explosionproof enclosures for which conduit seals
are required under 501.15(A)(1) are connected by nipples
or by runs of conduit not more than 900 mm (36 in.) long,
a single conduit seal in each such nipple connection or run
of conduit shall be considered sufficient if located not more
than 450 mm (18 in.) from either enclosure.
(4) Class I, Division 1 Boundary. In each conduit run
leaving a Class I, Division 1 location. The sealing fitting
shall be permitted on either side of the boundary of such
location within 3.05 m (10 ft) of the boundary and shall be
designed and installed so as to minimize the amount of gas
or vapor within the Division 1 portion of the conduit from
being communicated to the conduit beyond the seal. Except
for listed explosionproof reducers at the conduit seal, there
shall be no union, coupling, box, or fitting between the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
Exception No. 1: Metal conduit that contains no unions,
couplings, boxes, or fittings, and passes completely through
a Class I, Division 1 location with no fittings less than
300 mm (12 in.) beyond each boundary, shall not require a
conduit seal if the termination points of the unbroken conduit are in unclassified locations.
Exception No. 2: For underground conduit installed in
accordance with 300.5 where the boundary is below grade,
the sealing fitting shall be permitted to be installed after the
conduit emerges from below grade, but there shall be no
union, coupling, box, or fitting, other than listed explosionproof reducers at the sealing fitting, in the conduit between
the sealing fitting and the point at which the conduit
emerges from below grade.
(B) Conduit Seals, Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations, conduit seals shall be located in accordance with 501.15(B)(1) and (B)(2).
Exception No. 3: Conduit systems passing from an enclosure or room that is unclassified as a result of pressurization into a Class I, Division 2 location shall not require a
seal at the boundary.
Informational Note: For further information, refer to
NFPA 496-2008, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.
Exception No. 4: Segments of aboveground conduit systems
shall not be required to be sealed where passing from a
Class I, Division 2 location into an unclassified location if
all of the following conditions are met:
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(1) Entering Enclosures. For connections to enclosures
that are required to be explosionproof, a conduit seal shall
be provided in accordance with 501.15(A)(1)(1) and
(A)(3). All portions of the conduit run or nipple between
the seal and enclosure shall comply with 501.10(A). [ROP
14–45]
Exception No. 2: Conduit systems terminating at an unclassified location where a wiring method transition is
made to cable tray, cablebus, ventilated busway, Type MI
cable, or cable not installed in any cable tray or raceway
system shall not be required to be sealed where passing
from the Class I, Division 2 location into the unclassified
location. The unclassified location shall be outdoors or, if
the conduit system is all in one room, it shall be permitted
to be indoors. The conduits shall not terminate at an enclosure containing an ignition source in normal operation.
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conduit seal and the point at which the conduit leaves the
Division 1 location.
501.15
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(2) Class I, Division 2 Boundary. In each conduit run
passing from a Class I, Division 2 location into an unclassified location. The sealing fitting shall be permitted on
either side of the boundary of such location within 3.05 m
(10 ft) of the boundary. Rigid metal conduit or threaded
steel intermediate metal conduit shall be used between the
sealing fitting and the point at which the conduit leaves the
Division 2 location, and a threaded connection shall be
used at the sealing fitting. Except for listed reducers at the
conduit seal, there shall be no union, coupling, box, or
fitting between the conduit seal and the point at which the
conduit leaves the Division 2 location. Conduits shall be
sealed to minimize the amount of gas or vapor within the
Division 2 portion of the conduit from being communicated
to the conduit beyond the seal. Such seals shall not be
required to be explosionproof but shall be identified for the
purpose of minimizing passage of gases to the rate permitted for seal fittings [200 cm3/hr (0.007 ft3/hr) of air at a
pressure of 1500 pascals (6 in. of water)] under normal
operating conditions and shall be accessible. [ROP 14–46]
Exception No. 1: Metal conduit that contains no unions,
couplings, boxes, or fittings, and passes completely through
a Class I, Division 2 location with no fittings less than
300 mm (12 in.) beyond each boundary, shall not be required to be sealed if the termination points of the unbroken
conduit are in unclassified locations.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) No part of the conduit system segment passes through a
Class I, Division 1 location where the conduit contains
unions, couplings, boxes, or fittings within 300 mm
(12 in.) of the Class I, Division 1 location.
(2) The conduit system segment is located entirely in outdoor locations.
(3) The conduit system segment is not directly connected to
canned pumps, process or service connections for flow,
pressure, or analysis measurement, and so forth, that
depend on a single compression seal, diaphragm, or
tube to prevent flammable or combustible fluids from
entering the conduit system.
(4) The conduit system segment contains only threaded
metal conduit, unions, couplings, conduit bodies, and
fittings in the unclassified location.
(5) The conduit system segment is sealed at its entry to
each enclosure or fitting housing terminals, splices, or
taps in Class I, Division 2 locations.
(C) Class I, Divisions 1 and 2. Seals installed in Class I,
Division 1 and Division 2 locations shall comply with
501.15(C)(1) through (C)(6).
Exception: Seals not required to be explosionproof by
501.15(B)(2) or 504.70.
(1) Fittings. Enclosures for connections or equipment shall
be provided with an integral means for sealing, or sealing
fittings listed for the location shall be used. Sealing fittings
shall be listed for use with one or more specific compounds
and shall be accessible.
70–401
501.15
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
(2) Compound. The compound shall provide a seal against
passage of gas or vapors through the seal fitting, shall not
be affected by the surrounding atmosphere or liquids, and
shall not have a melting point of less than 93°C (200°F).
core shall be sealed in the Division 1 location after removing the jacket and any other coverings so that the sealing
compound will surround each individual insulated conductor or optical fiber tube and the outer jacket. [ROP 14–49]
(3) Thickness of Compounds. Except for listed cable
sealing fittings, the thickness of the sealing compound in a
completed seal shall not be less than the metric designator
(trade size) of the sealing fitting expressed in the units of
measurement employed, and in no case less than 16 mm (5⁄8
in.).
Exception: Multiconductor cables with a gas/vaportight
continuous sheath capable of transmitting gases or vapors
through the cable core shall be permitted to be considered
as a single conductor by sealing the cable in the conduit
within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure and the cable end
within the enclosure by an approved means to minimize the
entrance of gases or vapors and prevent the propagation of
flame into the cable core, or by other approved methods.
For shielded cables and twisted pair cables, it shall not be
required to remove the shielding material or separate the
twisted pair.
(4) Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall not be made in
fittings intended only for sealing with compound, nor shall
other fittings in which splices or taps are made be filled
with compound.
(3) Cables Incapable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Each multiconductor cable in conduit shall be considered as
a single conductor if the cable is incapable of transmitting
gases or vapors through the cable core. These cables shall
be sealed in accordance with 501.15(A).
(6) Conductor or Optical Fiber Fill. The cross-sectional
area of the conductors or optical fiber tubes (metallic or
nonmetallic) permitted in a seal shall not exceed 25 percent
of the cross-sectional area of a rigid metal conduit of the
same trade size unless it is specifically identified for a
higher percentage of fill. [ROP 14–48]
(1) Terminations. Cables entering enclosures that are required to be explosionproof shall be sealed at the point of
entrance. The sealing fitting shall comply with
501.15(B)(1) or be explosionproof. Multiconductor or optical multifiber cables with a gas/vaportight continuous
sheath capable of transmitting gases or vapors through the
cable core shall be sealed in a listed fitting in the Division
2 location after removing the jacket and any other coverings so that the sealing compound surrounds each individual insulated conductor or optical fiber tube in such a
manner as to minimize the passage of gases and vapors.
Multiconductor or optical multifiber cables in conduit shall
be sealed as described in 501.15(D). [ROP 14–50, ROP
14–51]
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(5) Assemblies. In an assembly where equipment that may
produce arcs, sparks, or high temperatures is located in a
compartment separate from the compartment containing
splices or taps, and an integral seal is provided where conductors pass from one compartment to the other, the entire
assembly shall be identified for the location. Seals in conduit connections to the compartment containing splices or
taps shall be provided in Class I, Division 1 locations
where required by 501.15(A)(1)(2).
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(E) Cable Seals, Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2
locations, cable seals shall be located in accordance with
501.15(E)(1) through (E)(4).
(D) Cable Seals, Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1
locations, cable seals shall be located according to
501.15(D)(1) through (D)(3).
(1) At Terminations. Cable shall be sealed at all terminations. The sealing fitting shall comply with 501.15(C). Multiconductor Type MC-HL cables with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath and an overall jacket of
suitable polymeric material shall be sealed with a listed
fitting after removing the jacket and any other covering so
that the sealing compound surrounds each individual insulated conductor in such a manner as to minimize the passage of gases and vapors.
Exception: Shielded cables and twisted pair cables shall
not require the removal of the shielding material or separation of the twisted pairs, provided the termination is by
an approved means to minimize the entrance of gases or
vapors and prevent propagation of flame into the cable
core.
(2) Cables Capable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Cables in conduit with a gas/vaportight continuous sheath
capable of transmitting gases or vapors through the cable
70–402
Exception No. 1: Cables passing from an enclosure or
room that is unclassified as a result of Type Z pressurization into a Class I, Division 2 location shall not require a
seal at the boundary.
Exception No. 2: Shielded cables and twisted pair cables
shall not require the removal of the shielding material or
separation of the twisted pairs, provided the termination is
by an approved means to minimize the entrance of gases or
vapors and prevent propagation of flame into the cable
core.
(2) Cables That Do Not Transmit Gases or Vapors.
Cables that have a gas/vaportight continuous sheath and do
not transmit gases or vapors through the cable core in excess of the quantity permitted for seal fittings shall not be
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
Informational Note: The cable core does not include the
interstices of the conductor strands.
(3) Cables Capable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Cables with a gas/vaportight continuous sheath capable of
transmitting gases or vapors through the cable core shall
not be required to be sealed except as required in
501.15(E)(1), unless the cable is attached to process equipment or devices that may cause a pressure in excess of
1500 pascals (6 in. of water) to be exerted at a cable end, in
which case a seal, barrier, or other means shall be provided
to prevent migration of flammables into an unclassified location.
AF
Exception: Cables with an unbroken gas/vaportight continuous sheath shall be permitted to pass through a Class I,
Division 2 location without seals.
(4) Cables Without Gas/Vaportight Sheath. Cables that
do not have gas/vaportight continuous sheath shall be
sealed at the boundary of the Division 2 and unclassified
location in such a manner as to minimize the passage of
gases or vapors into an unclassified location.
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(F) Drainage.
(1) Control Equipment. Where there is a probability that
liquid or other condensed vapor may be trapped within
enclosures for control equipment or at any point in the
raceway system, approved means shall be provided to prevent accumulation or to permit periodic draining of such
liquid or condensed vapor.
(2) Motors and Generators. Where liquid or condensed
vapor may accumulate within motors or generators, joints
and conduit systems shall be arranged to minimize the entrance of liquid. If means to prevent accumulation or to
permit periodic draining are necessary, such means shall be
provided at the time of manufacture and shall be considered
an integral part of the machine. [ROP 14–52]
501.17 Process Sealing. This section shall apply to
process-connected equipment, which includes, but is not
limited to, canned pumps, submersible pumps, flow, pressure, temperature, or analysis measurement instruments. A
process seal is a device to prevent the migration of process
fluids from the designed containment into the external electrical system. Process connected electrical equipment that
incorporates a single process seal, such as a single compression seal, diaphragm, or tube to prevent flammable or
combustible fluids from entering a conduit or cable system
2014 Edition
capable of transmitting fluids, shall be provided with an
additional means to mitigate a single process seal failure,
The additional means may include, but is not limited to the
following:
(1) A suitable barrier meeting the process temperature and
pressure conditions that the barrier will be subjected to
upon failure of the single process seal. There shall be a
vent or drain between the single process seal and the
suitable barrier. Indication of the single process seal
failure shall be provided by visible leakage, an audible
whistle, or other means of monitoring.
(2) A listed Type MI cable assembly, rated at not less than
125 percent of the process pressure and not less than
125 percent of the maximum process temperature (in
degrees Celsius), installed between the cable or conduit
and the single process seal.
(3) A drain or vent located between the single process seal
and a conduit or cable seal. The drain or vent shall be
sufficiently sized to prevent overpressuring the conduit
or cable seal above 6 in. water column (1493 Pa). Indication of the single process seal failure shall be provided by visible leakage, an audible whistle, or other
means of monitoring.
(4) An add-on secondary seal marked “Secondary Seal”
and rated for the pressure and temperature conditions
that it will be subjected to upon failure of the single
process seal. [ROP 14–54]
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required to be sealed except as required in 501.15(E)(1).
The minimum length of such cable run shall not be less
than that length that limits gas or vapor flow through the
cable core to the rate permitted for seal fittings [200 cm3/hr
(0.007 ft3/hr) of air at a pressure of 1500 pascals (6 in. of
water)].
501.30
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Process-connected electrical equipment that does not
rely on a single process seal or is listed and marked “single
seal” or “dual seal” shall not be required to be provided
with an additional means of sealing.
Informational Note: For construction and testing requirements for process sealing for listed and marked “single
seal,” “dual seal,” or “secondary seal” equipment, refer to
ANSI/ISA-12.27.01-2011, Requirements for Process Sealing Between Electrical Systems and Flammable or Combustible Process Fluids. [ROP 14–54, ROP 14–55]
501.20 Conductor Insulation, Class I, Divisions 1 and 2.
Where condensed vapors or liquids may collect on, or come
in contact with, the insulation on conductors, such insulation shall be of a type identified for use under such conditions; or the insulation shall be protected by a sheath of
lead or by other approved means.
501.25 Uninsulated Exposed Parts, Class I, Divisions 1
and 2. There shall be no uninsulated exposed parts, such as
electrical conductors, buses, terminals, or components, that
operate at more than 30 volts (15 volts in wet locations).
These parts shall additionally be protected by a protection
technique according to 500.7(E), (F), or (G) that is suitable
for the location.
501.30 Grounding and Bonding, Class I, Divisions 1
and 2. Wiring and equipment in Class I, Division 1 and 2
70–403
501.35
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
(A) Bonding. The locknut-bushing and double-locknut
types of contacts shall not be depended on for bonding
purposes, but bonding jumpers with proper fittings or other
approved means of bonding shall be used. Such means of
bonding shall apply to all intervening raceways, fittings,
boxes, enclosures, and so forth between Class I locations
and the point of grounding for service equipment or point
of grounding of a separately derived system.
Exception: The specific bonding means shall be required
only to the nearest point where the grounded circuit conductor and the grounding electrode are connected together
on the line side of the building or structure disconnecting
means as specified in 250.32(B), provided the branchcircuit overcurrent protection is located on the load side of
the disconnecting means.
[ROP 14–56a]
(2) Not Containing Liquid That Will Burn. Transformers and capacitors that do not contain a liquid that will burn
shall be installed in vaults complying with 501.100(A)(1)
or be identified for Class I locations.
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
transformers shall comply with 450.21 through 450.27, and
capacitors shall comply with 460.2 through 460.28.
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(B) Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Flexible metal conduit and liquidtight flexible metal conduit
shall include an equipment bonding jumper of the wire type
in compliance with 250.102.
(1) Containing Liquid That Will Burn. Transformers and
capacitors containing a liquid that will burn shall be installed only in vaults that comply with 450.41 through
450.48 and with (1) through (4) as follows:
(1) There shall be no door or other communicating opening
between the vault and the Division 1 location.
(2) Ample ventilation shall be provided for the continuous
removal of flammable gases or vapors.
(3) Vent openings or ducts shall lead to a safe location
outside of buildings.
(4) Vent ducts and openings shall be of sufficient area to
relieve explosion pressures within the vault, and all
portions of vent ducts within the buildings shall be of
reinforced concrete construction.
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locations shall be grounded as specified in Article 250 and
in accordance with the requirements of 501.30(A) and (B).
Exception: In Class I, Division 2 locations, the bonding
jumper shall be permitted to be deleted where all of the
following conditions are met:
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(1) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft) or
less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
(2) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to 10
amperes or less.
(3) The load is not a power utilization load.
501.35 Surge Protection.
(A) Class I, Division 1. Surge arresters, surge-protective
devices, and capacitors shall be installed in enclosures
identified for Class I, Division 1 locations. Surge-protective
capacitors shall be of a type designed for specific duty.
501.105 Meters, Instruments, and Relays.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
meters, instruments, and relays, including kilowatt-hour
meters, instrument transformers, resistors, rectifiers, and
thermionic tubes, shall be provided with enclosures identified for Class I, Division 1 locations. Enclosures for Class
I, Division 1 locations include explosionproof enclosures
and purged and pressurized enclosures.
Informational Note: See NFPA 496-2008, Standard for
Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical
Equipment.
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
meters, instruments, and relays shall comply with
501.105(B)(1) through (B)(6).
(B) Class I, Division 2. Surge arresters and surgeprotective devices shall be nonarcing, such as metal-oxide
varistor (MOV) sealed type, and surge-protective capacitors
shall be of a type designed for specific duty. Enclosures
shall be permitted to be of the general-purpose type. Surge
protection of types other than described in this paragraph
shall be installed in enclosures identified for Class I, Division 1 locations. [ROP 14–59]
(1) Contacts. Switches, circuit breakers, and make-andbreak contacts of pushbuttons, relays, alarm bells, and
horns shall have enclosures identified for Class I, Division
1 locations in accordance with 501.105(A).
III. Equipment
(1) Are immersed in oil
(2) Are enclosed within a chamber that is hermetically
sealed against the entrance of gases or vapors
(3) Are in nonincendive circuits
(4) Are listed for Division 2
501.100 Transformers and Capacitors.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
transformers and capacitors shall comply with
501.100(A)(1) and (A)(2).
70–404
Exception: General-purpose enclosures shall be permitted
if current-interrupting contacts comply with one of the following:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
501.115
(2) Resistors and Similar Equipment. Resistors, resistance devices, thermionic tubes, rectifiers, and similar
equipment that are used in or in connection with meters,
instruments, and relays shall comply with 501.105(A).
(4) Only necessary receptacles are provided.
(5) The receptacle carries a label warning against unplugging under load.
Exception: General-purpose-type enclosures shall be permitted if such equipment is without make-and-break or sliding contacts [other than as provided in 501.105(B)(1)] and
if the maximum operating temperature of any exposed surface will not exceed 80 percent of the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius of the gas or vapor involved or has
been tested and found incapable of igniting the gas or vapor. This exception shall not apply to thermionic tubes.
[ROP 14–60]
501.115 Switches, Circuit Breakers, Motor Controllers,
and Fuses.
(1) Type Required. Circuit breakers, motor controllers,
and switches intended to interrupt current in the normal
performance of the function for which they are installed
shall be provided with enclosures identified for Class I,
Division 1 locations in accordance with 501.105(A), unless
general-purpose enclosures are provided and any of the following apply:
(1) The interruption of current occurs within a chamber
hermetically sealed against the entrance of gases and
vapors.
(2) The current make-and-break contacts are oil-immersed
and of the general-purpose type having a 50-mm (2-in.)
minimum immersion for power contacts and a 25-mm
(1-in.) minimum immersion for control contacts.
(3) The interruption of current occurs within a factorysealed explosionproof chamber.
(4) The device is a solid state, switching control without
contacts, where the surface temperature does not exceed 80 percent of the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius of the gas or vapor involved. [ROP
14–63]
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(4) General-Purpose Assemblies. Where an assembly is
made up of components for which general-purpose enclosures are acceptable as provided in 501.105(B)(1), (B)(2),
and (B)(3), a single general-purpose enclosure shall be acceptable for the assembly. Where such an assembly includes any of the equipment described in 501.105(B)(2),
the maximum obtainable surface temperature of any component of the assembly shall be clearly and permanently
indicated on the outside of the enclosure. Alternatively,
equipment shall be permitted to be marked to indicate the
temperature class for which it is suitable, using the temperature class (T Code) of Table 500.8(C).
(B) Class I, Division 2. Switches, circuit breakers, motor
controllers, and fuses in Class I, Division 2 locations shall
comply with 501.115(B)(1) through (B)(4).
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(3) Without Make-or-Break Contacts. Transformer
windings, impedance coils, solenoids, and other windings
that do not incorporate sliding or make-or-break contacts
shall be provided with enclosures. General-purpose-type
enclosures shall be permitted.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
switches, circuit breakers, motor controllers, and fuses, including pushbuttons, relays, and similar devices, shall be
provided with enclosures, and the enclosure in each case,
together with the enclosed apparatus, shall be identified as a
complete assembly for use in Class I locations.
(5) Fuses. Where general-purpose enclosures are permitted
in 501.105(B)(1) through (B)(4), fuses for overcurrent protection of instrument circuits not subject to overloading in
normal use shall be permitted to be mounted in generalpurpose enclosures if each such fuse is preceded by a
switch complying with 501.105(B)(1).
(6) Connections. To facilitate replacements, process control instruments shall be permitted to be connected through
flexible cord, attachment plug, and receptacle, provided all
of the following conditions apply:
(1) A switch complying with 501.105(B)(1) is provided so
that the attachment plug is not depended on to interrupt
current, unless the circuit is nonincendive field wiring,
in which case the switch is not required. [ROP 14–62]
(2) The current does not exceed 3 amperes at 120 volts,
nominal.
(3) The power-supply cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft),
is of a type listed for extra-hard usage or for hard usage
if protected by location, and is supplied through an
attachment plug and receptacle of the locking and
grounding type.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Isolating Switches. Fused or unfused disconnect and
isolating switches for transformers or capacitor banks that
are not intended to interrupt current in the normal performance of the function for which they are installed shall be
permitted to be installed in general-purpose enclosures.
(3) Fuses. For the protection of motors, appliances, and
lamps, other than as provided in 501.115(B)(4), standard
plug or cartridge fuses shall be permitted, provided they are
placed within enclosures identified for the location; or fuses
shall be permitted if they are within general-purpose enclosures, and if they are of a type in which the operating
element is immersed in oil or other approved liquid, or the
operating element is enclosed within a chamber hermetically sealed against the entrance of gases and vapors, or the
fuse is a nonindicating, filled, current-limiting type.
70–405
501.120
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
501.120 Control Transformers and Resistors. Transformers, impedance coils, and resistors used as, or in conjunction with, control equipment for motors, generators,
and appliances shall comply with 501.120(A) and (B).
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
transformers, impedance coils, and resistors, together with
any switching mechanism associated with them, shall be
provided with enclosures identified for Class I, Division 1
locations in accordance with 501.105(A).
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
control transformers and resistors shall comply with
501.120(B)(1) through (B)(3).
(1) Switching Mechanisms. Switching mechanisms used
in conjunction with transformers, impedance coils, and resistors shall comply with 501.115(B).
Totally enclosed motors of the types specified in
501.125(A)(2) or (A)(3) shall have no external surface with
an operating temperature in degrees Celsius in excess of
80 percent of the autoignition temperature of the gas or
vapor involved. Appropriate devices shall be provided to
detect and automatically de-energize the motor or provide
an adequate alarm if there is any increase in temperature of
the motor beyond designed limits. Auxiliary equipment
shall be of a type identified for the location in which it is
installed. [ROP 14–67]
[ROP 14–66a]
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
motors, generators, and other rotating electrical machinery
in which are employed sliding contacts, centrifugal or other
types of switching mechanism (including motor overcurrent, overloading, and overtemperature devices), or integral
resistance devices, either while starting or while running,
shall be identified for Class I, Division 1 locations, unless
such sliding contacts, switching mechanisms, and resistance devices are provided with enclosures identified for
Class I, Division 2 locations in accordance with
501.105(B). The exposed surface of space heaters used to
prevent condensation of moisture during shutdown periods
shall not exceed 80 percent of the autoignition temperature
in degrees Celsius of the gas or vapor involved when operated at rated voltage, and the maximum space heater surface temperature [based on a 40°C or higher marked ambient] shall be permanently marked on a visible nameplate
mounted on the motor. Otherwise, space heaters shall be
identified for Class I, Division 2 locations. In Class I, Division 2 locations, the installation of open or nonexplosionproof enclosed motors, such as squirrel-cage induction motors without brushes, switching mechanisms, or similar arcproducing devices that are not identified for use in a Class
I, Division 2 location, shall be permitted. [ROP 14–68]
AF
(2) Coils and Windings. Enclosures for windings of transformers, solenoids, or impedance coils shall be permitted to
be of the general-purpose type.
in a gas or vapor at a pressure greater than atmospheric
and that is flammable only when mixed with air; and
the machine is so arranged to prevent energizing it until
it has been purged with the liquid or gas to exclude air,
and also arranged to automatically de-energize the
equipment when the supply of liquid or gas or vapor
fails or the pressure is reduced to atmospheric
T
(4) Fuses Internal to Luminaires. Listed cartridge fuses
shall be permitted as supplementary protection within luminaires.
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(3) Resistors. Resistors shall be provided with enclosures;
and the assembly shall be identified for Class I locations,
unless resistance is nonvariable and maximum operating
temperature, in degrees Celsius, will not exceed 80 percent
of the autoignition temperature of the gas or vapor involved
or has been tested and found incapable of igniting the gas
or vapor. [ROP 14–64]
501.125 Motors and Generators.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
motors, generators, and other rotating electrical machinery
shall be one of the following:
(1) Identified for Class I, Division 1 locations
(2) Of the totally enclosed type supplied with positivepressure ventilation from a source of clean air with
discharge to a safe area, so arranged to prevent energizing of the machine until ventilation has been established and the enclosure has been purged with at least
10 volumes of air, and also arranged to automatically
de-energize the equipment when the air supply fails
(3) Of the totally enclosed inert gas-filled type supplied
with a suitable reliable source of inert gas for pressurizing the enclosure, with devices provided to ensure a
positive pressure in the enclosure and arranged to automatically de-energize the equipment when the gas
supply fails
(4) Of a type designed to be submerged in a liquid that is
flammable only when vaporized and mixed with air, or
70–406
Informational Note No. 1: It is important to consider the
temperature of internal and external surfaces that may be
exposed to the flammable atmosphere.
Informational Note No. 2: It is important to consider the
risk of ignition due to currents arcing across discontinuities
and overheating of parts in multisection enclosures of large
motors and generators. Such motors and generators may
need equipotential bonding jumpers across joints in the enclosure and from enclosure to ground. Where the presence
of ignitible gases or vapors is suspected, clean-air purging
may be needed immediately prior to and during start-up
periods.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
501.135
Informational Note No. 3: For further information on the
application of electric motors in Class I, Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations, see IEEE Std. 1349-2011, IEEE
Guide for the Application of Electric Motors in Class I,
Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–69, ROP 14–70]
ture in degrees Celsius of the gas or vapor involved, luminaires shall comply with 501.130(A)(1) or shall be of a
type that has been tested in order to determine the marked
operating temperature or temperature class (T Code). [ROP
14–71]
Informational Note No. 4: For reciprocating engine driven
generators, compressors, and other equipment installed in
Class I Division 2 locations, it is important to consider the
risk of ignition of flammable materials associated with fuel,
starting, compression, etc. that may be present due to inadvertent release or equipment malfunction by the engine ignition system and controls. For further information on the
requirements for ignition systems for reciprocating engines
installed in Class I Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations, see ANSI/ISA-12.20.01-2009, General Requirements
for Electrical Ignition Systems for Internal Combustion Engines in Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2, Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–66]
(2) Physical Damage. Luminaires shall be protected from
physical damage by suitable guards or by location. Where
there is danger that falling sparks or hot metal from lamps
or luminaires might ignite localized concentrations of flammable vapors or gases, suitable enclosures or other effective protective means shall be provided.
AF
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations,
luminaires shall comply with 501.130(A)(1) through
(A)(4).
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501.130 Luminaires. Luminaires shall comply with
501.130(A) or (B).
(3) Pendant Luminaires. Pendant luminaires shall be suspended by threaded rigid metal conduit stems, threaded
steel intermediate metal conduit stems, or other approved
means. For rigid stems longer than 300 mm (12 in.), permanent and effective bracing against lateral displacement
shall be provided at a level not more than 300 mm (12 in.)
above the lower end of the stem, or flexibility in the form
of an identified fitting or flexible connector shall be provided not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the point of
attachment to the supporting box or fitting.
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(1) Luminaires. Each luminaire shall be identified as a
complete assembly for the Class I, Division 1 location and
shall be clearly marked to indicate the maximum wattage of
lamps for which it is identified. Luminaires intended for
portable use shall be specifically listed as a complete assembly for that use.
(2) Physical Damage. Each luminaire shall be protected
against physical damage by a suitable guard or by location.
(3) Pendant Luminaires. Pendant luminaires shall be suspended by and supplied through threaded rigid metal conduit stems or threaded steel intermediate conduit stems, and
threaded joints shall be provided with set-screws or other
effective means to prevent loosening. For stems longer than
300 mm (12 in.), permanent and effective bracing against
lateral displacement shall be provided at a level not more
than 300 mm (12 in.) above the lower end of the stem, or
flexibility in the form of a fitting or flexible connector identified for the Class I, Division 1 location shall be provided
not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the point of attachment
to the supporting box or fitting.
(4) Supports. Boxes, box assemblies, or fittings used for
the support of luminaires shall be identified for Class I
locations.
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
luminaires shall comply with 501.130(B)(1) through (B)(6).
(1) Luminaires. Where lamps are of a size or type that
may, under normal operating conditions, reach surface temperatures exceeding 80 percent of the autoignition tempera-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(4) Portable Lighting Equipment. Portable lighting
equipment shall comply with 501.130(A)(1).
Exception: Where portable lighting equipment is mounted
on movable stands and is connected by flexible cords, as
covered in 501.140, it shall be permitted, where mounted in
any position, if it conforms to 501.130(B)(2).
(5) Switches. Switches that are a part of an assembled
fixture or of an individual lampholder shall comply with
501.115(B)(1).
(6) Starting Equipment. Starting and control equipment
for electric-discharge lamps shall comply with 501.120(B).
Exception: A thermal protector potted into a thermally
protected fluorescent lamp ballast if the luminaire is identified for the location.
501.135 Utilization Equipment.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations, all
utilization equipment shall be identified for Class I, Division 1 locations.
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations, all
utilization equipment shall comply with 501.135(B)(1)
through (B)(3).
(1) Heaters. Electrically heated utilization equipment shall
conform with either item (1) or item (2):
(1) The heater shall not exceed 80 percent of the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius of the gas or vapor
involved on any surface that is exposed to the gas or
vapor when continuously energized at the maximum
70–407
ARTICLE 501 — CLASS I LOCATIONS
rated ambient temperature. If a temperature controller
is not provided, these conditions shall apply when the
heater is operated at 120 percent of rated voltage.
[ROP 14–73]
Exception No. 1: For motor-mounted anticondensation
space heaters, see 501.125.
Exception No. 2: Where a current-limiting device is applied to the circuit serving the heater to limit the current in
the heater to a value less than that required to raise the
heater surface temperature to 80 percent of the autoignition
temperature. [ROP 14–74]
(2) The heater shall be identified for Class I, Division 1
locations.
Exception to (2): Electrical resistance heat tracing identified for Class I, Division 2 locations.
(2) Motors. Motors of motor-driven utilization equipment
shall comply with 501.125(B).
(3) Switches, Circuit Breakers, and Fuses. Switches, circuit breakers, and fuses shall comply with 501.115(B).
Informational Note: See 501.20 for flexible cords exposed
to liquids having a deleterious effect on the conductor
insulation.
AF
501.140 Flexible Cords, Class I, Divisions 1 and 2.
(1) Be of a type listed for extra-hard usage
(2) Contain, in addition to the conductors of the circuit, an
equipment grounding conductor complying with
400.23
(3) Be supported by clamps or by other suitable means in
such a manner that there is no tension on the terminal
connections
(4) In Division 1 locations or in Division 2 locations where
the boxes, fittings, or enclosures are required to be explosionproof, the cord shall be terminated with a cord
connector or attachment plug listed for the location or a
listed cord connector installed with a seal listed for the
location. In Division 2 locations where explosionproof
equipment is not required, the cord shall be terminated
with a listed cord connector or listed attachment plug.
[ROP 14–76]
(5) Be of continuous length. Where 501.140(A)(5) is applied, cords shall be of continuous length from the
power source to the temporary portable assembly and
from the temporary portable assembly to the utilization
equipment.
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501.140
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(A) Permitted Uses. Flexible cord shall be permitted:
(1) For connection between portable lighting equipment or
other portable utilization equipment and the fixed portion of their supply circuit. The flexible cord shall be
attached to the utilization equipment with a cord connector listed for the protection technique of the equipment wiring compartment. An attachment plug in accordance with 501.140(B)(4) shall be employed. [ROP
14–75]
(2) For that portion of the circuit where the fixed wiring
methods of 501.10(A) cannot provide the necessary degree of movement for fixed and mobile electrical utilization equipment, and the flexible cord is protected by
location or by a suitable guard from damage and only
in an industrial establishment where conditions of
maintenance and engineering supervision ensure that
only qualified persons install and service the installation.
(3) For electric submersible pumps with means for removal without entering the wet-pit. The extension of
the flexible cord within a suitable raceway between the
wet-pit and the power source shall be permitted.
(4) For electric mixers intended for travel into and out of
open-type mixing tanks or vats.
(5) For temporary portable assemblies consisting of receptacles, switches, and other devices that are not considered portable utilization equipment but are individually
listed for the location.
(B) Installation. Where flexible cords are used, the cords
shall comply with all of the following:
70–408
501.145 Receptacles and Attachment Plugs, Class I, Divisions 1 and 2. [ROP 14–77]
(A) Receptacles.. Receptacles shall be part of the premises
wiring, except as permitted by 501.140(A)(5).
(B) Attachment Plugs . Attachment plugs shall be of the
type providing for connection to the equipment grounding
conductor of a flexible cord and shall be identified for the
location.
Exception: Receptacles and attachment plugs as provided
in 501.105(B)(6).
501.150 Signaling, Alarm, Remote-Control, and Communications Systems.
(A) Class I, Division 1. In Class I, Division 1 locations, all
apparatus and equipment of signaling, alarm, remotecontrol, and communications systems, regardless of voltage, shall be identified for Class I, Division 1 locations, and
all wiring shall comply with 501.10(A), 501.15(A), and
501.15(C).
(B) Class I, Division 2. In Class I, Division 2 locations,
signaling, alarm, remote-control, and communications systems shall comply with 501.150(B)(1) through (B)(4).
(1) Contacts. Switches, circuit breakers, and make-andbreak contacts of pushbuttons, relays, alarm bells, and
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 502 — CLASS II LOCATIONS
Exception: General-purpose enclosures shall be permitted
if current-interrupting contacts are one of the following:
(1) Immersed in oil
(2) Enclosed within a chamber hermetically sealed against
the entrance of gases or vapors
(3) In nonincendive circuits
(4) Part of a listed nonincendive component
(2) Resistors and Similar Equipment. Resistors, resistance devices, thermionic tubes, rectifiers, and similar
equipment shall comply with 501.105(B)(2).
(3) Protectors. Enclosures shall be provided for lightning
protective devices and for fuses. Such enclosures shall be
permitted to be of the general-purpose type.
ARTICLE 502
Class II Locations
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I. General
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(4) Wiring and Sealing. All wiring shall comply with
501.10(B), 501.15(B), and 501.15(C).
502.1 Scope. Article 502 covers the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
in Class II, Division 1 and 2 locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to combustible dust.
502.5 Explosionproof Equipment. Explosionproof equipment and wiring shall not be required and shall not be
acceptable in Class II locations unless also identified for
such locations.
502.6 Zone Equipment. Equipment listed and marked in
accordance with 506.9(C)(2) for Zone 20 locations shall be
permitted in Class II, Division 1 locations for the same dust
atmosphere; and with a suitable temperature class.
Equipment listed and marked in accordance with
506.9(C)(2) for Zone 20, 21, or 22 locations shall be permitted in Class II, Division 2 locations for the same dust
atmosphere and with a suitable temperature class.
II. Wiring
502.10 Wiring Methods. Wiring methods shall comply
with 502.10(A) or (B).
(A) Class II, Division 1.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) General. In Class II, Division 1 locations, the wiring
methods in (1) through (4) shall be permitted:
(1) Threaded rigid metal conduit, or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit.
(2) Type MI cable with termination fittings listed for the
location. Type MI cable shall be installed and supported in a manner to avoid tensile stress at the termination fittings.
(3) In industrial establishments with limited public access,
where the conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, Type MC-HL cable, listed for use in Class II,
Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous
corrugated metallic sheath, an overall jacket of suitable
polymeric material, a separate equipment grounding
conductor(s) in accordance with 250.122, and provided
with termination fittings listed for the location, shall be
permitted. [ROP 14–80]
(4) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR,
OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be permitted to be installed in raceways as stated in 502.10(A).
These fiber optic cables shall be sealed in accordance
with 502.15. [ROP 14–80, ROP 14–83]
T
horns shall have enclosures identified for Class I, Division
1 locations in accordance with 501.105(A).
502.10
(2) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections, one or more of the following shall
also be permitted:
(1) Dusttight flexible connectors
(2) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings
(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings
(4) Interlocked armor Type MC cable having an overall
jacket of suitable polymeric material and provided with
termination fittings listed for Class II, Division 1 locations.
(5) Flexible cord listed for extra-hard usage and terminated
with listed dusttight cord connectors. Where flexible
cords are used, they shall comply with 502.140. [ROP
14–84]
(6) For elevator use, an identified elevator cable, type EO,
ETP, or ETT, and as shown under the “use” column in
Table 400.4 for “Hazardous (classified) locations” and
terminated with listed dusttight fittings. [ROP 14–88a]
Informational Note: See 502.30(B) for grounding requirements where flexible conduit is used.
(3) Boxes and Fittings. Boxes and fittings shall be provided with threaded bosses for connection to conduit or
cable terminations and shall be dusttight. Boxes and fittings
in which taps, joints, or terminal connections are made, or
that are used in Group E locations, shall be identified for
Class II locations. [ROP 14–80]
70–409
502.15
ARTICLE 502 — CLASS II LOCATIONS
(B) Class II, Division 2.
(1)
ing
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Informational Note: Simple apparatus is defined in 504.2.
Separate nonincendive field wiring circuits shall be installed in accordance with one of the following:
(1) In separate cables
(2) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit are within a grounded metal shield
(3) In multiconductor cables or in raceways where the conductors of each circuit have insulation with a minimum
thickness of 0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
(4) Boxes and Fittings. All boxes and fittings shall be
dusttight.
502.15 Sealing, Class II, Divisions 1 and 2. Where a
raceway provides communication between an enclosure
that is required to be dust-ignitionproof and one that is not,
suitable means shall be provided to prevent the entrance of
dust into the dust-ignitionproof enclosure through the raceway. One of the following means shall be permitted:
(1) A permanent and effective seal
(2) A horizontal raceway not less than 3.05 m (10 ft) long
(3) A vertical raceway not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) long and
extending downward from the dust-ignitionproof enclosure
(4) A raceway installed in a manner equivalent to (2) or (3)
that extends only horizontally and downward from the
dust-ignition proof enclosures
AF
(6)
General. In Class II, Division 2 locations, the followwiring methods shall be permitted:
All wiring methods permitted in 502.10(A).
Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, dusttight wireways.
Type MC or MI cable with listed termination fittings.
Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable in accordance
with the provisions of Article 725, including installation in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings.
Type ITC and Type ITC-ER cable as permitted in 727.4
and terminated with listed fittings.
Type MC, MI, or TC cable installed in ladder, ventilated trough, or ventilated channel cable trays in a
single layer, with a space not less than the larger cable
diameter between the two adjacent cables, shall be the
wiring method employed.
terconnect the nonincendive field wiring circuit to any other
circuit.
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Informational Note: For entry into enclosures required to
be dust-ignitionproof, see further information on construction, testing and marking of cables, dust-ignitionproof cable
fittings, and dust-ignitionproof cord connectors in
ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and Cable-Fittings for Use in
Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–80]
Exception to (6): Type MC cable listed for use in Class II,
Division 1 locations shall be permitted to be installed without the spacings required by (6). [ROP 14–80]
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(7) In industrial establishments with restricted public access where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation and where metallic conduit does not provide
sufficient corrosion resistance, reinforced thermosetting
resin conduit (RTRC) factory elbows, and associated
fittings, all marked with suffix -XW, and Schedule 80
PVC conduit, factory elbows and associated fittings
shall be permitted.
(8) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR,
OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,OFN, and OFC shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays or any other raceway
as stated in 502.10(B). Fiber optic cables shall be
sealed in accordance with 502.15. [ROP 14–88]
(2) Flexible Connections. Where provision must be made
for flexibility, 502.10(A)(2) shall apply.
(3) Nonincendive Field Wiring. Nonincendive field wiring shall be permitted using any of the wiring methods
permitted for unclassified locations. Nonincendive field
wiring systems shall be installed in accordance with the
control drawing(s). Simple apparatus, not shown on the
control drawing, shall be permitted in a nonincendive field
wiring circuit, provided the simple apparatus does not in-
70–410
Where a raceway provides communication between an
enclosure that is required to be dust-ignitionproof and an
enclosure in an unclassified location, seals shall not be required.
Sealing fittings shall be accessible.
Seals shall not be required to be explosionproof.
Informational Note: Electrical sealing putty is a method of
sealing.
502.25 Uninsulated Exposed Parts, Class II, Divisions 1
and 2. There shall be no uninsulated exposed parts, such as
electrical conductors, buses, terminals, or components, that
operate at more than 30 volts (15 volts in wet locations).
These parts shall additionally be protected by a protection
technique according to 500.7(E), (F), or (G) that is suitable
for the location.
502.30 Grounding and Bonding, Class II, Divisions 1
and 2. Wiring and equipment in Class II, Division 1 and 2
locations shall be grounded as specified in Article 250 and
in accordance with the requirements of 502.30(A) and (B).
(A) Bonding. The locknut-bushing and double-locknut
types of contact shall not be depended on for bonding pur-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 502 — CLASS II LOCATIONS
502.120
poses, but bonding jumpers with proper fittings or other
approved means of bonding shall be used. Such means of
bonding shall apply to all intervening raceways, fittings,
boxes, enclosures, and so forth, between Class II locations
and the point of grounding for service equipment or point
of grounding of a separately derived system.
stripping) to minimize the entrance of dust into the
vault.
(2) Vent openings and ducts shall communicate only with
the outside air.
(3) Suitable pressure-relief openings communicating with
the outside air shall be provided.
Exception: The specific bonding means shall only be required to the nearest point where the grounded circuit conductor and the grounding electrode conductor are connected together on the line side of the building or structure
disconnecting means as specified in 250.32(B) if the
branch-circuit overcurrent protection is located on the load
side of the disconnecting means.
[ROP 14–56a]
(2) Not Containing Liquid That Will Burn. Transformers and capacitors that do not contain a liquid that will burn
shall be installed in vaults complying with 450.41 through
450.48 or be identified as a complete assembly, including
terminal connections.
(1) Containing Liquid That Will Burn. Transformers and
capacitors containing a liquid that will burn shall be installed in vaults that comply with 450.41 through 450.48.
(2) Containing Askarel. Transformers containing askarel
and rated in excess of 25 kVA shall be as follows:
(1) Provided with pressure-relief vents
(2) Provided with a means for absorbing any gases generated by arcing inside the case, or the pressure-relief
vents shall be connected to a chimney or flue that will
carry such gases outside the building
(3) Have an airspace of not less than 150 mm (6 in.) between the transformer cases and any adjacent combustible material
AF
Exception: In Class II, Division 2 locations, the bonding
jumper shall be permitted to be deleted where all of the
following conditions are met:
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
transformers and capacitors shall comply with
502.100(B)(1) through (B)(3).
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(B) Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall include an equipment
bonding jumper of the wire type in compliance with
250.102.
(3) Group E. No transformer or capacitor shall be installed
in a Class II, Division 1, Group E location.
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(1) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft) or
less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
(2) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to 10
amperes or less.
(3) The load is not a power utilization load.
502.35 Surge Protection — Class II, Divisions 1 and 2.
Surge arresters and surge-protective devices installed in a
Class II, Division 1 location shall be in suitable enclosures.
Surge-protective capacitors shall be of a type designed for
specific duty.
[ROP 14–92]
III. Equipment
502.100 Transformers and Capacitors.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
transformers and capacitors shall comply with
502.100(A)(1) through (A)(3).
(1) Containing Liquid That Will Burn. Transformers and
capacitors containing a liquid that will burn shall be installed only in vaults complying with 450.41 through
450.48, and, in addition, (1), (2), and (3) shall apply.
(1) Doors or other openings communicating with the Division 1 location shall have self-closing fire doors on
both sides of the wall, and the doors shall be carefully
fitted and provided with suitable seals (such as weather
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Dry-Type Transformers. Dry-type transformers shall
be installed in vaults or shall have their windings and terminal connections enclosed in tight metal housings without
ventilating or other openings and shall operate at not over
600 volts, nominal.
502.115 Switches, Circuit Breakers, Motor Controllers,
and Fuses.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
switches, circuit breakers, motor controllers, fuses, push
buttons, relays, and similar devices shall be provided with
enclosures identified for the location.
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
enclosures for fuses, switches, circuit breakers, and motor
controllers, including push buttons, relays, and similar devices, shall be dusttight or otherwise identified for the location.
502.120 Control Transformers and Resistors.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
control transformers, solenoids, impedance coils, resistors,
70–411
502.125
ARTICLE 502 — CLASS II LOCATIONS
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
transformers and resistors shall comply with 502.120(B)(1)
through (B)(3).
(1) Switching Mechanisms. Switching mechanisms (including overcurrent devices) associated with control transformers, solenoids, impedance coils, and resistors shall be
provided with enclosures that are dusttight or otherwise
identified for the location.
(2) Coils and Windings. Where not located in the same
enclosure with switching mechanisms, control transformers, solenoids, and impedance coils shall be provided with
enclosures that are dusttight or otherwise identified for the
location.
502.125 Motors and Generators.
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(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
motors, generators, and other rotating electrical machinery
shall be in conformance with either of the following:
(1) Identified for the location
(2) Totally enclosed pipe-ventilated [ROP 14–94]
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
motors, generators, and other rotating electrical equipment
shall be totally enclosed nonventilated, totally enclosed
pipe-ventilated, totally enclosed water-air-cooled, totally
enclosed fan-cooled or dust-ignitionproof for which maximum full-load external temperature shall be in accordance
with 500.8(D)(2) for normal operation when operating in
free air (not dust blanketed) and shall have no external
openings.
Exception: If the authority having jurisdiction believes accumulations of nonconductive, nonabrasive dust will be
moderate and if machines can be easily reached for routine
cleaning and maintenance, the following shall be permitted
to be installed:
(1) Standard open-type machines without sliding contacts,
centrifugal or other types of switching mechanism (including motor overcurrent, overloading, and overtemperature devices), or integral resistance devices
(2) Standard open-type machines with such contacts,
switching mechanisms, or resistance devices enclosed
within dusttight housings without ventilating or other
openings
70–412
502.128 Ventilating Piping. Ventilating pipes for motors,
generators, or other rotating electrical machinery, or for
enclosures for electrical equipment, shall be of metal not
less than 0.53 mm (0.021 in.) in thickness or of equally
substantial noncombustible material and shall comply with
all of the following:
(1) Lead directly to a source of clean air outside of buildings
(2) Be screened at the outer ends to prevent the entrance of
small animals or birds
(3) Be protected against physical damage and against rusting or other corrosive influences
Ventilating pipes shall also comply with 502.128(A)
and (B).
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
ventilating pipes, including their connections to motors or
to the dust-ignitionproof enclosures for other equipment,
shall be dusttight throughout their length. For metal pipes,
seams and joints shall comply with one of the following:
(1) Be riveted and soldered
(2) Be bolted and soldered
(3) Be welded
(4) Be rendered dusttight by some other equally effective
means
AF
(3) Resistors. Resistors and resistance devices shall have
dust-ignitionproof enclosures that are dusttight or otherwise
identified for the location.
(3) Self-cleaning textile motors of the squirrel-cage type
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and any overcurrent devices or switching mechanisms associated with them shall be provided with enclosures identified for the location.
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
ventilating pipes and their connections shall be sufficiently
tight to prevent the entrance of appreciable quantities of
dust into the ventilated equipment or enclosure and to prevent the escape of sparks, flame, or burning material that
might ignite dust accumulations or combustible material in
the vicinity. For metal pipes, lock seams and riveted or
welded joints shall be permitted; and tight-fitting slip joints
shall be permitted where some flexibility is necessary, as at
connections to motors.
502.130 Luminaires.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
luminaires for fixed and portable lighting shall comply with
502.130(A)(1) through (A)(4).
(1) Marking. Each luminaire shall be identified for the
location and shall be clearly marked to indicate the type
and maximum wattage of the lamp for which it is designed.
[ROP 14–95]
(2) Physical Damage. Each luminaire shall be protected
against physical damage by a suitable guard or by location.
(3) Pendant Luminaires. Pendant luminaires shall be suspended by threaded rigid metal conduit stems, by threaded
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 502 — CLASS II LOCATIONS
(4) Supports. Boxes, box assemblies, or fittings used for
the support of luminaires shall be identified for Class II
locations.
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
luminaires shall comply with 502.130(B)(1) through (B)(5).
502.135 Utilization Equipment.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
all utilization equipment shall be identified for the location.
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
all utilization equipment shall comply with 502.135(B)(1)
through (B)(4).
(1) Heaters. Electrically heated utilization equipment shall
be identified for the location.
Exception: Metal-enclosed radiant heating panel equipment shall be permitted to be dusttight and marked in accordance with 500.8(C).
(2) Motors. Motors of motor-driven utilization equipment
shall comply with 502.125(B).
(3) Switches, Circuit Breakers, and Fuses. Enclosures
for switches, circuit breakers, and fuses shall comply with
502.115(B).
AF
(1) Portable Lighting Equipment. Portable lighting
equipment shall be identified for the location. They shall be
clearly marked to indicate the maximum wattage of lamps
for which they are designed.
(5) Electric-Discharge Lamps. Starting and control
equipment for electric-discharge lamps shall comply with
the requirements of 502.120(B).
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steel intermediate metal conduit stems, by chains with approved fittings, or by other approved means. For rigid
stems longer than 300 mm (12 in.), permanent and effective
bracing against lateral displacement shall be provided at a
level not more than 300 mm (12 in.) above the lower end of
the stem, or flexibility in the form of a fitting or a flexible
connector listed for the location shall be provided not more
than 300 mm (12 in.) from the point of attachment to the
supporting box or fitting. Threaded joints shall be provided
with set screws or other effective means to prevent loosening. Where wiring between an outlet box or fitting and a
pendant luminaire is not enclosed in conduit, flexible cord
listed for hard usage shall be permitted to be used in accordance with 502.10(A)(2)(5). Flexible cord shall not serve as
the supporting means for a luminaire.
502.140
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(2) Fixed Lighting. Luminaires for fixed lighting shall be
provided with enclosures that are dusttight or otherwise
identified for the location. Each luminaire shall be clearly
marked to indicate the maximum wattage of the lamp that
shall be permitted without exceeding an exposed surface
temperature in accordance with 500.8(D)(2) under normal
conditions of use.
(3) Physical Damage. Luminaires for fixed lighting shall
be protected from physical damage by suitable guards or by
location.
(4) Pendant Luminaires. Pendant luminaires shall be suspended by threaded rigid metal conduit stems, by threaded
steel intermediate metal conduit stems, by chains with approved fittings, or by other approved means. For rigid
stems longer than 300 mm (12 in.), permanent and effective
bracing against lateral displacement shall be provided at a
level not more than 300 mm (12 in.) above the lower end of
the stem, or flexibility in the form of an identified fitting or
a flexible connector shall be provided not more than
300 mm (12 in.) from the point of attachment to the supporting box or fitting. Where wiring between an outlet box
or fitting and a pendant luminaire is not enclosed in conduit, flexible cord listed for hard usage shall be permitted if
terminated with a listed cord connector that maintains the
protection technique. Flexible cord shall not serve as the
supporting means for a luminaire.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(4) Transformers, Solenoids, Impedance Coils, and Resistors. Transformers, solenoids, impedance coils, and resistors shall comply with 502.120(B).
502.140 Flexible Cords — Class II, Divisions 1 and 2.
(A) Permitted Uses. Flexible cords used in Class II locations shall comply with all of the following: [ROP 14–96]
(1) For connection between portable lighting equipment or
other portable utilization equipment and the fixed portion of their supply circuit. The flexible cord is attached
to the utilization equipment with a cord connector
listed for the protection technique of the equipment
wiring compartment. An attachment plug in accordance
with 502.145 shall be employed.
(2) Where flexible cord is permitted by 502.10(A)(2) for
fixed and mobile electrical utilization equipment, and
the flexible cord is protected by location or by a suitable guard from damage and only in an industrial establishment where conditions of maintenance and engineering supervision ensure that only qualified persons
install and service the installation.
(3) For electric submersible pumps with means for removal without entering the wet-pit. The extension of
the flexible cord within a suitable raceway between the
wet-pit and the power source shall be permitted.
(4) For electric mixers intended for travel into and out of
open-type mixing tanks or vats.
(5) For temporary portable assemblies consisting of receptacles, switches, and other devices that are not consid-
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502.145
ARTICLE 503 — CLASS III LOCATIONS
ered portable utilization equipment but are individually
listed for the location.
tems; and meters, instruments, and relays shall comply with
502.150(A)(1) through (A)(3).
(B) Installation. Where flexible cords are used, the cords
shall comply with all of the following: [ROP 14–96]
(1) Be of a type listed for extra-hard usage
(1) Contacts. Switches, circuit breakers, relays, contactors,
fuses and current-breaking contacts for bells, horns, howlers, sirens, and other devices in which sparks or arcs may
be produced shall be provided with enclosures identified for
the location.
Exception: Where current-breaking contacts are immersed
in oil or where the interruption of current occurs within a
chamber sealed against the entrance of dust, enclosures
shall be permitted to be of the general-purpose type.
(2) Resistors and Similar Equipment. Resistors, transformers, choke coils, rectifiers, thermionic tubes, and other
heat-generating equipment shall be provided with enclosures identified for the location.
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Exception: Where resistors or similar equipment are immersed in oil or enclosed in a chamber sealed against the
entrance of dust, enclosures shall be permitted to be of the
general-purpose type.
(3) Rotating Machinery. Motors, generators, and other rotating electrical machinery shall comply with 502.125(A).
AF
Exception: Flexible cord listed for hard usage as permitted
by 502.130(A)(3) and (B)(4).
(2) Contain, in addition to the conductors of the circuit, an
equipment grounding conductor complying with
400.23
(3) Be supported by clamps or by other suitable means in
such a manner that there will be no tension on the
terminal connections
(4) In Division 1 locations, the cord shall be terminated
with a cord connector listed for the location or a listed
cord connector installed with a seal listed for the location. In Division 2 locations, the cord shall be terminated with a listed dusttight cord connector.
(5) Be of continuous length. Where 502.140(A)(5) is applied, cords shall be of continuous length from the
power source to the temporary portable assembly and
from the temporary portable assembly to the utilization
equipment. [ROP 14–96]
502.145 Receptacles and Attachment Plugs. Receptacles
and attachment plugs shall be identified for the location.
[ROP 14–97]
(B) Class II, Division 2. In Class II, Division 2 locations,
signaling, alarm, remote-control, and communications systems; and meters, instruments, and relays shall comply with
502.150(B)(1) through (B)(4).
(1) Receptacles. In Class II, Division 1 locations, receptacles shall be part of the premises wiring.
Exception: In nonincendive circuits, enclosures shall be
permitted to be of the general-purpose type.
(2) Attachment Plugs. Attachment plugs shall be of the
type providing for connection to the equipment grounding
conductor of the flexible cord.
(2) Transformers and Similar Equipment. The windings
and terminal connections of transformers, choke coils, and
similar equipment shall comply with 502.120(B)(2).
(B) Class II, Division 2.
(3) Resistors and Similar Equipment. Resistors, resistance devices, thermionic tubes, rectifiers, and similar
equipment shall comply with 502.120(B)(3).
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(A) Class II, Division 1.
(1) Contacts. Contacts shall comply with 502.150(A)(1) or
shall be installed in enclosures that are dusttight or otherwise identified for the location.
(1) Receptacles.. In Class II, Division 2 locations, receptacles shall be part of the premises wiring.
(2) Attachment Plugs. Attachment plugs shall be of the
type that provides for connection to the equipment grounding conductor of the flexible cord.
(4) Rotating Machinery. Motors, generators, and other rotating electrical machinery shall comply with 502.125(B).
502.150 Signaling, Alarm, Remote-Control, and Communications Systems; and Meters, Instruments, and Relays.
Informational Note: See Article 800 for rules governing
the installation of communications circuits.
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations,
signaling, alarm, remote-control, and communications sys-
70–414
ARTICLE 503
Class III Locations
I. General
503.1 Scope. Article 503 covers the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 503 — CLASS III LOCATIONS
503.5 General. Equipment installed in Class III locations
shall be able to function at full rating without developing
surface temperatures high enough to cause excessive dehydration or gradual carbonization of accumulated
fibers/flyings. Organic material that is carbonized or excessively dry is highly susceptible to spontaneous ignition.
The maximum surface temperatures under operating conditions shall not exceed 165°C (329°F) for equipment that is
not subject to overloading, and 120°C (248°F) for equipment (such as motors or power transformers) that may be
overloaded. In a Class III, Division 1 location, the operating temperature shall be the temperature of the equipment
when blanketed with the maximum amount of dust (simulating fibers/flyings) that can accumulate on the equipment.
[ROP 14–98]
Exception to (4): Type MC cable listed for use in Class II,
Division 1 locations shall be permitted to be installed without the spacings required by 503.10(A)(1)(4).
(2) Boxes and Fittings. All boxes and fittings shall be
dusttight.
(3) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections, one or more of the following shall be
permitted:
(1) Dusttight flexible connectors
(2) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings,
(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings,
(4) Interlocked armor Type MC cable having an overall
jacket of suitable polymeric material and installed with
listed dusttight termination fittings
(5) Flexible cord in compliance with 503.140
AF
Informational Note: For electric trucks, see NFPA 5052011, Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks
Including Type Designations, Areas of Use, Conversions,
Maintenance, and Operation.
(4) Type MC, MI, TC, or TC-ER cable installed in ladder,
ventilated trough, or ventilated channel cable trays in a
single layer, with a space not less than the larger cable
diameter between the two adjacent cables, shall be the
wiring method employed. The cable shall be terminated
with listed fittings. [ROP 14–106]
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in Class III, Division 1 and 2 locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to ignitible fibers/flyings.
503.10
II. Wiring
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503.6 Zone Equipment. Equipment listed and marked in
accordance with 506.9(C)(2) for Zone 20 locations and
with a temperature class of not greater than T120°C (for
equipment that may be overloaded) or not greater than
T165°C (for equipment not subject to overloading) shall be
permitted in Class III, Division 1 locations.
Equipment listed and marked in accordance with
506.9(C)(2) for Zone 20, 21, or 22 locations and with a
temperature class of not greater than T120°C (for equipment that may be overloaded) or not greater than T165°C
(for equipment not subject to overloading) shall be permitted in Class III, Division 2 locations.
503.10 Wiring Methods. Wiring methods shall comply
with 503.10(A) or (B).
(A) Class III, Division 1.
(1) General. In Class III, Division 1 locations, the wiring
method shall be in accordance with (1) through (4):
(1) Rigid metal conduit, Type PVC conduit, Type RTRC
conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic
tubing, dusttight wireways, or Type MC or MI cable
with listed termination fittings.
(2) Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable in accordance
with the provisions of Article 725 including installation
in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated
with listed fittings.
(3) Type ITC and Type ITC-ER cable as permitted in 727.4
and terminated with listed fittings.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: See 503.30(B) for grounding requirements where flexible conduit is used.
(6) For elevator use, an identified elevator cable, type EO,
ETP, or ETT, and as shown under the “use” column in
Table 400.4 for “Hazardous (classified) locations” and
terminated with listed dusttight fittings. [ROP
14–105a]
(4) Nonincendive Field Wiring. Nonincendive field wiring shall be permitted using any of the wiring methods
permitted for unclassified locations. Nonincendive field
wiring systems shall be installed in accordance with the
control drawing(s). Simple apparatus, not shown on the
control drawing, shall be permitted in a nonincendive field
wiring circuit, provided the simple apparatus does not interconnect the nonincendive field wiring circuit to any other
circuit.
Informational Note: Simple apparatus is defined in 504.2.
Separate nonincendive field wiring circuits shall be installed in accordance with one of the following:
(1) In separate cables
(2) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit are within a grounded metal shield
(3) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit have insulation with a minimum thickness of
0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
(B) Class III, Division 2. In Class III, Division 2 locations, the wiring method shall comply with 503.10(A).
70–415
503.25
ARTICLE 503 — CLASS III LOCATIONS
Exception: In sections, compartments, or areas used
solely for storage and containing no machinery, open wiring on insulators shall be permitted where installed in accordance with Article 398, but only on condition that protection as required by 398.15(C) be provided where
conductors are not run in roof spaces and are well out of
reach of sources of physical damage.
(3) The load is not a power utilization load.
503.25 Uninsulated Exposed Parts, Class III, Divisions
1 and 2. There shall be no uninsulated exposed parts, such
as electrical conductors, buses, terminals, or components,
that operate at more than 30 volts (15 volts in wet locations). These parts shall additionally be protected by a protection technique according to 500.7(E), (F), or (G) that is
suitable for the location.
503.115 Switches, Circuit Breakers, Motor Controllers,
and Fuses — Class III, Divisions 1 and 2. Switches, circuit breakers, motor controllers, and fuses, including pushbuttons, relays, and similar devices, shall be provided with
dusttight enclosures.
503.120 Control Transformers and Resistors — Class
III, Divisions 1 and 2. Transformers, impedance coils, and
resistors used as, or in conjunction with, control equipment
for motors, generators, and appliances shall be provided
with dusttight enclosures complying with the temperature
limitations in 503.5.
503.125 Motors and Generators — Class III, Divisions
1 and 2. In Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 locations, motors,
generators, and other rotating machinery shall be totally
enclosed nonventilated, totally enclosed pipe ventilated, or
totally enclosed fan cooled.
AF
503.30 Grounding and Bonding — Class III, Divisions
1 and 2. Wiring and equipment in Class III, Division 1 and
2 locations shall be grounded as specified in Article 250
and with the following additional requirements in
503.30(A) and (B).
503.100 Transformers and Capacitors — Class III, Divisions 1 and 2. Transformers and capacitors shall comply
with 502.100(B).
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Exception: As provided in 503.155.
III. Equipment
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(A) Bonding. The locknut-bushing and double-locknut
types of contacts shall not be depended on for bonding
purposes, but bonding jumpers with proper fittings or other
approved means of bonding shall be used. Such means of
bonding shall apply to all intervening raceways, fittings,
boxes, enclosures, and so forth, between Class III locations
and the point of grounding for service equipment or point
of grounding of a separately derived system.
Exception: The specific bonding means shall only be required to the nearest point where the grounded circuit conductor and the grounding electrode conductor are connected together on the line side of the building or structure
disconnecting means as specified in 250.32(B) if the
branch-circuit overcurrent protection is located on the load
side of the disconnecting means.
[ROP 14–56a]
(B) Types of Equipment Bonding Conductors. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall include an equipment
bonding jumper of the wire type in compliance with
250.102. [ROP 14–108]
Exception: In Class III, Division 1 and 2 locations, the
bonding jumper shall be permitted to be deleted where all
of the following conditions are met:
(1) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft) or
less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
[ROP 14–110]
(2) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to 10
amperes or less.
70–416
Exception: In locations where, in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction, only moderate accumulations of
lint or flyings are likely to collect on, in, or in the vicinity of
a rotating electrical machine and where such machine is
readily accessible for routine cleaning and maintenance,
one of the following shall be permitted:
(1) Self-cleaning textile motors of the squirrel-cage type
(2) Standard open-type machines without sliding contacts,
centrifugal or other types of switching mechanisms, including motor overload devices
(3) Standard open-type machines having such contacts,
switching mechanisms, or resistance devices enclosed
within tight housings without ventilating or other
openings
503.128 Ventilating Piping — Class III, Divisions 1 and
2. Ventilating pipes for motors, generators, or other rotating
electrical machinery, or for enclosures for electric equipment, shall be of metal not less than 0.53 mm (0.021 in.) in
thickness, or of equally substantial noncombustible material, and shall comply with the following:
(1) Lead directly to a source of clean air outside of buildings
(2) Be screened at the outer ends to prevent the entrance of
small animals or birds
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 503 — CLASS III LOCATIONS
Ventilating pipes shall be sufficiently tight, including
their connections, to prevent the entrance of appreciable
quantities of fibers/flyings into the ventilated equipment or
enclosure and to prevent the escape of sparks, flame, or
burning material that might ignite accumulations of
fibers/flyings or combustible material in the vicinity. For
metal pipes, lock seams and riveted or welded joints shall
be permitted; and tight-fitting slip joints shall be permitted
where some flexibility is necessary, as at connections to
motors.
503.130 Luminaires — Class III, Divisions 1 and 2.
503.140 Flexible Cords — Class III, Divisions 1 and 2.
Flexible cords shall comply with the following:
(1) Be of a type listed for extra-hard usage
(2) Contain, in addition to the conductors of the circuit, an
equipment grounding conductor complying with
400.23
(3) Be supported by clamps or other suitable means in such
a manner that there will be no tension on the terminal
connections
(4) Be terminated with a listed dusttight cord connector.
503.145 Receptacles and Attachment Plugs — Class III,
Divisions 1 and 2. Receptacles and attachment plugs shall
be of the grounding type, shall be designed so as to minimize the accumulation or the entry of fibers/flyings, and
shall prevent the escape of sparks or molten particles.
Exception: In locations where, in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction, only moderate accumulations of
lint or flyings are likely to collect in the vicinity of a receptacle, and where such receptacle is readily accessible for
routine cleaning, general-purpose grounding-type receptacles mounted so as to minimize the entry of fibers/flyings
shall be permitted.
AF
(A) Fixed Lighting. Luminaires for fixed lighting shall
provide enclosures for lamps and lampholders that are designed to minimize entrance of fibers/flyings and to prevent
the escape of sparks, burning material, or hot metal. Each
luminaire shall be clearly marked to show the maximum
wattage of the lamps that shall be permitted without exceeding an exposed surface temperature of 165°C (329°F)
under normal conditions of use.
(C) Switches, Circuit Breakers, Motor Controllers, and
Fuses. Switches, circuit breakers, motor controllers, and
fuses shall comply with 503.115.
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(3) Be protected against physical damage and against rusting or other corrosive influences
503.155
(B) Physical Damage. A luminaire that may be exposed to
physical damage shall be protected by a suitable guard.
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(C) Pendant Luminaires. Pendant luminaires shall be
suspended by stems of threaded rigid metal conduit,
threaded intermediate metal conduit, threaded metal tubing
of equivalent thickness, or by chains with approved fittings.
For stems longer than 300 mm (12 in.), permanent and
effective bracing against lateral displacement shall be provided at a level not more than 300 mm (12 in.) above the
lower end of the stem, or flexibility in the form of an
identified fitting or a flexible connector shall be provided
not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the point of attachment
to the supporting box or fitting.
(D) Portable Lighting Equipment. Portable lighting
equipment shall be equipped with handles and protected
with substantial guards. Lampholders shall be of the unswitched type with no provision for receiving attachment
plugs. There shall be no exposed current-carrying metal
parts, and all exposed non–current-carrying metal parts
shall be grounded. In all other respects, portable lighting
equipment shall comply with 503.130(A).
503.150 Signaling, Alarm, Remote-Control, and Local
Loudspeaker Intercommunications Systems — Class
III, Divisions 1 and 2. Signaling, alarm, remote-control,
and local loudspeaker intercommunications systems shall
comply with the requirements of Article 503 regarding wiring methods, switches, transformers, resistors, motors, luminaires, and related components.
503.155 Electric Cranes, Hoists, and Similar Equipment — Class III, Divisions 1 and 2. Where installed for
operation over combustible fibers or accumulations of flyings, traveling cranes and hoists for material handling, traveling cleaners for textile machinery, and similar equipment
shall comply with 503.155(A) through (D).
(A) Heaters. Electrically heated utilization equipment
shall be identified for Class III locations.
(A) Power Supply. The power supply to contact conductors shall be electrically isolated from all other systems,
ungrounded, and shall be equipped with an acceptable
ground detector that gives an alarm and automatically deenergizes the contact conductors in case of a fault to ground
or gives a visual and audible alarm as long as power is
supplied to the contact conductors and the ground fault
remains.
(B) Motors. Motors of motor-driven utilization equipment
shall comply with 503.125.
(B) Contact Conductors. Contact conductors shall be located or guarded so as to be inaccessible to other than
503.135 Utilization Equipment — Class III, Divisions 1
and 2.
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503.160
ARTICLE 504 — INTRINSICALLY SAFE SYSTEMS
(C) Current Collectors. Current collectors shall be arranged or guarded so as to confine normal sparking and
prevent escape of sparks or hot particles. To reduce sparking, two or more separate surfaces of contact shall be provided for each contact conductor. Reliable means shall be
provided to keep contact conductors and current collectors
free of accumulations of lint or flyings.
(D) Control Equipment. Control equipment shall comply
with 503.115 and 503.120.
[ROP 14–112]
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ARTICLE 504
Intrinsically Safe Systems
504.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of intrinsically safe (I.S.) apparatus, wiring, and systems for Class I,
II, and III locations.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-RP12.06.01-2003, Recommended Practice for
Wiring Methods for Hazardous (Classified) Locations Instrumentation — Part 1: Intrinsic Safety.
504.2 Definitions.
Associated Apparatus. Electrical apparatus which contains
both intrinsically safe circuits and non-intrinsically safe circuits and is constructed so that the non-intrinsically safe
circuits cannot adversely affect the intrinsically safe circuits. Associated apparatus may be either:
(a) Electrical equipment which has another type of
protection for use in the appropriate hazardous (classified)
location
(b) Electrical equipment not so protected and which,
therefore, is not normally used within an appropriate hazardous (classified) location, for example a recorder which is
not itself in an explosive atmosphere, but is connected to a
thermocouple situated within an explosive atmosphere
where only the recorder input circuit is intrinsically safe.
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Informational Note No. 2: An example of associated apparatus is an intrinsic safety barrier, which is a network
designed to limit the energy (voltage and current) available
to the protected circuit in the hazardous (classified) location, under specified fault conditions.
Control Drawing. See the definition in 500.2.
Different Intrinsically Safe Circuits. Intrinsically safe circuits in which the possible interconnections have not been
evaluated and identified as intrinsically safe.
Intrinsically Safe Apparatus. Apparatus in which all the
circuits are intrinsically safe.
Intrinsically Safe Circuit. A circuit in which any spark or
thermal effect is incapable of causing ignition of a mixture
of flammable or combustible material in air under prescribed test conditions.
Informational Note: Test conditions are described in
ANSI/UL 913-2006, Standard for Safety, Intrinsically Safe
Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II,
and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
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503.160 Storage Battery Charging Equipment — Class
III, Divisions 1 and 2. Storage battery charging equipment
shall be located in separate rooms built or lined with substantial noncombustible materials. The rooms shall be constructed to prevent the entrance of ignitible amounts of
flyings or lint and shall be well ventilated.
Informational Note No. 1: Associated apparatus has identified intrinsically safe connections for intrinsically safe apparatus and also may have connections for nonintrinsically
safe apparatus.
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authorized persons and shall be protected against accidental
contact with foreign objects.
Intrinsically Safe System. An assembly of interconnected
intrinsically safe apparatus, associated apparatus, and interconnecting cables, in that those parts of the system that
may be used in hazardous (classified) locations are intrinsically safe circuits.
Informational Note: An intrinsically safe system may include more than one intrinsically safe circuit.
Simple Apparatus. An electrical component or combination of components of simple construction with well defined electrical parameters that does not generate more than
1.5 volts, 100 milliamps, and 25 milliwatts, or a passive
component that does not dissipate more than 1.3 watts and
is compatible with the intrinsic safety of the circuit in
which it is used.
Informational Note: The following apparatus are examples
of simple apparatus:
(a) Passive components, for example, switches, junction boxes, resistance temperature devices, and simple
semiconductor devices such as LEDs
(b) Sources of stored energy consisting of single components in simple circuits with well-defined parameters, for
example, capacitors or inductors, whose values are considered when determining the overall safety of the system
(c) Sources of generated energy, for example, thermocouples and photocells
504.3 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified
by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall
apply.
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ARTICLE 504 — INTRINSICALLY SAFE SYSTEMS
504.4 Equipment. All intrinsically safe apparatus and associated apparatus shall be listed.
Exception: Simple apparatus, as described on the control
drawing, shall not be required to be listed.
504.30
In addition, components with a surface area smaller
than 10 cm2 (excluding lead wires) may be classified as T5
if their surface temperature does not exceed 150°C.
Table 504.10(D) Assessment for T4 Classification According
to Component Size and Temperature
(A) Control Drawing. Intrinsically safe apparatus, associated apparatus, and other equipment shall be installed in
accordance with the control drawing(s).
Exception: A simple apparatus that does not interconnect
intrinsically safe circuits.
Informational Note No. 1: The control drawing identification is marked on the apparatus.
Informational Note No. 2: Associated apparatus with a
marked Um of less than 250 V may require additional overvoltage protection at the inputs to limit any possible fault
voltages to less than the Um marked on the product.
Requirement for T4
Classification
<20 mm2
≥20 mm2 ≤10 cm2
≥20 mm2
Surface temperature ≤275°C
Surface temperature ≤200°C
Power not exceeding 1.3 W*
*Based on 40°C ambient temperature. Reduce to 1.2 W with an ambient of 60°C or 1.0 W with 80°C ambient temperature.
504.20 Wiring Methods. Any of the wiring methods suitable for unclassified locations, including those covered by
Chapter 7 and Chapter 8, shall be permitted for installing
intrinsically safe apparatus. Sealing shall be as provided in
504.70, and separation shall be as provided in 504.30.
504.30 Separation of Intrinsically Safe Conductors.
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(B) Location. Intrinsically safe apparatus shall be permitted to be installed in any hazardous (classified) location for
which it has been identified.
Associated apparatus shall be permitted to be installed
in any hazardous (classified) location for which it has been
identified.
Simple apparatus shall be permitted to be installed in
any hazardous (classified) location in which the maximum
surface temperature of the simple apparatus does not exceed the ignition temperature of the flammable gases or
vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dusts, or ignitible
fibers/flyings present.
Total Surface Area
Excluding Lead Wires
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504.10 Equipment Installation.
(C) Enclosures. General purpose enclosures shall be permitted for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus unless otherwise specified in the manufacturer’s
documentation.
(D) Simple Apparatus. For simple apparatus, the maximum surface temperature can be determined from the values of the output power from the associated apparatus or
apparatus to which it is connected to obtain the temperature
class. The temperature class can be determined by:
(1) Reference to Table 504.10(D)
(2) Calculation using the following equation:
T = Po Rth + Tamb
where:
T = surface temperature
Po = output power marked on the associated
apparatus or intrinsically safe apparatus
Rth = thermal resistance of the simple apparatus
Tamb = ambient temperature (normally 40°C) and
reference Table 500.8(C)
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) From Nonintrinsically Safe Circuit Conductors.
(1) In Raceways, Cable Trays, and Cables. Conductors
of intrinsically safe circuits shall not be placed in any raceway, cable tray, or cable with conductors of any nonintrinsically safe circuit.
Exception No. 1: Where conductors of intrinsically safe
circuits are separated from conductors of nonintrinsically
safe circuits by a distance of at least 50 mm (2 in.) and
secured, or by a grounded metal partition or an approved
insulating partition.
Informational Note: No. 20 gauge sheet metal partitions
0.91 mm (0.0359 in.) or thicker are generally considered
acceptable.
Exception No. 2: Where either (1) all of the intrinsically
safe circuit conductors or (2) all of the nonintrinsically safe
circuit conductors are in grounded metal-sheathed or
metal-clad cables where the sheathing or cladding is capable of carrying fault current to ground.
Informational Note: Cables meeting the requirements of
Articles 330 and 332 are typical of those considered
acceptable.
Exception No. 3: Intrinsically safe circuits in a Division 2
or Zone 2 location shall be permitted to be installed in a
raceway, cable tray, or cable along with nonincendive field
wiring circuits when installed in accordance with
504.30(B).
Exception No. 4: Intrinsically safe circuits passing through
a Division 2 or Zone 2 location to supply apparatus that is
located in a Division 1, Zone 0 or Zone 1 location shall be
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ARTICLE 504 — INTRINSICALLY SAFE SYSTEMS
permitted to be installed in a raceway, cable tray, or cable
along with nonincendive field wiring circuits when installed
in accordance with 504.30(B).
Informational Note: Nonincendive field wiring circuits are
described in 501.10(B)(3), 502.10(B)(3), and 503.10(A)(4).
[ROP 14–120. ROP 14–123]
Exception: Unless otherwise identified.
(C) From Grounded Metal. . The clearance between the
uninsulated parts of field wiring conductors connected to
terminals and grounded metal or other conducting parts
shall be at least 3 mm (0.125 in.).
504.50 Grounding.
(A) Intrinsically Safe Apparatus, Enclosures, and Raceways. Intrinsically safe apparatus, enclosures, and raceways, if of metal, shall be connected to the equipment
grounding conductor.
Informational Note: In addition to an equipment grounding conductor connection, a connection to a grounding
electrode may be needed for some associated apparatus, for
example, zener diode barriers, if specified in the control
drawing. See ANSI/ISA-RP 12.06.01-2003, Recommended
Practice for Wiring Methods for Hazardous (Classified) Locations Instrumentation — Part 1: Intrinsic Safety.
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(2) Within Enclosures. Conductors of intrinsically safe
circuits shall be secured so that any conductor that might
come loose from a terminal is unlikely to come into contact
with another terminal. The conductors shall be separated
from conductors of nonintrinsically safe circuits by one of
the methods in (1) through (4).
(1) Separation by at least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of
any nonintrinsically safe circuits.
(2) Separation from conductors of nonintrinsically safe circuits by use of a grounded metal partition 0.91 mm
(0.0359 in.) or thicker.
(3) Separation from conductors of nonintrinsically safe circuits by use of an approved insulating partition which
shall extend to within 1.5 mm (.0625 in.) of the enclosure walls.
(4) Where either (1) all of the intrinsically safe circuit conductors or (2) all of the nonintrinsically safe circuit
conductors are in grounded metal-sheathed or metalclad cables where the sheathing or cladding is capable
of carrying fault current to ground.
safe circuits shall be separated from each other by one of
the following means:
(1) The conductors of each circuit are within a grounded
metal shield.
(2) The conductors of each circuit have insulation with a
minimum thickness of 0.25 mm (0.01 in.).
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504.50
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Informational Note No. 1: Cables meeting the requirements of
Articles 330 and 332 are typical of those considered
acceptable.
Informational Note No. 2: The use of separate wiring compartments for the intrinsically safe and nonintrinsically safe terminals is a typical method of complying with this requirement.
Informational Note No. 3: Physical barriers such as grounded
metal partitions or approved insulating partitions or approved
restricted access wiring ducts separated from other such ducts
by at least 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) can be used to help ensure the
required separation of the wiring.
(3) Other (Not in Raceway or Cable Tray Systems).
Conductors and cables of intrinsically safe circuits run in
other than raceway or cable tray systems shall be separated
by at least 50 mm (2 in.) and secured from conductors and
cables of any nonintrinsically safe circuits.
Exception: Where either (1) all of the intrinsically safe
circuit conductors are in Type MI or MC cables or (2) all of
the nonintrinsically safe circuit conductors are in raceways
or Type MI or MC cables where the sheathing or cladding
is capable of carrying fault current to ground.
(B) From Different Intrinsically Safe Circuit Conductors. The clearance between two terminals for connection
of field wiring of different intrinsically safe circuits shall be
at least 6 mm (0.25 in.), unless this clearance is permitted
to be reduced by the control drawing. Different intrinsically
70–420
(B) Associated Apparatus and Cable Shields. Associated
apparatus and cable shields shall be grounded in accordance with the required control drawing. See 504.10(A).
Informational Note: Supplementary connection(s) to the
grounding electrode may be needed for some associated
apparatus, for example, zener diode barriers, if specified in
the control drawing. See ANSI/ISA RP 12.06.01-2003, Recommended Practice for Wiring Methods for Hazardous
(Classified) Locations Instrumentation — Part 1: Intrinsic
Safety.
(C) Connection to Grounding Electrodes. Where connection to a grounding electrode is required, the grounding
electrode shall be as specified in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2),
(A)(3), and (A)(4) and shall comply with 250.30(A)(4).
Sections 250.52(A)(5), (A)(7), and (A)(8) shall not be used
if any of the electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2),
(A)(3), or (A)(4) are present.
504.60 Bonding.
(A) Hazardous Locations. In hazardous (classified) locations, intrinsically safe apparatus shall be bonded in the
hazardous (classified) location in accordance with 250.100.
(B) Unclassified. In unclassified locations, where metal
raceways are used for intrinsically safe system wiring in
hazardous (classified) locations, associated apparatus shall
be bonded in accordance with 501.30(A), 502.30(A),
503.30(A), 505.25, or 506.25 as applicable.
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Exception: Seals shall not be required for enclosures that
contain only intrinsically safe apparatus, except as required by 501.17.
504.80 Identification. Labels required by this section shall
be suitable for the environment where they are installed
with consideration given to exposure to chemicals and sunlight.
(A) Terminals. Intrinsically safe circuits shall be identified
at terminal and junction locations in a manner that is intended to prevent unintentional interference with the circuits during testing and servicing.
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 497-2008, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas. Only editorial changes were made to the extracted
text to make it consistent with this Code.
505.1 Scope. This article covers the requirements for the
zone classification system as an alternative to the division
classification system covered in Article 500 for electrical
and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages in
Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 hazardous (classified)
locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
flammable gases, vapors, or liquids.
Informational Note: For the requirements for electrical
and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages in
Class I, Division 1 or Division 2; Class II, Division 1 or
Division 2; and Class III, Division 1 or Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations where fire or explosion hazards
may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable
liquids, or combustible dusts or fibers, refer to Articles 500
through 504.
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(B) Wiring. Raceways, cable trays, and other wiring methods for intrinsically safe system wiring shall be identified
with permanently affixed labels with the wording “Intrinsic
Safety Wiring” or equivalent. The labels shall be located so
as to be visible after installation and placed so that they
may be readily traced through the entire length of the installation. Intrinsic safety circuit labels shall appear in every section of the wiring system that is separated by enclosures, walls, partitions, or floors. Spacing between labels
shall not be more than 7.5 m (25 ft).
ARTICLE 505
Zone 0, 1, and 2 Locations
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504.70 Sealing. Conduits and cables that are required to be
sealed by 501.15, 502.15, 505.16, and 506.16 shall be
sealed to minimize the passage of gases, vapors, or dusts.
Such seals shall not be required to be explosionproof or
flameproof but shall be identified for the purpose of minimizing passage of gases, vapors, or dusts under normal
operating conditions and shall be accessible.
505.2
Exception: Circuits run underground shall be permitted to
be identified where they become accessible after emergence
from the ground.
Informational Note No. 1: Wiring methods permitted in
unclassified locations may be used for intrinsically safe systems in hazardous (classified) locations. Without labels to
identify the application of the wiring, enforcement authorities cannot determine that an installation is in compliance
with this Code.
Informational Note No. 2: In unclassified locations, identification is necessary to ensure that nonintrinsically safe
wire will not be inadvertently added to existing raceways at
a later date.
(C) Color Coding. Color coding shall be permitted to
identify intrinsically safe conductors where they are colored light blue and where no other conductors colored light
blue are used. Likewise, color coding shall be permitted to
identify raceways, cable trays, and junction boxes where
they are colored light blue and contain only intrinsically
safe wiring.
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505.2 Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply.
Combustible Gas Detection System. A protection technique utilizing stationary gas detectors in industrial establishments.
Cord Connector. A fitting intended to terminate a cord to a
box or similar device and reduce the strain at points of
termination and may include an explosionproof, a dust ignition proof, or a flameproof seal. [ROP 14–11b]
Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Materials, fittings,
devices, appliances, and the like that are part of, or in
connection with, an electrical installation.
Informational Note: Portable or transportable equipment
having self-contained power supplies, such as batteryoperated equipment, could potentially become an ignition
source in hazardous (classified) locations.
Encapsulation “m.” Type of protection where electrical
parts that could ignite an explosive atmosphere by either
sparking or heating are enclosed in a compound in such a
way that this explosive atmosphere cannot be ignited.
Informational Note No. 1: See ANSI/ISA-60079-18
(12.23.01)-2009, Explosive atmospheres - Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation ″m″; and ANSI/UL
60079-18-2009, Explosive atmospheres - Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation ″m″. [ROP 14–131]
70–421
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Informational Note No. 2: Encapsulation is designated
type of protection “ma” for use in Zone 0 locations. Encapsulation is designated type of protection “m” or “mb” for
use in Zone 1 locations. Encapsulation is designated type of
protection “mc” for use in Zone 2 locations. [ROP 14–131]
Flameproof “d.” Type of protection where the enclosure
will withstand an internal explosion of a flammable mixture
that has penetrated into the interior, without suffering damage and without causing ignition, through any joints or
structural openings in the enclosure, of an external explosive gas atmosphere consisting of one or more of the gases
or vapors for which it is designed.
Informational Note:
See ANSI/ISA-60079-1-2009
(12.22.01), Explosive Atmospheres, Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d”; and ANSI/UL
60079–1, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 1: Flameproof Enclosures “d.” [ROP
14–129]
Informational Note: See ANSI/ISA-60079-6 (12.00.05)2009, Explosive Atmospheres, Part 6: Equipment protection by oil immersion “o”; and ANSI/UL 60079-6, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 6:
Oil-Immersion “o.”
Powder Filling “q.” Type of protection where electrical
parts capable of igniting an explosive atmosphere are fixed
in position and completely surrounded by filling material
(glass or quartz powder) to prevent the ignition of an external explosive atmosphere.
Informational Note: See ANSI/ISA-60079-5 (12.00.04)2009, Explosive Atmospheres, Part 5: Equipment protection by powder filling “q”; and ANSI/UL 60079-5, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 5:
Powder Filling “q.”
Pressurization “p.” Type of protection for electrical equipment that uses the technique of guarding against the ingress
of the external atmosphere, which may be explosive, into
an enclosure by maintaining a protective gas therein at a
pressure above that of the external atmosphere.
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Increased Safety “e.” Type of protection applied to electrical equipment that does not produce arcs or sparks in
normal service and under specified abnormal conditions, in
which additional measures are applied so as to give increased security against the possibility of excessive temperatures and of the occurrence of arcs and sparks.
that an explosive atmosphere that may be above the liquid
or outside the enclosure cannot be ignited.
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505.3
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Informational Note: See ANSI/ISA-60079-7 (12.16.01)2008, Explosive Atmospheres, Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety “e”; and ANSI/UL 60079-7, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 7:
Increased Safety “e.”
Intrinsic Safety “i.” Type of protection where any spark or
thermal effect is incapable of causing ignition of a mixture
of flammable or combustible material in air under prescribed test conditions.
Informational Note No. 1: See ANSI/UL 913-1997, Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in
Class I, II, and III, Hazardous Locations; ANSI/ISA60079-11-2011 (12.02.01), Explosive Atmospheres: Part
11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety “i”; and
ANSI/UL 60079-11, Explosive Atmospheres, Part 11:
Equipment protection by intrinsic safety “i.” [ROP
14–129]
Informational Note No. 2: Intrinsic safety is designated
type of protection “ia” for use in Zone 0 locations. Intrinsic
safety is designated type of protection “ib” for use in Zone
1 locations. Intrinsic safety is designated type of protection
“ic” for use in Zone 2 locations.
Informational Note No. 3: Intrinsically safe associated apparatus, designated by [ia], [ib], or [ic], is connected to
intrinsically safe apparatus (“ia,” “ib,” or “ic,” respectively)
but is located outside the hazardous (classified) location
unless also protected by another type of protection (such as
flameproof).
Oil Immersion “o.” Type of protection where electrical
equipment is immersed in a protective liquid in such a way
70–422
Informational Note:
See ANSI/ISA-60079-2-2010
(12.04.01), Explosive Atmospheres, Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosures ”p”; and IEC 60079-13,
Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres — Part
13: Construction and use of rooms or buildings protected
by pressurization. [ROP 14–129]
Type of Protection “n.” Type of protection where electrical equipment, in normal operation, is not capable of igniting a surrounding explosive gas atmosphere and a fault
capable of causing ignition is not likely to occur.
Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 60079-15, Electrical
Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 15: Type
of Protection “n”; and ANSI/ISA-60079-15-2009
(12.12.02), Explosive Atmospheres – Part 15: Equipment
protection by type of protection “n”. [ROP 14–129]
Unclassified Locations. Locations determined to be neither
Class I, Division 1; Class I, Division 2; Class I, Zone 0;
Zone 1; Zone 2; Class II, Division 1; Class II, Division 2;
Class III, Division 1; Class III, Division 2; or any combination thereof.
505.3 Other Articles. All other applicable rules contained
in this Code shall apply to electrical equipment and wiring
installed in hazardous (classified) locations.
Exception: As modified by Article 504 and this article.
505.4 General.
(A) Documentation for Industrial Occupancies. All areas in industrial occupancies designated as hazardous (classified) locations shall be properly documented. This docu-
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ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Informational Note: For examples of area classification
drawings, see ANSI/API RP 505-1997, Recommended
Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I,
Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2; ANSI/ISA-TR(12.24.01)-1998
(IEC 60079-10 Mod), Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations Classified as
Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2; IEC 60079-10-1995,
Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres, Classification of Hazardous Areas; and Model Code of Safe
Practice in the Petroleum Industry, Part 15: Area Classification Code for Petroleum Installations, IP 15, The Institute of Petroleum, London.
(B) Reference Standards. Important information relating
to topics covered in Chapter 5 may be found in other publications.
Informational Note No. 6: For further information on the
installation of electrical equipment in hazardous (classified)
locations in general, see IEC 60079-14-1996, Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres — Part 14: Electrical installations in explosive gas atmospheres (other than
mines), and IEC 60079-16-1990, Electrical apparatus for
explosive gas atmospheres — Part 16: Artificial ventilation
for the protection of analyzer(s) houses.
Informational Note No. 7: For further information on application of electrical equipment in hazardous (classified)
locations in general, see ANSI/ISA-60079-0 (12.00.01)2009, Explosive Atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment - General Requirements; ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-1999, Definitions
and Information Pertaining to Electrical Apparatus in Hazardous (Classified) Locations; and ANSI/UL 60079-0,
Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres —
Part 0: General Requirements. [ROP 14–132]
505.5 Classifications of Locations.
(A) Classification of Locations. Locations shall be classified depending on the properties of the flammable gas,
flammable liquid-produced vapor, combustible-liquid produced vapors, combustible dusts, or fibers/flyings that may
be present, and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is present. Each room, section, or area shall be considered individually in determining
its classification. Where pyrophoric materials are the only
materials used or handled, these locations are outside the
scope of this article. [ROP 14–136a]
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Informational Note No. 1: It is important that the authority
having jurisdiction be familiar with recorded industrial experience as well as with standards of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), the American Petroleum
Institute (API), the International Society of Automation
(ISA), and the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) that may be of use in the classification of various
locations, the determination of adequate ventilation, and the
protection against static electricity and lightning hazards.
shore oil and gas producing platforms, see ANSI/API RP
14FZ-2000, Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore
Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0,
Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations.
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mentation shall be available to those authorized to design,
install, inspect, maintain, or operate electrical equipment at
the location.
505.5
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Informational Note No. 2: For further information on the
classification of locations, see NFPA 497-2008, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas; ANSI/API RP 505-1997, Recommended Practice for
Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at
Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1,
or Zone 2; ANSI/ISA-TR(12.24.01)-1998 (IEC 60079-10Mod), Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations Classified as Class I, Zone
0, Zone 1, or Zone 2; IEC 60079-10-1995, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres, Classification of
Hazardous Areas; and Model Code of Safe Practice in the
Petroleum Industry, Part 15: Area Classification Code for
Petroleum Installations, IP 15, The Institute of Petroleum,
London.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information on protection against static electricity and lightning hazards in
hazardous (classified) locations, see NFPA 77-2007, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity; NFPA 780-2011,
Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems; and API RP 2003-1998, Protection Against Ignitions
Arising Out of Static Lightning and Stray Currents.
Informational Note No. 4: For further information on ventilation, see NFPA 30-2008, Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code, and ANSI/API RP 505-1997, Recommended
Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I,
Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2.
Informational Note No. 5: For further information on electrical systems for hazardous (classified) locations on off-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 1: See 505.7 for restrictions on
area classification.
Informational Note No. 2: Through the exercise of ingenuity in the layout of electrical installations for hazardous
(classified) locations, it is frequently possible to locate
much of the equipment in reduced level of classification or
in an unclassified location and, thus, to reduce the amount
of special equipment required.
Rooms and areas containing ammonia refrigeration systems that are equipped with adequate mechanical ventilation may be classified as “unclassified” locations.
Informational Note: For further information regarding
classification and ventilation of areas involving ammonia,
see ANSI/ASHRAE 15-1994, Safety Code for Mechanical
Refrigeration; and ANSI/CGA G2.1-1989 (14-39), Safety
Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous
Ammonia.
(B) Class I, Zone 0, 1, and 2 Locations. Class I, Zone 0,
1, and 2 locations are those in which flammable gases or
vapors are or may be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitible mixtures. Class I,
70–423
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Zone 0, 1, and 2 locations shall include those specified in
505(B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3).
(1) Class I, Zone 0. A Class I, Zone 0 location is a location in which
(1) Ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or vapors
are present continuously, or
(2) Ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or vapors
are present for long periods of time.
Informational Note No. 1: As a guide in determining when
flammable gases or vapors are present continuously or for
long periods of time, refer to ANSI/API RP 505-1997, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for
Electrical Installations of Petroleum Facilities Classified as
Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1 or Zone 2; ANSI/ISA-TR12.24.011998 (IEC 60079-10 Mod), Recommended Practice for
Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2; IEC 6007910-1995, Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres, classifications of hazardous areas; and Area
Classification Code for Petroleum Installations, Model
Code, Part 15, Institute of Petroleum.
Informational Note No. 2: This classification usually includes locations where volatile flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases are transferred from one container to
another. In areas in the vicinity of spraying and painting
operations where flammable solvents are used; adequately
ventilated drying rooms or compartments for evaporation
of flammable solvents; adequately ventilated locations containing fat and oil extraction equipment using volatile flammable solvents; portions of cleaning and dyeing plants
where volatile flammable liquids are used; adequately ventilated gas generator rooms and other portions of gas manufacturing plants where flammable gas may escape; inadequately ventilated pump rooms for flammable gas or for
volatile flammable liquids; the interiors of refrigerators and
freezers in which volatile flammable materials are stored in
the open, lightly stoppered, or in easily ruptured containers;
and other locations where ignitible concentrations of flammable vapors or gases are likely to occur in the course of
normal operation but not classified Zone 0.
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Informational Note No. 2: This classification includes locations inside vented tanks or vessels that contain volatile
flammable liquids; inside inadequately vented spraying or
coating enclosures, where volatile flammable solvents are
used; between the inner and outer roof sections of a floating
roof tank containing volatile flammable liquids; inside open
vessels, tanks and pits containing volatile flammable liquids; the interior of an exhaust duct that is used to vent
ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors; and inside inadequately ventilated enclosures that contain normally
venting instruments utilizing or analyzing flammable fluids
and venting to the inside of the enclosures.
[ROP 14–138]
Informational Note No. 1: Normal operation is considered
the situation when plant equipment is operating within its
design parameters. Minor releases of flammable material
may be part of normal operations. Minor releases include
the releases from mechanical packings on pumps. Failures
that involve repair or shutdown (such as the breakdown of
pump seals and flange gaskets, and spillage caused by accidents) are not considered normal operation.
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505.5
(2) Class I, Zone 1. A Class I, Zone 1 location is a location
(1) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or
vapors are likely to exist under normal operating conditions; or
(2) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or
vapors may exist frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage; or
(3) In which equipment is operated or processes are carried
on, of such a nature that equipment breakdown or
faulty operations could result in the release of ignitible
concentrations of flammable gases or vapors and also
cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment in a
mode to cause the electrical equipment to become a
source of ignition; or
(4) That is adjacent to a Class I, Zone 0 location from
which ignitible concentrations of vapors could be communicated, unless communication is prevented by adequate positive pressure ventilation from a source of
clean air and effective safeguards against ventilation
failure are provided.
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(3) Class I, Zone 2. A Class I, Zone 2 location is a location
(1) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or
vapors are not likely to occur in normal operation and,
if they do occur, will exist only for a short period; or
(2) In which volatile flammable liquids, flammable gases,
or flammable vapors are handled, processed, or used
but in which the liquids, gases, or vapors normally are
confined within closed containers of closed systems
from which they can escape, only as a result of accidental rupture or breakdown of the containers or system, or as a result of the abnormal operation of the
equipment with which the liquids or gases are handled,
processed, or used; or
(3) In which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or
vapors normally are prevented by positive mechanical
ventilation but which may become hazardous as a result of failure or abnormal operation of the ventilation
equipment; or
(4) That is adjacent to a Class I, Zone 1 location, from
which ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or
vapors could be communicated, unless such communication is prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of clean air and effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided.
Informational Note: The Zone 2 classification usually includes locations where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases or vapors are used but which would become
hazardous only in case of an accident or of some unusual
operating condition.
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Informational Note No. 1: Group I is intended for use in
describing atmospheres that contain firedamp (a mixture of
gases, composed mostly of methane, found underground,
usually in mines). This Code does not apply to installations
underground in mines. See 90.2(B).
[ROP 14–139]
(C) Group IIA. Atmospheres containing acetone, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, gasoline, methane, propane, or flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced vapor, or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with air that may burn
or explode, having either a maximum experimental safe
gap (MESG) value greater than 0.90 mm or minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio) greater than 0.80.
[497:3.3.5.2.3]
Informational Note: Group IIA is equivalent to Class I,
Group D as described in 500.6(A)(4).
505.7 Special Precaution. Article 505 requires equipment
construction and installation that ensures safe performance
under conditions of proper use and maintenance.
Informational Note No. 1: It is important that inspection
authorities and users exercise more than ordinary care with
regard to the installation and maintenance of electrical
equipment in hazardous (classified) locations.
Informational Note No. 2: Low ambient conditions require
special consideration. Electrical equipment depending on
the protection techniques described by 505.8(A) may not be
suitable for use at temperatures lower than −20°C (−4°F)
unless they are identified for use at lower temperatures.
However, at low ambient temperatures, flammable concentrations of vapors may not exist in a location classified
Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2 at normal ambient temperature.
AF
Informational Note No. 2: The gas and vapor subdivision
as described above is based on the maximum experimental
safe gap (MESG), minimum igniting current (MIC), or
both. Test equipment for determining the MESG is described in IEC 60079-1A-1975, Amendment No. 1 (1993),
Construction and verification tests of flameproof enclosures
of electrical apparatus; and UL Technical Report No. 58
(1993). The test equipment for determining MIC is described in IEC 60079-11-1999, Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres — Part 11: Intrinsic safety “i.”
The classification of gases or vapors according to their
maximum experimental safe gaps and minimum igniting
currents is described in IEC 60079-12-1978, Classification
of mixtures of gases or vapours with air according to their
maximum experimental safe gaps and minimum igniting
currents.
Informational Note: Group IIB is equivalent to Class I,
Group C, as described in 500.6(A)(3).
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505.6 Material Groups. For purposes of testing, approval,
and area classification, various air mixtures (not oxygen
enriched) shall be grouped as required in 505.6(A), (B), and
(C).
505.7
Informational Note No. 3: Group II is currently subdivided into Groups “IIA”, “IIB”, and “IIC”. Prior marking
requirements allowed some types of protection to be
marked without a subdivision, showing only Group “II”.
Equipment so marked should be considered to be suitable
for Group IIC applications. [ROP 14–139]
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Informational Note No. 4: It is necessary that the meanings of the different equipment markings and Group II classifications be carefully observed to avoid confusion with
Class I, Divisions 1 and 2, Groups A, B, C, and D.
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and 2, groups shall be as follows:
(A) Group IIC. Atmospheres containing acetylene, hydrogen, or flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced vapor,
or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with air that
may burn or explode, having either a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) value less than or equal to 0.50 mm or
minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio) less than or
equal to 0.45. [497:3.3.5.2.1]
Informational Note: Group IIC is equivalent to a combination of Class I, Group A, and Class I, Group B, as described in 500.6(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(B) Group IIB. Atmospheres containing acetaldehyde,
ethylene, or flammable gas, flammable liquid–produced vapor, or combustible liquid–produced vapor mixed with air
that may burn or explode, having either maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) values greater than 0.50 mm and
less than or equal to 0.90 mm or minimum igniting current
ratio (MIC ratio) greater than 0.45 and less than or equal to
0.80. [497:3.3.5.2.2]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Implementation of Zone Classification System.
Classification of areas, engineering and design, selection of
equipment and wiring methods, installation, and inspection
shall be performed by qualified persons.
(B) Dual Classification. In instances of areas within the
same facility classified separately, Class I, Zone 2 locations
shall be permitted to abut, but not overlap, Class I, Division
2 locations. Class I, Zone 0 or Zone 1 locations shall not
abut Class I, Division 1 or Division 2 locations.
(C) Reclassification Permitted. A Class I, Division 1 or
Division 2 location shall be permitted to be reclassified as a
Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2 location, provided all of
the space that is classified because of a single flammable
gas or vapor source is reclassified under the requirements
of this article.
(D) Solid Obstacles. Flameproof equipment with flanged
joints shall not be installed such that the flange openings
are closer than the distances shown in Table 505.7(D) to
any solid obstacle that is not a part of the equipment (such
as steelworks, walls, weather guards, mounting brackets,
pipes, or other electrical equipment) unless the equipment
is listed for a smaller distance of separation.
(E) Simultaneous Presence of Flammable Gases and
Combustible Dusts or Fibers/Flyings. Where flammable
70–425
505.8
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Table 505.7(D) Minimum Distance of Obstructions from
Flameproof “d” Flange Openings
Minimum Distance
(G) Encapsulation “m”. This protection technique shall
be permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, or
Zone 2 locations for which it is identified.
Gas Group
mm
in.
Informational Note: See Table 505.9(C)(2)(4) for the descriptions of subdivisions for encapsulation.
IIC
IIB
IIA
40
30
10
137⁄64
13⁄16
25⁄64
(H) Powder Filling “q”. This protection technique shall
be permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 1 or Zone 2
locations.
505.8 Protection Techniques. Acceptable protection techniques for electrical and electronic equipment in hazardous
(classified) locations shall be as described in 505.8(A)
through (I).
Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see
ANSI/API RP 505-1997, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and
Zone 2.
AF
Informational Note: For additional information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-0 (12.00.01)-2009, Explosive Atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment - General Requirements;
ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-1999, Definitions and Information
Pertaining to Electrical Apparatus in Hazardous (Classified) Locations; and ANSI/UL 60079–0, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 0: General Requirements. [ROP 14–143]
(I) Combustible Gas Detection System. A combustible
gas detection system shall be permitted as a means of protection in industrial establishments with restricted public
access and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation. Where such a system is installed, equipment specified in 505.8(I)(1), (I)(2), or (I)(3) shall be permitted. The
type of detection equipment, its listing, installation location(s), alarm and shutdown criteria, and calibration frequency shall be documented when combustible gas detectors are used as a protection technique.
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gases, combustible dusts, or fibers/flyings are or may be
present at the same time, the simultaneous presence shall be
considered during the selection and installation of the electrical equipment and the wiring methods, including the determination of the safe operating temperature of the electrical equipment.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-2, Explosive Atmospheres - Part 29-2:
Gas detectors - Selection, installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable gases and oxygen.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information, see
ANSI/ISA-TR12.13.03–2009, Guide for Combustible Gas
Detection as a Method of Protection. [ROP 14–143]
(B) Purged and Pressurized. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in those Class I, Zone 1 or
Zone 2 locations for which it is identified.
(1) Inadequate Ventilation. In a Class I, Zone 1 location
that is so classified due to inadequate ventilation, electrical
equipment suitable for Class I, Zone 2 locations shall be
permitted. Combustible gas detection equipment shall be
listed for Class I, Zone 1, for the appropriate material
group, and for the detection of the specific gas or vapor to
be encountered.
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(A) Flameproof “d”. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 1 or Zone 2 locations.
(C) Intrinsic Safety. This protection technique shall be
permitted for apparatus and associated apparatus in Class I,
Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2 locations for which it is listed.
(D) Type of Protection “n”. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 2 locations. Type of protection “n” is further subdivided into nA,
nC, and nR.
Informational Note: See Table 505.9(C)(2)(4) for the descriptions of subdivisions for type of protection “n”.
(E) Oil Immersion “o”. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 1 or Zone 2 locations.
(F) Increased Safety “e”. This protection technique shall
be permitted for equipment in Class I, Zone 1 or Zone 2
locations.
70–426
(2) Interior of a Building. In a building located in, or with
an opening into, a Class I, Zone 2 location where the interior does not contain a source of flammable gas or vapor,
electrical equipment for unclassified locations shall be permitted. Combustible gas detection equipment shall be listed
for Class I, Zone 1 or Class I, Zone 2, for the appropriate
material group, and for the detection of the specific gas or
vapor to be encountered.
(3) Interior of a Control Panel. In the interior of a control
panel containing instrumentation utilizing or measuring
flammable liquids, gases, or vapors, electrical equipment
suitable for Class I, Zone 2 locations shall be permitted.
Combustible gas detection equipment shall be listed for
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
505.9
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Class I, Zone 1, for the appropriate material group, and for
the detection of the specific gas or vapor to be encountered.
Table 505.9(C)(1)(2) Material Groups
[ROP 14–147]
Material Group
(A) Suitability. Suitability of identified equipment shall be
determined by one of the following:
(1) Equipment listing or labeling
(2) Evidence of equipment evaluation from a qualified testing laboratory or inspection agency concerned with
product evaluation
(3) Evidence acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
such as a manufacturer’s self-evaluation or an owner’s
engineering judgment
Informational Note: Additional documentation for equipment may include certificates demonstrating compliance
with applicable equipment standards, indicating special
conditions of use, and other pertinent information.
See 505.6(A)
See 505.6(B)
See 505.6(C)
(4) Protection technique(s) in accordance with Table
505.9(C)(2)(4)
(5) Applicable material group in accordance with Table
505.9(C)(1)(2) or a specific gas or vapor [ROP 14–147,
ROP 14–152a]
(6) Temperature classification in accordance with
505.9(D)(1)
Exception No. 1: Associated apparatus NOT suitable for
installation in a hazardous (classified) location shall be
required to be marked only with (3), (4), and (5), but BOTH
the symbol AEx (3) and the symbol for the type of protection (4) shall be enclosed within the same square brackets,
for example, [AEx ia] IIC.
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(B) Listing.
(1) Equipment that is listed for a Zone 0 location shall be
permitted in a Zone 1 or Zone 2 location of the same
gas or vapor, provided that it is installed in accordance
with the requirements for the marked type of protection. Equipment that is listed for a Zone 1 location shall
be permitted in a Zone 2 location of the same gas or
vapor, provided that it is installed in accordance with
the requirements for the marked type of protection.
(2) Equipment shall be permitted to be listed for a specific
gas or vapor, specific mixtures of gases or vapors, or
any specific combination of gases or vapors.
IIC
IIB
IIA
Comment
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505.9 Equipment.
Informational Note: One common example is equipment
marked for “IIB. + H2.”
(C) Marking. Equipment shall be marked in accordance
with 505.9(C)(1) or (C)(2).
(1) Division Equipment. Equipment identified for Class I,
Division 1 or Class I, Division 2 shall, in addition to being
marked in accordance with 500.8(C), be permitted to be
marked with all of the following:
(1) Class I, Zone 1 or Class I, Zone 2 (as applicable)
(2) Applicable gas classification group(s) in accordance
with Table 505.9(C)(1)(2)
(3) Temperature classification in accordance with
505.9(D)(1)
(2) Zone Equipment. Equipment meeting one or more of
the protection techniques described in 505.8 shall be
marked with all of the following in the order shown:
(1) Class
(2) Zone
(3) Symbol “AEx”
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 2: Simple apparatus as defined in 504.2
shall not be required to have a marked operating temperature or temperature class.
Exception No. 3: Fittings for the termination of cables
shall not be required to have a marked operating temperature or temperature class. [ROP 14–152]
[ROP 14–148]
Informational Note No. 1: An example of the required
marking for intrinsically safe apparatus for installation in
Class I, Zone 0 is “Class I, Zone 0, AEx ia IIC T6.” An
explanation of the marking that is required is shown in
Informational Note Figure 505.9(C)(2).
Informational Note No. 2: An example of the required
marking for intrinsically safe associated apparatus mounted
in a flameproof enclosure for installation in Class I, Zone 1
is “Class I, Zone 1 AEx d[ia] IIC T4.”
Informational Note No. 3: An example of the required
marking for intrinsically safe associated apparatus NOT for
installation in a hazardous (classified) location is “[AEx ia]
IIC.”
Informational Note No. 4: The EPL (or equipment protection level) may appear in the product marking. EPLs are
designated as G for gas, D for dust, or M for mining and
are then followed by a letter (a, b, or c) to give the user a
better understanding as to whether the equipment provides
either (a) a “very high,” (b) a “high,” or (c) an “enhanced”
level of protection against ignition of an explosive atmosphere. For example, an AEx d IIC T4 motor (which is
suitable by protection concept for application in Zone 1)
may additionally be marked with an EPL of “Gb” to indicate that it was provided with a high level of protection,
such as AEx d IIC T4 Gb.
70–427
505.9
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Informational Note No. 5: Equipment installed outside a
Zone 0 location, electrically connected to equipment located inside a Zone 0 location, may be marked Class I,
Zone 0/1. The “/” indicates that equipment contains a separation element and can be installed at the boundary between
a Zone 0 and a Zone 1 location. See ANSI/ISA-60079-26,
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 0 Hazardous
(Classified) Locations.
Example: Class I Zone 0
AEx
ia
IIC
Table 505.9(C)(2)(4) Types of Protection Designation
Designation
T6
Area classification
Symbol for equipment built to American
standards
Type(s) of protection designation
Material group
d
db
e
eb
ia
ib
ic
[ia]
[ib]
[ic]
ma [ROP 14–150]
m
mb
mc[ROP 14–150]
nA
Temperature classification
nAc
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(D) Class I Temperature. The temperature marking specified below shall not exceed the autoignition temperature of
the specific gas or vapor to be encountered. [ROP 14–153]
nC
D
R
Informational Note: For information regarding autoignition temperatures of gases and vapors, see NFPA 497-2008,
Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable
Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas; and IEC 60079-20-1996, Electrical Apparatus for
Explosive Gas Atmospheres, Data for Flammable Gases
and Vapours, Relating to the Use of Electrical Apparatus.
[ROP 14–146]
(1) Temperature Classifications. Equipment shall be
marked to show the operating temperature or temperature
class referenced to a 40°C ambient, or at the higher ambient
temperature if the equipment is rated and marked for an
ambient temperature of greater than 40°C. The temperature
class, if provided, shall be indicated using the temperature
class (T Code) shown in Table 505.9(D)(1).
Electrical equipment designed for use in the ambient
temperature range between −20°C and +40°C shall require
no ambient temperature marking.
Electrical equipment that is designed for use in a range
of ambient temperatures other than −20°C to +40°C is considered to be special; and the ambient temperature range
shall then be marked on the equipment, including either the
symbol “Ta” or “Tamb” together with the special range of
ambient temperatures, in degrees Celsius.
Flameproof enclosure
Flameproof enclosure
Increased safety
Increased safety
Intrinsic safety
Intrinsic safety
Intrinsic safety
Associated apparatus
Associated apparatus
Associated apparatus
Encapsulation
Encapsulation
Encapsulation
Encapsulation
Nonsparking
equipment
Nonsparking
equipment
Sparking equipment in
which the contacts are
suitably protected
other than by restricted
breathing enclosure
Sparking equipment in
which the contacts are
suitably protected
other than by restricted
breathing enclosure
Restricted breathing
enclosure
Restricted breathing
enclosure
Oil immersion
Oil immersion
Pressurization
Pressurization
Pressurization
Pressurization
Pressurization
Pressurization
Powder filled
Powder filled
Zone*
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
Unclassified**
Unclassified**
Unclassified**
0
1
1
2
2
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Informational Note Figure 505.9(C)(2) Zone Equipment
Marking. [ROP 14–149]
Technique
nCc
nR
nRc
o
ob
px
pxb
py
pyb
pz
pzc
q
qb
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
*Does not address use where a combination of techniques is used.
**Associated apparatus is permitted to be installed in a hazardous
(classified) location if suitably protected using another type of protection.
than 100°C (212°F) shall not be required to have a marked
operating temperature or temperature class.
Informational Note: As an example, such a marking might
be “−30°C to +40°C.”
Exception No. 2: Equipment identified for Class 1, Division 1 or Division 2 locations as permitted by 505.20(A),
(B), and (C) shall be permitted to be marked in accordance
with 500.8(C) and Table 500.8(C). [ROP 14–154]
Exception No. 1: Equipment of the non–heat-producing
type, such as conduit fittings, and equipment of the heatproducing type having a maximum temperature of not more
(E) Threading. The supply connection entry thread form
shall be NPT or metric. Conduit and fittings shall be made
wrenchtight to prevent sparking when fault current flows
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ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Temperature Class
(T Code)
Maximum Surface
Temperature (°C)
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
≤450
≤300
≤200
≤135
≤100
≤85
through the conduit system, and to ensure the explosionproof or flameproof integrity of the conduit system where
applicable. Equipment provided with threaded entries for
field wiring connections shall be installed in accordance
with 505.9(E)(1) or (E)(2) and with (E)(3).
(3) Unused Openings. All unused openings shall be
closed with close-up plugs listed for the location and shall
maintain the type of protection. The plug engagement shall
comply with 505.9(E)(1) or 505.9(E)(2).
(F) Optical Fiber Cables. Where an optical fiber cable
contains conductors that are capable of carrying current
(composite optical fiber cable), the optical fiber cable shall
be installed in accordance with the requirements of Articles
505.15 and 505.16.
505.15 Wiring Methods. Wiring methods shall maintain
the integrity of protection techniques and shall comply with
505.15(A) through (C). [ROP 14–160, ROP 14–161, ROP
14–162, ROP 14–163, ROP 14–165a, ROP 14–168, ROP
14–169, ROP 14–169a]
AF
(1) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
NPT Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment provided with threaded entries for NPT threaded conduit or
fittings, listed conduit, listed conduit fittings, or listed cable
fittings shall be used. [ROP 14–155]
All NPT threaded conduit and fittings referred to herein
shall be threaded with a National (American) Standard Pipe
Taper (NPT) thread.
NPT threaded entries into explosionproof or flameproof
equipment shall be made up with at least five threads fully
engaged.
Informational Note: Threading specifications for metric
threaded entries are located in ISO 965/1-1980, ISO general pupose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 1:
Principles and basic data, and ISO 965-3-1998, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 3:
Deviations for constructional screw threads; and ISO
965/3-1980, Metric Screw Threads.
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Table 505.9(D)(1) Classification of Maximum Surface
Temperature for Group II Electrical Equipment
505.15
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Exception: For listed explosionproof or flameproof equipment, factory threaded NPT entries shall be made up with
at least 41⁄2 threads fully engaged.
Informational Note No. 1: Thread specifications for male
NPT threads are located in ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983,
Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch).
Informational Note No. 2: Female NPT threaded entries
use a modified National Standard Pipe Taper (NPT) thread
with thread form per ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983, Pipe
Threads, General Purpose (Inch). See ANSI UL/ISA
60079-1, Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres – Part 1: Flameproof Enclosures “d”.
(2) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
Metric Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment
with metric threaded entries, listed conduit fittings or listed
cable fittings shall be used. Such entries shall be identified
as being metric, or listed adapters to permit connection to
conduit or NPT threaded fittings shall be provided with the
equipment and shall be used for connection to conduit or
NPT threaded fittings.
Metric threaded entries into explosionproof or flameproof equipment shall have a class of fit of at least 6g/6H
and be made up with at least five threads fully engaged for
Groups C, D, IIB, or IIA and not less than eight threads
fully engaged for Groups A, B, IIC, or IIB + H2.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Class I, Zone 0. In Class I, Zone 0 locations, only
intrinsically safe wiring methods in accordance with Article
504 shall be permitted.
(B) Class I, Zone 1.
(1) General. In Class I, Zone 1 locations, the wiring methods in (B)(1)(a) through (B)(1)(f) shall be permitted.
(a) All wiring methods permitted by 505.15(A).
(b) In industrial establishments with restricted public
access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, and where the cable is not subject to physical damage,
Type MC-HL cable listed for use in Class I, Zone 1 or
Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath, an overall jacket of suitable polymeric material, and a separate equipment grounding conductor(s) in accordance with 250.122, and terminated with
fittings listed for the application.
(c) In industrial establishments with restricted public
access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, and where the cable is not subject to physical damage,
Type ITC-HL cable listed for use in Class I, Zone 1 or
Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath and an overall jacket of suitable
polymeric material, and terminated with fittings listed for
the application. Type ITC-HL cable shall be installed in
accordance with the provisions of Article 727.
Informational Note: See 727.4 and 727.5 for restrictions
on use of Type ITC cable.
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ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
(d) Type MI cable terminated with fittings listed for
Class I, Zone 1 or Division 1 locations. Type MI cable shall
be installed and supported in a manner to avoid tensile
stress at the termination fittings.
(e) Threaded rigid metal conduit, or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit.
(f) Type PVC conduit and Type RTRC conduit shall be
permitted where encased in a concrete envelope a minimum
of 50 mm (2 in.) thick and provided with not less than
600 mm (24 in.) of cover measured from the top of the
conduit to grade. Threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded
steel intermediate metal conduit shall be used for the last
600 mm (24 in.) of the underground run to emergence or to
the point of connection to the aboveground raceway. An
equipment grounding conductor shall be included to provide for electrical continuity of the raceway system and for
grounding of non–current-carrying metal parts.
(g) Intrinsic safety type of protection “ib” shall be
permitted using the wiring methods specified in Article
504.
AF
Informational Note: For entry into enclosures required to
be flameproof, explosionproof, or increased safety, see further information on construction, testing and marking of
cables, flameproof and increased safety cable fittings, and
flameproof and increased safety cord connectors, In
ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and Cable-Fittings for Use in
Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
(c) Type ITC and Type ITC-ER cable as permitted in
727.4 and terminated with listed fittings.
(d) Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable in accordance with the provisions of Article 725, including installation in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated
with listed fittings.
(e) Enclosed gasketed busways, enclosed gasketed
wireways.
(f) In industrial establishments with restricted public
access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, and where metallic conduit does not provide sufficient
corrosion resistance, listed reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit (RTRC), factory elbows, and associated fittings, all
marked with the suffix -XW, and Schedule 80 PVC conduit,
factory elbows, and associated fittings shall be permitted.
Where seals are required for boundary conditions as defined in 505.16(C)(1)(b), the Zone 1 wiring method shall
extend into the Zone 2 area to the seal, which shall be
located on the Zone 2 side of the Zone 1–Zone 2 boundary.
(g) Intrinsic safety type of protection “ic” shall be
permitted using any of the wiring methods permitted for
unclassified locations. Intrinsic safety type of protection
“ic” systems shall be installed in accordance with the control drawing(s). Simple apparatus, not shown on the control
drawing, shall be permitted in an intrinsic safety type of
protection “ic” circuit, provided the simple apparatus does
not interconnect the intrinsic safety type of protection “ic”
systems to any other circuit.
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505.15
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(h) Fiber Optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP,
OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be
permitted to be installed in raceways as stated in 505.15(B).
These Fiber Optic cables shall be sealed in accordance with
505.16.
Informational Note: For entry into enclosures required to
be flameproof, explosionproof, or increased safety, see further information on construction, testing and marking of
cables, flameproof and increased safety cable fittings, and
flameproof and increased safety cord connectors, In
ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and Cable-Fittings for Use in
Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
(2) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections, flexible fittings listed for Class I, Zone
1 or Division 1 locations, or flexible cord in accordance
with the provisions of 505.17(A) terminated with a listed
cord connector that maintains the type of protection of the
terminal compartment, shall be permitted.
(C) Class I, Zone 2.
(1) General. In Class I, Zone 2 locations, the following
wiring methods shall be permitted.
(a) All wiring methods permitted by 505.15(B).
(b) Types MC, MV, TC, or TC-ER cable, including
installation in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings. Single conductor Type MV cables
shall be shielded or metallic-armored.
70–430
Informational Note: Simple apparatus is defined in 504.2.
(h) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP,
OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be
permitted to be installed in cable trays or any other raceway
as stated in 505.15(C). Fiber optic cables shall be sealed in
accordance with 505.16.
Separate intrinsic safety type of protection “ic” systems
shall be installed in accordance with one of the following:
(1) In separate cables
(2) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit are within a grounded metal shield
(3) In multiconductor cables where the conductors of each
circuit have insulation with a minimum thickness of
0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
(2) Flexible Connections. Where provision must be made
for limited flexibility, flexible metal fittings, flexible metal
conduit with listed fittings, liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings, or flexible cord in accordance with
the provisions of 505.17 terminated with a listed cord connector that maintains the type of protection of the terminal
compartment shall be permitted.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Exception: For elevator use, an identified elevator cable,
type EO, ETP, or ETT, and as shown under the “use”
column in Table 400.4 for “Hazardous (classified) locations” and terminated with listed connectors that maintain
the type of protection of the terminal compartment shall be
permitted.
505.16 Sealing and Drainage. Seals in conduit and cable
systems shall comply with 505.16(A) through (E). Sealing
compound shall be used in Type MI cable termination fittings to exclude moisture and other fluids from the cable
insulation.
(1) Type of Protection “d” or “e” Enclosures. Conduit
seals shall be provided within 50 mm (2 in.) for each conduit entering enclosures having type of protection “d” or
“e.”
Exception No. 1: Where the enclosure having type of protection “d” is marked to indicate that a seal is not required.
Exception No. 2: For type of protection “e,” conduit and
fittings employing only NPT to NPT raceway joints or fittings listed for type of protection “e” shall be permitted
between the enclosure and the seal, and the seal shall not
be required to be within 50 mm (2 in.) of the entry.
Informational Note: Examples of fittings employing other
than NPT threads include conduit couplings, capped elbows, unions, and breather drains.
Exception No. 3: For conduit installed between type of
protection “e” enclosures employing only NPT to NPT
raceway joints or conduit fittings listed for type of protection “e,” a seal shall not be required.
AF
Informational Note No. 1: Seals are provided in conduit
and cable systems to minimize the passage of gases and
vapors and prevent the passage of flames from one portion
of the electrical installation to another through the conduit.
Such communication through Type MI cable is inherently
prevented by construction of the cable. Unless specifically
designed and tested for the purpose, conduit and cable seals
are not intended to prevent the passage of liquids, gases, or
vapors at a continuous pressure differential across the seal.
Even at differences in pressure across the seal equivalent to
a few inches of water, there may be a slow passage of gas
or vapor through a seal and through conductors passing
through the seal. See 505.16(C)(2)(b). Temperature extremes and highly corrosive liquids and vapors can affect
the ability of seals to perform their intended function. See
505.16(D)(2).
(B) Zone 1. In Class I, Zone 1 locations, seals shall be
located in accordance with 505.16(B)(1) through (B)(8).
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Informational Note: See 505.25(B) for grounding requirements where flexible conduit is used.
505.16
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Informational Note No. 2: Gas or vapor leakage and
propagation of flames may occur through the interstices
between the strands of standard stranded conductors larger
than 2 AWG. Special conductor constructions, for example,
compacted strands or sealing of the individual strands, are
means of reducing leakage and preventing the propagation
of flames.
(A) Zone 0. In Class I, Zone 0 locations, seals shall be
located according to 505.16(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
(1) Conduit Seals. Seals shall be provided within 3.05 m
(10 ft) of where a conduit leaves a Zone 0 location. There
shall be no unions, couplings, boxes, or fittings, except
listed reducers at the seal, in the conduit run between the
seal and the point at which the conduit leaves the location.
Exception: A rigid unbroken conduit that passes completely through the Zone 0 location with no fittings less
than 300 mm (12 in.) beyond each boundary shall not be
required to be sealed if the termination points of the unbroken conduit are in unclassified locations.
(2) Cable Seals. Seals shall be provided on cables at the
first point of termination after entry into the Zone 0 location.
(3) Not Required to Be Explosionproof or Flameproof.
Seals shall not be required to be explosionproof or flameproof.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Explosionproof Equipment. Conduit seals shall be
provided for each conduit entering explosionproof equipment according to (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), and (B)(2)(c).
(a) In each conduit entry into an explosionproof enclosure where either (1) the enclosure contains apparatus, such
as switches, circuit breakers, fuses, relays, or resistors, that
may produce arcs, sparks, or high temperatures that are
considered to be an ignition source in normal operation, or
(2) the entry is metric designator 53 (trade size 2) or larger
and the enclosure contains terminals, splices, or taps. For
the purposes of this section, high temperatures shall be
considered to be any temperatures exceeding 80 percent of
the autoignition temperature in degrees Celsius of the gas
or vapor involved.
Exception: Conduit entering an enclosure where such
switches, circuit breakers, fuses, relays, or resistors comply
with one of the following:
(1) Are enclosed within a chamber hermetically sealed
against the entrance of gases or vapors.
(2) Are immersed in oil.
(3) Are enclosed within a factory-sealed explosionproof
chamber located within the enclosure, identified for the
location, and marked “factory sealed” or equivalent,
unless the entry is metric designator 53 (trade size 2)
or larger. Factory-sealed enclosures shall not be considered to serve as a seal for another adjacent explosionproof enclosure that is required to have a conduit
seal.
70–431
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
(b) Conduit seals shall be installed within 450 mm
(18 in.) from the enclosure. Only explosionproof unions,
couplings, reducers, elbows, capped elbows, and conduit
bodies similar to L, T, and cross types that are not larger
than the trade size of the conduit shall be permitted between the sealing fitting and the explosionproof enclosure.
(c) Where two or more explosionproof enclosures for
which conduit seals are required under 505.16(B)(2) are
connected by nipples or by runs of conduit not more than
900 mm (36 in.) long, a single conduit seal in each such
nipple connection or run of conduit shall be considered
sufficient if located not more than 450 mm (18 in.) from
either enclosure.
(3) Pressurized Enclosures. Conduit seals shall be provided in each conduit entry into a pressurized enclosure
where the conduit is not pressurized as part of the protection system. Conduit seals shall be installed within 450 mm
(18 in.) from the pressurized enclosure.
Informational Note No. 1: Installing the seal as close as
possible to the enclosure reduces problems with purging the
dead airspace in the pressurized conduit.
(6) Cables Incapable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Each multiconductor or optical multifiber cable in conduit
shall be considered as a single conductor or single optical
fiber tube if the cable is incapable of transmitting gases or
vapors through the cable core. These cables shall be sealed
in accordance with 505.16(D). [ROP 14–173]
(7) Cables Entering Enclosures. Cable seals shall be provided for each cable entering flameproof or explosionproof
enclosures. The seal shall comply with 505.16(D).
(8) Class I, Zone 1 Boundary. Cables shall be sealed at
the point at which they leave the Zone 1 location.
Exception: Where cable is sealed at the termination point.
AF
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
NFPA 496-2008, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.
as a single conductor by sealing the cable in the conduit
within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure and the cable end
within the enclosure by an approved means to minimize the
entrance of gases or vapors and prevent the propagation of
flame into the cable core, or by other approved methods.
For shielded cables and twisted pair cables, it shall not be
required to remove the shielding material or separate the
twisted pair.
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505.16
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(4) Class I, Zone 1 Boundary. Conduit seals shall be provided in each conduit run leaving a Class I, Zone 1 location. The sealing fitting shall be permitted on either side of
the boundary of such location within 3.05 m (10 ft) of the
boundary and shall be designed and installed so as to minimize the amount of gas or vapor within the Zone 1 portion
of the conduit from being communicated to the conduit
beyond the seal. Except for listed explosionproof reducers
at the conduit seal, there shall be no union, coupling, box,
or fitting between the conduit seal and the point at which
the conduit leaves the Zone 1 location.
Exception: Metal conduit containing no unions, couplings,
boxes, or fittings and passing completely through a Class I,
Zone 1 location with no fittings less than 300 mm (12 in.)
beyond each boundary shall not require a conduit seal if
the termination points of the unbroken conduit are in unclassified locations.
(5) Cables Capable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Conduits containing cables with a gas/vaportight continuous sheath capable of transmitting gases or vapors through
the cable core shall be sealed in the Zone 1 location after
removing the jacket and any other coverings so that the
sealing compound surrounds each individual insulated conductor or optical fiber tube and the outer jacket. [ROP
14–172]
Exception: Multiconductor cables with a gas/vaportight
continuous sheath capable of transmitting gases or vapors
through the cable core shall be permitted to be considered
70–432
(C) Zone 2. In Class I, Zone 2 locations, seals shall be
located in accordance with 505.16(C)(1) and (C)(2).
(1) Conduit Seals. Conduit seals shall be located in accordance with (C)(1)(a) and (C)(1)(b).
(a) For connections to enclosures that are required to
be flameproof or explosionproof, a conduit seal shall be
provided in accordance with 505.16(B)(1) and (B)(2). All
portions of the conduit run or nipple between the seal and
enclosure shall comply with 505.16(B). [ROP 14–53]
(b) In each conduit run passing from a Class I, Zone 2
location into an unclassified location. The sealing fitting
shall be permitted on either side of the boundary of such
location within 3.05 m (10 ft) of the boundary and shall be
designed and installed so as to minimize the amount of gas
or vapor within the Zone 2 portion of the conduit from
being communicated to the conduit beyond the seal. Rigid
metal conduit or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit
shall be used between the sealing fitting and the point at
which the conduit leaves the Zone 2 location, and a
threaded connection shall be used at the sealing fitting.
Except for listed explosionproof reducers at the conduit
seal, there shall be no union, coupling, box, or fitting between the conduit seal and the point at which the conduit
leaves the Zone 2 location. Conduits shall be sealed to
minimize the amount of gas or vapor within the Class I,
Zone 2 portion of the conduit from being communicated to
the conduit beyond the seal. Such seals shall not be required to be flameproof or explosionproof but shall be identified for the purpose of minimizing passage of gases under
normal operating conditions and shall be accessible.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Exception No. 2: Conduit systems terminating at an unclassified location where a wiring method transition is
made to cable tray, cablebus, ventilated busway, Type MI
cable, or cable that is not installed in a raceway or cable
tray system shall not be required to be sealed where passing from the Class I, Zone 2 location into the unclassified
location. The unclassified location shall be outdoors or, if
the conduit system is all in one room, it shall be permitted
to be indoors. The conduits shall not terminate at an enclosure containing an ignition source in normal operation.
Exception No. 3: Conduit systems passing from an enclosure or room that is unclassified as a result of pressurization into a Class I, Zone 2 location shall not require a seal
at the boundary.
AF
Informational Note: For further information, refer to
NFPA 496-2008, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.
sheath capable of transmitting gases or vapors through the
cable core shall be sealed in the Zone 2 location after removing the jacket and any other coverings so that the sealing compound surrounds each individual insulated conductor or optical fiber tube in such a manner as to minimize the
passage of gases and vapors. Multiconductor or optical
multifiber cables in conduit shall be sealed as described in
505.16(B)(4). [ROP 14–174]
Exception No. 1: Cables passing from an enclosure or
room that is unclassified as a result of Type Z pressurization into a Zone 2 location shall not require a seal at the
boundary.
Exception No. 2: Shielded cables and twisted pair cables
shall not require the removal of the shielding material or
separation of the twisted pairs, provided the termination is
by an approved means to minimize the entrance of gases or
vapors and prevent propagation of flame into the cable
core.
(b) Cables That Will Not Transmit Gases or Vapors.
Cables with a gas/vaportight continuous sheath and that
will not transmit gases or vapors through the cable core in
excess of the quantity permitted for seal fittings shall not be
required to be sealed except as required in 505.16(C)(2)(a).
The minimum length of such cable run shall not be less
than the length that limits gas or vapor flow through the
cable core to the rate permitted for seal fittings [200 cm3/hr
(0.007 ft3/hr) of air at a pressure of 1500 pascals (6 in. of
water)].
T
Exception No. 1: Metal conduit containing no unions, couplings, boxes, or fittings and passing completely through a
Class I, Zone 2 location with no fittings less than 300 mm
(12 in.) beyond each boundary shall not be required to be
sealed if the termination points of the unbroken conduit are
in unclassified locations.
505.16
Exception No. 4: Segments of aboveground conduit systems
shall not be required to be sealed where passing from a
Class I, Zone 2 location into an unclassified location if all
the following conditions are met:
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(1) No part of the conduit system segment passes
through a Zone 0 or Zone 1 location where the conduit
contains unions, couplings, boxes, or fittings within
300 mm (12 in.) of the Zone 0 or Zone 1 location.
(2) The conduit system segment is located entirely in
outdoor locations.
(3) The conduit system segment is not directly connected to canned pumps, process or service connections for
flow, pressure, or analysis measurement, and so forth, that
depend on a single compression seal, diaphragm, or tube to
prevent flammable or combustible fluids from entering the
conduit system.
(4) The conduit system segment contains only threaded
metal conduit, unions, couplings, conduit bodies, and fittings in the unclassified location.
(5) The conduit system segment is sealed at its entry to
each enclosure or fitting housing terminals, splices, or taps
in Zone 2 locations.
(2) Cable Seals. Cable seals shall be located in accordance
with (C)(2)(a), (C)(2)(b), and (C)(2)(c).
(a) Explosionproof and Flameproof Enclosures.
Cables entering enclosures required to be flameproof or
explosionproof shall be sealed at the point of entrance. The
seal shall comply with 505.16(D). Multiconductor or optical multifiber cables with a gas/vaportight continuous
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 1: For further information on construction, testing and marking of cables, cable fittings, and
cord connectors, see ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and
Cable-Fittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
[ROP 14–175]
Informational Note No. 2: The cable core does not include
the interstices of the conductor strands.
(c) Cables Capable of Transmitting Gases or Vapors.
Cables with a gas/vaportight continuous sheath capable of
transmitting gases or vapors through the cable core shall
not be required to be sealed except as required in
505.16(C)(2)(a), unless the cable is attached to process
equipment or devices that may cause a pressure in excess of
1500 pascals (6 in. of water) to be exerted at a cable end, in
which case a seal, barrier, or other means shall be provided
to prevent migration of flammables into an unclassified
area.
Exception: Cables with an unbroken gas/vaportight continuous sheath shall be permitted to pass through a Class I,
Zone 2 location without seals.
(d) Cables Without Gas/Vaportight Continuous Sheath.
Cables that do not have gas/vaportight continuous sheath
shall be sealed at the boundary of the Zone 2 and unclassified location in such a manner as to minimize the passage
of gases or vapors into an unclassified location.
70–433
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
Informational Note: The cable sheath may be either metal
or a nonmetallic material.
(D) Class I, Zones 0, 1, and 2. Where required, seals in
Class I, Zones 0, 1, and 2 locations shall comply with
505.16(D)(1) through (D)(5).
(1) Fittings. Enclosures for connections or equipment shall
be provided with an integral means for sealing, or sealing
fittings listed for the location shall be used. Sealing fittings
shall be listed for use with one or more specific compounds
and shall be accessible.
(2) Compound. The compound shall provide a seal against
passage of gas or vapors through the seal fitting, shall not
be affected by the surrounding atmosphere or liquids, and
shall not have a melting point less than 93°C (200°F).
(3) Thickness of Compounds. In a completed seal, the
minimum thickness of the sealing compound shall not be
less than the trade size of the sealing fitting and, in no case,
less than 16 mm (5⁄8 in.).
AF
Exception: Listed cable sealing fittings shall not be required to have a minimum thickness equal to the trade size
of the fitting.
(A) Flexible Cords, Class I, Zones 1 and 2. A flexible
cord shall be permitted for connection between portable
lighting equipment or other portable utilization equipment
and the fixed portion of their supply circuit. Flexible cord
shall also be permitted for that portion of the circuit where
the fixed wiring methods of 505.15(B) and (C) cannot provide the necessary degree of movement for fixed and mobile electrical utilization equipment, in an industrial establishment where conditions of maintenance and engineering
supervision ensure that only qualified persons install and
service the installation, and the flexible cord is protected by
location or by a suitable guard from damage. The length of
the flexible cord shall be continuous. Where flexible cords
are used, the cords shall comply with the following: [ROP
14–178]
(1) Be of a type listed for extra-hard usage
(2) Contain, in addition to the conductors of the circuit, an
equipment grounding conductor complying with
400.23
(3) Be connected to terminals or to supply conductors in an
approved manner
(4) Be supported by clamps or by other suitable means in
such a manner that there will be no tension on the
terminal connections
(5) Be terminated with a listed cord connector that maintains the type of protection where the flexible cord enters boxes, fittings, or enclosures that are required to be
explosionproof or flameproof
(6) Cord entering an increased safety “e” enclosure shall
be terminated with a listed increased safety “e” cord
connector.
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505.17
(4) Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall not be made in
fittings intended only for sealing with compound, nor shall
other fittings in which splices or taps are made be filled
with compound.
(E) Drainage.
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(5) Conductor or Optical Fiber Fill. The cross-sectional
area of the conductors or optical fiber tubes (metallic or
nonmetallic) permitted in a seal shall not exceed 25 percent
of the cross-sectional area of a rigid metal conduit of the
same trade size unless it is specifically listed for a higher
percentage of fill. [ROP 14–176]
(1) Control Equipment. Where there is a probability that
liquid or other condensed vapor may be trapped within
enclosures for control equipment or at any point in the
raceway system, approved means shall be provided to prevent accumulation or to permit periodic draining of such
liquid or condensed vapor.
(2) Motors and Generators. Where liquid or condensed
vapor may accumulate within motors or generators, joints
and conduit systems shall be arranged to minimize entrance
of liquid. If means to prevent accumulation or to permit
periodic draining are necessary, such means shall be provided at the time of manufacture and shall be considered an
integral part of the machine. [ROP 14–177]
505.17 Flexible Cords and Connections. [ROP 14–180]
70–434
Informational Note: See 400.7 for permitted uses of flexible cords.
Electric submersible pumps with means for removal
without entering the wet-pit shall be considered portable
utilization equipment. The extension of the flexible cord
within a suitable raceway between the wet-pit and the
power source shall be permitted.
Electric mixers intended for travel into and out of opentype mixing tanks or vats shall be considered portable utilization equipment.
Informational Note: See 505.18 for flexible cords exposed
to liquids having a deleterious effect on the conductor
insulation.
(B) Instrumentation Connections for Zone 2. To facilitate replacements, process control instruments shall be permitted to be connected through flexible cord, attachment
plug, and receptacle, provided all of the following conditions apply:
(1) A switch identified for Zone 2 is provided so that the
attachment plug is not depended on to interrupt current,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
(3)
(4)
(5)
[ROP 14–180]
505.18 Conductors and Conductor Insulation.
(A) Conductors. For type of protection “e,” field wiring
conductors shall be copper. Every conductor (including
spares) that enters Type “e” equipment shall be terminated
at a Type “e” terminal.
Exception No. 1: Equipment listed for use in Zone 0 or
Zone 1 locations for the same gas, or as permitted by
505.9(B)(2), and with a suitable temperature class, shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 2: Equipment identified for Class I, Zone 1
or Zone 2 type of protection “p” shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Equipment identified for use in Class I,
Division 1 or Division 2 locations for the same gas, or as
permitted by 505.9(B)(2), and with a suitable temperature
class shall be permitted.
Exception No. 4: In Class I, Zone 2 locations, the installation of open or nonexplosionproof or nonflameproof enclosed motors, such as squirrel-cage induction motors
without brushes, switching mechanisms, or similar arcproducing devices that are not identified for use in a Class
I, Zone 2 location shall be permitted.
Informational Note No. 1: It is important to consider the
temperature of internal and external surfaces that may be
exposed to the flammable atmosphere.
AF
(B) Conductor Insulation. Where condensed vapors or
liquids may collect on, or come in contact with, the insulation on conductors, such insulation shall be of a type identified for use under such conditions, or the insulation shall
be protected by a sheath of lead or by other approved
means.
(C) Zone 2. In Class I, Zone 2 locations, only equipment
specifically listed and marked as suitable for the location
shall be permitted.
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(2)
unless the circuit is type of protection ″ia, ib, or ic″
then the switch is not required .
The current does not exceed 3 amperes at 120 volts,
nominal.
The power-supply cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft),
is of a type listed for extra-hard usage or for hard usage
if protected by location, and is supplied through an
attachment plug and receptacle of the locking and
grounding type.
Only necessary receptacles are provided.
The receptacle carries a label warning against unplugging under load.
505.20
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505.19 Uninsulated Exposed Parts. There shall be no uninsulated exposed parts, such as electrical conductors,
buses, terminals, or components that operate at more than
30 volts (15 volts in wet locations). These parts shall additionally be protected by type of protection ia, ib, or nA that
is suitable for the location.
505.20 Equipment Requirements.
(A) Zone 0. In Class I, Zone 0 locations, only equipment
specifically listed and marked as suitable for the location
shall be permitted.
Exception: Intrinsically safe apparatus listed for use in
Class I, Division 1 locations for the same gas, or as permitted by 505.9(B)(2), and with a suitable temperature
class shall be permitted.
(B) Zone 1. In Class I, Zone 1 locations, only equipment
specifically listed and marked as suitable for the location
shall be permitted.
Exception No. 1: Equipment identified for use in Class I,
Division 1 or listed for use in Zone 0 locations for the same
gas, or as permitted by 505.9(B)(2), and with a suitable
temperature class shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Equipment identified for Class I, Zone 1
or Zone 2 type of protection “p” shall be permitted.
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Informational Note No. 2: It is important to consider the
risk of ignition due to currents arcing across discontinuities
and overheating of parts in multisection enclosures of large
motors and generators. Such motors and generators may
need equipotential bonding jumpers across joints in the enclosure and from enclosure to ground. Where the presence
of ignitible gases or vapors is suspected, clean air purging
may be needed immediately prior to and during start-up
periods.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information on the
application of electric motors in Class I, Zone 2 hazardous
(classified) locations, see IEEE Std. 1349-2011, IEEE
Guide for the Application of Electric Motors in Class I,
Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–181, ROP 14–182]
(D) Materials. Equipment marked with Group “IIC” shall
be permitted for applications requiring Group IIA or Group
IIB equipment. Similarly, equipment marked with Group
“IIB” shall be permitted for applications requiring Group
IIA equipment.
Equipment marked for a specific gas or vapor shall be
permitted for applications where the specific gas or vapor
may be encountered.
Informational Note: One common example combines
these marking with the equipment marked “IIB +H2”, This
equipment is suitable for applications requiring Group IIA
equipment, Group IIB equipment, or equipment for hydrogen atmospheres.
[ROP 14–183]
(E) Manufacturer’s Instructions. Electrical equipment
installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall be in-
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ARTICLE 505 — ZONE 0, 1, AND 2 LOCATIONS
stalled in accordance with the instructions (if any) provided
by the manufacturer.
[ROP 14–184]
Exception: The specific bonding means shall be required
only to the nearest point where the grounded circuit conductor and the grounding electrode are connected together
on the line side of the building or structure disconnecting
means as specified in 250.32(B), provided the branchcircuit overcurrent protection is located on the load side of
the disconnecting means.
[ROP 14–56a]
(B) Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Flexible metal conduit and liquidtight flexible metal conduit
shall include an equipment bonding jumper of the wire type
in compliance with 250.102.
Exception: In Class I, Zone 2 locations, the bonding
jumper shall be permitted to be deleted where all of the
following conditions are met:
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505.22 Increased Safety “e” Motors and Generators. In
Class I, Zone 1 locations, Increased Safety “e” motors and
generators of all voltage ratings shall be listed for Zone 1
locations, and shall comply with all of the following:
(1) Motors shall be marked with the current ratio, IA/IN,
and time, tE.
(2) Motors shall have controllers marked with the model or
identification number, output rating (horsepower or
kilowatt), full-load amperes, starting current ratio
(IA/IN), and time (tE) of the motors that they are intended to protect; the controller marking shall also include the specific overload protection type (and setting,
if applicable) that is listed with the motor or generator.
(3) Connections shall be made with the specific terminals
listed with the motor or generator.
(4) Terminal housings shall be permitted to be of substantial, nonmetallic, nonburning material, provided an internal grounding means between the motor frame and
the equipment grounding connection is incorporated
within the housing.
(5) The provisions of Part III of Article 430 shall apply
regardless of the voltage rating of the motor.
(6) The motors shall be protected against overload by a
separate overload device that is responsive to motor
current. This device shall be selected to trip or shall be
rated in accordance with the listing of the motor and its
overload protection.
(7) Sections 430.32(C) and 430.44 shall not apply to such
motors.
(8) The motor overload protection shall not be shunted or
cut out during the starting period.
purposes, but bonding jumpers with proper fittings or other
approved means of bonding shall be used. Such means of
bonding shall apply to all intervening raceways, fittings,
boxes, enclosures, and so forth, between Class I locations
and the point of grounding for service equipment or point
of grounding of a separately derived system.
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505.22
Informational Note: For reciprocating engine driven generators, compressors, and other equipment installed in
Class I Zone 2 locations, it is important to consider the risk
of ignition of flammable materials associated with fuel,
starting, compression, etc. that may be present due to inadvertent release or equipment malfunction by the engine ignition system and controls. For further information on the
requirements for ignition systems for reciprocating engines
installed in Class I Zone 2 hazardous (classified) locations,
see ANSI/ISA-12.20.01-2009, General Requirements for
Electrical Ignition Systems for Internal Combustion Engines in Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2, Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–185]
505.25 Grounding and Bonding. Grounding and bonding
shall comply with Article 250 and the requirements in
505.25(A) and (B).
(A) Bonding. The locknut-bushing and double-locknut
types of contacts shall not be depended on for bonding
70–436
(a) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft)
or less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
(b) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to
10 amperes or less.
(c) The load is not a power utilization load.
505.26 Process Sealing. This section shall apply to
process-connected equipment, which includes, but is not
limited to, canned pumps, submersible pumps, flow, pressure, temperature, or analysis measurement instruments. A
process seal is a device to prevent the migration of process
fluids from the designed containment into the external electrical system. Process connected electrical equipment that
incorporates a single process seal, such as a single compression seal, diaphragm, or tube to prevent flammable or
combustible fluids from entering a conduit or cable system
capable of transmitting fluids, shall be provided with an
additional means to mitigate a single process seal failure.
The additional means may include, but is not limited to the
following:
(1) A suitable barrier meeting the process temperature and
pressure conditions that the barrier is subjected to upon
failure of the single process seal. There shall be a vent
or drain between the single process seal and the suitable barrier. Indication of the single process seal failure
shall be provided by visible leakage, an audible
whistle, or other means of monitoring.
(2) A listed Type MI cable assembly, rated at not less than
125 percent of the process pressure and not less than
125 percent of the maximum process temperature (in
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
Process-connected electrical equipment that does not
rely on a single process seal or is listed and marked “single
seal” or “dual seal” shall not be required to be provided
with an additional means of sealing.
Informational Note No. 2: Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22
area classifications are based on the modified IEC area classification system as defined in ANSI/ISA-61241-10
(12.10.05)-2004, Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20,
Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations —
Classification of Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous
(Classified) Locations.
Informational Note No. 3: The unique hazards associated
with explosives, pyrotechnics, and blasting agents are not
addressed in this article.
506.2 Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply.
Associated Nonincendive Field Wiring Apparatus. Apparatus in which the circuits are not necessarily nonincendive themselves but that affect the energy in nonincendive
field wiring circuits and are relied upon to maintain nonincendive energy levels. Associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus may be either of the following:
(1) Electrical apparatus that has an alternative type of protection for use in the appropriate hazardous (classified)
location
(2) Electrical apparatus not so protected that shall not be
used in a hazardous (classified) location
AF
Informational Note: For construction and testing requirements for process sealing for listed and marked “single
seal”, or “dual seal” or “secondary seal” equipment, refer to
ANSI/ISA-12.27.01-2011, Requirements for Process Sealing Between Electrical Systems and Flammable or Combustible Process Fluids. [ROP 14–188, ROP 14–189]
gases or vapors, flammable liquids, or combustible dusts or
fibers, refer to Articles 500 through 505.
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degrees Celsius), installed between the cable or conduit
and the single process seal.
(3) A drain or vent located between the single process seal
and a conduit or cable seal. The drain or vent shall be
sufficiently sized to prevent overpressuring the conduit
or cable seal above 6 in. water column (1493 Pa). Indication of the single process seal failure shall be provided by visible leakage, an audible whistle, or other
means of monitoring.
(4) An add-on secondary seal marked “Secondary Seal”
and rated for the pressure and temperature conditions
that it will be subjected to upon failure of the single
process seal. [ROP 14–189]
506.2
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ARTICLE 506
Zone 20, 21, and 22 Locations for
Combustible Dusts or Ignitible
Fibers/Flyings
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 499-2008, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible
Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installation in Chemical Process Areas. Only editorial
changes were made to the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
506.1 Scope. This article covers the requirements for the
zone classification system as an alternative to the division
classification system covered in Article 500, Article 502,
and Article 503 for electrical and electronic equipment and
wiring for all voltages in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22
hazardous (classified) locations where fire and explosion
hazards may exist due to combustible dusts or ignitible
fibers/flyings. [ROP 14–190a]
Informational Note No. 1: For the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment and wiring for all voltages
in Class I, Division 1 or Division 2; Class II, Division 1 or
Division 2; Class III, Division 1 or Division 2; and Class I,
Zone 0 or Zone 1 or Zone 2 hazardous (classified) locations
where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable
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Informational Note: Associated nonincendive field wiring
apparatus has designated associated nonincendive field wiring apparatus connections for nonincendive field wiring apparatus and may also have connections for other electrical
apparatus.
Combustible Dust. Any finely divided solid material that
is 420 microns (0.017 in.) or smaller in diameter (material
passing a U.S. No. 40 Standard Sieve) and presents a fire or
explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air.
[499:3.3.3]
Cord Connector. A fitting intended to terminate a cord to a
box or similar device and reduce the strain at points of
termination and may include an explosionproof, a dust ignition proof, or a flameproof seal. [ROP 14–11b]
Dust-Ignitionproof. Equipment enclosed in a manner that
excludes dusts and does not permit arcs, sparks, or heat
otherwise generated or liberated inside of the enclosure to
cause ignition of exterior accumulations or atmospheric
suspensions of a specified dust on or in the vicinity of the
enclosure.
Informational Note: For further information on dustignitionproof enclosures, see Type 9 enclosure in
ANSI/NEMA 250-1991, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, and ANSI/UL 1203-2009, Explosionproof and DustIgnitionproof Electrical Equipment for Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP 14–3]
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
Dusttight. Enclosures constructed so that dust will not enter under specified test conditions.
[ROP 14–193]
Pressurized. The process of supplying an enclosure with a
protective gas with or without continuous flow at sufficient
pressure to prevent the entrance of combustible dust or
ignitible fibers/flyings.
Informational Note: For further information, see ANSI/
NFPA 496-2008, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.
Protection by Encapsulation “m.” Type of protection
where electrical parts that could cause ignition of a mixture
of combustible dust or fibers/flyings in air are protected by
enclosing them in a compound in such a way that the explosive atmosphere cannot be ignited. [ROP 14–196]
Informational Note No. 2: Intrinsic safety is designated
level of protection “iaD” or “ia” for use in Zone 20 locations. Intrinsic safety is designated level of protection
“ibD” or “ib” for use in Zone 21 locations. Intrinsic safety
is designated type of protection “ic” for use in Zone 22
locations. [ROP 14–197]
Protection by Pressurization “pD.” Type of protection
that guards against the ingress of a mixture of combustible
dust or fibers/flyings in air into an enclosure containing
electrical equipment by providing and maintaining a protective gas atmosphere inside the enclosure at a pressure
above that of the external atmosphere.
Informational Note: For additional information, see
ANSI/ISA-61241-2 (12.10.06), Electrical Apparatus for
Use in Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Protection by Pressurization“pD.”
Zone 20 Hazardous (Classified) Location. An area where
combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are present continuously or for long periods of time in quantities sufficient
to be hazardous, as classified by 506.5(B)(1).
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Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-18 (12.23.01)-2009, Explosive atmospheres - Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation
″m″, ANSI/UL 60079-18-2009, Explosive atmospheres Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation ″m″, and
ANSI/ISA-61241-18 (12.10.07)-2011, Electrical Apparatus
for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Protection by Encapsulation “mD”.
[ROP 14–194, ROP 14–196]
“i”; ANSI/UL 60079-11-2011, Electrical Apparatus for
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 11: Intrinsic safety “i”;
and ANSI/ISA- 61241-11 (12.10.04)-2011, Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Protection by Intrinsic Safety
“iD.” [ROP 14–197]
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506.3
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Informational Note No. 2: Encapsulation is designated
level of protection “maD” or “ma” for use in Zone 20
locations. Encapsulation is designated level of protection
“mbD” or “mb” for use in Zone 21 locations. Encapsulation
is designated type of protection “mc” for use in Zone 22
locations. [ROP 14–194, ROP 14–196]
Zone 21 Hazardous (Classified) Location. An area where
combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are likely to exist occasionally under normal operation in quantities sufficient to be hazardous, as classified by 506.5(B)(2).
Protection by Enclosure “t.” Type of protection for explosive dust atmospheres where electrical apparatus is provided with an enclosure providing dust ingress protection
and a means to limit surface temperatures. [ROP 14–198]
Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Location. An area where
combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are not likely to
occur under normal operation in quantities sufficient to be
hazardous, as classified by 506.5(B)(3).
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-31 (12.10.03)-2009, Explosive Atmospheres – Part 31: Equipment Dust Ignition Protection by
Enclosure “t” and ANSI/ISA-61241-1 (12.10.03)-2011,
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Protection by Enclosure
“tD”. [ROP 14–194, ROP 14–198]
506.3 Other Articles. All other applicable rules contained
in this Code shall apply to electrical equipment and wiring
installed in hazardous (classified) locations. [ROP 14–199]
Informational Note No. 2: Protection by Enclosure is designated level of protection “ta” for use in Zone 20 locations. Protection by Enclosure is designated level of protection “tb” or “tD” for use in Zone 21 locations. Protection by
Enclosure is designated level of protection “tc” or “tD” for
use in Zone 22 locations. [ROP 14–194, ROP 14–198]
506.4 General.
Protection by Intrinsic Safety “i.” Type of protection
where any spark or thermal effect is incapable of causing
ignition of a mixture of combustible dust, fibers, or flyings
in air under prescribed test conditions.
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
ANSI/ISA-60079-11 (12.01.01)-2011, Electrical Apparatus
for Explosive Gas Atmospheres – Part 11: intrinsic safety
70–438
Exception: As modified by Article 504 and this article.
[ROP 14–199]
(A) Documentation for Industrial Occupancies. Areas
designated as hazardous (classified) locations shall be properly documented. This documentation shall be available to
those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electrical equipment.
(B) Reference Standards. Important information relating
to topics covered in Chapter 5 are found in other publications.
Informational Note: It is important that the authority having jurisdiction be familiar with the recorded industrial ex-
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
506.5 Classification of Locations.
(A) Classifications of Locations. Locations shall be classified on the basis of the properties of the combustible dust
or ignitible fibers/flyings that may be present, and the likelihood that a combustible or combustible concentration or
quantity is present. Each room, section, or area shall be
considered individually in determining its classification.
Where pyrophoric materials are the only materials used or
handled, these locations are outside of the scope of this
article.
Informational Note No. 1: As a guide to classification of
Zone 21 locations, refer to ANSI/ISA-61241-10 (12.10.05)2004, Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21,
and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Classification of Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Informational Note No. 2: This classification usually includes locations outside dust containment and in the immediate vicinity of access doors subject to frequent removal or
opening for operation purposes when internal combustible
mixtures are present; locations outside dust containment in
the proximity of filling and emptying points, feed belts,
sampling points, truck dump stations, belt dump over
points, etc. where no measures are employed to prevent the
formation of combustible mixtures; locations outside dust
containment where dust accumulates and where due to process operations the dust layer is likely to be disturbed and
form combustible mixtures; locations inside dust containment where explosive dust clouds are likely to occur (but
neither continuously, nor for long periods, nor frequently)
as, for example, silos (if filled and/or emptied only occasionally) and the dirty side of filters if large self-cleaning
intervals are occurring.
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(B) Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Locations. Zone 20,
Zone 21, and Zone 22 locations are those in which combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are or may be
present in the air or in layers, in quantities sufficient to
produce explosive or ignitible mixtures. Zone 20, Zone 21,
and Zone 22 locations shall include those specified in
506.5(B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3).
of repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage;
or
(c) In which equipment is operated or processes are
carried on, of such a nature that equipment breakdown or
faulty operations could result in the release of ignitible
concentrations of combustible dust or ignitible
fibers/flyings and also cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment in a mode to cause the electrical equipment
to become a source of ignition; or
(d) That is adjacent to a Zone 20 location from which
ignitible concentrations of dust or ignitible fibers/flyings
could be communicated, unless communication is prevented by adequate positive pressure ventilation from a
source of clean air and effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided.
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perience as well as with standards of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), the International Society of
Automation (ISA), and the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) that may be of use in the classification
of various locations, the determination of adequate ventilation, and the protection against static electricity and lightning hazards.
506.5
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Informational Note: Through the exercise of ingenuity in
the layout of electrical installations for hazardous (classified) locations, it is frequently possible to locate much of
the equipment in a reduced level of classification and, thus,
to reduce the amount of special equipment required.
(1) Zone 20. A Zone 20 location is a location in which
(a) Ignitible concentrations of combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are present continuously.
(b) Ignitible concentrations of combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are present for long periods of time.
Informational Note No. 1: As a guide to classification of
Zone 20 locations, refer to ANSI/ISA-61241-10 (12.10.05)2004, Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21,
and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Classification of Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Informational Note No. 2: Zone 20 classification includes
locations inside dust containment systems; hoppers, silos,
etc., cyclones and filters, dust transport systems, except
some parts of belt and chain conveyors, etc.; blenders,
mills, dryers, bagging equipment, etc.
(2) Zone 21. A Zone 21 location is a location
(a) In which ignitible concentrations of combustible
dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are likely to exist occasionally under normal operating conditions; or
(b) In which ignitible concentrations of combustible
dust or ignitible fibers/flyings may exist frequently because
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(3) Zone 22. A Zone 22 location is a location
(a) In which ignitible concentrations of combustible
dust or ignitible fibers/flyings are not likely to occur in
normal operation and, if they do occur, will only persist for
a short period; or
(b) In which combustible dust or fibers/flyings are
handled, processed, or used but in which the dust or
fibers/flyings are normally confined within closed containers of closed systems from which they can escape only as a
result of the abnormal operation of the equipment with
which the dust or fibers/flyings are handled, processed, or
used; or
(c) That is adjacent to a Zone 21 location, from which
ignitible concentrations of dust or fibers/flyings could be
communicated, unless such communication is prevented by
adequate positive pressure ventilation from a source of
clean air and effective safeguards against ventilation failure
are provided.
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
Informational Note No. 1: As a guide to classification of
Zone 22 locations, refer to ANSI/ISA-61241-10 (12.10.05)2004, Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21,
and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations — Classification of Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Informational Note No. 2: Zone 22 locations usually include outlets from bag filter vents, because in the event of a
malfunction there can be emission of combustible mixtures;
locations near equipment that has to be opened at infrequent intervals or equipment that from experience can easily form leaks where, due to pressure above atmospheric,
dust will blow out; pneumatic equipment, flexible connections that can become damaged, etc.; storage locations for
bags containing dusty product, since failure of bags can
occur during handling, causing dust leakage; and locations
where controllable dust layers are formed that are likely to
be raised into explosive dust–air mixtures. Only if the layer
is removed by cleaning before hazardous dust–air mixtures
can be formed is the area designated unclassified.
506.6 Material Groups. For the purposes of testing, approval, and area classification, various air mixtures (not
oxygen enriched) shall be grouped as required in 506.6(A),
(B), and (C). [ROP 14–200a]
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(A) Group IIIC. Combustible metal dust.
Informational Note: Group IIIC is equivalent to Class II,
Group E as described in 500.6.(B)(1).
[ROP 14–200a]
(B) Group IIIB. Combustible dust other than combustible
metal dust.
Informational Note: Group IIIB is equivalent to Class II,
Groups F and G as described in 500.6(B)(2) and
500.6(B)(3), respectively.
[ROP 14–200a]
(C) Group IIIA. Solid particles, including fibers, greater
than 500 µm in nominal size, which may be suspended in
air and could settle out of the atmosphere, under their own
weight.
Informational Note No. 1: Group IIIA is equivalent to
Class III.
Informational Note No. 2: Examples of flyings include
rayon, cotton (including cotton linters and cotton waste),
sisal, jute, hemp, cocoa fiber, oakum, and baled waste
kapok.
[ROP 14–200a]
70–440
Informational Note: It is important that inspection authorities and users exercise more than ordinary care with regard
to the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment
in hazardous (classified) locations.
(A) Implementation of Zone Classification System.
Classification of areas, engineering and design, selection of
equipment and wiring methods, installation, and inspection
shall be performed by qualified persons.
(B) Dual Classification. In instances of areas within the
same facility classified separately, Zone 22 locations shall
be permitted to abut, but not overlap, Class II or Class III,
Division 2 locations. Zone 20 or Zone 21 locations shall
not abut Class II or Class III, Division 1 or Division 2
locations.
(C) Reclassification Permitted. A Class II or Class III,
Division 1 or Division 2 location shall be permitted to be
reclassified as a Zone 20, Zone 21, or Zone 22 location,
provided that all of the space that is classified because of a
single combustible dust or ignitible fiber/flying source is
reclassified under the requirements of this article.
AF
Informational Note No. 3: Locations that normally are
classified as Zone 21 can fall into Zone 22 when measures
are employed to prevent the formation of explosive dust–air
mixtures. Such measures include exhaust ventilation. The
measures should be used in the vicinity of (bag) filling and
emptying points, feed belts, sampling points, truck dump
stations, belt dump over points, etc.
506.7 Special Precaution. Article 506 requires equipment
construction and installation that ensures safe performance
under conditions of proper use and maintenance.
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506.6
(D) Simultaneous Presence of Flammable Gases and
Combustible Dusts or Fibers/Flyings. Where flammable
gases, combustible dusts, or fibers/flyings are or may be
present at the same time, the simultaneous presence shall be
considered during the selection and installation of the electrical equipment and the wiring methods, including the determination of the safe operating temperature of the electrical equipment.
506.8 Protection Techniques. Acceptable protection techniques for electrical and electronic equipment in hazardous
(classified) locations shall be as described in 506.8(A)
through (J).
(A) Dust Ignitionproof. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22
locations for which it is identified.
(B) Pressurized. This protection technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 21 and Zone 22 locations for
which it is identified.
(C) Intrinsic Safety. This protection technique shall be
permitted for equipment in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22
locations for which it is identified. [ROP 14–202]
(D) Dusttight. This protection technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 22 locations for which it is
identified.
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
Informational Note: See Table 506.9(C)(2)(3) for the descriptions of subdivisions for encapsulation.
[ROP 14–201]
(F) Nonincendive Equipment. This protection technique
shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 22 locations for
which it is identified.
(G) Protection by Enclosure “t”. This protection technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 20, Zone
21, and Zone 22 locations for which it is identified. [ROP
14–204]
Informational Note: See Table 506.9(C)(2)(3) for the descriptions of subdivisions for Protection by Enclosure “t”.
[ROP 14–204]
(I) Protection by Intrinsic Safety “iD”. This protection
technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 20,
Zone 21, and Zone 22 locations for which it is listed.
506.9 Equipment Requirements.
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(A) Suitability. Suitability of identified equipment shall be
determined by one of the following:
(1) Equipment listing or labeling
(2) Evidence of equipment evaluation from a qualified testing laboratory or inspection agency concerned with
product evaluation
(3) Evidence acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
such as a manufacturer’s self-evaluation or an owner’s
engineering judgment
Informational Note: Additional documentation for equipment may include certificates demonstrating compliance
with applicable equipment standards, indicating special
conditions of use, and other pertinent information.
(B) Listing.
(1) Equipment that is listed for Zone 20 shall be permitted
in a Zone 21 or Zone 22 location of the same dust or
ignitible fiber/flying. Equipment that is listed for Zone
21 may be used in a Zone 22 location of the same dust
fiber/flying.
(2) Equipment shall be permitted to be listed for a specific
dust or ignitible fiber/flying or any specific combination of dusts fibers/flyings.
(C) Marking.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Zone Equipment. Equipment meeting one or more of
the protection techniques described in 506.8 shall be
marked with the following in the order shown:
(1) Zone
(2) Symbol “AEx”
(3) Protection technique(s) in accordance with Table
506.9(C)(2)(3)
(4) Material group in accordance with 506.6. [ROP 14–
205a]
(5) Maximum surface temperature in accordance with
506.9(D), marked as a temperature value, in degrees C,
preceded by “T” and followed by the symbol “°C”.
[ROP 14–205]
(6) Ambient temperature marking in accordance with
506.9(D)
AF
(H) Protection by Pressurization “pD”. This protection
technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 21 and
Zone 22 locations for which it is identified.
(1) Division Equipment. Equipment identified for Class
II, Division 1 or Class II, Division 2 shall, in addition to
being marked in accordance with 500.8(C), be permitted to
be marked with both of the following:
(1) Zone 20, 21, or 22 (as applicable)
(2) Material group in accordance with 506.6. [ROP 14–
204a]
(3) Maximum surface temperature in accordance with
506.9(D), marked as a temperature value, in degrees C,
preceded by “T” and followed by the symbol “°C”.
[ROP 14–205]
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(E) Protection by Encapsulation “m”. This protection
technique shall be permitted for equipment in Zone 20,
Zone 21, and Zone 22 locations for which it is identified.
[ROP 14–203]
506.9
Informational Note: The EPL (or equipment protection
level) may appear in the product marking. EPLs are designated as G for gas, D for dust, or M for mining, and are
then followed by a letter (a, b, or c) to give the user a better
understanding as to whether the equipment provides either
(a) a “very high,” (b) “high,” or (c) an “enhanced” level of
protection against ignition of an explosive atmosphere. For
example, an AEx pb IIIB T165°C motor (which is suitable
by protection concept for application in Zone 21) may additionally be marked with an EPL of “Db”, AEx p IIIB
T165°C Db.
Exception: Associated apparatus NOT suitable for installation in a hazardous (classified) location shall be required
to be marked only with (2), (3), and (5), but BOTH the
symbol AEx (2) and the symbol for the type of protection
(3) shall be enclosed within the same square brackets, for
example, [AEx iaD] or [AEx ia] IIIC. [ROP 14–209]
Informational Note: The “D” suffix on the type of protection
designation was employed prior to the introduction of Group
IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC; which is now used to distinguish between
the type of protection employed for Group II (Gases) or Group
III (Dusts).
(D) Temperature Classifications. Equipment shall be
marked to show the maximum surface temperature referenced to a 40°C ambient, or at the higher marked ambient
temperature if the equipment is rated and marked for an
ambient temperature of greater than 40°C. For equipment
70–441
ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
Table 506.9(C)(2)(3) Types of Protection Designation
Technique
Zone*
iaD
Protection by intrinsic safety
20
ia
Protection by intrinsic safety
20
ibD
Protection by intrinsic safety
21
ib
Protection by intrinsic safety
21
ic [ROP
14–206]
Protection by intrinsic safety
22
[iaD]
Associated apparatus
Unclassified**
[ia]
Associated apparatus
Unclassified**
[ibD]
Associated apparatus
Unclassified**
[ib]
Associated apparatus
Unclassified**
[ic] [ROP
14–206]
Associated apparatus
Unclassified**
maD
Protection by encapsulation
ma
Protection by encapsulation
mbD
Protection by encapsulation
mb
Protection by encapsulation
mc [ROP
14–207]
Protection by encapsulation
pD
Protection by pressurization
21
p
Protection by pressurization
21
pb
Protection by pressurization
21
tD
Protection by enclosures
21
ta [ROP
14–208]
Protection by enclosures
20
tb
Protection by enclosures
21
tc
Protection by enclosures
22
20
21
21
22
*Does not address use where a combination of techniques is used.
**Associated apparatus is permitted to be installed in a hazardous
(classified) location if suitably protected using another type of protection.
installed in a Zone 20 or 21 location, the operating temperature shall be based on operation of the equipment when
blanketed with the maximum amount of dust (or with dust
simulating fibers/flyings) that can accumulate on the equipment. Electrical equipment designed for use in the ambient
temperature range between −20°C and +40°C shall require
no additional ambient temperature marking. Electrical
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Informational Note: As an example, such a marking might
be “–30°C ≤ Ta ≤ +40°C.” [ROP 14–205]
Exception No. 1: Equipment of the non–heat-producing
type, such as conduit fittings, shall not be required to have
a marked operating temperature.
Exception No. 2: Equipment identified for Class II, Division 1 or Class II, Division 2 locations as permitted by
506.20(B) and (C) shall be permitted to be marked in accordance with 500.8(C) and Table 500.8(C).
(E) Threading. The supply connection entry thread form
shall be NPT or metric. Conduit and fittings shall be made
wrenchtight to prevent sparking when the fault current
flows through the conduit system and to ensure the integrity
of the conduit system. Equipment provided with threaded
entries for field wiring connections shall be installed in
accordance with 506.9(E)(1) or (E)(2) and with (E)(3).
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20
D
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Designation
equipment that is designed for use in a range of ambient
temperatures other than −20°C and +40°C is considered to
be special; and the ambient temperature range shall then be
marked on the equipment, including either the symbol “Ta”
or “Tamb” together with the special range of ambient temperatures. [ROP 14–205, ROP 14–209a, ROP 14–210]
T
506.9
(1) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
NPT Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment provided with threaded entries for NPT threaded conduit or
fittings, listed conduit fittings, or listed cable fittings shall
be used. All NPT threaded conduit and fittings referred to
herein shall be threaded with a National (American) Standard Pipe Taper (NPT) thread. [ROP 14–211]
Informational Note: Thread specifications for NPT threads
are located in ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983, Pipe Threads,
General Purpose (Inch).
(2) Equipment Provided with Threaded Entries for
Metric Threaded Conduit or Fittings. For equipment
with metric threaded entries, listed conduit fittings or listed
cable fittings shall be used. Such entries shall be identified
as being metric, or listed adapters to permit connection to
conduit or NPT threaded fittings shall be provided with the
equipment and shall be used for connection to conduit or
NPT threaded fittings. Metric threaded entries shall be
made up with at least five threads fully engaged.
(3) Unused Openings. All unused openings shall be
closed with listed metal close-up plugs. The plug engagement shall comply with 506.9(E)(1) or (E)(2).
(F) Optical Fiber Cables. Where an optical fiber cable
contains conductors that are capable of carrying current
(composite optical fiber cable), the optical fiber cable shall
be installed in accordance with the requirements of Articles
506.15 and 506.16.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
(A) Zone 20. In Zone 20 locations, the following wiring
methods shall be permitted.
(1) Threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel intermediate metal conduit.
(2) Type MI cable terminated with fittings listed for the
location. Type MI cable shall be installed and supported in a manner to avoid tensile stress at the termination fittings.
Exception No. 1: MI cable and fittings listed for Class II,
Division 1 locations shall be permitted to be used. [ROP
14–212]
Informational Note No. 1: See 506.25 for grounding requirements where flexible conduit is used.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information on construction, testing and marking of cables, cable fittings, and
cord connectors, see ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and
Cable-Fittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
[ROP 14–215a]
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Exception No. 2: Equipment identified as intrinsically safe
“iaD” or “ia” shall be permitted to be connected using the
wiring methods identified in 504.20. [ROP 14–212, ROP
14–213]
(3) In industrial establishments with limited public access,
where the conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, Type MC-HL cable listed for use in Zone 20 locations, with a continuous corrugated metallic sheath,
an overall jacket of suitable polymeric material, and a
separate equipment grounding conductor(s) in accordance with 250.122, and terminated with fittings listed
for the application, shall be permitted. Type MC-HL
cable shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of Article 330, Part II.
are used, they shall also comply with 506.17 and shall
be terminated with a listed cord connector that maintains the type of protection of the terminal compartment. Where flexible connections are subject to oil or
other corrosive conditions, the insulation of the conductors shall be of a type listed for the condition or
shall be protected by means of a suitable sheath.
Exception No. 1: Flexible conduit and flexible conduit and
cord fittings listed for Class II, Division 1 locations shall be
permitted to be used.
Exception No. 2: For elevator use, an identified elevator
cable, type EO, ETP, or ETT, and as shown under the
“use” column in Table 400.4 for “Hazardous (classified)
locations” and terminated with listed connectors that maintain the type of protection of the terminal compartment
shall be permitted. [ROP 14–215a]
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506.15 Wiring Methods. Wiring methods shall maintain
the integrity of the protection techniques and shall comply
with 506.15(A), (B), or (C).
506.15
Exception: Type MC-HL cable and fittings listed for Class
II, Division 1 locations shall be permitted to be used.
(4) In industrial establishments with restricted public access, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, and where the cable is not subject to physical
damage, Type ITC-HL cable listed for use in Zone 1 or
Class I, Division 1 locations, with a gas/vaportight continuous corrugated metallic sheath and an overall jacket
of suitable polymeric material, and terminated with fittings listed for the application. Type ITC-HL cable
shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of
Article 727.
(5) Fittings and boxes shall be identified for use in Zone 20
locations.
Exception: Boxes and fittings listed for Class II, Division
1 locations shall be permitted to be used.
(6) Where necessary to employ flexible connections, liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings,
or flexible cord listed for extra-hard usage and provided
with listed fittings shall be used. Where flexible cords
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(7) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR,
OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be permitted to be installed in raceways as stated in 506.15(A).
These fiber optic cables shall be sealed in accordance
with 506.16. [ROP 14-219]
(B) Zone 21. In Zone 21 locations, the wiring methods in
(B)(1) and (B)(2) shall be permitted.
(1) All wiring methods permitted in 506.15(A).
(2) Fittings and boxes that are dusttight, provided with
threaded bosses for connection to conduit, in which
taps, joints, or terminal connections are not made, and
are not used in locations where metal dust is present,
may be used.
Informational Note: For further information on construction, testing and marking of cables, cable fittings, and cord
connectors, see ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and CableFittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations [ROP
14–215a].
Exception: Equipment identified as intrinsically safe
“ibD” or “ib” shall be permitted to be connected using the
wiring methods identified in 504.20. [ROP 14–212]
(C) Zone 22. In Zone 22 locations, the following wiring
methods shall be permitted.
(1) All wiring methods permitted in 506.15(B).
(2) Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, dusttight wireways.
(3) Type MC or MI cable with listed termination fittings.
(4) Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable in accordance
with the provisions of Article 725, including installa-
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ARTICLE 506 — ZONE 20, 21, AND 22 LOCATIONS FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS OR IGNITIBLE FIBERS/FLYINGS
(2) Contain, in addition to the conductors of the circuit, an
equipment grounding conductor complying with
400.23
(3) Be connected to terminals or to supply conductors in an
approved manner
(4) Be supported by clamps or by other suitable means in
such a manner to minimize tension on the terminal
connections
(5) Be terminated with a listed cord connector that maintains the protection technique of the terminal
compartment
Informational Note: For further information on construction, testing, and marking of cables, cable fittings, and cord
connectors, see ANSI/UL 2225-2011, Cables and CableFittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations. [ROP
14–224]
506.20 Equipment Installation.
(A) Zone 20. In Zone 20 locations, only equipment listed
and marked as suitable for the location shall be permitted.
Exception: Equipment listed for use in Class II, Division 1
locations with a suitable temperature class shall be
permitted.
AF
tion in cable tray systems. The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings.
(5) Type ITC and Type ITC-ER cable as permitted in 727.4
and terminated with listed fittings.
(6) Type MC, MI, MV, TC, or TC-ER, cable installed in
ladder, ventilated trough, or ventilated channel cable
trays in a single layer, with a space not less than the
larger cable diameter between two adjacent cables,
shall be the wiring method employed. Single-conductor
Type MV cables shall be shielded or metallic armored.
The cable shall be terminated with listed fittings.[ROP
14–221]
(7) Intrinsic safety type of protection “ic” shall be permitted using any of the wiring methods permitted for unclassified locations. Intrinsic safety type of protection
“ic” systems shall be installed in accordance with the
control drawing(s). Simple apparatus, not shown on the
control drawing, shall be permitted in a Intrinsic safety
type of protection “ic” circuit, provided the simple apparatus does not interconnect the Intrinsic safety type
of protection “ic” circuit to any other circuit.[ROP 14–
222]
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506.16
Informational Note: Simple apparatus is defined in 504.2.
(B) Zone 21. In Zone 21 locations, only equipment listed
and marked as suitable for the location shall be permitted.
506.16 Sealing. Where necessary to protect the ingress of
combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings, or to maintain
the type of protection, seals shall be provided. The seal
shall be identified as capable of preventing the ingress of
combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings and maintaining
the type of protection but need not be explosionproof or
flameproof.
(D) Material Group. Equipment marked with Group
“IIIC” shall be permitted for applications requiring IIIA or
IIIB equipment. Similarly, equipment marked with Group
“IIIB” shall be permitted for applications requiring IIIA
equipment. [ROP 14–225]
D
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Separation of Intrinsic safety type of protection “ic”
circuits shall be in accordance with one of the following: [ROP 14–222]
a. Be in separate cables
b. Be in multiconductor cables where the conductors
of each circuit are within a grounded metal shield
c. Be in multiconductor cables where the conductors
have insulation with a minimum thickness of
0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
(8) Boxes and fittings shall be dusttight.
(9) Fiber optic cables of the types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR,
OFCR, OFNG, OFCG, OFN, and OFC shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays or any raceway as
stated in 506.15(C). Fiber optic cables shall be sealed
in accordance with 506.16. [ROP 14–223]
506.17 Flexible Cords. Flexible cords used in Zone 20,
Zone 21, and Zone 22 locations shall comply with all of the
following:
(1) Be of a type listed for extra-hard usage
70–444
Exception No. 1: Apparatus listed for use in Class II,
Division 1 locations with a suitable temperature class shall
be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Pressurized equipment identified for
Class II, Division 1 shall be permitted.
(C) Zone 22. In Zone 22 locations, only equipment listed
and marked as suitable for the location shall be permitted.
Exception No. 1: Apparatus listed for use in Class II,
Division 1 or Class II, Division 2 locations with a suitable
temperature class shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Pressurized equipment identified for
Class II, Division 1 or Division 2 shall be permitted.
(E) Manufacturer’s Instructions. Electrical equipment
installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall be installed in accordance with the instructions (if any) provided
by the manufacturer.
(F) Temperature. The temperature marking specified in
506.9(C)(2)(5) shall comply with (E)(1) or (E)(2):
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
511.2
ARTICLE 511 — COMMERCIAL GARAGES, REPAIR AND STORAGE
Informational Note: See NFPA 499-2008, Recommended
Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of
Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Processing Areas, for minimum ignition
temperatures of specific dusts.
[ROP 14–225a]
506.25 Grounding and Bonding. Grounding and bonding
shall comply with Article 250 and the requirements in
506.25(A) and (B).
510.1 Scope. Articles 511 through 517 cover occupancies
or parts of occupancies that are or may be hazardous because of atmospheric concentrations of flammable liquids,
gases, or vapors, or because of deposits or accumulations of
materials that may be readily ignitible.
510.2 General. The general rules of this Code and the
provisions of Articles 500 through 504 shall apply to electrical wiring and equipment in occupancies within the
scope of Articles 511 through 517, except as such rules are
modified in Articles 511 through 517. Where unusual conditions exist in a specific occupancy, the authority having
jurisdiction shall judge with respect to the application of
specific rules.
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(A) Bonding. The locknut-bushing and double-locknut
types of contacts shall not be depended on for bonding
purposes, but bonding jumpers with proper fittings or other
approved means of bonding shall be used. Such means of
bonding shall apply to all intervening raceways, fittings,
boxes, enclosures, and so forth, between Zone 20, Zone 21,
and Zone 22 locations and the point of grounding for service equipment or point of grounding of a separately derived system.
ARTICLE 510
Hazardous (Classified) Locations —
Specific
T
(1) For combustible dusts, less than the lower of either the
layer or cloud ignition temperature of the specific combustible dust. For organic dusts that may dehydrate or
carbonize, the temperature marking shall not exceed
the lower of either the ignition temperature or 165°C
(329°F).
(2) For ignitible fibers/flyings, less than 165°C (329°F) for
equipment that is not subject to overloading, or 120°C
(248°F) for equipment (such as motors or power transformers) that may be overloaded.
Exception: The specific bonding means shall be required
only to the nearest point where the grounded circuit conductor and the grounding electrode conductor are connected together on the line side of the building or structure
disconnecting means as specified in 250.32(B) if the branch
side overcurrent protection is located on the load side of
the disconnecting means.
[ROP 14–56a]
(B) Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall include an equipment
bonding jumper of the wire type in compliance with
250.102.
Exception: In Zone 22 locations, the bonding jumper shall
be permitted to be deleted where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft) or
less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
(2) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to 10
amperes or less.
(3) The load is not a power utilization load.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 511
Commercial Garages, Repair and
Storage
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 30A-2008, Code
for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages.
Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to
make it consistent with this Code.
511.1 Scope. These occupancies shall include locations
used for service and repair operations in connection with
self-propelled vehicles (including, but not limited to, passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, and tractors) in which
volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are used for
fuel or power.
511.2 Definitions.
Major Repair Garage. A building or portions of a building where major repairs, such as engine overhauls, painting, body and fender work, and repairs that require draining
of the motor vehicle fuel tank are performed on motor
vehicles, including associated floor space used for offices,
parking, or showrooms. [30A:3.3.12.1]
Minor Repair Garage. A building or portions of a building used for lubrication, inspection, and minor automotive
maintenance work, such as engine tune-ups, replacement of
parts, fluid changes (e.g., oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid,
brake fluid, air-conditioning refrigerants), brake system repairs, tire rotation, and similar routine maintenance work,
70–445
511.3
ARTICLE 511 — COMMERCIAL GARAGES, REPAIR AND STORAGE
including associated floor space used for offices, parking, or
showrooms. [30A:3.3.12.2]
of the ceiling shall be considered for classification in accordance with (a) and (b).
511.3 Area Classification, General. Where Class I liquids
or gaseous fuels are stored, handled, or transferred, electrical wiring and electrical utilization equipment shall be designed in accordance with the requirements for Class I,
Division 1 or 2 hazardous (classified) locations as classified
in accordance with 500.5 and 500.6, and this article. A
Class I location shall not extend beyond an unpierced wall,
roof, or other solid partition that has no openings.
[30A:8.3.5, 8.3.2]
(a) Ventilation Provided. The ceiling area shall be unclassified where ventilation is provided, from a point not
more than 450 mm (18 in.) from the highest point in the
ceiling, to exhaust the ceiling area at a rate of not less than
0.3 m3/min/m2 (1 cfm/ft2) of ceiling area at all times that
the building is occupied or when vehicles using lighterthan-air gaseous fuels are parked below this area.
(b) Ventilation Not Provided. Ceiling areas that are not
ventilated in accordance with 511.3(C)(2)(a) shall be classified as Class I, Division 2.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 88A-2011, Standard for Parking Structures, and
NFPA 30A-2008, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages.
(a) Ventilation Provided. The pit area shall be a Class
I, Division 2 location where there is mechanical ventilation
providing a minimum of six air changes per hour.
(b) Ventilation Not Provided. Where ventilation is not
provided in accordance with 511.3(C)(3)(a), any pit or depression below floor level shall be a Class I, Division 1
location that extends up to the floor level.
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(B) Repair Garages, With Dispensing. Major and minor
repair garages that dispense motor fuels into the fuel tanks
of vehicles, including flammable liquids having a flash
point below 38°C (100°F) such as gasoline, or gaseous
fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, or LPG, shall have the
dispensing functions and components classified in accordance with Table 514.3(B)(1) in addition to any classification required by this section. Where Class I liquids, other
than fuels, are dispensed, the area within 900 mm (3 ft) of
any fill or dispensing point, extending in all directions,
shall be a Class I, Division 2 location.
(3) Pit Areas in Lubrication or Service Room. Any pit,
belowgrade work area, or subfloor work area shall be classified as provided in (a) or (b).
T
(A) Parking Garages. Parking garages used for parking or
storage shall be permitted to be unclassified.
(D) Minor Repair Garages. Where flammable liquids
having a flash point below 38°C (100°F) such as gasoline,
or gaseous fuels such as natural gas or hydrogen, will not
be dispensed or transferred, the classification rules in
(D)(1), (D)(2), and (D)(3) shall apply to the lubrication and
service rooms.
(C) Major Repair Garages. Where flammable liquids
having a flash point below 38°C (100°F) such as gasoline,
or gaseous fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, or LPG,
will not be dispensed, but repair activities that involve the
transfer of such fluids or gases are performed, the classification rules in (1), (2), and (3) shall apply.
(1) Floor Areas. Floor areas in minor repair garages without pits, belowgrade work areas, or subfloor work areas
shall be unclassified. Where floor areas include pits, belowgrade work areas, or subfloor work areas in lubrication or
service rooms, the classification rules in (a) or (b) shall
apply.
(1) Floor Areas.
(a) Ventilation Provided. The floor area shall be unclassified where there is mechanical ventilation providing a
minimum of four air changes per hour or 0.3 m3/min/m2 (1
cfm/ft2) of exchanged air for each square meter (foot) of
floor area. Ventilation shall provide for air exchange across
the entire floor area, and exhaust air shall be taken at a
point within 0.3 m (12 in.) of the floor.
(b) Ventilation Not Provided. The entire floor area up
to a level of 450 mm (18 in.) above the floor shall be
classified as Class I, Division 2 if the ventilation does not
comply with 511.3(C)(1)(a).
(a) Ventilation Provided. The entire floor area shall be
unclassified where there is mechanical ventilation providing a minimum of four air changes per hour or 0.3
m3/min/m2 (1 cfm/ft2) of exchanged air for each square
meter (foot) of floor area. Ventilation shall provide for air
exchange across the entire floor area, and exhaust air shall
be taken at a point within 0.3 m (12 in.) of the floor.
(b) Ventilation Not Provided. The floor area up to a
level of 450 mm (18 in.) above any unventilated pit, belowgrade work area, or subfloor work area and extending a
distance of 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally from the edge of any
such pit, belowgrade work area, or subfloor work area, shall
be classified as Class I, Division 2.
(2) Ceiling Areas. Where lighter-than-air gaseous fueled
vehicles, such as vehicles fueled by natural gas or hydrogen, are repaired or stored, the area within 450 mm (18 in.)
(2) Ceiling Areas. Where lighter-than-air gaseous fuels
(such as natural gas or hydrogen) will not be transferred,
such locations shall be unclassified.
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ARTICLE 511 — COMMERCIAL GARAGES, REPAIR AND STORAGE
(a) Ventilation Provided. Where ventilation is provided
to exhaust the pit area at a rate of not less than 0.3
m3/min/m2 (1 cfm/ft2) of floor area at all times that the
building is occupied, or when vehicles are parked in or over
this area and where exhaust air is taken from a point within
300 mm (12 in.) of the floor of the pit, belowgrade work
area, or subfloor work area, the pit shall be unclassified.
[30A:7.4.5.4. Table 8.3.1]
(b) Ventilation Not Provided. Where ventilation is not
provided in accordance with 511.3(D)(3)(a), any pit or depression below floor level shall be a Class I, Division 2
location that extends up to the floor level.
(E) Modifications to Classification.
511.7 Wiring and Equipment Installed Above Class I
Locations.
(A) Wiring in Spaces Above Class I Locations.
(1) Fixed Wiring Above Class I Locations. All fixed wiring above Class I locations shall be in metal raceways, rigid
nonmetallic conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing, flexible
metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or shall be Type MC,
AC, MI, manufactured wiring systems, or PLTC cable in
accordance with Article 725, or Type TC cable or Type ITC
cable in accordance with Article 727. Cellular metal floor
raceways or cellular concrete floor raceways shall be permitted to be used only for supplying ceiling outlets or extensions to the area below the floor, but such raceways shall
have no connections leading into or through any Class I
location above the floor.
AF
(1) Specific Areas Adjacent to Classified Locations. Areas adjacent to classified locations in which flammable vapors are not likely to be released, such as stock rooms,
switchboard rooms, and other similar locations, shall be
unclassified where mechanically ventilated at a rate of four
or more air changes per hour, or designed with positive air
pressure, or where effectively cut off by walls or partitions.
protected with insulation. Lampholders shall be of an unswitched type and shall not provide means for plug-in of
attachment plugs. The outer shell shall be of molded composition or other suitable material. Unless the lamp and its
cord are supported or arranged in such a manner that they
cannot be used in the locations classified in 511.3, they
shall be of a type identified for Class I, Division 1 locations.
T
(3) Pit Areas in Lubrication or Service Room. Any pit,
belowgrade work area, or subfloor work area shall be classified as provided in (a) or (b).
511.9
D
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(2) Alcohol-Based Windshield Washer Fluid. The area
used for storage, handling, or dispensing into motor vehicles of alcohol-based windshield washer fluid in repair
garages shall be unclassified unless otherwise classified by
a provision of 511.3. [30A:8.3.5, Exception]
(2) Pendant. For pendants, flexible cord suitable for the
type of service and listed for hard usage shall be used.
511.4 Wiring and Equipment in Class I Locations.
(B) Electrical Equipment Installed Above Class I Locations.
(A) Wiring Located in Class I Locations. Within Class I
locations as classified in 511.3, wiring shall conform to
applicable provisions of Article 501.
(1) Fixed Electrical Equipment. Electrical equipment in a
fixed position shall be located above the level of any defined Class I location or shall be identified for the location.
(B) Equipment Located in Class I Locations. Within
Class I locations as defined in 511.3, equipment shall conform to applicable provisions of Article 501.
(a) Arcing Equipment. Equipment that is less than 3.7
m (12 ft) above the floor level and that may produce arcs,
sparks, or particles of hot metal, such as cutouts, switches,
charging panels, generators, motors, or other equipment
(excluding receptacles, lamps, and lampholders) having
make-and-break or sliding contacts, shall be of the totally
enclosed type or constructed so as to prevent the escape of
sparks or hot metal particles.
(b) Fixed Lighting. Lamps and lampholders for fixed
lighting that is located over lanes through which vehicles
are commonly driven or that may otherwise be exposed to
physical damage shall be located not less than 3.7 m (12 ft)
above floor level, unless of the totally enclosed type or
constructed so as to prevent escape of sparks or hot metal
particles.
(1) Fuel-Dispensing Units. Where fuel-dispensing units
(other than liquid petroleum gas, which is prohibited) are
located within buildings, the requirements of Article 514
shall govern.
Where mechanical ventilation is provided in the dispensing area, the control shall be interlocked so that the
dispenser cannot operate without ventilation, as prescribed
in 500.5(B)(2).
(2) Portable Lighting Equipment. Portable lighting
equipment shall be equipped with handle, lampholder,
hook, and substantial guard attached to the lampholder or
handle. All exterior surfaces that might come in contact
with battery terminals, wiring terminals, or other objects
shall be of nonconducting material or shall be effectively
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
511.9 Sealing. Seals complying with the requirements of
501.15 and 501.15(B)(2) shall be provided and shall apply
70–447
511.10
ARTICLE 513 — AIRCRAFT HANGARS
to horizontal as well as vertical boundaries of the defined
Class I locations.
ARTICLE 513
Aircraft Hangars
511.10 Special Equipment.
(B) Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment.
(1) General. All electrical equipment and wiring shall be
installed in accordance with Article 625, except as noted in
511.10(B)(2) and (B)(3). Flexible cords shall be of a type
identified for extra-hard usage.
(2) Connector Location. No connector shall be located
within a Class I location as defined in 511.3.
Informational Note No. 1: For definitions of aircraft hangar and unfueled aircraft, see NFPA 409-2011, Standard on
Aircraft Hangars.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information on fuel
classification see NFPA 30-2008, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
513.2 Definitions. For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply.
Aircraft Painting Hangar. An aircraft hangar constructed
for the express purpose of spray/coating/dipping applications and provided with dedicated ventilation supply and
exhaust.
AF
(3) Plug Connections to Vehicles. Where the cord is suspended from overhead, it shall be arranged so that the lowest point of sag is at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor.
Where an automatic arrangement is provided to pull both
cord and plug beyond the range of physical damage, no
additional connector shall be required in the cable or at the
outlet.
513.1 Scope. This article shall apply to buildings or structures in any part of which aircraft containing Class I (flammable) liquids or Class II (combustible) liquids whose temperatures are above their flash points are housed or stored
and in which aircraft might undergo service, repairs, or
alterations. It shall not apply to locations used exclusively
for aircraft that have never contained fuel or unfueled aircraft.
T
(A) Battery Charging Equipment. Battery chargers and
their control equipment, and batteries being charged, shall
not be located within locations classified in 511.3.
D
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511.12 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacles installed in areas where electrical diagnostic
equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable lighting equipment are to be used shall have ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel.
511.16 Grounding and Bonding Requirements.
(A) General Grounding Requirements. All metal raceways, the metal armor or metallic sheath on cables, and all
non–current-carrying metal parts of fixed or portable electrical equipment, regardless of voltage, shall be grounded.
(B) Supplying Circuits with Grounded and Grounding
Conductors in Class I Locations. Grounding in Class I
locations shall comply with 501.30.
(1) Circuits Supplying Portable Equipment or Pendants. Where a circuit supplies portables or pendants and
includes a grounded conductor as provided in Article 200,
receptacles, attachment plugs, connectors, and similar devices shall be of the grounding type, and the grounded
conductor of the flexible cord shall be connected to the
screw shell of any lampholder or to the grounded terminal
of any utilization equipment supplied.
(2) Approved Means. Approved means shall be provided
for maintaining continuity of the equipment grounding conductor between the fixed wiring system and the non–
current-carrying metal portions of pendant luminaires, portable luminaires, and portable utilization equipment.
70–448
Mobile Equipment. Equipment with electrical components
suitable to be moved only with mechanical aids or is provided with wheels for movement by person(s) or powered
devices.
Portable Equipment. Equipment with electrical components suitable to be moved by a single person without mechanical aids.
513.3 Classification of Locations.
(A) Below Floor Level. Any pit or depression below the
level of the hangar floor shall be classified as a Class I,
Division 1 or Zone 1 location that shall extend up to said
floor level.
(B) Areas Not Cut Off or Ventilated. The entire area of
the hangar, including any adjacent and communicating areas not suitably cut off from the hangar, shall be classified
as a Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2 location up to a level
450 mm (18 in.) above the floor.
(C) Vicinity of Aircraft.
(1) Aircraft Maintenance and Storage Hangars. The
area within 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from aircraft power
plants or aircraft fuel tanks shall be classified as a Class I,
Division 2 or Zone 2 location that shall extend upward
from the floor to a level 1.5 m (5 ft) above the upper
surface of wings and of engine enclosures.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 513 — AIRCRAFT HANGARS
Informational Note: See NFPA 33-2011, Standard for
Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials, for information on ventilation and grounding for
static protection in spray painting areas.
(D) Areas Suitably Cut Off and Ventilated. Adjacent areas in which flammable liquids or vapors are not likely to
be released, such as stock rooms, electrical control rooms,
and other similar locations, shall be unclassified where adequately ventilated and where effectively cut off from the
hangar itself by walls or partitions.
513.4 Wiring and Equipment in Class I Locations.
Exception: Equipment in areas described in 513.3(D)
shall be permitted to be of the general-purpose type.
(D) Lampholders. Lampholders of metal-shell, fiber-lined
types shall not be used for fixed incandescent lighting.
(E) Stanchions, Rostrums, or Docks. Where stanchions,
rostrums, or docks are not located or likely to be located in
a Class I location, as defined in 513.3(C), wiring and equipment shall comply with 513.7, except that such wiring and
equipment not more than 457 mm (18 in.) above the floor
in any position shall comply with 513.4(B). Receptacles
and attachment plugs shall be of a locking type that will not
readily disconnect.
D
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AF
(A) General. All wiring and equipment that is or may be
installed or operated within any of the Class I locations
defined in 513.3 shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 501 or Article 505 for the division or zone
in which they are used.
Attachment plugs and receptacles in Class I locations
shall be identified for Class I locations or shall be designed
such that they cannot be energized while the connections
are being made or broken.
(C) Arcing Equipment. In locations above those described in 513.3, equipment that is less than 3.0 m (10 ft)
above wings and engine enclosures of aircraft and that may
produce arcs, sparks, or particles of hot metal, such as
lamps and lampholders for fixed lighting, cutouts, switches,
receptacles, charging panels, generators, motors, or other
equipment having make-and-break or sliding contacts, shall
be of the totally enclosed type or constructed so as to prevent the escape of sparks or hot metal particles.
T
(2) Aircraft Painting Hangars. The area within 3 m
(10 ft) horizontally from aircraft surfaces from the floor to
3 m (10 ft) above the aircraft shall be classified as Class I,
Division 1 or Class I, Zone 1. The area horizontally from
aircraft surfaces between 3.0 m (10 ft) and 9.0 m (30 ft)
from the floor to 9.0 m (30 ft) above the aircraft surface
shall be classified as Class I, Division 2 or Class I, Zone 2.
513.9
(B) Stanchions, Rostrums, and Docks. Electrical wiring,
outlets, and equipment (including lamps) on or attached to
stanchions, rostrums, or docks that are located or likely to
be located in a Class I location, as defined in 513.3(C),
shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 501
or Article 505 for the division or zone in which they are
used.
513.7 Wiring and Equipment Not Installed in Class I
Locations.
(A) Fixed Wiring. All fixed wiring in a hangar but not
installed in a Class I location as classified in 513.3 shall be
installed in metal raceways or shall be Type MI, TC, or MC
cable.
Exception: Wiring in unclassified locations, as described
in 513.3(D), shall be permitted to be any suitable type
wiring method recognized in Chapter 3.
(B) Pendants. For pendants, flexible cord suitable for the
type of service and identified for hard usage or extra-hard
usage shall be used. Each such cord shall include a separate
equipment grounding conductor.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(F) Mobile Stanchions. Mobile stanchions with electrical
equipment complying with 513.7(E) shall carry at least one
permanently affixed warning sign with the following words
or equivalent:
WARNING
KEEP 5 FT CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ENGINES AND FUEL TANK AREAS
or
WARNING
KEEP 1.5 METERS CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ENGINES AND FUEL TANK AREAS
513.8 Underground Wiring.
(A) Wiring and Equipment Embedded, Under Slab, or
Underground. All wiring installed in or under the hangar
floor shall comply with the requirements for Class I, Division 1 locations. Where such wiring is located in vaults,
pits, or ducts, adequate drainage shall be provided.
(B) Uninterrupted Raceways, Embedded, Under Slab,
or Underground. Uninterrupted raceways that are embedded in a hangar floor or buried beneath the hangar floor
shall be considered to be within the Class I location above
the floor, regardless of the point at which the raceway descends below or rises above the floor.
513.9 Sealing. Seals shall be provided in accordance with
501.15 or 505.16, as applicable. Sealing requirements
70–449
513.10
ARTICLE 513 — AIRCRAFT HANGARS
specified shall apply to horizontal as well as to vertical
boundaries of the defined Class I locations.
service and extra-hard usage and shall include an equipment grounding conductor.
513.10 Special Equipment.
(D) Mobile Servicing Equipment with Electrical Components.
(1) De-energizing Aircraft Electrical Systems. Aircraft
electrical systems shall be de-energized when the aircraft is
stored in a hangar and, whenever possible, while the aircraft is undergoing maintenance.
(2) Aircraft Batteries. Aircraft batteries shall not be
charged where installed in an aircraft located inside or partially inside a hangar.
(B) Aircraft Battery Charging and Equipment. Battery
chargers and their control equipment shall not be located or
operated within any of the Class I locations defined in
513.3 and shall preferably be located in a separate building
or in an area such as defined in 513.3(D). Mobile chargers
shall carry at least one permanently affixed warning sign
with the following words or equivalent:
or
WARNING
KEEP 1.5 METERS CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ENGINES AND FUEL TANK AREAS
WARNING
KEEP 5 FT CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT ENGINES
AND FUEL TANK AREAS
or
WARNING
KEEP 1.5 METERS CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT ENGINES
AND FUEL TANK AREAS
AF
WARNING
KEEP 5 FT CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT ENGINES
AND FUEL TANK AREAS
(1) General. Mobile servicing equipment (such as vacuum
cleaners, air compressors, air movers) having electrical wiring and equipment not suitable for Class I, Division 2 or
Zone 2 locations shall be so designed and mounted that all
such fixed wiring and equipment will be at least 450 mm
(18 in.) above the floor. Such mobile equipment shall not be
operated within the Class I location defined in 513.3(C) and
shall carry at least one permanently affixed warning sign
with the following words or equivalent:
T
(A) Aircraft Electrical Systems.
D
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Tables, racks, trays, and wiring shall not be located
within a Class I location and, in addition, shall comply with
Article 480.
(C) External Power Sources for Energizing Aircraft.
(1) Not Less Than 450 mm (18 in.) Above Floor. Aircraft
energizers shall be designed and mounted such that all electrical equipment and fixed wiring will be at least 450 mm
(18 in.) above floor level and shall not be operated in a
Class I location as defined in 513.3(C).
(2) Marking for Mobile Units. Mobile energizers shall
carry at least one permanently affixed warning sign with the
following words or equivalent:
WARNING
KEEP 5 FT CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ENGINES AND FUEL TANK AREAS
(2) Cords and Connectors. Flexible cords for mobile
equipment shall be suitable for the type of service and
identified for extra-hard usage and shall include an equipment grounding conductor. Attachment plugs and receptacles shall be identified for the location in which they are
installed and shall provide for connection of the equipment
grounding conductor.
(3) Restricted Use. Equipment that is not identified as
suitable for Class I, Division 2 locations shall not be operated in locations where maintenance operations likely to
release flammable liquids or vapors are in progress.
(E) Portable Equipment.
(1) Portable Lighting Equipment. Portable lighting
equipment that is used within a hangar shall be identified
for the location in which they are used. For portable luminaires, flexible cord suitable for the type of service and
identified for extra-hard usage shall be used. Each such
cord shall include a separate equipment grounding conductor.
WARNING
KEEP 1.5 METERS CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ENGINES AND FUEL TANK AREAS
(2) Portable Utilization Equipment. Portable utilization
equipment that is or may be used within a hangar shall be
of a type suitable for use in Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2
locations. For portable utilization equipment, flexible cord
suitable for the type of service and approved for extra-hard
usage shall be used. Each such cord shall include a separate
equipment grounding conductor.
(3) Cords. Flexible cords for aircraft energizers and
ground support equipment shall be identified for the type of
513.12 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. All 125-volt, 50/60-Hz, single-phase, 15– and
or
70–450
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
514.3
ARTICLE 514 — MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES
513.16 Grounding and Bonding Requirements.
(A) General Grounding Requirements. All metal raceways, the metal armor or metallic sheath on cables, and all
non–current-carrying metal parts of fixed or portable electrical equipment, regardless of voltage, shall be grounded.
Grounding in Class I locations shall comply with 501.30
for Class I, Division 1 and 2 locations and 505.25 for Class
I, Zone 0, 1, and 2 locations.
(B) Supplying Circuits with Grounded and Grounding
Conductors in Class I Locations.
Informational Note: Refer to Articles 510 and 511 with
respect to electrical wiring and equipment for other areas
used as lubritoriums, service rooms, repair rooms, offices,
salesrooms, compressor rooms, and similar locations.
514.3 Classification of Locations.
(A) Unclassified Locations. Where the authority having
jurisdiction can satisfactorily determine that flammable liquids having a flash point below 38°C (100°F), such as gasoline, will not be handled, such location shall not be required
to be classified.
0.5 m (18 in.)
AF
(1) Circuits Supplying Portable Equipment or Pendants. Where a circuit supplies portables or pendants and
includes a grounded conductor as provided in Article 200,
receptacles, attachment plugs, connectors, and similar devices shall be of the grounding type, and the grounded
conductor of the flexible cord shall be connected to the
screw shell of any lampholder or to the grounded terminal
of any utilization equipment supplied.
equipment into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles or marine
craft or into approved containers, including all equipment
used in connection therewith. [30A:3.3.11]
T
20-ampere receptacles installed in areas where electrical
diagnostic equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable
lighting equipment are to be used shall have ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
D
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(2) Approved Means. Approved means shall be provided
for maintaining continuity of the grounding conductor between the fixed wiring system and the non–current-carrying
metal portions of pendant luminaires, portable luminaires,
and portable utilization equipment.
ARTICLE 514
Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 30A-2008, Code
for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages.
Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to
make it consistent with this Code.
514.1 Scope. This article shall apply to motor fuel dispensing facilities, marine/motor fuel dispensing facilities, motor
fuel dispensing facilities located inside buildings, and fleet
vehicle motor fuel dispensing facilities.
Informational Note: For further information regarding
safeguards for motor fuel dispensing facilities, see NFPA
30A-2008, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and
Repair Garages.
514.2 Definition.
Motor Fuel Dispensing Facility. That portion of a property where motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
0.5 m
(18 in.)
6 m (20 ft)
Below grade sump
6 m (20 ft)
6 m (20 ft)
Dispensers
6m
(20 ft)
6m
(20 ft)
Class I, Div. 2 or Class I, Zone 2
Class I, Div. 1 or Class I, Zone 1
Note: Not to scale.
Figure 514.3(a) Classified Areas Adjacent to Dispensers [30A:
Figure 8.3.2(a)] [ROP 14–237]
(B) Classified Locations.
(1) Class I Locations. Table 514.3(B)(1) shall be applied
where Class I liquids are stored, handled, or dispensed and
shall be used to delineate and classify motor fuel dispensing facilities and commercial garages as defined in Article
511. Table 515.3 shall be used for the purpose of delineating and classifying aboveground tanks. A Class I location
shall not extend beyond an unpierced wall, roof, or other
solid partition. [30A:8.1, 8.3]
70–451
514.3
ARTICLE 514 — MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES
Dispenser
Storage tank
top view
6 m (20 ft)
T
Class I Division 2 or Class I, Zone 2
0.5 m (18 in.) high
Dispenser
Dispenser
0.5 m
(18 in.)
Storage tank
side view
6 m (20 ft)
AF
Class I Division 2 or
Class I, Zone 2
6 m (20 ft)
0.5 m
(18 in.)
6 m (20 ft)
Note: Not to scale.
Class I Division 2 or
Class I, Zone 2
Storage
tank
end view
6 m (20 ft)
D
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Figure 514.3(b) Classified Areas Adjacent to Dispenser Mounted on Aboveground Storage Tank [30A: Figure 8.3.2(b)] [ROP
14–237]
not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from any dispensing device for
Class I liquids. [30A:12.1, 12.4, 12.5]
(2) Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas,
and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Areas. Table 514.3(B)(2)
shall be used to delineate and classify areas where compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is stored, handled, or dispensed. Where CNG or LNG dispensers are installed beneath a canopy or enclosure, either the canopy or the enclosure shall be designed to prevent accumulation or
entrapment of ignitible vapors, or all electrical equipment
installed beneath the canopy or enclosure shall be suitable
for Class I, Division 2 hazardous (classified) locations. Dispensing devices for liquefied petroleum gas shall be located
Informational Note No. 1: For information on area classification where liquefied petroleum gases are dispensed, see
NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code.
Informational Note No. 2: For information on classified
areas pertaining to LP-Gas systems other than residential or
commercial, see NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Code, and NFPA 59-2008, Utility LP-Gas Plant Code.
Informational Note No. 3: See _____ for motor fuel dispensing stations in marinas and boatyards.
Table 514.3(B)(1) Class I Locations — Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities
Location
Division
(Group D)
Zone (Group
IIA)
Extent of Classified Location1
Dispensing Device (except Overhead
Type) 2,3
Under dispenser containment
1
1
Entire space within and under dispenser pit or containment
70–452
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ARTICLE 514 — MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES
Table 514.3(B)(1)
Continued
Division
(Group D)
Zone (Group
IIA)
Dispenser
2
2
Outdoor
2
2
Indoor
- with mechanical ventilation
2
2
- with gravity ventilation
2
2
Dispensing Device — Overhead
Type4
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
D
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Remote Pump —
Outdoor
Sales, Storage, Rest Rooms including
structures (such as the attendant’s
kiosk) on or adjacent to dispensers
Tank, Aboveground
Inside tank
Shell, ends, roof, dike area
Vent
Tank, Underground
Inside tank
2014 Edition
Extent of Classified Location1
Within 450 mm (18 in.) of dispenser enclosure or that
portion of dispenser enclosure containing liquid handling
components, extending horizontally in all directions and
down to grade level
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level, extending 6 m
(20 ft) horizontally in all directions from dispenser
enclosure
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above floor level, extending 6 m
(20 ft) horizontally in all directions from dispenser
enclosure
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above floor level, extending 7.5 m
(25 ft) horizontally in all directions from dispenser
enclosure
T
Space within dispenser enclosure and all electrical
equipment integral with dispensing hose or nozzle
Within 450 mm (18 in.) of dispenser enclosure, extending
horizontally in all directions and down to grade level
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level, extending 6 m
(20 ft) horizontally in all directions from a point vertically
below edge of dispenser enclosure
AF
Location
Indoor
514.3
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
1
2
1
2
2
2
unclassified
1
unclassified
1
2
2
1
1
0
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
0
Entire space within any pit or box below grade level, any
part of which is within 3 m (10 ft) horizontally from any
edge of pump
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of any edge of pump, extending
horizontally in all directions
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level, extending 3 m
(10 ft) horizontally in all directions from any edge of pump
Entire space within any pit
Within 1.5 m (5 ft) of any edge of pump, extending in all
directions
Up to 900 mm (3 ft) above floor level, extending 7.5 m
(25 ft) horizontally in all directions from any edge of pump
Except as noted below
Entire volume, if there is any opening to room within the
extent of a Division 1 or Zone 1 location
Entire volume, if there is any opening to room within the
extent of a Division 2 or Zone 2 location
Entire inside volume
Entire space within dike, where dike height exceeds
distance from tank shell to inside of dike wall for more
than 50 percent of tank circumference
Entire space within dike, where dike height does not
exceed distance from tank shell to inside of dike wall for
more than 50 percent of tank circumference
Within 3 m (10 ft) of shell, ends, or roof of tank
Within 1.5 m (5 ft) of open end of vent, extending in all
directions
Between 1.5 m and 3 m (5 ft and 10 ft) from open end of
vent, extending in all directions
Entire inside volume
70–453
514.3
ARTICLE 514 — MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES
Continued
Fill Opening
Vent
Vapor Processing System
Pits
Equipment in protective enclosures
Equipment not within protective
enclosure
Division
(Group D)
Zone (Group
IIA)
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
- Equipment enclosure
1
2
Vault
1
2
D
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- Vacuum assist blower
Extent of Classified Location1
Entire space within any pit or box below grade level, any
part of which is within a Division 1 or Division 2
classified location or within a Zone 1 or Zone 2 classified
location
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level, extending 1.5 m
(5 ft) horizontally in all directions from any tight-fill
connection and extending 3 m (10 ft) horizontally in all
directions from any loose-fill connection
Within 1.5 m (5 ft) of open end of vent, extending in all
directions
Between 1.5 m and 3 m (5 ft and 10 ft) from open end of
vent, extending in all directions
Entire space within any pit or box below grade level, any
part of which: (1) is within a Division 1 or Division 2
classified location; (2) is within a Zone 1 or Zone 2
classified location; (3) houses any equipment used to
transfer or process vapors
Entire space within enclosure
Within 450 mm (18 in.) of equipment containing
flammable vapors or liquid, extending horizontally in all
directions and down to grade level
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level within 3 m
(10 ft) horizontally of the vapor processing equipment
Entire space within enclosure, if flammable vapor or liquid
is present under normal operating conditions
Entire space within enclosure, if flammable vapor or liquid
is not present under normal operating conditions
Within 450 mm (18 in.) of blower, extending horizontally
in all directions and down to grade level
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level, extending 3 m
(10 ft) horizontally in all directions
T
Location
AF
Table 514.3(B)(1)
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
Entire interior space, if Class I liquids are stored within
For marine application, grade level means the surface of a pier, extending down to water level.
Refer to Figure 514.3(a) and Figure 514.3(b) for an illustration of classified location around dispensing devices. [ROP 14–237]
3
Area classification inside the dispenser enclosure is covered in UL 87, Standard for Power-Operated Dispensing Devices for Petroleum Products.
4
Ceiling-mounted hose reel. [30A: Table 8.3.1]
2
(C) Motor Fuel Dispensing Stations in Boatyards and
Marinas. [ROP 14–238]
(1) General. Electrical wiring and equipment located at or
serving motor fuel dispensing locations shall be installed on
the side of the wharf, pier, or dock opposite from the liquid
piping system.
Informational Note: For additional information, see
NFPA 303-2011, Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and
Boatyards, and NFPA 30A-2008, Motor Fuel Dispensing
Facilities and Repair Garages.
(2) Classification of Class I, Division 1 and 2 Areas. The
following criteria shall be used for the purposes of applying
Table 514.3(B)(1) and Table 514.3(B)(2) to motor fuel dispensing equipment on floating or fixed piers, wharfs, or
docks.
70–454
(D) Closed Construction. Where the construction of floating docks, piers, or wharfs is closed so that there is no
space between the bottom of the dock, pier, or wharf and
the water, such as concrete enclosed expanded foam or
similar construction, and having integral service boxes with
supply chases, the following shall apply: [ROP 14–238]
(1) The space above the surface of the floating dock, pier,
or wharf shall be a Class I, Division 2 location with
distances as identified in Table 514.3(B)(1), Dispenser
and Outdoor.
(2) The space below the surface of the floating dock, pier,
or wharf, having areas or enclosures such as tubs,
voids, pits, vaults, boxes, depressions, fuel piping
chases, or similar spaces where flammable liquid or
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
514.8
ARTICLE 514 — MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES
Table 514.3(B)(2) Electrical Equipment Classified Areas for Dispensing Devices
Extent of Classified Area
Dispensing Device
Compressed natural gas
Liquefied natural gas
Liquefied petroleum gas
Class I, Division 1
Class I, Division 2
Entire space within the dispenser enclosure
1.5 m (5 ft) in all directions from dispenser
enclosure
Entire space within the dispenser enclosure and From 1.5 m to 3.0 m (5 ft to 10 ft) in all
1.5 m (5 ft) in all directions from the dispenser directions from the dispenser enclosure
enclosure
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) aboveground and within
Entire space within the dispenser enclosure;
6.0 m (20 ft) horizontally from any edge of the
450 mm (18 in.) from the exterior surface of
the dispenser enclosure to an elevation of 1.2 m dispenser enclosure, including pits or trenches
(4 ft) above the base of the dispenser; the entire within this area when provided with adequate
mechanical ventilation
pit or open space beneath the dispenser and
within 6.0 m (20 ft) horizontally from any edge
of the dispenser when the pit or trench is not
mechanically ventilated.
vapor can accumulate, shall be a Class I, Division 1
location.
I locations as classified in 514.3 shall comply with the
applicable provisions of Article 501.
Exception: As permitted in 514.8.
D
R
AF
Exception No. 1: Dock, pier, or wharf sections that do not
support fuel dispensers and abut but are 6.0 m (20 ft) or
more from dock sections that support fuel dispenser(s) shall
be permitted to be Class I, Division 2 where documented
air space is provided between dock sections to permit flammable liquids or vapors to dissipate and not travel to these
dock sections. Such documentation shall comply with
500.4(A).
T
[30A: Table 12.6.2]
Exception No. 2: Dock, pier, or wharf sections that do not
support fuel dispensers and do not directly abut sections
that support fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be unclassified where documented air space is provided and where
flammable liquids or vapors cannot travel to these dock
sections. Such documentation shall comply with 500.4(A).
(E) Open Construction. Where the construction of piers,
wharfs, or docks is open, such as decks built on stringers
supported by pilings, floats, pontoons, or similar construction, the following shall apply: [ROP 14–238]
(1) The area 450 mm (18 in) above the surface of the dock,
pier, or wharf and extending 6.0 m (20 ft) horizontally
in all directions from the outside edge of the dispenser
and down to the water level shall be Class 1, Division
2.
(2) Enclosures such as tubs, voids, pits, vaults, boxes, depressions, piping chases, or similar spaces where flammable liquids or vapors can accumulate within 6.0 m
(20 ft) of the dispenser shall be a Class I, Division 1
location.
514.4 Wiring and Equipment Installed in Class I Locations. All electrical equipment and wiring installed in Class
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: For special requirements for conductor insulation, see 501.20.
514.7 Wiring and Equipment Above Class I Locations.
Wiring and equipment above the Class I locations as classified in 514.3 shall comply with 511.7.
514.8 Underground Wiring. Underground wiring shall be
installed in threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel
intermediate metal conduit. Any portion of electrical wiring
that is below the surface of a Class I, Division 1, or a Class
I, Division 2, location [as classified in Table 514.3(B)(1)
and Table 514.3(B)(2)] shall be sealed within 3.05 m (10 ft)
of the point of emergence above grade. Except for listed
explosionproof reducers at the conduit seal, there shall be
no union, coupling, box, or fitting between the conduit seal
and the point of emergence above grade. Refer to Table
300.5.
Exception No. 1: Type MI cable shall be permitted where
it is installed in accordance with Article 332.
Exception No. 2: Type PVC conduit and Type RTRC conduit shall be permitted where buried under not less than
600 mm (2 ft) of cover. Where Type PVC conduit or Type
RTRC conduit is used, threaded rigid metal conduit or
threaded steel intermediate metal conduit shall be used for
the last 600 mm (2 ft) of the underground run to emergence
or to the point of connection to the aboveground raceway,
and an equipment grounding conductor shall be included to
provide electrical continuity of the raceway system and for
grounding of non–current-carrying metal parts.
70–455
514.9
ARTICLE 515 — BULK STORAGE PLANTS
(A) At Dispenser. A listed seal shall be provided in each
conduit run entering or leaving a dispenser or any cavities
or enclosures in direct communication therewith. The sealing fitting shall be the first fitting after the conduit emerges
from the earth or concrete.
(B) At Boundary. Additional seals shall be provided in
accordance with 501.15. Sections 501.15(A)(4) and (B)(2)
shall apply to horizontal as well as to vertical boundaries of
the defined Class I locations.
514.11 Circuit Disconnects.
514.16 Grounding and Bonding. All metal raceways, the
metal armor or metallic sheath on cables, and all non–
current-carrying metal parts of fixed and portable electrical
equipment, regardless of voltage, shall be grounded and
bonded. Grounding and bonding in Class I locations shall
comply with 501.30.
ARTICLE 515
Bulk Storage Plants
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 30-2008, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Only editorial
changes were made to the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
AF
(A) General. Each circuit leading to or through dispensing
equipment, including all associated power, communications, data, and video circuits, and equipment for remote
pumping systems, shall be provided with a clearly identified and readily accessible switch or other approved means,
located remote from the dispensing devices, to disconnect
simultaneously from the source of supply, all conductors of
the circuits, including the grounded conductor, if any.
Single-pole breakers utilizing handle ties shall not be
permitted.
including power, communications, data, and video circuits
and including feedback, during periods of maintenance and
service of the dispensing equipment. The location of this
means shall be permitted to be other than inside or adjacent
to the dispensing device. The means shall be capable of
being locked in the open position in accordance with
110.25. [ROP 14–241]
T
514.9 Sealing.
D
R
(B) Attended Self-Service Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities. Emergency controls as specified in 514.11(A) shall
be installed at a location acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction, but controls shall not be more than 30 m
(100 ft) from dispensers. [30A:6.7.1]
(C) Unattended Self-Service Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities. Emergency controls as specified in 514.11(A) shall
be installed at a location acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction, but the control shall be more than 6 m (20 ft)
but less than 30 m (100 ft) from the dispensers. Additional
emergency controls shall be installed on each group of dispensers or the outdoor equipment used to control the dispensers. Emergency controls shall shut off all power to all
dispensing equipment at the station. Controls shall be
manually reset only in a manner approved by the authority
having jurisdiction. [30A:6.7.2]
Informational Note: For additional information, see 6.7.1
and 6.7.2 of NFPA 30A-2008, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages.
514.13 Provisions for Maintenance and Service of Dispensing Equipment. Each dispensing device shall be provided with a means to remove all external voltage sources,
70–456
515.1 Scope. This article covers a property or portion of a
property where flammable liquids are received by tank vessel, pipelines, tank car, or tank vehicle and are stored or
blended in bulk for the purpose of distributing such liquids
by tank vessel, pipeline, tank car, tank vehicle, portable
tank, or container.
[ROP 14–241a]
515.3 Class I Locations. Table 515.3 shall be applied
where Class I liquids are stored, handled, or dispensed and
shall be used to delineate and classify bulk storage plants.
The class location shall not extend beyond a floor, wall,
roof, or other solid partition that has no communicating
openings. [30:8.1, 8.2.2]
Informational Note No. 1: The area classifications listed in
Table 515.3 are based on the premise that the installation
meets the applicable requirements of NFPA 30-2008, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, Chapter 5, in all
respects. Should this not be the case, the authority having
jurisdiction has the authority to classify the extent of the
classified space.
Informational Note No. 2: See ____ for gasoline dispensing stations in marinas and boatyards.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
515.3
ARTICLE 515 — BULK STORAGE PLANTS
Table 515.3 Electrical Area Classifications
Zone
Extent of Classified Area
1
0
1
1
2
2
The entire area associated with such equipment
where flammable gases or vapors are present
continuously or for long periods of time
Area within 1.5 m (5 ft) of any edge of such
equipment, extending in all directions
Area between 1.5 m and 2.5 m (5 ft and 8 ft)
of any edge of such equipment, extending in
all directions; also, space up to 900 mm (3 ft)
above floor or grade level within 1.5 m to 7.5
m (5 ft to 25 ft) horizontally from any edge of
such equipment1
1
0
1
1
2
2
The entire area associated with such equipment
where flammable gases or vapors are present
continuously or for long periods of time
Area within 900 mm (3 ft) of any edge of such
equipment, extending in all directions
Area between 900 mm (3 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft)
of any edge of such equipment, extending in
all directions; also, space up to 900 mm (3 ft)
above floor or grade level within 900 mm to
3.0 m (3 ft to 10 ft) horizontally from any
edge of such equipment
1
2
1
2
All equipment located below grade level
Any equipment located at or above grade level
1
1
0
1
Shell, ends, or roof and dike area
2
2
Vent
1
1
0
1
2
2
Floating roof with fixed outer roof
1
0
Floating roof with no fixed outer roof
1
1
Inside fixed roof tank
Area inside dike where dike height is greater
than the distance from the tank to the dike for
more than 50 percent of the tank circumference
Within 3.0 m (10 ft) from shell, ends, or roof
of tank; also, area inside dike to level of top of
dike wall
Area inside of vent piping or opening
Within 1.5 m (5 ft) of open end of vent,
extending in all directions
Area between 1.5 m and 3.0 m (5 ft and 10 ft)
from open end of vent, extending in all
directions
Area between the floating and fixed roof
sections and within the shell
Area above the floating roof and within the
shell
Underground tank fill opening
1
1
2
2
1
1
0
1
Indoor equipment installed in accordance with
Section 5.3 of NFPA 30 where flammable
vapor–air mixtures can exist under normal
operation
Tank storage installations inside buildings
D
R
Tank – aboveground
Vent – discharging upward
2014 Edition
AF
Outdoor equipment of the type covered in Section
5.3 of NFPA 30 where flammable vapor–air
mixtures may exist under normal operation
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
NEC Class I
Division
Location
Any pit, or space below grade level, if any part
is within a Division 1 or 2, or Zone 1 or 2,
classified location
Up to 450 mm (18 in.) above grade level
within a horizontal radius of 3.0 m (10 ft) from
a loose fill connection, and within a horizontal
radius of 1.5 m (5 ft) from a tight fill
connection
Area inside of vent piping or opening
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of open end of vent,
extending in all directions
70–457
515.3
Continued
Location
NEC Class I
Division
Zone
Extent of Classified Area
2
2
1
1
0
1
2
2
Area between 900 mm and 1.5 m (3 ft and
5 ft) of open end of vent, extending in all
directions
Area inside the drum or container
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of vent and fill openings,
extending in all directions
Area between 900 mm and 1.5 m (3 ft and
5 ft) from vent or fill opening, extending in all
directions; also, up to 450 mm (18 in.) above
floor or grade level within a horizontal radius
of 3.0 m (10 ft) from vent or fill opening
2
2
Drum and container filling – outdoors or indoors
Pumps, bleeders, withdrawal fittings
Indoors
2
Pits and sumps
Without mechanical ventilation
D
R
With adequate mechanical ventilation
Containing valves, fittings, or piping, and not
within a Division 1 or 2, or Zone 1 or 2,
classified location
Drainage ditches, separators, impounding basins
Outdoors
Indoors
Tank vehicle and tank car2 loading through open
dome
Loading through bottom connections with
atmospheric venting
70–458
2
AF
Outdoors
Within 1.5 m (5 ft) of any edge of such
devices, extending in all directions; also, up to
900 mm (3 ft) above floor or grade level
within 7.5 m (25 ft) horizontally from any
edge of such devices
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of any edge of such
devices, extending in all directions. Also, up to
450 mm (18 in.) above grade level within 3.0
m (10 ft) horizontally from any edge of such
devices
T
Table 515.3
ARTICLE 515 — BULK STORAGE PLANTS
1
1
Entire area within a pit or sump if any part is
within a Division 1 or 2, or Zone 1 or 2,
classified location
Entire area within a pit or sump if any part is
within a Division 1 or 2, or Zone 1 or 2,
classified location
Entire pit or sump
2
2
2
2
2
2
Area up to 450 mm (18 in.) above ditch,
separator, or basin; also, area up to 450 mm
(18 in.) above grade within 4.5 m (15 ft)
horizontally from any edge
Same classified area as pits
1
0
Area inside of the tank
1
1
2
2
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of edge of dome,
extending in all directions
Area between 900 mm and 4.5 m (3 ft and
15 ft) from edge of dome, extending in all
directions
1
1
0
1
2
2
Area inside of the tank
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of point of venting to
atmosphere, extending in all directions
Area between 900 mm and 4.5 m (3 ft and
15 ft) from point of venting to atmosphere,
extending in all directions; also, up to 450 mm
(18 in.) above grade within a horizontal radius
of 3.0 m (10 ft) from point of loading
connection
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
515.7
ARTICLE 515 — BULK STORAGE PLANTS
Table 515.3
Continued
NEC Class I
Division
Location
Unclassified
If there is any opening to these rooms within
the extent of an indoor classified location, the
room shall be classified the same as if the wall,
curb, or partition did not exist.
1
1
2
2
Loading through closed dome with vapor control
2
2
Bottom loading with vapor control or any bottom
unloading
2
2
Storage and repair garage for tank vehicles
1
2
Garages for other than tank vehicles
D
R
Outdoor drum storage
Inside rooms or storage lockers used for the
storage of Class I liquids
AF
Loading through closed dome with atmospheric
venting
Extent of Classified Area
T
Office and rest rooms
Zone
Indoor warehousing where there is no flammable
liquid transfer
Piers and wharves
1
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of open end of vent,
extending in all directions
Area between 900 mm and 4.5 m (3 ft and
15 ft) from open end of vent, extending in all
directions; also, within 900 mm (3 ft) of edge
of dome, extending in all directions
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of point of connection of
both fill and vapor lines extending in all
directions
Within 900 mm (3 ft) of point of connections,
extending in all directions; also up to 450 mm
(18 in.) above grade within a horizontal radius
of 3.0 m (10 ft) from point of connections
1
2
All pits or spaces below floor level
Area up to 450 mm (18 in.) above floor or
grade level for entire storage or repair garage
If there is any opening to these rooms within
the extent of an outdoor classified location, the
entire room shall be classified the same as the
area classification at the point of the opening.
2
Entire room
Unclassified
Unclassified
2
Unclassified
If there is any opening to these rooms within
the extent of an indoor classified location, the
room shall be classified the same as if the wall,
curb, or partition did not exist.
See Figure 515.3.
The release of Class I liquids may generate vapors to the extent that the entire building, and possibly an area surrounding it, should be considered
a Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2 location.
2
When classifying extent of area, consideration shall be given to fact that tank cars or tank vehicles may be spotted at varying points. Therefore,
the extremities of the loading or unloading positions shall be used. [30: Table 8.2.2]
515.4 Wiring and Equipment Located in Class I Locations. All electrical wiring and equipment within the Class
I locations defined in 515.3 shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 501 or Article 505 for the division or zone in which they are used.
Exception: As permitted in 515.8.
515.7 Wiring and Equipment Above Class I Locations.
(A) Fixed Wiring. All fixed wiring above Class I locations
shall be in metal raceways, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type
RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or Type MI, Type TC,
or Type MC cable, or Type PLTC and Type PLTC-ER cable
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
in accordance with the provisions of Article 725, including
installation in cable tray systems or Type ITC and Type
ITC-ER cable as permitted in 727.4. The cable shall be
terminated with listed fittings.
(B) Fixed Equipment. Fixed equipment that may produce
arcs, sparks, or particles of hot metal, such as lamps and
lampholders for fixed lighting, cutouts, switches, receptacles, motors, or other equipment having make-and-break
or sliding contacts, shall be of the totally enclosed type or
be constructed so as to prevent the escape of sparks or hot
metal particles.
70–459
515.8
ARTICLE 515 — BULK STORAGE PLANTS
15 m (50 ft)
15 m (50 ft)
7.5 m
(25 ft)
7.5 m
(25 ft)
Deck
7.5 m
(25 ft)
Operating envelope
and stored position
of loading arms or
hoses
Open sump in deck for
draining lines and hoses
15 m (50 ft)
600 mm
(2 ft)
7.5 m (25 ft)
Approach
Pier
T
Shore
Water level
Division 2
Unclassified
AF
Division 1
D
R
Notes:
(1) The "source of vapor" shall be the operating envelope and stored position of the
outboard flange connection of the loading arm (or hose).
(2) The berth area adjacent to tanker and barge cargo tanks is to be Division 2 to the
following extent:
a. 7.6 m (25 ft) horizontally in all directions on the pier side from that
portion of the hull containing cargo tanks
b. From the water level to 7.6 m (25 ft) above the cargo tanks at their
highest position
(3) Additional locations may have to be classified as required by the presence of other
sources of flammable liquids on the berth, by Coast Guard, or other regulations.
Figure 515.3 Marine Terminal Handling Flammable Liquids. [30:Figure 7.7.16]
(C) Portable Luminaires or Other Utilization Equipment. Portable luminaires or other utilization equipment
and their flexible cords shall comply with the provisions of
Article 501 or Article 505 for the class of location above
which they are connected or used.
515.8 Underground Wiring.
(A) Wiring Method. Underground wiring shall be installed in threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel
intermediate metal conduit or, where buried under not less
than 600 mm (2 ft) of cover, shall be permitted in Type
PVC conduit, Type RTRC conduit, or a listed cable. Where
Type PVC conduit or Type RTRC conduit is used, threaded
rigid metal conduit or threaded steel intermediate metal
conduit shall be used for not less than the last 600 mm
(2 ft) of the conduit run to the conduit point of emergence
from the underground location or to the point of connection
to an aboveground raceway. Where cable is used, it shall be
enclosed in threaded rigid metal conduit or threaded steel
intermediate metal conduit from the point of lowest buried
70–460
cable level to the point of connection to the aboveground
raceway.
(B) Insulation. Conductor insulation shall comply with
501.20.
(C) Nonmetallic Wiring. Where Type PVC conduit, Type
RTRC conduit, or cable with a nonmetallic sheath is used,
an equipment grounding conductor shall be included to provide for electrical continuity of the raceway system and for
grounding of non–current-carrying metal parts.
515.9 Sealing. Sealing requirements shall apply to horizontal as well as to vertical boundaries of the defined Class
I locations. Buried raceways and cables under defined Class
I locations shall be considered to be within a Class I, Division 1 or Zone 1 location.
515.10 Special Equipment — Gasoline Dispensers.
Where gasoline or other volatile flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases are dispensed at bulk stations, the
applicable provisions of Article 514 shall apply.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
Informational Note: For information on grounding for
static protection, see 4.5.3.4 and 4.5.3.5 of NFPA 30-2008,
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
ARTICLE 516
Spray Application, Dipping, and Coating
Processes
Spray Room. A purposefully enclosed room built for
spray/coating/dipping applications provided with dedicated
ventilation supply and exhaust. Normally the room is configured to house the item to be painted, providing reasonable access around the item/process. Depending on the size
of the item being painted, such rooms may actually be the
entire building or the major portion thereof.
516.3 Classification of Locations. Classification is based
on dangerous quantities of flammable vapors, combustible
mists, residues, dusts, or deposits.
(A) Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Zone 0 Locations. The
following spaces shall be considered Class I, Division 1, or
Class I, Zone 0, as applicable:
(1) The interior of any open or closed container of a flammable liquid
(2) The interior of any dip tank or coating tank
AF
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 33-2007, Standard
for Spray Application Using Flammable and Combustible
Materials, or NFPA 34-2007, Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids. Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code. [ROP
14–243]
Spray Booth. An enclosure or insert within a larger room
used for spray/coating/dipping applications. A spray booth
may be fully enclosed or have open front or face and may
include separate conveyor entrance and exit. The spray
booth is provided with a dedicated ventilation exhaust but
may draw supply air from the larger room or have a dedicated air supply.
T
515.16 Grounding and Bonding. All metal raceways, the
metal armor or metallic sheath on cables, and all non–
current-carrying metal parts of fixed or portable electrical
equipment, regardless of voltage, shall be grounded and
bonded as provided in Article 250.
Grounding and bonding in Class I locations shall comply with 501.30 for Class I, Division 1 and 2 locations and
505.25 for Class I, Zone 0, 1, and 2 locations.
516.3
D
R
516.1 Scope. This article covers the regular or frequent
application of flammable liquids, combustible liquids, and
combustible powders by spray operations and the application of flammable liquids, or combustible liquids at temperatures above their flashpoint, by dipping, coating, or
other means.
Informational Note: For further information regarding
safeguards for these processes, such as fire protection, posting of warning signs, and maintenance, see NFPA 33-2007,
Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable and
Combustible Materials, and NFPA 34-2007, Standard for
Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids. For additional information
regarding ventilation, see NFPA 91-2010, Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists,
and Noncombustible Particulate Solids. [ROP 14–243]
516.2 Definitions. For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply.
Spray Area. Normally, locations outside of buildings or
localized operations within a larger room or space. Such are
normally
provided
with
some
local
vapor
extraction/ventilation system. In automated operations, the
area limits shall be the maximum area in the direct path of
spray operations. In manual operations, the area limits shall
be the maximum area of spray when aimed at 180 degrees
to the application surface.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: For additional guidance and explanatory diagrams, see 4.3.5 of NFPA 33-2007, Standard for
Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials, and Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 of NFPA 34-2007,
Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids. [ROP 14–243]
(B) Class I or Class II, Division 1 Locations. The following spaces shall be considered Class I, Division 1, or Class
I, Zone 1, or Class II, Division 1 locations, as applicable:
(1) The interior of spray booths and rooms except as specifically provided in 516.3(D).
(2) The interior of exhaust ducts.
(3) Any area in the direct path of spray operations.
(4) For open dipping and coating operations, all space
within a 1.5-m (5-ft) radial distance from the vapor
sources extending from these surfaces to the floor. The
vapor source shall be the liquid exposed in the process
and the drainboard, and any dipped or coated object
from which it is possible to measure vapor concentrations exceeding 25 percent of the lower flammable
limit at a distance of 300 mm (1 ft), in any direction,
from the object.
(5) Sumps, pits, or belowgrade channels within 7.5 m
(25 ft) horizontally of a vapor source. If the sump, pit,
or channel extends beyond 7.5 m (25 ft) from the vapor
source, it shall be provided with a vapor stop or it shall
be classified as Class I, Division 1 for its entire length.
70–461
516.3
ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
(6) All space in all directions outside of but within 900 mm
(3 ft) of open containers, supply containers, spray gun
cleaners, and solvent distillation units containing flammable liquids.
the open face or open front of the booth or room in accordance with the following:
1525 mm (5 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
(C) Class I or Class II, Division 2 Locations. The following spaces shall be considered Class I, Division 2, or Class
I, Zone 2, or Class II, Division 2 as applicable.
(1) Open Spraying. For open spraying, all space outside
of but within 6 m (20 ft) horizontally and 3 m (10 ft)
vertically of the Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Zone 1
location as defined in 516.3(A), and not separated from it
by partitions. See Figure 516.3(C)(1) . [33:6.5.1]
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm
(3 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
Conveyor
opening
Open
face
Spray area
T
3050 mm (10 ft) radius
6100 mm
(20 ft)
AF
D
R
Roof
Spray area
Front (elevation)
Class I, Division 1; Class I, Zone 1;
or Class II, Division 1
Class I, Division 2; Class I, Zone 2;
or Class II, Division 2
Figure 516.3(C)(1) Electrical Area Classification for Open
Spray Areas. [33:Figure 6.5.1]
(2) Closed-Top, Open-Face, and Open-Front Spraying.
If spray application operations are conducted within a
closed-top, open-face, or open-front booth or room, any
electrical wiring or utilization equipment located outside of
the booth or room but within the boundaries designated as
Division 2 or Zone 2 in Figure 516.3(C)(2) shall be suitable
for Class I, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2, or Class II, Division 2 locations, whichever is applicable. The Class I, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2, or Class II, Division 2 locations
shown in Figure 516.3(C)(2) shall extend from the edges of
70–462
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm
(3 ft) radius
Top (plan)
3050 mm
(10 ft)
915 mm (3 ft) radius
1525 mm
(5 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
915 mm (3 ft) radius
Conveyor
opening
Open
face
3050 mm
(10 ft) radius
Figure 516.3(C)(2) Class I, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2, or
Class II, Division 2 Locations Adjacent to a Closed Top, Open
Face, or Open Front Spray Booth or Room. [33:Figures
6.5.2(a) and 6.5.2(b)]
(a) If the exhaust ventilation system is interlocked with
the spray application equipment, the Division 2 or Zone 2
location shall extend 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally and 900 mm
(3 ft) vertically from the open face or open front of the
booth or room, as shown in Figure 516.3(C)(2), top.
(b) If the exhaust ventilation system is not interlocked
with the spray application equipment, the Division 2 or
Zone 2 location shall extend 3 m (10 ft) horizontally and
900 mm (3 ft) vertically from the open face or open front of
the booth or room, as shown in Figure 516.3(C)(2), bottom.
For the purposes of this subsection, interlocked shall
mean that the spray application equipment cannot be operated unless the exhaust ventilation system is operating and
functioning properly and spray application is automatically
stopped if the exhaust ventilation system fails. [33:6.5.2.2]
(3) Open-Top Spraying. For spraying operations conducted within an open top spray booth, the space 900 mm
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
(3 ft) vertically above the booth and within 900 mm (3 ft)
of other booth openings shall be considered Class I, Division 2; Class I, Zone 2; or Class II, Division 2. [33:6.5.3]
(4) Enclosed Booths and Rooms. For spraying operations
confined to an enclosed spray booth or room, the space
within 900 mm (3 ft) in all directions from any openings
shall be considered Class I, Division 2; or Class I, Zone 2;
or Class II, Division 2 as shown in Figure 516.3(C)(4) .
[33:6.5.4]
(5) Dip Tanks and Drain Boards — Surrounding Space.
For dip tanks and drain boards, the 914-mm (3-ft) space
surrounding the Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Zone 1
location as defined in 516.3(A)(4) and as shown in Figure
516.3(C)(5). [34:6.4.4]
(D) Enclosed Coating and Dipping Operations. The
space adjacent to an enclosed dipping or coating process or
apparatus shall be considered unclassified. [34:6.5.3]
900 mm R
(3 ft)
900 mm R
(3 ft)
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Plan view
(E) Adjacent Locations. Adjacent locations that are cut
off from the defined Class I or Class II locations by tight
partitions without communicating openings, and within
which flammable vapors or combustible powders are not
likely to be released, shall be unclassified.
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Enclosed spray
booth or room
(Class I, Division 1 or
Class II, Division 1 within)
900 mm R (3 ft)
900 mm R
(3 ft)
Elevation
Figure 516.3(C)(4) Class I, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2, or
Class II, Division 2 Locations Adjacent to an Enclosed Spray
Booth or Spray Room. [33:Figure 6.5.4]
(6) Dip Tanks and Drain Boards — Space Above Floor.
For dip tanks and drain boards, the space 900 mm (3 ft)
above the floor and extending 6 m (20 ft) horizontally in all
directions from the Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Zone 1
location.
Exception: This space shall not be required to be considered a hazardous (classified) location where the vapor
source area is 0.46 m2 (5 ft2) or less and where the contents
of the open tank trough or container do not exceed 19 L (5
2014 Edition
(7) Open Containers. All space in all directions within
600 mm (2 ft) of the Division 1 or Zone 1 area surrounding
open containers, supply containers, spray gun cleaners, and
solvent distillation units containing flammable liquids, as
well as the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) beyond the Division
1 or Zone 1 area up to a height of 460 mm (18 in.) above
the floor or grade level. [33:6.6.2]
Exception: The space within 900 mm (3 ft) in all directions from any opening in the enclosures shall be classified
as Class I, Division 2 or Class I, Zone 2, as applicable.
[34:6.5.2]
Extent of Class I or
Class II, Division 2 area
900 mm R
(3 ft)
900 mm R (3 ft)
gal). In addition, the vapor concentration during operation
and shutdown periods shall not exceed 25 percent of the
lower flammable limit outside the Class I location specified
in 516.3(B)(4). [34:6.4.4 Exception]
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900 mm R
(3 ft)
516.4
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(F) Unclassified Locations. Locations using drying, curing, or fusion apparatus and provided with positive mechanical ventilation adequate to prevent accumulation of
flammable concentrations of vapors, and provided with effective interlocks to de-energize all electrical equipment
(other than equipment identified for Class I locations) in
case the ventilating equipment is inoperative, shall be permitted to be unclassified where the authority having jurisdiction so judges.
Informational Note: For further information regarding
safeguards, see NFPA 86-2011, Standard for Ovens and
Furnaces.
516.4 Wiring and Equipment in Class I Locations.
(A) Wiring and Equipment — Vapors. All electrical wiring and equipment within the Class I location (containing
vapor only — not residues) defined in 516.3 shall comply
with the applicable provisions of Article 501 or Article 505,
as applicable.
(B) Wiring and Equipment — Vapors and Residues.
Unless specifically listed for locations containing deposits
of dangerous quantities of flammable or combustible vapors, mists, residues, dusts, or deposits (as applicable),
there shall be no electrical equipment in any spray area as
herein defined whereon deposits of combustible residue
may readily accumulate, except wiring in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Type MI cable, or in metal
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516.7
ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
1525 mm
(5 ft)
915 mm
(3 ft)
Conveyor rail
Point beyond which object
is no longer a vapor source
as defined in 516.3(B)(4)
1525 mm
(5 ft)
915 mm
(3 ft)
915 mm
(3 ft)
1525 mm
(5 ft)
915 mm
(3 ft)
Diptank
Pit
915 mm
(3 ft)
6100 mm (20 ft)
915 mm (3 ft)
Drainboard
1525 mm
(5 ft)
1525 mm
(5 ft)
1525 mm
(5 ft)
Floor
6100 mm (20 ft)
Class I, Division 1 or Zone 0
Class I, Division 1 or Zone 1
Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2
(a) The apparatus and its electrical connections are
not located within the spray enclosure during spray operations.
(b) Electrical equipment within 450 mm (18 in.) of the
floor is identified for Class I, Division 2 or Class I, Zone 2
locations.
(c) All metallic parts of the drying apparatus are electrically bonded and grounded.
(d) Interlocks are provided to prevent the operation of
spray equipment while drying apparatus is within the spray
enclosure, to allow for a 3-minute purge of the enclosure
before energizing the drying apparatus and to shut off drying apparatus on failure of ventilation system.
AF
boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices, or terminal
connections. [33:6.4.2]
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Figure 516.3(C)(5) Electrical Area Classification for Open Processes Without Vapor Containment or Ventilation. [34:Figure 6.4(a)]
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(C) Illumination. Illumination of readily ignitible areas
through panels of glass or other transparent or translucent
material shall be permitted only if it complies with the
following:
(1) Fixed lighting units are used as the source of illumination.
(2) The panel effectively isolates the Class I location from
the area in which the lighting unit is located.
(3) The lighting unit is identified for its specific location.
(4) The panel is of a material or is protected so that breakage is unlikely.
(5) The arrangement is such that normal accumulations of
hazardous residue on the surface of the panel will not
be raised to a dangerous temperature by radiation or
conduction from the source of illumination.
(D) Portable Equipment. Portable electric luminaires or
other utilization equipment shall not be used in a spray area
during spray operations.
Exception No. 1: Where portable electric luminaires are
required for operations in spaces not readily illuminated by
fixed lighting within the spraying area, they shall be of the
type identified for Class I, Division 1 or Class 1, Zone 1
locations where readily ignitible residues may be present.
[33:6.9 Exception]
Exception No. 2: Where portable electric drying apparatus is used in spray booths and the following requirements
are met:
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(E) Electrostatic Equipment. Electrostatic spraying or
detearing equipment shall be installed and used only as
provided in 516.10.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 33-2007, Standard for Spray Application Using
Flammable or Combustible Materials. [ROP 14–243]
516.7 Wiring and Equipment Not Within Class I and II
Locations.
(A) Wiring. All fixed wiring above the Class I and II locations shall be in metal raceways, Type PVC conduit,
Type RTRC conduit, or electrical nonmetallic tubing;
where cables are used, they shall be Type MI, Type TC, or
Type MC cable. Cellular metal floor raceways shall only be
permitted to supply ceiling outlets or as extensions to the
area below the floor of a Class I or II location. Where
cellular metal raceways, are used, they shall not have connections leading into or passing through the Class I or II
location unless suitable seals are provided.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
516.10 Special Equipment.
(5) Automatic Controls. Electrostatic apparatus shall be
equipped with automatic means that will rapidly deenergize the high-voltage elements under any of the following conditions:
(1) Stoppage of ventilating fans or failure of ventilating
equipment from any cause
(2) Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods through the
high-voltage field unless stoppage is required by the
spray process
(3) Occurrence of excessive current leakage at any point in
the high-voltage system
(4) De-energizing the primary voltage input to the power
supply
(6) Grounding. All electrically conductive objects in the
spray area, except those objects required by the process to
be at high voltage, shall be adequately grounded. This requirement shall apply to paint containers, wash cans,
guards, hose connectors, brackets, and any other electrically conductive objects or devices in the area.
AF
(A) Fixed Electrostatic Equipment. This section shall apply to any equipment using electrostatically charged elements for the atomization, charging, and/or precipitation of
hazardous materials for coatings on articles or for other
similar purposes in which the charging or atomizing device
is attached to a mechanical support or manipulator. This
shall include robotic devices. This section shall not apply to
devices that are held or manipulated by hand. Where robot
or programming procedures involve manual manipulation
of the robot arm while spraying with the high voltage on,
the provisions of 516.10(B) shall apply. The installation of
electrostatic spraying equipment shall comply with
516.10(A)(1) through (A)(10). Spray equipment shall be
listed. All automatic electrostatic equipment systems shall
comply with 516.4(A)(1) through (A)(9).
a resistance of 1 megohm or less and (2) to prevent parts
from swinging.
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(B) Equipment. Equipment that may produce arcs, sparks,
or particles of hot metal, such as lamps and lampholders for
fixed lighting, cutouts, switches, receptacles, motors, or
other equipment having make-and-break or sliding contacts, where installed above a Class I or II location or above
a location where freshly finished goods are handled, shall
be of the totally enclosed type or be constructed so as to
prevent the escape of sparks or hot metal particles.
516.10
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(1) Power and Control Equipment. Transformers, highvoltage supplies, control apparatus, and all other electrical
portions of the equipment shall be installed outside of the
Class I location as defined in 516.3 or be of a type identified for the location.
Exception: High-voltage grids, electrodes, electrostatic
atomizing heads, and their connections shall be permitted
within the Class I location.
(2) Electrostatic Equipment. Electrodes and electrostatic
atomizing heads shall be adequately supported in permanent locations and shall be effectively insulated from
ground. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads that
are permanently attached to their bases, supports, reciprocators, or robots shall be deemed to comply with this section.
(3) High-Voltage Leads. High-voltage leads shall be properly insulated and protected from mechanical damage or
exposure to destructive chemicals. Any exposed element at
high voltage shall be effectively and permanently supported
on suitable insulators and shall be effectively guarded
against accidental contact or grounding.
(4) Support of Goods. Goods being coated using this process shall be supported on conveyors or hangers. The conveyors or hangers shall be arranged (1) to ensure that the
parts being coated are electrically connected to ground with
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: For more information on grounding
and bonding for static electricity purposes, see NFPA 332007, Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or
Combustible Materials; NFPA 34-2007, Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or
Combustible Liquids; and NFPA 77-2007, Recommended
Practice on Static Electricity. [ROP 14–243]
(7) Isolation. Safeguards such as adequate booths, fencing,
railings, interlocks, or other means shall be placed about
the equipment or incorporated therein so that they, either by
their location, character, or both, ensure that a safe separation of the process is maintained.
(8) Signs. Signs shall be conspicuously posted to convey
the following:
(1) Designate the process zone as dangerous with regard to
fire and accident
(2) Identify the grounding requirements for all electrically
conductive objects in the spray area
(3) Restrict access to qualified personnel only
(9) Insulators. All insulators shall be kept clean and dry.
(10) Other Than Nonincendive Equipment. Spray equipment that cannot be classified as nonincendive shall comply
with (A)(10)(a) and (A)(10)(b).
(a) Conveyors or hangers shall be arranged so as to
maintain a safe distance of at least twice the sparking distance between goods being painted and electrodes, electrostatic atomizing heads, or charged conductors. Warnings
defining this safe distance shall be posted. [33:11.4.1]
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ARTICLE 516 — SPRAY APPLICATION, DIPPING, AND COATING PROCESSES
(b) The equipment shall provide an automatic means
of rapidly de-energizing the high-voltage elements in the
event the distance between the goods being painted and the
electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads falls below that
specified in (a). [33:11.3.8]
(B) Electrostatic Hand-Spraying Equipment. This section shall apply to any equipment using electrostatically
charged elements for the atomization, charging, and/or precipitation of materials for coatings on articles, or for other
similar purposes in which the atomizing device is handheld or manipulated during the spraying operation. Electrostatic hand-spraying equipment and devices used in connection with paint-spraying operations shall be of listed
types and shall comply with 516.10(B)(1) through (B)(5).
(C) Powder Coating. This section shall apply to processes
in which combustible dry powders are applied. The hazards
associated with combustible dusts are present in such a
process to a degree, depending on the chemical composition of the material, particle size, shape, and distribution.
(1) Electrical Equipment and Sources of Ignition. Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition shall comply
with the requirements of Article 502. Portable electric luminaires and other utilization equipment shall not be used
within a Class II location during operation of the finishing
processes. Where such luminaires or utilization equipment
are used during cleaning or repairing operations, they shall
be of a type identified for Class II, Division 1 locations, and
all exposed metal parts shall be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor.
AF
(1) General. The high-voltage circuits shall be designed so
as not to produce a spark of sufficient intensity to ignite the
most readily ignitible of those vapor–air mixtures likely to
be encountered, or result in appreciable shock hazard upon
coming in contact with a grounded object under all normal
operating conditions. The electrostatically charged exposed
elements of the handgun shall be capable of being energized only by an actuator that also controls the coating
material supply.
(5) Support of Objects. Objects being painted shall be
maintained in metallic contact with the conveyor or other
grounded support. Hooks shall be regularly cleaned to ensure adequate grounding of 1 megohm or less. Areas of
contact shall be sharp points or knife edges where possible.
Points of support of the object shall be concealed from
random spray where feasible; and, where the objects being
sprayed are supported from a conveyor, the point of attachment to the conveyor shall be located so as to not collect
spray material during normal operation. [33: Chapter 12]
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516.10
(2) Power Equipment. Transformers, power packs, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment shall be located outside of the Class I location or be
identified for the location.
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Exception: The handgun itself and its connections to the
power supply shall be permitted within the Class I location.
(3) Handle. The handle of the spraying gun shall be electrically connected to ground by a metallic connection and
be constructed so that the operator in normal operating
position is in intimate electrical contact with the grounded
handle to prevent buildup of a static charge on the operator’s body. Signs indicating the necessity for grounding
other persons entering the spray area shall be conspicuously
posted.
(4) Electrostatic Equipment. All electrically conductive
objects in the spraying area shall be adequately grounded.
This requirement shall apply to paint containers, wash cans,
and any other electrical conductive objects or devices in the
area. The equipment shall carry a prominent, permanently
installed warning regarding the necessity for this grounding
feature.
Informational Note: For more information on grounding
and bonding for static electricity purposes, see NFPA 332007, Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or
Combustible Materials; NFPA 34-2007, Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or
Combustible Liquids; and NFPA 77-2007, Recommended
Practice on Static Electricity. [ROP 14–243]
70–466
Exception: Where portable electric luminaires are required for operations in spaces not readily illuminated by
fixed lighting within the spraying area, they shall be of the
type listed for Class II, Division 1 locations where readily
ignitible residues may be present.
(2) Fixed Electrostatic Spraying Equipment. The provisions of 516.10(A) and 516.10(C)(1) shall apply to fixed
electrostatic spraying equipment.
(3) Electrostatic Hand-Spraying Equipment. The provisions of 516.10(B) and 516.10(C)(1) shall apply to electrostatic hand-spraying equipment.
(4) Electrostatic Fluidized Beds. Electrostatic fluidized
beds and associated equipment shall be of identified types.
The high-voltage circuits shall be designed such that any
discharge produced when the charging electrodes of the bed
are approached or contacted by a grounded object shall not
be of sufficient intensity to ignite any powder–air mixture
likely to be encountered or to result in an appreciable shock
hazard.
(a) Transformers, power packs, control apparatus, and
all other electrical portions of the equipment shall be located outside the powder-coating area or shall otherwise
comply with the requirements of 516.10(C)(1).
Exception: The charging electrodes and their connections
to the power supply shall be permitted within the powdercoating area.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Informational Note: For more information on grounding
and bonding for static electricity purposes, see NFPA 332007, Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or
Combustible Materials; NFPA 34-2007, Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or
Combustible Liquids; and NFPA 77-2007, Recommended
Practice on Static Electricity. [ROP 14–243]
Alternate Power Source. One or more generator sets, or
battery systems where permitted, intended to provide power
during the interruption of the normal electrical services or
the public utility electrical service intended to provide
power during interruption of service normally provided by
the generating facilities on the premises. [ROP 15–3]
Ambulatory Health Care Occupancy. A building or portion thereof used to provide services or treatment simultaneously to four or more patients that provides, on an outpatient basis, one or more of the following:
(1) Treatment for patients that renders the patients incapable of taking action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without assistance of others.
(2) Anesthesia that renders the patients incapable of taking
action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without the assistance of others.
(3) Emergency or urgent care for patients who, due to the
nature of their injury or illness, are incapable of taking
action for self-preservation under emergency conditions without the assistance of others. [101:3.3.168.1]
AF
(c) Objects being coated shall be maintained in electrical contact (less than 1 megohm) with the conveyor or
other support in order to ensure proper grounding. Hangers
shall be regularly cleaned to ensure effective electrical contact. Areas of electrical contact shall be sharp points or
knife edges where possible.
(d) The electrical equipment and compressed air supplies shall be interlocked with a ventilation system so that
the equipment cannot be operated unless the ventilating
fans are in operation. [33: Chapter 15]
517.2 Definitions.
[ROP 15–3]
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(b) All electrically conductive objects within the
powder-coating area shall be adequately grounded. The
powder-coating equipment shall carry a prominent, permanently installed warning regarding the necessity for grounding these objects.
517.2
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516.16 Grounding. All metal raceways, the metal armors
or metallic sheath on cables, and all non–current-carrying
metal parts of fixed or portable electrical equipment, regardless of voltage, shall be grounded and bonded. Grounding and bonding shall comply with 501.30, 502.30, or
505.25, as applicable.
ARTICLE 517
Health Care Facilities
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 99-2005, Standard
for Health Care Facilities, and NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
Code. Only editorial changes were made to the extracted
text to make it consistent with this Code.
I. General
517.1 Scope. The provisions of this article shall apply to
electrical construction and installation criteria in health care
facilities that provide services to human beings.
The requirements in Parts II and III not only apply to
single-function buildings but are also intended to be individually applied to their respective forms of occupancy
within a multifunction building (e.g., a doctor’s examining
room located within a limited care facility would be required to meet the provisions of 517.10).
Informational Note: For information concerning performance, maintenance, and testing criteria, refer to the appropriate health care facilities documents.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Anesthetizing Location. Any area of a facility that has
been designated to be used for the administration of any
flammable or nonflammable inhalation anesthetic agent in
the course of examination or treatment, including the use of
such agents for relative analgesia.
Battery-Powered Lighting Units. Individual unit equipment for backup illumination consisting of the following:
(1) Rechargeable battery
(2) Battery-charging means
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the
equipment, or with terminals for remote lamps, or both
(4) Relaying device arranged to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the supply to the unit
equipment
Critical Branch. A system of feeders and branch circuits
supplying power for illumination, fixed equipment, select
receptacles, and power circuits, serving areas and functions
related to patient care and that are connected to alternate
power sources by one or more transfer switches during
interruption of normal power source. [99:3.3.30] [ROP
15–12]
Electrical Life-Support Equipment. Electrically powered
equipment whose continuous operation is necessary to
maintain a patient’s life. [99:3.3.37] [ROP 15–13]
Equipment Branch. A system of feeders and branch circuits arranged for delayed, automatic, or manual connection to the alternate power source and that serves primarily
3-phase power equipment. [99:3.3.46]. [ROP 15–14]
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Essential Electrical System. A system comprised of alternate sources of power and all connected distribution systems and ancillary equipment, designed to ensure continuity of electrical power to designated areas and functions of
a health care facility during disruption of normal power
sources, and also to minimize disruption within the internal
wiring system. [99:3.3.44]
[ROP 15–4]
Exposed Conductive Surfaces. Those surfaces that are capable of carrying electric current and that are unprotected,
unenclosed, or unguarded, permitting personal contact.
Paint, anodizing, and similar coatings are not considered
suitable insulation, unless they are listed for such use.
[ROP 15–4]
Fault Hazard Current. See Hazard Current.
Life Safety Branch. A system of feeders and branch circuits supplying power for lighting, receptacles, and equipment essential for life safety, and that are automatically
connected to alternate power sources by one or more transfer switches during interruption of the normal power
source. [99:3.3.94] [ROP 15–16]
Limited Care Facility. A building or portion thereof used
on a 24-hour basis for the housing of four or more persons
who are incapable of self-preservation because of age;
physical limitation due to accident or illness; or limitations
such as mental retardation/developmental disability, mental
illness, or chemical dependency. [99:3.3.97]
Line Isolation Monitor. A test instrument designed to continually check the balanced and unbalanced impedance
from each line of an isolated circuit to ground and equipped
with a built-in test circuit to exercise the alarm without
adding to the leakage current hazard.
AF
Flammable Anesthetics. Gases or vapors, such as fluroxene, cyclopropane, divinyl ether, ethyl chloride, ethyl ether,
and ethylene, which may form flammable or explosive mixtures with air, oxygen, or reducing gases such as nitrous
oxide.
Isolation Transformer. A transformer of the multiplewinding type, with the primary and secondary windings
physically separated, which inductively couples its secondary winding(s) to circuit conductors connected to its primary winding(s).
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517.2
Flammable Anesthetizing Location. Any area of the facility that has been designated to be used for the administration of any flammable inhalation anesthetic agents in the
normal course of examination or treatment.
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Hazard Current. For a given set of connections in an
isolated power system, the total current that would flow
through a low impedance if it were connected between
either isolated conductor and ground.
Fault Hazard Current. The hazard current of a given isolated system with all devices connected except the line
isolation monitor.
Monitor Hazard Current. The hazard current of the line
isolation monitor alone.
Total Hazard Current. The hazard current of a given isolated system with all devices, including the line isolation
monitor, connected.
Monitor Hazard Current. See Hazard Current.
Nurses’ Stations. Areas intended to provide a center of
nursing activity for a group of nurses serving bed patients,
where the patient calls are received, nurses are dispatched,
nurses’ notes written, inpatient charts prepared, and medications prepared for distribution to patients. Where such
activities are carried on in more than one location within a
nursing unit, all such separate areas are considered a part of
the nurses’ station.
Nursing Home. A building or portion of a building used on
a 24-hour basis for the housing and nursing care of four or
more persons who, because of mental or physical incapacity, might be unable to provide for their own needs and
safety without the assistance of another person.
[99:3.3.129]
Health Care Facilities. Buildings or portions of buildings
in which medical, dental, psychiatric, nursing, obstetrical,
or surgical care are provided. Health care facilities include,
but are not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, limited
care facilities, clinics, medical and dental offices, and ambulatory care centers, whether permanent or movable.
Patient Bed Location. The location of a patient sleeping
bed, or the bed or procedure table of a critical care area.
[99:3.3.137]
Hospital. A building or portion thereof used on a 24-hour
basis for the medical, psychiatric, obstetrical, or surgical
care of four or more inpatients. [101:3.3.124]
Basic Care Space. Space in which failure of equipment or
a system is not likely to cause injury to the patients or
caregivers but may cause patient discomfort. [ROP 15–19]
Isolated Power System. A system comprising an isolating
transformer or its equivalent, a line isolation monitor, and
its ungrounded circuit conductors.
General Care Space. Space in which failure of equipment
or a system is likely to cause minor injury to patients or
caregivers. [ROP 15–19]
70–468
Patient Care Space. Any space of a health care facility
wherein patients are intended to be examined or treated.
[ROP 15–19]
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Critical Care Space. Space in which failure of equipment
or a system is likely to cause major injury or death to
patients or caregivers.[ROP 15–19]
Support Space. Space in which failure of equipment or a
system is not likely to have a physical impact on patients or
caregivers. [ROP 15–19]
517.10
concentrations of nitrous oxide insufficient to produce loss
of consciousness (conscious sedation).
Selected Receptacles. A minimum number of electrical receptacles to accommodate appliances ordinarily required
for local tasks or likely to be used in patient care emergencies.
Task Illumination. Provision for the minimum lighting required to carry out necessary tasks in the described areas,
including safe access to supplies and equipment, and access
to exits. [ROP 15–23]
Informational Note No. 2: General care spaces may include areas such as patient bedrooms, examining rooms,
treatment rooms, clinics, and similar areas in where the
patient may come in contact with electromedical devices or
ordinary appliances such as a nurse call system, electric
beds, examining lamps, telephones, and entertainment devices. [ROP 15–19]
Wet Procedure Location. The area in a patient care space
where a procedure is performed that is normally subject to
wet conditions while patients are present, including standing fluids on the floor or drenching of the work area, either
of which condition is intimate to the patient or staff. [ROP
15–24]
Informational Note No. 3: Critical care space may include
special care units, intensive care units, coronary care units,
angiography laboratories, cardiac catheterization laboratories, delivery rooms, operating rooms, and similar areas in
which patients are intended to be subjected to invasive procedures and connected to line-operated, electromedical devices. [ROP 15–19]
Informational Note: Routine housekeeping procedures and
incidental spillage of liquids do not define a wet procedure
location. [ROP 15–24]
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Informational Note No. 1: The governing body of the facility designates patient care spaces in accordance with the
type of patient care anticipated and with the definitions of
the area classification. Business offices, corridors, lounges,
day rooms, dining rooms, or similar areas typically are not
classified as patient care rooms. [ROP 15–19]
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Total Hazard Current. See Hazard Current.
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Informational Note No. 4: Spaces within a patient care
room where a procedure is performed that subjects patients
or staff to wet conditions may be considered as wet procedure areas. These include standing fluids on the floor or
drenching of the work area. Routine housekeeping procedures and incidental spillage of liquids do not define wet
procedure areas. It is the responsibility of the governing
body of the health care facility to designate the wet procedure areas. [99:1.3.4.3] [ROP 15–19]
X-Ray Installations, Long-Time Rating. A rating based
on an operating interval of 5 minutes or longer.
X-Ray Installations, Mobile. X-ray equipment mounted
on a permanent base with wheels, casters, or a combination
of both to facilitate moving the equipment while completely assembled.
X-Ray Installations, Momentary Rating. A rating based
on an operating interval that does not exceed 5 seconds.
Patient Care Vicinity. A space, within a location intended
for the examination and treatment of patients, extending 1.8
m (6 ft) beyond the normal location of the patient bed,
chair, table, treadmill, or other device that supports the patient during examination and treatment and extending vertically to 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in) above the floor. [99:3.3.139]
[ROP 15–21]
X-Ray Installations, Portable. X-ray equipment designed
to be hand carried.
Patient Equipment Grounding Point. A jack or terminal
that serves as the collection point for redundant grounding
of electrical appliances serving a patient care vicinity or for
grounding other items in order to eliminate electromagnetic
interference problems. [99:3.3.141]
II. Wiring and Protection
Psychiatric Hospital. A building used exclusively for the
psychiatric care, on a 24-hour basis, of four or more inpatients.
Reference Grounding Point. The ground bus of the panelboard or isolated power system panel supplying the patient care area.
Relative Analgesia. A state of sedation and partial block of
pain perception produced in a patient by the inhalation of
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
X-Ray Installations, Transportable. X-ray equipment to
be conveyed by a vehicle or that is readily disassembled for
transport by a vehicle.
517.10 Applicability.
(A) Applicability. Part II shall apply to patient care spaces
of all health care facilities. [ROP 15–26]
(B) Not Covered. Part II shall not apply to the following:
(1) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms, and the like
in clinics, medical and dental offices, and outpatient
facilities
(2) Areas of nursing homes and limited care facilities
wired in accordance with Chapters 1 through 4 of this
Code where these areas are used exclusively as patient
sleeping rooms
70–469
Informational Note:
Code®.
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
517.11 General Installation — Construction Criteria.
The purpose of this article is to specify the installation
criteria and wiring methods that minimize electrical hazards by the maintenance of adequately low potential differences only between exposed conductive surfaces that are
likely to become energized and could be contacted by a
patient.
Exception: An insulated equipment bonding jumper that
directly connects to the equipment grounding conductor is
permitted to connect the box and receptacle(s) to the equipment grounding conductor.
Exception No. 1 to (3): Metal faceplates shall be permitted
to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor by
means of a metal mounting screw(s) securing the faceplate
to a grounded outlet box or grounded wiring device.
Exception No. 2 to (3): Luminaires more than 2.3 m (71⁄2 ft)
above the floor and switches located outside of the patient
care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an
equipment grounding return path complying with
517.13(A).
(2) Sizing. Equipment grounding conductors and equipment bonding jumpers shall be sized in accordance with
250.122.
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Informational Note: In a health care facility, it is difficult
to prevent the occurrence of a conductive or capacitive path
from the patient’s body to some grounded object, because
that path may be established accidentally or through instrumentation directly connected to the patient. Other electrically conductive surfaces that may make an additional contact with the patient, or instruments that may be connected
to the patient, then become possible sources of electric currents that can traverse the patient’s body. The hazard is
increased as more apparatus is associated with the patient,
and, therefore, more intensive precautions are needed. Control of electric shock hazard requires the limitation of electric current that might flow in an electrical circuit involving
the patient’s body by raising the resistance of the conductive circuit that includes the patient, or by insulating exposed surfaces that might become energized, in addition to
reducing the potential difference that can appear between
exposed conductive surfaces in the patient care vicinity, or
by combinations of these methods. A special problem is
presented by the patient with an externalized direct conductive path to the heart muscle. The patient may be electrocuted at current levels so low that additional protection in
the design of appliances, insulation of the catheter, and
control of medical practice is required.
(3) All non–current-carrying conductive surfaces of fixed
electrical equipment likely to become energized that
are subject to personal contact, operating at over 100
volts.
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517.11
517.12 Wiring Methods. Except as modified in this article, wiring methods shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapters 1 through 4 of this Code.
517.13 Grounding of Receptacles and Fixed Electrical
Equipment in Patient Care Areas. Wiring in patient care
areas shall comply with 517.13(A) and (B).
(A) Wiring Methods. All branch circuits serving patient
care areas shall be provided with an effective ground-fault
current path by installation in a metal raceway system, or a
cable having a metallic armor or sheath assembly. The
metal raceway system, or metallic cable armor, or sheath
assembly shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding
conductor in accordance with 250.118.
(B) Insulated Equipment Grounding Conductor.
(1) General. The following shall be directly connected to
an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor that is
installed with the branch circuit conductors in the wiring
methods as provided in 517.13(A).
(1) The grounding terminals of all receptacles.
(2) Metal boxes and enclosures containing receptacles.
70–470
517.14 Panelboard Bonding. The equipment grounding
terminal buses of the normal and essential branch-circuit
panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity shall be connected together with an insulated continuous
copper conductor not smaller than 10 AWG. Where two or
more panelboards serving the same individual patient care
vicinity are served from separate transfer switches on the
essential electrical system, the equipment grounding terminal buses of those panelboards shall be connected together
with an insulated continuous copper conductor not smaller
than 10 AWG. This conductor shall be permitted to be
broken in order to terminate on the equipment grounding
terminal bus in each panelboard. [ROP 15–29]
517.16 Receptacles with Insulated Grounding Terminals. Receptacles with insulated grounding terminals, as
described in 250.146(D), shall not be permitted.
517.17 Ground-Fault Protection.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of 517.17 shall apply
to hospitals and other buildings (including multipleoccupancy buildings) with critical care spaces or utilizing
electrical life support equipment, and buildings that provide
the required essential utilities or services for the operation
of critical care spaces or electrical-life support equipment.
[ROP 15–33]
(B) Feeders. Where ground-fault protection is provided
for operation of the service disconnecting means or feeder
disconnecting means as specified by 230.95 or 215.10, an
additional step of ground-fault protection shall be provided
in all next level feeder disconnecting means downstream
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
517.19
toward the load. Such protection shall consist of overcurrent devices and current transformers or other equivalent
protective equipment that shall cause the feeder disconnecting means to open.
The additional levels of ground-fault protection shall
not be installed on the load side of an essential electrical
system transfer switch.
tacles. They shall be permitted to be of the single, duplex,
or quadruplex type, or any combination of the three. All
receptacles shall be listed “hospital grade” and shall be so
identified. The grounding terminal of each receptacle shall
be connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding
conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122. [ROP
15–35, ROP 15–36]
(C) Selectivity. Ground-fault protection for operation of
the service and feeder disconnecting means shall be fully
selective such that the feeder device, but not the service
device, shall open on ground faults on the load side of the
feeder device. Separation of ground-fault protection timecurrent characteristics shall conform to manufacturer’s recommendations and shall consider all required tolerances
and disconnect operating time to achieve 100 percent selectivity.
Exception No. 1: The requirements of 517.18(B) shall not
apply to psychiatric, substance abuse, and rehabilitation
hospitals meeting the requirements of 517.10(B)(2).
517.18 General Care Areas.
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(A) Patient Bed Location. Each patient bed location shall
be supplied by at least two branch circuits, one from the
critical branch and one from the normal system. All branch
circuits from the normal system shall originate in the same
panelboard. The electrical receptacles or the cover plate for
the electrical receptacles supplied from the critical branch
shall have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily
identifiable and shall also indicate the panelboard and
branch circuit number supplying them. [ROP 15–34]
Branch circuits serving patient bed locations shall not
be part of a multi-wire branch circuit. [ROP 15–34]
Exception No. 1: Branch circuits serving only special purpose outlets or receptacles, such as portable X-ray outlets,
shall not be required to be served from the same distribution panel or panels.
Exception No. 2: Requirements of 517.18(A) shall not apply to patient bed locations in clinics, medical and dental
offıces, and outpatient facilities; psychiatric, substance
abuse, and rehabilitation hospitals; sleeping rooms of nursing homes and limited care facilities meeting the requirements of 517.10(B)(2).
Exception No. 3: A general care patient bed location
served from two separate transfer switches on the critical
branch shall not be required to have circuits from the normal system. [ROP 15–34]
(B) Patient Bed Location Receptacles. Each patient bed
location shall be provided with a minimum of eight recep-
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(C) Pediatric Locations. Receptacles located within the
rooms, bathrooms, playrooms, activity rooms, and patient
care areas of designated pediatric locations shall be listed
tamper resistant or shall employ a listed tamper-resistant
cover.
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(D) Testing. When equipment ground-fault protection is
first installed, each level shall be performance tested to
ensure compliance with 517.17(C).
Informational Note: It is not intended that there be a total,
immediate replacement of existing non–hospital grade receptacles. It is intended, however, that non–hospital grade
receptacles be replaced with hospital grade receptacles
upon modification of use, renovation, or as existing receptacles need replacement.
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Informational Note: See 230.95, informational note, for
transfer of alternate source where ground-fault protection is
applied. [ROP 15–32]
Exception No. 2: Psychiatric security rooms shall not be
required to have receptacle outlets installed in the room.
517.19 Critical Care Areas.
(A) Patient Bed Location Branch Circuits. Each patient
bed location shall be supplied by at least two branch circuits, one or more from the critical branch and one or more
circuits from the normal system. At least one branch circuit
from the critical branch shall supply an outlet(s) only at that
bed location. All branch circuits from the normal system
shall be from a single panelboard. Critical branch receptacles shall be identified and shall also indicate the panelboard and circuit number supplying them. The branch circuit serving patient bed locations shall not be part of a
multi-wire branch circuit. [ROP 15–38]
Exception No. 1: Branch circuits serving only specialpurpose receptacles or equipment in critical care spaces
shall be permitted to be served by other panelboards.
[ROP 15–38]
Exception No. 2: Critical care spaces served from two
separate transfer switches on the emergency system shall
not be required to have circuits from the normal system.
[ROP 15–38]
(B) Patient Bed Location Receptacles.
(1) Minimum Number and Supply. Each patient bed location shall be provided with a minimum of fourteen receptacles, at least one of which shall be connected to either of
the following: [ROP 15–39]
70–471
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(1) The normal system branch circuit required in
517.19(A)
(2) A critical branch circuit supplied by a different transfer
switch than the other receptacles at the same patient
bed location [ROP 15–39]
(2) Receptacle Requirements. The receptacles required in
517.19(B)(1) shall be permitted to be single, duplex, or
quadruplex type or any combination thereof. All receptacles
shall be listed “hospital grade” and shall be so identified.
The grounding terminal of each receptacle shall be connected to the reference grounding point by means of an
insulated copper equipment grounding conductor.
(C) Operating Room Receptacles. [ROP 15–41]
[ROP 15–41]
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(2) Receptacle Requirements. The receptacles required in
517.19(C)(1) shall be permitted to be of the single or duplex types or a combination of both. [ROP 15–41]
All receptacles, shall be listed “hospital grade” and so
identified. The grounding terminal of each receptacle shall
be connected to the reference grounding point by means of
an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor. [ROP
15–41]
(D) Patient Care Vicinity Grounding and Bonding (Optional). A patient care vicinity shall be permitted to have a
patient equipment grounding point. The patient equipment
grounding point, where supplied, shall be permitted to contain one or more listed grounding and bonding jacks. An
equipment bonding jumper not smaller than 10 AWG shall
be used to connect the grounding terminal of all groundingtype receptacles to the patient equipment grounding point.
The bonding conductor shall be permitted to be arranged
centrically or looped as convenient.
Informational Note: Where there is no patient equipment
grounding point, it is important that the distance between
the reference grounding point and the patient care vicinity
be as short as possible to minimize any potential
differences.
(E) Equipment Grounding and Bonding. Where a
grounded electrical distribution system is used and metal
feeder raceway or Type MC or MI cable that qualifies as an
equipment grounding conductor in accordance with
250.118 is installed, grounding of enclosures and equip-
70–472
(F) Additional Protective Techniques in Critical Care
Spaces (Optional). Isolated power systems shall be permitted to be used for critical care spaces, and, if used, the
isolated power system equipment shall be listed as isolated
power equipment. The isolated power system shall be designed and installed in accordance with 517.160. [ROP
15–42]
Exception: The audible and visual indicators of the line
isolation monitor shall be permitted to be located at the
nursing station for the area being served.
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(1) Minimum Number and Supply. Each operating room
shall be provided with a minimum of thirty six receptacles,
at least twelve of which shall be connected to either of the
following:
(1) The normal system branch circuit required in
517.19(A)
(2) A critical branch circuit supplied by a different transfer
switch than the other receptacles at the same location
ment, such as panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear,
shall be ensured by one of the following bonding means at
each termination or junction point of the metal raceway or
Type MC or MI cable: [ROP 9–181a]
(1) A grounding bushing and a continuous copper bonding
jumper, sized in accordance with 250.122, with the
bonding jumper connected to the junction enclosure or
the ground bus of the panel
(2) Connection of feeder raceways or Type MC or MI
cable to threaded hubs or bosses on terminating enclosures
(3) Other approved devices such as bonding-type locknuts
or bushings
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517.20
(G) Isolated Power System Equipment Grounding.
Where an isolated ungrounded power source is used and
limits the first-fault current to a low magnitude, the equipment grounding conductor associated with the secondary
circuit shall be permitted to be run outside of the enclosure
of the power conductors in the same circuit.
Informational Note: Although it is permitted to run the
grounding conductor outside of the conduit, it is safer to
run it with the power conductors to provide better protection in case of a second ground fault.
(H) Special-Purpose Receptacle Grounding. The equipment grounding conductor for special-purpose receptacles,
such as the operation of mobile X-ray equipment, shall be
extended to the reference grounding points of branch circuits for all locations likely to be served from such receptacles. Where such a circuit is served from an isolated ungrounded system, the grounding conductor shall not be
required to be run with the power conductors; however, the
equipment grounding terminal of the special-purpose receptacle shall be connected to the reference grounding point.
517.20 Wet Procedure Locations.
(A) Receptacles and Fixed Equipment. Wet procedure
location patient care areas shall be provided with special
protection against electric shock by one of the following
means:
(1) Power distribution system that inherently limits the
possible ground-fault current due to a first fault to a
low value, without interrupting the power supply
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517.30
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Exception: Branch circuits supplying only listed, fixed,
therapeutic and diagnostic equipment shall be permitted to
be supplied from a grounded service, single- or 3-phase
system, provided that
(a) Wiring for grounded and isolated circuits does not
occupy the same raceway, and
(b) All conductive surfaces of the equipment are connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding
conductor.
(B) Isolated Power Systems. Where an isolated power
system is utilized, the isolated power equipment shall be
listed as isolated power equipment, and the isolated power
system shall be designed and installed in accordance with
517.160.
Informational Note: For requirements for installation of
therapeutic pools and tubs, see Part VI of Article 680.
III. Essential Electrical System
Informational Note No. 2: For additional information, see
NFPA 99-2005, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
(B) General.
(1) Separate Branches. Essential electrical systems for
hospitals shall be comprised of three separate branches capable of supplying a limited amount of lighting and power
service that is considered essential for life safety and effective hospital operation during the time the normal electrical
service is interrupted for any reason. The branches are: life
safety, critical, and equipment. [ROP 15–52]
(2) Transfer Switches. The number of transfer switches to
be used shall be based on reliability, design, and load considerations. Each branch of the essential electrical system
shall have one or more transfer switches. One transfer
switch and downstream distribution system shall be permitted to serve one or more branches in a facility with a maximum demand on the essential electrical system of 150 kVA.
[ROP 15–52]
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517.21 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel shall not be required for receptacles installed in
those critical care areas where the toilet and basin are installed within the patient room.
Informational Note No. 1: For performance, maintenance,
and testing requirements of essential electrical systems in
hospitals, see NFPA 99-2005, Standard for Health Care
Facilities. For installation of centrifugal fire pumps, see
NFPA 20-2010, Standard for the Installation of Stationary
Fire Pumps for Fire Protection.
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(2) Power distribution system in which the power supply is
interrupted if the ground-fault current does, in fact, exceed a value of 6 mA
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517.25 Scope. The essential electrical system for these facilities shall comprise a system capable of supplying a limited amount of lighting and power service, which is considered essential for life safety and orderly cessation of
procedures during the time normal electrical service is interrupted for any reason. This includes clinics, medical and
dental offices, outpatient facilities, nursing homes, limited
care facilities, hospitals, and other health care facilities
serving patients.
Informational Note No. 1: See NFPA 99-2005, Standard
for Health Care Facilities: 4.4.3.2, Transfer Switch Operation Type I; 4.4.2.1.4, Automatic Transfer Switch Features;
and 4.4.2.1.6, Nonautomatic Transfer Device Features.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note Figure
517.30, No. 1.
Informational Note No. 3: See Informational Note Figure
517.30, No. 2.
Normal
source
Alternate power
source
Informational Note: For information on the need for an
essential electrical system, see NFPA 99-2005, Standard for
Health Care Facilities.
517.26 Application of Other Articles. The essential electrical system shall meet the requirements of Article 700,
except as amended by Article 517.
Informational Note: The provisions of NFPA 110–2010,
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems,
should be considered when designing and installing essential electrical power supply systems.
517.30 Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of Part III, 517.30
through 517.35, shall apply to hospitals where an essential
electrical system is required.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Nonessential
loads
Automatic
switching
equipment
Delayed
automatic
switching
equipment
Equipment Life safety Critical
branch
branch
branch
Essential electrical system
Informational Note Figure 517.30, No. 1 Hospital — Minimum Requirement (greater than 150 kVA) for Transfer
Switch Arrangement. [ROP 15–32]
70–473
517.30
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Alternate power
source
Nonessential
loads
Automatic
switching
equipment
Equipment
branch
Life safety
branch
Critical
branch
Essential electrical system
Informational Note Figure 517.30, No. 2 Hospital — Minimum Requirement (150 kVA or less) for Transfer Switch Arrangement. [ROP 15–32]
The wiring of the equipment branch shall be permitted
to occupy the same raceways, boxes, or cabinets of other
circuits that are not part of the essential electrical system.
[ROP 15–54]
(2) Isolated Power Systems. Where isolated power systems are installed in any of the areas in 517.33(A)(1) and
(A)(2), each system shall be supplied by an individual circuit serving no other load.
(3) Mechanical Protection of the Essential Electrical
System. The wiring of the life safety and critical branches
shall be mechanically protected. Where installed as branch
circuits in patient care spaces the installation shall comply
with requirements of 517.13(A) and (B). The following
wiring methods shall be permitted: [ROP 15–62]
(1) Non-flexible metal raceways, Type MI Cable, Type
RTRC marked with the suffix –XW or Schedule 80
PVC conduit. Nonmetallic raceways shall not be used
for branch circuits that supply patient care areas. [ROP
15–60]
(2) Where encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, Schedule 40 PVC conduit, flexible nonmetallic
or jacketed metallic raceways, or jacketed metallic
cable assemblies listed for installation in concrete.
Nonmetallic raceways shall not be used for branch circuits that supply patient care areas.
(3) Listed MC cable identified as providing crush, impact
and penetration circuit protection performance comparable to electrical metallic tubing. [ROP 15–61]
(4) Listed flexible metal raceways and listed metal
sheathed cable assemblies in any of the following:
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(5) Optional Loads. Loads served by the generating
equipment not specifically named in Article 517 shall be
served by their own transfer switches such that the following conditions apply:
(1) These loads shall not be transferred if the transfer will
overload the generating equipment.
(2) These loads shall be automatically shed upon generating equipment overloading.
cabinets of other circuits not part of the branch where such
wiring complies with one of the following:
(1) Is in transfer equipment enclosures
(2) Is in exit or emergency luminaires supplied from two
sources
(3) Is in a common junction box attached to exit or emergency luminaires supplied from two sources
(4) Is for two or more circuits supplied from the same
branch and same transfer switch [ROP 15–54]
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Normal power
source
(6) Contiguous Facilities. Hospital power sources and alternate power sources shall be permitted to serve the essential electrical systems of contiguous or same site facilities.
[99:13.3.4.3]
(C) Wiring Requirements.
(1) Separation from Other Circuits. The life safety
branch and critical branch of the essential electrical system
shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and
equipment and shall not enter the same raceways, boxes, or
cabinets with each other or other wiring. [ROP 15–54]
Where general care locations are served from two separate transfer switches on the essential electrical system in
accordance with 517.18(A), Exception No. 3, the general
care circuits from the two separate systems shall be kept
independent of each other. [ROP 15–54]
Where critical care locations are served from two separate transfer switches on the essential electrical system in
accordance with 517.19(A), Exception No. 2, the critical
care circuits from the two separate systems shall be kept
independent of each other. [ROP 15–54]
Wiring of the life safety branch and the critical branch
shall be permitted to occupy the same raceways, boxes, or
70–474
a. Where used in listed prefabricated medical headwalls
b. In listed office furnishings
c. Where fished into existing walls or ceilings, not otherwise accessible and not subject to physical damage
d. Where necessary for flexible connection to
equipment
(5) Flexible power cords of appliances or other utilization
equipment connected to the emergency system.
(6) Cables for Class 2 or Class 3 systems permitted by Part
VI of this Article, with or without raceways.
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
517.32
Informational Note: See 517.13 for additional grounding
requirements in patient care areas.
electrical system shall supply power for the following lighting, receptacles, and equipment. [ROP 15–69]
(D) Capacity of Systems. The essential electrical system
shall have the capacity and rating to meet the maximum
actual demand likely to be produced by the connected load
of the essential electrical system. [ROP 15–63]
Feeders shall be sized in accordance with 215.2 and
Part III of Article 220. The generator set(s) shall have the
capacity and rating to meet the demand produced by the
load of the essential electrical system at any given time.
[ROP 15–63]
Demand calculations for sizing of the generator set(s)
shall be based on any of the following:
(1) Prudent demand factors and historical data
(2) Connected load
(3) Feeder calculation procedures described in Article 220
(4) Any combination of the above
(A) Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination of
means of egress, such as lighting required for corridors,
passageways, stairways, and landings at exit doors, and all
necessary ways of approach to exits. Switching arrangements to transfer patient corridor lighting in hospitals from
general illumination circuits to night illumination circuits
shall be permitted, provided only one of two circuits can be
selected and both circuits cannot be extinguished at the
same time.
Informational Note:
Code, Section 7.10.
See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
(C) Alarm and Alerting Systems. Alarm and alerting systems including the following:
(1) Fire alarms
Informational Note: See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
Code, Section 9.6 and 18.3.4.
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(E) Receptacle Identification. The cover plates for the
electrical receptacles or the electrical receptacles themselves supplied from the essential electrical system shall
have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily
identifiable. [99:6.4.2.2.6.2(C)] [ROP 15–64, ROP 15–65]
Nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall have an illuminated face or an indicator light to
indicate that there is power to the receptacle. [ROP 15–64]
(B) Exit Signs. Exit signs and exit directional signs.
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The sizing requirements in 700.4 and 701.4 shall not
apply to hospital generator set(s).
Informational Note: See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
Code, Sections 7.8 and 7.9.
(F) Feeders from Alternate Power Source. A single
feeder supplied by a local or remote alternate source shall
be permitted to supply the essential electrical system to the
point at which the life safety, critical, and equipment
branches are separated. Installation of the transfer equipment shall be permitted at other than the location of the
alternate power source. [ROP 15–67]
517.31 Branches Requiring Automatic Connection.
Those functions of patient care depending on lighting or
appliances that are connected to the essential electrical system shall be divided into the life safety branch and the
critical branch, described in 517.32 and 517.33. [ROP
15–68]
The life safety and critical branches shall be installed
and connected to the alternate power source so that all
functions supplied by these branches specified here shall be
automatically restored to operation within 10 seconds after
interruption of the normal source. [99:4.4.2.2.2.1, 4.4.3.1]
[ROP 15–68]
517.32 Life Safety Branch. No functions other than those
listed in 517.32(A) through (H) shall be connected to the
life safety branch. The life safety branch of the essential
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(2) Alarms required for systems used for the piping of
nonflammable medical gases
Informational Note: See NFPA 99-2005, Standard for
Health Care Facilities, 4.4.2.2.2.2(3).
(3) Mechanical, control, and other accessories required for
effective life safety systems operation shall be permitted to be connected to the life safety branch.
(D) Communications Systems. Hospital communications
systems, where used for issuing instructions during emergency conditions.
(E) Generator Set and Transfer Switch Locations. Task
illumination battery charger for battery-powered lighting
unit(s) and selected receptacles at the generator set and
essential transfer switch locations. [99:4.4.2.2.2.2(5)]
(F) Generator Set Accessories. Generator set accessories
as required for generator performance. Loads dedicated to a
specific generator, including the fuel transfer pump(s), ventilation fans, electrically operated louvers, controls, cooling
system, and other generator accessories essential for generator operation, shall be connected to the life safety branch
or to the output terminals of the generator with over-current
protective devices. [ROP 15–70]
(G) Elevators. Elevator cab lighting, control, communications, and signal systems.
(H) Automatic Doors. Automatically operated doors used
for building egress. [99:4.4.2.2.2.2(7)]
70–475
517.33
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
517.34 Equipment Branch Connection to Alternate
Power Source. The equipment branch shall be installed
and connected to the alternate power source such that the
equipment described in 517.34(A) is automatically restored
to operation at appropriate time-lag intervals following the
energizing of the essential electrical system. Its arrangement shall also provide for the subsequent connection of
equipment described in 517.34(B). [99:4.4.2.2.3.2] [ROP
15–74]
Exception: For essential electrical systems under 150
kVA, deletion of the time-lag intervals feature for delayed
automatic connection to the equipment system shall be
permitted.
(A) Equipment for Delayed Automatic Connection. The
following equipment shall be permitted to be arranged for
delayed automatic connection to the alternate power
source:
(1) Central suction systems serving medical and surgical
functions, including controls. Such suction systems
shall be permitted on the critical branch.
(2) Sump pumps and other equipment required to operate
for the safety of major apparatus, including associated
control systems and alarms.
(3) Compressed air systems serving medical and surgical
functions, including controls. Such air systems shall be
permitted on the critical branch.
(4) Smoke control and stair pressurization systems, or
both.
(5) Kitchen hood supply or exhaust systems, or both, if
required to operate during a fire in or under the hood.
(6) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for airborne infectious/isolation rooms, protective environment rooms, exhaust fans for laboratory fume hoods,
nuclear medicine areas where radioactive material is
used, ethylene oxide evacuation, and anesthesia evacuation. Where delayed automatic connection is not appropriate, such ventilation systems shall be permitted to
be placed on the critical branch. [99:4.4.2.2.3.4(1)
through (6)]
(7) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for operating and delivery rooms.
(8) Supply, return, exhaust ventilating system and/or air
conditioning system serving telephone equipment
rooms and closets and data equipment rooms and closets. [ROP 15–75]
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(A) Task Illumination and Selected Receptacles. The
critical branch of the essential electrical system shall supply
power for task illumination, fixed equipment, selected receptacles, and special power circuits serving the following
areas and functions related to patient care: [ROP 15–72]
(1) Critical care areas that utilize anesthetizing gases —
task illumination, selected receptacles, and fixed equipment
(2) The isolated power systems in special environments
(3) Patient care areas — task illumination and selected receptacles in the following:
a. Infant nurseries
b. Medication preparation areas
c. Pharmacy dispensing areas
d. Selected acute nursing areas
e. Psychiatric bed areas (omit receptacles)
f. Ward treatment rooms
g. Nurses’ stations (unless adequately lighted by corridor luminaires)
(4) Additional specialized patient care task illumination
and receptacles, where needed
(5) Nurse call systems
(6) Blood, bone, and tissue banks
(7) Telephone and data equipment rooms and closets
[ROP 15–73]
(8) Task illumination, selected receptacles, and selected
power circuits for the following:
Informational Note: It is important to analyze the consequences of supplying an area with only critical care branch
power when failure occurs between the area and the transfer switch. Some proportion of normal and critical power or
critical power from separate transfer switches may be
appropriate.
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517.33 Critical Branch.
a. General care beds (at least one duplex receptacle in
each patient bedroom)
b. Angiographic labs
c. Cardiac catheterization labs
d. Coronary care units
e. Hemodialysis rooms or areas
f. Emergency room treatment areas (selected)
g. Human physiology labs
h. Intensive care units
i. Postoperative recovery rooms (selected)
(9) Additional task illumination, receptacles, and selected
power circuits needed for effective hospital operation.
Single-phase fractional horsepower motors shall be
permitted to be connected to the critical branch.
[99:4.4.2.2.2.3(9)]
(B) Switching. It shall be permissible to switch critical
branch task illumination with single pole, 3- and 4-way
switches. motion sensors, automatic load control relays,
dimming systems and low voltage control systems. [ROP
15–71]
(C) Subdivision of the Critical Branch. It shall be permitted to subdivide the critical branch into two or more
branches.
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(B) Equipment for Delayed Automatic or Manual Connection. The following equipment shall be permitted to be
arranged for either delayed automatic or manual connection
to the alternate power source:
(1) Heating equipment to provide heating for operating,
delivery, labor, recovery, intensive care, coronary care,
nurseries, infection/isolation rooms, emergency treatment spaces, and general patient rooms and pressure
maintenance (jockey or make-up) pump(s) for waterbased fire protection systems.
Exception: Heating of general patient rooms and
infection/isolation rooms during disruption of the normal
source shall not be required under any of the following
conditions:
517.35 Sources of Power.
(A) Two Independent Sources of Power. Essential electrical systems shall have a minimum of two independent
sources of power: a normal source generally supplying the
entire electrical system and one or more alternate sources
for use when the normal source is interrupted.
[99:4.4.1.1.4]
(B) Alternate Source of Power. The alternate source of
power shall be one of the following:
(1) Generator(s) driven by some form of prime mover(s)
and located on the premises
(2) Another generating unit(s) where the normal source
consists of a generating unit(s) located on the premises
(3) An external utility service when the normal source consists of a generating unit(s) located on the premises
(4) A battery system located on the premises [99:4.4.1.2]
AF
(1) The outside design temperature is higher than
−6.7°C (20°F).
(2) The outside design temperature is lower than
−6.7°C (20°F), and where a selected room(s) is provided
for the needs of all confined patients, only such room(s)
need be heated.
(3) The facility is served by a dual source of normal
power.
the transfer fuel pump, electrically operated louvers, and
other generator accessories essential for generator operation, shall be arranged for automatic connection to the alternate power source. [99:4.4.2.2.3.3]
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Exception: Sequential delayed automatic connection to the
alternate power source to prevent overloading the generator shall be permitted where engineering studies indicate it
is necessary.
517.40
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Informational Note No. 1: The design temperature is
based on the 971⁄2 percent design value as shown in Chapter
24 of the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (1997).
Informational Note No. 2: For a description of a dual
source of normal power, see 517.35(C), Informational
Note.
(2) An elevator(s) selected to provide service to patient,
surgical, obstetrical, and ground floors during interruption of normal power. In instances where interruption
of normal power would result in other elevators stopping between floors, throw-over facilities shall be provided to allow the temporary operation of any elevator
for the release of patients or other persons who may be
confined between floors.
(3) Hyperbaric facilities.
(4) Hypobaric facilities.
(5) Automatically operated doors
(6) Minimal electrically heated autoclaving equipment
shall be permitted to be arranged for either automatic
or manual connection to the alternate source.
(7) Controls for equipment listed in 517.34.
(8) Other selected equipment shall be permitted to be
served by the equipment system. [99:4.4.2.2.3.5(9)]
(C) AC Equipment for Nondelayed Automatic Connection. Generator accessories, including but not limited to,
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Location of Essential Electrical System Components. Careful consideration shall be given to the location
of the spaces housing the components of the essential electrical system to minimize interruptions caused by natural
forces common to the area (e.g., storms, floods, earthquakes, or hazards created by adjoining structures or activities). Consideration shall also be given to the possible interruption of normal electrical services resulting from
similar causes as well as possible disruption of normal electrical service due to internal wiring and equipment failures.
Consideration shall be given to the physical separation of
the main feeders of the alternate source from the main
feeders of the normal electrical source to prevent possible
simultaneous interruption. [ROP 15–78]
Informational Note: Facilities in which the normal source
of power is supplied by two or more separate central
station-fed services experience greater than normal electrical service reliability than those with only a single feed.
Such a dual source of normal power consists of two or
more electrical services fed from separate generator sets or
a utility distribution network that has multiple power input
sources and is arranged to provide mechanical and electrical separation so that a fault between the facility and the
generating sources is not likely to cause an interruption of
more than one of the facility service feeders.
517.40 Essential Electrical Systems for Nursing Homes
and Limited Care Facilities.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of Part III, 517.40(C)
through 517.44, shall apply to nursing homes and limited
care facilities.
70–477
517.41
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(a) Admitting and discharge policies are maintained
that preclude the provision of care for any patient or resident who may need to be sustained by electrical lifesupport equipment.
(b) No surgical treatment requiring general anesthesia
is offered.
(c) An automatic battery-operated system(s) or equipment is provided that shall be effective for at least 11⁄2
hours and is otherwise in accordance with 700.12 and that
shall be capable of supplying lighting for exit lights, exit
corridors, stairways, nursing stations, medical preparation
areas, boiler rooms, and communications areas. This system shall also supply power to operate all alarm systems.
[99:17.3.4.2.2(3), 18.3.4.2.2(3)]
Informational Note:
Code.
See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
fer switch shall be permitted to serve one or more branches
or systems in a facility with a maximum demand on the
essential electrical system of 150 kVA. [99:4.5.2.2.1]
Informational Note No. 1: See NFPA 99-2005, Standard
for Health Care Facilities, 4.5.3.2, Transfer Switch Operation Type II; 4.4.2.1.4, Automatic Transfer Switch Features;
and 4.4.2.1.6, Nonautomatic Transfer Device Features.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note Figure
517.41, No. 1.
Informational Note No. 3: See Informational Note Figure
517.41, No. 2.
Normal power
source
Alternate power
source
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Exception: The requirements of Part III, 517.40(C)
through 517.44, shall not apply to freestanding buildings
used as nursing homes and limited care facilities, provided
that the following apply:
Nonessential
loads
Automatic
switching
equipment
AF
(B) Inpatient Hospital Care Facilities. For those nursing
homes and limited care facilities that admit patients who
need to be sustained by electrical life support equipment,
the essential electrical system from the source to the portion of the facility where such patients are treated shall
comply with the requirements of Part III, 517.30 through
517.35.
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(C) Facilities Contiguous or Located on the Same Site
with Hospitals. Nursing homes and limited care facilities
that are contiguous or located on the same site with a hospital shall be permitted to have their essential electrical
systems supplied by that of the hospital.
Informational Note: For performance, maintenance, and
testing requirements of essential electrical systems in nursing homes and limited care facilities, see NFPA 99-2005,
Standard for Health Care Facilities.
Life safety
branch
Delayed
automatic
switching
equipment
Critical
branch
Essential electrical system
Informational Note Figure 517.41, No. 1 Nursing Home and
Limited Health Care Facilities — Minimum Requirement
(greater than 150 kVA) for Transfer Switch Arrangement.
[ROP 15–79]
Normal power
source
Alternate power
source
517.41 Essential Electrical Systems.
(A) General. Essential electrical systems for nursing
homes and limited care facilities shall be comprised of two
separate branches capable of supplying a limited amount of
lighting and power service, which is considered essential
for the protection of life safety and effective operation of
the institution during the time normal electrical service is
interrupted for any reason. These two separate branches
shall be the life safety branch and the critical branch. [99:
A.4.5.2.2.1]
(B) Transfer Switches. The number of transfer switches to
be used shall be based on reliability, design, and load considerations. Each branch of the essential electrical system
shall be served by one or more transfer switches. One trans-
70–478
Nonessential
loads
Automatic
switching
equipment
Critical
branch
Life safety
branch
Essential electrical system
Informational Note Figure 517.41, No. 2 Nursing Home and
Limited Health Care Facilities — Minimum Requirement (150
kVA or less) for Transfer Switch Arrangement. [ROP 15–79]
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(D) Separation from Other Circuits. The life safety
branch shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring
and equipment and shall not enter the same raceways,
boxes, or cabinets with other wiring except as follows:
(1) In transfer switches
(2) In exit or emergency luminaires supplied from two
sources
(3) In a common junction box attached to exit or emergency luminaires supplied from two sources
The wiring of the critical branch shall be permitted to
occupy the same raceways, boxes, or cabinets of other circuits that are not part of the life safety branch.
Informational Note: See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
Code, Sections 9.6 and 18.3.4.
(2) Alarms required for systems used for the piping of
nonflammable medical gases
Informational Note: See NFPA 99-2005, Standard for
Health Care Facilities, 4.4.2.2.2.2(3).
(D) Communications Systems. Communications systems,
where used for issuing instructions during emergency conditions.
(E) Dining and Recreation Areas. Sufficient lighting in
dining and recreation areas to provide illumination to exit
ways.
(F) Generator Set Location. Task illumination and selected receptacles in the generator set location.
(G) Elevators. Elevator cab lighting, control, communications, and signal systems. [99:4.4.2.2.2.2(6), 4.5.2.2.2(7)]
517.43 Connection to Critical Branch. The critical
branch shall be installed and connected to the alternate
power source so that the equipment listed in 517.43(A)
shall be automatically restored to operation at appropriate
time-lag intervals following the restoration of the life safety
branch to operation. Its arrangement shall also provide for
the additional connection of equipment listed in 517.43(B)
by either delayed automatic or manual operation.
[99:4.5.2.2.3.1]
AF
(E) Receptacle Identification. The cover plates for the
electrical receptacles or the electrical receptacles themselves supplied from the essential electrical system shall
have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily
identifiable. [99:6.5.2.2.4.2] [ROP 15–80, ROP 15–81]
Nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall have an illuminated face or an indicator light to
indicate that there is power to the receptacle. [ROP 15–80]
(1) Fire alarms
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(C) Capacity of System. The essential electrical system
shall have adequate capacity to meet the demand for the
operation of all functions and equipment to be served by
each branch at one time.
517.43
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517.42 Automatic Connection to Life Safety Branch.
The life safety branch shall be installed and connected to
the alternate source of power so that all functions specified
herein shall be automatically restored to operation within
10 seconds after the interruption of the normal source. No
functions other than those listed in 517.42(A) through (G)
shall be connected to the life safety branch. The life safety
branch shall supply power for the following lighting, receptacles, and equipment.
[ROP 15–82]
(A) Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination of
means of egress as is necessary for corridors, passageways,
stairways, landings, and exit doors and all ways of approach to exits. Switching arrangement to transfer patient
corridor lighting from general illumination circuits shall be
permitted, providing only one of two circuits can be selected and both circuits cannot be extinguished at the same
time.
Informational Note: See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
Code, Sections 7.8 and 7.9.
(B) Exit Signs. Exit signs and exit directional signs.
Informational Note:
Code, Section 7.10.
See NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety
(C) Alarm and Alerting Systems. Alarm and alerting systems, including the following:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: For essential electrical systems under 150
kVA, deletion of the time-lag intervals feature for delayed
automatic connection to the equipment branch shall be permitted. [ROP 15–83]
(A) Delayed Automatic Connection. The following
equipment shall be permitted to be connected to the critical
branch and shall be arranged for delayed automatic connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Patient care areas — task illumination and selected receptacles in the following:
a. Medication preparation areas
b. Pharmacy dispensing areas
c. Nurses’ stations (unless adequately lighted by corridor luminaires)
(2) Sump pumps and other equipment required to operate
for the safety of major apparatus and associated control
systems and alarms
(3) Smoke control and stair pressurization systems
(4) Kitchen hood supply and/or exhaust systems, if required to operate during a fire in or under the hood
(5) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for airborne infectious isolation rooms [99:4.5.2.2.3.3(1)
through (5)]
70–479
517.44
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Exception: Heating of general patient rooms during disruption of the normal source shall not be required under
any of the following conditions:
(1) The outside design temperature is higher than
−6.7°C (20°F).
(2) The outside design temperature is lower than
−6.7°C (20°F) and where a selected room(s) is provided for
the needs of all confined patients, only such room(s) need
be heated.
(3) The facility is served by a dual source of normal
power as described in 517.44(C), Informational Note.
Informational Note: The outside design temperature is
based on the 971⁄2 percent design values as shown in Chapter 24 of the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (1997).
Informational Note: Facilities in which the normal source
of power is supplied by two or more separate central
station-fed services experience greater than normal electrical service reliability than those with only a single feed.
Such a dual source of normal power consists of two or
more electrical services fed from separate generator sets or
a utility distribution network that has multiple power input
sources and is arranged to provide mechanical and electrical separation so that a fault between the facility and the
generating sources will not likely cause an interruption of
more than one of the facility service feeders.
517.45 Essential Electrical Systems for Other Health
Care Facilities.
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(2) Elevator service — in instances where disruption of
power would result in elevators stopping between
floors, throw-over facilities shall be provided to allow
the temporary operation of any elevator for the release
of passengers. For elevator cab lighting, control, and
signal system requirements, see 517.42(G).
(3) Additional illumination, receptacles, and equipment
shall be permitted to be connected only to the critical
branch.
(C) Location of Essential Electrical System Components. Careful consideration shall be given to the location
of the spaces housing the components of the essential electrical system to minimize interruptions caused by natural
forces common to the area (e.g., storms, floods, earthquakes, or hazards created by adjoining structures or activities). Consideration shall also be given to the possible interruption of normal electrical services resulting from
similar causes as well as possible disruption of normal electrical service due to internal wiring and equipment failures.
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(B) Delayed Automatic or Manual Connection. The following equipment shall be permitted to be connected to the
critical branch and shall be arranged for either delayed automatic or manual connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Heating equipment to provide heating for patient
rooms.
[99:4.5.2.2.3.4(A), (B), and (C)]
517.44 Sources of Power.
(A) Two Independent Sources of Power. Essential electrical systems shall have a minimum of two independent
sources of power: a normal source generally supplying the
entire electrical system and one or more alternate sources
for use when the normal source is interrupted.
[99:4.4.1.1.4]
(B) Alternate Source of Power. The alternate source of
power shall be a generator(s) driven by some form of prime
mover(s) and located on the premises.
Exception No. 1: Where the normal source consists of
generating units on the premises, the alternate source shall
be either another generator set or an external utility
service.
Exception No. 2: Nursing homes or limited care facilities
meeting the requirement of 517.40(A) and other health care
facilities meeting the requirement of 517.45 shall be permitted to use a battery system or self-contained battery
integral with the equipment.
70–480
(A) Essential Electrical Distribution. The essential electrical distribution system shall be a battery or generator
system.
Informational Note: See NFPA 99-2005, Standard for
Health Care Facilities.
(B) Electrical Life Support Equipment. Where electrical
life support equipment is required, the essential electrical
distribution system shall be as described in 517.30 through
517.35. [99:14.3.4.2.1]
(C) Critical Care Areas. Where critical care areas are
present, the essential electrical distribution system shall be
as described in 517.30 through 517.35. [99:14.3.4.2.2]
(D) Power Systems. Battery systems shall be installed in
accordance with the requirements of Article 700, and generator systems shall be as described in 517.30 through
517.35.
IV. Inhalation Anesthetizing Locations
Informational Note: For further information regarding
safeguards for anesthetizing locations, see NFPA 99-2005,
Standard for Health Care Facilities.
517.60 Anesthetizing Location Classification.
Informational Note: If either of the anesthetizing locations
in 517.60(A) or 517.60(B) is designated a wet procedure
location, refer to 517.20.
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Location.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(2) Storage Location. Any room or location in which
flammable anesthetics or volatile flammable disinfecting
agents are stored shall be considered to be a Class I, Division 1 location from floor to ceiling.
(B) Other-Than-Hazardous (Classified) Location. Any
inhalation anesthetizing location designated for the exclusive use of nonflammable anesthetizing agents shall be considered to be an other-than-hazardous (classified) location.
517.61 Wiring and Equipment.
(A) Within Hazardous (Classified) Anesthetizing Locations.
(7) Flexible Cord Storage. A storage device for the flexible cord shall be provided and shall not subject the cord to
bending at a radius of less than 75 mm (3 in.).
(B) Above Hazardous (Classified) Anesthetizing Locations.
(1) Wiring Methods. Wiring above a hazardous (classified) location referred to in 517.60 shall be installed in rigid
metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, intermediate metal
conduit, Type MI cable, or Type MC cable that employs a
continuous, gas/vaportight metal sheath.
(2) Equipment Enclosure. Installed equipment that may
produce arcs, sparks, or particles of hot metal, such as
lamps and lampholders for fixed lighting, cutouts, switches,
generators, motors, or other equipment having make-andbreak or sliding contacts, shall be of the totally enclosed
type or be constructed so as to prevent escape of sparks or
hot metal particles.
AF
(1) Isolation. Except as permitted in 517.160, each power
circuit within, or partially within, a flammable anesthetizing location as referred to in 517.60 shall be isolated from
any distribution system by the use of an isolated power
system. [99: Annex E, E.6.6.2]
equipment, including lamps operating at more than 8 volts
between conductors, shall be of a type approved for extrahard usage in accordance with Table 400.4 and shall include an additional conductor for grounding.
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(1) Use Location. In a location where flammable anesthetics are employed, the entire area shall be considered to be a
Class I, Division 1 location that extends upward to a level
1.52 m (5 ft) above the floor. The remaining volume up to
the structural ceiling is considered to be above a hazardous
(classified) location. [99: Annex E, E.1, and E.2]
517.61
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(2) Design and Installation. Where an isolated power system is utilized, the isolated power equipment shall be listed
as isolated power equipment, and the isolated power system
shall be designed and installed in accordance with 517.160.
(3) Equipment Operating at More Than 10 Volts. In
hazardous (classified) locations referred to in 517.60, all
fixed wiring and equipment and all portable equipment,
including lamps and other utilization equipment, operating
at more than 10 volts between conductors shall comply
with the requirements of 501.1 through 501.25, and
501.100 through 501.150, and 501.30(A) and 501.30(B) for
Class I, Division 1 locations. All such equipment shall be
specifically approved for the hazardous atmospheres involved. [99: Annex E, E.2.1, E.4.5, E.4.6, and E.4.7]
(4) Extent of Location. Where a box, fitting, or enclosure
is partially, but not entirely, within a hazardous (classified)
location(s), the hazardous (classified) location(s) shall be
considered to be extended to include the entire box, fitting,
or enclosure.
Exception: Wall-mounted receptacles installed above the
hazardous (classified) location in flammable anesthetizing
locations shall not be required to be totally enclosed or
have openings guarded or screened to prevent dispersion of
particles.
(3) Luminaires. Surgical and other luminaires shall conform to 501.130(B).
Exception No. 1: The surface temperature limitations set
forth in 501.130(B)(1) shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: Integral or pendant switches that are
located above and cannot be lowered into the hazardous
(classified) location(s) shall not be required to be
explosionproof.
(4) Seals. Listed seals shall be provided in conformance
with 501.15, and 501.15(A)(4) shall apply to horizontal as
well as to vertical boundaries of the defined hazardous
(classified) locations.
(5) Receptacles and Attachment Plugs. Receptacles and
attachment plugs in a hazardous (classified) location(s)
shall be listed for use in Class I, Group C hazardous (classified) locations and shall have provision for the connection
of a grounding conductor.
(5) Receptacles and Attachment Plugs. Receptacles and
attachment plugs located above hazardous (classified) anesthetizing locations shall be listed for hospital use for services of prescribed voltage, frequency, rating, and number
of conductors with provision for the connection of the
grounding conductor. This requirement shall apply to attachment plugs and receptacles of the 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding type for single-phase, 120-volt, nominal, ac service.
(6) Flexible Cord Type. Flexible cords used in hazardous
(classified) locations for connection to portable utilization
(6) 250-Volt Receptacles and Attachment Plugs Rated
50 and 60 Amperes. Receptacles and attachment plugs
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70–481
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
rated 250 volts, for connection of 50-ampere and 60ampere ac medical equipment for use above hazardous
(classified) locations, shall be arranged so that the 60ampere receptacle will accept either the 50-ampere or the
60-ampere plug. Fifty-ampere receptacles shall be designed
so as not to accept the 60-ampere attachment plug. The
attachment plugs shall be of the 2-pole, 3-wire design with
a third contact connecting to the insulated (green or green
with yellow stripe) equipment grounding conductor of the
electrical system.
(C) Other-Than-Hazardous (Classified) Anesthetizing
Locations.
Exception: Equipment operating at not more than 10 volts
between conductors shall not be required to be connected
to an equipment grounding conductor.
517.63 Grounded Power Systems in Anesthetizing Locations.
(A) Battery-Powered Lighting Units. One or more
battery-powered lighting units shall be provided and shall
be permitted to be wired to the critical lighting circuit in the
area and connected ahead of any local switches.
(B) Branch-Circuit Wiring. Branch circuits supplying
only listed, fixed, therapeutic and diagnostic equipment,
permanently installed above the hazardous (classified) location and in other-than-hazardous (classified) locations, shall
be permitted to be supplied from a normal grounded service, single- or three-phase system, provided the following
apply:
(1) Wiring for grounded and isolated circuits does not occupy the same raceway or cable.
(2) All conductive surfaces of the equipment are connected
to an equipment grounding conductor.
(3) Equipment (except enclosed X-ray tubes and the leads
to the tubes) is located at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above the
floor or outside the anesthetizing location.
(4) Switches for the grounded branch circuit are located
outside the hazardous (classified) location.
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(1) Wiring Methods. Wiring serving other-than-hazardous
(classified) locations, as defined in 517.60, shall be installed in a metal raceway system or cable assembly. The
metal raceway system or cable armor or sheath assembly
shall qualify as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118. Type MC and Type MI cable shall
have an outer metal armor, sheath, or sheath assembly that
is identified as an acceptable equipment grounding conductor.
conductor. Grounding and bonding in Class I locations
shall comply with 501.30.
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517.62
Exception: Pendant receptacle installations that employ
listed Type SJO, or equivalent hard usage or extra-hard
usage, flexible cords suspended not less than 1.8 m (6 ft)
from the floor shall not be required to be installed in a
metal raceway or cable assembly.
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(2) Receptacles and Attachment Plugs. Receptacles and
attachment plugs installed and used in other-than-hazardous
(classified) locations shall be listed “hospital grade” for
services of prescribed voltage, frequency, rating, and number of conductors with provision for connection of the
grounding conductor. This requirement shall apply to
2-pole, 3-wire grounding type for single-phase, 120-, 208-,
or 240-volt, nominal, ac service.
(3) 250-Volt Receptacles and Attachment Plugs Rated
50 Amperes and 60 Amperes. Receptacles and attachment
plugs rated 250 volts, for connection of 50-ampere and
60-ampere ac medical equipment for use in other-thanhazardous (classified) locations, shall be arranged so that
the 60-ampere receptacle will accept either the 50-ampere
or the 60-ampere plug. Fifty-ampere receptacles shall be
designed so as not to accept the 60-ampere attachment
plug. The attachment plugs shall be of the 2-pole, 3-wire
design with a third contact connecting to the insulated
(green or green with yellow stripe) equipment grounding
conductor of the electrical system.
517.62 Grounding. In any anesthetizing area, all metal
raceways and metal-sheathed cables and all normally non–
current-carrying conductive portions of fixed electrical
equipment shall be connected to an equipment grounding
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Exception: Sections 517.63(B)(3) and (B)(4) shall not apply in other-than-hazardous (classified) locations.
(C) Fixed Lighting Branch Circuits. Branch circuits supplying only fixed lighting shall be permitted to be supplied
by a normal grounded service, provided the following apply:
(1) Such luminaires are located at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above
the floor.
(2) All conductive surfaces of luminaires are connected to
an equipment grounding conductor.
(3) Wiring for circuits supplying power to luminaires does
not occupy the same raceway or cable for circuits supplying isolated power.
(4) Switches are wall-mounted and located above hazardous (classified) locations.
Exception: Sections 517.63(C)(1) and (C)(4) shall not apply in other-than-hazardous (classified) locations.
(D) Remote-Control Stations. Wall-mounted remotecontrol stations for remote-control switches operating at 24
volts or less shall be permitted to be installed in any anesthetizing location.
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
(F) Circuits in Anesthetizing Locations. Except as permitted above, each power circuit within, or partially within,
a flammable anesthetizing location as referred to in 517.60
shall be isolated from any distribution system supplying
other-than-anesthetizing locations.
517.64 Low-Voltage Equipment and Instruments.
Informational Note: Any interruption of the circuit, even
circuits as low as 10 volts, either by any switch or loose or
defective connections anywhere in the circuit, may produce
a spark that is sufficient to ignite flammable anesthetic
agents.
V. X-Ray Installations
Nothing in this part shall be construed as specifying safeguards against the useful beam or stray X-ray radiation.
Informational Note No. 1: Radiation safety and performance requirements of several classes of X-ray equipment
are regulated under Public Law 90-602 and are enforced by
the Department of Health and Human Services.
Informational Note No. 2: In addition, information on radiation protection by the National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements is published as Reports of the
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. These reports are obtainable from NCRP Publications, P.O. Box 30175, Washington, DC 20014.
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(A) Equipment Requirements. Low-voltage equipment
that is frequently in contact with the bodies of persons or
has exposed current-carrying elements shall comply with
one of the following:
(1) Operate on an electrical potential of 10 volts or less
(2) Be approved as intrinsically safe or double-insulated
equipment
(3) Be moisture resistant
(F) Receptacles or Attachment Plugs. Any receptacle or
attachment plug used on low-voltage circuits shall be of a
type that does not permit interchangeable connection with
circuits of higher voltage.
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(E) Location of Isolated Power Systems. Where an isolated power system is utilized, the isolated power equipment shall be listed as isolated power equipment. Isolated
power system equipment and its supply circuit shall be
permitted to be located in an anesthetizing location, provided it is installed above a hazardous (classified) location
or in an other-than-hazardous (classified) location.
517.72
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(B) Power Supplies. Power shall be supplied to lowvoltage equipment from one of the following:
(1) An individual portable isolating transformer (autotransformers shall not be used) connected to an isolated
power circuit receptacle by means of an appropriate
cord and attachment plug
(2) A common low-voltage isolating transformer installed
in an other-than-hazardous (classified) location
(3) Individual dry-cell batteries
(4) Common batteries made up of storage cells located in
an other-than-hazardous (classified) location
(C) Isolated Circuits. Isolating-type transformers for supplying low-voltage circuits shall have both of the following:
(1) Approved means for insulating the secondary circuit
from the primary circuit
(2) The core and case connected to an equipment grounding conductor
(D) Controls. Resistance or impedance devices shall be
permitted to control low-voltage equipment but shall not be
used to limit the maximum available voltage to the equipment.
(E) Battery-Powered Appliances. Battery-powered appliances shall not be capable of being charged while in operation unless their charging circuitry incorporates an integral
isolating-type transformer.
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517.71 Connection to Supply Circuit.
(A) Fixed and Stationary Equipment. Fixed and stationary X-ray equipment shall be connected to the power supply by means of a wiring method complying with applicable requirements of Chapters 1 through 4 of this Code, as
modified by this article.
Exception: Equipment properly supplied by a branch circuit rated at not over 30 amperes shall be permitted to be
supplied through a suitable attachment plug and hardservice cable or cord.
(B) Portable, Mobile, and Transportable Equipment.
Individual branch circuits shall not be required for portable,
mobile, and transportable medical X-ray equipment requiring a capacity of not over 60 amperes.
(C) Over 1000-Volt Supply. Circuits and equipment operated on a supply circuit of over 1000 volts shall comply
with Article 490. [ROP 15–90]
517.72 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Capacity. A disconnecting means of adequate capacity
for at least 50 percent of the input required for the momentary rating or 100 percent of the input required for the
long-time rating of the X-ray equipment, whichever is
greater, shall be provided in the supply circuit.
(B) Location. The disconnecting means shall be operable
from a location readily accessible from the X-ray control.
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517.73
ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
517.73 Rating of Supply Conductors and Overcurrent
Protection.
(A) Diagnostic Equipment.
(1) Branch Circuits. The ampacity of supply branchcircuit conductors and the current rating of overcurrent protective devices shall not be less than 50 percent of the
momentary rating or 100 percent of the long-time rating,
whichever is greater.
517.76 Transformers and Capacitors. Transformers and
capacitors that are part of X-ray equipment shall not be
required to comply with Articles 450 and 460.
Capacitors shall be mounted within enclosures of insulating material or grounded metal.
517.77 Installation of High-Tension X-Ray Cables.
Cables with grounded shields connecting X-ray tubes and
image intensifiers shall be permitted to be installed in cable
trays or cable troughs along with X-ray equipment control
and power supply conductors without the need for barriers
to separate the wiring.
517.78 Guarding and Grounding.
(A) High-Voltage Parts. All high-voltage parts, including
X-ray tubes, shall be mounted within grounded enclosures.
Air, oil, gas, or other suitable insulating media shall be used
to insulate the high-voltage from the grounded enclosure.
The connection from the high-voltage equipment to X-ray
tubes and other high-voltage components shall be made
with high-voltage shielded cables.
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(2) Feeders. The ampacity of supply feeders and the current rating of overcurrent protective devices supplying two
or more branch circuits supplying X-ray units shall not be
less than 50 percent of the momentary demand rating of the
largest unit plus 25 percent of the momentary demand rating of the next largest unit plus 10 percent of the momentary demand rating of each additional unit. Where simultaneous biplane examinations are undertaken with the X-ray
units, the supply conductors and overcurrent protective devices shall be 100 percent of the momentary demand rating
of each X-ray unit.
equipment moved to and reinstalled at a new location shall
be of an approved type.
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(C) Portable Equipment. For equipment connected to a
120-volt branch circuit of 30 amperes or less, a groundingtype attachment plug and receptacle of proper rating shall
be permitted to serve as a disconnecting means.
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Informational Note: The minimum conductor size for
branch and feeder circuits is also governed by voltage regulation requirements. For a specific installation, the manufacturer usually specifies minimum distribution transformer
and conductor sizes, rating of disconnecting means, and
overcurrent protection.
(B) Therapeutic Equipment. The ampacity of conductors
and rating of overcurrent protective devices shall not be
less than 100 percent of the current rating of medical X-ray
therapy equipment.
Informational Note: The ampacity of the branch-circuit
conductors and the ratings of disconnecting means and
overcurrent protection for X-ray equipment are usually designated by the manufacturer for the specific installation.
517.74 Control Circuit Conductors.
(A) Number of Conductors in Raceway. The number of
control circuit conductors installed in a raceway shall be
determined in accordance with 300.17.
(B) Minimum Size of Conductors. Size 18 AWG or 16
AWG fixture wires as specified in 725.49 and flexible cords
shall be permitted for the control and operating circuits of
X-ray and auxiliary equipment where protected by not
larger than 20-ampere overcurrent devices.
517.75 Equipment Installations. All equipment for new
X-ray installations and all used or reconditioned X-ray
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(B) Low-Voltage Cables. Low-voltage cables connecting
to oil-filled units that are not completely sealed, such as
transformers, condensers, oil coolers, and high-voltage
switches, shall have insulation of the oil-resistant type.
(C) Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts. Non–currentcarrying metal parts of X-ray and associated equipment
(controls, tables, X-ray tube supports, transformer tanks,
shielded cables, X-ray tube heads, etc.) shall be connected
to an equipment grounding conductor in the manner specified in Part VII of Article 250, as modified by 517.13(A)
and (B).
VI. Communications, Signaling Systems, Data
Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, and Systems Less
Than 120 Volts, Nominal
517.80 Patient Care Areas. Equivalent insulation and isolation to that required for the electrical distribution systems
in patient care areas shall be provided for communications,
signaling systems, data system circuits, fire alarm systems,
and systems less than 120 volts, nominal.
Class 2 and Class 3 signaling and communications systems and power-limited fire alarm systems shall not be required to comply with the grounding requirements of
517.13, to comply with the mechanical protection requirements of 517.30(C)(3)(5), or to be enclosed in raceways,
unless otherwise specified by Chapter 7 or 8.
Secondary circuits of transformer-powered communications or signaling systems shall not be required to be en-
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ARTICLE 517 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
517.81 Other-Than-Patient-Care Areas. In other-thanpatient-care areas, installations shall be in accordance with
the applicable provisions of other parts of this Code.
517.82 Signal Transmission Between Appliances.
(A) General. Permanently installed signal cabling from an
appliance in a patient location to remote appliances shall
employ a signal transmission system that prevents hazardous grounding interconnection of the appliances.
Informational Note: See 517.13(A) for additional grounding requirements in patient care areas.
VII. Isolated Power Systems
517.160 Isolated Power Systems.
(A) Installations.
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(1) Isolated Power Circuits. Each isolated power circuit
shall be controlled by a switch or circuit breaker that has a
disconnecting pole in each isolated circuit conductor to simultaneously disconnect all power. Such isolation shall be
accomplished by means of one or more isolation transformers, by means of generator sets, or by means of electrically
isolated batteries. Conductors of isolated power circuits
shall not be installed in cables, raceways, or other enclosures containing conductors of another system.
(2) Circuit Characteristics. Circuits supplying primaries
of isolating transformers shall operate at not more than 600
volts between conductors and shall be provided with proper
overcurrent protection. The secondary voltage of such
transformers shall not exceed 600 volts between conductors
of each circuit. All circuits supplied from such secondaries
shall be ungrounded and shall have an approved overcurrent device of proper ratings in each conductor. Circuits
supplied directly from batteries or from motor generator
sets shall be ungrounded and shall be protected against
overcurrent in the same manner as transformer-fed secondary circuits. If an electrostatic shield is present, it shall be
connected to the reference grounding point. [99:4.3.2.6.1]
(3) Equipment Location. The isolating transformers, motor generator sets, batteries and battery chargers, and associated primary or secondary overcurrent devices shall not
be installed in hazardous (classified) locations. The isolated
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(4) Isolation Transformers. An isolation transformer shall
not serve more than one operating room except as covered
in (A)(4)(a) and (A)(4)(b).
For purposes of this section, anesthetic induction rooms
are considered part of the operating room or rooms served
by the induction rooms.
(a) Induction Rooms. Where an induction room serves
more than one operating room, the isolated circuits of the
induction room shall be permitted to be supplied from the
isolation transformer of any one of the operating rooms
served by that induction room.
(b) Higher Voltages. Isolation transformers shall be
permitted to serve single receptacles in several patient areas
where the following apply:
(1) The receptacles are reserved for supplying power to
equipment requiring 150 volts or higher, such as portable X-ray units.
(2) The receptacles and mating plugs are not interchangeable with the receptacles on the local isolated power
system.
[99:13.4.1.2.6.6]
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(B) Common Signal Grounding Wire. Common signal
grounding wires (i.e., the chassis ground for single-ended
transmission) shall be permitted to be used between appliances all located within the patient care vicinity, provided
the appliances are served from the same reference grounding point.
secondary circuit wiring extending into a hazardous anesthetizing location shall be installed in accordance with
501.10.
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closed in raceways unless otherwise specified by Chapter 7
or 8. [99:4.4.2.2.4.6]
517.160
(5) Conductor Identification. The isolated circuit conductors shall be identified as follows:
(1) Isolated Conductor No. 1 — Orange with at least one
distinctive colored stripe other than white, green, or
gray along the entire length of the conductor
(2) Isolated Conductor No. 2 — Brown with at least one
distinctive colored stripe other than white, green, or
gray along the entire length of the conductor
For 3-phase systems, the third conductor shall be identified as yellow with at least one distinctive colored stripe
other than white, green, or gray along the entire length of
the conductor. Where isolated circuit conductors supply
125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, the
striped orange conductor(s) shall be connected to the terminal(s) on the receptacles that are identified in accordance
with 200.10(B) for connection to the grounded circuit conductor.
(6) Wire-Pulling Compounds. Wire-pulling compounds
that increase the dielectric constant shall not be used on the
secondary conductors of the isolated power supply.
Informational Note No. 1: It is desirable to limit the size
of the isolation transformer to 10 kVA or less and to use
conductor insulation with low leakage to meet impedance
requirements.
Informational Note No. 2: Minimizing the length of
branch-circuit conductors and using conductor insulations
with a dielectric constant less than 3.5 and insulation resis-
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518.1
ARTICLE 518 — ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES
tance constant greater than 6100 megohm-meters (20,000
megohm-feet) at 16°C (60°F) reduces leakage from line to
ground, reducing the hazard current.
separate display panel section on which the alarm or test
functions are located.
Informational Note: It is desirable to locate the ammeter
so that it is conspicuously visible to persons in the anesthetizing location.
(1) Characteristics. In addition to the usual control and
overcurrent protective devices, each isolated power system
shall be provided with a continually operating line isolation
monitor that indicates total hazard current. The monitor
shall be designed such that a green signal lamp, conspicuously visible to persons in each area served by the isolated
power system, remains lighted when the system is adequately isolated from ground. An adjacent red signal lamp
and an audible warning signal (remote if desired) shall be
energized when the total hazard current (consisting of possible resistive and capacitive leakage currents) from either
isolated conductor to ground reaches a threshold value of 5
mA under nominal line voltage conditions. The line monitor shall not alarm for a fault hazard of less than 3.7 mA or
for a total hazard current of less than 5 mA.
518.1 Scope. Except for the assembly occupancies explicitly covered by 520.1, this article covers all buildings or
portions of buildings or structures designed or intended for
the gathering together of 100 or more persons for such
purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating,
drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar
purposes.
518.2 General Classification.
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Exception: A system shall be permitted to be designed to
operate at a lower threshold value of total hazard current.
A line isolation monitor for such a system shall be permitted to be approved, with the provision that the fault hazard
current shall be permitted to be reduced but not to less than
35 percent of the corresponding threshold value of the total
hazard current, and the monitor hazard current is to be
correspondingly reduced to not more than 50 percent of the
alarm threshold value of the total hazard current.
ARTICLE 518
Assembly Occupancies
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(B) Line Isolation Monitor.
(2) Impedance. The line isolation monitor shall be designed to have sufficient internal impedance such that,
when properly connected to the isolated system, the maximum internal current that can flow through the line isolation monitor, when any point of the isolated system is
grounded, shall be 1 mA.
Exception: The line isolation monitor shall be permitted to
be of the low-impedance type such that the current through
the line isolation monitor, when any point of the isolated
system is grounded, will not exceed twice the alarm threshold value for a period not exceeding 5 milliseconds.
Informational Note: Reduction of the monitor hazard current, provided this reduction results in an increased “not
alarm” threshold value for the fault hazard current, will
increase circuit capacity.
(3) Ammeter. An ammeter calibrated in the total hazard
current of the system (contribution of the fault hazard current plus monitor hazard current) shall be mounted in a
plainly visible place on the line isolation monitor with the
“alarm on” zone at approximately the center of the scale.
Exception: The line isolation monitor shall be permitted to
be a composite unit, with a sensing section cabled to a
70–486
(A) Examples. Assembly occupancies shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
Armories
Assembly halls
Auditoriums
Bowling lanes
Club rooms
Conference rooms
Courtrooms
Dance halls
Dining and drinking
facilities
Exhibition halls
Gymnasiums
Mortuary chapels
Multipurpose rooms
Museums
Places of awaiting transportation
Places of religious worship
Pool rooms
Restaurants
Skating rinks
(B) Multiple Occupancies. Where an assembly occupancy
forms a portion of a building containing other occupancies,
Article 518 applies only to that portion of the building
considered an assembly occupancy. Occupancy of any
room or space for assembly purposes by less than 100 persons in a building of other occupancy, and incidental to
such other occupancy, shall be classified as part of the other
occupancy and subject to the provisions applicable thereto.
(C) Theatrical Areas. Where any such building structure,
or portion thereof, contains a projection booth or stage platform or area for the presentation of theatrical or musical
productions, either fixed or portable, the wiring for that
area, including associated audience seating areas, and all
equipment that is used in the referenced area, and portable
equipment and wiring for use in the production that will not
be connected to permanently installed wiring, shall comply
with Article 520.
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ARTICLE 518 — ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES
518.3 Other Articles.
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Areas. Electrical installations
in hazardous (classified) areas located in assembly occupancies shall comply with Article 500.
(B) Nonrated Construction. In addition to the wiring
methods of 518.4(A), nonmetallic-sheathed cable, Type AC
cable, electrical nonmetallic tubing, and rigid nonmetallic
conduit shall be permitted to be installed in those buildings
or portions thereof that are not required to be of fire-rated
construction by the applicable building code.
Informational Note: Fire-rated construction is the fireresistive classification used in building codes.
(C) Spaces with Finish Rating. Electrical nonmetallic
tubing and rigid nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted to
be installed in club rooms, conference and meeting rooms
in hotels or motels, courtrooms, dining facilities, restaurants, mortuary chapels, museums, libraries, and places of
religious worship where the following apply:
(1) The electrical nonmetallic tubing or rigid nonmetallic
conduit is installed concealed within walls, floors, and
ceilings where the walls, floors, and ceilings provide a
thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute
finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies.
(2) The electrical nonmetallic tubing or rigid nonmetallic
conduit is installed above suspended ceilings where the
suspended ceilings provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies.
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(B) Temporary Wiring. In exhibition halls used for display booths, as in trade shows, the temporary wiring shall
be permitted to be installed in accordance with Article 590.
Flexible cables and cords approved for hard or extra-hard
usage shall be permitted to be laid on floors where protected from contact by the general public. The ground-fault
circuit-interrupter requirements of 590.6 shall not apply. All
other ground-fault circuit-interrupter requirements of this
Code shall apply.
Where ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for
personnel is supplied by plug-and-cord-connection to the
branch circuit or to the feeder, the ground fault circuit interrupter protection shall be listed as portable ground fault
circuit interrupter protection or provide a level of protection
equivalent to a portable ground fault circuit interrupter,
whether assembled in the field or at the factory.
(d) Fire alarm circuits — Article 760
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Informational Note: For methods of determining population capacity, see local building code or, in its absence,
NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code.
518.5
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Exception: Where conditions of supervision and maintenance ensure that only qualified persons will service the
installation, flexible cords or cables identified in Table
400.4 for hard usage or extra-hard usage shall be permitted in cable trays used only for temporary wiring. All cords
or cables shall be installed in a single layer. A permanent
sign shall be attached to the cable tray at intervals not to
exceed 7.5 m (25 ft). The sign shall read
CABLE TRAY FOR TEMPORARY WIRING ONLY
(C) Emergency Systems. Control of emergency systems
shall comply with Article 700.
518.4 Wiring Methods.
(A) General. The fixed wiring methods shall be metal
raceways, flexible metal raceways, nonmetallic raceways
encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, Type
MI, MC, or AC cable. The wiring method shall itself
qualify as an equipment grounding conductor according to
250.118 or shall contain an insulated equipment grounding
conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122.
Exception: Fixed wiring methods shall be as provided in
(a) Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment — Article 640
(b) Communications circuits — Article 800
(c) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control and signaling
circuits — Article 725
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Electrical nonmetallic tubing and rigid nonmetallic conduit are not recognized for use in other space used for
environmental air in accordance with 300.22(C).
Informational Note: A finish rating is established for assemblies containing combustible (wood) supports. The finish rating is defined as the time at which the wood stud or
wood joist reaches an average temperature rise of 121°C
(250°F) or an individual temperature rise of 163°C (325°F)
as measured on the plane of the wood nearest the fire. A
finish rating is not intended to represent a rating for a membrane ceiling.
518.5 Supply. Portable switchboards and portable power
distribution equipment shall be supplied only from listed
power outlets of sufficient voltage and ampere rating. Such
power outlets shall be protected by overcurrent devices.
Such overcurrent devices and power outlets shall not be
accessible to the general public. Provisions for connection
of an equipment grounding conductor shall be provided.
The neutral conductor of feeders supplying solid-state
phase control, 3-phase, 4-wire dimmer systems shall be
considered a current-carrying conductor for purposes of
ampacity adjustment. The neutral conductor of feeders supplying solid-state sine wave, 3-phase, 4-wire dimming systems shall not be considered a current-carrying conductor
for purposes of ampacity adjustment.
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520.1
ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
Exception: The neutral conductor of feeders supplying
systems that use or may use both phase-control and sinewave dimmers shall be considered as current-carrying for
purposes of ampacity adjustment.
Informational Note: For definitions of solid-state dimmer
types, see 520.2.
ARTICLE 520
Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion
Picture and Television Studios,
Performance Areas, and Similar
Locations
Portable Power Distribution Unit. A power distribution
box containing receptacles and overcurrent devices.
Proscenium. The wall and arch that separates the stage
from the auditorium (house).
Solid-State Phase-Control Dimmer. A solid-state dimmer
where the wave shape of the steady-state current does not
follow the wave shape of the applied voltage, such that the
wave shape is nonlinear.
Solid-State Sine Wave Dimmer. A solid-state dimmer
where the wave shape of the steady-state current follows
the wave shape of the applied voltage such that the wave
shape is linear.
520.1 Scope. This article covers all buildings or that part
of a building or structure, indoor or outdoor, designed or
used for presentation, dramatic, musical, motion picture
projection, or similar purposes and to specific audience
seating areas within motion picture or television studios.
Stage Lighting Hoist. A motorized lifting device that contains a mounting position for one or more luminaires with
wiring devices for connection of luminaires to branch circuits, and integral flexible cables to allow the luminaires to
travel over the lifting range of the hoist while energized.
[ROP 15–99]
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520.2 Definitions.
Border Light. A permanently installed overhead strip light.
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Breakout Assembly. An adapter used to connect a multipole connector containing two or more branch circuits to
multiple individual branch-circuit connectors.
Bundled. Cables or conductors that are tied, wrapped,
taped, or otherwise periodically bound together.
Connector Strip. A metal wireway containing pendant or
flush receptacles.
Drop Box. A box containing pendant- or flush-mounted
receptacles attached to a multiconductor cable via strain
relief or a multipole connector.
Footlight. A border light installed on or in the stage.
Grouped. Cables or conductors positioned adjacent to one
another but not in continuous contact with each other.
Performance Area. The stage and audience seating area
associated with a temporary stage structure, whether indoors or outdoors, constructed of scaffolding, truss, platforms, or similar devices, that is used for the presentation
of theatrical or musical productions or for public presentations.
Portable Equipment. Equipment fed with portable cords
or cables intended to be moved from one place to another.
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I. General
Stage Equipment. Equipment at any location on the premises integral to the stage production, including but not
limited to equipment for lighting, audio , special effects,
rigging, motion control, projection or video. [ROP 15–98]
Stage Switchboard. A switchboard, panelboard, or rack
containing dimmers or relays with associated overcurrent
protective devices, or overcurrent protective devices alone,
used primarily to feed stage equipment. [ROP 15–98]
Stand Lamp (Work Light). A portable stand that contains
a general-purpose luminaire or lampholder with guard for
the purpose of providing general illumination on the stage
or in the auditorium.
Strip Light. A luminaire with multiple lamps arranged in a
row.
Two-Fer. An adapter cable containing one male plug and
two female cord connectors used to connect two loads to
one branch circuit.
520.3 Motion Picture Projectors. Motion picture equipment and its installation and use shall comply with Article
540.
520.4 Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and Reproduction Equipment. Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment and its installation shall
comply with Article 640.
520.5 Wiring Methods.
(A) General. The fixed wiring method shall be metal raceways, nonmetallic raceways encased in at least 50 mm
(2 in.) of concrete, Type MI cable, MC cable, or AC cable
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
Exception: Fixed wiring methods shall be as provided in
Article 640 for audio signal processing, amplification, and
reproduction equipment, in Article 800 for communications
circuits, in Article 725 for Class 2 and Class 3 remotecontrol and signaling circuits, and in Article 760 for fire
alarm circuits.
(B) Portable Equipment. The wiring for portable switchboards, stage set lighting, stage effects, and other wiring not
fixed as to location shall be permitted with approved flexible cords and cables as provided elsewhere in Article 520.
Fastening such cables and cords by uninsulated staples or
nailing shall not be permitted.
II. Fixed Stage Switchboards
520.21 General. Fixed stage switchboards shall comply
with (1) through (4) below:
(1) Fixed stage switchboards shall be listed.
(2) Fixed stage switchboards shall be readily accessible but
shall not be required to be located on or adjacent to the
stage. Multiple fixed stage switchboards shall be permitted at different locations.
(3) A fixed stage switchboard shall contain overcurrent
protective devices for all branch circuits supplied by
that switchboard.
(4) A fixed stage switchboard shall be permitted to supply
both stage and non-stage equipment.
[ROP 15–107, ROP 15–108, ROP 15–108a, ROP 15–110]
520.25 Dimmers. Dimmers shall comply with 520.25(A)
through (D).
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(C) Nonrated Construction. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable,
Type AC cable, electrical nonmetallic tubing, and rigid
nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted to be installed in
those buildings or portions thereof that are not required to
be of fire-rated construction by the applicable building
code.
be permitted for temporary use outdoors, provided the
equipment is supervised by qualified personnel while energized and barriered from the general public.
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containing an insulated equipment grounding conductor
sized in accordance with Table 250.122.
520.25
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520.6 Number of Conductors in Raceway. The number
of conductors permitted in any metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit as permitted in this article, or electrical metallic tubing for circuits or for remote-control conductors
shall not exceed the percentage fill shown in Table 1 of
Chapter 9. Where contained within an auxiliary gutter or a
wireway, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all contained conductors at any cross section shall not exceed
20 percent of the interior cross-sectional area of the auxiliary gutter or wireway. The 30-conductor limitation of
366.22 and 376.22 shall not apply.
520.7 Enclosing and Guarding Live Parts. Live parts
shall be enclosed or guarded to prevent accidental contact
by persons and objects. All switches shall be of the externally operable type. Dimmers, including rheostats, shall be
placed in cases or cabinets that enclose all live parts.
520.8 Emergency Systems. Control of emergency systems
shall comply with Article 700.
520.9 Branch Circuits. A branch circuit of any size supplying one or more receptacles shall be permitted to supply
stage set lighting. The voltage rating of the receptacles shall
be not less than the circuit voltage. Receptacle ampere ratings and branch-circuit conductor ampacity shall be not less
than the branch-circuit overcurrent device ampere rating.
Table 210.21(B)(2) shall not apply.
520.10 Portable Equipment Used Outdoors. Portable
stage and studio lighting equipment and portable power
distribution equipment not identified for outdoor use shall
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(A) Disconnection and Overcurrent Protection. Where
dimmers are installed in ungrounded conductors, each dimmer shall have overcurrent protection not greater than
125 percent of the dimmer rating and shall be disconnected
from all ungrounded conductors when the master or individual switch or circuit breaker supplying such dimmer is
in the open position.
(B) Resistance- or Reactor-Type Dimmers. Resistanceor series reactor-type dimmers shall be permitted to be
placed in either the grounded or the ungrounded conductor
of the circuit. Where designed to open either the supply
circuit to the dimmer or the circuit controlled by it, the
dimmer shall then comply with 404.2(B). Resistance- or
reactor-type dimmers placed in the grounded neutral conductor of the circuit shall not open the circuit.
(C) Autotransformer-Type Dimmers. The circuit supplying an autotransformer-type dimmer shall not exceed 150
volts between conductors. The grounded conductor shall be
common to the input and output circuits.
Informational Note: See 210.9 for circuits derived from
autotransformers.
(D) Solid-State-Type Dimmers. The circuit supplying a
solid-state dimmer shall not exceed 150 volts between conductors unless the dimmer is listed specifically for higher
voltage operation. Where a grounded conductor supplies a
dimmer, it shall be common to the input and output circuits.
Dimmer chassis shall be connected to the equipment
grounding conductor.
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
520.26 Type of Switchboard. A stage switchboard shall
be either one or a combination of the types specified in
520.26(A), (B), (C), and (D). [ROP 15–110a]
(A) Manual. Dimmers and switches are operated by
handles mechanically linked to the control devices.
(B) Remotely Controlled. Devices are operated electrically from a pilot-type control console or panel. Pilot control panels either shall be part of the switchboard or shall be
permitted to be at another location.
(C) Intermediate. A stage switchboard with circuit interconnections is a secondary switchboard (patch panel) or
panelboard remote to the primary stage switchboard. It
shall contain overcurrent protection. Where the required
branch-circuit overcurrent protection is provided in the
dimmer panel, it shall be permitted to be omitted from the
intermediate switchboard.
520.27 Stage Switchboard Feeders.
(C) Supply Capacity. For the purposes of calculating supply capacity to switchboards, it shall be permissible to consider the maximum load that the switchboard is intended to
control in a given installation, provided that the following
apply:
(1) All feeders supplying the switchboard shall be protected by an overcurrent device with a rating not
greater than the ampacity of the feeder.
(2) The opening of the overcurrent device shall not affect
the proper operation of the egress or emergency lighting systems.
Informational Note: For calculation of stage switchboard
feeder loads, see 220.40.
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(D) Constant Power. A stage switchboard containing only
overcurrent protective devices and no control elements.
[ROP 15–110a]
(1) The neutral conductor of feeders supplying solid-state,
phase-control 3-phase, 4-wire dimming systems shall
be considered a current-carrying conductor.
(2) The neutral conductor of feeders supplying solid-state,
sine wave 3-phase, 4-wire dimming systems shall not
be considered a current-carrying conductor.
(3) The neutral conductor of feeders supplying systems
that use or may use both phase-control and sine wave
dimmers shall be considered as current-carrying.
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520.26
III. Fixed Stage Equipment Other Than Switchboards
(A) Type of Feeder. Feeders supplying stage switchboards
shall be one of the types in 520.27(A)(1) through (A)(3).
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(1) Single Feeder. A single feeder disconnected by a single
disconnect device.
(2) Multiple Feeders to Intermediate Stage Switchboard (Patch Panel). Multiple feeders of unlimited quantity shall be permitted, provided that all multiple feeders are
part of a single system. Where combined, neutral conductors in a given raceway shall be of sufficient ampacity to
carry the maximum unbalanced current supplied by multiple feeder conductors in the same raceway, but they need
not be greater than the ampacity of the neutral conductor
supplying the primary stage switchboard. Parallel neutral
conductors shall comply with 310.10(H).
(3) Separate Feeders to Single Primary Stage Switchboard (Dimmer Bank). Installations with separate feeders
to a single primary stage switchboard shall have a disconnecting means for each feeder. The primary stage switchboard shall have a permanent and obvious label stating the
number and location of disconnecting means. If the disconnecting means are located in more than one distribution
switchboard, the primary stage switchboard shall be provided with barriers to correspond with these multiple locations.
(B) Neutral Conductor. For the purpose of ampacity adjustment, the following shall apply:
70–490
520.40 Stage Lighting Hoists. Stage lighting hoists shall
be listed. Where a listed stage lighting hoist contains an
integral cable handling system and cable to connect a moving wiring device to a fixed junction box for connection to
permanent wiring, the extra-hard-usage requirement of
520.44(C)(1) shall not apply. [ROP 15–111]
520.41 Circuit Loads.
(A) Circuits Rated 20 Amperes or Less. Footlights, border lights, and proscenium sidelights shall be arranged so
that no branch circuit supplying such equipment carries a
load exceeding 20 amperes.
(B) Circuits Rated Greater Than 20 Amperes. Where
only heavy-duty lampholders are used, such circuits shall
be permitted to comply with Article 210 for circuits supplying heavy-duty lampholders.
520.42 Conductor Insulation. Foot, border, proscenium, or
portable strip lights and connector strips shall be wired with
conductors that have insulation suitable for the temperature at
which the conductors are operated, but not less than 125°C
(257°F). The ampacity of the 125°C (257°F) conductors shall
be that of 60°C (140°F) conductors. All drops from connector
strips shall be 90°C (194°F) wire sized to the ampacity of
60°C (140°F) cords and cables with no more than 150 mm
(6 in.) of conductor extending into the connector strip. Section
310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply.
Informational Note: See Table 310.104(A) for conductor
types.
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
(A) Metal Trough Construction. Where metal trough
construction is employed for footlights, the trough containing the circuit conductors shall be made of sheet metal not
lighter than 0.81 mm (0.032 in.) and treated to prevent
oxidation. Lampholder terminals shall be kept at least
13 mm (1⁄2 in.) from the metal of the trough. The circuit
conductors shall be soldered to the lampholder terminals.
(B) Other-Than-Metal Trough Construction. Where the
metal trough construction specified in 520.43(A) is not
used, footlights shall consist of individual outlets with lampholders wired with rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, or flexible metal conduit, Type MC cable, or
mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable. The circuit conductors shall be soldered to the lampholder terminals.
(C) Disappearing Footlights. Disappearing footlights
shall be arranged so that the current supply is automatically
disconnected when the footlights are replaced in the storage
recesses designed for them.
(3) Identification of Conductors in Multiconductor
Extra-hard Usage Cords and Cables. Grounded (neutral)
conductors shall be white without stripe or shall be identified by a distinctive white marking at their terminations.
Grounding conductors shall be green with or without yellow stripe or shall be identified by a distinctive green marking at their terminations.
Table 520.44 Ampacity of Listed Extra-Hard-Usage Cords
and Cables with Temperature Ratings of 75°C (167°F) and
90°C (194°F)* [Based on Ambient Temperature of 30°C
(86°F)]
Temperature Rating of
Cords and Cables
Size
(AWG)
75°C
(167°F)
90°C
(194°F)
Maximum
Rating of
Overcurrent
Device
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
24
32
41
57
77
101
133
28
35
47
65
87
114
152
15
20
25
35
45
60
80
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520.44 Borders, Proscenium Sidelights, Drop Boxes,
and Connector Strips.
determined by Table 520.44 shall not exceed the values in
Table 520.44.
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520.43 Footlights.
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(A) General. Borders and proscenium sidelights shall be
as follows:
(1) Constructed as specified in 520.43
(2) Suitably stayed and supported
(3) Designed so that the flanges of the reflectors or other
adequate guards protect the lamps from mechanical
damage and from accidental contact with scenery or
other combustible material
(B) Connector Strips and Drop Boxes. Connector strips
and drop boxes shall be as follows:
(1) Suitably stayed and supported
(2) Listed as stage and studio wiring devices
(C) Cords and Cables for Border Lights, Drop Boxes,
and Connector Strips.
(1) General. Cords and cables for supply to border lights,
drop boxes, and connector strips shall be listed for extrahard usage. The cords and cables shall be suitably supported. Such cords and cables shall be employed only
where flexible conductors are necessary. Ampacity of the
conductors shall be as provided in 400.5.
(2) Cords and Cables Not in Contact with HeatProducing Equipment. Listed multiconductor extra-hardusage-type cords and cables not in direct contact with
equipment containing heat-producing elements shall be permitted to have their ampacity determined by Table 520.44.
Maximum load current in any conductor with an ampacity
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
520.44
*Ampacity shown is the ampacity for multiconductor cords and
cables where only three copper conductors are current-carrying as
described in 400.5. If the number of current-carrying conductors in a
cord or cable exceeds three and the load diversity factor is a minimum
of 50 percent, the ampacity of each conductor shall be reduced as
shown in the following table:
Number of Conductors
Percent of Ampacity
4–6
7–24
25–42
43 and above
80
70
60
50
Note: Ultimate insulation temperature. In no case shall conductors be
associated together in such a way with respect to the kind of circuit,
the wiring method used, or the number of conductors such that the
temperature limit of the conductors is exceeded.
A neutral conductor that carries only the unbalanced current from
other conductors of the same circuit need not be considered as a
current-carrying conductor.
In a 3-wire circuit consisting of two phase conductors and the
neutral conductor of a 4-wire, 3-phase, wye-connected system, the
neutral conductor carries approximately the same current as the lineto-neutral currents of the other conductors and shall be considered to
be a current-carrying conductor.
On a 4-wire, 3-phase wye circuit where the major portion of the
load consists of nonlinear loads, there are harmonic currents in the
neutral conductor. Therefore, the neutral conductor shall be considered to be a current-carrying conductor.
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
520.45 Receptacles. Receptacles for electrical equipment
on stages shall be rated in amperes. Conductors supplying
receptacles shall be in accordance with Articles 310 and
400.
520.46 Connector Strips, Drop Boxes, Floor Pockets,
and Other Outlet Enclosures. Receptacles for the connection of portable stage-lighting equipment shall be pendant
or mounted in suitable pockets or enclosures and shall comply with 520.45. Supply cables for connector strips and
drop boxes shall be as specified in 520.44(C).
520.47 Backstage Lamps (Bare Bulbs). Lamps (bare
bulbs) installed in backstage and ancillary areas where they
can come in contact with scenery shall be located and
guarded so as to be free from physical damage and shall
provide an air space of not less than 50 mm (2 in.) between
such lamps and any combustible material.
(D) Enclosure. Panel construction shall be in accordance
with Article 408.
520.51 Supply. Portable switchboards shall be supplied
only from power outlets of sufficient voltage and ampere
rating. Such power outlets shall include only externally operable, enclosed fused switches or circuit breakers mounted
on stage or at the permanent switchboard in locations
readily accessible from the stage floor. Provisions for connection of an equipment grounding conductor shall be provided. For the purposes of conductor derating, the requirements of 520.27(B) shall apply.
520.52 Overcurrent Protection for Branch Circuits.
Portable switchboards shall contain overcurrent protection
for branch circuits. The requirements of 210.23 shall not
apply.
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Exception: Decorative lamps installed in scenery shall not
be considered to be backstage lamps for the purpose of this
section.
(C) Overcurrent Protection. The supply devices of these
supplementary circuits shall be protected by branch-circuit
overcurrent protective devices. Each supplementary circuit,
within the road show connection panel and theater, shall be
protected by branch-circuit overcurrent protective devices
installed within the road show connection panel.
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520.45
520.48 Curtain Machines. Curtain machines shall be
listed.
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520.49 Smoke Ventilator Control. Where stage smoke
ventilators are released by an electrical device, the circuit
operating the device shall be normally closed and shall be
controlled by at least two externally operable switches, one
switch being placed at a readily accessible location on stage
and the other where designated by the authority having
jurisdiction. The device shall be designed for the full voltage of the circuit to which it is connected, no resistance
being inserted. The device shall be located in the loft above
the scenery and shall be enclosed in a suitable metal box
having a tight, self-closing door.
IV. Portable Switchboards on Stage
520.50 Road Show Connection Panel (A Type of Patch
Panel). A panel designed to allow for road show connection of portable stage switchboards to fixed lighting outlets
by means of permanently installed supplementary circuits.
The panel, supplementary circuits, and outlets shall comply
with 520.50(A) through (D).
(A) Load Circuits. Circuits shall originate from
grounding-type polarized inlets of current and voltage rating that match the fixed-load receptacle.
(B) Circuit Transfer. Circuits that are transferred between
fixed and portable switchboards shall have all circuit conductors transferred simultaneously.
70–492
520.53 Construction and Feeders. Portable switchboards
and feeders for use on stages shall comply with 520.53(A)
through (P).
(A) Enclosure. Portable switchboards shall be placed
within an enclosure of substantial construction, which shall
be permitted to be arranged so that the enclosure is open
during operation. Enclosures of wood shall be completely
lined with sheet metal of not less than 0.51 mm (0.020 in.)
and shall be well galvanized, enameled, or otherwise properly coated to prevent corrosion or be of a corrosionresistant material.
(B) Energized Parts. There shall not be exposed energized parts within the enclosure.
(C) Switches and Circuit Breakers. All switches and circuit breakers shall be of the externally operable, enclosed
type.
(D) Circuit Protection. Overcurrent devices shall be provided in each ungrounded conductor of every circuit supplied through the switchboard. Enclosures shall be provided
for all overcurrent devices in addition to the switchboard
enclosure.
(E) Dimmers. The terminals of dimmers shall be provided
with enclosures, and dimmer faceplates shall be arranged
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
(F) Interior Conductors.
(1) Type. All conductors other than busbars within the
switchboard enclosure shall be stranded. Conductors shall
be approved for an operating temperature at least equal to
the approved operating temperature of the dimming devices
used in the switchboard and in no case less than the following:
(1) Resistance-type dimmers — 200°C (392°F); or
(2) Reactor-type, autotransformer, and solid-state dimmers
— 125°C (257°F)
(G) Pilot Light. A pilot light shall be provided within the
enclosure and shall be connected to the circuit supplying
the board so that the opening of the master switch does not
cut off the supply to the lamp. This lamp shall be on an
individual branch circuit having overcurrent protection
rated or set at not over 15 amperes.
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(H) Supply Conductors.
(1) General. The supply to a portable switchboard shall be
by means of listed extra-hard usage cords or cables. The
supply cords or cable shall terminate within the switchboard enclosure, in an externally operable fused master
switch or circuit breaker or in an identified connector assembly. The supply cords or cable (and connector assembly) shall have current ratings not less than the total load
connected to the switchboard and shall be protected by
overcurrent devices. [ROP 15–114]
(2) Single-Conductor Cables. Single-conductor portable
supply cable sets shall be not smaller than 2 AWG conductors. The equipment grounding conductor shall not be
smaller than 6 AWG conductor. Single-conductor grounded
neutral cables for a supply shall be sized in accordance with
520.53(O)(2). Where single conductors are paralleled for
increased ampacity, the paralleled conductors shall be of
the same length and size. Single-conductor supply cables
shall be grouped together but not bundled. The equipment
grounding conductor shall be permitted to be of a different
type, provided it meets the other requirements of this section, and it shall be permitted to be reduced in size as
permitted by 250.122. Grounded (neutral) and equipment
grounding conductors shall be identified in accordance with
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(3) Supply Conductors Not Over 3.0 m (10 ft) Long.
Where supply conductors do not exceed 3.0 m (10 ft) in
length between supply and switchboard or supply and a
subsequent overcurrent device, the supply conductors shall
be permitted to be reduced in size where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The ampacity of the supply conductors shall be at least
one-quarter of the current rating of the supply overcurrent protective device.
(2) The supply conductors shall terminate in a single overcurrent protective device that will limit the load to the
ampacity of the supply conductors. This single overcurrent device shall be permitted to supply additional
overcurrent devices on its load side.
(3) The supply conductors shall not penetrate walls, floors,
or ceilings or be run through doors or traffic areas. The
supply conductors shall be adequately protected from
physical damage.
(4) The supply conductors shall be suitably terminated in
an approved manner.
(5) Conductors shall be continuous without splices or connectors.
(6) Conductors shall not be bundled.
(7) Conductors shall be supported above the floor in an
approved manner.
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(2) Protection. Each conductor shall have an ampacity not
less than the rating of the circuit breaker, switch, or fuse
that it supplies. Circuit interrupting and bus bracing shall be
in accordance with 110.9 and 110.10. The short-circuit current rating shall be marked on the switchboard.
Conductors shall be enclosed in metal wireways or shall
be securely fastened in position and shall be bushed where
they pass through metal.
200.6, 250.119, and 310.110. Grounded conductors shall be
permitted to be identified by marking at least the first
150 mm (6 in.) from both ends of each length of conductor
with white or gray. Equipment grounding conductors shall
be permitted to be identified by marking at least the first
150 mm (6 in.) from both ends of each length of conductor
with green or green with yellow stripes. Where more than
one nominal voltage exists within the same premises, each
ungrounded conductor shall be identified by system.
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such that accidental contact cannot be readily made with
the faceplate contacts.
520.53
(4) Supply Conductors Not Over 6.0 m (20 ft) Long.
Where supply conductors do not exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in
length between supply and switchboard or supply and a
subsequent overcurrent protection device, the supply conductors shall be permitted to be reduced in size where all of
the following conditions are met:
(1) The ampacity of the supply conductors shall be at least
one-half of the current rating of the supply overcurrent
protective device.
(2) The supply conductors shall terminate in a single overcurrent protective device that limits the load to the ampacity of the supply conductors. This single overcurrent
device shall be permitted to supply additional overcurrent devices on its load side.
(3) The supply conductors shall not penetrate walls, floors,
or ceilings or be run through doors or traffic areas. The
supply conductors shall be adequately protected from
physical damage.
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
(4) The supply conductors shall be suitably terminated in
an approved manner.
(5) The supply conductors shall be supported in an approved manner at least 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor
except at terminations.
(6) The supply conductors shall not be bundled.
(7) Tap conductors shall be in unbroken lengths.
(5) Supply Conductors Not Reduced in Size. Supply
conductors not reduced in size under provisions of
520.53(H)(3) or (H)(4) shall be permitted to pass through
holes in walls specifically designed for the purpose. If penetration is through the fire-resistant–rated wall, it shall be in
accordance with 300.21.
(I) Cable Arrangement. Cables shall be protected by
bushings where they pass through enclosures and shall be
arranged so that tension on the cable is not transmitted to
the connections. Where power conductors pass through
metal, the requirements of 300.20 shall apply.
(L) Protection of Supply Conductors and Connectors.
All supply conductors and connectors shall be protected
against physical damage by an approved means. This protection shall not be required to be raceways.
(M) Flanged Surface Inlets. Flanged surface inlets (recessed plugs) that are used to accept the power shall be
rated in amperes.
(N) Terminals. Terminals to which stage cables are connected shall be located so as to permit convenient access to
the terminals.
(O) Neutral Conductor.
(1) Neutral Terminal. In portable switchboard equipment
designed for use with 3-phase, 4-wire with ground supply,
the current rating of the supply neutral terminal, and the
ampacity of its associated busbar or equivalent wiring, or
both, shall have an ampacity equal to at least twice the
ampacity of the largest ungrounded supply terminal.
AF
(J) Number of Supply Interconnections. Where connectors are used in a supply conductor, there shall be a maximum number of three interconnections (mated connector
pairs) where the total length from supply to switchboard
does not exceed 30 m (100 ft). In cases where the total
length from supply to switchboard exceeds 30 m (100 ft),
one additional interconnection shall be permitted for each
additional 30 m (100 ft) of supply conductor.
a. Equipment grounding conductor connectors
b. Grounded circuit conductor connectors, if provided
c. Ungrounded conductor connectors, and that disconnection shall be in the reverse order
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520.53
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(K) Single-Pole Separable Connectors. Where singlepole portable cable connectors are used, they shall be listed
and of the locking type. Sections 400.10, 406.7, and 406.8
shall not apply to listed single-pole separable connectors
and single-conductor cable assemblies utilizing listed
single-pole separable connectors. Where paralleled sets of
current-carrying, single-pole separable connectors are provided as input devices, they shall be prominently labeled
with a warning indicating the presence of internal parallel
connections. The use of single-pole separable connectors
shall comply with at least one of the following conditions:
(1) Connection and disconnection of connectors are possible only where the supply connectors are interlocked
to the source and it is not possible to connect or disconnect connectors when the supply is energized.
(2) Line connectors are of the listed sequential-interlocking
type so that load connectors shall be connected in the
following sequence:
a. Equipment grounding conductor connection
b. Grounded circuit conductor connection, if provided
c. Ungrounded conductor connection, and that disconnection shall be in the reverse order
(3) A caution notice shall be provided adjacent to the line
connectors indicating that plug connection shall be in
the following order:
70–494
Exception: Where portable switchboard equipment is specifically constructed and identified to be internally converted in the field, in an approved manner, from use with a
balanced 3-phase, 4-wire with ground supply to a balanced
single-phase, 3-wire with ground supply, the supply neutral
terminal and its associated busbar, equivalent wiring, or
both, shall have an ampacity equal to at least that of the
largest ungrounded single-phase supply terminal.
(2) Supply Neutral Conductor. The power supply conductors for portable switchboards utilizing solid-state
phase-control dimmers shall be sized considering the neutral conductor as a current-carrying conductor for ampacity
adjustment purposes. The power supply conductors for portable switchboards utilizing only solid-state sine wave dimmers shall be sized considering the neutral conductor as a
non–current-carrying conductor for ampacity adjustment
purposes. Where single-conductor feeder cables, not installed in raceways, are used on multiphase circuits feeding
portable switchboards containing solid-state phase-control
dimmers, the neutral conductor shall have an ampacity of at
least 130 percent of the ungrounded circuit conductors
feeding the portable switchboard. Where such feeders are
supplying only solid-state sine wave dimmers, the neutral
conductor shall have an ampacity of at least 100 percent of
the ungrounded circuit conductors feeding the portable
switchboard.
(P) Qualified Personnel. The routing of portable supply
conductors, the making and breaking of supply connectors
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
Exception: A portable switchboard shall be permitted to
be connected to a permanently installed supply receptacle
by other than qualified personnel, provided that the supply
receptacle is protected for its current rating by an overcurrent device of not greater than 150 amperes, and where the
receptacle, interconnection, and switchboard comply with
all of the following:
(a) Employ listed multipole connectors suitable for the
purpose for every supply interconnection
(b) Prevent access to all supply connections by the
general public
(c) Employ listed extra-hard usage multiconductor
cords or cables with an ampacity not less than the load and
not less than the ampere rating of the connectors.
(A) Bracket Wiring. Brackets for use on scenery shall be
wired internally, and the fixture stem shall be carried
through to the back of the scenery where a bushing shall be
placed on the end of the stem. Externally wired brackets or
other fixtures shall be permitted where wired with cords
designed for hard usage that extend through scenery and
without joint or splice in canopy of fixture back and terminate in an approved-type stage connector located, where
practical, within 450 mm (18 in.) of the fixture.
(B) Mounting. Fixtures shall be securely fastened in place.
520.64 Portable Strips. Portable strips shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements for border
lights and proscenium sidelights in 520.44(A). The supply
cable shall be protected by bushings where it passes
through metal and shall be arranged so that tension on the
cable will not be transmitted to the connections.
Informational Note No. 1: See 520.42 for wiring of portable strips.
Informational Note No. 2: See 520.68(A)(3) for insulation
types required on single conductors.
AF
V. Portable Stage Equipment Other Than
Switchboards
520.63 Bracket Fixture Wiring.
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and other supply connections, and the energization and deenergization of supply services shall be performed by qualified personnel, and portable switchboards shall be so
marked, indicating this requirement in a permanent and
conspicuous manner.
520.68
520.61 Arc Lamps. Arc lamps, including enclosed arc
lamps and associated ballasts, shall be listed. Interconnecting cord sets and interconnecting cords and cables shall be
extra-hard usage type and listed.
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520.62 Portable Power Distribution Units. Portable
power distribution units shall comply with 520.62(A)
through (E).
(A) Enclosure. The construction shall be such that no
current-carrying part will be exposed.
(B) Receptacles and Overcurrent Protection. Receptacles shall comply with 520.45 and shall have branchcircuit overcurrent protection in the box. Fuses and circuit
breakers shall be protected against physical damage. Flexible cords or cables supplying pendant receptacles or cord
connectors shall be listed for extra-hard usage.
(C) Busbars and Terminals. Busbars shall have an ampacity equal to the sum of the ampere ratings of all the
circuits connected to the busbar. Lugs shall be provided for
the connection of the master cable.
(D) Flanged Surface Inlets. Flanged surface inlets (recessed plugs) that are used to accept the power shall be
rated in amperes.
(E) Cable Arrangement. Cables shall be adequately protected where they pass through enclosures and be arranged
so that tension on the cable is not transmitted to the terminations.
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520.65 Festoons. Joints in festoon wiring shall be staggered. Where such lampholders have terminals of a type
that puncture the insulation and make contact with the conductors, they shall be attached only to conductors of the
stranded type. Lamps enclosed in lanterns or similar devices of combustible material shall be equipped with
guards.
520.66 Special Effects. Electrical devices used for simulating lightning, waterfalls, and the like shall be constructed
and located so that flames, sparks, or hot particles cannot
come in contact with combustible material.
520.67 Multipole Branch-Circuit Cable Connectors.
Multipole branch-circuit cable connectors, male and female, for flexible conductors shall be constructed so that
tension on the cord or cable is not transmitted to the connections. The female half shall be attached to the load end
of the power supply cord or cable. The connector shall be
rated in amperes and designed so that differently rated devices cannot be connected together; however, a 20-ampere
T-slot receptacle shall be permitted to accept a 15-ampere
attachment plug of the same voltage rating. Alternatingcurrent multipole connectors shall be polarized and comply
with 406.7 and 406.10.
Informational Note: See 400.10 for pull at terminals.
520.68 Conductors for Portables.
(A) Conductor Type.
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520.69
ARTICLE 520 — THEATERS, MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS, AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
(1) General. Flexible conductors, including cable extensions, used to supply portable stage equipment shall be
listed extra-hard usage cords or cables.
Table 520.44. Maximum load current in any conductor with
an ampacity determined by Table 520.44 shall not exceed
the values in Table 520.44.
(2) Stand Lamps. Listed, hard usage cord shall be permitted to supply stand lamps where the cord is not subject to
physical damage and is protected by an overcurrent device
rated at not over 20 amperes.
Exception: Where alternate conductors are allowed in
520.68(A)(3), their ampacity shall be as given in the appropriate table in this Code for the types of conductors
employed.
(3) Luminaire Supply Cords. Listed, hard-usage supply
cords shall be permitted to supply luminaires when all of
the following conditions are met:
(1) The supply cord is not longer than 1.0 m (3.3 feet)
(2) The supply cord is attached at one end to the luminaire
or a luminaire-specific listed connector that mates with
a panel-mounted inlet on the body of the luminaire
(3) The supply cord is protected by an overcurrent protective device of not not more than 20 amperes
(4) The luminaire is listed
(5) The supply cord is not subject to physical damage.
520.69 Adapters. Adapters, two-fers, and other singleand multiple-circuit outlet devices shall comply with
520.69(A), (B), and (C).
(C) Conductor Type. Conductors for adapters and twofers shall be listed extra-hard usage or listed hard usage
(junior hard service) cord. Hard usage (junior hard service)
cord shall be restricted in overall length to 1.0 m (3.3 ft).
[ROP 15–118]
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AF
(4) High-Temperature Applications. A special assembly
of conductors in sleeving not longer than 1.0 m (3.3 ft)
shall be permitted to be employed in lieu of flexible cord if
the individual wires are stranded and rated not less than
125°C (257°F) and the outer sleeve is glass fiber with a
wall thickness of at least 0.635 mm (0.025 in.).
Portable stage equipment requiring flexible supply conductors with a higher temperature rating where one end is
permanently attached to the equipment shall be permitted to
employ alternate, suitable conductors as determined by a
qualified testing laboratory and recognized test standards.
(B) Connectors. All connectors shall be wired in accordance with 520.67.
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[ROP 15–117]
(A) No Reduction in Current Rating. Each receptacle
and its corresponding cable shall have the same current and
voltage rating as the plug supplying it. It shall not be utilized in a stage circuit with a greater current rating.
(5) Breakouts. Listed, hard usage (junior hard service)
cords shall be permitted in breakout assemblies where all of
the following conditions are met:
(1) The cords are utilized to connect between a single multipole connector containing two or more branch circuits
and multiple 2-pole, 3-wire connectors.
(2) The longest cord in the breakout assembly does not
exceed 6.0 m (20 ft).
(3) The breakout assembly is protected from physical damage by attachment over its entire length to a pipe, truss,
tower, scaffold, or other substantial support structure.
(4) All branch circuits feeding the breakout assembly are
protected by overcurrent devices rated at not over 20
amperes.
(B) Conductor Ampacity. The ampacity of conductors
shall be as given in 400.5, except multiconductor, listed,
extra-hard usage portable cords that are not in direct contact with equipment containing heat-producing elements
shall be permitted to have their ampacity determined by
70–496
VI. Dressing Rooms
520.71 Pendant Lampholders. Pendant lampholders shall
not be installed in dressing rooms.
520.72 Lamp Guards. All exposed incandescent lamps in
dressing rooms, where less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from the floor,
shall be equipped with open-end guards riveted to the outlet
box cover or otherwise sealed or locked in place.
520.73 Switches Required. All lights and any receptacles
adjacent to the mirror(s) and above the dressing table
counter(s) installed in dressing rooms shall be controlled by
wall switches installed in the dressing room(s). Each switch
controlling receptacles adjacent to the mirror(s) and above
the dressing table counter(s) shall be provided with a pilot
light located outside the dressing room, adjacent to the door
to indicate when the receptacles are energized. Other outlets installed in the dressing room shall not be required to
be switched.
VII. Grounding
520.81 Grounding. All metal raceways and metalsheathed cables shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor. The metal frames and enclosures of all
equipment, including border lights and portable luminaires,
shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 522 — CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PERMANENT AMUSEMENT ATTRACTIONS
522.21
Control Circuit. For the purposes of this article, the circuit
of a control system that carries the electrical signals directing the performance of the controller but does not carry the
main power current.
(B) Non–Power-Limited Control Circuits. Non–powerlimited control circuits shall not exceed 300 volts. The
power output of the source shall not be required to be
limited.
I. General
522.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of control
circuit power sources and control circuit conductors for
electrical equipment, including associated control wiring in
or on all structures, that are an integral part of a permanent
amusement attraction.
(1) Control Transformers. Transformers used to supply
non–power-limited control circuits shall comply with the
applicable sections within Parts I and II of Article 450.
AF
Entertainment Device. A mechanical or electromechanical
device that provides an entertainment experience.
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522.2 Definitions.
(2) Other Power-Limited Control Power Sources.
Power-limited control power sources, other than transformers, shall be protected by overcurrent devices rated at not
more than 167 percent of the volt-ampere rating of the
source divided by the rated voltage. The fusible overcurrent
devices shall not be interchangeable with fusible overcurrent devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent device shall
be permitted to be an integral part of the power source.
To comply with the 1000 volt-ampere limitation of
522.10(A), the maximum output of power sources, other
than transformers, shall be limited to 2500 volt-amperes,
and the product of the maximum current and maximum
voltage shall not exceed 10,000 volt-amperes. These ratings
shall be determined with any overcurrent-protective device
bypassed.
ARTICLE 522
Control Systems for Permanent
Amusement Attractions
Informational Note: These devices may include animated
props, show action equipment, animated figures, and special effects, coordinated with audio and lighting to provide
an entertainment experience.
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Permanent Amusement Attraction. Ride devices, entertainment devices, or combination thereof, that are installed
so that portability or relocation is impracticable.
Ride Device. A device or combination of devices that
carry, convey, or direct a person(s) over or through a fixed
or restricted course within a defined area for the primary
purpose of amusement or entertainment.
522.5 Voltage Limitations. Control voltage shall be a
maximum of 150 volts, nominal, ac to ground or 300 volts
dc to ground.
522.7 Maintenance. The conditions of maintenance and
supervision shall ensure that only qualified persons service
the permanent amusement attraction.
(2) Other Non–Power-Limited Control Power Sources.
Non–power-limited control power sources, other than transformers, shall be protected by overcurrent devices rated at
not more than 125 percent of the volt-ampere rating of the
source divided by the rated voltage. The fusible overcurrent
devices shall not be interchangeable with fusible overcurrent devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent device shall
be permitted to be an integral part of the power source.
III. Control Circuit Wiring Methods
522.20 Conductors, Busbars, and Slip Rings. Insulated
control circuit conductors shall be copper and shall be permitted to be stranded or solid. Listed multiconductor cable
assemblies shall be permitted.
Exception No. 1: Busbars and slip rings shall be permitted
to be materials other than copper.
Exception No. 2: Conductors used as specific-purpose devices, such as thermocouples and resistive thermal devices,
shall be permitted to be materials other than copper.
II. Control Circuits
522.21 Conductor Sizing.
522.10 Power Sources for Control Circuits.
(A) Power-Limited Control Circuits. Power-limited control circuits shall be supplied from a source that has a rated
output of not more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes.
(A) Conductors Within a Listed Component or Assembly. Conductors of size 30 AWG or larger shall be permitted within a listed component or as part of the wiring of a
listed assembly.
(1) Control Transformers. Transformers used to supply
power-limited control circuits shall comply with the applicable sections within Parts I and II of Article 450.
(B) Conductors Within an Enclosure or Operator Station. Conductors of size 30 AWG or larger shall be permitted in a listed and jacketed multiconductor cable within an
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522.22
ARTICLE 522 — CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PERMANENT AMUSEMENT ATTRACTIONS
Exception: Single conductors 30 AWG or larger shall be
permitted for jumpers and special wiring applications.
(C) Conductors Outside of an Enclosure or Operator
Station. The size of conductors in a listed and jacketed,
multiconductor cable shall not be smaller than 26 AWG.
Single conductors shall not be smaller than 18 AWG and
shall be installed only where part of a recognized wiring
method of Chapter 3.
522.22 Conductor Ampacity. Conductors sized 16 AWG
and smaller shall not exceed the continuous current values
provided in Table 522.22.
Ampacity
Conductor Size
(AWG)
60°C
75°C
30
–
0.5
28
–
26
–
22
20
18
16
0.8
1
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24
2
2
3
3
5
5
7
7
10
10
Notes:
1. For ambient temperatures other than 30°C, use Table 310.15(B)(16)
temperature correction factors.
2. Ampacity adjustment for conductors with 90°C or greater insulation
shall be based on ampacities in the 75°C column.
522.23 Overcurrent Protection for Conductors. Conductors 30 AWG through 16 AWG shall have overcurrent protection in accordance with the appropriate conductor ampacity in Table 522.22. Conductors larger than 16 AWG
shall have overcurrent protection in accordance with the
appropriate conductor ampacity in Table 310.15(B)(16).
522.24 Conductors of Different Circuits in the Same
Cable, Cable Tray, Enclosure, or Raceway. Control cir-
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(A) Two or More Control Circuits. Control circuits shall
be permitted to occupy the same cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway without regard to whether the individual
circuits are alternating current or direct current, provided
all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage of
any conductor in the cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway.
(B) Control Circuits with Power Circuits. Control circuits shall be permitted to be installed with power conductors as specified in 522.24(B)(1) through (B)(3).
(1) In a Cable, Enclosure, or Raceway. Control circuits
and power circuits shall be permitted to occupy the same
cable, enclosure, or raceway only where the equipment
powered is functionally associated.
(2) In Factory- or Field-Assembled Control Centers.
Control circuits and power circuits shall be permitted to be
installed in factory- or field-assembled control centers.
AF
Table 522.22 Conductor Ampacity Based on Copper
Conductors with 60°C and 75°C Insulation in an Ambient
Temperature of 30°C
cuits shall be permitted to be installed with other circuits as
specified in 522.24(A) and (B).
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enclosure or operator station. Conductors in a non-jacketed
multiconductor cable, such as ribbon cable, shall not be
smaller than 26 AWG. Single conductors shall not be
smaller than 24 AWG.
(3) In a Manhole. Control circuits and power circuits shall
be permitted to be installed as underground conductors in a
manhole in accordance with one of the following:
(1) The power or control circuit conductors are in a metalenclosed cable or Type UF cable.
(2) The conductors are permanently separated from the
power conductors by a continuous firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire.
(3) The conductors are permanently and effectively separated from the power conductors and securely fastened
to racks, insulators, or other approved supports.
(4) In cable trays, where the control circuit conductors and
power conductors not functionally associated with
them are separated by a solid fixed barrier of a material
compatible with the cable tray, or where the power or
control circuit conductors are in a metal-enclosed
cable.
522.25 Ungrounded Control Circuits. Separately derived
ac and 2-wire dc circuits and systems 50 volts or greater
shall be permitted to be ungrounded, provided that all the
following conditions are met:
(1) Continuity of control power is required for orderly
shutdown.
(2) Ground detectors are installed on the control system.
522.28 Control Circuits in Wet Locations. Where wet
contact is likely to occur, ungrounded 2-wire direct-current
control circuits shall be limited to 30 volts maximum for
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 525 — CARNIVALS, CIRCUSES, FAIRS, AND SIMILAR EVENTS
continuous dc or 12.4 volts peak for direct current that is
interrupted at a rate of 10 to 200 Hz.
ARTICLE 525
Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar
Events
I. General Requirements
525.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of portable
wiring and equipment for carnivals, circuses, fairs, and
similar functions, including wiring in or on all structures.
525.20
for the conductors supplying the portable structure. Portable structures included in 525.3(D) shall comply with
Table 680.8. [ROP 15–120]
(2) Over 600 Volts. Portable structures shall not be located
under or within a space that is located 4.5 m (15 ft) horizontally and extending vertically to grade of conductors
operating in excess of 600 volts.
525.6 Protection of Electrical Equipment. Electrical
equipment and wiring methods in or on portable structures
shall be provided with mechanical protection where such
equipment or wiring methods are subject to physical damage.
II. Power Sources
525.2 Definitions.
525.3 Other Articles.
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(A) Portable Wiring and Equipment. Wherever the requirements of other articles of this Code and Article 525
differ, the requirements of Article 525 shall apply to the
portable wiring and equipment.
(B) Permanent Structures. Articles 518 and 520 shall apply to wiring in permanent structures.
(C) Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and Reproduction Equipment. Article 640 shall apply to the wiring
and installation of audio signal processing, amplification,
and reproduction equipment.
(D) Attractions Utilizing Pools, Fountains, and Similar
Installations with Contained Volumes of Water. This
equipment shall be installed to comply with the applicable
requirements of Article 680.
525.5 Overhead Conductor Clearances.
(A) Vertical Clearances. Conductors shall have a vertical
clearance to ground in accordance with 225.18. These
clearances shall apply only to wiring installed outside of
tents and concessions.
(B) Clearance to Portable Structures.
(1) 600 Volts (or Less). Portable structures shall be maintained not less than 4.5 m (15 ft) in any direction from
overhead conductors operating at 600 volts or less, except
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(A) Guarding. Service equipment shall not be installed in
a location that is accessible to unqualified persons, unless
the equipment is lockable.
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Portable Structures. Units designed to be moved including, but not limited to, amusement rides, attractions, concessions, tents, trailers, trucks, and similar units.
525.10 Services. Services shall comply with 525.10(A)
and (B).
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Operator. The individual responsible for starting, stopping,
and controlling an amusement ride or supervising a concession.
(B) Mounting and Location. Service equipment shall be
securely fastened to a solid backing and be installed so as
to be protected from the weather, unless of weatherproof
construction.
525.11 Multiple Sources of Supply. Where multiple services or separately derived systems, or both, supply portable structures, the equipment grounding conductors of all
the sources of supply that serve such structures separated
by less than 3.7 m (12 ft) shall be bonded together at the
portable structures. The bonding conductor shall be copper
and sized in accordance with Table 250.122 based on the
largest overcurrent device supplying the portable structures,
but not smaller than 6 AWG.
III. Wiring Methods
525.20 Wiring Methods.
(A) Type. Where flexible cords or cables are used, they
shall be listed for extra-hard usage. Where flexible cords or
cables are used and are not subject to physical damage,
they shall be permitted to be listed for hard usage. Where
used outdoors, flexible cords and cables shall also be listed
for wet locations and shall be sunlight resistant. Extra-hard
usage flexible cords or cables shall be permitted for use as
permanent wiring on portable amusement rides and attractions where not subject to physical damage.
(B) Single-Conductor. Single-conductor cable shall be
permitted only in sizes 2 AWG or larger.
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ARTICLE 525 — CARNIVALS, CIRCUSES, FAIRS, AND SIMILAR EVENTS
(C) Open Conductors. Open conductors are prohibited
except as part of a listed assembly or festoon lighting installed in accordance with Article 225.
(D) Splices. Flexible cords or cables shall be continuous
without splice or tap between boxes or fittings.
(E) Cord Connectors. Cord connectors shall not be laid
on the ground unless listed for wet locations. Connectors
and cable connections shall not be placed in audience traffic
paths or within areas accessible to the public unless
guarded.
(F) Support. Wiring for an amusement ride, attraction,
tent, or similar structure shall not be supported by any other
ride or structure unless specifically designed for the purpose.
(H) Boxes and Fittings. A box or fitting shall be installed
at each connection point, outlet, switchpoint, or junction
point.
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525.21 Rides, Tents, and Concessions.
(A) Disconnecting Means. A means to disconnect each
portable structure from all ungrounded conductors shall be
provided. The disconnecting means shall be located within
sight of and within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the operator’s station.
The disconnecting means shall be readily accessible to the
operator, including when the ride is in operation. Where
accessible to unqualified persons, the disconnecting means
shall be lockable. A shunt trip device that opens the fused
disconnect or circuit breaker when a switch located in the
ride operator’s console is closed shall be a permissible
method of opening the circuit.
(B) Portable Wiring Inside Tents and Concessions.
Electrical wiring for lighting, where installed inside of tents
and concessions, shall be securely installed and, where subject to physical damage, shall be provided with mechanical
protection. All lamps for general illumination shall be protected from accidental breakage by a suitable luminaire or
lampholder with a guard.
525.22 Portable Distribution or Termination Boxes.
Portable distribution or termination boxes shall comply
with 525.22(A) through (D).
70–500
(B) Busbars and Terminals. Busbars shall have an ampere rating not less than the overcurrent device supplying
the feeder supplying the box. Where conductors terminate
directly on busbars, busbar connectors shall be provided.
(C) Receptacles and Overcurrent Protection. Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the
box. The overcurrent protection shall not exceed the ampere rating of the receptacle, except as permitted in Article
430 for motor loads.
(D) Single-Pole Connectors. Where single-pole connectors are used, they shall comply with 530.22.
525.23 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. Where GFCI protection is provided through the
use of GFCI receptacles, and the receptacles are supplied
by plug and cord connection to the branch circuit, the assembly shall be listed as a portable ground fault circuit
interrupter. [ROP 15–122]
AF
(G) Protection. Flexible cords or cables accessible to the
public shall be arranged to minimize the tripping hazard
and shall be permitted to be covered with nonconductive
matting, provided that the matting does not constitute a
greater tripping hazard than the uncovered cables. It shall
be permitted to bury cables. The requirements of 300.5
shall not apply.
(A) Construction. Boxes shall be designed so that no live
parts are exposed except when necessary for examination,
adjustment, servicing, or maintenance by qualified persons.
Where installed outdoors, the box shall be of weatherproof
construction and mounted so that the bottom of the enclosure is not less than 150 mm (6 in.) above the ground.
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525.21
(A) Where GFCI Protection Is Required. GFCI protection for personnel shall be provided for the following:
(1) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere nonlocking-type receptacles used for disassembly and reassembly or readily accessible to the general public
(2) Equipment that is readily accessible to the general public and supplied from a 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or
20-ampere branch circuit
The ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be permitted
to be an integral part of the attachment plug or located in
the power-supply cord within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug. Listed cord sets incorporating ground-fault
circuit-interrupter for personnel shall be permitted.
(B) Where GFCI Protection Is Not Required. Receptacles that are not accessible from grade level and that only
facilitate quick disconnecting and reconnecting of electrical
equipment shall not be required to be provided with GFCI
protection. These receptacles shall be of the locking type.
(C) Where GFCI Protection Is Not Permitted. Egress
lighting shall not be protected by a GFCI.
IV. Grounding and Bonding
525.30 Equipment Bonding. The following equipment
connected to the same source shall be bonded:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 530 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
The equipment grounding conductor of the circuit supplying the equipment in items (1), (2) or (3) that is likely to
energize the metal frame or part shall be permitted to serve
as the bonding means.
Bull Switch. An externally operated wall-mounted safety
switch that may or may not contain overcurrent protection
and is designed for the connection of portable cables and
cords.
Location (Shooting Location). A place outside a motion
picture studio where a production or part of it is filmed or
recorded.
Location Board (Deuce Board). Portable equipment containing a lighting contactor or contactors and overcurrent
protection designed for remote control of stage lighting.
Motion Picture Studio (Lot). A building or group of
buildings and other structures designed, constructed, or permanently altered for use by the entertainment industry for
the purpose of motion picture or television production.
Plugging Box. A dc device consisting of one or more
2-pole, 2-wire, nonpolarized, nongrounding-type receptacles intended to be used on dc circuits only.
AF
525.31 Equipment Grounding. All equipment to be
grounded shall be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor of a type recognized by 250.118 and installed in
accordance with Parts VI and VII of Article 250. The
equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to the
system grounded conductor at the service disconnecting
means or, in the case of a separately derived system such as
a generator, at the generator or first disconnecting means
supplied by the generator. The grounded circuit conductor
shall not be connected to the equipment grounding conductor on the load side of the service disconnecting means or
on the load side of a separately derived system disconnecting means.
distribution center or box that contains one or more
grounding-type polarized receptacles that may contain
overcurrent protective devices.
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(1) Metal raceways and metal-sheathed cable
(2) Metal enclosures of electrical equipment
(3) Metal frames and metal parts of portable structures,
trailers, trucks, or other equipment that contain or support electrical equipment
530.2
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525.32 Equipment Grounding Conductor Continuity
Assurance. The continuity of the equipment grounding
conductor system used to reduce electrical shock hazards as
required by 250.114, 250.138, 406.4(C), and 590.4(D) shall
be verified each time that portable electrical equipment is
connected. [ROP 15–126]
ARTICLE 530
Motion Picture and Television Studios
and Similar Locations
I. General
530.1 Scope. The requirements of this article shall apply to
television studios and motion picture studios using either
film or electronic cameras, except as provided in 520.1, and
exchanges, factories, laboratories, stages, or a portion of the
building in which film or tape more than 22 mm (7⁄8 in.) in
width is exposed, developed, printed, cut, edited, rewound,
repaired, or stored.
Informational Note: For methods of protecting against cellulose nitrate film hazards, see NFPA 40-2011, Standard for
the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film.
Portable Equipment. Equipment intended to be moved
from one place to another.
Single-Pole Separable Connector. A device that is installed at the ends of portable, flexible, single-conductor
cable that is used to establish connection or disconnection
between two cables or one cable and a single-pole, panelmounted separable connector.
Spider (Cable Splicing Block). A device that contains busbars that are insulated from each other for the purpose of
splicing or distributing power to portable cables and cords
that are terminated with single-pole busbar connectors.
Stage Effect (Special Effect). An electrical or electromechanical piece of equipment used to simulate a distinctive
visual or audible effect such as wind machines, lightning
simulators, sunset projectors, and the like.
Stage Property. An article or object used as a visual element in a motion picture or television production, except
painted backgrounds (scenery) and costumes.
Stage Set. A specific area set up with temporary scenery
and properties designed and arranged for a particular scene
in a motion picture or television production.
530.2 Definitions.
Stand Lamp (Work Light). A portable stand that contains
a general-purpose luminaire or lampholder with guard for
the purpose of providing general illumination in the studio
or stage.
Alternating-Current
Power
Distribution
Box
(Alternating-Current Plugging Box, Scatter Box). An ac
Television Studio or Motion Picture Stage (Sound
Stage). A building or portion of a building usually insulated
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–501
ARTICLE 530 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
from the outside noise and natural light for use by the
entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture,
television, or commercial production.
530.6 Portable Equipment. Portable stage and studio
lighting equipment and portable power distribution equipment shall be permitted for temporary use outdoors if the
equipment is supervised by qualified personnel while energized and barriered from the general public.
530.14 Plugging Boxes. Each receptacle of dc plugging
boxes shall be rated at not less than 30 amperes.
530.15 Enclosing and Guarding Live Parts.
(A) Live Parts. Live parts shall be enclosed or guarded to
prevent accidental contact by persons and objects.
II. Stage or Set
530.11 Permanent Wiring. The permanent wiring shall be
Type MC cable, Type AC cable containing an insulated
equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with
Table 250.122, Type MI cable, or in approved raceways.
530.12 Portable Wiring.
(B) Switches. All switches shall be of the externally operable type.
(C) Rheostats. Rheostats shall be placed in approved cases
or cabinets that enclose all live parts, having only the operating handles exposed.
(D) Current-Carrying Parts. Current-carrying parts of
bull switches, location boards, spiders, and plugging boxes
shall be enclosed, guarded, or located so that persons cannot accidentally come into contact with them or bring conductive material into contact with them.
AF
Exception: Communications circuits; audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction circuits; Class 1,
Class 2, and Class 3 remote-control or signaling circuits
and power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to
be wired in accordance with Articles 640, 725, 760, and
800.
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(A) Stage Set Wiring. The wiring for stage set lighting
and other supply wiring not fixed as to location shall be
done with listed hard usage flexible cords and cables.
Where subject to physical damage, such wiring shall be
listed extra-hard usage flexible cords and cables. Splices or
taps in cables shall be permitted if the total connected load
does not exceed the maximum ampacity of the cable.
(B) Stage Effects and Electrical Equipment Used as
Stage Properties. The wiring for stage effects and electrical equipment used as stage properties shall be permitted to
be wired with single- or multiconductor listed flexible cords
or cables if the conductors are protected from physical
damage and secured to the scenery by approved cable ties
or by insulated staples. Splices or taps shall be permitted
where such are made with listed devices and the circuit is
protected at not more than 20 amperes.
(C) Other Electrical Equipment. Cords and cables other
than extra-hard usage, where supplied as a part of a listed
assembly, shall be permitted.
530.13 Stage Lighting and Effects Control. Switches
used for studio stage set lighting and effects (on the stages
and lots and on location) shall be of the externally operable
type. Where contactors are used as the disconnecting means
for fuses, an individual externally operable switch, suitably
rated, for the control of each contactor shall be located at a
distance of not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from the contactor, in
addition to remote-control switches. A single externally op-
70–502
erable switch shall be permitted to simultaneously disconnect all the contactors on any one location board, where
located at a distance of not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from the
location board.
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530.6
530.16 Portable Luminaires. Portable luminaires and
work lights shall be equipped with flexible cords, composition or metal-sheathed porcelain sockets, and substantial
guards.
Exception: Portable luminaires used as properties in a
motion picture set or television stage set, on a studio stage
or lot, or on location shall not be considered to be portable
luminaires for the purpose of this section.
530.17 Portable Arc Lamps.
(A) Portable Carbon Arc Lamps. Portable carbon arc
lamps shall be substantially constructed. The arc shall be
provided with an enclosure designed to retain sparks and
carbons and to prevent persons or materials from coming
into contact with the arc or bare live parts. The enclosures
shall be ventilated. All switches shall be of the externally
operable type.
(B) Portable Noncarbon Arc Electric-Discharge Lamps.
Portable noncarbon arc lamps, including enclosed arc
lamps, and associated ballasts shall be listed. Interconnecting cord sets and interconnecting cords and cables shall be
extra-hard usage type and listed.
530.18 Overcurrent Protection — General. Automatic
overcurrent protective devices (circuit breakers or fuses)
for motion picture studio stage set lighting and the stage
cables for such stage set lighting shall be as given in
530.18(A) through (G). The maximum ampacity allowed
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2014 Edition
530.21
ARTICLE 530 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
(A) Stage Cables. Stage cables for stage set lighting shall
be protected by means of overcurrent devices set at not
more than 400 percent of the ampacity given in the applicable tables of Articles 310 and 400.
(B) Feeders. In buildings used primarily for motion picture production, the feeders from the substations to the
stages shall be protected by means of overcurrent devices
(generally located in the substation) having a suitable ampere rating. The overcurrent devices shall be permitted to
be multipole or single-pole gang operated. No pole shall be
required in the neutral conductor. The overcurrent device
setting for each feeder shall not exceed 400 percent of the
ampacity of the feeder, as given in the applicable tables of
Article 310.
530.19 Sizing of Feeder Conductors for Television Studio Sets.
(A) General. It shall be permissible to apply the demand
factors listed in Table 530.19(A) to that portion of the
maximum possible connected load for studio or stage set
lighting for all permanently installed feeders between substations and stages and to all permanently installed feeders
between the main stage switchboard and stage distribution
centers or location boards.
(B) Portable Feeders. A demand factor of 50 percent of
maximum possible connected load shall be permitted for all
portable feeders.
Table 530.19(A) Demand Factors for Stage Set Lighting
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(C) Cable Protection. Cables shall be protected by bushings where they pass through enclosures and shall be arranged so that tension on the cable is not transmitted to the
connections. Where power conductors pass through metal,
the requirements of 300.20 shall apply.
Portable feeder cables shall be permitted to temporarily
penetrate fire-rated walls, floors, or ceilings provided that
all of the following apply:
(1) The opening is of noncombustible material.
(2) When in use, the penetration is sealed with a temporary
seal of a listed firestop material.
(3) When not in use, the opening shall be capped with a
material of equivalent fire rating.
boxes shall be by means of plugs containing two cartridge
fuses not larger than 20 amperes, or they shall be permitted
to be connected to special outlets on circuits protected by
fuses or circuit breakers rated at not over 20 amperes. Plug
fuses shall not be used unless they are on the load side of
the fuse or circuit breakers on the location boards.
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on a given conductor, cable, or cord size shall be as given
in the applicable tables of Articles 310 and 400.
(D) Location Boards. Overcurrent protection (fuses or circuit breakers) shall be provided at the location boards.
Fuses in the location boards shall have an ampere rating of
not over 400 percent of the ampacity of the cables between
the location boards and the plugging boxes.
(E) Plugging Boxes. Cables and cords supplied through
plugging boxes shall be of copper. Cables and cords smaller
than 8 AWG shall be attached to the plugging box by means
of a plug containing two cartridge fuses or a 2-pole circuit
breaker. The rating of the fuses or the setting of the circuit
breaker shall not be over 400 percent of the rated ampacity
of the cables or cords as given in the applicable tables of
Articles 310 and 400. Plugging boxes shall not be permitted
on ac systems.
(F) Alternating-Current Power Distribution Boxes.
Alternating-current power distribution boxes used on sound
stages and shooting locations shall contain connection receptacles of a polarized, grounding type.
(G) Lighting. Work lights, stand lamps, and luminaires
rated 1000 watts or less and connected to dc plugging
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Portion of Stage Set Lighting Load
to Which Demand Factor Applied
(volt-amperes)
First 50,000 or less at
From 50,001 to 100,000 at
From 100,001 to 200,000 at
Remaining over 200,000 at
Feeder Demand
Factor
(%)
100
75
60
50
530.20 Grounding. Type MC cable, Type MI cable, Type
AC cable containing an insulated equipment grounding
conductor, metal raceways, and all non–current-carrying
metal parts of appliances, devices, and equipment shall be
connected to an equipment grounding conductor. This shall
not apply to pendant and portable lamps, to portable stage
lighting and stage sound equipment, or to other portable
and special stage equipment operating at not over 150 volts
dc to ground.
530.21 Plugs and Receptacles.
(A) Rating. Plugs and receptacles, including cord connectors and flanged surface devices, shall be rated in amperes.
The voltage rating of the plugs and receptacles shall be not
less than the nominal circuit voltage. Plug and receptacle
ampere ratings for ac circuits shall not be less than the
feeder or branch-circuit overcurrent device ampere rating.
Table 210.21(B)(2) shall not apply.
(B) Interchangeability. Plugs and receptacles used in portable professional motion picture and television equipment
shall be permitted to be interchangeable for ac or dc use on
the same premises, provided they are listed for ac/dc use
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ARTICLE 530 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION STUDIOS AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS
and marked in a suitable manner to identify the system to
which they are connected.
530.22 Single-Pole Separable Connectors.
530.41 Lamps at Tables. Only composition or metalsheathed, porcelain, keyless lampholders equipped with
suitable means to guard lamps from physical damage and
from film and film scrap shall be used at patching, viewing,
and cutting tables.
V. Cellulose Nitrate Film Storage Vaults
530.51 Lamps in Cellulose Nitrate Film Storage Vaults.
Lamps in cellulose nitrate film storage vaults shall be installed in rigid luminaires of the glass-enclosed and gasketed type. Lamps shall be controlled by a switch having a
pole in each ungrounded conductor. This switch shall be
located outside of the vault and provided with a pilot light
to indicate whether the switch is on or off. This switch shall
disconnect from all sources of supply all ungrounded conductors terminating in any outlet in the vault.
530.52 Electrical Equipment in Cellulose Nitrate Film
Storage Vaults. Except as permitted in 530.51, no receptacles, outlets, heaters, portable lights, or other portable
electrical equipment shall be located in cellulose nitrate
film storage vaults. Electric motors shall be permitted, provided they are listed for the application and comply with
Article 500, Class I, Division 2.
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(A) General. Where ac single-pole portable cable connectors are used, they shall be listed and of the locking type.
Sections 400.10, 406.7, and 406.8 shall not apply to listed
single-pole separable connections and single-conductor
cable assemblies utilizing listed single-pole separable connectors. Where paralleled sets of current-carrying singlepole separable connectors are provided as input devices,
they shall be prominently labeled with a warning indicating
the presence of internal parallel connections. The use of
single-pole separable connectors shall comply with at least
one of the following conditions:
(1) Connection and disconnection of connectors are only
possible where the supply connectors are interlocked to
the source and it is not possible to connect or disconnect connectors when the supply is energized.
(2) Line connectors are of the listed sequential-interlocking
type so that load connectors shall be connected in the
following sequence:
IV. Viewing, Cutting, and Patching Tables
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530.22
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a. Equipment grounding conductor connection
b. Grounded circuit conductor connection, if provided
c. Ungrounded conductor connection, and that disconnection shall be in the reverse order
(3) A caution notice shall be provided adjacent to the line
connectors, indicating that plug connection shall be in
the following order:
a. Equipment grounding conductor connectors
b. Grounded circuit-conductor connectors, if provided
c. Ungrounded conductor connectors, and that disconnection shall be in the reverse order
VI. Substations
530.61 Substations. Wiring and equipment of over 1000
volts, nominal, shall comply with Article 490. [ROP 15–
129]
(B) Interchangeability. Single-pole separable connectors
used in portable professional motion picture and television
equipment shall be permitted to be interchangeable for ac
or dc use or for different current ratings on the same premises, provided they are listed for ac/dc use and marked in
a suitable manner to identify the system to which they are
connected.
530.62 Portable Substations. Wiring and equipment in
portable substations shall conform to the sections applying
to installations in permanently fixed substations, but, due to
the limited space available, the working spaces shall be
permitted to be reduced, provided that the equipment shall
be arranged so that the operator can work safely and so that
other persons in the vicinity cannot accidentally come into
contact with current-carrying parts or bring conducting objects into contact with them while they are energized.
530.23 Branch Circuits. A branch circuit of any size supplying one or more receptacles shall be permitted to supply
stage set lighting loads.
530.63 Overcurrent Protection of Direct-Current Generators. Three-wire generators shall have overcurrent protection in accordance with 445.12(E).
III. Dressing Rooms
530.64 Direct-Current Switchboards.
530.31 Dressing Rooms. Fixed wiring in dressing rooms
shall be installed in accordance with the wiring methods
covered in Chapter 3. Wiring for portable dressing rooms
shall be approved.
(A) General. Switchboards of not over 250 volts dc between conductors, where located in substations or switchboard rooms accessible to qualified persons only, shall not
be required to be dead-front.
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ARTICLE 540 — MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION ROOMS
540.12
(B) Circuit Breaker Frames. Frames of dc circuit breakers installed on switchboards shall not be required to be
connected to an equipment grounding conductor.
equipment shall, where nitrate film is used, be located in a
separate room. Where placed in the projection room, they
shall be located or guarded so that arcs or sparks cannot
come in contact with film, and the commutator end or ends
of motor generator sets shall comply with one of the conditions in 540.11(A)(1) through (A)(6).
ARTICLE 540
Motion Picture Projection Rooms
(1) Types. Be of the totally enclosed, enclosed fan-cooled,
or enclosed pipe-ventilated type.
540.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to motion
picture projection rooms, motion picture projectors, and associated equipment of the professional and nonprofessional
types using incandescent, carbon arc, xenon, or other light
source equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust, or
radiation.
540.2 Definitions.
Nonprofessional Projector. Nonprofessional projectors are
those types other than as described in 540.2.
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Professional Projector. A type of projector using 35- or
70-mm film that has a minimum width of 35 mm (13⁄8 in.)
and has on each edge 212 perforations per meter (5.4 perforations per inch), or a type using carbon arc, xenon, or
other light source equipment that develops hazardous gases,
dust, or radiation.
II. Equipment and Projectors of the Professional Type
540.10 Motion Picture Projection Room Required. Every professional-type projector shall be located within a
projection room. Every projection room shall be of permanent construction, approved for the type of building in
which the projection room is located. All projection ports,
spotlight ports, viewing ports, and similar openings shall be
provided with glass or other approved material so as to
completely close the opening. Such rooms shall not be considered as hazardous (classified) locations as defined in Article 500.
Informational Note: For further information on protecting
openings in projection rooms handling cellulose nitrate motion picture film, see NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code.
540.11 Location of Associated Electrical Equipment.
(A) Motor Generator Sets, Transformers, Rectifiers,
Rheostats, and Similar Equipment. Motor-generator sets,
transformers, rectifiers, rheostats, and similar equipment for
the supply or control of current to projection or spotlight
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(4) Tight Metal Housings. Have brushes or sliding contacts enclosed in substantial, tight metal housings.
(5) Upper and Lower Half Enclosures. Have the upper
half of the brush or sliding-contact end of the motorgenerator enclosed by a wire screen or perforated metal and
the lower half enclosed by solid metal covers.
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Informational Note: For further information, see NFPA
40-2011, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film.
(3) Solid Metal Covers. Have the brush or sliding-contact
end of motor-generator enclosed by solid metal covers.
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I. General
(2) Separate Rooms or Housings. Be enclosed in separate
rooms or housings built of noncombustible material constructed so as to exclude flyings or lint with approved ventilation from a source of clean air.
(6) Wire Screens or Perforated Metal. Have wire screens
or perforated metal placed at the commutator of brush ends.
No dimension of any opening in the wire screen or perforated metal shall exceed 1.27 mm (0.05 in.), regardless of
the shape of the opening and of the material used.
(B) Switches, Overcurrent Devices, or Other Equipment. Switches, overcurrent devices, or other equipment
not normally required or used for projectors, sound reproduction, flood or other special effect lamps, or other equipment shall not be installed in projection rooms.
Exception No. 1: In projection rooms approved for use
only with cellulose acetate (safety) film, the installation of
appurtenant electrical equipment used in conjunction with
the operation of the projection equipment and the control of
lights, curtains, and audio equipment, and so forth, shall be
permitted. In such projection rooms, a sign reading “Safety
Film Only Permitted in This Room” shall be posted on the
outside of each projection room door and within the projection room itself in a conspicuous location.
Exception No. 2: Remote-control switches for the control
of auditorium lights or switches for the control of motors
operating curtains and masking of the motion picture
screen shall be permitted to be installed in projection
rooms.
(C) Emergency Systems. Control of emergency systems
shall comply with Article 700.
540.12 Work Space. Each motion picture projector, floodlight, spotlight, or similar equipment shall have clear work-
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540.13
ARTICLE 545 — MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS
Exception: One such space shall be permitted between
adjacent pieces of equipment.
540.13 Conductor Size. Conductors supplying outlets for
arc and xenon projectors of the professional type shall not
be smaller than 8 AWG and shall have an ampacity not less
than the projector current rating. Conductors for
incandescent-type projectors shall conform to normal wiring standards as provided in 210.24.
540.14 Conductors on Lamps and Hot Equipment. Insulated conductors having a rated operating temperature of
not less than 200°C (392°F) shall be used on all lamps or
other equipment where the ambient temperature at the conductors as installed will exceed 50°C (122°F).
540.15 Flexible Cords. Cords approved for hard usage, as
provided in Table 400.4, shall be used on portable equipment.
Building Component. Any subsystem, subassembly, or
other system designed for use in or integral with or as part
of a structure, which can include structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, and other
systems affecting health and safety.
Building System. Plans, specifications, and documentation
for a system of manufactured building or for a type or a
system of building components, which can include structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection
systems, and other systems affecting health and safety, and
including such variations thereof as are specifically permitted by regulation, and which variations are submitted as
part of the building system or amendment thereto.
Closed Construction. Any building, building component,
assembly, or system manufactured in such a manner that all
concealed parts of processes of manufacture cannot be inspected after installation at the building site without disassembly, damage, or destruction.
Manufactured Building. Any building that is of closed
construction and is made or assembled in manufacturing
facilities on or off the building site for installation, or for
assembly and installation on the building site, other than
manufactured homes, mobile homes, park trailers, or recreational vehicles.
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540.20 Listing Requirements. Projectors and enclosures
for arc, xenon, and incandescent lamps and rectifiers, transformers, rheostats, and similar equipment shall be listed.
545.2 Definitions.
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ing space not less than 750 mm (30 in.) wide on each side
and at the rear thereof.
540.21 Marking. Projectors and other equipment shall be
marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark and
with the voltage and current for which they are designed in
accordance with 110.21.
545.4 Wiring Methods.
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III. Nonprofessional Projectors
540.31 Motion Picture Projection Room Not Required.
Projectors of the nonprofessional or miniature type, where
employing cellulose acetate (safety) film, shall be permitted
to be operated without a projection room.
540.32 Listing Requirements. Projection equipment shall
be listed.
IV. Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and
Reproduction Equipment
540.50 Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and Reproduction Equipment. Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment shall be installed as
provided in Article 640.
ARTICLE 545
Manufactured Buildings
545.1 Scope. This article covers requirements for a manufactured building and building components as herein defined.
70–506
(A) Methods Permitted. All raceway and cable wiring
methods included in this Code and other wiring systems
specifically intended and listed for use in manufactured
buildings shall be permitted with listed fittings and with
fittings listed and identified for manufactured buildings.
[ROP 19–8]
(B) Securing Cables. In closed construction, cables shall
be permitted to be secured only at cabinets, boxes, or fittings where 10 AWG or smaller conductors are used and
protection against physical damage is provided.
545.5 Supply Conductors. Provisions shall be made to
route the service-entrance, underground service conductors,
service-lateral, feeder, or branch-circuit supply to the service or building disconnecting means conductors. [ROP
19–9]
545.6 Installation of Service-Entrance Conductors.
Service-entrance conductors shall be installed after erection
at the building site.
Exception: Where point of attachment is known prior to
manufacture.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 547 — AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
547.4
545.7 Service Equipment. Service equipment shall be installed in accordance with 230.70.
ing or adjacent areas of similar or like nature as specified in
547.1(A) or (B).
545.8 Protection of Conductors and Equipment. Protection shall be provided for exposed conductors and equipment during processes of manufacturing, packaging, in
transit, and erection at the building site.
(A) Excessive Dust and Dust with Water. Agricultural
buildings where excessive dust and dust with water may
accumulate, including all areas of poultry, livestock, and
fish confinement systems, where litter dust or feed dust,
including mineral feed particles, may accumulate.
(A) Other Dimensions. Boxes of dimensions other than
those required in Table 314.16(A) shall be permitted to be
installed where tested, identified, and listed to applicable
standards.
(B) Not Over 1650 cm3 (100 in.3). Any box not over 1650
cm3 (100 in.3) in size, intended for mounting in closed
construction, shall be affixed with anchors or clamps so as
to provide a rigid and secure installation.
547.2 Definitions.
Distribution Point. An electrical supply point from which
service drops, service conductors, feeders, or branch circuits to buildings or structures utilized under single management are supplied.
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545.10 Receptacle or Switch with Integral Enclosure. A
receptacle or switch with integral enclosure and mounting
means, where tested, identified, and listed to applicable
standards, shall be permitted to be installed.
(B) Corrosive Atmosphere. Agricultural buildings where
a corrosive atmosphere exists. Such buildings include areas
where the following conditions exist:
(1) Poultry and animal excrement may cause corrosive vapors.
(2) Corrosive particles may combine with water.
(3) The area is damp and wet by reason of periodic washing for cleaning and sanitizing with water and cleansing agents.
(4) Similar conditions exist.
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545.9 Boxes.
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545.11 Bonding and Grounding. Prewired panels and
building components shall provide for the bonding, or
bonding and grounding, of all exposed metals likely to become energized, in accordance with Article 250, Parts V,
VI, and VII.
545.12 Grounding Electrode Conductor. Provisions shall
be made to route a grounding electrode conductor from the
service, feeder, or branch-circuit supply to the point of attachment to the grounding electrode.
545.13 Component Interconnections. Fittings and connectors that are intended to be concealed at the time of
on-site assembly, where tested, identified, and listed to applicable standards, shall be permitted for on-site interconnection of modules or other building components. Such
fittings and connectors shall be equal to the wiring method
employed in insulation, temperature rise, and fault-current
withstand and shall be capable of enduring the vibration
and minor relative motions occurring in the components of
manufactured buildings.
ARTICLE 547
Agricultural Buildings
547.1 Scope. The provisions of this article shall apply to
the following agricultural buildings or that part of a build-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 1: Distribution points are also
known as the center yard pole, meterpole, or the common
distribution point.
Informational Note No. 2: The service point as defined in
Article 100 is typically at the distribution point.
Equipotential Plane. An area where wire mesh or other
conductive elements are embedded in or placed under concrete, bonded to all metal structures and fixed nonelectrical
equipment that may become energized, and connected to
the electrical grounding system to minimize a difference in
voltage from developing within the plane. [ROP 19–11a]
Site-Isolating Device. A disconnecting means installed at
the distribution point for the purposes of isolation, system
maintenance, emergency disconnection, or connection of
optional standby systems.
547.3 Other Articles. For buildings and structures not
having conditions as specified in 547.1, the electrical installations shall be made in accordance with the applicable
articles in this Code.
547.4 Surface Temperatures. Electrical equipment or devices installed in accordance with the provisions of this
article shall be installed in a manner such that they will
function at full rating without developing surface temperatures in excess of the specified normal safe operating range
of the equipment or device.
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547.5
ARTICLE 547 — AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
(A) Wiring Systems. Types UF, NMC, copper SE cables,
jacketed Type MC cable, rigid nonmetallic conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or other cables or
raceways suitable for the location, with approved termination fittings, shall be the wiring methods employed. The
wiring methods of Article 502, Part II, shall be permitted
for areas described in 547.1(A).
Informational Note: See 300.7, 352.44, and 355.44 for
installation of raceway systems exposed to widely different
temperatures.
(B) Mounting. All cables shall be secured within 200 mm
(8 in.) of each cabinet, box, or fitting. Nonmetallic boxes,
fittings, conduit, and cables shall be permitted to be
mounted directly to any building surface covered by this
article without maintaining the 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) airspace in
accordance with 300.6(D).
(F) Separate Equipment Grounding Conductor. Where
an equipment grounding conductor is installed within a location falling under the scope of Article 547, it shall be a
copper conductor. Where an equipment grounding conductor is installed underground, it shall be insulated or covered
copper.
(G) Receptacles. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20ampere general-purpose receptacles installed in the locations listed in (1) through (4) shall have ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection:
(1) Areas having an equipotential plane
(2) Outdoors
(3) Damp or wet locations
(4) Dirt confinement areas for livestock
547.6 Switches, Receptacles, Circuit Breakers, Controllers, and Fuses. Switches, including pushbuttons, relays,
and similar devices, receptacles, circuit breakers, controllers, and fuses, shall be provided with enclosures as specified in 547.5(C).
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(C) Equipment Enclosures, Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and
Fittings.
(E) Physical Protection. All electrical wiring and equipment subject to physical damage shall be protected.
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547.5 Wiring Methods.
(1) Excessive Dust. Equipment enclosures, boxes, conduit
bodies, and fittings installed in areas of buildings where
excessive dust may be present shall be designed to minimize the entrance of dust and shall have no openings (such
as holes for attachment screws) through which dust could
enter the enclosure.
547.7 Motors. Motors and other rotating electrical machinery shall be totally enclosed or designed so as to minimize the entrance of dust, moisture, or corrosive particles.
547.8 Luminaires. Luminaires
547.8(A) through (C).
(3) Corrosive Atmosphere. Where wet dust, excessive
moisture, corrosive gases or vapors, or other corrosive conditions may be present, equipment enclosures, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall have corrosion resistance
properties suitable for the conditions.
(C) Exposed to Water. Luminaires exposed to water from
condensation, building cleansing water, or solution shall be
listed as suitable for use in wet locations.
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(2) Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations,
equipment enclosures, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings
shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture from
entering or accumulating within the enclosure, box, conduit
body, or fitting. In wet locations, including normally dry or
damp locations where surfaces are periodically washed or
sprayed with water, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall
be listed for use in wet locations and equipment enclosures
shall be weatherproof.
Informational Note No. 1: See Table 110.29 for appropriate enclosure type designations.
Informational Note No. 2: Aluminum and magnetic ferrous materials may corrode in agricultural environments.
(D) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections, dusttight flexible connectors, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or flexible cord listed and identified for hard
usage shall be used. [ROP 19–17]
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shall
comply
with
(A) Minimize the Entrance of Dust. Luminaires shall be
installed to minimize the entrance of dust, foreign matter,
moisture, and corrosive material.
(B) Exposed to Physical Damage. Luminaires exposed to
physical damage shall be protected by a suitable guard.
547.9 Electrical Supply to Building(s) or Structure(s)
from a Distribution Point. A distribution point shall be
permitted to supply any building or structure located on the
same premises. The overhead electrical supply shall comply with 547.9(A) and (B), or with 547.9(C). The underground electrical supply shall comply with 547.9(C).
(A) Site-Isolating Device. Site-isolating devices shall
comply with 547.9(A)(1) through (A)(10).
(1) Where Required. A site-isolating device shall be installed at the distribution point where two or more build-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 547 — AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
(2) Location. The site-isolating device shall be polemounted and be not less than the height above grade required by 230.24 for the conductors it supplies.
(3) Operation. The site-isolating device shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded service conductors from
the premises wiring.
(4) Bonding Provisions. The site-isolating device enclosure shall be connected to the grounded circuit conductor
and the grounding electrode system.
(5) Grounding. At the site-isolating device, the system
grounded conductor shall be connected to a grounding electrode system via a grounding electrode conductor.
(6) Rating. The site-isolating device shall be rated for the
calculated load as determined by Part V of Article 220.
(7) Overcurrent Protection. The site-isolating device
shall not be required to provide overcurrent protection.
(C) Service Disconnecting Means and Overcurrent Protection at the Distribution Point. Where the service disconnecting means and overcurrent protection for each set of
feeders or branch circuits are located at the distribution
point, the feeders or branch circuits to buildings or structures shall comply with the provisions of 250.32 and Article
225, Parts I and II.
Informational Note: Methods to reduce neutral-to-earth
voltages in livestock facilities include supplying buildings
or structures with 4-wire single-phase services, sizing
3-wire single-phase service and feeder conductors to limit
voltage drop to 2 percent, and connecting loads line-to-line.
(D) Identification. Where a site is supplied by more than
one distribution point, a permanent plaque or directory
shall be installed at each of these distribution points denoting the location of each of the other distribution points and
the buildings or structures served by each.
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(8) Accessibility. The site-isolating device shall be capable
of being remotely operated by an operating handle installed
at a readily accessible location. The operating handle of the
site-isolating device, when in its highest position, shall not
be more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above grade or a working
platform.
(1) The equipment grounding conductor is not smaller than
the largest supply conductor if of the same material, or
is adjusted in size in accordance with the equivalent
size columns of Table 250.122 if of different materials.
(2) The equipment grounding conductor is connected to
the grounded circuit conductor and the site-isolating
device enclosure at the distribution point. [ROP 19–21]
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ings or structures are supplied from the distribution point.
[ROP 19–20a]
547.10
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(9) Series Devices. An additional site-isolating device for
the premises wiring system shall not be required where a
site-isolating device meeting all applicable requirements of
this section is provided by the serving utility as part of their
service requirements.
(10) Marking. A site-isolating device shall be permanently
marked to identify it as a site-isolating device. This marking shall be located on the operating handle or immediately
adjacent thereto.
(B) Service Disconnecting Means and Overcurrent Protection at the Building(s) or Structure(s). Where the service disconnecting means and overcurrent protection are
located at the building(s) or structure(s), the requirements
of 547.9(B)(1) through (B)(3) shall apply.
(1) Conductor Sizing. The supply conductors shall be
sized in accordance with Part V of Article 220.
(2) Conductor Installation. The supply conductors shall
be installed in accordance with the requirements of Part II
of Article 225.
(3) Grounding and Bonding. For each building or structure, grounding and bonding of the supply conductors shall
be in accordance with the requirements of 250.32, and the
following conditions shall be met:
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
547.10 Equipotential Planes and Bonding of Equipotential Planes. The installation and bonding of equipotential
planes shall comply with 547.10(A) and (B). For the purposes of this section, the term livestock shall not include
poultry.
(A) Where Required. Equipotential planes shall be installed where required in (A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Indoors. Equipotential planes shall be installed in confinement areas with concrete floors where metallic equipment is located that may become energized and is accessible to livestock.
(2) Outdoors. Equipotential planes shall be installed in
concrete slabs where metallic equipment is located that
may become energized and is accessible to livestock.
The equipotential plane shall encompass the area where
the livestock stands while accessing metallic equipment
that may become energized.
(B) Bonding. Equipotential planes shall be connected to
the electrical grounding system. The bonding conductor
shall be solid copper, insulated, covered or bare, and not
smaller than 8 AWG. The means of bonding to wire mesh
or conductive elements shall be by pressure connectors or
clamps of brass, copper, copper alloy, or an equally substantial approved means. Slatted floors that are supported
70–509
550.1
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
Informational Note No. 1: Methods to establish equipotential planes are described in American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) EP473.2-2001,
Equipotential Planes in Animal Containment Areas.
Informational Note No. 2: Methods for safe installation of
livestock waterers are described in American Society of
Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) EP342.32010, Safety for Electrically Heated Livestock Waterers.
[ROP 19–26a]
Informational Note No. 3: Low grounding electrode system resistances may reduce potential differences in livestock facilities.
ARTICLE 550
Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes,
and Mobile Home Parks
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550.1 Scope. The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on mobile and manufactured homes, the conductors that connect
mobile and manufactured homes to a supply of electricity,
and the installation of electrical wiring, luminaires, equipment, and appurtenances related to electrical installations
within a mobile home park up to the mobile home serviceentrance conductors or, if none, the mobile home service
equipment.
Informational Note: For additional information on manufactured housing see NFPA 501-2010, Standard on Manufactured Housing, and Part 3280, Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, of the Federal Department
of Housing and Urban Development.
550.2 Definitions.
Appliance, Fixed. An appliance that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location.
Appliance, Portable. An appliance that is actually moved
or can easily be moved from one place to another in normal
use.
Informational Note: For the purpose of this article, the
following major appliances, other than built-in, are considered portable if cord connected: refrigerators, range equipment, clothes washers, dishwashers without booster heaters, or other similar appliances.
[ROP 19–28, ROP 19–27]
Feeder Assembly. The overhead or under-chassis feeder
conductors, including the grounding conductor, together
70–510
Laundry Area. An area containing or designed to contain a
laundry tray, clothes washer, or a clothes dryer.
Manufactured Home. A structure, transportable in one or
more sections, that, in the traveling mode, is 2.4 m (8 bodyft) or more in width or 12.2 m (40 body-ft) or more in
length, or, when erected on site, is 29.7 m2 (320 ft2) or
more and that is built on a permanent chassis and designed
to be used as a dwelling, with or without a permanent
foundation, when connected therein. The term manufactured home includes any structure that meets all the provisions of this paragraph except the size requirements and
with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a
certification required by the regulatory agency, and except
that such term does not include any self-propelled recreational vehicle. Calculations used to determine the number
of square meters (square feet) in a structure are based on
the structure’s exterior dimensions, measured at the largest
horizontal projections when erected on site. These dimensions include all expandable rooms, cabinets, and other projections containing interior space but do not include bay
windows.
For the purpose of this Code and unless otherwise indicated, the term mobile home includes manufactured
homes.
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I. General
with the necessary fittings and equipment or a powersupply cord listed for mobile home use, identified for the
delivery of energy from the source of electrical supply to
the panelboard within the mobile home. [ROP 19–27, ROP
19–29]
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by structures that are a part of an equipotential plane shall
not require bonding.
Informational Note No. 1: See the applicable building
code for definition of the term permanent foundation.
Informational Note No. 2: See Part 3280, Manufactured
Home Construction and Safety Standards, of the Federal
Department of Housing and Urban Development, for additional information on the definition.
Mobile Home. A factory-assembled structure or structures
transportable in one or more sections that are built on a
permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling
without a permanent foundation where connected to the
required utilities and that include the plumbing, heating,
air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein.
For the purpose of this Code and unless otherwise indicated, the term mobile home includes manufactured
homes.
Mobile Home Accessory Building or Structure. Any awning, cabana, ramada, storage cabinet, carport, fence, windbreak, or porch established for the use of the occupant of
the mobile home on a mobile home lot.
Mobile Home Lot. A designated portion of a mobile home
park designed for the accommodation of one mobile home
and its accessory buildings or structures for the exclusive
use of its occupants.
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ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
Mobile Home Service Equipment. The equipment containing the disconnecting means, overcurrent protective devices, and receptacles or other means for connecting a mobile home feeder assembly.
Park Electrical Wiring Systems. All of the electrical wiring, luminaires, equipment, and appurtenances related to
electrical installations within a mobile home park, including the mobile home service equipment.
550.4 General Requirements.
(B) Power-Supply Cord. If the mobile home has a powersupply cord, it shall be permanently attached to the panelboard or to a junction box permanently connected to the
panelboard, with the free end terminating in an attachment
plug cap. [ROP 19–27]
Cords with adapters and pigtail ends, extension cords,
and similar items shall not be attached to, or shipped with,
a mobile home.
A suitable clamp or the equivalent shall be provided at
the panelboard knockout to afford strain relief for the cord
to prevent strain from being transmitted to the terminals
when the power-supply cord is handled in its intended manner. [ROP 19–27]
The cord shall be a listed type with four conductors,
one of which shall be identified by a continuous green color
or a continuous green color with one or more yellow stripes
for use as the grounding conductor.
(C) Attachment Plug Cap. The attachment plug cap shall
be a 3-pole, 4-wire, grounding type, rated 50 amperes,
125/250 volts with a configuration as shown in Figure
550.10(C) and intended for use with the 50-ampere,
125/250-volt receptacle configuration shown in Figure
550.10(C). It shall be listed, by itself or as part of a powersupply cord assembly, for the purpose and shall be molded
to or installed on the flexible cord so that it is secured
tightly to the cord at the point where the cord enters the
attachment plug cap. If a right-angle cap is used, the configuration shall be oriented so that the grounding member is
farthest from the cord.
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(A) Mobile Home Not Intended as a Dwelling Unit. A
mobile home not intended as a dwelling unit — for example, those equipped for sleeping purposes only, contractor’s on-site offices, construction job dormitories, mobile
studio dressing rooms, banks, clinics, mobile stores, or intended for the display or demonstration of merchandise or
machinery — shall not be required to meet the provisions
of this article pertaining to the number or capacity of circuits required. It shall, however, meet all other applicable
requirements of this article if provided with an electrical
installation intended to be energized from a 120-volt or
120/240-volt ac power supply system. Where different voltage is required by either design or available power supply
system, adjustment shall be made in accordance with other
articles and sections for the voltage used.
Exception No. 2: A feeder assembly shall not be required
for manufactured homes constructed in accordance with
550.32(B).
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Mobile Home Park. A contiguous parcel of land that is
used for the accommodation of occupied mobile homes.
550.10
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(B) In Other Than Mobile Home Parks. Mobile homes
installed in other than mobile home parks shall comply
with the provisions of this article.
(C) Connection to Wiring System. The provisions of this
article shall apply to mobile homes intended for connection
to a wiring system rated 120/240 volts, nominal, 3-wire ac,
with a grounded neutral conductor.
(D) Listed or Labeled. All electrical materials, devices,
appliances, fittings, and other equipment shall be listed or
labeled by a qualified testing agency and shall be connected
in an approved manner when installed.
Informational Note: Complete details of the 50-ampere
plug and receptacle configuration can be found in the National Electrical Manufacturers Association Standard for
Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles,
ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002 (R2008) , Figure 14-50. [ROP
19–31a]
Receptacle
Cap
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II. Mobile and Manufactured Homes
550.10 Power Supply.
(A) Feeder. The power supply to the mobile home shall be
a feeder assembly consisting of not more than one listed
50-ampere mobile home power-supply cord or a permanently installed feeder.
Exception No. 1: A mobile home that is factory equipped
with gas or oil-fired central heating equipment and cooking
appliances shall be permitted to be provided with a listed
mobile home power-supply cord rated 40 amperes.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
X
Y
W
Y
X
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125/250-V, 50-A, 3-pole, 4-wire, grounding type
Figure 550.10(C) 50-Ampere, 125/250-Volt Receptacle and Attachment Plug Cap Configurations, 3-Pole, 4-Wire,
Grounding-Types, Used for Mobile Home Supply Cords and
Mobile Home Parks.
(D) Overall Length of a Power-Supply Cord. The overall length of a power-supply cord, measured from the end
70–511
550.11
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
of the cord, including bared leads, to the face of the attachment plug cap shall not be less than 6.4 m (21 ft) and shall
not exceed 11 m (361⁄2 ft). The length of the cord from the
face of the attachment plug cap to the point where the cord
enters the mobile home shall not be less than 6.0 m (20 ft).
(E) Marking. The power-supply cord shall bear the following marking:
FOR USE WITH MOBILE HOMES — 40 AMPERES
or
used, the maximum fuse size for the mains shall be plainly
marked with lettering at least 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) high and visible
when fuses are changed. [ROP 19–27]
Where plug fuses and fuseholders are used, they shall
be tamper-resistant Type S, enclosed in dead-front fuse
panelboards. Electrical panelboards containing circuit
breakers shall also be dead-front type. [ROP 19–27]
Informational Note: See 110.22 concerning identification
of each disconnecting means and each service, feeder, or
branch circuit at the point where it originated and the type
marking needed.
FOR USE WITH MOBILE HOMES — 50 AMPERES
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(G) Protected. Where the cord passes through walls or
floors, it shall be protected by means of conduits and bushings or equivalent. The cord shall be permitted to be installed within the mobile home walls, provided a continuous raceway having a maximum size of 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) is
installed from the branch-circuit panelboard to the underside of the mobile home floor.
(A) Disconnecting Means. A single disconnecting means
shall be provided in each mobile home consisting of a circuit breaker, or a switch and fuses and its accessories installed in a readily accessible location near the point of
entrance of the supply cord or conductors into the mobile
home. The main circuit breakers or fuses shall be plainly
marked “Main.” This equipment shall contain a solderless
type of grounding connector or bar for the purposes of
grounding, with sufficient terminals for all grounding conductors. The terminations of the grounded circuit conductors shall be insulated in accordance with 550.16(A). The
disconnecting equipment shall have a rating not less than
the calculated load. The distribution equipment, either circuit breaker or fused type, shall be located a minimum of
600 mm (24 in.) from the bottom of such equipment to the
floor level of the mobile home.
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(F) Point of Entrance. The point of entrance of the feeder
assembly to the mobile home shall be in the exterior wall,
floor, or roof.
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(H) Protection Against Corrosion and Mechanical
Damage. Permanent provisions shall be made for the protection of the attachment plug cap of the power-supply cord
and any connector cord assembly or receptacle against corrosion and mechanical damage if such devices are in an
exterior location while the mobile home is in transit.
(I) Mast Weatherhead or Raceway. Where the calculated
load exceeds 50 amperes or where a permanent feeder is
used, the supply shall be by means of either of the following:
(1) One mast weatherhead installation, installed in accordance with Article 230, containing four continuous, insulated, color-coded feeder conductors, one of which
shall be an equipment grounding conductor
(2) A metal raceway or rigid nonmetallic conduit from the
disconnecting means in the mobile home to the underside of the mobile home, with provisions for the attachment to a suitable junction box or fitting to the raceway
on the underside of the mobile home [with or without
conductors as in 550.10(I)(1)]. The manufacturer shall
provide written installation instructions stating the
proper feeder conductor sizes for the raceway and the
size of the junction box to be used.
550.11 Disconnecting Means and Branch-Circuit Protective Equipment. The branch-circuit equipment shall be
permitted to be combined with the disconnecting means as
a single assembly. Such a combination shall be permitted to
be designated as a panelboard. If a fused panelboard is
70–512
Informational Note: See 550.20(B) for information on disconnecting means for branch circuits designed to energize
heating or air-conditioning equipment, or both, located outside the mobile home, other than room air conditioners.
A panelboard shall be rated not less than 50 amperes
and employ a 2-pole circuit breaker rated 40 amperes for a
40-ampere supply cord, or 50 amperes for a 50-ampere
supply cord. A panelboard employing a disconnect switch
and fuses shall be rated 60 amperes and shall employ a
single 2-pole, 60-ampere fuseholder with 40- or 50-ampere
main fuses for 40- or 50-ampere supply cords, respectively.
The outside of the panelboard shall be plainly marked with
the fuse size. [ROP 19–27]
The panelboard shall be located in an accessible location but shall not be located in a bathroom or a clothes
closet. A clear working space at least 750 mm (30 in.) wide
and 750 mm (30 in.) in front of the panelboard shall be
provided. This space shall extend from the floor to the top
of the panelboard. [ROP 19–27]
(B) Branch-Circuit Protective Equipment. Branchcircuit distribution equipment shall be installed in each mobile home and shall include overcurrent protection for each
branch circuit consisting of either circuit breakers or fuses.
The branch-circuit overcurrent devices shall be rated as
follows:
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ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
550.13
(1) Not more than the circuit conductors; and
(2) Not more than 150 percent of the rating of a single
appliance rated 13.3 amperes or more that is supplied
by an individual branch circuit; but
(3) Not more than the overcurrent protection size and of
the type marked on the air conditioner or other motoroperated appliance.
Exception No. 2: Receptacle outlets installed to provide
power for supplemental equipment and lighting on gasfired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units shall
be permitted.
(C) Two-Pole Circuit Breakers. Where circuit breakers
are provided for branch-circuit protection, 240-volt circuits
shall be protected by a 2-pole common or companion trip,
or by circuit breakers with identified handle ties.
Countertop receptacle outlets installed in the kitchen
shall be supplied by not less than two small-appliance circuit branch circuits, either or both of which shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other
locations specified in 550.12(B).
THIS CONNECTION FOR 120/240-VOLT,
3-POLE, 4-WIRE, 60-HERTZ,
_____ AMPERE SUPPLY
(D) General Appliances. (Including furnace, water heater,
range, and central or room air conditioner, etc.). There shall
be one or more circuits of adequate rating in accordance
with the following:
AF
The correct ampere rating shall be marked in the blank
space.
(C) Laundry Area. Where a laundry area is provided, a
20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the
laundry receptacle outlet(s). This circuit shall have no other
outlets.
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(D) Electrical Nameplates. A metal nameplate on the outside adjacent to the feeder assembly entrance shall read as
follows:
Exception No. 3: A single receptacle for refrigeration
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.
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Exception: For manufactured homes, the manufacturer
shall provide in its written installation instructions or in the
data plate the minimum ampere rating of the feeder assembly or, where provided, the service-entrance conductors intended for connection to the manufactured home. The rating provided shall not be less than the minimum load
calculated in accordance with 550.18.
550.12 Branch Circuits. The number of branch circuits
required shall be determined in accordance with 550.12(A)
through (E).
(A) Lighting. The number of branch circuits shall be
based on 33 volt-amperes/m2 (3 VA/ft2) times outside dimensions of the mobile home (coupler excluded) divided
by 120 volts to determine the number of 15- or 20-ampere
lighting area circuits, for example,
3 × length × width
120 × 15 ( or 20 )
= No. of 15- ( or 20 - ) ampere circuits
(B) Small Appliances. In kitchens, pantries, dining rooms,
and breakfast rooms, two or more 20-ampere smallappliance circuits, in addition to the number of circuits
required elsewhere in this section, shall be provided for all
receptacle outlets required by 550.13(D) in these rooms.
Such circuits shall have no other outlets.
Exception No. 1: Receptacle outlets installed solely for the
electrical supply and support of an electric clock in any the
rooms specified in 550.12(B) shall be permitted.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: For central air conditioning, see Article 440.
(1) The ampere rating of fixed appliances shall be not over
50 percent of the circuit rating if lighting outlets (receptacles, other than kitchen, dining area, and laundry,
considered as lighting outlets) are on the same circuit.
(2) For fixed appliances on a circuit without lighting outlets, the sum of rated amperes shall not exceed the
branch-circuit rating. Motor loads or continuous loads
shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit rating.
(3) The rating of a single cord-and-plug-connected appliance on a circuit having no other outlets shall not exceed 80 percent of the circuit rating.
(4) The rating of a range branch circuit shall be based on
the range demand as specified for ranges in
550.18(B)(5).
(E) Bathrooms. Bathroom receptacle outlets shall be supplied by at least one 20-ampere branch circuit. Such circuits
shall have no outlets other than as provided for in
550.13(E)(2).
550.13 Receptacle Outlets.
(A) Grounding-Type Receptacle Outlets. All receptacle
outlets shall comply with the following:
(1) Be of grounding type
(2) Be installed according to 406.4
(3) Except where supplying specific appliances, be 15- or
20-ampere, 125-volt, either single or multiple type, and
accept parallel-blade attachment plugs
70–513
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
(B) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). All 125volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets installed outdoors, in compartments accessible from outside
the unit, or in bathrooms, including receptacles in luminaires, shall have GFCI protection. GFCI protection shall
be provided for receptacle outlets serving countertops in
kitchens and receptacle outlets located within 1.8 m (6 ft)
of a wet bar sink. The exceptions in 210.8(A) shall be
permitted.
Feeders supplying branch circuits shall be permitted to
be protected by a ground-fault circuit-interrupter in lieu of
the provision for such interrupters specified herein.
(C) Cord-Connected Fixed Appliance. A grounding-type
receptacle outlet shall be provided for each cord-connected
fixed appliance installed.
(F) Receptacle Outlets Not Permitted. Receptacle outlets
shall not be permitted in the following locations:
(1) Receptacle outlets shall not be installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower space.
(2) A receptacle shall not be installed in a face-up position
in any countertop.
(3) Receptacle outlets shall not be installed above electric
baseboard heaters, unless provided for in the listing or
manufacturer’s instructions.
(G) Receptacle Outlets Not Required. Receptacle outlets
shall not be required in the following locations:
(1) In the wall space occupied by built-in kitchen or wardrobe cabinets
(2) In the wall space behind doors that can be opened fully
against a wall surface
(3) In room dividers of the lattice type that are less than 2.5
m (8 ft) long, not solid, and within 150 mm (6 in.) of
the floor
(4) In the wall space afforded by bar-type counters
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(D) Receptacle Outlets Required. Except in the bath,
closet, and hallway areas, receptacle outlets shall be installed at wall spaces 600 mm (2 ft) wide or more so that no
point along the floor line is more than 1.8 m (6 ft) measured
horizontally from an outlet in that space. In addition, a
receptacle outlet shall be installed in the following locations:
(1) Over or adjacent to countertops in the kitchen [at least
one on each side of the sink if countertops are on each
side and are 300 mm (12 in.) or over in width].
(2) Adjacent to the refrigerator and freestanding gas-range
space. A multiple-type receptacle shall be permitted to
serve as the outlet for a countertop and a refrigerator.
(3) At countertop spaces for built-in vanities.
(4) At countertop spaces under wall-mounted cabinets.
(5) In the wall at the nearest point to where a bar-type
counter attaches to the wall.
(6) In the wall at the nearest point to where a fixed room
divider attaches to the wall.
(7) In laundry areas within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the intended
location of the laundry appliance(s).
(8) At least one receptacle outlet located outdoors and accessible at grade level and not more than 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft)
above grade. A receptacle outlet located in a compartment accessible from the outside of the unit shall be
considered an outdoor receptacle.
(9) At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (36 in.) of the outside edge of
each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located above
or adjacent to the basin location. This receptacle shall
be in addition to any receptacle that is a part of a
luminaire or appliance. The receptacle shall not be enclosed within a bathroom cabinet or vanity.
(1) Within 600 mm (2 ft) of the cold water inlet.
(2) Connected to an interior branch circuit, other than a
small-appliance branch circuit. It shall be permitted to
use a bathroom receptacle circuit for this purpose.
(3) On a circuit where all of the outlets are on the load side
of the ground-fault circuit-interrupter.
(4) This outlet shall not be considered as the receptacle
required by 550.13(D)(8).
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550.14
(E) Pipe Heating Cable(s) Outlet. For the connection of
pipe heating cable(s), a receptacle outlet shall be located on
the underside of the unit as follows:
70–514
550.14 Luminaires and Appliances.
(A) Fasten Appliances in Transit. Means shall be provided to securely fasten appliances when the mobile home
is in transit. (See 550.16 for provisions on grounding.)
(B) Accessibility. Every appliance shall be accessible for
inspection, service, repair, or replacement without removal
of permanent construction.
(C) Pendants. Listed pendant-type luminaires or pendant
cords shall be permitted.
(D) Bathtub and Shower Luminaires. Where a luminaire
is installed over a bathtub or in a shower stall, it shall be of
the enclosed and gasketed type listed for wet locations.
550.15 Wiring Methods and Materials. Except as specifically limited in this section, the wiring methods and
materials included in this Code shall be used in mobile
homes. Aluminum conductors, aluminum alloy conductors,
and aluminum core conductors such as copper-clad aluminum shall not be acceptable for use as branch-circuit wiring.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
550.16
(A) Nonmetallic Boxes. Nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted only with nonmetallic cable or nonmetallic raceways.
approved for use in wet locations or where subject to physical damage. The conductors shall be listed for use in wet
locations. [ROP 19–39, ROP 19–37]
(B) Nonmetallic Cable Protection. Nonmetallic cable located 380 mm (15 in.) or less above the floor, if exposed,
shall be protected from physical damage by covering
boards, guard strips, or raceways. Cable likely to be damaged by stowage shall be so protected in all cases.
(I) Boxes, Fittings, and Cabinets. Boxes, fittings, and
cabinets shall be securely fastened in place and shall be
supported from a structural member of the home, either
directly or by using a substantial brace.
AF
(D) Metal Faceplates. Where metal faceplates are used,
they shall be grounded.
(J) Appliance Terminal Connections. Appliances having
branch-circuit terminal connections that operate at temperatures higher than 60°C (140°F) shall have circuit conductors as described in the following:
(1) Branch-circuit conductors having an insulation suitable
for the temperature encountered shall be permitted to
be run directly to the appliance.
(2) Conductors having an insulation suitable for the temperature encountered shall be run from the appliance
terminal connection to a readily accessible outlet box
placed at least 300 mm (1 ft) from the appliance. These
conductors shall be in a suitable raceway or Type AC
or MC cable of at least 450 mm (18 in.) but not more
than 1.8 m (6 ft) in length.
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(C) Metal-Covered and Nonmetallic Cable Protection.
Metal-covered and nonmetallic cables shall be permitted to
pass through the centers of the wide side of 2 by 4 studs.
However, they shall be protected where they pass through 2
by 2 studs or at other studs or frames where the cable or
armor would be less than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the inside
or outside surface of the studs where the wall covering
materials are in contact with the studs. Steel plates on each
side of the cable, or a tube, with not less than 1.35 mm
(0.053 in.) wall thickness shall be required to protect the
cable. These plates or tubes shall be securely held in place.
Exception: Snap-in-type boxes. Boxes provided with special wall or ceiling brackets and wiring devices with integral enclosures that securely fasten to walls or ceilings and
are identified for the use shall be permitted without support
from a structural member or brace. The testing and approval shall include the wall and ceiling construction systems for which the boxes and devices are intended to be
used.
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(E) Installation Requirements. Where a range, clothes
dryer, or other appliance is connected by metal-covered
cable or flexible metal conduit, a length of not less than 900
mm (3 ft) of unsupported cable or conduit shall be provided
to service the appliance. The cable or flexible metal conduit
shall be secured to the wall. Type NM or Type SE cable
shall not be used to connect a range or dryer. This shall not
prohibit the use of Type NM or Type SE cable between the
branch-circuit overcurrent protective device and a junction
box or range or dryer receptacle.
(F) Raceways. Where rigid metal conduit or intermediate
metal conduit is terminated at an enclosure with a locknut
and bushing connection, two locknuts shall be provided,
one inside and one outside of the enclosure. Rigid nonmetallic conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing, or surface raceway shall be permitted. All cut ends of conduit and tubing
shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough
edges.
(G) Switches. Switches shall be rated as follows:
(1) For lighting circuits, switches shall be rated not less
than 10 amperes, 120 to 125 volts, and in no case less
than the connected load.
(2) Switches for motor or other loads shall comply with the
provisions of 404.14.
(H) Under-Chassis Wiring (Exposed to Weather).
Where outdoor or under-chassis line-voltage (120 volts,
nominal, or higher) wiring is exposed to moisture or physical damage, it shall be protected by a conduit or raceway
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(K) Component Interconnections. Fittings and connectors that are intended to be concealed at the time of assembly shall be listed and identified for the interconnection of
building components. Such fittings and connectors shall be
equal to the wiring method employed in insulation, temperature rise, and fault-current withstanding and shall be
capable of enduring the vibration and shock occurring in
mobile home transportation.
Informational Note: See 550.19 for interconnection of
multiple section units.
550.16 Grounding. Grounding of both electrical and nonelectrical metal parts in a mobile home shall be through
connection to a grounding bus in the mobile home panelboard and shall be connected through the green-colored
insulated conductor in the supply cord or the feeder wiring
to the grounding bus in the service-entrance equipment located adjacent to the mobile home location. Neither the
frame of the mobile home nor the frame of any appliance
shall be connected to the grounded circuit conductor in the
mobile home. Where the panelboard is the service equipment as permitted by 550.32(B), the neutral conductors and
the equipment grounding bus shall be connected. [ROP
19–27]
70–515
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
(A) Grounded Conductor.
(1) Insulated. The grounded circuit conductor shall be insulated from the grounding conductors and from equipment
enclosures and other grounded parts. The grounded circuit
conductor terminals in the panelboard and in ranges,
clothes dryers, counter-mounted cooking units, and wallmounted ovens shall be insulated from the equipment enclosure. Bonding screws, straps, or buses in the panelboard
or in appliances shall be removed and discarded. Where the
panelboard is the service equipment as permitted by
550.32(B), the neutral conductors and the equipment
grounding bus shall be connected. [ROP 19–27]
(2) Connections of Ranges and Clothes Dryers. Connections of ranges and clothes dryers with 120/240-volt, 3-wire
ratings shall be made with 4-conductor cord and 3-pole,
4-wire, grounding-type plugs or by Type AC cable, Type
MC cable, or conductors enclosed in flexible metal conduit.
(B) Equipment Grounding Means.
(4) Metallic Roof and Exterior Coverings. Any metallic
roof and exterior covering shall be considered bonded if the
following conditions are met:
(1) The metal panels overlap one another and are securely
attached to the wood or metal frame parts by metallic
fasteners.
(2) The lower panel of the metallic exterior covering is
secured by metallic fasteners at a cross member of the
chassis by two metal straps per mobile home unit or
section at opposite ends.
The bonding strap material shall be a minimum of
100 mm (4 in.) in width of material equivalent to the skin
or a material of equal or better electrical conductivity. The
straps shall be fastened with paint-penetrating fittings such
as screws and starwashers or equivalent.
550.17 Testing.
AF
(1) Supply Cord or Permanent Feeder. The greencolored insulated grounding wire in the supply cord or permanent feeder wiring shall be connected to the grounding
bus in the panelboard or disconnecting means. [ROP
19–27]
(3) Metallic Piping and Ducts. Metallic gas, water, and
waste pipes and metallic air-circulating ducts shall be considered bonded if they are connected to the terminal on the
chassis [see 550.16(C)(1)] by clamps, solderless connectors, or by suitable grounding-type straps.
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550.17
D
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(2) Electrical System. In the electrical system, all exposed
metal parts, enclosures, frames, luminaire canopies, and so
forth shall be effectively bonded to the grounding terminal
or enclosure of the panelboard. [ROP 19–27]
(3) Cord-Connected Appliances. Cord-connected appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, and refrigerators, and the electrical system of gas ranges and so
forth, shall be grounded by means of a cord with an equipment grounding conductor and grounding-type attachment
plug.
(A) Dielectric Strength Test. The wiring of each mobile
home shall be subjected to a 1-minute, 900-volt, dielectric
strength test (with all switches closed) between live parts
(including neutral conductor) and the mobile home ground.
Alternatively, the test shall be permitted to be performed at
1080 volts for 1 second. This test shall be performed after
branch circuits are complete and after luminaires or appliances are installed.
Exception: Listed luminaires or appliances shall not be
required to withstand the dielectric strength test.
(1) Exposed Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts. All
exposed non–current-carrying metal parts that are likely to
become energized shall be effectively bonded to the
grounding terminal or enclosure of the panelboard. A bonding conductor shall be connected between the panelboard
and accessible terminal on the chassis. [ROP 19–27]
(B) Continuity and Operational Tests and Polarity
Checks. Each mobile home shall be subjected to all of the
following:
(1) An electrical continuity test to ensure that all exposed
electrically conductive parts are properly bonded
(2) An electrical operational test to demonstrate that all
equipment, except water heaters and electric furnaces,
is connected and in working order
(3) Electrical polarity checks of permanently wired equipment and receptacle outlets to determine that connections have been properly made
(2) Grounding Terminals. Grounding terminals shall be
of the solderless type and listed as pressure-terminal connectors recognized for the wire size used. The bonding
conductor shall be solid or stranded, insulated or bare, and
shall be 8 AWG copper minimum, or equivalent. The bonding conductor shall be routed so as not to be exposed to
physical damage.
550.18 Calculations. The following method shall be employed in calculating the supply-cord and distributionpanelboard load for each feeder assembly for each mobile
home in lieu of the procedure shown in Article 220 and
shall be based on a 3-wire, 120/240-volt supply with 120volt loads balanced between the two ungrounded conductors of the 3-wire system.
(C) Bonding of Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts.
70–516
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
(A) Lighting, Small-Appliance, and Laundry Load.
(1) Lighting Volt-Amperes. Length times width of mobile
home floor (outside dimensions) times 33 volt-amperes/m2
(3 VA/ft2), for example, length × width × 3 = lighting
volt-amperes.
550.20
(6) If outlets or circuits are provided for other than factoryinstalled appliances, include the anticipated load.
Informational Note: Refer to Informative Annex D, Example D11, for an illustration of the application of this
calculation.
(C) Optional Method of Calculation for Lighting and
Appliance Load. The optional method for calculating
lighting and appliance load shown in 220.82 shall be permitted.
(3) Laundry Area Circuit Volt-Amperes. 1500 voltamperes.
550.19 Interconnection of Multiple-Section Mobile or
Manufactured Home Units.
(4) Total Volt-Amperes. Lighting volt-amperes plus
small-appliance volt-amperes plus laundry area voltamperes equals total volt-amperes.
(A) Wiring Methods. Approved and listed fixed-type wiring methods shall be used to join portions of a circuit that
must be electrically joined and are located in adjacent sections after the home is installed on its support foundation.
The circuit’s junction shall be accessible for disassembly
when the home is prepared for relocation.
Informational Note:
interconnections.
See 550.15(K) for component
AF
(5) Net Volt-Amperes. First 3000 total volt-amperes at
100 percent plus remainder at 35 percent equals voltamperes to be divided by 240 volts to obtain current (amperes) per leg.
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(2) Small-Appliance Volt-Amperes. Number of circuits
times 1500 volt-amperes for each 20-ampere appliance receptacle circuit (see definition of Appliance, Portable, with
a fine print note in 550.2), for example, number of circuits
× 1500 = small-appliance volt-amperes.
D
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(B) Total Load for Determining Power Supply. Total
load for determining power supply is the sum of the following:
(1) Lighting and small-appliance load as calculated in
550.18(A)(5).
(2) Nameplate amperes for motors and heater loads (exhaust fans, air conditioners, electric, gas, or oil heating). Omit smaller of the heating and cooling loads,
except include blower motor if used as air-conditioner
evaporator motor. Where an air conditioner is not installed and a 40-ampere power-supply cord is provided,
allow 15 amperes per leg for air conditioning.
(3) Twenty-five percent of current of largest motor in (2).
(4) Total of nameplate amperes for waste disposer, dishwasher, water heater, clothes dryer, wall-mounted oven,
cooking units. Where the number of these appliances
exceeds three, use 75 percent of total.
(5) Derive amperes for freestanding range (as distinguished from separate ovens and cooking units) by dividing the following values by 240 volts:
Nameplate Rating
(watts)
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
0–10,000
10,000–12,500
12,500–13,500
13,500–14,500
14,500–15,500
15,500–16,500
16,500–17,500
2014 Edition
Use
(volt-amperes)
80 percent of rating
8,000
8,400
8,800
9,200
9,600
10,000
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Disconnecting Means. Expandable or multiunit manufactured homes, not having permanently installed feeders,
that are to be moved from one location to another shall be
permitted to have disconnecting means with branch-circuit
protective equipment in each unit when so located that after
assembly or joining together of units, the requirements of
550.10 will be met.
550.20 Outdoor Outlets,
Equipment, and So Forth.
Luminaires,
Air-Cooling
(A) Listed for Outdoor Use. Outdoor luminaires and
equipment shall be listed for wet locations or outdoor use.
Outdoor receptacles shall comply with 406.9. Where located on the underside of the home or located under roof
extensions or similarly protected locations, outdoor luminaires and equipment shall be listed for use in damp locations.
(B) Outside Heating Equipment, Air-Conditioning
Equipment, or Both. A mobile home provided with a
branch circuit designed to energize outside heating equipment, air-conditioning equipment, or both, located outside
the mobile home, other than room air conditioners, shall
have such branch-circuit conductors terminate in a listed
outlet box, or disconnecting means, located on the outside
of the mobile home. A label shall be permanently affixed
adjacent to the outlet box and shall contain the following
information:
70–517
ARTICLE 550 — MOBILE HOMES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, AND MOBILE HOME PARKS
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR HEATING
AND/OR AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT.
THE BRANCH CIRCUIT IS RATED AT NOT
MORE THAN _____ AMPERES, AT ______ VOLTS, 60
HERTZ,
_____ CONDUCTOR AMPACITY.
A DISCONNECTING MEANS SHALL BE LOCATED
WITHIN SIGHT OF THE EQUIPMENT.
The correct voltage and ampere rating shall be given.
The tag shall be not less than 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) thick
etched brass, stainless steel, anodized or alclad aluminum,
or equivalent. The tag shall not be less than 75 mm by
45 mm (3 in. by 13⁄4 in.) minimum size.
550.25 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(A) Definition. Arc-fault circuit interrupters are defined in
Article 100.
III. Services and Feeders
D
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550.30 Distribution System. The mobile home park secondary electrical distribution system to mobile home lots
shall be single-phase, 120/240 volts, nominal. For the purpose of Part III, where the park service exceeds 240 volts,
nominal, transformers and secondary panelboards shall be
treated as services. [ROP 19–27]
550.31 Allowable Demand Factors. Park electrical wiring
systems shall be calculated (at 120/240 volts) on the larger
of the following:
(1) 16,000 volt-amperes for each mobile home lot
(2) The load calculated in accordance with 550.18 for the
largest typical mobile home that each lot will accept
It shall be permissible to calculate the feeder or service
load in accordance with Table 550.31. No demand factor
shall be allowed for any other load, except as provided in
this Code.
550.32 Service Equipment.
(A) Mobile Home Service Equipment. The mobile home
service equipment shall be located adjacent to the mobile
home and not mounted in or on the mobile home. The
service equipment shall be located in sight from and not
more than 9.0 m (30 ft) from the exterior wall of the mobile
home it serves. The service equipment shall be permitted to
be located elsewhere on the premises, provided that a dis-
70–518
Number of
Mobile Homes
Demand
Factor (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7–9
10–12
13–15
16–21
22–40
41–60
61 and over
100
55
44
39
33
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
connecting means suitable for use as service equipment is
located within sight from and not more than 9.0 m (30 ft)
from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves and is
rated not less than that required for service equipment in
accordance with 550.32(C). Grounding at the disconnecting
means shall be in accordance with 250.32.
AF
(B) Mobile Homes and Manufactured Homes. All 120volt branch circuits that supply 15- and 20-ampere outlets
installed in family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms,
closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas of mobile
homes and manufactured homes shall comply with 210.12.
Table 550.31 Demand Factors for Services and Feeders
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550.25
(B) Manufactured Home Service Equipment. The
manufactured home service equipment shall be permitted to
be installed in or on a manufactured home, provided that all
of the following conditions are met:
(1) The manufacturer shall include in its written installation instructions information indicating that the home
shall be secured in place by an anchoring system or
installed on and secured to a permanent foundation.
(2) The installation of the service shall comply with Part I
through Part VII of Article 230.
(3) Means shall be provided for the connection of a
grounding electrode conductor to the service equipment
and routing it outside the structure.
(4) Bonding and grounding of the service shall be in accordance with Part I through Part V of Article 250.
(5) The manufacturer shall include in its written installation instructions one method of grounding the service
equipment at the installation site. The instructions shall
clearly state that other methods of grounding are found
in Article 250.
(6) The minimum size grounding electrode conductor shall
be specified in the instructions.
(7) A red warning label shall be mounted on or adjacent to
the service equipment. The label shall state the
following:
WARNING
DO NOT PROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER
UNTIL THE GROUNDING ELECTRODE(S)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Where the service equipment is not installed in or on
the unit, the installation shall comply with the other provisions of this section.
(C) Rating. Mobile home service equipment shall be rated
at not less than 100 amperes at 120/240 volts, and provisions shall be made for connecting a mobile home feeder
assembly by a permanent wiring method. Power outlets
used as mobile home service equipment shall also be permitted to contain receptacles rated up to 50 amperes with
appropriate overcurrent protection. Fifty-ampere receptacles shall conform to the configuration shown in Figure
550.10(C).
Informational Note: Complete details of the 50-ampere
plug and receptacle configuration can be found in
ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002 (R2008), National Electrical
Manufacturers Association, Standard for Wiring Devices —
Dimensional Requirements, Figure 14-50. [ROP 19–43a]
Exception: For an existing feeder that is installed between
the service equipment and a disconnecting means as covered in 550.32(A), it shall be permitted to omit the equipment grounding conductor where the grounded circuit conductor is grounded at the disconnecting means in
accordance with 250.32(B) Exception.
(B) Feeder Capacity. Mobile home and manufactured
home lot feeder circuit conductors shall have a capacity not
less than the loads supplied, shall be rated at not less than
100 amperes, and shall be permitted to be sized in accordance with 310.15(B)(7).
AF
(D) Additional Outside Electrical Equipment. Means for
connecting a mobile home accessory building or structure
or additional electrical equipment located outside a mobile
home by a fixed wiring method shall be provided in either
the mobile home service equipment or the local external
disconnecting means permitted in 550.32(A).
(1) Feeder conductors shall consist of either a listed cord,
factory installed in accordance with 550.10(B), or a
permanently installed feeder consisting of four insulated, color-coded conductors that shall be identified by
the factory or field marking of the conductors in compliance with 310.110. Equipment grounding conductors
shall not be identified by stripping the insulation.
(2) Feeder conductors shall be installed in compliance with
250.32(B).
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IS INSTALLED AND CONNECTED
(SEE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS).
551.2
D
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(E) Additional Receptacles. Additional receptacles shall
be permitted for connection of electrical equipment located
outside the mobile home, and all such 125-volt, singlephase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall be protected by
a listed ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(F) Mounting Height. Outdoor mobile home disconnecting means shall be installed so the bottom of the enclosure
containing the disconnecting means is not less than
600 mm (2 ft) above finished grade or working platform.
The disconnecting means shall be installed so that the center of the grip of the operating handle, when in the highest
position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the
finished grade or working platform.
(G) Marking. Where a 125/250-volt receptacle is used in
mobile home service equipment, the service equipment
shall be marked as follows:
TURN DISCONNECTING SWITCH OR
CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF BEFORE INSERTING
OR REMOVING PLUG. PLUG MUST BE FULLY
INSERTED OR REMOVED.
The marking shall be located on the service equipment
adjacent to the receptacle outlet.
550.33 Feeder.
(A) Feeder Conductors. Feeder conductors shall comply
with the following:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 551
Recreational Vehicles and Recreational
Vehicle Parks
I. General
551.1 Scope. The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment other than low-voltage and
automotive vehicle circuits or extensions thereof, installed
within or on recreational vehicles, the conductors that connect recreational vehicles to a supply of electricity, and the
installation of equipment and devices related to electrical
installations within a recreational vehicle park.
Informational Note: For information on low-voltage systems, refer to NFPA 1192-2011, Standard on Recreational
Vehicles, and ANSI/RVIA 12V-2011, Standard for Low
Voltage Systems in Conversion and Recreational Vehicles.
[ROP 19–44a]
551.2 Definitions. (See Article 100 for additional definitions.)
Air-Conditioning or Comfort-Cooling Equipment. All of
that equipment intended or installed for the purpose of processing the treatment of air so as to control simultaneously
or individually its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and
distribution to meet the requirements of the conditioned
space.
Appliance, Fixed. An appliance that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location.
[ROP 19–44b, ROP 19–44c, ROP 19–46]
70–519
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Camping Trailer. A vehicular portable unit mounted on
wheels and constructed with collapsible partial side walls
that fold for towing by another vehicle and unfold at the
campsite to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use. (See Recreational Vehicle.)
Converter. A device that changes electrical energy from
one form to another, as from alternating current to direct
current.
Dead Front (as applied to switches, circuit breakers,
switchboards, and panelboards). Designed, constructed,
and installed so that no current-carrying parts are normally
exposed on the front. [ROP 19–45]
Disconnecting Means. The necessary equipment usually
consisting of a circuit breaker or switch and fuses, and their
accessories, located near the point of entrance of supply
conductors in a recreational vehicle and intended to constitute the means of cutoff for the supply to that recreational
vehicle.
[ROP 19–45]
Recreational Vehicle Site Feeder Circuit Conductors.
The conductors from the park service equipment to the
recreational vehicle site supply equipment.
Recreational Vehicle Site Supply Equipment. The necessary equipment, usually a power outlet, consisting of a circuit breaker or switch and fuse and their accessories, located near the point of entrance of supply conductors to a
recreational vehicle site and intended to constitute the disconnecting means for the supply to that site.
Recreational Vehicle Stand. That area of a recreational
vehicle site intended for the placement of a recreational
vehicle.
Travel Trailer. A vehicular unit, mounted on wheels, designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational,
camping, or travel use, of such size or weight as not to
require special highway movement permits when towed by
a motorized vehicle, and of gross trailer area less than 30
m2 (320 ft2). (See Recreational Vehicle.)
AF
Frame. Chassis rail and any welded addition thereto of
metal thickness of 1.35 mm (0.053 in.) or greater.
recreational vehicle on a temporary basis. It can be used as
either a recreational vehicle site or as a camping unit site.
T
551.4
Low Voltage. An electromotive force rated 24 volts, nominal, or less.
D
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Motor Home. A vehicular unit designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use
built on or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor
vehicle chassis or on a chassis cab or van that is an integral
part of the completed vehicle. (See Recreational Vehicle.)
Power-Supply Assembly. The conductors, including ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors,
the connectors, attachment plug caps, and all other fittings,
grommets, or devices installed for the purpose of delivering
energy from the source of electrical supply to the distribution panel within the recreational vehicle.
Recreational Vehicle. A vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or
is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. [ROP 19–48]
Informational Note: The basic entities are travel trailer,
camping trailer, truck camper, and motor home as referenced in NFPA 1192-2011, Standard on Recreational Vehicles. See 3.3.46, definition of Recreational Vehicle and
A.3.3.46. [ROP 19–48]
Recreational Vehicle Park. A plot of land upon which two
or more recreational vehicle sites are located, established,
or maintained for occupancy by recreational vehicles of the
general public as temporary living quarters for recreation or
vacation purposes.
Recreational Vehicle Site. A plot of ground within a recreational vehicle park set aside for the accommodation of a
70–520
Truck Camper. A portable unit constructed to provide
temporary living quarters for recreational, travel, or camping use, consisting of a roof, floor, and sides, designed to be
loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of a pickup truck.
(See Recreational Vehicle.)
551.4 General Requirements.
(A) Not Covered. A recreational vehicle not used for the
purposes as defined in 551.2 shall not be required to meet
the provisions of Part IV pertaining to the number or capacity of circuits required. It shall, however, meet all other
applicable requirements of this article if the recreational
vehicle is provided with an electrical installation intended
to be energized from a 120-volt, 208Y/120-volt, or
120/240-volt, nominal, ac power-supply system.
(B) Systems. This article covers combination electrical
systems, generator installations, and 120-volt, 208Y/120volt, or 120/240-volt, nominal, systems.
Informational Note: For information on low-voltage systems, refer to NFPA 1192-2011, Standard on Recreational
Vehicles, and ANSI/RVIA 12V-2011, Standard for Low
Voltage Systems in Conversion and Recreational Vehicles.
[ROP 19–49a]
(C) Labels. Labels required by Article 551 shall be made
of etched, metal-stamped, or embossed brass, stainless
steel, or plastic laminates 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) minimum
thick, or anodized or alclad aluminum not less than
0.020 in. (0.5 mm) thick or equal. [ROP 19–50]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
551.20 Combination Electrical Systems.
(A) General. Vehicle wiring suitable for connection to a
battery or dc supply source shall be permitted to be connected to a 120-volt source, provided the entire wiring system and equipment are rated and installed in full conformity with Parts I, II, III, IV, and V requirements of this
article covering 120-volt electrical systems. Circuits fed
from ac transformers shall not supply dc appliances.
(B) Voltage Converters (120-Volt Alternating Current
to Low-Voltage Direct Current). The 120-volt ac side of
the voltage converter shall be wired in full conformity with
Parts I, II, and IV requirements of this article for 120-volt
electrical systems. [ROP 19–42b]
Exception: Converters supplied as an integral part of a
listed appliance shall not be subject to 551.20(B).
III. Other Power Sources
551.30 Generator Installations.
(A) Mounting. Generators shall be mounted in such a
manner as to be effectively bonded to the recreational vehicle chassis.
(B) Generator Protection. Equipment shall be installed to
ensure that the current-carrying conductors from the engine
generator and from an outside source are not connected to a
vehicle circuit at the same time. Automatic transfer
switches in such applications shall be listed for use in one
of the following:
(1) Emergency systems
(2) Optional standby systems
Receptacles used as disconnecting means shall be accessible (as applied to wiring methods) and capable of interrupting their rated current without hazard to the operator.
AF
All converters and transformers shall be listed for use in
recreational vehicles and designed or equipped to provide
overtemperature protection. To determine the converter rating, the following percentages shall be applied to the total
connected load, including average battery-charging rate, of
all 12-volt equipment:
The first 20 amperes of load at 100 percent plus
The second 20 amperes of load at 50 percent plus
All load above 40 amperes at 25 percent
tem. Where a vehicle equipped with a battery or other lowvoltage system has an external connection for low-voltage
power, the connector shall have a configuration that will
not accept ac power.
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II. Combination Electrical Systems
551.30
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Exception: A low-voltage appliance that is controlled by a
momentary switch (normally open) that has no means for
holding in the closed position or refrigerators with a 120volt function shall not be considered as a connected load
when determining the required converter rating. Momentarily energized appliances shall be limited to those used to
prepare the vehicle for occupancy or travel.
(C) Bonding Voltage Converter Enclosures. The non–
current-carrying metal enclosure of the voltage converter
shall be connected to the frame of the vehicle with a minimum 8 AWG copper conductor. The voltage converter shall
be provided with a separate chassis bonding conductor that
shall not be used as a current-carrying conductor.
(D) Dual-Voltage Fixtures, Including Luminaires or Appliances. Fixtures, including luminaires, or appliances having both 120-volt and low-voltage connections shall be
listed for dual voltage.
(E) Autotransformers. Autotransformers shall not be
used.
(F) Receptacles and Plug Caps. Where a recreational vehicle is equipped with an ac system, a low-voltage system,
or both, receptacles and plug caps of the low-voltage system shall differ in configuration from those of the ac sys-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Installation of Storage Batteries and Generators.
Storage batteries and internal-combustion-driven generator
units (subject to the provisions of this Code) shall be secured in place to avoid displacement from vibration and
road shock.
(D) Ventilation of Generator Compartments. Compartments accommodating internal-combustion-driven generator units shall be provided with ventilation in accordance
with instructions provided by the manufacturer of the generator unit.
Informational Note: For generator compartment construction requirements, see NFPA 1192-2011, Standard on Recreational Vehicles. [ROP 19–51a]
(E) Supply Conductors. The supply conductors from the
engine generator to the first termination on the vehicle shall
be of the stranded type and be installed in listed flexible
conduit or listed liquidtight flexible conduit. The point of
first termination shall be in one of the following:
(1) Panelboard
(2) Junction box with a blank cover
(3) Junction box with a receptacle
(4) Enclosed transfer switch
(5) Receptacle assembly listed in conjunction with the
generator
The panelboard, enclosed transfer switch, or junction
box with a receptacle shall be installed within 450 mm
70–521
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
(18 in.) of the point of entry of the supply conductors into
the vehicle. A junction box with a blank cover shall be
mounted on the compartment wall inside or outside the
compartment, or to any part of the generator supporting
structure (but not to the generator), or to the vehicle floor
on the outside of the vehicle, or within 18” of the point of
entry of the supply conductors into the vehicle. A receptacle
assembly listed in conjunction with the generator shall be
mounted in accordance with its listing. [ROP 19–52]
551.31 Multiple Supply Source.
(A) Multiple Supply Sources. Where a multiple supply
system consisting of an alternate power source and a
power-supply cord is installed, the feeder from the alternate
power source shall be protected by an overcurrent protective device. Installation shall be in accordance with
551.30(A), 551.30(B), and 551.40.
(B) Multiple Supply Sources Capacity. The multiple supply sources shall not be required to be of the same capacity.
551.40 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt, Nominal, Systems.
(A) General Requirements. The electrical equipment and
material of recreational vehicles indicated for connection to
a wiring system rated 120 volts, nominal, 2-wire with
equipment grounding conductor, or a wiring system rated
120/240 volts, nominal, 3-wire with equipment grounding
conductor, shall be listed and installed in accordance with
the requirements of Parts I, II, III, IV, and V of this article.
Electrical equipment connected line-to-line shall have a
voltage rating of 208–230 volts.
(B) Materials and Equipment. Electrical materials, devices, appliances, fittings, and other equipment installed in,
intended for use in, or attached to the recreational vehicle
shall be listed. All products shall be used only in the manner in which they have been tested and found suitable for
the intended use.
(C) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. The
internal wiring of a recreational vehicle having only one
15- or 20-ampere branch circuit as permitted in 551.42(A)
and (B) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. The ground-fault circuit interrupter shall
be installed at the point where the power supply assembly
terminates within the recreational vehicle. Where a separable cord set is not employed, the ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be an integral part of the
attachment plug of the power supply assembly. The groundfault circuit interrupter shall provide protection also under
the conditions of an open grounded circuit conductor, interchanged circuit conductors, or both.
AF
(C) Alternate Power Sources Exceeding 30 Amperes. If
an alternate power source exceeds 30 amperes, 120 volts,
nominal, it shall be permissible to wire it as a 120-volt,
nominal, system, a 208Y/120-volt, nominal, system, or a
120/240-volt, nominal, system, provided an overcurrent
protective device of the proper rating is installed in the
feeder.
IV. Nominal 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt Systems
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551.31
D
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(D) Power-Supply Assembly Not Less Than 30 Amperes. The external power-supply assembly shall be permitted to be less than the calculated load but not less than
30 amperes and shall have overcurrent protection not
greater than the capacity of the external power-supply assembly.
551.32 Other Sources. Other sources of ac power, such as
inverters, motor generators, or engine generators, shall be
listed for use in recreational vehicles and shall be installed
in accordance with the terms of the listing. Other sources of
ac power shall be wired in full conformity with the requirements in Parts I, II, III, IV, and V of this article covering
120-volt electrical systems.
551.33 Alternate Source Restrictions. Transfer equipment, if not integral with the listed power source, shall be
installed to ensure that the current-carrying conductors
from other sources of ac power and from an outside source
are not connected to the vehicle circuit at the same time.
Automatic transfer switches in such applications shall be
listed for use in one of the following:
(1) Emergency systems
(2) Optional standby systems
70–522
551.41 Receptacle Outlets Required.
(A) Spacing. Receptacle outlets shall be installed at wall
spaces 600 mm (2 ft) wide or more so that no point along
the floor line is more than 1.8 m (6 ft), measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space.
Exception No. 1: Bath and hallway areas.
Exception No. 2: Wall spaces occupied by kitchen cabinets, wardrobe cabinets, built-in furniture, behind doors
that may open fully against a wall surface, or similar
facilities.
(B) Location. Receptacle outlets shall be installed as follows:
(1) Adjacent to countertops in the kitchen [at least one on
each side of the sink if countertops are on each side and
are 300 mm (12 in.) or over in width and depth] [ROP
19–56]
(2) Adjacent to the refrigerator and gas range space, except
where a gas-fired refrigerator or cooking appliance, re-
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ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
(B) One 20-Ampere Circuit. One 20-ampere circuit to
supply lights, receptacle outlets, and fixed appliances. Such
recreational vehicles shall be equipped with one 20-ampere
switch and fuse or one 20-ampere circuit breaker.
(C) Two to Five 15- or 20-Ampere Circuits. A maximum
of five 15- or 20-ampere circuits to supply lights, receptacle
outlets, and fixed appliances shall be permitted. Such recreational vehicles shall be permitted to be equipped with
panelboards rated 120 volts maximum or 120/240 volts
maximum and listed for 30-ampere application supplied by
the appropriate power-supply assemblies. Not more than
two 120-volt thermostatically controlled appliances (e.g.,
air conditioner and water heater) shall be installed in such
systems unless appliance isolation switching, energy management systems, or similar methods are used. [ROP
19–45]
Exception No. 1: Additional 15- or 20-ampere circuits
shall be permitted where a listed energy management system rated at 30-ampere maximum is employed within the
system.
AF
(C) Ground-Fault
Circuit-Interrupter
Protection.
Where provided, each 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20ampere receptacle outlet shall have ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel in the following locations:
(1) Adjacent to a bathroom lavatory
(2) Where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces and are within 1.8 m (6 ft) of any lavatory or sink
recreational vehicles shall be equipped with one 15-ampere
switch and fuse or one 15-ampere circuit breaker.
T
quiring no external electrical connection, is factory installed
(3) Adjacent to countertop spaces of 300 mm (12 in.) or
more in width and depth that cannot be reached from a
receptacle required in 551.41(B)(1) by a cord of 1.8 m
(6 ft) without crossing a traffic area, cooking appliance,
or sink [ROP 19–56]
(4) Roof top decks that are accessible from inside the RV
shall have at least one receptacle installed within the
perimeter of the roof top deck. The receptacle shall not
be located more than 1.2m (4 ft) above the balcony,
deck, or porch surface. The receptacle shall comply
with the requirements of 406.9(B) for wet locations.
[ROP 19–57]
551.43
D
R
Exception No. 1: Receptacles installed for appliances in
dedicated spaces, such as for dishwashers, disposals, refrigerators, freezers, and laundry equipment.
Exception No. 2: Single receptacles for interior connections of expandable room sections.
Exception No. 3: De-energized receptacles that are within
1.8 m (6 ft) of any sink or lavatory due to the retraction of
the expandable room section.
(3) In the area occupied by a toilet, shower, tub, or any
combination thereof
(4) On the exterior of the vehicle
Exception: Receptacles that are located inside of an access
panel that is installed on the exterior of the vehicle to
supply power for an installed appliance shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
The receptacle outlet shall be permitted in a listed luminaire. A receptacle outlet shall not be installed in a tub or
combination tub–shower compartment.
(D) Face-Up Position. A receptacle shall not be installed
in a face-up position in any countertop or similar horizontal
surface. [ROP 19–58]
551.42 Branch Circuits Required. Each recreational vehicle containing an ac electrical system shall contain one of
the circuit arrangements in 551.42(A) through (D).
(A) One 15-Ampere Circuit. One 15-ampere circuit to
supply lights, receptacle outlets, and fixed appliances. Such
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Exception No. 2: Six 15- or 20-ampere circuits shall be
permitted without employing an energy management system, provided the combined load of two circuits does not
exceed the allowable load of a single circuit. [ROP 19–59]
Informational Note: See 210.23(A) for permissible loads.
See 551.45(C) for main disconnect and overcurrent protection requirements.
(D) More Than Five Circuits Without a Listed Energy
Management System. A 50-ampere, 120/208–240-volt
power-supply assembly and a minimum 50-ampere-rated
panelboard shall be used where six or more circuits are
employed. The load distribution shall ensure a reasonable
current balance between phases. [ROP 19–45]
551.43 Branch-Circuit Protection.
(A) Rating. The branch-circuit overcurrent devices shall
be rated as follows:
(1) Not more than the circuit conductors, and
(2) Not more than 150 percent of the rating of a single
appliance rated 13.3 amperes or more and supplied by
an individual branch circuit, but
(3) Not more than the overcurrent protection size marked
on an air conditioner or other motor-operated
appliances
(B) Protection for Smaller Conductors. A 20-ampere
fuse or circuit breaker shall be permitted for protection for
fixtures, including luminaires, leads, cords, or small appli-
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ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
ances, and 14 AWG tap conductors, not over 1.8 m (6 ft)
long for recessed luminaires.
(C) Fifteen-Ampere Receptacle Considered Protected
by 20 Amperes. If more than one receptacle or load is on a
branch circuit, a 15-ampere receptacle shall be permitted to
be protected by a 20-ampere fuse or circuit breaker.
551.44 Power-Supply Assembly. Each recreational vehicle shall have only one of the main power-supply assemblies covered in 551.44(A) through (D).
(A) Fifteen-Ampere Main Power-Supply Assembly.
Recreational vehicles wired in accordance with 551.42(A)
shall use a listed 15-ampere or larger main power-supply
assembly.
(B) Twenty-Ampere Main Power-Supply Assembly.
Recreational vehicles wired in accordance with 551.42(B)
shall use a listed 20-ampere or larger main power-supply
assembly.
Exception No. 2: Compartment doors used for access to a
generator shall be permitted to be equipped with a locking
system.
(C) Dead-Front Type. The panelboard shall be of the
dead-front type and shall consist of one or more circuit
breakers or Type S fuseholders. A main disconnecting
means shall be provided where fuses are used or where
more than two circuit breakers are employed. A main overcurrent protective device not exceeding the power-supply
assembly rating shall be provided where more than two
branch circuits are employed. [ROP 19–45]
551.46 Means for Connecting to Power Supply.
(A) Assembly. The power-supply assembly or assemblies
shall be factory supplied or factory installed and be of one
of the types specified herein.
(1) Separable. Where a separable power-supply assembly
consisting of a cord with a female connector and molded
attachment plug cap is provided, the vehicle shall be
equipped with a permanently mounted, flanged surface inlet
(male, recessed-type motor-base attachment plug) wired directly to the panelboard by an approved wiring method.
The attachment plug cap shall be of a listed type. [ROP
19–45]
AF
(C) Thirty-Ampere Main Power-Supply Assembly. Recreational vehicles wired in accordance with 551.42(C) shall
use a listed 30-ampere or larger main power-supply assembly.
from the backside of doors that enclose the space. [ROP
19–61].
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551.44
D
R
(D) Fifty-Ampere Power-Supply Assembly. Recreational
vehicles wired in accordance with 551.42(D) shall use a
listed 50-ampere, 120/208–240-volt main power-supply assembly.
551.45 Panelboard. [ROP 19–45]
(A) Listed and Appropriately Rated. A listed and appropriately rated panelboard or other equipment specifically
listed for this purpose shall be used. The grounded conductor termination bar shall be insulated from the enclosure as
provided in 551.54(C). An equipment grounding terminal
bar shall be attached inside the enclosure of the panelboard.
[ROP 19–45]
(B) Location. The panelboard(s) shall be installed in a
readily accessible location with the RV in the setup mode.
Working clearance for the panelboard with the RV in the
setup mode shall be not less than 600 mm (24 in.) wide and
750 mm (30 in.) deep. A panelboard shall not be placed
under sinks or in areas occupied by toilets, showers or tubs.
[ROP 19–45, ROP 19–60]
Exception No. 1: Where the panelboard cover is exposed
to the inside aisle space, one of the working clearance
dimensions shall be permitted to be reduced to a minimum
of 550 mm (22 in.). A panelboard is considered exposed
where the panelboard cover is within 50 mm (2 in.) of the
aisle’s finished surface and no more than 25 mm (1 in.)
70–524
(2) Permanently Connected. Each power-supply assembly shall be connected directly to the terminals of the panelboard or conductors within a junction box and provided
with means to prevent strain from being transmitted to the
terminals. The ampacity of the conductors between each
junction box and the terminals of each panelboard shall be
at least equal to the ampacity of the power-supply cord. The
supply end of the assembly shall be equipped with an attachment plug of the type described in 551.46(C). Where
the cord passes through the walls or floors, it shall be protected by means of conduit and bushings or equivalent. The
cord assembly shall have permanent provisions for protection against corrosion and mechanical damage while the
vehicle is in transit, and while the cord assembly is being
stored or removed for use. [ROP 19–45, ROP 19–62]
(B) Cord. The cord exposed usable length shall be measured from the point of entrance to the recreational vehicle
or the face of the flanged surface inlet (motor-base attachment plug) to the face of the attachment plug at the supply
end.
The cord exposed usable length, measured to the point
of entry on the vehicle exterior, shall be a minimum of 7.5
m (25 ft) where the point of entrance is at the side of the
vehicle or shall be a minimum 9.0 m (30 ft) where the point
of entrance is at the rear of the vehicle.
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ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Informational Note: See 551.46(E) for location of point of
entrance of a power-supply assembly on the recreational
vehicle exterior. [ROP 19–62a]
(C) Attachment Plugs.
(1) Units with One 15-Ampere Branch Circuit. Recreational vehicles having only one 15-ampere branch circuit
as permitted by 551.42(A) shall have an attachment plug
that shall be 2-pole, 3-wire grounding type, rated 15 amperes, 125 volts, conforming to the configuration shown in
Figure 551.46(C) .
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions
of Attachment Plugs and Receptacle, Figure 5.15.
Caps
G
125-V, 20-A, 2-pole, 3-wire,
grounding type
G
125-V, 15-A, 2-pole, 3-wire,
grounding type
W
G
W
G
W
D
R
20-A, 125-V,
2-pole, 3-wire,
grounding type
G
W
W
30-A, 125-V, 2-pole, 3-wire, grounding type
G
G
Y
X
W
X
Y
W
50-A, 125/250-V, 3-pole, 4-wire, grounding type
Figure 551.46(C) Configurations for Grounding-Type Receptacles and Attachment Plug Caps Used for Recreational Vehicle Supply Cords and Recreational Vehicle Lots.
(2) Units with One 20-Ampere Branch Circuit. Recreational vehicles having only one 20-ampere branch circuit
as permitted in 551.42(B) shall have an attachment plug
that shall be 2-pole, 3-wire grounding type, rated 20 amperes, 125 volts, conforming to the configuration shown in
Figure 551.46(C) .
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions
of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure 5.20.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions
of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure TT.
(4) Units with 50-Ampere Power-Supply Assembly. Recreational vehicles having a power-supply assembly rated 50
amperes as permitted by 551.42(D) shall have a 3-pole,
4-wire grounding-type attachment plug rated 50 amperes,
125/250 volts, conforming to the configuration shown in
Figure 551.46(C) .
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions
of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure 14.50.
(D) Labeling at Electrical Entrance. Each recreational
vehicle shall have a safety label with the signal word
“Warning” with minimum 1⁄4 in. ( 6 mm) high letters and
body text with minimum 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) high letters on a
contrasting background, affixed to the exterior skin, at or
near the point of entrance of the power-supply cord(s) that
reads, as appropriate, either [ROP 19–63]
WARNING [ROP 19–63]
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR 110–125-VOLT AC,
60 HZ, ____ AMPERE SUPPLY.
or
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR 208Y/120-VOLT or
120/240-VOLT AC, 3-POLE, 4-WIRE,
60 HZ, ______ AMPERE SUPPLY.
DO NOT EXCEED CIRCUIT RATING.
EXCEEDING THE CIRCUIT RATING MAY CAUSE A
FIRE AND RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY
[ROP 19–63]
The correct ampere rating shall be marked in the blank
space.
AF
Receptacles
(3) Units with Two to Five 15- or 20-Ampere Branch
Circuits. Recreational vehicles wired in accordance with
551.42(C) shall have an attachment plug that shall be
2-pole, 3-wire grounding type, rated 30 amperes, 125 volts,
conforming to the configuration shown in Figure 551.46(C)
, intended for use with units rated at 30 amperes, 125 volts.
T
Where the cord entrance into the vehicle is more than
900 mm (3 ft) above the ground, the minimum cord lengths
above shall be increased by the vertical distance of the cord
entrance heights above 900 mm (3 ft).
551.46
(E) Location. The point of entrance of a power-supply
assembly shall be located within 4.5 m (15 ft) of the rear,
on the left (road) side or at the rear, left of the longitudinal
center of the vehicle, within 450 mm (18 in.) of the outside
wall.
Exception No. 1: A recreational vehicle equipped with
only a listed flexible drain system or a side-vent drain system shall be permitted to have the electrical point of entrance located on either side, provided the drain(s) for the
plumbing system is (are) located on the same side.
Exception No. 2: A recreational vehicle shall be permitted
to have the electrical point of entrance located more than
70–525
551.47
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
4.5 m (15 ft) from the rear. Where this occurs, the distance
beyond the 4.5-m (15-ft) dimension shall be added to the
cord’s minimum length as specified in 551.46(B).
Exception No. 3: Recreational vehicles designed for transporting livestock shall be permitted to have the electrical
point of entrance located on either side or the front.
tubes shall be securely held in place. Where nonmetallicsheathed cables pass through punched, cut, or drilled slots
or holes in metal members, the cable shall be protected by
bushings or grommets securely fastened in the opening
prior to installation of the cable.
(A) Wiring Systems. Cables and raceways installed in accordance with Articles 320, 322, 330 through 340, 342
through 362, 386, and 388 shall be permitted in accordance
with their applicable article, except as otherwise specified
in this article. An equipment grounding means shall be provided in accordance with 250.118.
(I) Cable Supports. Where connected with cable connectors or clamps, cables shall be secured and supported within
300 mm (12 in.) of outlet boxes, panelboards, and splice
boxes on appliances. Supports and securing shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) at other
places. [ROP 19–69, ROP 19–45]
(B) Conduit and Tubing. Where rigid metal conduit or
intermediate metal conduit is terminated at an enclosure
with a locknut and bushing connection, two locknuts shall
be provided, one inside and one outside of the enclosure.
All cut ends of conduit and tubing shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
(J) Nonmetallic Box Without Cable Clamps.
Nonmetallic-sheathed cables shall be secured and supported within 200 mm (8 in.) of a nonmetallic outlet box
without cable clamps. Where wiring devices with integral
enclosures are employed with a loop of extra cable to permit future replacement of the device, the cable loop shall be
considered as an integral portion of the device. [ROP
19–70]
AF
(C) Nonmetallic Boxes. Nonmetallic boxes shall be acceptable only with nonmetallic-sheathed cable or nonmetallic raceways.
T
551.47 Wiring Methods.
(H) Bends. No bend shall have a radius of less than five
times the cable diameter.
(D) Boxes. In walls and ceilings constructed of wood or
other combustible material, boxes and fittings shall be flush
with the finished surface or project therefrom.
D
R
(E) Mounting. Wall and ceiling boxes shall be mounted in
accordance with Article 314.
Exception No. 1: Snap-in-type boxes or boxes provided
with special wall or ceiling brackets that securely fasten
boxes in walls or ceilings shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: A wooden plate providing a 38-mm (1 ⁄ in.) minimum width backing around the box and of a thickness of 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) or greater (actual) attached directly
to the wall panel shall be considered as approved means
for mounting outlet boxes.
12
(F) Raceway and Cable Continuity. Raceways and cable
sheaths shall be continuous between boxes and other enclosures.
(G) Protected. Metal-clad, Type AC, or nonmetallicsheathed cables and electrical nonmetallic tubing shall be
permitted to pass through the centers of the wide side of 2
by 4 wood studs. However, they shall be protected where
they pass through 2 by 2 wood studs or at other wood studs
or frames where the cable or tubing would be less than
32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the inside or outside surface. Steel
plates on each side of the cable or tubing or a steel tube,
with not less than 1.35 mm (0.053 in.) wall thickness, shall
be installed to protect the cable or tubing. These plates or
70–526
(K) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage,
exposed nonmetallic cable shall be protected by covering
boards, guard strips, raceways, or other means.
(L) Receptacle Faceplates. Metal faceplates shall comply
with Section 406.5(A). Nonmetallic faceplates shall comply
with Section 406.5(C).
(M) Metal Faceplates Grounded. Where metal faceplates
are used, they shall be grounded.
(N) Moisture or Physical Damage. Where outdoor or
under-chassis wiring is 120 volts, nominal, or over and is
exposed to moisture or physical damage, the wiring shall be
protected by rigid metal conduit, by intermediate metal
conduit, or by electrical metallic tubing, rigid nonmetallic
conduit, or Type MI cable, that is closely routed against
frames and equipment enclosures or other raceway or cable
identified for the application.
(O) Component Interconnections. Fittings and connectors that are intended to be concealed at the time of assembly shall be listed and identified for the interconnection of
building components. Such fittings and connectors shall be
equal to the wiring method employed in insulation, temperature rise, and fault-current withstanding and shall be
capable of enduring the vibration and shock occurring in
recreational vehicles.
(P) Method of Connecting Expandable Units. The
method of connecting expandable units to the main body of
the vehicle shall comply with 551.47(P)(1) or (P)(2):
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(Q) Prewiring for Air-Conditioning Installation. Prewiring installed for the purpose of facilitating future airconditioning installation shall comply with the applicable
portions of this article and the following:
(1) An overcurrent protective device with a rating compatible with the circuit conductors shall be installed in the
panelboard and wiring connections completed. [ROP
19–45]
(2) The load end of the circuit shall terminate in a junction
box with a blank cover or other listed enclosure. Where
a junction box with a blank cover is used, the free ends
of the conductors shall be adequately capped or taped.
(3) A safety label with the signal word “WARNING” with
minimum 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) high letters and body text with
minimum 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) high letters on a contrasting
background, shall be affixed on or adjacent to the junction box and shall read as follows: [ROP 19–73]
AF
(a) That portion of a branch circuit that is installed in
an expandable unit shall be permitted to be connected to the
portion of the branch circuit in the main body of the vehicle
by means of an attachment plug and cord listed for hard
usage. The cord and its connections shall comply with all
provisions of Article 400 and shall be considered as a permitted use under 400.7. Where the attachment plug and
cord are located within the vehicle’s interior, use of plastic
thermoset or elastomer parallel cord Type SPT-3, SP-3, or
SPE shall be permitted.
(b) Where the receptacle provided for connection of
the cord to the main circuit is located on the outside of the
vehicle, it shall be protected with a ground-fault circuit
interrupter for personnel and be listed for wet locations. A
cord located on the outside of a vehicle shall be identified
for outdoor use.
(c) Unless removable or stored within the vehicle interior, the cord assembly shall have permanent provisions
for protection against corrosion and mechanical damage
while the vehicle is in transit.
(d) The attachment plug and cord shall be installed so
as not to permit exposed live attachment plug pins.
inforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) listed for exposure to physical damage, or other approved means and
shall extend at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor. A
means shall be provided to secure the flexible cord where it
enters the recreational vehicle.
T
(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected. Cord-and-plug connections shall comply with (a) through (d).
551.47
D
R
(2) Direct Wired. That portion of a branch circuit that is
installed in an expandable unit shall be permitted to be
connected to the portion of the branch circuit in the main
body of the vehicle by means of flexible cord installed in
accordance with 551.47(P)(2)(a) through (P)(2)(e) or other
approved wiring method.
(a) The flexible cord shall be listed for hard usage and
for use in wet locations.
(b) The flexible cord shall be permitted to be exposed
on the underside of the vehicle.
(c) The flexible cord shall be permitted to pass through
the interior of a wall or floor assembly or both a maximum
concealed length of 600 mm (24 in.) before terminating at
an outlet or junction box.
(d) Where concealed, the flexible cord shall be installed in nonflexible conduit or tubing that is continuous
from the outlet or junction box inside the recreational vehicle to a weatherproof outlet box, junction box, or strain
relief fitting listed for use in wet locations that is located on
the underside of the recreational vehicle. The outer jacket
of the flexible cord shall be continuous into the outlet or
junction box.
(e) Where the flexible cord passes through the floor to
an exposed area inside of the recreational vehicle, it shall
be protected by means of conduit and bushings or
equivalent.
Where subject to physical damage, the flexible cord
shall be protected with RMC, IMC, Schedule 80 PVC, re-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
WARNING [ROP 19–73]
AIR-CONDITIONING CIRCUIT.
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR AIR CONDITIONERS
RATED 110–125-VOLT AC, 60 HZ,
___ AMPERES MAXIMUM.
DO NOT EXCEED CIRCUIT RATING.
EXCEEDING THE CIRCUIT RATING MAY
CAUSE A FIRE AND RESULT IN DEATH
OR SERIOUS INJURY. [ROP 19–73]
An ampere rating, not to exceed 80 percent of the circuit
rating, shall be legibly marked in the blank space.
(4) The circuit shall serve no other purpose.
(R) Prewiring for Generator Installation. Prewiring installed for the purpose of facilitating future generator installation shall comply with the other applicable portions of
this article and the following:
(1) Circuit conductors shall be appropriately sized in relation to the anticipated load as stated on the label required in (R)(4).
(2) Where junction boxes are utilized at either of the circuit originating or terminus points, free ends of the
conductors shall be adequately capped or taped.
(3) Where devices such as receptacle outlet, transfer
switch, and so forth, are installed, the installation shall
be complete, including circuit conductor connections.
(4) A safety label with the signal word “WARNING” with
minimum 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) high letters and body text with
minimum 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) high letters on a contrasting
background, shall be affixed on the cover of each junc-
70–527
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
tion box containing incomplete circuitry and shall read,
as appropriate, either [ROP 19–74]
WARNING [ROP 19–74]
GENERATOR
ONLY INSTALL A GENERATOR LISTED
SPECIFICALLY FOR RV USE
HAVING OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
RATED 110–125-VOLT AC,
60 HZ, ______ AMPERES MAXIMUM.
551.49 Grounded Conductors. The identification of
grounded conductors shall be in accordance with 200.6.
551.50 Connection of Terminals and Splices. Conductor
splices and connections at terminals shall be in accordance
with 110.14.
551.51 Switches.
(A) Rating. Switches shall be rated in accordance with
551.51(A)(1) and (A)(2).
or
(1) Lighting Circuits. For lighting circuits, switches shall
be rated not less than 10 amperes, 120–125 volts and in no
case less than the connected load.
GENERATOR
ONLY INSTALL A GENERATOR LISTED
SPECIFICALLY FOR RV USE
HAVING OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
RATED 120/240-VOLT AC,
60 HZ, _______ AMPERES MAXIMUM.
(2) Motors or Other Loads. Switches for motor or other
loads shall comply with the provisions of 404.14.
The correct ampere rating shall be legibly marked in the
blank space.
551.52 Receptacles. All receptacle outlets shall be of the
grounding type and installed in accordance with 406.4 and
210.21.
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(S) Prewiring for Other Circuits. Prewiring installed for
the purpose of installing other appliances or devices shall
comply with the applicable portions of this article and the
following:
(1) An overcurrent protection device with a rating compatible with the circuit conductors shall be installed in the
panelboard with wiring connections completed. [ROP
19–45]
(2) The load end of the circuit shall terminate in a junction
box with a blank cover or a device listed for the purpose. Where a junction box with blank cover is used,
the free ends of the conductors shall be adequately
capped or taped.
(3) A safety label with the signal word “WARNING” with
minimum 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) high letters minimum and body
text with minimum 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) high letters on a
contrasting background, shall be affixed on or adjacent
to the junction box or device listed for the purpose and
shall read as follows: [ROP 19–75]
(B) Location. Switches shall not be installed within wet
locations in tub or shower spaces unless installed as part of
a listed tub or shower assembly.
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551.48
WARNING [ROP 19–75]
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR _____ RATED _____
VOLT AC, 60 HZ, _____ AMPERES MAXIMUM. DO
NOT EXCEED CIRCUIT RATING.
AN AMPERE RATING NOT TO EXCEED 80 PERCENT
OF THE CIRCUIT RATING SHALL BE LEGIBLY
MARKED IN THE BLANK SPACE.
EXCEEDING THE CIRCUIT RATING MAY
CAUSE A FIRE AND RESULT IN DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY. [ROP 19–75]
551.48 Conductors and Boxes. The maximum number of
conductors permitted in boxes shall be in accordance with
314.16.
70–528
551.53 Luminaires and Other Equipment. [ROP 19–76]
(A) General. Any combustible wall or ceiling finish exposed between the edge of a canopy or pan of a luminaire
or ceiling suspended (paddle) fan and the outlet box, shall
be covered with noncombustible material. [ROP 19–76]
(B) Shower Luminaires. If a luminaire is provided over a
bathtub or in a shower stall, it shall be of the enclosed and
gasketed type and listed for the type of installation, and it
shall be ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected.
(C) Outdoor Outlets, Luminaires, Air-Cooling Equipment, and So On. Outdoor luminaires and other equipment
shall be listed for outdoor use.
551.54 Grounding. (See also 551.56 on bonding of non–
current-carrying metal parts.)
(A) Power-Supply Grounding. The grounding conductor
in the supply cord or feeder shall be connected to the
grounding bus or other approved grounding means in the
panelboard. [ROP 19–45]
(B) Distribution Panelboard. The panelboard shall have a
grounding bus with terminals for all grounding conductors
or other approved grounding means. [ROP 19–45]
(C) Insulated Grounded Conductor (Neutral Conductor). The grounded circuit conductor (neutral conductor)
shall be insulated from the equipment grounding conductors and from equipment enclosures and other grounded
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
551.55 Interior Equipment Grounding.
(A) Exposed Metal Parts. In the electrical system, all exposed metal parts, enclosures, frames, luminaire canopies,
and so forth, shall be effectively bonded to the grounding
terminals or enclosure of the panelboard. [ROP 19–45]
(B) Equipment Grounding and Bonding Conductors.
Bare wires, insulated wire with an outer finish that is green
or green with one or more yellow stripes, shall be used for
equipment grounding or bonding conductors only.
551.56 Bonding of Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts.
(A) Required Bonding. All exposed non–current-carrying
metal parts that are likely to become energized shall be
effectively bonded to the grounding terminal or enclosure
of the panelboard. [ROP 19–45]
(B) Bonding Chassis. A bonding conductor shall be connected between any panelboard and an accessible terminal
on the chassis. Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be used for bonding if such conductors or
their terminals are exposed to corrosive elements. [ROP
19–45]
Exception: Any recreational vehicle that employs a unitized metal chassis-frame construction to which the panelboard is securely fastened with a bolt(s) and nut(s) or by
welding or riveting shall be considered to be bonded.
[ROP 19–45]
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(C) Grounding of Electrical Equipment. Grounding of
electrical equipment shall be accomplished by one or more
of the following methods:
(1) Connection of metal raceway, the sheath of Type MC
and Type MI cable where the sheath is identified for
grounding, or the armor of Type AC cable to metal
enclosures.
(2) A connection between the one or more equipment
grounding conductors and a metal enclosure by means
of a grounding screw, which shall be used for no other
purpose, or a listed grounding device.
(3) The equipment grounding conductor in nonmetallicsheathed cable shall be permitted to be secured under a
screw threaded into the luminaire canopy other than a
mounting screw or cover screw, or attached to a listed
grounding means (plate) in a nonmetallic outlet box for
luminaire mounting. [Grounding means shall also be
permitted for luminaire attachment screws.]
(F) Cord-Connected Appliances. Cord-connected appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refrigerators, and the electrical system of gas ranges, and so forth,
shall be grounded by means of an approved cord with
equipment grounding conductor and grounding-type attachment plug.
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parts. The grounded circuit conductor (neutral conductor)
terminals in the panelboard and in ranges, clothes dryers,
counter-mounted cooking units, and wall-mounted ovens
shall be insulated from the equipment enclosure. Bonding
screws, straps, or buses in the panelboard or in appliances
shall be removed and discarded. Connection of electric
ranges and electric clothes dryers utilizing a grounded conductor, if cord-connected, shall be made with 4-conductor
cord and 3-pole, 4-wire grounding-type plug caps and receptacles. [ROP 19–45]
551.57
(D) Grounding Connection in Nonmetallic Box. A connection between the one or more equipment grounding conductors brought into a nonmetallic outlet box shall be so
arranged that a connection of the equipment grounding conductor can be made to any fitting or device in that box that
requires grounding.
(E) Grounding Continuity. Where more than one equipment grounding or bonding conductor of a branch circuit
enters a box, all such conductors shall be in good electrical
contact with each other, and the arrangement shall be such
that the disconnection or removal of a receptacle, luminaire, or other device fed from the box will not interfere
with or interrupt the grounding continuity.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Bonding Conductor Requirements. Grounding terminals shall be of the solderless type and listed as pressure
terminal connectors recognized for the wire size used. The
bonding conductor shall be solid or stranded, insulated or
bare, and shall be 8 AWG copper minimum, or equal.
(D) Metallic Roof and Exterior Bonding. The metal roof
and exterior covering shall be considered bonded where
both of the following conditions apply:
(1) The metal panels overlap one another and are securely
attached to the wood or metal frame parts by metal
fasteners.
(2) The lower panel of the metal exterior covering is secured by metal fasteners at each cross member of the
chassis, or the lower panel is connected to the chassis
by a metal strap.
(E) Gas, Water, and Waste Pipe Bonding. The gas, water, and waste pipes shall be considered grounded if they
are bonded to the chassis.
(F) Furnace and Metal Air Duct Bonding. Furnace and
metal circulating air ducts shall be bonded.
551.57 Appliance Accessibility and Fastening. Every appliance shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair,
and replacement without removal of permanent construction. Means shall be provided to securely fasten appliances
in place when the recreational vehicle is in transit.
70–529
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
V. Factory Tests
Informational Note: The percentage of 50 ampere sites
required by 551.71 may be inadequate for seasonal recreational vehicle sites serving a higher percentage of recreational vehicles with 50 ampere electrical systems. In that
type of recreational vehicle park, the percentage of 50 ampere sites could approach 100 percent.
551.72 Distribution System. Receptacles rated at 50 amperes shall be supplied from a branch circuit of the voltage
class and rating of the receptacle. Other recreational vehicle
sites with 125-volt, 20- and 30-ampere receptacles shall be
permitted to be derived from any grounded distribution system that supplies 120-volt single-phase power. The neutral
conductors shall not be reduced in size below the size of
the ungrounded conductors for the site distribution. The
neutral conductors shall be permitted to be reduced in size
below the minimum required size of the ungrounded conductors for 240-volt, line-to-line, permanently connected
loads only.
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551.60 Factory Tests (Electrical). Each recreational vehicle designed with a 120-volt or a 120/240-volt electrical
system shall withstand the applied potential without electrical breakdown of a 1-minute, 900-volt ac or 1280-volt dc
dielectric strength test, or a 1-second, 1080-volt ac or 1530volt dc dielectric strength test, with all switches closed,
between ungrounded and grounded conductors and the recreational vehicle ground. During the test, all switches and
other controls shall be in the “on” position. Fixtures, including luminaires and permanently installed appliances,
shall not be required to withstand this test. The test shall be
performed after branch circuits are complete prior to energizing the system and again after all outer coverings and
cabinetry have been secured. The dielectric test shall be
performed in accordance with the test equipment manufacturer’s written instructions.
Each recreational vehicle shall be subjected to all of the
following:
(1) A continuity test to ensure that all metal parts are properly bonded
(2) Operational tests to demonstrate that all equipment is
properly connected and in working order
(3) Polarity checks to determine that connections have
been properly made
(4) GFCI test to demonstrate that the ground fault protection device(s) installed on the recreational vehicle are
operating properly.
determining the percentage of recreational vehicle sites
with 30- or 50-ampere receptacles. [ROP 19–77]
Additional receptacles shall be permitted for the connection of electrical equipment outside the recreational vehicle within the recreational vehicle park.
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall have listed ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
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551.60
VI. Recreational Vehicle Parks
551.71 Type Receptacles Provided. Every recreational
vehicle site with electrical supply shall be equipped with at
least one 20-ampere, 125-volt receptacle. A minimum of
20 percent of all recreational vehicle sites, with electrical
supply, shall each be equipped with a 50-ampere, 125/250volt receptacle conforming to the configuration as identified
in Figure 551.46(C). Every recreational vehicle site
equipped with a 50-ampere receptacle shall also be
equipped with a 30-ampere, 125-volt receptacle conforming to Figure 551.46(C). These electrical supplies shall be
permitted to include additional receptacles that have configurations in accordance with 551.81. A minimum of
70 percent of all recreational vehicle sites with electrical
supply shall each be equipped with a 30-ampere, 125-volt
receptacle conforming to Figure 551.46(C). This supply
shall be permitted to include additional receptacle configurations conforming to 551.81. The remainder of all recreational vehicle sites with electrical supply shall be equipped
with one or more of the receptacle configurations conforming to 551.81. Dedicated tent sites with a 15- or 20-ampere
electrical supply shall be permitted to be excluded when
70–530
551.73 Calculated Load.
(A) Basis of Calculations. Electrical services and feeders
shall be calculated on the basis of not less than 9600 voltamperes per site equipped with 50-ampere, 208Y/120 or
120/240-volt supply facilities; 3600 volt-amperes per site
equipped with both 20-ampere and 30-ampere supply facilities; 2400 volt-amperes per site equipped with only 20ampere supply facilities; and 600 volt-amperes per site
equipped with only 20-ampere supply facilities that are
dedicated to tent sites. The demand factors set forth in
Table 551.73(A) shall be the minimum allowable demand
factors that shall be permitted in calculating load for service and feeders. Where the electrical supply for a recreational vehicle site has more than one receptacle, the calculated load shall be calculated only for the highest rated
receptacle.
Where the electrical supply is in a location that serves
two recreational vehicles, the equipment for both sites shall
comply with 551.77, and the calculated load shall only be
calculated for the two receptacles with the highest rating.
(B) Transformers and Secondary Panelboards. For the
purpose of this Code, where the park service exceeds 240
volts, transformers and secondary panelboards shall be
treated as services. [ROP 19–45]
(C) Demand Factors. The demand factor for a given number of sites shall apply to all sites indicated. For example,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 551 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
Informational Note: These demand factors may be inadequate in areas of extreme hot or cold temperature with
loaded circuits for heating or air conditioning.
(D) Feeder-Circuit Capacity. Recreational vehicle site
feeder-circuit conductors shall have an ampacity not less
than the loads supplied and shall be rated not less than 30
amperes. The neutral conductors shall have an ampacity not
less than the ungrounded conductors.
Informational Note: Due to the long circuit lengths typical
in most recreational vehicle parks, feeder conductor sizes
found in the ampacity tables of Article 310 may be inadequate to maintain the voltage regulation suggested in the
fine print note to 210.19. Total circuit voltage drop is a sum
of the voltage drops of each serial circuit segment, where
the load for each segment is calculated using the load that
segment sees and the demand factors of 551.73(A).
Demand Factor
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7–9
10–12
13–15
16–18
19–21
22–24
25–35
36 plus
100
90
80
75
65
60
55
50
48
47
45
43
42
41
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Number of Recreational
Vehicle Sites
Loads for other amenities such as, but not limited to,
service buildings, recreational buildings, and swimming
pools shall be calculated separately and then be added to
the value calculated for the recreational vehicle sites where
they are all supplied by a common service.
551.74 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
shall be provided in accordance with Article 240.
551.75 Grounding. All electrical equipment and installations in recreational vehicle parks shall be grounded as
required by Article 250. For the purposes of this section a
RV pedestal shall be considered a separate structure and
shall comply with 250.32. [ROP 19–79]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
551.76 Grounding — Recreational Vehicle Site Supply
Equipment.
(A) Exposed Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts. Exposed non–current-carrying metal parts of fixed equipment,
metal boxes, cabinets, and fittings that are not electrically
connected to grounded equipment shall be grounded by an
equipment grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors from the service equipment or from the transformer
of a secondary distribution system. Equipment grounding
conductors shall be sized in accordance with 250.122 and
shall be permitted to be spliced by listed means.
The arrangement of equipment grounding connections
shall be such that the disconnection or removal of a receptacle or other device will not interfere with, or interrupt, the
grounding continuity.
(B) Secondary Distribution System. Each secondary distribution system shall be grounded at the transformer.
(C) Grounded Conductor Not to Be Used as an Equipment Ground. The grounded conductor shall not be used
as an equipment grounding conductor for recreational vehicles or equipment within the recreational vehicle park.
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Table 551.73(A) Demand Factors for Site Feeders and
Service-Entrance Conductors for Park Sites
Informational Note: See 250.32(A), Exception, for single
branch circuits. [ROP 19–79a]
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20 sites calculated at 45 percent of 3600 volt-amperes results in a permissible demand of 1620 volt-amperes per site
or a total of 32,400 volt-amperes for 20 sites.
551.77
(D) No Connection on the Load Side. No connection to a
grounding electrode shall be made to the grounded conductor on the load side of the service disconnecting means
except as covered in 250.30(A) for separately derived systems, and 250.32(B) Exception for separate buildings.
551.77 Recreational Vehicle Site Supply Equipment.
(A) Location. Where provided on back-in sites, the recreational vehicle site electrical supply equipment shall be located on the left (road) side of the parked vehicle, on a line
that is 1.5 m to 2.1 m (5 ft to 7 ft) from the left edge
(driver’s side of the parked RV) of the stand and shall be
located at any point on this line from the rear of the stand to
4.5 m (15 ft) forward of the rear of the stand.
For pull-through sites, the electrical supply equipment
shall be permitted to be located at any point along the line
that is 1.5 m to 2.1 m (5 ft to 7 ft) from the left edge
(driver’s side of the parked RV) from 4.9 m (16 ft) forward
of the rear of the stand to the center point between the two
roads that gives access to and egress from the pull-through
sites.
The left edge (driver’s side of the parked RV) of the
stand shall be marked.
(B) Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting switch or circuit breaker shall be provided in the site supply equipment
for disconnecting the power supply to the recreational vehicle.
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551.78
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
(E) Working Space. Sufficient space shall be provided and
maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready
and safe operation, in accordance with 110.27.
Informational Note: See 300.5 and Article 340 for conductors or Type UF cable used underground or in direct burial
in earth.
(F) Marking. Where the site supply equipment contains a
125/250-volt receptacle, the equipment shall be marked as
follows: “Turn disconnecting switch or circuit breaker off
before inserting or removing plug. Plug must be fully inserted or removed.” The marking shall be located on the
equipment adjacent to the receptacle outlet.
551.81 Receptacles. A receptacle to supply electric power
to a recreational vehicle shall be one of the configurations
shown in Figure 551.46(C) in the following ratings:
(1) 50-ampere — 125/250-volt, 50-ampere, 3-pole, 4-wire
grounding type for 120/240-volt systems
(2) 30-ampere — 125-volt, 30-ampere, 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding type for 120-volt systems
(3) 20-ampere — 125-volt, 20-ampere, 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding type for 120-volt systems
551.78 Protection of Outdoor Equipment.
Informational Note: Complete details of these configurations can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002, National
Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figures 1450, TT, and 5-20.
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(A) Wet Locations. All switches, circuit breakers, receptacles, control equipment, and metering devices located in
wet locations shall be weatherproof.
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(D) Mounting Height. Site supply equipment shall be located not less than 600 mm (2 ft) or more than 2.0 m (6 ft
6 in.) above the ground.
metallic conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, or other
approved raceways or enclosures. Where subject to physical damage, the conductors or cables shall be protected by
rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, Schedule
80 PVC conduit, or RTRC listed for exposure to physical
damage. All such protection shall extend at least 450 mm
(18 in.) into the trench from finished grade.
(C) Access. All site supply equipment shall be accessible
by an unobstructed entrance or passageway not less than
600 mm (2 ft) wide and 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) high.
(B) Meters. If secondary meters are installed, meter sockets without meters installed shall be blanked off with an
approved blanking plate.
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551.79 Clearance for Overhead Conductors. Open conductors of not over 1000 volts, nominal, shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 5.5 m (18 ft) and a horizontal
clearance of not less than 900 mm (3 ft) in all areas subject
to recreational vehicle movement. In all other areas, clearances shall conform to 225.18 and 225.19. [ROP 19–81]
Informational Note: For clearances of conductors over
600 volts, nominal, see 225.60 and 225.61.
551.80 Underground Service, Feeder, Branch-Circuit,
and Recreational Vehicle Site Feeder-Circuit Conductors.
(A) General. All direct-burial conductors, including the
equipment grounding conductor if of aluminum, shall be
insulated and identified for the use. All conductors shall be
continuous from equipment to equipment. All splices and
taps shall be made in approved junction boxes or by use of
listed material. [ROP 19–82]
(B) Protection Against Physical Damage. Direct-buried
conductors and cables entering or leaving a trench shall be
protected by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing with supplementary corrosion protection, rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC),
nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors (NUCC),
high density polyethylene conduit (HDPE), reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC), liquidtight flexible non-
70–532
ARTICLE 552
Park Trailers
I. General
552.1 Scope. The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on park
trailers not covered fully under Articles 550 and 551.
552.2 Definition. (See Articles 100, 550, and 551 for additional definitions.)
Park Trailer. A unit that is built on a single chassis
mounted on wheels and has a gross trailer area not exceeding 37 m2 (400 ft2) in the set-up mode.
552.4 General Requirements. A park trailer as specified
in 552.2 is intended for seasonal use. It is not intended as a
permanent dwelling unit or for commercial uses such as
banks, clinics, offices, or similar.
II. Low-Voltage Systems
552.10 Low-Voltage Systems.
(A) Low-Voltage Circuits. Low-voltage circuits furnished
and installed by the park trailer manufacturer, other than
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552.10
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
(B) Low-Voltage Wiring.
(1) Material. Copper conductors shall be used for lowvoltage circuits.
Exception: A metal chassis or frame shall be permitted as
the return path to the source of supply.
(2) Conductor Types. Conductors shall conform to the requirements for Type GXL, HDT, SGT, SGR, or Type SXL
or shall have insulation in accordance with Table
310.104(A) or the equivalent. Conductor sizes 6 AWG
through 18 AWG or SAE shall be listed. Single-wire, lowvoltage conductors shall be of the stranded type.
Informational Note: See SAE Standard J1128-2011 for
Types GXL, HDT, and SXL and SAE Standard J1127-2010
for Types SGT and SGR. [ROP 19–83a]
(4) Ground Connections. Ground connections to the
chassis or frame shall be made in an accessible location and
shall be mechanically secure. Ground connections shall be
by means of copper conductors and copper or copper-alloy
terminals of the solderless type identified for the size of
wire used. The surface on which ground terminals make
contact shall be cleaned and be free from oxide or paint or
shall be electrically connected through the use of a cadmium, tin, or zinc-plated internal/external-toothed lockwasher or locking terminals. Ground terminal attaching
screws, rivets or bolts, nuts, and lockwashers shall be cadmium, tin, or zinc-plated except rivets shall be permitted to
be unanodized aluminum where attaching to aluminum
structures.
The chassis-grounding terminal of the battery shall be
connected to the unit chassis with a minimum 8 AWG copper conductor. In the event the unbonded lead from the
battery exceeds 8 AWG, the bonding conductor size shall
be not less than that of the unbonded lead.
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(3) Marking. All insulated low-voltage conductors shall
be surface marked at intervals not greater than 1.2 m (4 ft)
as follows:
(1) Listed conductors shall be marked as required by the
listing agency.
(2) SAE conductors shall be marked with the name or logo
of the manufacturer, specification designation, and wire
gauge.
(3) Other conductors shall be marked with the name or
logo of the manufacturer, temperature rating, wire
gauge, conductor material, and insulation thickness.
gap or other approved means from circuits of a different
power source. Acceptable methods shall be by clamping,
routing, or equivalent means that ensure permanent total
separation. Where circuits of different power sources cross,
the external jacket of the nonmetallic-sheathed cables shall
be deemed adequate separation.
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those related to braking, are subject to this Code. Circuits
supplying lights subject to federal or state regulations shall
comply with applicable government regulations and this
Code.
(C) Low-Voltage Wiring Methods.
(1) Physical Protection. Conductors shall be protected
against physical damage and shall be secured. Where insulated conductors are clamped to the structure, the conductor
insulation shall be supplemented by an additional wrap or
layer of equivalent material, except that jacketed cables
shall not be required to be so protected. Wiring shall be
routed away from sharp edges, moving parts, or heat
sources.
(2) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with
splicing devices that provide a secure connection or by
brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy.
Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder, and then
soldered. All splices, joints, and free ends of conductors
shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that on the
conductors.
(3) Separation. Battery and other low-voltage circuits
shall be physically separated by at least a 13-mm (1⁄2-in.)
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Battery Installations. Storage batteries subject to the
provisions of this Code shall be securely attached to the
unit and installed in an area vaportight to the interior and
ventilated directly to the exterior of the unit. Where batteries are installed in a compartment, the compartment shall
be ventilated with openings having a minimum area of
1100 mm2 (1.7 in.2) at both the top and at the bottom.
Where compartment doors are equipped for ventilation, the
openings shall be within 50 mm (2 in.) of the top and
bottom. Batteries shall not be installed in a compartment
containing spark- or flame-producing equipment.
(E) Overcurrent Protection.
(1) Rating. Low-voltage circuit wiring shall be protected
by overcurrent protective devices rated not in excess of the
ampacity of copper conductors, in accordance with Table
552.10(E)(1).
Table 552.10(E)(1) Low-Voltage Overcurrent Protection
Wire Size (AWG)
Ampacity
18
16
14
12
10
6
8
15
20
30
Wire Type
Stranded
Stranded
Stranded
Stranded
Stranded
only
only
or solid
or solid
or solid
70–533
552.20
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/SAE J554-1987, Standard for Electric Fuses (Cartridge Type); SAE J1284-1988, Standard for Blade Type
Electric Fuses; and UL 275-2005, Standard for Automotive
Glass Tube Fuses. [ROP 19–86]
(3) Appliances. Appliances such as pumps, compressors,
heater blowers, and similar motor-driven appliances shall
be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Motors that are controlled by automatic switching or by
latching-type manual switches shall be protected in accordance with 430.32(B).
Exception: A low-voltage appliance that is controlled by a
momentary switch (normally open) that has no means for
holding in the closed position shall not be considered as a
connected load when determining the required converter
rating. Momentarily energized appliances shall be limited
to those used to prepare the unit for occupancy or travel.
(C) Bonding Voltage Converter Enclosures. The non–
current-carrying metal enclosure of the voltage converter
shall be connected to the frame of the unit with an 8 AWG
copper conductor minimum. The grounding conductor for
the battery and the metal enclosure shall be permitted to be
the same conductor.
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(4) Location. The overcurrent protective device shall be
installed in an accessible location on the unit within
450 mm (18 in.) of the point where the power supply connects to the unit circuits. If located outside the park trailer,
the device shall be protected against weather and physical
damage.
All converters and transformers shall be listed for use in
recreation units and designed or equipped to provide overtemperature protection. To determine the converter rating,
the following percentages shall be applied to the total connected load, including average battery-charging rate, of all
12-volt equipment:
The first 20 amperes of load at 100 percent plus
The second 20 amperes of load at 50 percent plus
All load above 40 amperes at 25 percent
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(2) Type. Circuit breakers or fuses shall be of an approved
type, including automotive types. Fuseholders shall be
clearly marked with maximum fuse size and shall be protected against shorting and physical damage by a cover or
equivalent means.
Exception: External low-voltage supply shall be permitted
to have the overcurrent protective device within 450 mm
(18 in.) after entering the unit or after leaving a metal
raceway.
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(F) Switches. Switches shall have a dc rating not less than
the connected load.
(G) Luminaires. All low-voltage interior luminaires rated
more than 4 watts, employing lamps rated more than 1.2
watts, shall be listed.
III. Combination Electrical Systems
552.20 Combination Electrical Systems.
(A) General. Unit wiring suitable for connection to a battery or other low-voltage supply source shall be permitted
to be connected to a 120-volt source, provided that the
entire wiring system and equipment are rated and installed
in full conformity with Parts I, III, IV, and V requirements
of this article covering 120-volt electrical systems. Circuits
fed from ac transformers shall not supply dc appliances.
(B) Voltage Converters (120-Volt Alternating Current
to Low-Voltage Direct Current). The 120-volt ac side of
the voltage converter shall be wired in full conformity with
Parts I and IV requirements of this article for 120-volt
electrical systems. [ROP 19–88a]
Exception: Converters supplied as an integral part of a
listed appliance shall not be subject to 552.20(B).
70–534
(D) Dual-Voltage Fixtures Including Luminaires or Appliances. Fixtures, including luminaires, or appliances having both 120-volt and low-voltage connections shall be
listed for dual voltage.
(E) Autotransformers. Autotransformers shall not be
used.
(F) Receptacles and Plug Caps. Where a park trailer is
equipped with a 120-volt or 120/240-volt ac system, a lowvoltage system, or both, receptacles and plug caps of the
low-voltage system shall differ in configuration from those
of the 120-volt or 120/240-volt system. Where a unit
equipped with a battery or dc system has an external connection for low-voltage power, the connector shall have a
configuration that will not accept 120-volt power.
IV. Nominal 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt Systems
552.40 120-Volt or 120/240-Volt, Nominal, Systems.
(A) General Requirements. The electrical equipment and
material of park trailers indicated for connection to a wiring
system rated 120 volts, nominal, 2-wire with an equipment
grounding conductor, or a wiring system rated 120/240
volts, nominal, 3-wire with an equipment grounding conductor, shall be listed and installed in accordance with the
requirements of Parts I, III, IV, and V of this article.
(B) Materials and Equipment. Electrical materials, devices, appliances, fittings, and other equipment installed,
intended for use in, or attached to the park trailer shall be
listed. All products shall be used only in the manner in
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
552.41 Receptacle Outlets Required.
(A) Spacing. Receptacle outlets shall be installed at wall
spaces 600 mm (2 ft) wide or more so that no point along
the floor line is more than 1.8 m (6 ft), measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space.
Exception No. 1: Bath and hallway areas.
Exception No. 2: Wall spaces occupied by kitchen cabinets, wardrobe cabinets, built-in furniture; behind doors
that may open fully against a wall surface; or similar
facilities.
(E) Outdoor Receptacle Outlets. At least one receptacle
outlet shall be installed outdoors. A receptacle outlet located in a compartment accessible from the outside of the
park trailer shall be considered an outdoor receptacle. Outdoor receptacle outlets shall be protected as required in
552.41(C)(4).
(F) Receptacle Outlets Not Permitted.
(1) Shower or Bathtub Space. Receptacle outlets shall
not be installed in or within reach [750 mm (30 in.)] of a
shower or bathtub space.
AF
(B) Location. Receptacle outlets shall be installed as follows:
(1) Adjacent to countertops in the kitchen [at least one on
each side of the sink if countertops are on each side and
are 300 mm (12 in.) or over in width]
(2) Adjacent to the refrigerator and gas range space, except
where a gas-fired refrigerator or cooking appliance, requiring no external electrical connection, is factoryinstalled
(3) Adjacent to countertop spaces of 300 mm (12 in.) or
more in width that cannot be reached from a receptacle
required in 552.41(B)(1) by a cord of 1.8 m (6 ft)
without crossing a traffic area, cooking appliance, or
sink
(1) Located within 600 mm (2 ft) of the cold water inlet
(2) Connected to an interior branch circuit, other than a
small-appliance branch circuit
(3) On a circuit where all of the outlets are on the load side
of the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel
(4) Mounted on the underside of the park trailer and shall
not be considered to be the outdoor receptacle outlet
required in 552.41(E)
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which they have been tested and found suitable for the
intended use.
552.43
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(C) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Each
125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle shall
have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel in the following locations:
(1) Where the receptacles are installed to serve kitchen
countertop surfaces
(2) Within 1.8 m (6 ft) of any lavatory or sink
(2) Face-Up Position. A receptacle shall not be installed in
a face-up position in any countertop.
552.43 Power Supply.
(A) Feeder. The power supply to the park trailer shall be a
feeder assembly consisting of not more than one listed 30ampere or 50-ampere park trailer power-supply cord, with
an integrally molded or securely attached cap, or a permanently installed feeder.
The receptacle outlet shall be permitted in a listed luminaire. A receptacle outlet shall not be installed in a tub or
combination tub–shower compartment.
(B) Power-Supply Cord. If the park trailer has a powersupply cord, it shall be permanently attached to the panelboard or to a junction box permanently connected to the
panelboard, with the free end terminating in a molded-on
attachment plug cap. [ROP 19–83]
Cords with adapters and pigtail ends, extension cords,
and similar items shall not be attached to, or shipped with,
a park trailer.
A suitable clamp or the equivalent shall be provided at
the panelboard knockout to afford strain relief for the cord
to prevent strain from being transmitted to the terminals
when the power-supply cord is handled in its intended manner. [ROP 19–83]
The cord shall be a listed type with 3-wire, 120-volt or
4-wire, 120/240-volt conductors, one of which shall be
identified by a continuous green color or a continuous
green color with one or more yellow stripes for use as the
grounding conductor.
(D) Pipe Heating Cable Outlet. Where a pipe heating
cable outlet is installed, the outlet shall be as follows:
(C) Mast Weatherhead or Raceway. Where the calculated load exceeds 50 amperes or where a permanent feeder
Exception: Receptacles installed for appliances in dedicated spaces, such as for dishwashers, disposals, refrigerators, freezers, and laundry equipment.
(3) In the area occupied by a toilet, shower, tub, or any
combination thereof
(4) On the exterior of the unit
Exception: Receptacles that are located inside of an access
panel that is installed on the exterior of the unit to supply
power for an installed appliance shall not be required to
have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–535
552.44
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
552.44 Cord.
(2) Units with 50-Ampere Power Supply Assembly. Park
trailers having a power-supply assembly rated 50 amperes
as permitted by 552.43(B) shall have a 3-pole, 4-wire
grounding-type attachment plug rated 50 amperes, 125/250
volts, conforming to the configuration shown in Figure
552.44(C).
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002 (R2008), National Electrical Manufacturers Association Standard for
Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure
14-50. [ROP 19–90b]
Receptacles
D
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(B) Cord Length. The cord-exposed usable length shall be
measured from the point of entrance to the park trailer or
the face of the flanged surface inlet (motor-base attachment
plug) to the face of the attachment plug at the supply end.
The cord-exposed usable length, measured to the point
of entry on the unit exterior, shall be a minimum of 7.0 m
(23 ft) where the point of entrance is at the side of the unit,
or shall be a minimum 8.5 m (28 ft) where the point of
entrance is at the rear of the unit. The maximum length
shall not exceed 11 m (361⁄2 ft).
Where the cord entrance into the unit is more than
900 mm (3 ft) above the ground, the minimum cord lengths
above shall be increased by the vertical distance of the cord
entrance heights above 900 mm (3 ft).
(C) Attachment Plugs.
(1) Units with Two to Five 15- or 20-Ampere Branch
Circuits. Park trailers wired in accordance with 552.46(A)
shall have an attachment plug that shall be 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding-type, rated 30 amperes, 125 volts, conforming to
the configuration shown in Figure 552.44(C) intended for
use with units rated at 30 amperes, 125 volts.
70–536
Caps
G
W
G
W
30-A,125-V, 2-pole, 3-wire, grounding type
AF
(A) Permanently Connected. Each power-supply assembly shall be factory supplied or factory installed and connected directly to the terminals of the panelboard or conductors within a junction box and provided with means to
prevent strain from being transmitted to the terminals. The
ampacity of the conductors between each junction box and
the terminals of each panelboard shall be at least equal to
the ampacity of the power-supply cord. The supply end of
the assembly shall be equipped with an attachment plug of
the type described in 552.44(C). Where the cord passes
through the walls or floors, it shall be protected by means
of conduit and bushings or equivalent. The cord assembly
shall have permanent provisions for protection against corrosion and mechanical damage while the unit is in transit.
[ROP 19–83]
Informational Note: Complete details of this configuration
can be found in ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002 (R2008), National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Standard for
Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure
TT. [ROP 19–90a]
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is used, the supply shall be by means of one of the following:
(1) One mast weatherhead installation, installed in accordance with Article 230, containing four continuous, insulated, color-coded feeder conductors, one of which
shall be an equipment grounding conductor
(2) A metal raceway, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit from the disconnecting means in the park trailer to the underside of the
park trailer, with provisions for the attachment to a
suitable junction box or fitting to the raceway on the
underside of the park trailer [with or without conductors as in 550.10(I)(1)]
G
G
Y
W
X
X
Y
W
50-A,125/250-V, 3-pole, 4-wire, grounding type
Figure 552.44(C) Attachment Cap and Receptacle Configurations.
(D) Labeling at Electrical Entrance. Each park trailer
shall have permanently affixed to the exterior skin, at or
near the point of entrance of the power-supply assembly, a
label 75 mm × 45 mm (3 in. × 13⁄4 in.) minimum size, made
of etched, metal-stamped, or embossed brass, stainless
steel, or anodized or alclad aluminum not less than
0.51 mm (0.020 in.) thick, or other suitable material [e.g.,
0.13 mm (0.005 in.) thick plastic laminate], that reads, as
appropriate, either
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR 110–125-VOLT AC,
60 HZ, 30 AMPERE SUPPLY
or
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR 208Y/120-VOLT OR
120/240-VOLT AC, 3-POLE, 4-WIRE, 60 HZ, ______
AMPERE SUPPLY.
The correct ampere rating shall be marked in the blank
space.
(E) Location. The point of entrance of a power-supply
assembly shall be located within 4.5 m (15 ft) of the rear,
on the left (road) side or at the rear, left of the longitudinal
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
552.47
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
center of the unit, within 450 mm (18 in.) of the outside
wall.
Exception: A park trailer shall be permitted to have the
electrical point of entrance located more than 4.5 m (15 ft)
from the rear. Where this occurs, the distance beyond the
4.5-m (15-ft) dimension shall be added to the cord’s minimum length as specified in 551.46(B).
(1) Lighting. Based on 33 volt-amperes/m2 (3 VA/ft2)
multiplied by the outside dimensions of the park trailer
(coupler excluded) divided by 120 volts to determine the
number of 15- or 20-ampere lighting area circuits, for example,
3 × length × width
120 × 15 ( or 20 )
= No. of 15- ( or 20 - ) ampere circuits
552.45 Panelboard. [ROP 19–83]
(B) Location. The panelboard shall be installed in a
readily accessible location. Working clearance for the panelboard shall be not less than 600 mm (24 in.) wide and
750 mm (30 in.) deep. [ROP 19–83]
(2) Small Appliances. Small-appliance branch circuits
shall be installed in accordance with 210.11(C)(1).
(3) General Appliances. (including furnace, water heater,
space heater, range, and central or room air conditioner,
etc.) An individual branch circuit shall be permitted to supply any load for which it is rated. There shall be one or
more circuits of adequate rating in accordance with (a)
through (d).
AF
Exception: Where the panelboard cover is exposed to the
inside aisle space, one of the working clearance dimensions
shall be permitted to be reduced to a minimum of 550 mm
(22 in.). A panelboard shall be considered exposed where
the panelboard cover is within 50 mm (2 in.) of the aisle’s
finished surface.
The lighting circuits shall be permitted to serve listed
cord-connected kitchen waste disposers and to provide
power for supplemental equipment and lighting on gasfired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units.
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(A) Listed and Appropriately Rated. A listed and appropriately rated panelboard shall be used. The grounded conductor termination bar shall be insulated from the enclosure
as provided in 552.55(C). An equipment grounding terminal bar shall be attached inside the metal enclosure of the
panelboard. [ROP 19–83]
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(C) Dead-Front Type. The panelboard shall be of the
dead-front type. A main disconnecting means shall be provided where fuses are used or where more than two circuit
breakers are employed. A main overcurrent protective device not exceeding the power-supply assembly rating shall
be provided where more than two branch circuits are employed. [ROP 19–83]
552.46 Branch Circuits. Branch circuits shall be determined in accordance with 552.46(A) and (B).
(A) Two to Five 15- or 20-Ampere Circuits. Two to five
15- or 20-ampere circuits to supply lights, receptacle outlets, and fixed appliances shall be permitted. Such park
trailers shall be equipped with a panelboard rated at 120
volts maximum with a 30-ampere rated main power supply
assembly. Not more than two 120-volt thermostatically
controlled appliances (i.e., air conditioner and water heater)
shall be installed in such systems unless appliance isolation
switching, energy management systems, or similar methods
are used. [ROP 19–83]
Exception: Additional 15- or 20-ampere circuits shall be
permitted where a listed energy management system rated
at 30 amperes maximum is employed within the system.
(B) More Than Five Circuits. Where more than five circuits are needed, they shall be determined in accordance
with 552.46(B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 1: For the laundry branch circuit,
see 210.11(C)(2).
Informational Note No. 2: For central air conditioning, see
Article 440.
(a) The total rating of fixed appliances shall not exceed 50 percent of the circuit rating if lighting outlets,
general-use receptacles, or both are also supplied.
(b) For fixed appliances with a motor(s) larger than 1⁄8
horsepower, the total calculated load shall be based on
125 percent of the largest motor plus the sum of the other
loads. Where a branch circuit supplies continuous load(s) or
any combination of continuous and noncontinuous loads,
the branch-circuit conductor size shall be in accordance
with 210.19(A).
(c) The rating of a single cord-and-plug-connected appliance supplied by other than an individual branch circuit
shall not exceed 80 percent of the circuit rating.
(d) The rating of a range branch circuit shall be based
on the range demand as specified for ranges in
552.47(B)(5).
552.47 Calculations. The following method shall be employed in computing the supply-cord and distributionpanelboard load for each feeder assembly for each park
trailer in lieu of the procedure shown in Article 220 and
shall be based on a 3-wire, 208Y/120-volt or 120/240-volt
supply with 120-volt loads balanced between the two
phases of the 3-wire system.
(A) Lighting and Small-Appliance Load. Lighting VoltAmperes: Length times width of park trailer floor (outside
70–537
552.48
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
552.48 Wiring Methods.
(A) Wiring Systems. Cables and raceways installed in accordance with Articles 320, 322, 330 through 340, 342
through 362, 386, and 388 shall be permitted in accordance
with their applicable article, except as otherwise specified
in this article. An equipment grounding means shall be provided in accordance with 250.118.
(B) Conduit and Tubing. Where rigid metal conduit or
intermediate metal conduit is terminated at an enclosure
with a locknut and bushing connection, two locknuts shall
be provided, one inside and one outside of the enclosure.
All cut ends of conduit and tubing shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
(C) Nonmetallic Boxes. Nonmetallic boxes shall be acceptable only with nonmetallic-sheathed cable or nonmetallic raceways.
D
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AF
(B) Total Load for Determining Power Supply. Total
load for determining power supply is the sum of the following:
(1) Lighting and small-appliance load as calculated in
552.47(A).
(2) Nameplate amperes for motors and heater loads (exhaust fans, air conditioners, electric, gas, or oil heating). Omit smaller of the heating and cooling loads,
except include blower motor if used as air-conditioner
evaporator motor. Where an air conditioner is not installed and a 50-ampere power-supply cord is provided,
allow 15 amperes per phase for air conditioning.
(3) Twenty-five percent of current of largest motor in
(B)(2).
(4) Total of nameplate amperes for disposal, dishwasher,
water heater, clothes dryer, wall-mounted oven, cooking units. Where the number of these appliances exceeds three, use 75 percent of total.
(5) Derive amperes for freestanding range (as distinguished from separate ovens and cooking units) by dividing the following values by 240 volts:
(C) Optional Method of Calculation for Lighting and
Appliance Load. For park trailers, the optional method for
calculating lighting and appliance load shown in 220.82
shall be permitted.
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dimensions) times 33 volt-amperes/m2 (3 VA/ft2). For example,
Length × width × 3 = lighting volt-amperes
Small-Appliance Volt-Amperes: Number of circuits
times 1500 volt-amperes for each 20-ampere appliance receptacle circuit (see definition of Appliance, Portable with
fine print note) including 1500 volt-amperes for laundry
circuit. For example,
No. of circuits × 1500 = small-appliance volt-amperes
Total: Lighting volt-amperes plus small-appliance voltamperes = total volt-amperes
First 3000 total volt-amperes at 100 percent plus remainder at 35 percent = volt-amperes to be divided by 240
volts to obtain current (amperes) per leg.
Nameplate Rating (watts)
Use (volt-amperes)
0–10,000
10,000–12,500
12,500–13,500
13,500–14,500
14,500–15,500
15,500–16,500
16,500–17,500
80 percent of rating
8,000
8,400
8,800
9,200
9,600
10,000
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
(6) If outlets or circuits are provided for other than factoryinstalled appliances, include the anticipated load.
Informational Note: Refer to Informative Annex D, Example D12, for an illustration of the application of this
calculation.
70–538
(D) Boxes. In walls and ceilings constructed of wood or
other combustible material, boxes and fittings shall be flush
with the finished surface or project therefrom.
(E) Mounting. Wall and ceiling boxes shall be mounted in
accordance with Article 314.
Exception No. 1: Snap-in-type boxes or boxes provided
with special wall or ceiling brackets that securely fasten
boxes in walls or ceilings shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: A wooden plate providing a 38-mm (11⁄2in.) minimum width backing around the box and of a thickness of 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) or greater (actual) attached directly
to the wall panel shall be considered as approved means
for mounting outlet boxes.
(F) Cable Sheath. The sheath of nonmetallic-sheathed
cable, and the armor of metal-clad cable and Type AC
cable, shall be continuous between outlet boxes and other
enclosures.
(G) Protected. Metal-clad, Type AC, or nonmetallicsheathed cables and electrical nonmetallic tubing shall be
permitted to pass through the centers of the wide side of 2
by 4 wood studs. However, they shall be protected where
they pass through 2 by 2 wood studs or at other wood studs
or frames where the cable or tubing would be less than
32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the inside or outside surface. Steel
plates on each side of the cable or tubing, or a steel tube,
with not less than 1.35 mm (0.053 in.) wall thickness, shall
be installed to protect the cable or tubing. These plates or
tubes shall be securely held in place. Where nonmetallic-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
(H) Cable Supports. Where connected with cable connectors or clamps, cables shall be supported within 300 mm
(12 in.) of outlet boxes, panelboards, and splice boxes on
appliances. Supports shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (41⁄2 ft) at other places. [ROP 19–83]
(I) Nonmetallic
Box Without
Cable
Clamps.
Nonmetallic-sheathed cables shall be supported within
200 mm (8 in.) of a nonmetallic outlet box without cable
clamps.
Exception: Where wiring devices with integral enclosures
are employed with a loop of extra cable to permit future
replacement of the device, the cable loop shall be considered as an integral portion of the device.
(P) Prewiring for Air-Conditioning Installation. Prewiring installed for the purpose of facilitating future airconditioning installation shall comply with the applicable
portions of this article and the following:
(1) An overcurrent protective device with a rating compatible with the circuit conductors shall be installed in the
panelboard and wiring connections completed. [ROP
19–83]
(2) The load end of the circuit shall terminate in a junction
box with a blank cover or other listed enclosure. Where
a junction box with a blank cover is used, the free ends
of the conductors shall be adequately capped or taped.
(3) A label conforming to 552.44(D) shall be placed on or
adjacent to the junction box and shall read as follows:
AF
(J) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage,
exposed nonmetallic cable shall be protected by covering
boards, guard strips, raceways, or other means.
listed for hard usage. The cord and its connections shall
conform to all provisions of Article 400 and shall be
considered as a permitted use under 400.7.
(2) If the receptacle provided for connection of the cord to
the main circuit is located on the outside of the unit, it
shall be protected with a ground-fault circuit interrupter
for personnel and be listed for wet locations. A cord
located on the outside of a unit shall be identified for
outdoor use.
(3) Unless removable or stored within the unit interior, the
cord assembly shall have permanent provisions for protection against corrosion and mechanical damage while
the unit is in transit.
(4) If an attachment plug and cord is used, it shall be installed so as not to permit exposed live attachment plug
pins.
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sheathed cables pass through punched, cut, or drilled slots
or holes in metal members, the cable shall be protected by
bushings or grommets securely fastened in the opening
prior to installation of the cable.
552.52
(K) Receptacle Faceplates. Metal faceplates shall comply
with 406.5(A). Nonmetallic faceplates shall comply with
406.5(C).
(L) Metal Faceplates Grounded. Where metal faceplates
are used, they shall be grounded.
D
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(M) Moisture or Physical Damage. Where outdoor or
under-chassis wiring is 120 volts, nominal, or over and is
exposed to moisture or physical damage, the wiring shall be
protected by rigid metal conduit, by intermediate metal
conduit, by electrical metallic tubing, by rigid nonmetallic
conduit, or by Type MI cable that is closely routed against
frames and equipment enclosures or other raceway or cable
identified for the application.
(N) Component Interconnections. Fittings and connectors that are intended to be concealed at the time of assembly shall be listed and identified for the interconnection of
building components. Such fittings and connectors shall be
equal to the wiring method employed in insulation, temperature rise, and fault-current withstanding, and shall be
capable of enduring the vibration and shock occurring in
park trailers.
(O) Method of Connecting Expandable Units. The
method of connecting expandable units to the main body of
the vehicle shall comply with the following as applicable:
(1) That portion of a branch circuit that is installed in an
expandable unit shall be permitted to be connected to
the branch circuit in the main body of the vehicle by
means of a flexible cord or attachment plug and cord
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
AIR-CONDITIONING CIRCUIT.
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR AIR CONDITIONERS
RATED 110–125-VOLT AC, 60 HZ,
____ AMPERES MAXIMUM.
DO NOT EXCEED CIRCUIT RATING.
An ampere rating, not to exceed 80 percent of the circuit
rating, shall be legibly marked in the blank space.
(4) The circuit shall serve no other purpose.
552.49 Maximum Number of Conductors in Boxes. The
maximum number of conductors permitted in boxes shall
be in accordance with 314.16.
552.50 Grounded Conductors. The identification of
grounded conductors shall be in accordance with 200.6.
552.51 Connection of Terminals and Splices. Conductor
splices and connections at terminals shall be in accordance
with 110.14.
552.52 Switches. Switches shall be rated as required by
552.52(A) and (B).
70–539
ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
(A) Lighting Circuits. For lighting circuits, switches shall
be rated not less than 10 amperes, 120/125 volts, and in no
case less than the connected load.
(B) Motors or Other Loads. For motors or other loads,
switches shall have ampere or horsepower ratings, or both,
adequate for loads controlled. (An ac general-use snap
switch shall be permitted to control a motor 2 hp or less
with full-load current not over 80 percent of the switch
ampere rating.)
552.53 Receptacles. All receptacle outlets shall be of the
grounding type and installed in accordance with 210.21 and
406.4.
552.54 Luminaires.
(A) General. Any combustible wall or ceiling finish exposed between the edge of a luminaire canopy or pan and
the outlet box shall be covered with noncombustible material or a material identified for the purpose.
552.56 Interior Equipment Grounding.
(A) Exposed Metal Parts. In the electrical system, all exposed metal parts, enclosures, frames, luminaire canopies,
and so forth, shall be effectively bonded to the grounding
terminals or enclosure of the panelboard. [ROP 19–83]
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductors. Bare conductors
or conductors with insulation or individual covering that is
green or green with one or more yellow stripes shall be
used for equipment grounding conductors only.
(C) Grounding of Electrical Equipment. Where grounding of electrical equipment is specified, it shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) Connection of metal raceway (conduit or electrical metallic tubing), the sheath of Type MC and Type MI
cable where the sheath is identified for grounding, or
the armor of Type AC cable to metal enclosures.
(2) A connection between the one or more equipment
grounding conductors and a metal box by means of a
grounding screw, which shall be used for no other purpose, or a listed grounding device.
(3) The equipment grounding conductor in nonmetallicsheathed cable shall be permitted to be secured under a
screw threaded into the luminaire canopy other than a
mounting screw or cover screw or attached to a listed
grounding means (plate) in a nonmetallic outlet box for
luminaire mounting (grounding means shall also be
permitted for luminaire attachment screws).
AF
(B) Shower Luminaires. If a luminaire is provided over a
bathtub or in a shower stall, it shall be of the enclosed and
gasketed type and listed for the type of installation, and it
shall be ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected.
The switch for shower luminaires and exhaust fans, located over a tub or in a shower stall, shall be located outside the tub or shower space.
cord and 3-pole, 4-wire, grounding-type plug caps and receptacles. [ROP 19–83]
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552.53
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(C) Outdoor Outlets, Luminaires, Air-Cooling Equipment, and So On. Outdoor luminaires and other equipment
shall be listed for outdoor use or wet locations.
552.55 Grounding. (See also 552.57 on bonding of non–
current-carrying metal parts.)
(A) Power-Supply Grounding. The grounding conductor
in the supply cord or feeder shall be connected to the
grounding bus or other approved grounding means in the
panelboard. [ROP 19–83]
(B) Panelboard. The panelboard shall have a grounding
bus with sufficient terminals for all grounding conductors
or other approved grounding means. [ROP 19–83]
(C) Insulated Grounded Conductor. The grounded circuit conductor shall be insulated from the equipment
grounding conductors and from equipment enclosures and
other grounded parts. The grounded circuit conductor terminals in the panelboard and in ranges, clothes dryers,
counter-mounted cooking units, and wall-mounted ovens
shall be insulated from the equipment enclosure. Bonding
screws, straps, or buses in the panelboard or in appliances
shall be removed and discarded. Connection of electric
ranges and electric clothes dryers utilizing a grounded conductor, if cord-connected, shall be made with 4-conductor
70–540
(D) Grounding Connection in Nonmetallic Box. A connection between the one or more grounding conductors
brought into a nonmetallic outlet box shall be arranged so
that a connection can be made to any fitting or device in
that box that requires grounding.
(E) Grounding Continuity. Where more than one equipment grounding conductor of a branch circuit enters a box,
all such conductors shall be in good electrical contact with
each other, and the arrangement shall be such that the disconnection or removal of a receptacle, fixture, including a
luminaire, or other device fed from the box will not interfere with or interrupt the grounding continuity.
(F) Cord-Connected Appliances. Cord-connected appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, refrigerators, and the electrical system of gas ranges, and so on,
shall be grounded by means of an approved cord with
equipment grounding conductor and grounding-type attachment plug.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 552 — PARK TRAILERS
(A) Required Bonding. All exposed non–current-carrying
metal parts that are likely to become energized shall be
effectively bonded to the grounding terminal or enclosure
of the panelboard. [ROP 19–83]
(B) Bonding Chassis. A bonding conductor shall be connected between any panelboard and an accessible terminal
on the chassis. Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be used for bonding if such conductors or
their terminals are exposed to corrosive elements. [ROP
19–83]
Exception: Any park trailer that employs a unitized metal
chassis-frame construction to which the panelboard is securely fastened with a bolt(s) and nut(s) or by welding or
riveting shall be considered to be bonded. [ROP 19–83]
THIS CONNECTION IS FOR HEATING
AND/OR AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT.
THE BRANCH CIRCUIT IS RATED AT NOT MORE
THAN ______ AMPERES, AT ______ VOLTS, 60 HZ,
_______ CONDUCTOR AMPACITY.
A DISCONNECTING MEANS SHALL BE
LOCATED WITHIN SIGHT OF THE EQUIPMENT.
The correct voltage and ampere rating shall be given.
The tag shall not be less than 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) thick
etched brass, stainless steel, anodized or alclad aluminum,
or equivalent. The tag shall not be less than 75 mm
× 45 mm (3 in. × 13⁄4 in.) minimum size.
AF
(C) Bonding Conductor Requirements. Grounding terminals shall be of the solderless type and listed as pressure
terminal connectors recognized for the wire size used. The
bonding conductor shall be solid or stranded, insulated or
bare, and shall be 8 AWG copper minimum or equivalent.
(B) Outside Heating Equipment, Air-Conditioning
Equipment, or Both. A park trailer provided with a branch
circuit designed to energize outside heating equipment or
air-conditioning equipment, or both, located outside the
park trailer, other than room air conditioners, shall have
such branch-circuit conductors terminate in a listed outlet
box or disconnecting means located on the outside of the
park trailer. A label shall be permanently affixed within
150 mm (6 in.) from the listed box or disconnecting means
and shall contain the following information:
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552.57 Bonding of Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts.
552.60
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(D) Metallic Roof and Exterior Bonding. The metal roof
and exterior covering shall be considered bonded where
both of the following conditions apply:
(1) The metal panels overlap one another and are securely
attached to the wood or metal frame parts by metal
fasteners.
(2) The lower panel of the metal exterior covering is secured by metal fasteners at each cross member of the
chassis, or the lower panel is connected to the chassis
by a metal strap.
(E) Gas, Water, and Waste Pipe Bonding. The gas, water, and waste pipes shall be considered grounded if they
are bonded to the chassis.
(F) Furnace and Metal Air Duct Bonding. Furnace and
metal circulating air ducts shall be bonded.
552.58 Appliance Accessibility and Fastening. Every appliance shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair,
and replacement without removal of permanent construction. Means shall be provided to securely fasten appliances
in place when the park trailer is in transit.
552.59 Outdoor Outlets, Fixtures, Including Luminaires, Air-Cooling Equipment, and So On.
(A) Listed for Outdoor Use. Outdoor fixtures, including
luminaires, and equipment shall be listed for outdoor use.
Outdoor receptacle outlets shall be in accordance with
406.9(A) and (B). Switches and circuit breakers installed
outdoors shall comply with 404.4.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
V. Factory Tests
552.60 Factory Tests (Electrical). Each park trailer shall
be subjected to the tests required by 552.60(A) and (B).
(A) Circuits of 120 Volts or 120/240 Volts. Each park
trailer designed with a 120-volt or a 120/240-volt electrical
system shall withstand the applied potential without electrical breakdown of a 1-minute, 900-volt dielectric strength
test, or a 1-second, 1080-volt dielectric strength test, with
all switches closed, between ungrounded and grounded
conductors and the park trailer ground. During the test, all
switches and other controls shall be in the on position.
Fixtures, including luminaires, and permanently installed
appliances shall not be required to withstand this test.
Each park trailer shall be subjected to the following:
(1) A continuity test to ensure that all metal parts are properly bonded
(2) Operational tests to demonstrate that all equipment is
properly connected and in working order
(3) Polarity checks to determine that connections have
been properly made
(4) Receptacles requiring GFCI protection shall be tested
for correct function by the use of a GFCI testing device
(B) Low-Voltage Circuits. An operational test of lowvoltage circuits shall be conducted to demonstrate that all
equipment is connected and in electrical working order.
This test shall be performed in the final stages of produc-
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553.1
ARTICLE 553 — FLOATING BUILDINGS
tion after all outer coverings and cabinetry have been secured.
ARTICLE 553
Floating Buildings
III. Grounding
553.1 Scope. This article covers wiring, services, feeders,
and grounding for floating buildings.
553.2 Definition.
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553.4 Location of Service Equipment. The service equipment for a floating building shall be located adjacent to, but
not in or on, the building or any floating structure. The
main overcurrent protective device that feeds the floating
structure shall have ground fault protection not exceeding
100 mA. Ground fault protection of each individual branch
or feeder circuit shall be permitted as a suitable alternative.
553.5 Service Conductors. One set of service conductors
shall be permitted to serve more than one set of service
equipment.
553.6 Feeder Conductors. Each floating building shall be
supplied by a single set of feeder conductors from its service equipment.
Exception: Where the floating building has multiple occupancy, each occupant shall be permitted to be supplied by a
single set of feeder conductors extended from the occupant’s service equipment to the occupant’s panelboard.
553.7 Installation of Services and Feeders.
(A) Flexibility. Flexibility of the wiring system shall be
maintained between floating buildings and the supply conductors. All wiring shall be installed so that motion of the
water surface and changes in the water level will not result
in unsafe conditions.
(B) Wiring Methods. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit or
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with approved fittings shall be permitted for feeders and where flexible connections are required for services. Extra-hard usage por-
70–542
(A) Grounding of Electrical and Nonelectrical Parts.
Grounding of both electrical and nonelectrical parts in a
floating building shall be through connection to a grounding bus in the building panelboard.
(B) Installation and Connection of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall
be installed with the feeder conductors and connected to a
grounding terminal in the service equipment.
(C) Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductor.
The equipment grounding conductor shall be an insulated
copper conductor with a continuous outer finish that is either green or green with one or more yellow stripes. For
conductors larger than 6 AWG, or where multiconductor
cables are used, re-identification of conductors as allowed
in 250.119(A)(2)(2) and (A)(2)(3) or 250.119(B)(2) and
(B)(3) shall be permitted.
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Floating Building. A building unit, as defined in Article
100, that floats on water, is moored in a permanent location,
and has a premises wiring system served through connection by permanent wiring to an electrical supply system not
located on the premises.
553.8 General Requirements. Grounding at floating
buildings shall comply with 553.8(A) through (D).
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I. General
II. Services and Feeders
table power cable listed for both wet locations and sunlight
resistance shall be permitted for a feeder to a floating building where flexibility is required. Other raceways suitable
for the location shall be permitted to be installed where
flexibility is not required.
[ROP 19–100a]
(D) Grounding Electrode Conductor Connection. The
grounding terminal in the service equipment shall be
grounded by connection through an insulated grounding
electrode conductor to a grounding electrode on shore.
553.9 Insulated Neutral. The grounded circuit conductor
(neutral) shall be an insulated conductor identified in compliance with 200.6. The neutral conductor shall be connected to the equipment grounding terminal in the service
equipment, and, except for that connection, it shall be insulated from the equipment grounding conductors, equipment enclosures, and all other grounded parts. The neutral
conductor terminals in the panelboard and in ranges,
clothes dryers, counter-mounted cooking units, and the like
shall be insulated from the enclosures.
553.10 Equipment Grounding.
(A) Electrical Systems. All enclosures and exposed metal
parts of electrical systems shall be connected to the grounding bus.
(B) Cord-Connected Appliances. Where required to be
grounded, cord-connected appliances shall be grounded by
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 555 — MARINAS AND BOATYARDS
553.11 Bonding of Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts.
All metal parts in contact with the water, all metal piping,
and all non–current-carrying metal parts that are likely to
become energized shall be connected to the grounding bus
in the panelboard.
ARTICLE 555
Marinas and Boatyards
555.3 Ground-Fault Protection. The main overcurrent
protective device that feeds the marina shall have ground
fault protection not exceeding 100 mA. Ground-fault protection of each individual branch or feeder circuit shall be
permitted as a suitable alternative.
555.4 Distribution System. Yard and pier distribution systems shall not exceed 1000 volts phase to phase. [ROP
19–104]
555.5 Transformers. Transformers and enclosures shall be
specifically approved for the intended location. The bottom
of enclosures for transformers shall not be located below
the electrical datum plane.
555.7 Location of Service Equipment. The service equipment for floating docks or marinas shall be located adjacent
to, but not on or in, the floating structure.
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555.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of wiring
and equipment in the areas comprising fixed or floating
piers, wharves, docks, and other areas in marinas, boatyards, boat basins, boathouses, yacht clubs, boat condominiums, docking facilities associated with residential condominiums, any multiple docking facility, or similar
occupancies, and facilities that are used, or intended for
use, for the purpose of repair, berthing, launching, storage,
or fueling of small craft and the moorage of floating buildings.
Private, noncommercial docking facilities constructed
or occupied for the use of the owner or residents of the
associated single-family dwelling are not covered by this
article.
Marine Power Outlet. An enclosed assembly that can include equipment such as receptacles, circuit breakers, fused
switches, fuses, watt-hour meter(s), panelboards, and monitoring means approved for marine use. [ROP 19–102]
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means of an equipment grounding conductor in the cord
and a grounding-type attachment plug.
555.11
Informational Note: See NFPA 303-2011, Fire Protection
Standard for Marinas and Boatyards, for additional information. [ROP 19–101a]
555.2 Definitions.
Electrical Datum Plane. The electrical datum plane is defined as follows:
(1) In land areas subject to tidal fluctuation, the electrical
datum plane is a horizontal plane 606 mm (2 ft) above
the highest tide level for the area occurring under normal circumstances, that is, highest high tide.
(2) In land areas not subject to tidal fluctuation, the electrical datum plane is a horizontal plane 606 mm (2 ft)
above the highest water level for the area occurring
under normal circumstances.
(3) The electrical datum plane for floating piers and landing stages that are (a) installed to permit rise and fall
response to water level, without lateral movement, and
(b) that are so equipped that they can rise to the datum
plane established for (1) or (2), is a horizontal plane
762 mm (30 in.) above the water level at the floating
pier or landing stage and a minimum of 305 mm
(12 in.) above the level of the deck.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
555.9 Electrical Connections. Electrical connections shall
be located at least 305 mm (12 in.) above the deck of a
floating pier. Conductor splices, within approved junction
boxes, utilizing sealed wire connector systems listed and
identified for submersion shall be permitted where located
above the waterline but below the electrical datum plane
for floating piers.
All electrical connections shall be located at least
305 mm (12 in.) above the deck of a fixed pier but not
below the electrical datum plane.
555.10 Electrical Equipment Enclosures.
(A) Securing and Supporting. Electrical equipment enclosures installed on piers above deck level shall be securely and substantially supported by structural members,
independent of any conduit connected to them. If enclosures are not attached to mounting surfaces by means of
external ears or lugs, the internal screw heads shall be
sealed to prevent seepage of water through mounting holes.
(B) Location. Electrical equipment enclosures on piers
shall be located so as not to interfere with mooring lines.
555.11 Circuit Breakers, Switches, Panelboards, and
Marine Power Outlets. Circuit breakers and switches installed in gasketed enclosures shall be arranged to permit
required manual operation without exposing the interior of
the enclosure. All such enclosures shall be arranged with a
weep hole to discharge condensation.
70–543
555.12
ARTICLE 555 — MARINAS AND BOATYARDS
Informational Note: These demand factors may be inadequate in areas of extreme hot or cold temperatures with
loaded circuits for heating, air-conditioning, or refrigerating
equipment.
Table 555.12 Demand Factors
Sum of the Rating of the
Receptacles
(%)
1–4
5–8
9–14
15–30
31–40
41–50
51–70
≥71
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
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Notes:
1. Where shore power accommodations provide two receptacles specifically for an individual boat slip and these receptacles have different voltages (for example, one 30 ampere, 125 volt and one 50 ampere, 125/250 volt), only the receptacle with the larger kilowatt
demand shall be required to be calculated.
2. If the facility being installed includes individual kilowatt-hour submeters for each slip and is being calculated using the criteria listed in
Table 555.12, the total demand amperes may be multiplied by 0.9 to
achieve the final demand amperes.
555.13 Wiring Methods and Installation.
(A) Wiring Methods.
(1) General. Wiring methods of Chapter 3 shall be permitted where identified for use in wet locations.
(2) Portable Power Cables. Extra-hard usage portable
power cables rated not less than 167°F (75°C), 600 volts;
listed for both wet locations and sunlight resistance; and
having an outer jacket rated to be resistant to temperature
extremes, oil, gasoline, ozone, abrasion, acids, and chemicals shall be permitted as follows:
(1) As permanent wiring on the underside of piers (floating
or fixed)
(2) Where flexibility is necessary as on piers composed of
floating sections
70–544
(B) Installation.
(1) Overhead Wiring. Overhead wiring shall be installed
to avoid possible contact with masts and other parts of
boats being moved in the yard.
Conductors and cables shall be routed to avoid wiring
closer than 6.0 m (20 ft) from the outer edge or any portion
of the yard that can be used for moving vessels or stepping
or unstepping masts.
(2) Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders. Outside
branch circuits and feeders shall comply with Article 225
except that clearances for overhead wiring in portions of
the yard other than those described in 555.13(B)(1) shall
not be less than 5.49 m (18 ft) abovegrade.
(3) Wiring Over and Under Navigable Water. Wiring
over and under navigable water shall be subject to approval
by the authority having jurisdiction.
Informational Note: See NFPA 303-2011, Fire Protection
Standard for Marinas and Boatyards, for warning sign
requirements.
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Number of Shore Power
Receptacles
(3) Temporary Wiring. Temporary wiring, except as permitted by Article 590, shall not be used to supply power to
boats.
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555.12 Load Calculations for Service and Feeder Conductors. General lighting and other loads shall be calculated in accordance with Part III of Article 220, and, in
addition, the demand factors set forth in Table 555.12 shall
be permitted for each service and/or feeder circuit supplying receptacles that provide shore power for boats. These
calculations shall be permitted to be modified as indicated
in notes (1) and (2) to Table 555.12. Where demand factors
of Table 555.12 are applied, the demand factor specified in
220.61(B) shall not be permitted.
(4) Portable Power Cables.
(a) Where portable power cables are permitted by
555.13(A)(2), the installation shall comply with the following:
(1) Cables shall be properly supported.
(2) Cables shall be located on the underside of the pier.
(3) Cables shall be securely fastened by nonmetallic clips
to structural members other than the deck planking.
(4) Cables shall not be installed where subject to physical
damage.
(5) Where cables pass through structural members, they
shall be protected against chafing by a permanently
installed oversized sleeve of nonmetallic material.
(b) Where portable power cables are used as permitted
in 555.13(A)(2)(2), there shall be an approved junction box
of corrosion-resistant construction with permanently installed terminal blocks on each pier section to which the
feeder and feeder extensions are to be connected. A listed
marine power outlet employing terminal blocks/bars shall
be permitted in lieu of a junction box. Metal junction boxes
and their covers, and metal screws and parts that are exposed externally to the boxes, shall be of corrosionresistant materials or protected by material resistant to
corrosion.
(5) Protection. Rigid metal conduit, reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) listed for aboveground use, or
rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit suitable for the location, shall be installed to protect wiring above decks of
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 555 — MARINAS AND BOATYARDS
piers and landing stages and below the enclosure that it
serves. The conduit shall be connected to the enclosure by
full standard threads or fittings listed for use in damp or wet
locations, as applicable.
555.15 Grounding. Wiring and equipment within the
scope of this article shall be grounded as specified in Article 250 and as required by 555.15(A) through (E).
555.19
circuit ahead of the receptacle. Circuit breakers or switches
located in marine power outlets complying with this section
shall be permitted as the disconnecting means.
555.19 Receptacles. Receptacles shall be mounted not less
than 305 mm (12 in.) above the deck surface of the pier and
not below the electrical datum plane on a fixed pier.
(A) Shore Power Receptacles.
(2) Strain Relief. Means shall be provided where necessary to reduce the strain on the plug and receptacle caused
by the weight and catenary angle of the shore power cord.
(3) Branch Circuits. Each single receptacle that supplies
shore power to boats shall be supplied from a marine power
outlet or panelboard by an individual branch circuit of the
voltage class and rating corresponding to the rating of the
receptacle.
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(B) Type of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The
equipment grounding conductor shall be an insulated copper conductor with a continuous outer finish that is either
green or green with one or more yellow stripes. The equipment grounding conductor of Type MI cable shall be permitted to be identified at terminations. For conductors
larger than 6 AWG, or where multiconductor cables are
used, re-identification of conductors as allowed in
250.119(A)(2)(b) and (A)(2)(c) or 250.119(B)(2) and
(B)(3) shall be permitted.
(1) Enclosures. Receptacles intended to supply shore
power to boats shall be housed in marine power outlets
listed as marina power outlets or listed for set locations, or
shall be installed in listed enclosures protected from the
weather or in listed weatherproof enclosures. The integrity
of the assembly shall not be affected when the receptacles
are in use with any type of booted or nonbooted attachment
plug/cap inserted.
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(A) Equipment to Be Grounded. The following items
shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor
run with the circuit conductors in the same raceway, cable,
or trench:
(1) Metal boxes, metal cabinets, and all other metal enclosures
(2) Metal frames of utilization equipment
(3) Grounding terminals of grounding-type receptacles
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(C) Size of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The insulated copper equipment grounding conductor shall be sized
in accordance with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.
(D) Branch-Circuit Equipment Grounding Conductor.
The insulated equipment grounding conductor for branch
circuits shall terminate at a grounding terminal in a remote
panelboard or the grounding terminal in the main service
equipment.
(E) Feeder Equipment Grounding Conductors. Where a
feeder supplies a remote panelboard, an insulated equipment grounding conductor shall extend from a grounding
terminal in the service equipment to a grounding terminal
in the remote panelboard.
555.17 Disconnecting Means for Shore Power Connection(s). Disconnecting means shall be provided to isolate
each boat from its supply connection(s).
(A) Type. The disconnecting means shall consist of a circuit breaker, switch, or both, and shall be properly identified as to which receptacle it controls.
(B) Location. The disconnecting means shall be readily
accessible, located not more than 762 mm (30 in.) from the
receptacle it controls, and shall be located in the supply
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: Supplying receptacles at voltages
other than the voltages marked on the receptacle may cause
overheating or malfunctioning of connected equipment, for
example, supplying single-phase, 120/240-volt, 3-wire
loads from a 208Y/120-volt, 3-wire source.
(4) Ratings. Shore power for boats shall be provided by
single receptacles rated not less than 30 amperes.
Informational Note: For locking- and grounding-type receptacles for auxiliary power to boats, see NFPA 303-2011,
Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards.
(a) Receptacles rated 30 amperes and 50 amperes shall
be of the locking and grounding type.
Informational Note: For various configurations and ratings
of locking and grounding-type receptacles and caps, see
ANSI/NEMA WD 6-2002 (R2008), National Electrical
Manufacturers Association’s Standard for Dimensions of
Attachment Plugs and Receptacles. [ROP 19–107a]
(b) Receptacles rated 60 amperes and 100 amperes
shall be of the pin and sleeve type.
Informational Note: For various configurations and ratings
of pin and sleeve receptacles, see ANSI/UL 1686, UL Standard for Safety Pin and Sleeve Configurations.
(B) Other Than Shore Power.
(1) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection for Personnel. Fifteen- and 20-ampere, single-phase,
70–545
555.22
ARTICLE 590 — TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS
(2) Marking. Receptacles other than those supplying shore
power to boats shall be permitted to be housed in marine
power outlets with the receptacles that provide shore power
to boats, provided they are marked to clearly indicate that
they are not to be used to supply power to boats.
555.22 Repair Facilities — Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Electrical wiring and equipment located at facilities for the repair of marine craft containing flammable or
combustible liquids or gases shall comply with Article 511
in addition to the requirements of this article.
(C) Emergencies and Tests. Temporary electric power
and lighting installations shall be permitted during emergencies and for tests, experiments, and developmental
work.
(D) Removal. Temporary wiring shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction or purpose for
which the wiring was installed.
590.4 General.
(A) Services. Services shall be installed in conformance
with Parts I through VIII of Article 230, as applicable.
(B) Feeders. Overcurrent protection shall be provided in
accordance with 240.4, 240.5, 240.100, and 240.101. Conductors shall be permitted within cable assemblies or within
multiconductor cords or cables of a type identified in Table
400.4 for hard usage or extra-hard usage. For the purpose
of this section, Type NM and Type NMC cables shall be
permitted to be used in any dwelling, building, or structure
without any height limitation or limitation by building construction type and without concealment within walls, floors,
or ceilings.
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555.23 Marine Hoists, Railways, Cranes, and Monorails. Motors and controls for marine hoists, railways,
cranes, and monorails shall not be located below the electrical datum plane. Where it is necessary to provide electric
power to a mobile crane or hoist in the yard and a trailing
cable is utilized, it shall be a listed portable power cable
rated for the conditions of use and be provided with an
outer jacket of distinctive color for safety.
(B) 90 Days. Temporary electric power and lighting installations shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days
for holiday decorative lighting and similar purposes.
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125-volt receptacles installed outdoors, in boathouses, in
buildings or structures used for storage, maintenance, or
repair where portable electrical hand tools, electrical diagnostic equipment, or portable lighting equipment are to be
used shall be provided with GFCI protection for personnel.
Receptacles in other locations shall be protected in accordance with 210.8(B).
ARTICLE 590
Temporary Installations
590.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to temporary electric power and lighting installations.
590.2 All Wiring Installations.
(A) Other Articles. Except as specifically modified in this
article, all other requirements of this Code for permanent
wiring shall apply to temporary wiring installations.
(B) Approval. Temporary wiring methods shall be acceptable only if approved based on the conditions of use and
any special requirements of the temporary installation.
590.3 Time Constraints.
(A) During the Period of Construction. Temporary electric power and lighting installations shall be permitted during the period of construction, remodeling, maintenance,
repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or
similar activities.
70–546
Exception: Single insulated conductors shall be permitted
where installed for the purpose(s) specified in 590.3(C),
where accessible only to qualified persons.
(C) Branch Circuits. All branch circuits shall originate in
an approved power outlet, metal-enclosed power switchgear, switchboard or panelboard, motor control center, or
fused switch enclosure. Conductors shall be permitted
within cable assemblies or within multiconductor cord or
cable of a type identified in Table 400.4 for hard usage or
extra-hard usage. Conductors shall be protected from overcurrent as provided in 240.4, 240.5, and 240.100. For the
purposes of this section, Type NM and Type NMC cables
shall be permitted to be used in any dwelling, building, or
structure without any height limitation or limitation by
building construction type and without concealment within
walls, floors, or ceilings. [ROP 3–100]
Exception: Branch circuits installed for the purposes
specified in 590.3(B) or 590.3(C) shall be permitted to be
run as single insulated conductors. Where the wiring is
installed in accordance with 590.3(B), the voltage to
ground shall not exceed 150 volts, the wiring shall not be
subject to physical damage, and the conductors shall be
supported on insulators at intervals of not more than 3.0 m
(10 ft); or, for festoon lighting, the conductors shall be so
arranged that excessive strain is not transmitted to the
lampholders.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 590 — TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS
(1) All Receptacles. All receptacles shall be of the grounding type. Unless installed in a continuous metal raceway
that qualifies as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118 or a continuous metal-covered cable
that qualifies as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118, all branch circuits shall include a
separate equipment grounding conductor, and all receptacles shall be electrically connected to the equipment
grounding conductor(s). Receptacles on construction sites
shall not be installed on any branch circuit that supplies
temporary lighting.
(2) Receptacles in Wet Locations. All 15- and 20-ampere,
125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location
shall comply with 406.9(B)(1). The requirement shall also
pertain to temporary installations at one- and two-family
dwellings. [ROP 3–102]
Exception: For holiday lighting in accordance with
590.3(B), where the conductors or cables are arranged
with strain relief devices, tension take-up devices, or other
approved means to avoid damage from the movement of the
live vegetation, trees shall be permitted to be used for support of overhead spans of branch-circuit conductors or
cables.
590.5 Listing of Decorative Lighting. Decorative lighting
used for holiday lighting and similar purposes, in accordance with 590.3(B), shall be listed.
590.6 Ground-Fault Protection for Personnel. Groundfault protection for personnel for all temporary wiring installations shall be provided to comply with 590.6(A) and
(B). This section shall apply only to temporary wiring installations used to supply temporary power to equipment
used by personnel during construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures,
equipment, or similar activities. This section shall apply to
power derived from an electric utility company or from an
on-site-generated power source.
AF
(E) Disconnecting Means. Suitable disconnecting
switches or plug connectors shall be installed to permit the
disconnection of all ungrounded conductors of each temporary circuit. Multiwire branch circuits shall be provided
with a means to disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded
conductors at the power outlet or panelboard where the
branch circuit originated. Identified handle ties shall be permitted.
(J) Support. Cable assemblies and flexible cords and
cables shall be supported in place at intervals that ensure
that they will be protected from physical damage. Support
shall be in the form of staples, cable ties, straps, or similar
type fittings installed so as not to cause damage. Vegetation
shall not be used for support of overhead spans of branch
circuits or feeders.
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(D) Receptacles.
590.6
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(F) Lamp Protection. All lamps for general illumination
shall be protected from accidental contact or breakage by a
suitable luminaire or lampholder with a guard.
Brass shell, paper-lined sockets, or other metal-cased
sockets shall not be used unless the shell is grounded.
(G) Splices. On construction sites, a box shall not be required for splices or junction connections where the circuit
conductors are multiconductor cord or cable assemblies,
provided that the equipment grounding continuity is maintained with or without the box. See 110.14(B) and 400.9. A
box, conduit body, or terminal fitting having a separately
bushed hole for each conductor shall be used wherever a
change is made to a conduit or tubing system or a metalsheathed cable system.
(H) Protection from Accidental Damage. Flexible cords
and cables shall be protected from accidental damage.
Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided. Where
passing through doorways or other pinch points, protection
shall be provided to avoid damage.
(I) Termination(s) at Devices. Flexible cords and cables
entering enclosures containing devices requiring termination shall be secured to the box with fittings listed for connecting flexible cords and cables to boxes designed for the
purpose. [ROP 3–104]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Receptacle Outlets. Temporary receptacle installations used to supply temporary power to equipment used by
personnel during construction, remodeling, maintenance,
repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or
similar activities shall comply with the requirements of
590.6(A)(1) through (A)(3), as applicable.
Exception: In industrial establishments only, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified personnel are involved, an assured equipment
grounding conductor program as specified in 590.6(B)(2)
shall be permitted for only those receptacle outlets used to
supply equipment that would create a greater hazard if
power were interrupted or having a design that is not compatible with GFCI protection.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Not Part of Permanent Wiring.
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of
the building or structure and that are in use by personnel
shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel.
(2) Receptacle Outlets Existing or Installed as Permanent Wiring. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel shall be provided for all 125-volt, single-phase,
70–547
ARTICLE 590 — TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS
15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets installed or existing as part of the permanent wiring of the building or
structure and used for temporary electric power. Listed cord
sets or devices incorporating listed ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel identified for portable
use shall be permitted.
(3) Receptacles on 15-kW or less Portable Generators.
All 125-volt and 125/250-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and
30-ampere receptacle outlets that are a part of a 15-kW or
smaller portable generator shall have listed ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. All 15- and 20ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles, including those that
are part of a portable generator, used in a damp or wet
location shall comply with 406.9(A) and (B). Listed cord
sets or devices incorporating listed ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel identified for portable
use shall be permitted for use with 15-kW or less portable
generators manufactured or remanufactured prior to January 1, 2011.
(a) The following tests shall be performed on all cord
sets, receptacles that are not part of the permanent wiring of
the building or structure, and cord-and-plug-connected
equipment required to be connected to an equipment
grounding conductor:
(1) All equipment grounding conductors shall be tested for
continuity and shall be electrically continuous.
(2) Each receptacle and attachment plug shall be tested for
correct attachment of the equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to its proper terminal.
(3) All required tests shall be performed as follows:
a. Before first use on site
b. When there is evidence of damage
c. Before equipment is returned to service following any repairs
d. At intervals not exceeding 3 months
AF
(B) Use of Other Outlets. For temporary wiring installations, receptacles, other than those covered by 590.6(A)(1)
through (A)(3) used to supply temporary power to equipment used by personnel during construction, remodeling,
maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures,
or equipment, or similar activities, shall have protection in
accordance with (B)(1) or the assured equipment grounding
conductor program in accordance with (B)(2).
program continuously enforced at the site by one or more
designated persons to ensure that equipment grounding
conductors for all cord sets, receptacles that are not a part
of the permanent wiring of the building or structure, and
equipment connected by cord and plug are installed and
maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements
of 250.114, 250.138, 406.4(C), and 590.4(D).
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590.7
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(1) GFCI Protection. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
(2) Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program. A written assured equipment grounding conductor
70–548
(b) The tests required in item (2)(a) shall be recorded
and made available to the authority having jurisdiction.
590.7 Guarding. For wiring over 600 volts, nominal, suitable fencing, barriers, or other effective means shall be
provided to limit access only to authorized and qualified
personnel.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
600.5
Chapter 6 Special Equipment
I. General
600.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of conductors, equipment, and field wiring for electric signs and outline lighting, regardless of voltage. All installations and
equipment using neon tubing, such as signs, decorative elements, skeleton tubing, or art forms, are covered by this
article.
600.2 Definitions.
[ROP 18–3]
LED Sign Illumination System. A complete lighting system for use in signs and outline lighting consisting of lightemitting diode (LED) light sources, power supplies, wire,
and connectors to complete the installation.
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Neon Tubing. Electric-discharge luminous tubing, including cold cathode luminous tubing, that is manufactured into
shapes to illuminate signs, form letters, parts of letters,
skeleton tubing, outline lighting, other decorative elements,
or art forms and filled with various inert gases. [ROP 18–
89a]
Section Sign. A sign or outline lighting system, shipped as
subassemblies, that requires field-installed wiring between
the subassemblies to complete the overall sign. The subassemblies are either physically joined to form a single sign
unit or are installed as separate remote parts of an overall
sign.
Sign Body. A portion of a sign that may provide protection
from the weather but is not an electrical enclosure.
Skeleton Tubing. Neon tubing that is itself the sign or
outline lighting and is not attached to an enclosure or sign
body.
600.3 Listing. Fixed, mobile, or portable electric signs,
section signs, outline lighting, and retrofit kits, regardless
of voltage, shall be listed, provided with installation instructions, and installed in conformance with that listing,
unless otherwise approved by special permission. [ROP
18–90, ROP 18–91]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Outline Lighting. Outline lighting shall not be required to be listed as a system when it consists of listed
luminaires wired in accordance with Chapter 3.
600.4 Markings.
(A) Signs and Outline Lighting Systems. Signs and outline lighting systems shall be marked with the manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other means of identification; and
input voltage and current rating.
(B) Signs with Lampholders for Incandescent Lamps.
Signs and outline lighting systems with lampholders for
incandescent lamps shall be marked to indicate the maximum allowable lamp wattage per lampholder. The markings shall be permanently installed, in letters at least 6 mm
(1⁄4 in.) high, and shall be located where visible during
relamping.
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Informational Note: Sign and outline lighting illumination
systems include, but are not limited to, cold cathode neon
tubing, high-intensity discharge lamps (HID), fluorescent or
incandescent lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and
electroluminescent and inductance lighting.
(A) Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing. Field-installed skeleton tubing shall not be required to be listed where installed
in conformance with this Code.
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ARTICLE 600
Electric Signs and Outline Lighting
(C) Visibility. The markings required in 600.4(A) and listing labels shall not be required to be visible after installation but shall be permanently applied in a location visible
during servicing.
(D) Durability. Marking labels shall be permanent, durable and, when in wet locations, shall be weatherproof.
(E) Installation Instructions. All signs, outline lighting,
skeleton tubing systems and retrofit kits shall be marked to
indicate that field-wiring and installation instructions are
required. [ROP 18–93]
Exception: Portable, cord-connected signs are not required to be marked. [ROP 18–93]
600.5 Branch Circuits.
(A) Required Branch Circuit. Each commercial building
and each commercial occupancy accessible to pedestrians
shall be provided with at least one outlet in an accessible
location at each entrance to each tenant space for sign or
outline lighting system use. The outlet(s) shall be supplied
by a branch circuit rated at least 20 amperes that supplies
no other load. Service hallways or corridors shall not be
considered accessible to pedestrians.
(B) Rating. Branch circuits that supply signs shall be rated
in accordance with 600.5(B)(1) or (B)(2) and shall be considered to be continuous loads for the purposes of calculations.
70–549
ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
(1) Neon Signs. Branch circuits that supply neon tubing
installations shall not be rated in excess of 30 amperes.
(2) All Other Signs. Branch circuits that supply all other
signs and outline lighting systems shall be rated not to
exceed 20 amperes.
(C) Wiring Methods. Wiring methods used to supply
signs shall comply with 600.5(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3).
(1) Supply. The wiring method used to supply signs and
outline lighting systems shall terminate within a sign, an
outline lighting system enclosure, a suitable box, or a conduit body.
(2) Enclosures as Pull Boxes. Signs and transformer enclosures shall be permitted to be used as pull or junction
boxes for conductors supplying other adjacent signs, outline lighting systems, or floodlights that are part of a sign
and shall be permitted to contain both branch and secondary circuit conductors.
(3) Within Sight of the Controller. The following shall
apply for signs or outline lighting systems operated by electronic or electromechanical controllers located external to
the sign or outline lighting system:
(1) The disconnecting means shall be located within sight
of the controller or in the same enclosure with the controller. [ROP 18–101]
(2) The disconnecting means shall disconnect the sign or
outline lighting system and the controller from all ungrounded supply conductors.
(3) The disconnecting means shall be designed such that
no pole can be operated independently and shall be
lockable in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 18–102]
(B) Control Switch Rating. Switches, flashers, and similar devices controlling transformers and electronic power
supplies shall be rated for controlling inductive loads or
have a current rating not less than twice the current rating
of the transformer.
[ROP 18–102a]
AF
(3) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles. Metal or nonmetallic
poles used to support signs shall be permitted to enclose
supply conductors, provided the poles and conductors are
installed in accordance with 410.30(B).
the line of sight from any section that is able to be energized, the disconnecting means shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25.[ROP 18–97]
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600.6
600.7 Grounding and Bonding.
Exception No. 1: A disconnecting means shall not be required for an exit directional sign located within a building.
Exception: Portable cord-connected signs shall not be required to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor where protected by a system of double insulation or its
equivalent. Double insulated equipment shall be distinctively marked.
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600.6 Disconnects. Each sign and outline lighting system,
feeder circuit or branch circuit supplying a sign, outline
lighting system, or skeleton tubing shall be controlled by an
externally operable switch or circuit breaker that opens all
ungrounded conductors and controls no other load. The
switch or circuit breaker shall open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously on multi-wire branch circuits in accordance with 210.4(B). Signs and outline lighting systems
located within fountains shall have the disconnect located
in accordance with 680.12.
Exception No. 2: A disconnecting means shall not be required for cord-connected signs with an attachment plug.
(A) Location.
(1) At Point of Entry to a Sign Enclosure. The disconnect shall be located at the point the feeder circuit or branch
circuit(s) supplying a sign or outline lighting system enters
a sign enclosure and shall disconnect all wiring where it
enters the enclosure of the sign. [ROP 18–99]
Exception: A disconnect is not required for branch or
feeder circuits passing through the sign where enclosed in a
Chapter 3 listed raceway. [ROP 18–99]
(2) Within Sight of the Sign. The disconnecting means
shall be within sight of the sign or outline lighting system
that it controls. Where the disconnecting means is out of
70–550
(A) Grounding.
(1) Equipment Grounding. Metal equipment of signs,
outline lighting, and skeleton tubing systems shall be
grounded by connection to the equipment grounding conductor of the supply branch circuit(s) or feeder using the
types of equipment grounding conductors specified in
250.118. [ROP 18–103]
(2) Size of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The
equipment grounding conductor size shall be in accordance
with 250.122 based on the rating of the overcurrent device
protecting the branch circuit or feeder conductors supplying
the sign or equipment.
(3) Connections. Equipment grounding conductor connections shall be made in accordance with 250.130 and in a
method specified in 250.8.
(4) Auxiliary Grounding Electrode. Auxiliary grounding
electrode(s) shall be permitted for electric signs and outline
lighting systems covered by this article and shall meet the
requirements of 250.54.
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600.9
ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
(B) Bonding.
(1) Bonding of Metal Parts. Metal parts and equipment of
signs and outline lighting systems shall be bonded together
and to the associated transformer or power-supply equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit or feeder
supplying the sign or outline lighting system and shall meet
the requirements of 250.90.
Exception: Remote metal parts of a section sign or outline
lighting system only supplied by a remote Class 2 power
supply shall not be required to be bonded to an equipment
grounding conductor.
(2) Bonding Connections. Bonding connections shall be
made in accordance with 250.8.
Informational Note: Refer to 600.32(J) for restrictions on
length of high-voltage secondary conductors.
600.8 Enclosures. Live parts, other than lamps, and neon
tubing shall be enclosed. Transformers and power supplies
provided with an integral enclosure, including a primary
and secondary circuit splice enclosure, shall not require an
additional enclosure.
(A) Strength. Enclosures shall have ample structural
strength and rigidity.
(B) Material. Sign and outline lighting system enclosures
shall be constructed of metal or shall be listed.
(C) Minimum Thickness of Enclosure Metal. Sheet copper or aluminum shall be at least 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) thick.
Sheet steel shall be at least 0.41 mm (0.016 in.) thick.
AF
(3) Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall
not be permitted to be used as a means for bonding metal
parts and equipment of signs or outline lighting systems
together or to the transformer or power-supply equipment
grounding conductor of the supply circuit.
equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit for
the fountain recirculating system. The bonding connection
shall be as near as practicable to the fountain and shall be
permitted to be made to metal piping systems that are
bonded in accordance with 680.53.
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(5) Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall
not be permitted as a secondary return conductor or an
equipment grounding conductor.
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(4) Flexible Metal Conduit Length. Listed flexible metal
conduit or listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit that encloses the secondary circuit conductor from a transformer
or power supply for use with neon tubing shall be permitted
as a bonding means if the total accumulative length of the
conduit in the secondary circuit does not exceed 30 m
(100 ft).
(5) Small Metal Parts. Small metal parts not exceeding
50 mm (2 in.) in any dimension, not likely to be energized,
and spaced at least 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) from neon tubing, shall
not require bonding.
(6) Nonmetallic Conduit. Where listed nonmetallic conduit is used to enclose the secondary circuit conductor from
a transformer or power supply and a bonding conductor is
required, the bonding conductor shall be installed separate
and remote from the nonmetallic conduit and be spaced at
least 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) from the conduit when the circuit is
operated at 100 Hz or less or 45 mm (13⁄4 in.) when the
circuit is operated at over 100 Hz.
(7) Bonding Conductors. Bonding conductors shall comply with (1) and (2).
(1) Bonding conductors shall be copper and not smaller
than 14 AWG.
(2) Bonding conductors installed externally of a sign or
raceway shall be protected from physical damage.
(8) Signs in Fountains. Signs or outline lighting installed
inside a fountain shall have all metal parts bonded to the
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Protection of Metal. Metal parts of equipment shall
be protected from corrosion.
600.9 Location.
(A) Vehicles. Sign or outline lighting system equipment
shall be at least 4.3 m (14 ft) above areas accessible to
vehicles unless protected from physical damage.
(B) Pedestrians. Neon tubing, other than listed drylocation portable signs, readily accessible to pedestrians
shall be protected from physical damage. [ROP 18–107]
Informational
requirements.
Note:
See
600.41(D)
for
additional
(C) Adjacent to Combustible Materials. Signs and outline lighting systems shall be installed so that adjacent
combustible materials are not subjected to temperatures in
excess of 90°C (194°F).
The spacing between wood or other combustible materials and an incandescent or HID lamp or lampholder shall
not be less than 50 mm (2 in.).
(D) Wet Location. Signs and outline lighting system
equipment for wet location use, other than listed watertight
type, shall be weatherproof and have drain holes, as necessary, in accordance with the following:
(1) Drain holes shall not be larger than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) or
smaller than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
(2) Every low point or isolated section of the equipment
shall have at least one drain hole.
70–551
ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
(3) Drain holes shall be positioned such that there will be
no external obstructions.
600.10 Portable or Mobile Signs.
(A) Support. Portable or mobile signs shall be adequately
supported and readily movable without the use of tools.
(B) Attachment Plug. An attachment plug shall be provided for each portable or mobile sign.
(C) Wet or Damp Location. Portable or mobile signs in
wet or damp locations shall comply with 600.10(C)(1) and
(C)(2).
(1) Cords. All cords shall be junior hard-service or hardservice types as designated in Table 400.4 and have an
equipment grounding conductor.
(A) Accessibility. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power
supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall be located where
accessible and shall be securely fastened in place. [ROP
18–114]
(B) Location. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall be installed as near
to the lamps or neon tubing as practicable to keep the secondary conductors as short as possible. [ROP 18–114]
(C) Wet Location. Ballasts, transformers, electronic
power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources used in wet
locations shall be of the weatherproof type or be of the
outdoor type and protected from the weather by placement
in a sign body or separate enclosure. [ROP 18–114]
(D) Working Space. A working space at least 900 mm
(3 ft) high, 900 mm (3 ft) wide, by 900 mm (3 ft) deep shall
be provided at each ballast, transformer, electronic power
supply, and Class 2 Power Source or at its enclosure where
not installed in a sign. [ROP 18–114]
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(2) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. The manufacturer
of portable or mobile signs shall provide ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. The groundfault circuit interrupter shall be an integral part of the attachment plug or shall be located in the power-supply cord
within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug. [ROP 18–
108]
a listed sign body or listed separate enclosure. [ROP 18–
113]
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600.10
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(D) Dry Location. Portable or mobile signs in dry locations shall meet the following:
(1) Cords shall be SP-2, SPE-2, SPT-2, or heavier, as designated in Table 400.4.
(2) The cord shall not exceed 4.5 m (15 ft) in length.
600.12 Field-Installed Secondary Wiring. Field-installed
secondary circuit wiring for electric signs, retrofit kits, outline lighting systems, and skeleton tubing systems shall be
in accordance with their installation instructions and
600.12(A), (B), or (C). [ROP 18–109]
(A) 1000 Volts or Less. Secondary circuit wiring of 1000
volts or less shall comply with 600.31.
(B) Over 1000 Volts. Neon secondary circuit wiring of
over 1000 volts shall comply with 600.32. [ROP 18–110]
(C) Class 2. Where the installation complies with 600.33
and the power source provides a Class 2 output that complies with 600.24, either of the following wiring methods
shall be permitted as determined by the installation instructions and conditions. [ROP 18–112]
(1) Wiring methods identified in Chapter 3
(2) Class 2 cables complying with Part III of Article 725
600.21 Ballasts, Transformers, Electronic Power Supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources. Ballasts, transformers,
electronic power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall
be of the self contained type or be enclosed by placement in
70–552
(E) Attic and Soffit Locations. Ballasts, transformers,
electronic power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall
be permitted to be located in attics and soffits, provided
there is an access door at least 900 mm by 562.5 mm
(36 in. by 221⁄2 in.) and a passageway of at least 900 mm
(3 ft) high by 600 mm (2 ft) wide with a suitable permanent
walkway at least 300 mm (12 in.) wide extending from the
point of entry to each component. At least one lighting
outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch
shall be installed in such spaces. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The
lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment
requiring servicing. [ROP 18–114]
(F) Suspended Ceilings. Ballasts, transformers, electronic
power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall be permitted to be located above suspended ceilings, provided their
enclosures are securely fastened in place and not dependent
on the suspended ceiling grid for support. Ballasts, transformers, and electronic power supplies installed in suspended ceilings shall not be connected to the branch circuit
by flexible cord. [ROP 18–114]
600.22 Ballasts.
(A) Type. Ballasts shall be identified for the use and shall
be listed.
(B) Thermal Protection. Ballasts shall be thermally protected.
600.23 Transformers and Electronic Power Supplies.
(A) Type. Transformers and electronic power supplies
shall be identified for the use and shall be listed.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
(C) Voltage. Secondary-circuit voltage shall not exceed
15,000 volts, nominal, under any load condition. The voltage to ground of any output terminals of the secondary
circuit shall not exceed 7500 volts, under any load condition.
(D) Rating. Transformers and electronic power supplies
shall have a secondary-circuit current rating of not more
than 300 mA.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements
of Part I.
600.31 Neon Secondary-Circuit Wiring, 1000 Volts or
Less, Nominal.
(A) Wiring Method. Conductors shall be installed using
any wiring method included in Chapter 3 suitable for the
conditions.
(B) Insulation and Size. Conductors shall be listed, insulated, and not smaller than 18 AWG.
(C) Number of Conductors in Raceway. The number of
conductors in a raceway shall be in accordance with Table
1 of Chapter 9.
(D) Installation. Conductors shall be installed so they are
not subject to physical damage.
(E) Protection of Leads. Bushings shall be used to protect
wires passing through an opening in metal.
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(E) Secondary Connections. Secondary circuit outputs
shall not be connected in parallel or in series.
(3) Outline lighting
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(B) Secondary-Circuit Ground-Fault Protection. Transformers and electronic power supplies other than the following shall have secondary-circuit ground-fault protection:
(1) Transformers with isolated ungrounded secondaries
and with a maximum open circuit voltage of 7500 volts
or less
(2) Transformers with integral porcelain or glass secondary
housing for the neon tubing and requiring no field wiring of the secondary circuit
600.32
(F) Marking. Transformers and electronic power supplies
that are equipped with secondary-circuit ground-fault protection shall be so marked.
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600.24 Class 2 Power Sources. Signs and outline lighting
systems supplied by Class 2 transformers, power supplies,
and power sources shall comply with the requirements of
Class 2 circuits and 600.24(A), (B), (C), and (D).
(A) Listing. Class 2 power supplies and power sources
shall be listed for use with electric signs and outline lighting systems or shall be a component in a listed electric sign.
(B) Grounding. Metal parts of signs and outline lighting
systems shall be grounded and bonded in accordance with
600.7.
(C) Wiring Methods on the Supply Side of the Class 2
Power Supply. Conductors and equipment on the supply
side of the power source shall be installed in accordance
with the appropriate requirements of Chapter 3.
(D) Secondary Wiring. Secondary wiring from Class 2
power sources shall comply with 600.12(C) and 600.33.
II. Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing, Outline Lighting,
and Secondary Wiring
600.30 Applicability. Part II of this article shall apply to
all of the following:
(1) Field-installed skeleton tubing
(2) Field-installed secondary circuits
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
600.32 Neon Secondary-Circuit Wiring, over 1000
Volts, Nominal.
(A) Wiring Methods.
(1) Installation. Conductors shall be installed in rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, metal enclosures, on insulators in metal raceways, or other equipment listed for use with neon secondary circuits over 1000
volts. [ROP 8–117a]
(2) Number of Conductors. Conduit or tubing shall contain only one conductor.
(3) Size. Conduit or tubing shall be a minimum of metric
designator 16 (trade size 1⁄2).
(4) Spacing from Grounded Parts. Other than at the location of connection to a metal enclosure or sign body,
nonmetallic conduit or flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be
spaced no less than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.) from grounded or
bonded parts when the conduit contains a conductor operating at 100 Hz or less, and shall be spaced no less than
45 mm (13⁄4 in.) from grounded or bonded parts when the
conduit contains a conductor operating at more than 100
Hz.
(5) Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall
not be permitted as a secondary return conductor or an
equipment grounding conductor.
(B) Insulation and Size. Conductors shall be insulated,
listed as gas tube sign and ignition cable type GTO, rated
70–553
600.33
ARTICLE 600 — ELECTRIC SIGNS AND OUTLINE LIGHTING
for 5, 10, or 15 kV, not smaller than 18 AWG, and have a
minimum temperature rating of 105°C (221°F).
ter 3 and the requirements for Class 2 circuits contained in
Part III of Article 725, as applicable. [ROP 18–124]
(C) Installation. Conductors shall be so installed that they
are not subject to physical damage.
(A) Insulation and Sizing of Class 2 Conductors. Listed
Class 2 cable that complies with Table shall be installed on
the load side of the Class 2 power source. The conductors
shall have an ampacity not less than the load to be supplied
and shall not be sized smaller than 22 AWG.
(E) Spacing. Secondary conductors shall be separated
from each other and from all objects other than insulators
or neon tubing by a spacing of not less than 38 mm (11⁄2
in.). GTO cable installed in metal conduit or tubing requires no spacing between the cable insulation and the conduit or tubing.
(F) Insulators and Bushings. Insulators and bushings for
conductors shall be listed for use with neon secondary circuits over 1000 volts.
(2) Other Locations. In other locations, any applicable
cable permitted in Table 725-154(G) shall be permitted to
be used.
(B) Installation. Secondary wiring shall be installed in accordance with (B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) Support wiring shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be
supported by the building structure in such a manner
that the cable is not be damaged by normal building
use. Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples,
hangers, cable ties, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation
shall also comply with 300.4(D).
(2) Connections in cable and conductors shall be made
with listed insulating devices and be accessible after
installation. Where made in a wall, connections shall be
enclosed in a listed box.
AF
(G) Conductors in Raceways. The insulation on all conductors shall extend not less than 65 mm (21⁄2 in.) beyond
the metal conduit or tubing.
(1) Wet Locations. Class 2 cable used in a wet location
shall be identified for use in wet locations or have a
moisture-impervious metal sheath.
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(D) Bends in Conductors. Sharp bends in insulated conductors shall be avoided.
(H) Between Neon Tubing and Midpoint Return. Conductors shall be permitted to run between the ends of neon
tubing or to the secondary circuit midpoint return of listed
transformers or listed electronic power supplies and provided with terminals or leads at the midpoint.
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(I) Dwelling Occupancies. Equipment having an open circuit voltage exceeding 1000 volts shall not be installed in
or on dwelling occupancies.
(J) Length of Secondary Circuit Conductors.
(1) Secondary Conductor to the First Electrode. The
length of secondary circuit conductors from a high-voltage
terminal or lead of a transformer or electronic power supply
to the first neon tube electrode shall not exceed the following:
(1) 6 m (20 ft) where installed in metal conduit or tubing
(2) 15 m (50 ft) where installed in nonmetallic conduit
(2) Other Secondary Circuit Conductors. All other sections of secondary circuit conductor in a neon tube circuit
shall be as short as practicable.
(K) Splices. Splices in high-voltage secondary circuit conductors shall be made in listed enclosures rated over 1000
volts. Splice enclosures shall be accessible after installation
and listed for the location where they are installed.
600.33 LED Sign Illumination Systems, Secondary Wiring. The wiring methods and materials shall be installed in
accordance with the sign manufacturer’s installation instructions using any applicable wiring methods from Chap-
70–554
(C) Protection Against Physical Damage. Where subject
to physical damage, the conductors shall be protected and
installed in accordance with 300.4.
(D) Grounding and Bonding. Grounding and bonding
shall be in accordance with 600.7.
600.41 Neon Tubing.
(A) Design. The length and design of the tubing shall not
cause a continuous overcurrent beyond the design loading
of the transformer or electronic power supply.
(B) Support. Tubing shall be supported by listed tube supports. The neon tubing shall be supported within 150 mm
(6 in.) from the electrode connection.
(C) Spacing. A spacing of not less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) shall
be maintained between the tubing and the nearest surface,
other than its support.
(D) Protection. Field-installed skeleton tubing shall not be
subject to physical damage. Where the tubing is readily
accessible to other than qualified persons, field-installed
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 604 — MANUFACTURED WIRING SYSTEMS
604.6
skeleton tubing shall be provided with suitable guards or
protected by other approved means.
for branch circuits, remote-control circuits, signaling circuits, and communications circuits in accessible areas.
600.42 Electrode Connections.
604.2 Definition.
(A) Points of Transition. Where the high-voltage secondary circuit conductors emerge from the wiring methods
specified in 600.32(A), they shall be enclosed in a listed
assembly.
Manufactured Wiring System. A system containing component parts that are assembled in the process of manufacture and cannot be inspected at the building site without
damage or destruction to the assembly and used for the
connection of luminaires, utilization equipment, continuous
plug-in type busways, and other devices.
(C) Electrode Connections. Connections shall be made
by use of a connection device, twisting of the wires together, or use of an electrode receptacle. Connections shall
be electrically and mechanically secure and shall be in an
enclosure listed for the purpose.
(D) Support. Neon secondary conductor(s) shall be supported not more than 150 mm (6 in.) from the electrode
connection to the tubing.
Exception No. 1: In concealed spaces, one end of tapped
cable shall be permitted to extend into hollow walls for
direct termination at switch and outlet points.
Exception No. 2: Manufactured wiring system assemblies
installed outdoors shall be listed for use in outdoor
locations.
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(E) Receptacles. Electrode receptacles shall be listed.
604.4 Uses Permitted. Manufactured wiring systems shall
be permitted in accessible and dry locations and in ducts,
plenums, and other air-handling spaces where listed for this
application and installed in accordance with 300.22.
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(B) Accessibility. Terminals of the electrode shall not be
accessible to unqualified persons.
(F) Bushings. Where electrodes penetrate an enclosure,
bushings listed for the purpose shall be used unless receptacles are provided.
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(G) Wet Locations. A listed cap shall be used to close the
opening between neon tubing and a receptacle where the
receptacle penetrates a building. Where a bushing or neon
tubing penetrates a building, the opening between neon tubing and the bushing shall be sealed.
(H) Electrode Enclosures. Electrode enclosures shall be
listed.
(1) Dry Locations. Electrode enclosures that are listed for
use in dry, damp, or wet locations shall be permitted to be
installed and used in such locations.
(2) Damp and Wet Locations. Electrode enclosures installed in damp and wet locations shall be specifically listed
and identified for use in such locations.
Informational Note: See 110.3(B) covering installation
and use of electrical equipment.
604.5 Uses Not Permitted. Manufactured wiring system
types shall not be permitted where limited by the applicable
article in Chapter 3 for the wiring method used in its construction.
604.6 Construction.
(A) Cable or Conduit Types.
(1) Cables. Cable shall be one of the following:
(1) Listed Type AC cable containing nominal 600-volt, 8 to
12 AWG insulated copper conductors with a bare or
insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
equivalent in size to the ungrounded conductor.
(2) Listed Type MC cable containing nominal 600-volt, 8
to 12 AWG insulated copper conductors with a bare or
insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
equivalent in size to the ungrounded conductor.
(3) Listed Type MC cable containing nominal 600-volt, 8
to 12 AWG insulated copper conductors with a grounding conductor and armor assembly listed and identified
for grounding in accordance with 250.118(10). The
combined metallic sheath and grounding conductor
shall have a current-carrying capacity equivalent to that
of the ungrounded copper conductor.
ARTICLE 604
Manufactured Wiring Systems
Other cables as listed in 725.154, 800.113, 820.113, and
830.179 shall be permitted in manufactured wiring systems
for wiring of equipment within the scope of their respective
articles.
604.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to fieldinstalled wiring using off-site manufactured subassemblies
(2) Conduits. Conduit shall be listed flexible metal conduit
or listed liquidtight flexible conduit containing nominal
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–555
604.7
ARTICLE 605 — OFFICE FURNISHINGS
600-volt, 8 to 12 AWG insulated copper conductors with a
bare or insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
equivalent in size to the ungrounded conductor.
Exception No. 1 to (1) and (2): A luminaire tap, no longer
than 1.8 m (6 ft) and intended for connection to a single
luminaire, shall be permitted to contain conductors smaller
than 12 AWG but not smaller than 18 AWG.
(D) Other Component Parts. Other component parts
shall be listed for the appropriate system.
604.7 Installation. Manufactured wiring systems shall be
secured and supported in accordance with the applicable
cable or conduit article for the cable or conduit type employed.
Exception No. 2 to (1) and (2): Listed manufactured wiring
assemblies containing conductors smaller than 12 AWG
shall be permitted for remote-control, signaling, or communication circuits.
605.1 Scope. This article covers electrical equipment,
lighting accessories, and wiring systems used to connect, or
contained within, or installed on office furnishings.
605.2 Definition.
Office Furnishing. Cubicle panels, partitions, study carrels,
work stations, desks, shelving systems, and storage units
that may be mechanically and electrically interconnected to
form an office furnishing system.
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(3) Flexible Cord. Flexible cord suitable for hard usage,
with minimum 12 AWG conductors, shall be permitted as
part of a listed factory-made assembly not exceeding 1.8 m
(6 ft) in length when making a transition between components of a manufactured wiring system and utilization
equipment not permanently secured to the building structure. The cord shall be visible for the entire length, shall not
be subject to physical damage, and shall be provided with
identified strain relief.
[ROP 18–125a, ROP 18–129a]
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Exception No. 3 to (2): Listed manufactured wiring systems
containing unlisted flexible metal conduit of noncircular
cross section or trade sizes smaller than permitted by
348.20(A), or both, shall be permitted when the wiring systems are supplied with fittings and conductors at the time of
manufacture. [ROP 19–114]
ARTICLE 605
Office Furnishings
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Exception: Listed electric-discharge luminaires that comply with 410.62(C) shall be permitted with conductors
smaller than 12 AWG.
(4) Busways. Busways shall be listed continuous plug-in
type containing factory-mounted, bare or insulated conductors, which shall be copper or aluminum bars, rods, or
tubes. The busway shall be provided with an equipment
ground. The busway shall be rated nominal 600 volts, 20,
30, or 40 amperes. Busways shall be installed in accordance with 368.12, 368.17(D), and 368.30.
(5) Raceway. Prewired, modular, surface-mounted raceways shall be listed for the use, rated nominal 600 volts, 20
amperes, and installed in accordance with 386.12, 386.30,
386.60, and 386.100.
(B) Marking. Each section shall be marked to identify the
type of cable, flexible cord, or conduit.
(C) Receptacles and Connectors. Receptacles and connectors shall be of the locking type, uniquely polarized and
identified for the purpose, and shall be part of a listed
assembly for the appropriate system. All connector openings shall be designed to prevent inadvertent contact with
live parts or capped to effectively close the connector openings.
70–556
605.3 General. Wiring systems shall be identified as suitable for providing power for lighting accessories and utilization equipment used within office furnishings. A wired
partition shall not extend from floor to ceiling.
Exception: Where permitted by the authority having jurisdiction, these relocatable wired partitions shall be permitted to extend to, but shall not penetrate, the ceiling.
(A) Use. These assemblies shall be installed and used only
as provided for by this article.
(B) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Where used in
hazardous (classified) locations, these assemblies shall
comply with Articles 500 through 517 in addition to this
article.
605.4 Wireways. All conductors and connections shall be
contained within wiring channels of metal or other material
identified as suitable for the conditions of use. Wiring channels shall be free of projections or other conditions that
might damage conductor insulation.
605.5 Office Furnishing Interconnections. The electrical
connection between office furnishings shall be a flexible
assembly identified for use with office furnishings or shall
be permitted to be installed using flexible cord, provided all
the following conditions are met:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
610.3
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
605.6 Lighting Accessories. Lighting equipment shall be
listed and identified for use with office furnishings and shall
comply with 605.6(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Support. A means for secure attachment or support
shall be provided.
(A) Flexible Power-Supply Cord. The flexible power
supply cord shall be extra-hard usage type with 12 AWG or
larger conductors with an insulated equipment grounding
conductor and shall not exceed 600 mm (2 ft) in length.
(B) Receptacle Supplying Power. The receptacle(s) supplying power shall be on a separate circuit serving only the
office furnishing and no other loads and shall be located not
more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the office furnishing that is
connected to it.
(C) Receptacle Outlets, Maximum. Individual office furnishing or groups of interconnected individual office furnishings shall not contain more than thirteen 15-ampere,
125-volt receptacle outlets.
(D) Multiwire Circuits, Not Permitted. Individual office
furnishings or groups of interconnected office furnishings
shall not contain multiwire circuits.
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(B) Connection. Where cord-and-plug connection is provided it shall comply with all of the following:
(1) The cord length shall be suitable for the intended application but shall not exceed 2.7 m (9 ft) in length.
(2) The cord shall not be smaller than 18 AWG
(3) The cord shall contain an equipment grounding conductor, except as specified in (4)
(4) Cords on the load side of a listed Class 2 power source
are not required to contain an equipment grounding
conductor.
(5) The cord shall be of the hard usage type, except as
specified in (6).
(6) A cord provided on the load side of a listed Class 2
power source shall be of the type provided with the
listed luminaire assembly or of the type specified in
Section 725.130.
(7) Connection by other means shall be identified as suitable for the conditions of use.
be permitted to be connected to the building electrical system by a single flexible cord and plug, provided all of the
conditions of 605.9(A) through (D) are met.
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(1) The cord is extra-hard usage type with 12 AWG or
larger conductors, with an insulated equipment grounding conductor.
(2) The office furnishings are mechanically contiguous.
(3) The cord is not longer than necessary for maximum
positioning of the office furnishing but is in no case to
exceed 600 mm (2 ft).
(4) The cord is terminated at an attachment plug-and-cord
connector with strain relief.
(C) Receptacle Outlet. Receptacles shall not be permitted
in lighting accessories.
605.7 Fixed-Type Office Furnishings. Office furnishings
that are fixed (secured to building surfaces) shall be permanently connected to the building electrical system by one of
the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
605.8 Freestanding-Type Office Furnishings. Office furnishings of the freestanding type (not fixed) shall be permitted to be connected to the building electrical system by
one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
605.9 Freestanding-Type Office Furnishings, Cord-andPlug-Connected. Individual office furnishings of the freestanding type, or groups of individual office furnishings
that are electrically connected, are mechanically contiguous, and do not exceed 9.0 m (30 ft) when assembled, shall
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 610
Cranes and Hoists
I. General
610.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of electrical equipment and wiring used in connection with cranes,
monorail hoists, hoists, and all runways.
Informational Note: For further information, see ANSI
B30, Safety Code for Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Jacks, and
Slings.
610.2 Definition.
Festoon Cable. Single- and multiple-conductor cable intended for use and installation in accordance with Article
610 where flexibility is required.
Informational Note: Festoon cable consists of one or more
insulated conductors cabled together with an overall jacket.
It is rated 60°C (140°F), 75°C (167°F), 90°C (194°F), or
105°C (221°F) and 600 V.
610.3 Special Requirements for Particular Locations.
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. All equipment that
operates in a hazardous (classified) location shall conform
to Article 500.
70–557
610.11
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
(2) Class II Locations. Equipment used in locations that
are hazardous because of combustible dust shall conform to
Article 502.
(3) Class III Locations. Equipment used in locations that
are hazardous because of the presence of easily ignitible
fibers or flyings shall conform to Article 503.
(C) Electrolytic Cell Lines. See 668.32.
II. Wiring
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610.11 Wiring Method. Conductors shall be enclosed in
raceways or be Type AC cable with insulated grounding
conductor, Type MC cable, or Type MI cable unless otherwise permitted or required in 610.11(A) through (E).
(A) Contact Conductor. Contact conductors shall not be
required to be enclosed in raceways.
(B) Exposed Conductors. Short lengths of exposed conductors at resistors, collectors, and other equipment shall
not be required to be enclosed in raceways.
(C) Flexible Connections to Motors and Similar Equipment. Where flexible connections are necessary, flexible
stranded conductors shall be used. Conductors shall be in
flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit,
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, multiconductor
cable, or an approved nonmetallic flexible raceway.
(D) Pushbutton Station Multiconductor Cable. Where
multiconductor cable is used with a suspended pushbutton
station, the station shall be supported in some satisfactory
manner that protects the electrical conductors against strain.
(E) Flexibility to Moving Parts. Where flexibility is required for power or control to moving parts, listed festoon
cable or a cord suitable for the purpose shall be permitted,
provided the following apply:
(1) Suitable strain relief and protection from physical damage is provided.
70–558
610.12 Raceway or Cable Terminal Fittings. Conductors
leaving raceways or cables shall comply with either
610.12(A) or (B).
(A) Separately Bushed Hole. A box or terminal fitting
that has a separately bushed hole for each conductor shall
be used wherever a change is made from a raceway or
cable to exposed wiring. A fitting used for this purpose
shall not contain taps or splices and shall not be used at
luminaire outlets.
(B) Bushing in Lieu of a Box. A bushing shall be permitted to be used in lieu of a box at the end of a rigid metal
conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or electrical metallic
tubing where the raceway terminates at unenclosed controls
or similar equipment, including contact conductors, collectors, resistors, brakes, power-circuit limit switches, and dc
split-frame motors.
610.13 Types of Conductors. Conductors shall comply
with Table 310.104(A) unless otherwise permitted in
610.13(A) through (D).
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(B) Combustible Materials. Where a crane, hoist, or
monorail hoist operates over readily combustible material,
the resistors shall be located as permitted in the following:
(1) A well ventilated cabinet composed of noncombustible
material constructed so that it does not emit flames or
molten metal
(2) A cage or cab constructed of noncombustible material
that encloses the sides of the cage or cab from the floor
to a point at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the top of the
resistors
(2) In Class I, Division 2 locations, the cord is approved
for extra-hard usage.
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(1) Class I Locations. Equipment used in locations that
are hazardous because of the presence of flammable gases
or vapors shall conform to Article 501.
(A) Exposed to External Heat or Connected to Resistors. A conductor(s) exposed to external heat or connected
to resistors shall have a flame-resistant outer covering or be
covered with flame-resistant tape individually or as a
group.
(B) Contact Conductors. Contact conductors along runways, crane bridges, and monorails shall be permitted to be
bare and shall be copper, aluminum, steel, or other alloys or
combinations thereof in the form of hard-drawn wire, tees,
angles, tee rails, or other stiff shapes.
(C) Flexibility. Where flexibility is required, listed flexible
cord or cable, or listed festoon cable, shall be permitted to
be used and, where necessary, cable reels or take-up devices shall be used.
(D) Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Circuits. Conductors
for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 remote-control, signaling,
and power-limited circuits, installed in accordance with Article 725, shall be permitted.
610.14 Rating and Size of Conductors.
(A) Ampacity. The allowable ampacities of conductors
shall be as shown in Table 610.14(A).
Informational Note: For the ampacities of conductors between controllers and resistors, see 430.23.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
610.14
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
Table 610.14(A) Ampacities of Insulated Copper Conductors Used with Short-Time Rated Crane and Hoist Motors. Based on
Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86°F).
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Up to Four Simultaneously Energized Conductors in
Raceway or Cable1
Up to Three ac2 or Four dc1
Simultaneously Energized
Conductors in Raceway
or Cable
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
125°C (257°F)
Types MTW, RHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW, USE, ZW
Types TA, TBS, SA, SIS,
PFA, FEP, FEPB, RHH,
THHN, XHHW, Z, ZW
Types FEP, FEPB, PFA, PFAH,
SA, TFE, Z, ZW
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
60 Min
30 Min
60 Min
30 Min
60 Min
30 Min
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
16
14
12
10
8
10
25
30
40
55
12
26
33
43
60
—
31
36
49
63
—
32
40
52
69
—
38
45
60
73
—
40
50
65
80
16
14
12
10
8
6
5
4
3
2
1
76
85
100
120
137
143
86
95
117
141
160
175
83
95
111
131
148
158
94
106
130
153
173
192
101
115
133
153
178
210
119
134
157
183
214
253
6
5
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
190
222
280
300
233
267
341
369
211
245
305
319
259
294
372
399
253
303
370
451
304
369
452
555
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
450
500
364
455
486
538
600
660
420
582
646
688
765
847
400
497
542
593
660
726
461
636
716
760
836
914
510
587
663
742
818
896
635
737
837
941
1042
1143
250
300
350
400
450
500
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T
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
AMPACITY CORRECTION FACTORS
Ambient
Temperature
(°C)
21–25
26–30
31–35
36–40
41–45
46–50
51–55
56–60
61–70
71–80
81–90
91–100
101–120
For ambient temperatures other than 30°C (86°F), multiply the ampacities shown above by
the appropriate factor shown below.
1.05
1.00
0.94
0.88
0.82
0.75
0.67
0.58
0.33
—
—
—
—
1.05
1.00
0.94
0.88
0.82
0.75
0.67
0.58
0.33
—
—
—
—
1.04
1.00
0.96
0.91
0.87
0.82
0.76
0.71
0.58
0.41
—
—
—
1.04
1.00
0.96
0.91
0.87
0.82
0.76
0.71
0.58
0.41
—
—
—
1.02
1.00
0.97
0.95
0.92
0.89
0.86
0.83
0.76
0.69
0.61
0.51
0.40
1.02
1.00
0.97
0.95
0.92
0.89
0.86
0.83
0.76
0.69
0.61
0.51
0.40
Ambient
Temperature
(°F)
70–77
79–86
88–95
97–104
106–113
115–122
124–131
133–140
142–158
160–176
177–194
195–212
213–248
Note: Other insulations shown in Table 310.13(A) and approved for the temperature and location shall be permitted to be substituted for those
shown in Table 610.14(A). The allowable ampacities of conductors used with 15-minute motors shall be the 30-minute ratings increased by
12 percent.
1
For 5 to 8 simultaneously energized power conductors in raceway or cable, the ampacity of each power conductor shall be reduced to a value of
80 percent of that shown in this table.
2
For 4 to 6 simultaneously energized 125°C (257°F) ac power conductors in raceway or cable, the ampacity of each power conductor shall be
reduced to a value of 80 percent of that shown in this table.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–559
610.15
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
Table 610.14(B) Secondary Conductor Rating Factors
Ampacity of Wire in
Percent of Full-Load
Secondary Current
Time in Seconds
On
Off
5
10
15
15
15
15
75
70
75
45
30
15
35
45
55
65
75
85
110
Continuous Duty
(3) Multiple Cranes or Hoists on a Common Conductor
System. For multiple cranes, hoists, or both, supplied by a
common conductor system, calculate the motor minimum
ampacity for each crane as defined in 610.14(E), add them
together, and multiply the sum by the appropriate demand
factor from Table 610.14(E).
Table 610.14(E) Demand Factors
Number of
Cranes or Hoists
Demand
Factor
2
3
4
5
6
7
0.95
0.91
0.87
0.84
0.81
0.78
(F) Other Loads. Additional loads, such as heating, lighting, and air conditioning, shall be provided for by application of the appropriate sections of this Code.
AF
(C) Minimum Size. Conductors external to motors and
controls shall be not smaller than 16 AWG unless otherwise
permitted in (1) or (2):
(1) 18 AWG wire in multiconductor cord shall be permitted for control circuits not exceeding 7 amperes.
(2) Wires not smaller than 20 AWG shall be permitted for
electronic circuits.
motor or group of motors, using that column of Table
610.14(A) that applies to the longest time-rated motor.
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(B) Secondary Resistor Conductors. Where the secondary resistor is separate from the controller, the minimum
size of the conductors between controller and resistor shall
be calculated by multiplying the motor secondary current
by the appropriate factor from Table 610.14(B) and selecting a wire from Table 610.14(A).
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(D) Contact Conductors. Contact wires shall have an ampacity not less than that required by Table 610.14(A) for
75°C (167°F) wire, and in no case shall they be smaller
than as shown in Table 610.14(D).
Table 610.14(D) Minimum Contact Conductor Size Based on
Distance Between Supports
Minimum Size of
Wire (AWG)
6
4
2
Maximum Distance Between End
Strain Insulators or Clamp-Type
Intermediate Supports
9.0 m (30 ft) or less
18 m (60 ft) or less
Over 18 m (60 ft)
(E) Calculation of Motor Load.
(1) Single Motor. For one motor, 100 percent of motor
nameplate full-load ampere rating shall be used.
(2) Multiple Motors on Single Crane or Hoist. For multiple motors on a single crane or hoist, the minimum ampacity of the power supply conductors shall be the nameplate full-load ampere rating of the largest motor or group
of motors for any single crane motion, plus 50 percent of
the nameplate full-load ampere rating of the next largest
70–560
(G) Nameplate. Each crane, monorail, or hoist shall be
provided with a visible nameplate marked with the manufacturer’s name, rating in volts, frequency, number of
phases, and circuit amperes as calculated in 610.14(E) and
(F).
610.15 Common Return. Where a crane or hoist is operated by more than one motor, a common-return conductor
of proper ampacity shall be permitted.
III. Contact Conductors
610.21 Installation of Contact Conductors. Contact conductors shall comply with 610.21(A) through (H).
(A) Locating or Guarding Contact Conductors. Runway
contact conductors shall be guarded, and bridge contact
conductors shall be located or guarded in such a manner
that persons cannot inadvertently touch energized currentcarrying parts.
(B) Contact Wires. Wires that are used as contact conductors shall be secured at the ends by means of approved
strain insulators and shall be mounted on approved insulators so that the extreme limit of displacement of the wire
does not bring the latter within less than 38 mm (11⁄2 in.)
from the surface wired over.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
(D) Supports on Bridges. Bridge wire contact conductors
shall be kept at least 65 mm (21⁄2 in.) apart, and, where the
span exceeds 25 m (80 ft), insulating saddles shall be
placed at intervals not exceeding 15 m (50 ft).
IV. Disconnecting Means
610.31 Runway Conductor Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means that has a continuous ampere rating not
less than that calculated in 610.14(E) and (F) shall be provided between the runway contact conductors and the
power supply. Such disconnecting means shall consist of a
motor-circuit switch, circuit breaker, or molded-case
switch. This disconnecting means shall be as follows:
(1) Readily accessible and operable from the ground or
floor level
(2) Lockable open in accordance with 110.25 [ROP
12–11]
(3) Open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously
(4) Placed within view of the runway contact conductors
Exception: The runway conductor disconnecting means
for electrolytic cell lines shall be permitted to be placed out
of view of the runway contact conductors where either of
the following conditions are met:
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(E) Supports for Rigid Conductors. Conductors along
runways and crane bridges, that are of the rigid type specified in 610.13(B) and not contained within an approved
enclosed assembly, shall be carried on insulating supports
spaced at intervals of not more than 80 times the vertical
dimension of the conductor, but in no case greater than 4.5
m (15 ft), and spaced apart sufficiently to give a clear electrical separation of conductors or adjacent collectors of not
less than 25 mm (1 in.).
storage of easily ignitible combustible fibers and materials,
they shall comply with 503.155.
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(C) Supports Along Runways. Main contact conductors
carried along runways shall be supported on insulating supports placed at intervals not exceeding 6.0 m (20 ft) unless
otherwise permitted in 610.21(F).
Such conductors shall be separated at not less than
150 mm (6 in.), other than for monorail hoists where a
spacing of not less than 75 mm (3 in.) shall be permitted.
Where necessary, intervals between insulating supports
shall be permitted to be increased up to 12 m (40 ft), the
separation between conductors being increased proportionately.
610.32
D
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(F) Track as Circuit Conductor. Monorail, tram rail, or
crane runway tracks shall be permitted as a conductor of
current for one phase of a 3-phase, ac system furnishing
power to the carrier, crane, or trolley, provided all of the
following conditions are met:
(1) The conductors supplying the other two phases of the
power supply are insulated.
(2) The power for all phases is obtained from an insulating
transformer.
(3) The voltage does not exceed 300 volts.
(4) The rail serving as a conductor shall be bonded to the
equipment grounding conductor at the transformer and
also shall be permitted to be grounded by the fittings
used for the suspension or attachment of the rail to a
building or structure.
(G) Electrical Continuity of Contact Conductors. All
sections of contact conductors shall be mechanically joined
to provide a continuous electrical connection.
(H) Not to Supply Other Equipment. Contact conductors
shall not be used as feeders for any equipment other than
the crane(s) or hoist(s) that they are primarily designed to
serve.
610.22 Collectors. Collectors shall be designed so as to
reduce to a minimum sparking between them and the contact conductor; and, where operated in rooms used for the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(a) Where a location in view of the contact conductors
is impracticable or introduces additional or increased hazards to persons or property
(b) In industrial installations, with written safety procedures, where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment
[ROP 12–12a]
610.32 Disconnecting Means for Cranes and Monorail
Hoists. A disconnecting means in compliance with 430.109
shall be provided in the leads from the runway contact
conductors or other power supply on all cranes and monorail hoists. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open
in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–12b, ROP 12–13]
Where a monorail hoist or hand-propelled crane bridge
installation meets all of the following, the disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be omitted:
(1) The unit is controlled from the ground or floor level.
(2) The unit is within view of the power supply disconnecting means.
(3) No fixed work platform has been provided for servicing
the unit.
Where the disconnecting means is not readily accessible from the crane or monorail hoist operating station,
means shall be provided at the operating station to open the
power circuit to all motors of the crane or monorail hoist.
70–561
610.33
ARTICLE 610 — CRANES AND HOISTS
610.33 Rating of Disconnecting Means. The continuous
ampere rating of the switch or circuit breaker required by
610.32 shall not be less than 50 percent of the combined
short-time ampere rating of the motors or less than 75 percent of the sum of the short-time ampere rating of the
motors required for any single motion.
V. Overcurrent Protection
610.41 Feeders, Runway Conductors.
(A) Single Feeder. The runway supply conductors and
main contact conductors of a crane or monorail shall be
protected by an overcurrent device(s) that shall not be
greater than the largest rating or setting of any branchcircuit protective device plus the sum of the nameplate
ratings of all the other loads with application of the demand
factors from Table 610.14(E).
(B) More Than One Feeder Circuit. Where more than
one feeder circuit is installed to supply runway conductors,
each feeder circuit shall be sized and protected in compliance with 610.41(A).
(1) A single motor shall be considered as protected where
the branch-circuit overcurrent device meets the rating
requirements of 610.42.
(2) Overload relay elements in each ungrounded circuit
conductor, with all relay elements protected from short
circuit by the branch-circuit protection.
(3) Thermal sensing devices, sensitive to motor temperature or to temperature and current, that are thermally in
contact with the motor winding(s). A hoist or trolley
shall be considered to be protected if the sensing device
is connected in the hoist’s upper limit switch circuit so
as to prevent further hoisting during an overload condition of either motor.
(B) Manually Controlled Motor. If the motor is manually
controlled, with spring return controls, the overload protective device shall not be required to protect the motor
against stalled rotor conditions.
(A) Fuse or Circuit Breaker Rating. Crane, hoist, and
monorail hoist motor branch circuits shall be protected by
fuses or inverse-time circuit breakers that have a rating in
accordance with Table 430.52. Where two or more motors
operate a single motion, the sum of their nameplate current
ratings shall be considered as that of a single motor.
(D) Hoists and Monorail Hoists. Hoists and monorail
hoists and their trolleys that are not used as part of an
overhead traveling crane shall not require individual motor
overload protection, provided the largest motor does not
exceed 71⁄2 hp and all motors are under manual control of
the operator.
(B) Taps.
D
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AF
T
610.42 Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault
Protection. Branch circuits shall be protected in accordance with 610.42(A). Branch-circuit taps, where made,
shall comply with 610.42(B).
(C) Multimotor. Where two or more motors drive a single
trolley, truck, or bridge and are controlled as a unit and
protected by a single set of overload devices with a rating
equal to the sum of their rated full-load currents, a hoist or
trolley shall be considered to be protected if the sensing
device is connected in the hoist’s upper limit switch circuit
so as to prevent further hoisting during an overtemperature
condition of either motor.
(1) Multiple Motors. Where two or more motors are connected to the same branch circuit, each tap conductor to an
individual motor shall have an ampacity not less than onethird that of the branch circuit. Each motor shall be protected from overload according to 610.43.
(2) Control Circuits. Where taps to control circuits originate on the load side of a branch-circuit protective device,
each tap and piece of equipment shall be protected in accordance with 430.72.
(3) Brake Coils. Taps without separate overcurrent protection shall be permitted to brake coils.
610.43 Overload Protection.
(A) Motor and Branch-Circuit Overload Protection.
Each motor, motor controller, and branch-circuit conductor
shall be protected from overload by one of the following
means:
70–562
VI. Control
610.51 Separate Controllers. Each motor shall be provided with an individual controller unless otherwise permitted in 610.51(A) or (B).
(A) Motions with More Than One Motor. Where two or
more motors drive a single hoist, carriage, truck, or bridge,
they shall be permitted to be controlled by a single controller.
(B) Multiple Motion Controller. One controller shall be
permitted to be switched between motors, under the following conditions:
(1) The controller has a horsepower rating that is not lower
than the horsepower rating of the largest motor.
(2) Only one motor is operated at one time.
610.53 Overcurrent Protection. Conductors of control
circuits shall be protected against overcurrent. Control cir-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
620.2
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
(A) Taps to Control Transformers. Taps to control transformers shall be considered as protected where the secondary circuit is protected by a device rated or set at not more
than 200 percent of the rated secondary current of the transformer and not more than 200 percent of the ampacity of
the control circuit conductors.
(B) Continuity of Power. Where the opening of the control circuit would create a hazard, as for example, the control circuit of a hot metal crane, the control circuit conductors shall be considered as being properly protected by the
branch-circuit overcurrent devices.
I. General
620.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of electrical equipment and wiring used in connection with elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts,
and stairway chairlifts.
Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see
ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B44-10, Safety Code for Elevators
and Escalators. [ROP 12–13a]
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
CSA B44.1-11/ASME-A17.5-2011, Elevator and Escalator
Electrical Equipment Certification Standard. [ROP
12–13a]
Informational Note No. 3: The term wheelchair lift has
been changed to platform lift. For further information, see
ASME A18.1-2008, Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and
Stairway Lifts.
AF
610.55 Limit Switch. A limit switch or other device shall
be provided to prevent the load block from passing the safe
upper limit of travel of all hoisting mechanisms.
ARTICLE 620
Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators,
Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and
Stairway Chairlifts
T
cuits shall be considered as protected by overcurrent devices that are rated or set at not more than 300 percent of
the ampacity of the control conductors, unless otherwise
permitted in 610.53(A) or (B).
D
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610.57 Clearance. The dimension of the working space in
the direction of access to live parts that are likely to require
examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while
energized shall be a minimum of 750 mm (21⁄2 ft). Where
controls are enclosed in cabinets, the door(s) shall either
open at least 90 degrees or be removable.
VII. Grounding
610.61 Grounding. All exposed non–current-carrying
metal parts of cranes, monorail hoists, hoists, and accessories, including pendant controls, shall be bonded either by
mechanical connections or bonding jumpers, where applicable, so that the entire crane or hoist is a ground-fault
current path as required or permitted by Article 250, Parts
V and VII.
Moving parts, other than removable accessories, or attachments that have metal-to-metal bearing surfaces, shall
be considered to be electrically bonded to each other
through bearing surfaces for grounding purposes. The trolley frame and bridge frame shall not be considered as electrically grounded through the bridge and trolley wheels and
its respective tracks. A separate bonding conductor shall be
provided.
620.2 Definitions.
Informational Note No. 1: The motor controller, motion
controller, and operation controller are located in a single
enclosure or a combination of enclosures. [ROP 12–15a]
Informational Note No. 2: Informational Note Figure
620.2 is for information only.[ROP 12–15a]
Control Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). An enclosed
control space outside the hoistway, intended for full bodily
entry, that contains the elevator motor controller. The room
could also contain electrical and/or mechanical equipment
used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter
but not the electric driving machine or the hydraulic machine.
Control Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A space inside or outside the hoistway, intended to be accessed with
or without full bodily entry, that contains the elevator motor
controller. This space could also contain electrical and/or
mechanical equipment used directly in connection with the
elevator or dumbwaiter but not the electrical driving machine or the hydraulic machine.
Control System. The overall system governing the starting, stopping, direction of motion, acceleration, speed, and
retardation of the moving member.
Controller, Motion. The electrical device(s) for that part of
the control system that governs the acceleration, speed, retardation, and stopping of the moving member.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–563
620.3
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
Motion control
Position and
speed-sensing
devices
Motor controller
Operation control
Open
Close
Car
and
group
operating
Run/stop
Direction
Auto/manual
}
Dictation
control
• Stop control
• Direction
• Auto/manual
Car
operation
control
• Pattern
generator
• Brake control
• Motor field
control
• Load weighing
Emergency
• dc motor
control
stop
Status
Machine
power
• Hydraulic
valve control
Moving
member
• Motor
• Hydro
piston
Starter
Electrical
protective
devices
• Across the line
• Resistance
• Wye-delta
Group operation
control
• Hall call
assignment
• Operating device
interface
• Fixture interface
• ac motor
control
Input power/standby power
AF
Car
and
group
signal
fixtures
Power converter
Dictation
Dictation
T
Door
operator
Position
Car operation
control
• Car assignment
• Operating device
interface
• Fixture interface
• Load weighing
dispatch
Informational Note Figure 620.2 Control System. [ROP 12–15a]
D
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Controller, Motor. The operative units of the control system comprised of the starter device(s) and power conversion equipment used to drive an electric motor, or the
pumping unit used to power hydraulic control equipment.
Controller, Operation. The electrical device(s) for that
part of the control system that initiates the starting, stopping, and direction of motion in response to a signal from
an operating device.
Machine Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). An enclosed
machinery space outside the hoistway, intended for full
bodily entry, that contains the electrical driving machine or
the hydraulic machine. The room could also contain electrical and/or mechanical equipment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter.
Machinery Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A space
inside or outside the hoistway, intended to be accessed with
or without full bodily entry, that contains elevator or dumbwaiter mechanical equipment, and could also contain electrical equipment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter. This space could also contain the
electrical driving machine or the hydraulic machine.
Operating Device. The car switch, pushbuttons, key or
toggle switch(s), or other devices used to activate the operation controller.
Remote Machine Room and Control Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A machine room or control room that is
70–564
not attached to the outside perimeter or surface of the walls,
ceiling, or floor of the hoistway.
Remote Machinery Space and Control Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A machinery space or control space that
is not within the hoistway, machine room, or control room
and that is not attached to the outside perimeter or surface
of the walls, ceiling, or floor of the hoistway.
Signal Equipment. Includes audible and visual equipment
such as chimes, gongs, lights, and displays that convey
information to the user. [ROP 12–15a]
620.3 Voltage Limitations. The supply voltage shall not
exceed 300 volts between conductors unless otherwise permitted in 620.3(A) through (C).
(A) Power Circuits. Branch circuits to door operator controllers and door motors and branch circuits and feeders to
motor controllers, driving machine motors, machine brakes,
and motor-generator sets shall not have a circuit voltage in
excess of 1000 volts. Internal voltages of power conversion
equipment and functionally associated equipment, and the
operating voltages of wiring interconnecting the equipment,
shall be permitted to be higher, provided that all such
equipment and wiring shall be listed for the higher voltages. Where the voltage exceeds 600 volts, warning labels
or signs that read “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE” shall
be attached to the equipment and shall be plainly visible.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS 620.12
The danger sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
[ROP 12–17, ROP 12–16]
(D) Low Voltage. Uninsulated parts are at a voltage not
greater than 30 volts rms, 42 volts peak, or 60 volts dc.
(B) Lighting Circuits. Lighting circuits shall comply with
the requirements of Article 410.
II. Conductors
620.4 Live Parts Enclosed. All live parts of electrical apparatus in the hoistways, at the landings, in or on the cars of
elevators and dumbwaiters, in the wellways or the landings
of escalators or moving walks, or in the runways and machinery spaces of platform lifts and stairway chairlifts shall
be enclosed to protect against accidental contact.
Informational Note: See 110.28 for guarding of live parts
(1000 volts, nominal, or less). [ROP 12–18]
Informational Note: One method of determining that conductors are flame retardant is by testing the conductors to
the VW-1 (Vertical-Wire) Flame Test in ANSI/UL 15812011, Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and
Flexible Cords. [ROP 12–19]
(A) Hoistway Door Interlock Wiring. The conductors to
the hoistway door interlocks from the hoistway riser shall
be flame retardant and suitable for a temperature of not less
than 200°C (392°F). Conductors shall be Type SF or
equivalent.
(B) Traveling Cables. Traveling cables used as flexible
connections between the elevator or dumbwaiter car or
counterweight and the raceway shall be of the types of
elevator cable listed in Table 400.4 or other approved types.
AF
620.5 Working Clearances. Working space shall be provided about controllers, disconnecting means, and other
electrical equipment. The minimum working space shall be
not less than that specified in 110.27(A).
Where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons examine, adjust, service,
and maintain the equipment, the clearance requirements of
110.27(A) shall be waived as permitted in 620.5(A)
through (D).
620.11 Insulation of Conductors. The insulation of conductors shall comply with 620.11(A) through (D).
T
(C) Heating and Air-Conditioning Circuits. Branch circuits for heating and air-conditioning equipment located on
the elevator car shall not have a circuit voltage in excess of
1000 volts. [ROP 12–17]
D
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(A) Flexible Connections to Equipment. Electrical
equipment in (A)(1) through (A)(4) shall be permitted to be
provided with flexible leads to all external connections so
that it can be repositioned to meet the clear working space
requirements of 110.27(A):
(1) Controllers and disconnecting means for dumbwaiters,
escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stairway
chairlifts installed in the same space with the driving
machine
(2) Controllers and disconnecting means for elevators installed in the hoistway or on the car
(3) Controllers for door operators
(4) Other electrical equipment installed in the hoistway or
on the car
(B) Guards. Exposed live parts of the electrical equipment
are suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated, and the equipment can be examined, adjusted, serviced, or maintained
while energized without removal of this protection. [ROP
12–18a]
Informational Note: See definition of Exposed in Article
100.
(C) Examination, Adjusting, and Servicing. Electrical
equipment is not required to be examined, adjusted, serviced, or maintained while energized.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Other Wiring. All conductors in raceways shall have
flame-retardant insulation.
Conductors shall be Type MTW, TF, TFF, TFN, TFFN,
THHN, THW, THWN, TW, XHHW, hoistway cable, or any
other conductor with insulation designated as flame retardant. Shielded conductors shall be permitted if such conductors are insulated for the maximum nominal circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the cable or raceway
system.
(D) Insulation. All conductors shall have an insulation
voltage rating equal to at least the maximum nominal circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the enclosure,
cable, or raceway. Insulations and outer coverings that are
marked for limited smoke and are so listed shall be permitted.
620.12 Minimum Size of Conductors. The minimum size
of conductors, other than conductors that form an integral
part of control equipment, shall be in accordance with
620.12(A) and (B).
(A) Traveling Cables.
(1) Lighting Circuits. For lighting circuits, 14 AWG copper, 20 AWG copper or larger conductors shall be permitted
in parallel, provided the ampacity is equivalent to at least
that of 14 AWG copper.
(2) Other Circuits. For other circuits, 20 AWG copper.
(B) Other Wiring. 24 AWG copper. Smaller size listed
conductors shall be permitted.
70–565
620.13 ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
Informational Note No. 1: The heating of conductors depends on root-mean-square current values, which, with
generator field control, are reflected by the nameplate current rating of the motor-generator driving motor rather than
by the rating of the elevator motor, which represents actual
but short-time and intermittent full-load current values.
Informational Note No. 2: See Figure 620.13.
To supply
Common feeder
620.13
Feeder demand factor
620.14
Motor feeder shortcircuit and groundfault protection
620.61(C)
620.61(D)
Branch-circuit conductors
Motor overload
protection
620.13
D
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Motor control circuits
Article 450
620.13, 620.15
620.61(A)
620.61(B)
Motor conductors
620.13
Motor
Thermal protection
Article 430, Part I
M
Article 430, Part III
Figure 620.13 Single-Line Diagram.
(A) Conductors Supplying Single Motor. Conductors
supplying a single motor shall have an ampacity not less
than the percentage of motor nameplate current determined
from 430.22(A) and (E).
Informational Note: Some elevator motor currents, or
those of similar functions, exceed the nameplate value, but
because they are inherently intermittent duty and the heating of the motor and conductors is dependent on the rootmean-square (rms) current value, conductors are sized for
70–566
(C) Conductors Supplying a Single Power Transformer.
Conductors supplying a single power transformer shall
have an ampacity not less than the nameplate current rating
of the power transformer plus all other connected loads.
Informational Note No. 1: The nameplate current rating of
a power transformer supplying a motor controller reflects
the nameplate current rating of the motor controller at line
voltage (transformer primary).
(D) Conductors Supplying More Than One Motor, Motor Controller, or Power Transformer. Conductors supplying more than one motor, motor controller, or power
transformer shall have an ampacity not less than the sum of
the nameplate current ratings of the equipment plus all
other connected loads. The ampere ratings of motors to be
used in the summation shall be determined from Table
430.22(E), 430.24 and 430.24, Exception No. 1.
AF
620.51
Motor branch-circuit
short-circuit and
ground-fault protection
Motor controller
(B) Conductors Supplying a Single Motor Controller.
Conductors supplying a single motor controller shall have
an ampacity not less than the motor controller nameplate
current rating, plus all other connected loads. Motor controller nameplate current rating shall be permitted to be
derived based on the rms value of the motor current using
an intermittent duty cycle and other control system loads, if
present. [ROP 12–19a]
Informational Note No. 2: See Informative Annex D, Example No. D10.
Disconnecting means
External transformer
(optional)
duty cycle service as shown in Table 430.22(E). [ROP
12–19a]
T
620.13 Feeder and Branch-Circuit Conductors. Conductors shall have an ampacity in accordance with
620.13(A) through (D). With generator field control, the
conductor ampacity shall be based on the nameplate current
rating of the driving motor of the motor-generator set that
supplies power to the elevator motor.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example
Nos. D9 and D10.
620.14 Feeder Demand Factor. Feeder conductors of less
ampacity than required by 620.13 shall be permitted, subject to the requirements of Table 620.14.
[ROP 12–19b]
Table 620.14 Feeder Demand Factors for Elevators
Number of Elevators on a
Single Feeder
Demand Factor* [ROP
12–19b]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 or more
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.82
0.79
0.77
0.75
0.73
0.72
* Demand factors are based on 50 percent duty cycle (i.e., half time
on and half time off). [ROP 12–19b]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS 620.21
Informational Note: For controller markings, see 430.8.
III. Wiring
620.21 Wiring Methods. Conductors and optical fibers located in hoistways, in escalator and moving walk wellways,
in platform lifts, stairway chairlift runways, machinery
spaces, control spaces, in or on cars, in machine rooms and
control rooms, not including the traveling cables connecting the car or counterweight and hoistway wiring, shall be
installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
electrical metallic tubing, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or
wireways, or shall be Type MC, MI, or AC cable unless
otherwise permitted in 620.21(A) through (C).
(A) Elevators.
(1) Hoistways.
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(a) Cables used in Class 2 power-limited circuits shall
be permitted to be installed between risers and signal
equipment and operating devices, provided the cables are
supported and protected from physical damage and are of a
jacketed and flame-retardant type.
(b) Flexible cords and cables that are components of
listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts
rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted in
lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft), provided the cords and
cables are supported and protected from physical damage
and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
(c) The following wiring methods shall be permitted in
the hoistway in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
(1) Flexible metal conduit
(2) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
(4) Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be
installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be
protected from physical damage and shall be of a
flame-retardant type and shall be part of the following:
a. Listed equipment
b. A driving machine, or
c. A driving machine brake
Exception to 620.21(A)(1)(c)(1), (2), and (3): The conduit
length shall not be required to be limited between risers
and limit switches, interlocks, operating buttons, and similar devices.
2014 Edition
(2) Cars.
(a) Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal
conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8), or larger, not exceeding 1.8
m (6 ft) in length, shall be permitted on cars where so
located as to be free from oil and if securely fastened in
place.
Exception: Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8), or larger, as defined by
356.2(2), shall be permitted in lengths in excess of 1.8 m
(6 ft).
(b) Hard-service cords and junior hard-service cords
that conform to the requirements of Article 400 (Table
400.4) shall be permitted as flexible connections between
the fixed wiring on the car and devices on the car doors or
gates. Hard-service cords only shall be permitted as flexible
connections for the top-of-car operating device or the cartop work light. Devices or luminaires shall be grounded by
means of an equipment grounding conductor run with the
circuit conductors. Cables with smaller conductors and
other types and thicknesses of insulation and jackets shall
be permitted as flexible connections between the fixed wiring on the car and devices on the car doors or gates, if listed
for this use.
AF
Exception: Listed cord and plug connected equipment.
[ROP 12–28]
(d) A sump pump or oil recovery pump located in the
pit shall be permitted to be cord connected. The cord shall
be a hard usage oil-resistant type, of a length not to exceed
1.8 m (6 ft), and shall be located to be protected from
physical damage.
T
620.15 Motor Controller Rating. The motor controller
rating shall comply with 430.83. The rating shall be permitted to be less than the nominal rating of the elevator motor,
when the controller inherently limits the available power to
the motor and is marked as power limited.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(c) Flexible cords and cables that are components of
listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts
rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted in
lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft), provided the cords and
cables are supported and protected from physical damage
and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
(d) The following wiring methods shall be permitted
on the car assembly in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
(1) Flexible metal conduit
(2) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
(4) Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be
installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be
protected from physical damage and shall be of a
flame-retardant type and shall be part of the following:
a. Listed equipment
b. A driving machine, or
c. A driving machine brake
(3) Within Machine Rooms, Control Rooms, and Machinery Spaces and Control Spaces.
70–567
620.21 ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
Exception: Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit metric
designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) or larger, as defined in
356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in
excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
(b) Where motor-generators, machine motors, or
pumping unit motors and valves are located adjacent to or
underneath control equipment and are provided with extralength terminal leads not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length,
such leads shall be permitted to be extended to connect
directly to controller terminal studs without regard to the
carrying-capacity requirements of Articles 430 and 445.
Auxiliary gutters shall be permitted in machine and control
rooms between controllers, starters, and similar apparatus.
(B) Escalators.
(1) Wiring Methods. Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit shall be permitted in escalator and moving walk
wellways. Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible
conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) shall be
permitted in lengths not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
Exception: Metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8), nominal,
or larger liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, as defined
in 356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in
excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
(2) Class 2 Circuit Cables. Cables used in Class 2 powerlimited circuits shall be permitted to be installed within
escalators and moving walkways, provided the cables are
supported and protected from physical damage and are of a
jacketed and flame-retardant type.
(3) Flexible Cords. Hard-service cords that conform to the
requirements of Article 400 (Table 400.4) shall be permitted as flexible connections on escalators and moving walk
control panels and disconnecting means where the entire
control panel and disconnecting means are arranged for
removal from machine spaces as permitted in 620.5.
AF
(c) Flexible cords and cables that are components of
listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts
rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted in
lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft), provided the cords and
cables are supported and protected from physical damage
and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
b. A driving machine, or
c. A driving machine brake
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(a) Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal
conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8), or larger, not exceeding 1.8
m (6 ft) in length, shall be permitted between control panels
and machine motors, machine brakes, motor-generator sets,
disconnecting means, and pumping unit motors and valves.
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(d) On existing or listed equipment, conductors shall
also be permitted to be grouped together and taped or
corded without being installed in a raceway. Such cable
groups shall be supported at intervals not over 900 mm
(3 ft) and located so as to be protected from physical damage.
(e) Flexible cords and cables in lengths not to exceed
1.8 m (6 ft) that are of a flame-retardant type and located to
be protected from physical damage shall be permitted in
these rooms and spaces without being installed in a raceway. They shall be part of the following:
(1) Listed equipment
(2) A driving machine, or
(3) A driving machine brake
(4) Counterweight. The following wiring methods shall
be permitted on the counterweight assembly in lengths not
to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
(1) Flexible metal conduit
(2) Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(3) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
(4) Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be
installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be
protected from physical damage, shall be of a flameretardant type, and shall be part of the following:
a. Listed equipment
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(C) Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlift Raceways.
(1) Wiring Methods. Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight
flexible metal conduit shall be permitted in platform lifts
and stairway chairlift runways and machinery spaces. Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible conduit of metric
designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) shall be permitted in lengths
not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
Exception: Metric designator 12 (trade size 3⁄8) or larger
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, as defined in
356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in
excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
(2) Class 2 Circuit Cables. Cables used in Class 2 powerlimited circuits shall be permitted to be installed within
platform lifts and stairway chairlift runways and machinery
spaces, provided the cables are supported and protected
from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flameretardant type.
(3) Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables
that are components of listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts rms or less or 42 volts dc or less
shall be permitted in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft),
provided the cords and cables are supported and protected
from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flameretardant type.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS 620.36
(A) Car Light Source. A separate branch circuit shall supply the car lights, receptacle(s), auxiliary lighting power
source, and ventilation on each elevator car. The overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit shall be located in
the elevator machine room or control room/machinery
space or control space.
Required lighting shall not be connected to the load
side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(B) Air-Conditioning and Heating Source. A separate
branch circuit shall supply the air-conditioning and heating
units on each elevator car. The overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit shall be located in the elevator machine room or control room/machinery space or control
space. [ROP 12–30a]
620.25 Branch
Equipment.
Circuits
for
Other
Utilization
(A) Additional Branch Circuits. Additional branch circuit(s) shall supply utilization equipment not identified in
620.22, 620.23, and 620.24. Other utilization equipment
shall be restricted to that equipment identified in 620.1.
(B) Overcurrent Devices. The overcurrent devices protecting the branch circuit(s) shall be located in the elevator
machinery room or control room/machinery space or control space.
IV. Installation of Conductors
620.32 Metal Wireways and Nonmetallic Wireways.
The sum of the cross-sectional area of the individual conductors in a wireway shall not be more than 50 percent of
the interior cross-sectional area of the wireway.
Vertical runs of wireways shall be securely supported at
intervals not exceeding 4.5 m (15 ft) and shall have not
more than one joint between supports. Adjoining wireway
sections shall be securely fastened together to provide a
rigid joint.
AF
620.23 Branch Circuits for Machine Room or Control
Room/Machinery Space or Control Space Lighting and
Receptacle(s).
Informational Note: See ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B44-10,
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, for illumination
levels. [ROP 12–13a]
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620.22 Branch Circuits for Car Lighting, Receptacle(s),
Ventilation, Heating, and Air-Conditioning.
(A) Separate Branch Circuit. A separate branch circuit
shall supply the machine room or control room/machinery
space or control space lighting and receptacle(s).
Required lighting shall not be connected to the load
side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
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(B) Lighting Switch. The machine room or control
room/machinery space or control space lighting switch
shall be located at the point of entry.
(C) Duplex Receptacle. At least one 125-volt, singlephase, 15- or 20-ampere duplex receptacle shall be provided in each machine room or control room and machinery space or control space.
Informational Note: See ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B44-10,
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, for illumination
levels. [ROP 12–13a]
620.24 Branch Circuit for Hoistway Pit Lighting and
Receptacle(s).
(A) Separate Branch Circuit. A separate branch circuit
shall supply the hoistway pit lighting and receptacle(s).
Required lighting shall not be connected to the load
side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(B) Lighting Switch. The lighting switch shall be so located as to be readily accessible from the pit access door.
(C) Duplex Receptacle. At least one 125-volt, singlephase, 15- or 20-ampere duplex receptacle shall be provided in the hoistway pit.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
620.33 Number of Conductors in Raceways. The sum of
the cross-sectional area of the individual conductors in
raceways shall not exceed 40 percent of the interior crosssectional area of the raceway, except as permitted in 620.32
for wireways.
620.34 Supports. Supports for cables or raceways in a
hoistway or in an escalator or moving walk wellway or
platform lift and stairway chairlift runway shall be securely
fastened to the guide rail; escalator or moving walk truss;
or to the hoistway, wellway, or runway construction.
620.35 Auxiliary Gutters. Auxiliary gutters shall not be
subject to the restrictions of 366.12(2) covering length or of
366.22 covering number of conductors.
620.36 Different Systems in One Raceway or Traveling
Cable. Optical fiber cables and conductors for operating
devices, operation and motion control, power, signaling,
fire alarm, lighting, heating, and air-conditioning circuits of
1000 volts or less shall be permitted to be run in the same
traveling cable or raceway system if all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor
within the cables or raceway system and if all live parts of
the equipment are insulated from ground for this maximum
voltage. Such a traveling cable or raceway shall also be
permitted to include shielded conductors and/or one or
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620.37 ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
620.37 Wiring in Hoistways, Machine Rooms, Control
Rooms, Machinery Spaces, and Control Spaces.
(A) Uses Permitted. Only such electrical wiring, raceways, and cables used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter, including wiring for signals, for
communication with the car, for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and ventilating the elevator car, for fire detecting
systems, for pit sump pumps, and for heating, lighting, and
ventilating the hoistway, shall be permitted inside the hoistway, machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and
control spaces.
Unsupported length for the hoistway suspension means
shall be that length of cable measured from the point of
suspension in the hoistway to the bottom of the loop, with
the elevator car located at the bottom landing. Unsupported
length for the car suspension means shall be that length of
cable measured from the point of suspension on the car to
the bottom of the loop, with the elevator car located at the
top landing. [ROP 12–32b]
620.42 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. In hazardous
(classified) locations, traveling cables shall be of a type
approved for hazardous (classified) locations and shall
comply with 501.140, 502.140, or 503.140, as applicable.
AF
(B) Lightning Protection. Bonding of elevator rails (car
and/or counterweight) to a lightning protection system
grounding down conductor(s) shall be permitted. The lightning protection system grounding down conductor(s) shall
not be located within the hoistway. Elevator rails or other
hoistway equipment shall not be used as the grounding
down conductor for lightning protection systems.
terweight end where applicable, so as to reduce the strain
on the individual copper conductors to a minimum.
Traveling cables shall be supported by one of the following means:
(1) By their steel supporting member(s)
(2) By looping the cables around supports for unsupported
lengths less than 30 m (100 ft)
(3) By suspending from the supports by a means that automatically tightens around the cable when tension is
increased for unsupported lengths up to 60 m (200 ft)
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more coaxial cables if such conductors are insulated for the
maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the
cable or raceway system. Conductors shall be permitted to
be covered with suitable shielding for telephone, audio,
video, or higher frequency communications circuits. [ROP
12–32]
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Informational Note: See 250.106 for bonding requirements. For further information, see NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.
(C) Main Feeders. Main feeders for supplying power to
elevators and dumbwaiters shall be installed outside the
hoistway unless as follows:
(1) By special permission, feeders for elevators shall be
permitted within an existing hoistway if no conductors
are spliced within the hoistway.
(2) Feeders shall be permitted inside the hoistway for elevators with driving machine motors located in the
hoistway or on the car or counterweight.
620.38 Electrical Equipment in Garages and Similar
Occupancies. Electrical equipment and wiring used for elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, and platform lifts and stairway chairlifts in garages shall comply
with the requirements of Article 511.
Informational Note: Garages used for parking or storage
and where no repair work is done in accordance with
511.3(A) are not classified. [ROP 12–32a]
620.43 Location of and Protection for Cables. Traveling
cable supports shall be located so as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of damage due to the cables coming in
contact with the hoistway construction or equipment in the
hoistway. Where necessary, suitable guards shall be provided to protect the cables against damage.
620.44 Installation of Traveling Cables. Traveling cables
that are suitably supported and protected from physical
damage shall be permitted to be run without the use of a
raceway in either or both of the following:
(a) When used inside the hoistway, on the elevator car,
hoistway wall, counterweight, or controllers and machinery
that are located inside the hoistway, provided the cables are
in the original sheath.
(b) From inside the hoistway, to elevator controller
enclosures and to elevator car and machine room, control
room, machinery space, and control space connections that
are located outside the hoistway for a distance not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length as measured from the first point of
support on the elevator car or hoistway wall, or counterweight where applicable, provided the conductors are
grouped together and taped or corded, or in the original
sheath. These traveling cables shall be permitted to be continued to this equipment.
V. Traveling Cables
VI. Disconnecting Means and Control
620.41 Suspension of Traveling Cables. Traveling cables
shall be suspended at the car and hoistways’ ends, or coun-
620.51 Disconnecting Means. A single means for disconnecting all ungrounded main power supply conductors for
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS 620.52
(A) Type. The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed
externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit
breaker that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25.
[ROP 12–33]
The disconnecting means shall be a listed device.
Informational Note: For additional information, see
ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B44-10, Safety Code for Elevators
and Escalators. [ROP 12–13a]
(2) On Elevators with Generator Field Control. On elevators with generator field control, the disconnecting
means shall be located within sight of the motor controller
for the driving motor of the motor-generator set. Driving
machines, motor-generator sets, or motion and operation
controllers not within sight of the disconnecting means
shall be provided with a manually operated switch installed
in the control circuit to prevent starting. The manually operated switch(es) shall be installed adjacent to this equipment.
Where the driving machine or the motor-generator set is
located in a remote machine room or remote machinery
space, a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded
main power-supply conductors shall be provided and be
lockable open in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–40]
AF
Exception No. 1: Where an individual branch circuit supplies a platform lift, the disconnecting means required by
620.51(C)(4) shall be permitted to comply with 430.109(C).
This disconnecting means shall be listed and shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–35]
power-supply conductors shall be located within sight of
the motor controller. The additional switch shall be a listed
device and shall comply with 620.91(C). [ROP 12–39],
ROP 12–37]
[ROP 12–37]
Driving machines or motion and operation controllers
not within sight of the disconnecting means shall be provided with a manually operated switch installed in the control circuit to prevent starting. The manually operated
switch(es) shall be installed adjacent to this equipment.
Where the driving machine of an electric elevator or the
hydraulic machine of a hydraulic elevator is located in a
remote machine room or remote machinery space, a single
means for disconnecting all ungrounded main powersupply conductors shall be provided and be lockable open
in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–37]
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each unit shall be provided and be designed so that no pole
can be operated independently. Where multiple driving machines are connected to a single elevator, escalator, moving
walk, or pumping unit, there shall be one disconnecting
means to disconnect the motor(s) and control valve operating magnets.
The disconnecting means for the main power supply
conductors shall not disconnect the branch circuit required
in 620.22, 620.23, and 620.24.
Exception No. 2: Where an individual branch circuit supplies a stairway chairlift, the stairway chairlift shall be
permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected, provided it complies with 422.16(A) and the cord does not exceed 1.8 m
(6 ft) in length.
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(B) Operation. No provision shall be made to open or
close this disconnecting means from any other part of the
premises. If sprinklers are installed in hoistways, machine
rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, or control spaces,
the disconnecting means shall be permitted to automatically
open the power supply to the affected elevator(s) prior to
the application of water. No provision shall be made to
automatically close this disconnecting means. Power shall
only be restored by manual means.
Informational Note: To reduce hazards associated with
water on live elevator electrical equipment.
(C) Location. The disconnecting means shall be located
where it is readily accessible to qualified persons.
(1) On Elevators Without Generator Field Control. On
elevators without generator field control, the disconnecting
means shall be located within sight of the motor field controller. Where the motor controller is located in the elevator
hoistway, the disconnecting means required by 620.51(A)
shall be located in a machinery space, machine room, control space, or control room outside the hoistway; and an
additional, fused or non-fused, enclosed, externally operable motor circuit switch that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 to disconnect all ungrounded main
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) On Escalators and Moving Walks. On escalators and
moving walks, the disconnecting means shall be installed in
the space where the controller is located.
(4) On Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. On platform lifts and stairway chairlifts, the disconnecting means
shall be located within sight of the motor controller.
(D) Identification and Signs. Where there is more than
one driving machine in a machine room, the disconnecting
means shall be numbered to correspond to the identifying
number of the driving machine that they control.
The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign
to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.
620.52 Power from More Than One Source.
(A) Single-Car and Multicar Installations. On single-car
and multicar installations, equipment receiving electrical
power from more than one source shall be provided with a
disconnecting means for each source of electrical power.
The disconnecting means shall be within sight of the equipment served.
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620.53 ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
WARNING
PARTS OF THE CONTROLLER ARE NOT
DE-ENERGIZED BY THIS SWITCH.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 12–41]
(C) Interconnection Multicar Controllers. Where interconnections between controllers are necessary for the operation of the system on multicar installations that remain
energized from a source other than the one disconnected, a
warning sign in accordance with 620.52(B) shall be
mounted on or next to the disconnecting means.
620.55 Utilization Equipment Disconnecting Means.
Each branch circuit for other utilization equipment shall
have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded conductors. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open in
accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–48]
Where there is more than one branch circuit for other
utilization equipment, the disconnecting means shall be
numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the
equipment served. The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply side
overcurrent protective device.
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620.53 Car Light, Receptacle(s), and Ventilation Disconnecting Means. Elevators shall have a single means for
disconnecting all ungrounded car light, receptacle(s), and
ventilation power-supply conductors for that elevator car.
The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit breaker
that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 and shall
be located in the machine room or control room for that
elevator car. Where there is no machine room or control
room, the disconnecting means shall be located in a machinery space or control space outside the hoistway that is
readily accessible to only qualified persons. [ROP 12–42]
Disconnecting means shall be numbered to correspond
to the identifying number of the elevator car whose light
source they control.
The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign
to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.
chinery space or control space outside the hoistway that is
readily accessible to only qualified persons. [ROP 12–46]
Where there is equipment for more than one elevator
car in the machine room, the disconnecting means shall be
numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the
elevator car whose heating and air-conditioning source they
control.
The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign
to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.
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(B) Warning Sign for Multiple Disconnecting Means.
Where multiple disconnecting means are used and parts of
the controllers remain energized from a source other than
the one disconnected, a warning sign shall be mounted on
or next to the disconnecting means. The sign shall be
clearly legible and shall read as follows:
Exception: Where a separate branch circuit supplies car
lighting, a receptacle(s), and a ventilation motor not exceeding 2 hp, the disconnecting means required by 620.53
shall be permitted to comply with 430.109(C). This disconnecting means shall be listed and shall be lockable open in
accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–45, ROP 12–44]
620.54 Heating and Air-Conditioning Disconnecting
Means. Elevators shall have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded car heating and air-conditioning powersupply conductors for that elevator car.
The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit breaker
that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 and shall
be located in the machine room or control room for that
elevator car. Where there is no machine room or control
room, the disconnecting means shall be located in a ma-
70–572
VII. Overcurrent Protection
620.61 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
shall be provided in accordance with 620.61(A) through
(D)
(A) Operating Devices and Control and Signaling Circuits. Operating devices and control and signaling circuits
shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with
the requirements of 725.43 and 725.45.
Class 2 power-limited circuits shall be protected against
overcurrent in accordance with the requirements of Chapter
9, Notes to Tables 11(A) and 11(B).
(B) Overload Protection for Motors. Motor and branchcircuit overload protection shall conform to Article 430,
Part III, and (B)(1) through (B)(4).
(1) Duty Rating on Elevator, Dumbwaiter, and MotorGenerator Sets Driving Motors. Duty on elevator and
dumbwaiter driving machine motors and driving motors of
motor-generators used with generator field control shall be
rated as intermittent. Such motors shall be permitted to be
protected against overload in accordance with 430.33.
(2) Duty Rating on Escalator Motors. Duty on escalator
and moving walk driving machine motors shall be rated as
continuous. Such motors shall be protected against overload in accordance with 430.32.
(3) Overload Protection. Escalator and moving walk driving machine motors and driving motors of motor-generator
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 620 — ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITERS, ESCALATORS, MOVING WALKS, PLATFORM & STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS 620.91
(4) Duty Rating and Overload Protection on Platform
Lift and Stairway Chairlift Motors. Duty on platform lift
and stairway chairlift driving machine motors shall be rated
as intermittent. Such motors shall be permitted to be protected against overload in accordance with 430.33.
Informational Note: For further information, see 430.44
for orderly shutdown.
(C) Motor Feeder Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection. Motor feeder short-circuit and ground-fault protection shall be as required in Article 430, Part V.
(D) Motor Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and GroundFault Protection. Motor branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protection shall be as required in Article 430,
Part IV.
IX. Grounding
620.81 Metal Raceways Attached to Cars. Metal raceways, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, or Type AC cable
attached to elevator cars shall be bonded to metal parts of
the car that are bonded to the equipment grounding conductor.
620.82 Electric Elevators. For electric elevators, the
frames of all motors, elevator machines, controllers, and
the metal enclosures for all electrical equipment in or on
the car or in the hoistway shall be bonded in accordance
with Article 250, Parts V and VII.
620.83 Nonelectric Elevators. For elevators other than
electric having any electrical conductors attached to the car,
the metal frame of the car, where normally accessible to
persons, shall be bonded in accordance with Article 250,
Parts V and VII.
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620.62 Selective Coordination. Where more than one
driving machine disconnecting means is supplied by a
single feeder, the overcurrent protective devices in each
disconnecting means shall be selectively coordinated with
any other supply side overcurrent protective devices.
Selective Coordination shall be selected by a licensed
professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged
primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made
available to those authorized to design, install, inspect,
maintain, and operate the system. [ROP 12–50]
(B) Driving Machines. Elevators with driving machines
located on the car, on the counterweight, or in the hoistway,
and driving machines for dumbwaiters, platform lifts, and
stairway lifts, shall be permitted outside the spaces herein
specified.
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sets shall be protected against running overload as provided
in Table 430.37.
VIII. Machine Rooms, Control Rooms, Machinery
Spaces, and Control Spaces
620.71 Guarding Equipment. Elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, and moving walk driving machines; motorgenerator sets; motor controllers; and disconnecting means
shall be installed in a room or space set aside for that
purpose unless otherwise permitted in 620.71(A) or (B).
The room or space shall be secured against unauthorized
access.
(A) Motor Controllers. Motor controllers shall be permitted outside the spaces herein specified, provided they are in
enclosures with doors or removable panels that are capable
of being locked in the closed position and the disconnecting
means is located adjacent to or is an integral part of the
motor controller. Motor controller enclosures for escalator
or moving walks shall be permitted in the balustrade on the
side located away from the moving steps or moving treadway. If the disconnecting means is an integral part of the
motor controller, it shall be operable without opening the
enclosure.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
620.84 Escalators, Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and
Stairway Chairlifts. Escalators, moving walks, platform
lifts, and stairway chairlifts shall comply with Article 250.
620.85 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. Each 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacle installed in pits, in hoistways, on elevator car
tops, and in escalator and moving walk wellways shall be
of the ground-fault circuit-interrupter type.
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in machine rooms and machinery spaces
shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel.
A single receptacle supplying a permanently installed
sump pump shall not require ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection.
X. Emergency and Standby Power Systems
620.91 Emergency and Standby Power Systems. An elevator(s) shall be permitted to be powered by an emergency
or standby power system.
Informational Note: See ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B44-10,
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, 2.27.2, for additional information. [ROP 12–13a]
(A) Regenerative Power. For elevator systems that regenerate power back into the power source that is unable to
absorb the regenerative power under overhauling elevator
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625.1
ARTICLE 625 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
(B) Other Building Loads. Other building loads, such as
power and lighting, shall be permitted as the energy absorption means required in 620.91(A), provided that such loads
are automatically connected to the emergency or standby
power system operating the elevators and are large enough
to absorb the elevator regenerative power.
Electric Vehicle Connector. A device that, when electrically coupled to (conductive or inductive) an electric vehicle inlet, establishes an electrical connection to the electric vehicle for the purpose of power transfer and
information exchange. This device is part of the electric
vehicle coupler.
Informational Note: For further information, see 625.48
for interactive systems.
Electric Vehicle Coupler. A mating electric vehicle inlet
and electric vehicle connector set.
Electric Vehicle Inlet. The device on the electric vehicle
into which the electric vehicle connector is electrically
coupled (conductive or inductive) for power transfer and
information exchange. This device is part of the electric
vehicle coupler. For the purposes of this Code, the electric
vehicle inlet is considered to be part of the electric vehicle
and not part of the electric vehicle supply equipment.
AF
(C) Disconnecting Means. The disconnecting means required by 620.51 shall disconnect the elevator from both
the emergency or standby power system and the normal
power system.
Where an additional power source is connected to the
load side of the disconnecting means, which allows automatic movement of the car to permit evacuation of passengers, the disconnecting means required in 620.51 shall be
provided with an auxiliary contact that is positively opened
mechanically, and the opening shall not be solely dependent on springs. This contact shall cause the additional
power source to be disconnected from its load when the
disconnecting means is in the open position.
current from a rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic array, or other source of electric current. Plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are considered electric vehicles. For the purpose of this article, off-road, selfpropelled electric vehicles, such as industrial trucks, hoists,
lifts, transports, golf carts, airline ground support equipment, tractors, boats, and the like, are not included.
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load conditions, a means shall be provided to absorb this
power.
[ROP 12–52]
I. General
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ARTICLE 625
Electric Vehicle Charging System
625.1 Scope. The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment external to an electric vehicle that connect an electric vehicle to a supply of electricity by conductive or inductive means, and the installation of
equipment and devices related to electric vehicle charging.
Informational Note No. 1: For industrial trucks, see
NFPA 505-2011, Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks Including Type Designations, Areas of Use,
Conversions, Maintenance, and Operation.
Informational Note No. 2: UL 2594-2011, Standard for
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, is a safety standard for
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. UL 2202-2009, Standard for Electric Vehicle Charging System Equipment, is a
safety standard for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment.
625.2 Definitions.
Electric Vehicle. An automotive-type vehicle for on-road
use, such as passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, vans,
neighborhood electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and
the like, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws
70–574
Informational Note: For further information, see 625.48
for interactive systems.
Electric Vehicle Storage Battery. A battery, comprised of
one or more rechargeable electrochemical cells, that has no
provision for the release of excessive gas pressure during
normal charging and operation, or for the addition of water
or electrolyte, or for external measurements of electrolyte
specific gravity.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. The conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors and the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets, or
apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric
vehicle.
Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see
625.48 for interactive systems.
Informational Note No. 2: Within this article, the terms
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Electric Vehicle
Charging System Equipment are considered to be
equivalent.
Output Cable to the Electric Vehicle. An assembly consisting of a length of flexible EV cable and an Electric
Vehicle Connector (supplying power to the electric vehicle).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 625 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
Personnel Protection System. A system of personnel protection devices and constructional features that when used
together provide protection against electric shock of personnel.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). A type of electric vehicle intended for on-road use with the ability to
store and use off-vehicle electrical energy in the rechargeable energy storage system, and having a second source of
motive power.
625.17
(F) Grounding Pole Requirements. If a grounding pole is
provided, the electric vehicle coupler shall be so designed
that the grounding pole connection is the first to make and
the last to break contact.
Power Supply Cord. An assembly consisting of an attachment plug cap and length of flexible cord that connects the
equipment (EVSE) to a receptacle.
625.14 Rating. Electric vehicle supply equipment shall
have sufficient rating to supply the load served. Electric
vehicle charging loads shall be considered to be continuous
loads for the purposes of this article. Where an automatic
load management system is used, the maximum electric
vehicle supply equipment load on a service and feeder shall
be the maximum load permitted by the automatic load management system.
Rechargeable Energy Storage System. Any power source
that has the capability to be charged and discharged.
625.15 Markings. The electric vehicle supply equipment
shall comply with 625.15(A) through (C).
625.5 Listed. All electrical materials, devices, fittings, and
associated equipment shall be listed.
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II. Equipment Construction
625.10 Electric Vehicle Coupler. The electric vehicle coupler shall comply with 625.10(A) through (F).
(A) Polarization. The electric vehicle coupler shall be polarized unless part of listed electric vehicle supply equipment.
(B) Noninterchangeability. The electric vehicle coupler
shall have a configuration that is noninterchangeable with
wiring devices in other electrical systems. Nongroundingtype electric vehicle couplers shall not be interchangeable
with grounding-type electric vehicle couplers.
(C) Construction and Installation. The electric vehicle
coupler shall be constructed and installed so as to guard
against inadvertent contact by persons with parts made live
from the electric vehicle supply equipment or the electric
vehicle battery.
(D) Unintentional Disconnection. The electric vehicle
coupler shall be provided with a positive means to prevent
unintentional disconnection.
(E) Grounding Pole. The electric vehicle coupler shall be
provided with a grounding pole, unless provided as part of
listed isolated electric vehicle supply equipment system.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Ventilation Not Required. Where marking is required
by 625.29(C), the electric vehicle supply equipment shall
be clearly marked by the manufacturer as follows:
VENTILATION NOT REQUIRED
The marking shall be located so as to be clearly visible
after installation.
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625.4 Voltages. Unless other voltages are specified, the
nominal ac system voltages of 120, 120/240, 208Y/120,
240, 480Y/277, 480, 600Y/347, and 600 volts and DC system voltages of up to 600 volts shall be used to supply
equipment covered by this article.
(A) General. All electric vehicle supply equipment shall
be marked by the manufacturer as follows:
FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES
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Informational Note: Batteries, capacitors, and electromechanical flywheels are examples of rechargeable energy
storage systems.
(C) Ventilation Required. Where marking is required by
625.52(B), the electric vehicle supply equipment shall be
clearly marked by the manufacturer, “Ventilation Required.” The marking shall be located so as to be clearly
visible after installation.
625.16 Means of Coupling. The means of coupling to the
electric vehicle shall be either conductive or inductive. Attachment plugs, electric vehicle connectors, and electric vehicle inlets shall be listed or labeled for the purpose.
625.17 Cords and Cables.
(A) Power Supply Cord. The cable for cord-connected
equipment shall comply with all of the following:
(1) Be any of the types specified in (B)(1) or Hard Service
Cord, Junior Hard Service Cord and Portable Power
Cable types in accordance with Table 400.4. Hard Service Cord, Junior Hard Service Cord and Portable
Power Cable types shall be listed, as applicable, for
exposure to oil and damp and wet locations.
Exception: A power supply cord that is listed as a part of
the electric vehicle supply equipment.
(2) Have an ampacity as specified in Table 400.5(A)(1) or,
for 8 AWG and larger, in the 60 C columns of Table
400.5(A)(2).
(3) Have an overall length as specified in (a) or (b):
70–575
625.18
ARTICLE 625 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
bination of the equipment shall be provided with an automatic means to de-energize the cable conductors and
electric vehicle connector upon exposure to strain that
could result in either cable rupture or separation of the
cable from the electric connector and exposure of live parts.
Automatic means to de-energize the cable conductors and
electric vehicle connector shall not be required for portable
cord-and-plug-connected electric vehicle supply equipment
intended for connection to receptacle outlets rated at 125
volts, single phase, 15 and 20 amperes. An interlock shall
not be required for DC supplies less than 50V DC.
(B) Output Cable to the Electric Vehicle. The output
cable to the electric vehicle shall comply with all of the
following:
(1) Be Type EV, EVJ, EVE, EVJE, EVT, or EVJT flexible
cable as specified in Table 400.4.
(2) Have an ampacity as specified in Table 400.5(A)(1) or,
for 8 AWG and larger, in the 60 C columns of Table
400.5(A)(2).
625.22 Personnel Protection System. The electric vehicle
supply equipment shall have a listed system of protection
against electric shock of personnel. Where cord-and-plugconnected electric vehicle supply equipment is used, the
interrupting device of a listed personnel protection system
shall be provided and shall be an integral part of the attachment plug or shall be located in the power supply cord not
more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the attachment plug.
Exception: An output cable to the electric vehicle that is
listed as a part of the electric vehicle supply equipment.
III. Installation
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a. When the interrupting device of the personnel protection system specified in 625.22 is located within
the enclosure of the supply equipment or charging
system, the power supply cord shall be no more
than 300 mm (12 in.) long,
b. When the interrupting device of the personnel protection system specified in 625.22 is located at the
attachment plug, or within the first 300 mm (12 in.)
of the power supply cord, the overall cord length
shall be a minimum of 1.8 m (6 ft) and shall be no
greater than 4.6 m (15 ft).
Informational Note: Listed electric vehicle supply equipment may incorporate output cables having ampacities
greater than 60°C based on the permissible temperature
limits for the components and the cable.
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(C) Overall Cord and Cable Length. The overall useable
length shall not exceed 7.5 m (25 ft) unless equipped with
a cable management system that is part of listed the electric
vehicle supply equipment.
(1) Where the electric vehicle supply equipment or charging system is not fixed in place, the cord exposed useable length shall be measured from the face of the
attachment plug to the face of the electric vehicle connector.
(2) Where the electric vehicle supply equipment or charging system is fixed in place, the useable length of the
output cable shall be measured from the cable exit of
the electric vehicle supply equipment or charging system to the face of the electric vehicle connector.
625.18 Interlock. Electric vehicle supply equipment shall
be provided with an interlock that de-energizes the electric
vehicle connector whenever the electrical connector is uncoupled from the electric vehicle. An interlock shall not be
required for portable cord-and-plug-connected electric vehicle supply equipment intended for connection to receptacle outlets rated at 125 volts, single phase, 15 and 20
amperes. An interlock shall not be required for DC supplies
less than 50V DC.
625.19 Automatic De-Energization of Cable. The electric vehicle supply equipment or the cable-connector com-
70–576
625.40 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
for feeders and branch circuits supplying electric vehicle
supply equipment shall be sized for continuous duty and
shall have a rating of not less than 125 percent of the
maximum load of the electric vehicle supply equipment.
Where noncontinuous loads are supplied from the same
feeder or branch circuit, the overcurrent device shall have a
rating of not less than the sum of the noncontinuous loads
plus 125 percent of the continuous loads.
625.42 Disconnecting Means. For electric vehicle supply
equipment rated more than 60 amperes or more than 150
volts to ground, the disconnecting means shall be provided
and installed in a readily accessible location. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open in accordance with
110.25. [ROP 12–72]
625.44 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Connection.
Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be permitted to be
cord and plug connected to the premises wiring system in
accordance with one of the following:
(A) Connections to 125-Volt, Single Phase, 15 and 20
Ampere Receptacle Outlets. Electric vehicle supply
equipment intended for connection to receptacle outlets
rated at 125 volts, single phase, 15 and 20 amperes or from
a supply of less than 50V DC.
(B) Connections to Other Receptacle Outlets. Electric
vehicle supply equipment that is rated 250 volts maximum
and complies with all of the following:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
625.52
ARTICLE 625 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
All other electric vehicle supply equipment shall be permanently connected to the premises wiring system. The
electric vehicle supply equipment shall have no exposed
live parts.
(B) Ventilation Required. Where the electric vehicle supply equipment is listed for charging electric vehicles that
require ventilation for indoor charging, and is marked in
accordance with 625.15(C), mechanical ventilation, such as
a fan, shall be provided. The ventilation shall include both
supply and exhaust equipment and shall be permanently
installed and located to intake from, and vent directly to,
the outdoors. Positive pressure ventilation systems shall be
permitted only in vehicle charging buildings or areas that
have been specifically designed and approved for that application. Mechanical ventilation requirements shall be determined by one of the methods specified in 625.52(B)(1)
through (B)(4).
(1) Table Values. For supply voltages and currents specified in Table 625.52(B)(1) or Table 625.52(B)(2), the minimum ventilation requirements shall be as specified in Table
625.52(B)(1) or Table 625.52(B)(2) for each of the total
number of electric vehicles that can be charged at one time.
(2) Other Values. For supply voltages and currents other
than specified in Table 625.52(B)(1) or Table 625.52(B)(2),
the minimum ventilation requirements shall be calculated
by means of the following general formulas, as applicable:
(1) Single phase alternating current or direct current : Ventilation single phase alternating current or direct current in cubic
meters per minute (m3/min) =
AF
625.46 Loss of Primary Source. Means shall be provided
such that, upon loss of voltage from the utility or other
electrical system(s), energy cannot be back fed through the
electric vehicle and the supply equipment to the premises
wiring system unless permitted by 625.48.
doors without ventilation and marked in accordance with
625.15(B), mechanical ventilation shall not be required.
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(1) It is part of a listed system meeting the requirements of
625.18, 625.19, 625.50 and 625.52.
(2) It is intended for connection to receptacle outlets rated
no more than 50 amperes.
(3) EVSE fastened in place to facilitate any of the following:
a. Ready removal for interchange
b. Facilitate maintenance and repair
c. Repositioning of Portable, movable, or EVSE fastened in place
(4) Power supply cord length for electric vehicle supply
equipment fastened in place is limited to 6 ft (1.8 m).
(5) Receptacles are located to avoid physical damage to the
flexible cord.
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625.48 Interactive Systems. Electric vehicle supply
equipment and other parts of a system, either on-board or
off-board the vehicle, that are intended to be interconnected
to a vehicle and also serve as an optional standby system or
an electric power production source or provide for bidirectional power feed shall be listed and marked as suitable for that purpose. When used as an optional standby
system, the requirements of Article 702 shall apply, and
when used as an electric power production source, the requirements of Article 705 shall apply.
625.50 Location. The electric vehicle supply equipment
shall be located for direct electrical coupling of the EV
connector (conductive or inductive) to the electric vehicle.
Unless specifically listed and marked for the location, the
coupling means of the electric vehicle supply equipment
shall be stored or located at a height of not less than
450 mm (18 in.) above the floor level for indoor locations
and 600 mm (24 in.) above the grade level for outdoor
locations.
( volts) (amperes)
1718
Ventilation single phase alternating current or direct current in
cubic feet per minute (cfm) =
( volts) (amperes)
48.7
(2) Three phase alternating current: Ventilation three phase in
cubic meters per minute (m3/min) =
1.732 ( volts ) (amperes )
1718
Ventilationthree
phase
in cubic feet per minute (cfm) =
1.732 ( volts ) (amperes )
48.7
625.52 Ventilation. The ventilation requirement for charging an electric vehicle in an indoor enclosed space shall be
determined by one of the following:
(A) Ventilation Not Required. Where electric vehicle
storage batteries are used or where the electric vehicle supply equipment is listed for charging electric vehicles in-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Engineered Systems. For an electric vehicle supply
equipment ventilation system designed by a person qualified to perform such calculations as an integral part of a
building’s total ventilation system, the minimum ventilation
requirements shall be permitted to be determined in accordance with calculations specified in the engineering study.
70–577
625.52
ARTICLE 625 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
Table 625.52(B)(2) Minimum Ventilation Required in Cubic Feet per Minute (cfm) for Each of the Total Number of Electric
Vehicles That Can Be Charged at One Time
Branch-Circuit Voltage
Single Phase
15
20
30
40
50
60
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
DC Less
Than 50V
15.4
20.4
30.8
41.3
51.3
61.7
102.5
3 Phase
120 V
208 V
240 V or
120/240 V
37
49
74
99
123
148
246
—
—
—
—
—
—
64
85
128
171
214
256
427
—
—
—
—
—
—
74
99
148
197
246
296
493
—
—
—
—
—
—
240 V
480 V or
480Y/277 V
600 V or
600Y/347 V
—
148
222
296
370
444
740
1110
1480
1850
2221
2591
2961
—
171
256
342
427
512
854
1281
1708
2135
2562
2989
3416
—
342
512
683
854
1025
1708
2562
3416
4270
5125
5979
6832
—
427
641
854
1066
1281
2135
3203
4270
5338
6406
7473
8541
the receptacle. Electric vehicle supply equipment supplied
from less than 50V DC shall be marked in accordance with
625.30 and shall be switched, and the mechanical ventilation system shall be electrically interlocked through the
switch supply power to the electric vehicle supply equipment.
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(4) Supply Circuits. The supply circuit to the mechanical
ventilation equipment shall be electrically interlocked with
the electric vehicle supply equipment and shall remain energized during the entire electric vehicle charging cycle.
Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be marked in accordance with 625.15. Electric vehicle supply equipment
receptacles rated at 125 volts, single phase, 15 and 20 amperes shall be marked in accordance with 625.30 and shall
be switched, and the mechanical ventilation system shall be
electrically interlocked through the switch supply power to
208 V or
208Y/120
V
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BranchCircuit
Ampere
Rating
Table 625.52(B)(1) Minimum Ventilation Required in Cubic Meters per Minute (m3/min) for Each of the Total Number of
Electric Vehicles That Can Be Charged at One Time
Branch-Circuit Voltage
Single Phase
BranchCircuit
Ampere
Rating
15
20
30
40
50
60
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70–578
DC Less
Than 50 V
0.5
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.9
3 Phase
120 V
208 V
240 V or
120/240 V
1.1
1.4
2.1
2.8
3.5
4.2
7.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
1.8
2.4
3.6
4.8
6.1
7.3
12
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.1
2.8
4.2
5.6
7.0
8.4
14
—
—
—
—
—
—
208 V or
208Y/120
V
240 V
480 V or
480Y/277 V
600 V or
600Y/347 V
—
4.2
6.3
8.4
10
13
21
31
42
52
63
73
84
—
4.8
7.2
9.7
12
15
24
36
48
60
73
85
97
—
9.7
15
19
24
29
48
73
97
120
145
170
195
—
12
18
24
30
36
60
91
120
150
180
210
240
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 626 — ELECTRIFIED TRUCK PARKING SPACES
I. General
626.1 Scope. The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment external to the truck or
transport refrigerated unit that connect trucks or transport
refrigerated units to a supply of electricity, and the installation of equipment and devices related to electrical installations within an electrified truck parking space.
626.2 Definitions.
Cable Management System. An apparatus designed to
control and organize unused lengths of cable or cord at
electrified truck parking spaces.
Separable Power Supply Cable Assembly. A flexible cord
or cable, including ungrounded, grounded, and equipment
grounding conductors, provided with a cord connector, an
attachment plug, and all other fittings, grommets, or devices installed for the purpose of delivering energy from the
source of electrical supply to the truck or TRU flanged
surface inlet.
Transport Refrigerated Unit (TRU). A trailer or container, with integrated cooling or heating, or both, used for
the purpose of maintaining the desired environment of
temperature-sensitive goods or products.
Truck. A motor vehicle designed for the transportation of
goods, services, and equipment.
Truck Coupler. A truck flanged surface inlet and mating
cord connector.
Truck Flanged Surface Inlet. The device(s) on the truck
into which the connector(s) is inserted to provide electric
energy and other services. This device is part of the truck
coupler. For the purposes of this article, the truck flanged
surface inlet is considered to be part of the truck and not
part of the electrified truck parking space supply equipment.
AF
Cord Connector. A device that, by inserting it into a truck
flanged surface inlet, establishes an electrical connection to
the truck for the purpose of providing power for the onboard electric loads and may provide a means for information exchange. This device is part of the truck coupler.
electrified truck parking spaces, that supports equipment,
appliances, raceway, and other necessary components for
the purpose of supplying electrical, HVAC, internet, communications, and other services to the spaces.
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ARTICLE 626
Electrified Truck Parking Spaces
626.4
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Disconnecting Means, Parking Space. The necessary
equipment usually consisting of a circuit breaker or switch
and fuses, and their accessories, located near the point of
entrance of supply conductors in an electrified truck parking space and intended to constitute the means of cutoff for
the supply to that truck.
Electrified Truck Parking Space. A truck parking space
that has been provided with an electrical system that allows
truck operators to connect their vehicles while stopped and
to use off-board power sources in order to operate on-board
systems such as air conditioning, heating, and appliances,
without any engine idling.
626.3 Other Articles. Wherever the requirements of other
articles of this Code and Article 626 differ, the requirements
of Article 626 shall apply. Unless electrified truck parking
space wiring systems are supported or arranged in such a
manner that they cannot be used in or above locations classified in 511.3 or 514.3, or both, they shall comply with
626.3(A) and (B) in addition to the requirements of this
article.
Informational Note: An electrified truck parking space
also includes dedicated parking areas for heavy-duty trucks
at travel plazas, warehouses, shipper and consignee yards,
depot facilities, and border crossings. It does not include
areas such as the shoulders of highway ramps and access
roads, camping and recreational vehicle sites, residential
and commercial parking areas used for automotive parking
or other areas where ac power is provided solely for the
purpose of connecting automotive and other light electrical
loads, such as engine block heaters, and at private
residences.
(A) Vehicle Repair and Storage Facilities. Electrified
truck parking space electrical wiring systems located at facilities for the repair or storage of self-propelled vehicles
that use volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases for
fuel or power shall comply with Article 511.
Electrified Truck Parking Space Wiring Systems. All of
the electrical wiring, equipment, and appurtenances related
to electrical installations within an electrified truck parking
space, including the electrified parking space supply equipment.
Informational Note: For additional information, see
NFPA 88A-2011, Standard for Parking Structures, and
NFPA 30A-2008, Code for Fuel Dispensing Facilities and
Repair Garages.
626.4 General Requirements.
Overhead Gantry. A structure consisting of horizontal
framework, supported by vertical columns spanning above
(A) Not Covered. The provisions of this article shall not
apply to that portion of other equipment in residential, com-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Motor Fuel Dispensing Stations. Electrified truck
parking space electrical wiring systems located at or serving motor fuel dispensing stations shall comply with Article
514.
70–579
626.5
ARTICLE 626 — ELECTRIFIED TRUCK PARKING SPACES
mercial, or industrial facilities that requires electric power
used to load and unload cargo, operate conveyors, and for
other equipment used on the site or truck.
Table 626.11(B) Demand Factors for Services and Feeders
Demand Factor
(%)
1
70%
2a
67%
(C) Connection to Wiring System. The provisions of this
article shall apply to the electrified truck parking space
supply equipment intended for connection to a wiring system as defined in 626.4(B).
2b
62%
3a
59%
3b
57%
626.5 Electric Vehicle Charging. The equipment located
in the electrified truck parking spaces shall be permitted to
be used for charging electric vehicles. Additional electric
vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be permitted to be
located in these spaces. [ROP 12–79]
4a
55%
4b
51%
5a
47%
5b
43%
6a
39%
6b
34%
(B) Distribution System Voltages. Unless other voltages
are specified, the nominal ac system voltages of 120,
120/240, 208Y/120, 240, or 480Y/277 shall be used to supply equipment covered by this article.
AF
II. Electrified Truck Parking Space Electrical Wiring
Systems
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Climatic Temperature Zone
(USDA Hardiness Zone)
See Note
626.10 Branch Circuits. Electrified truck parking space
single-phase branch circuits shall be derived from a
208Y/120-volt, 3-phase, 4-wire system or a 120/240-volt,
single-phase, 3-wire system.
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Exception: A 120-volt distribution system shall be permitted to supply existing electrified truck parking spaces.
626.11 Feeder and Service Load Calculations.
(A) Parking Space Load. The calculated load of a feeder
or service shall be not less than the sum of the loads on the
branch circuits. Electrical service and feeders shall be calculated on the basis of not less than 11 kVA per electrified
truck parking space.
(B) Demand Factors. Electrified truck parking space electrical wiring system demand factors shall be based upon the
climatic temperature zone in which the equipment is installed. The demand factors set forth in Table 626.11(B)
shall be the minimum allowable demand factors that shall
be permitted for calculating load for service and feeders.
No demand factor shall be allowed for any other load, except as provided in this article.
Informational Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) has developed a commonly used “Plant Hardiness
Zone” map that is publicly available. The map provides
guidance for determining the Climatic Temperature Zone.
Data indicate that the HVAC has the highest power requirement in cold climates, with the heating demand representing the greatest load, which in turn is dependent on outside
temperature. In very warm climates, where no heating load
is necessary, the cooling load increases as the outdoor temperature rises.
70–580
7a
29%
7b
24%
8a
21%
8b
20%
9a
20%
9b
20%
10a
21%
10b
23%
11
24%
Note: The climatic temperature zones shown in Table 626.11(B) correlate with those found on the “USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map,”
and the climatic temperature zone selected for use with the table shall
be determined through the use of this map based on the installation
location.
(C) Two or More Electrified Truck Parking Spaces.
Where the electrified truck parking space wiring system is
in a location that serves two or more electrified truck parking spaces, the equipment for each space shall comply with
626.11(A), and the calculated load shall be calculated on
the basis of each parking space.
(D) Conductor Rating. Truck space branch-circuit supplied loads shall be considered to be continuous.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 626 — ELECTRIFIED TRUCK PARKING SPACES
626.22 Wiring Methods and Materials.
(A) Electrified Truck Parking Space Supply Equipment
Type. The electrified truck parking space supply equipment
shall be provided in one of the following forms:
(1) Pedestal
(2) Overhead gantry
(3) Raised concrete pad
(B) Mounting Height. Post, pedestal, and raised concrete
pad types of electrified truck parking space supply equipment shall be not less than 600 mm (2 ft) aboveground or
above the point identified as the prevailing highest water
level mark or an equivalent benchmark based on seasonal
or storm-driven flooding from the authority having jurisdiction.
(B) Receptacle. All receptacles shall be listed and of the
grounding type. Every truck parking space with electrical
supply shall be equipped with (B)(1) and (B)(2).
(1) A maximum of three receptacles, each 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding type and rated 20 amperes,125 volts, and
two of the three connected to two separate branch circuits.
Informational Note:
For the nonlocking-type and
grounding-type 20-ampere receptacle configuration, see
ANSI/NEMA WD6-2002, Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure 5-20.
(2) One single receptacle, 3-pole, 4-wire grounding type,
single phase rated either 30 amperes 208Y/120 volts or
125/250 volts. The 125/250-volt receptacle shall be
permitted to be used on a 208Y/120-volt, single-phase
circuit.
Informational Note: For various configurations of 30ampere pin and sleeve receptacles, see ANSI/UL1686,
Standard for Pin and Sleeve Configurations, Figure C2.9 or
Part C3.
AF
(C) Access to Working Space. All electrified truck parking space supply equipment shall be accessible by an unobstructed entrance or passageway not less than 600 mm
(2 ft) wide and not less than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) high.
extra-hard service cables or cords. Each connection to the
equipment shall be by a single separable power supply
cable assembly.
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III. Electrified Truck Parking Space Supply
Equipment
626.25
D
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(D) Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting switch or circuit breaker shall be provided to disconnect one or more
electrified truck parking space supply equipment sites from
a remote location. The disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location and shall
be lockable open in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–84]
626.23 Overhead Gantry or Cable Management System.
(A) Cable Management. Electrified truck parking space
equipment provided from either overhead gantry or cable
management systems shall utilize a permanently attached
power supply cable in electrified truck parking space supply equipment. Other cable types and assemblies listed as
being suitable for the purpose, including optional hybrid
communications, signal, and composite optical fiber cables,
shall be permitted.
(B) Strain Relief. Means to prevent strain from being
transmitted to the wiring terminals shall be provided. Permanently attached power supply cable(s) shall be provided
with a means to de-energize the cable conductors and
power service delivery device upon exposure to strain that
could result in either cable damage or separation from the
power service delivery device and exposure of live parts.
626.24 Electrified Truck Parking Space Supply Equipment Connection Means.
(A) General. Each truck shall be supplied from electrified
truck parking space supply equipment through suitable
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: Where electrified truck parking space supply
equipment provides the heating, air-conditioning, and
comfort-cooling function without requiring a direct electrical connection at the truck, only two receptacles identified
in 626.24(B)(1) shall be required. [ROP 12–85]
(C) Disconnecting Means, Parking Space. The electrified
truck parking space supply equipment shall be provided
with a switch or circuit breaker for disconnecting the power
supply to the electrified truck parking space. A disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location and shall be lockable open in accordance
with 110.25. [ROP 12–87]
(D) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. The electrified truck parking space equipment
shall be designed and constructed such that all receptacle
outlets in 626.24 are provided with ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection for personnel.
626.25 Separable Power-Supply Cable Assembly. A
separable power-supply cable assembly, consisting of a
power-supply cord, a cord connector, and an attachment
plug intended for connection with a truck flanged surface
inlet, shall be of a listed type. The power-supply cable
assembly or assemblies shall be identified and be one of the
types and ratings specified in 626.25(A) and (B). Cords
with adapters and pigtail ends, extension cords, and similar
items shall not be used.
(A) Rating(s).
70–581
626.26
ARTICLE 626 — ELECTRIFIED TRUCK PARKING SPACES
Exception: It shall be permitted to use a listed separable
power-supply cable assembly, either hard service or extrahard service and rated 15 amperes, 125 volts, for connection to an engine block heater for legacy vehicles.
(2) Thirty-Ampere Power-Supply Cable Assembly.
Equipment with a 30-ampere, 208Y/120-volt or 125/250volt receptacle, in accordance with 626.24(B)(2), shall use
a listed 30-ampere main power-supply cable assembly.
(B) Power-Supply Cord.
(1) Conductors. The cord shall be a listed type with three
or four conductors, for single-phase connection, one conductor of which shall be identified in accordance with
400.23.
Informational Note: For nonlocking- and grounding-type
15- or 20-ampere plug and receptacle configurations, see
ANSI/NEMA WD6-2002, Standard for Dimensions of Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, Figure 5-15 or 5-20.
(b) Connection to a 30-Ampere Receptacle. A separable power-supply cable assembly for connection to a
truck flanged surface inlet, rated at 30 amperes, shall have
an attachment plug that shall be 3-pole, 4-wire grounding
type rated 30-amperes, 208Y/120 volts or 125/250 volts,
and intended for use with the receptacle in accordance with
626.24(B)(2). The 125/250-volt attachment plug shall be
permitted to be used on a 208Y/120-volt, single-phase circuit.
AF
Exception: It shall be permitted to use a separate listed
three-conductor separable power-supply cable assembly,
one conductor of which shall be identified in accordance
with 400.23 and rated 15 amperes, 125 volts for connection
to an engine block heater for existing vehicles.
(a) Connection to a 20-Ampere Receptacle. A separable power-supply cable assembly for connection to a
truck flanged surface inlet, rated at 20 amperes, shall have a
nonlocking-type attachment plug that shall be 2-pole,
3-wire grounding type rated 20 amperes, 125 volts and
intended for use with the 20-ampere, 125-volt receptacle.
Exception: A separable power-supply cable assembly,
rated 15 amperes, provided for the connection of an engine
block heater, only, shall have an attachment plug that shall
be 2-pole, 3-wire grounding type rated 15 amperes, 125
volts.
T
(1) Twenty-Ampere Power-Supply Cable Assembly.
Equipment with a 20-ampere, 125-volt receptacle, in accordance with 626.24(B)(1), shall use a listed 20-ampere
power-supply cable assembly.
D
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(2) Cord. Extra-hard usage flexible cords and cables rated
not less than 90°C (194°F), 600 volts; listed for both wet
locations and sunlight resistance; and having an outer
jacket rated to be resistant to temperature extremes, oil,
gasoline, ozone, abrasion, acids, and chemicals shall be
permitted where flexibility is necessary between the electrified truck parking space supply equipment, the panel board
and flanged surface inlet(s) on the truck.
Exception: Cords for the separable power supply cable
assembly for 15- and 20-ampere connections shall be permitted to be a hard service type.
(3) Cord Overall Length. The exposed cord length shall
be measured from the face of the attachment plug to the
point of entrance to the truck or the face of the flanged
surface inlet or to the point where the cord enters the truck.
The overall length of the cable shall not exceed 7.5 m
(25 ft) unless equipped with a cable management system
that is listed as suitable for the purpose.
(4) Attachment Plug. The attachment plug(s) shall be
listed, by itself or as part of a cord set, for the purpose and
shall be molded to or installed on the flexible cord so that it
is secured tightly to the cord at the point where the cord
enters the attachment plug. If a right-angle cap is used, the
configuration shall be oriented so that the grounding member is farthest from the cord. Where a flexible cord is provided, the attachment plug shall comply with 250.138(A).
70–582
Informational Note: For various configurations of 30ampere pin and sleeve plugs, see ANSI/UL1686, Standard
for Pin and Sleeve Configurations, Figure C2.10 or Part C3.
(5) Cord Connector. The cord connector for a separable
power-supply cable assembly, as specified in 626.25(A)(1),
shall be a 2-pole, 3-wire grounding type rated 20 amperes,
125 volts. The cord connector for a separable power-supply
cable assembly, as specified in 626.25(A)(2), shall be a
3-pole, 4-wire grounding type rated 30 amperes, 208Y/120
volts or 125/250 volts. The 125/250-volt cord connector
shall be permitted to be used on a 208Y/120-volt, singlephase circuit.
Exception: The cord connector for a separable power supply cable assembly, rated 15 amperes, provided for the connection of an engine block heater for existing vehicles,
shall have an attachment plug that shall be 2-pole, 3-wire
grounding type rated 15 amperes, 125 volts.
Informational Note: For various configurations of 30ampere cord connectors, see ANSI/UL1686 Standard for
Pin and Sleeve Configurations, Figure C2.9 or Part C3.
626.26 Loss of Primary Power. Means shall be provided
such that, upon loss of voltage from the utility or other
electric supply system(s), energy cannot be back-fed
through the truck and the truck supply equipment to the
electrified truck parking space wiring system unless permitted by 626.27.
626.27 Interactive Systems. Electrified truck parking
space supply equipment and other parts of a system, either
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 626 — ELECTRIFIED TRUCK PARKING SPACES
IV. Transport Refrigerated Units (TRUs)
626.30 Transport Refrigerated Units. Electrified truck
parking spaces intended to supply transport refrigerated
units (TRUs) shall include an individual branch circuit and
receptacle for operation of the refrigeration/heating units.
The receptacle associated with the TRUs shall be provided
in addition to the receptacles required in 626.24(B).
(A) Branch Circuits. TRU spaces shall be supplied from
208-volt, 3-phase or 480-volt, 3-phase branch circuits and
with an equipment grounding conductor.
626.32 Separable Power Supply Cable Assembly. A
separable power supply cable assembly, consisting of a
cord with an attachment plug and cord connector, shall be
one of the types and ratings specified in 626.32(A), (B),
and (C). Cords with adapters and pigtail ends, extension
cords, and similar items shall not be used.
(A) Rating(s). The power supply cable assembly shall be
listed and be rated in accordance with (1) or (2).
(1) 30 ampere, 480-volt, 3-phase
(2) 60 ampere, 208-volt, 3-phase
(B) Cord Assemblies. The cord shall be a listed type with
four conductors, for 3-phase connection, one of which shall
be identified in accordance with 400.23 for use as the
equipment grounding conductor. Extra-hard usage cables
rated not less than 90°C (194°F), 600 volts, listed for both
wet locations and sunlight resistance, and having an outer
jacket rated to be resistant to temperature extremes, oil,
gasoline, ozone, abrasion, acids, and chemicals, shall be
permitted where flexibility is necessary between the electrified truck parking space supply equipment and the inlet(s)
on the TRU.
AF
(B) Electrified Truck Parking Space Supply Equipment. The electrified truck parking space supply equipment, or portion thereof, providing electric power for the
operation of TRUs shall be independent of the loads in Part
III of Article 626.
tions, Figure C2.11. For various configurations of 60ampere pin and sleeve receptacles, see ANSI/UL1686.
T
on-board or off-board the vehicle, that are identified for and
intended to be interconnected to a vehicle and also serve as
an optional standby system or an electric power production
source or provide for bi-directional power feed shall be
listed as suitable for that purpose. When used as an optional
standby system, the requirements of Article 702 shall apply,
and when used as an electric power production source, the
requirements of Article 705 shall apply.
626.32
626.31 Disconnecting Means and Receptacles.
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(A) Disconnecting Means. Disconnecting means shall be
provided to isolate each refrigerated unit from its supply
connection. A disconnecting means shall be provided and
installed in a readily accessible location and shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–90]
(B) Location. The disconnecting means shall be readily
accessible, located not more than 750 mm (30 in.) from the
receptacle it controls, and located in the supply circuit
ahead of the receptacle. Circuit breakers or switches located in power outlets complying with this section shall be
permitted as the disconnecting means.
(C) Receptacles. All receptacles shall be listed and of the
grounding type. Every electrified truck parking space intended to provide an electrical supply for transport refrigerated units shall be equipped with one or both of the following:
(1) A 30-ampere, 480-volt, 3-phase, 3-pole, 4-wire receptacle
(2) A 60-ampere, 208-volt, 3-phase, 3-pole, 4-wire
receptacle
Informational Note: Complete details of the 30-ampere
pin and sleeve receptacle configuration for refrigerated containers (transport refrigerated units) can be found in
ANSI/UL1686, Standard for Pin and Sleeve Configura-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Attachment Plug(s) and Cord Connector(s). Where
a flexible cord is provided with an attachment plug and
cord connector, they shall comply with 250.138(A). The
attachment plug(s) and cord connector(s) shall be listed, by
itself or as part of the power-supply cable assembly, for the
purpose and shall be molded to or installed on the flexible
cord so that it is secured tightly to the cord at the point
where the cord enters the attachment plug or cord connector. If a right-angle cap is used, the configuration shall be
oriented so that the grounding member is farthest from the
cord. An attachment plug and cord connector for the connection of a truck or trailer shall be rated in accordance
with (1) or (2) as follows:
(1) 30-ampere, 480-volt, 3-phase, 3-pole, 4-wire and intended for use with a 30-ampere 480-volt, 3-phase,
3-pole, 4-wire receptacles and inlets, respectively, or
(2) 60-ampere, 208-volt, 3-phase, 3-pole, 4-wire and intended for use with a 60-ampere, 208-volt, 3-phase,
3-pole, 4-wire receptacles and inlets, respectively.
Informational Note: Complete details of the 30-ampere
pin and sleeve attachment plug and cord connector configurations for refrigerated containers (transport refrigerated
units) can be found in ANSI/UL1686, Standard for Pin and
Sleeve Configurations, Figures C2.12 and C2.11. For various configurations of 60-ampere pin and sleeve attachment
plugs and cord connectors, see ANSI/UL1686.
70–583
630.1
ARTICLE 630 — ELECTRIC WELDERS
Informational Note: Duty cycle considers welder loading
based on the use to be made of each welder and the number
of welders supplied by the conductors that will be in use at
the same time. The load value used for each welder considers both the magnitude and the duration of the load while
the welder is in use.
ARTICLE 630
Electric Welders
I. General
II. Arc Welders
630.11 Ampacity of Supply Conductors. The ampacity of
conductors for arc welders shall be in accordance with
630.11(A) and (B).
(A) For Welders. Each welder shall have overcurrent protection rated or set at not more than 200 percent of I1max.
Alternatively, if the I1max is not given, the overcurrent protection shall be rated or set at not more than 200 percent of
the rated primary current of the welder.
An overcurrent device shall not be required for a welder
that has supply conductors protected by an overcurrent device rated or set at not more than 200 percent of I1max or at
the rated primary current of the welder.
If the supply conductors for a welder are protected by
an overcurrent device rated or set at not more than 200 percent of I1max or at the rated primary current of the welder, a
separate overcurrent device shall not be required.
AF
(A) Individual Welders. The ampacity of the supply conductors shall be not less than the I1eff value on the rating
plate. Alternatively, if the I1eff is not given, the ampacity of
the supply conductors shall not be less than the current
value determined by multiplying the rated primary current
in amperes given on the welder rating plate by the factor
shown in Table 630.11(A) based on the duty cycle of the
welder.
630.12 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
for arc welders shall be as provided in 630.12(A) and (B).
Where the values as determined by this section do not correspond to the standard ampere ratings provided in 240.6 or
where the rating or setting specified results in unnecessary
opening of the overcurrent device, the next higher standard
rating or setting shall be permitted.
T
630.1 Scope. This article covers apparatus for electric arc
welding, resistance welding, plasma cutting, and other
similar welding and cutting process equipment that is connected to an electrical supply system.
Table 630.11(A) Duty Cycle Multiplication Factors for Arc
Welders
Duty Cycle
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20 or less
D
R
Multiplier for Arc Welders
Nonmotor
Generator
Motor
Generator
1.00
0.95
0.89
0.84
0.78
0.71
0.63
0.55
0.45
1.00
0.96
0.91
0.86
0.81
0.75
0.69
0.62
0.55
(B) Group of Welders. Minimum conductor ampacity
shall be based on the individual currents determined in
630.11(A) as the sum of 100 percent of the two largest
welders, plus 85 percent of the third largest welder, plus
70 percent of the fourth largest welder, plus 60 percent of
all remaining welders.
Exception: Percentage values lower than those given in
630.11(B) shall be permitted in cases where the work is
such that a high-operating duty cycle for individual welders
is impossible.
70–584
(B) For Conductors. Conductors that supply one or more
welders shall be protected by an overcurrent device rated or
set at not more than 200 percent of the conductor ampacity.
Informational Note: I1max is the maximum value of the
rated supply current at maximum rated output. I1eff is the
maximum value of the effective supply current, calculated
from the rated supply current (I1), the corresponding duty
cycle (duty factor) (X), and the supply current at no-load
(I0) by the following equation:
I 1eff = I 12X + I 02 (1 − X )
630.13 Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means
shall be provided in the supply circuit for each arc welder
that is not equipped with a disconnect mounted as an integral part of the welder and be marked to identify what it
disconnects. [ROP 12–93]
The disconnecting means shall be a switch or circuit
breaker, and its rating shall be not less than that necessary
to accommodate overcurrent protection as specified under
630.12.
630.14 Marking. A rating plate shall be provided for arc
welders giving the following information:
(1) Name of manufacturer
(2) Frequency
(3) Number of phases
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
630.34
ARTICLE 630 — ELECTRIC WELDERS
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Primary voltage
I1max and I1eff, or rated primary current
Maximum open-circuit voltage
Rated secondary current
Basis of rating, such as the duty cycle
Table 630.31(A)(2) Duty Cycle Multiplication Factors for
Resistance Welders
630.15 Grounding of Welder Secondary Circuit. The
secondary circuit conductors of an arc welder, consisting of
the electrode conductor and the work conductor, shall not
be considered as premises wiring for the purpose of applying Article 250.
III. Resistance Welders
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
7.5
5 or less
0.71
0.63
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.39
0.32
0.27
0.22
(3) The duty cycle is the percentage of the time during
which the welder is loaded. For instance, a spot welder
supplied by a 60-Hz system (216,000 cycles per hour)
and making 400 15-cycle welds per hour would have a
duty cycle of 2.8 percent (400 multiplied by 15, divided by 216,000, multiplied by 100). A seam welder
operating 2 cycles “on” and 2 cycles “off” would have
a duty cycle of 50 percent.
630.32 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
for resistance welders shall be as provided in 630.32(A)
and (B). Where the values as determined by this section do
not correspond with the standard ampere ratings provided
in 240.6 or where the rating or setting specified results in
unnecessary opening of the overcurrent device, a higher
rating or setting that does not exceed the next higher standard ampere rating shall be permitted.
AF
630.31 Ampacity of Supply Conductors. The ampacity
of the supply conductors for resistance welders necessary to
limit the voltage drop to a value permissible for the satisfactory performance of the welder is usually greater than
that required to prevent overheating as covered in
630.31(A) and (B).
Multiplier
T
Informational Note: Connecting welder secondary circuits
to grounded objects can create parallel paths and can cause
objectionable current over equipment grounding
conductors.
Duty Cycle
(%)
D
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(A) Individual Welders. The rated ampacity for conductors for individual welders shall comply with the following:
(1) The ampacity of the supply conductors for a welder
that may be operated at different times at different values of primary current or duty cycle shall not be less
than 70 percent of the rated primary current for seam
and automatically fed welders, and 50 percent of the
rated primary current for manually operated nonautomatic welders.
(2) The ampacity of the supply conductors for a welder
wired for a specific operation for which the actual primary current and duty cycle are known and remain
unchanged shall not be less than the product of the
actual primary current and the multiplier specified in
Table 630.31(A)(2) for the duty cycle at which the
welder will be operated.
(B) Groups of Welders. The ampacity of conductors that
supply two or more welders shall not be less than the sum
of the value obtained in accordance with 630.31(A) for the
largest welder supplied and 60 percent of the values obtained for all the other welders supplied.
Informational Note: Explanation of Terms
(1) The rated primary current is the rated kilovolt-amperes
(kVA) multiplied by 1000 and divided by the rated
primary voltage, using values given on the nameplate.
(2) The actual primary current is the current drawn from
the supply circuit during each welder operation at the
particular heat tap and control setting used.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) For Welders. Each welder shall have an overcurrent
device rated or set at not more than 300 percent of the rated
primary current of the welder. If the supply conductors for
a welder are protected by an overcurrent device rated or set
at not more than 200 percent of the rated primary current of
the welder, a separate overcurrent device shall not be required.
(B) For Conductors. Conductors that supply one or more
welders shall be protected by an overcurrent device rated or
set at not more than 300 percent of the conductor ampacity.
630.33 Disconnecting Means. A switch or circuit breaker
shall be provided by which each resistance welder and its
control equipment can be disconnected from the supply
circuit. The ampere rating of this disconnecting means shall
not be less than the supply conductor ampacity determined
in accordance with 630.31. The supply circuit switch shall
be permitted as the welder disconnecting means where the
circuit supplies only one welder.
630.34 Marking. A nameplate shall be provided for each
resistance welder, giving the following information:
(1) Name of manufacturer
70–585
630.41
ARTICLE 640 — AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AMPLIFICATION, AND REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Frequency
Primary voltage
Rated kilovolt-amperes (kVA) at 50 percent duty cycle
Maximum and minimum open-circuit secondary voltage
(6) Short-circuit secondary current at maximum secondary
voltage
(7) Specified throat and gap setting
aters, stadiums, and movie and television studios.
Temporary installations include, but are not limited to, auditoriums, theaters, stadiums (which use both temporary
and permanently installed systems), and outdoor events
such as fairs, festivals, circuses, public events, and
concerts.
[ROP 12–93a]
(B) Not Covered. . This article does not cover the installation and wiring of fire and burglary alarm signaling devices. [ROP 12–93a]
IV. Welding Cable
630.42 Installation. Cables shall be permitted to be installed in a dedicated cable tray as provided in 630.42(A),
(B), and (C).
(A) Cable Support. The cable tray shall provide support
at not greater than 150-mm (6-in.) intervals.
Abandoned Audio Distribution Cable. Installed audio
distribution cable that is not terminated at equipment and
not identified for future use with a tag.
Audio Amplifier or Pre-Amplifier. Electronic equipment
that increases the current or voltage potential, or both, of an
audio signal intended for use by another piece of audio
equipment. Amplifier is the term used to denote an audio
amplifier within this article. [ROP 12–94]
AF
(B) Spread of Fire and Products of Combustion. The
installation shall comply with 300.21.
640.2 Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply.
T
630.41 Conductors. Insulation of conductors intended for
use in the secondary circuit of electric welders shall be
flame retardant.
(C) Signs. A permanent sign shall be attached to the cable
tray at intervals not greater than 6.0 m (20 ft). The sign
shall read as follows:
D
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CABLE TRAY FOR WELDING CABLES ONLY
ARTICLE 640
Audio Signal Processing, Amplification,
and Reproduction Equipment
I. General
640.1 Scope.
(A) Covered. This article covers equipment and wiring for
audio signal generation, recording, processing, amplification, and reproduction; distribution of sound; public address; speech input systems; temporary audio system installations; and electronic organs or other electronic musical
instruments. This also includes audio systems subject to
Article 517, Part VI, and Articles 518, 520, 525, and 530.
[ROP 12–93a]
Informational Note: Examples of permanently installed
distributed audio system locations include, but are not limited to, restaurant, hotel, business office, commercial and
retail sales environments, churches, and schools. Both portable and permanently installed equipment locations include, but are not limited to, residences, auditoriums, the-
70–586
Audio Autotransformer. A transformer with a single
winding and multiple taps intended for use with an amplifier loudspeaker signal output.
Audio Signal Processing Equipment. Electrically operated equipment that produces, processes, or both, electronic
signals that, when appropriately amplified and reproduced
by a loudspeaker, produce an acoustic signal within the
range of normal human hearing (typically 20–20 kHz).
Within this article, the terms equipment and audio equipment are assumed to be equivalent to audio signal processing equipment.
Informational Note: This equipment includes, but is not
limited to, loudspeakers; headphones; pre-amplifiers; microphones and their power supplies; mixers; MIDI (musical
instrument digital interface) equipment or other digital control systems; equalizers, compressors, and other audio signal processing equipment; and audio media recording and
playback equipment, including turntables, tape decks and
disk players (audio and multimedia), synthesizers, tone
generators, and electronic organs. Electronic organs and
synthesizers may have integral or separate amplification
and loudspeakers. With the exception of amplifier outputs,
virtually all such equipment is used to process signals (utilizing analog or digital techniques) that have nonhazardous
levels of voltage or current potential.
Audio System. Within this article, the totality of all equipment and interconnecting wiring used to fabricate a fully
functional audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction system.
Audio Transformer. A transformer with two or more electrically isolated windings and multiple taps intended for use
with an amplifier loudspeaker signal output.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 640 — AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AMPLIFICATION, AND REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Informational Note: See ANSI/EIA/310-D-1992, Cabinets, Racks, Panels and Associated Equipment. [ROP
12–97]
Loudspeaker. Equipment that converts an ac electric signal
into an acoustic signal. The term speaker is commonly used
to mean loudspeaker.
Maximum Output Power. The maximum power delivered
by an amplifier into its rated load as determined under
specified test conditions. [ROP 12–99]
Informational Note: The maximum output power can exceed the manufacturer’s rated output power for the same
amplifier. [ROP 12–99]
Mixer. Equipment used to combine and level match a multiplicity of electronic signals, such as from microphones,
electronic instruments, and recorded audio.
[ROP 12–100]
(C) Cable Trays. Cable trays shall be used in accordance
with Article 392.
Informational Note: See 725.154(C) for the use of Class 2,
Class 3, and Type PLTC cable in cable trays.
(D) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Equipment used in
hazardous (classified) locations shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.
(E) Assembly Occupancies. Equipment used in assembly
occupancies shall comply with Article 518.
(F) Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion Picture and
Television Studios, and Similar Locations. Equipment
used in theaters, audience areas of motion picture and television studios, and similar locations shall comply with Article 520.
(G) Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar Events.
Equipment used in carnivals, circuses, fairs, and similar
events shall comply with Article 525.
AF
Portable Equipment. Equipment fed with portable cords
or cables intended to be moved from one place to another.
[ROP 12–102, ROP 12–103]
Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in AirHandling Spaces, to be installed in other spaces used for
environmental air (ceiling cavity plenums). [ROP 12–19]
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Equipment Rack. A framework for the support, enclosure,
or both, of equipment; may be portable or stationary. .
640.3
Rated Output Power. The amplifier manufacturer’s stated
or marked output power capability into its rated load.
[ROP 12–105]
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Technical Power System. An electrical distribution system
with grounding in accordance with 250.146(D), where the
equipment grounding conductor is isolated from the premises grounded conductor except at a single grounded termination point within a branch-circuit panelboard, at the
originating (main breaker) branch-circuit panelboard, or at
the premises grounding electrode.
Temporary Equipment. Portable wiring and equipment
intended for use with events of a transient or temporary
nature where all equipment is presumed to be removed at
the conclusion of the event.
640.3 Locations and Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with 640.3(A) through (M), as applicable.
(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Section
300.21 shall apply.
(B) Ducts, Plenums, and Other Air-Handling Spaces.
See 300.22 for circuits and equipment installed in ducts or
plenums or other space used for environmental air.
Informational Note: NFPA 90A-2009, Standard for the
Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems,
4.3.10.2.6.5, permits loudspeakers, loudspeaker assemblies,
and their accessories listed in accordance with UL 20432008, Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(H) Motion Picture and Television Studios. Equipment
used in motion picture and television studios shall comply
with Article 530.
(I) Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar Locations.
Audio equipment used in or near swimming pools, fountains, and similar locations shall comply with Article 680.
(J) Combination Systems. Where the authority having jurisdiction permits audio systems for paging or music, or
both, to be combined with fire alarm systems, the wiring
shall comply with Article 760.
Informational Note: For installation requirements for such
combination systems, refer to NFPA 72-2010, National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code, and NFPA 101-2009, Life
Safety Code.
(K) Antennas. Equipment used in audio systems that contain an audio or video tuner and an antenna input shall
comply with Article 810. Wiring other than antenna wiring
that connects such equipment to other audio equipment
shall comply with this article.
(L) Generators. Generators shall be installed in accordance with 445.10 through 445.12, 445.14 through 445.16,
and 445.18. Grounding of portable and vehicle-mounted
generators shall be in accordance with 250.34.
(M) Organ Pipes. Additions of pipe organ pipes to an
electronic organ shall be in accordance with 650.4 through
650.8.
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ARTICLE 640 — AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AMPLIFICATION, AND REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
640.4 Protection of Electrical Equipment. Amplifiers,
loudspeakers, and other equipment shall be so located or
protected as to guard against environmental exposure or
physical damage, such as might result in fire, shock, or
personal hazard.
640.5 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to equipment shall not
be denied by an accumulation of wires and cables that
prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling
panels.
(B) Separately Derived Systems with 60 Volts to
Ground. Grounding of separately derived systems with 60
volts to ground shall be in accordance with 647.6.
(C) Isolated Ground Receptacles. Isolated groundingtype receptacles shall be permitted as described in
250.146(D), and for the implementation of other technical
power systems in compliance with Article 250. For separately derived systems with 60 volts to ground, the branchcircuit equipment grounding conductor shall be terminated
as required in 647.6(B).
Informational Note: See 406.3(D) for grounding-type receptacles and required identification.
640.6 Mechanical Execution of Work.
(A) Neat and Workmanlike Manner. Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment, cables,
and circuits shall be installed in a neat workmanlike manner.
640.9 Wiring Methods.
(A) Wiring to and Between Audio Equipment.
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(B) Installation of Audio Distribution Cables. Cables installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls
shall be supported in such a manner that the audio distribution cables will not be damaged by normal building use.
Such cables shall be secured by straps, staples, cable ties,
hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not
to damage the cable. The installation shall conform to
300.4 and 300.11(A).
640.8 Grouping of Conductors. Insulated conductors of
different systems grouped or bundled so as to be in close
physical contact with each other in the same raceway or
other enclosure, or in portable cords or cables, shall comply
with 300.3(C)(1).
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640.4
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(C) Abandoned Audio Distribution Cables. The accessible portion of abandoned audio distribution cables shall
be removed.
(D) Installed Audio Distribution Cable Identified for
Future Use.
(1) Cables identified for future use shall be marked with a
tag of sufficient durability to withstand the environment
involved.
(2)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Cable tags shall have the following information:
Date cable was identified for future use
Date of intended use
Information related to the intended future use of cable
640.7 Grounding.
(A) General. Wireways and auxiliary gutters shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor(s), to an
equipment bonding jumper, or to the grounded conductor
where permitted or required by 250.92(B)(1) or 250.142.
Where the wireway or auxiliary gutter does not contain
power-supply wires, the equipment grounding conductor
shall not be required to be larger than 14 AWG copper or its
equivalent. Where the wireway or auxiliary gutter contains
power-supply wires, the equipment grounding conductor
shall not be smaller than specified in 250.122.
70–588
(1) Power Wiring. Wiring and equipment from source of
power to and between devices connected to the premises
wiring systems shall comply with the requirements of
Chapters 1 through 4, except as modified by this article.
(2) Separately Derived Power Systems. Separately derived systems shall comply with the applicable articles of
this Code, except as modified by this article. Separately
derived systems with 60 volts to ground shall be permitted
for use in audio system installations as specified in Article
647.
(3) Other Wiring. All wiring not connected to the premises wiring system or to a wiring system separately derived from the premises wiring system shall comply with
Article 725.
(B) Auxiliary Power Supply Wiring. Equipment that has
a separate input for an auxiliary power supply shall be
wired in compliance with Article 725. Battery installation
shall be in accordance with Article 480. This section shall
not apply to the use of uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
equipment, or other sources of supply, that are intended to
act as a direct replacement for the primary circuit power
source and are connected to the primary circuit input.
Informational Note: Refer to NFPA 72-2010, National
Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, where equipment is used
for a fire alarm system.
(C) Output Wiring and Listing of Amplifiers. Amplifiers
with output circuits carrying audio program signals shall be
permitted to employ Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 wiring
where the amplifier is listed and marked for use with the
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ARTICLE 640 — AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AMPLIFICATION, AND REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Informational Note No. 1: ANSI/UL 1711-2006, Amplifiers for Fire Protective Signaling Systems, contains requirements for the listing of amplifiers used for fire alarm systems in compliance with NFPA 72-2010, National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code. [ROP 12–19]
(B) Equipment Not Supplied by Branch-Circuit Power.
Audio system equipment powered by a listed Class 2 power
supply or by the output of an amplifier listed as permitting
the use of Class 2 wiring shall be restricted in placement
only by the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Informational Note: See 640.10(A) for placement of the
power supply or amplifier, if supplied by branch-circuit
power. [ROP 12–107a]
II. Permanent Audio System Installations
640.21 Use of Flexible Cords and Cables.
(A) Between Equipment and Branch-Circuit Power.
Power supply cords for audio equipment shall be suitable
for the use and shall be permitted to be used where the
interchange, maintenance, or repair of such equipment is
facilitated through the use of a power-supply cord.
(B) Between Loudspeakers and Amplifiers or Between
Loudspeakers. Cables used to connect loudspeakers to
each other or to an amplifier shall comply with Article 725.
Other listed cable types and assemblies, including optional
hybrid communications, signal, and composite optical fiber
cables, shall be permitted.
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Informational Note No. 2: Examples of requirements for
listing amplifiers used in residential, commercial, and professional use are found in ANSI/UL 813-1996, Commercial
Audio Equipment; ANSI/UL 1419-2011, Professional Video
and Audio Equipment; ANSI/UL 1492-2010, Audio-Video
Products and Accessories; and ANSI/UL 6500-2006,
Audio/Video and Musical Instrument Apparatus for Household, Commercial, and Similar Use. [ROP 12–19]
tected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter where required
by other articles. [ROP 12–107]
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specific class of wiring method. Such listing shall ensure
the energy output is equivalent to the shock and fire risk of
the same class as stated in Article 725. Overcurrent protection shall be provided and shall be permitted to be inherent
in the amplifier.
Audio amplifier output circuits wired using Class 1 wiring methods shall be considered equivalent to Class 1 circuits and shall be installed in accordance with 725.46,
where applicable.
Audio amplifier output circuits wired using Class 2 or
Class 3 wiring methods shall be considered equivalent to
Class 2 or Class 3 circuits, respectively. They shall use
conductors insulated at not less than the requirements of
725.179 and shall be installed in accordance with 725.133
and 725.154.
640.21
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(D) Use of Audio Transformers and Autotransformers.
Audio transformers and autotransformers shall be used only
for audio signals in a manner so as not to exceed the manufacturer’s stated input or output voltage, impedance, or
power limitations. The input or output wires of an audio
transformer or autotransformer shall be allowed to connect
directly to the amplifier or loudspeaker terminals. No electrical terminal or lead shall be required to be grounded or
bonded.
640.10 Audio Systems Near Bodies of Water. Audio systems near bodies of water, either natural or artificial, shall
be subject to the restrictions specified in 640.10(A) and (B).
Exception: This section does not include audio systems
intended for use on boats, yachts, or other forms of land or
water transportation used near bodies of water, whether or
not supplied by branch-circuit power.
Informational Note: See 680.27(A) for installation of underwater audio equipment.
(A) Equipment Supplied by Branch-Circuit Power. Audio system equipment supplied by branch-circuit power
shall not be placed horizontally within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the
inside wall of a pool, spa, hot tub, or fountain, or within 1.5
m (5 ft) of the prevailing or tidal high water mark. The
equipment shall be provided with branch-circuit power pro-
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(C) Between Equipment. Cables used for the distribution
of audio signals between equipment shall comply with Article 725. Other listed cable types and assemblies, including
optional hybrid communications, signal, and composite optical fiber cables, shall be permitted. Other cable types and
assemblies specified by the equipment manufacturer as acceptable for the use shall be permitted in accordance with
110.3(B).
(D) Between Equipment and Power Supplies Other
Than Branch-Circuit Power. The following power supplies, other than branch-circuit power supplies, shall be installed and wired between equipment in accordance with
the requirements of this Code for the voltage and power
delivered:
(1) Storage batteries
(2) Transformers
(3) Transformer rectifiers
(4) Other ac or dc power supplies
Informational Note: For some equipment, these sources
such as in items (1) and (2) serve as the only source of
power. These could, in turn, be supplied with intermittent
or continuous branch-circuit power.
(E) Between Equipment Racks and Premises Wiring
System. Flexible cords and cables shall be permitted for the
electrical connection of permanently installed equipment
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ARTICLE 640 — AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AMPLIFICATION, AND REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
racks to the premises wiring system to facilitate access to
equipment or for the purpose of isolating the technical
power system of the rack from the premises ground. Connection shall be made either by using approved plugs and
receptacles or by direct connection within an approved enclosure. Flexible cords and cables shall not be subjected to
physical manipulation or abuse while the rack is in use.
640.41 Multipole Branch-Circuit Cable Connectors.
Multipole branch-circuit cable connectors, male and female, for power-supply cords and cables shall be so constructed that tension on the cord or cable is not transmitted
to the connections. The female half shall be attached to the
load end of the power supply cord or cable. The connector
shall be rated in amperes and designed so that differently
rated devices cannot be connected together. Alternatingcurrent multipole connectors shall be polarized and comply
with 406.7(A) and (B) and 406.10. Alternating-current or
direct-current multipole connectors utilized for connection
between loudspeakers and amplifiers, or between loudspeakers, shall not be compatible with nonlocking 15- or
20-ampere rated connectors intended for branch-circuit
power or with connectors rated 250 volts or greater and of
either the locking or nonlocking type. Signal cabling not
intended for such loudspeaker and amplifier interconnection shall not be permitted to be compatible with multipole
branch-circuit cable connectors of any accepted configuration.
AF
640.22 Wiring of Equipment Racks and Enclosures.
Metal equipment racks and enclosures shall be grounded.
Bonding shall not be required if the rack is connected to a
technical power ground.
Equipment racks shall be wired in a neat and workmanlike manner. Wires, cables, structural components, or other
equipment shall not be placed in such a manner as to prevent reasonable access to equipment power switches and
resettable or replaceable circuit overcurrent protection devices.
Supply cords or cables, if used, shall terminate within
the equipment rack enclosure in an identified connector
assembly. The supply cords or cable (and connector assembly if used) shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the total
load connected to the equipment rack and shall be protected
by overcurrent devices.
III. Portable and Temporary Audio System
Installations
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640.22
Informational Note: See 400.10 for pull at terminals.
640.42 Use of Flexible Cords and Cables.
640.23 Conduit or Tubing.
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(A) Number of Conductors. The number of conductors
permitted in a single conduit or tubing shall not exceed the
percentage fill specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.
(B) Nonmetallic Conduit or Tubing and
Bushings. The use of nonmetallic conduit or
insulating bushings shall be permitted where
power system is employed and shall comply
cable articles.
Insulating
tubing and
a technical
with appli-
640.24 Wireways, Gutters, and Auxiliary Gutters. The
use of metallic and nonmetallic wireways, gutters, and auxiliary gutters shall be permitted for use with audio signal
conductors and shall comply with applicable articles with
respect to permitted locations, construction, and fill.
640.25 Loudspeaker Installation in Fire ResistanceRated Partitions, Walls, and Ceilings. Loudspeakers installed in a fire resistance-rated partition, wall, or ceiling
shall be listed for that purpose or installed in an enclosure
or recess that maintains the fire resistance rating.
Informational Note: Fire-rated construction is the fireresistive classification used in building codes. One method
of determining fire rating is testing in accordance with
NFPA 256-2003, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Roof
Coverings.
70–590
(A) Between Equipment and Branch-Circuit Power.
Power supply cords for audio equipment shall be listed and
shall be permitted to be used where the interchange, maintenance, or repair of such equipment is facilitated through
the use of a power-supply cord.
(B) Between Loudspeakers and Amplifiers, or Between
Loudspeakers. Flexible cords and cables used to connect
loudspeakers to each other or to an amplifier shall comply
with Article 400 and Article 725, respectively. Cords and
cables listed for portable use, either hard or extra-hard usage as defined by Article 400, shall also be permitted. Other
listed cable types and assemblies, including optional hybrid
communications, signal, and optical fiber cables, shall be
permitted.
(C) Between Equipment and/or Between Equipment
Racks. Flexible cords and cables used for the distribution
of audio signals between equipment shall comply with Article 400 and Article 725, respectively. Cords and cables
listed for portable use, either hard or extra-hard service as
defined by Article 400, shall also be permitted. Other listed
cable types and assemblies, including optional hybrid communications, signal, and optical fiber cables, shall be permitted.
(D) Between Equipment, Equipment Racks, and Power
Supplies Other Than Branch-Circuit Power. Wiring between the following power supplies, other than branch-
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645.2
ARTICLE 645 — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
(E) Between Equipment Racks and Branch-Circuit
Power. The supply to a portable equipment rack shall be by
means of listed extra-hard usage cords or cables, as defined
in Table 400.4. For outdoor portable or temporary use, the
cords or cables shall be further listed as being suitable for
wet locations and sunlight resistant. Sections 520.5, 520.10,
and 525.3 shall apply as appropriate when the following
conditions exist:
(1) Where equipment racks include audio and lighting
and/or power equipment
(2) When using or constructing cable extensions, adapters,
and breakout assemblies
ARTICLE 645
Information Technology Equipment
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 75-2009, Standard
for the Protection of Information Technology Equipment.
Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to
make it consistent with this Code.
I. General
[ROP 12–109, ROP 12–110a, ROP 12–111, ROP 12–112,
ROP 12–114, ROP 12–138, ROP 12–139, ROP 12–143,
ROp 12–142, ROP 12–27, ROP 12–128, ROP 12–131,
ROP 12–19, ROP 12–134, ROP 12–132, ROP 12–137,
ROP 12–147]
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640.43 Wiring of Equipment Racks. Equipment racks
fabricated of metal l be grounded. Nonmetallic racks with
covers (if provided) removed shall not allow access to
Class 1, Class 3, or primary circuit power without the removal of covers over terminals or the use of tools.
Equipment racks shall be wired in a neat and workmanlike manner. Wires, cables, structural components, or other
equipment shall not be placed in such a manner as to prevent reasonable access to equipment power switches and
resettable or replaceable circuit overcurrent protection devices.
Wiring that exits the equipment rack for connection to
other equipment or to a power supply shall be relieved of
strain or otherwise suitably terminated such that a pull on
the flexible cord or cable will not increase the risk of damage to the cable or connected equipment such as to cause an
unreasonable risk of fire or electric shock.
640.46 Equipment Access. Equipment likely to present a
risk of fire, electric shock, or physical injury to the public
shall be protected by barriers or supervised by qualified
personnel so as to prevent public access.
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circuit power supplies, shall be installed, connected, or
wired in accordance with the requirements of this Code for
the voltage and power required:
(1) Storage batteries
(2) Transformers
(3) Transformer rectifiers
(4) Other ac or dc power supplies
640.44 Environmental Protection of Equipment. Portable equipment not listed for outdoor use shall be permitted only where appropriate protection of such equipment
from adverse weather conditions is provided to prevent risk
of fire or electric shock. Where the system is intended to
remain operable during adverse weather, arrangements
shall be made for maintaining operation and ventilation of
heat-dissipating equipment.
640.45 Protection of Wiring. Where accessible to the
public, flexible cords and cables laid or run on the ground
or on the floor shall be covered with approved nonconductive mats. Cables and mats shall be arranged so as not to
present a tripping hazard. The cover requirements of 300.5
shall not apply to wiring protected by burial.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
645.1 Scope. This article covers equipment, power-supply
wiring, equipment interconnecting wiring, and grounding
of information technology equipment and systems in an
information technology equipment room.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 75-2009, Standard for the Protection of Information
Technology Equipment, which covers the requirements for
the protection of information technology equipment and
information technology equipment areas.
645.2 Definitions.
Abandoned Supply Circuits and Interconnecting
Cables. Installed supply circuits and interconnecting cables
that are not terminated at equipment and not identified for
future use with a tag.
Critical Operations Data System. An information technology equipment system that requires continuous operation for reasons of public safety, emergency management,
national security, or business continuity.
Information Technology Equipment (ITE). Equipment
and systems rated 600 volts or less, normally found in offices or other business establishments and similar environments classified as ordinary locations, that are used for
creation and manipulation of data, voice, video, and similar
signals that are not communications equipment as defined
in Part I of Article 100 and do not process communications
circuits as defined in 800.2.
Information Technology Equipment Room. A room
within the information technology equipment area that contains the information technology equipment. [75:3.3.9]
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ARTICLE 645 — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
Remote Disconnect Control. An electric device and circuit that controls a disconnecting means through a relay or
equivalent device.
Zone. A physically identifiable area (such as barriers or
separation by distance) within an information technology
equipment room, with dedicated power and cooling systems for the information technology equipment or systems.
645.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with 645.3(A) through (H), as applicable.
(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. The provisions of 300.21, 770.26, 800.26, and 820.26 shall apply to
penetrations of the fire-resistant room boundary.
(B) Plenums. The provisions of 300.22(C)(1), 725.154(A),
760.53(B)(2), 760.154(A), 770.113(C), 800.113(C), and
820.113(C) and Table 770.154(a), Table 800.154(a), and
Table 820.154(a) shall apply to wiring and cabling in a
plenum (other space used for environmental air) above an
information technology equipment room.
645.4 Special Requirements for Information Technology Equipment Room. This article shall be permitted to
provide alternate wiring methods to the provisions of Chapters 1 through 4 for power wiring, Parts I and III of Article
725 for signaling wiring and Parts I and V of Article 770
for optical fiber cabling when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) Disconnecting means complying with 645.30 are provided.
(2) A heating/ventilating/air-conditioning (HVAC) system
is provided in one of the methods identified in
645.4(2)(a) or (b).
a. a separate HVAC system that is dedicated for information technology equipment use and is separated
from other areas of occupancy
b. an HVAC system that serves other occupancies and:
i. also serves the information technology equipment room; and
ii. provides fire/smoke dampers at the point of penetration of the room boundary; and
iii. activates the damper operation upon initiation by
smoke detector alarms, by operation of the disconnecting means required by 645.30, or both
AF
(C) Grounding. The non–current-carrying conductive
members of optical fiber cables in an information technology equipment room shall be grounded in accordance with
770.114.
(H) Cables Not in Information Technology Equipment
Room. Cables extending beyond the information technology equipment room shall be subject to the applicable requirements of this Code.
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645.3
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(D) Electrical Classification of Data Circuits. The provisions of 725.121(A)(4) shall apply to the electrical classification of listed information technology equipment signaling circuits. The provisions of 725.139(D)(1) and
800.133(A)(1)(b) shall apply to the electrical classification
of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits in the same cable with
communications circuits.
Exception: Where information technology equipment is installed in a critical operations data system in compliance
with 645.10(B), a procedure shall be permitted that controls the cessation of the air circulation within the room or
zone.
(E) Fire Alarm Equipment. Parts I, II, and III of Article
760 shall apply to fire alarm systems equipment installed in
an information technology equipment room.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 75-2009, Standard for the Protection of Information
Technology Equipment, Chapter 10, 10.1, 10.1.1, 10.1.2,
and 10.1.3.
(F) Communications Equipment. Parts I, II, III, IV, and
V of Article 800 shall apply to communications equipment
installed in an information technology equipment room. Article 645 shall apply to the powering of communications
equipment in an information technology equipment room.
(3) All information technology and communications equipment installed in the room is listed.
(4) The room is occupied by, and accessible to, only those
personnel needed for the maintenance and functional
operation of the installed information technology
equipment.
(5) The room is separated from other occupancies by fireresistant-rated walls, floors, and ceilings with protected
openings.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100, Definitions,
for a definition of communications equipment.
(G) Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems Equipment. Parts I, II, III, IV, and V of
Article 820 shall apply to community antenna television
and radio distribution systems equipment installed in an
information technology equipment room. Article 645 shall
apply to the powering of community antenna television and
radio distribution systems equipment installed in an information technology equipment room.
70–592
Informational Note: For further information on room construction requirements, see NFPA 75-2009, Standard for the
Protection of Information Technology Equipment, Chapter
5.
(6) Only electrical equipment and wiring associated with
the operation of the information technology room is
installed in the room.
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ARTICLE 645 — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
(7) If a raised floor is present, the raised floor is of approved construction, and the area under the floor is
accessible.
(8) If a raised floor is present, ventilation in the underfloor
area is used for the information technology equipment
room only, except as provided in 645.4(2). The ventilation system shall also be so arranged, with approved
smoke detection devices, that upon the detection of fire
or products of combustion in the underfloor space, the
circulation of air will cease.
(9) If a raised floor is present, openings for cords and
cables protect cords and cables against abrasion and
minimize the entrance of debris beneath the floor.
(1) Date identified for future use
(2) Date of intended use
(3) Information relating to the intended future use
II. Power Circuits
645.20 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs). Except
for installations and constructions covered in 645.20(1) or
(2), UPS systems installed within the information technology equipment room, and their supply and output circuits,
shall comply with 645.30. The disconnecting means shall
also disconnect the battery from its load.
(1) Installations qualifying under the provisions of Article
685
(2) Power sources limited to 750 volt-amperes or less derived either from UPS equipment or from battery circuits integral to electronic equipment
AF
645.13 Physical Protection. Where exposed to physical
damage, supply circuits and interconnecting cables shall be
protected.
(1) Supply circuits and interconnecting cables identified
for future use shall be marked with a tag of sufficient
durability to withstand the environment involved.
(2) Supply circuit tags and interconnecting cable tags shall
have the following information:
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Informational Note: HVAC systems, communications systems, and monitoring systems such as telephone, fire alarm
systems, security systems, water detection systems, and
other related protective equipment are examples of equipment associated with the operation of the information technology room.
645.26
645.14 Securing in Place. Power cables; communications
cables; connecting cables; interconnecting cables; and associated boxes, connectors, plugs, and receptacles that are
listed as part of, or for, information technology equipment
shall not be required to be secured in place.
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645.15 Grounding. All exposed non–current-carrying
metal parts of an information technology system shall be
bonded to the equipment grounding conductor or shall be
double insulated. Where signal reference structures are installed, they shall be bonded to the equipment grounding
conductor provided for the information technology equipment. Any auxiliary grounding electrode(s) installed for information technology equipment shall be installed in accordance with Section 250.54.
Informational Note: The bonding requirements in the
product standards governing this listed equipment ensure
that it complies with Article 250.
645.16 Marking. Each unit of an information technology
system supplied by a branch circuit shall be provided with
a manufacturer’s nameplate, which shall also include the
input power requirements for voltage, frequency, and maximum rated load in amperes.
645.18 Abandoned Supply Circuits and Interconnecting
Cables. The accessible portion of abandoned supply circuits and interconnecting cables shall be removed unless
contained in a raceway.
645.19 Installed Supply Circuits and Interconnecting
Cables Identified for Future Use.
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645.21 Power Distribution Units. Power distribution
units that are used for information technology equipment
shall be permitted to have multiple panelboards within a
single cabinet, if the power distribution unit is utilization
equipment listed for information technology application.
645.22 Power Systems Grounding. Power systems derived within listed information technology equipment that
supply information technology systems through receptacles
or cable assemblies supplied as part of this equipment shall
not be considered separately derived for the purpose of
applying 250.30.
Informational Note: Where isolated grounding-type receptacles are used, see 250.146(D) and 406.3(D).
645.23 Selective Coordination. Critical operations data
system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply side overcurrent protective devices.
645.25 Engineering Supervision. As an alternative to the
feeder and service load calculations required by Parts III
and IV of Article 220, feeder and service load calculations
for new or existing loads shall be permitted to be used if
provided by qualified persons under engineering supervision.
645.26 Branch-Circuit Conductors. The branch-circuit
conductors supplying one or more units of information
technology equipment shall have an ampacity not less than
125 percent of the total connected load.
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ARTICLE 645 — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
645.27 Power-Supply Cords. Information technology
equipment shall be permitted to be connected to a branch
circuit by a power-supply cord.
(1) Power-supply cords shall not exceed 4.5 m (15 ft).
(2) Power cords shall be listed and a type permitted for use
on listed information technology equipment or shall be
constructed of listed flexible cord and listed attachment
plugs and cord connectors of a type permitted for information technology equipment.
Informational Note: One method of determining if cords
are of a type permitted for the purpose is found in UL
60950-1-2007, Safety of Information Technology Equipment - Safety - Part 1: General Requirements.
645.28 Interconnecting Cables. Separate information
technology equipment units shall be permitted to be interconnected by means of listed cables and cable assemblies.
The 4.5 m (15 ft) limitation in 645.27(1) shall not apply to
interconnecting cables.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 75-2009, Standard for the Protection of Information
Technology Equipment.
(B) Critical Operations Data Systems. Remote disconnecting controls shall not be required for critical operations
data systems when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) An approved procedure has been established and maintained for removing power and air movement within
the room or zone.
(2) Qualified personnel are continuously available to meet
emergency responders and to advise them of disconnecting methods.
(3) A smoke-sensing fire detection system is in place.
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645.29 Under Raised Floors. Power cables, connecting
cables, interconnecting cables, cord-and-plug connections,
and receptacles associated with the information technology
equipment installed under a raised floor shall comply with
(1) through (4):
(1) The branch-circuit supply conductors to receptacles or
field-wired equipment are in rigid metal conduit, rigid
nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing electrical nonmetallic tubing,
metal wireway, nonmetallic wireway, surface metal
raceway with metal cover, surface nonmetallic raceway, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal
conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit,
Type MI cable, Type MC cable, or Type AC or Type
TC cable and associated metallic and nonmetallic
boxes or enclosures. These supply conductors shall be
installed in accordance with the requirements of
300.11.
(2) Supply cords of listed information technology equipment in accordance with 645.27 shall be permitted.
(3) Interconnecting cables shall be enclosed in a raceway.
(4) Equipment grounding conductors.
(A) Remote Disconnect Controls.
(1) Remote disconnect means shall be located at approved
locations readily accessible in case of fire to authorized
personnel and emergency responders.
(2) The remote disconnect means for the control of electronic equipment power and HVAC systems shall be
grouped and identified. A single means to control both
systems shall be permitted.
(3) Where multiple zones are created, each zone shall have
an approved means to confine fire or products of combustion to within the zone.
(4) Additional means to prevent unintentional operation of
remote disconnect controls shall be permitted.
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645.27
645.30 Disconnecting Means. An approved means shall
be provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment
in the information technology equipment room or in designated zones within the room. There shall also be a similar
approved means to disconnect the power to all dedicated
HVAC systems serving the room or designated zones and
shall cause all required fire/smoke dampers to close. The
installation of remote disconnect controls shall be in accordance with (A) through (B).
Exception: Installations qualifying under the provisions of
Article 685.
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Informational Note:
For further information, see
NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
(4) An approved fire suppression system suitable for the
application is in place.
(5) Signal wiring under a raised floor is in compliance with
645.32.
III. Signaling Circuits.
645.31 Under Raised Floors—General. The following
wiring cables shall be permitted:
(1) Cable type designations shown in Table 645.31.
(2) Type DP cable having adequate fire-resistant characteristics suitable for use under raised floors of an information technology equipment room.
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining fire
resistance is by establishing that the cables do not spread
fire to the top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure,
Vertical Tray Flame Test” in UL 1685-2011, Standard for
Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Another method of defining fire resistance is for the
damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in.) when
performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test — Cables in
Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M- 2001,
Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
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ARTICLE 646 — MODULAR DATA CENTERS [ROP 12–147]
(3) Listed interconnecting cables, enclosed in a raceway,
that interconnect separate information technology
equipment units.
645.32 Under Raised Floors in a Critical Operations
Table 645.31 Cable Types Permitted Under Raised Floors
Article
Plenum
Riser
General Purpose
336
TC
CL2P
& CL3P
725
CL2R & CL3R
CL2, CL3 & PLTC
727
ITC
NPLFP
& FPLP
NPLFR & FPLR
770
OFNP
& OFCP
OFNR & OFCR
800
CMP
CMR
820
CATVP
CATVR
NPLF & FPL
OFN & OFC
CM & CMG
CATV
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Data System. Signal wiring under a raised floor in a critical operations data system shall be in compliance with
300.22(C), 725.154(A), 770.113(C) and Table 770.154(a),
800.113(C) and Table 800.154(a), or 820.113(C) and Table
820.154(a).
ARTICLE 646
Modular Data Centers [ROP 12–147]
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 75-2009, Standard
for the Protection of Information Technology Equipment.
Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to
make it consistent with this Code.
I. General
646.1 Scope. This article covers modular data centers.
Informational Note No. 1: Modular data centers include
the installed IT and support equipment, electrical supply
and distribution, wiring and protection, working space,
grounding, HVAC and the like, located in or associated
with a modular data center.
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646.2 Definitions. See Article 100. The definitions in
645.2 shall apply. For the purposes of this article, the following additional definition applies.
Modular Data Center (MDC). Prefabricated units rated
600 volts or less, consisting of an outer enclosure housing
information technology equipment (ITE) and various support equipment such as electrical service and distribution
equipment, HVAC systems and the like. Some configurations may have the support equipment housed in a separate
enclosure.
Informational Note No. 1: A typical construction may use
a standard ISO shipping container or other structure as the
outer enclosure, racks or cabinets of ITE, service entrance
equipment and power distribution components, power storage such as a UPS and an air or liquid cooling system.
Modular data centers are intended for fixed installation either indoors or outdoors based on their construction and
resistance to environmental conditions.
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760
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
NFPA 75-2009, Standard for the Protection of Information
Technology Equipment, which covers the requirements for
the protection of information technology equipment and
information technology equipment areas.
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Informational Note No. 2: For information on listing requirements for communications raceways and cable routing
assemblies, see UL 2024-2011, Signaling, Optical Fiber
and Communications Raceways and Cable Routing
Assemblies.
646.3
Informational Note No. 2: For information on listing requirements for both information technology equipment and
communications equipment, see UL 60950-1-2007, Information Technology Equipment - Safety - Part 1: General
Requirements.
646.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall also
comply with the following, as applicable.
(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Sections
300.21, 770.26, 800.26, and 820.26 shall apply to penetrations of a fire-resistant room boundary, if provided.
(B) Plenums. Sections 300.22(C)(1), 725.154(A),
760.53(B)(2), 760.154(A), 770.113(C), 800.113(C), and
820.113(C) and Table 725.154, Table 760.154, Table
770.154(a), Table 800.154(a) and Table 820.154(a) shall
apply to wiring and cabling in a plenum (other space used
for environmental air). Environmentally controlled working
space, aisles and equipment areas in a MDC are not considered a plenum.
(C) Grounding. Grounding and bonding of a modular data
center shall comply with Article 250. The non–currentcarrying conductive members of optical fiber cables in an
MDC shall be grounded in accordance with 770.114.
Grounding and bonding of communications protectors,
cable shields and non–current-carrying metallic members
of cable shall comply with Part IV of Article 800.
(D) Electrical Classification of Data Circuits. Section
725.121(A)(4) shall apply to the electrical classification of
listed information technology equipment signaling circuits.
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ARTICLE 646 — MODULAR DATA CENTERS [ROP 12–147]
Section D(725.139)(1) and A(800.133)(1)(b) shall apply to
the electrical classification of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits in
the same cable with communications circuits.
(E) Fire Alarm Equipment. Parts I, II, and III of Article
760 shall apply to fire alarm systems equipment installed in
a MDC, when provided.
(F) Communications Equipment. Parts I, II, III, IV, and
V of Article 800 shall apply to communications equipment
installed in a MDC.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100, Definitions,
for a definition of communications equipment.
(G) Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems Equipment. Parts I, II, III, IV, and V of
Article 820 shall apply to community antenna television
and radio distribution systems equipment installed in a
MDC.
(H) Storage Batteries. Installation of storage batteries
shall comply with Article 480.
(4) Installation of wiring for remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits shall comply with Part III Article
725.
(5) Installation of optical fiber cables shall comply with
Part V of Article 770.
(6) Installation of wiring for fire alarm systems shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 760.
(7) Installation of communications wires and cables, raceways, and cable routing assemblies shall comply with
Part V of Article 800.
(8) Alternate wiring methods as permitted by 645.4 are
permitted for MDCs provided all of the conditions
stated in 645.4 are met.
(M) Service Equipment. For a MDC that is designed such
that it may be powered from a separate electrical service,
the service equipment for control and protection of services
and their installation shall comply with Article 230. The
service equipment and their arrangement and installation
shall permit the installation of the service entrance conductors in accordance with Article 230. Service equipment
shall be listed and labeled and marked as being suitable for
use as service equipment.
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Exception: Batteries that are part of listed and labeled
equipment and installed in accordance with the listing
requirements.
scribed in 645.5(E) shall be permitted to use the wiring
methods described in 645.5(E).
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646.4
(I) Surge-Protective Devices (SPDs). Where provided,
surge protective devices shall be listed and labeled and
installed in accordance with Article 285.
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(J) Lighting. Lighting shall be installed in accordance
with Article 410.
(K) Power Distribution Wiring and Protection. Power
distribution wiring and wiring protection within a MDC
shall comply with Article 210 for branch circuits.
(L) Wiring Methods and Materials.
(1) Unless modified elsewhere in this article, wiring methods and materials for power distribution shall comply
with Chapter 3. Wiring shall be suitable for its use and
installation and shall be listed and labeled
Exception: This requirement shall not apply to wiring that
is part of listed and labeled equipment.
(2) The following wiring methods shall not be permitted:
a. Integrated Gas Spacer Cable: Type IGS (Article
326)
b. Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring (Article 394)
c. Messenger-Supported Wiring (Article 396)
d. Open Wiring on Insulators (Article 398)
e. Outdoor Overhead Conductors over 600 Volts (Article 399)
(3) Wiring under raised floors. Areas under a raised floor
that are constructed and used for ventilation as de-
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(N) Disconnecting Means. An approved means shall be
provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment in
the MDC in accordance with Section 645.10. There shall
also be a similar approved means to disconnect the power
to all dedicated HVAC systems serving the MDC and shall
cause all required fire/smoke dampers to close.
646.4 Applicable Requirements. All modular data centers
shall: (A) Be listed and labeled and comply with 646.3(N)
and 646.5 through 646.9, or (B) Comply with the provisions of this article.
646.5 Nameplate Data. A permanent nameplate shall be
attached to the MDC and shall be plainly visible after installation. The nameplate shall include the following information:
(1) Supply voltage, number of phases, frequency, and full
load current
The full-load current shown on the nameplate shall not
be less than the sum of the full-load currents required
for all motors and other equipment that may be in operation at the same time under normal conditions of
use. Where unusual type loads, duty cycles, and so
forth require oversized conductors or permit reducedsize conductors, the required capacity shall be included
in the marked “full-load current.” Where more than one
incoming supply circuit is to be provided, the name-
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ARTICLE 646 — MODULAR DATA CENTERS [ROP 12–147]
Informational Note: See 430.22(E) and 430.26 for duty
cycle requirements.
(2) Short-circuit current rating of the service equipment
provided as part of the MDC
Informational Note: This rating may be part of the service
equipment marking.
Where no branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device is provided with the MDC, the rating or
setting of the overcurrent protective device shall be based
on 430.52 and 430.53, as applicable.
646.7 Short-Circuit Current Rating. Modular data centers shall not be installed where the available fault current
exceeds its short-circuit current rating as marked on the
MDC service equipment.
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(3) For MDCs powered by a separate service, if the required service as determined by Article 220 is less than
the rating of the service panel used, the required service
shall be included on the nameplate. Branch circuits
supplying ITE loads are assumed to be loaded no less
than 80% of the branch circuit rating with a 100% duty
cycle. As an alternative to the feeder and service load
calculations required by Parts III and IV of Article 220,
feeder and service load calculations for new, future or
existing loads shall be permitted to be used if performed by qualified persons under engineering supervision.
(4) Electrical diagram number(s) or the number of the index to the electrical drawings.
Exception: Where one or more instantaneous trip circuit
breakers or motor short-circuit protectors are used for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection
as permitted by 430.52(C), the procedure specified in
670.4(C) for determining the maximum rating of the protective device for the circuit supplying the machine shall
apply with the following provision: For the purpose of the
calculation, each instantaneous trip circuit breaker or motor short-circuit protector shall be assumed to have a rating not exceeding the maximum percentage of motor full
load current permitted by Table 430.52 for the type of machine supply circuit protective device employed.
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plate shall state the preceding information for each circuit.
646.9
646.6 Supply Conductors and Overcurrent Protection.
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(A) Size. The size of the supply conductor shall be such as
to have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the full
load current rating of all resistance heating loads plus
125 percent of the full-load current rating of the highest
rated motor plus the sum of the full-load current ratings of
all other connected motors and apparatus, based on their
duty cycle, that may be in operation at the same time.
Informational Note No. 1: See the 0–2000-volt ampacity
tables of Article 310 for ampacity of conductors rated 600
volts and below.
Informational Note No. 2: See 430.22(E) and 430.26 for
duty cycle requirements.
(B) Overcurrent Protection. Where furnished as part of
the MDC, overcurrent protection for each supply circuit
shall consist of a single circuit breaker or set of fuses, the
MDC shall be marked “overcurrent protection provided at
MDC supply terminals” and the supply conductors shall be
considered either as feeders or as taps as covered by
240.21.
The rating or setting of the overcurrent protective device for the circuit supplying the MDC shall not be greater
than the sum of the largest rating or setting of the branchcircuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device provided with the machine, plus 125 percent of the full-load
current rating of all resistance heating loads, plus the sum
of the full-load currents of all other motors and apparatus
that could be in operation at the same time.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
646.8 Field Wiring Compartments. .A field-wiring compartment in which service or branch circuit connections are
to be made shall:
(1) Permit the connection of the supply wires after the
MDC is installed
(2) Permit the connection to be introduced and connected
easily; and
(3) Be located so that the connections may be readily inspected after the MDC is installed
646.9 Flexible Power Cable.
(A) Flexible cable shall be permitted to be used for connections between enclosures of a MDC system. Flexible cords
or cables shall not be used for connection to the branch
circuit or electrical service.
Informational Note: For example, flexible cords may be
used between an MDC enclosure containing only servers
and one containing power distribution equipment.
(B) Where flexible cords or cables are used, they shall be
listed as suitable for extra-hard usage. Where used outdoors, flexible cords and cables shall also be listed as suitable for wet locations and shall be sunlight resistant. Extrahard usage flexible cords or cables shall be permitted for
use as permanent wiring between MDC enclosures only
where not subject to physical damage.
(C) Single-conductor cable shall be permitted only in sizes
2 AWG or larger.
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ARTICLE 646 — MODULAR DATA CENTERS [ROP 12–147]
II. Equipment
646.10 Electrical Supply and Distribution. Equipment
used for the electrical supply and distribution in a modular
data center including fittings, devices, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the like shall comply with the appropriate requirements for its use and installation and shall be
listed and labeled.
646.11 Premises Transformers. Premise transformers installed in the MDC area shall be of the dry type or type
filled with a noncombustible dielectric medium.
646.12 Service Entrance Transformers. Service entrance
transformers shall not be permitted in an MDC.
Exception: Service entrance transformers shall be permitted in a separate module or structure intended to house
only service entrance equipment and power distribution
and control equipment for the MDC.
IV. Work Space
646.19 General. Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such
equipment. Space about electrical equipment shall comply
with 110.26. The egress requirements for large equipment
in 110.26(C)(2) and personnel door requirements in
110.26(C)(3) shall apply to an MDC even if the rating of
the MDC is not 1200 amperes or more or if the MDC does
not contain overcurrent devices, switching devices or control devices in areas that service personnel may occupy.
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646.13 Receptacles. At least one 125 volt AC, 15 or 20ampere rated duplex convenience outlet shall be provided
in each work area of the MDC to facilitate the connection
of test and measurement equipment that may be required
during routine maintenance and servicing.
gency use, shall be supplied by emergency lighting circuits.
These branch circuits supplying emergency lighting shall
be installed to provide service from storage batteries, generator set, UPS, separate service, fuel cell or unit equipment. No other equipment shall be connected to these circuits, unless the emergency lighting system includes a
back-up system, where only the lighting is supplied by battery circuits under power failure conditions. All boxes and
enclosures (including transfer switches, generators, and
power panels) for emergency circuits shall be marked to
identify them as components of an emergency circuit or
system.
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646.10
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646.14 Other Electrical Equipment. Electrical equipment
that is an integral part of the MDC including lighting, control, power, HVAC (heating, ventilation and airconditioning), emergency lighting, alarm circuits, and the
like shall comply with the appropriate requirements for its
use and installation and shall be listed and labeled.
646.15 Installation and Use. Listed and labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any
instructions or limitations included in the listing.
III. Lighting.
646.16 General Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all workspaces. Areas that are used for exit access
and exit discharge shall be illuminated to values of at least
1 ft.-candle (10.8 lux), measured at the floor. The illumination shall be arranged so that the failure of any single lighting unit does not result in an illumination level of less than
0.2 ft.-candle (2.2 lux).
646.17 Emergency Lighting. Areas that are used for exit
access and exit discharge shall be provided with emergency
lighting. Emergency lighting systems shall be listed and
labeled equipment, installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
646.18 Emergency Lighting Circuits. No appliances and
no lamps, other than those specified as required for emer-
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Exception: The depth of the workspace shall not be required to comply with Table 110.26(A)(1) if the equipment
is marked “WARNING” and “De-energize Equipment before Servicing” or the equivalent.
646.20 Working Space for ITE.
(A) The working space depth in front of ITE where any live
parts that may be exposed during routine servicing operate
at not greater than 30 volts rms, 42 volts peak, or 60 volts
dc shall not be required to comply with 646.19.
(B) Any areas of ITE that require servicing of parts that are
greater than 30 volts rms, 42 volts peak, or 60 volts dc shall
comply with the workspace requirements of 646.19.
Informational Note No. 1: For example, field wiring compartments for ac mains connections, power distribution
units, and the like.
Informational Note No. 2: It is assumed that ITE operates
at voltages not exceeding 600 V.
646.21 Work Areas and Working Space Around Batteries. Working space around a battery system shall comply
with paragraph 110.26. Working clearance shall be measured from the edge of the battery rack.
646.22 Work Space for Routine Service and Maintenance. Adequate work space shall be provided for routine
servicing and maintenance (those tasks involving operations which can be safely accomplished by employees and
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ARTICLE 647 — SENSITIVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
647.6
where extensive disassembly of equipment is not required).
Routine servicing and maintenance shall be able to be performed without exposing the worker to a risk of electric
shock or personal injury.
(D) Voltage Drop. The voltage drop on any branch circuit
shall not exceed 1.5 percent. The combined voltage drop of
feeder and branch-circuit conductors shall not exceed
2.5 percent.
Informational Note: An example of such routine maintenance is cleaning or replacing an air filter.
(1) Fixed Equipment. The voltage drop on branch circuits
supplying equipment connected using wiring methods in
Chapter 3 shall not exceed 1.5 percent. The combined voltage drop of feeder and branch-circuit conductors shall not
exceed 2.5 percent.
ARTICLE 647
Sensitive Electronic Equipment
(2) Cord-Connected Equipment. The voltage drop on
branch circuits supplying receptacles shall not exceed
1 percent. For the purposes of making this calculation, the
load connected to the receptacle outlet shall be considered
to be 50 percent of the branch-circuit rating. The combined
voltage drop of feeder and branch-circuit conductors shall
not exceed 2.0 percent.
Informational Note: The purpose of this provision is to
limit voltage drop to 1.5 percent where portable cords may
be used as a means of connecting equipment.
647.5 Three-Phase Systems. Where 3-phase power is supplied, a separately derived 6-phase “wye” system with 60
volts to ground installed under this article shall be configured as three separately derived 120-volt single-phase systems having a combined total of no more than six disconnects.
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647.3 General. Use of a separately derived 120-volt
single-phase 3-wire system with 60 volts on each of two
ungrounded conductors to a grounded neutral conductor
shall be permitted for the purpose of reducing objectionable
noise in sensitive electronic equipment locations, provided
the following conditions apply:
(1) The system is installed only in commercial or industrial
occupancies.
(2) The system’s use is restricted to areas under close supervision by qualified personnel.
(3) All of the requirements in 647.4 through 647.8 are met.
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647.1 Scope. This article covers the installation and wiring
of separately derived systems operating at 120 volts lineto-line and 60 volts to ground for sensitive electronic
equipment.
647.4 Wiring Methods.
(A) Panelboards and Overcurrent Protection. Use of
standard single-phase panelboards and distribution equipment with a higher voltage rating shall be permitted. The
system shall be clearly marked on the face of the panel or
on the inside of the panel doors. Common trip two-pole
circuit breakers or a combination two-pole fused disconnecting means that are identified for use at the system voltage shall be provided for both ungrounded conductors in all
feeders and branch circuits. Branch circuits and feeders
shall be provided with a means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors.
(B) Junction Boxes. All junction box covers shall be
clearly marked to indicate the distribution panel and the
system voltage.
(C) Conductor Identification. All feeders and branchcircuit conductors installed under this section shall be identified as to system at all splices and terminations by color,
marking, tagging, or equally effective means. The means of
identification shall be posted at each branch-circuit panelboard and at the disconnecting means for the building.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
647.6 Grounding.
(A) General. The transformer secondary center tap of the
60/120 volt, 3-wire system shall be grounded as provided in
250.30. [ROP 12–148]
(B) Grounding Conductors Required. Permanently
wired utilization equipment and receptacles shall be
grounded by means of an equipment grounding conductor
run with the circuit conductors to an equipment grounding
bus prominently marked “Technical Equipment Ground” in
the originating branch-circuit panelboard. The grounding
bus shall be connected to the grounded conductor on the
line side of the separately derived system’s disconnecting
means. The grounding conductor shall not be smaller than
that specified in Table 250.122 and run with the feeder
conductors. The technical equipment grounding bus need
not be bonded to the panelboard enclosure. Other grounding methods authorized elsewhere in this Code shall be
permitted where the impedance of the grounding return
path does not exceed the impedance of equipment grounding conductors sized and installed in accordance with this
article.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.122 for equipment
grounding conductor sizing requirements where circuit conductors are adjusted in size to compensate for voltage drop.
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ARTICLE 650 — PIPE ORGANS
Informational Note No. 2: These requirements limit the
impedance of the ground fault path where only 60 volts
apply to a fault condition instead of the usual 120 volts.
647.7 Receptacles.
(A) General. Where receptacles are used as a means of
connecting equipment, the following conditions shall be
met:
(1) All 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall be GFCI protected.
(2) All receptacle outlet strips, adapters, receptacle covers,
and faceplates shall be marked with the following
words or equivalent:
(C) Screw Shell. Luminaires installed under this section
shall not have an exposed lamp screw shell.
ARTICLE 650
Pipe Organs
650.1 Scope. This article covers those electrical circuits
and parts of electrically operated pipe organs that are employed for the control of the sounding apparatus and keyboards.
650.3 Other Articles.
(A) Electronic Organ Equipment. Installations of
digital/analog–sampled sound production technology and
associated audio signal processing, amplification, reproduction equipment, and wiring installed as part of a pipe organ
shall be in accordance with Article 640.
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WARNING — TECHNICAL POWER
Do not connect to lighting equipment.
For electronic equipment use only.
60/120 V. 1φac
GFCI protected
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 12–149]
(3) A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle having one of its current-carrying poles connected
to a grounded circuit conductor shall be located within
1.8 m (6 ft) of all permanently installed 15- or 20ampere-rated 60/120-volt technical power-system receptacles.
(4) All 125-volt receptacles used for 60/120-volt technical
power shall have a unique configuration and be identified for use with this class of system.
(B) Luminaires. All luminaires shall be permanently installed and listed for connection to a separately derived
system at 120 volts line-to-line and 60 volts to ground.
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647.7
Exception: Receptacles and attachment plugs rated 125volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-amperes, and that are identified for use with grounded circuit conductors, shall be permitted in machine rooms, control rooms, equipment rooms,
equipment racks, and other similar locations that are restricted to use by qualified personnel.
(B) Isolated Ground Receptacles. Isolated ground receptacles shall be permitted as described in 250.146(D); however, the branch-circuit equipment grounding conductor
shall be terminated as required in 647.6(B).
647.8 Lighting Equipment. Lighting equipment installed
under this article for the purpose of reducing electrical
noise originating from lighting equipment shall meet the
conditions of 647.8(A) through (C).
(A) Disconnecting Means. All luminaires connected to
separately derived systems operating at 60 volts to ground,
and associated control equipment if provided, shall have a
disconnecting means that simultaneously opens all ungrounded conductors. The disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the luminaire or be lockable open in
accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–150]
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(B) Optical Fiber Cable. Installations of optical fiber
cables shall be in accordance with Parts I and V of Article
770.
650.4 Source of Energy. The source of power shall be a
transformer-type rectifier, the dc potential of which shall
not exceed 30 volts dc.
650.5 Grounding. The rectifier shall be bonded to the
equipment grounding conductor according to the provisions
in Article 250, Parts V, VI, VII, and VIII.
650.6 Conductors. Conductors
650.6(A) through (D).
shall
comply
with
(A) Size. Conductors shall be not less than 28 AWG for
electronic signal circuits and not less than 26 AWG for
electromagnetic valve supply and the like. A main
common-return conductor in the electromagnetic supply
shall not be less than 14 AWG.
(B) Insulation. Conductors shall have thermoplastic or
thermosetting insulation.
(C) Conductors to Be Cabled. Except for the commonreturn conductor and conductors inside the organ proper,
the organ sections and the organ console conductors shall
be cabled. The common-return conductors shall be permitted under an additional covering enclosing both cable and
return conductor, or they shall be permitted as a separate
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 660 — X-RAY EQUIPMENT
(D) Cable Covering. Each cable shall be provided with an
outer covering, either overall or on each of any subassemblies of grouped conductors. Tape shall be permitted in
place of a covering. Where not installed in metal raceway,
the covering shall be resistant to flame spread, or the cable
or each cable subassembly shall be covered with a closely
wound listed fireproof tape.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to the
VW-1 (vertical-wire) flame test in the ANSI/UL 1581-2011,
Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords. [ROP 12–19]
650.7 Installation of Conductors. Cables shall be securely fastened in place and shall be permitted to be attached directly to the organ structure without insulating
supports. Cables shall not be placed in contact with other
conductors. Abandoned cables that are not terminated at
equipment shall be identified with a tag.
tions, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1016, Bethesda, MD
20814.
660.2 Definitions.
Long-Time Rating. A rating based on an operating interval
of 5 minutes or longer.
Mobile. X-ray equipment mounted on a permanent base
with wheels and/or casters for moving while completely
assembled.
Momentary Rating. A rating based on an operating interval that does not exceed 5 seconds.
Portable. X-ray equipment designed to be hand-carried.
Transportable. X-ray equipment that is to be installed in a
vehicle or that may be readily disassembled for transport in
a vehicle.
660.3 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Unless identified for the location, X-ray and related equipment shall not
be installed or operated in hazardous (classified) locations.
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conductor and shall be permitted to be in contact with the
cable.
660.5
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Informational Note: See Article 517, Part IV.
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650.8 Overcurrent Protection. Circuits shall be so arranged that 26 AWG and 28 AWG conductors shall be
protected by an overcurrent device rated at not more than 6
amperes. Other conductor sizes shall be protected in accordance with their ampacity. A common return conductor
shall not require overcurrent protection.
ARTICLE 660
X-Ray Equipment
I. General
660.1 Scope. This article covers all X-ray equipment operating at any frequency or voltage for industrial or other
nonmedical or nondental use.
Informational Note: See Article 517, Part V, for X-ray
installations in health care facilities.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as specifying
safeguards against the useful beam or stray X-ray radiation.
Informational Note No. 1: Radiation safety and performance requirements of several classes of X-ray equipment
are regulated under Public Law 90-602 and are enforced by
the Department of Health and Human Services.
Informational Note No. 2: In addition, information on radiation protection by the National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements is published as Reports of the
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. These reports can be obtained from NCRP Publica-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
660.4 Connection to Supply Circuit.
(A) Fixed and Stationary Equipment. Fixed and stationary X-ray equipment shall be connected to the power supply by means of a wiring method meeting the general requirements of this Code. Equipment properly supplied by a
branch circuit rated at not over 30 amperes shall be permitted to be supplied through a suitable attachment plug cap
and hard-service cable or cord.
(B) Portable, Mobile, and Transportable Equipment.
Individual branch circuits shall not be required for portable,
mobile, and transportable X-ray equipment requiring a capacity of not over 60 amperes. Portable and mobile types of
X-ray equipment of any capacity shall be supplied through
a suitable hard-service cable or cord. Transportable X-ray
equipment of any capacity shall be permitted to be connected to its power supply by suitable connections and
hard-service cable or cord.
(C) Over 1000 Volts, Nominal. Circuits and equipment
operated at more than 1000 volts, nominal, shall comply
with Article 490. [ROP 12–152]
660.5 Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means of
adequate capacity for at least 50 percent of the input required for the momentary rating, or 100 percent of the input
required for the long-time rating, of the X-ray equipment,
whichever is greater, shall be provided in the supply circuit.
The disconnecting means shall be operable from a location
readily accessible from the X-ray control. For equipment
connected to a 120-volt, nominal, branch circuit of 30 am-
70–601
660.6
ARTICLE 660 — X-RAY EQUIPMENT
660.6 Rating of Supply Conductors and Overcurrent
Protection.
(A) Branch-Circuit Conductors. The ampacity of supply
branch-circuit conductors and the overcurrent protective
devices shall not be less than 50 percent of the momentary
rating or 100 percent of the long-time rating, whichever is
greater.
(B) Feeder Conductors. The rated ampacity of conductors
and overcurrent devices of a feeder for two or more branch
circuits supplying X-ray units shall not be less than
100 percent of the momentary demand rating [as determined by 660.6(A)] of the two largest X-ray apparatus plus
20 percent of the momentary ratings of other X-ray apparatus.
660.21 Portable and Mobile Equipment. Portable and
mobile equipment shall comply with 660.20, but the manually controlled device shall be located in or on the equipment.
660.23 Industrial and Commercial Laboratory Equipment.
(A) Radiographic and Fluoroscopic Types. All
radiographic- and fluoroscopic-type equipment shall be effectively enclosed or shall have interlocks that de-energize
the equipment automatically to prevent ready access to live
current-carrying parts.
(B) Diffraction and Irradiation Types. Diffraction- and
irradiation-type equipment or installations not effectively
enclosed or not provided with interlocks to prevent access
to uninsulated live parts during operation shall be provided
with a positive means to indicate when they are energized.
The indicator shall be a pilot light, readable meter deflection, or equivalent means.
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Informational Note: The minimum conductor size for
branch and feeder circuits is also governed by voltage regulation requirements. For a specific installation, the manufacturer usually specifies minimum distribution transformer
and conductor sizes, rating of disconnect means, and overcurrent protection.
vice, shall be provided to control the load resulting from
failures in the high-voltage circuit.
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peres or less, a grounding-type attachment plug cap and
receptacle of proper rating shall be permitted to serve as a
disconnecting means.
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660.7 Wiring Terminals. X-ray equipment not provided
with a permanently attached cord or cord set shall be provided with suitable wiring terminals or leads for the connection of power-supply conductors of the size required by
the rating of the branch circuit for the equipment.
660.9 Minimum Size of Conductors. Size 18 AWG or 16
AWG fixture wires, as specified in 725.49, and flexible
cords shall be permitted for the control and operating circuits of X-ray and auxiliary equipment where protected by
not larger than 20-ampere overcurrent devices.
660.10 Equipment Installations. All equipment for new
X-ray installations and all used or reconditioned X-ray
equipment moved to and reinstalled at a new location shall
be of an approved type.
660.24 Independent Control. Where more than one piece
of equipment is operated from the same high-voltage circuit, each piece or each group of equipment as a unit shall
be provided with a high-voltage switch or equivalent disconnecting means. This disconnecting means shall be constructed, enclosed, or located so as to avoid contact by
persons with its live parts.
III. Transformers and Capacitors
660.35 General. Transformers and capacitors that are part
of an X-ray equipment shall not be required to comply with
Articles 450 and 460.
660.36 Capacitors. Capacitors shall be mounted within
enclosures of insulating material or grounded metal.
IV. Guarding and Grounding
II. Control
660.20 Fixed and Stationary Equipment.
660.47 General.
(A) Separate Control Device. A separate control device,
in addition to the disconnecting means, shall be incorporated in the X-ray control supply or in the primary circuit to
the high-voltage transformer. This device shall be a part of
the X-ray equipment but shall be permitted in a separate
enclosure immediately adjacent to the X-ray control unit.
(A) High-Voltage Parts. All high-voltage parts, including
X-ray tubes, shall be mounted within grounded enclosures.
Air, oil, gas, or other suitable insulating media shall be used
to insulate the high voltage from the grounded enclosure.
The connection from the high-voltage equipment to X-ray
tubes and other high-voltage components shall be made
with high-voltage shielded cables.
(B) Protective Device. A protective device, which shall be
permitted to be incorporated into the separate control de-
(B) Low-Voltage Cables. Low-voltage cables connecting
to oil-filled units that are not completely sealed, such as
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 665 — INDUCTION AND DIELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT
660.48 Grounding. Non–current-carrying metal parts of
X-ray and associated equipment (controls, tables, X-ray
tube supports, transformer tanks, shielded cables, X-ray
tube heads, and so forth) shall be grounded in the manner
specified in Article 250. Portable and mobile equipment
shall be provided with an approved grounding-type attachment plug cap.
Exception: Battery-operated equipment.
ARTICLE 665
Induction and Dielectric Heating
Equipment
I. General
665.5 Output Circuit. The output circuit shall include all
output components external to the converting device, including contactors, switches, busbars, and other conductors.
The current flow from the output circuit to ground under
operating and ground-fault conditions shall be limited to a
value that does not cause 50 volts or more to ground to
appear on any accessible part of the heating equipment and
its load. The output circuit shall be permitted to be isolated
from ground.
665.7 Remote Control.
(A) Multiple Control Points. Where multiple control
points are used for applicator energization, a means shall be
provided and interlocked so that the applicator can be energized from only one control point at a time. A means for
de-energizing the applicator shall be provided at each control point.
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665.1 Scope. This article covers the construction and installation of dielectric heating, induction heating, induction
melting, and induction welding equipment and accessories
for industrial and scientific applications. Medical or dental
applications, appliances, or line frequency pipeline and vessel heating are not covered in this article.
665.4 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Heating equipment shall not be installed in hazardous (classified) locations as defined in Article 500 unless the equipment and
wiring are designed and approved for the hazardous (classified) locations.
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transformers, condensers, oil coolers, and high-voltage
switches, shall have insulation of the oil-resistant type.
665.12
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Informational Note: See Article 427, Part V, for line frequency induction heating of pipelines and vessels.
665.2 Definitions.
Applicator. The device used to transfer energy between the
output circuit and the object or mass to be heated. [ROP
12–154]
Converting Device. That part of the heating equipment
that converts input mechanical or electrical energy to the
voltage, current, and frequency used for the heating applicator. A converting device consists of equipment using
mains frequency, all static multipliers, oscillator-type units
using vacuum tubes, inverters using solid-state devices, or
motor generator equipment. [ROP 12–153]
Dielectric Heating. Heating of a nominally insulating material due to its own dielectric losses when the material is
placed in a varying electric field.
Heating Equipment. As used in this article, any equipment
that is used for heating purposes and whose heat is generated by induction or dielectric methods.
Induction Heating, Melting, and Welding. The heating,
melting, or welding of a nominally conductive material due
to its own I2R losses when the material is placed in a
varying electromagnetic field.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Foot Switches. Switches operated by foot pressure
shall be provided with a shield over the contact button to
avoid accidental closing of a foot switch.
665.10 Ampacity of Supply Conductors. The ampacity
of supply conductors shall be determined by 665.10(A) or
(B).
(A) Nameplate Rating. The ampacity of conductors supplying one or more pieces of equipment shall be not less
than the sum of the nameplate ratings for the largest group
of machines capable of simultaneous operation, plus
100 percent of the standby currents of the remaining machines. Where standby currents are not given on the nameplate, the nameplate rating shall be used as the standby
current.
(B) Motor-Generator Equipment. The ampacity of supply conductors for motor-generator equipment shall be determined in accordance with Article 430, Part II.
665.11 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
for the heating equipment shall be provided as specified in
Article 240. This overcurrent protection shall be permitted
to be provided separately or as a part of the equipment.
665.12 Disconnecting Means. A readily accessible disconnecting means shall be provided to disconnect each
heating equipment from its supply circuit. The disconnecting means shall be located within sight from the controller
70–603
665.19
ARTICLE 668 — ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
II. Guarding, Grounding, and Labeling
665.19 Component Interconnection. The interconnection
components required for a complete heating equipment installation shall be guarded.
665.20 Enclosures. The converting device (excluding the
component interconnections) shall be completely contained
within an enclosure(s) of noncombustible material.
665.21 Control Panels. All control panels shall be of
dead-front construction.
665.25 Dielectric Heating Applicator Shielding. Protective cages or adequate shielding shall be used to guard
dielectric heating applicators. Interlock switches shall be
used on all hinged access doors, sliding panels, or other
easy means of access to the applicator. All interlock
switches shall be connected in such a manner as to remove
all power from the applicator when any one of the access
doors or panels is open.
665.26 Grounding and Bonding. Bonding to the equipment grounding conductor or inter-unit bonding, or both,
shall be used wherever required for circuit operation, and
for limiting to a safe value radio frequency voltages between all exposed non–current-carrying parts of the equipment and earth ground, between all equipment parts and
surrounding objects, and between such objects and earth
ground. Such connection to the equipment grounding conductor and bonding shall be installed in accordance with
Article 250, Parts II and V.
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665.22 Access to Internal Equipment. Access doors or
detachable access panels shall be employed for internal access to heating equipment. Access doors to internal compartments containing equipment employing voltages from
150 volts to 1000 volts ac or dc shall be capable of being
locked closed or shall be interlocked to prevent the supply
circuit from being energized while the door(s) is open. The
provision for locking or adding a lock to the access doors
shall be installed on or at the access door and shall remain
in place with or without the lock installed.
Access doors to internal compartments containing
equipment employing voltages exceeding 1000 volts ac or
dc shall be provided with a disconnecting means equipped
with mechanical lockouts to prevent access while the heating equipment is energized, or the access doors shall be
capable of being locked closed and interlocked to prevent
the supply circuit from being energized while the door(s) is
open. Detachable panels not normally used for access to
such parts shall be fastened in a manner that makes them
inconvenient to remove.
be in accordance with 460.28 for capacitors rated over 600
volts, nominal. Capacitor internal pressure switches connected to a circuit-interrupter device shall be permitted for
capacitor overcurrent protection.
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or be lockable open in accordance with 110.25. [ROP 12–
155]
The rating of this disconnecting means shall not be less
than the nameplate rating of the heating equipment. Motorgenerator equipment shall comply with Article 430, Part
IX. The supply circuit disconnecting means shall be permitted to serve as the heating equipment disconnecting means
where only one heating equipment is supplied.
665.23 Warning Labels or Signs. Warning labels or signs
that read “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE — KEEP OUT”
shall be attached to the equipment and shall be plainly
visible where persons might come in contact with energized
parts when doors are open or closed or when panels are
removed from compartments containing over 150 volts ac
or dc. The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 12–158]
665.24 Capacitors. The time and means of discharge shall
be in accordance with 460.6 for capacitors rated 600 volts,
nominal, and under. The time and means of discharge shall
70–604
Informational Note: Under certain conditions, contact between the object being heated and the applicator results in
an unsafe condition, such as eruption of heated materials.
Grounding of the object being heated and ground detection
can be used to prevent this unsafe condition. [ROP
12–158a]
665.27 Marking. Each heating equipment shall be provided with a nameplate giving the manufacturer’s name and
model identification and the following input data: line
volts, frequency, number of phases, maximum current, fullload kilovolt-amperes (kVA), and full-load power factor.
Additional data shall be permitted.
ARTICLE 668
Electrolytic Cells
668.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
installation of the electrical components and accessory
equipment of electrolytic cells, electrolytic cell lines, and
process power supply for the production of aluminum, cadmium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium, sodium, sodium chlorate, and zinc.
Not covered by this article are cells used as a source of
electric energy and for electroplating processes and cells
used for the production of hydrogen.
Informational Note No. 1: In general, any cell line or
group of cell lines operated as a unit for the production of a
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 668 — ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
IEEE 463-1993, Standard for Electrical Safety Practices in
Electrolytic Cell Line Working Zones.
668.2 Definitions.
Cell Line. An assembly of electrically interconnected electrolytic cells supplied by a source of direct-current power.
(1) Conductors. The electrolytic cell line conductors shall
not be required to comply with the provisions of Articles
110, 210, 215, 220, and 225. See 668.11.
(2) Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection of
electrolytic cell dc process power circuits shall not be required to comply with the requirements of Article 240.
(3) Grounding. Equipment located or used within the
electrolytic cell line working zone or associated with the
cell line direct-current power circuits shall not be required
to comply with the provisions of Article 250.
(4) Working Zone. The electrolytic cells, cell line attachments, and the wiring of auxiliary equipment and devices
within the cell line working zone shall not be required to
comply with the provisions of Articles 110, 210, 215, 220,
and 225. See 668.30.
Informational Note: See 668.15 for equipment, apparatus,
and structural component grounding.
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Cell Line Attachments and Auxiliary Equipment. As applied to this article, a term that includes, but is not limited
to, auxiliary tanks; process piping; ductwork; structural
supports; exposed cell line conductors; conduits and other
raceways; pumps, positioning equipment, and cell cutout or
bypass electrical devices. Auxiliary equipment includes
tools, welding machines, crucibles, and other portable
equipment used for operation and maintenance within the
electrolytic cell line working zone.
In the cell line working zone, auxiliary equipment includes the exposed conductive surfaces of ungrounded
cranes and crane-mounted cell-servicing equipment.
(C) Electrolytic Cell Lines. Electrolytic cell lines shall
comply with the provisions of Chapters 1 through 4 except
as amended in 668.3(C)(1) through (C)(4).
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particular metal, gas, or chemical compound may differ
from any other cell lines producing the same product because of variations in the particular raw materials used,
output capacity, use of proprietary methods or process practices, or other modifying factors to the extent that detailed
Code requirements become overly restrictive and do not
accomplish the stated purpose of this Code.
668.11
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Electrically Connected. A connection capable of carrying
current as distinguished from connection through electromagnetic induction.
Electrolytic Cell. A tank or vat in which electrochemical
reactions are caused by applying electric energy for the
purpose of refining or producing usable materials.
Electrolytic Cell Line Working Zone. The space envelope
wherein operation or maintenance is normally performed
on or in the vicinity of exposed energized surfaces of electrolytic cell lines or their attachments.
668.3 Other Articles.
(A) Lighting, Ventilating, Material Handling. Chapters 1
through 4 shall apply to services, feeders, branch circuits,
and apparatus for supplying lighting, ventilating, material
handling, and the like that are outside the electrolytic cell
line working zone.
(B) Systems Not Electrically Connected. Those elements
of a cell line power-supply system that are not electrically
connected to the cell supply system, such as the primary
winding of a two-winding transformer, the motor of a
motor-generator set, feeders, branch circuits, disconnecting
means, motor controllers, and overload protective equipment, shall be required to comply with all applicable provisions of this Code.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
668.10 Cell Line Working Zone.
(A) Area Covered. The space envelope of the cell line
working zone shall encompass spaces that meet any of the
following conditions:
(1) Is within 2.5 m (96 in.) above energized surfaces of
electrolytic cell lines or their energized attachments
(2) Is below energized surfaces of electrolytic cell lines or
their energized attachments, provided the headroom in
the space beneath is less than 2.5 m (96 in.)
(3) Is within 1.0 m (42 in.) horizontally from energized
surfaces of electrolytic cell lines or their energized attachments or from the space envelope described in
668.10(A)(1) or (A)(2)
(B) Area Not Covered. The cell line working zone shall
not be required to extend through or beyond walls, floors,
roofs, partitions, barriers, or the like.
668.11 Direct-Current Cell Line Process Power Supply.
(A) Not Grounded. The direct-current cell line process
power-supply conductors shall not be required to be
grounded.
(B) Metal Enclosures Grounded. All metal enclosures of
power-supply apparatus for the direct-current cell line process operating at a power-supply potential between terminals of over 50 volts shall be grounded by either of the
following means:
(1) Through protective relaying equipment
70–605
668.12
ARTICLE 668 — ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
(C) Grounding Requirements. The grounding connections required by 668.11(B) shall be installed in accordance
with 250.8, 250.10, 250.12, 250.68, and 250.70.
668.12 Cell Line Conductors.
(A) Insulation and Material. Cell line conductors shall be
either bare, covered, or insulated and of copper, aluminum,
copper-clad aluminum, steel, or other suitable material.
(B) Size. Cell line conductors shall be of such crosssectional area that the temperature rise under maximum
load conditions and at maximum ambient shall not exceed
the safe operating temperature of the conductor insulation
or the material of the conductor supports.
(C) Connections. Cell line conductors shall be joined by
bolted, welded, clamped, or compression connectors.
Exception No. 1: Where the cell line voltage does not
exceed 200 volts dc, these frames and enclosures shall be
permitted to be grounded.
Exception No. 2: These frames and enclosures shall be
permitted to be grounded where guarded.
(B) Isolating Transformers. Electrically powered, handheld, cord-connected portable equipment with ungrounded
frames or enclosures used within the cell line working zone
shall be connected to receptacle circuits that have only ungrounded conductors such as a branch circuit supplied by
an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary.
(C) Marking. Ungrounded portable electrical equipment
shall be distinctively marked and shall employ plugs and
receptacles of a configuration that prevents connection of
this equipment to grounding receptacles and that prevents
inadvertent interchange of ungrounded and grounded portable electrical equipments.
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(2) By a minimum 2/0 AWG copper grounding conductor
or a conductor of equal or greater conductance
668.21 Power-Supply Circuits and Receptacles for Portable Electrical Equipment.
668.13 Disconnecting Means.
(A) Isolated Circuits. Circuits supplying power to ungrounded receptacles for hand-held, cord-connected equipment shall be electrically isolated from any distribution system supplying areas other than the cell line working zone
and shall be ungrounded. Power for these circuits shall be
supplied through isolating transformers. Primaries of such
transformers shall operate at not more than 1000 volts between conductors and shall be provided with proper overcurrent protection. The secondary voltage of such transformers shall not exceed 300 volts between conductors, and
all circuits supplied from such secondaries shall be ungrounded and shall have an approved overcurrent device of
proper rating in each conductor. [ROP 12–160]
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(A) More Than One Process Power Supply. Where more
than one direct-current cell line process power supply
serves the same cell line, a disconnecting means shall be
provided on the cell line circuit side of each power supply
to disconnect it from the cell line circuit.
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(B) Removable Links or Conductors. Removable links
or removable conductors shall be permitted to be used as
the disconnecting means.
668.14 Shunting Means.
(A) Partial or Total Shunting. Partial or total shunting of
cell line circuit current around one or more cells shall be
permitted.
(B) Shunting One or More Cells. The conductors,
switches, or combination of conductors and switches used
for shunting one or more cells shall comply with the applicable requirements of 668.12.
668.15 Grounding. For equipment, apparatus, and structural components that are required to be grounded by provisions of Article 668, the provisions of Article 250 shall
apply, except a water pipe electrode shall not be required to
be used. Any electrode or combination of electrodes described in 250.52 shall be permitted.
668.20 Portable Electrical Equipment.
(A) Portable Electrical Equipment Not to Be
Grounded. The frames and enclosures of portable electrical equipment used within the cell line working zone shall
not be grounded.
70–606
(B) Noninterchangeability. Receptacles and their mating
plugs for ungrounded equipment shall not have provision
for a grounding conductor and shall be of a configuration
that prevents their use for equipment required to be
grounded.
(C) Marking. Receptacles on circuits supplied by an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary shall be a
distinctive configuration, shall be distinctively marked, and
shall not be used in any other location in the plant.
668.30 Fixed and Portable Electrical Equipment.
(A) Electrical Equipment Not Required to Be
Grounded. Alternating-current systems supplying fixed
and portable electrical equipment within the cell line working zone shall not be required to be grounded.
(B) Exposed Conductive Surfaces Not Required to Be
Grounded. Exposed conductive surfaces, such as electrical
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
669.8
ARTICLE 669 — ELECTROPLATING
equipment housings, cabinets, boxes, motors, raceways,
and the like, that are within the cell line working zone shall
not be required to be grounded.
(D) Circuit Protection. Circuit protection shall not be required for control and instrumentation that are totally
within the cell line working zone.
669.3 General. Equipment for use in electroplating processes shall be identified for such service.
669.5 Branch-Circuit Conductors. Branch-circuit conductors supplying one or more units of equipment shall
have an ampacity of not less than 125 percent of the total
connected load. The ampacities for busbars shall be in accordance with 366.23.
669.6 Wiring Methods. Conductors connecting the electrolyte tank equipment to the conversion equipment shall be
in accordance with 669.6(A) and (B).
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(E) Bonding. Bonding of fixed electrical equipment to the
energized conductive surfaces of the cell line, its attachments, or auxiliaries shall be permitted. Where fixed electrical equipment is mounted on an energized conductive
surface, it shall be bonded to that surface.
669.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
installation of the electrical components and accessory
equipment that supply the power and controls for electroplating, anodizing, electropolishing, and electrostripping.
For purposes of this article, the term electroplating shall be
used to identify any or all of these processes.
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(C) Wiring Methods. Auxiliary electrical equipment such
as motors, transducers, sensors, control devices, and
alarms, mounted on an electrolytic cell or other energized
surface, shall be connected to premises wiring systems by
any of the following means:
(1) Multiconductor hard usage cord.
(2) Wire or cable in suitable raceways or metal or nonmetallic cable trays. If metal conduit, cable tray, armored
cable, or similar metallic systems are used, they shall
be installed with insulating breaks such that they do not
cause a potentially hazardous electrical condition.
ARTICLE 669
Electroplating
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668.31 Auxiliary Nonelectrical Connections. Auxiliary
nonelectrical connections, such as air hoses, water hoses,
and the like, to an electrolytic cell, its attachments, or auxiliary equipment shall not have continuous conductive reinforcing wire, armor, braids, and the like. Hoses shall be
of a nonconductive material.
668.32 Cranes and Hoists.
(A) Conductive Surfaces to Be Insulated from Ground.
The conductive surfaces of cranes and hoists that enter the
cell line working zone shall not be required to be grounded.
The portion of an overhead crane or hoist that contacts an
energized electrolytic cell or energized attachments shall be
insulated from ground.
(B) Hazardous Electrical Conditions. Remote crane or
hoist controls that could introduce hazardous electrical conditions into the cell line working zone shall employ one or
more of the following systems:
(1) Isolated and ungrounded control circuit in accordance
with 668.21(A)
(2) Nonconductive rope operator
(3) Pendant pushbutton with nonconductive supporting
means and having nonconductive surfaces or ungrounded exposed conductive surfaces
(4) Radio
668.40 Enclosures. General-purpose electrical equipment
enclosures shall be permitted where a natural draft ventilation system prevents the accumulation of gases.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Systems Not Exceeding 50 Volts Direct Current. Insulated conductors shall be permitted to be run without
insulated support, provided they are protected from physical damage. Bare copper or aluminum conductors shall be
permitted where supported on insulators.
(B) Systems Exceeding 50 Volts Direct Current. Insulated conductors shall be permitted to be run on insulated
supports, provided they are protected from physical damage. Bare copper or aluminum conductors shall be permitted where supported on insulators and guarded against accidental contact up to the point of termination in
accordance with 110.28.
669.7 Warning Signs. Warning signs shall be posted to
indicate the presence of bare conductors. The warning
sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP 12–
165]
669.8 Disconnecting Means.
(A) More Than One Power Supply. Where more than
one power supply serves the same dc system, a disconnecting means shall be provided on the dc side of each power
supply.
(B) Removable Links or Conductors. Removable links
or removable conductors shall be permitted to be used as
the disconnecting means.
70–607
669.9
ARTICLE 670 — INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY
669.9 Overcurrent Protection. Direct-current conductors
shall be protected from overcurrent by one or more of the
following:
(1) Fuses or circuit breakers
(2) A current-sensing device that operates a disconnecting
means
(3) Other approved means
(4) Short-circuit current rating of the machine industrial
control panel based on one of the following:
a. Short-circuit current rating of a listed and labeled
machine control enclosure or assembly
b. Short-circuit current rating established utilizing an
approved method
Informational Note: UL 508A-2001, Supplement SB, is an
example of an approved method.
(5) Electrical diagram number(s) or the number of the index to the electrical drawings
670.1 Scope. This article covers the definition of, the
nameplate data for, and the size and overcurrent protection
of supply conductors to industrial machinery.
Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see
NFPA 79-2007, Electrical Standard for Industrial
Machinery.
670.2 Definition.
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Industrial Machinery (Machine). A power-driven machine (or a group of machines working together in a coordinated manner), not portable by hand while working, that
is used to process material by cutting; forming; pressure;
electrical, thermal, or optical techniques; lamination; or a
combination of these processes. It can include associated
equipment used to transfer material or tooling, including
fixtures, to assemble/disassemble, to inspect or test, or to
package. [The associated electrical equipment, including
the logic controller(s) and associated software or logic together with the machine actuators and sensors, are considered as part of the industrial machine.]
670.3 Machine Nameplate Data.
(A) Permanent Nameplate. A permanent nameplate shall
be attached to the control equipment enclosure or machine
and shall be plainly visible after installation. The nameplate
shall include the following information:
(1) Supply voltage, number of phases, frequency, and fullload current
(2) Maximum ampere rating of the short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device
(3) Ampere rating of largest motor, from the motor nameplate, or load
70–608
Informational Note: See 430.22(E) and 430.26 for duty
cycle requirements.
AF
Informational Note No. 2: For information on the workspace requirements for equipment containing supply conductor terminals, see 110.27. For information on the workspace requirements for machine power and control
equipment, see NFPA 79-2007, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery.
The full-load current shown on the nameplate shall not
be less than the sum of the full-load currents required for
all motors and other equipment that may be in operation at
the same time under normal conditions of use. Where unusual type loads, duty cycles, and so forth require oversized
conductors or permit reduced-size conductors, the required
capacity shall be included in the marked “full-load current.” Where more than one incoming supply circuit is to
be provided, the nameplate shall state the preceding information for each circuit.
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ARTICLE 670
Industrial Machinery
(B) Overcurrent Protection. Where overcurrent protection is provided in accordance with 670.4(C), the machine
shall be marked “overcurrent protection provided at machine supply terminals.”
670.4 Supply Conductors and Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Size. The size of the supply conductor shall be such as
to have an ampacity not less than 125 percent of the fullload current rating of all resistance heating loads plus
125 percent of the full-load current rating of the highest
rated motor plus the sum of the full-load current ratings of
all other connected motors and apparatus, based on their
duty cycle, that may be in operation at the same time.
Informational Note No. 1: See the 0–2000-volt ampacity
tables of Article 310 for ampacity of conductors rated 1000
volts and below. [ROP 12–167]
Informational Note No. 2: See 430.22(E) and 430.26 for
duty cycle requirements.
(B) Disconnecting Means. A machine shall be considered
as an individual unit and therefore shall be provided with
disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall be
permitted to be supplied by branch circuits protected by
either fuses or circuit breakers. The disconnecting means
shall not be required to incorporate overcurrent protection.
(C) Overcurrent Protection. Where furnished as part of
the machine, overcurrent protection for each supply circuit
shall consist of a single circuit breaker or set of fuses, the
machine shall bear the marking required in 670.3, and the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 675 — ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN OR CONTROLLED IRRIGATION MACHINES
675.4 Irrigation Cable.
(A) Construction. The cable used to interconnect enclosures on the structure of an irrigation machine shall be an
assembly of stranded, insulated conductors with nonhygroscopic and nonwicking filler in a core of moisture- and
flame-resistant nonmetallic material overlaid with a metallic covering and jacketed with a moisture-, corrosion-, and
sunlight-resistant nonmetallic material.
The conductor insulation shall be of a type listed in
Table 310.104(A) for an operating temperature of 75°C
(167°F) and for use in wet locations. The core insulating
material thickness shall not be less than 0.76 mm (30 mils),
and the metallic overlay thickness shall be not less than
0.20 mm (8 mils). The jacketing material thickness shall be
not less than 1.27 mm (50 mils).
A composite of power, control, and grounding conductors in the cable shall be permitted.
AF
Exception: Where one or more instantaneous trip circuit
breakers or motor short-circuit protectors are used for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection
as permitted by 430.52(C), the procedure specified in
670.4(C) for determining the maximum rating of the protective device for the circuit supplying the machine shall
apply with the following provision: For the purpose of the
calculation, each instantaneous trip circuit breaker or motor short-circuit protector shall be assumed to have a rating not exceeding the maximum percentage of motor fullload current permitted by Table 430.52 for the type of
machine supply circuit protective device employed.
Irrigation Machine. An electrically driven or controlled
machine, with one or more motors, not hand-portable, and
used primarily to transport and distribute water for agricultural purposes.
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supply conductors shall be considered either as feeders or
as taps as covered by 240.21.
The rating or setting of the overcurrent protective device for the circuit supplying the machine shall not be
greater than the sum of the largest rating or setting of the
branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device provided with the machine, plus 125 percent of the
full-load current rating of all resistance heating loads, plus
the sum of the full-load currents of all other motors and
apparatus that could be in operation at the same time.
675.7
Where no branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault
protective device is provided with the machine, the rating
or setting of the overcurrent protective device shall be
based on 430.52 and 430.53, as applicable.
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670.5 Short-Circuit Current Rating. Industrial machinery shall not be installed where the available fault current
exceeds its short-circuit current rating as marked in accordance with 670.3(A)(4).
ARTICLE 675
Electrically Driven or Controlled
Irrigation Machines
I. General
675.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to electrically driven or controlled irrigation machines, and to the
branch circuits and controllers for such equipment.
675.2 Definitions.
Center Pivot Irrigation Machine. A multimotored irrigation machine that revolves around a central pivot and employs alignment switches or similar devices to control individual motors.
Collector Rings. An assembly of slip rings for transferring
electric energy from a stationary to a rotating member.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(B) Alternate Wiring Methods. Installation of other listed
cables complying with the construction requirements of
675.4(A) shall be permitted.
(C) Supports. Irrigation cable shall be secured by straps,
hangers, or similar fittings identified for the purpose and so
installed as not to damage the cable. Cable shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 1.2 m (4 ft).
(D) Fittings. Fittings shall be used at all points where irrigation cable terminates. The fittings shall be designed for
use with the cable and shall be suitable for the conditions of
service.
675.5 More Than Three Conductors in a Raceway or
Cable. The signal and control conductors of a raceway or
cable shall not be counted for the purpose of ampacity
adjustment as required in 310.15(B)(3)(a).
675.6 Marking on Main Control Panel. The main control
panel shall be provided with a nameplate that shall give the
following information:
(1) The manufacturer’s name, the rated voltage, the phase,
and the frequency
(2) The current rating of the machine
(3) The rating of the main disconnecting means and size of
overcurrent protection required
675.7 Equivalent Current Ratings. Where intermittent
duty is not involved, the provisions of Article 430 shall be
used for determining ratings for controllers, disconnecting
means, conductors, and the like. Where irrigation machines
70–609
675.8
ARTICLE 675 — ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN OR CONTROLLED IRRIGATION MACHINES
have inherent intermittent duty, the determinations of
equivalent current ratings in 675.7(A) and (B) shall be
used.
675.9 Branch-Circuit Conductors. The branch-circuit
conductors shall have an ampacity not less than specified in
675.7(A) or 675.22(A).
(A) Continuous-Current Rating. The equivalent
continuous-current rating for the selection of branch-circuit
conductors and overcurrent protection shall be equal to
125 percent of the motor nameplate full-load current rating
of the largest motor, plus a quantity equal to the sum of
each of the motor nameplate full-load current ratings of all
remaining motors on the circuit, multiplied by the maximum percent duty cycle at which they can continuously
operate.
675.10 Several Motors on One Branch Circuit.
675.8 Disconnecting Means.
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AF
(A) Main Controller. A controller that is used to start and
stop the complete machine shall meet all of the following
requirements:
(1) An equivalent continuous current rating not less than
specified in 675.7(A) or 675.22(A)
(2) A horsepower rating not less than the value from Table
430.251(A) and Table 430.251(B), based on the
equivalent locked-rotor current specified in 675.7(B) or
675.22(B)
(B) Individual Protection Not Required. Individual
branch-circuit short-circuit protection for motors and motor
controllers shall not be required where the requirements of
675.10(A) are met.
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(B) Locked-Rotor Current. The equivalent locked-rotor
current rating shall be equal to the numerical sum of the
locked-rotor current of the two largest motors plus 100
percent of the sum of the motor nameplate full-load current
ratings of all the remaining motors on the circuit.
(A) Protection Required. Several motors, each not exceeding 2 hp rating, shall be permitted to be used on an
irrigation machine circuit protected at not more than 30
amperes at 1000 volts, nominal, or less, provided all of the
following conditions are met: [ROP 19–120]
(1) The full-load rating of any motor in the circuit shall not
exceed 6 amperes.
(2) Each motor in the circuit shall have individual overload
protection in accordance with 430.32.
(3) Taps to individual motors shall not be smaller than 14
AWG copper and not more than 7.5 m (25 ft) in length.
Exception: A listed molded case switch shall not require a
horsepower rating.
(B) Main Disconnecting Means. The main disconnecting
means for the machine shall provide overcurrent protection,
shall be at the point of connection of electric power to the
machine, or shall be in sight from the machine, and shall be
readily accessible and lockable in accordance with 110.25.
This disconnecting means shall have a horsepower and current rating not less than required for the main controller.
[ROP 19–119, ROP 19–118, ROP 19–117]
Exception No. 1: Circuit breakers without marked horsepower ratings shall be permitted in accordance with
430.109.
Exception No. 2: A listed molded case switch without
marked horsepower ratings shall be permitted.
(C) Disconnecting Means for Individual Motors and
Controllers. A disconnecting means shall be provided to
simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors for
each motor and controller and shall be located as required
by Article 430, Part IX. The disconnecting means shall not
be required to be readily accessible.
70–610
675.11 Collector Rings.
(A) Transmitting Current for Power Purposes. Collector rings shall have a current rating not less than 125 percent of the full-load current of the largest device served
plus the full-load current of all other devices served, or as
determined from 675.7(A) or 675.22(A).
(B) Control and Signal Purposes. Collector rings for control and signal purposes shall have a current rating not less
than 125 percent of the full-load current of the largest device served plus the full-load current of all other devices
served.
(C) Grounding. The collector ring used for grounding
shall have a current rating not less than that sized in accordance with 675.11(A).
(D) Protection. Collector rings shall be protected from the
expected environment and from accidental contact by
means of a suitable enclosure.
675.12 Grounding. The following equipment shall be
grounded:
(1) All electrical equipment on the irrigation machine
(2) All electrical equipment associated with the irrigation
machine
(3) Metal junction boxes and enclosures
(4) Control panels or control equipment that supplies or
controls electrical equipment to the irrigation machine
Exception: Grounding shall not be required on machines
where all of the following provisions are met:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
675.13 Methods of Grounding. Machines that require
grounding shall have a non–current-carrying equipment
grounding conductor provided as an integral part of each
cord, cable, or raceway. This grounding conductor shall be
sized not less than the largest supply conductor in each
cord, cable, or raceway. Feeder circuits supplying power to
irrigation machines shall have an equipment grounding
conductor sized according to Table 250.122.
(B) Locked-Rotor Current. The equivalent locked-rotor
current rating shall be equal to the numerical sum of two
times the locked-rotor current of the largest motor plus
80 percent of the sum of the motor nameplate full-load
current ratings of all the remaining motors on the circuit.
ARTICLE 680
Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar
Installations
I. General
AF
675.14 Bonding. Where electrical grounding is required
on an irrigation machine, the metallic structure of the machine, metallic conduit, or metallic sheath of cable shall be
connected to the grounding conductor. Metal-to-metal contact with a part that is connected to the grounding conductor and the non–current-carrying parts of the machine shall
be considered as an acceptable bonding path.
(A) Continuous-Current Rating. The equivalent
continuous-current rating for the selection of branch-circuit
conductors and branch-circuit devices shall be equal to
125 percent of the motor nameplate full-load current rating
of the largest motor plus 60 percent of the sum of the motor
nameplate full-load current ratings of all remaining motors
on the circuit.
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(a) The machine is electrically controlled but not electrically driven.
(b) The control voltage is 30 volts or less.
(c) The control or signal circuits are current limited as
specified in Chapter 9, Tables 11(A) and 11(B).
680.2
675.15 Lightning Protection. If an irrigation machine has
a stationary point, a grounding electrode system in accordance with Article 250, Part III, shall be connected to the
machine at the stationary point for lightning protection.
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675.16 Energy from More Than One Source. Equipment
within an enclosure receiving electric energy from more
than one source shall not be required to have a disconnecting means for the additional source, provided that its voltage is 30 volts or less and it meets the requirements of Part
III of Article 725.
675.17 Connectors. External plugs and connectors on the
equipment shall be of the weatherproof type.
Unless provided solely for the connection of circuits
meeting the requirements of Part III of Article 725, external
plugs and connectors shall be constructed as specified in
250.124(A).
II. Center Pivot Irrigation Machines
675.21 General. The provisions of Part II are intended to
cover additional special requirements that are peculiar to
center pivot irrigation machines. See 675.2 for the definition of Center Pivot Irrigation Machine.
675.22 Equivalent Current Ratings. To establish ratings
of controllers, disconnecting means, conductors, and the
like, for the inherent intermittent duty of center pivot irrigation machines, the determinations in 675.22(A) and (B)
shall be used.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
680.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
construction and installation of electrical wiring for, and
equipment in or adjacent to, all swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools; fountains; hot tubs; spas; and
hydromassage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or
storable, and to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as
pumps, filters, and similar equipment. The term body of
water used throughout Part I applies to all bodies of water
covered in this scope unless otherwise amended.
680.2 Definitions.
Cord-and-Plug-Connected Lighting Assembly. A lighting assembly consisting of a luminaire intended for installation in the wall of a spa, hot tub, or storable pool, and a
cord-and-plug-connected transformer.
Dry-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation in the floor or wall of a pool, spa, or fountain in a niche
that is sealed against the entry of water.
Fixed (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location. [ROP
17–83a]
Forming Shell. A structure designed to support a wet-niche
luminaire assembly and intended for mounting in a pool or
fountain structure.
Fountain. Fountains, ornamental pools, display pools, and
reflection pools. The definition does not include drinking
fountains.
Hydromassage Bathtub. A permanently installed bathtub
equipped with a recirculating piping system, pump, and
70–611
ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
associated equipment. It is designed so it can accept, circulate, and discharge water upon each use.
Low Voltage Contact Limit. A voltage not exceeding the
following values:
(1) 15 volts (RMS) for sinusoidal ac
(2) 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac
(3) 30 volts for continuous dc
(4) 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted at a rate of 10
to 200 Hz
Maximum Water Level. The highest level that water can
reach before it spills out.
No-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation
above or below the water without a niche.
Packaged Spa or Hot Tub Equipment Assembly. A
factory-fabricated unit consisting of water-circulating, heating, and control equipment mounted on a common base,
intended to operate a spa or hot tub. Equipment can include
pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.
Self-Contained Therapeutic Tubs or Hydrotherapeutic
Tanks. A factory-fabricated unit consisting of a therapeutic
tub or hydrotherapeutic tank with all water-circulating,
heating, and control equipment integral to the unit. Equipment may include pumps, air blowers, heaters, light controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.
Spa or Hot Tub. A hydromassage pool, or tub for recreational or therapeutic use, not located in health care facilities, designed for immersion of users, and usually having a
filter, heater, and motor-driven blower. It may be installed
indoors or outdoors, on the ground or supporting structure,
or in the ground or supporting structure. Generally, a spa or
hot tub is not designed or intended to have its contents
drained or discharged after each use.
Stationary (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is
not moved from one place to another in normal use. [ROP
17–83a]
AF
Packaged Therapeutic Tub or Hydrotherapeutic Tank
Equipment Assembly. A factory-fabricated unit consisting
of water-circulating, heating, and control equipment
mounted on a common base, intended to operate a therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic tank. Equipment can include
pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.
Self-Contained Spa or Hot Tub. Factory-fabricated unit
consisting of a spa or hot tub vessel with all watercirculating, heating, and control equipment integral to the
unit. Equipment can include pumps, air blowers, heaters,
lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.
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680.3
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Permanently Installed Decorative Fountains and Reflection Pools. Those that are constructed in the ground, on the
ground, or in a building in such a manner that the fountain
cannot be readily disassembled for storage, whether or not
served by electrical circuits of any nature. These units are
primarily constructed for their aesthetic value and are not
intended for swimming or wading.
Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion,
and Therapeutic Pools. Those that are constructed in the
ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of
holding water in a depth greater than 1.0 m (42 in.), and all
pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water
depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any
nature.
Pool. Manufactured or field-constructed equipment designed to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent
basis and used for swimming, wading, immersion, or therapeutic purposes.
Pool Cover, Electrically Operated. Motor-driven equipment designed to cover and uncover the water surface of a
pool by means of a flexible sheet or rigid frame.
Portable (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is
actually moved or can easily be moved from one place to
another in normal use. [ROP 17–83a]
70–612
Storable Swimming, Wading, or Immersion Pools, or
Storable/Portable Spas and Hot Tubs. Those that are
constructed on or above the ground and are capable of
holding water to a maximum depth of 1.0 m (42 in.), or a
pool, spa, or hot tub with nonmetallic, molded polymeric
walls or inflatable fabric walls regardless of dimension.
[ROP 17–90]
Through-Wall Lighting Assembly. A lighting assembly
intended for installation above grade, on or through the
wall of a pool, consisting of two interconnected groups of
components separated by the pool wall.
Wet-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation in a forming shell mounted in a pool or fountain structure where the luminaire will be completely surrounded by
water.
680.3 Other Articles. Except as modified by this article,
wiring and equipment in or adjacent to pools and fountains
shall comply with other applicable provisions of this Code,
including those provisions identified in Table 680.3.
680.4 Approval of Equipment. All electrical equipment
installed in the water, walls, or decks of pools, fountains,
and similar installations shall comply with the provisions of
this article.
680.5 Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters. Ground-fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs) shall be self-contained units,
circuit-breaker or receptacle types, or other listed types.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
680.10
ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
given, the measurement shall be taken from the maximum
water level of the specified body of water.
Topic
Section or Article
Site lighting systems
operating at 30 volts or less
Audio equipment
Adjacent to pools and
fountains
Underwater speakers*
411.4(B)
Article 640, Parts I and II
640.10
*Underwater loudspeakers shall be installed in accordance with
680.27(A).
Informational Note: Open overhead wiring as used in this
article typically refers to conductor(s) not in an enclosed
raceway.
B
B
A
B
B
B
A
C
Observation
stand
Pool
C
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680.6 Grounding. Electrical equipment shall be grounded
in accordance with Parts V, VI, and VII of Article 250 and
connected by wiring methods of Chapter 3, except as modified by this article. The following equipment shall be
grounded:
(1) Through-wall lighting assemblies and underwater luminaires, other than those low-voltage lighting products
listed for the application without a grounding conductor
(2) All electrical equipment located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of
the inside wall of the specified body of water
(3) All electrical equipment associated with the recirculating system of the specified body of water
(4) Junction boxes
(5) Transformer and power supply enclosures
(6) Ground-fault circuit interrupters
(7) Panelboards that are not part of the service equipment
and that supply any electrical equipment associated
with the specified body of water
(A) Power. With respect to service drop conductors, overhead service conductors, and open overhead wiring, swimming pool and similar installations shall comply with the
minimum clearances given in Table 680.8 and illustrated in
Figure 680.8. [ROP 17–92]
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Table 680.3 Other Articles
680.7 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. Fixed or
stationary equipment, other than underwater luminaires, for
a permanently installed pool shall be permitted to be connected with a flexible cord and plug to facilitate the removal or disconnection for maintenance or repair.
(A) Length. For other than storable pools, the flexible cord
shall not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.
(B) Equipment Grounding. The flexible cord shall have a
copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance
with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG. The cord shall
terminate in a grounding-type attachment plug.
(C) Construction. The equipment grounding conductors
shall be connected to a fixed metal part of the assembly.
The removable part shall be mounted on or bonded to the
fixed metal part.
680.8 Overhead Conductor Clearances. Overhead conductors shall meet the clearance requirements in this section. Where a minimum clearance from the water level is
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Figure 680.8 Clearances from Pool Structures.
(B) Communications Systems. Communications, radio,
and television coaxial cables within the scope of Articles
800 through 820 shall be permitted at a height of not less
than 3.0 m (10 ft) above swimming and wading pools,
diving structures, and observation stands, towers, or platforms.
(C) Network-Powered Broadband Communications
Systems. The minimum clearances for overhead networkpowered broadband communications systems conductors
from pools or fountains shall comply with the provisions in
Table 680.8 for conductors operating at 0 to 750 volts to
ground.
680.9 Electric Pool Water Heaters. All electric pool water heaters shall have the heating elements subdivided into
loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over
60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors
and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices
shall not be less than 125 percent of the total nameplaterated load.
680.10 Underground Wiring Location. Underground
wiring shall not be permitted under the pool or within the
area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside
wall of the pool unless this wiring is necessary to supply
pool equipment permitted by this article. Where space limitations prevent wiring from being routed a distance 1.5 m
(5 ft) or more from the pool, such wiring shall be permitted
where installed in complete raceway systems of rigid metal
70–613
680.11
ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
Table 680.8 Overhead Conductor Clearances
Insulated Cables, 0–750
Volts to Ground,
Supported on and
Cabled Together with a
Solidly Grounded Bare
Messenger or Solidly
Grounded Neutral
Conductor
All Other Conductors Voltage to Ground
0 through 15 kV
Over 15 through 50 kV
m
ft
m
ft
m
ft
A.
Clearance in any direction
to the water level, edge of
water surface, base of
diving platform, or
permanently anchored raft
6.9
22.5
7.5
25
8.0
27
B.
Clearance in any direction
to the observation stand,
tower, or diving platform
4.4
14.5
5.2
17
5.5
18
C.
Horizontal limit of
clearance measured from
inside wall of the pool
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Clearance Parameters
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This limit shall extend to the outer edge of the structures listed in A and B of this table but not
less than 3 m (10 ft).
[ROP17–93]
conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or a nonmetallic raceway system. All metal conduit shall be corrosion resistant
and suitable for the location. The minimum cover depth
shall be as given in Table 680.10.
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Table 680.10 Minimum Cover Depths
Minimum Cover
Wiring Method
Rigid metal conduit
Intermediate metal
conduit
Nonmetallic raceways
listed for direct
burial under
minimum of
102 mm (4 in.) thick
concrete exterior
slab and extending
not less than
162 mm (6 in.)
beyond the
underground
installation
Nonmetallic raceways
listed for direct
burial without
concrete encasement
Other approved
raceways*
mm
in.
150
150
6
6
150
6
680.12 Maintenance Disconnecting Means. One or more
means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors shall be provided for all utilization equipment other
than lighting. Each means shall be readily accessible and
within sight from its equipment and shall be located at least
1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool,
spa, fountain, or hot tub unless separated from the open
water by a permanently installed barrier that provides a 1.5
m (5 ft) reach path or greater. This horizontal distance is to
be measured from the water’s edge along the shortest path
required to reach the disconnect. [ROP 17–96]
II. Permanently Installed Pools
680.20 General. Electrical installations at permanently installed pools shall comply with the provisions of Part I and
Part II of this article.
450
450
18
680.21 Motors.
18
(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring to a pool motor shall
comply with (A)(1) unless modified for specific circumstances by (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5).
*Raceways approved for burial only where concrete encased shall
require a concrete envelope not less than 50 mm (2 in.) thick.
70–614
680.11 Equipment Rooms and Pits. Electrical equipment
shall not be installed in rooms or pits that do not have
drainage that prevents water accumulation during normal
operation or filter maintenance. [ROP 17–2]
(1) General. The branch circuits for pool-associated motors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, reinforced
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680.22
ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
(2) On or Within Buildings. Where installed on or within
buildings, electrical metallic tubing shall be permitted.
(3) Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ
flexible connections at or adjacent to the motor, liquidtight
flexible metal or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
with approved fittings shall be permitted.
(4) One-Family Dwellings. In the interior of dwelling
units, or in the interior of accessory buildings associated
with a dwelling unit, any of the wiring methods recognized
in Chapter 3 of this Code that comply with the provisions
of this section shall be permitted. Where run in a cable
assembly, the equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to be uninsulated, but it shall be enclosed within the
outer sheath of the cable assembly.
[ROP 17–101, ROP 17–104, ROP 17–105]
(2) Other Receptacles, Location. Other receptacles shall
be not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a
pool.
(3) . Where a permanently installed pool is installed, no
fewer than one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a
general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than
1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not more than 6.0 m (20 ft) from,
the inside wall of the pool. This receptacle shall be located
not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) above the floor, platform, or
grade level serving the pool. [ROP 17–106]
(4) GFCI Protection. All 15- and 20-ampere, singlephase, 125-volt receptacles located within 6.0 m (20 ft) of
the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a groundfault circuit interrupter.
AF
(5) Cord-and-Plug Connections. Pool-associated motors
shall be permitted to employ cord-and-plug connections.
The flexible cord shall not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.
The flexible cord shall include a copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with 250.122 but not
smaller than 12 AWG. The cord shall terminate in a
grounding-type attachment plug.
inside walls of the pool if they meet all of the following
conditions:
(1) Consist of single receptacles
(2) Are of the grounding type
(3) Have GFCI protection
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thermosetting resin conduit, or Type MC cable listed for the
location. Other wiring methods and materials shall be permitted in specific locations or applications as covered in
this section. Any wiring method employed shall contain an
insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in
accordance with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.
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(B) Double Insulated Pool Pumps. A listed cord-andplug-connected pool pump incorporating an approved system of double insulation that provides a means for grounding only the internal and nonaccessible, non–currentcarrying metal parts of the pump shall be connected to any
wiring method recognized in Chapter 3 that is suitable for
the location. Where the bonding grid is connected to the
equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit in accordance with the second sentence of 680.26(B)(6)(a), the
branch-circuit wiring shall comply with 680.21(A).
(C) GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase, 120 volt through 240 volt
branch circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection for personnel. [ROP 17–100]
680.22 Lighting, Receptacles, and Equipment.
(A) Receptacles.
(1) Circulation and Sanitation System, Location. Receptacles that provide power for water-pump motors or for
other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation
system shall be located at least 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside
walls of the pool, or not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(5) Measurements. In determining the dimensions in this
section addressing receptacle spacings, the distance to be
measured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an
appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without
piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent
barrier.
(B) Luminaires, Lighting
Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
Outlets,
and
Ceiling-
(1) New Outdoor Installation Clearances. In outdoor
pool areas, luminaires, lighting outlets, and ceilingsuspended (paddle) fans installed above the pool or the area
extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of
the pool shall be installed at a height not less than 3.7 m
(12 ft) above the maximum water level of the pool.
(2) Indoor Clearances. For installations in indoor pool
areas, the clearances shall be the same as for outdoor areas
unless modified as provided in this paragraph. If the branch
circuit supplying the equipment is protected by a groundfault circuit interrupter, the following equipment shall be
permitted at a height not less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.) above
the maximum pool water level:
(1) Totally enclosed luminaires
(2) Ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans identified for use beneath ceiling structures such as provided on porches or
patios
(3) Existing Installations. Existing luminaires and lighting outlets located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) measured horizon-
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
tally from the inside walls of a pool shall be not less than
1.5 m (5 ft) above the surface of the maximum water level,
shall be rigidly attached to the existing structure, and shall
be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(4) GFCI Protection in Adjacent Areas. Luminaires,
lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans installed in the area extending between 1.5 m (5 ft) and 3.0 m
(10 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool shall be
protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter unless installed not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) above the maximum water
level and rigidly attached to the structure adjacent to or
enclosing the pool.
(5) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Luminaires. Cord-andplug-connected luminaires shall comply with the requirements of 680.7 where installed within 4.9 m (16 ft) of any
point on the water surface, measured radially.
(3) GFCI Protection, Relamping. A ground-fault circuit
interrupter shall be installed in the branch circuit supplying
luminaires operating at more than the low voltage contact
limit such that there is no shock hazard during relamping.
The installation of the ground-fault circuit interrupter shall
be such that there is no shock hazard with any likely faultcondition combination that involves a person in a conductive path from any ungrounded part of the branch circuit or
the luminaire to ground.
(4) Voltage Limitation. No luminaires shall be installed
for operation on supply circuits over 150 volts between
conductors.
(5) Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires. Luminaires
mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the
luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the
normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed
and identified for use at lesser depths. No luminaire shall be
installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water
level of the pool.
AF
(C) Switching Devices. Switching devices shall be located
at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a
pool unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall,
or other permanent barrier. Alternatively, a switch that is
listed as being acceptable for use within 1.5 m (5 ft) shall
be permitted.
incorporates an approved system of double insulation between the primary and secondary windings.
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680.23
(D) Other Outlets. Other outlets shall be not less than 3.0
m (10 ft) from the inside walls of the pool. Measurements
shall be determined in accordance with 680.22(A)(5).
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Informational Note: Other outlets may include, but are not
limited to, remote-control, signaling, fire alarm, and communications circuits.
680.23 Underwater Luminaires. This section covers all
luminaires installed below the maximum water level of the
pool. [ROP 17–109]
(A) General.
(1) Luminaire Design, Normal Operation. The design of
an underwater luminaire supplied from a branch circuit either directly or by way of a transformer or power supply
meeting the requirements of this section shall be such that,
where the luminaire is properly installed without a groundfault circuit interrupter, there is no shock hazard with any
likely combination of fault conditions during normal use
(not relamping).
(2) Transformers and Power Supplies. Transformers and
power supplies used for the supply of underwater luminaires, together with the transformer or power supply enclosure, shall be listed for swimming pool and spa use. The
transformer or power supply shall incorporate either a
transformer of the isolated winding type, with an ungrounded secondary that has a grounded metal barrier between the primary and secondary windings, or one that
70–616
(6) Bottom-Mounted Luminaires. A luminaire facing upward shall comply with either (1) or (2):
(1) Have the lens guarded to prevent contact by any person
[ROP 17–2]
(2) Be listed for use without a guard
(7) Dependence on Submersion. Luminaires that depend
on submersion for safe operation shall be inherently protected against the hazards of overheating when not submerged.
(8) Compliance. Compliance with these requirements
shall be obtained by the use of a listed underwater luminaire and by installation of a listed ground-fault circuit
interrupter in the branch circuit or a listed transformer or
power supply for luminaires operating at not more than the
low voltage contact limit.
(B) Wet-Niche Luminaires.
(1) Forming Shells. Forming shells shall be installed for
the mounting of all wet-niche underwater luminaires and
shall be equipped with provisions for conduit entries. Metal
parts of the luminaire and forming shell in contact with the
pool water shall be of brass or other approved corrosionresistant metal. All forming shells used with nonmetallic
conduit systems, other than those that are part of a listed
low-voltage lighting system not requiring grounding, shall
include provisions for terminating an 8 AWG copper conductor.
(2) Wiring Extending Directly to the Forming Shell.
Conduit shall be installed from the forming shell to a junc-
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
(a) Metal Conduit. Metal conduit shall be approved
and shall be of brass or other approved corrosion-resistant
metal.
(b) Nonmetallic Conduit. Where a nonmetallic conduit
is used, an 8 AWG insulated solid or stranded copper bonding jumper shall be installed in this conduit unless a listed
low-voltage lighting system not requiring grounding is
used. The bonding jumper shall be terminated in the forming shell, junction box or transformer enclosure, or groundfault circuit-interrupter enclosure. The termination of the 8
AWG bonding jumper in the forming shell shall be covered
with, or encapsulated in, a listed potting compound to protect the connection from the possible deteriorating effect of
pool water.
(1) Construction. A dry-niche luminaire shall have provision for drainage of water. Other than listed low voltage
luminaires not requiring grounding, a dry-niche luminaire
shall have means for accommodating one equipment
grounding conductor for each conduit entry.
(2) Junction Box. A junction box shall not be required but,
if used, shall not be required to be elevated or located as
specified in 680.24(A)(2) if the luminaire is specifically
identified for the purpose.
(D) No-Niche Luminaires. A no-niche luminaire shall
meet the construction requirements of 680.23(B)(3) and be
installed in accordance with the requirements of 680.23(B).
Where connection to a forming shell is specified, the connection shall be to the mounting bracket.
(E) Through-Wall Lighting Assembly. A through-wall
lighting assembly shall be equipped with a threaded entry
or hub, or a nonmetallic hub, for the purpose of accommodating the termination of the supply conduit. A throughwall lighting assembly shall meet the construction requirements of 680.23(B)(3) and be installed in accordance with
the requirements of 680.23. Where connection to a forming
shell is specified, the connection shall be to the conduit
termination point.
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(3) Equipment Grounding Provisions for Cords. Other
than listed low-voltages lighting systems not requiring
grounding wet-niche luminaires that are supplied by a flexible cord or cable shall have all exposed non–currentcarrying metal parts grounded by an insulated copper
equipment grounding conductor that is an integral part of
the cord or cable. This grounding conductor shall be connected to a grounding terminal in the supply junction box,
transformer enclosure, or other enclosure. The grounding
conductor shall not be smaller than the supply conductors
and not smaller than 16 AWG.
(C) Dry-Niche Luminaires.
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tion box or other enclosure conforming to the requirements
in 680.24. Conduit shall be rigid metal, intermediate metal,
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic, or rigid nonmetallic.
680.23
(4) Luminaire Grounding Terminations. The end of the
flexible-cord jacket and the flexible-cord conductor terminations within a luminaire shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable potting compound to prevent the entry
of water into the luminaire through the cord or its conductors. If present, the grounding connection within a luminaire shall be similarly treated to protect such connection
from the deteriorating effect of pool water in the event of
water entry into the luminaire.
(5) Luminaire Bonding. The luminaire shall be bonded
to, and secured to, the forming shell by a positive locking
device that ensures a low-resistance contact and requires a
tool to remove the luminaire from the forming shell. Bonding shall not be required for luminaires that are listed for
the application and have no non–current-carrying metal
parts.
(6) Servicing. All wet-niche luminaires shall be removable
from the water for inspection, relamping, or other maintenance. The forming shell location and length of cord in the
forming shell shall permit personnel to place the removed
luminaire on the deck or other dry location for such maintenance. The luminaire maintenance location shall be accessible without entering or going in the pool water.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(F) Branch-Circuit Wiring.
(1) Wiring Methods. Branch-circuit wiring on the supply
side of enclosures and junction boxes connected to conduits
run to wet-niche and no-niche luminaires, and the field
wiring compartments of dry-niche luminaires, shall be installed using rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, or reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit. Where installed on buildings, electrical metallic
tubing shall be permitted, and where installed within buildings, electrical nonmetallic tubing, Type MC cable, electrical metallic tubing, or Type AC cable shall be permitted. In
all cases, an insulated equipment grounding conductor
sized in accordance with Table 250.122 but not less than 12
AWG shall be required.
Exception: Where connecting to transformers for pool
lights, liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall be permitted.
The length shall not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft) for any one length
or exceed 3.0 m (10 ft) in total length used.
(2) Equipment Grounding. Other than listed low-voltage
luminaires not requiring grounding, all through-wall lighting assemblies, wet-niche, dry-niche, or no-niche luminaires shall be connected to an insulated copper equipment
grounding conductor installed with the circuit conductors.
The equipment grounding conductor shall be installed with-
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
out joint or splice except as permitted in (F)(2)(a) and
(F)(2)(b). The equipment grounding conductor shall be
sized in accordance with Table 250.122 but shall not be
smaller than 12 AWG.
Exception: An equipment grounding conductor between
the wiring chamber of the secondary winding of a transformer and a junction box shall be sized in accordance with
the overcurrent device in this circuit.
(2) Installation. Where the luminaire operates over the
low voltage contact limit, the junction box location shall
comply with (A)(2)(a) and (A)(2)(b). Where the luminaire
operates at the low voltage contact limit or less, the junction box location shall be permitted to comply with
(A)(2)(c).
(a) Vertical Spacing. The junction box shall be located
not less than 100 mm (4 in.), measured from the inside of
the bottom of the box, above the ground level, or pool deck,
or not less than 200 mm (8 in.) above the maximum pool
water level, whichever provides the greater elevation.
(b) Horizontal Spacing. The junction box shall be located not less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the inside wall of the
pool, unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall,
or other permanent barrier.
(c) Flush Deck Box. If used on a lighting system operating at the low voltage contact limit or less, a flush deck
box shall be permitted if both of the following conditions
are met:
AF
(a) If more than one underwater luminaire is supplied
by the same branch circuit, the equipment grounding conductor, installed between the junction boxes, transformer
enclosures, or other enclosures in the supply circuit to wetniche luminaires, or between the field-wiring compartments
of dry-niche luminaires, shall be permitted to be terminated
on grounding terminals.
(b) If the underwater luminaire is supplied from a
transformer, ground-fault circuit interrupter, clock-operated
switch, or a manual snap switch that is located between the
panelboard and a junction box connected to the conduit that
extends directly to the underwater luminaire, the equipment
grounding conductor shall be permitted to terminate on
grounding terminals on the transformer, ground-fault circuit
interrupter, clock-operated switch enclosure, or an outlet
box used to enclose a snap switch.
(3) Be provided with electrical continuity between every
connected metal conduit and the grounding terminals
by means of copper, brass, or other approved
corrosion-resistant metal that is integral with the box
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680.24
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(3) Conductors. Conductors on the load side of a groundfault circuit interrupter or of a transformer, used to comply
with the provisions of 680.23(A)(8), shall not occupy raceways, boxes, or enclosures containing other conductors unless one of the following conditions applies:
(1) The other conductors are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.
(2) The other conductors are grounding conductors.
(3) The other conductors are supply conductors to a feedthrough-type ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(4) Ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted in a
panelboard that contains circuits protected by other
than ground-fault circuit interrupters.
680.24 Junction Boxes and Electrical Enclosures for
Transformers or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters.
(A) Junction Boxes. A junction box connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell or mounting
bracket of a no-niche luminaire shall meet the requirements
of this section.
(1) Construction. The junction box shall be listed as a
swimming pool junction box and shall comply with the
following conditions:
(1) Be equipped with threaded entries or hubs or a nonmetallic hub
(2) Be comprised of copper, brass, suitable plastic, or other
approved corrosion-resistant material
70–618
(1) An approved potting compound is used to fill the box
to prevent the entrance of moisture.
(2) The flush deck box is located not less than 1.2 m (4 ft)
from the inside wall of the pool.
(B) Other Enclosures. An enclosure for a transformer,
ground-fault circuit interrupter, or a similar device connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell
or mounting bracket of a no-niche luminaire shall meet the
requirements of this section.
(1) Construction. The enclosure shall be listed and labeled
for the purpose and meet the following requirements:
(1) Equipped with threaded entries or hubs or a nonmetallic hub
(2) Comprised of copper, brass, suitable plastic, or other
approved corrosion-resistant material
(3) Provided with an approved seal, such as duct seal at the
conduit connection, that prevents circulation of air between the conduit and the enclosures
(4) Provided with electrical continuity between every connected metal conduit and the grounding terminals by
means of copper, brass, or other approved corrosionresistant metal that is integral with the box
(2) Installation.
(a) Vertical Spacing. The enclosure shall be located
not less than 100 mm (4 in.), measured from the inside of
the bottom of the box, above the ground level, or pool deck,
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
(C) Protection. Junction boxes and enclosures mounted
above the grade of the finished walkway around the pool
shall not be located in the walkway unless afforded additional protection, such as by location under diving boards,
adjacent to fixed structures, and the like.
(D) Grounding Terminals. Junction boxes, transformer
and power-supply enclosures, and ground-fault circuitinterrupter enclosures connected to a conduit that extends
directly to a forming shell or mounting bracket of a noniche luminaire shall be provided with a number of grounding terminals that shall be no fewer than one more than the
number of conduit entries.
(2) Aluminum Conduit. Aluminum conduit shall not be
permitted in the pool area where subject to corrosion.
(B) Grounding. An equipment grounding conductor shall
be installed with the feeder conductors between the grounding terminal of the pool equipment panelboard and the
grounding terminal of the applicable service equipment or
source of a separately derived system. For other than (1)
existing feeders covered in 680.25(A), exception, or (2)
feeders to separate buildings that do not utilize an insulated
equipment grounding conductor in accordance with
680.25(B)(2), this equipment grounding conductor shall be
insulated.
(1) Size. This conductor shall be sized in accordance with
250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG. On separately derived systems, this conductor shall be sized in accordance
with 250.30(A)(3) but not smaller than 8 AWG.
(2) Separate Buildings. A feeder to a separate building or
structure shall be permitted to supply swimming pool
equipment branch circuits, or feeders supplying swimming
pool equipment branch circuits, if the grounding arrangements in the separate building meet the requirements in
250.32(B). Where installed in other than existing feeders
covered in 680.25(A), Exception, a separate equipment
grounding conductor shall be an insulated conductor.
AF
(E) Strain Relief. The termination of a flexible cord of an
underwater luminaire within a junction box, transformer or
power-supply enclosure, ground-fault circuit interrupter, or
other enclosure shall be provided with a strain relief.
[ROP 17–119, ROP 17–120]
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or not less than 200 mm (8 in.) above the maximum pool
water level, whichever provides the greater elevation.
(b) Horizontal Spacing. The enclosure shall be located
not less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the inside wall of the pool,
unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall, or
other permanent barrier.
680.26
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(F) Grounding. The equipment grounding conductor terminals of a junction box, transformer enclosure, or other
enclosure in the supply circuit to a wet-niche or no-niche
luminaire and the field-wiring chamber of a dry-niche luminaire shall be connected to the equipment grounding terminal of the panelboard. This terminal shall be directly
connected to the panelboard enclosure.
680.25 Feeders. These provisions shall apply to any feeder
on the supply side of panelboards supplying branch circuits
for pool equipment covered in Part II of this article and on
the load side of the service equipment or the source of a
separately derived system.
(A) Wiring Methods.
(1) Feeders. Feeders shall be installed in rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit. The following wiring
methods shall be permitted if not subject to physical damage:
(1) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
(2) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(3) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit
(4) Electrical metallic tubing where installed on or within a
building
(5) Electrical nonmetallic tubing where installed within a
building
(6) Type MC cable where installed within a building and if
not subject to corrosive environment
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
680.26 Equipotential Bonding.
(A) Performance. The equipotential bonding required by
this section shall be installed to reduce voltage gradients in
the pool area.
(B) Bonded Parts. The parts specified in 680.26(B)(1)
through (B)(7) shall be bonded together using solid copper
conductors, insulated covered, or bare, not smaller than 8
AWG or with rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified corrosion-resistant metal. Connections to bonded parts
shall be made in accordance with 250.8. An 8 AWG or
larger solid copper bonding conductor provided to reduce
voltage gradients in the pool area shall not be required to be
extended or attached to remote panelboards, service equipment, or electrodes.
(1) Conductive Pool Shells. Bonding to conductive pool
shells shall be provided as specified in 680.26(B)(1)(a) or
(B)(1)(b). Poured concrete, pneumatically applied or
sprayed concrete, and concrete block with painted or plastered coatings shall all be considered conductive materials
due to water permeability and porosity. Vinyl liners and
fiberglass composite shells shall be considered to be nonconductive materials.
(a) Structural Reinforcing Steel. Unencapsulated structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded together by steel tie
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
wires or the equivalent. Where structural reinforcing steel is
encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor grid shall be installed in accordance with
680.26(B)(1)(b).
(b) Copper Conductor Grid. A copper conductor grid
shall be provided and shall comply with (b)(1) through
(b)(4).
(1) Be constructed of minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper
conductors bonded to each other at all points of crossing. The bonding shall be in accordance with 250.8 or
other approved means.
(2) Conform to the contour of the pool
(3) Be arranged in a 300-mm (12-in.) by 300-mm (12-in.)
network of conductors in a uniformly spaced perpendicular grid pattern with a tolerance of 100 mm (4 in.)
(4) Be secured within or under the pool no more than
150 mm (6 in.) from the outer contour of the pool shell
Exception: Listed low-voltage lighting systems with nonmetallic forming shells shall not require bonding.
(5) Metal Fittings. All metal fittings within or attached to
the pool structure shall be bonded. Isolated parts that are
not over 100 mm (4 in.) in any dimension and do not
penetrate into the pool structure more than 25 mm (1 in.)
shall not require bonding.
(6) Electrical Equipment. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool water circulating system,
including pump motors and metal parts of equipment associated with pool covers, including electric motors, shall be
bonded.
Exception: Metal parts of listed equipment incorporating
an approved system of double insulation shall not be
bonded.
(a) Double-Insulated Water Pump Motors. Where a
double-insulated water pump motor is installed under the
provisions of this rule, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor of
sufficient length to make a bonding connection to a replacement motor shall be extended from the bonding grid to an
accessible point in the vicinity of the pool pump motor.
Where there is no connection between the swimming pool
bonding grid and the equipment grounding system for the
premises, this bonding conductor shall be connected to the
equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit.
(b) Pool Water Heaters. For pool water heaters rated
at more than 50 amperes and having specific instructions
regarding bonding and grounding, only those parts designated to be bonded shall be bonded and only those parts
designated to be grounded shall be grounded.
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(2) Perimeter Surfaces. The perimeter surface shall extend for 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of
the pool and shall include unpaved surfaces, as well as
poured concrete surfaces and other types of paving. Perimeter surfaces less than 1 m (3 ft) separated by a permanent
wall or building 1.5 m (5 ft) in height or more shall require
equipotential bonding on the pool side of the permanent
wall or building. Bonding to perimeter surfaces shall be
provided as specified in 680.26(B)(2)(a) or (2)(b) and shall
be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced
around the perimeter of the pool. For nonconductive pool
shells, bonding at four points shall not be required.
(4) Underwater Lighting. All metal forming shells and
mounting brackets of no-niche luminaires shall be bonded.
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680.26
(a) Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing
steel shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B)(1)(a).
(b) Alternate Means. Where structural reinforcing steel
is not available or is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor(s) shall be utilized where the
following requirements are met:
(1) At least one minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper conductor shall be provided.
(2) The conductors shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface.
(3) Only listed splices shall be permitted.
(4) The required conductor shall be 450 mm to 600 mm
(18 in. to 24 in.) from the inside walls of the pool.
(5) The required conductor shall be secured within or under the perimeter surface 100 mm to 150 mm (4 in. to
6 in.) below the subgrade.
(3) Metallic Components. All metallic parts of the pool
structure, including reinforcing metal not addressed in
680.26(B)(1)(a), shall be bonded. Where reinforcing steel is
encapsulated with a nonconductive compound, the reinforcing steel shall not be required to be bonded.
70–620
(7) Fixed Metal Parts. All fixed metal parts shall be
bonded including, but not limited to, metal-sheathed cables
and raceways, metal piping, metal awnings, metal fences,
and metal door and window frames.
Exception No. 1: Those separated from the pool by a
permanent barrier that prevents contact by a person shall
not be required to be bonded.
Exception No. 2: Those greater than 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool shall not be required
to be bonded. [ROP 17–129]
Exception No. 3: Those greater than 3.7 m (12 ft) measured vertically above the maximum water level of the pool,
or as measured vertically above any observation stands,
towers, or platforms, or any diving structures, shall not be
required to be bonded.
(C) Pool Water. Where none of the bonded parts is in
direct connection with the pool water, the pool water shall
be in direct contact with an approved corrosion-resistant
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
680.27 Specialized Pool Equipment.
(A) Underwater Audio Equipment. All underwater audio
equipment shall be identified. [ROP 17–133]
(1) Speakers. Each speaker shall be mounted in an approved metal forming shell, the front of which is enclosed
by a captive metal screen, or equivalent, that is bonded to,
and secured to, the forming shell by a positive locking
device that ensures a low-resistance contact and requires a
tool to open for installation or servicing of the speaker. The
forming shell shall be installed in a recess in the wall or
floor of the pool.
(2) Protection. The electric motor and controller shall be
connected to a circuit protected by a ground-fault circuit
interrupter.
(C) Deck Area Heating. The provisions of this section
shall apply to all pool deck areas, including a covered pool,
where electrically operated comfort heating units are installed within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside wall of the pool.
(1) Unit Heaters. Unit heaters shall be rigidly mounted to
the structure and shall be of the totally enclosed or guarded
type. Unit heaters shall not be mounted over the pool or
within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the
inside walls of a pool.
(2) Permanently Wired Radiant Heaters. Radiant electric heaters shall be suitably guarded and securely fastened
to their mounting device(s). Heaters shall not be installed
over a pool or within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool and shall be
mounted at least 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically above the pool
deck unless otherwise approved.
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(2) Wiring Methods. Rigid metal conduit of brass or other
identified corrosion-resistant metal, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC-B), rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, or reinforced thermosetting resin conduit shall extend
from the forming shell to a listed junction box or other
enclosure as provided in 680.24. Where rigid polyvinyl
chloride conduit, reinforced thermosetting resin conduit, or
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit is used, an 8 AWG
insulated solid or stranded copper bonding jumper shall be
installed in this conduit. The bonding jumper shall be terminated in the forming shell and the junction box. The
termination of the 8 AWG bonding jumper in the forming
shell shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a listed
potting compound to protect such connection from the possible deteriorating effect of pool water.
Informational Note No. 3: For protection against liquids,
see 430.11.
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conductive surface that exposes not less than 5800 mm2 (9
in.2) of surface area to the pool water at all times. The
conductive surface shall be located where it is not exposed
to physical damage or dislodgement during usual pool activities, and it shall be bonded in accordance with
680.26(B). [ROP 17–131]
680.32
(3) Forming Shell and Metal Screen. The forming shell
and metal screen shall be of brass or other approved
corrosion-resistant metal. All forming shells shall include
provisions for terminating an 8 AWG copper conductor.
(B) Electrically Operated Pool Covers.
(1) Motors and Controllers. The electric motors, controllers, and wiring shall be located not less than 1.5 m (5 ft)
from the inside wall of the pool unless separated from the
pool by a wall, cover, or other permanent barrier. Electric
motors installed below grade level shall be of the totally
enclosed type. The device that controls the operation of the
motor for an electrically operated pool cover shall be located such that the operator has full view of the pool.
Informational Note No. 1: For cabinets installed in damp
and wet locations, see 312.2.
Informational Note No. 2: For switches or circuit breakers
installed in wet locations, see 404.4.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Radiant Heating Cables Not Permitted. Radiant
heating cables embedded in or below the deck shall not be
permitted.
III. Storable Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
[ROP 17–137]
680.30 General. Electrical installations at storable pools,
spas, or hot tubs shall comply with the provisions of Part I
and Part III of this article. [ROP 17–137]
680.31 Pumps. A cord-connected pool filter pump shall
incorporate an approved system of double insulation or its
equivalent and shall be provided with means for grounding
only the internal and nonaccessible non–current-carrying
metal parts of the appliance.
The means for grounding shall be an equipment
grounding conductor run with the power-supply conductors
in the flexible cord that is properly terminated in a
grounding-type attachment plug having a fixed grounding
contact member.
Cord-connected pool filter pumps shall be provided
with a ground-fault circuit interrupter that is an integral part
of the attachment plug or located in the power supply cord
within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug.
680.32 Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters Required.
All electrical equipment, including power-supply cords,
used with storable pools shall be protected by ground-fault
circuit interrupters.
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located
within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside walls of a storable pool,
spa, or hot tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit
interrupter. In determining these dimensions, the distance to
be measured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an
appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without
piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent
barrier. [ROP 17–137]
Informational Note: For flexible cord usage, see 400.4.
680.33 Luminaires. An underwater luminaire, if installed,
shall be installed in or on the wall of the storable pool, spa,
or hot tub. It shall comply with either 680.33(A) or (B).
[ROP 17–137]
680.40 General. Electrical installations at spas and hot
tubs shall comply with the provisions of Part I and Part IV
of this article.
680.41 Emergency Switch for Spas and Hot Tubs. A
clearly labeled emergency shutoff or control switch for the
purpose of stopping the motor(s) that provide power to the
recirculation system and jet system shall be installed at a
point readily accessible to the users and not less than 1.5 m
(5 ft) away, adjacent to, and within sight of the spa or hot
tub. This requirement shall not apply to single-family
dwellings.
680.42 Outdoor Installations. A spa or hot tub installed
outdoors shall comply with the provisions of Parts I and II
of this article, except as permitted in 680.42(A) and (B),
that would otherwise apply to pools installed outdoors.
(A) Flexible Connections. Listed packaged spa or hot tub
equipment assemblies or self-contained spas or hot tubs
utilizing a factory-installed or assembled control panel or
panelboard shall be permitted to use flexible connections as
covered in 680.42(A)(1) and (A)(2).
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(A) Within the Low Voltage Contact Limit. A luminaire
shall be part of a cord-and-plug-connected lighting assembly. This assembly shall be listed as an assembly for the
purpose and have the following construction features:
(1) No exposed metal parts
(2) A luminaire lamp that is suitable for use at the supplied
voltage
(3) An impact-resistant polymeric lens, luminaire body,
and transformer enclosure
(4) A transformer or power supply meeting the requirements of 680.23(A)(2) with a primary rating not over
150 volts
IV. Spas and Hot Tubs
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680.33
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(B) Over the Low Voltage Contact Limit But Not over
150 Volts. A lighting assembly without a transformer or
power supply and with the luminaire lamp(s) operating at
not over 150 volts shall be permitted to be cord-and-plugconnected where the assembly is listed as an assembly for
the purpose. The installation shall comply with
680.23(A)(5), and the assembly shall have the following
construction features:
(1) No exposed metal parts
(2) An impact-resistant polymeric lens and luminaire body
(3) A ground-fault circuit interrupter with open neutral
conductor protection as an integral part of the assembly
(4) The luminaire lamp permanently connected to the
ground-fault circuit interrupter with open-neutral protection
(5) Compliance with the requirements of 680.23(A)
680.34 Receptacle Locations. Receptacles shall not be located less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a
storable pool, spa, or hot tub. In determining these dimensions, the distance to be measured shall be the shortest path
the supply cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle
would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other
effective permanent barrier. [ROP 17–137]
70–622
(1) Flexible Conduit. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit or
liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted.
[ROP 17–139, ROP 17–140]
(2) Cord-and-Plug Connections. Cord-and-plug connections with a cord not longer than 4.6 m (15 ft) shall be
permitted where protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(B) Bonding. Bonding by metal-to-metal mounting on a
common frame or base shall be permitted. The metal bands
or hoops used to secure wooden staves shall not be required
to be bonded as required in 680.26.
Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance with 680.26(B)(2) shall not be required to be provided for spas and hot tubs where all of the following
conditions apply:
(1) The spa or hot tub shall be listed as a self-contained spa
for aboveground use.
(2) The spa or hot tub shall not be identified as suitable
only for indoor use.
(3) The installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall be located on or above
grade.
(4) The top rim of the spa or hot tub shall be at least 71 cm
(28 in.) above all perimeter surfaces that are within
76 cm (30 in.) measured horizontally from the spa or
hot tub. The height of nonconductive external steps for
entry to or exit from the self-contained spa shall not be
used to reduce or increase this rim height measurement.
[ROP 17–142]
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
(C) Interior Wiring to Outdoor Installations. In the interior of a dwelling unit or in the interior of another building or structure associated with a dwelling unit, any of the
wiring methods recognized or permitted in Chapter 3 of
this Code that contains a copper equipment grounding conductor that is insulated or enclosed within the outer sheath
of the wiring method and not smaller than 12 AWG shall be
permitted to be used for the connection to motor, heating,
and control loads that are part of a self-contained spa or hot
tub or a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly. Wiring to an underwater luminaire shall comply with 680.23 or
680.33. [ROP 17–145]
(B) Installation of Luminaires, Lighting Outlets, and
Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
(1) Elevation. Luminaires, except as covered in
680.43(B)(2), lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended
(paddle) fans located over the spa or hot tub or within 1.5
m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub shall
comply with the clearances specified in (B)(1)(a),
(B)(1)(b), and (B)(1)(c) above the maximum water level.
(a) Without GFCI. Where no GFCI protection is provided, the mounting height shall be not less than 3.7 m
(12 ft).
(b) With GFCI. Where GFCI protection is provided,
the mounting height shall be permitted to be not less than
2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.).
(c) Below 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.). Luminaires meeting the
requirements of item (1) or (2) and protected by a groundfault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be installed
less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.) over a spa or hot tub:
(1) Recessed luminaires with a glass or plastic lens, nonmetallic or electrically isolated metal trim, and suitable
for use in damp locations
(2) Surface-mounted luminaires with a glass or plastic
globe, a nonmetallic body, or a metallic body isolated
from contact, and suitable for use in damp locations
AF
680.43 Indoor Installations. A spa or hot tub installed
indoors shall comply with the provisions of Parts I and II of
this article except as modified by this section and shall be
connected by the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
(4) Measurements. In determining the dimensions in this
section addressing receptacle spacings, the distance to be
measured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an
appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without
piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent
barrier.
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Informational Note: For information regarding listing requirements for self-contained spas and hot tubs, see
ANSI/UL 1563 - 2010, Standard for Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment. [ROP
17–142]
680.43
Exception No. 1: Listed spa and hot tub packaged units
rated 20 amperes or less shall be permitted to be cord-andplug-connected to facilitate the removal or disconnection of
the unit for maintenance and repair.
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Exception No. 2: The equipotential bonding requirements
for perimeter surfaces in 680.26(B)(2) shall not apply to a
listed self-contained spa or hot tub installed above a finished floor.
Exception No. 3: For dwelling unit(s) only, where a listed
spa or hot tub is installed indoors, the wiring method requirements of 680.42(C) shall also apply. [ROP 17–146]
(A) Receptacles. At least one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere
receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not exceeding
3.0 m (10 ft) from, the inside wall of the spa or hot tub.
(1) Location. Receptacles shall be located at least 1.83 m
(6 ft) measured horizontally from the inside walls of the spa
or hot tub.
(2) Protection, General. Receptacles rated 125 volts and
30 amperes or less and located within 3.0 m (10 ft) of the
inside walls of a spa or hot tub shall be protected by a
ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(3) Protection, Spa or Hot Tub Supply Receptacle. Receptacles that provide power for a spa or hot tub shall be
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Underwater Applications. Underwater luminaires
shall comply with the provisions of 680.23 or 680.33.
(C) Switches. Switches shall be located at least 1.5 m
(5 ft), measured horizontally, from the inside walls of the
spa or hot tub.
(D) Bonding. The following parts shall be bonded together:
(1) All metal fittings within or attached to the spa or hot
tub structure
(2) Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the
spa or hot tub water circulating system, including pump
motors, unless part of a listed self-contained spa or hot
tub
(3) Metal raceway and metal piping that are within 1.5 m
(5 ft) of the inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that
are not separated from the spa or hot tub by a permanent barrier
(4) All metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the
inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that are not
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
separated from the spa or hot tub area by a permanent
barrier
Exception: Small conductive surfaces not likely to become
energized, such as air and water jets and drain fittings,
where not connected to metallic piping, towel bars, mirror
frames, and similar nonelectrical equipment, shall not be
required to be bonded.
(5) Electrical devices and controls that are not associated
with the spas or hot tubs and that are located less than
1.5 m (5 ft) from such units; otherwise, they shall be
bonded to the spa or hot tub system
(E) Methods of Bonding. All metal parts associated with
the spa or hot tub shall be bonded by any of the following
methods:
(1) The interconnection of threaded metal piping and fittings
(2) Metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame or base
(3) The provisions of a solid copper bonding jumper, insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG
680.50 General. The provisions of Part I and Part V of this
article shall apply to all permanently installed fountains as
defined in 680.2. Fountains that have water common to a
pool shall additionally comply with the requirements in
Part II of this article. Part V does not cover self-contained,
portable fountains. Portable fountains shall comply with
Parts II and III of Article 422.
680.51 Luminaires, Submersible Pumps, and Other
Submersible Equipment.
(A) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. Luminaires, submersible pumps, and other submersible equipment, unless
listed for operation at low voltage contact limit or less and
supplied by a transformer or power supply that complies
with 680.23(A)(2), shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(B) Operating Voltage. No luminaires shall be installed
for operation on supply circuits over 150 volts between
conductors. Submersible pumps and other submersible
equipment shall operate at 300 volts or less between conductors.
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(F) Grounding. The following equipment shall be
grounded:
(1) All electrical equipment located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of
the inside wall of the spa or hot tub
(2) All electrical equipment associated with the circulating
system of the spa or hot tub
V. Fountains
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680.44
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(G) Underwater Audio Equipment. Underwater audio
equipment shall comply with the provisions of Part II of
this article.
680.44 Protection. Except as otherwise provided in this
section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained spa or
hot tub, a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly, or
a field-assembled spa or hot tub shall be protected by a
ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(A) Listed Units. If so marked, a listed self-contained unit
or listed packaged equipment assembly that includes integral ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers,
heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so
forth) shall be permitted without additional GFCI protection.
(C) Luminaire Lenses. Luminaires shall be installed with
the top of the luminaire lens below the normal water level
of the fountain unless listed for above-water locations. A
luminaire facing upward shall comply with either (1) or (2):
(1) Have the lens guarded to prevent contact by any person
[ROP 17–2]
(2) Be listed for use without a guard
(D) Overheating Protection. Electrical equipment that depends on submersion for safe operation shall be protected
against overheating by a low-water cutoff or other approved
means when not submerged.
(E) Wiring. Equipment shall be equipped with provisions
for threaded conduit entries or be provided with a suitable
flexible cord. The maximum length of each exposed cord in
the fountain shall be limited to 3.0 m (10 ft). Cords extending beyond the fountain perimeter shall be enclosed in approved wiring enclosures. Metal parts of equipment in contact with water shall be of brass or other approved
corrosion-resistant metal.
(B) Other Units. A field-assembled spa or hot tub rated 3
phase or rated over 250 volts or with a heater load of more
than 50 amperes shall not require the supply to be protected
by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
(F) Servicing. All equipment shall be removable from the
water for relamping or normal maintenance. Luminaires
shall not be permanently embedded into the fountain structure such that the water level must be reduced or the fountain drained for relamping, maintenance, or inspection.
Informational Note: See 680.2 for definitions of selfcontained spa or hot tub and for packaged spa or hot tub
equipment assembly.
(G) Stability. Equipment shall be inherently stable or be
securely fastened in place.
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
680.52 Junction Boxes and Other Enclosures.
(A) General. Junction boxes and other enclosures used for
other than underwater installation shall comply with
680.24.
(B) Underwater Junction Boxes and Other Underwater
Enclosures. Junction boxes and other underwater enclosures shall meet the requirements of 680.52(B)(1) and
(B)(2).
680.57
(B) Supplied by a Flexible Cord. Electrical equipment
that is supplied by a flexible cord shall have all exposed
non–current-carrying metal parts grounded by an insulated
copper equipment grounding conductor that is an integral
part of this cord. The equipment grounding conductor shall
be connected to an equipment grounding terminal in the
supply junction box, transformer enclosure, power supply
enclosure, or other enclosure.
680.56 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment.
(a) Underwater enclosures shall be equipped with provisions for threaded conduit entries or compression glands
or seals for cord entry.
(b) Underwater enclosures shall be submersible and
made of copper, brass, or other approved corrosionresistant material.
(2) Installation. Underwater enclosure installations shall
comply with (a) and (b).
(B) Cord Type. Flexible cord immersed in or exposed to
water shall be of a type for extra-hard usage, as designated
in Table 400.4, and shall be a listed type with a “W” suffix.
(C) Sealing. The end of the flexible cord jacket and the
flexible cord conductor termination within equipment shall
be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable potting compound to prevent the entry of water into the equipment
through the cord or its conductors. In addition, the ground
connection within equipment shall be similarly treated to
protect such connections from the deteriorating effect of
water that may enter into the equipment.
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(a) Underwater enclosures shall be filled with an approved potting compound to prevent the entry of moisture.
(b) Underwater enclosures shall be firmly attached to
the supports or directly to the fountain surface and bonded
as required. Where the junction box is supported only by
conduits in accordance with 314.23(E) and (F), the conduits
shall be of copper, brass, stainless steel, or other approved
corrosion-resistant metal. Where the box is fed by nonmetallic conduit, it shall have additional supports and fasteners
of copper, brass, or other approved corrosion-resistant
material.
(A) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. All electrical
equipment, including power-supply cords, shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.
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(1) Construction.
680.53 Bonding. All metal piping systems associated with
the fountain shall be bonded to the equipment grounding
conductor of the branch circuit supplying the fountain.
Informational Note:
conductors.
See 250.122 for sizing of these
680.54 Grounding. The following equipment shall be
grounded:
(1) Other than listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring
grounding, all electrical equipment located within the
fountain or within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the
fountain
(2) All electrical equipment associated with the recirculating system of the fountain
(3) Panelboards that are not part of the service equipment
and that supply any electrical equipment associated
with the fountain
680.55 Methods of Grounding.
(A) Applied Provisions. The provisions of 680.21(A),
680.23(B)(3), 680.23(F)(1) and (F)(2), 680.24(F), and
680.25 shall apply.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Terminations. Connections with flexible cord shall be
permanent, except that grounding-type attachment plugs
and receptacles shall be permitted to facilitate removal or
disconnection for maintenance, repair, or storage of fixed or
stationary equipment not located in any water-containing
part of a fountain.
680.57 Signs.
(A) General. This section covers electric signs installed
within a fountain or within 3.0 m (10 ft) of the fountain
edge.
(B) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for
Personnel. All circuits supplying the sign shall have
ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
(C) Location.
(1) Fixed or Stationary. A fixed or stationary electric sign
installed within a fountain shall be not less than 1.5 m (5 ft)
inside the fountain measured from the outside edges of the
fountain.
(2) Portable. A portable electric sign shall not be placed
within a pool or fountain or within 1.5 m (5 ft) measured
horizontally from the inside walls of the fountain.
(D) Disconnect. A sign shall have a local disconnecting
means in accordance with 600.6 and 680.12.
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ARTICLE 680 — SWIMMING POOLS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
(E) Bonding and Grounding. A sign shall be grounded
and bonded in accordance with 600.7.
680.58 GFCI Protection for Adjacent Receptacle Outlets. All 15- or 20-ampere, single-phase 125-volt through
250-volt receptacles located within 6.0 m (20 ft) of a fountain edge shall be provided with GFCI protection.
VI. Pools and Tubs for Therapeutic Use
680.60 General. The provisions of Part I and Part VI of
this article shall apply to pools and tubs for therapeutic use
in health care facilities, gymnasiums, athletic training
rooms, and similar areas. Portable therapeutic appliances
shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 422.
Informational Note: See 517.2 for definition of health care
facilities.
Exception: Small conductive surfaces not likely to become
energized, such as air and water jets and drain fittings not
connected to metallic piping, and towel bars, mirror
frames, and similar nonelectrical equipment not connected
to metal framing, shall not be required to be bonded.
(C) Methods of Bonding. All metal parts required to be
bonded by this section shall be bonded by any of the following methods:
(1) The interconnection of threaded metal piping and fittings
(2) Metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame or base
(3) Connections by suitable metal clamps
(4) By the provisions of a solid copper bonding jumper,
insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG
AF
680.61 Permanently Installed Therapeutic Pools. Therapeutic pools that are constructed in the ground, on the
ground, or in a building in such a manner that the pool
cannot be readily disassembled shall comply with Parts I
and II of this article.
(B) Bonding. The following parts shall be bonded together:
(1) All metal fittings within or attached to the tub structure
(2) Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the
tub water circulating system, including pump motors
(3) Metal-sheathed cables and raceways and metal piping
that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the tub
and not separated from the tub by a permanent barrier
(4) All metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the
inside walls of the tub and not separated from the tub
area by a permanent barrier
(5) Electrical devices and controls that are not associated
with the therapeutic tubs and located within 1.5 m (5 ft)
from such units.
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680.58
Exception: The limitations of 680.22(B)(1) through (C)(4)
shall not apply where all luminaires are of the totally enclosed type.
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680.62 Therapeutic Tubs (Hydrotherapeutic Tanks).
Therapeutic tubs, used for the submersion and treatment of
patients, that are not easily moved from one place to another in normal use or that are fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location, including associated piping systems, shall conform to Part VI.
(A) Protection. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained therapeutic
tub or hydrotherapeutic tank, a packaged therapeutic tub or
hydrotherapeutic tank, or a field-assembled therapeutic tub
or hydrotherapeutic tank shall be protected by a groundfault circuit interrupter.
(1) Listed Units. If so marked, a listed self-contained unit
or listed packaged equipment assembly that includes integral ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers,
heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so
forth) shall be permitted without additional GFCI protection.
(2) Other Units. A therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic
tank rated 3 phase or rated over 250 volts or with a heater
load of more than 50 amperes shall not require the supply
to be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
70–626
(D) Grounding.
(1) Fixed or Stationary Equipment. The equipment
specified in (a) and (b) shall be connected to the equipment
grounding conductor.
(a) Location. All electrical equipment located within
1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the tub shall be connected
to the equipment grounding conductor.
(b) Circulation System. All electrical equipment associated with the circulating system of the tub shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
(2) Portable Equipment. Portable therapeutic appliances
shall meet the grounding requirements in 250.114.
(E) Receptacles. All receptacles within 1.83 m (6 ft) of a
therapeutic tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit
interrupter.
(F) Luminaires. All luminaires used in therapeutic tub areas shall be of the totally enclosed type.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 682 — NATURAL AND ARTIFICIALLY MADE BODIES OF WATER
682.2
VII. Hydromassage Bathtubs
680.70 General. Hydromassage bathtubs as defined in
680.2 shall comply with Part VII of this article. They shall
not be required to comply with other parts of this article.
680.71 Protection. Hydromassage bathtubs and their associated electrical components shall be on an individual
branch circuit(s) and protected by a readily accessible
ground-fault circuit interrupter. All 125-volt, single-phase
receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes and located within
1.83 m (6 ft) measured horizontally of the inside walls of a
hydromassage tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
ARTICLE 682
Natural and Artificially Made Bodies of
Water
I. General
682.1 Scope. This article applies to the installation of electrical wiring for, and equipment in and adjacent to, natural
or artificially made bodies of water not covered by other
articles in this Code, such as but not limited to aeration
ponds, fish farm ponds, storm retention basins, treatment
ponds, irrigation (channels) facilities.
682.2 Definitions.
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Artificially Made Bodies of Water. Bodies of water that
have been constructed or modified to fit some decorative or
commercial purpose such as, but not limited to, aeration
ponds, fish farm ponds, storm retention basins, treatment
ponds, and irrigation (channel) facilities. Water depths may
vary seasonally or be controlled.
Electrical Datum Plane. The electrical datum plane as
used in this article is defined as follows:
(1) In land areas subject to tidal fluctuation, the electrical
datum plane is a horizontal plane 600 mm (2 ft) above
the highest tide level for the area occurring under normal circumstances, that is, highest high tide.
(2) In land areas not subject to tidal fluctuation, the electrical datum plane is a horizontal plane 600 mm (2 ft)
above the highest water level for the area occurring
under normal circumstances.
(3) In land areas subject to flooding, the electrical datum
plane based on (1) or (2) above is a horizontal plane
600 mm (2 ft) above the point identified as the prevailing high water mark or an equivalent benchmark based
on seasonal or storm-driven flooding from the authority
having jurisdiction.
(4) The electrical datum plane for floating structures and
landing stages that are (1) installed to permit rise and
fall response to water level, without lateral movement,
and (2) that are so equipped that they can rise to the
datum plane established for (1) or (2) above, is a horizontal plane 750 mm (30 in.) above the water level at
the floating structure or landing stage and a minimum
of 300 mm (12 in.) above the level of the deck.
AF
680.72 Other Electrical Equipment. Luminaires,
switches, receptacles, and other electrical equipment located in the same room, and not directly associated with a
hydromassage bathtub, shall be installed in accordance with
the requirements of Chapters 1 through 4 in this Code covering the installation of that equipment in bathrooms.
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680.73 Accessibility. Hydromassage bathtub electrical
equipment shall be accessible without damaging the building structure or building finish. Where the hydromassage
bathtub is cord- and plug-connected with the supply receptacle accessible only through a service access opening, the
receptacle shall be installed so that its face is within direct
view and not more than 300 mm (1 ft) of the opening.
680.74 Bonding. Both metal piping systems and grounded
metal parts in contact with the circulating water shall be
bonded together using a solid copper bonding jumper, insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG. The
bonding jumper shall be connected to the terminal on the
circulating pump motor that is intended for this purpose.
The bonding jumper shall not be required to be connected
to a double insulated circulating pump motor. The 8 AWG
or larger solid copper bonding jumper shall be required for
equipotential bonding in the area of the hydromassage bathtub and shall not be required to be extended or attached to
any remote panelboard, service equipment, or any electrode. The 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding jumper
shall be long enough to terminate on a replacement nondouble-insulated pump motor and shall be terminated to the
equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit of the
motor when a double-insulated circulating pump motor is
used. [ROP 17–148]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Equipotential Plane. An area where wire mesh or other
conductive elements are on, embedded in, or placed under
the walk surface within 75 mm (3 in.), bonded to all metal
structures and fixed nonelectrical equipment that may become energized, and connected to the electrical grounding
system to prevent a difference in voltage from developing
within the plane.
70–627
ARTICLE 682 — NATURAL AND ARTIFICIALLY MADE BODIES OF WATER
Natural Bodies of Water. Bodies of water such as lakes,
streams, ponds, rivers, and other naturally occurring bodies
of water, which may vary in depth throughout the year.
Shoreline. The farthest extent of standing water under the
applicable conditions that determine the electrical datum
plane for the specified body of water.
682.3 Other Articles. If the water is subject to boat traffic,
the wiring shall comply with 555.13(B).
II. Installation
682.10 Electrical Equipment and Transformers. Electrical equipment and transformers, including their enclosures,
shall be specifically approved for the intended location. No
portion of an enclosure for electrical equipment not identified for operation while submerged shall be located below
the electrical datum plane.
(A) Type and Marking. The disconnecting means shall
consist of a circuit breaker, a switch, or both, or a molded
case switch, and shall be specifically marked to designate
which receptacle or other outlet it controls.
(B) Location. The disconnecting means shall be readily
accessible on land, located not more than 750 mm (30 in.)
from the receptacle it controls, and shall be located in the
supply circuit ahead of the receptacle. The disconnecting
means shall be located within sight of but not closer than
1.5 m (5 ft) from the shoreline and shall be elevated not
less than 300 mm (12 in.) above the datum plane.
682.15 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. Fifteen- and 20-ampere single-phase, 125-volt
through 250-volt receptacles installed outdoors and in or on
floating buildings or structures within the electrical datum
plane area that are used for storage, maintenance, or repair
where portable electric hand tools, electrical diagnostic
equipment, or portable lighting equipment are to be used
shall be provided with GFCI protection. The GFCI protection device shall be located not less than 300 mm (12 in.)
above the established electrical datum plane.
AF
682.11 Location of Service Equipment. On land, the service equipment for floating structures and submersible electrical equipment shall be located no closer than 1.5 m (5 ft)
horizontally from the shoreline and live parts shall be elevated a minimum of 300 mm (12 in.) above the electrical
datum plane. Service equipment shall disconnect when the
water level reaches the height of the established electrical
datum plane.
Exception: Equipment listed for direct connection and
equipment anchored in place and incapable of routine
movement caused by water currents or wind shall be permitted to be connected using wiring methods covered in
682.13.
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682.3
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682.12 Electrical Connections. All electrical connections
not intended for operation while submerged shall be located
at least 300 mm (12 in.) above the deck of a floating or
fixed structure, but not below the electrical datum plane.
682.13 Wiring Methods and Installation. Liquidtight
flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit with approved fittings shall be permitted for feeders
and where flexible connections are required for services.
Extra-hard usage portable power cable listed for both wet
locations and sunlight resistance shall be permitted for a
feeder or a branch circuit where flexibility is required.
Other wiring methods suitable for the location shall be permitted to be installed where flexibility is not required. Temporary wiring in accordance with 590.4 shall be permitted.
682.14 Submersible or Floating Equipment Power Connection(s). Submersible or floating equipment shall be
cord- and plug-connected, using extra-hard usage cord, as
designated in Table 400.4, and listed with a “W” suffix. The
plug and receptacle combination shall be arranged to be
suitable for the location while in use. Disconnecting means
shall be provided to isolate each submersible or floating
electrical equipment from its supply connection(s) without
requiring the plug to be removed from the receptacle.
70–628
III. Grounding and Bonding
682.30 Grounding. Wiring and equipment within the
scope of this article shall be grounded as specified in Part
III of 553, 555.15, and with the requirements in Part III of
this article.
682.31 Equipment Grounding Conductors.
(A) Type. Equipment grounding conductors shall be insulated copper conductors sized in accordance with 250.122
but not smaller than 12 AWG.
(B) Feeders. Where a feeder supplies a remote panelboard
or other distribution equipment, an insulated equipment
grounding conductor shall extend from a grounding terminal in the service to a grounding terminal and busbar in the
remote panelboard or other distribution equipment.
(C) Branch Circuits. The insulated equipment grounding
conductor for branch circuits shall terminate at a grounding
terminal in a remote panelboard or other distribution equipment or the grounding terminal in the main service equipment.
(D) Cord-and-Plug-Connected
Appliances.
Where
grounded, cord-and-plug-connected appliances shall be
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685.10
ARTICLE 685 — INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
682.32 Bonding of Non–Current-Carrying Metal Parts.
All metal parts in contact with the water, all metal piping,
tanks, and all non–current-carrying metal parts that are
likely to become energized shall be bonded to the grounding terminal in the distribution equipment.
682.33 Equipotential Planes and Bonding of Equipotential Planes. An equipotential plane shall be installed where
required in this section to mitigate step and touch voltages
at electrical equipment.
685.3 Application of Other Articles. The articles/sections
in Table 685.3 apply to particular cases of installation of
conductors and equipment, where there are orderly shutdown requirements that are in addition to those of this
article or are modifications of them.
AF
(A) Areas Requiring Equipotential Planes. Equipotential
planes shall be installed adjacent to all outdoor service
equipment or disconnecting means that control equipment
in or on water, that have a metallic enclosure and controls
accessible to personnel, and that are likely to become energized. The equipotential plane shall encompass the area
around the equipment and shall extend from the area directly below the equipment out not less than 900 mm
(36 in.) in all directions from which a person would be able
to stand and come in contact with the equipment.
(1) An orderly shutdown is required to minimize personnel
hazard and equipment damage.
(2) The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that qualified persons service the system. The name(s)
of the qualified person(s) shall be kept in a permanent
record at the office of the establishment in charge of the
completed installation.
A person designated as a qualified person shall possess the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installation and shall have received documented safety
training on the hazards involved. Documentation of
their qualifications shall be on file with the office of the
establishment in charge of the completed installation.
(3) Effective safeguards acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction are established and maintained.
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grounded by means of an equipment grounding conductor
in the cord and a grounding-type attachment plug.
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(B) Areas Not Requiring Equipotential Planes. Equipotential planes shall not be required for the controlled equipment supplied by the service equipment or disconnecting
means. All circuits rated not more than 60 amperes at 120
through 250 volts, single phase, shall have GFCI protection.
(C) Bonding. Equipotential planes shall be bonded to the
electrical grounding system. The bonding conductor shall
be solid copper, insulated, covered or bare, and not smaller
than 8 AWG. Connections shall be made by exothermic
welding or by listed pressure connectors or clamps that are
labeled as being suitable for the purpose and are of stainless
steel, brass, copper, or copper alloy.
ARTICLE 685
Integrated Electrical Systems
Table 685.3 Application of Other Articles
Conductor/Equipment
Section
More than one building or other
structure
Ground-fault protection of
equipment
Protection of conductors
Electrical system coordination
Ground-fault protection of
equipment
Grounding ac systems of 50 volts
to less than 1000 volts
Equipment protection
Orderly shutdown
Disconnection
225, Part II
Disconnecting means in sight
from controller
Energy from more than one
source
Disconnecting means
Uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS)
Point of connection
230.95, Exception
240.4
240.12
240.13(1)
250.21
427.22
430.44
430.74, Exception Nos. 1
and 2
430.102(A), Exception No. 2
430.113, Exception Nos. 1
and 2
645.10, Exception
645.11(1)
705.12(A)
I. General
685.1 Scope. This article covers integrated electrical systems, other than unit equipment, in which orderly shutdown
is necessary to ensure safe operation. An integrated electrical system as used in this article is a unitized segment of an
industrial wiring system where all of the following conditions are met:
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II. Orderly Shutdown
685.10 Location of Overcurrent Devices in or on Premises. Location of overcurrent devices that are critical to
integrated electrical systems shall be permitted to be accessible, with mounting heights permitted to ensure security
from operation by unqualified personnel.
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685.12
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
685.12 Direct-Current System Grounding. Two-wire dc
circuits shall be permitted to be ungrounded.
Photovoltaic source circuits
Photovoltaic
output circuit
685.14 Ungrounded Control Circuits. Where operational
continuity is required, control circuits of 150 volts or less
from separately derived systems shall be permitted to be
ungrounded.
Fuses
Solar cells
Module
ARTICLE 690
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Panel
Array or photovoltaic
power source
690.2 Definitions.
AF
690.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to solar
photovoltaic (PV) electrical energy systems, including the
array circuit(s), inverter(s), and controller(s) for such systems. [See Figure 690.1(A) and Figure 690.1(B).] Solar
photovoltaic systems covered by this article may be interactive with other electrical power production sources or
stand-alone, with or without electrical energy storage such
as batteries. These systems may have ac or dc output for
utilization.
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I. General
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Alternating-Current (ac) Module (Alternating-Current
Photovoltaic Module). A complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics, inverter, and
other components, exclusive of tracker, designed to generate ac power when exposed to sunlight.
Array. A mechanically integrated assembly of modules or
panels with a support structure and foundation, tracker, and
other components, as required, to form a direct-current
power-producing unit.
Bipolar Photovoltaic Array. A photovoltaic array that has
two outputs, each having opposite polarity to a common
reference point or center tap.
Blocking Diode. A diode used to block reverse flow of
current into a photovoltaic source circuit.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic cells, devices, modules, or modular materials that are integrated
into the outer surface or structure of a building and serve as
the outer protective surface of that building.
Dedicated branch circuit
of the electric production
and distribution network
Inverter output circuit
ac module (includes inverter)
Array (of ac modules)
ac module system
Notes:
1. These diagrams are intended to be a means of identification for
photovoltaic system components, circuits, and connections.
2. Disconnecting means required by Article 690, Part III, are not shown.
3. System grounding and equipment grounding are not shown.
See Article 690, Part V.
Figure 690.1(A) Identification of Solar Photovoltaic System
Components. [ROP 4–170]
energy storage to direct-current or alternating-current loads
or to an interconnected utility service.
Electrical Production and Distribution Network. A
power production, distribution, and utilization system, such
as a utility system and connected loads, that is external to
and not controlled by the photovoltaic power system.
Hybrid System. A system comprised of multiple power
sources. These power sources may include photovoltaic,
wind, micro-hydro generators, engine-driven generators,
and others, but do not include electrical production and
distribution network systems. Energy storage systems, such
as batteries, do not constitute a power source for the purpose of this definition.
Direct Current (dc) Combiner. A device used in the PV
Source and PV Output circuits to combine two or more dc
circuit inputs and provide one dc circuit output. [ROP 4–4,
ROP 4–173]
Interactive System. A solar photovoltaic system that operates in parallel with and may deliver power to an electrical
production and distribution network. For the purpose of this
definition, an energy storage subsystem of a solar photovoltaic system, such as a battery, is not another electrical production source.
Diversion Charge Controller. Equipment that regulates
the charging process of a battery by diverting power from
Inverter. Equipment that is used to change voltage level or
waveform, or both, of electrical energy. Commonly, an in-
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ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
Inverter input circuit
Inverter output circuit
Electric production
and distribution
network connection
Photovoltaic output circuit
Inverter
Interactive system
Wind, engine-generator,
micro-hydro-electric, and
other power sources
Energy storage, charge controller,
and system control
Inverter input circuit
Inverter output circuit
Photovoltaic
output circuit
dc loads
Hybrid system
Inverter
Panel. A collection of modules mechanically fastened together, wired, and designed to provide a field-installable
unit.
Photovoltaic Power Source. An array or aggregate of arrays that generates dc power at system voltage and current.
Inverter input circuit
Inverter output circuit
Main supply
equipment for
ac loads
Energy storage
Photovoltaic Source Circuit. Circuits between modules
and from modules to the common connection point(s) of
the dc system.
Photovoltaic System. The total components and subsystems that, in combination, convert solar energy into
electric energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.
[ROP 4–184]
AF
Inverter
Main supply equipment
for dc loads
Stand-alone system
Multimode Inverter. Equipment having capabilities of
both the utility-interactive inverter and the stand-alone inverter. [ROP 4–181]
Photovoltaic Output Circuit. Circuit conductors between
the photovoltaic source circuit(s) and the inverter or dc
utilization equipment.
Charge controller
Photovoltaic output
circuit
Monopole Subarray. A PV subarray that has two conductors in the output circuit, one positive (+) and one negative(−). Two monopole PV subarrays are used to form a
bipolar PV array.
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Photovoltaic source circuits
690.4
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Notes:
1. These diagrams are intended to be a means of identification for
photovoltaic system components, circuits, and connections.
2. Disconnecting means and overcurrent protection required by
Article 690 are not shown.
3. System grounding and equipment grounding are not shown.
See Article 690, Part V.
4. Custom designs occur in each configuration, and some components
are optional.
Figure 690.1(B) Identification of Solar Photovoltaic System
Components in Common System Configurations.
verter [also known as a power conditioning unit (PCU) or
power conversion system (PCS)] is a device that changes
dc input to an ac output. Inverters may also function as
battery chargers that use alternating current from another
source and convert it into direct current for charging batteries.
Photovoltaic System Voltage. The direct current (dc) voltage of any photovoltaic source or photovoltaic output circuit. For multiwire installations, the photovoltaic system
voltage is the highest voltage between any two dc conductors.
Solar Cell. The basic photovoltaic device that generates
electricity when exposed to light.
Stand-Alone System. A solar photovoltaic system that supplies power independently of an electrical production and
distribution network.
Subarray. An electrical subset of a PV array.
Inverter Input Circuit. Conductors between the inverter
and the battery in stand-alone systems or the conductors
between the inverter and the photovoltaic output circuits for
electrical production and distribution network.
690.3 Other Articles. Wherever the requirements of other
articles of this Code and Article 690 differ, the requirements
of Article 690 shall apply and, if the system is operated in
parallel with a primary source(s) of electricity, the requirements in 705.14, 705.16, 705.32, and 705.143 shall apply.
Inverter Output Circuit. Conductors between the inverter
and an ac panelboard for stand-alone systems or the conductors between the inverter and the service equipment or
another electric power production source, such as a utility,
for electrical production and distribution network.
Exception: Solar photovoltaic systems, equipment, or wiring installed in a hazardous (classified) location shall also
comply with the applicable portions of Articles 500 through
516.
Module. A complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics, and other components, exclusive of tracker, designed to generate dc power when exposed to sunlight.
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690.4 General Requirements. [ROP 4–188a]
(A) Photovoltaic Systems. Photovoltaic systems shall be
permitted to supply a building or other structure in addition
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ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
to any other electrical supply system(s). [ROP 4–188a,
ROP 4–192]
(B) Equipment. Inverters, motor generators, PV modules,
PV panels, ac PV modules, dc combiners, dc-to-dc converters and charge controllers intended for use in PV power
systems shall be listed for the PV application. [ROP
4–188a, ROP 4–194]
(C) Qualified Personnel. The installation of equipment
and all associated wiring and interconnections shall be performed only by qualified persons. [ROP 4–188a]
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
qualified person. [ROP 4–188a, ROP 4–195]
Exception: Ground-mounted or pole-mounted photovoltaic arrays with not more than two paralleled source circuits and with all dc source and dc output circuits isolated
from buildings shall be permitted without ground-fault protection. [ROP 4–212]
(A) Ground-Fault Detection and Interruption. The
ground-fault protection device or system shall:
(1) Determine the pv input circuit has isolation prior to
export of current,
(2) Be capable of detecting a ground-fault
(3) Interrupt the flow of fault current, and
(4) Provide an indication of the fault.
[ROP 4–214]
Automatically opening the grounded conductor for
measurement purposes or to interrupt the ground-fault current path shall be permitted. If a grounded conductor is
opened to interrupt the ground-fault current path, all conductors of the faulted circuit shall be automatically and
simultaneously opened. [ROP 4–214]
Manual operation of the main PV dc disconnect shall
not activate the ground-fault protection device or result in
grounded conductors becoming ungrounded.
AF
(D) Multiple Inverters. A PV system shall be permitted to
have multiple inverters installed in or on a single building
or structure. Where the inverters are remotely located from
each other, a directory in accordance with 705.10 shall be
installed at each dc PV system disconnecting means, at
each ac disconnecting means, and at the main service disconnecting means showing the location of all ac and dc PV
system disconnecting means in the building. [ROP 4–188a,
ROP 4–195]
tion meeting the requirements of 690.5(A) through (C) to
reduce fire hazards. Ungrounded dc photovoltaic arrays
shall comply with 690.35.
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690.5
Exception: A directory shall not be required where all
inverters and PV dc disconnecting means are grouped at
the main service disconnecting means. [ROP 4–188a, ROP
4–195]
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(E) Circuit Routing. Where circuits are embedded in
built-up, laminate, or membrane roofing materials in roof
areas not covered by PV modules and associated equipment, the location of circuits shall be clearly marked using
a marking protocol that is approved as being suitable for
continuous exposure to sunlight and weather. [ROP 4–190,
ROP 4–204, ROP 4–205]
(F) Bipolar Photovoltaic Systems. Where the sum, without consideration of polarity, of the PV system voltages of
the two monopole subarrays exceeds the rating of the conductors and connected equipment, monopole subarrays in a
bipolar PV system shall be physically separated, and the
electrical output circuits from each monopole subarray
shall be installed in separate raceways until connected to
the inverter. The disconnecting means and overcurrent protective devices for each monopole subarray output shall be
in separate enclosures. All conductors from each separate
monopole subarray shall be routed in the same raceway.
Bipolar photovoltaic systems shall be clearly marked with a
permanent, legible warning notice indicating that the disconnection of the grounded conductor(s) may result in overvoltage on the equipment. [ROP 4–190, ROP 4–205,
ROP 4–208]
690.5 Ground-Fault Protection. Grounded dc photovoltaic arrays shall be provided with dc ground-fault protec-
70–632
(B) Isolating Faulted Circuits. The faulted circuits shall
be isolated by one of the two following methods:
(1) The ungrounded conductors of the faulted circuit shall
be automatically disconnected.
(2) The inverter or charge controller fed by the faulted
circuit shall automatically cease to supply power to
output circuits.
(C) Labels and Markings. A warning label shall appear
on the utility-interactive inverter or be applied by the installer near the ground-fault indicator at a visible location,
stating the following:
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD
IF A GROUND FAULT IS INDICATED, NORMALLY GROUNDED CONDUCTORS MAY BE
UNGROUNDED AND ENERGIZED
When the photovoltaic system also has batteries, the
same warning shall also be applied by the installer in a
visible location at the batteries. The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B). [ROP 4–215]
690.6 Alternating-Current (ac) Modules.
(A) Photovoltaic Source Circuits. The requirements of
Article 690 pertaining to photovoltaic source circuits shall
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690.7
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(B) Inverter Output Circuit. The output of an ac module
shall be considered an inverter output circuit.
(C) Disconnecting Means. A single disconnecting means,
in accordance with 690.15 and 690.17, shall be permitted
for the combined ac output of one or more ac modules.
Additionally, each ac module in a multiple ac module system shall be provided with a connector, bolted, or terminaltype disconnecting means. [ROP 4–218]
(D) Overcurrent Protection. The output circuits of ac
modules shall be permitted to have overcurrent protection
and conductor sizing in accordance with 240.5(B)(2).
II. Circuit Requirements
690.7 Maximum Voltage.
Correction Factors for Ambient Temperatures Below 25°C
(77°F). (Multiply the rated open circuit voltage by the
appropriate correction factor shown below.)
Ambient
Temperature (°C)
Factor
Ambient
Temperature (°F)
24 to 20
19 to 15
14 to 10
9 to 5
4 to
−1 to −5
−6 to −10
−11 to −15
−16 to −20
−21 to −25
−26 to −30
−31 to −35
−36 to −40
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.10
1.12
1.14
1.16
1.18
1.20
1.21
1.23
1.25
76 to 68
67 to 59
58 to 50
49 to 41
40 to 32
31 to 23
22 to 14
13 to 5
4 to −4
−5 to −13
−14 to −22
−23 to −31
−32 to −40
ers, fixtures, or receptacles shall be permitted to have a
maximum photovoltaic system voltage up to 1000 volts.
Other installations with a maximum photovoltaic system
voltage over 1000 volts shall comply with Article 690, Part
IX. [ROP 4–223]
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(A) Maximum Photovoltaic System Voltage. In a dc photovoltaic source circuit or output circuit, the maximum photovoltaic system voltage for that circuit shall be calculated
as the sum of the rated open-circuit voltage of the seriesconnected photovoltaic modules corrected for the lowest
expected ambient temperature. For crystalline and multicrystalline silicon modules, the rated open-circuit voltage
shall be multiplied by the correction factor provided in
Table 690.7. This voltage shall be used to determine the
voltage rating of cables, disconnects, overcurrent devices,
and other equipment. Where the lowest expected ambient
temperature is below −40°C (−40°F), or where other than
crystalline or multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules
are used, the system voltage adjustment shall be made in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
When open-circuit voltage temperature coefficients are
supplied in the instructions for listed PV modules, they
shall be used to calculate the maximum photovoltaic system voltage as required by 110.3(B) instead of using Table
690.7.
Table 690.7 Voltage Correction Factors for Crystalline and
Multicrystalline Silicon Modules
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not apply to ac modules. The photovoltaic source circuit,
conductors, and inverters shall be considered as internal
wiring of an ac module.
Informational Note: One source for statistically valid,
lowest-expected, ambient temperature design data for various locations is the Extreme Annual Mean Minimum Design Dry Bulb Temperature found in the ASHRAE Handbook — Fundamentals. These temperature data can be used
to calculate maximum voltage using the manufacturer’s
temperature coefficients relative to the rating temperature of
25°C.
(D) Circuits over 150 Volts to Ground. In one- and twofamily dwellings, live parts in photovoltaic source circuits
and photovoltaic output circuits over 150 volts to ground
shall not be accessible to other than qualified persons while
energized.
Informational Note: See 110.28 for guarding of live parts,
and 210.6 for voltage to ground and between conductors.
(E) Bipolar Source and Output Circuits. For 2-wire circuits connected to bipolar systems, the maximum system
voltage shall be the highest voltage between the conductors
of the 2-wire circuit if all of the following conditions apply:
(1) One conductor of each circuit of a bipolar subarray is
solidly grounded.
Exception: The operation of ground-fault or arc-fault devices (abnormal operation) shall be permitted to interrupt
this connection to ground when the entire bipolar array
becomes two distinct arrays isolated from each other and
the utilization equipment.
(2) Each circuit is connected to a separate subarray.
(B) Direct-Current Utilization Circuits. The voltage of
dc utilization circuits shall conform to 210.6.
(3) The equipment is clearly marked with a label as
follows:
(C) Photovoltaic Source and Output Circuits. In oneand two-family dwellings, photovoltaic source circuits and
photovoltaic output circuits that do not include lamphold-
WARNING
BIPOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY. DISCONNECTION OF NEUTRAL OR GROUNDED CON-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–633
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
DUCTORS MAY RESULT IN OVERVOLTAGE ON
ARRAY OR INVERTER.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–225]
690.8 Circuit Sizing and Current. [ROP 4–225a, ROP
4–228]
(A) Calculation of Maximum Circuit Current. The
maximum current for the specific circuit shall be calculated
in accordance with 690.8(A)(1) through (A)(5).
Informational Note:
Where the requirements of
690.8(A)(1) and (B)(1) are both applied, the resulting multiplication factor is 156 percent.
(1) Photovoltaic Source Circuit Currents. The maximum
current shall be the sum of parallel module rated shortcircuit currents multiplied by 125 percent.
(2) Photovoltaic Output Circuit Currents. The maximum current shall be the sum of parallel source circuit
maximum currents as calculated in 690.8(A)(1).
690.9 Overcurrent Protection. [ROP 4–232a, ROP
4–236, ROP 4–237, ROP 4–242]
(A) Circuits and Equipment. PV source circuit, PV output circuit, inverter output circuit, and storage battery circuit conductors and equipment shall be protected in accordance with the requirements of Article 240. Protection
devices for PV source circuits and PV output circuits shall
be listed for use in PV systems. Circuits, either ac or dc,
connected to current limited supplies (e.g. PV modules, ac
output of utility-interactive inverters) and also connected to
sources having significantly higher current availability (e.g.
parallel strings of modules, utility power) shall be protected
at the source from overcurrent.
Exception: An overcurrent device shall not be required for
PV modules or PV source circuit conductors sized in accordance with 690.8(B) where one of the following applies:
AF
(3) Inverter Output Circuit Current. The maximum current shall be the inverter continuous output current rating.
(D) Sizing of Module Interconnection Conductors.
Where a single overcurrent device is used to protect a set of
two or more parallel-connected module circuits, the ampacity of each of the module interconnection conductors shall
not be less than the sum of the rating of the single overcurrent device plus 125 percent of the short-circuit current
from the other parallel-connected modules.
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690.8
(4) Stand-Alone Inverter Input Circuit Current. The
maximum current shall be the stand-alone continuous inverter input current rating when the inverter is producing
rated power at the lowest input voltage.
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(5) DC-to-DC Converter Output Current . The maximum current shall be the dc- to-dc converter continuous
output current rating.
(B) Conductor Ampacity. PV system currents shall be
considered to be continuous. Circuit conductors shall be
sized to carry not less than the larger of 690.8(B)(1) or (2).
(1) . One hundred and twenty-five percent of the maximum
currents calculated in 690.8(A) before the application of
adjustment and correction factors.
Exception: Circuits containing an assembly, together with
its overcurrent device(s), that is listed for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating shall be permitted to be
used at 100 percent of its rating.
(2) . The maximum currents calculated in 690.8(A) after
the application of adjustment and correction factors.
(C) Systems with Multiple Direct-Current Voltages. For
a PV power source that has multiple output circuit voltages
and employs a common-return conductor, the ampacity of
the common-return conductor shall not be less than the sum
of the ampere ratings of the overcurrent devices of the
individual output circuits.
70–634
(a) There are no external sources such as parallelconnected source circuits, batteries, or backfeed from inverters.
(b) The short-circuit currents from all sources do not
exceed the ampacity of the conductors and the maximum
overcurrent protective device size specified on the PV module nameplate.
(B) Overcurrent Devices. Overcurrent devices, where required, shall be rated as required by 690.9(B)(1) through
(4).
(1) To carry not less than 125 percent of the maximum
currents calculated in 690.8(A).
Exception: Circuits containing an assembly, together with
its overcurrent device(s), that is listed for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating shall be permitted to be
used at 100 percent of its rating.
(2) Terminal temperature limits shall be in accordance with
110.3(B) and 110.14(C).
(3) Where operated at temperatures greater than 40°C
(104°F), the manufacturer’s temperature correction factors shall apply.
(4) The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall be
permitted in accordance with 240.4(B), (C), and (D).
(C) Direct-Current Rating. Overcurrent devices, either
fuses or circuit breakers, used in any dc portion of a PV
power system shall be listed for use in PV systems and
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(D) Photovoltaic Source and Output Circuits. Listed PV
overcurrent devices shall be required to provide overcurrent
protection in photovoltaic source and output circuits. The
overcurrent devices shall be accessible but shall not be
required to be readily accessible.
(E) Series Overcurrent Protection. In grounded PV
source circuits, a single overcurrent protection device,
where required, shall be permitted to protect the PV modules and the interconnecting conductors. In ungrounded PV
source circuits complying with 690.35, an overcurrent protection device, where required, shall be installed in each
ungrounded circuit conductor and shall be permitted to protect the PV modules and the interconnecting cables.
WARNING
SINGLE 120-VOLT SUPPLY. DO NOT CONNECT
MULTIWIRE BRANCH CIRCUITS!
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–244]
(D) Energy Storage or Backup Power System Requirements. Energy storage or backup power supplies are not
required.
(E) Back-fed Circuit Breakers. Plug-in type back-fed circuit breakers connected to a stand-alone inverter output in
stand-alone or multimode inverter systems shall be secured
in accordance with 408.36(D). Circuit breakers marked
“line” and “load” shall not be backfed. [ROP 4–245, ROP
4–246]
AF
(F) Power Transformers. Overcurrent protection for a
transformer with a source(s) on each side shall be provided
in accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of
the transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as
the primary.
vice equipment or distribution panels where there are no
240-volt outlets and where there are no multiwire branch
circuits. In all installations, the rating of the overcurrent
device connected to the output of the inverter shall be less
than the rating of the neutral bus in the service equipment.
This equipment shall be marked with the following words
or equivalent:
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shall have the appropriate voltage, current, and interrupt
ratings.
690.13
Exception: A power transformer with a current rating on
the side connected toward the utility-interactive inverter
output, not less than the rated continuous output current of
the inverter, shall be permitted without overcurrent protection from the inverter.
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690.10 Stand-Alone Systems. The premises wiring system shall be adequate to meet the requirements of this Code
for a similar installation connected to a service. The wiring
on the supply side of the building or structure disconnecting means shall comply with the requirements of Article
707. [ROP 4–243]
(A) Inverter Output. The ac output from a stand-alone
inverter(s) shall be permitted to supply ac power to the
building or structure disconnecting means at current levels
less than the calculated load connected to that disconnect.
The inverter output rating or the rating of an alternate energy source shall be equal to or greater than the load posed
by the largest single utilization equipment connected to the
system. Calculated general lighting loads shall not be considered as a single load.
(B) Sizing and Protection. The circuit conductors between the inverter output and the building or structure disconnecting means shall be sized based on the output rating
of the inverter. These conductors shall be protected from
overcurrents in accordance with Article 240. The overcurrent protection shall be located at the output of the inverter.
(C) Single 120-Volt Supply. The inverter output of a
stand-alone solar photovoltaic system shall be permitted to
supply 120 volts to single-phase, 3-wire, 120/240-volt ser-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
690.11 Arc-Fault Circuit Protection (Direct Current).
Photovoltaic systems with dc source circuits, dc output circuits, or both, operating at a PV system maximum system
voltage of 80 volts or greater, shall be protected by a listed
(dc) arc-fault circuit interrupter, PV type, or other system
components listed to provide equivalent protection. The PV
arc-fault protection means shall comply with the following
requirements: [ROP 4–251]
(1) The system shall detect and interrupt arcing faults in dc
PV source and output circuits.
(2) The system shall require that the disabled or disconnected equipment be manually restarted.
(3) The system shall have an annunciator that provides a
visual indication that the circuit interrupter has operated. This indication shall not reset automatically.
690.12 PV Arrays on Buildings Response to Emergency
Shutdown. . For PV Systems installed on roofs of buildings, photovoltaic source circuits shall be deenergized from
all sources within 10 seconds of when emergency shutdown
is initiated or when the PV power source disconnecting
means is opened. When the source circuits are deenergized,
the maximum voltage at the module and module conductors
shall be 80 volts. [ROP 4–253]
III. Disconnecting Means
[ROP 4–254a]
690.13 Building or Other Structure Supplied by a Photovoltaic System. Means shall be provided to disconnect
70–635
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
all ungrounded dc conductors of a photovoltaic system
from all other conductors in a building or other structure.
(A) Location. The photovoltaic disconnecting means shall
be installed at a readily accessible location either on the
outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point
of entrance of the system conductors.
Exception: Installations that comply with 690.31(F) shall
be permitted to have the disconnecting means located remote from the point of entry of the system conductors.
The photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall not
be installed in bathrooms.
(B) Marking. Each photovoltaic system disconnecting
means shall be permanently marked to identify it as a photovoltaic system disconnect.
(C) Suitable for Use. Each photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall not be required to be suitable as service
equipment.
[ROP 4–274a]
(B) Equipment. Equipment such as PV source circuit isolating switches, overcurrent devices, dc–to–dc converters,
and blocking diodes shall be permitted on the PV side of
the PV disconnecting means. [ROP 4–274a]
(C) DC Combiner Disconnects. The direct current (dc)
output of dc combiners mounted on roofs of dwellings or
other buildings shall have a load break disconnecting
means located in the combiner or within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the
combiner. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to
be remotely controlled, but shall be manually operable locally when control power is not available. [ROP 4–274a]
(D) Maximum Number of Disconnects. The photovoltaic
system disconnecting means shall consist of not more than
six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single
enclosure, or in a group of a separate enclosures. [ROP
4–258]
AF
(D) Maximum Number of Disconnects. The photovoltaic
system disconnecting means shall consist of not more than
six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single
enclosure, or in a group of separate enclosures.
ing means for the inverter shall comply with
690.13(A).
(4) A plaque shall be installed in accordance with 705.10.
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690.15
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(E) Grouping. The photovoltaic system disconnecting
means shall be grouped with other disconnecting means for
the system in accordance with 690.13(D). A photovoltaic
disconnecting means shall not be required at the photovoltaic module or array location.
[ROP 4–258]
690.15 Disconnection of Photovoltaic Equipment.
Means shall be provided to disconnect equipment, such as
inverters, batteries, and charge controllers, from all ungrounded conductors of all sources. If the equipment is
energized from more than one source, the disconnecting
means shall be grouped and identified. [ROP 4–274a]
A single disconnecting means in accordance with
690.17 shall be permitted for the combined ac output of one
or more inverters or ac modules in an interactive system.
(A) Utility Interactive Inverters Mounted in Not
Readily Accessible Locations. Utility interactive inverters
shall be permitted to be mounted on roofs or other exterior
areas that are not readily accessible and shall comply with
(1) through (4):
(1) A direct-current PV disconnecting means shall be
mounted within sight of or in each inverter.
(2) An alternating-current disconnecting means shall be
mounted within sight of or in each inverter.
(3) The alternating-current output conductors from the inverter and an additional alternating-current disconnect-
70–636
690.16 Fuses.
(A) Disconnecting Means. Disconnecting means shall be
provided to disconnect a fuse from all sources of supply if
the fuse is energized from both directions. Such a fuse in a
photovoltaic source circuit shall be capable of being disconnected independently of fuses in other photovoltaic
source circuits.
(B) Fuse Servicing. Disconnecting means shall be installed on PV output circuits where overcurrent devices
(fuses) must be serviced that cannot be isolated from energized circuits. The disconnecting means shall be within
sight of, and accessible to, the location of the fuse or integral with fuse holder and shall comply with 690.17. Where
the disconnecting means are located more than 1.8 m (6 ft)
from the overcurrent device, a directory showing the location of each disconnect shall be installed at the overcurrent
device location.
Non-load-break-rated disconnecting means shall be
marked “Do not open under load.”
690.17 Disconnect Type. [ROP 4–278a]
(A) Manually Operable. The disconnecting means for ungrounded PV conductors shall consist of a manually operable switch(es) or circuit breaker(s). The disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be power operable with provisions for manual operation in the event of a power supply
failure. The disconnecting means shall be one of the following devices:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
Informational Note: Devices marked with “line” and
“load” are not suitable for backfeed or reverse current.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD
DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS.
TERMINALS ON BOTH THE LINE AND LOAD
SIDES
MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–282]
Exception: A connector shall be permitted to be used as
an ac or a dc disconnecting means, provided that it complies with the requirements of 690.33 and is listed and
identified for use with specific equipment.
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(B) Simultaneous Opening of Poles. The PV disconnecting means shall simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded
supply conductors that it controls from the building or
structure wiring system.
(E) Interrupting Rating. The building or structure disconnecting means shall have an interrupting rating sufficient for the maximum circuit voltage and current that is
available at the line terminals of the equipment. Where all
terminals of the disconnecting means may be energized in
the open position, a warning sign shall be mounted on or
adjacent to the disconnecting means. The sign shall be
clearly legible and have the following words or equivalent:
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(1) A listed PV industrial control switch marked for use in
PV systems.
(2) A listed PV molded case circuit breaker marked for use
in PV systems
(3) A listed PV molded case switch marked for use in PV
systems.
(4) A listed PV enclosed switch marked for use in PV
systems.
(5) A listed PV open-type switch marked for use in PV
systems.
(6) A listed, dc-rated molded case circuit breaker suitable
for backfeed operation.
(7) A listed, dc-rated, molded case switch suitable for
backfeed operation.
(8) A listed, dc-rated enclosed switch.
(9) A listed, dc-rated open-type switch.
690.31
(C) Externally Operable and Indicating. The PV disconnecting means shall be externally operable without exposing the operator to contact with live parts and indicate
whether in the open or closed position.
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(D) Disconnection of Grounded Conductor. A switch,
circuit breaker, or other device shall not be installed in a
grounded conductor if operation of that switch, circuit
breaker, or other device leaves the marked, grounded conductor in an ungrounded and energized state.
Exception No. 1: A switch or circuit breaker that is part of
a ground-fault detection system required by 690.5, or that
is part of an arc-fault detection/interruption system required by 690.11, shall be permitted to open the grounded
conductor when that switch or circuit breaker is automatically opened as a normal function of the device in responding to ground faults.
Exception No. 2: A disconnecting switch shall be permitted in a grounded conductor if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The switch is used only for PV array maintenance.
(2) The switch is accessible only by qualified persons.
(3) The switch is rated for the maximum dc voltage and
current that could be present during any operation,
including ground-fault conditions.
Informational Note: The grounded conductor may have a
bolted or terminal disconnecting means to allow maintenance or troubleshooting by qualified personnel.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
690.18 Installation and Service of an Array. Open circuiting, short circuiting, or opaque covering shall be used
to disable an array or portions of an array for installation
and service.
Informational Note: Photovoltaic modules are energized
while exposed to light. Installation, replacement, or servicing of array components while a module(s) is energized
may expose persons to electric shock. [ROP 4–283]
IV. Wiring Methods
690.31 Methods Permitted. [ROP 4–284a, ROP 4–285,
ROP 4–287, ROP 4–301. ROP 4–295, ROP 4–296, ROP
4–300]
(A) Wiring Systems. All raceway and cable wiring methods included in this Code, other wiring systems and fittings
specifically listed for use on PV arrays, and wiring as part
of a listed system shall be permitted. Where wiring devices
with integral enclosures are used, sufficient length of cable
shall be provided to facilitate replacement.
Where photovoltaic source and output circuits operating
at maximum system voltages greater than 30 volts are installed in readily accessible locations, circuit conductors
shall be guarded or installed in a raceway.
Informational Note: Photovoltaic modules operate at elevated temperatures when exposed to high ambient temperatures and to bright sunlight. These temperatures may
routinely exceed 70°C (158°F) in many locations. Module
interconnection conductors are available with insulation
rated for wet locations and a temperature rating of 90°C
(194°F) or greater.
70–637
690.31
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(1) PV Source Circuits. PV source circuits shall be identified at all points of termination, connection, and splices.
(2) PV Output and Inverter Circuits. The conductors of
PV output circuits and inverter input and output circuits
shall be identified at all points of termination, connection,
and splices.
Exception:
690.31(A).
Raceways shall be used when required by
Informational Note: Photovoltaic (PV) wire [also photovoltaic (PV) cable] has a nonstandard outer diameter. Conduit fill may be calculated using Table 1 of Chapter 9.
(D) Multi-Conductor Cable. Multi-conductor cable type
TC-ER or USE-2 shall be permitted in outdoor locations in
PV inverter output circuits when used with utilityinteractive inverters mounted in not-readily-accessible locations. The cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft). Equipment grounding for the utilization
equipment shall be provided by an equipment grounding
conductor within the cable.
(E) Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables,
where used to connect the moving parts of tracking PV
modules, shall comply with Article 400 and shall be of a
type identified as a hard service cord or portable power
cable; they shall be suitable for extra-hard usage, listed for
outdoor use, water resistant, and sunlight resistant. Allowable ampacities shall be in accordance with 400.5. For ambient temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F), the ampacities
shall be derated by the appropriate factors given in Table
690.31(E).
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(3) Conductors of Multiple Systems. Where the conductors of more than one PV system occupy the same junction
box, raceway, or equipment, the conductors of each system
shall be identified at all termination, connection, and splice
points.
door locations in PV source circuits for PV module interconnections within the PV array.
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(B) Identification and Grouping. PV source circuits and
PV output circuits shall not be contained in the same raceway, cable tray, cable, outlet box, junction box, or similar
fitting as conductors, feeders, branch circuits of other
non-PV systems, or inverter output circuits unless the conductors of the different systems are separated by a partition.
PV system conductors shall be identified and grouped as
required by 690.31(B)(1) through (4). The means of identification shall be permitted by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means.
Exception: Where the identification of the conductors is
evident by spacing or arrangement, further identification is
not required.
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(4) Grouping. Where the conductors of more than one PV
system occupy the same junction box or raceway with a
removable cover(s), the ac and dc conductors of each system shall be grouped separately by cable ties or similar
means at least once, and then shall be grouped at intervals
not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
Exception: The requirement for grouping shall not apply if
the circuit enters from a cable or raceway unique to the
circuit that makes the grouping obvious.
(C) Single-Conductor Cable. Single-conductor cable type
USE-2, and single-conductor cable listed and labeled as
photovoltaic (PV) wire shall be permitted in exposed out-
(F) Small-Conductor Cables. Single-conductor cables
listed for outdoor use that are sunlight resistant and moisture resistant in sizes 16 AWG and 18 AWG shall be permitted for module interconnections where such cables meet
the ampacity requirements of 690.8. Section 310.15 shall
be used to determine the cable ampacity adjustment and
correction factors.
(G) Direct-Current Photovoltaic Source and DC Output Circuits On or Inside a Building. Where dc PV
source or dc PV output circuits from a building-integrated
or other PV systems are run inside a building or structure,
Table 690.31(E) Correction Factors
Ambient
Temperature
(°C)
60°C (140°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
105°C (221°F)
Ambient
Temperature
(°F)
30
31–35
36–40
41–45
46–50
51–55
56–60
61–70
71–80
1.00
0.91
0.82
0.71
0.58
0.41
—
—
—
1.00
0.94
0.88
0.82
0.75
0.67
0.58
0.33
—
1.00
0.96
0.91
0.87
0.82
0.76
0.71
0.58
0.41
1.00
0.97
0.93
0.89
0.86
0.82
0.77
0.68
0.58
86
87–95
96–104
105–113
114–122
123–131
132–140
141–158
159–176
70–638
Temperature Rating of Conductor
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(1) Embedded in Building Surfaces. Where circuits are
embedded in built-up, laminate, or membrane roofing materials in roof areas not covered by PV modules and associated equipment, the location of circuits shall be clearly
marked using a marking protocol that is approved as being
suitable for continuous exposure to sunlight and weather.
Exception: Listed switchgear rated for the maximum voltage between circuits and containing a physical barrier
separating the disconnecting means for each monopole
subarray shall be permitted to be used instead of disconnecting means in separate enclosures.
(J) Module Connection Arrangement.. The connection
to a module or panel shall be arranged so that removal of a
module or panel from a photovoltaic source circuit does not
interrupt a grounded conductor to other PV source circuits.
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(2) Flexible Wiring Methods. Where flexible metal conduit (FMC) smaller than metric designator 21 (trade size
3⁄4) or Type MC cable smaller than 25 mm (1 in.) in diameter containing PV power circuit conductors is installed
across ceilings or floor joists, the raceway or cable shall be
protected by substantial guard strips that are at least as high
as the raceway or cable. Where run exposed, other than
within 1.8 m (6 ft) of their connection to equipment, these
wiring methods shall closely follow the building surface or
be protected from physical damage by an approved means.
the two monopole subarrays exceeds the rating of the conductors and connected equipment, monopole subarrays in a
bipolar PV system shall be physically separated, and the
electrical output circuits from each monopole subarray
shall be installed in separate raceways until connected to
the inverter. The disconnecting means and overcurrent protective devices for each monopole subarray output shall be
in separate enclosures. All conductors from each separate
monopole subarray shall be routed in the same raceway.
Bipolar PV systems shall be clearly marked with a permanent, legible warning notice indicating that the disconnection of the grounded conductor(s) may result in overvoltage
on the equipment.
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they shall be contained in metal raceways, Type MC metalclad cable that complies with 250.118(10), or metal enclosures from the point of penetration of the surface of the
building or structure to the first readily accessible disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall comply with
690.13(B), (C), and 690.15(A), (B). The wiring methods
shall comply with the additional installation requirements
in (1) through (4)
690.33
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(3) Marking or Labeling Required. The following wiring
methods and enclosures that contain PV power source conductors shall be marked with the wording “WARNING:
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE” by means of permanently affixed labels or other approved permanent marking:
(1) Exposed raceways, cable trays, and other wiring methods
(2) Covers or enclosures of pull boxes and junction boxes
(3) Conduit bodies in which any of the available conduit
openings are unused
(4) Marking and Labeling Methods and Locations. The
labels or markings shall be visible after installation. The
labels shall be reflective and shall have all letters capitalized with a minimum height of 9.5 mm (3⁄8 in.) white on red
background. PV power circuit labels shall appear on every
section of the wiring system that is separated by enclosures,
walls, partitions, ceilings, or floors. Spacing between labels
or markings, or between a label and a marking, shall not be
more than 3 m (10 ft). Labels required by this section shall
be suitable for the environment where they are installed.
690.32 Component Interconnections. Fittings and connectors that are intended to be concealed at the time of
on-site assembly, where listed for such use, shall be permitted for on-site interconnection of modules or other array
components. Such fittings and connectors shall be equal to
the wiring method employed in insulation, temperature rise,
and fault-current withstand, and shall be capable of resisting the effects of the environment in which they are used.
690.33 Connectors. The connectors permitted by Article
690 shall comply with 690.33(A) through (E).
(A) Configuration. The connectors shall be polarized and
shall have a configuration that is noninterchangeable with
receptacles in other electrical systems on the premises.
(B) Guarding. The connectors shall be constructed and
installed so as to guard against inadvertent contact with live
parts by persons.
(C) Type. The connectors shall be of the latching or locking type. Connectors that are readily accessible and that are
used in circuits operating at over 30 volts, nominal, maximum system voltage for dc circuits, or 30 volts for ac
circuits, shall require a tool for opening.
(H) Flexible, Fine-Stranded Cables. Flexible, finestranded cables shall be terminated only with terminals,
lugs, devices, or connectors in accordance with 110.14.
(D) Grounding Member. The grounding member shall be
the first to make and the last to break contact with the
mating connector.
(I) Bipolar Photovoltaic Systems. Where the sum, without consideration of polarity, of the PV system voltages of
(E) Interruption of Circuit. Connectors shall be either (1)
or (2):
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–639
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(1) Be rated for interrupting current without hazard to the
operator.
(2) Be a type that requires the use of a tool to open and
marked “Do Not Disconnect Under Load” or “Not for
Current Interrupting.”
690.34 Access to Boxes. Junction, pull, and outlet boxes
located behind modules or panels shall be so installed that
the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible
directly or by displacement of a module(s) or panel(s) secured by removable fasteners and connected by a flexible
wiring system.
690.35 Ungrounded Photovoltaic Power Systems. Photovoltaic power systems shall be permitted to operate with
ungrounded photovoltaic source and output circuits where
the system complies with 690.35(A) through (G).
(A) Disconnects. All photovoltaic source and output circuit conductors shall have disconnects complying with 690,
Part III.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD. THE DC CONDUCTORS OF THIS PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
ARE UNGROUNDED AND MAY BE ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–306]
(G) The inverters or charge controllers used in systems
with ungrounded photovoltaic source and output circuits
shall be listed for the purpose.
V. Grounding
690.41 System Grounding. For a photovoltaic power
source, systems shall comply with 690.35, or one conductor
of a 2-wire system with a photovoltaic system voltage over
50 volts, but not greater than 300 volts, and the reference
(center tap) conductor of a bipolar system shall be solidly
grounded or shall use other methods that accomplish
equivalent system protection in accordance with 250.4(A)
and that utilize equipment listed and identified for the use.
[ROP 4–307]
AF
(B) Overcurrent Protection. All photovoltaic source and
output circuit conductors shall have overcurrent protection
complying with 690.9.
connect, and device where energized, ungrounded circuits
may be exposed during service:
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690.34
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(C) Ground-Fault Protection. All photovoltaic source
and output circuits shall be provided with a ground-fault
protection device or system that complies with (1) through
(4):
(1) Determine the pv input circuit has isolation prior to
export of current
(2) Detect ground fault(s).
(3) Indicates that a ground fault has occurred
(4) Automatically disconnects all conductors or causes the
inverter or charge controller connected to the faulted
circuit to automatically cease supplying power to output circuits.
[ROP 4–302]
(D) The photovoltaic source conductors shall consist of the
following:
(1) Metallic or nonmetallic jacketed multiconductor cables
[ROP 4–305a]
(2) Conductors installed in raceways, or
(3) Conductors listed and identified as Photovoltaic (PV)
Wire installed as exposed, single conductors.
(E) The photovoltaic power system direct-current circuits
shall be permitted to be used with ungrounded battery systems complying with _____.
(F) The photovoltaic power source shall be labeled with the
following warning at each junction box, combiner box, dis-
70–640
690.42 Point of System Grounding Connection. The dc
circuit grounding connection shall be made at any single
point on the photovoltaic output circuit.
Informational Note: Locating the grounding connection
point as close as practicable to the photovoltaic source better protects the system from voltage surges due to lightning.
Exception: Systems with a 690.5 ground-fault protection
device shall be permitted to have the required grounded
conductor-to-ground bond made by the ground-fault protection device. This bond, where internal to the groundfault equipment, shall not be duplicated with an external
connection.
690.43 Equipment Grounding. Equipment grounding
conductors and devices shall comply with 690.43(A)
through (F).
(A) Equipment Grounding Required. Exposed non–
current-carrying metal parts of PV module frames, electrical equipment, and conductor enclosures shall be grounded
in accordance with 250.134 or 250.136(A), regardless of
voltage.
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductor Required. An
equipment grounding conductor between a PV array and
other equipment shall be required in accordance with
250.110.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(D) Photovoltaic Mounting Systems and Devices. Devices and systems used for mounting PV modules that are
also used to provide grounding of the module frames shall
be identified for the purpose of grounding PV modules.
(E) Adjacent Modules. Devices identified and listed for
bonding the metallic frames of PV modules shall be permitted to bond the exposed metallic frames of PV modules
to the metallic frames of adjacent PV modules.
(C) Systems with Alternating-Current and DirectCurrent Grounding Requirements. Photovoltaic systems
having dc circuits and ac circuits with no direct connection
between the dc grounded conductor and ac grounded conductor shall have a dc grounding system. The dc grounding
system shall be bonded to the ac grounding system by one
of the methods in (1), (2), or (3).
This section shall not apply to ac PV modules.
When using the methods of (C)(2) or (C)(3), the existing ac grounding electrode system shall meet the applicable
requirements of Article 250, Part III.
AF
(F) All Conductors Together. Equipment grounding conductors for the PV array and structure (where installed)
shall be contained within the same raceway or cable or
otherwise run with the PV array circuit conductors when
those circuit conductors leave the vicinity of the PV array.
with 250.166 for grounded systems or 250.169 for ungrounded systems. The grounding electrode conductor shall
be installed in accordance with 250.64.
A common dc grounding-electrode conductor shall be
permitted to serve multiple inverters. The size of the common grounding electrode and the tap conductors shall be in
accordance with 250.166. The tap conductors shall be connected to the common grounding-electrode conductor by
exothermic welding or with connectors listed as grounding
and bonding equipment in such a manner that the common
grounding electrode conductor remains without a splice or
joint.
An ac equipment grounding system shall be permitted
to be used for equipment grounding of inverters and other
equipment, and the ground-fault detection reference for ungrounded PV systems. [ROP 4–310a]
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(C) Structure as Equipment Grounding Conductor. Devices listed and identified for grounding the metallic frames
of PV modules or other equipment shall be permitted to
bond the exposed metal surfaces or other equipment to
mounting structures. Metallic mounting structures, other
than building steel, used for grounding purposes shall be
identified as equipment-grounding conductors or shall have
identified bonding jumpers or devices connected between
the separate metallic sections and shall be bonded to the
grounding system.
690.47
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690.45 Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
Equipment Grounding conductors for PV source and PV
output circuits shall be sized in accordance with Table
250.122. Where no overcurrent protective device is used in
the circuit, an assumed overcurrent device rated at the PV
maximum circuit current shall be used in Table 250.122.
Increases in equipment grounding conductor size to address
voltage drop considerations shall not be required. An equipment grounding conductor shall not be smaller than 14
AWG. [ROP 4–308a]
690.46 Array Equipment Grounding Conductors.
Equipment grounding conductors for photovoltaic modules
smaller than 6 AWG shall comply with 250.120(C).
Solid (non-stranded) equipment-grounding conductors
and grounding-electrode conductors of 6 AWG and smaller
shall be permitted in raceways for PV array grounding.
[ROP 4–309]
690.47 Grounding Electrode System.
(A) Alternating-Current Systems. If installing an ac system, a grounding electrode system shall be provided in
accordance with 250.50 through 250.60. The grounding
electrode conductor shall be installed in accordance with
250.64.
(B) Direct-Current Systems. If installing a dc system, a
grounding electrode system shall be provided in accordance
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note No. 1: ANSI/UL 1741, Standard for
Inverters, Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems, requires that any inverter or charge
controller that has a bonding jumper between the grounded
dc conductor and the grounding system connection point
have that point marked as a grounding electrode conductor
(GEC) connection point. In PV inverters, the terminals for
the dc equipment grounding conductors and the terminals
for ac equipment grounding conductors are generally connected to, or electrically in common with, a grounding busbar that has a marked dc GEC terminal.
Informational Note No. 2: For utility-interactive systems,
the existing premises grounding system serves as the ac
grounding system.
(1) Separate Direct-Current Grounding Electrode System Bonded to the Alternating-Current Grounding
Electrode System. A separate dc grounding electrode or
system shall be installed, and it shall be bonded directly to
the ac grounding electrode system. The size of any bonding
jumper(s) between the ac and dc systems shall be based on
the larger size of the existing ac grounding electrode conductor or the size of the dc grounding electrode conductor
specified by 250.166. The dc grounding electrode system
conductor(s) or the bonding jumpers to the ac grounding
electrode system shall not be used as a substitute for any
required ac equipment grounding conductors.
70–641
ARTICLE 690 — SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
(2) Common Direct-Current and Alternating-Current
Grounding Electrode. A dc grounding electrode conductor
of the size specified by 250.166 shall be run from the
marked dc grounding electrode connection point to the ac
grounding electrode. Where an ac grounding electrode is
not accessible, the dc grounding electrode conductor shall
be connected to the ac grounding electrode conductor in
accordance with 250.64(C)(1), 250.64(C)(2), or connector
listed for grounding and bonding. [ROP 4–312]
690.51 Modules. Modules shall be marked with identification of terminals or leads as to polarity, maximum overcurrent device rating for module protection, and with the following ratings:
(1) Open-circuit voltage
(2) Operating voltage
(3) Maximum permissible system voltage
(4) Operating current
(5) Short-circuit current
(6) Maximum power
690.52 Alternating-Current Photovoltaic Modules.
Alternating-current modules shall be marked with identification of terminals or leads and with identification of the
following ratings:
(1) Nominal operating ac voltage
(2) Nominal operating ac frequency
(3) Maximum ac power
(4) Maximum ac current
(5) Maximum overcurrent device rating for ac module
protection
AF
(3) Combined Direct-Current Grounding Electrode
Conductor, PV Bonding Jumper, and AlternatingCurrent Equipment Grounding Conductor. An unspliced, or irreversibly spliced, combined grounding bonding conductor shall be run from the marked dc grounding
electrode conductor or PV bonding jumper connection
point along with the ac circuit conductors to the grounding
busbar located in the main service disconnect or the first
disconnect of a separately derived system in the associated
ac equipment. This combined grounding bonding conductor
shall be the larger of the sizes specified by 250.122 based
on the rating of the inverter output circuit overcurrent device or 250.168. or 250.166, and shall be installed in accordance with 250.64(E). [ROP 4–310a]
VI. Marking
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690.48
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(D) Additional Electrodes for Array Grounding.
Grounding electrodes shall be installed in accordance with
250.52 at the location of all ground- and pole-mounted
photovoltaic arrays. The electrodes shall be connected directly to the array frame(s) or structure. The dc grounding
electrode conductor shall be sized according to 250.166.
Additional electrodes are not permitted to be used as a
substitute for equipment bonding or equipment grounding
conductor requirements. [ROP 4–315]
690.48 Continuity of Equipment Grounding Systems.
Where the removal of equipment disconnects the bonding
connection between the grounding electrode conductor and
exposed conducting surfaces in the photovoltaic source or
output circuit equipment, a bonding jumper shall be installed while the equipment is removed.
690.53 Direct-Current Photovoltaic Power Source. A
permanent label for the direct-current photovoltaic power
source indicating items (1) through (5) shall be provided by
the installer at the photovoltaic disconnecting means:
(1) Rated maximum power-point current
(2) Rated maximum power-point voltage
(3) Maximum system voltage
Informational Note to (3): See 690.7(A) for maximum photovoltaic system voltage.
(4) Maximum-circuit current [ROP 4–318]
Where the PV power source has multiple outputs, items
(1) and (4) shall be specified for each output. [ROP
4–319]
Informational Note to (4): See 690.8(A) for calculation of
maximum circuit current.
(5) Maximum rated output current of the charge controller
(if installed)
690.49 Continuity of Photovoltaic Source and Output
Circuit Grounded Conductors. Where the removal of the
utility-interactive inverter or other equipment disconnects
the bonding connection between the grounding electrode
conductor and the photovoltaic source and/or photovoltaic
output circuit grounded conductor, a bonding jumper shall
be installed to maintain the system grounding while the
inverter or other equipment is removed.
690.54 Interactive System Point of Interconnection. All
interactive system(s) points of interconnection with other
sources shall be marked at an accessible location at the
disconnecting means as a power source and with the rated
ac output current and the nominal operating ac voltage.
690.50 Equipment Bonding Jumpers. Equipment bonding jumpers, if used, shall comply with 250.120(C).
690.55 Photovoltaic Power Systems Employing Energy
Storage. Photovoltaic power systems employing energy
70–642
Informational Note: Reflecting systems used for irradiance
enhancement may result in increased levels of output current and power.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
692.2
ARTICLE 692 — FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
690.56 Identification of Power Sources.
(A) Facilities with Stand-Alone Systems. Any structure
or building with a photovoltaic power system that is not
connected to a utility service source and is a stand-alone
system shall have a permanent plaque or directory installed
on the exterior of the building or structure at a readily
visible location acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. The plaque or directory shall indicate the location of
system disconnecting means and that the structure contains
a stand-alone electrical power system. The marking shall be
in accordance with 690.31(E). [ROP 4–320]
VII. Connection to Other Sources
[ROP 4–328]
690.80 General. Solar photovoltaic systems with a maximum system voltage over 1000 volts dc shall comply with
Article 490 and other requirements applicable to installations rated over 1000 volts. [ROP 4–327]
690.85 Definitions. For the purposes of Part VIII of this
article, the voltages used to determine cable and equipment
ratings are as follows.
Battery Circuits. In battery circuits, the highest voltage
experienced under charging or equalizing conditions.
Photovoltaic Circuits. In dc photovoltaic source circuits
and photovoltaic output circuits, the maximum system voltage.
X. Electric Vehicle Charging.
[ROP 4–331]
690.90 General. PV systems used directly to charge electric vehicles shall comply with Article 625 in addition to
the requirements of this article.
AF
(B) Facilities with Utility Services and PV Systems.
Buildings or structures with both utility service and a photovoltaic system shall have a permanent plaque or directory
providing the location of the service disconnecting means
and the photovoltaic system disconnecting means if not
located at the same location. The marking shall be in accordance with 690.31(E). For PV systems complying with
690.12, the plaque or directory shall include the wording:
MAXIMUM VOLTAGE AT ARRAY 80VDC AFTER
SHUTDOWN [ROP 4–320]
VIII. Systems over 1000 Volts
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storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating
voltage, including any equalization voltage and the polarity
of the grounded circuit conductor.
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690.57 Load Disconnect. A load disconnect that has multiple sources of power shall disconnect all sources when in
the off position.
690.91 Charging Equipment. Electric vehicle couplers
shall comply with 625.9. Personnel protection systems according to 625.22 and automatic de-energization of cables
according to 625.19 are not required for PV systems with
maximum system voltages of less than 80V dc.
690.60 Identified Interactive Equipment. Only inverters
and ac modules listed and identified as interactive shall be
permitted in interactive systems.
690.61 Loss of Interactive System Power. An inverter or
an ac module in an interactive solar photovoltaic system
shall automatically de-energize its output to the connected
electrical production and distribution network upon loss of
voltage in that system and shall remain in that state until
the electrical production and distribution network voltage
has been restored.
A normally interactive solar photovoltaic system shall
be permitted to operate as a stand-alone system to supply
loads that have been disconnected from electrical production and distribution network sources.
690.63 Unbalanced Interconnections. Unbalanced connections shall be in accordance with 705.100.
690.64 Point of Connection. Point of connection shall be
in accordance with 705.12.
[ROP 4–375]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 692
Fuel Cell Systems
I. General
692.1 Scope. This article identifies the requirements for
the installation of fuel cell power systems, which may be
stand-alone or interactive with other electric power production sources and may be with or without electric energy
storage such as batteries. These systems may have ac or dc
output for utilization.
692.2 Definitions.
Fuel Cell. An electrochemical system that consumes fuel to
produce an electric current. The main chemical reaction
used in a fuel cell for producing electric power is not combustion. However, there may be sources of combustion
used within the overall fuel cell system such as
reformers/fuel processors.
70–643
ARTICLE 692 — FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
Fuel Cell System. The complete aggregate of equipment
used to convert chemical fuel into usable electricity. A fuel
cell system typically consists of a reformer, stack, power
inverter, and auxiliary equipment.
Interactive System. A fuel cell system that operates in
parallel with and may deliver power to an electrical production and distribution network. For the purpose of this definition, an energy storage subsystem of a fuel cell system,
such as a battery, is not another electrical production
source.
Maximum System Voltage. The highest fuel cell inverter
output voltage between any ungrounded conductors present
at accessible output terminals.
Output Circuit. The conductors used to connect the fuel
cell system to its electrical point of delivery. In the case of
sites that have series- or parallel-connected multiple units,
the term output circuit also refers to the conductors used to
electrically interconnect the fuel cell system(s).
692.8 Circuit Sizing and Current.
(A) Nameplate Rated Circuit Current. The nameplate(s)
rated circuit current shall be the rated current indicated on
the fuel cell nameplate(s).
(B) Conductor Ampacity and Overcurrent Device Ratings. The ampacity of the feeder circuit conductors from
the fuel cell system(s) to the premises wiring system shall
not be less than the greater of (1) nameplate(s) rated circuit
current or (2) the rating of the fuel cell system(s) overcurrent protective device(s).
(C) Ampacity of Grounded or Neutral Conductor. If an
interactive single-phase, 2-wire fuel cell output(s) is connected to the grounded or neutral conductor and a single
ungrounded conductor of a 3-wire system or of a 3-phase,
4-wire, wye-connected system, the maximum unbalanced
neutral load current plus the fuel cell system(s) output rating shall not exceed the ampacity of the grounded or neutral conductor.
692.9 Overcurrent Protection.
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Point of Common Coupling. The point at which the power
production and distribution network and the customer interface occurs in an interactive system. Typically, this is the
load side of the power network meter.
II. Circuit Requirements
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692.3
Stand-Alone System. A fuel cell system that supplies
power independently of an electrical production and distribution network.
692.4 Installation.
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692.3 Other Articles. Wherever the requirements of other
articles of this Code and Article 692 differ, the requirements
of Article 692 shall apply, and, if the system is operated in
parallel with a primary source(s) of electricity, the requirements in 705.14, 705.16, 705.32, and 705.143 shall apply.
(A) Fuel Cell System. A fuel cell system shall be permitted to supply a building or other structure in addition to any
service(s) of another electricity supply system(s).
(B) Identification. A permanent plaque or directory, denoting all electric power sources on or in the premises,
shall be installed at each service equipment location.
(C) System Installation. Fuel cell systems including all
associated wiring and interconnections shall be installed by
only qualified persons.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
qualified person.
692.6 Listing Requirement. The fuel cell system shall be
evaluated and listed for its intended application prior to
installation.
70–644
(A) Circuits and Equipment. If the fuel cell system is
provided with overcurrent protection sufficient to protect
the circuit conductors that supply the load, additional circuit overcurrent devices shall not be required. Equipment
and conductors connected to more than one electrical
source shall be protected.
(B) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible.
692.10 Stand-Alone Systems. The premises wiring system shall meet the requirements of this Code except as
modified by 692.10(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Fuel Cell System Output. The fuel cell system output
from a stand-alone system shall be permitted to supply ac
power to the building or structure disconnecting means at
current levels below the rating of that disconnecting means.
(B) Sizing and Protection. The circuit conductors between the fuel cell system(s) output and the building or
structure disconnecting means shall be sized based on the
output rating of the fuel cell system(s). These conductors
shall be protected from overcurrents in accordance with
240.4. The overcurrent protection shall be located at the
output of the fuel cell system(s).
(C) Single 120-Volt Nominal Supply. The inverter output
of a stand-alone fuel cell system shall be permitted to supply 120 volts, nominal, to single-phase, 3-wire 120/240volt service equipment or distribution panels where there
are no 240-volt loads and where there are no multiwire
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 692 — FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
WARNING
SINGLE 120-VOLT SUPPLY.
DO NOT CONNECT MULTIWIRE
BRANCH CIRCUITS!
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–338]
III. Disconnecting Means
692.13 All Conductors. Means shall be provided to disconnect all current-carrying conductors of a fuel cell system power source from all other conductors in a building or
other structure.
(C) Systems with Alternating-Current and DirectCurrent Grounding Requirements. When fuel cell power
systems have both alternating-current (ac) and directcurrent (dc) grounding requirements, the dc grounding system shall be bonded to the ac grounding system. The bonding conductor shall be sized according to 692.45. A single
common grounding electrode and grounding bar may be
used for both systems, in which case the common grounding electrode conductor shall be sized to meet the requirements of both 250.66 (ac) and 250.166 (dc).
692.44 Equipment Grounding Conductor. A separate
equipment grounding conductor shall be installed.
692.45 Size of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The
equipment grounding conductor shall be sized in accordance with 250.122.
692.47 Grounding Electrode System. Any auxiliary
grounding electrode(s) required by the manufacturer shall
be connected to the equipment grounding conductor specified in 250.118.
AF
692.17 Switch or Circuit Breaker. The disconnecting
means for ungrounded conductors shall consist of readily
accessible, manually operable switch(es) or circuit breaker(s).
Where all terminals of the disconnecting means may be
energized in the open position, a warning sign shall be
mounted on or adjacent to the disconnecting means. The
sign shall be clearly legible and shall have the following
words or equivalent:
(B) DC Systems. Grounding of dc systems shall be in accordance with 250.160.
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branch circuits. In all installations, the rating of the overcurrent device connected to the output of the fuel cell system(s) shall be less than the rating of the service equipment. This equipment shall be marked as follows:
692.59
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DANGER
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD.
DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS.
TERMINALS ON BOTH THE LINE AND
LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED
IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The danger sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–339]
IV. Wiring Methods
692.31 Wiring Systems. All raceway and cable wiring
methods included in Chapter 3 of this Code and other wiring systems and fittings specifically intended and identified
for use with fuel cell systems shall be permitted. Where
wiring devices with integral enclosures are used, sufficient
length of cable shall be provided to facilitate replacement.
VI. Marking
692.53 Fuel Cell Power Sources. A marking specifying
the fuel cell system, output voltage, output power rating,
and continuous output current rating shall be provided at
the disconnecting means for the fuel cell power source at an
accessible location on the site.
692.54 Fuel Shut-Off. The location of the manual fuel
shut-off valve shall be marked at the location of the primary
disconnecting means of the building or circuits supplied.
692.56 Stored Energy. A fuel cell system that stores electric energy shall require the following warning sign, or
equivalent, at the location of the service disconnecting
means of the premises:
WARNING
FUEL CELL POWER SYSTEM CONTAINS
ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–341]
V. Grounding
VII. Connection to Other Circuits
692.41 System Grounding.
(A) AC Systems. Grounding of ac systems shall be in accordance with 250.20, and with 250.30 for stand-alone systems.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
692.59 Transfer Switch. A transfer switch shall be required in non–grid-interactive systems that use utility grid
backup. The transfer switch shall maintain isolation between the electrical production and distribution network
70–645
692.60
ARTICLE 694 — WIND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
692.60 Identified Interactive Equipment. Only fuel cell
systems listed and marked as interactive shall be permitted
in interactive systems.
692.61 Output Characteristics. Output characteristics
shall be in accordance with 705.14.
Alternator
692.64 Unbalanced Interconnections. Unbalanced interconnections shall be in accordance with 705.100.
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692.65 Utility-Interactive Point of Connection. Point of
connection shall be in accordance with 705.12.
VIII. Outputs Over 1000 Volts
[ROP 4–343]
692.80 General. Fuel cell systems with a maximum output
voltage over 1000 volts ac shall comply with the requirements of other articles applicable to such installations.
[ROP 4–342]
ARTICLE 694
Wind Electric Systems
[ROP 4–345]
I. General
694.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to wind
(turbine) electric systems that consist of one or more wind
electric generators. These systems can include generators,
alternators, inverters, and controllers. [ROP 4–346]
70–646
Inverter
Rectifier
Utility
Informational Note Figure 694.1, No. 1 Identification of Wind
Electric System Components — Interactive System. [ROP
4–345]
694.2 Definitions.
dc loads
Alternator
Rectifier
AF
692.62 Loss of Interactive System Power. The fuel cell
system shall be provided with a means of detecting when
the electrical production and distribution network has become de-energized and shall not feed the electrical production and distribution network side of the point of common
coupling during this condition. The fuel cell system shall
remain in that state until the electrical production and distribution network voltage has been restored.
A normally interactive fuel cell system shall be permitted to operate as a stand-alone system to supply loads that
have been disconnected from electrical production and distribution network sources.
Informational Note: Wind electric systems can be interactive with other electrical power production sources or might
be stand-alone systems. Wind electric systems can have ac
or dc output, with or without electrical energy storage, such
as batteries. See Informational Note Figure 694.1, No. 1
and Figure 694.1, No. 2. [ROP 4–345]
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and the fuel cell system. The transfer switch shall be permitted to be located externally or internally to the fuel cell
system unit. Where the utility service conductors of the
structure are connected to the transfer switch, the switch
shall comply with Article 230, Part V.
Charge
controller
Diversion
load
Inverter
ac loads
Battery
Informational Note Figure 694.1, No. 2 Identification of Wind
Electric System Components — Stand-Alone System. [ROP
4–345]
[ROP 4–4]
Diversion Charge Controller. Equipment that regulates
the charging process of a battery or other energy storage
device by diverting power from energy storage to dc or ac
loads, or to an interconnected utility service.
Diversion Load. A load connected to a diversion charge
controller or diversion load controller, also known as a
dump load.
Diversion Load Controller. Equipment that regulates the
output of a wind generator by diverting power from the
generator to dc or ac loads or to an interconnected utility
service.
Guy. A cable that mechanically supports a wind turbine
tower.
Inverter Output Circuit. The conductors between an inverter and an ac panelboard for stand-alone systems, or the
conductors between an inverter and service equipment or
another electric power production source, such as a utility,
for an electrical production and distribution network.
Maximum Output Power. The maximum 1 minute average power output a wind turbine produces in normal
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 694 — WIND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
Maximum Voltage. The maximum voltage the wind turbine produces in operation including open circuit conditions.
Nacelle. An enclosure housing the alternator and other
parts of a wind turbine.
Rated Power. The wind turbine’s output power at a wind
speed of 11 m/s (24.6 mph). If a turbine produces more
power at lower wind speeds, the rated power is the wind
turbine’s output power at a wind speed less than 11 m/s that
produces the greatest output power.
Informational Note: The method for measuring wind turbine power output is specified in IEC 61400-12-1, Power
Performance Measurements of Electricity Producing Wind
Turbines.
Tower. A pole or other structure that supports a wind turbine.
(D) Surge Protective Devices (SPD). A surge protective
device shall be installed between a small wind electric system and any loads served by the premises electrical system.
The surge protective device shall be permitted to be a Type
3 SPD on a dedicated branch circuit serving a small wind
electric system or a Type 2 SPD located anywhere on the
load side of the service disconnect. Surge protective devices shall be installed in accordance with Part II of Article
285.
(E) Receptacles. A receptacle shall be permitted to be connected to by a wind electric system branch or feeder circuit
for maintenance or data acquisition use. Receptacles shall
be protected with an overcurrent device with a rating not to
exceed the current rating of the receptacle. All 125-volt,
single phase, 15- and 20 ampere receptacles installed for
maintenance of the wind turbine shall have ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. [ROP 4–351]
AF
Wind Turbine. A mechanical device that converts wind
energy to electrical energy.
(C) Diversion Load Controllers. A small wind electric
system employing a diversion load controller as the primary means of regulating the speed of a wind turbine rotor
shall be equipped with an additional, independent, reliable
means to prevent over-speed operation. An interconnected
utility service shall not be considered to be a reliable diversion load.
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steady-state operation (instantaneous power output can be
higher).
694.10
Wind Turbine Output Circuit. The circuit conductors between the internal components of a wind turbine (which
might include an alternator, integrated rectifier, controller,
and/or inverter) and other equipment. [ROP 4–345]
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Informational Note: See also definitions for interconnected systems in Article 705 .
[ROP 4–349]
694.3 Other Articles. Where the system is operated in parallel with primary sources of electricity, the requirements of
Article 705 shall apply. [ROP 4–350]
Exception: Wind electric systems, equipment, or wiring
installed in a hazardous (classified) location shall also
comply with the applicable portions of Articles 500 through
516. [ROP-345]
694.7 Installation. Systems covered by this article shall be
installed only by qualified persons.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
Qualified Person.
(A) Wind Electric Systems. Wind electric system(s) shall
be permitted to supply a building or other structure in addition to other sources of supply. [ROP 4–345, ROP
4–352]
(B) Equipment. Wind electric systems equipment, subassemblies, and components shall be listed and marked for
the application. [ROP 4–345, ROP 4–353, ROP 4–354]
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(F) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles or Towers Supporting
Wind Turbines Used as a Raceway. A metallic or nonmetallic pole or tower shall be permitted to be used as a
raceway if evaluated as part of the listing for the wind
turbine, or otherwise listed or evaluated for the purpose.
[ROP 4–356]
II. Circuit Requirements
694.10 Maximum Voltage.
(A) Wind Turbine Output Circuits. For wind turbines
connected to one- and two-family dwellings, turbine output
circuits shall be permitted to have a maximum voltage up to
600 volts. Other installations with a maximum voltage over
1000 volts shall comply with Part IX of Article 694. [ROP
4–357]
(B) Direct-Current Utilization Circuits. The voltage of
dc utilization circuits shall comply with 210.6.
(C) Circuits over 150 Volts to Ground. In one- and twofamily dwellings, live parts in circuits over 150 volts to
ground shall not be accessible to other than qualified persons while energized.
Informational Note: See 110.28 for guarding of live parts
and 210.6 for branch circuit voltage limitations.
70–647
694.12
ARTICLE 694 — WIND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
694.12 Circuit Sizing and Current.
(A) Calculation of Maximum Circuit Current. The
maximum current for a circuit shall be calculated in accordance with 694.12(A)(1) through (A)(3).
(1) Turbine Output Circuit Currents. The maximum
current shall be based on the circuit current of the wind
turbine operating at maximum output power.
(2) Inverter Output Circuit Current. The maximum output current shall be the inverter continuous output current
rating.
(3) Stand-Alone Inverter Input Circuit Current. The
maximum input current shall be the stand-alone continuous
inverter input current rating of the inverter producing rated
power at the lowest input voltage.
(B) Power Transformers. Overcurrent protection for a
transformer with sources on each side shall be provided in
accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of the
transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as the
primary.
Exception: A power transformer with a current rating on
the side connected to the inverter output, which is not less
than the rated continuous output current rating of the inverter, shall not be required to have overcurrent protection
at the inverter.
(C) Direct-Current Rating. Overcurrent devices, either
fuses or circuit breakers, used in any dc portion of a small
wind electric system shall be listed for use in dc circuits
and shall have appropriate voltage, current, and interrupting
ratings.
[ROP 4–243]
(B) Ampacity and Overcurrent Device Ratings.
694.20 All Conductors. Means shall be provided to disconnect all current-carrying conductors of a small wind
electric power source from all other conductors in a building or other structure. A switch, circuit breaker, or other
device, either ac or dc, shall not be installed in a grounded
conductor if operation of that switch, circuit breaker, or
other device leaves the marked, grounded conductor in an
ungrounded and energized state.
AF
(2) Sizing of Conductors and Overcurrent Devices. Circuit conductors and overcurrent devices shall be sized to
carry not less than 125 percent of the maximum current as
calculated in 694.12(A). The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall be permitted in accordance with 240.4(B)
and (C).
III. Disconnecting Means
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(1) Continuous Current. Small wind turbine electric system currents shall be considered to be continuous.
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Exception: Circuits containing an assembly, together with
its overcurrent devices, listed for continuous operation at
100 percent of its rating shall be permitted to be used at
100 percent of its rating.
694.15 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Circuits and Equipment. Turbine output circuits, inverter output circuits, and storage battery circuit conductors
and equipment shall be protected in accordance with the
requirements of Article 240. Circuits connected to more
than one electrical source shall have overcurrent devices
located so as to provide overcurrent protection from all
sources.
Exception: An overcurrent device shall not be required for
circuit conductors sized in accordance with 694.12(B)
where the maximum current from all sources does not exceed the ampacity of the conductors.
Informational Note: Possible backfeed of current from any
source of supply, including a supply through an inverter to
the wind turbine output circuit, is a consideration in determining whether overcurrent protection from all sources is
provided. Some wind electric systems rely on the turbine
output circuit to regulate turbine speed. Inverters may also
operate in reverse for turbine startup or speed control.
[ROP 4–345, ROP 4–359]
70–648
Exception: A wind turbine that uses the turbine output
circuit for regulating turbine speed shall not require a turbine output circuit disconnecting means.
694.22 Additional Provisions. Disconnecting means shall
comply with 694.22(A) through (D).
(A) Disconnecting Means. The disconnecting means shall
not be required to be suitable for use as service equipment.
The disconnecting means for ungrounded conductors shall
consist of manually operable switches or circuit breakers
complying with all of the following requirements:
(1) They shall be located where readily accessible.
(2) They shall be externally operable without exposing the
operator to contact with live parts.
(3) They shall plainly indicate whether in the open or
closed position.
(4) They shall have an interrupting rating sufficient for the
nominal circuit voltage and the current that is available
at the line terminals of the equipment.
Where all terminals of the disconnecting means are capable of being energized in the open position, a warning
sign shall be mounted on or adjacent to the disconnecting
means. The sign shall be clearly legible and shall have the
following words or equivalent:
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ARTICLE 694 — WIND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 4–362]
(B) Equipment. Equipment such as rectifiers, controllers,
output circuit isolating and shorting switches, and overcurrent devices shall be permitted on the wind turbine side
of the disconnecting means.
(C) Requirements for Disconnecting Means.
(1) Location. The small wind electric system disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location
either on or adjacent to the turbine tower, on the outside of
a building or structure or inside, at the point of entrance of
the wind system conductors.
Exception: Turbines with a swept area of less than 50 m2
shall not be required to have a manual shutdown button or
switch. [ROP 4–364a]
(B) Shutdown Procedure. The shutdown procedure for a
wind turbine shall be defined and permanently posted at the
location of a shutdown means, and at the location of the
turbine controller or disconnect, if different. [ROP 4–364a]
694.24 Disconnection of Small Wind Electric System
Equipment. Means shall be provided to disconnect equipment, such as inverters, batteries, and charge controllers,
from all ungrounded conductors of all sources. If the equipment is energized from more than one source, the disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified.
A single disconnecting means in accordance with
694.22 shall be permitted for the combined ac output of one
or more inverters in an interactive system.
A shorting switch or plug shall be permitted to be used
as an alternative to a disconnect in systems that regulate
turbine speed using the turbine output circuit.
AF
Exception: Installations that comply with 694.30(C) shall
be permitted to have the disconnecting means located remotely from the point of entry of the wind system
conductors.
tor, or allow limited rotor speed combined with a means to
de-energize the turbine output circuit. [ROP 4–364a]
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WARNING.
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD.
DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS.
TERMINALS ON BOTH THE LINE
AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE
ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
694.30
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A wind turbine disconnecting means shall not be required to be located at the nacelle or tower.
The disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms.
(2) Marking. Each turbine system disconnecting means
shall be permanently marked to identify it as a small wind
electric system disconnect. A plaque shall be installed in
accordance with 705.10.
Exception: Equipment housed in a turbine nacelle shall
not be required to have a disconnecting means.
694.26 Fuses. Means shall be provided to disconnect a
fuse from all sources of supply where the fuse is energized
from both directions and is accessible to other than qualified persons. Switches, pullouts, or similar devices that are
rated for the application shall be permitted to serve as a
means to disconnect fuses from all sources of supply.
(3) Suitable for Use. Turbine system disconnecting means
shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. [ROP
4–363]
694.28 Installation and Service of a Wind Turbine.
Open circuiting, short circuiting, or mechanical brakes shall
be used to disable a turbine for installation and service.
(4) Maximum Number of Disconnects. The turbine disconnecting means shall consist of not more than six
switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchgear. [ROP 4–364, ROP 9–181c]
Informational Note: Some wind turbines rely on the connection from the alternator to a remote controller for speed
regulation. Opening turbine output circuit conductors may
cause mechanical damage to a turbine and create excessive
voltages that could damage equipment or expose persons to
electric shock.
(D) Equipment That Is Not Readily Accessible. Rectifiers, controllers, and inverters shall be permitted to be
mounted in nacelles or other exterior areas that are not
readily accessible.
694.23 Turbine Shutdown. [ROP 4–364a]
(A) Manual Shutdown. Wind turbines shall be required to
have a readily accessible manual shutdown button or
switch. Operation of the button or switch shall result in a
parked turbine state which shall either stop the turbine ro-
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IV. Wiring Methods
694.30 Permitted Methods.
(A) Wiring Systems. All raceway and cable wiring methods included in this Code, and other wiring systems and
fittings specifically intended for use on wind turbines, shall
be permitted. In readily accessible locations, turbine output
circuits that operate at voltages greater than 30 volts shall
be installed in raceways.
70–649
694.40
ARTICLE 694 — WIND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
(B) Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables,
where used to connect the moving parts of turbines or
where used for ready removal for maintenance and repair,
shall comply with Article 400 and shall be of a type identified as hard service cord or portable power cable, shall be
suitable for extra-hard usage, shall be listed for outdoor
use, and shall be water resistant. Cables exposed to sunlight
shall be sunlight resistant. Flexible, fine-stranded cables
shall be terminated only with terminals, lugs, devices, or
connectors in accordance with 110.14(A). [ROP 4–368]
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(A) General. Exposed non-current-carrying metal parts of
towers, turbine nacelles, other equipment, and conductor
enclosures shall be grounded between the source and the
first disconnect, overcurrent device or conversion equipment in accordance with 250.35, and thereafter, shall be
grounded in accordance with 250.134 or 250.136(A), regardless of voltage. Direct current sources shall comply
with Article 250 Part VIII. Turbine output circuits shall be
permitted to be grounded but shall not be required to be
grounded. Attached metal parts such as turbine blades and
tails that have no source of electrical energization are not
required to be grounded or bonded.
(B) Tower Grounding and Bonding.
(1) Auxiliary Grounding Electrodes and Grounding
Electrode Conductors. A wind turbine tower shall be connected to one or more auxiliary grounding electrodes to
limit voltages imposed by lightning. The auxiliary grounding electrodes shall comply with 250.52(A) in form and
250.54 for connections using a grounding electrode conductor that complies with 250.166 for dc systems and
250.62 through 250.70 for ac systems.
Electrodes that are part of the tower foundation and
meet the requirements for concrete encased electrodes in
accordance with 250.52(A)(3) shall be acceptable. A
grounded metal tower support shall be considered acceptable where meeting the requirements of 250.136(A). Where
installed in close proximity to galvanized foundation or
tower anchor components, galvanized grounding electrodes
shall be used.
70–650
(3) Tower Grounding Connections. Equipment grounding conductors and grounding electrode conductors, where
used, shall be connected to the metallic tower by exothermic welding, listed lugs, listed pressure connectors, listed
clamps, or other listed means. Devices, such as connectors
and lugs, shall be suitable for the material of the conductor
and the structure to which the devices are connected.
Where practicable, contact of dissimilar metals shall be
avoided anywhere in the system to eliminate the possibility
of galvanic action and corrosion. All mechanical elements
used to terminate these conductors shall be accessible.
(4) Lightning Protection. Where a lightning protection
system is present, its ground terminals shall be bonded to
the tower grounding electrode system as required by
250.106. Where the tower is remote from the building or
structure served, the tower grounding electrode system
shall be permitted to be made a part of the lightning protection system.
AF
V. Grounding
694.40 Equipment Grounding. [ROP 4–370a]
(2) Tower Bonding. An equipment grounding conductor
or supply side bonding jumper shall connect a turbine to the
main or system bond and premises grounding system in
accordance with 250.110.
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(C) Direct-Current Turbine Output Circuits Inside a
Building. Direct-current turbine output circuits installed inside a building or structure shall be enclosed in metal raceways or installed in metal enclosures, or run in Type MC
metal-clad cable that complies with 250.118(10), from the
point of penetration of the surface of the building or structure to the first readily accessible disconnecting means.
[ROP 4–370]
Informational Note: Copper and copper-clad grounding
electrodes, where used in highly conductive soils, can cause
electrolytic corrosion of galvanized foundation and tower
anchor components.
Informational Note: See NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the
Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, Informative
Annex N, Wind Turbine Generator System
(5) Guy Wires. Guy wires used to support turbine towers
shall not be required to be connected to an equipment
grounding or bonding conductor or to comply with the requirements of 250.110.
Informational Note: Guy wires supporting grounded towers are unlikely to become energized. Grounding of metallic guy wires may be required by lightning codes. See
694.40(B)(4).
VI. Marking
694.50 Interactive System Point of Interconnection. All
interactive system points of interconnection with other
sources shall be marked at an accessible location at the
disconnecting means and with the rated ac output current
and the nominal operating ac voltage.
694.52 Power Systems Employing Energy Storage.
Wind electric systems employing energy storage shall be
marked with the maximum operating voltage, any equalization voltage, and the polarity of the grounded circuit conductor. [ROP 4–345]
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695.2
ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
(A) Facilities with Stand-Alone Systems. Any structure
or building with a stand-alone system and not connected to
a utility service source shall have a permanent plaque or
directory installed on the exterior of the building or structure at a readily visible location. The plaque or directory
shall indicate the location of system disconnecting means
and shall indicate that the structure contains a stand-alone
electrical power system.
(B) Facilities with Utility Services and Wind Electric
Systems. Buildings or structures with both utility service
and wind electric systems shall have a permanent plaque or
directory providing the location of the service disconnecting means and the wind electric system disconnecting
means. [ROP 4–345]
VII. Connection to Other Sources
694.60 Identified Interactive Equipment. Only inverters
listed and identified as interactive shall be permitted in
interactive systems.
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694.62 Installation. Wind electric systems, where connected to utility electric sources, shall comply with the requirements of Article 705 . [ROP 4–345]
694.66 Operating Voltage Range. Wind electric systems
connected to dedicated branch or feeder circuits shall be
permitted to exceed normal voltage operating ranges on
these circuits, provided the voltage at any distribution
equipment supplying other loads remains within normal
ranges. [ROP 4–345]
Informational Note: Wind turbines might use the electric
grid to dump energy from short-term wind gusts. Normal
operating voltages are defined in ANSI C84.1-2006, Voltage Ratings for Electric Power Systems and Equipment (60
Hz).
694.68 Point of Connection. Points of connection to interconnected electric power sources shall comply with 705.12.
[ROP 4–375]
VIII. Systems over 1000 Volts
[ROP 4–374]
694.80 General. Wind electric systems with a maximum
system voltage exceeding 1000 volts ac or dc shall comply
with Article 490 and other requirements applicable to installations rated over 1000 volts. [ROP 4–373]
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(A) Battery Circuits. In battery circuits, the voltage used
shall be the highest voltage experienced under charging or
equalizing conditions.
(B) Other Circuits. In other circuits, the voltage used
shall be the maximum voltage experienced in normal operation.
ARTICLE 695
Fire Pumps
695.1 Scope.
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 20-2010, Standard
for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.
Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to
make it consistent with this Code.
AF
694.56 Instructions for Disabling Turbine. A plaque
shall be installed at or adjacent to the turbine location providing basic instructions for disabling the turbine.
694.85 Cable and Equipment Ratings. For the purposes
of Part IX of this article, the voltages used to determine
cable and equipment ratings shall be as specified in
694.85(A) and (B).
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694.54 Identification of Power Sources.
(A) Covered. This article covers the installation of the following:
(1) Electric power sources and interconnecting circuits
(2) Switching and control equipment dedicated to fire
pump drivers
(B) Not Covered. This article does not cover the following:
(1) The performance, maintenance, and acceptance testing
of the fire pump system, and the internal wiring of the
components of the system
(2) The installation of pressure maintenance (jockey or
makeup) pumps [ROP 13–48a]
Informational Note: For the installation of pressure maintenance (jockey or makeup) pumps supplied by the fire
pump circuit or another source, see Article 430. [ROP
13–48a]
(3) Transfer equipment upstream of the fire pump transfer
switch [ROP 13–48a]
Informational Note: See NFPA 20-2010, Standard for the
Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, for
further information.
695.2 Definitions.
Fault-Tolerant External Control Circuits. Those control
circuits either entering or leaving the fire pump controller
enclosure, which if broken, disconnected, or shorted will
not prevent the controller from starting the fire pump from
70–651
ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
all other internal or external means and may cause the controller to start the pump under these conditions.
On-Site Power Production Facility. The normal supply of
electric power for the site that is expected to be constantly
producing power.
On-Site Standby Generator. A facility producing electric
power on site as the alternate supply of electric power. It
differs from an on-site power production facility, in that it is
not constantly producing power.
695.3 Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire
Pumps. Electric motor-driven fire pumps shall have a reliable source of power.
(C) Multibuilding Campus-Style Complexes. If the
sources in 695.3(A) are not practicable and the installation
is part of a multibuilding campus-style complex, feeder
sources shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction and installed in accordance with either
(C)(1) and (C)(3) or (C)(2) and (C)(3).
(1) Feeder Sources. Two or more feeders shall be permitted as more than one power source if such feeders are
connected to, or derived from, separate utility services. The
connection(s), overcurrent protective device(s), and disconnecting means for such feeders shall meet the requirements
of 695.4(B).
(2) Feeder and Alternate Source. A feeder shall be permitted as a normal source of power if an alternate source of
power independent from the feeder is provided. The connection(s), overcurrent protective device(s), and disconnecting means for such feeders shall meet the requirements
of 695.4(B).
AF
(A) Individual Sources. Where reliable, and where capable of carrying indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor
current of the fire pump motor(s) and the pressure maintenance pump motor(s) and the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory equipment when connected to
this power supply, the power source for an electric motor
driven fire pump shall be one or more of the following.
Exception to (B)(1) and (B)(2): An alternate source of
power shall not be required where a back-up engine-driven
or back-up steam turbine-driven fire pump is installed.
[20:9.3.3]
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695.3
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(1) Electric Utility Service Connection. A fire pump shall
be permitted to be supplied by a separate service, or from a
connection located ahead of and not within the same cabinet, enclosure, vertical switchgear section, or vertical
switchboard section as the service disconnecting means.
The connection shall be located and arranged so as to minimize the possibility of damage by fire from within the premises and from exposing hazards. A tap ahead of the service disconnecting means shall comply with 230.82(5). The
service equipment shall comply with the labeling requirements in 230.2 and the location requirements in 230.72(B).
[20:9.2.2(1)] [ROP 13–53]
(2) On-Site Power Production Facility. A fire pump shall
be permitted to be supplied by an on-site power production
facility. The source facility shall be located and protected to
minimize the possibility of damage by fire. [20:9.2.2(3)]
(3) Dedicated Feeder. A dedicated feeder shall be permitted where it is derived from a service connection as described in 695.3(A)(1). [20:9.2.2(3)]
(B) Multiple Sources. If reliable power cannot be obtained from a source described in 695.3(A), power shall be
supplied by one of the following: [20:9.3.2]
(1) Individual Sources. An approved combination of two
or more of the sources from 695.3(A).
(2) Individual Source and On-site Standby Generator.
An approved combination of one or more of the sources in
695.3(A) and an on-site standby generator complying with
695.3(D). [20:9.3.4]
70–652
(3) Selective Coordination. The overcurrent protective
device(s) in each disconnecting means shall be selectively
coordinated with any other supply-side overcurrent protective device(s).
(D) On-Site Standby Generator as Alternate Source. An
on-site standby generator(s) used as an alternate source of
power shall comply with (D)(1) through (D)(3).
[20:9.6.2.1]
(1) Capacity. The generator shall have sufficient capacity
to allow normal starting and running of the motor(s) driving the fire pump(s) while supplying all other simultaneously operated load(s). [20:9.6.1.1]
Automatic shedding of one or more optional standby
loads in order to comply with this capacity requirement
shall be permitted.
(2) Connection. A tap ahead of the generator disconnecting means shall not be required. [20:9.6.1.2]
(3) Adjacent Disconnects. The requirements of 430.113
shall not apply.
(E) Arrangement. All power supplies shall be located and
arranged to protect against damage by fire from within the
premises and exposing hazards. [20:9.1.4]
Multiple power sources shall be arranged so that a fire
at one source does not cause an interruption at the other
source.
(F) Transfer of Power. Transfer of power to the fire pump
controller between the individual source and one alternate
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ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
(G) Phase Converters. Phase converters shall not be permitted to be used for fire pump service. [20:9.1.7]
695.4 Continuity of Power. Circuits that supply electric
motor-driven fire pumps shall be supervised from inadvertent disconnection as covered in 695.4(A) or (B).
(A) Direct Connection. The supply conductors shall directly connect the power source to either a listed fire pump
controller or listed combination fire pump controller and
power transfer switch.
(B) Connection Through Disconnecting Means and
Overcurrent Device.
(1) Number of Disconnecting Means.
[ROP 13–58]
(b) On-Site Standby Generators. Overcurrent protective devices between an on-site standby generator and a fire
pump controller shall be selected and sized to allow for
instantaneous pickup of the full pump room load, but shall
not be larger than the value selected to comply with 430.62
to provide short-circuit protection only. [20:9.6.1.1]
AF
(a) General. A single disconnecting means and associated overcurrent protective device(s) shall be permitted to
be installed between the fire pump power source(s) and one
of the following: [20:9.1.2]
(1) A listed fire pump controller
(2) A listed fire pump power transfer switch
(3) A listed combination fire pump controller and power
transfer switch
pump motor circuit(s). [20:9.2.3.4] [ROP 13–57, ROP
13–58]
(2) Overcurrent protection shall be provided by an assembly listed for fire pump service and complying with the
following:
a. The overcurrent protective device shall not open
within 2 minutes at 600 percent of the full load
current of the fire pump motor(s).
b. The overcurrent protective device shall not open
with a re-start transient of 24 times the full load
current of the fire pump motor(s).
c. The overcurrent protective device shall not open
within 10 minutes at 300 percent of the full load
current of the fire pump motor(s).
d. The trip point for circuit breakers shall not be
field adjustable. [20:9.2.3.4.1]
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source shall take place within the pump room. The transfer
switch shall be listed for fire pump service. [20:9.6.4]
[20:10.8.1.1] [ROP 13–55a]
695.4
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(b) Feeder Sources. For systems installed under the
provisions of 695.3(C) only, additional disconnecting
means and the associated overcurrent protective device(s)
shall be permitted as required to comply with other provisions of this Code.
(c) On-Site Standby Generator. Where an on-site
standby generator is used to supply a fire pump, an additional disconnecting means and an associated overcurrent
protective device(s) shall be permitted.
(2) Overcurrent Device Selection. Overcurrent devices
shall comply with (a) or (b).
(a) Individual Sources. Overcurrent protection for individual sources shall comply with (1) or (2). [ROP 13–58]
(1) Overcurrent protective device(s) shall be rated to carry
indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the
largest fire pump motor and the pressure maintenance
pump motor(s) and the full-load current of all of the
other pump motors and associated fire pump accessory
equipment when connected to this power supply.
Where the locked-rotor current value does not correspond to a standard overcurrent device size, the next
standard overcurrent device size shall be used in accordance with 240.6. The requirement to carry the lockedrotor currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors
or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire
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(3) Disconnecting Means. All disconnecting devices that
are unique to the fire pump loads shall comply with items
(a) through (e).
(a) Features and Location — Normal Power Source.
The disconnecting means for the normal power source shall
comply with all of the following: [20:9.2.3.1]
(1) Be identified as suitable for use as service equipment.
(2) Be lockable in the closed position. The provision for
locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means
shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker
used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in
place with or without the lock installed. [ROP 13–60]
(3) Not be located within the same enclosure, panelboard,
switchboard, switchgear or motor control center, with
or without common bus, that supplies loads other than
the fire pump [ROP 13–62]
(4) Be located sufficiently remote from other building or
other fire pump source disconnecting means such that
inadvertent operation at the same time would be
unlikely
(b) Features and Location — On-Site Standby Generator. The disconnecting means for an on-site standby generator(s) used as the alternate power source shall be installed
in accordance with 700.10(B)(5) for emergency circuits and
shall be lockable in the closed position. The provision for
locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall
be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the
disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or
without the lock installed. [ROP 13–61]
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ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
(c) Disconnect Marking. The disconnecting means
shall be marked “Fire Pump Disconnecting Means.” The
letters shall be at least 25 mm (1 in.) in height, and they
shall be visible without opening enclosure doors or covers.
[20:9.2.3.1(5)]
(d) Controller Marking. A placard shall be placed adjacent to the fire pump controller, stating the location of this
disconnecting means and the location of the key (if the
disconnecting means is locked). [20:9.2.3.2]
(e) Supervision. The disconnecting means shall be supervised in the closed position by one of the following
methods:
(1) Central station, proprietary, or remote station signal device
(2) Local signaling service that causes the sounding of an
audible signal at a constantly attended point
(3) Locking the disconnecting means in the closed position
(4) Sealing of disconnecting means and approved weekly
recorded inspections when the disconnecting means are
located within fenced enclosures or in buildings under
the control of the owner [20:9.2.3.3]
(2) Overcurrent Protection. The transformer size, the
feeder size, and the overcurrent protective device(s) shall
be coordinated such that overcurrent protection is provided
for the transformer in accordance with 450.3 and for the
feeder in accordance with 215.3, and such that the overcurrent protective device(s) is selected or set to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the fire pump
motor(s), the pressure maintenance pump motor(s), the fullload current of the associated fire pump accessory equipment, and 100 percent of the remaining loads supplied by
the transformer. The requirement to carry the locked-rotor
currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor
circuit(s).
695.6 Power Wiring. Power circuits and wiring methods
shall comply with the requirements in 695.6(A) through (J),
and as permitted in 230.90(A), Exception No. 4; 230.94,
Exception No. 4; 240.13; 230.208; 240.4(A); and 430.31.
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695.5 Transformers. Where the service or system voltage
is different from the utilization voltage of the fire pump
motor, transformer(s) protected by disconnecting means
and overcurrent protective devices shall be permitted to be
installed between the system supply and the fire pump controller in accordance with 695.5(A) and (B), or with (C).
Only transformers covered in 695.5(C) shall be permitted
to supply loads not directly associated with the fire pump
system.
(1) Size. Transformers shall be rated at a minimum of
125 percent of the sum of the fire pump motor(s) and pressure maintenance pump(s) motor loads, and 100 percent of
the remaining load supplied by the transformer.
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695.5
(A) Size. Where a transformer supplies an electric motor
driven fire pump, it shall be rated at a minimum of 125 percent of the sum of the fire pump motor(s) and pressure
maintenance pump(s) motor loads, and 100 percent of the
associated fire pump accessory equipment supplied by the
transformer.
(B) Overcurrent Protection. The primary overcurrent
protective device(s) shall be selected or set to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the fire pump
motor(s) and the pressure maintenance pump motor(s) and
the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory
equipment when connected to this power supply. Secondary
overcurrent protection shall not be permitted. The requirement to carry the locked-rotor currents indefinitely shall not
apply to conductors or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor circuit(s).
(C) Feeder Source. Where a feeder source is provided in
accordance with 695.3(C), transformers supplying the fire
pump system shall be permitted to supply other loads. All
other loads shall be calculated in accordance with Article
220, including demand factors as applicable.
70–654
(A) Supply Conductors.
(1) Services and On-Site Power Production Facilities.
Service conductors and conductors supplied by on-site
power production facilities shall be physically routed outside a building(s) and shall be installed as service-entrance
conductors in accordance with 230.6, 230.9, and Parts III
and IV of Article 230. Where supply conductors cannot be
physically routed outside of buildings, the conductors shall
be permitted to be routed through the building(s) where
installed in accordance with 230.6(1) or (2).
(2) Feeders. Fire pump supply conductors on the load side
of the final disconnecting means and overcurrent device(s)
permitted by 695.4(B), or conductors that connect directly
to an on-site standby generator, shall comply with all of the
following:
(a) Independent Routing. The conductors shall be kept
entirely independent of all other wiring.
(b) Associated Fire Pump Loads. The conductors shall
supply only loads that are directly associated with the fire
pump system.
(c) Protection from Potential Damage. The conductors
shall be protected from potential damage by fire, structural
failure, or operational accident.
(d) Inside of a Building. Where routed through a building, the conductors shall be installed using one of the following methods:
(1) Be protected by a fire-rated assembly, consisting of
gypsum wallboard, concrete or other material listed to
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2014 Edition
ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical
circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on
proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
Exception to (A)(2)(d): The supply conductors located in
the electrical equipment room where they originate and in
the fire pump room shall not be required to have the minimum 2-hour fire separation or fire resistance rating, unless
otherwise required by 700.10(D) of this Code.
(B) Conductor Size.
(1) Fire Pump Motors and Other Equipment. Conductors supplying a fire pump motor(s), pressure maintenance
pumps, and associated fire pump accessory equipment shall
have a rating not less than 125 percent of the sum of the fire
pump motor(s) and pressure maintenance motor(s) full-load
current(s), and 100 percent of the associated fire pump accessory equipment.
(E) Loads Supplied by Controllers and Transfer
Switches. A fire pump controller and fire pump power
transfer switch, if provided, shall not serve any load other
than the fire pump for which it is intended.
(F) Mechanical Protection. All wiring from engine controllers and batteries shall be protected against physical
damage and shall be installed in accordance with the controller and engine manufacturer’s instructions.
(G) Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Groundfault protection of equipment shall not be permitted for fire
pumps.
(H) Listed Electrical Circuit Protective System to Controller Wiring. Electrical circuit protective system installation shall comply with any restrictions provided in the listing of the electrical circuit protective system used and the
following also shall apply:
(1) A junction box shall be installed ahead of the fire pump
controller a minimum of 300 mm (12 in.) beyond the
fire-rated wall or floor bounding the fire zone.
(2) Where required by the manufacturer of a listed electrical circuit protective system or by the listing, or as
required elsewhere in this Code, the raceway between a
junction box and the fire pump controller shall be
sealed at the junction box end as required and in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
[20:9.8.2]
(3) Standard wiring between the junction box and the controller shall be permitted. [20:9.8.3]
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(2) Fire Pump Motors Only. Conductors supplying only a
fire pump motor shall have a minimum ampacity in accordance with 430.22 and shall comply with the voltage drop
requirements in 695.7.
covering, or Type MI cable. A separate equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in all raceways between the
controller and pump motor. [20:9.9.5] Electrical connections at motor terminal boxes shall be made with a listed
means of connection. Twist-on, insulation-piercing–type
and soldered wire connectors shall not be permitted to be
used for this purpose. [ROP 13–70, ROP 13–71, ROP
13–75]
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achieve a minimum fire rating of 2 hours and dedicated
to the fire pump circuit(s). [ROP 13–68]
(2) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
minimum 2-hour fire rating
695.6
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(C) Overload Protection. Power circuits shall not have
automatic protection against overloads. Except for protection of transformer primaries provided in 695.5(C)(2),
branch-circuit and feeder conductors shall be protected
against short circuit only. Where a tap is made to supply a
fire pump, the wiring shall be treated as service conductors
in accordance with 230.6. The applicable distance and size
restrictions in 240.21 shall not apply.
Exception No. 1: Conductors between storage batteries
and the engine shall not require overcurrent protection or
disconnecting means.
Exception No. 2: For an on-site standby generator(s)
rated to produce continuous current in excess of 225 percent of the full-load amperes of the fire pump motor, the
conductors between the on-site generator(s) and the combination fire pump transfer switch controller or separately
mounted transfer switch shall be installed in accordance
with A(695.6)(2). The protection provided shall be in accordance with the short-circuit current rating of the combination fire pump transfer switch controller or separately
mounted transfer switch.
(D) Pump Wiring. All wiring from the controllers to the
pump motors shall be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, liquidtight flexible
metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
Type LFNC-B, listed Type MC cable with an impervious
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(I) Junction Boxes. Where fire pump wiring to or from a
fire pump controller is routed through a junction box, the
following requirements shall be met:
(1) The junction box shall be securely mounted.
[20:9.7(1)]
(2) Mounting and installing of a junction box shall not
violate the enclosure type rating of the fire pump controller(s). [20:9.7(2)]
(3) Mounting and installing of a junction box shall not
violate the integrity of the fire pump controller(s) and
shall not affect the short-circuit rating of the controller(s). [20:9.7(3)]
(4) As a minimum, a Type 2, drip-proof enclosure (junction box) shall be used where installed in the fire pump
70–655
695.7
ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
695.7 Voltage Drop.
(A) Starting. The voltage at the fire pump controller line
terminals shall not drop more than 15 percent below normal
(controller-rated voltage) under motor starting conditions.
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Exception: This limitation shall not apply for emergency
run mechanical starting. [20:9.4.2]
(B) Running. The voltage at the load terminals of the fire
pump controller shall not drop more than 5 percent below
the voltage rating of the motor connected to those terminals
when the motor is operating at 115 percent of the full-load
current rating of the motor. [ROP 13–82]
695.10 Listed Equipment. Diesel engine fire pump controllers, electric fire pump controllers, electric motors, fire
pump power transfer switches, foam pump controllers, and
limited service controllers shall be listed for fire pump service. [20:9.5.1.1, 10.1.2.1, 12.1.3.1]
695.12 Equipment Location.
(A) Controllers and Transfer Switches. Electric motordriven fire pump controllers and power transfer switches
shall be located as close as practicable to, and within sight
of, the motors that they control.
(B) Engine-Drive Controllers. Engine-drive fire pump
controllers shall be located as close as is practical to, and
within sight of, the engines that they control.
(C) Storage Batteries. Storage batteries for fire pump engine drives shall be supported above the floor, secured
70–656
(D) Energized Equipment. All energized equipment parts
shall be located at least 300 mm (12 in.) above the floor
level.
(E) Protection Against Pump Water. Fire pump controller and power transfer switches shall be located or protected so that they are not damaged by water escaping from
pumps or pump connections.
(F) Mounting. All fire pump control equipment shall be
mounted in a substantial manner on noncombustible supporting structures.
695.14 Control Wiring.
(A) Control Circuit Failures. External control circuits
that extend outside the fire pump room shall be arranged so
that failure of any external circuit (open or short circuit)
shall not prevent the operation of a pump(s) from all other
internal or external means. Breakage, disconnecting, shorting of the wires, or loss of power to these circuits could
cause continuous running of the fire pump but shall not
prevent the controller(s) from starting the fire pump(s) due
to causes other than these external control circuits. All control conductors within the fire pump room that are not fault
tolerant shall be protected against physical damage.
[20:10.5.2.6, 12.5.2.5]
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(J) Raceway Terminations. Where raceways are terminated at a fire pump controller, the following requirements
shall be met: [20:9.9]
(1) Listed conduit hubs shall be used. [20:9.9.1]
(2) The type rating of the conduit hub(s) shall be at least
equal to that of the fire pump controller. [20:9.9.2]
(3) The installation instructions of the manufacturer of the
fire pump controller shall be followed. [20:9.9.3]
(4) Alterations to the fire pump controller, other than conduit entry as allowed elsewhere in this Code, shall be
approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
[20:9.9.4]
against displacement, and located where they are not subject to physical damage, flooding with water, excessive
temperature, or excessive vibration.
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room. The enclosure shall be listed to match the fire
pump controller enclosure type rating. [20:9.7(4)]
(5) Terminals, junction blocks, wire connectors, and
splices, where used, shall be listed. [20:9.7(5)]
(6) A fire pump controller or fire pump power transfer
switch, where provided, shall not be used as a junction
box to supply other equipment, including a pressure
maintenance (jockey) pump(s).
(B) Sensor Functioning. No undervoltage, phase-loss,
frequency-sensitive, or other sensor(s) shall be installed
that automatically or manually prohibits actuation of the
motor contactor. [20:10.4.5.6]
Exception: A phase loss sensor(s) shall be permitted only
as a part of a listed fire pump controller.
(C) Remote Device(s). No remote device(s) shall be installed that will prevent automatic operation of the transfer
switch. [20:10.8.1.3]
(D) Engine-Drive Control Wiring. All wiring between
the controller and the diesel engine shall be stranded and
sized to continuously carry the charging or control currents
as required by the controller manufacturer. Such wiring
shall be protected against physical damage. Controller
manufacturer’s specifications for distance and wire size
shall be followed. [20:12.3.5.1]
(E) Electric Fire Pump Control Wiring Methods. All
electric motor–driven fire pump control wiring shall be in
rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic con-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 695 — FIRE PUMPS
duit Type B (LFNC-B), listed Type MC cable with an impervious covering, or Type MI cable.
achieve a minimum fire rating of 2 hours and dedicated
to the fire pump circuit(s). [ROP 13–85]
(2) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
minimum 2-hour fire rating. The installation shall comply with any restrictions provided in the listing of the
electrical circuit protective system used.
Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical
circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on
proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
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(F) Generator Control Wiring Methods. Control conductors installed between the fire pump power transfer
switch and the standby generator supplying the fire pump
during normal power loss shall be kept entirely independent
of all other wiring. They shall be protected to resist potential damage by fire or structural failure. They shall be permitted to be routed through a building(s) using one of the
following methods:
(1) Be protected by a fire-rated assembly, consisting of
gypsum wallboard, concrete or other material listed to
695.14
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–657
CHAPTER 7
ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
Chapter 7 Special Conditions
Normal power
source
ARTICLE 700
Emergency Systems
Alternate power
source
Normal
system
I. General
Informational Note No. 1: For further information regarding wiring and installation of emergency systems in health
care facilities, see Article 517.
Automatic
switching
equipment
Emergency system
loads
Emergency electrical system
Informational Note Figure 700.2, No. 2 Informational Emergency Systems. [ROP 13–130]
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Informational Note No. 2: For further information regarding performance and maintenance of emergency systems in
health care facilities, see NFPA 99-2012, Health Care Facilities Code. [ROP 13–88]
Normal
loads
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700.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
electrical safety of the installation, operation, and maintenance of emergency systems consisting of circuits and
equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity for illumination, power, or both, to required facilities
when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted.
Informational Note No. 3: For specification of locations
where emergency lighting is considered essential to life
safety, see NFPA 101-2012, Life Safety Code. [ROP 13–88]
700.2 Definitions.
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Informational Note No. 4: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems,
see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. [ROP 13–88]
Emergency Systems. Those systems legally required and
classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or other
codes, or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.
These systems are intended to automatically supply illumination, power, or both, to designated areas and equipment
in the event of failure of the normal supply or in the event
of accident to elements of a system intended to supply,
distribute, and control power and illumination essential for
safety to human life.
Informational Note No. 1: Emergency systems are generally installed in places of assembly where artificial illumination is required for safe exiting and for panic control in
buildings subject to occupancy by large numbers of persons, such as hotels, theaters, sports arenas, health care
facilities, and similar institutions. Emergency systems may
also provide power for such functions as ventilation where
essential to maintain life, fire detection and alarm systems,
elevators, fire pumps, public safety communications systems, industrial processes where current interruption would
produce serious life safety or health hazards, and similar
functions.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note Figure
700.2, No.2. [ROP 13–88a]
70–658
Relay, Automatic Load Control. A device used to set normally dimmed or normally-off switched emergency lighting
equipment to full power illumination levels in the event of
a loss of the normal supply by bypassing the
dimming/switching controls, and to return the emergency
lighting equipment to normal status when the device senses
the normal supply has been restored. [ROP 13–88a]
Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 924, Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment, for the requirements covering
automatic load control relays. [ROP 13–92a]
700.3 Tests and Maintenance.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation and periodically afterward.
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper
operating condition.
(C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where battery systems or unit equipments are involved, including batteries
used for starting, control, or ignition in auxiliary engines,
the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic
maintenance.
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept of
such tests and maintenance.
(E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing all emergency
lighting and power systems during maximum anticipated
load conditions shall be provided.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
Informational Note: For information on testing and maintenance of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs), see
NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. [ROP 13–92a]
700.6 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be
provided, where practicable, for the purpose described in
700.6(A) through (D).
(A) Derangement. To indicate derangement of the emergency source.
(A) Capacity and Rating. An emergency system shall
have adequate capacity and rating for all loads to be operated simultaneously. The emergency system equipment
shall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at
its terminals.
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700.5 Transfer Equipment.
(A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
transfer switches, shall be automatic, identified for emergency use, and approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to
prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and
emergency sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel
with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705 .
(B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means shall be permitted
to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass
isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation
shall be avoided.
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer
switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically
held. Automatic transfer switches, rated 1000 VAC and below, shall be listed for emergency system use. [ROP
13–95]
(D) Use. Transfer equipment shall supply only emergency
loads.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger
is not functioning.
(D) Ground Fault. To indicate a ground fault in solidly
grounded wye emergency systems of more than 150 volts
to ground and circuit-protective devices rated 1000 amperes or more. The sensor for the ground-fault signal devices shall be located at, or ahead of, the main system
disconnecting means for the emergency source, and the
maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a
ground-fault current of 1200 amperes. Instructions on the
course of action to be taken in event of indicated ground
fault shall be located at or near the sensor location.
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(B) Selective Load Pickup, Load Shedding, and Peak
Load Shaving. The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply emergency, legally required standby, and optional standby system loads where the source has adequate
capacity or where automatic selective load pickup and load
shedding is provided as needed to ensure adequate power to
(1) the emergency circuits, (2) the legally required standby
circuits, and (3) the optional standby circuits, in that order
of priority. The alternate power source shall be permitted to
be used for peak load shaving, provided these conditions
are met.
Peak load shaving operation shall be permitted for satisfying the test requirement of 700.3(B), provided all other
conditions of 700.3 are met.
A portable or temporary alternate source shall be available whenever the emergency generator is out of service for
major maintenance or repair.
(B) Carrying Load. To indicate that the battery is carrying
load.
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700.4 Capacity.
2014 Edition
700.10
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see
NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems.
700.7 Signs.
(A) Emergency Sources. A sign shall be placed at the
service-entrance equipment, indicating type and location of
on-site emergency power sources.
Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit
equipment as specified in 700.12(F).
(B) Grounding. Where removal of a grounding or bonding
connection in normal power source equipment interrupts
the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign
shall be installed at the normal power source equipment
stating:
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 13–97]
II. Circuit Wiring
700.10 Wiring, Emergency System.
(A) Identification. All boxes and enclosures (including
transfer switches, generators, and power panels) for emer-
70–659
ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
gency circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be
readily identified as a component of an emergency circuit
or system.
(D) Fire Protection. Emergency systems shall meet the
additional requirements in (D)(1) through (D)(3) in assembly occupancies for not less than 1000 persons or in buildings above 23 m (75 ft) in height. [ROP 13–105, ROP
13–106, ROP 13–107]
(1) Feeder-Circuit Wiring. Feeder-circuit wiring shall
meet one of the following conditions:
(1) Be installed in spaces or areas that are fully protected
by an approved automatic fire suppression system
(2) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
minimum 2-hour fire rating
Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical
circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on
proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
(3) Be protected by a listed fire-rated assembly, consisting
of gypsum wallboard, concrete or other material that
has a minimum fire rating of 2 hours and contains only
emergency wiring circuits. [ROP 13–109, ROP 3–101]
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(B) Wiring. Wiring of two or more emergency circuits
supplied from the same source shall be permitted in the
same raceway, cable, box, or cabinet. Wiring from an emergency source or emergency source distribution overcurrent
protection to emergency loads shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment, unless otherwise
permitted in (1) through (5):
(1) Wiring from the normal power source located in transfer equipment enclosures
(2) Wiring supplied from two sources in exit or emergency
luminaires
(3) Wiring from two sources in a listed load control relay
supplying exit or emergency luminaires, or in a common junction box, attached to exit or emergency luminaires
(4) Wiring within a common junction box attached to unit
equipment, containing only the branch circuit supplying the unit equipment and the emergency circuit supplied by the unit equipment
(5) Wiring from an emergency source to supply emergency
and other loads in accordance with a, b, c and d: [ROP
13–104]
(C) Wiring Design and Location. Emergency wiring circuits shall be designed and located so as to minimize the
hazards that might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing,
vandalism, and other adverse conditions.
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700.12
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a. Separate vertical switchgear sections or separate
vertical switchboard sections, with or without a
common bus, or individual disconnects mounted in
separate enclosures shall be used to separate emergency loads from all other loads. [ROP 13–103,
ROP 13–104]
b. The common bus of separate sections of the switchgear, separate sections of the switchboard or the
individual enclosures shall be permitted to be supplied by single or multiple feeders without overcurrent protection at the source. [ROP 13–103]
Exception to (5)(b): Overcurrent protection shall be permitted at the source or for the equipment, provided the overcurrent protection complies with the requirements of
700.27. [ROP 13–104]
c. Emergency circuits shall not originate from the
same vertical switchgear section, vertical switchboard section, panelboard enclosure, or individual
disconnect enclosure as other circuits. [ROP 13–
104]
d. It shall be permissible to utilize single or multiple
feeders to supply distribution equipment between an
emergency source and the point where the emergency loads are separated from all other loads.
[ROP 13–104]
70–660
(2) Feeder-Circuit Equipment. Equipment for feeder circuits (including transfer switches, transformers, and panelboards) shall be located either in spaces fully protected by
approved automatic fire suppression systems (including
sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems) or in spaces with a
2-hour fire resistance rating.
(3) Generator Control Wiring. Control conductors installed between the transfer equipment and the emergency
generator shall be kept entirely independent of all other
wiring and shall meet the conditions of 700.10(D)(1).
III. Sources of Power
700.12 General Requirements. Current supply shall be
such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or
within, the building or group of buildings concerned, emergency lighting, emergency power, or both shall be available
within the time required for the application but not to exceed 10 seconds. The supply system for emergency purposes, in addition to the normal services to the building and
meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be
one or more of the types of systems described in 700.12(A)
through (E). Unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(F)
shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting an emergency source of power, consideration shall be given to the occupancy and the type of service to be rendered, whether of minimum duration, as for
evacuation of a theater, or longer duration, as for supplying
emergency power and lighting due to an indefinite period
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
Informational Note No. 1: For the definition of Occupancy
Classification, see Section 6.1 of NFPA 101-2009, Life
Safety Code.
(3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply
or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means
shall be provided for automatically transferring from one
fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be permitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous
failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power
from the outside electrical utility company.
(4) Battery Power and Dampers. Where a storage battery
is used for control or signal power or as the means of
starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose
and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means
independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger
is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be
connected to the emergency system. Where power is required for the operation of dampers used to ventilate the
generator set, the dampers shall be connected to the emergency system.
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Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see
ANSI/IEEE 493-2007, Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
[ROP 13–92a]
needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, this pump shall be
connected to the emergency power system.
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of current failure from trouble either inside or outside the
building.
Equipment shall be designed and located so as to minimize the hazards that might cause complete failure due to
flooding, fires, icing, and vandalism.
Equipment for sources of power as described in
700.12(A) through (E) where located within assembly occupancies for greater than 1000 persons or in buildings
above 23 m (75 ft) in height with any of the following
occupancy classes — assembly, educational, residential,
detention and correctional, business, and mercantile —
shall be installed either in spaces fully protected by approved automatic fire suppression systems (sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems, and so forth) or in spaces with a
1-hour fire rating.
700.12
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(A) Storage Battery. Storage batteries used as a source of
power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating and
capacity to supply and maintain the total load for a minimum period of 11⁄2 hours, without the voltage applied to the
load falling below 871⁄2 percent of normal.
Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be
designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service and shall be compatible with the charger for
that particular installation.
For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not
be used. [ROP 13–27]
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
(B) Generator Set.
(1) Prime Mover-Driven. For a generator set driven by a
prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
and sized in accordance with 700.4, means shall be provided for automatically starting the prime mover on failure
of the normal service and for automatic transfer and operation of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay feature
permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid
retransfer in case of short-time reestablishment of the normal source.
(2) Internal Combustion Engines as Prime Movers.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime
mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an
on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours’
full-demand operation of the system. Where power is
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(5) Auxiliary Power Supply. Generator sets that require
more than 10 seconds to develop power shall be permitted
if an auxiliary power supply energizes the emergency system until the generator can pick up the load.
(6) Outdoor Generator Sets. Where an outdoor housed
generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or
structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall
not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass
through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on
a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet
the requirements of 225.36. [ROP 13–111]
Exception: For installations under single management,
where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that only qualified persons will monitor and service the
installation and where documented safe switching procedures are established and maintained for disconnection, the
generator set disconnecting means shall not be required to
be located within sight of the building or structure served.
(C) Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Uninterruptible
power supplies used to provide power for emergency systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of
700.12(A) and (B).
(D) Separate Service. Where approved by the authority
having jurisdiction as suitable for use as an emergency
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ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
source of power, an additional service shall be permitted.
This service shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 230 and the following additional requirements:
(1) Separate overhead service conductors, service drop, underground service conductors or service lateral shall be
installed [ROP 13–112]
(2) The service conductors for the separate service shall be
installed sufficiently remote electrically and physically
from any other service conductors to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of supply [ROP
13–112]
(F) Unit Equipment.
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(1) Components of Unit Equipment. Individual unit
equipment for emergency illumination shall consist of the
following: [ROP 13–114]
(1) A rechargeable battery
(2) A battery charging means
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the
equipment, or shall be permitted to have terminals for
remote lamps, or both
(4) A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the supply to the unit
equipment
(2) Installation of Unit Equipment. Unit equipment shall
be installed in accordance with (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and
(6).
(1) The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to
supply and maintain at not less than 871⁄2 percent of the
nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated with the unit for a period of at least 11⁄2 hours, or
the unit equipment shall supply and maintain not less
than 60 percent of the initial emergency illumination
for a period of at least 11⁄2 hours. Storage batteries,
whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and
constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service.
(2) Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place
(i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit
installed in accordance with the requirements of any of
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Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied
by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits that are not
part of a multiwire branch circuit, a separate branch circuit
for unit equipment shall be permitted if it originates from
the same panelboard as that of the normal lighting circuits
that are not part of a multiwire branch circuit and is provided with a lock-on feature. [ROP 13–116]
(4) The branch circuit that feeds unit equipment shall be
clearly identified at the distribution panel.
(5) Emergency luminaires that obtain power from a unit
equipment and are not part of the unit equipment shall
be wired to the unit equipment as required by 700.10
and by one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
(6) Remote heads providing lighting for the exterior of an
exit door shall be permitted to be supplied by the unit
equipment serving the area immediately inside the exit
door. [ROP 13–114]
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(E) Fuel Cell System. Fuel cell systems used as a source
of power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating
and capacity to supply and maintain the total load for not
less than 2 hours of full-demand operation.
Installation of a fuel cell system shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of Article 692.
Where a single fuel cell system serves as the normal
supply for the building or group of buildings concerned, it
shall not serve as the sole source of power for the emergency standby system.
the wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-andplug connection shall be permitted, provided that the
cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.
(3) The branch circuit feeding the unit equipment shall be
the same branch circuit as that serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead of any local
switches.
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700.15
IV. Emergency System Circuits for Lighting and
Power
700.15 Loads on Emergency Branch Circuits. No appliances and no lamps, other than those specified as required
for emergency use, shall be supplied by emergency lighting
circuits.
700.16 Emergency Illumination. Emergency illumination
shall include all required means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other lights specified as necessary
to provide required illumination.
Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and installed so that the failure of any individual lighting element,
such as the burning out of a lamp, cannot leave in total
darkness any space that requires emergency illumination.
Where high-intensity discharge lighting such as highand low-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and metal halide
is used as the sole source of normal illumination, the emergency lighting system shall be required to operate until
normal illumination has been restored.
Exception: Alternative means that ensure emergency lighting illumination level is maintained shall be permitted.
700.17 Branch Circuits for Emergency Lighting. Branch
circuits that supply emergency lighting shall be installed to
provide service from a source complying with 700.12 when
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ARTICLE 700 — EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
[ROP 13–119]
700.21 Switch Location. All manual switches for controlling emergency circuits shall be in locations convenient to
authorized persons responsible for their actuation. In facilities covered by Articles 518 and 520, a switch for controlling emergency lighting systems shall be located in the
lobby or at a place conveniently accessible thereto.
In no case shall a control switch for emergency lighting
be placed in a motion-picture projection booth or on a stage
or platform.
Exception: Where multiple switches are provided, one
such switch shall be permitted in such locations where arranged so that it can only energize the circuit but cannot
de-energize the circuit.
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700.18 Circuits for Emergency Power. For branch circuits that supply equipment classed as emergency, there
shall be an emergency supply source to which the load will
be transferred automatically upon the failure of the normal
supply.
(1) Spacing between motion sensors is in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions.
(2) Manual activation is not required to reenergize emergency lighting when the area is occupied.
(3) A time delay of 15 minutes shall be required after the
area is vacated prior to extinguishing of lighting for the
area.
(4) Motion sensors shall not have a manual-OFF position.
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the normal supply for lighting is interrupted. Such installations shall provide either of the following:
(1) An emergency lighting supply, independent of the normal lighting supply, with provisions for automatically
transferring the emergency lights upon the event of
failure of the normal lighting branch circuit
(2) Two or more branch circuits supplied from separate
and complete systems with independent power sources.
One of the two power sources and systems shall be part
of the emergency system, and the other shall be permitted to be part of the normal power source and system.
Each system shall provide sufficient power for emergency lighting purposes.
Unless both systems are used for regular lighting purposes and are both kept lighted, means shall be provided for automatically energizing either system upon
failure of the other. Either or both systems shall be
permitted to be a part of the general lighting of the
protected occupancy if circuits supplying lights for
emergency illumination are installed in accordance
with other sections of this article.
700.26
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700.19 Multi-wire Branch Circuits. The branch circuit
serving emergency lighting and power circuits shall not be
part of a multi-wire branch circuit. [ROP 13–118]
V. Control — Emergency Lighting Circuits
700.20 Switch Requirements.
(A) Arrangement. The switch or switches installed in
emergency lighting circuits shall be arranged so that only
authorized persons have control of emergency lighting.
[ROP 13–119]
Exception No. 1: Where two or more single-throw
switches are connected in parallel to control a single circuit, at least one of these switches shall be accessible only
to authorized persons.
Exception No. 2: Additional switches that act only to put
emergency lights into operation but not disconnect them
shall be permissible.
(B) Series Connected or Three Way and Four Way
Switches. Switches connected in series or 3- and 4-way
switches shall not be used. [ROP 13–119]
(C) Motion Sensors. Emergency lighting circuits shall be
permitted to be switched by motion sensors, where all of
the following conditions are met:
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700.22 Exterior Lights. Those lights on the exterior of a
building that are not required for illumination when there is
sufficient daylight shall be permitted to be controlled by an
automatic light-actuated device.
700.23 Dimmer and Relay Systems. A dimmer or relay
system containing more than one dimmer or relay and
listed for use in emergency systems shall be permitted to be
used as a control device for energizing emergency lighting
circuits. Upon failure of normal power, the dimmer or relay
system shall be permitted to selectively energize only those
branch circuits required to provide minimum emergency
illumination. All branch circuits supplied by the dimmer or
relay system cabinet shall comply with the wiring methods
of Article 700. [ROP 13–120]
700.24 Automatic Load Control Relay. If an emergency
lighting load is automatically energized upon loss of the
normal supply, a listed automatic load control relay shall be
permitted to energize the load. The load control relay shall
not be used as transfer equipment.
VI. Overcurrent Protection
700.25 Accessibility. The branch-circuit overcurrent devices in emergency circuits shall be accessible to authorized persons only.
700.26 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. The alternate source for emergency systems shall not be required
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700.27
ARTICLE 701 — LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
to have ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the
emergency source shall be provided in accordance with
700.6(D) if ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means is not provided. [ROP 13–
122]
Informational Note No. 1: Legally required standby systems are typically installed to serve loads, such as heating
and refrigeration systems, communications systems, ventilation and smoke removal systems, sewage disposal, lighting systems, and industrial processes, that, when stopped
during any interruption of the normal electrical supply,
could create hazards or hamper rescue or fire-fighting
operations.
700.27 Coordination. Emergency system(s) overcurrent
devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply side
overcurrent protective devices.
Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note Figure
701.2, No. 2. [ROP 13–130].
I. General
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701.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
electrical safety of the installation, operation, and maintenance of legally required standby systems consisting of circuits and equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity to required facilities for illumination or
power, or both, when the normal electrical supply or system
is interrupted.
The systems covered by this article consist only of
those that are permanently installed in their entirety, including the power source.
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see
NFPA 99-2012, Standard for Health Care Facilities. [ROP
13–129]
Informational Note No. 2: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems,
see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. [ROP 13–129]
Informational Note No. 3: For further information, see
ANSI/IEEE 446-1995, Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial Applications.
701.2 Definition.
Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems required and so classed as legally required standby by municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are intended
to automatically supply power to selected loads (other than
those classed as emergency systems) in the event of failure
of the normal source.
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Alternate power
source
Normal
system
Normal
loads
Automatic
switching
equipment
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ARTICLE 701
Legally Required Standby Systems
Normal power
source
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Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required
between two overcurrent devices located in series if no
loads are connected in parallel with the downstream
device.
Legally required
standby loads
Legally required standby system
Informational Note Figure 701.2, No. 2 Legally Required
Standby Systems. [ROP 13–130]
701.3 Tests and Maintenance.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation.
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule and in a manner acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
(C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where batteries are
used for control, starting, or ignition of prime movers, the
authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic maintenance.
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept on
such tests and maintenance.
(E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing legally required standby systems under load shall be provided.
Informational Note: For information on testing and maintenance of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs), see
NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. [ROP 13–131a]
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ARTICLE 701 — LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
701.5 Transfer Equipment.
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see
NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems.
701.7 Signs.
(A) Mandated Standby. A sign shall be placed at the service entrance indicating type and location of on-site legally
required standby power sources.
Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit
equipment as specified in 701.12(G).
(B) Grounding. Where removal of a grounding or bonding
connection in normal power source equipment interrupts
the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign
shall be installed at the normal power source equipment
stating:
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(A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for
standby use and approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to
prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer
equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with
the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article
705 .
than 150 volts to ground and circuit-protective devices
rated 1000 amperes or more. The sensor for the groundfault signal devices shall be located at, or ahead of, the
main system disconnecting means for the legally required
standby source, and the maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a ground-fault current of 1200 amperes.
Instructions on the course of action to be taken in event of
indicated ground fault shall be located at or near the sensor
location.
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701.4 Capacity and Rating. A legally required standby
system shall have adequate capacity and rating for the supply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time.
Legally required standby system equipment shall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at its terminals.
The legally required standby alternate power source
shall be permitted to supply both legally required standby
and optional standby system loads under either of the following conditions:
(1) Where the alternate source has adequate capacity to
handle all connected loads
(2) Where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is provided that will ensure adequate power to the
legally required standby circuits
701.12
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(B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means to bypass and isolate the transfer switch equipment shall be permitted.
Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation shall be avoided.
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer
switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically
held. Automatic transfer switches, rated 1000 VAC and below, shall be listed for emergency use. [ROP 13–132]
701.6 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be
provided, where practicable, for the purposes described in
701.6(A), (B), (C), and (D).
(A) Derangement. To indicate derangement of the standby
source.
(B) Carrying Load. To indicate that the standby source is
carrying load.
(C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger
is not functioning.
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see
NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems.
(D) Ground Fault. To indicate a ground fault in solidly
grounded wye, legally required standby systems of more
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WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 13–133]
II. Circuit Wiring
701.10 Wiring Legally Required Standby Systems. The
legally required standby system wiring shall be permitted to
occupy the same raceways, cables, boxes, and cabinets with
other general wiring.
III. Sources of Power
701.12 General Requirements. Current supply shall be
such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or
within, the building or group of buildings concerned, legally required standby power will be available within the
time required for the application but not to exceed 60 seconds. The supply system for legally required standby purposes, in addition to the normal services to the building,
shall be permitted to comprise one or more of the types of
systems described in 701.12(A) through (F). Unit equip-
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ARTICLE 701 — LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
ment in accordance with 701.12(G) shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting a legally required standby source of power,
consideration shall be given to the type of service to be
rendered, whether of short-time duration or long duration.
Consideration shall be given to the location or design,
or both, of all equipment to minimize the hazards that
might cause complete failure due to floods, fires, icing, and
vandalism.
Informational Note:
For further information, see
ANSI/IEEE 493-2007, Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
[ROP 13–131a]
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(B) Generator Set.
(1) Prime Mover-Driven. For a generator set driven by a
prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
and sized in accordance with 701.4, means shall be provided for automatically starting the prime mover upon failure of the normal service and for automatic transfer and
operation of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay
feature permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to
avoid retransfer in case of short-time re-establishment of
the normal source.
(2) Internal Combustion Engines as Prime Mover.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime
mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an
on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours
of full-demand operation of the system. Where power is
needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, the pumps shall be
connected to the legally required standby power system.
(3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply
or on a municipal water supply for their cooling systems.
Means shall be provided for automatically transferring one
fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
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(4) Battery Power. Where a storage battery is used for
control or signal power or as the means of starting the
prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose and shall
be equipped with an automatic charging means independent
of the generator set.
(5) Outdoor Generator Sets. Where an outdoor housed
generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or
structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall
not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass
through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on
a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet
the requirements of 225.36. [ROP 13–111]
(C) Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Uninterruptible
power supplies used to provide power for legally required
standby systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of 701.12(A) and (B).
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(A) Storage Battery. A storage battery shall be of suitable
rating and capacity to supply and maintain at not less than
871⁄2 percent of system voltage the total load of the circuits
supplying legally required standby power for a period of at
least 11⁄2 hours.
Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be
designed and constructed to meet the service requirements
of emergency service and shall be compatible with the
charger for that particular installation.
For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not
be used. [ROP 13–27]
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be permitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous
failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power
from the outside electrical utility company.
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701.12
(D) Separate Service. Where approved, a separate service
shall be permitted as a legally required source of standby
power. This service shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 230, with a separate service drop
or lateral or a separate set of overhead or underground
service conductors sufficiently remote electrically and
physically from any other service to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of supply from an occurrence in another service. [ROP 13–136]
(E) Connection Ahead of Service Disconnecting Means.
Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, connections located ahead of and not within the same cabinet,
enclosure, vertical switchgear section, or vertical switchboard section as the service disconnecting means shall be
permitted. The legally required standby service shall be
sufficiently separated from the normal main service disconnecting means to minimize simultaneous interruption of
supply through an occurrence within the building or groups
of buildings served. [ROP 13–137]
Informational Note: See 230.82 for equipment permitted
on the supply side of a service disconnecting means.
(F) Fuel Cell System. Fuel cell systems used as a source
of power for legally required standby systems shall be of
suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain the total
load for not less than 2 hours of full-demand operation.
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ARTICLE 702 — OPTIONAL STANDBY SYSTEMS
702.4
Installation of a fuel cell system shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of Article 692.
Where a single fuel cell system serves as the normal
supply for the building or group of buildings concerned, it
shall not serve as the sole source of power for the legally
required standby system.
be required to have ground-fault protection of equipment
with automatic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the legally required standby source shall be provided in accordance with 701.6(D) if ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means is
not provided. [ROP 13–138]
(G) Unit Equipment. Individual unit equipment for legally required standby illumination shall consist of the following:
(1) A rechargeable battery
(2) A battery charging means
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the
equipment and shall be permitted to have terminals for
remote lamps
(4) A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the supply to the unit
equipment
701.27 Coordination. Legally required standby system(s)
overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all
supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
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ARTICLE 702
Optional Standby Systems
I. General
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The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to
supply and maintain at not less than 871⁄2 percent of the
nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated
with the unit for a period of at least 11⁄2 hours, or the unit
equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 percent of the initial legally required standby illumination for a
period of at least 11⁄2 hours. Storage batteries, whether of
the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to
meet the requirements of emergency service.
Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place
(i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit
installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the
wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug connection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not
exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length. The branch circuit feeding
the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that
serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead
of any local switches. Legally required standby luminaires
that obtain power from a unit equipment and are not part of
the unit equipment shall be wired to the unit equipment by
one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required
between two overcurrent devices located in series if no
loads are connected in parallel with the downstream
device.
Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied
by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a separate
branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it
originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal
lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature.
IV. Overcurrent Protection
701.25 Accessibility. The branch-circuit overcurrent devices in legally required standby circuits shall be accessible
to authorized persons only.
701.26 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. The alternate source for legally required standby systems shall not
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702.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
installation and operation of optional standby systems.
The systems covered by this article consist of those that
are permanently installed in their entirety, including prime
movers, and those that are arranged for a connection to a
premises wiring system from a portable alternate power
supply.
702.2 Definition.
Optional Standby Systems. Those systems intended to
supply power to public or private facilities or property
where life safety does not depend on the performance of the
system. Optional standby systems are intended to supply
on-site generated power to selected loads either automatically or manually.
Informational Note No. 1: Optional standby systems are
typically installed to provide an alternate source of electric
power for such facilities as industrial and commercial
buildings, farms, and residences and to serve loads such as
heating and refrigeration systems, data processing and communications systems, and industrial processes that, when
stopped during any power outage, could cause discomfort,
serious interruption of the process, damage to the product
or process, or the like. [ROP 13–141]
Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note Figure
702.2, No. 2. [ROP 13–141]
702.4 Capacity and Rating.
(A) Available Short-Circuit Current. Optional standby
system equipment shall be suitable for the maximum available short-circuit current at its terminals.
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702.5
ARTICLE 702 — OPTIONAL STANDBY SYSTEMS
Alternate power
source
Normal
system
Exception: Temporary connection of a portable generator
without transfer equipment shall be permitted where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation and where the
normal supply is physically isolated by a lockable disconnecting means or by disconnection of the normal supply
conductors.
Normal
loads
Automatic
or manual
transfer
device
Optional standby loads
Optional standby system
Informational Note Figure 702.2, No. 2
Systems. [ROP 13–141]
deliver. The supplementary overcurrent protection devices
shall be part of a listed transfer equipment.
Transfer equipment shall be required for all standby
systems subject to the provisions of this article and for
which an electric utility supply is either the normal or
standby source.
702.6 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be
provided, where practicable, for the following purposes.
Optional Standby
(1) Derangement. To indicate derangement of the optional
standby source.
(2) Carrying Load. To indicate that the optional standby
source is carrying load.
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(B) System Capacity. The calculations of load on the
standby source shall be made in accordance with Article
220 or by another approved method.
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Normal power
source
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(1) Manual Transfer Equipment. Where manual transfer
equipment is used, an optional standby system shall have
adequate capacity and rating for the supply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time. The user of the
optional standby system shall be permitted to select the
load connected to the system.
(2) Automatic Transfer Equipment. Where automatic
transfer equipment is used, an optional standby system
shall comply with (2)(a) or (2)(b).
(a) Full Load. The standby source shall be capable of
supplying the full load that is transferred by the automatic
transfer equipment.
(b) Load Management. Where a system is employed
that will automatically manage the connected load, the
standby source shall have a capacity sufficient to supply the
maximum load that will be connected by the load management system.
702.5 Transfer Equipment. Transfer equipment shall be
suitable for the intended use and designed and installed so
as to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and
alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer
equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with
the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article
705 .
Transfer equipment, located on the load side of branch
circuit protection, shall be permitted to contain supplemental overcurrent protection having an interrupting rating sufficient for the available fault current that the generator can
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Exception: Signals shall not be required for portable
standby power sources.
702.7 Signs.
(A) Standby. A sign shall be placed at the service-entrance
equipment that indicates the type and location of on-site
optional standby power sources. A sign shall not be required for individual unit equipment for standby illumination.
(B) Grounding. Where removal of a grounding or bonding
connection in normal power source equipment interrupts
the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign
shall be installed at the normal power source equipment
stating:
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B). [ROP 13–145]
(C) Power Inlet. Where a power inlet is used for a temporary connection to a portable generator, a warning sign
shall be placed near the inlet to indicate the type of derived
system that the system is capable of based on the wiring of
the transfer equipment. The sign shall read one of the following: [ROP 13–146]
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ARTICLE 705 — INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES
II. Wiring
702.10 Wiring Optional Standby Systems. The optional
standby system wiring shall be permitted to occupy the
same raceways, cables, boxes, and cabinets with other general wiring.
702.11 Portable Generator Grounding.
I. General
705.1 Scope. This article covers installation of one or more
electric power production sources operating in parallel with
a primary source(s) of electricity.
Informational Note: Examples of the types of primary
sources include a utility supply or an on-site electric power
source(s).
705.2 Definitions.
Hybrid System. A system comprised of multiple power
sources. These power sources could include photovoltaic,
wind, micro-hydro generators, engine-driven generators,
and others, but do not include electric power production
and distribution network systems. Energy storage systems
such as batteries, flywheels, or superconducting magnetic
storage equipment shall not constitute a power source for
the purpose of this definition. The energy regenerated by an
overhauling (descending) elevator shall not constitute a
power source for the purpose of this definition. [ROP
4–375b]
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(A) Separately Derived System. Where a portable optional standby source is used as a separately derived system, it shall be grounded to a grounding electrode in accordance with 250.30.
ARTICLE 705
Interconnected Electric Power
Production Sources
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WARNING:
FOR CONNECTION OF A SEPARATELY DERIVED
(BONDED NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY
or
WARNING:
FOR CONNECTION OF A NONSEPARATELY DERIVED (FLOATING NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY
[ROP 13–146]
705.4
(B) Nonseparately Derived System. Where a portable optional standby source is used as a nonseparately derived
system, the equipment grounding conductor shall be
bonded to the system grounding electrode.
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702.12 Outdoor Generator Sets. [ROP 13–111]
(A) Permanently Installed Generators and Portable
Generators Greater Than 15KW. Where an outdoor
housed generator set is equipped with a readily accessible
disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the
disconnecting means is located within sight of the building
or structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means
shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or
pass through the building or structure. Where the generator
supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or
on a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall
meet the requirements of 225.36. [ROP 13–111]
(B) Portable Generators 15 KW or Less. Where a portable generator, rated 15 KW or less, is installed using a
flanged inlet or other cord and plug type connection, a
disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or
structure. [ROP 13–148]
Multimode Inverter. Equipment having capabilities of
both the utility-interactive inverter and the stand-alone inverter. [ROP 4–378, ROP 4–379, ROP 4–381, ROP
4–382]
Power Production Equipment. The generating source,
and all distribution equipment associated with it, that generates electricity from a source other than a utility supplied
service.
Informational Note: Examples of power production equipment include such items as generators, solar photovoltaic
systems, and fuel cell systems.
Utility-Interactive Inverter Output Circuit. The conductors between the utility interactive inverter and the service
equipment or another electric power production source,
such as a utility, for electrical production and distribution
network.
705.3 Other Articles. Interconnected electric power production sources shall comply with this article and also with
the applicable requirements of the articles in Table 705.3.
705.4 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be approved for the intended use. Utility-interactive inverters for
interconnection systems shall be listed and identified for
interconnection service.
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70–669
ARTICLE 705 — INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES
(3) Safeguards, documented procedures, and protective
equipment are established and maintained.
Table 705.3 Other Articles
Equipment/System
Generators
Solar photovoltaic systems
Fuel cell systems
Wind electric systems [ROP 4–385]
Emergency systems
Legally required standby systems
Optional standby systems
Article
445
690
692
694
700
701
702
705.6 System Installation. Installation of one or more
electrical power production sources operating in parallel
with a primary source(s) of electricity shall be installed
only by qualified persons.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
Qualified Person.
(1) Dedicated Overcurrent and Disconnect. The source
interconnection of one or more inverters installed in one
system shall be made at a dedicated circuit breaker or fusible disconnecting means.
(2) Bus or Conductor Ampere Rating. For all bus and
feeder ampacity calculations, 125% of the inverter output
circuit current shall be used. In systems where inverter output connections are made at feeders, any load taps must be
sized based on the sum of 125% of the inverter(s) output
circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors as calculated in 240.21(B).
One of the methods in (a)-(d) shall be used to determine
the ratings of busbars in panelboards:
AF
705.10 Directory. A permanent plaque or directory, denoting all electric power sources on or in the premises, shall be
installed at each service equipment location and at locations
of all electric power production sources capable of being
interconnected.
(D) Utility-Interactive Inverters. The output of a utilityinteractive inverter shall be permitted to be connected to
the load side of the service disconnecting means of the
other source(s) at any distribution equipment on the premises. Where distribution equipment, including switchgear,
switchboards, or panelboards, is fed simultaneously by a
primary source(s) of electricity and one or more utilityinteractive inverters, and where this distribution equipment
is capable of supplying multiple branch circuits or feeders
or both, the interconnecting provisions for the utilityinteractive inverter(s) shall comply with (D)(1) through
(D)(7). [ROP 4–375a, ROP 4–387, ROP 4–402, ROP
4–403]
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705.6
Exception: Installations with large numbers of power production sources shall be permitted to be designated by
groups.
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705.12 Point of Connection. The output of an interconnected electric power source shall be connected as specified
in 705.12(A), (B), (C), or (D).
(A) Supply Side. An electric power production source
shall be permitted to be connected to the supply side of the
service disconnecting means as permitted in 230.82(6). The
sum of the ratings of all overcurrent devices connected to
power production sources shall not exceed the rating of the
service.
(B) Integrated Electrical Systems. The outputs shall be
permitted to be interconnected at a point or points elsewhere on the premises where the system qualifies as an
integrated electrical system and incorporates protective
equipment in accordance with all applicable sections of
Article 685.
(C) Greater Than 100 kW. The outputs shall be permitted
to be interconnected at a point or points elsewhere on the
premises where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The aggregate of non-utility sources of electricity has a
capacity in excess of 100 kW, or the service is above
1000 volts.
(2) The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure
that qualified persons service and operate the system.
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(a) The sum of 125% of the inverter(s) output circuit
current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting
the busbar shall not exceed the ampacity of the busbar.
Informational Note: This general rule assumes no limitation in the number of the loads or sources applied to a
busbar or their locations.
(b) Where two sources, one utility and the other an
inverter, are located at opposite ends of a busbar that contains loads, the sum of 125% of the inverter(s) output circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar shall not exceed 120% the ampacity of the
busbar. The busbar shall be sized for the loads connected in
accordance with Article 220. A permanent warning label
shall be applied to the distribution equipment adjacent to
the backfed breaker from the inverter with the following or
equivalent wording:
WARNING:
INVERTER OUTPUT CONNECTION,
DO NOT RELOCATE THIS OVERCURRENT DEVICE
The warning sign(s) or label (s) shall comply with
110.21(B).
Exception: Equipment with multiple ampacity busbars or
center fed panelboards are not addressed by this provision.
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ARTICLE 705 — INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES
705.22
(c) The sum of the ampere ratings of all overcurrent
devices on panelboards, both load and supply devices, excluding the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the
busbar, shall not exceed the ampacity of the busbar. The
rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar shall
not exceed the rating of the busbar. Permanent warning
labels shall be applied to distribution equipment with the
following or equivalent wording:
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with
110.21(B).
WARNING:
THIS EQUIPMENT FED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES.
TOTAL RATING OF ALL OVERCURRENT DEVICES,
EXCLUDING MAIN SUPPLY OVERCURRENT DEVICE,
SHALL NOT EXCEED AMPACITY OF BUSBAR.
The warning sign(s) or label (s) shall comply with
110.21(B).
705.14 Output Characteristics. The output of a generator
or other electric power production source operating in parallel with an electrical supply system shall be compatible
with the voltage, wave shape, and frequency of the system
to which it is connected.
705.16 Interrupting and Short-Circuit Current Rating.
Consideration shall be given to the contribution of fault
currents from all interconnected power sources for the interrupting and short-circuit current ratings of equipment on
interactive systems.
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(3) Marking. Equipment containing overcurrent devices in
circuits supplying power to a busbar or conductor supplied
from multiple sources shall be marked to indicate the presence of all sources.
Informational Note: The term compatible does not necessarily mean matching the primary source wave shape.
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(d) Connections shall be permitted on multiple ampacity busbars, or center fed panelboards where designed under engineering supervision that include fault studies and
busbar load calculations.
(7) Wire Harness and Exposed Cable Arc Fault Protection. Utility interactive inverter(s) that have a wire harness
or cable output circuit, rated 240V, 30A or less, that is not
installed within an enclosed raceway, shall be provided
with listed AC AFCI protection.
(4) Suitable for Backfeed. Circuit breakers, if backfed,
shall be suitable for such operation.
D
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Informational Note: Fused disconnects, unless otherwise
marked, are suitable for backfeeding.
(5) Fastening. Listed plug-in-type circuit breakers backfed
from utility-interactive inverters that are listed and identified as interactive shall be permitted to omit the additional
fastener normally required by 408.36(D) for such applications.
(6) Inverter Output Connection. Unless the panelboard
is rated not less than the sum of the ampere ratings of all
overcurrent devices supplying it, a connection in a panelboard shall be positioned at the opposite (load) end from
the input feeder location or main circuit location. The bus
or conductor rating shall be sized for the loads connected in
accordance with Article 220. In systems with panelboards
connected in series, the rating of the first overcurrent device
directly connected to the output of a utility-interactive inverter(s) shall be used in the calculations for all busbars and
conductors. A permanent warning label shall be applied to
the distribution equipment with the following or equivalent
wording:
WARNING
INVERTER OUTPUT CONNECTION
DO NOT RELOCATE THIS OVERCURRENT DEVICE
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705.20 Disconnecting Means, Sources. Means shall be
provided to disconnect all ungrounded conductors of an
electric power production source(s) from all other conductors.
705.21 Disconnecting Means, Equipment. Means shall
be provided to disconnect power production equipment,
such as utility interactive inverters or transformers associated with a power production source, from all ungrounded
conductors of all sources of supply. Equipment intended to
be operated and maintained as an integral part of a power
production source exceeding 1000 volts shall not be required to have a disconnecting means.
705.22 Disconnect Device. The disconnecting means for
ungrounded conductors shall consist of a manually or
power operable switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) with the
following features:
(1) Located where readily accessible
(2) Externally operable without exposing the operator to
contact with live parts and, if power operable, of a type
that could be opened by hand in the event of a powersupply failure
(3) Plainly indicating whether in the open (off) or closed
(on) position
(4) Having ratings not less than the load to be carried and
the fault current to be interrupted. For disconnect
equipment energized from both sides, a marking shall
be provided to indicate that all contacts of the disconnect equipment might be energized.
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705.30
ARTICLE 705 — INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES
Informational Note to (4): In parallel generation systems, some
equipment, including knife blade switches and fuses, is likely
to be energized from both directions. See 240.40.
is ground-fault protection for equipment from all groundfault current sources.
(5) Simultaneous disconnect of all ungrounded conductors
of the circuit
705.40 Loss of Primary Source. Upon loss of primary
source, an electric power production source shall be automatically disconnected from all ungrounded conductors of
the primary source and shall not be reconnected until the
primary source is restored.
705.30 Overcurrent Protection. Conductors shall be protected in accordance with Article 240. Equipment and conductors connected to more than one electrical source shall
have a sufficient number of overcurrent devices located so
as to provide protection from all sources.
(A) Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Solar photovoltaic systems shall be protected in accordance with Article 690.
(B) Transformers. Overcurrent protection for a transformer with a source(s) on each side shall be provided in
accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of the
transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as the
primary.
Informational Note No. 1: Risks to personnel and equipment associated with the primary source could occur if an
utility interactive electric power production source can operate as an intentional island. Special detection methods are
required to determine that a primary source supply system
outage has occurred and whether there should be automatic
disconnection. When the primary source supply system is
restored, special detection methods can be required to limit
exposure of power production sources to out-of-phase
reconnection.
AF
(C) Fuel Cell Systems. Fuel cell systems shall be protected in accordance with Article 692.
Exception: A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically cease exporting power upon loss of
primary source and shall not be required to automatically
disconnect all ungrounded conductors from the primary
source. A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically or manually resume exporting power
to the utility once the primary source is restored.
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(6) Capable of being locked in the open (off) position
(D) Utility-Interactive Inverters. Utility-interactive inverters shall be protected in accordance with 705.65.
D
R
(E) Generators. Generators shall be protected in accordance with 705.130.
705.31 Location of Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent
protection for electric power production source conductors,
connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting
means per 705.12(A), shall be located within 3m (10 ft) of
the point where the electric power production source conductors are connected to the service. [ROP 4–410a]
Informational Note: This overcurrent protection protects
against short-circuit current supplied from the primary
source(s) of electricity. [ROP 4–410a]
Exception: Where the overcurrent protection for the power
production source is located more than 3 m (10 ft) from the
point of connection for the electric power production
source to the service, cable limiters or current limited circuit breakers for each ungrounded conductor shall be installed at the point where the electric power production
conductors are connected to the service. [ROP 4–410a]
705.32 Ground-Fault Protection. Where ground-fault
protection is used, the output of an interactive system shall
be connected to the supply side of the ground-fault protection.
Exception: Connection shall be permitted to be made to
the load side of ground-fault protection, provided that there
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Informational Note No. 2: Induction-generating equipment on systems with significant capacitance can become
self-excited upon loss of the primary source and experience
severe overvoltage as a result.
A utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to operate as a stand-alone system to supply loads that have been
disconnected from electrical production and distribution
network sources.
705.42 Loss of 3-Phase Primary Source. A 3-phase electric power production source shall be automatically disconnected from all ungrounded conductors of the interconnected systems when one of the phases of that source
opens. This requirement shall not be applicable to an electric power production source providing power for an emergency or legally required standby system.
Exception: A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically cease exporting power when one of
the phases of the source opens and shall not be required to
automatically disconnect all ungrounded conductors from
the primary source. A listed utility-interactive inverter shall
be permitted to automatically or manually resume exporting power to the utility once all phases of the source are
restored.
705.50 Grounding. Interconnected electric power production sources shall be grounded in accordance with Article
250.
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ARTICLE 705 — INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES
II. Utility-Interactive Inverters
705.60 Circuit Sizing and Current.
(A) Calculation of Maximum Circuit Current. The
maximum current for the specific circuit shall be calculated
in accordance with 705.60 (A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Inverter Input Circuit Currents. The maximum current shall be the maximum rated input current of the inverter. [ROP 4–412]
(2) Inverter Output Circuit Current. The maximum current shall be the inverter continuous output current rating.
(B) Power Transformers. Overcurrent protection for a
transformer with a source(s) on each side shall be provided
in accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of
the transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as
the primary.
Exception: A power transformer with a current rating on
the side connected toward the utility-interactive inverter
output that is not less than the rated continuous output
current of the inverter shall be permitted without overcurrent protection from that source.
705.70 Utility-Interactive Inverters Mounted in NotReadily-Accessible Locations. Utility-interactive inverters
shall be permitted to be mounted on roofs or other exterior
areas that are not readily accessible. These installations
shall comply with (1) through (4):
(1) A direct-current disconnecting means shall be mounted
within sight of or in the inverter.
(2) An alternating-current disconnecting means shall be
mounted within sight of or in the inverter.
(3) An additional alternating-current disconnecting means
for the inverter shall comply with 705.22.
(4) A plaque shall be installed in accordance with 705.10.
AF
(B) Ampacity and Overcurrent Device Ratings. Inverter
system currents shall be considered to be continuous. The
circuit conductors and overcurrent devices shall be sized to
carry not less than 125 percent of the maximum currents as
calculated in 705.60(A). The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall be permitted in accordance with 240.4(B)
and (C).
rent protection from all sources is provided for conductors
and modules.
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Exception: For direct-current systems connected through
an inverter directly to a grounded service, other methods
that accomplish equivalent system protection and that utilize equipment listed and identified for the use shall be
permitted.
705.95
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Exception: Circuits containing an assembly together with
its overcurrent device(s) that is listed for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating shall be permitted to be
utilized at 100 percent of its rating.
705.65 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Circuits and Equipment. Inverter input circuits, inverter output circuits, and storage battery circuit conductors
and equipment shall be protected in accordance with the
requirements of Article 240. Circuits connected to more
than one electrical source shall have overcurrent devices
located so as to provide overcurrent protection from all
sources.
Exception: An overcurrent device shall not be required for
circuit conductors sized in accordance with 705.60(B) and
located where one of the following applies:
(1) There are no external sources such as parallelconnected source circuits, batteries, or backfeed from
inverters.
(2) The short-circuit currents from all sources do not exceed the ampacity of the conductors.
Informational Note: Possible backfeed of current from any
source of supply, including a supply through an inverter
into the inverter output circuit and inverter source circuits,
is a consideration in determining whether adequate overcur-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
705.80 Utility-Interactive Power Systems Employing
Energy Storage. Utility-interactive power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating voltage, including any equalization voltage,
and the polarity of the grounded circuit conductor.
705.82 Hybrid Systems. Hybrid systems shall be permitted to be interconnected with utility-interactive inverters.
705.95 Ampacity of Neutral Conductor. The ampacity of
the neutral conductors shall comply with either (A) or (B).
(A) Neutral Conductor for Single Phase, 2-Wire Inverter Output. If a single-phase, 2-wire inverter output is
connected to the neutral and one ungrounded conductor
(only) of a 3-wire system or of a 3-phase, 4-wire, wyeconnected system, the maximum load connected between
the neutral and any one ungrounded conductor plus the
inverter output rating shall not exceed the ampacity of the
neutral conductor.
(B) Neutral Conductor for Instrumentation, Voltage
Detection or Phase Detection. A conductor used solely for
instrumentation, voltage detection, or phase detection and
connected to a single-phase or 3-phase utility-interactive
inverter, shall be permitted to be sized at less than the
ampacity of the other current-carrying conductors and shall
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ARTICLE 708 — CRITICAL OPERATIONS POWER SYSTEMS (COPS)
be sized equal to or larger than the equipment grounding
conductor.
705.100 Unbalanced Interconnections.
(A) Single Phase. Single-phase inverters for hybrid systems and ac modules in interactive hybrid systems shall not
be connected to 3-phase power systems unless the interconnected system is designed so that significant unbalanced
voltages cannot result.
(B) Three Phase. Three-phase inverters and 3-phase ac
modules in interactive systems shall have all phases automatically de-energized upon loss of, or unbalanced, voltage
in one or more phases unless the interconnected system is
designed so that significant unbalanced voltages will not
result.
III. Generators
Informational Note No. 1: Critical operations power systems are generally installed in vital infrastructure facilities
that, if destroyed or incapacitated, would disrupt national
security, the economy, public health or safety; and where
enhanced electrical infrastructure for continuity of operation has been deemed necessary by governmental authority.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information on disaster and emergency management, see NFPA 1600-2013,
Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. [ROP 13–154]
Informational Note No. 3: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems,
see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. [ROP 13–154]
Informational Note No. 4: For further information regarding performance and maintenance of emergency systems in
health care facilities, see NFPA 99-2012, Standard for
Health Care Facilities. [ROP 13–154]
Informational Note No. 5: For specification of locations
where emergency lighting is considered essential to life
safety, see NFPA 101-2012, Life Safety Code, or the applicable building code. [ROP 13–154, ROP 13–154a]
AF
705.130 Overcurrent Protection. Conductors shall be
protected in accordance with Article 240. Equipment and
conductors connected to more than one electrical source
shall have overcurrent devices located so as to provide protection from all sources. Generators shall be protected in
accordance with 445.12.
governmental agency having jurisdiction or by facility engineering documentation establishing the necessity for such
a system. These systems include but are not limited to
power systems, HVAC, fire alarm, security, communications, and signaling for designated critical operations areas.
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705.100
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705.143 Synchronous Generators. Synchronous generators in a parallel system shall be provided with the necessary equipment to establish and maintain a synchronous
condition.
ARTICLE 708
Critical Operations Power Systems
(COPS)
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in
brackets has been extracted from NFPA 1600-2010, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business
Continuity Programs. Only editorial changes were made to
the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
I. General
708.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
installation, operation, monitoring, control, and maintenance of the portions of the premises wiring system intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity to designated critical operations areas (DCOA) in the event of
disruption to elements of the normal system.
Critical operations power systems are those systems so
classed by municipal, state, federal, or other codes by any
70–674
Informational Note No. 6: For further information regarding physical security, see NFPA 730-2011, Guide for Premises Security. [ROP 13–154]
Informational Note No. 7: Threats to facilities that may
require transfer of operation to the critical systems include
both naturally occurring hazards and human-caused events.
See also A.5.3.2 of NFPA 1600-2013. [ROP 13–154]
Informational Note No. 8: See Informative Annex F,
Availability and Reliability for Critical Operations Power
Systems; and Development and Implementation of Functional Performance Tests (FPTs) for Critical Operations
Power Systems.
Informational Note No. 9: See Informative Annex G, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
708.2 Definitions.
Commissioning. The acceptance testing, integrated system
testing, operational tune-up, and start-up testing is the process by which baseline test results verify the proper operation and sequence of operation of electrical equipment, in
addition to developing baseline criteria by which future
trend analysis can identify equipment deterioration.
Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS). Power systems for facilities or parts of facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency
management, national security, or business continuity.
Informational Note: See Informational Note Figure 708.2
[ROP 13–156]
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ARTICLE 708 — CRITICAL OPERATIONS POWER SYSTEMS (COPS)
Normal power
source
Alternate power
source
Normal
system
708.8
implemented to mitigate the hazards that have not been
sufficiently mitigated by the prescriptive requirements of
this Code.
708.5 Physical Security. Physical security shall be provided for critical operations power systems in accordance
with 708.5(A) and (B).
Nonessential
loads
(A) Risk Assessment. Based on the results of the risk assessment, a strategy for providing physical security for
critical operations power systems shall be developed, documented, and implemented.
Critical operations
power loads
Critical operations power system
Informational Note Figure 708.2 Critical Operations Power
Systems (COPS). [ROP 13–156]
708.6 Testing and Maintenance.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation and periodically afterward.
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper
operating condition.
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Designated Critical Operations Areas (DCOA). Areas
within a facility or site designated as requiring critical operations power.
(B) Restricted Access. Electrical circuits and equipment
for critical operations power systems shall be accessible to
qualified personnel only.
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Automatic
switching
equipment
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Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
An electronic system that provides monitoring and controls
for the operation of the critical operations power system.
This can include the fire alarm system, security system,
control of the HVAC, the start/stop/monitoring of the
power supplies and electrical distribution system, annunciation and communications equipment to emergency personnel, facility occupants, and remote operators.
708.4 Risk Assessment. Risk assessment for critical operations power systems shall be documented and shall be
conducted in accordance with 708.4(A) through (C).
(C) Maintenance. The authority having jurisdiction shall
require a documented preventive maintenance program for
critical operations power systems.
Informational Note: For information concerning maintenance, see NFPA 70B-2010, Recommended Practice for
Electrical Equipment Maintenance. [ROP 13–154a]
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept of
such tests and maintenance.
Informational Note: Chapter 5 of NFPA 1600-2010, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business
Continuity Programs, provides additional guidance concerning risk assessment and hazard analysis.
(E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing all critical
power systems during maximum anticipated load conditions shall be provided.
(A) Conducting Risk Assessment. In critical operations
power systems, risk assessment shall be performed to identify hazards, the likelihood of their occurrence, and the
vulnerability of the electrical system to those hazards.
Informational Note: For information converning testing
and maintenance of emergency power supply systems
(EPSSs) that are also applicable to COPS, see NFPA 1102010, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
[ROP 13–154a]
(B) Identification of Hazards. Hazards to be considered
at a minimum shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
following:
(1) Naturally occurring hazards (geological, meteorological, and biological)
(2) Human-caused events (accidental and intentional)
[1600:5.3.2]
(C) Developing Mitigation Strategy. Based on the results
of the risk assessment, a strategy shall be developed and
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708.8 Commissioning.
(A) Commissioning Plan. A commissioning plan shall be
developed and documented.
Informational Note: For further information on developing
a commissioning program see NFPA 70B-2010, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
(B) Component and System Tests. The installation of the
equipment shall undergo component and system tests to
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ARTICLE 708 — CRITICAL OPERATIONS POWER SYSTEMS (COPS)
ensure that, when energized, the system will function properly.
(C) Baseline Test Results. A set of baseline test results
shall be documented for comparison with future periodic
maintenance testing to identify equipment deterioration.
(D) Functional Performance Tests. A functional performance test program shall be established, documented, and
executed upon complete installation of the critical system
in order to establish a baseline reference for future performance requirements.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex F for more
information on developing and implementing a functional
performance test program.
II. Circuit Wiring and Equipment
708.10 Feeder and Branch Circuit Wiring.
(A) Identification.
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(1) Boxes and Enclosures. In a building or at a structure
where a critical operations power system and any other
type of power system is present, all boxes and enclosures
(including transfer switches, generators, and power panels)
for critical operations power system circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be readily identified as a
component of the critical operations power system. [ROP
13–159]
age. Wiring methods shall be permitted to be installed in
accordance with the following:
(1) Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or
Type MI cable.
(2) Where encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, any of the following wiring methods shall be
permitted:
a. Schedule 40 or Schedule 80 rigid polyvinyl chloride
conduit (Type PVC)
b. Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (Type
RTRC)
c. Electrical metallic tubing (Type EMT)
d. Flexible nonmetallic or jacketed metallic raceways
e. Jacketed metallic cable assemblies listed for installation in concrete
(3) Where provisions must be made for flexibility at equipment connection, one or more of the following shall
also be permitted:
a. Flexible metal fittings
b. Flexible metal conduit with listed fittings
c. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit with listed fittings
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708.10
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(2) Receptacle Identification. In a building in which
COPS are present with other types of power systems described in other sections in this article, the cover plates for
the receptacles or the receptacles themselves supplied from
the COPS shall have a distinctive color or marking so as to
be readily identifiable.
Exception: If the COPS supplies power to a DCOA that is
a stand-alone building, receptacle cover plates or the receptacles themselves shall not be required to have distinctive marking.
(B) Wiring. Wiring of two or more COPS circuits supplied
from the same source shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable, box, or cabinet. Wiring from a COPS source or
COPS source distribution overcurrent protection to critical
loads shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring
and equipment.
Exception: Where the COPS feeder is installed in transfer
equipment enclosures.
(C) COPS Feeder Wiring Requirements. COPS feeders
shall comply with 708.10(C)(1) through (C)(3).
(1) Protection Against Physical Damage. The wiring of
the COPS system shall be protected against physical dam-
70–676
(2) Fire Protection for Feeders. Feeders shall meet one of
the following conditions:
(1) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
minimum 2-hour fire rating
Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical
circuit protection systems (FHIT) contains information on
proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
(2) Be protected by a listed fire-rated assembly consisting
of gypsum wallboard, concrete, or other material that
has a minimum fire rating of 2 hours [ROP 13–167]
(3) Floodplain Protection. Where COPS feeders are installed below the level of the 100-year floodplain, the insulated circuit conductors shall be listed for use in a wet
location and be installed in a wiring method that is permitted for use in wet locations.
(D) COPS Branch Circuit Wiring.
(a) Outside the DCOA. COPS branch circuits installed
outside the DCOA shall comply with the physical and fire
protection requirements of 708.10(C)(1) through (C)(3).
(b) Within the DCOA. Any of the wiring methods recognized in Chapter 3 of this Code shall be permitted within
the DCOA.
708.11 Branch Circuit and Feeder Distribution Equipment.
(A) Branch Circuit Distribution Equipment. COPS
branch circuit distribution equipment shall be located
within the same DCOA as the branch circuits it supplies.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 708 — CRITICAL OPERATIONS POWER SYSTEMS (COPS)
708.12 Feeders and Branch Circuits Supplied by
COPS. Feeders and branch circuits supplied by the COPS
shall supply only equipment specified as required for critical operations use.
Informational Note: Assignment of degree of reliability of
the recognized critical operations power system depends on
the careful evaluation in accordance with the risk
assessment.
(B) Fire Protection. Where located within a building,
equipment for sources of power as described in 708.20(E)
through (H) shall be installed either in spaces fully protected by approved automatic fire suppression systems
(sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems, and so forth) or in
spaces with a 2-hour fire rating.
(C) Grounding. All sources of power shall be grounded as
a separately derived source in accordance with 250.30.
Exception: Where the equipment containing the main
bonding jumper or system bonding jumper for the normal
source and the feeder wiring to the transfer equipment are
installed in accordance with 708.10(C) and 708.11(B).
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708.14 Wiring of HVAC, Fire Alarm, Security, Emergency Communications, and Signaling Systems. All conductors or cables shall be installed using any of the metal
wiring methods permitted by 708.10(C)(1) and, in addition,
shall comply with 708.14(1) through (8), as applicable.
(1) All cables for fire alarm, security, signaling systems,
and emergency communications shall be shielded
twisted pair cables or installed to comply with the performance requirements of the system. [ROP 13–170]
(2) Shields of cables for fire alarm, security, signaling systems, and emergency communications shall be arranged in accordance with manufacturers published installation instructions. [ROP 13–170]
(3) Optical fiber cables shall be used for connections between two or more buildings on the property and under
single management.
(4) A listed primary protector shall be provided on all communications circuits. Listed secondary protectors shall
be provided at the terminals of the communications
circuits.
(5) Conductors for all control circuits rated above 50 volts
shall be rated not less than 600 volts.
(6) Communications, fire alarm, and signaling circuits
shall use relays with contact ratings that exceed circuit
voltage and current ratings in the controlled circuit.
(7) All cables for fire alarm, security, and signaling systems shall be riser-rated and shall be a listed 2-hour
electrical circuit protective system. Emergency communication cables shall be Type CMR-CI or shall be
riser-rated and a listed 2-hour electrical circuit protective system. [ROP 13–171]
(8) Control, monitoring, and power wiring to HVAC systems shall be a listed 2-hour electrical circuit protective
system.
the time required for the application. The supply system for
critical operations power, in addition to the normal services
to the building and meeting the general requirements of this
section, shall be one or more of the types of systems described in 708.20(E) through (H).
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(B) Feeder Distribution Equipment. Equipment for
COPS feeder circuits (including transfer equipment, transformers, and panelboards) shall comply with (1) and (2).
(1) Be located in spaces with a 2-hour fire resistance rating
(2) Be located above the 100-year floodplain.
708.20
III. Power Sources and Connection
708.20 Sources of Power.
(A) General Requirements. Current supply shall be such
that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to the
DCOA, critical operations power shall be available within
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(D) Surge Protection Devices. Surge protection devices
shall be provided at all facility distribution voltage levels.
(E) Storage Battery. An automatic battery charging
means shall be provided. Batteries shall be compatible with
the charger for that particular installation. For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required to be transparent.
However, for the lead acid battery that requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be used. [ROP
13–27]
(F) Generator Set.
(1) Prime Mover-Driven. Generator sets driven by a
prime mover shall be provided with means for automatically starting the prime mover on failure of the normal
service. A time-delay feature permitting a minimum 15minute setting shall be provided to avoid retransfer in case
of short-time reestablishment of the normal source.
(2) Power for fuel transfer pumps. Where power is
needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, this pump shall be
connected to the COPS.
(3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply
or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means
shall be provided for automatically transferring from one
fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
70–677
708.21
ARTICLE 708 — CRITICAL OPERATIONS POWER SYSTEMS (COPS)
(4) Battery Power and Dampers. Where a storage battery
is used for control or signal power or as the means of
starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose
and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means
independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger
is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be
connected to the COPS. Where power is required for the
operation of dampers used to ventilate the generator set, the
dampers shall be connected to the COPS.
708.22 Capacity of Power Sources.
(5) Outdoor Generator Sets.
(B) Selective Load Pickup, Load Shedding, and Peak
Load Shaving. The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply COPS emergency, legally required standby,
and optional loads where the source has adequate capacity
or where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding
is provided as needed to ensure adequate power to (1) the
COPS and emergency circuits, (2) the legally required
standby circuits, and (3) the optional standby circuits, in
that order of priority. The alternate power source shall be
permitted to be used for peak load shaving, provided these
conditions are met.
Peak load-shaving operation shall be permitted for satisfying the test requirement of 708.6(B), provided all other
conditions of 708.6 are met.
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(a) Permanently Installed Generators and Portable
Generators Greater than 15KW. Where an outdoor housed
generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or
structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall
not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass
through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on
a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet
the requirements of 225.36. [ROP 13–172a]
(b) Portable Generators 15 KW or Less. Where a portable generator, rated 15 KW or less, is installed using a
flanged inlet or other cord and plug type connection, a
disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or
structure. [ROP 13–172a]
(A) Capacity and Rating. A COPS shall have capacity
and rating for all loads to be operated simultaneously for
continuous operation with variable load for an unlimited
number of hours, except for required maintenance of the
power source. A portable, temporary, or redundant alternate
power source shall be available for use whenever the COPS
power source is out of service for maintenance or repair.
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(6) Mean for Connecting Portable or Vehicle-Mounted
Generator. Where the COPS is supplied by a single generator, a means to connect a portable or vehicle-mounted
generator shall be provided.
(7) On-Site Fuel Supply. Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an on-site fuel supply
shall be provided. The on-site fuel supply shall be secured
and protected in accordance with the risk assessment.
(G) Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Uninterruptible
power supplies used as the sole source of power for COPS
shall comply with the applicable provisions of 708.20(E)
and (F).
(H) Fuel Cell System. Installation of a fuel cell system
shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of
Article 692.
708.21 Ventilation. Adequate ventilation shall be provided
for the alternate power source for continued operation under maximum anticipated ambient temperatures.
Informational Note: NFPA 110-2010, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, and NFPA 111-2010,
Standard for Stored Energy Emergency and Standby Power
Systems, include additional information on ventilation air
for combustion and cooling.
70–678
(C) Duration of COPS Operation. The alternate power
source shall be capable of operating the COPS for a minimum of 72 hours at full load of DCOA with a steady-state
voltage within ±10 percent of nominal utilization voltage.
708.24 Transfer Equipment.
(A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for
emergency use. Transfer equipment shall be designed and
installed to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and critical operations sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and
electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the
requirements of Article 705 .
(B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means shall be permitted
to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass
isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation
shall be avoided.
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Where used with
sources that are not inherently synchronized, automatic
transfer switches shall comply with (C)(1) and (C)(2).
(1) Automatic transfer switches shall be listed for emergency use.
(2) Automatic transfer switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically held.
(D) Use. Transfer equipment shall supply only COPS
loads.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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720.6
ARTICLE 720 — CIRCUITS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING AT LESS THAN 50 VOLTS
708.30 Branch Circuits Supplied by COPS. Branch circuits supplied by the COPS shall only supply equipment
specified as required for critical operations use.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required
between two overcurrent devices located in series if no
loads are connected in parallel with the downstream device. [ROP 13–177, ROP 13–178]
IV. Overcurrent Protection
708.52 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of 708.52 shall apply
to critical operations (including multiple occupancy buildings) with critical operation areas.
708.64 Emergency Operations Plan. A facility with a
COPS shall have documented an emergency operations
plan. The plan shall consider emergency operations and
response, recovery, and continuity of operations.
Informational Note: NFPA 1600-2010, Standard on
Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity
Programs, Section 5.7, provides guidance for the development and implementation of emergency plans.
ARTICLE 720
Circuits and Equipment Operating at
Less Than 50 Volts
AF
(B) Feeders. Where ground-fault protection is provided
for operation of the service disconnecting means or feeder
disconnecting means as specified by 230.95 or 215.10, an
additional step of ground-fault protection shall be provided
in all next level feeder disconnecting means downstream
toward the load. Such protection shall consist of overcurrent devices and current transformers or other equivalent
protective equipment that causes the feeder disconnecting
means to open.
The additional levels of ground-fault protection shall
not be installed on electrical systems that are not solidly
grounded wye systems with greater than 150 volts to
ground but not exceeding 1000 volts phase-to-phase. [ROP
13–174]
V. System Performance and Analysis
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708.50 Accessibility. The feeder- and branch-circuit overcurrent devices shall be accessible to authorized persons
only.
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(C) Testing. When equipment ground-fault protection is
first installed, each level shall be tested to ensure that
ground-fault protection is operational.
Informational Note: Testing is intended to verify the
ground-fault function is operational. The performance test
is not intended to verify selectivity in 708.52(D), as this is
often coordinated similarly to circuit breakers by reviewing
time and current curves and properly setting the equipment.
(Selectivity of fuses and circuit breakers is not performance
tested for overload and short circuit.) [ROP 13–154a]
(D) Selectivity. Ground-fault protection for operation of
the service and feeder disconnecting means shall be fully
selective such that the feeder device, but not the service
device, shall open on ground faults on the load side of the
feeder device. Separation of ground-fault protection timecurrent characteristics shall conform to manufacturer’s recommendations and shall consider all required tolerances
and disconnect operating time to achieve 100 percent selectivity. [ROP 13–175]
Informational Note: See 230.95, Informational Note No.
4, for transfer of alternate source where ground-fault protection is applied.
708.54 Coordination. Critical operations power system(s)
overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all
supply side overcurrent protective devices.
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720.1 Scope. This article covers installations operating at
less than 50 volts, direct current or alternating current.
720.2 Other Articles. Direct current or alternating-current
installations operating at less than 50 volts, as covered in
411.1 through 411.7; Part VI of Article 517; Part II of
Article 551; Parts II and III and 552.60(B) of Article 552;
650.1 through 650.8; 669.1 through 669.9; Parts I and VIII
of Article 690; Parts I and III of Article 725; or Parts I and
III of Article 760 shall not be required to comply with this
article.
720.3 Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Installations
within the scope of this article and installed in hazardous
(classified) locations shall also comply with the appropriate
provisions for hazardous (classified) locations in other applicable articles of this Code.
720.4 Conductors. Conductors shall not be smaller than
12 AWG copper or equivalent. Conductors for appliance
branch circuits supplying more than one appliance or appliance receptacle shall not be smaller than 10 AWG copper or
equivalent.
720.5 Lampholders. Standard lampholders that have a rating of not less than 660 watts shall be used.
720.6 Receptacle Rating. Receptacles shall have a rating
of not less than 15 amperes.
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ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
720.7 Receptacles Required. Receptacles of not less than
20-ampere rating shall be provided in kitchens, laundries,
and other locations where portable appliances are likely to
be used.
720.9 Batteries. Installations of storage batteries shall
comply with 480.1 through 480.5 and 480.8 through
480.10.
720.11 Mechanical Execution of Work. Circuits operating at less than 50 volts shall be installed in a neat and
workmanlike manner. Cables shall be supported by the
building structure in such a manner that the cable will not
be damaged by normal building use.
I. General
725.1 Scope. This article covers remote-control, signaling,
and power-limited circuits that are not an integral part of a
device or appliance.
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Informational Note: The circuits described herein are
characterized by usage and electrical power limitations that
differentiate them from electric light and power circuits;
therefore, alternative requirements to those of Chapters 1
through 4 are given with regard to minimum wire sizes,
ampacity adjustment and correction factors, overcurrent
protection, insulation requirements, and wiring methods
and materials.
725.2 Definitions.
Abandoned Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC Cable. Installed
Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cable that is not terminated at
equipment and not identified for future use with a tag.
Cable Routing Assembly. A single channel or connected
multiple channels, as well as associated fittings, forming a
structural system that is used to support and route conductors and cables. [ROP 3–118]
Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Cable(s) used for remotecontrol, signaling, or power-limited systems that supply
critical circuits to ensure survivability for continued circuit
operation for a specified time under fire conditions.
Class 1 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between
the load side of the overcurrent device or power-limited
supply and the connected equipment.
70–680
Class 2 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between
the load side of a Class 2 power source and the connected
equipment. Due to its power limitations, a Class 2 circuit
considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint and provides acceptable protection from electric shock.
Class 3 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between
the load side of a Class 3 power source and the connected
equipment. Due to its power limitations, a Class 3 circuit
considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint. Since
higher levels of voltage and current than for Class 2 are
permitted, additional safeguards are specified to provide
protection from an electric shock hazard that could be encountered.
725.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with the articles or sections listed in 725.3(A) through
(J). Only those sections of Article 300 referenced in this
article shall apply to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits.
(A) Number and Size of Conductors in Raceway. Section 300.17.
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ARTICLE 725
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
Remote-Control, Signaling, and
Power-Limited Circuits
Informational Note: See 725.41 for voltage and power
limitations of Class 1 circuits.
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720.7
(B) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installation of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits shall comply
with 300.21.
(C) Ducts, Plenums, and Other Air-Handling Spaces.
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits installed in ducts,
plenums, or other space used for environmental air shall
comply with 300.22.
Exception: As permitted in 725.154(A).
(D) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Articles 500
through 516 and Article 517, Part IV, where installed in
hazardous (classified) locations.
(E) Cable Trays. Article 392, where installed in cable tray.
(F) Motor Control Circuits. Article 430, Part VI, where
tapped from the load side of the motor branch-circuit protective device(s) as specified in 430.72(A).
(G) Instrumentation Tray Cable. See Article 727.
(H) Raceways Exposed to Different Temperatures. Installations shall comply with 300.7(A).
(I) Vertical Support for Fire-Rated Cables and Conductors. Vertical installations of circuit integrity (CI) cables
and conductors installed in a raceway or conductors and
cables of electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with 300.19.
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ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
(K) Installation of Conductors with Other Systems. Installations shall comply with 300.8. [ROP 3–122a]
(L) Corrosive, Damp, or Wet Locations. Sections
110.11, 300.5(B), 300.6, 300.9, and 310.10(G) where installed in corrosive, damp, or wet locations. [ROP 13–
122a]
725.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of wires and cables
that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels.
725.35 Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Circuit Requirements. A remote-control, signaling, or power-limited circuit shall comply with the following parts of this article:
(1) Class 1 Circuits: Parts I and II
(2) Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits: Parts I and III
II. Class 1 Circuits
725.41 Class 1 Circuit Classifications and Power Source
Requirements. Class 1 circuits shall be classified as either
Class 1 power-limited circuits where they comply with the
power limitations of 725.41(A) or as Class 1 remotecontrol and signaling circuits where they are used for
remote-control or signaling purposes and comply with the
power limitations of 725.41(B).
(A) Class 1 Power-Limited Circuits. These circuits shall
be supplied from a source that has a rated output of not
more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes.
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725.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Class 1, Class 2,
and Class 3 circuits shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed
on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported
by the building structure in such a manner that the cable
will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables
shall be supported by straps, staples, hangers, cable ties, or
similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage
the cable. The installation shall also comply with 300.4(D).
electrical metallic tubing, Type MI cable, Type MC cable,
or be otherwise suitably protected from physical damage.
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(J) Bushing. A bushing shall be installed where cables
emerge from raceway used for mechanical support or protection in accordance with 300.15(C).
725.41
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725.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a
tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the
environment involved.
725.30 Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Circuit Identification. Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in a manner that
prevents unintentional interference with other circuits during testing and servicing.
725.31 Safety-Control Equipment.
(A) Remote-Control Circuits. Remote-control circuits for
safety-control equipment shall be classified as Class 1 if the
failure of the equipment to operate introduces a direct fire
or life hazard. Room thermostats, water temperature regulating devices, and similar controls used in conjunction
with electrically controlled household heating and air conditioning shall not be considered safety-control equipment.
(B) Physical Protection. Where damage to remote-control
circuits of safety-control equipment would introduce a hazard, as covered in 725.31(A), all conductors of such
remote-control circuits shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit,
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) Class 1 Transformers. Transformers used to supply
power-limited Class 1 circuits shall comply with the applicable sections within Parts I and II of Article 450.
(2) Other Class 1 Power Sources. Power sources other
than transformers shall be protected by overcurrent devices
rated at not more than 167 percent of the volt-ampere rating
of the source divided by the rated voltage. The overcurrent
devices shall not be interchangeable with overcurrent devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent device shall be
permitted to be an integral part of the power supply.
To comply with the 1000 volt-ampere limitation of
725.41(A), the maximum output (VA max) of power sources
other than transformers shall be limited to 2500 voltamperes, and the product of the maximum current (Imax)
and maximum voltage (Vmax) shall not exceed 10,000 voltamperes. These ratings shall be determined with any
overcurrent-protective device bypassed.
VAmax is the maximum volt-ampere output after one
minute of operation regardless of load and with overcurrent
protection bypassed, if used. Current-limiting impedance
shall not be bypassed when determining VAmax.
Imax is the maximum output current under any noncapacitive load, including short circuit, and with overcurrent
protection bypassed, if used. Current-limiting impedance
should not be bypassed when determining Imax. Where a
current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose or as part
of a listed product, is used in combination with a stored
energy source, for example, storage battery, to limit the
output current, Imax limits apply after 5 seconds.
Vmax is the maximum output voltage regardless of load
with rated input applied.
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ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
(B) Class 1 Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits.
These circuits shall not exceed 600 volts. The power output
of the source shall not be required to be limited.
725.43 Class 1 Circuit Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection for conductors 14 AWG and larger shall be
provided in accordance with the conductor ampacity, without applying the ampacity adjustment and correction factors of 310.15 to the ampacity calculation. Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 7 amperes for 18 AWG conductors
and 10 amperes for 16 AWG.
Exception: Where other articles of this Code permit or
require other overcurrent protection.
Informational Note: For example, see 430.72 for motors,
610.53 for cranes and hoists, and 517.74(B) and 660.9 for
X-ray equipment.
725.45 Class 1 Circuit Overcurrent Device Location.
Overcurrent devices shall be located as specified in
725.45(A), (B), (C), (D), or (E).
725.46 Class 1 Circuit Wiring Methods. Class 1 circuits
shall be installed in accordance with Part I of Article 300
and with the wiring methods from the appropriate articles
in Chapter 3.
Exception No. 1: The provisions of 725.48 through 725.51
shall be permitted to apply in installations of Class 1
circuits.
Exception No. 2: Methods permitted or required by other
articles of this Code shall apply to installations of Class 1
circuits.
725.48 Conductors of Different Circuits in the Same
Cable, Cable Tray, Enclosure, or Raceway. Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to be installed with other circuits as
specified in 725.48(A) and (B).
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(A) Point of Supply. Overcurrent devices shall be located
at the point where the conductor to be protected receives its
supply.
having only a 2-wire (single-voltage) output for connection
to Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to be protected by
overcurrent protection provided on the input side of the
electronic power source, provided this protection does not
exceed the value determined by multiplying the Class 1
circuit conductor ampacity by the output-to-input voltage
ratio. Electronic power source outputs, other than 2-wire
(single voltage), shall not be considered to be protected by
the primary overcurrent protection.
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725.43
(B) Feeder Taps. Class 1 circuit conductors shall be permitted to be tapped, without overcurrent protection at the
tap, where the overcurrent device protecting the circuit conductor is sized to protect the tap conductor.
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(C) Branch-Circuit Taps. Class 1 circuit conductors 14
AWG and larger that are tapped from the load side of the
overcurrent protective device(s) of a controlled light and
power circuit shall require only short-circuit and groundfault protection and shall be permitted to be protected by
the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device(s) where
the rating of the protective device(s) is not more than
300 percent of the ampacity of the Class 1 circuit conductor.
(D) Primary Side of Transformer. Class 1 circuit conductors supplied by the secondary of a single-phase transformer having only a 2-wire (single-voltage) secondary
shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection
provided on the primary side of the transformer, provided
this protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does not
exceed the value determined by multiplying the secondary
conductor ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage ratio. Transformer secondary conductors
other than 2-wire shall not be considered to be protected by
the primary overcurrent protection.
(E) Input Side of Electronic Power Source. Class 1 circuit conductors supplied by the output of a single-phase,
listed electronic power source, other than a transformer,
70–682
(A) Two or More Class 1 Circuits. Class 1 circuits shall
be permitted to occupy the same cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway without regard to whether the individual
circuits are alternating current or direct current, provided
all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage of
any conductor in the cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway.
(B) Class 1 Circuits with Power-Supply Circuits. Class
1 circuits shall be permitted to be installed with powersupply conductors as specified in 725.48(B)(1) through
(B)(4).
(1) In a Cable, Enclosure, or Raceway. Class 1 circuits
and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to occupy the
same cable, enclosure, or raceway only where the equipment powered is functionally associated.
(2) In Factory- or Field-Assembled Control Centers.
Class 1 circuits and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to be installed in factory- or field-assembled control
centers.
(3) In a Manhole. Class 1 circuits and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to be installed as underground conductors in a manhole in accordance with one of the following:
(1) The power-supply or Class 1 circuit conductors are in a
metal-enclosed cable or Type UF cable.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS 725.121
725.49 Class 1 Circuit Conductors.
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(A) Sizes and Use. Conductors of sizes 18 AWG and 16
AWG shall be permitted to be used, provided they supply
loads that do not exceed the ampacities given in 402.5 and
are installed in a raceway, an approved enclosure, or a
listed cable. Conductors larger than 16 AWG shall not supply loads greater than the ampacities given in 310.15. Flexible cords shall comply with Article 400.
(B) Insulation. Insulation on conductors shall be rated for
the system voltage and not less than 600 volts. Conductors
larger than 16 AWG shall comply with Article 310. Conductors in sizes 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be Type
FFH-2, KF-2, KFF-2, PAF, PAFF, PF, PFF, PGF, PGFF,
PTF, PTFF, RFH-2, RFHH-2, RFHH-3, SF-2, SFF-2, TF,
TFF, TFFN, TFN, ZF, or ZFF. Conductors with other types
and thicknesses of insulation shall be permitted if listed for
Class 1 circuit use. [ROP 3–138]
725.51 Number of Conductors in Cable Trays and
Raceway, and Ampacity Adjustment.
(A) Class 1 Circuit Conductors. Where only Class 1 circuit conductors are in a raceway, the number of conductors
shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply
only if such conductors carry continuous loads in excess of
10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor.
(B) Power-Supply Conductors and Class 1 Circuit Conductors. Where power-supply conductors and Class 1 cir-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(C) Class 1 Circuit Conductors in Cable Trays. Where
Class 1 circuit conductors are installed in cable trays, they
shall comply with the provisions of 392.22 and 392.80(A).
725.52 Circuits Extending Beyond One Building. Class
1 circuits that extend aerially beyond one building shall
also meet the requirements of Article 225.
AF
(4) In Cable Trays. Installations in cable trays shall comply with 725.48(B)(4)(1) or (B)(4)(2).
(1) Class 1 circuit conductors and power-supply conductors not functionally associated with the Class 1 circuit
conductors shall be separated by a solid fixed barrier of
a material compatible with the cable tray.
(2) Class 1 circuit conductors and power-supply conductors not functionally associated with the Class 1 circuit
conductors shall be permitted to be installed in a cable
tray without barriers where all of the conductors are
installed with separate multiconductor Type AC, Type
MC, Type MI, or Type TC cables and all the conductors in the cables are insulated at 600 volts or greater.
[ROP 3–136]
cuit conductors are permitted in a raceway in accordance
with 725.48, the number of conductors shall be determined
in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply as follows:
(1) To all conductors where the Class 1 circuit conductors
carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the
ampacity of each conductor and where the total number
of conductors is more than three
(2) To the power-supply conductors only, where the Class
1 circuit conductors do not carry continuous loads in
excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor
and where the number of power-supply conductors is
more than three
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(2) The conductors are permanently separated from the
power-supply conductors by a continuous firmly fixed
nonconductor, such as flexible tubing, in addition to the
insulation on the wire.
(3) The conductors are permanently and effectively separated from the power supply conductors and securely
fastened to racks, insulators, or other approved
supports.
III. Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits
725.121 Power Sources for Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits.
(A) Power Source. The power source for a Class 2 or a
Class 3 circuit shall be as specified in 725.121(A)(1),
(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5):
Informational Note No. 1: Figure 725.121 illustrates the
relationships between Class 2 or Class 3 power sources,
their supply, and the Class 2 or Class 3 circuits.
Informational Note No. 2: Table 11(A) and Table 11(B) in
Chapter 9 provide the requirements for listed Class 2 and
Class 3 power sources.
(1) A listed Class 2 or Class 3 transformer
(2) A listed Class 2 or Class 3 power supply
(3) Other listed equipment marked to identify the Class 2
or Class 3 power source
Exception No. 1 to (3): Thermocouples shall not require
listing as a Class 2 power source
Exception No. 2 to (3): Limited power circuits of listed
equipment where these circuits have energy levels rated at
or below the limits established in Chapter 9, Table 11(A)
and Table 11(B).
Informational Note: Examples of other listed equipment
are as follows:
(1) A circuit card listed for use as a Class 2 or Class 3
power source where used as part of a listed assembly
(2) A current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose, or part of a listed product, used in conjunction with a
non–power-limited transformer or a stored energy source,
for example, storage battery, to limit the output current
(3) A thermocouple
70–683
725.124 ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
(4) Limited voltage/current or limited impedance secondary communications circuits of listed industrial control
equipment
(4) Listed information technology (computer) equipment
limited-power circuits.
Informational Note: One way to determine applicable requirements for listing of information technology (computer) equipment is to refer to UL 60950-1-2007 (Rev.
2011), Standard for Safety of Information Technology
Equipment. Typically such circuits are used to interconnect
information technology equipment for the purpose of exchanging information (data). [ROP 3–141]
725.130 Wiring Methods and Materials on Load Side of
the Class 2 or Class 3 Power Source. Class 2 and Class 3
circuits on the load side of the power source shall be permitted to be installed using wiring methods and materials in
accordance with either 725.130(A) or (B).
(A) Class 1 Wiring Methods and Materials. Installation
shall be in accordance with 725.46.
Exception No. 1: The ampacity adjustment factors given
in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be
permitted to be reclassified and installed as Class 1 circuits
if the Class 2 and Class 3 markings required in 725.124 are
eliminated and the entire circuit is installed using the wiring methods and materials in accordance with Part II,
Class 1 circuits.
(B) Interconnection of Power Sources. Class 2 or Class 3
power sources shall not have the output connections paralleled or otherwise interconnected unless listed for such interconnection.
Informational Note: Class 2 and Class 3 circuits reclassified and installed as Class 1 circuits are no longer Class 2
or Class 3 circuits, regardless of the continued connection
to a Class 2 or Class 3 power source.
Power source —
725.121(A)(1)
through (A)(4)
Class 2 or
Class 3 circuit —
725.133 through
725.179
Power source —
725.121(A)(1)
through (A)(4)
725.127
Class 2 or
Class 3 circuit —
725.133 through
725.179
725.130
Part III of Article 725
Figure 725.121 Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits. [ROP 3–140]
725.124 Circuit Marking. The equipment supplying the
circuits shall be durably marked where plainly visible to
indicate each circuit that is a Class 2 or Class 3 circuit.
725.127 Wiring Methods on Supply Side of the Class 2
or Class 3 Power Source. Conductors and equipment on
the supply side of the power source shall be installed in
accordance with the appropriate requirements of Chapters 1
through 4. Transformers or other devices supplied from
electric light or power circuits shall be protected by an
overcurrent device rated not over 20 amperes.
Exception: The input leads of a transformer or other
power source supplying Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall
be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG, but not smaller
than 18 AWG if they are not over 12 in. (305 mm) long and
if they have insulation that complies with 725.49(B).
70–684
(B) Class 2 and Class 3 Wiring Methods. Conductors on
the load side of the power source shall be insulated at not
less than the requirements of 725.179 and shall be installed
in accordance with 725.133 and 725.154.
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Power source —
725.121(A)(1)
through (A)(4)
Class 2 or
Class 3 circuit —
725.133 through
725.179
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Supply
(0 to 1000
volts
ac or dc)
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(5) A dry cell battery shall be considered an inherently
limited Class 2 power source, provided the voltage is
30 volts or less and the capacity is equal to or less than
that available from series connected No. 6 carbon zinc
cells.
Exception No. 1: As provided for in 620.21 for elevators
and similar equipment.
Exception No. 2: Other wiring methods and materials installed in accordance with the requirements of 725.3 shall
be permitted to extend or replace the conductors and cables
described in 725.179 and permitted by 725.130(B).
Exception No. 3: Bare Class 2 conductors shall be permitted as part of a listed intrusion protection system where
installed in accordance with the listing instructions for the
system.
725.133 Installation of Conductors and Equipment in
Cables, Compartments, Cable Trays, Enclosures, Manholes, Outlet Boxes, Device Boxes, and Raceways for
Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits. Conductors and equipment
for Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be installed in accordance with 725.136 through 725.143.
725.136 Separation from Electric Light, Power, Class 1,
Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit Conductors,
and Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Cables.
(A) General. Cables and conductors of Class 2 and Class 3
circuits shall not be placed in any cable, cable tray, compartment, enclosure, manhole, outlet box, device box, raceway, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm circuits, and
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS 725.136
the conductors of the other circuits by a continuous and
firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing.
(B) Separated by Barriers. Class 2 and Class 3 circuits
shall be permitted to be installed together with the conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire
alarm and medium power network-powered broadband
communications circuits where they are separated by a barrier.
(F) Manholes. Underground Class 2 and Class 3 circuit
conductors in a manhole shall be permitted to be installed
with Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm and mediumpower network-powered broadband communications circuits where one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are in a metalenclosed cable or Type UF cable.
(2) The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are permanently and effectively separated from the conductors of
other circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation or covering on the wire.
(3) The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are permanently and effectively separated from conductors of the
other circuits and securely fastened to racks, insulators,
or other approved supports.
(C) Raceways Within Enclosures. In enclosures, Class 2
and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a
raceway to separate them from Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits.
(G) Cable Trays. Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors
shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays, where the
conductors of the electric light, Class 1, and non–powerlimited fire alarm circuits are separated by a solid fixed
barrier of a material compatible with the cable tray or
where the Class 2 or Class 3 circuits are installed in Type
MC cable.
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(D) Associated Systems Within Enclosures. Class 2 and
Class 3 circuit conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1, non–
power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuits where they
are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected
to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits, and where (1) or (2) applies:
(1) The electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are routed to
maintain a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) separation
from the conductors and cables of Class 2 and Class 3
circuits.
(2) The circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to
ground and also comply with one of the following:
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medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 725.136(B) through (I).
a. The Class 2 and Class 3 circuits are installed using
Type CL3, CL3R, or CL3P or permitted substitute
cables, provided these Class 3 cable conductors extending beyond the jacket are separated by a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) or by a nonconductive
sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.
b. The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are installed as a Class 1 circuit in accordance with
725.41.
(E) Enclosures with Single Opening. Class 2 and Class 3
circuit conductors entering compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with Class 1, non–power-limited fire
alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits where they are introduced solely
to connect the equipment connected to Class 2 and Class 3
circuits. Where Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors must
enter an enclosure that is provided with a single opening,
they shall be permitted to enter through a single fitting
(such as a tee), provided the conductors are separated from
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(H) In Hoistways. In hoistways, Class 2 or Class 3 circuit
conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, rigid
nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
For elevators or similar equipment, these conductors shall
be permitted to be installed as provided in 620.21.
(I) Other Applications. For other applications, conductors
of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be separated by at least
50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of any electric light, power,
Class 1 non–power-limited fire alarm or medium power
network-powered broadband communications circuits unless one of the following conditions is met:
(1) Either (a) all of the electric light, power, Class 1, non–
power-limited fire alarm and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuit conductors
or (b) all of the Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors
are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, non–
metallic-sheathed, or Type UF cables.
(2) All of the electric light, power, Class 1 non–powerlimited fire alarm, and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuit conductors
are permanently separated from all of the Class 2 and
Class 3 circuit conductors by a continuous and firmly
70–685
725.139 ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
725.139 Installation of Conductors of Different Circuits
in the Same Cable, Enclosure, Cable Tray, Raceway, or
Cable Routing Assembly. [ROP 3–118]
(A) Two or More Class 2 Circuits. Conductors of two or
more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the same
cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly. [ROP
3–118]
(B) Two or More Class 3 Circuits. Conductors of two or
more Class 3 circuits shall be permitted within the same
cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly. [ROP
3–118]
(F) Class 2 or Class 3 Conductors or Cables and Audio
System Circuits. Audio system circuits described in
640.9(C), and installed using Class 2 or Class 3 wiring
methods in compliance with 725.133 and 725.154, shall not
be permitted to be installed in the same cable, raceway, or
cable routing assembly with Class 2 or Class 3 conductors
or cables. [ROP 3–118]
725.141 Installation of Circuit Conductors Extending
Beyond One Building. Where Class 2 or Class 3 circuit
conductors extend beyond one building and are run so as to
be subject to accidental contact with electric light or power
conductors operating over 300 volts to ground, or are exposed to lightning on interbuilding circuits on the same
premises, the requirements of the following shall also apply:
(1) Sections 800.44, 800.50, 800.53, 800.93, 800.100,
800.170(A), and 800.170(B) for other than coaxial conductors
(2) Sections 820.44, 820.93, and 820.100 for coaxial
conductors
AF
(C) Class 2 Circuits with Class 3 Circuits. Conductors of
one or more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the
same cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly
with conductors of Class 3 circuits, provided the insulation
of the Class 2 circuit conductors in the cable, enclosure,
raceway, or cable routing assembly is at least that required
for Class 3 circuits. [ROP 3–118]
(5) Low-power, network-powered broadband communications in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 830
[ROP 3–118]
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fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible
tubing, in addition to the insulation on the conductors.
(D) Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits with Communications
Circuits.
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(1) Classified as Communications Circuits. Class 2 and
Class 3 circuit conductors shall be permitted in the same
cable with communications circuits, in which case the
Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be classified as communications circuits and shall be installed in accordance with
the requirements of Article 800. The cables shall be listed
as communications cables.
(2) Composite Cables. Cables constructed of individually
listed Class 2, Class 3, and communications cables under a
common jacket shall be permitted to be classified as communications cables. The fire resistance rating of the composite cable shall be determined by the performance of the
composite cable.
(E) Class 2 or Class 3 Cables with Other Circuit
Cables. Jacketed cables of Class 2 or Class 3 circuits shall
be permitted in the same enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or
cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any of the
following:
(1) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
(2) Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in
compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 770
(3) Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I
and IV of Article 800
(4) Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article
820
70–686
725.143 Support of Conductors. Class 2 or Class 3 circuit conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached by
any means to the exterior of any conduit or other raceway
as a means of support. These conductors shall be permitted
to be installed as permitted by 300.11(B)(2).
725.154 Applications of Listed Class 2, Class 3, and
PLTC Cables. Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables shall
comply with any of the requirements described in
725.154(A) through (I) and as indicated in Table 725.154.
[ROP 3–154a]
(A) Plenums. Cables installed in ducts, plenums, and other
spaces used for environmental air shall be Type CL2P or
CL3P. Listed wires and cables installed in compliance with
300.22 shall be permitted. Listed plenum communications
raceways and listed plenum cable routing assemblies shall
be permitted to be installed in other spaces used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C). Only Types CL2P
or CL3P cables shall be permitted to be installed in these
plenum communications raceways. [ROP 3–156]
(B) Riser. Cables installed in risers shall be as described in
any of (B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3):
(1) Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating from
floor to floor, or cables installed in vertical runs in a
shaft, shall be Type CL2R or CL3R. Floor penetrations
requiring Type CL2R or CL3R shall contain only
cables suitable for riser or plenum use. Listed riser
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS 725.154
communications raceways, listed riser cable routing assemblies, listed plenum communications raceways and
listed plenum cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be installed in vertical riser runs in a shaft from
floor to floor. Only Type CL2R, CL3R, CL2P, or CL3P
cables shall be permitted to be installed in these riser
and plenum raceways. [ROP 3–156, ROP 3–160]
(2) Other cables as covered in Table 725.154 and other
listed wiring methods as covered in Chapter 3 shall be
installed in metal raceways, or located in a fireproof
shaft having firestops at each floor.
(3) Type CL2, CL3, CL2X, and CL3X cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings. Listed
general-purpose communications raceways, listed
general-purpose cable routing assemblies, listed riser
communications raceways, listed riser cable routing assemblies, listed plenum communications raceways and
listed plenum cable routing assemblies shall be permitted for use with Type CL2, CL3, CL2X, and CL3X
cables. [ROP 3–156]
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
Table 725.154 Applications of Listed Class 2, Class 3 and PLTC Cables in Buildings
Wire and Cable Type
Applications
CL2
& CL3
CL2X
& CL3X
CMUC
PLTC
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
In other spaces used for
environmental air
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies
with 300.22(C)
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
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In metal raceway that complies
with 300.22(B)
In Other Spaces Used
for Environmental Air
as Described in
300.22(C)
CL2R
& CL3R
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In Fabricated Ducts as
Described in 300.22(B) In fabricated ducts
CL2P
& CL3P
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
In Risers
2014 Edition
NOT PERMITTED
Supported by open metal cable
trays
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
Supported by solid bottom
metal cable trays with solid
metal covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
In vertical runs
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In metal raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
In fireproof shafts
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In riser communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
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725.154 ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
Table 725.154
Continued
Wire and Cable Type
CL2R
& CL3R
CL2
& CL3
CL2X
& CL3X
CMUC
PLTC
In riser cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In one- and two-family
dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
General
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
In one- and two-family
dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In multifamily dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In nonconcealed spaces
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Under carpet
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
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Within Buildings in
Other Than
Air-Handling Spaces
and Risers
T
CL2P
& CL3P
Applications
N
N
N
N
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In any raceway recognized in
Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In riser communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In riser cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In general-purpose
communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In general-purpose cable
routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
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In cross-connect arrays
Note: An “N” in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A “Y*” indicates that the cable shall
be permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 725.130 through 725.143.
(C) Cable Trays. Cables installed in cable trays outdoors
shall be Type PLTC. Cables installed in cable trays indoors
shall be Types PLTC, CL3P, CL3R, CL3, CL2P, CL2R, and
CL2.
Listed general-purpose communications raceways,
listed riser communications raceways, and listed plenum
communications raceway shall be permitted for use with
cable trays. [ROP 3–156]
70–688
Informational Note No. 1: See 800.154 for cables permitted in cable trays.
Informational Note No. 2: Communications raceways include, but are not limited to, signaling raceways. [ROP
3–156]
(D) Industrial Establishments. In industrial establishments where the conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the installation,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS 725.179
Informational Note: For information on Types CMP,
CMR, CM, and CMX, see 800.179.
Plenum
CMP
CL3P
CL2P
Riser
CMR
CL3R
CL2R
PLTC
General purpose
Dwelling
(1) General. Type CL2 or CL3 shall be permitted.
D
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(2) In Raceways or Other Wiring Methods. Type CL2X
or CL3X shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway or
in accordance with other wiring methods covered in Chapter 3.
(3) Nonconcealed Spaces. Type CL2X and Type CL3X
cables shall be permitted to be installed in nonconcealed
spaces where the exposed length of cable does not exceed 3
m (10 ft).
(4) One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Type CL2X cables
less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter and Type CL3X
cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter shall be permitted to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.
(5) Multifamily Dwellings. Type CL2X cables less than
6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter and Type CL3X cables less
than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter shall be permitted to be
installed in nonconcealed spaces in multifamily dwellings.
CMG
CM
CL3
CL2
CMX
CL3X
CL2X
Type CM—Communications wires and cables
Type CL2 and CL3—Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling,
and power-limited cables
Type PLTC —Power-limited tray cable
AF
(E) Other Wiring Within Buildings. Cables installed in
building locations other than those covered in 725.154(A)
through (D) shall be as described in any of (E)(1) through
(E)(6).
permitted. Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring
requirements of Article 725, Parts I and III, shall apply.
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Type PLTC cable shall be permitted in accordance with
either (1) or (2):
(1) Where the cable is not subject to physical damage,
Type PLTC cable that complies with the crush and impact requirements of Type MC cable and is identified as
PLTC-ER for such use shall be permitted to be exposed
between the cable tray and the utilization equipment or
device. The cable shall be continuously supported and
protected against physical damage using mechanical
protection such as dedicated struts, angles, or channels.
The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals
not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
(2) Type PLTC cable, with a metallic sheath or armor in
accordance with 725.179(E), shall be permitted to be
installed exposed. The cable shall be continuously supported and protected against physical damage using
mechanical protection such as dedicated struts, angles,
or channels. The cable shall be secured at intervals not
exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
A
B
Cable A shall be permitted to be used in place of Cable B.
Figure 725.154(G) Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
(H) Class 2, Class 3, PLTC Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable
or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Circuit integrity
(CI) cable or a listed electrical circuit protective system
shall be permitted for use in remote control, signaling, or
power-limited systems that supply critical circuits to ensure
survivability for continued circuit operation for a specified
time under fire conditions.
(I) Thermocouple Circuits. Conductors in Type PLTC
cables used for Class 2 thermocouple circuits shall be permitted to be any of the materials used for thermocouple
extension wire.
IV. Listing Requirements
(F) Cross-Connect Arrays. Type CL2 or CL3 conductors
or cables shall be used for cross-connect arrays.
725.179 Listing and Marking of Class 2, Class 3, Type
PLTC Cables, Signaling Raceways, and Cable Routing
Assemblies. Class 2, Class 3, and Type PLTC cables, nonmetallic communications raceways, and cable routing assemblies installed as wiring methods within buildings shall
be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and other
criteria in accordance with 725.179(A) through (O) and
shall be marked in accordance with 725.179 (O). [ROP
3–163a, ROP 3–118]
(G) Class 2 and Class 3 Cable Substitutions. The substitutions for Class 2 and Class 3 cables listed in Table
725.154(G) and illustrated in Figure 725.154(G) shall be
(A) Types CL2P and CL3P. Types CL2P and CL3P plenum cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts,
plenums, and other space for environmental air and shall
(6) Under Carpets. Type CMUC undercarpet communications wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed
under carpet.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–689
725.179 ARTICLE 725 — CLASS 1, CLASS 2, AND CLASS 3 REMOTE-CONTROL, SIGNALING, AND POWER-LIMITED CIRCUITS
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke–producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 3–164]
(B) Types CL2R and CL3R. Types CL2R and CL3R riser
cables shall be marked as Type CL2R or CL3R, respectively, and be listed as suitable for use in a vertical run in a
shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having
fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2007 (Rev. 2011), Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 3–141]
Exception No. 1: Where a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated metallic sheath, or interlocking tape
armor is applied over the nonmetallic jacket, an overall
nonmetallic jacket shall not be required. On metallicsheathed cable without an overall nonmetallic jacket, the
information required in 310.120 shall be located on the
nonmetallic jacket under the sheath.
Exception No. 2: Conductors in PLTC cables used for
Class 2 thermocouple circuits shall be permitted to be any
of the materials used for thermocouple extension wire.
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(C) Types CL2 and CL3. Types CL2 and CL3 cables
shall be marked as Type CL2 or CL3, respectively, and be
listed as suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums, and other space used for
environmental air, and shall also be listed as being resistant
to the spread of fire.
lated conductors shall be 22 AWG through 12 AWG. The
conductor material shall be copper (solid or stranded). Insulation on conductors shall be rated for 300 volts. The
cable core shall be either (1) two or more parallel conductors, (2) one or more group assemblies of twisted or parallel
conductors, or (3) a combination thereof. A metallic shield
or a metallized foil shield with drain wire(s) shall be permitted to be applied either over the cable core, over groups
of conductors, or both. The cable shall be listed as being
resistant to the spread of fire. The outer jacket shall be a
sunlight- and moisture-resistant nonmetallic material. Type
PLTC cable used in a wet location shall be listed for use in
wet locations or have a moisture-impervious metal sheath.
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also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low
smoke–producing characteristics.
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Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
(D) Types CL2X and CL3X. Types CL2X and CL3X
limited-use cables shall be marked as Type CL2X or CL3X,
respectively, and be listed as being suitable for use in
dwellings and for use in raceway and shall also be listed as
being resistant to flame spread.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to the
VW-1 (vertical wire) flame test in ANSI/UL 1581-2001
(Rev. 2011), Reference Standard for Electrical Wires,
Cables and Flexible Cords. [ROP 3–141]
(E) Type PLTC. Type PLTC nonmetallic-sheathed, powerlimited tray cable shall be listed as being suitable for cable
trays and shall consist of a factory assembly of two or more
insulated conductors under a nonmetallic jacket. The insu-
70–690
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
(F) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit
Protective System. Cables that are used for survivability of
critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either (F)(1)
or (F)(2) as follows: [ROP 3–165]
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables, specified in 725.154(A), (B), (D)(1), and (E), and
used for survivability of critical circuits shall have the additional classification using the suffix “-CI”. Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a
raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an
electrical circuit protective system as covered in (F)(2).
[ROP 3–165]
(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables, specified in 725.154(A), (B), (D)(1), (E) and (F)(1) that are part
of an electrical circuit protective system, shall be identified
with the protective system number and hourly rating
printed on the outer jacket of the cable and shall be in-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
727.1
ARTICLE 727 — INSTRUMENTATION TRAY CABLE: TYPE ITC
stalled in accordance with the listing of the protective system. [ROP 3–165, ROP 3–141]
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining circuit
integrity (CI) cable or an Electrical Circuit Protective System is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire resistive rating when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2001 (Rev.
2006), Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables. [ROP
3–165]
(L) Plenum Cable Routing Assemblies. Plenum cable
routing assemblies shall be listed as having fire-resistant
and low-smoke-producing characteristics. [ROP 3–118]
(M) Riser Cable Routing Assemblies. Riser cable routing
assemblies shall be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor
to floor. [ROP 3–118]
Informational Note No. 2: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire
rating. [ROP 3–165]
(N) General-Use Cable Routing Assemblies. General-use
cable routing assemblies shall be listed as being resistant to
the spread of fire. [ROP 3–118]
(G) Class 2 and Class 3 Cable Voltage Ratings. Class 2
cables shall have a voltage rating of not less than 150 volts.
Class 3 cables shall have a voltage rating of not less than
300 volts.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistance to
the spread of fire is that the cable routing assemblies pass
the requirements of the vertical tray flame test (general use)
in Subject 2024A, UL Outline of Investigation for Cable
Routing Assemblies. [ROP 3–118]
Informational Note: Voltage markings on cables may be
misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for
Class 1 electric light and power applications.
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Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
(O) Marking. Cables shall be marked in accordance with
310.120(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(5) and Table
725.179. Voltage ratings shall not be marked on the cables.
[ROP 3–118]
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(H) Class 3 Single Conductors. Class 3 single conductors
used as other wiring within buildings shall not be smaller
than 18 AWG and shall be Type CL3. Conductor types
described in 725.49(B) that are also listed as Type CL3
shall be permitted.
(I) Plenum Communications Raceways. Plenum communications raceways shall be listed as having adequate fireresistant and low smoke-producing characteristics. [ROP
3–163a]
(J) Riser Communications Raceways. Riser communications raceways shall be listed as having adequate fireresistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying
of fire from floor to floor. [ROP 3–163a]
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the raceways pass the requirements of the Test for Flame Propagation (Riser) in UL
2024, Standard for Optical Fiber Cable Raceway.
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the
cable has multiple listings and a voltage marking is required for one or more of the listings.
Table 725.179 Cable Marking
Cable Marking
CL3P
CL2P
CL3R
CL2R
PLTC
CL3
CL2
CL3X
CL2X
Type
Class 3 plenum cable
Class 2 plenum cable
Class 3 riser cable
Class 2 riser cable
Power-limited tray cable
Class 3 cable
Class 2 cable
Class 3 cable, limited use
Class 2 cable, limited use
Informational Note: Class 2 and Class 3 cable types are
listed in descending order of fire resistance rating, and
Class 3 cables are listed above Class 2 cables because Class
3 cables can substitute for Class 2 cables.
(K) General-Purpose
Communications
Raceways.
General-purpose communications raceways shall be listed
as being resistant to the spread of fire. [ROP 3–163a]
ARTICLE 727
Instrumentation Tray Cable: Type ITC
Informational Note: One method of defining resistance to
the spread of fire is that the raceways pass the requirements
of the Vertical-Tray Flame Test (General use) in UL 2024,
Standard for Optical Fiber Cable Raceway.
727.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications of instrumentation tray cable for
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–691
ARTICLE 728 — FIRE RESISTIVE CABLE SYSTEMS [ROP 3–170]
application to instrumentation and control circuits operating
at 150 volts or less and 5 amperes or less.
727.2 Definition.
Type ITC Instrumentation Tray Cable. A factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without a
grounding conductor(s), enclosed in a nonmetallic sheath.
727.3 Other Articles. In addition to the provisions of this
article, installation of Type ITC cable shall comply with
other applicable articles of this Code.
Exception No. 2: Where a metallic sheath or armor is
applied over the nonmetallic sheath of the Type ITC cable.
727.6 Construction. The insulated conductors of Type
ITC cable shall be in sizes 22 AWG through 12 AWG. The
conductor material shall be copper or thermocouple alloy.
Insulation on the conductors shall be rated for 300 volts.
Shielding shall be permitted.
The cable shall be listed as being resistant to the spread
of fire. The outer jacket shall be sunlight and moisture
resistant.
Where a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated
metallic sheath, or interlocking tape armor is applied over
the nonmetallic sheath, an overall nonmetallic jacket shall
not be required.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
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727.4 Uses Permitted. Type ITC cable shall be permitted
to be used as follows in industrial establishments where the
conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation:
(1) In cable trays.
(2) In raceways.
(3) In hazardous locations as permitted in 501.10, 502.10,
503.10, 504.20, 504.30, 504.80, and 505.15.
(4) Enclosed in a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated metallic sheath, or interlocking tape armor applied over the nonmetallic sheath in accordance with
727.6. The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
(5) Cable, without a metallic sheath or armor, that complies with the crush and impact requirements of Type
MC cable and is identified for such use with the marking ITC-ER shall be permitted to be installed exposed.
The cable shall be continuously supported and protected against physical damage using mechanical protection such as dedicated struts, angles, or channels.
The cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding
1.8 m (6 ft).
(6) As aerial cable on a messenger.
(7) Direct buried where identified for the use.
(8) Under raised floors in rooms containing industrial process control equipment and rack rooms where arranged
to prevent damage to the cable.
(9) Under raised floors in information technology equipment rooms in accordance with ____(5)(c).
Exception No. 1: Where terminated within equipment or
junction boxes and separations are maintained by insulating barriers or other means.
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727.2
727.5 Uses Not Permitted. Type ITC cable shall not be
installed on circuits operating at more than 150 volts or
more than 5 amperes.
Installation of Type ITC cable with other cables shall be
subject to the stated provisions of the specific articles for
the other cables. Where the governing articles do not contain stated provisions for installation with Type ITC cable,
the installation of Type ITC cable with the other cables
shall not be permitted.
Type ITC cable shall not be installed with power, lighting, Class 1 circuits that are not power limited, or non–
power-limited circuits.
70–692
727.7 Marking. The cable shall be marked in accordance
with 310.120(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(5). Voltage ratings shall not be marked on the cable.
727.8 Allowable Ampacity. The allowable ampacity of the
conductors shall be 5 amperes, except for 22 AWG conductors, which shall have an allowable ampacity of 3 amperes.
727.9 Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection
shall not exceed 5 amperes for 20 AWG and larger conductors, and 3 amperes for 22 AWG conductors.
727.10 Bends. Bends in Type ITC cables shall be made so
as not to damage the cable.
ARTICLE 728
Fire Resistive Cable Systems [ROP
3–170]
728.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of fire resistive cables, fire resistive conductors and other system
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
750.1
ARTICLE 750 — ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS [ROP 13–180]
728.2 Definition.
Fire Resistive Cable System. A cable and components
used to ensure survivability of critical circuits for a specified time under fire conditions.
728.3 Other Articles. Wherever the requirements of other
articles of this Code and Article 728 differ, the requirements
of Article 728 shall apply.
728.4 General. Fire resistive cables, fire resistive conductors and components shall be tested and listed as a complete
system. The cables, conductors and components shall be
designated for use in a specific fire rated system and shall
not be interchangeable between systems. Fire resistive
cables, conductors and components shall be suitable for use
with the wiring methods in Chapter 3 as applicable.
(D) Cable Tray. Fire resistive systems listed for cable tray
installations shall only use steel cable trays and steel components.
(E) Boxes. Boxes or enclosures shall be steel only and
shall be fastened to the fire rated surface independently of
the raceways or cables listed in the system.
(F) Pulling Lubricants. Fire resistive systems, installed in
a raceway shall only use pulling lubricants listed for fire
resistive systems.
(G) Vertical Supports. Cables and conductors installed in
vertical raceways shall be supported in accordance with
300.19(B). The cable supports shall be steel and shall be
identified in the fire resistive system.
(H) Splices. Only splices that are part of the fire restive
system shall be used. Splices shall have manufacturer’s
installation instructions. Splices shall be specific for each
cable manufacturer.
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Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining the fire
rating is by testing the system in accordance with UL 21962006, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.
be steel. Only raceways and fittings listed as part of the fire
rated system shall be used.
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components used for survivability of critical circuits to ensure continued operation during a specified time under fire
conditions as required in this Code.
Informational Note No. 2: Fire resistive cable systems are
considered part of an Electrical Circuit Protective System.
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728.5 Installations. Fire resistive cable systems installed
outside the electrical room or the fire pump room shall
comply with the following requirements and all other installation instructions provided in the listing.
(A) Mounting Surface. The fire resistive cable system
shall be fastened to a concrete or masonry wall or a concrete floor-ceiling assembly. The fire rating of the wall or
floor-ceiling assembly upon which the electrical circuit protective system is mounted shall be equal to or greater than
the rating of the fire resistive cable system.
(B) Supports. Fire resistive cabling systems shall be supported with steel support hardware, such as steel struts,
clamps, straps or fasteners. The fire resistive system shall
be supported in accordance with the manufacturer’s listing
and, if not specified, at intervals not to exceed 1.5 m (5 ft).
At termination points, the fire resistive system shall be supported within 610 mm (24 in.) of each junction box,pull
point, or enclosure.
Informational Note: The supports are an important part of
the systems and each individual system may have specific
support requirements. These supports are critical and must
survive under fire condition to ensure the survivability of
the system.
(C) Raceways and Couplings. Where the fire resistive
system is listed to be installed in a raceway, the raceways
enclosing the system, any couplings, and connectors shall
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
728.60 Grounding. Fire resistive systems, installed in a
raceway requiring an equipment grounding conductor, shall
use the same fire rated cable described in the system, unless
alternative equipment grounding conductors are listed with
the system. Any alternative equipment grounding conductor
shall be marked with the system number. The system shall
specify a permissible equipment grounding conductor. If
not specified, the equipment grounding conductor shall be
the same as the fire-rated cable described in the system.
728.120 Marking. In addition to the marking required in
310.120, system cables and conductors shall be surface
marked with the suffix “–FRR” (Fire Resistive Rating),
along with the circuit integrity duration in hours and with
the system identifier.
ARTICLE 750
Energy Management Systems [ROP
13–180]
750.1 Scope. This article applies to the installation and
operation of energy management systems.
Informational Note: Performance provisions in other
codes establish prescriptive requirements that may further
restrict the requirements contained in this article.
70–693
750.2
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
750.2 Definitions. For the purpose of this article the following definitions shall apply.
Control. The predetermined process of connecting, disconnecting, increasing, or reducing electric power.
Energy Management System. A system consisting of any
of the following: monitor(s), communication equipment,
controller(s), timer(s), or other device(s), that monitors and
/or controls an electrical load or a power production or
storage source.
750.50 Field Markings. Where an energy management
system is employed to control electrical power through the
use of a remote means, a directory identifying the controlled device(s) and circuit(s) shall be posted on the enclosure of the controller, disconnect, or branch circuit overcurrent device.
Informational Note: The use of the term “remote” is intended to convey that a controller can be operated via another means or location through communications without a
direct operator interface with the controlled device.
Monitor. An electrical or electronic means to observe,
record, or detect the operation or condition of the electric
power system or apparatus.
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I. General
760.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of wiring
and equipment of fire alarm systems including all circuits
controlled and powered by the fire alarm system.
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm systems include fire
detection and alarm notification, guard’s tour, sprinkler waterflow, and sprinkler supervisory systems. Circuits controlled and powered by the fire alarm system include circuits for the control of building systems safety functions,
elevator capture, elevator shutdown, door release, smoke
doors and damper control, fire doors and damper control
and fan shutdown, but only where these circuits are powered by and controlled by the fire alarm system. For further
information on the installation and monitoring for integrity
requirements for fire alarm systems, refer to the NFPA 722010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
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750.20 Alternate Power Sources. An energy management
system shall not override any control necessary to ensure
continuity of an alternate power source for the following:
(1) Fire pumps
(2) Health care facilities
(3) Emergency systems
(4) Legally required standby systems
(5) Critical operations power systems
ARTICLE 760
Fire Alarm Systems
750.30 Load Management. Energy management systems
shall be permitted to monitor and control electrical loads
unless restricted in accordance with any of the following:
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(A) Load Shedding Controls. An energy management
system shall not override the load shedding controls put in
place to ensure the minimum electrical capacity for the
following:
(1) Fire pumps
(2) Emergency systems
(3) Legally required standby systems
(4) Critical operations power systems
(B) Disconnection of Power. An energy management system shall not be permitted to cause disconnection of power
to the following:
(1) Elevators, escalators, moving walks, or stairway lift
chairs
(2) Positive mechanical ventilation for hazardous (classified) locations
(3) Ventilation used to exhaust hazardous gas or reclassify
an area
(4) Circuits supply emergency lighting
(5) Essential electrical system in health care facilities
(C) Capacity of Branch Circuit, Feeder, or Service. An
energy management system shall not cause a branch circuit,
feeder, or service to be overloaded at any time.
70–694
Informational Note No. 2: Class 1, 2, and 3 circuits are
defined in Article 725.
760.2 Definitions.
Abandoned Fire Alarm Cable. Installed fire alarm cable
that is not terminated at equipment other than a connector
and not identified for future use with a tag.
Cable Routing Assembly. A single channel or connected
multiple channels, as well as associated fittings, forming a
structural system that is used to support and route conductors and cables. [ROP 3–171]
Fire Alarm Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between the load side of the overcurrent device or the powerlimited supply and the connected equipment of all circuits
powered and controlled by the fire alarm system. Fire alarm
circuits are classified as either non–power-limited or
power-limited.
Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Cable used in
fire alarm systems to ensure continued operation of critical
circuits during a specified time under fire conditions.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
760.35
Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit (NPLFA). A fire
alarm circuit powered by a source that complies with
760.41 and 760.43.
shall not be denied by an accumulation of conductors and
cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended
ceiling panels.
Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit (PLFA). A fire alarm
circuit powered by a source that complies with 760.121.
760.24 Mechanical Execution of Work.
(A) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. See
300.21.
(B) Ducts, Plenums, and Other Air-Handling Spaces.
Section 300.22, where installed in ducts or plenums or
other spaces used for environmental air.
Exception: As permitted in 760.53(B)(1) and (B)(2) and
760.154(A).
(B) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables shall be supported at a distance not exceeding
610 mm (24 in.). Where located within 2.1 m (7 ft) of the
floor, as covered in A(760.53)(1) and B(760.130)(1) as applicable, the cable shall be fastened in an approved manner
at intervals of not more than 450 mm (18 in.). Cable supports and fasteners shall be steel. [ROP 3–178]
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(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Articles 500
through 516 and Article 517, Part IV, where installed in
hazardous (classified) locations.
(A) General. Fire alarm circuits shall be installed in a neat
workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be
supported by the building structure in such a manner that
the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such
cables shall be supported by straps, staples, cable ties,
hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not
to damage the cable. The installation shall also comply with
300.4(D). [ROP 3–178]
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760.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with 760.3(A) through (K). Only those sections of Article 300 referenced in this article shall apply to fire alarm
systems.
(D) Corrosive, Damp, or Wet Locations. Sections
110.11, 300.5(B), 300.6, 300.9, and 310.10(G), where installed in corrosive, damp, or wet locations. [ROP 3–173]
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(E) Building Control Circuits. Article 725, where building control circuits (e.g., elevator capture, fan shutdown)
are associated with the fire alarm system.
(F) Optical Fiber Cables. Where optical fiber cables are
utilized for fire alarm circuits, the cables shall be installed
in accordance with Article 770.
(G) Installation of Conductors with Other Systems. Installations shall comply with 300.8.
(H) Raceways or Sleeves Exposed to Different Temperatures. Installations shall comply with 300.7(A).
(I) Vertical Support for Fire Rated Cables and Conductors. Vertical installations of circuit integrity (CI) cables
and conductors installed in a raceway or conductors and
cables of electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with 300.19.
(J) Number and Size of Cables and Conductors in
Raceway. Installations shall comply with 300.17.
(K) Bushing. A bushing shall be installed where cables
emerge from raceway used for mechanical support or protection in accordance with 300.15(C).
760.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
760.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed. Where
cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall
be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
760.30 Fire Alarm Circuit Identification. Fire alarm circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in
a manner that helps to prevent unintentional signals on fire
alarm system circuit(s) during testing and servicing of other
systems.
760.32 Fire Alarm Circuits Extending Beyond One
Building. Non–power-limited fire alarm circuits and
power-limited fire alarm circuits that extend beyond one
building and run outdoors shall meet the installation requirements of Parts II, III, and IV of Article 800 and shall
meet the installation requirements of Part I of Article 300.
[ROP 3–178a]
Informational Note: An example of a protective device
suitable to provide protection is a device tested to the requirements of ANSI/UL 497B, Protectors for Data Communications. [ROP 3–178a]
760.35 Fire Alarm Circuit Requirements. Fire alarm circuits shall comply with 760.35(A) and (B).
(A) Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm (NPLFA) Circuits.
See Parts I and II.
(B) Power-Limited Fire Alarm (PLFA) Circuits. See
Parts I and III.
70–695
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
II. Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm (NPLFA) Circuits
760.41 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements.
(A) Power Source. The power source of non–powerlimited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1
through 4, and the output voltage shall be not more than
600 volts, nominal. The fire alarm circuit disconnect shall
be permitted to be secured in the “on” position.
(B) Branch Circuit. The branch circuit supplying the fire
alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device
shall be permanently identified at the fire alarm control
unit. The circuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be accessible only to qualified personnel,
and shall be identified as “FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT.” The
red identification shall not damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the manufacturer’s markings. This
branch circuit shall not be supplied through ground-fault
circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit-interrupters.
Informational Note: A single-phase, listed electronic
power supply whose output supplies a 2-wire (singlevoltage) circuit is an example of a non–power-limited
power source that meets the requirements of 760.41.
760.46 NPLFA Circuit Wiring. Installation of non–
power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be in accordance
with 110.3(B), 300.7, 300.11, 300.15, 300.17, 300.19(B),
and other appropriate articles of Chapter 3.
Exception No. 1: As provided in 760.48 through 760.53.
AF
Informational Note: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply
power for fire alarm systems.
output of a single-phase, listed electronic power source,
other than a transformer, having only a 2-wire (singlevoltage) output for connection to non–power-limited circuits shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the input side of the electronic power
source, provided this protection does not exceed the value
determined by multiplying the non–power-limited circuit
conductor ampacity by the output-to-input voltage ratio.
Electronic power source outputs, other than 2-wire (single
voltage), connected to non–power-limited circuits shall not
be considered to be protected by overcurrent protection on
the input of the electronic power source.
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760.41
D
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760.43 NPLFA Circuit Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection for conductors 14 AWG and larger shall
be provided in accordance with the conductor ampacity
without applying the ampacity adjustment and correction
factors of 310.15 to the ampacity calculation. Overcurrent
protection shall not exceed 7 amperes for 18 AWG conductors and 10 amperes for 16 AWG conductors.
Exception: Where other articles of this Code permit or
require other overcurrent protection.
760.45 NPLFA Circuit Overcurrent Device Location.
Overcurrent devices shall be located at the point where the
conductor to be protected receives its supply.
Exception No. 1: Where the overcurrent device protecting
the larger conductor also protects the smaller conductor.
Exception No. 2: Transformer secondary conductors.
Non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors supplied
by the secondary of a single-phase transformer that has
only a 2-wire (single-voltage) secondary shall be permitted
to be protected by overcurrent protection provided by the
primary (supply) side of the transformer, provided the protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does not exceed the
value determined by multiplying the secondary conductor
ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage
ratio. Transformer secondary conductors other than 2-wire
shall not be considered to be protected by the primary
overcurrent protection.
Exception No. 3: Electronic power source output conductors. Non–power-limited circuit conductors supplied by the
70–696
Exception No. 2: Where other articles of this Code require
other methods.
760.48 Conductors of Different Circuits in Same Cable,
Enclosure, or Raceway.
(A) Class 1 with NPLFA Circuits. Class 1 and non–
power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to occupy the same cable, enclosure, or raceway without regard
to whether the individual circuits are alternating current or
direct current, provided all conductors are insulated for the
maximum voltage of any conductor in the enclosure or
raceway.
(B) Fire Alarm with Power-Supply Circuits. Powersupply and fire alarm circuit conductors shall be permitted
in the same cable, enclosure, or raceway only where connected to the same equipment.
760.49 NPLFA Circuit Conductors.
(A) Sizes and Use. Only copper conductors shall be permitted to be used for fire alarm systems. Size 18 AWG and
16 AWG conductors shall be permitted to be used, provided
they supply loads that do not exceed the ampacities given
in Table 402.5 and are installed in a raceway, an approved
enclosure, or a listed cable. Conductors larger than 16
AWG shall not supply loads greater than the ampacities
given in 310.15, as applicable.
(B) Insulation. Insulation on conductors shall be rated for
the system voltage and not less than 600 volts. Conductors
larger than 16 AWG shall comply with Article 310. Con-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Informational Note: For application provisions, see Table
402.3.
(C) Conductor Materials. Conductors shall be solid or
stranded copper.
Exception to (B) and (C): Wire Types PAF and PTF shall be
permitted only for high-temperature applications between
90°C (194°F) and 250°C (482°F).
760.51 Number of Conductors in Cable Trays and
Raceways, and Ampacity Adjustment Factors.
(2) Passing Through a Floor or Wall. Cables shall be
installed in metal raceway or rigid nonmetallic conduit
where passing through a floor or wall to a height of 2.1 m
(7 ft) above the floor, unless adequate protection can be
afforded by building construction such as detailed in
760.53(A)(1), or unless an equivalent solid guard is provided.
(3) In Hoistways. Cables shall be installed in rigid metal
conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or electrical
metallic tubing where installed in hoistways.
AF
(A) NPLFA Circuits and Class 1 Circuits. Where only
non–power-limited fire alarm circuit and Class 1 circuit
conductors are in a raceway, the number of conductors shall
be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity
adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply if
such conductors carry continuous load in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor.
(1) In Raceways, Exposed on Ceilings or Sidewalls, or
Fished in Concealed Spaces. Cable splices or terminations
shall be made in listed fittings, boxes, enclosures, fire alarm
devices, or utilization equipment. Where installed exposed,
cables shall be adequately supported and installed in such a
way that maximum protection against physical damage is
afforded by building construction such as baseboards, door
frames, ledges, and so forth. Where located within 2.1 m
(7 ft) of the floor, cables shall be securely fastened in an
approved manner at intervals of not more than 450 mm
(18 in.).
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ductors 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be Type KF-2, KFF-2,
PAFF, PTFF, PF, PFF, PGF, PGFF, RFH-2, RFHH-2,
RFHH-3, SF-2, SFF-2, TF, TFF, TFN, TFFN, ZF, or ZFF.
Conductors with other types and thickness of insulation
shall be permitted if listed for non–power-limited fire alarm
circuit use. [ROP 3–182]
760.53
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(B) Power-Supply Conductors and NPLFA Circuit
Conductors. Where power-supply conductors and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are permitted in
a raceway in accordance with 760.48, the number of conductors shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The
ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall
apply as follows: [ROP 3–183]
(1) To all conductors where the fire alarm circuit conductors carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of
the ampacity of each conductor and where the total
number of conductors is more than three
(2) To the power-supply conductors only, where the fire
alarm circuit conductors do not carry continuous loads
in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor and where the number of power-supply conductors is more than three
Exception: As provided for in 620.21 for elevators and
similar equipment.
(B) Applications of Listed NPLFA Cables. The use of
non–power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall comply
with 760.53(B)(1) through (B)(4).
(1) Ducts. Multiconductor non–power-limited fire alarm
circuit cables, Types NPLFP, NPLFR, and NPLF, shall not
be installed exposed in ducts.
Informational Note: See 300.22(B).
(2) Other Spaces Used for Environmental Air. Cables
installed in other spaces used for environmental air shall be
Type NPLFP.
Exception No. 1: Types NPLFR and NPLF cables installed in compliance with 300.22(C).
(C) Cable Trays. Where fire alarm circuit conductors are
installed in cable trays, they shall comply with 392.22 and
392.80(A).
Exception No. 2: Other wiring methods in accordance
with 300.22(C) and conductors in compliance with
760.49(C).
760.53 Multiconductor NPLFA Cables. Multiconductor
non–power-limited fire alarm cables that meet the requirements of 760.176 shall be permitted to be used on fire
alarm circuits operating at 150 volts or less and shall be
installed in accordance with 760.53(A) and (B).
Exception No. 3: Type NPLFP-CI cable shall be permitted
to be installed to provide a 2-hour circuit integrity rated
cable.
(A) NPLFA Wiring Method. Multiconductor non–powerlimited fire alarm circuit cables shall be installed in accordance with 760.53(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(3) Riser. Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating
from floor to floor or cables installed in vertical runs in a
shaft, shall be Type NPLFR. Floor penetrations requiring
Type NPLFR shall contain only cables suitable for riser or
plenum use. [ROP 3–193]
70–697
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Exception No. 1: Type NPLF or other cables that are
specified in Chapter 3 and are in compliance with
760.49(C) and encased in metal raceway.
Exception No. 2: Type NPLF cables located in a fireproof
shaft having firestops at each floor.
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
Exception No. 3: Type NPLF-CI cable shall be permitted to
be installed to provide a 2-hour circuit integrity rated
cable.
(4) Other Wiring Within Buildings. Cables installed in
building locations other than the locations covered in
760.53(B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3) shall be Type NPLF.
Exception No. 1: Chapter 3 wiring methods with conductors in compliance with 760.49(C).
Exception No. 2: Type NPLFP or Type NPLFR cables
shall be permitted.
III. Power-Limited Fire Alarm (PLFA) Circuits
760.121 Power Sources for PLFA Circuits.
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(A) Power Source. The power source for a power-limited
fire alarm circuit shall be as specified in 760.121(A)(1),
(A)(2), or (A)(3).
Informational Note No. 1: Tables 12(A) and 12(B) in
Chapter 9 provide the listing requirements for powerlimited fire alarm circuit sources.
Informational Note No. 2: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception, for
receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems.
(1) A listed PLFA or Class 3 transformer.
(2) A listed PLFA or Class 3 power supply.
(3) Listed equipment marked to identify the PLFA power
source.
Informational Note: Examples of listed equipment are a
fire alarm control panel with integral power source; a circuit card listed for use as a PLFA source, where used as part
of a listed assembly; a current-limiting impedance, listed
for the purpose or part of a listed product, used in conjunction with a non–power-limited transformer or a stored energy source, for example, storage battery, to limit the output
current.
(B) Branch Circuit. The branch circuit supplying the fire
alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device
shall be permanently identified at the fire alarm control
unit. The circuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be accessible only to qualified personnel,
70–698
760.124 Circuit Marking. The equipment supplying
PLFA circuits shall be durably marked where plainly visible to indicate each circuit that is a power-limited fire
alarm circuit.
Informational Note: See 760.130(A), Exception No. 3,
where a power-limited circuit is to be reclassified as a non–
power-limited circuit.
760.127 Wiring Methods on Supply Side of the PLFA
Power Source. Conductors and equipment on the supply
side of the power source shall be installed in accordance
with the appropriate requirements of Part II and Chapters 1
through 4. Transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors shall be protected by an overcurrent device rated not over 20 amperes.
Exception: The input leads of a transformer or other
power source supplying power-limited fire alarm circuits
shall be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG, but not
smaller than 18 AWG, if they are not over 300 mm (12 in.)
long and if they have insulation that complies with
760.49(B).
AF
Exception No. 3: Type NPLFR-CI cable shall be permitted
to be installed to provide a 2-hour circuit integrity rated
cable.
and shall be identified as “FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT.” The
red identification shall not damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the manufacturer’s markings. This
branch circuit shall not be supplied through ground-fault
circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
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760.121
760.130 Wiring Methods and Materials on Load Side of
the PLFA Power Source. Fire alarm circuits on the load
side of the power source shall be permitted to be installed
using wiring methods and materials in accordance with
760.130(A), (B), or a combination of (A) and (B).
(A) NPLFA Wiring Methods and Materials. Installation
shall be in accordance with 760.46, and conductors shall be
solid or stranded copper.
Exception No. 1: The ampacity adjustment factors given
in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: Conductors and multiconductor cables
described in and installed in accordance with 760.49 and
760.53 shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Power-limited circuits shall be permitted
to be reclassified and installed as non–power-limited circuits if the power-limited fire alarm circuit markings required by 760.124 are eliminated and the entire circuit is
installed using the wiring methods and materials in accordance with Part II, Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm
Circuits.
Informational Note: Power-limited circuits reclassified
and installed as non–power-limited circuits are no longer
power-limited circuits, regardless of the continued connection to a power-limited source.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
(1) In Raceways, Exposed on Ceilings or Sidewalls, or
Fished in Concealed Spaces. Cable splices or terminations
shall be made in listed fittings, boxes, enclosures, fire alarm
devices, or utilization equipment. Where installed exposed,
cables shall be adequately supported and installed in such a
way that maximum protection against physical damage is
afforded by building construction such as baseboards, door
frames, ledges, and so forth. Where located within 2.1 m
(7 ft) of the floor, cables shall be securely fastened in an
approved manner at intervals of not more than 450 mm
(18 in.).
circuits
(C) Raceways Within Enclosures. In enclosures, powerlimited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to be installed
in a raceway within the enclosure to separate them from
Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power
network-powered broadband communications circuits.
(D) Associated Systems Within Enclosures. Powerlimited fire alarm conductors in compartments, enclosures,
device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1,
non–power-limited fire alarm, and medium power networkpowered broadband communications circuits where they
are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected
to power-limited fire alarm circuits, and comply with either
of the following conditions:
(1) The electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are routed to
maintain a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) separation
from the conductors and cables of power-limited fire
alarm circuits.
(2) The circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to
ground and also comply with one of the following:
AF
(2) Passing Through a Floor or Wall. Cables shall be
installed in metal raceways or rigid nonmetallic conduit
where passing through a floor or wall to a height of 2.1 m
(7 ft) above the floor, unless adequate protection can be
afforded by building construction such as detailed in
760.130(B)(1), or unless an equivalent solid guard is provided.
network-powered broadband communications
where they are separated by a barrier.
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(B) PLFA Wiring Methods and Materials. Power-limited
fire alarm conductors and cables described in 760.179 shall
be installed as detailed in 760.130(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3)
of this section and 300.7. Devices shall be installed in accordance with 110.3(B), 300.11(A), and 300.15.
760.136
(3) In Hoistways. Cables shall be installed in rigid metal
conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or electrical metallic tubing where installed in hoistways.
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Exception: As provided for in 620.21 for elevators and
similar equipment.
760.133 Installation of Conductors and Equipment in
Cables, Compartments, Cable Trays, Enclosures, Manholes, Outlet Boxes, Device Boxes, Raceways, and Cable
Routing Assemblies for Power-Limited Circuits. Conductors and equipment for power-limited fire alarm circuits
shall be installed in accordance with 760.136 through
760.143. [ROP 3–171]
760.136 Separation from Electric Light, Power, Class 1,
NPLFA, and Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Conductors.
(A) General. Power-limited fire alarm circuit cables and
conductors shall not be placed in any cable, cable tray,
compartment, enclosure, manhole, outlet box, device box,
raceway, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm circuits, and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 760.136(B) through (G).
(B) Separated by Barriers. Power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall be permitted to be installed together with
Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
a. The fire alarm power-limited circuits are installed
using Type FPL, FPLR, FPLP, or permitted substitute cables, provided these power-limited cable conductors extending beyond the jacket are separated
by a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all
other conductors.
b. The power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are
installed as non–power-limited circuits in accordance with 760.46.
(E) Enclosures with Single Opening. Power-limited fire
alarm circuit conductors entering compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be
permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1,
non–power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuits where they
are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected
to power-limited fire alarm circuits or to other circuits controlled by the fire alarm system to which the other conductors in the enclosure are connected. Where power-limited
fire alarm circuit conductors must enter an enclosure that is
provided with a single opening, they shall be permitted to
enter through a single fitting (such as a tee), provided the
conductors are separated from the conductors of the other
circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor,
such as flexible tubing.
70–699
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
(F) In Hoistways. In hoistways, power-limited fire alarm
circuit conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit,
rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic
tubing. For elevators or similar equipment, these conductors shall be permitted to be installed as provided in 620.21.
(C) Low-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cables and PLFA Cables. Low-power networkpowered broadband communications circuits shall be permitted in the same enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable
routing assembly with PLFA cables. [ROP 3–171]
(D) Audio System Circuits and PLFA Circuits. Audio
system circuits described in 640.9(C) and installed using
Class 2 or Class 3 wiring methods in compliance with
725.133 and 725.154 shall not be permitted to be installed
in the same cable, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing
assembly with power limited conductors or cables. [ROP
3–171]
760.142 Conductor Size. Conductors of 26 AWG shall be
permitted only where spliced with a connector listed as
suitable for 26 AWG to 24 AWG or larger conductors that
are terminated on equipment or where the 26 AWG conductors are terminated on equipment listed as suitable for 26
AWG conductors. Single conductors shall not be smaller
than 18 AWG.
AF
(G) Other Applications. For other applications, powerlimited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be separated by at
least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of any electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or mediumpower network-powered broadband communications circuits unless one of the following conditions is met:
(1) Either (a) all of the electric light, power, Class 1, non–
power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuit conductors
or (b) all of the power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metalclad, nonmetallic-sheathed, or Type UF cables.
(2) All of the electric light, power, Class 1, non–powerlimited fire alarm, and medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuit conductors
are permanently separated from all of the powerlimited fire alarm circuit conductors by a continuous
and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes
or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the
conductors.
ing assembly is at least that required by the power-limited
fire alarm circuits. [ROP 3–171]
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760.139
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760.139 Installation of Conductors of Different PLFA
Circuits, Class 2, Class 3, and Communications Circuits
in the Same Cable, Enclosure, Cable Tray, Raceway, or
Cable Routing Assembly. [ROP 3–171]
(A) Two or More PLFA Circuits. Cable and conductors
of two or more power-limited fire alarm circuits, communications circuits, or Class 3 circuits shall be permitted
within the same cable, enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or
cable routing assembly. [ROP 3–171]
(B) Class 2 Circuits with PLFA Circuits. Conductors of
one or more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the
same cable, enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing
assembly with conductors of power-limited fire alarm circuits, provided that the insulation of the Class 2 circuit
conductors in the cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable rout-
70–700
760.143 Support of Conductors. Power-limited fire alarm
circuit conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached
by any means to the exterior of any conduit or other raceway as a means of support.
760.145 Current-Carrying Continuous Line-Type Fire
Detectors.
(A) Application. Listed continuous line-type fire detectors, including insulated copper tubing of pneumatically
operated detectors, employed for both detection and carrying signaling currents shall be permitted to be used in
power-limited circuits.
(B) Installation. Continuous line-type fire detectors shall
be installed in accordance with 760.124 through 760.130
and 760.133.
760.154 Applications of Listed PLFA Cables. PLFA
cables shall comply with the requirements described in either 760.154(A), (B), or (C) and Table 760.154, or where
cable substitutions are made as shown in 760.154(D).
[ROP 3–202]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
760.154
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Table 760.154 Applications of Listed PLFA Cables in Buildings [ROP 3–202]
Cable Type
FPLR
& FPLR-CI
FPL & FPL-CI
In Fabricated Ducts as
Described in 300.22(B)
In fabricated ducts
Y*
N
N
In metal raceway that complies
with 300.22(B)
Y*
Y*
Y*
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
In other spaces used for
environmental air
Y*
N
N
In metal raceway that complies
with 300.22(C)
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
N
N
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Within Buildings in Other Than
Air-Handling Spaces and
Risers
NOT PERMITTED
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal
covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
In vertical runs
Y*
Y*
N
In metal raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
In fireproof shafts
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
N
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
General
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Y*
Y*
In any raceway recognized in
Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications
raceway
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
D
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In Risers
2014 Edition
Y*
AF
Supported by open metal cable
trays
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FPLP & FPLP-CI
Applications
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760.176
Table 760.154
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Continued
Cable Type
FPLP & FPLP-CI
FPLR
& FPLR-CI
FPL & FPL-CI
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
In general-purpose
communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
In general-purpose cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
Applications
Note: An “N” in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A “Y*” indicates that the cable shall
be permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 760.130 through 760.145.
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be permitted to be installed in nonconcealed spaces where
the exposed length of cable does not exceed 3 m (10 ft).
(4) Portable Fire Alarm System. A portable fire alarm
system provided to protect a stage or set when not in use
shall be permitted to use wiring methods in accordance
with 530.12.
AF
(A) Plenum. Cables installed in ducts, plenums, and other
spaces used for environmental air shall be Type FPLP.
Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in compliance
with 300.22 shall be permitted. Type FPLP-CI cable shall
be permitted to be installed to provide a 2-hour circuit
integrity rated cable.
D
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(B) Riser. Cables installed in risers shall be as described in
either (1), (2), or (3):
(1) Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating floor to
floor, or cables installed in vertical runs in a shaft, shall
be Type FPLR. Floor penetrations requiring Type
FPLR shall contain only cables suitable for riser or
plenum use. Type FPLR-CI cable shall be permitted to
be installed to provide a 2-hour circuit integrity rated
cable. [ROP 3–206]
(2) Other cables shall be installed in metal raceways or
located in a fireproof shaft having firestops at each
floor.
(3) Type FPL cable shall be permitted in one- and twofamily dwellings.
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(C) Other Wiring Within Buildings. Cables installed in
building locations other than those covered in 760.154(A)
or (B) shall be as described in either (C)(1), (C)(2), (C)(3),
or (C)(4). Type FPL-CI cable shall be permitted to be installed as described in either (C)(1), (C)(2), (C)(3), or
(C)(4) to provide a 2-hour circuit integrity rated cable.
(1) General. Type FPL shall be permitted.
(2) In Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies. Cables
shall be permitted to be installed in raceways and cable
routing assemblies. [ROP 3–171]
(3) Nonconcealed Spaces. Cables specified in Chapter 3
and meeting the requirements of 760.179(A) and (B) shall
70–702
(D) Fire Alarm Cable Substitutions. The substitutions
for fire alarm cables listed in Table 760.154(D) and illustrated in Figure 760.154(D) shall be permitted. Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring requirements of Article 760, Parts I and III, shall apply.
Informational Note: For information on communications
cables (CMP, CMR, CMG, CM), see 800.179.
Multiconductor
cables
Plenum
CMP
FPLP
Riser
CMR
FPLR
General purpose
CMG
CM
FPL
Type CM—Communications wires and cables
Type FPL—Power-limited fire alarm cables
A
B
Cable A shall be permitted to be used in place of Cable B.
26 AWG minimum
Figure 760.154(D) Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
IV. Listing Requirements
760.176 Listing and Marking of NPLFA Cables. Non–
power-limited fire alarm cables installed as wiring within
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
and other space used for environmental air, and shall also
be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
FPLP
FPLR
FPL
References
760.154(A)
760.154(B)
760.154(C)
Permitted
Substitutions
CMP
CMP, FPLP, CMR
CMP, FPLP, CMR,
FPLR, CMG, CM
buildings shall be listed in accordance with 760.176(A) and
(B) and as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance
with 760.176(C) through (F), and shall be marked in accordance with 760.176(G). Cable used in a wet location shall
be listed for use in wet locations or have a moistureimpervious metal sheath.
(A) NPLFA Conductor Materials. Conductors shall be 18
AWG or larger solid or stranded copper.
(F) Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables that are used for
survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall
meet either (F)(1) or (F)(2) as follows: [ROP 3–208]
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables, specified in 760.176(C), (D), and (E), and used for
survivability of critical circuits shall have the additional
classification using the suffix “-CI”. Circuit integrity (CI)
cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway
where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical
circuit protective system as covered in (F)(2). [ROP 3–208]
AF
(B) Insulated Conductors. Insulation on conductors shall
be rated for the system voltage and not less than 600V.
Insulated conductors 14 AWG and larger shall be one of the
types listed in Table 310.104(A) or one that is identified for
this use. Insulated conductors 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall
be in accordance with 760.49. [ROP 3–207]
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
T
Table 760.154(D) Cable Substitutions
Cable Type
760.176
D
R
(C) Type NPLFP. Type NPLFP non–power-limited fire
alarm cable for use in other space used for environmental
air shall be listed as being suitable for use in other space
used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C) and
shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low
smoke–producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke–producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 3–164]
(D) Type NPLFR. Type NPLFR non–power-limited fire
alarm riser cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in
a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor and shall also
be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of
preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass ANSI/UL 16662007 (Rev. 2011), Test for Flame Propagation Height of
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed Vertically in
Shafts. [ROP 3–141]
(E) Type NPLF. Type NPLF non–power-limited fire alarm
cable shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose
fire alarm use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums,
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables, specified in 760.176(C), (D), (E), and (F)(1), that are part of an
electrical circuit protective system shall be identified with
the protective system number and hourly rating printed on
the outer jacket of the cable and shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system. [ROP
3–208]
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm circuit integrity (CI)
cable and electrical circuit protective systems may be used
for fire alarm circuits to comply with the survivability requirements of NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 12.4.3 and 12.4.4, that the circuit maintain its
electrical function during fire conditions for a defined period of time. [ROP 3–209]
Informational Note No. 2: One method of defining circuit
integrity (CI) cable or an Electrical Circuit Protective System is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire resistive rating when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2001 (Rev.
2006), Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables. [ROP
3–208, ROP 3–141]
Informational Note No. 3: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire
rating. [ROP 3–208]
(G) NPLFA Cable Markings. Multiconductor non–
power-limited fire alarm cables shall be marked in accordance with Table 760.176(G). Non–power-limited fire
alarm circuit cables shall be permitted to be marked with a
maximum usage voltage rating of 150 volts. Cables that are
70–703
760.179
ARTICLE 760 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending
order of fire resistance rating.
Table 760.176(G) NPLFA Cable Markings
Cable
Marking
NPLFP
NPLFR
NPLF
Type
Non–power-limited fire
alarm circuit cable for use
in “other space used for
environmental air”
Non–power-limited fire
alarm circuit riser cable
Non–power-limited fire
alarm circuit cable
Reference
760.176(C) and
(G)
760.176(D) and
(G)
760.176(E) and
(G)
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2007 (Rev. 2011), Standard Test for
Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber
Cable Installed Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 3–141]
(F) Type FPL. Type FPL power-limited fire alarm cable
shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose fire
alarm use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums, and
other spaces used for environmental air, and shall also be
listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2007 (Rev. 2010), Standard
for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The
smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
[ROP 3–141]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
AF
Note: Cables identified in 760.176(C), (D), and (E) and meeting the
requirements for circuit integrity shall have the additional classification using the suffix “CI” (for example, NPLFP-CI, NPLFR-CI, and
NPLF-CI).
(E) Type FPLR. Type FPLR power-limited fire alarm riser
cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical
run in a shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed
as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing
the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
T
listed for circuit integrity shall be identified with the suffix
“CI” as defined in 760.176(F).
D
R
760.179 Listing and Marking of PLFA Cables and Insulated Continuous Line-Type Fire Detectors. PLFA
cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed as
being resistant to the spread of fire and other criteria in
accordance with 760.179(A) through (H) and shall be
marked in accordance with 760.179(I). Insulated continuous line-type fire detectors shall be listed in accordance
with 760.179(J). Cable used in a wet location shall be listed
for use in wet locations or have a moisture-impervious
metal sheath.
(A) Conductor Materials. Conductors shall be solid or
stranded copper.
(B) Conductor Size. The size of conductors in a multiconductor cable shall not be smaller than 26 AWG. Single
conductors shall not be smaller than 18 AWG.
(C) Ratings. The cable shall have a voltage rating of not
less than 300 volts.
(D) Type FPLP. Type FPLP power-limited fire alarm plenum cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts,
plenums, and other space used for environmental air and
shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low
smoke–producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke–producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 3–164]
70–704
(G) Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables that are used for
survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall
meet either (G)(1) or (G)(2) as follows: [ROP 3–210]
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables, specified in 760.179(D), (E), (F) and (H), and used
for survivability of critical circuits shall have the additional
classification using the suffix “-CI”. Circuit integrity (CI)
cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway
where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical
circuit protective system as covered in (G)(2). [ROP
3–210]
(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables, specified in 760.179(D), (E), (F), (H), and (G)(1), that are part of
an Electrical Circuit Protective System, shall be identified
with the protective system number and hourly rating
printed on the outer jacket of the cable and shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system. [ROP 3–210]
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm circuit integrity (CI)
cable and electrical circuit protective systems may be used
for fire alarm circuits to comply with the survivability requirements of NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 12.4.3 and 12.4.4, that the circuit maintain its
electrical function during fire conditions for a defined period of time. [ROP 3–211]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Informational Note No. 2: One method of defining circuit
integrity (CI) cable or an Electrical Circuit Protective System is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire resistive rating when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2001 (Rev.
2006), Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables. [ROP
3–210, ROP 3–141]
Informational Note No. 3: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire
rating. [ROP 3–210]
770.2
the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
See Informational Note Figure 800(a) and Informational Note Figure 800(b) for illustrative application of a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor.
[ROP 16–21]
I. General
(H) Coaxial Cables. Coaxial cables shall be permitted to
use 30 percent conductivity copper-covered steel center
conductor wire and shall be listed as Type FPLP, FPLR, or
FPL cable.
770.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
installation of optical fiber cables, raceways, and cable
routing assemblies. This article does not cover the construction of optical fiber cables and raceways.
(I) Cable Marking. The cable shall be marked in accordance with Table 760.179(I). The voltage rating shall not be
marked on the cable. Cables that are listed for circuit integrity shall be identified with the suffix CI as defined in
760.179(G).
770.2 Definitions. See Part I of Article 100. For purposes
of this article, the following additional definitions apply.
[ROP 16–22]
Table 760.179(I) Cable Markings
Cable Marking
Type
Power-limited fire alarm
plenum cable
Power-limited fire alarm riser
cable
Power-limited fire alarm cable
D
R
FPLP
FPLR
FPL
Note: Cables identified in 760.179(D), (E), and (F) as meeting the
requirements for circuit integrity shall have the additional classification using the suffix “CI” (for example, FPLP-CI, FPLR-CI, and FPLCI).
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending
order of fire-resistance rating.
(J) Insulated Continuous Line-Type Fire Detectors. Insulated continuous line-type fire detectors shall be rated in
accordance with 760.179(C), listed as being resistant to the
spread of fire in accordance with 760.179(D) through (F),
marked in accordance with 760.179(I), and the jacket compound shall have a high degree of abrasion resistance.
ARTICLE 770
Optical Fiber Cables and Raceways
Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for a definition of Equipment. [ROP 16–25]
AF
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the
cable has multiple listings and voltage marking is required
for one or more of the listings.
Abandoned Optical Fiber Cable. Installed optical fiber
cable that is not terminated at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use with a tag.
T
Informational Note: Voltage ratings on cables may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for
Class 1, electric light, and power applications.
Cable Routing Assembly. A single channel or connected
multiple channels, as well as associated fittings, forming a
structural system that is used to support, route and protect
high densities of wires and cables, typically communications wires and cables, optical fiber and data (Class 2 and
Class 3) cables associated with information technology and
communications equipment.
Cable Sheath. A covering over the optical fiber assembly
that includes one or more jackets and may include one or
more metallic members or strength members.
Composite Optical Fiber Cable. A cable containing optical fibers and current-carrying electrical conductors.
Conductive Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly of
one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and
containing non–current-carrying conductive member(s)
such as metallic strength member(s), metallic vapor barrier(s), metallic armor or metallic sheath.
Electrical Circuit Protective System. A system consisting
of components and materials intended for installation as
protection for specific electrical wiring systems, with respect to the disruption of electrical circuit integrity upon
exterior fire exposure. [ROP 16–26a]
Exposed (to Accidental Contact). A conductive optical
fiber cable in such a position that, in case of failure of
supports or insulation, contact between the cable’s non–
current-carrying conductive members and an electrical circuit may result.
70–705
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for two other
definitions of Exposed. [ROP 16–27]
Innerduct. A nonmetallic raceway placed within a larger
raceway. [ROP 16–28]
Nonconductive Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly
of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and
containing no electrically conductive materials.
Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly or field assembly
of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering.
[ROP 16–29].
Informational Note: A field-assembled optical fiber cable
is an assembly of one or more optical fibers within a jacket.
The jacket, without optical fibers, is installed in a manner
similar to conduit or raceway. Once the jacket is installed,
the optical fibers are inserted into the jacket, completing the
cable assembly. [ROP 16–30]
[ROP 16–15]
770.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of optical fiber
cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended
ceiling panels.
770.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Optical fiber
cables shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
Cables installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and
sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in
such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be secured by hardware
including straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.
The installation shall also conform with 300.4(D) and
300.11. Cable ties used to secure optical fiber plenum
cables in other space used for environmental air (plenums)
shall be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties.
Informational Note No. 1: Accepted industry practices are
described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for
Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling, ANSI/NECA/FOA 301-2009, Standard for Installing
and Testing Fiber Optic Cables; and other ANSI-approved
installation standards. [ROP 16–43]
AF
Point of Entrance. The point within a building at which
the optical fiber cable emerges from an external wall, from
a concrete floor slab, from rigid metal conduit (RMC) or
intermediate metal conduit (IMC). [ROP 16–31]
any type of listed raceway permitted in Chapter 3. [ROP
16–38a]
T
770.3
770.3 Other Articles. Installations of optical fiber cables
and raceways shall comply with 770.3(A) and (B). Only
those sections of Chapter 2 and Article 300 referenced in
this article shall apply to optical fiber cables and raceways.
D
R
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Listed optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in hazardous
(classified) locations. The cables shall be sealed in accordance with the requirements of 501.15, 502.15, 505.16, or
506.16, as applicable.
(B) Cables in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor
Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) for wiring systems shall apply to conductive optical fiber cables. [ROP
16–36]
(C) Composite Cables. Composite optical fiber cables
shall be classified as electrical cables in accordance with
the type of electrical conductors. They shall be constructed,
listed, and marked in accordance with the appropriate article for each type of electrical cable.
(D) Cable Routing Assemblies. The applications in Table
800.154(c), and installation rules in 800.110 and 800.113
shall apply to Article 770. [ROP 16–37]
770.12 Innerduct for Optical Fiber Cables. Listed plenum communications raceway, listed riser communications
raceway, and listed general-purpose communications raceway selected in accordance with the provisions of Table
800.154(b) shall be permitted to be installed as innerduct in
70–706
Informational Note No. 2:
See 4.3.11.2.6.5 and
4.3.11.5.5.6 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for discrete combustible components installed in accordance with
300.22(C). [ROP 16–44]
770.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned optical fiber cables shall be removed. Where
cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall
be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
770.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations of optical fiber cables and raceways in hollow
spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts
shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products
of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings
around penetrations of optical fiber cables and raceways
through fire-resistant–rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction
materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain
many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain
the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or
openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions
on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fireresistance–rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
II. Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
770.47 Underground Optical Fiber Cables Entering
Buildings. Underground optical fiber cables entering buildings shall comply with 770.47(A) through (B). [ROP
16–46]
(A) Underground Systems with Electric Light, Power,
Class 1 or Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit Conductors. Underground conductive optical fiber cables entering buildings with electric light, power, Class 1, or non–
power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors in a raceway,
handhole enclosure, or manhole shall be located in a section separated from such conductors by means of brick,
concrete, or tile partitions or by means of a suitable barrier.
[ROP 16–46]
[ROP 16–47]
770.49 Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. Rigid
metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
containing optical fiber entrance cable shall be connected
by a bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor
to a grounding electrode in accordance with 770.100(B).
[ROP 16–48]
III. Protection
770.93 Grounding or Interruption of Non–CurrentCarrying Metallic Members of Optical Fiber Cables.
Optical fiber cables entering the building or terminating on
the outside of the building shall comply with 770.93(A) or
(B).
AF
(B) Direct-Buried Cables and Raceways. Direct-buried
conductive optical fiber cables shall be separated by at least
300 mm (12 in.) from conductors of any electric light,
power, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors
or Class 1 circuit. [ROP 16–46]
to enter the building from the outside and run in any of the
following raceways:
(1) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
(2) Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
(3) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC)
(4) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
T
(24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies
between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 770.26 can be found in building
codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
770.100
D
R
Exception No. 1: Where electric service conductors are
installed in raceways or have metal cable armor. [ROP
16–46]
Exception No. 2: Where electric light or power branchcircuit or feeder conductors, non–power-limited fire alarm
circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuit conductors are installed in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, or
Type UF or Type USE cables. [ROP 16–46]
770.48 Unlisted Cables and Raceways Entering Buildings.
(A) Conductive and Nonconductive Cables. Unlisted
conductive and nonconductive outside plant optical fiber
cables shall be permitted to be installed in building spaces,
other than risers, ducts used for environmental air, plenums
used for environmental air, and other spaces used for environmental air, where the length of the cable within the
building, measured from its point of entrance, does not
exceed 15 m (50 ft) and the cable enters the building from
the outside and is terminated in an enclosure.
Informational Note No. 1: Splice cases or terminal boxes,
both metallic and plastic types, typically are used as enclosures for splicing or terminating optical fiber cables.
Informational Note No. 2: See 770.2 for the definition of
Point of Entrance.
(B) Nonconductive Cables in Raceway. Unlisted nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall be permitted
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Entering Buildings. In installations where an optical
fiber cable is exposed to contact with electric light or power
conductors and the cable enters the building, the non–
current-carrying metallic members shall be either grounded
as specified in 770.100, or interrupted by an insulating joint
or equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be
as close as practicable to the point of entrance.
(B) Terminating On the Outside of Buildings. In installations where an optical fiber cable is exposed to contact
with electric light or power conductors and the cable is
terminated on the outside of the building, the non–currentcarrying metallic members shall be either grounded as
specified in 770.100, or interrupted by an insulating joint or
equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be as
close as practicable to the point of termination of the cable.
Informational Note: See 770.2 for a definition of Point of
Entrance. [ROP 16–49]
IV. Grounding Methods
770.100 Entrance Cable Bonding and Grounding.
Where required, the non–current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering buildings shall be
bonded or grounded as specified in 770.100(A) through
(D).
(A) Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor.
(1) Insulation. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be listed and shall be permitted to be
insulated, covered, or bare.
70–707
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
(2) Material. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be copper or other corrosion-resistant
conductive material, stranded or solid.
(3) Size. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall not be smaller than 14 AWG. It shall have a
current-carrying capacity not less than that of the grounded
metallic member(s). The bonding conductor or grounding
electrode conductor shall not be required to exceed 6 AWG.
(4) Length. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and twofamily dwellings, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable, not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in length. [ROP 16–50]
Informational Note: Similar bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length limitations applied at apartment buildings and commercial buildings help to reduce
voltages that may be developed between the building’s
power and communications systems during lightning
events. [ROP 16–50]
D
R
AF
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings where it is
not practicable to achieve an overall maximum bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor length of 6.0
m (20 ft), a separate ground rod meeting the minimum
dimensional criteria of 770.100(B)(3)(2) shall be driven,
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to
the separate ground rod in accordance with 770.100(C),
and the separate ground rod shall be bonded to the power
grounding electrode system in accordance with 770.100(D).
[ROP 16–50]
(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible
location on the following:
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping system,
within 1.5 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to enclosures as covered in 250.94
(4) The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosure of the power service, or
(7) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode of a building or structure disconnecting
means that is grounded to an electrode as covered in
250.32 [ROP 16–56]
T
770.100
(5) Run in Straight Line. The bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be run in as straight a
line as practicable.
(6) Physical Protection. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed
to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to
which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected. [ROP 16–51]
(B) Electrode. The bonding conductor and grounding
electrode conductor shall be connected in accordance with
770.100(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem
Bonding Termination. If the building or structure served
has an intersystem bonding termination as required by
250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the
intersystem bonding termination. [ROP 16–53]
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for the definition of Intersystem Bonding Termination. [ROP 16–52]
70–708
(3) In Buildings or Structures Without Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means, as described in 770.100(B)(2),
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to
either of the following:
(1) To any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4).
[ROP 16–54]
(2) If the building or structure served has no grounding
means, as described in 770.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1), to
any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(7) and (A)(8) or to a ground rod
or pipe not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm
(1⁄2 in.) in diameter, driven, where practicable, into permanently damp earth and separated from lightning conductors as covered in 800.53 and at least 1.8 m (6 ft)
from electrodes of other systems. Steam or hot water
pipes or air terminal conductors (lightning-rod conductors) shall not be employed as electrodes for non–
current-carrying metallic members. [ROP 16–55]
(C) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
(D) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the grounding electrode and power grounding electrode system at the building or structure served where separate electrodes are used.
Exception: At mobile homes as covered in 770.106.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate electrodes limits potential differences between them
and between their associated wiring systems.
770.106 Grounding and Bonding of Entrance Cables at
Mobile Homes.
(1) Without Electric Light or Power Conductors. Where
optical fiber cables are installed in raceway without electric
light or power conductors, the raceway fill requirements of
Chapters 3 and 9 shall not apply.
(2) Nonconductive Optical Fiber Cables with Electric
Light or Power Conductors. Where nonconductive optical
fiber cables are installed with electric light or power conductors in a raceway, the raceway fill requirements of
Chapters 3 and 9 shall apply.
(C) Cable Routing Assemblies. Communications wires
and cables shall be permitted to be installed in plenum
cable routing assemblies, riser cable routing assemblies and
general-purpose cable routing assemblies selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.113 and Table 800.154(c)
, and installed in accordance with (1) and (2). [ROP 16–57]
(1) Horizontal Support. Cable routing assemblies shall be
supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed
900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for
other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft). [ROP 16–57]
AF
(A) Grounding.
Grounding
shall
comply
with
770.106(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, the non–current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering the mobile
home shall be grounded in accordance with
770.100(B)(3).
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means
grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within
9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it
serves, the non–current-carrying metallic members of
optical fiber cables entering the mobile home shall be
grounded in accordance with 770.100(B)(3).
(B) Raceway Fill for Optical Fiber Cables. Raceway fill
for optical fiber cables shall comply with either (B)(1) or
(B)(2).
T
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of air terminals (lightning rods).
770.113
D
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(B) Bonding. The grounding electrode shall be bonded to
the metal frame or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper conductor not smaller than 12
AWG under either of the following conditions:
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or
disconnecting means as in 770.106(A)
(2) Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings
770.110 Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies for
Optical Fiber Cables. [ROP 16–57]
(A) Types of Raceways. Optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway that complies with
either (A)(1) or (A)(2) ), and in cable routing assemblies
installed in compliance with (C). [ROP 16–57]
(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3. Optical fiber
cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway
included in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be installed in
accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.
(2) Communications Raceways. Optical fiber cables shall
be permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications raceways, listed riser communications raceways, and
listed general-purpose communications raceways selected
in accordance with the provisions of 770.113, 800.110, and
800.113, and installed in accordance with 362.24 through
362.56, where the requirements applicable to electrical
nonmetallic tubing (ENT) apply. [ROP 16–57, ROP
16–58]
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(2) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of cable routing assemblies shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding
1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and
shall not have more than one joint between supports. [ROP
16–57]
770.113 Installation of Optical Fiber Cables. Installation
of optical fiber cables shall comply with 770.113(A)
through (J). Installation of raceways shall comply with
770.110. [ROP 16–62]
(A) Listing. Optical fiber cables installed in buildings shall
be listed. [ROP 16–62]
Exception: Optical fiber cables that comply with 770.48
shall not be required to be listed.
(B) Fabricated Ducts Used for Environmental Air. The
following cables shall be permitted in ducts, as described in
300.22(B) if they are directly associated with the air distribution system:
(1) Up to 1.22 m (4 ft) of Types OFNP and OFCP cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in raceways that are
installed in compliance with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in fabricated ducts see 4.3.4.1 and
4.3.11.3.3 in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation
of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP 16–62]
70–709
770.113
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–62]
Informational Note: See 770.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(F) Risers — Cables in Fireproof Shafts. The following
cables shall be permitted to be installed in fireproof riser
shafts having firestops at each floor:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
Plenum communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser communications raceways
Riser cable routing assemblies
General-purpose communications raceways
General-purpose cable routing assemblies
T
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
AF
(C) Other Spaces Used For Environmental Air (Plenums). The following cables shall be permitted in other
spaces used for environmental air as described in
300.22(C): [ROP 16–62]
(1) Types OFNP and OFCP cables [ROP 16–62]
(2) Types OFNP and OFCP cables installed in plenum
communications raceways [ROP 16–62]
(3) Types OFNP and OFCP cables supported by open metallic cable trays or cable tray systems [ROP 16–62]
(4) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in raceways that are
installed in compliance with 300.22(C)
(5) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used
for environmental air (plenums) as described in
300.22(C) [ROP 16–62]
(6) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in plenum communications raceways, riser communications raceways or
general-purpose communications raceways supported
by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C) [ROP 16–62]
D
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Informational Note No. 1: For information on fire protection of wiring installed in other spaces used for environmental air, see 4.3.11.2, 4.3.11.4, and 4.3.11.5 of
NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of AirConditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP 16–62]
Informational Note No. 2: See 800.110 and 800.113 for
installation requirements for cable routing assemblies and
communications raceways. [ROP 16–62]
(D) Risers — Cables, Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies in Vertical Runs. The following cables shall be
permitted in vertical runs penetrating one or more floors
and in vertical runs in a shaft:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, and OFCR cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, and OFCR cables installed
in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Plenum communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser communications raceways
Riser cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–62]
Informational Note: See 770.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(E) Risers — Cables in Metal Raceways. The following
cables shall be permitted in metal raceways in a riser having firestops at each floor:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
70–710
[ROP 16–62]
Informational Note: See 770.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(G) Risers — One- and Two-Family Dwellings. The following cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family
dwellings:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–62]
(H) Cable Trays. The following cables shall be permitted
to be supported by cable trays:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–62]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Plenum communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser communications raceways
Riser cable routing assemblies
General-purpose communications raceways
General-purpose cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–62]
Exception No. 1: Occupancy of the same cabinet, outlet
box, panel, or similar enclosure shall be permitted where
nonconductive optical fiber cable is functionally associated
with the electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuit.
[ROP 16–62]
D
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AF
(J) Other Building Locations. The following cables shall
be permitted to be installed in building locations other than
the locations covered in 770.113(B) through (I):
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(3) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in a raceway of a type
recognized in Chapter 3
electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm,
Type ITC, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits, operating at 1000 volts or less.
Conductive optical fiber cables shall not be permitted to
occupy the same cable tray or raceway with conductors for
electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm,
Type ITC, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits. [ROP 16–66]
Optical fibers in composite optical fiber cables containing only current-carrying conductors for electric light,
power, Class 1 circuits rated 1000 volts or less shall be
permitted to occupy the same cabinet, cable tray, outlet
box, panel, raceway, or other termination enclosure with
conductors for electric light, power, or Class 1 circuits operating at 1000 volts or less. [ROP 16–66]
Nonconductive optical fiber cables shall not be permitted to occupy the same cabinet, outlet box, panel, or similar
enclosure housing the electrical terminations of an electric
light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit.
T
(I) Distributing Frames and Cross-Connect Arrays. The
following cables shall be permitted to be installed in distributing frames and cross-connect arrays:
(1) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables
(2) Types OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFCG,
OFN, and OFC cables installed in:
770.133
770.114 Grounding. Non–current-carrying conductive
members of optical fiber cables shall be bonded to a
grounded equipment rack or enclosure, or grounded in accordance with the grounding methods specified by
770.100(B)(2).
770.133 Installation of Optical Fibers and Electrical
Conductors.
(A) With Conductors for Electric Light, Power, Class 1,
Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm, or Medium Power
Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuits. When optical fibers are within the same composite
cable for electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited
fire alarm, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits operating at 1000 volts or less,
they shall be permitted to be installed only where the functions of the optical fibers and the electrical conductors are
associated. [ROP 16–66]
Nonconductive optical fiber cables shall be permitted to
occupy the same cable tray or raceway with conductors for
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception No. 2: Occupancy of the same cabinet, outlet
box, panel, or similar enclosure shall be permitted where
nonconductive optical fiber cables are installed in factoryor field-assembled control centers.
Exception No. 3: In industrial establishments only, where
conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation, nonconductive
optical fiber cables shall be permitted with circuits exceeding 1000 volts. [ROP 16–66]
Exception No. 4: In industrial establishments only, where
conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only
qualified persons service the installation, optical fibers in
composite optical fiber cables containing current-carrying
conductors operating over 1000 volts shall be permitted to
be installed. [ROP 16–66]
Exception No. 5: Where all of the conductors of electric
light, power, Class 1, nonpower-limited fire alarm, and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits are separated from all of the optical fiber
cables by a permanent barrier or listed divider.
(B) With Communications Cables. Optical fibers shall be
permitted in the same cable, and conductive and nonconductive optical fiber cables shall be permitted in the same
raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly, with conductors of any of the following: [ROP 16–67]
70–711
770.154
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
(2) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
(1) Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I
and V of Article 800 [ROP 16–67]
(2) Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems in compliance with Parts I and V of Article
820 [ROP 16–67]
(3) Low-power network-powered broadband communications circuits in compliance with Parts I and V of Article 830 [ROP 16–67]
(D) Support of Cables. Raceways shall be used for their
intended purpose. Optical fiber cables shall not be strapped,
taped, or attached by any means to the exterior of any
conduit or raceway as a means of support.
Exception: Overhead (aerial) spans of optical fiber cables
shall be permitted to be attached to the exterior of a
raceway-type mast intended for the attachment and support
of such cables.
(C) With Other Circuits. Optical fibers shall be permitted
in the same cable, and conductive and nonconductive optical fiber cables shall be permitted in the same raceway,
cable tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly, with
conductors of any of the following: [ROP 16–67, ROP
16–68, ROP 16–69]
(1) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits in compliance with Article 645
or Parts I and III of Article 725. [ROP 16–69]
T
770.154 Applications of Listed Optical Fiber Cables.
Permitted and nonpermitted applications of listed optical
fiber cables shall be as indicated in Table 770.154(a). The
permitted applications shall be subject to the installation
requirements of 770.110 and 770.113. The substitutions for
optical fiber cables in Table 770.154(b) and illustrated in
Figure 770.154 shall be permitted. [ROP 16–71]
Applications
AF
Table 770.154(a) Applications of Listed Optical Fiber Cables in Buildings [ROP 16–71]
In fabricated ducts
In metal raceway that
complies with 300.22(B)
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
In other spaces used for
environmental air
In metal raceway that
complies with 300.22(C)
In plenum
communications raceways
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Supported by open metal
cable trays
Supported by solid
bottom metal cable trays
with solid metal covers
In Risers
70–712
D
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In Specifically Fabricated
Ducts as Described in
300.22(B)
In vertical runs
In metal raceways
In fireproof shafts
In plenum
communications raceways
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
In riser communications
raceways
In riser cable routing
assemblies
In one- and two-family
dwellings
Cable Type
OFNP, OFCP
OFNR, OFCR
OFNG, OFCG, OFN, OFC
Y*
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
NOT PERMITTED
Y*
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
770.179
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Table 770.154(a) Continued
Cable Type
OFNR, OFCR
OFNG, OFCG, OFN, OFC
General
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Y*
Y*
In distributing frames and
cross connect arrays
Y*
Y*
Y*
In any raceway
recognized in Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum
communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
In riser communications
raceways
Y*
In riser cable routing
assemblies
Y*
In general-purpose
communications raceways
In general-purpose cable
routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
AF
Within Buildings in other
than Air-Handling Spaces
and Risers
OFNP, OFCP
T
Applications
D
R
Note: An ‘N’ in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A ‘Y*’ indicates that the cable shall
be permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 770.110 and 770.113.
Informational Note 1: Part V of Article 770 covers installation methods within buildings. This table covers the applications of listed optical fiber
cables and raceways, and cable routing assemblies in buildings. The definition of point of entrance is in 770.2. Optical fiber entrance cables that
have not emerged from the rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) are not considered to be in the building. [ROP 16–72, ROP
16–73]
Informational Note No. 2: For information on the restrictions to the installation of optical fiber cables in fabricated ducts see 770.113(B).
Informational Note No. 3: Cable routing assemblies are not addressed in NFPA-90A 2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
Ventilation Systems.
Table 770.154(b) Cable Substitutions
Cable Type
OFNP
OFCP
OFNR
OFCR
OFNG, OFN
OFCG, OFC
Permitted Substitutions
None
OFNP
OFNP
OFNP, OFCP, OFNR
OFNP, OFNR
OFNP, OFCP, OFNR, OFCR, OFNG, OFN
VI. Listing Requirements
770.179 Optical Fiber Cables. Optical fiber cables shall
be listed in accordance with 770.179(A) through (F) and
shall be marked in accordance with Table 770.179. In addition, the overall covering of a field-assembled optical fiber cable shall have a surface marking indicating the specific optical fiber conductors with which it is listed and the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
optical fiber conductors shall have a permanent marking
such as a marker tape indicating the overall covering with
which they are listed. The overall covering of a fieldassembled optical fiber cable shall meet the listing requirements for optical fiber raceways in 179.82. Optical fiber
cables shall have a temperature rating of not less than 60°C
(140°F). [ROP 16–75]
70–713
770.179
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Conductive
Plenum
OFNP
OFCP
Riser
OFNR
OFCR
General purpose
OFNG
OFN
OFCG
OFC
A
being suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception
of risers, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental
air, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread
of fire.
B Cable A shall be permitted to be used in place of Cable B.
Figure 770.154 Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
(A) Types OFNP and OFCP. Types OFNP and OFCP
nonconductive and conductive optical fiber plenum cables
shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts, plenums,
and other space used for environmental air and shall also be
listed as having adequate fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics.
Table 770.179 Cable Markings
Cable Marking
OFNP
OFCP
OFNR
OFCR
OFNG
AF
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 16–77, ROP
16–78]
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety
for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test
for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP
16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
T
Nonconductive
D
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(B) Types OFNR and OFCR. Types OFNR and OFCR
nonconductive and conductive optical fiber riser cables
shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical run in a
shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having
the fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the
carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2011, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed
Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 16–76]
(C) Types OFNG and OFCG. Types OFNG and OFCG
nonconductive and conductive general-purpose optical fiber
cables shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose
use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and shall also
be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to
exceed 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test — Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in
CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical
Wires and Cables.
(D) Types OFN and OFC. Types OFN and OFC nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables shall be listed as
70–714
OFCG
OFN
OFC
Type
Nonconductive optical fiber plenum
cable
Conductive optical fiber plenum cable
Nonconductive optical fiber riser cable
Conductive optical fiber riser cable
Nonconductive optical fiber
general-purpose cable
Conductive optical fiber
general-purpose cable
Nonconductive optical fiber
general-purpose cable
Conductive optical fiber
general-purpose cable
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending
order of fire resistance rating. Within each fire resistance
rating, nonconductive cable is listed first because it may
substitute for the conductive cable.
(E) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit
Protective System. Cables that are used for survivability of
critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either
(E)(1) or (E)(2) as follows: [ROP 16–26a]
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables, specified in 770.179(A) through (D), and used for
survivability of critical circuits shall have the additional
classification using the suffix “-CI”. Circuit integrity (CI)
cables suitable for use in raceways shall be listed and
marked specifically as part of an electrical circuit protective
system as covered in (E)(2). [ROP 16–26a]
Informational Note: Circuit integrity cables without the
suffix ″-CI″ are tested and designed to be installed in free
air. A Circuit Integrity cable with the suffix “-CI” that is
tested for use in conduit will have an additional marking as
part of a listed electrical circuit protective system. [ROP
16–26a]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 770 — OPTICAL FIBER CABLES AND RACEWAYS
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining circuit
integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system
is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating
when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2001 (Rev. 2006),
Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables. [ROP 16–26a]
Informational Note No. 2: The listing organization provides information for electrical circuit protective systems
(FHIT), including installation requirements to maintain the
fire rating. [ROP 16–26a]
[ROP 16–75]
770.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or
non–current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall
be listed or be part of listed equipment. [ROP 16–80]
[ROP 16–81]
D
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AF
(F) Field-Assembled Optical Fiber Cables. Fieldassembled optical fiber cable shall comply with
770.179(F)(1) through (4).
(1) The specific combination of jacket and optical fibers
intended to be installed as a field-assembled optical
fiber cable shall be listed in accordance with
770.179(A) (plenum), (B) (riser) or (D) (general-
purpose) and shall be marked in accordance with Table
770.179.
(2) The jacket of a field-assembled optical fiber cable shall
have a surface marking indicating the specific optical
fibers with which it is listed for use.
(3) The optical fibers shall have a permanent marking,
such as a marker tape, indicating the jacket with which
they are listed for use.
(4) The jacket without fibers shall meet the listing requirements for communications raceways in 800.182(A)
plenum, (B) riser or (C) general-purpose in accordance
with the cable marking.
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(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables, specified in 770.179(A) through (E), that are part of an electrical
circuit protective system, shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the
outer jacket of the cable. [ROP 16–26a]
770.180
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–715
CHAPTER 8
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Chapter 8 Communications Systems
I. General
ARTICLE 800
Communications Circuits
800.1 Scope. This article covers communications circuits
and equipment.
Bonding
conductor
Informational Note No. 2: For further information for
remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits, see
Article 725.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information for fire
alarm systems, see Article 760.
800.2 Definitions. See Part I of Article 100. For the purposes of this article, the following additional definitions
apply. [ROP 16–82]
Abandoned Communications Cable. Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified for future use
with a tag.
AF
Communications
equipment,
protector
or shield
Service
equipment
Informational Note No. 1: See 90.2(B)(4) for installations
of communications circuits and equipment that are not
covered.
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Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either
the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
See Informational Note Figure 800(a) and Informational
Note Figure 800(b).
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for a definition of Equipment. [ROP 16–83]
Power service
grounding electrode
conductor
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Intersystem bonding
termination or connection
to building grounding
means
Grounding electrode
Informational Note Figure 800(a) Example of the Use of the
Term Bonding Conductor Used in a Communications Installation.
Communications
equipment,
protector
or shield
Service
equipment
Grounding
electrode
conductor
Power service
grounding electrode
conductor
Bonding
conductor
Grounding electrodes
Informational Note Figure 800(b) Example of the Use of the
Term Grounding Electrode Conductor Used in a Communications Installation.
70–716
Block. A square or portion of a city, town, or village enclosed by streets and including the alleys so enclosed, but
not any street.
Cable. A factory assembly of two or more conductors having an overall covering.
Cable Routing Assembly A single channel or connected
multiple channels, as well as associated fittings, forming a
structural system that is used to support, route and protect
high densities of wires and cables, typically communications wires and cables, optical fiber and data (Class 2 and
Class 3) cables associated with information technology and
communications equipment. [ROP 16–23]
Cable Sheath. A covering over the conductor assembly
that may include one or more metallic members, strength
members, or jackets.
Communications Circuit. The circuit that extends voice,
audio, video, data, interactive services, telegraph (except
radio), outside wiring for fire alarm and burglar alarm from
the communications utility to the customer’s communications equipment up to and including terminal equipment
such as a telephone, fax machine, or answering machine.
Communications Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Cable
used in communications systems to ensure continued operation of critical circuits during a specified time under fire
conditions.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Electrical Circuit Protective System A system consisting
of components and materials intended for installation as
protection for specific electrical wiring systems, with respect to the disruption of electrical circuit integrity upon
exterior fire exposure. [ROP 16–85a]
Exposed (to Accidental Contact). A circuit that is in such
a position that, in case of failure of supports or insulation,
contact with another circuit may result.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for two other
definitions of Exposed. [ROP 16–86]
Innerduct A nonmetallic raceway placed within a larger
raceway. [ROP 16–87]
800.12 Innerduct. Listed plenum communications raceway, listed riser communications raceway, and listed
general-purpose communications raceway selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.154 shall be permitted
to be installed as innerduct in any type of listed raceway
permitted in Chapter 3. [ROP 16–97]
800.18 Installation of Equipment. Equipment electrically
connected to a communications network shall be listed in
accordance with 800.170. [ROP 16–92]
Exception: This listing requirement shall not apply to test
equipment that is intended for temporary connection to a
telecommunications network by qualified persons during
the course of installation, maintenance, or repair of telecommunications equipment or systems.
AF
Point of Entrance. The point within a building at which
the wire or cable emerges from an external wall, from a
concrete floor slab, or from a rigid metal conduit (Type
RMC) or an intermediate metal conduit (Type IMC). [ROP
16–88]
(G) Optical Fiber Cable. Where optical fiber cable is
used, either in whole or in part, to provide a communications circuit within a building, Article 770 shall apply to the
installation of the optical fiber portion of the communications circuit.
[ROP 16–93]
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Communications Raceway. An enclosed channel of nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding wires and
cables, typically communications wires and cables, optical
fiber and data (Class 2 and Class 3), in plenum, riser, and
general-purpose applications. [ROP 16–85]
800.24
Premises. The land and buildings of a user located on the
user side of the utility-user network point of demarcation.
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Wire. A factory assembly of one or more insulated conductors without an overall covering.
800.3 Other Articles.
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Communications
circuits and equipment installed in a location that is classified in accordance with 500.5 and 505.5 shall comply with
the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.
(B) Wiring in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor
Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) shall apply.
(C) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental
Air. The requirements of 300.22(C)(3) shall apply. [ROP
16–91]
(D) Installation and Use. The requirements of 110.3(B)
shall apply. [ROP 16–92]
(E) Network-Powered Broadband Communications
Systems. Article 830 shall apply to network-powered
broadband communications systems.
(F) Premises-Powered Broadband Communications
Systems. Article 840 shall apply to premises-powered
broadband communications systems.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
800.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of communications
wires and cables that prevents removal of panels, including
suspended ceiling panels.
800.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Communications
circuits and equipment shall be installed in a neat and
workmanlike manner. Cables installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the
building structure in such a manner that the cable will not
be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be
secured by hardware, including straps, staples, cable ties,
hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not
to damage the cable. The installation shall also conform to
300.4(D) and 300.11. Cable ties used to secure communications plenum cables in other space used for environmental air (plenums) shall be listed as having low smoke and
heat release properties. [ROP 16–99, ROP 16–100, ROP
16–101]
Informational Note No. 1: Accepted industry practices are
described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for
Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling; ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1-2004 — Part 1, General Requirements Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard; ANSI/TIA-569-B-2004, Commercial
Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and
Spaces; ANSI/TIA-570-B, Residential Telecommunications
Infrastructure, and other ANSI-approved installation
standards.
Informational Note No. 2:
See 4.3.11.2.6.5 and
4.3.11.5.5.6 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installa-
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ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
tion of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for discrete combustible components installed in accordance with
300.22(C). [ROP 16–102]
800.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned communications cables shall be removed.
Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag
shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
800.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations of communications cables, communications
raceways and cable routing assemblies in hollow spaces,
vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be
made so that the possible spread of fire or products of
combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings
around penetrations of communications cables, communications raceways and cable routing assemblies through fireresistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be
firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire
resistance rating. [ROP 16–103]
(B) Above Roofs. Communications wires and cables shall
have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from
all points of roofs above which they pass.
Exception No. 1: Auxiliary buildings, such as garages and
the like.
Exception No. 2: A reduction in clearance above only the
overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.) shall be permitted if (a) not more than 1.2 m (4 ft)
of communications service-drop conductors pass above the
roof overhang and (b) they are terminated at a through- or
above-the-roof raceway or approved support.
Exception No. 3: Where the roof has a slope of not less
than 100 mm in 300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.), a reduction in
clearance to not less than 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
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AF
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction
materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain
many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain
the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or
openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions
on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fire
resistance–rated wall assembly. An example is the 600 mm
(24 in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies
between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 800.26 can be found in building
codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
(4) Clearance. Supply service drops and sets of overhead
service conductors of 0–750 volts running above and parallel to communications service drops shall have a minimum separation of 300 mm (12 in.) at any point in the
span, including the point of and at their attachment to the
building, provided the ungrounded conductors are insulated
and that a clearance of not less than 1.0 m (40 in.) is
maintained between the two services at the pole. [ROP
16–96]
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800.25
II. Wires and Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
800.44 Overhead (Aerial) Communications Wires and
Cables. Overhead (aerial) communications wires and
cables entering buildings shall comply with 800.44(A) and
(B).
(A) On Poles and In-Span. Where communications wires
and cables and electric light or power conductors are supported by the same pole or are run parallel to each other
in-span, the conditions described in 800.44(A)(1) through
(A)(4) shall be met.
(1) Relative Location. Where practicable, the communications wires and cables shall be located below the electric
light or power conductors.
(2) Attachment to Cross-Arms. Communications wires
and cables shall not be attached to a cross-arm that carries
electric light or power conductors.
(3) Climbing Space. The climbing space through communications wires and cables shall comply with the requirements of 225.14(D).
70–718
Informational Note: For additional information regarding
overhead (aerial) wires and cables, see ANSI C2-2007, National Electric Safety Code, Part 2, Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.
800.47 Underground Communications Wires and
Cables Entering Buildings. Underground communications
wires and cables entering buildings shall comply with
800.47(A) and (B). The requirements of 310.10(C) shall
not apply to communications wires and cables.
(A) With Electric Light or Power Conductors. Underground communications wires and cables in a raceway,
handhole enclosure, or manhole containing electric light,
power, Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit
conductors shall be in a section separated from such conductors by means of brick, concrete, or tile partitions or by
means of a suitable barrier.
(B) Underground Block Distribution. Where the entire
street circuit is run underground and the circuit within the
block is placed so as to be free from the likelihood of
accidental contact with electric light or power circuits of
over 300 volts to ground, the insulation requirements of
800.50(A) and (C) shall not apply, insulating supports shall
not be required for the conductors, and bushings shall not
be required where the conductors enter the building.
800.48 Unlisted Cables Entering Buildings. Unlisted
outside plant communications cables shall be permitted to
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Informational Note No. 1: Splice cases or terminal boxes,
both metallic and plastic types, are typically used as enclosures for splicing or terminating telephone cables.
Informational Note No. 2: This section limits the length of
unlisted outside plant cable to 15 m (50 ft), while
800.90(B) requires that the primary protector be located as
close as practicable to the point at which the cable enters
the building. Therefore, in installations requiring a primary
protector, the outside plant cable may not be permitted to
extend 15 m (50 ft) into the building if it is practicable to
place the primary protector closer than 15 m (50 ft) to the
point of entrance. [ROP 16–279]
Informational Note No. 3: See 800.2 for the definition of
Point of Entrance.
(C) Entering Buildings. Where a primary protector is installed inside the building, the communications wires and
cables shall enter the building either through a noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating bushing or through a metal
raceway. The insulating bushing shall not be required
where the entering communications wires and cables (1)
are in metal-sheathed cable, (2) pass through masonry, (3)
meet the requirements of 800.50(A) and fuses are omitted
as provided in 800.90(A)(1), or (4) meet the requirements
of 800.50(A) and are used to extend circuits to a building
from a cable having a grounded metallic sheath. Raceways
or bushings shall slope upward from the outside or, where
this cannot be done, drip loops shall be formed in the communications wires and cables immediately before they enter the building.
Raceways shall be equipped with an approved service
head. More than one communications wire and cable shall
be permitted to enter through a single raceway or bushing.
Conduits or other metal raceways located ahead of the primary protector shall be grounded.
AF
800.49 Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. Rigid
metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
containing communications entrance wire or cable shall be
connected by a bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor to a grounding electrode in accordance with
800.100(B). [ROP 16–104]
cuits to a building from a cable having a grounded metal
sheath.
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be installed in building spaces other than risers, ducts used
for environmental air, plenums used for environmental air,
and other spaces used for environmental air, where the
length of the cable within the building, measured from its
point of entrance, does not exceed 15 m (50 ft) and the
cable enters the building from the outside and is terminated
in an enclosure or on a listed primary protector.
800.90
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800.50 Circuits Requiring Primary Protectors. Circuits
that require primary protectors as provided in 800.90 shall
comply with 800.50(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Insulation, Wires, and Cables. Communications
wires and cables without a metallic shield, running from the
last outdoor support to the primary protector, shall be listed
in accordance with 800.173.
(B) On Buildings. Communications wires and cables in
accordance with 800.50(A) shall be separated at least
100 mm (4 in.) from electric light or power conductors not
in a raceway or cable or be permanently separated from
conductors of the other systems by a continuous and firmly
fixed nonconductor in addition to the insulation on the
wires, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing. Communications wires and cables in accordance with 800.50(A)
exposed to accidental contact with electric light and power
conductors operating at over 300 volts to ground and attached to buildings shall be separated from woodwork by
being supported on glass, porcelain, or other insulating material.
Exception: Separation from woodwork shall not be required where fuses are omitted as provided for in
800.90(A)(1), or where conductors are used to extend cir-
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
800.53 Lightning Conductors. Where practicable, a separation of at least 1.8 m (6 ft) shall be maintained between
communications wires and cables on buildings and lightning conductors.
III. Protection
800.90 Protective Devices.
(A) Application. A listed primary protector shall be provided on each circuit run partly or entirely in aerial wire or
aerial cable not confined within a block. Also, a listed primary protector shall be provided on each circuit, aerial or
underground, located within the block containing the building served so as to be exposed to accidental contact with
electric light or power conductors operating at over 300
volts to ground. In addition, where there exists a lightning
exposure, each interbuilding circuit on a premises shall be
protected by a listed primary protector at each end of the
interbuilding circuit. Installation of primary protectors shall
also comply with 110.3(B).
Informational Note No. 1: On a circuit not exposed to
accidental contact with power conductors, providing a
listed primary protector in accordance with this article
helps protect against other hazards, such as lightning and
above-normal voltages induced by fault currents on power
circuits in proximity to the communications circuit.
Informational Note No. 2: Interbuilding circuits are considered to have a lightning exposure unless one or more of
the following conditions exist:
(1) Circuits in large metropolitan areas where buildings are
close together and sufficiently high to intercept lightning.
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ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
(2) Interbuilding cable runs of 42 m (140 ft) or less, directly buried or in underground conduit, where a continuous metallic cable shield or a continuous metallic
conduit containing the cable is connected to each building grounding electrode system.
(3) Areas having an average of five or fewer thunderstorm
days per year and earth resistivity of less than 100
ohm-meters. Such areas are found along the Pacific
coast.
Informational Note: Section 9 of ANSI C2-2007, National
Electrical Safety Code, provides an example of methods of
protective grounding that can achieve effective grounding
of communications cable sheaths for cables from which
communications circuits are extended.
(2) Fused Primary Protectors. Where the requirements
listed under 800.90(A)(1)(a) through (A)(1)(e) are not met,
fused-type primary protectors shall be used. Fused-type primary protectors shall consist of an arrester connected between each line conductor and ground, a fuse in series with
each line conductor, and an appropriate mounting arrangement. Primary protector terminals shall be marked to indicate line, instrument, and ground, as applicable.
(B) Location. The primary protector shall be located in,
on, or immediately adjacent to the structure or building
served and as close as practicable to the point of entrance.
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(1) Fuseless Primary Protectors. Fuseless-type primary
protectors shall be permitted under any of the conditions
given in (A)(1)(a) through (A)(1)(e).
(a) Where conductors enter a building through a cable
with grounded metallic sheath member(s) and where the
conductors in the cable safely fuse on all currents greater
than the current-carrying capacity of the primary protector
and of the primary protector bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor
(b) Where insulated conductors in accordance with
800.50(A) are used to extend circuits to a building from a
cable with an effectively grounded metallic sheath member(s) and where the conductors in the cable or cable stub,
or the connections between the insulated conductors and
the plant exposed to accidental contact with electric light or
power conductors operating at greater than 300 volts to
ground, safely fuse on all currents greater than the currentcarrying capacity of the primary protector, or the associated
insulated conductors and of the primary protector bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor
(c) Where insulated conductors in accordance with
800.50(A) or (B) are used to extend circuits to a building
from other than a cable with metallic sheath member(s),
where (1) the primary protector is listed as being suitable
for this purpose for application with circuits extending from
other than a cable with metallic sheath members, and (2)
the connections of the insulated conductors to the plant
exposed to accidental contact with electric light or power
conductors operating at greater than 300 volts to ground or
the conductors of the plant exposed to accidental contact
with electric light or power conductors operating at greater
than 300 volts to ground safely fuse on all currents greater
than the current-carrying capacity of the primary protector,
or associated insulated conductors and of the primary protector bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor
(d) Where insulated conductors in accordance with
800.50(A) are used to extend circuits aerially to a building
from a buried or underground circuit that is unexposed to
accidental contact with electric light or power conductors
operating at greater than 300 volts to ground
(e) Where insulated conductors in accordance with
800.50(A) are used to extend circuits to a building from
cable with an effectively grounded metallic sheath member(s), and where (1) the combination of the primary protector and insulated conductors is listed as being suitable
for this purpose for application with circuits extending from
a cable with an effectively grounded metallic sheath member(s), and (2) the insulated conductors safely fuse on all
currents greater than the current-carrying capacity of the
primary protector and of the primary protector bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor
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800.90
70–720
Informational Note: See 800.2 for the definition of Point
of Entrance.
For purposes of this section, primary protectors located
at mobile home service equipment within 9.0 m (30 ft) of
the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, or at a
mobile home disconnecting means connected to an electrode by a grounding electrode conductor in accordance
with 250.32 and located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior
wall of the mobile home it serves, shall be considered to
meet the requirements of this section.
Informational Note: Selecting a primary protector location
to achieve the shortest practicable primary protector bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor helps limit
potential differences between communications circuits and
other metallic systems. [ROP 16–107]
(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. The primary protector shall not be located in any hazardous (classified)
locations, as defined in 500.5 and 505.5, or in the vicinity
of easily ignitible material.
Exception:
503.150.
As permitted in 501.150, 502.150, and
(D) Secondary Protectors. Where a secondary protector is
installed in series with the indoor communications wire and
cable between the primary protector and the equipment, it
shall be listed for the purpose in accordance with
800.170(B).
Informational Note: Secondary protectors on circuits exposed to accidental contact with electric light or power
conductors operating at greater than 300 volts to ground are
not intended for use without primary protectors.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
(A) Entering Buildings. In installations where the communications cable enters a building, the metallic sheath
members of the cable shall be either grounded as specified
in 800.100 or interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be as close
as practicable to the point of entrance.
(B) Terminating on the Outside of Buildings. In installations where the communications cable is terminated on
the outside of the building, the metallic sheath members of
the cable shall be either grounded as specified in 800.100 or
interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device. The
grounding or interruption shall be as close as practicable to
the point of termination of the cable.
IV. Grounding Methods
800.100 Cable and Primary Protector Bonding and
Grounding. The primary protector and the metallic member(s) of the cable sheath shall be bonded or grounded as
specified in 800.100(A) through (D).
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(A) Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor.
(1) Insulation. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be listed and shall be permitted to be
insulated, covered, or bare.
(2) Material. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be copper or other corrosion-resistant
conductive material, stranded or solid.
(3) Size. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall not be smaller than 14 AWG. It shall have a
current-carrying capacity not less than the grounded metallic sheath member(s) and protected conductor(s) of the
communications cable. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall not be required to exceed 6
AWG.
(4) Length. The primary protector bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and two-family dwellings, the primary protector bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor
shall be as short as practicable, not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft)
in length.
Informational Note: Similar bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length limitations applied at apart-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings where it is
not practicable to achieve an overall maximum primary
protector bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length of 6.0 m (20 ft), a separate communications
ground rod meeting the minimum dimensional criteria of
800.100(B)(3)(2) shall be driven, the primary protector
shall be connected to the communications ground rod in
accordance with 800.100(C), and the communications
ground rod shall be connected to the power grounding electrode system in accordance with 800.100(D).
(5) Run in Straight Line. The bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be run in as straight a
line as practicable.
(6) Physical Protection. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed
to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to
which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected.
AF
Informational Note: See 800.2 for a definition of Point of
Entrance.
ment buildings and commercial buildings help to reduce
voltages that may be developed between the building’s
power and communications systems during lightning
events.
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800.93 Grounding or Interruption of Metallic Sheath
Members of Communications Cables. Communications
cables entering the building or terminating on the outside of
the building shall comply with 800.93(A) or (B).
800.100
(B) Electrode. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected in accordance with
800.100(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem
Bonding Termination. If the building or structure served
has an intersystem bonding termination as required by
250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the
intersystem bonding termination.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for the definition of Intersystem Bonding Termination. [ROP 16–109]
(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible
location on one of the following:
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping system,
within 1.5 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to enclosures as covered in 250.94 [ROP 16–110]
(4) The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure
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ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosure of the power service, or
(7) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode of a building or structure disconnecting
means that is grounded to an electrode as covered in
250.32
A bonding device intended to provide a termination
point for the bonding conductor (intersystem bonding) shall
not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure. A
bonding device shall be mounted on non-removable parts.
A bonding device shall not be mounted on a door or cover
even if the door or cover is nonremovable. [ROP 16–111]
For purposes of this section, the mobile home service
equipment or the mobile home disconnecting means, as
described in 800.90(B), shall be considered accessible.
(A) Grounding.
Grounding
shall
comply
with
800.106(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, the primary protector grounding
terminal shall be connected to a grounding electrode
conductor or grounding electrode in accordance with
800.100(B)(3). [ROP 16–114]
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means
grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within
9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it
serves, the primary protector grounding terminal shall
be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance
with 800.100(B)(3). [ROP 16–115]
(B) Bonding. The primary protector grounding terminal or
grounding electrode shall be connected to the metal frame
or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a
copper conductor not smaller than 12 AWG under either of
the following conditions:
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or
disconnecting means as in 800.106(A)
(2) Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug
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AF
(3) In Buildings or Structures Without an Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means, as described in 800.100(B)(2),
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to
either of the following:
(1) To any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4)
[ROP 16–112]
(2) If the building or structure served has no intersystem
bonding termination or has no grounding means, as
described in 800.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1), to any one of
the individual grounding electrodes described in
250.52(A)(7) and (A)(8) or to a ground rod or pipe not
less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) in
diameter, driven, where practicable, into permanently
damp earth and separated from lightning conductors as
covered in 800.53 and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems. Steam or hot water pipes or air
terminal conductors (lightning-rod conductors) shall
not be employed as electrodes for protectors and
grounded metallic members.
800.106 Primary Protector Grounding and Bonding at
Mobile Homes.
T
800.106
(C) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
(D) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the communications grounding electrode and power
grounding electrode system at the building or structure
served where separate electrodes are used.
Exception: At mobile homes as covered in 800.106.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of air terminals (lightning rods).
Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate electrodes limits potential differences between them
and between their associated wiring systems.
70–722
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings
800.110 Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies for
Communications Wires and Cables. [ROP 16–116]
(A) Types of Raceways. Communications wires and
cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway that
complies with either (A)(1) or (A)(2), and in cable routing
assemblies installed in compliance with (C). [ROP 16–116]
(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3. Communications wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in
any raceway included in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be
installed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.
(2) Communications Raceways. Communications wires
and cables shall be permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications raceways, listed riser communications raceways, and listed general-purpose communications
raceways selected in accordance with the provisions of
800.113, and installed in accordance with 362.24 through
362.56, where the requirements applicable to electrical
nonmetallic tubing (ENT) apply. [ROP 16–116, ROP 16–
117]
(B) Raceway Fill for Communications Wires and
Cables. The raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and 9
shall not apply to communications wires and cables.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
(1) Horizontal Support. Cable routing assemblies shall be
supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed
900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for
other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft). [ROP 16–116]
(2) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of cable routing assemblies shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding
1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and
shall not have more than one joint between supports. [ROP
16–116]
[ROP 16–119]
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in other spaces used for environmental air,
see 4.3.11.2, 4.3.11.4, and 4.3.11.5 of NFPA 90A-2012,
Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP 16–119]
AF
800.113 Installation of Communications Wires, Cables
and Raceways, and Cable Routing Assemblies. Installation of communications wires, cables, and raceways, and
cable routing assemblies shall comply with 800.113(A)
through (L). Installation of raceways and cable routing assemblies shall also comply with 800.110. [ROP 16–119]
(4) Type CMP cables and plenum communications raceways supported by open metallic cable trays or cable
tray systems
(5) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables and
communications wires installed in raceways that are
installed in compliance with 300.22(C)
(6) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables, plenum communications raceways, riser communications
raceways and general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with
solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
(7) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables installed in plenum communications raceways, riser communications raceways and general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used
for environmental air (plenums) as described in
300.22(C)
T
(C) Cable Routing Assemblies. Communications wires
and cables shall be permitted to be installed in plenum
cable routing assemblies, riser cable routing assemblies and
general-purpose cable routing assemblies selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.113, and installed in accordance with (1) and (2). [ROP 16–116]
800.113
(A) Listing. Communications wires, communications
cables, communications raceways, and cable routing assemblies installed in buildings shall be listed. [ROP 16–
119]
D
R
Exception: Communications cables that comply with
800.48 shall not be required to be listed.
(B) Fabricated Ducts Used for Environmental Air. The
following wires and cables shall be permitted in ducts used
for environmental air as described in 300.22(B) if they are
directly associated with the air distribution system:
(1) Up to 1.22 m (4 ft) of Type CMP cable
(2) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables and
communications wires installed in raceways that are
installed in compliance with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in fabricated ducts see 4.3.4.1 and
4.3.11.3.3 in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation
of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP
16–119]
(C) Other Spaces Used for Environmental Air (Plenums). The following wires, cables, and raceways shall be
permitted in other spaces used for environmental air as
described in 300.22(C):
(1) Type CMP cables
(2) Plenum communications raceways
(3) Type CMP cables installed in plenum communications
raceways
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(D) Risers — Cables and Raceways in Vertical Runs.
The following cables, raceways and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted in vertical runs penetrating one or
more floors and in vertical runs in a shaft:
(1) Types CMP and CMR cables
(2) Plenum and riser communications raceways
(3) Plenum and riser cable routing assemblies
(4) Types CMP and CMR cables installed in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Plenum communications raceways
Riser communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–119]
Informational Note: See 800.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(E) Risers — Cables and Raceways in Metal Raceways.
The following cables and raceways shall be permitted in
metal raceways in a riser having firestops at each floor:
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables
(2) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(3) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
70–723
800.113
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–119]
Informational Note: See 800.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(3) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–119]
[ROP 16–119]
Informational Note: See 800.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
D
R
(G) Risers — One- and Two-Family Dwellings. The following cables, raceways and cable routing assemblies shall
be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings:
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables
(2) Type CMX cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
(3) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(4) Plenum, riser and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(5) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
d. Plenum cable routing assemblies
e. Riser cable routing assemblies
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–119]
(H) Cable Trays. The following wires, cables, and raceways shall be permitted to be supported by cable trays:
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables
(2) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
70–724
T
(I) Distributing Frames and Cross-Connect Arrays. The
following wires, cables, raceways, and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be installed in distributing
frames and cross-connect arrays:
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables and communications wires
(2) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(3) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(4) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
and CM cables installed in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Plenum communications raceways
Riser communications raceways
General-purpose communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser cable routing assemblies
General-purpose cable routing assemblies
AF
(F) Risers — Cables, Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies in Fireproof Shafts. The following cables, raceways and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be
installed in fireproof riser shafts having firestops at each
floor:
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX cables
(2) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(3) Plenum, riser and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(4) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
d. Plenum cable routing assemblies
e. Riser cable routing assemblies
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–119]
(J) Other Building Locations. The following wires,
cables, raceways and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be installed in building locations other than the
locations covered in 800.113(B) through (I):
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables
(2) A maximum of 3 m (10 ft) of exposed Type CMX in
nonconcealed spaces
(3) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(4) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(5) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
(6) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum cable routing assemblies
b. Riser cable routing assemblies
c. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(7) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
CM, and CMX cables installed in raceways recognized
in Chapter 3
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
[ROP 16–119]
[ROP 16–119]
800.133 Installation of Communications Wires, Cables,
and Equipment. Communications wires and cables from
the protector to the equipment or, where no protector is
required, communications wires and cables attached to the
outside or inside of the building shall comply with
800.133(A) through (C).
(A) Separation from Other Conductors.
(1) In Raceways, Cable Trays, Boxes, Cables, Enclosures and Cable Routing Assemblies.
(a) Optical Fiber and Communications Cables. Communications cables shall be permitted in the same raceway,
cable tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly with
cables of any of the following:
(1) Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in
compliance with Parts I and V of Article 770
(2) Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems in compliance with Parts I and V of Article
820
(3) Low-power network-powered broadband communications circuits in compliance with Parts I and V of Article 830
AF
(K) Multifamily Dwellings. The following cables, raceways, and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be
installed in multifamily dwellings in locations other than
the locations covered in 800.113(B) through (G):
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables
(2) Type CMX cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
in nonconcealed spaces
(3) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(4) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(5) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
(6) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables installed in:
(7) Communication wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
CM, and CMX cables installed in raceways recognized
in Chapter 3
(8) Type CMUC undercarpet communications wires and
cables installed under carpet
(9) Hybrid power and communications cable listed in accordance with 800.179(I)
T
(8) Type CMUC undercarpet communications wires and
cables installed under carpet
800.133
[ROP 16–119]
D
R
a. Plenum cable routing assemblies
b. Riser cable routing assemblies
c. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(7) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
CM, and CMX cables installed in raceways recognized
in Chapter 3
(8) Type CMUC undercarpet communications wires and
cables installed under carpet
(L) One- and Two-Family Dwellings. The following
cables, raceways, and cable routing assemblies shall be permitted to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings in
locations other than the locations covered in 800.113(B)
through (F):
(1) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables
(2) Type CMX cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
(3) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose communications
raceways
(4) Plenum, riser, and general-purpose cable routing assemblies
(5) Communications wires and Types CMP, CMR, CMG,
and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
(6) Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM cables installed in:
a. Plenum cable routing assemblies
b. Riser cable routing assemblies
c. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(b) Other Circuits. Communications cables shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure, or
cable routing assembly with cables of any of the following:
[ROP 16–124, ROP 16–125, ROP 16–126]
(1) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits in compliance with Article 645
or Parts I and III of Article 725 [ROP 16–126]
(2) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
(c) Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits. Class 1 circuits shall
not be run in the same cable with communications circuits.
Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors shall be permitted in
the same cable with communications circuits, in which case
the Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be classified as communications circuits and shall meet the requirements of this
article. The cables shall be listed as communications cables.
Exception: Cables constructed of individually listed Class
2, Class 3, and communications cables under a common
jacket shall not be required to be classified as communications cable. The fire-resistance rating of the composite
70–725
800.154
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Type UF cables, or (2) all of the conductors of communications circuits are encased in raceway.
Exception No. 2: Where the communications wires and
cables are permanently separated from the conductors of
electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm,
and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire.
cable shall be determined by the performance of the composite cable.
(d) Electric Light, Power, Class 1, Non–Power-Limited
Fire Alarm, and Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuits in Raceways, Compartments, and Boxes. Communications conductors shall not be
placed in any raceway, compartment, outlet box, junction
box, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or mediumpower network-powered broadband communications circuits.
(B) Support of Communications Wires and Cables.
Raceways shall be used for their intended purpose. Communications wires and cables shall not be strapped, taped,
or attached by any means to the exterior of any raceway as
a means of support.
Exception No. 1: Where all of the conductors of electric
light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits are separated from all of the conductors of
communications circuits by a permanent barrier or listed
divider.
Exception: Overhead (aerial) spans of communications
wires and cables shall be permitted to be attached to the
exterior of a raceway-type mast intended for the attachment
and support of such wires and cables.
T
Exception No. 2: Power conductors in outlet boxes, junction boxes, or similar fittings or compartments where such
conductors are introduced solely for power supply to communications equipment. The power circuit conductors shall
be routed within the enclosure to maintain a minimum of
6 mm (0.25 in.) separation from the communications circuit
conductors.
Exception No. 1: Where either (1) all of the conductors of
the electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire
alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits are in a raceway or in metalsheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, Type AC, or
The permitted applications shall be subject to the installation requirements of 800.110 and 800.113. The substitutions for communications cables listed in Table 800.154(d)
and illustrated in Figure 800.154 shall be permitted. [ROP
16–131]
D
R
Exception No. 3: As permitted by 620.36.
AF
(2) Other Applications. Communications wires and cables
shall be separated at least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of
any electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire
alarm, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuits.
800.154 Applications of Listed Communications Wires,
Cables and Raceways, and Listed Cable Routing Assemblies. Permitted and nonpermitted applications of listed
communications wires, cables and raceways, and listed
cable routing assemblies shall be in accordance with (1),
(2) or (3).
(1) Listed communications wires and cables as indicated in
Table 800.154(a).
(2) Listed communications raceways as indicated in Table
800.154(b).
(3) Listed cable routing assemblies as indicated in Table
800.154(c).
Table 800.154(a) Applications of Listed Communications Wires and Cables in Buildings [ROP 16–131, ROP 16–105, ROP
16–106]
Wire and Cable Type
Applications
In Specifically
In fabricated ducts
Fabricated Ducts as
In metal raceway that complies
Described in
with 300.22(B)
300.22(B)
70–726
Hybrid power
and
Communications
Communications
cables
wires
CMP
CMR
CMG CM
CMX
CMUC
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
800.154
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Table 800.154(a) Continued
Wire and Cable Type
Applications
In Other Spaces Used In other spaces used for
for Environmental environmental air
Air as Described in
In metal raceway that complies
300.22(C)
with 300.22(C)
In plenum communications
raceways
CMP
CMR
CMG CM
CMX
CMUC
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
NOT PERMITTED
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal
covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
In vertical runs
Y*
Y*
In metal raceways
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
N
In fireproof shafts
In plenum communications
raceways
D
R
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
2014 Edition
T
Supported by open metal cable
trays
AF
In Risers
Hybrid power
and
Communications
Communications
cables
wires
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–727
800.156
Table 800.154(a)
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Continued
Wire and Cable Type
Hybrid power
and
Communications
Communications
cables
wires
CMP
CMR
CMG CM
CMX
CMUC
Within Buildings in General
Other Than
Air-Handling Spaces In one- and two-family dwellings
and Risers
In multifamily dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
In nonconcealed spaces
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
Under carpet
N
N
N
N
Y*
N
N
In distributing frames and
cross-connect arrays
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
In any raceway recognized in
Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
In plenum communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
In riser cable routing assemblies
In general-purpose
communications raceways
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
Y*
D
R
In general-purpose cable routing
assemblies
Y*
AF
In riser communications raceways
T
Applications
Note: An “N” in the table indicates that the cable type is not permitted to be installed in the application. A “Y*” indicates that the cable is permitted
to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 800.113.
Informational Note 1: Part V of Article 800 covers installation methods within buildings. This table covers the applications of listed communications wires, cables, and raceways in buildings. The definition of point of entrance is in 800.2. Communications entrance cables that have not
emerged from the rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) are not considered to be in the building.
Informational Note No. 2: For information on the restrictions to the installation of communications cables in fabricated ducts see 800.113(B).
Informational Note No. 3: Cable routing assemblies are not addressed in NFPA-90A 2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
Ventilation Systems.
800.156 Dwelling Unit Communications Outlet. For new
VI. Listing Requirements
Table 800.154(d) Cable Substitutions
800.170 Equipment. Communications equipment shall be
listed as being suitable for electrical connection to a communications network.
Cable Type
CMR
CMG, CM
CMX
Permitted Substitutions
CMP
CMP, CMR
CMP, CMR, CMG, CM
construction, a minimum of one communications outlet
shall be installed within the dwelling in a readily accessible
area and cabled to the service provider demarcation point.
70–728
Informational Note: One way to determine applicable requirements is to refer to UL 60950-1-2003, Standard for
Safety of Information Technology Equipment; UL 14591999, Standard for Safety, Telephone Equipment; or UL
1863-2004, Standard for Safety, Communications Circuit
Accessories. For information on listing requirements for
cable routing assemblies and communications raceways,
see UL 2024-2011, Standard for Signaling, Optical Fiber
and Communication Cable Raceways and Cable Routing
Assemblies. [ROP 16–76, ROP 16–134]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
800.170
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Table 800.154(b) Applications of Listed Communications Raceways in Buildings [ROP 16–131]
Raceway Type
Plenum
Riser
General-purpose
communications communications communications
raceways
raceways
raceways
Applications
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
In fabricated ducts
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(B)
Y*
Y*
Y*
In other spaces used for environmental air
Y*
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(C)
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing assemblies
NOT PERMITTED
Supported by open metal cable trays
Y*
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with
solid metal covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing assemblies
N
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
N
N
N
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
General
Y*
Y*
Y*
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
In multifamily dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
In nonconcealed spaces
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Y*
Y*
Under carpet
N
N
N
In distributing frames and cross-connect arrays
Y*
Y*
Y*
In any raceway recognized in Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum cable routing assemblies
N
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
N
N
N
In general-purpose cable routing assemblies
N
N
N
In vertical runs
In metal raceways
AF
In fireproof shafts
T
In Specifically Fabricated
Ducts as Described in
300.22(B)
D
R
In Risers
Within Buildings in Other
Than Air-Handling Spaces
and Risers
Note: An ‘N’ in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A ‘Y*’ indicates that the cable shall
be permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 800.110 and 800.113.
Informational Note: Cable routing assemblies are not addressed in NFPA-90A, 2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
Ventilation Systems.
(A) Primary Protectors. The primary protector shall consist of an arrester connected between each line conductor
and ground in an appropriate mounting. Primary protector
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
terminals shall be marked to indicate line and ground as
applicable.
70–729
800.170
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Table 800.154(c) Applications of Listed Cable Routing Assemblies in Buildings [ROP 16–131]
Cable Routing Assembly Type
Plenum Cable
Routing
Assembly
Applications
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
In fabricated ducts
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(B)
N
N
N
In other spaces used for environmental air
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(C)
N
N
N
In plenum communications raceways
N
N
N
Supported by open metal cable trays
N
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with
solid metal covers
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications raceways
N
N
N
In riser communications raceways
N
N
N
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
General
Y*
Y*
Y*
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
In multifamily dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
In nonconcealed spaces
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
N
N
N
Under carpet
N
N
N
In distributing frames and cross-connect arrays
Y*
Y*
Y*
In any raceway recognized in Chapter 3
N
N
N
In plenum communications raceways
N
N
N
In riser communications raceways
N
N
N
In general-purpose communications raceways
N
N
N
T
In Specifically Fabricated
Ducts as Described in
300.22(B)
In vertical runs
In metal raceways
AF
In fireproof shafts
D
R
In Risers
Within Buildings in Other
Than Air-Handling Spaces
and Risers
Riser Cable General-purpose
Routing
Cable Routing
Assembly
Assembly
Note: An ‘N’ in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A ‘Y*’ indicates that the cable shall
be permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 800.113.
Informational Note: One way to determine applicable requirements for a listed primary protector is to refer to
ANSI/UL 497-2009, Standard for Protectors for Paired
Conductor Communications Circuits. [ROP 16–76]
70–730
(B) Secondary Protectors. The secondary protector shall
be listed as suitable to provide means to safely limit currents to less than the current-carrying capacity of listed
indoor communications wire and cable, listed telephone set
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
800.179
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
Plenum
CMP
Riser
CMR
General purpose
CMG
CM
Dwellings
CMX
individual conductors, other than the outer conductor of a
coaxial cable, shall be rated for 300 volts minimum. The
cable voltage rating shall not be marked on the cable or on
the undercarpet communications wire. Communications
wires and cables shall have a temperature rating of not less
than 60°C.
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the
cable has multiple listings and voltage marking is required
for one or more of the listings.
Informational Note No. 1: Voltage markings on cables
may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be
suitable for Class 1, electric light, and power applications.
Type CM—Communications cables
A
Cable A shall be permitted to be used in place of Cable B.
B
Informational Note No. 2: See 800.170 for listing requirement for equipment.
Table 800.179 Cable Markings
Figure 800.154 Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
CMP
CMR
CMG
AF
line cords, and listed communications terminal equipment
having ports for external wire line communications circuits.
Any overvoltage protection, arresters, or grounding connection shall be connected on the equipment terminals side of
the secondary protector current-limiting means.
T
Cable Marking
Informational Note: One way to determine applicable requirements for a listed secondary protector is to refer to
ANSI/UL 497A-2008, Standard for Secondary Protectors
for Communications Circuits. [ROP 16–76]
D
R
(C) Plenum Grade Cable Ties. Cable ties intended for
use in other space used for environmental air (plenums)
shall be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties. [ROP 16–135]
Informational Note: See NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for
the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
and ANSI/UL 2043, Standard for Safety Fire Test for Heat
and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their
Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces for information on listing discrete products as having low smoke and
heat release properties. [ROP 16–135]
800.173 Drop Wire and Cable. Communications wires
and cables without a metallic shield, running from the last
outdoor support to the primary protector, shall be listed as
being suitable for the purpose and shall have currentcarrying capacity as specified in 800.90(A)(1)(b) or
(A)(1)(c).
800.179 Communications Wires and Cables. Communications wires and cables shall be listed in accordance with
800.179(A) through (I) and marked in accordance with
Table 800.179. Conductors in communications cables,
other than in a coaxial cable, shall be copper.
Communications wires and cables shall have a voltage
rating of not less than 300 volts. The insulation for the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
CM
CMX
CMUC
Type
Communications plenum cable
Communications riser cable
Communications
general-purpose cable
Communications
general-purpose cable
Communications cable, limited
use
Undercarpet communications
wire and cable
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending
order of fire resistance rating.
(A) Type CMP. Type CMP communications plenum
cables shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts,
plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air and
shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low
smoke-producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke-producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 16–78, ROP
16–136]
(B) Type CMR. Type CMR communications riser cables
shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical run in a
shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having
fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
70–731
ARTICLE 800 — COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS
of ANSI/UL 1666-2011, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed
Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 16–76]
(C) Type CMG. Type CMG general-purpose communications cables shall be listed as being suitable for generalpurpose communications use, with the exception of risers
and plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant to
the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to
exceed 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test — Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in
CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical
Wires and Cables.
(D) Type CM. Type CM communications cables shall be
listed as being suitable for general-purpose communications use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and
shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: Circuit Integrity cables without the
suffix ″-CI″ are tested and designed to be installed in free
air. A circuit integrity cable with the suffix “-CI” that is
tested for use in conduit will have an additional marking as
part of a listed electrical circuit protective system. [ROP
16–85a]
(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables, specified in 800.179(A) through (E) and (G), that are part of an
electrical circuit protective system, shall be identified with
the protective system number and hourly rating printed on
the outer jacket of the cable. [ROP 16–85a]
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining circuit
integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system
is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating
when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2001 (Rev. 2006),
Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables. [ROP 16–85a,
ROP 16–76]
AF
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Flame
Tray Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2011, Standard for Safety for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP 16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test—
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
survivability of critical circuits shall have the additional
classification using the suffix “-CI”. Circuit integrity (CI)
cables suitable for use in raceways shall be listed and
marked specifically as part of an electrical circuit protective
system as covered in (G)(2). [ROP 16–85a]
T
800.179
D
R
(E) Type CMX. Type CMX limited-use communications
cables shall be listed as being suitable for use in dwellings
and for use in raceway and shall also be listed as being
resistant to flame spread.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to the
VW-1 (vertical-wire) flame test in ANSI/UL 1581-2011,
Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords. [ROP 16–76]
(F) Type CMUC Undercarpet Wires and Cables. Type
CMUC undercarpet communications wires and cables shall
be listed as being suitable for undercarpet use and shall also
be listed as being resistant to flame spread.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to the
VW-1 (vertical-wire) flame test in ANSI/UL 1581-2011,
Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords. [ROP 16–76]
(G) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit
Protective System. Cables that are used for survivability of
critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either
(G)(1) or (G)(2) as follows: [ROP 16–85a]
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI)
cables, specified in 800.179(A) through (D), and used for
70–732
Informational Note No. 2: The listing organization provides information for electrical circuit protective systems
(FHIT) including installation requirements to maintain the
fire rating. [ROP 16–85a]
(H) Communications Wires. Communications wires,
such as distributing frame wire and jumper wire, shall be
listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Flame
Tray Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP 16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test—
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
(I) Hybrid Power and Communications Cables. Listed
hybrid power and communications cables shall be permitted where the power cable is a listed Type NM or NM-B
conforming to the provisions of Part III of Article 334, and
the communications cable is a listed Type CM, the jackets
on the listed NM or NM-B and listed CM cables are rated
for 600 volts minimum, and the hybrid cable is listed as
being resistant to the spread of fire. [ROP 16–138]
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Flame
Tray Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measure-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 810 — RADIO AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT
800.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or
non–current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall
be listed or be part of listed equipment. [ROP 16–139]
800.182 Communications Raceways and Cable Routing
Assemblies. Communications raceways, and cable routing
assemblies shall be listed in accordance with 800.182(A)
through (C). [ROP 16–140]
Informational Note: For information on listing requirements for both communications raceways and cable routing
assemblies, see ANSI/UL 2024-4-2011, Signaling, Optical
Fiber and Communications Raceways and Cable Routing
Assemblies. [ROP 16–140]
810.2 Definitions. For definitions applicable to this article,
see Part I of Article 100. [ROP 16–142]
810.3 Other Articles. Wiring from the source of power to
and between devices connected to the interior wiring system shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4 other than as
modified by Parts I and II of Article 640. Wiring for audio
signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment shall comply with Article 640. For antennas exceeding 1 m (39.37 in.) in diameter or across coaxial cables that
connect antennas to equipment shall comply with Article
820. For antennas 1 m (39.37 in.) or less in diameter or
across, coaxial cables that connect antennas to equipment
shall comply with Article 840. [ROP 16–143]
AF
(A) Plenum Communications Raceways and Plenum
Cable Routing Assemblies. Plenum communications raceways and plenum cable routing assemblies shall be listed as
having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing
characteristics. [ROP 16–140]
band radio transmitting and receiving equipment, and certain features of transmitter safety. This article covers antennas such as wire-strung type, multi-element, vertical rod,
flat, or parabolic exceeding 1 m (39.37 in.) in diameter or
across and also covers the wiring and cabling that connects
them to equipment. This article does not cover equipment
and antennas used for coupling carrier current to power line
conductors. [ROP 16–141]
T
ments in the test method are not applicable. [ROP 16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
810.7
D
R
(B) Riser Communications Raceways and Riser Cable
Routing Assemblies. Riser communications raceways and
riser cable routing assemblies shall be listed as having adequate fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing
the carrying of fire from floor to floor. [ROP 16–140]
(C) General-Purpose Communications Raceways and
General-Purpose Cable Routing Assemblies. Generalpurpose communications raceways and general-purpose
cable routing assemblies shall be listed as being resistant to
the spread of fire. [ROP 16–140]
ARTICLE 810
Radio and Television Equipment
Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either
the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
I. General
810.1 Scope. This article covers antenna systems for radio
and television receiving equipment, amateur and citizen
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
810.4 Community Television Antenna. The antenna shall
comply with this article. The distribution system shall comply with Article 820.
810.5 Radio Noise Suppressors. Radio interference eliminators, interference capacitors, or noise suppressors connected to power-supply leads shall be of a listed type. They
shall not be exposed to physical damage.
810.6 Antenna Lead-In Protectors. Where an antenna
lead-in surge protector is installed it shall be listed as being
suitable for limiting surges on the cable that connects the
antenna to the receiver/transmitter electronics and be connected between the conductors and the grounded shield or
other ground connection. The antenna lead-in protector
shall be grounded in accordance with 810.21. [ROP 16–
144]
Informational Note: For requirements covering protectors
for antenna lead-in conductors, refer to UL Subject 497E,
Outline of Investigation for Protectors for Antenna Lead-In
Conductors. [ROP 16–144]
810.7 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is
required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or non–
current-carrying metallic members of a cable, or metal
parts of equipment or antennas to a bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be listed or be part of
listed equipment. [ROP 16–145]
70–733
810.11
ARTICLE 810 — RADIO AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT
II. Receiving Equipment — Antenna Systems
Table 810.16(A) Size of Receiving Station Outdoor Antenna
Conductors
810.11 Material. Antennas and lead-in conductors shall be
of hard-drawn copper, bronze, aluminum alloy, copper-clad
steel, or other high-strength, corrosion-resistant material.
810.12 Supports. Outdoor antennas and lead-in conductors shall be securely supported. The antennas or lead-in
conductors shall not be attached to the electric service mast.
They shall not be attached to poles or similar structures
carrying open electric light or power wires or trolley wires
of over 250 volts between conductors. Insulators supporting
the antenna conductors shall have sufficient mechanical
strength to safely support the conductors. Lead-in conductors shall be securely attached to the antennas.
Aluminum alloy,
hard-drawn
copper
Copper-clad
steel, bronze,
or other
high-strength
material
11 m to
45 m (35 ft
to 150 ft)
Over 45 m
(150 ft)
19
14
12
20
17
14
into or making accidental contact with such circuits. [ROP
16–147]
810.17 Size of Lead-in — Receiving Station. Lead-in
conductors from outside antennas for receiving stations
shall, for various maximum open span lengths, be of such
size as to have a tensile strength at least as great as that of
the conductors for antennas as specified in 810.16. Where
the lead-in consists of two or more conductors that are
twisted together, are enclosed in the same covering, or are
concentric, the conductor size shall, for various maximum
open span lengths, be such that the tensile strength of the
combination is at least as great as that of the conductors for
antennas as specified in 810.16.
D
R
AF
810.13 Avoidance of Contacts with Conductors of
Other Systems. Outdoor antennas and lead-in conductors
from an antenna to a building shall not cross over open
conductors of electric light or power circuits and shall be
kept well away from all such circuits so as to avoid the
possibility of accidental contact. Where proximity to open
electric light or power service conductors of less than 250
volts between conductors cannot be avoided, the installation shall be such as to provide a clearance of at least
600 mm (2 ft).
Where practicable, antenna conductors shall be installed so as not to cross under open electric light or power
conductors.
Material
Less Than
11 m (35 ft)
T
Exception: Soft-drawn or medium-drawn copper shall be
permitted for lead-in conductors where the maximum span
between points of support is less than 11 m (35 ft).
Minimum Size of Conductors (AWG)
Where Maximum Open Span Length Is
810.14 Splices. Splices and joints in antenna spans shall be
made mechanically secure with approved splicing devices
or by such other means as will not appreciably weaken the
conductors.
810.15 Grounding. Masts and metal structures supporting
antennas shall be grounded in accordance with 810.21.
810.16 Size of Wire-Strung Antenna — Receiving Station.
(A) Size of Antenna Conductors. Outdoor antenna conductors for receiving stations shall be of a size not less than
given in Table 810.16(A).
(B) Self-Supporting Antennas. Outdoor antennas, such as
vertical rods, flat, parabolic, or dipole structures, shall be of
corrosion-resistant materials and of strength suitable to
withstand ice and wind loading conditions and shall be
located well away from overhead conductors of electric
light and power circuits of over 150 volts to ground, so as
to avoid the possibility of the antenna or structure falling
70–734
810.18 Clearances — Receiving Stations.
(A) Outside of Buildings. Lead-in conductors attached to
buildings shall be installed so that they cannot swing closer
than 600 mm (2 ft) to the conductors of circuits of 250 volts
or less between conductors, or 3.0 m (10 ft) to the conductors of circuits of over 250 volts between conductors, except that in the case of circuits not over 150 volts between
conductors, where all conductors involved are supported so
as to ensure permanent separation, the clearance shall be
permitted to be reduced but shall not be less than 100 mm
(4 in.). The clearance between lead-in conductors and any
conductor forming a part of a lightning protection system
shall not be less than 1.8 m (6 ft). Underground conductors
shall be separated at least 300 mm (12 in.) from conductors
of any light or power circuits or Class 1 circuits.
Exception: Where the electric light or power conductors,
Class 1 conductors, or lead-in conductors are installed in
raceways or metal cable armor.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of air terminals. For further information, see NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems,
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 810 — RADIO AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT
Informational Note No. 2: Metal raceways, enclosures,
frames, and other non–current-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment installed on a building equipped with a
lightning protection system may require bonding or spacing
from the lightning protection conductors in accordance
with NFPA 780-2011, Standard for the Installation of
Lightning Protection Systems. Separation from lightning
protection conductors is typically 1.8 m (6 ft) through air or
900 mm (3 ft) through dense materials such as concrete,
brick, or wood.
(B) Antennas and Lead-ins — Indoors. Indoor antennas
and indoor lead-ins shall not be run nearer than 50 mm
(2 in.) to conductors of other wiring systems in the premises.
Exception No. 1: Where such other conductors are in
metal raceways or cable armor.
Exception No. 2: Where permanently separated from such
other conductors by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing.
(A) Material. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be of copper, aluminum, copper-clad
steel, bronze, or similar corrosion-resistant material. Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum bonding conductors or
grounding electrode conductors shall not be used where in
direct contact with masonry or the earth or where subject to
corrosive conditions. Where used outside, aluminum or
copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be installed
within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth.
(B) Insulation. Insulation on bonding conductors or
grounding electrode conductors shall not be required.
(C) Supports. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be securely fastened in place and
shall be permitted to be directly attached to the surface
wired over without the use of insulating supports. [ROP
16–149]
AF
(C) In Boxes or Other Enclosures. Indoor antennas and
indoor lead-ins shall be permitted to occupy the same box
or enclosure with conductors of other wiring systems where
separated from such other conductors by an effective permanently installed barrier.
810.21 Bonding Conductors and Grounding Electrode
Conductors — Receiving Stations. Bonding conductors
and grounding electrode conductors shall comply with
810.21(A) through (K). [ROP 16–148]
T
which contains detailed information on grounding, bonding, and spacing from lightning protection systems.
810.21
D
R
810.19 Electrical Supply Circuits Used in Lieu of Antenna — Receiving Stations. Where an electrical supply
circuit is used in lieu of an antenna, the device by which the
radio receiving set is connected to the supply circuit shall
be listed.
810.20 Antenna Discharge Units — Receiving Stations.
(A) Where Required. Each conductor of a lead-in from an
outdoor antenna shall be provided with a listed antenna
discharge unit.
Exception: Where the lead-in conductors are enclosed in a
continuous metallic shield that either is grounded with a
conductor in accordance with 810.21 or is protected by an
antenna discharge unit.
(B) Location. Antenna discharge units shall be located
outside the building or inside the building between the
point of entrance of the lead-in and the radio set or transformers and as near as practicable to the entrance of the
conductors to the building. The antenna discharge unit shall
not be located near combustible material or in a hazardous
(classified) location as defined in Article 500.
(C) Grounding. The antenna discharge unit shall be
grounded in accordance with 810.21.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: Where proper support cannot be provided, the
size of the bonding conductors or grounding electrode conductors shall be increased proportionately. [ROP 16–150]
(D) Physical Protection. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed
to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to
which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected. [ROP 16–151]
(E) Run in Straight Line. The bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor for an antenna mast or antenna discharge unit shall be run in as straight a line as
practicable.
(F) Electrode. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected as required in (F)(1)
through (F)(3).
(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem
Bonding Termination. If the building or structure served
has an intersystem bonding termination as required by
250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the
intersystem bonding termination.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of
Intersystem Bonding Termination.
(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding elec-
70–735
810.51
ARTICLE 810 — RADIO AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT
trode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible
location on the following:
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping systems,
within 1.52 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to the
building, as covered in 250.94
(4) The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure, or
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosures of the power
service
ting and receiving stations shall also comply with 810.11
through 810.15.
810.52 Size of Antenna. Antenna conductors for transmitting and receiving stations shall be of a size not less than
given in Table 810.52.
Table 810.52 Size of Outdoor Antenna Conductors
Minimum Size of Conductors (AWG)
Where Maximum Open Span Length
Is
Material
Less Than 45 m
(150 ft)
Over 45 m (150 ft)
14
14
10
12
Hard-drawn copper
Copper-clad steel,
bronze, or other
high-strength
material
(3) In Buildings or Structures Without an Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means as described in 810.21(F)(2),
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to a
grounding electrode as described in 250.52. [ROP 16–152]
810.53 Size of Lead-in Conductors. Lead-in conductors
for transmitting stations shall, for various maximum span
lengths, be of a size at least as great as that of conductors
for antennas as specified in 810.52.
AF
T
A bonding device intended to provide a termination
point for the bonding conductor (intersystem bonding) shall
not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure. A
bonding device shall be mounted on non-removable parts.
A bonding device shall not be mounted on a door or cover
even if the door or cover is non-removable.
D
R
(G) Inside or Outside Building. The bonding conductor
or grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted to be
run either inside or outside the building.
(H) Size. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall not be smaller than 10 AWG copper, 8
AWG aluminum, or 17 AWG copper-clad steel or bronze.
(I) Common Ground. A single bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be permitted for both
protective and operating purposes.
(J) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the radio and television equipment grounding electrode and the power grounding electrode system at the
building or structure served where separate electrodes are
used.
(K) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
III. Amateur and Citizen Band Transmitting and
Receiving Stations — Antenna Systems
810.51 Other Sections. In addition to complying with Part
III, antenna systems for amateur and citizen band transmit-
70–736
810.54 Clearance on Building. Antenna conductors for
transmitting stations, attached to buildings, shall be firmly
mounted at least 75 mm (3 in.) clear of the surface of the
building on nonabsorbent insulating supports, such as
treated pins or brackets equipped with insulators having not
less than 75-mm (3-in.) creepage and airgap distances.
Lead-in conductors attached to buildings shall also comply
with these requirements.
Exception: Where the lead-in conductors are enclosed in a
continuous metallic shield that is grounded with a conductor in accordance with 810.58, they shall not be required to
comply with these requirements. Where grounded, the metallic shield shall also be permitted to be used as a
conductor.
810.55 Entrance to Building. Except where protected
with a continuous metallic shield that is grounded with a
conductor in accordance with 810.58, lead-in conductors
for transmitting stations shall enter buildings by one of the
following methods:
(1) Through a rigid, noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating tube or bushing
(2) Through an opening provided for the purpose in which
the entrance conductors are firmly secured so as to
provide a clearance of at least 50 mm (2 in.)
(3) Through a drilled window pane
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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820.2
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
810.57 Antenna Discharge Units — Transmitting Stations. Each conductor of a lead-in for outdoor antennas
shall be provided with an antenna discharge unit or other
suitable means that drain static charges from the antenna
system.
Exception No. 1: Where the lead-in is protected by a continuous metallic shield that is grounded with a conductor in
accordance with 810.58, an antenna discharge unit or
other suitable means shall not be required.
Exception No. 2: Where the antenna is grounded with a
conductor in accordance with 810.58, an antenna discharge unit or other suitable means shall not be required.
(B) Grounding of Controls. All external metal handles
and controls accessible to the operating personnel shall be
effectively connected to an equipment grounding conductor
if the transmitter is powered by the premises wiring system
or grounded with a conductor in accordance with 810.21.
(C) Interlocks on Doors. All access doors shall be provided with interlocks that disconnect all voltages of over
350 volts between conductors when any access door is
opened.
ARTICLE 820
Community Antenna Television and
Radio Distribution Systems
AF
810.58 Bonding Conductors and Grounding Electrode
Conductors — Amateur and Citizen Band Transmitting
and Receiving Stations. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall comply with 810.58(A)
through (C).
(A) Enclosing. The transmitter shall be enclosed in a metal
frame or grille or separated from the operating space by a
barrier or other equivalent means, all metallic parts of
which are effectively connected to a bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor. [ROP 16–153]
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810.56 Protection Against Accidental Contact. Lead-in
conductors to radio transmitters shall be located or installed
so as to make accidental contact with them difficult.
(A) Other Sections. All bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors for amateur and citizen band
transmitting and receiving stations shall comply with
810.21(A) through (K).
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(B) Size of Protective Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor. The protective bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor for transmitting stations shall be as large as the lead-in but not smaller than 10
AWG copper, bronze, or copper-clad steel.
(C) Size of Operating Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor. The operating bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor for transmitting stations shall not be less than 14 AWG copper or its
equivalent.
IV. Interior Installation — Transmitting Stations
810.70 Clearance from Other Conductors. All conductors inside the building shall be separated at least 100 mm
(4 in.) from the conductors of any electric light, power, or
signaling circuit.
Exception No. 1: As provided in Article 640.
Exception No. 2: Where separated from other conductors
by raceway or some firmly fixed nonconductor, such as
porcelain tubes or flexible tubing.
810.71 General. Transmitters
810.71(A) through (C).
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shall
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
comply
with
Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either
the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
See Informational Note Figure 800(a) and Informational Note Figure 800(b) for illustrative application of a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor.
[ROP 16–154]
I. General
820.1 Scope. This article covers coaxial cable distribution
of radio frequency signals typically employed in community antenna television (CATV) systems.
Informational Note: See 90.2(B)(4) for installations of
CATV and radio distribution systems that are not covered.
820.2 Definitions. See Part I of Article 100. For the purposes of this article, the following additional definitions
apply. [ROP 16–155]
Abandoned Coaxial Cable. Installed coaxial cable that is
not terminated at equipment other than a coaxial connector
and not identified for future use with a tag.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for a definition of Equipment. [ROP 16–156]
Coaxial Cable. A cylindrical assembly composed of a conductor centered inside a metallic tube or shield, separated
by a dielectric material, and usually covered by an insulating jacket.
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ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Exposed (to Accidental Contact). A circuit in such a position that, in case of failure of supports and or insulation,
contact with another circuit may result.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for two other
definitions of Exposed. [ROP 16–158]
Point of Entrance. The point within a building at which
the coaxial cable emerges from an external wall, from a
concrete floor slab, from rigid metal conduit (RMC) or
intermediate metal conduit (IMC). [ROP 16–159]
Premises. The land and buildings of a user located on the
user side of utility-user network point of demarcation.
820.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with 820.3(A) through (G).
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. CATV equipment
installed in a location that is classified in accordance with
500.5 and 505.5 shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.
820.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of coaxial cables
that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels.
820.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Community television and radio distribution systems shall be installed in a
neat and workmanlike manner. Coaxial cables installed exposed on the surface of ceiling and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the
cables will not be damaged by normal building use. Such
cables shall be secured by hardware including straps,
staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and
installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation
shall also conform to 300.4(D) and 300.11. Cable ties used
to secure coaxial plenum cables in other space used for
environmental air (plenums) shall be listed as having low
smoke and heat release properties. [ROP 16–165, ROP
16–166, ROP 16–167]
AF
(B) Wiring in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor
Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) shall apply.
[ROP 16–161]
820.15 Power Limitations. Coaxial cable shall be permitted to deliver power to equipment that is directly associated
with the radio frequency distribution system if the voltage
is not over 60 volts and if the current is supplied by a
transformer or other device that has power-limiting characteristics.
Power shall be blocked from premises devices on the
network that are not intended to be powered via the coaxial
cable.
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820.3
(C) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental
Air. The requirements of 300.22(C)(3) shall apply. [ROP
16–161]
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(D) Installation and Use. The requirements of110.3(B)
shall apply. [ROP 16–162]
(E) Installations of Conductive and Nonconductive Optical Fiber Cables. The requirements of Article 770 shall
apply.
(F) Communications Circuits. The requirements of Article 800 shall apply.
(G) Network-Powered Broadband Communications
Systems. The requirements of Article 830 shall apply.
(H) Premises-Powered Broadband Communications
Systems. The requirements of Article 840 shall apply.
(I) Alternate Wiring Methods. The wiring methods of
Article 830 shall be permitted to substitute for the wiring
methods of Article 820.
Informational Note: Use of Article 830 wiring methods
will facilitate the upgrading of Article 820 installations to
network-powered broadband applications.
(J) Cable Routing Assemblies. The definition in 800.2,
the applications in Table 800.154(c) , and installation rules
in 800.110 and 800.113 shall apply to Article 820. [ROP
16–163]
70–738
Informational Note No. 1: Accepted industry practices are
described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568–2006, Standard for
Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling; ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 2004 — Part 1, General
Requirements Commercial Building Telecommunications
Cabling Standard; ANSI/TIA-569-B 2004, Commercial
Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and
Spaces; ANSI/TIA-570-B, Residential Telecommunications
Infrastructure, and other ANSI-approved installation
standards.
Informational Note No. 2:
See 4.3.11.2.6.5 and
4.3.11.5.5.6 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for Installation
of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for discrete
combustible components installed in accordance with
300.22 (C). [ROP 16–168]
820.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned coaxial cables shall be removed. Where cables
are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of
sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
820.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations of coaxial cables and communications raceways
in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or airhandling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of
fire or products of combustion will not be substantially
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction
materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain
many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain
the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or
openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions
on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fire
resistance–rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm
(24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies
between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 820.26 can be found in building
codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
II. Coaxial Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
820.44 Overhead (Aerial) Coaxial Cables. Overhead
(aerial) coaxial cables, prior to the point of grounding, as
specified in 820.93, shall comply with 820.44(A) through
(E).
Exception No. 2: A reduction in clearance above only the
overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.) shall be permitted if (1) not more than 1.2 m (4 ft)
of communications service drop conductors pass above the
roof overhang, and (2) they are terminated at a raceway
mast or other approved support.
Exception No. 3: Where the roof has a slope of not less
than 100 mm in 300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.), a reduction in
clearance to not less than 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
(C) On Masts. Overhead (aerial) coaxial cables shall be
permitted to be attached to an above-the-roof raceway mast
that does not enclose or support conductors of electric light
or power circuits.
(D) Between Buildings. Coaxial cables extending between
buildings or structures, and also the supports or attachment
fixtures, shall be identified and shall have sufficient strength
to withstand the loads to which they might be subjected.
[ROP 16–170]
AF
(A) On Poles and In-Span. Where coaxial cables and
electric light or power conductors are supported by the
same pole or are run parallel to each other in-span, the
conditions described in 820.44(A)(1) through (A)(4) shall
be met.
Exception No. 1: Auxiliary buildings such as garages and
the like.
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increased. Openings around penetrations of coaxial cables
and communications raceways through fire-resistant-rated
walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.
[ROP 16–169]
820.44
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(1) Relative Location. Where practicable, the coaxial
cables shall be located below the electric light or power
conductors.
(2) Attachment to Cross-Arms. Coaxial cables shall not
be attached to cross-arm that carries electric light or power
conductors.
(3) Climbing Space. The climbing space through coaxial
cables shall comply with the requirements of 225.14(D).
(4) Clearance. Lead-in or overhead (aerial) -drop coaxial
cables from a pole or other support, including the point of
initial attachment to a building or structure, shall be kept
away from electric light, power, Class 1, or non–powerlimited fire alarm circuit conductors so as to avoid the possibility of accidental contact.
Exception: Where proximity to electric light, power, Class
1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors cannot be avoided, the installation shall provide clearances of
not less than 300 mm (12 in.) from electric light, power,
Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors. The clearance requirement shall apply at all points
along the drop, and it shall increase to 1.0 m (40 in.) at the
pole.
(B) Above Roofs. Coaxial cables shall have a vertical
clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from all points of
roofs above which they pass.
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Exception: Where a coaxial cable does not have suffıcient
strength to be self-supporting, it shall be attached to a
supporting messenger cable that, together with the attachment fixtures or supports, shall be acceptable for the purpose and shall have suffıcient strength to withstand the
loads to which they may be subjected.
(E) On Buildings. Where attached to buildings, coaxial
cables shall be securely fastened in such a manner that they
will be separated from other conductors in accordance with
820.44(E)(1), (E)(2), and (E)(3).
(1) Electric Light or Power. The coaxial cable shall have
a separation of at least 100 mm (4 in.) from electric light,
power, Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit
conductors not in raceway or cable, or shall be permanently
separated from conductors of the other system by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor in addition to the
insulation on the wires.
(2) Other Communications Systems. Coaxial cable shall
be installed so that there will be no unnecessary interference in the maintenance of the separate systems. In no case
shall the conductors, cables, messenger strand, or equipment of one system cause abrasion to the conductors, cable,
messenger strand, or equipment of any other system.
(3) Lightning Conductors. Where practicable, a separation of at least 1.8 m (6 ft) shall be maintained between any
coaxial cable and lightning conductors.
Informational Note: For additional information regarding
overhead (aerial) wires and cables, see ANSI C2-2007, Na-
70–739
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
tional Electric Safety Code, Part 2, Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.
820.47 Underground Coaxial Cables Entering Buildings. Underground coaxial cables entering buildings shall
comply with 820.47(A) and (B).
(A) Underground Systems with Electric Light, Power,
Class 1 or Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm Circuit Conductors. Underground coaxial cables in a duct, pedestal,
handhole enclosure, or manhole that contains electric light,
power, or Class 1 or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit
conductors shall be in a section permanently separated from
such conductors by means of a suitable barrier. [ROP 16–
171]
(B) Direct-Buried Cables and Raceways. Direct-buried
coaxial cable shall be separated at least 300 mm (12 in.)
from conductors of any light or power or Class 1 circuit.
Exception No. 1: Where electric service conductors or
coaxial cables are installed in raceways or have metal
cable armor.
Informational Note: Selecting a grounding block location
to achieve the shortest practicable bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor helps limit potential differences between CATV and other metallic systems. [ROP
16–177]
(A) Entering Buildings. In installations where the coaxial
cable enters the building, the outer conductive shield shall
be grounded in accordance with 820.100. The grounding
shall be as close as practicable to the point of entrance.
(B) Terminating Outside of the Building. In installations
where the coaxial cable is terminated outside of the building, the outer conductive shield shall be grounded in accordance with 820.100. The grounding shall be as close as
practicable to the point of attachment or termination.
Informational Note: See 820.2 for a definition of Point of
Entrance. [ROP 16–178]
AF
Exception No. 2: Where electric light or power branchcircuit or feeder conductors or Class 1 circuit conductors
are installed in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad,
or Type UF or Type USE cables; or the coaxial cables have
metal cable armor or are installed in a raceway.
disconnecting means grounded in accordance with 250.32
and located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, shall be considered to meet the
requirements of this section.
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820.47
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820.48 Unlisted Cables Entering Buildings. Unlisted
outside plant coaxial cables shall be permitted to be installed in building spaces other than risers, ducts used for
environmental air, plenums used for environmental air, and
other spaces used for environmental air, where the length of
the cable within the building, measured from its point of
entrance, does not exceed 15 m (50 ft) and the cable enters
the building from the outside and is terminated at a grounding block.
820.49 Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. Rigid
metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
containing entrance coaxial cable shall be connected by a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor to a
grounding electrode in accordance with 820.100(B). [ROP
16–176]
III. Protection
820.93 Grounding of the Outer Conductive Shield of
Coaxial Cables. Coaxial cables entering buildings or attached to buildings shall comply with 820.93(A) or (B).
Where the outer conductive shield of a coaxial cable is
grounded, no other protective devices shall be required. For
purposes of this section, grounding located at mobile home
service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, or at a mobile home
70–740
(C) Location. Where installed, a listed primary protector
shall be applied on each community antenna and radio distribution (CATV) cable external to the premises. The listed
primary protector shall be located as close as practicable to
the entrance point of the cable on either side or integral to
the ground block.
(D) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Where a primary
protector or equipment providing the primary protection
function is used, it shall not be located in any hazardous
(classified) location as defined in 500.5 and 505.5 or in the
vicinity of easily ignitible material.
Exception:
503.150.
As permitted in 501.150, 502.150, and
IV. Grounding Methods
820.100 Cable Bonding and Grounding. The shield of
the coaxial cable shall be bonded or grounded as specified
in 820.100(A) through (D).
Exception: For communications systems using coaxial
cable confined within the premises and isolated from outside cable plant, the shield shall be permitted to be
grounded by a connection to an equipment grounding conductor as described in 250.118. Connecting to an equipment grounding conductor through a grounded receptacle
using a dedicated bonding jumper and a permanently connected listed device shall be permitted. Use of a cord and
plug for the connection to an equipment grounding conductor shall not be permitted. [ROP 16–181]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(1) Insulation. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be listed and shall be permitted to be
insulated, covered, or bare.
(2) Material. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be copper or other corrosion-resistant
conductive material, stranded or solid.
(3) Size. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall not be smaller than 14 AWG. It shall have a
current-carrying capacity not less than the outer sheath of
the coaxial cable. The bonding conductor or grounding
electrode conductor shall not be required to exceed 6 AWG.
(4) Length. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and twofamily dwellings, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable, not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in length. [ROP 16–183]
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for the definition of Intersystem Bonding Termination. [ROP 16–184]
(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible
location on one of the following:
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping system,
within 1.5 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to enclosures as covered in 250.94 [ROP 16–185]
(4) The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosure of the power service, or
(7) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode of a building or structure disconnecting
means that is connected to an electrode as covered in
250.32
AF
Informational Note: Similar bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length limitations applied at apartment buildings and commercial buildings help to reduce
voltages that may be developed between the building’s
power and communications systems during lightning
events.
has an intersystem bonding termination as required by
250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the
intersystem bonding termination.
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(A) Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor.
820.100
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Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings where it is
not practicable to achieve an overall maximum bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor length of 6.0
m (20 ft), a separate grounding electrode as specified in
250.52(A)(5), (A)(6), or (A)(7) shall be used, the grounding
electrode conductor shall be connected to the separate
grounding electrode in accordance with 250.70, and the
separate grounding electrode shall be connected to the
power grounding electrode system in accordance with
820.100(D).
(5) Run in Straight Line. The bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be run in as straight a
line as practicable.
(6) Physical Protection. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed
to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to
which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected.
(B) Electrode. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected in accordance with
820.100(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem
Bonding Termination. If the building or structure served
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
A bonding device intended to provide a termination
point for the bonding conductor (intersystem bonding) shall
not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure. A
bonding device shall be mounted on non-removable parts.
A bonding device shall not be mounted on a door or cover
even if the door or cover is nonremovable. [ROP 16–186]
For purposes of this section, the mobile home service
equipment or the mobile home disconnecting means, as
described in 820.93, shall be considered accessible.
(3) In Buildings or Structures Without an Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means, as described in 820.100(B)(2),
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to
either of the following:
(1) To any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4)
[ROP 16–187]
(2) If the building or structure served has no intersystem
bonding termination or grounding means, as described
in 820.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1), to any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(5),
(A)(7) and (A)(8). Steam or hot water pipes or air terminal conductors (lightning-rod conductors) shall not
be employed as grounding electrodes for bonding con-
70–741
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
ductors or grounding electrode conductors. [ROP
16–188]
(C) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
(D) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the community antenna television system’s grounding electrode and the power grounding electrode system at
the building or structure served where separate electrodes
are used.
Exception: At mobile homes as covered in 820.106.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of air terminals (lightning rods).
Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate electrodes limits potential differences between them
and between their associated wiring systems.
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings
820.110 Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies for
Coaxial Cables. [ROP 16–191]
(A) Types of Raceways. Coaxial cables shall be permitted
to be installed in any raceway that complies with either
(A)(1) or (A)(2), and in cable routing assemblies installed
in compliance with (C). [ROP 16–191]
(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3. Coaxial cables
shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway included
in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be installed in accordance
with the requirements of Chapter 3.
(2) Communications Raceways. Coaxial cables shall be
permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications
raceways, listed riser communications raceways, and listed
general-purpose communications raceways selected in accordance with the provisions of 820.113, 800.110 and
800.113 and installed in accordance with 362.24 through
362.56, where the requirements applicable to electrical
nonmetallic tubing (ENT) apply. [ROP 16–191, ROP 16–
192]
AF
(E) Shield Protection Devices. Grounding of a coaxial
drop cable shield by means of a protective device that does
not interrupt the grounding system within the premises
shall be permitted.
(2) Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug
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820.103
820.103 Equipment Grounding. Unpowered equipment
and enclosures or equipment powered by the coaxial cable
shall be considered grounded where connected to the metallic cable shield.
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820.106 Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes.
(A) Grounding.
Grounding
shall
comply
with
820.106(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, the coaxial cable shield ground,
or surge arrester grounding terminal, shall be connected
to a grounding electrode conductor or grounding electrode in accordance with 820.100(B)(3). [ROP 16–189]
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means
grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within
9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it
serves, the coaxial cable shield ground, or surge arrester grounding terminal, shall be connected to a
grounding electrode in accordance with 820.100(B)(3).
[ROP 16–190]
(B) Bonding. The coaxial cable shield grounding terminal,
surge arrester grounding terminal, or grounding electrode
shall be connected to the metal frame or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper conductor
not smaller than 12 AWG under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or
disconnecting means as in 820.106(A)
70–742
(B) Raceway Fill for Coaxial Cables. The raceway fill
requirements of Chapters 3 and 9 shall not apply to coaxial
cables.
(C) Cable Routing Assemblies. Coaxial cables shall be
permitted to be installed in plenum cable routing assemblies, riser cable routing assemblies and general-purpose
cable routing assemblies selected in accordance with the
provisions of 800.113, and installed in accordance with (1)
and (2). [ROP 16–191]
(1) Horizontal Support. Cable routing assemblies shall be
supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed
900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for
other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft). [ROP 16–191]
(2) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of cable routing assemblies shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding
1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and
shall not have more than one joint between supports. [ROP
16–191]
820.113 Installation of Coaxial Cables. Installation of coaxial cables shall comply with 820.113(A) through (K).
Installation of raceways shall comply with 820.110.
(A) Listing. Coaxial cables installed in buildings shall be
listed.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(B) Fabricated Ducts Used for Environmental Air. The
following cables shall be permitted in ducts as described in
300.22(B) if they are directly associated with the air distribution system:
(1) Up to 1.22 m (4 ft) of Type CATVP cable
(2) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance
with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in fabricated ducts see 4.3.4.1 and
4.3.11.3.3 in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation
of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP
16–194]
[ROP 16–194]
Informational Note: See 820.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(E) Risers — Cables in Metal Raceways. The following
cables shall be permitted in metal raceways in a riser having firestops at each floor:
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables
(2) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–194]
Informational Note: See 820.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(F) Risers — Cables in Fireproof Shafts. The following
cables shall be permitted to be installed in fireproof riser
shafts with firestops at each floor:
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables
(2) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
D
R
AF
(C) Other Spaces Used For Environmental Air (Plenums). The following cables shall be permitted in other
spaces used for environmental air as described in
300.22(C):
(1) Type CATVP cable
(2) Type CATVP cable installed in plenum communications raceways
(3) Type CATVP cable supported by open metallic cable
trays or cable tray systems
(4) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance
with 300.22(C)
(5) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables
supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid
metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air
(plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
(6) Types CATVP , CATVR, CATV, and CATVX cables
installed in plenum communications raceways, riser
communications raceways or general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used
for environmental air (plenums) as described in
300.22(C)
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
T
Exception: Coaxial cables that comply with 820.48 shall
not be required to be listed.
820.113
[ROP 16–194]
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in other spaces used for environmental air
see 4.3.11.2, 4.3.11.4, and 4.3.11.5 of NFPA 90A-2012,
Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP 16–194]
(D) Risers — Cables in Vertical Runs. The following
cables shall be permitted in vertical runs penetrating one or
more floors and in vertical runs in a shaft:
(1) Types CATVP and CATVR cables
(2) Types CATVP and CATVR cables installed in:
[ROP 16–194]
Informational Note: See 820.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
(G) Risers — One- and Two-Family Dwellings. The following cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family
dwellings:
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables
(2) Type CATVX cable less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) in
diameter
(3) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Plenum communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser communications raceways
Riser cable routing assemblies
General-purpose communications raceways
General-purpose cable routing assemblies
[ROP 16–194]
Informational Note: See 820.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
a. Plenum communications raceways
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–743
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(H) Cable Trays. The following cables shall be permitted
to be supported by cable trays:
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables
(2) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
[ROP 16–194]
[ROP 16–194]
(I) Distributing Frames and Cross-Connect Arrays. The
following cables shall be permitted to be installed in distributing frames and cross-connect arrays:
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables
(2) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
820.133 Installation of Coaxial Cables and Equipment.
Beyond the point of grounding, as defined in 820.93, the
coaxial cable installation shall comply with 820.133(A) and
(B).
(A) Separation from Other Conductors.
(1) In Raceways, Cable Trays, Boxes, Enclosures and
Cable Routing Assemblies. [ROP 16–199, ROP 16–200,
ROP 16–201]
(a) Optical Fiber and Communications Cables. Coaxial cables shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable
tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any of the following:
(1) Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in
compliance with Parts I and V of Article 770
(2) Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I
and V of Article 800
(3) Low-power network-powered broadband communications circuits in compliance with Parts I and V of Article 830
(b) Other Circuits. Coaxial cables shall be permitted in
the same raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any of the following:
(1) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits in compliance with Article 645
or Parts I and III of Article 725 [ROP 16–201]
(2) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
(c) Electric Light, Power, Class 1, Non–PowerLimited Fire Alarm, and Medium-Power Network-Powered
Broadband Communications Circuits. Coaxial cable shall
not be placed in any raceway, compartment, outlet box,
junction box, or other enclosures with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits.
AF
[ROP 16–194]
D
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(J) Other Building Locations. The following cables shall
be permitted to be installed in building locations other than
the locations covered in 820.113(B) through (I):
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables
(2) A maximum of 3 m (10 ft) of exposed Type CATVX
cables in nonconcealed spaces
(3) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(4) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and Type CATVX
cables installed in a raceway of a type recognized in
Chapter 3
[ROP 16–194]
(K) One- and Two-Family and Multifamily Dwellings.
The following cables and cable routing assemblies shall be
permitted to be installed in one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings in locations other than those locations
covered in 820.113(B) through (I):
(1) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables
(2) Type CATVX cable less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) in
diameter
(3) Types CATVP, CATVR, and CATV cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
70–744
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(4) Types CATVP, CATVR, CATV, and Type CATVX
cables installed in a raceway of a type recognized in
Chapter 3
T
820.133
Exception No. 1: Where all of the conductors of electric
light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits are separated from all of the coaxial cables by
a permanent barrier or listed divider.
Exception No. 2: Power circuit conductors in outlet boxes,
junction boxes, or similar fittings or compartments where
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
820.179
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Cable Type
(B) Support of Coaxial Cables. Raceways shall be used
for their intended purpose. Coaxial cables shall not be
strapped, taped, or attached by any means to the exterior of
any conduit or raceway as a means of support.
D
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Exception: Overhead (aerial) spans of coaxial cables
shall be permitted to be attached to the exterior of a
raceway-type mast intended for the attachment and support
of such cables.
820.154 Applications of Listed CATV Cables. Permitted
and nonpermitted applications of listed coaxial cables shall
be as indicated in Table 820.154(a). The permitted applications shall be subject to the installation requirements of
820.110 and 820.113. The substitutions for coaxial cables
in Table 820.154(b) and illustrated in Figure 820.154 shall
be permitted. [ROP 16–204]
Informational Note: The substitute cables in Table
820.154(b) and Figure 820.154 are only coaxial-type
cables.
VI. Listing Requirements
820.179 Coaxial Cables. Cables shall be listed in accordance with 820.179(A) through (D) and marked in accordance with Table 820.179. The cable voltage rating shall
not be marked on the cable.
Informational Note: Voltage markings on cables could be
misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for
Class 1, electric light, and power applications.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Permitted Substitutions
CATVP
CMP, BLP
CATVR
CATVP, CMP, CMR,
BMR, BLP, BLR
CATV
CATVX
CATVP, CMP,
CATVR, CMR, CMG, CM,
BMR, BM, BLP, BLR, BL
CATVP, CMP,
CATVR, CMR,
CATV, CMG, CM,
BMR, BM, BLP, BLR,
BL, BLX
Plenum
CMP
CATVP
BLP
Riser
CMR
CATVR
BMR
BLP, BLR
General
purpose
CMG
CM
CATV
BMR, BM
BLP, BLR, BL
Dwellings
CMX
CATVX
BMR, BM
BLP, BLR, BL, BLX
AF
(2) Other Applications. Coaxial cable shall be separated
at least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of any electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or mediumpower network-powered broadband communications circuits.
Exception No. 1: Where either (1) all of the conductors of
electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm,
and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits are in a raceway, or in metal-sheathed,
metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, Type AC or Type UF
cables, or (2) all of the coaxial cables are encased in
raceway.
Exception No. 2: Where the coaxial cables are permanently separated from the conductors of electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, and mediumpower network-powered broadband communications circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such
as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the
insulation on the wire.
Table 820.154(b) Coaxial Cable Uses and Permitted
Substitutions
T
such conductors are introduced solely for power supply to
the coaxial cable system distribution equipment. The power
circuit conductors shall be routed within the enclosure to
maintain a minimum 6-mm (0.25-in.) separation from coaxial cables.
A
B
Coaxial cable A shall be permitted to be used in
place of coaxial cable B.
Type BL— Network-powered broadband communications lowpower cable
Type BM—Network-powered broadband communications mediumpower cable
Type CATV—Community antenna television cables
Type CM—Communications cables
Figure 820.154 Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the
cable has multiple listings and voltage marking is required
for one or more of the listings.
(A) Type CATVP. Type CATVP community antenna television plenum coaxial cables shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for
environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke-producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
70–745
820.179
ARTICLE 820 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION AND RADIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Table 820.154(a) Applications of Listed Coaxial Cables in Buildings [ROP 16–205, ROP 16–206]
Cable Type
Applications
In Specifically Fabricated
Ducts as Described in
300.22(B)
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
CATVP
CATVR
CATV
CATVX
In fabricated ducts as described in 300.22(B)
Y*
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(B)
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In other spaces used for environmental air
(plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
Y*
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(C)
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
N
N
N
Supported by open metal cable trays
Y*
N
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with
solid metal covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In vertical runs
Y*
Y*
N
N
In metal raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In fireproof shafts
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
In plenum cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
In one- and two- family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In multifamily dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In nonconcealed spaces
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In distributing frames and cross-connect arrays
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In any raceway recognized in Chapter 3
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In plenum cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In general-purpose communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In general-purpose cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
T
In plenum cable routing assemblies
AF
In Risers
NOT PERMITTED
D
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Within Buildings in Other General
Than Air-Handling Spaces
In one- and two-family dwellings
and Risers
Note: An “N” in the table indicates that the cable type is not permitted to be installed in the application. A “Y*” indicates that the cable is permitted
to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 820.113.
Informational Note 1: Part V of Article 820 covers installation methods within buildings. This table covers the applications of listed coaxial cables
in buildings. The definition of point of entrance is in 820.2. Coaxial entrance cables that have not emerged from the rigid metal conduit (RMC) or
intermediate metal conduit (IMC) are not considered to be in the building.
Informational Note No. 2: For information on the restrictions to the installation of communications cables in fabricated ducts see 820.113(B).
Informational Note No. 3: Cable routing assemblies are not addressed in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
Ventilating Systems.
70–746
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
(B) Type CATVR. Type CATVR community antenna television riser coaxial cables shall be listed as being suitable
for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor and
shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics
capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to
floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2011, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed
Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 16–76]
(C) Type CATV. Type CATV community antenna television coaxial cables shall be listed as being suitable for
general-purpose CATV use, with the exception of risers and
plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the
spread of fire.
ARTICLE 830
Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Systems
Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either
the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
See Informational Note Figure 800(a) and Informational Note Figure 800(b) for illustrative application of a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor.
[ROP 16–212]
D
R
AF
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the “UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test” in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety
for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test
for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP
16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA “Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays,” as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
820.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or
non–current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall
be listed or be part of listed equipment. [ROP 16–211]
T
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 16–78, ROP
16–210]
830.2
(D) Type CATVX. Type CATVX limited-use community
antenna television coaxial cables shall be listed as being
suitable for use in dwellings and for use in raceway and
shall also be listed as being resistant to flame spread.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to the
VW-1 (vertical-wire) flame test in ANSI/UL 1581-2011,
Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords. [ROP 16–76]
Table 820.179 Coaxial Cable Markings
Cable Marking
CATVP
CATVR
CATV
CATVX
Type
CATV
CATV
CATV
CATV
plenum cable
riser cable
cable
cable, limited use
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending
order of fire resistance rating.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
I. General
830.1 Scope. This article covers network-powered broadband communications systems that provide any combination of voice, audio, video, data, and interactive services
through a network interface unit.
Informational Note No. 1: A typical basic system configuration includes a cable supplying power and broadband signal to a network interface unit that converts the broadband
signal to the component signals. Typical cables are coaxial
cable with both broadband signal and power on the center
conductor, composite metallic cable with a coaxial member
for the broadband signal and a twisted pair for power, and
composite optical fiber cable with a pair of conductors for
power. Larger systems may also include network components such as amplifiers that require network power.
Informational Note No. 2: See 90.2(B)(4) for installations
of broadband communications systems that are not covered.
830.2 Definitions. See Part I of Article 100. For purposes
of this article, the following additional definitions apply.
[ROP 16–213]
Abandoned Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cable. Installed network-powered broadband communications cable that is not terminated at equipment other
than a connector and not identified for future use with a tag.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for a definition of Equipment. [ROP 16–214]
Block. A square or portion of a city, town, or village enclosed by streets, including the alleys so enclosed but not
any street.
70–747
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Exposed (to Accidental Contact). A circuit in such a position that, in case of failure of supports or insulation, contact with another circuit may result.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for two other
definitions of Exposed. [ROP 16–215]
Fault Protection Device. An electronic device that is intended for the protection of personnel and functions under
fault conditions, such as network-powered broadband communications cable short or open circuit, to limit the current
or voltage, or both, for a low-power network-powered
broadband communications circuit and provide acceptable
protection from electric shock.
Network Interface Unit (NIU). A device that converts a
broadband signal into component voice, audio, video, data,
and interactive services signals. The NIU provides isolation
between the network power and the premises signal circuits. The NIU may also contain primary and secondary
protectors.
Exception: 830.90(B)(3) shall apply where protection is
provided in the output of the NIU.
(3) Installations of optical fiber cables — Part V of Article
770
(4) Installations of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits — Part III
of Article 725
(5) Installations of power-limited fire alarm circuits — Part
III of Article 760
[ROP 16–221]
(F) Protection Against Physical Damage. The requirements of 300.4 shall apply.
AF
Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit.
The circuit extending from the communications utility’s
serving terminal or tap up to and including the NIU.
(E) Output Circuits. As appropriate for the services provided, the output circuits derived from the optical network
terminal shall comply with the requirements of the following:
(1) Installations of communications circuits — Part V of
Article 800
(2) Installations of community antenna television and radio
distribution circuits — Part V of Article 820
T
830.3
Informational Note: A typical single-family networkpowered communications circuit consists of a communications drop or communications service cable and an NIU
and includes the communications utility’s serving terminal
or tap where it is not under the exclusive control of the
communications utility.
D
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Point of Entrance. The point within a building at which
the network-powered broadband communications cable
emerges from an external wall, from a concrete floor slab,
from rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC). [ROP 16–217]
830.3 Other Articles. Circuits and equipment shall comply with 830.3(A) through (F).
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Network-powered
broadband communications circuits and equipment installed in a location that is classified in accordance with
500.5 and 505.5 shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.
(B) Wiring in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor
Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) shall apply.
[ROP 16–219]
(C) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental
Air. The requirements of 300.22(C)(3) shall apply. [ROP
16–220]
(D) Installation and Use. The requirements of 110.3(B)
shall apply.
70–748
(G) Cable Routing Assemblies. The definition in 800.2,
the applications in Table 800.154(c) , and the installation
rules in 800.110 and 800.113 shall apply to Article 830.
[ROP 16–222]
830.15 Power Limitations. Network-powered broadband
communications systems shall be classified as having lowor medium-power sources as specified in 830.15(1) or (2).
(1) Sources shall be classified as defined in Table 830.15.
(2) Direct-current power sources exceeding 150 volts to
ground, but no more than 200 volts to ground, with the
current to ground limited to 10 mA dc, that meet the
current and power limitation for medium-power
sources in Table 830.15 shall be classified as mediumpower sources.
Informational Note: One way to determine compliance
with 830.15(2) is listed information technology equipment
intended to supply power via a communications network
that complies with the requirements for RFT-V circuits as
defined in UL 60950-21-2007, Standard for Safety for Information Technology Equipment — Safety — Part 21: Remote Power Feeding. [ROP 16–76]
830.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of network-powered
broadband communications cables that prevents removal of
panels, including suspended ceiling panels.
830.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. Networkpowered broadband communications circuits and equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Network Power Source
Circuit voltage, Vmax (volts)1
Power
limitation,VAmax(volt-amperes)1
Current limitation, Imax
(amperes)1
Maximum power rating
(volt-amperes)
Maximum voltage rating
(volts)
Maximum overcurrent
protection (amperes)2
Low
Medium
0–100
250
0–150
250
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
100
100
100
150
100/Vmax
NA
1
830.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations of network-powered broadband cables in hollow
spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts
shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products
of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings
around penetrations of network-powered broadband cables
through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction
materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain
many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain
the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or
openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions
on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fire
resistance–rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm
(24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies
between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 830.26 can be found in building
codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
AF
Vmax, Imax, and VAmax are determined with the current-limiting impedance in the circuit (not bypassed) as follows:
Vmax—Maximum system voltage regardless of load with rated input applied.
Imax—Maximum system current under any noncapacitive load, including short circuit, and with overcurrent protection bypassed if
used. Imax limits apply after 1 minute of operation.
VAmax—Maximum volt-ampere output after 1 minute of operation
regardless of load and overcurrent protection bypassed if used.
2
Overcurrent protection is not required where the current-limiting device provides equivalent current limitation and the current-limiting
device does not reset until power or the load is removed.
moved. Where cables are identified for future use with a
tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the
environment involved.
T
Table 830.15 Limitations for Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Systems
830.44
D
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Cables installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and
sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in
such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be secured by hardware
including straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.
The installation shall also conform to 300.4(D) and 300.11.
Cable ties used to secure network-powered broadband plenum cables in other space used for environmental air (plenums) shall be listed as having low smoke and heat release
properties. [ROP 16–224, ROP 16–225, ROP 16–226]
Informational Note No. 1: Accepted industry practices are
described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for
Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling; ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1-2004 — Part 1 General Requirements Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard; ANSI/TIA-569-B-2004, Commercial
Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and
Spaces; ANSI/TIA-570-B-2009, Residential Telecommunications Infrastructure; and other ANSI-approved installation standards.
Informational Note No. 2:
See 4.3.11.2.6.5 and
4.3.11.5.5.6 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for discrete combustible components installed in accordance with
300.22(C). [ROP 16–227]
830.25 Abandoned Cables. The accessible portion of
abandoned network-powered broadband cables shall be re-
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II. Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
830.40 Entrance Cables. Network-powered broadband
communications cables located outside and entering buildings shall comply with 830.40(A) and (B).
(A) Medium-Power Circuits. Medium-power networkpowered broadband communications circuits located outside and entering buildings shall be installed using Type
BMU, Type BM, or Type BMR network-powered broadband communications medium-power cables.
(B) Low-Power Circuits. Low-power network-powered
broadband communications circuits located outside and entering buildings shall be installed using Type BLU or Type
BLX low-power network-powered broadband communications cables. Cables shown in Table 830.154(b) shall be
permitted to substitute.
Exception: Outdoor community antenna television and radio distribution system coaxial cables installed prior to
January 1, 2000, and installed in accordance with Article
820, shall be permitted for low-power-type, networkpowered broadband communications circuits.
830.44 Overhead (Aerial) Cables. Overhead (aerial)
network-powered broadband communications cables shall
comply with 830.44(A) through (G).
Informational Note: For additional information regarding
overhead (aerial) wires and cables, see ANSI C2-2007, National Electric Safety Code, Part 2, Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.
70–749
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
(A) On Poles and In-Span. Where network-powered
broadband communications cables and electric light or
power conductors are supported by the same pole or are run
parallel to each other in-span, the conditions described in
830.44(A)(1) through (A)(4) shall be met.
(1) Relative Location. Where practicable, the networkpowered broadband communications cables shall be located
below the electric light or power conductors.
(2) Attachment to Cross-Arms. Network-powered broadband communications cables shall not be attached to a
cross-arm that carries electric light or power conductors.
(3) Climbing Space. The climbing space through networkpowered broadband communications wires and cables shall
comply with the requirements of 225.14(D).
Informational Note: These clearances have been specifically chosen to correlate with ANSI C2-2007, National
Electrical Safety Code, Table 232-1, which provides for
clearances of wires, conductors, and cables above ground
and roadways, rather than using the clearances referenced
in 225.18. Because Article 800 and Article 820 have had no
required clearances, the communications industry has used
the clearances from the NESC for their installed cable
plant.
(D) Over Pools. Clearance of network-powered broadband
communications cable in any direction from the water
level, edge of pool, base of diving platform, or anchored
raft shall comply with those clearances in 680.8.
(E) Final Spans. Final spans of network-powered broadband communications cables without an outer jacket shall
be permitted to be attached to the building, but they shall be
kept not less than 900 mm (3 ft) from windows that are
designed to be opened, doors, porches, balconies, ladders,
stairs, fire escapes, or similar locations.
AF
(4) Clearance. Lead-in or overhead (aerial)-drop networkpowered broadband communications cables from a pole or
other support, including the point of initial attachment to a
building or structure, shall be kept away from electric light,
power, Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit
conductors so as to avoid the possibility of accidental contact.
(2) 3.5 m (11.5 ft) — over residential property and driveways, and those commercial areas not subject to truck
traffic
(3) 4.7 m (15.5 ft) — over public streets, alleys, roads,
parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on
other than residential property, and other land traversed
by vehicles such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and
orchard
T
830.44
D
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Exception: Where proximity to electric light, power, Class
1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors cannot be avoided, the installation shall provide clearances of
not less than 300 mm (12 in.) from electric light, power,
Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors. The clearance requirement shall apply to all points
along the drop, and it shall increase to 1.02 m (40 in.) at
the pole.
(B) Above Roofs. Network-powered broadband communications cables shall have a vertical clearance of not less
than 2.5 m (8 ft) from all points of roofs above which they
pass.
Exception No. 1: Auxiliary buildings such as garages and
the like.
Exception No. 2: A reduction in clearance above only the
overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.) shall be permitted if (1) not more than 1.2 m (4 ft)
of the broadband communications drop cables pass above
the roof overhang, and (2) they are terminated at a
through-the-roof raceway or support.
Exception No. 3: Where the roof has a slope of not less
than 100 mm in 300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.), a reduction in
clearance to not less than 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
(C) Clearance from Ground. Overhead (aerial) spans of
network-powered broadband communications cables shall
conform to not less than the following:
(1) 2.9 m (9.5 ft) — above finished grade, sidewalks, or
from any platform or projection from which they might
be reached and accessible to pedestrians only
70–750
Exception: Conductors run above the top level of a window shall be permitted to be less than the 900-mm (3-ft)
requirement above.
Overhead (aerial) network-powered broadband communications cables shall not be installed beneath openings
through which materials might be moved, such as openings
in farm and commercial buildings, and shall not be installed
where they obstruct entrance to these building openings.
(F) Between Buildings. Network-powered broadband
communications cables extending between buildings or
structures, and also the supports or attachment fixtures,
shall be identified as suitable for outdoor aerial applications
and shall have sufficient strength to withstand the loads to
which they may be subjected.
Exception: Where a network-powered broadband communications cable does not have suffıcient strength to be selfsupporting, it shall be attached to a supporting messenger
cable that, together with the attachment fixtures or supports, shall be acceptable for the purpose and shall have
suffıcient strength to withstand the loads to which they may
be subjected.
(G) On Buildings. Where attached to buildings, networkpowered broadband communications cables shall be se-
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ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
curely fastened in such a manner that they are separated
from other conductors in accordance with 830.44(I)(1)
through (I)(4).
(1) Electric Light or Power. The network-powered broadband communications cable shall have a separation of at
least 100 mm (4 in.) from electric light, power, Class 1, or
non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors not in raceway or cable, or be permanently separated from conductors
of the other system by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor in addition to the insulation on the wires.
(2) Other Communications Systems. Network-powered
broadband communications cables shall be installed so that
there will be no unnecessary interference in the maintenance of the separate systems. In no case shall the conductors, cables, messenger strand, or equipment of one system
cause abrasion to the conductors, cables, messenger strand,
or equipment of any other system.
830.90
any light, power, non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors or Class 1 circuit.
Exception No. 1: Where electric service conductors or
network-powered broadband communications cables are
installed in raceways or have metal cable armor.
Exception No. 2: Where electric light or power branchcircuit or feeder conductors, non–power-limited fire alarm
circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuit conductors are installed in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, or
Type UF or Type USE cables; or the network-powered
broadband communications cables have metal cable armor
or are installed in a raceway.
Exception: A low-power network-powered broadband
communications circuit that is equipped with a listed fault
protection device, appropriate to the network-powered
broadband communications cable used, and located on the
network side of the network-powered broadband communications cable being protected.
Exception: A low-power network-powered broadband
communications circuit that is equipped with a listed fault
protection device, appropriate to the network-powered
broadband communications cable used, and located on the
network side of the network-powered broadband communications cable being protected.
D
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AF
(3) Lightning Conductors. Where practicable, a separation of at least 1.8 m (6 ft) shall be maintained between any
network-powered broadband communications cable and
lightning conductors.
T
(4) Protection from Damage. Network-powered broadband communications cables attached to buildings or structures and located within 2.5 m (8 ft) of finished grade shall
be protected by enclosures, raceways, or other approved
means.
(C) Mechanical Protection. Direct-buried cable, conduit,
or other raceways shall be installed to meet the minimum
cover requirements of Table 830.47. In addition, directburied cables emerging from the ground shall be protected
by enclosures, raceways, or other approved means extending from the minimum cover distance required by Table
830.47 below grade to a point at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above
finished grade. In no case shall the protection be required to
exceed 450 mm (18 in.) below finished grade. Type BMU
and BLU direct-buried cables emerging from the ground
shall be installed in rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), rigid nonmetallic conduit, or other
approved means extending from the minimum cover distance required by Table 830.47 below grade to the point of
entrance. [ROP 16–233, ROP 16–278]
830.47 Underground Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Cables Entering Buildings. Underground network-powered broadband communications
cables entering buildings shall comply with 830.47(A)
through (D).
(A) Underground Systems with Electric Light and
Power Conductors. Underground network-powered broadband communications cables in a duct, pedestal, handhole
enclosure, or manhole that contains electric light, power
conductors, non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuits shall be in a section permanently
separated from such conductors by means of a suitable
barrier.
(B) Direct-Buried Cables and Raceways. Direct-buried
network-powered broadband communications cables shall
be separated by at least 300 mm (12 in.) from conductors of
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(D) Pools. Cables located under the pool or within the area
extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside wall of
the pool shall meet those clearances and requirements
specified in 680.10.
830.49 Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. Rigid
metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
containing network-powered broadband communications
entrance cable shall be connected by a bonding conductor
or grounding electrode conductor to a grounding electrode in accordance with 830.100(B). [ROP 16–234]
III. Protection
830.90 Primary Electrical Protection.
(A) Application. Primary electrical protection shall be
provided on all network-powered broadband communications conductors that are neither grounded nor interrupted
70–751
830.90
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Table 830.47 Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems Minimum Cover Requirements (Cover is the shortest
distance measured between a point on the top surface of any direct-buried cable, conduit, or other raceway and the top surface
of finished grade, concrete, or similar cover.)
Direct Burial Cables
in.
mm
in.
mm
in.
450
300
18
12
150
150
6
6
300
150
12
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
300
12
100
4
100
4
300
12
300
300
12
12
AF
All locations not specified below
In trench below 50-mm (2-in.)
thick concrete or equivalent
Under a building (in raceway
only)
Under minimum of 100-mm
(4-in.) thick concrete exterior
slab with no vehicular traffic
and the slab extending not less
than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond
the underground installation
One- and two-family dwelling
driveways and outdoor parking
areas and used only for
dwelling-related purposes
Nonmetallic Raceways Listed
for Direct Burial; Without
Concrete Encasement or
Other Approved Raceways
mm
T
Location of
Wiring Method
or Circuit
Rigid Metal Conduit
(RMC) or Intermediate
Metal Conduit (IMC)
[ROP 16–278, ROP
16–233]
D
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Notes:
1. Raceways approved for burial only where concrete encased shall require a concrete envelope not less than 50 mm (2 in.) thick.
2. Lesser depths shall be permitted where cables rise for terminations or splices or where access is otherwise required.
3. Where solid rock is encountered, all wiring shall be installed in metal or nonmetallic raceway permitted for direct burial.
The raceways shall be covered by a minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete extending down to rock.
4. Low-power network-powered broadband communications circuits using directly buried community antenna television
and radio distribution system coaxial cables that were installed outside and entering buildings prior to January 1, 2000, in
accordance with Article 820 shall be permitted where buried to a minimum depth of 300 mm (12 in.).
and are run partly or entirely in aerial cable not confined
within a block. Also, primary electrical protection shall be
provided on all aerial or underground network-powered
broadband communications conductors that are neither
grounded nor interrupted and are located within the block
containing the building served so as to be exposed to lightning or accidental contact with electric light or power conductors operating at over 300 volts to ground.
Exception: Where electrical protection is provided on the
derived circuit(s) (output side of the NIU) in accordance
with 830.90(B)(3).
Informational Note No. 1: On network-powered broadband communications conductors not exposed to lightning
or accidental contact with power conductors, providing primary electrical protection in accordance with this article
helps protect against other hazards, such as ground potential rise caused by power fault currents, and above-normal
voltages induced by fault currents on power circuits in
proximity to the network-powered broadband communications conductors.
Informational Note No. 2: Network-powered broadband
communications circuits are considered to have a lightning
exposure unless one or more of the following conditions
exist:
70–752
(1) Circuits in large metropolitan areas where buildings are
close together and sufficiently high to intercept lightning.
(2) Areas having an average of five or fewer thunderstorm
days each year and earth resistivity of less than 100
ohm-meters. Such areas are found along the Pacific
coast.
(1) Fuseless Primary Protectors. Fuseless-type primary
protectors shall be permitted where power fault currents on
all protected conductors in the cable are safely limited to a
value no greater than the current-carrying capacity of the
primary protector and of the primary protector bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor. [ROP 16–
235]
(2) Fused Primary Protectors. Where the requirements
listed in 830.90(A)(1) are not met, fused-type primary protectors shall be used. Fused-type primary protectors shall
consist of an arrester connected between each conductor to
be protected and ground, a fuse in series with each conductor to be protected, and an appropriate mounting arrangement. Fused primary protector terminals shall be marked to
indicate line, instrument, and ground, as applicable.
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ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Informational Note: Selecting a grounding location to
achieve the shortest practicable bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor helps limit potential differences between the network-powered broadband communications circuits and other metallic systems.
(A) Entering Buildings. In installations where the
network-powered communications cable enters the building, the shield shall be grounded in accordance with
830.100 and metallic members of the cable not used for
communications or powering shall be grounded in accordance with 830.100, or interrupted by an insulating joint or
equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be as
close as practicable to the point of entrance.
(B) Terminating Outside of the Building. In installations
where the network-powered communications cable is terminated outside of the building, the shield shall be
grounded in accordance with 830.100, and metallic members of the cable not used for communications or powering
shall be grounded in accordance with 830.100 or interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device. The
grounding or interruption shall be as close as practicable to
the point of attachment of the NIU.
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AF
A primary protector, whether provided integrally or external to the network interface unit, shall be located as close
as practicable to the point of entrance.
For purposes of this section, a network interface unit
and any externally provided primary protectors located at
mobile home service equipment located in sight from and
not more than 9.0 m (30 ft) from the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, or at a mobile home disconnecting
means grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located in
sight from and not more than 9.0 m (30 ft) from the exterior
wall of the mobile home it serves, shall be considered to
meet the requirements of this section.
with 250.32 and located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior
wall of the mobile home it serves, shall be considered to
meet the requirements of this section.
T
(B) Location. The location of the primary protector, where
required, shall comply with (B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3):
(1) A listed primary protector shall be applied on each
network-powered broadband communications cable external to and on the network side of the network interface unit.
(2) The primary protector function shall be an integral part
of and contained in the network interface unit. The
network interface unit shall be listed as being suitable
for application with network-powered broadband communications systems and shall have an external marking indicating that it contains primary electrical protection.
(3) The primary protector(s) shall be provided on the derived circuit(s) (output side of the NIU), and the combination of the NIU and the protector(s) shall be listed
as being suitable for application with network-powered
broadband communications systems.
830.100
Informational Note: Selecting a network interface unit and
primary protector location to achieve the shortest practicable primary protector bonding conductor or grounding
electrode conductor helps limit potential differences between communications circuits and other metallic systems.
(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. The primary protector or equipment providing the primary protection function shall not be located in any hazardous (classified) location as defined in 500.5 and 505.5 or in the vicinity of
easily ignitible material.
Informational Note: See 830.2 for the definition of Point
of Entrance.
IV. Grounding Methods
830.100 Cable, Network Interface Unit, and Primary
Protector Bonding and Grounding. Network interface
units containing protectors, NIUs with metallic enclosures,
primary protectors, and the metallic members of the
network-powered broadband communications cable that are
intended to be bonded or grounded shall be connected as
specified in 830.100(A) through (D).
(A) Bonding Conductor or Grounding Electrode Conductor.
As permitted in 501.150, 502.150, and
(1) Insulation. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be listed and shall be permitted to be
insulated, covered, or bare.
830.93 Grounding or Interruption of Metallic Members
of Network-Powered Broadband Communications
Cables. Network-powered communications cables entering
buildings or attaching to buildings shall comply with
830.93(A) or (B).
For purposes of this section, grounding located at mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of
the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, or at a
mobile home disconnecting means grounded in accordance
(2) Material. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be copper or other corrosion-resistant
conductive material, stranded or solid.
Exception:
503.150.
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(3) Size. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall not be smaller than 14 AWG and shall have
a current-carrying capacity not less than that of the
grounded metallic member(s) and protected conductor(s) of
the network-powered broadband communications cable.
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ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor
shall not be required to exceed 6 AWG.
(4) Length. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode
conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and twofamily dwellings, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable, not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in length. [ROP 16–236]
Informational Note: Similar bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length limitations applied at apartment buildings and commercial buildings help to reduce
voltages that may be developed between the building’s
power and communications systems during lightning
events.
A bonding device intended to provide a termination
point for the bonding conductor (intersystem bonding) shall
not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure. A
bonding device shall be mounted on non-removable parts.
A bonding device shall not be mounted on a door or cover
even if the door or cover is non-removable. [ROP 16–239]
For purposes of this section, the mobile home service
equipment or the mobile home disconnecting means, as
described in 830.93, shall be considered accessible.
AF
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings where it is
not practicable to achieve an overall maximum bonding
conductor or grounding electrode conductor length of 6.0
m (20 ft), a separate communications ground rod meeting
the minimum dimensional criteria of 830.100(B)(3)(2) shall
be driven, and the grounding electrode conductor shall be
connected to the communications ground rod in accordance
with 830.100(C). The communications ground rod shall be
bonded to the power grounding electrode system in accordance with 830.100(D).
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping system,
within 1.5 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to enclosures as covered in 250.94 [ROP 16–238]
(4) The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosure of the power service, or
(7) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode of a building or structure disconnecting
means that is connected to an electrode as covered in
250.32
T
830.100
(5) Run in Straight Line. The bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor shall be run in as straight a
line as practicable.
D
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(6) Physical Protection. Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed
to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or
grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to
which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected.
(B) Electrode. The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected in accordance with
830.100(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem
Bonding Termination. If the building or structure served
has an intersystem bonding termination as required by
250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the
intersystem bonding termination.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for the definition of Intersystem Bonding Termination. [ROP 16–237]
(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible
location on one of the following:
70–754
(3) In Buildings or Structures Without an Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means, as described in 830.100(B)(2),
the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to
either of the following: [ROP 16–240]
(1) To any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4)
[ROP 16–241]
(2) If the building or structure served has no intersystem
bonding termination or has no grounding means, as
described in 830.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1), to any one of
the individual grounding electrodes described in
250.52(A)(7) and (A)(8), or to a ground rod or pipe not
less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) in
diameter, driven, where practicable, into permanently
damp earth and separated from lightning conductors as
covered in 800.53 and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems. Steam or hot water pipes or
lightning-rod conductors shall not be employed as
grounding electrodes for protectors, NIUs with integral
protection, grounded metallic members, NIUs with metallic enclosures, and other equipment. [ROP 16–242]
(C) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
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ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Exception: At mobile homes as covered in 830.106.
Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of air terminals (lightning rods).
Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate electrodes limits potential differences between them
and between their associated wiring systems.
830.106 Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes.
830.110 Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies for
Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cables.
[ROP 16–245]
(A) Types of Raceways. Low-power network-powered
broadband communications cables shall be permitted to be
installed in any raceway that complies with either (A)(1) or
(A)(2), and in cable routing assemblies installed in compliance with (C). Medium-power network-powered broadband
communications cables shall be permitted to be installed in
any raceway that complies with (A)(1). [ROP 16–245]
(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3. Low-and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway included in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be installed
in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.
(2) Communications Raceways. Low-power networkpowered broadband communications cables shall be permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications
raceways, listed riser communications raceways, and listed
general-purpose communications raceways selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.113 and 830.113, and
installed in accordance with 362.24 through 362.56, where
the requirements applicable to electrical nonmetallic tubing
apply. [ROP 16–245]
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(A) Grounding.
Grounding
shall
comply
with
830.106(A)(1) or (A)(2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the
mobile home it serves, the network-powered broadband
communications cable shield, network-powered broadband communications cable metallic members not used
for communications or powering, network interface
unit, and primary protector grounding terminal shall be
connected to a grounding electrode conductor or
grounding electrode in accordance with 830.100(B)(3).
[ROP 16–243]
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means
grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within
9.0 m (30 ft) of, the exterior wall of the mobile home it
serves, the network-powered broadband communications cable shield, network-powered broadband communications cable metallic members not used for communications or powering, network interface unit, and
primary protector grounding terminal shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with
830.100(B)(3). [ROP 16–244]
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings
T
(D) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the network-powered broadband communications
system grounding electrode and the power grounding electrode system at the building or structure served where separate electrodes are used.
830.110
(B) Bonding. The network-powered broadband communications cable grounding terminal, network interface unit
grounding terminal, if present, and primary protector
grounding terminal shall be bonded together with a copper
bonding conductor not smaller than 12 AWG. The networkpowered broadband communications cable grounding terminal, network interface unit grounding terminal, primary
protector grounding terminal, or the grounding electrode
shall be bonded to the metal frame or available grounding
terminal of the mobile home with a copper bonding conductor not smaller than 12 AWG under any of the following
conditions:
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or
disconnecting means as in 830.106(A)
(2) Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug
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(B) Raceway Fill for Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Cables. Raceway fill for networkpowered broadband communications cables shall comply
with either (B)(1) or (B)(2).
(1) Low-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cables. The raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and 9 shall not apply to low-power network-powered
broadband communications cables.
(2) Medium-Power
Network-Powered
Broadband
Communications Cables. Where medium-power networkpowered broadband communications cables are installed in
a raceway, the raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and
9 shall apply.
(C) Cable Routing Assemblies. Network-powered broadband communications cables shall be permitted to be installed in plenum cable routing assemblies, riser cable routing assemblies and general-purpose cable routing
assemblies selected in accordance with the provisions of
800.113, and installed in accordance with (1) and (2).
[ROP 16–245]
(1) Horizontal Support. Cable routing assemblies shall be
supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed
900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for
70–755
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft). [ROP 16–245]
(2) Vertical Support. Vertical runs of cable routing assemblies shall be securely supported at intervals not exceeding
1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and
shall not have more than one joint between supports. [ROP
16–245]
830.113 Installation of Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Cables. Installation of network-powered
broadband communications cables shall comply with
830.113(A) through (H).
(A) Listing. Network-powered broadband communications
cables installed in buildings shall be listed.
[ROP 16–247]
(D) Risers — Cables in Vertical Runs. The following
cables shall be permitted in vertical runs penetrating one or
more floors and in vertical runs in a shaft:
(1) Types BLP, BMR, and BLR cables
(2) Types BLP and BLR cables installed in:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Plenum communications raceways
Plenum cable routing assemblies
Riser communications raceways
Riser cable routing assemblies
Informational Note: See 830.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
[ROP 16–247]
(E) Risers — Cables in Metal Raceways. The following
cables shall be permitted in a metal raceway in a riser with
firestops at each floor:
(1) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
(2) Types BLP, BLR, and BL cables installed in:
AF
(B) Fabricated Ducts Used for Environmental Air.. The
following cables shall be permitted in ducts as described in
300.22(B) if they are directly associated with the air distribution system:
(1) Up to 1.22 m (4 ft) of Type BLP cable
(2) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
installed in raceways that are installed in compliance
with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in other spaces used for environmental air,
see 4.3.11.2, 4.3.11.4 and 4.3.11.5 of NFPA 90A-2012,
Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.
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830.113
D
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Informational Note: For information on fire protection of
wiring installed in fabricated ducts see 4.3.4.1 and
4.3.11.3.3 in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation
of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. [ROP
16–247]
(C) Other Spaces Used For Environmental Air (Plenums). The following cables shall be permitted in other
spaces used for environmental air as described in
300.22(C):
(1) Type BLP cable
(2) Type BLP cable installed in plenum communications
raceways
(3) Type BLP cable supported by open metallic cable trays
or cable tray systems
(4) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
installed in raceways that are installed in compliance
with 300.22(C)
(5) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid
metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air
(plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
(6) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
installed in plenum communications raceways, riser
communications raceways or general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used
for environmental air (plenums) as described in
300.22(C)
70–756
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser communications raceways
c. General-purpose communications raceways
Informational Note: See 830.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
[ROP 16–247]
(F) Risers — Cables in Fireproof Shafts. The following
cables shall be permitted to be installed in fireproof riser
shafts with firestops at each floor:
(1) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
(2) Types BLP, BLR, and BL cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
Informational Note: See 830.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
[ROP 16–247]
(G) Risers — One- and Two-Family Dwellings. The following cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family
dwellings:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Informational Note: See 830.26 for firestop requirements
for floor penetrations.
[ROP 16–247]
(H) Other Building Locations. The following cables and
raceways shall be permitted to be installed in building locations other than those covered in 830.113(B) through (G):
(1) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, and BL cables
(2) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, BL, and BLX cables
installed in a raceway
(3) Types BLP, BLR, and BL cables
(1) In Raceways, Cable Trays, Boxes, Enclosures and
Cable Routing Assemblies.
(a) Low- and Medium-Power Network-Powered
Broadband Communications Circuit Cables. Low- and
medium-power network-powered broadband communications cables shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable
tray, box, enclosure or cable routing assembly.
(b) Low-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Cables with Optical Fiber Cables and
Other Communications Cables. Low-power networkpowered broadband communications cables shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure, or
cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any of the
following circuits:
(1) Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I
and V of Article 800
(2) Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in
compliance with Parts I and V of Article 770
(3) Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems in compliance with Parts I and V of Article
820
D
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AF
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Plenum cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
(4) Type BLX cables less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) in diameter in one- and two-family dwellings
(5) Types BMU and BLU cables entering the building
from outside and run in rigid metal conduit (RMC) or
intermediate metal conduit (IMC) where the conduit is
connected by a bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor in accordance with 830.100(B)
(A) Separation of Conductors.
T
(1) Types BLP, BMR, BLR, BM, and BL cables and BLX
cables less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) in diameter
(2) Types BLP, BLR, and BL cables installed in:
a. Plenum communications raceways
b. Riser cable routing assemblies
c. Riser communications raceways
d. Riser cable routing assemblies
e. General-purpose communications raceways
f. General-purpose cable routing assemblies
830.133
(c) Low-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Cables with Other Circuits. Low-power
network-powered broadband communications cables shall
be permitted in the same raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure, or cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any
of the following circuits:
(1) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits in compliance with Parts I and
III of Article 725
(2) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
[ROP 16–247, ROP 16–233, ROP 16–278]
(d) Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Cables with Optical Fiber Cables and
Other Communications Cables. Medium-power networkpowered broadband communications cables shall not be
permitted in the same raceway, cable tray, box, enclosure or
cable routing assembly with conductors of any of the following circuits:
(1) Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I
and V of Article 800
(2) Conductive optical fiber cables in compliance with
Parts I and V of Article 770
(3) Community antenna television and radio distribution
systems in compliance with Parts I and V of Article
820
830.133 Installation of Network-Powered Broadband
Communications Cables and Equipment. Cable and
equipment installations within buildings shall comply with
830.133(A) through (C), as applicable.
(e) Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Cables with Other Circuits. Mediumpower network-powered broadband communications cables
shall not be permitted in the same raceway, cable tray, box,
Informational Note: This provision limits the length of
Type BLX cable to 15 m (50 ft), while 830.90(B) requires
that the primary protector, or NIU with integral protection,
be located as close as practicable to the point at which the
cable enters the building. Therefore, in installations requiring a primary protector, or NIU with integral protection,
Type BLX cable may not be permitted to extend 15 m
(50 ft) into the building if it is practicable to place the
primary protector closer than 15 m (50 ft) to the entrance
point.
(6) A maximum length of 15 m (50 ft), within the building,
of Type BLX cable entering the building from outside
and terminating at an NIU or a primary protection
location
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–757
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
enclosure, or cable routing assembly with conductors of
any of the following circuits:
(1) Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits in compliance with Parts I and
III of Article 725
(2) Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with
Parts I and III of Article 760
[ROP 16–250, ROP 16–251, ROP 16–252, ROP 16–253]
(f) Electric Light, Power, Class 1, Non–Powered Broadband Communications Circuit Cables. Network-powered
broadband communications cable shall not be placed in any
raceway, cable tray, compartment, outlet box, junction box,
or similar fittings with conductors of electric light, power,
Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit cables.
Exception No. 1: Where either (1) all of the conductors of
electric light, power, Class 1, and non–power-limited fire
alarm circuits are in a raceway, or in metal-sheathed,
metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, Type AC, or Type UF
cables, or (2) all of the network-powered broadband communications cables are encased in raceway.
Exception No. 2: Where the network-powered broadband
communications cables are permanently separated from the
conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits by a continuous and firmly
fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire.
(B) Support of Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cables. Raceways shall be used for their intended purpose. Network-powered broadband communications cables shall not be strapped, taped, or attached by any
means to the exterior of any conduit or raceway as a means
of support.
830.154 Applications of Network-Powered Broadband
Communications System Cables. Permitted and nonpermitted applications of listed network-powered broadband
communications system cables shall be as indicated in
Table 830.154(a). The permitted applications shall be subject to the installation requirements of 830.40, 830.110 and
830.113. The substitutions for network-powered broadband
system cables listed in Table 830.154(b) shall be permitted.
AF
Exception No. 1: Where all of the conductors of electric
light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm circuits
are separated from all of the network-powered broadband
communications cables by a permanent barrier or listed
divider.
Exception No. 2: Power circuit conductors in outlet boxes,
junction boxes, or similar fittings or compartments where
such conductors are introduced solely for power supply to
the network-powered broadband communications system
distribution equipment. The power circuit conductors shall
be routed within the enclosure to maintain a minimum
6-mm (0.25-in.) separation from network-powered broadband communications cables.
(2 in.) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1,
and non–power-limited fire alarm circuits.
T
830.154
D
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(2) Other Applications. Network-powered broadband
communications cable shall be separated at least 50 mm
Table 830.154(a) Applications of Network-Powered Broadband Cables in Buildings [ROP 16–255, ROP 16–233, ROP 16–278]
BLP
BLR
BL
BMR
BM
BLX
BMU,
BLU
In fabricated ducts as described in
300.22(B)
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with
300.22(B)
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In other spaces used for
environmental air as described in
300.22(C)
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
In metal raceway that complies with
300.22(C)
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
Applications
In Specifically Fabricated
Ducts as Described in
300.22(B)
In Other Spaces Used for
Environmental Air as
Described in 300.22(C)
Cable Types
In plenum cable routing assemblies
70–758
NOT PERMITTED
Supported by open metal cable trays
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
N
Supported by solid bottom metal
cable trays with solid metal covers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
830.154
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Table 830.154(a) Continued
Cable Types
BLR
BL
BMR
BM
BLX
BMU,
BLU
In vertical runs
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
N
N
N
In metal raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In fireproof shafts
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In plenum cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
N
In one- and two-family dwellings
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Within Buildings in Other General
Than Air-Handling
In one- and two-family dwellings
Spaces and Risers
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Supported by cable trays
Y*
In rigid metal conduit (RMC) and
intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
Y*
AF
In Risers
T
BLP
Applications
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
In plenum communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In plenum cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In riser communications raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In riser cable routing assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In general purpose communications
raceways
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
In general-purpose cable routing
assemblies
Y*
Y*
Y*
N
N
N
N
D
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In any raceway recognized in
Chapter 3
Note: An “N” in the table indicates that the cable type shall not be permitted to be installed in the application. A “Y*” indicates that the cable is
permitted to be installed in the application, subject to the limitations described in 830.113.
Informational Note 1: Part V of Article 830 covers installation methods within buildings. This table covers the applications of listed networkpowered broadband communications cables in buildings. The definition of point of entrance is in 830.2. Network-powered broadband communications cables entrance cables that have not emerged from the rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) are not considered
to be in the building.
Informational Note No. 2: For information on the restrictions to the installation of network-powered broadband communications cables in
fabricated ducts see 830.113(B).
Informational Note No. 3: Cable routing assemblies are not addressed in NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
Ventilating Systems.
Table 830.154(b) Cable Substitutions
Cable
Type
BM
BLP
BLR
BL
BLX
2014 Edition
Permitted Cable Substitutions
BMR
CMP, CL3P
CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, BLP, BMR
CMP, CMR, CM, CMG, CL3P, CL3R, CL3, BMR,
BM, BLP, BLR
CMP, CMR, CM, CMG, CMX, CL3P, CL3R, CL3,
CL3X, BMR, BM, BLP, BRP, BL
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–759
ARTICLE 830 — NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
830.160 Bends. Bends in network broadband cable shall
be made so as not to damage the cable.
VI. Listing Requirements
830.179 Network-Powered Broadband Communications Equipment and Cables. Network-powered broadband communications equipment and cables shall be listed
and marked in accordance with 830.179(A) or (B).
Exception No. 1: This listing requirement shall not apply
to community antenna television and radio distribution system coaxial cables that were installed prior to January 1,
2000, in accordance with Article 820 and are used for
low-power network-powered broadband communications
circuits.
Exception No. 2: Substitute cables for network-powered
broadband communications cables shall be permitted as
shown in Table 830.154(b).
(3) Type BMU. Type BMU cables shall be jacketed and
listed as being suitable for outdoor underground use.
(B) Network-Powered Broadband Communication
Low-Power Cables. Network-powered broadband communications low-power cables shall be factory-assembled
cables consisting of a jacketed coaxial cable, a jacketed
combination of coaxial cable and multiple individual conductors, or a jacketed combination of an optical fiber cable
and multiple individual conductors. The insulation for the
individual conductors shall be rated for 300 volts minimum. Cables intended for outdoor use shall be listed as
suitable for the application. Cables shall be marked in accordance with 310.120.
(1) Type BLP. Type BLP cables shall be listed as being
suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for
environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke–producing characteristics.
D
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AF
(A) Network-Powered Broadband Communications
Medium-Power Cables. Network-powered broadband
communications medium-power cables shall be factoryassembled cables consisting of a jacketed coaxial cable, a
jacketed combination of coaxial cable and multiple individual conductors, or a jacketed combination of an optical
fiber cable and multiple individual conductors. The insulation for the individual conductors shall be rated for 300
volts minimum. Cables intended for outdoor use shall be
listed as suitable for the application. Cables shall be marked
in accordance with 310.120.
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays, as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
T
830.160
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is
low smoke–producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that
the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50
or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a
maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less
when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard
Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and
Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces. [ROP 16–78, ROP
16–257]
(1) Type BMR. Type BMR cables shall be listed as being
suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to
floor and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from
floor to floor.
(2) Type BLR. Type BLR cables shall be listed as being
suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft, or from floor to
floor, and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from
floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2011, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed
Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 16–76]
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant
characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire
from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements
of ANSI/UL 1666-2011, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed
Vertically in Shafts. [ROP 16–76]
(2) Type BM. Type BM cables shall be listed as being
suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant
to the spread of fire.
(3) Type BL. Type BL cables shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers
and plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant to
the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP 16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
Informational Note: One method of defining resistant to
the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the
top of the tray in the UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray
Flame Test in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for
Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for
Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable. [ROP 16–76]
Another method of defining resistant to the spread of
70–760
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 840 — PREMISES-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
(4) Type BLX. Type BLX limited-use cables shall be
listed as being suitable for use outside, for use in dwellings,
and for use in raceways and shall also be listed as being
resistant to flame spread.
Informational Note: One method of determining that cable
is resistant to flame spread is by testing the cable to VW-1
(vertical-wire) flame test in ANSI/UL 1581-2011, Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible
Cords. [ROP 16–76]
(5) Type BLU. Type BLU cables shall be jacketed and
listed as being suitable for outdoor underground use.
840.2 Definitions. The definitions in Part I of Article 100
and 770.2, 800.2, and 820.2 shall apply. For purposes of
this article, the following additional definitions apply.
[ROP 16–265]
Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP). Conductive or nonconductive optical fiber cable that is brought to the premises, is terminated at an optical network terminal (ONT),
and establishes a connection to a communications network.
[ROP 16–267]
Optical Network Terminal (ONT). A device that converts
an optical signal into component signals, including voice,
audio, video, data, wireless, and interactive service electrical, and is considered to be network interface equipment.
Premises Communications Circuit. The circuit that extends voice, audio, video, data, interactive services, telegraph (except radio), and outside wiring for fire alarm and
burglar alarm from the service provider’s ONT to the customer’s communications equipment up to and including
terminal equipment, such as a telephone, a fax machine, or
an answering machine.
AF
830.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or
non–current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall
be listed or be part of listed equipment. [ROP 16–258]
Informational Note No. 4: See 90.2(B)(4) for installations
of premises-powered broadband communications systems
that are not covered. [ROP 16–262]
T
fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft
11 in.) when performing the CSA Vertical Flame Test —
Cables in Cable Trays, as described in CSA C22.2 No.
0.3-2001, Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables.
840.3
I. General
D
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ARTICLE 840
Premises-Powered Broadband
Communications Systems
840.1 Scope. This article covers premises-powered broadband communications systems that provide any combination of voice, video, data, and interactive services. [ROP
16–260]
Informational Note No. 1: Examples of premises-powered
broadband communications systems are services through an
optical network terminal (ONT) or parabolic antenna system. [ROP 16–260]
Informational Note No. 2: A typical basic optical fiber
system configuration consists of an optical fiber cable to the
premises (FTTP) supplying a broadband signal to an ONT
that converts the broadband optical signal into component
electrical signals, such as traditional telephone, video, highspeed internet, and interactive services. Powering of the
ONT is typically accomplished through an ONT power
supply unit (OPSU) and battery backup unit (BBU) that
derive their power input from the available ac at the premises. The optical fiber cable is unpowered and may be
nonconductive or conductive. [ROP 16–261]
Informational Note No. 3: A typical parabolic antenna
signal receiving system consists of a parabolic antenna supplying signal to and powered by an on premises receiving
unit through coaxial cabling. [ROP 16–263]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV)
Circuit. The circuit that extends community antenna television (CATV) systems for audio, video, data, and interactive services from the service provider’s ONT to the appropriate customer equipment.
840.3 Other Articles.
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Premises-powered
broadband communications circuits and equipment installed in a location that is classified in accordance with
500.5 and 505.5 shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.
(B) Cables in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor
Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) for wiring systems shall apply to conductive optical fiber cables. [ROP
16–269]
(C) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental
Air. The requirements of 300.22(C) (3) shall apply. [ROP
16–270]
(D) Installation and Use. The requirements of 110.3(B)
shall apply. [ROP 16–272]
(E) Output Circuits. As appropriate for the services provided, the output circuits derived from the optical network
terminal shall comply with the requirements of the following:
70–761
ARTICLE 840 — PREMISES-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
(1) Installations of communications circuits — Part V of
Article 800
(2) Installations of community antenna television and radio
distribution circuits — Part V of Article 820
(3) Installations of optical fiber cables — Part V of Article
770
(4) Installations of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits — Part III
of Article 725
(5) Installations of power-limited fire alarm circuits — Part
III of Article 760
[ROP 16–271, ROP 16–272]
840.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels
Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment
shall not be denied by an accumulation of premisespowered broadband cables that prevents removal of panels,
including suspended ceiling panels.
840.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. The requirements of 770.24, 800.24, and 820.24 shall apply.
840.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. The
requirements of 770.26, 800.26, and 820.26 shall apply.
II. Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
D
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840.44 Overhead Optical Fiber Cables. Overhead optical
fiber cables containing a non–current-carrying metallic
member entering buildings shall comply with 840.44(A)
and (B).
(A) On Poles and In-Span. Where outside plant optical
fiber cables and electric light or power conductors are supported by the same pole or are run parallel to each other
in-span, the conditions described in 840.44(A)(1) through
(A)(4) shall be met.
(1) Relative Location. Where practicable, the outside
plant optical fiber cables shall be located below the electric
light or power conductors.
(2) Attachment to Cross-Arms. Attachment of outside
plant optical fiber cables to a cross-arm that carries electric
light or power conductors shall not be permitted.
(3) Climbing Space. The climbing space through outside
plant optical fiber cables shall comply with the requirements of 225.14(D).
(4) Clearance. Supply service drops and sets of overhead
service conductors of 0–750 volts running above and parallel to broadband communications service drops shall have
a minimum separation of 300 mm (12 in.) at any point in
70–762
(B) Above Roofs. Outside plant optical fiber cables shall
have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from
all points of roofs above which they pass.
Exception No. 1: The requirement of 840.44(B) shall not
apply to auxiliary buildings, such as garages and the like.
Exception No. 2: A reduction in clearance above only the
overhanging portion of the roof, to not less than 450 mm
(18 in.), shall be permitted if (a) not more than 1.2 m (4 ft)
of premises-powered broadband communications servicedrop cable passes above the roof overhang, and (b) the
cable is terminated at a through- or above-the-roof raceway or approved support.
Exception No. 3: Where the roof has a slope of not less
than 100 mm in 300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.), a reduction in
clearance to not less than 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
Informational Note: For additional information regarding
overhead wires and cables, see ANSI C2-2007, National
Electric Safety Code, Part 2, Safety Rules for Overhead
Lines.
AF
840.25 Abandoned Cables. The requirements of 770.25,
800.25, and 820.25 shall apply.
the span, including the point of and at their attachment to
the building. Clearance of not less than 1.0 m (40 in.) shall
be maintained between the two services at the pole. [ROP
16–273]
T
840.21
840.47 Underground Optical Fiber Cables Entering
Buildings. Underground optical fiber cables entering buildings shall comply with 840.47(A) through (C).
(A) Class 1 or Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuits.
Underground optical fiber cables with a non–currentcarrying metallic member entering buildings with electric
light, power, Class 1, or non–power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors in a raceway, handhole enclosure, or manhole shall be located in a section separated from such conductors by means of brick, concrete, or tile partitions or by
means of a suitable barrier.
(B) Direct-Buried Cables and Raceways. Direct-buried
optical fiber cables with a non–current-carrying metallic
member shall be separated by at least 300 mm (12 in.) from
conductors of any electric light, power, or non–powerlimited fire alarm circuit conductors or Class 1 circuit.
Exception No. 1: Where electric service conductors are
installed in raceways or have metal cable armor.
Exception No. 2: Where electric light or power branchcircuit or feeder conductors, non–power-limited fire alarm
circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuit conductors are installed in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, or
Type UF or Type USE cables.
(C) Mechanical Protection. Direct-buried cable, conduit,
or other raceway shall be installed to have a minimum
cover of 150 mm (6 in.).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
ARTICLE 840 — PREMISES-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
840.48 Unlisted Cables and Raceways Entering Buildings. The requirements of 770.48 shall apply.
840.49 Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. The requirements of 770.49 shall apply. [ROP 16–280]
840.106
methods described in 820.100 or 820.106, or to an
equipment grounding conductor through a listed
grounding device that will retain the ground connection
if the ONT is unplugged
(B) Communications Circuit Grounding. Communications circuits shall not be required to be grounded.
840.90 Protective Devices. The requirements of 800.90
shall apply.
840.93 Grounding or Interruption. Non–current-carrying
metallic members of optical fiber cables, communications
cables or coaxial cables entering buildings or attaching to
buildings shall comply with 840.93(A), (B) or (C), respectively. [ROP 16–281]
(A) Non–Current-Carrying Metallic Members of Optical Fiber Cables. Non–current-carrying metallic members
of optical fiber cables entering a building or terminating on
the outside of a building shall comply with 770.93(A) or
(B).
Informational Note: Where required to be grounded, a
listed device that extends the equipment grounding conductor from the receptacle to the ONT equipment grounding
terminal is permitted. Sizing of the extended equipment
grounding conductor is covered in Table 250.122.
[ROP 16–282]
840.106 Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes.
AF
(B) Communications Cables. The grounding or interruption of the metallic sheath of communications cable shall
comply with 800.93.
(C) ONT Grounding. The ONT shall not be required to be
grounded unless required by its listing. If the coaxial cable
shield is separately grounded as described in 840.101(A)(1)
or 840.101(A)(2), the use of a cord and plug for the connection to the ONT grounding connection shall be permitted.
T
III. Protection
D
R
(C) Coaxial Cables. Where the ONT is installed inside or
outside of the building, with coaxial cables terminating at
the ONT, and is either entering, exiting, or attached to the
outside of the building, 820.93 shall apply.
IV. Grounding Methods
840.100 ONT and Optical Fiber Cable Grounding.
Grounding required for protection of the ONT and optical
fiber cable shall comply with 770.100, 800.100, or 820.100,
as applicable.
840.101 Premises Circuits Not Leaving the Building.
Where the ONT is served by a nonconductive optical fiber
cable, or where any non–current-carrying metallic member
is interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device,
and circuits that terminate at the ONT and are completely
contained within the building (i.e., they do not exit the
building), 840.101(A), (B), and (C) shall apply, as applicable.
(A) Coaxial Cable Shield Grounding. The shield of coaxial cable shall be grounded by one of the following:
(1) Any of the methods described in 820.100 or 820.106
(2) A fixed connection to an equipment grounding conductor as described in 250.118
(3) Connection to the ONT grounding terminal provided
that the terminal is connected to ground by one of the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(A) Grounding. Grounding shall comply with (1) and (2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile
home it serves, the non-current-carrying metallic members
of optical fiber cables shall be connected to a grounding
electrode in accordance with 770.106(A)(1), The ONT, if
required to be grounded, shall be connected to a grounding
electrode in accordance with 800.106(A)(1). Premises
CATV circuits shall be grounded in accordance with
820.106(A)(1) unless the ONT is listed to provide the
grounding path for the shield of the coaxial cable. The
grounding electrode shall be bonded in accordance with
770.106(B). [ROP 16–283]
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means
grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within 9.0
m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves,
the non-current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber
cables shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with 770.106(A)(2), The ONT, if required to be
grounded, shall be connected to a grounding electrode in
accordance with 800.106(A)(2). Premises CATV circuits
shall be grounded in accordance with 820.106(A)(2) unless
the ONT is listed to provide the grounding path for the
shield of the coaxial cable. The grounding electrode shall
be bonded in accordance with 770.106(B). [ROP 16–284]
(B) Bonding. The ONT grounding terminal or grounding
electrode shall be connected to the metal frame or available
grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper conductor not smaller than 12 AWG under any of the following
conditions:
70–763
ARTICLE 840 — PREMISES-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or
disconnecting means as specified in 840.106(A).
(2) Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug.
V. Installation Methods Within Buildings
840.110 Raceways for Premises-Powered Broadband
Communications Optical Fiber Cables. The requirements
of 770.110 shall apply.
840.113 Installation Past the ONT. Installation of premises communications circuits and premises coaxial circuits shall comply with 840.113(A) and (B).
(A) Premises Communications Circuits. Premises communications wires and cables installed in a building from
the ONT shall be listed in accordance with 800.179, and the
installation shall comply with 800.113 and 800.133.
Informational Note No. 1: One way to determine applicable requirements is to refer to UL 60950-1-2007, Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment; UL
498A-2008, Current Taps and Adapters; or UL 467-2007,
Grounding and Bonding Equipment.
Informational Note No. 2: There are no requirements on
the ONT and its grounding methodologies except for those
covered by the listing of the product.
(B) Optical Fiber Cables. Optical fiber cables shall be
listed in accordance with 770.179(A) through (D) and shall
be marked in accordance with Table 770.179.
(C) Premises Communications Circuits. Premises communications wires and cables connecting to the ONT shall
be listed in accordance with 800.179. Communications
raceways associated with the premises-powered broadband
communications system shall be listed in accordance with
800.182.
AF
(B) Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV)
Circuits. Premises CATV coaxial cables installed in a
building from the ONT shall be listed in accordance with
820.179, and the installation shall comply with 820.113 and
820.133.
(A) Optical Network Terminal. The ONT and applicable
grounding means shall be listed for application with
premises-powered broadband communications systems.
T
840.110
840.133 Installation of Optical Fibers and Electrical
Conductors Associated with Premises-Powered Broadband Communications Systems. The requirements of
770.133 shall apply.
D
R
840.154 Applications of Listed Optical Fiber Cables
and Raceways. The requirements of 770.154 shall apply.
VI. Listing Requirements
840.170 Equipment and Cables. Premises-powered
broadband communications systems equipment and cables
shall comply with 840.170(A) through (D).
70–764
(D) Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV)
Circuits. Premises community antenna television (CATV)
coaxial cables connecting to the ONT shall be listed in
accordance with 820.179. Applicable grounding means
shall be listed for application with premises-powered
broadband communications systems.
840.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, sheath or
non–current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a
bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall
be listed or be part of listed equipment. [ROP 16–285]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Chapter 9 Tables
(7)
Table 1 Percent of Cross Section of Conduit and Tubing for
Conductors and Cables [ROP 8–202]
All Conductor Types
1
2
Over 2
53
31
40
(8)
(9)
AF
Informational Note No. 1: Table 1 is based on common
conditions of proper cabling and alignment of conductors
where the length of the pull and the number of bends are
within reasonable limits. It should be recognized that, for
certain conditions, a larger size conduit or a lesser conduit
fill should be considered.
T
Number of Conductors
and/or Cables
sions of conductors and Table 4 for the applicable
conduit or tubing dimensions. [ROP 6–111]
When calculating the maximum number of conductors
or cables permitted in a conduit or tubing, all of the
same size (total cross-sectional area including insulation), the next higher whole number shall be used to
determine the maximum number of conductors permitted when the calculation results in a decimal
greater than or equal to 0.8. When calculating the size
for conduit or tubing permitted for a single conductor,
one conductor shall be permitted when the calculation
results in a decimal greater than or equal to 0.8. [ROP
8–198, ROP 8–199]
Where bare conductors are permitted by other sections of this Code, the dimensions for bare conductors
in Table 8 shall be permitted.
A multiconductor cable, optical fiber cable, or flexible
cord of two or more conductors shall be treated as a
single conductor for calculating percentage conduit
fill area. For cables that have elliptical cross sections,
the cross-sectional area calculation shall be based on
using the major diameter of the ellipse as a circle
diameter. [ROP 8–200]
The values for approximate conductor diameter
& area shown in Table 5 are based on worst case
scenario and indicate Round Concentric-Lay-Stranded
Conductors. Solid and Round Concentric-LayStranded are grouped together for the purpose of
Table 5. Round Compact-Stranded Conductors values
are shown in Table 5a. [ROP 6–112]
Informational Note No. 2: When pulling three conductors
or cables into a raceway, if the ratio of the raceway (inside
diameter) to the conductor or cable (outside diameter) is
between 2.8 and 3.2, jamming can occur. While jamming
can occur when pulling four or more conductors or cables
into a raceway, the probability is very low.
D
R
Notes to Tables
(1) See Informative Annex C for the maximum number of
conductors and fixture wires, all of the same size (total cross-sectional area including insulation) permitted
in trade sizes of the applicable conduit or tubing.
(2) Table 1 applies only to complete conduit or tubing
systems and is not intended to apply to sections of
conduit or tubing used to protect exposed wiring from
physical damage.
(3) Equipment grounding or bonding conductors, where
installed, shall be included when calculating conduit
or tubing fill. The actual dimensions of the equipment
grounding or bonding conductor (insulated or bare)
shall be used in the calculation.
(4) Where conduit or tubing nipples having a maximum
length not to exceed 600 mm (24 in.) are installed
between boxes, cabinets, and similar enclosures, the
nipples shall be permitted to be filled to 60 percent of
their total cross-sectional area, and 310.15(B)(3)(a)
adjustment factors need not apply to this condition.
(5) For conductors not included in Chapter 9, such as
multiconductor cables and optical fiber cables, the actual dimensions shall be used.
(6) For combinations of conductors of different sizes, use
actual dimensions or Table 5 and Table 5A for dimen-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(10)
70–765
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 2 Radius of Conduit and Tubing Bends
One Shot
and Full
Shoe
Benders
Conduit or Tubing
Size
Other Bends
Metric
Designator
Trade
Size
mm
in.
mm
in.
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
101.6
114.3
146.05
184.15
209.55
241.3
266.7
330.2
381
406.4
609.6
762
4
41⁄2
53⁄4
71⁄4
81⁄4
91⁄2
101⁄2
13
15
16
24
30
101.6
127
152.4
203.2
254
304.8
381
457.2
533.4
609.6
762
914.4
4
5
6
8
10
12
15
18
21
24
30
36
12
T
34
AF
Table 4 Dimensions and Percent Area of Conduit and Tubing
(Areas of Conduit or Tubing for the Combinations of Wires Permitted in Table 1, Chapter 9)
Article 358 — Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) [ROP 8–204]
Over 2 Wires
40%
60%
1 Wire
53%
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
2 Wires
31%
Total Area
100%
Trade
Size
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
⁄
⁄
1
1
1 ⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
78
137
222
387
526
866
1513
2280
2980
3808
0.122
0.213
0.346
0.598
0.814
1.342
2.343
3.538
4.618
5.901
118
206
333
581
788
1299
2270
3421
4471
5712
0.182
0.320
0.519
0.897
1.221
2.013
3.515
5.307
6.927
8.852
104
182
295
513
696
1147
2005
3022
3949
5046
0.161
0.283
0.458
0.793
1.079
1.778
3.105
4.688
6.119
7.819
61
106
172
300
407
671
1173
1767
2310
2951
0.094
0.165
0.268
0.464
0.631
1.040
1.816
2.742
3.579
4.573
15.8
20.9
26.6
35.1
40.9
52.5
69.4
85.2
97.4
110.1
0.622
0.824
1.049
1.380
1.610
2.067
2.731
3.356
3.834
4.334
196
343
556
968
1314
2165
3783
5701
7451
9521
0.304
0.533
0.864
1.496
2.036
3.356
5.858
8.846
11.545
14.753
12
34
D
R
Metric
Designator
Article 362 — Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) [ROP 8–92]
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
70–766
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
12
34
Total Area
100%
60%
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
15.3
20.4
26.1
34.5
40.4
52
—
—
—
0.602
0.804
1.029
1.36
1.59
2.047
—
—
—
184
328
537
937
1281
2123
—
—
—
0.285
0.508
0.832
1.453
1.986
3.291
—
—
—
110
197
322
562
769
1274
—
—
—
0.171
0.305
0.499
0.872
1.191
1.975
—
—
—
97
174
284
497
679
1125
—
—
—
0.151
0.269
0.441
0.770
1.052
1.744
—
—
—
57
102
166
291
397
658
—
—
—
0.088
0.157
0.258
0.450
0.616
1.020
—
—
—
73
131
215
375
512
849
—
—
—
0.114
0.203
0.333
0.581
0.794
1.316
—
—
—
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Article 348 — Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
38
12
mm
in.
9.7
16.1
20.9
25.9
32.4
39.1
51.8
63.5
76.2
88.9
101.6
0.384
0.635
0.824
1.020
1.275
1.538
2.040
2.500
3.000
3.500
4.000
Total Area
100%
mm2
in.2
74 0.116
204 0.317
343 0.533
527 0.817
824 1.277
1201 1.858
2107 3.269
3167 4.909
4560 7.069
6207 9.621
8107 12.566
1 Wire
53%
60%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
44
122
206
316
495
720
1264
1900
2736
3724
4864
0.069
0.190
0.320
0.490
0.766
1.115
1.961
2.945
4.241
5.773
7.540
39
108
182
279
437
636
1117
1678
2417
3290
4297
0.061
0.168
0.283
0.433
0.677
0.985
1.732
2.602
3.746
5.099
6.660
23
63
106
163
256
372
653
982
1414
1924
2513
0.036
0.098
0.165
0.253
0.396
0.576
1.013
1.522
2.191
2.983
3.896
30
81
137
211
330
480
843
1267
1824
2483
3243
0.046
0.127
0.213
0.327
0.511
0.743
1.307
1.963
2.827
3.848
5.027
T
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
38
12
in.
—
16.8
21.9
28.1
36.8
42.7
54.6
64.9
80.7
93.2
105.4
—
0.660
0.864
1.105
1.448
1.683
2.150
2.557
3.176
3.671
4.166
Total Area
100%
mm2
in.2
—
—
222 0.342
377 0.586
620 0.959
1064 1.647
1432 2.225
2341 3.630
3308 5.135
5115 7.922
6822 10.584
8725 13.631
D
R
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
mm
AF
Article 342 — Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
60%
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
—
133
226
372
638
859
1405
1985
3069
4093
5235
—
0.205
0.352
0.575
0.988
1.335
2.178
3.081
4.753
6.351
8.179
—
117
200
329
564
759
1241
1753
2711
3616
4624
—
0.181
0.311
0.508
0.873
1.179
1.924
2.722
4.199
5.610
7.224
—
69
117
192
330
444
726
1026
1586
2115
2705
—
0.106
0.182
0.297
0.510
0.690
1.125
1.592
2.456
3.281
4.226
—
89
151
248
425
573
937
1323
2046
2729
3490
—
0.137
0.235
0.384
0.659
0.890
1.452
2.054
3.169
4.234
5.452
Article 356 — Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC-B*)
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
38
12
Total Area
100%
60%
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
12.5
16.1
21.1
26.8
35.4
40.3
51.6
0.494
0.632
0.830
1.054
1.395
1.588
2.033
123
204
350
564
984
1276
2091
0.192
0.314
0.541
0.873
1.528
1.981
3.246
74
122
210
338
591
765
1255
0.115
0.188
0.325
0.524
0.917
1.188
1.948
65
108
185
299
522
676
1108
0.102
0.166
0.287
0.462
0.810
1.050
1.720
38
63
108
175
305
395
648
0.059
0.097
0.168
0.270
0.474
0.614
1.006
49
81
140
226
394
510
836
0.077
0.125
0.216
0.349
0.611
0.792
1.298
*Corresponds to 356.2(2).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–767
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Article 356 — Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC-A*)
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
38
12
Total Area
100%
60%
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
12.6
16.0
21.0
26.5
35.1
40.7
52.4
0.495
0.630
0.825
1.043
1.383
1.603
2.063
125
201
346
552
968
1301
2157
0.192
0.312
0.535
0.854
1.502
2.018
3.343
75
121
208
331
581
781
1294
0.115
0.187
0.321
0.513
0.901
1.211
2.006
66
107
184
292
513
690
1143
0.102
0.165
0.283
0.453
0.796
1.070
1.772
39
62
107
171
300
403
669
0.060
0.097
0.166
0.265
0.466
0.626
1.036
50
80
139
221
387
520
863
0.077
0.125
0.214
0.342
0.601
0.807
1.337
*Corresponds to 356.2(1).
Article 350 — Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
38
12
in.
12.5 0.494
16.1 0.632
21.1 0.830
26.8 1.054
35.4 1.395
40.3 1.588
51.6 2.033
63.3 2.493
78.4 3.085
89.4 3.520
102.1 4.020
— —
—
—
mm2
in.2
123 0.192
204 0.314
350 0.541
564 0.873
984 1.528
1276 1.981
2091 3.246
3147 4.881
4827 7.475
6277 9.731
8187 12.692
—
—
—
—
mm2
in.2
74
122
210
338
591
765
1255
1888
2896
3766
4912
—
—
0.115
0.188
0.325
0.524
0.917
1.188
1.948
2.929
4.485
5.839
7.615
—
—
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
T
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
mm
60%
D
R
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
Total Area
100%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
65
108
185
299
522
676
1108
1668
2559
3327
4339
—
—
0.102
0.166
0.287
0.462
0.810
1.050
1.720
2.587
3.962
5.158
6.727
—
—
38
63
108
175
305
395
648
976
1497
1946
2538
—
—
0.059
0.097
0.168
0.270
0.474
0.614
1.006
1.513
2.317
3.017
3.935
—
—
49
81
140
226
394
510
836
1259
1931
2511
3275
—
—
0.077
0.125
0.216
0.349
0.611
0.792
1.298
1.953
2.990
3.893
5.077
—
—
AF
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Article 344 — Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
70–768
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
38
12
Total Area
100%
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
—
16.1
21.2
27.0
35.4
41.2
52.9
63.2
78.5
90.7
102.9
128.9
154.8
—
0.632
0.836
1.063
1.394
1.624
2.083
2.489
3.090
3.570
4.050
5.073
6.093
—
204
353
573
984
1333
2198
3137
4840
6461
8316
13050
18821
—
0.314
0.549
0.887
1.526
2.071
3.408
4.866
7.499
10.010
12.882
20.212
29.158
60%
mm2
in.2
—
—
122 0.188
212 0.329
344 0.532
591 0.916
800 1.243
1319 2.045
1882 2.919
2904 4.499
3877 6.006
4990 7.729
7830 12.127
11292 17.495
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
—
108
187
303
522
707
1165
1663
2565
3424
4408
6916
9975
—
0.166
0.291
0.470
0.809
1.098
1.806
2.579
3.974
5.305
6.828
10.713
15.454
—
63
109
177
305
413
681
972
1500
2003
2578
4045
5834
—
0.097
0.170
0.275
0.473
0.642
1.056
1.508
2.325
3.103
3.994
6.266
9.039
—
81
141
229
394
533
879
1255
1936
2584
3326
5220
7528
—
0.125
0.220
0.355
0.610
0.829
1.363
1.946
3.000
4.004
5.153
8.085
11.663
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Article 352 — Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC), Schedule 80
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Trade
Size
mm
in.
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
—
13.4
18.3
23.8
31.9
37.5
48.6
58.2
72.7
84.5
96.2
121.1
145.0
—
0.526
0.722
0.936
1.255
1.476
1.913
2.290
2.864
3.326
3.786
4.768
5.709
38
12
mm2
1 Wire
53%
60%
in.2
mm2
—
—
141 0.217
263 0.409
445 0.688
799 1.237
1104 1.711
1855 2.874
2660 4.119
4151 6.442
5608 8.688
7268 11.258
11518 17.855
16513 25.598
in.2
2 Wires
31%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
—
75
139
236
424
585
983
1410
2200
2972
3852
6105
8752
—
0.115
0.217
0.365
0.656
0.907
1.523
2.183
3.414
4.605
5.967
9.463
13.567
—
44
82
138
248
342
575
825
1287
1738
2253
3571
5119
—
0.067
0.127
0.213
0.383
0.530
0.891
1.277
1.997
2.693
3.490
5.535
7.935
—
—
85 0.130
158 0.246
267 0.413
480 0.742
663 1.027
1113 1.725
1596 2.471
2491 3.865
3365 5.213
4361 6.755
6911 10.713
9908 15.359
T
Metric
Designator
Total Area
100%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
—
—
56 0.087
105 0.164
178 0.275
320 0.495
442 0.684
742 1.150
1064 1.647
1660 2.577
2243 3.475
2907 4.503
4607 7.142
6605 10.239
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
⁄
⁄
3⁄4
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
38
12
in.
—
15.3
20.4
26.1
34.5
40.4
52.0
62.1
77.3
89.4
101.5
127.4
153.2
—
0.602
0.804
1.029
1.360
1.590
2.047
2.445
3.042
3.521
3.998
5.016
6.031
Total Area
100%
mm2
in.2
—
—
184 0.285
327 0.508
535 0.832
935 1.453
1282 1.986
2124 3.291
3029 4.695
4693 7.268
6277 9.737
8091 12.554
12748 19.761
18433 28.567
D
R
12
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
mm
AF
Articles 352 and 353 — Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC), Schedule 40, and HDPE Conduit (HDPE)
60%
mm2
in.2
—
—
110 0.171
196 0.305
321 0.499
561 0.872
769 1.191
1274 1.975
1817 2.817
2816 4.361
3766 5.842
4855 7.532
7649 11.856
11060 17.140
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
—
97
173
284
495
679
1126
1605
2487
3327
4288
6756
9770
—
0.151
0.269
0.441
0.770
1.052
1.744
2.488
3.852
5.161
6.654
10.473
15.141
—
57
101
166
290
397
658
939
1455
1946
2508
3952
5714
—
0.088
0.157
0.258
0.450
0.616
1.020
1.455
2.253
3.018
3.892
6.126
8.856
—
74
131
214
374
513
849
1212
1877
2511
3237
5099
7373
—
0.114
0.203
0.333
0.581
0.794
1.316
1.878
2.907
3.895
5.022
7.904
11.427
Article 352 — Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC)
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
16
21
27
35
41
53
2014 Edition
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
12
34
Total Area
100%
60%
1 Wire
53%
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
17.8
23.1
29.8
38.1
43.7
54.7
0.700
0.910
1.175
1.500
1.720
2.155
249
419
697
1140
1500
2350
0.385
0.650
1.084
1.767
2.324
3.647
149
251
418
684
900
1410
0.231
0.390
0.651
1.060
1.394
2.188
132
222
370
604
795
1245
0.204
0.345
0.575
0.937
1.231
1.933
77
130
216
353
465
728
0.119
0.202
0.336
0.548
0.720
1.131
100
168
279
456
600
940
0.154
0.260
0.434
0.707
0.929
1.459
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–769
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Article 352 — Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC)
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
63
78
91
103
129
155
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
mm
in.
66.9
82.0
93.7
106.2
—
—
2.635
3.230
3.690
4.180
—
—
Total Area
100%
mm2
1 Wire
53%
60%
in.2
3515 5.453
5281 8.194
6896 10.694
8858 13.723
—
—
—
—
2 Wires
31%
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
2109
3169
4137
5315
—
—
3.272
4.916
6.416
8.234
—
—
1863
2799
3655
4695
—
—
2.890
4.343
5.668
7.273
—
—
1090
1637
2138
2746
—
—
1.690
2.540
3.315
4.254
—
—
1406
2112
2758
3543
—
—
2.181
3.278
4.278
5.489
—
—
Article 352 — Type EB, Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC)
⁄
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21⁄2
3
31⁄2
4
5
6
12
34
in.
mm2
in.2
—
—
—
—
—
56.4
—
84.6
96.6
108.9
135.0
160.9
—
—
—
—
—
2.221
—
3.330
3.804
4.289
5.316
6.336
—
—
—
—
—
2498
—
5621
7329
9314
14314
20333
—
—
—
—
—
3.874
—
8.709
11.365
14.448
22.195
31.530
mm2
in.2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1499 2.325
—
—
3373 5.226
4397 6.819
5589 8.669
8588 13.317
12200 18.918
mm2
in.2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1324 2.053
—
—
2979 4.616
3884 6.023
4937 7.657
7586 11.763
10776 16.711
AF
16
21
27
35
41
53
63
78
91
103
129
155
mm
1 Wire
53%
60%
D
R
Metric
Trade
Designator Size
Total Area
100%
2 Wires
31%
T
Nominal
Internal
Diameter
Over 2 Wires
40%
mm2
in.2
mm2
in.2
—
—
—
—
—
774
—
1743
2272
2887
4437
6303
—
—
—
—
—
1.201
—
2.700
3.523
4.479
6.881
9.774
—
—
—
—
—
999
—
2248
2932
3726
5726
8133
—
—
—
—
—
1.550
—
3.484
4.546
5.779
8.878
12.612
Table 5 Dimensions of Insulated Conductors and Fixture Wires [ROP 6–113]
Approximate Area
Type
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
mm2
Approximate Diameter
in.2
mm
in.
Type: FFH-2, RFH-1, RFH-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*, RHH, RHW, RHW-2, SF-1, SF-2, SFF-1, SFF-2, TF, TFF, THHW,
THW, THW-2, TW, XF, XFF
RFH-2,
FFH-2, RFHH-2
[ROP 6–114]
70–770
18
16
9.355
11.10
0.0145
3.454
0.136
0.0172
3.759
0.148
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 5 Continued
Approximate Area
RHH, RHW,
RHW-2
mm2
in.2
mm
in.
14
12
18.90
22.77
0.0293
0.0353
4.902
5.385
0.193
0.212
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
28.19
53.87
67.16
86.00
98.13
112.9
171.6
0.0437
0.0835
0.1041
0.1333
0.1521
0.1750
0.2660
5.994
8.280
9.246
10.46
11.18
11.99
14.78
0.236
0.326
0.364
0.412
0.440
0.472
0.582
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
196.1
226.1
262.7
306.7
0.3039
0.3505
0.4072
0.4754
15.80
16.97
18.29
19.76
0.622
0.668
0.720
0.778
250
300
350
400
500
600
405.9
457.3
507.7
556.5
650.5
782.9
0.6291
0.7088
0.7870
0.8626
1.0082
1.2135
22.73
24.13
25.43
26.62
28.78
31.57
0.895
0.950
1.001
1.048
1.133
1.243
874.9
920.8
965.0
1057
1143
1.3561
1.4272
1.4957
1.6377
1.7719
33.38
34.24
35.05
36.68
38.15
1.314
1.348
1.380
1.444
1.502
1515
1738
1959
2175
2.3479
2.6938
3.0357
3.3719
43.92
47.04
49.94
52.63
1.729
1.852
1.966
2.072
700
750
800
900
1000
D
R
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
SF-2, SFF-2
Approximate Diameter
T
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
18
16
14
7.419
8.968
11.10
0.0115
0.0139
0.0172
3.073
3.378
3.759
0.121
0.133
0.148
18
4.194
0.0065
2.311
0.091
RFH-1,TF, TFF,
XF, XFF
18
5.161
0.0088
2.692
0.106
TF, TFF, XF, XFF
16
7.032
0.0109
2.997
0.118
TW, XF, XFF,
THHW, THW,
THW-2
14
8.968
0.0139
3.378
0.133
TW, THHW, THW,
THW-2
12
10
8
11.68
15.68
28.19
0.0181
0.0243
0.0437
3.861
4.470
5.994
0.152
0.176
0.236
RHH*, RHW*,
RHW-2*
14
13.48
0.0209
4.140
0.163
SF-1, SFF-1
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–771
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 5
Continued
Approximate Area
Type
RHH*, RHW*,
RHW-2*, XF,
XFF
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
12
Approximate Diameter
mm2
in.2
mm
in.
16.77
0.0260
4.623
0.182
Type: RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*, THHN, THHW, THW, THW-2, TFN, TFFN, THWN, THWN-2, XF, XFF
10
21.48
0.0333
5.232
0.206
RHH*, RHW*,
RHW-2*
8
35.87
0.0556
6.756
0.266
TW, THW, THHW,
THW-2, RHH*,
RHW*, RHW-2*
6
4
3
2
1
46.84
62.77
73.16
86.00
122.6
0.0726
0.0973
0.1134
0.1333
0.1901
7.722
8.941
9.652
10.46
12.50
0.304
0.352
0.380
0.412
0.492
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
143.4
169.3
201.1
239.9
0.2223
0.2624
0.3117
0.3718
13.51
14.68
16.00
17.48
0.532
0.578
0.630
0.688
250
300
350
400
500
600
296.5
340.7
384.4
427.0
509.7
627.7
0.4596
0.5281
0.5958
0.6619
0.7901
0.9729
19.43
20.83
22.12
23.32
25.48
28.27
0.765
0.820
0.871
0.918
1.003
1.113
700
750
800
900
1000
710.3
751.7
791.7
874.9
953.8
1.1010
1.1652
1.2272
1.3561
1.4784
30.07
30.94
31.75
33.38
34.85
1.184
1.218
1.250
1.314
1.372
1.8602
2.1695
2.4773
2.7818
39.09
42.21
45.11
47.80
1.539
1.662
1.776
1.882
AF
D
R
1250
1500
1750
2000
TFN, TFFN
70–772
18
16
T
RHH,* RHW,*
RHW-2,* XF,
XFF
1200
1400
1598
1795
3.548
4.645
0.0055
0.0072
2.134
2.438
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
0.084
0.096
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 5 Continued
Approximate Area
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
THHN, THWN,
THWN-2
mm2
in.2
mm
in.
6.258
8.581
13.61
23.61
32.71
53.16
62.77
74.71
100.8
0.0097
0.0133
0.0211
0.0366
0.0507
0.0824
0.0973
0.1158
0.1562
2.819
3.302
4.166
5.486
6.452
8.230
8.941
9.754
11.33
0.111
0.130
0.164
0.216
0.254
0.324
0.352
0.384
0.446
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
119.7
143.4
172.8
208.8
0.1855
0.2223
0.2679
0.3237
12.34
13.51
14.83
16.31
0.486
0.532
0.584
0.642
250
300
256.1
297.3
0.3970
0.4608
18.06
19.46
0.711
0.766
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
T
Type
Approximate Diameter
Type: FEP, FEPB, PAF, PAFF, PF, PFA, PFAH, PFF, PGF, PGFF, PTF, PTFF, TFE, THHN, THWN, THWN-2, Z, ZF, ZFF
PF, PGFF, PGF,
PFF, PTF, PAF,
PTFF, PAFF
PF, PGFF, PGF,
PFF, PTF, PAF,
PTFF, PAFF,
TFE, FEP, PFA,
FEPB, PFAH
TFE, FEP, PFA,
FEPB, PFAH
TFE, PFAH, PFA
TFE, PFA, PFAH,
Z
ZF, ZFF, ZHF
2014 Edition
338.2
378.3
456.3
559.7
637.9
677.2
715.2
794.3
869.5
0.5242
0.5863
0.7073
0.8676
0.9887
1.0496
1.1085
1.2311
1.3478
AF
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
D
R
THHN, THWN,
THWN-2
20.75
21.95
24.10
26.70
28.50
29.36
30.18
31.80
33.27
0.817
0.864
0.949
1.051
1.122
1.156
1.188
1.252
1.310
18
3.742
0.0058
2.184
0.086
16
4.839
0.0075
2.489
0.098
14
6.452
0.0100
2.870
0.113
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
8.839
12.32
21.48
30.19
43.23
51.87
62.77
0.0137
0.0191
0.0333
0.0468
0.0670
0.0804
0.0973
3.353
3.962
5.232
6.198
7.417
8.128
8.941
0.132
0.156
0.206
0.244
0.292
0.320
0.352
1
90.26
0.1399
10.72
0.422
0.1676
0.2027
0.2463
0.3000
11.73
12.90
14.22
15.70
0.462
0.508
0.560
0.618
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
18
16
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
108.1
130.8
158.9
193.5
2.903
3.935
0.0045
0.0061
1.930
2.235
0.076
0.088
70–773
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 5
Continued
Approximate Area
Type
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
mm2
Approximate Diameter
in.2
mm
in.
Z, ZF, ZFF, ZHF
14
5.355
0.0083
2.616
0.103
Z
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
7.548
12.32
19.48
27.74
40.32
55.16
66.39
81.87
0.0117
0.0191
0.0302
0.0430
0.0625
0.0855
0.1029
0.1269
3.099
3.962
4.978
5.944
7.163
8.382
9.195
10.21
0.122
0.156
0.196
0.234
0.282
0.330
0.362
0.402
3.378
3.861
4.470
5.994
6.960
8.179
8.890
9.703
0.133
0.152
0.176
0.236
0.274
0.322
0.350
0.382
Type: KF-1, KF-2, KFF-1, KFF-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
8.968
11.68
15.68
28.19
38.06
52.52
62.06
73.94
0.0139
0.0181
0.0243
0.0437
0.0590
0.0814
0.0962
0.1146
XHHW, XHHW-2,
XHH
1
98.97
0.1534
11.23
0.442
AF
T
XHHW, ZW,
XHHW-2, XHH
117.7
141.3
170.5
206.3
0.1825
0.2190
0.2642
0.3197
12.24
13.41
14.73
16.21
0.482
0.528
0.58
0.638
250
300
350
400
500
251.9
292.6
333.3
373.0
450.6
0.3904
0.4536
0.5166
0.5782
0.6984
17.91
19.30
20.60
21.79
23.95
0.705
0.76
0.811
0.858
0.943
600
700
750
800
900
561.9
640.2
679.5
717.5
796.8
0.8709
0.9923
1.0532
1.1122
1.2351
26.75
28.55
29.41
30.23
31.85
1.053
1.124
1.158
1.190
1.254
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
872.2
1108
1300
1492
1682
1.3519
1.7180
2.0156
2.3127
2.6073
33.32
37.57
40.69
43.59
46.28
1.312
1.479
1.602
1.716
1.822
D
R
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
KF-2, KFF-2
18
16
14
12
10
2.000
2.839
4.129
6.000
8.968
0.003
0.0043
0.0064
0.0092
0.0139
1.575
1.88
2.286
2.743
3.378
0.062
0.074
0.090
0.108
0.133
KF-1, KFF-1
18
16
14
12
10
1.677
2.387
3.548
5.355
8.194
0.0026
0.0037
0.0055
0.0083
0.0127
1.448
1.753
2.134
2.616
3.226
0.057
0.069
0.084
0.103
0.127
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–774
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 5A Compact Copper and Aluminum Building Wire Nominal Dimensions* and Areas
Bare
Conductor
Types RHH**, RHW**,
or USE
Size
Approximate
(AWG Diameter
Diameter
or
kcmil) mm in.
mm in.
8
6
4
2
1
3.404 0.134 6.604 0.260
4.293 0.169 7.493 0.295
5.410 0.213 8.509 0.335
6.807 0.268 9.906 0.390
7.595 0.299 11.81 0.465
Types THW and THHW
Type THHN
Type XHHW
Size
(AWG
or
kcmil)
Approximate Approximate
Area
Diameter
Approximate Approximate Approximate Approximate
Area
Diameter
Area
Diameter
Approximate
Area
mm2
mm 2
mm2
in.2
25.42
34.19
47.10
65.61
87.23
0.0394
0.0530
0.0730
0.1017
0.1352
8
6
4
2
1
34.25
44.10
56.84
77.03
109.5
in.2
mm
in.
0.0531 6.477 0.255
0.0683 7.366 0.290
0.0881 8.509 0.335
0.1194 9.906 0.390
0.1698 11.81 0.465
in.2
32.90
42.58
56.84
77.03
109.5
mm
mm2
in.
0.0510
—
—
0.0660 6.096 0.240
0.0881 7.747 0.305
0.1194 9.144 0.360
0.1698 10.54 0.415
—
29.16
47.10
65.61
87.23
in.2
mm
in.
—
5.690 0.224
0.0452 6.604 0.260
0.0730 7.747 0.305
0.1017 9.144 0.360
0.1352 10.54 0.415
126.6 0.1963 12.70 0.500
126.6 0.1963 11.43 0.450 102.6 0.1590 11.43 0.450
102.6
0.1590
1/0
2/0 9.550 0.376 13.72 0.540
147.8 0.2290 13.84 0.545
150.5 0.2332 12.57 0.495 124.1 0.1924 12.45 0.490
121.6
0.1885
2/0
3/0 10.74 0.423 14.99 0.590
176.3 0.2733 14.99 0.590
176.3 0.2733 13.72 0.540 147.7 0.2290 13.72 0.540
147.7
0.2290
3/0
4/0 12.07 0.475 16.26 0.640
207.6 0.3217 16.38 0.645
210.8 0.3267 15.11 0.595 179.4 0.2780 14.99 0.590
176.3
0.2733
4/0
250 13.21
300 14.48
350 15.65
400 16.74
0.520
0.570
0.616
0.659
18.16
19.43
20.57
21.72
0.715
0.765
0.810
0.855
259.0
296.5
332.3
370.5
0.4015
0.4596
0.5153
0.5741
18.42
19.69
20.83
21.97
0.725
0.775
0.820
0.865
266.3
304.3
340.7
379.1
0.4128
0.4717
0.5281
0.5876
17.02
18.29
19.56
20.70
0.670
0.720
0.770
0.815
227.4
262.6
300.4
336.5
0.3525
0.4071
0.4656
0.5216
16.76
18.16
19.30
20.32
0.660
0.715
0.760
0.800
220.7
259.0
292.6
324.3
0.3421
0.4015
0.4536
0.5026
250
300
350
400
500 18.69
600 20.65
700 22.28
750 23.06
900 25.37
1000 26.92
0.736
0.813
0.877
0.908
0.999
1.060
23.62
26.29
27.94
28.83
31.50
32.64
0.930
1.035
1.100
1.135
1.240
1.285
438.2
542.8
613.1
652.8
779.3
836.6
0.6793
0.8413
0.9503
1.0118
1.2076
1.2968
23.88
26.67
28.19
29.21
31.09
32.64
0.940
1.050
1.110
1.150
1.224
1.285
447.7
558.6
624.3
670.1
759.1
836.6
0.6939
0.8659
0.9676
1.0386
1.1766
1.2968
22.48
25.02
26.67
27.31
30.33
31.88
0.885
0.985
1.050
1.075
1.194
1.255
396.8
491.6
558.6
585.5
722.5
798.1
0.6151
0.7620
0.8659
0.9076
1.1196
1.2370
22.35
24.89
26.67
27.69
29.69
31.24
0.880
0.980
1.050
1.090
1.169
1.230
392.4
486.6
558.6
602.0
692.3
766.6
0.6082
0.7542
0.8659
0.9331
1.0733
1.1882
500
600
700
750
900
1000
AF
T
1/0 8.534 0.336 12.70 0.500
*Dimensions are from industry sources.
**Types RHH and RHW without outer coverings.
D
R
Table 8 Conductor Properties
Conductors
Direct-Current Resistance at 75°C (167°F)
Stranding
Size
(AWG
or
kcmil)
Area
Diameter
Overall
Diameter
Circular
mm2 mils Quantity
mm
in.
mm
in.
18
18
0.823
0.823
1620
1620
1
7
—
0.39
—
0.015
1.02
1.16
0.040
0.046
16
16
1.31
1.31
2580
2580
1
7
—
0.49
—
0.019
1.29
1.46
14
14
2.08
2.08
4110
4110
1
7
—
0.62
—
0.024
12
12
3.31
3.31
6530
6530
1
7
—
0.78
10
10
5.261 10380
5.261 10380
1
7
8
8
8.367 16510
8.367 16510
6
4
3
2
1
13.30
21.15
26.67
33.62
42.41
2014 Edition
26240
41740
52620
66360
83690
Copper
Area
Uncoated
Coated
Aluminum
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
0.823 0.001
1.06 0.002
25.5
26.1
7.77
7.95
26.5
27.7
8.08
8.45
42.0
42.8
12.8
13.1
0.051
0.058
1.31
1.68
0.002
0.003
16.0
16.4
4.89
4.99
16.7
17.3
5.08
5.29
26.4
26.9
8.05
8.21
1.63
1.85
0.064
0.073
2.08
2.68
0.003
0.004
10.1
10.3
3.07
3.14
10.4
10.7
3.19
3.26
16.6
16.9
5.06
5.17
—
0.030
2.05
2.32
0.081
0.092
3.31
4.25
0.005
0.006
6.34
6.50
1.93
1.98
6.57
6.73
2.01
2.05
10.45
10.69
3.18
3.25
—
0.98
—
0.038
2.588 0.102
2.95 0.116
5.26
6.76
0.008
0.011
3.984
4.070
1.21
1.24
4.148
4.226
1.26
1.29
6.561
6.679
2.00
2.04
1
7
—
1.23
—
0.049
3.264 0.128
3.71 0.146
8.37
10.76
0.013
0.017
2.506
2.551
0.764
0.778
2.579
2.653
0.786
0.809
4.125
4.204
1.26
1.28
7
7
7
7
19
1.56
1.96
2.20
2.47
1.69
0.061
0.077
0.087
0.097
0.066
4.67
5.89
6.60
7.42
8.43
17.09
27.19
34.28
43.23
55.80
0.027
0.042
0.053
0.067
0.087
1.608
1.010
0.802
0.634
0.505
0.491
0.308
0.245
0.194
0.154
1.671
1.053
0.833
0.661
0.524
0.510
0.321
0.254
0.201
0.160
2.652
1.666
1.320
1.045
0.829
0.808
0.508
0.403
0.319
0.253
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
0.184
0.232
0.260
0.292
0.332
mm2
in.2
70–775
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 8
Continued
Conductors
Direct-Current Resistance at 75°C (167°F)
Stranding
Size
(AWG
or
kcmil)
Area
Overall
Diameter
Circular
mm2 mils Quantity
Diameter
Copper
Area
Uncoated
Coated
Aluminum
mm
in.
mm
in.
mm2
in.2
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
ohm/
km
ohm/
kFT
0.372
0.418
0.470
0.528
70.41
88.74
111.9
141.1
0.109
0.137
0.173
0.219
0.399
0.3170
0.2512
0.1996
0.122
0.0967
0.0766
0.0608
0.415
0.329
0.2610
0.2050
0.127
0.101
0.0797
0.0626
0.660
0.523
0.413
0.328
0.201
0.159
0.126
0.100
53.49 105600
67.43 133100
85.01 167800
107.2 211600
19
19
19
19
1.89
2.13
2.39
2.68
0.074
0.084
0.094
0.106
9.45
10.62
11.94
13.41
250
300
350
127
152
177
—
—
—
37
37
37
2.09
2.29
2.47
0.082
0.090
0.097
14.61 0.575
16.00 0.630
17.30 0.681
168
201
235
0.260
0.312
0.364
0.1687
0.1409
0.1205
0.0515
0.0429
0.0367
0.1753
0.1463
0.1252
0.0535
0.0446
0.0382
0.2778 0.0847
0.2318 0.0707
0.1984 0.0605
400
500
600
203
253
304
—
—
—
37
37
61
2.64
2.95
2.52
0.104
0.116
0.099
18.49 0.728
20.65 0.813
22.68 0.893
268
336
404
0.416
0.519
0.626
0.1053
0.0845
0.0704
0.0321
0.0258
0.0214
0.1084
0.0869
0.0732
0.0331
0.0265
0.0223
0.1737 0.0529
0.1391 0.0424
0.1159 0.0353
700
750
800
355
380
405
—
—
—
61
61
61
2.72
2.82
2.91
0.107
0.111
0.114
24.49 0.964
25.35 0.998
26.16 1.030
471
505
538
0.730
0.782
0.834
0.0603
0.0563
0.0528
0.0184
0.0171
0.0161
0.0622
0.0579
0.0544
0.0189
0.0176
0.0166
0.0994 0.0303
0.0927 0.0282
0.0868 0.0265
900
1000
1250
456
507
633
—
—
—
61
61
91
3.09
3.25
2.98
0.122
0.128
0.117
27.79 1.094
29.26 1.152
32.74 1.289
606
673
842
0.940
1.042
1.305
0.0470
0.0423
0.0338
0.0143
0.0129
0.0103
0.0481
0.0434
0.0347
0.0147
0.0132
0.0106
0.0770 0.0235
0.0695 0.0212
0.0554 0.0169
1500 760
1750 887
2000 1013
—
—
—
91
127
127
3.26
2.98
3.19
0.128
0.117
0.126
35.86 1.412
38.76 1.526
41.45 1.632
AF
T
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
1011
1180
1349
1.566
1.829
2.092
0.02814 0.00858
0.02410 0.00735
0.02109 0.00643
0.02814 0.00883
0.02410 0.00756
0.02109 0.00662
0.0464 0.0141
0.0397 0.0121
0.0348 0.0106
D
R
Notes:
1. These resistance values are valid only for the parameters as given. Using conductors having coated strands, different stranding type, and,
especially, other temperatures changes the resistance.
2. Equation for temperature change: R2 = R1 [1 + α (T2 − 75)] where αcu = 0.00323, αAL = 0.00330 at 75°C.
3. Conductors with compact and compressed stranding have about 9 percent and 3 percent, respectively,
smaller bare conductor diameters than those shown. See Table 5A for actual compact cable dimensions.
4. The IACS conductivities used: bare copper = 100%, aluminum = 61%.
5. Class B stranding is listed as well as solid for some sizes. Its overall diameter and area are those of its circumscribing circle.
Informational Note: The construction information is in accordance with NEMA WC/70-2009 or ANSI/UL 1581-2011. The resistance is calculated in accordance with National Bureau of Standards Handbook 100, dated 1966, and Handbook 109, dated 1972.
[ROP 6–109]
Table 9 Alternating-Current Resistance and Reactance for 600-Volt Cables, 3-Phase, 60 Hz, 75°C (167°F) — Three Single
Conductors in Conduit
Ohms to Neutral per Kilometer
Ohms to Neutral per 1000 Feet
XL (Reactance)
for All Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Uncoated
Copper Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Aluminum Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Uncoated Copper
Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Aluminum
Wires
Size
Size
PVC,
(AWG
(AWGAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
or
or kcmil) Conduits Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit kcmil)
14
70–776
0.190
0.058
0.240
0.073
10.2
3.1
10.2
3.1
10.2
3.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
8.9
2.7
8.9
2.7
8.9
2.7
—
—
—
—
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
—
—
14
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 9 Continued
Ohms to Neutral per Kilometer
Ohms to Neutral per 1000 Feet
XL (Reactance)
for All Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Uncoated
Copper Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Uncoated Copper
Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Aluminum Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Aluminum
Wires
Size
PVC,
(AWG
Size
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
or
(AWGAluminum Steel
or kcmil) Conduits Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit kcmil)
0.177
0.054
0.223
0.068
6.6
2.0
6.6
2.0
6.6
2.0
10.5
3.2
10.5
3.2
10.5
3.2
5.6
1.7
5.6
1.7
5.6
1.7
9.2
2.8
9.2
2.8
9.2
2.8
12
10
0.164
0.050
0.207
0.063
3.9
1.2
3.9
1.2
3.9
1.2
6.6
2.0
6.6
2.0
6.6
2.0
3.6
1.1
3.6
1.1
3.6
1.1
5.9
1.8
5.9
1.8
5.9
1.8
10
8
0.171
0.052
0.213
0.065
2.56
0.78
2.56
0.78
2.56
0.78
4.3
1.3
4.3
1.3
4.3
1.3
2.26
0.69
2.26
0.69
2.30
0.70
3.6
1.1
3.6
1.1
3.6
1.1
8
6
0.167
0.051
0.210
0.064
1.61
0.49
1.61
0.49
1.61
0.49
2.66
0.81
2.66
0.81
2.66
0.81
1.44
0.44
1.48
0.45
1.48
0.45
2.33
0.71
2.36
0.72
2.36
0.72
6
4
0.157
0.048
0.197
0.060
1.02
0.31
1.02
0.31
1.02
0.31
1.67
0.51
1.67
0.51
1.67
0.51
0.95
0.29
0.95
0.29
0.98
0.30
1.51
0.46
1.51
0.46
1.51
0.46
4
3
0.154
0.047
0.194
0.059
0.82
0.25
0.82
0.25
0.82
0.25
1.31
0.40
1.35
0.41
1.31
0.40
0.75
0.23
0.79
0.24
0.79
0.24
1.21
0.37
1.21
0.37
1.21
0.37
3
2
0.148
0.045
0.187
0.057
0.62
0.19
0.66
0.20
0.66
0.20
1.05
0.32
1.05
0.32
1.05
0.32
0.62
0.19
0.62
0.19
0.66
0.20
0.98
0.30
0.98
0.30
0.98
0.30
2
1
0.151
0.046
0.187
0.057
0.49
0.15
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.82
0.25
0.85
0.26
0.82
0.25
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.79
0.24
0.79
0.24
0.82
0.25
1
1/0
0.144
0.044
2/0
0.141
0.043
3/0
0.138
0.042
4/0
0.135
0.041
250
D
R
AF
T
12
0.180
0.055
0.39
0.12
0.43
0.13
0.39
0.12
0.66
0.20
0.69
0.21
0.66
0.20
0.43
0.13
0.43
0.13
0.43
0.13
0.62
0.19
0.66
0.20
0.66
0.20
1/0
0.177
0.054
0.33
0.10
0.33
0.10
0.33
0.10
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.36
0.11
0.36
0.11
0.36
0.11
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
0.52
0.16
2/0
0.171
0.052
0.253
0.077
0.269
0.082
0.259
0.079
0.43
0.13
0.43
0.13
0.43
0.13
0.289
0.088
0.302
0.092
0.308
0.094
0.43
0.13
0.43
0.13
0.46
0.14
3/0
0.167
0.051
0.203
0.062
0.220
0.067
0.207
0.063
0.33
0.10
0.36
0.11
0.33
0.10
0.243
0.074
0.256
0.078
0.262
0.080
0.36
0.11
0.36
0.11
0.36
0.11
4/0
0.135
0.041
0.171
0.052
0.171
0.052
0.187
0.057
0.177
0.054
0.279
0.085
0.295
0.090
0.282
0.086
0.217
0.066
0.230
0.070
0.240
0.073
0.308
0.094
0.322
0.098
0.33
0.10
250
300
0.135
0.041
0.167
0.051
0.144
0.044
0.161
0.049
0.148
0.045
0.233
0.071
0.249
0.076
0.236
0.072
0.194
0.059
0.207
0.063
0.213
0.065
0.269
0.082
0.282
0.086
0.289
0.088
300
350
0.131
0.040
0.164
0.050
0.125
0.038
0.141
0.043
0.128
0.039
0.200
0.061
0.217
0.066
0.207
0.063
0.174
0.053
0.190
0.058
0.197
0.060
0.240
0.073
0.253
0.077
0.262
0.080
350
400
0.131
0.040
0.161
0.049
0.108
0.033
0.125
0.038
0.115
0.035
0.177
0.054
0.194
0.059
0.180
0.055
0.161
0.049
0.174
0.053
0.184
0.056
0.217
0.066
0.233
0.071
0.240
0.073
400
500
0.128
0.039
0.157
0.048
0.089
0.027
0.105
0.032
0.095
0.029
0.141
0.043
0.157
0.048
0.148
0.045
0.141
0.043
0.157
0.048
0.164
0.050
0.187
0.057
0.200
0.061
0.210
0.064
500
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–777
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 9
Continued
Ohms to Neutral per Kilometer
Ohms to Neutral per 1000 Feet
XL (Reactance)
for All Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Uncoated
Copper Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Uncoated Copper
Wires
Alternating-Current
Resistance for
Aluminum Wires
Effective Z at 0.85 PF
for Aluminum
Wires
Size
PVC,
(AWG
Size
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
PVCAluminum Steel
or
(AWGAluminum Steel
or kcmil) Conduits Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit Conduit kcmil)
0.128
0.039
0.157
0.048
0.075
0.023
0.092
0.028
0.082
0.025
0.118
0.036
0.135
0.041
0.125
0.038
0.131
0.040
0.144
0.044
0.154
0.047
0.167
0.051
0.180
0.055
0.190
0.058
600
750
0.125
0.038
0.157
0.048
0.062
0.019
0.079
0.024
0.069
0.021
0.095
0.029
0.112
0.034
0.102
0.031
0.118
0.036
0.131
0.040
0.141
0.043
0.148
0.045
0.161
0.049
0.171
0.052
750
1000
0.121
0.037
0.151
0.046
0.049
0.015
0.062
0.019
0.059
0.018
0.075
0.023
0.089
0.027
0.082
0.025
0.105
0.032
0.118
0.036
0.131
0.040
0.128
0.039
0.138
0.042
0.151
0.046
1000
T
600
AF
Notes:
1. These values are based on the following constants: UL-Type RHH wires with Class B stranding, in cradled configuration. Wire conductivities
are 100 percent IACS copper and 61 percent IACS aluminum, and aluminum conduit is 45 percent IACS. Capacitive reactance is ignored, since
it is negligible at these voltages. These resistance values are valid only at 75°C (167°F) and for the parameters as given, but are representative for
600-volt wire types operating at 60 Hz.
2. Effective Z is defined as R cos(θ) + X sin(θ), where θ is the power factor angle of the circuit. Multiplying current by effective impedance gives a good
approximation for line-to-neutral voltage drop. Effective impedance values shown in this table are valid only at 0.85 power factor. For another circuit
power factor (PF), effective impedance (Ze) can be calculated from R and XL values given in this table as follows: Ze = R × PF + XL sin[arccos(PF)].
Table 10 Conductor Stranding
D
R
Number of Strands
Conductor Size
Copper
Class C
Class Bc [ROP 1–185a]
0.20–0.05
a
—
—
0.32
7
—
—
0.52
10
—
—
0.82
16
—
—
16
1.3
26
—
—
14–2
2.1–33.6
7
19
7b
1–4/0
42.4–107
19
37
19
250–500
127–253
37
61
37
600–1000
304–508
61
91
61
1250–1500
635–759
91
127
91
1750–2000
886–1016
127
271
127
24–30
22
20
18
mm
c
Aluminum
Class B [ROP 1–185a]
AWG or kcmil
2
a
Number of strands vary.
Aluminum 14 AWG (2.1 mm2) is not available.
c
Conductors with a lesser number of strands shall be permitted based on an evaluation for connectability and bending. [ROP 1–185a]
With the permission of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., material is reproduced from UL Standard 486A-B, Wire Connectors, which is copyrighted
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois. While use of this material has been authorized, UL shall not be responsible for the manner
in which the information is presented, nor for any interpretations thereof. For more information on UL or to purchase standards, please visit our
Standards website at www.comm-2000.com or call 1-888-853-3503.
b
70–778
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Tables 11(A) and 11(B)
For listing purposes, Table 11(A) and Table 11(B) provide the required power source limitations for Class 2 and Class 3
power sources. Table 11(A) applies for alternating-current sources, and Table 11(B) applies for direct-current sources.
The power for Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be either (1) inherently limited, requiring no overcurrent protection, or
(2) not inherently limited, requiring a combination of power source and overcurrent protection. Power sources designed for
interconnection shall be listed for the purpose.
As part of the listing, the Class 2 or Class 3 power source shall be durably marked where plainly visible to indicate the
class of supply and its electrical rating. A Class 2 power source not suitable for wet location use shall be so marked.
Exception: Limited power circuits used by listed information technology equipment.
Overcurrent devices, where required, shall be located at the point where the conductor to be protected receives its supply
and shall not be interchangeable with devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent device shall be permitted as an integral part
of the power source.
Table 11(A) Class 2 and Class 3 Alternating-Current Power Source Limitations
Power Source
Class 2
—
Current limitations
Imax (amperes)
(see Note 1)
8.0
Maximum overcurrent
protection (amperes)
—
Power source
maximum
nameplate
rating
Over 30 and
through 150
Over 30 and
through 100
Class 2
0 through
20*
Class 3
Over 20 and Over 30 and Over 100 and
through 30* through 100 through 150
—
—
—
250 (see
Note 3)
250
250
N.A.
8.0
0.005
150/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1.0
—
—
—
5.0
100/Vmax
100/ Vmax
1.0
D
R
Power limitations
VAmax (volt-amperes)
(see Note 1)
Class 3
AF
0 through 20* Over 20 and
through 30*
Source voltage
Vmax (volts)
(see Note 1)
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent Protection Required)
T
Inherently Limited Power Source (Overcurrent
Protection Not Required)
VA (voltamperes)
5.0 × Vmax
100
0.005 × Vmax
100
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
100
Current
(amperes)
5.0
100/Vmax
0.005
100/Vmax
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
*Voltage ranges shown are for sinusoidal ac in indoor locations or where wet contact is not likely to occur.
For nonsinusoidal or wet contact conditions, see Note 2.
Table 11(B) Class 2 and Class 3 Direct-Current Power Source Limitations
Inherently Limited Power Source (Overcurrent
Protection Not Required)
Power Source
Source voltage
Vmax (volts)
(see Note 1)
2014 Edition
Class 2
0 through
20*
Over 20 and Over 30 and Over 60 and
through 30* through 60* through 150
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Required)
Class 3
Class 2
Over 60
and
through
100
0 through Over 20 and
20*
through 60*
Class 3
Over 60
and
through
100
Over 100
and through
150
70–779
TABLES
CHAPTER 9
Table 11(B)
Continued
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Required)
Inherently Limited Power Source (Overcurrent
Protection Not Required)
Power Source
Class 2
Class 3
Class 2
Class 3
Power limitations
VAmax (volt-amperes)
(see Note 1)
—
—
—
—
—
250 (see
Note 3)
250
250
N.A.
Current limitations
Imax (amperes)
(see Note 1)
8.0
8.0
150/Vmax
0.005
150/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1.0
Maximum overcurrent
protection (amperes)
—
—
—
—
—
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
1.0
VA
(volt-amperes)
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
0.005× Vmax
100
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
100
Current
(amperes)
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
0.005
100/Vmax
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
T
Power
source
maximum
nameplate
rating
D
R
AF
*Voltage ranges shown are for continuous dc in indoor locations or where wet contact is not likely to occur.
For interrupted dc or wet contact conditions, see Note 4.
Notes for Tables 11(A) and 11(B)
1.Vmax, Imax, and VAmax are determined with the current-limiting impedance in the circuit (not bypassed) as follows:
Vmax: Maximum output voltage regardless of load with rated input applied.
Imax: Maximum output current under any noncapacitive load, including short circuit, and with overcurrent protection bypassed if used. Where a
transformer limits the output current, Imax limits apply after 1 minute of operation. Where a current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose, or
as part of a listed product, is used in combination with a nonpower-limited transformer or a stored energy source, e.g., storage battery, to limit the
output current, Imaxlimits apply after 5 seconds.
VAmax: Maximum volt-ampere output after 1 minute of operation regardless of load and overcurrent protection bypassed if used.
2. For nonsinusoidal ac, Vmax shall not be greater than 42.4 volts peak. Where wet contact (immersion not included) is likely to occur, Class 3
wiring methods shall be used or Vmax shall not be greater than 15 volts for sinusoidal ac and 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac.
3. If the power source is a transformer, VAmax is 350 or less when Vmax is 15 or less.
4. For dc interrupted at a rate of 10 to 200 Hz, Vmax shall not be greater than 24.8 volts peak. Where wet contact (immersion not included) is likely
to occur, Class 3 wiring methods shall be used, or Vmax shall not be greater than 30 volts for continuous dc; 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted
at a rate of 10 to 200 Hz.
Tables 12(A) and 12(B)
For listing purposes, Tables 12(A) and 12(B) provide the required power source limitations for power-limited fire alarm
sources. Table 12(A) applies for alternating-current sources, and Table 12(B) applies for direct-current sources. The power for
power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be either (1) inherently limited, requiring no overcurrent protection, or (2) not
inherently limited, requiring the power to be limited by a combination of power source and overcurrent protection.
As part of the listing, the PLFA power source shall be durably marked where plainly visible to indicate that it is a
power-limited fire alarm power source. The overcurrent device, where required, shall be located at the point where the
conductor to be protected receives its supply and shall not be interchangeable with devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent
device shall be permitted as an integral part of the power source.
Table 12(A) PLFA Alternating-Current Power Source Limitations
Power Source
Circuit voltage
Vmax(volts)
(see Note 1)
70–780
Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Not Required)
0 through 20
Over 20 and
through 30
Over 30 and
through 100
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Required)
0 through 20
Over 20 and
through 100
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Over 100 and
through 150
2014 Edition
TABLES
Table 12(A)
CHAPTER 9
Continued
Power Source
Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Not Required)
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent
Protection Required)
—
—
—
250
(see Note 2)
250
N.A.
Current limitations
Imax
(amperes) (see Note 1)
8.0
8.0
150/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1000/Vmax
1.0
Maximum overcurrent protection
(amperes)
—
—
—
5.0
100/Vmax
1.0
VA (voltamperes)
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
Current
(amperes)
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
Power source
maximum
nameplate
ratings
Table 12(B) PLFA Direct-Current Power Source Limitations
Circuit voltage Vmax (volts) (see
Note 1)
Not Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent Protection Required)
0 through 20
Over 20 and
through 30
Over 30 and
through 100
0 through 20
Over 20 and
through 100
Over 100 and
through 150
—
—
—
250 (see Note 2)
250
N.A.
D
R
Power limitations VAmax
(volt-amperes) (see
Note 1)
Inherently Limited Power Source
(Overcurrent Protection Not Required)
AF
Power Source
T
Power limitations
VAmax(volt-amperes)
(see Note 1)
Current limitations Imax (amperes)
(see Note 1)
8.0
8.0
150/Vmax
1000/V max
1000/Vmax
1.0
Maximum overcurrent protection
(amperes)
—
—
—
5.0
100/Vmax
1.0
VA (voltamperes)
5.0× Vmax
100
100
5.0 × Vmax
100
100
Current
(amperes)
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
5.0
100/Vmax
100/Vmax
Power source
maximum
nameplate
ratings
Notes for Tables 12(A) and 12(B)
1.V max, Imax, and VAmax are determined as follows:
Vmax: Maximum output voltage regardless of load with rated input applied.
Imax: Maximum output current under any noncapacitive load, including short circuit, and with overcurrent protection bypassed if used. Where a
transformer limits the output current, Imax limits apply after 1 minute of operation. Where a current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose, is
used in combination with a nonpower-limited transformer or a stored energy source, e.g., storage battery, to limit the output current, Imax limits
apply after 5 seconds.
VAmax: Maximum volt-ampere output after 1 minute of operation regardless of load and overcurrent protection bypassed if used. Current limiting
impedance shall not be bypassed when determining Imax and VAmax.
2. If the power source is a transformer, VAmax is 350 or less when Vmax is 15 or less.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–781
INFORMATIVE ANNEX A
Informative Annex A
Product Safety Standards [ROP 1–186]
Informative Annex A is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only. [ROP 1–186a]
This informative annex provides a list of product safety
standards used for product listing where that listing is required by this Code. It is recognized that this list is current
at the time of publication but that new standards or modi-
fications to existing standards can occur at any time while
this edition of the Code is in effect.
This informative annex does not form a mandatory part
of the requirements of this Code but is intended only to
provide Code users with informational guidance about the
product characteristics about which Code requirements
have been based.
Product Standard Name
Product Standard Number
UL 2515
UL 452
UL 1699
UL 4
UL 498
UL 60065
UL 2580
Subject 1973
UL 2420
UL 857
UL 493
UL 83
UL 44
UL 2225
UL 1425
UL 1424
UL 810
UL 209
UL 489A
Subject 1724
UL 2196
UL 1310
UL 444
UL 1863
UL 1655
Subject 8703
UL 514B
Subject 6703
UL 817
UL 514D
UL 1690
Subject 9703
UL 1004-4
UL 499
UL 879
UL 48
UL 1563
UL 2202
UL 2594
UL 1261
ANSI/ISA-60079-15/ANSI/UL 60079-15
ANSI/ISA-60079-18/ANSI/UL 60079-18
D
R
AF
T
Aboveground Reinforced Thermosetting Resin conduit (RTRC) and Fittings
Antenna-Discharge Units
Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters
Armored Cable
Attachment Plugs and Receptacles
Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus — Safety Requirements
Batteries for Use in Electric Vehicles
Batteries For Use in Light Electric Rail (LER) Applications and Stationary Applications
Belowground Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit (RTRC) and Fittings
Busways
Cables — Thermoplastic-Insulated Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit Cables
Cables — Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables
Cables — Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables
Cable and Cable Fittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Cables for Non–Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits
Cables for Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits
Capacitors
Cellular Metal Floor Raceways and Fittings
Circuit Breakers for Use in Communication Equipment
Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable — Fire Tests for Electrical Circuit Protective Systems
Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable — Tests for Fire Resistive Cables
Class 2 Power Units
Communications Cables
Communication Circuit Accessories
Community-Antenna Television Cables
Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules and Assemblies
Conduit, Tubing, and Cable Fittings
Connectors for Use in Photovoltaic Systems
Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords
Cover Plates for Flush-Mounted Wiring Devices
Data-Processing Cable
Distributed Wiring Harnesses
Electric Generators
Electric Heating Appliances
Electric Sign Components
Electric Signs
Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Equipment
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
Electric Water Heaters for Pools and Tubs
Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 15: Type of Protection “n”
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations Type of
Protection — Encapsulation “m”
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
— Protection by Encapsulation “mD”
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations —
Protection by Enclosure “tD”
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
— General Requirements
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
— Protection by Intrinsic Safety “iD”
Electrical Apparatus for Use in Zone 21 and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified) Locations —
Protection by Pressurization “pD”
Electrical Intermediate Metal Conduit — Steel
Electrical Metallic Tubing — Aluminum
Electrical Metallic Tubing — Steel
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
Electrical Resistance Heat Tracing for Industrial Applications
Electrical Rigid Metal Conduit — Steel
Electric-Battery-Powered Industrial Trucks
70–782
ANSI/ISA-61241-18
ANSI/ISA-61241-1
ANSI/ISA-61241-0
ANSI/ISA-61241-11
ANSI/ISA-61241-2
UL 1242
UL 797A
UL 797
UL 1653
IEEE 515
UL 6
UL 583
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX A
Product Standard Name
Product Standard Number
UL 810A
UL 924
UL 98
Subject 98B
UL 50E
UL 50
UL 916
UL 1203
ANSI/ISA-60079-0/ANSI/UL 60079-0
ANSI/ISA-60079-7/ANSI/UL 60079-7
ANSI/ISA-60079-1/ANSI/UL 60079-1
ANSI/ISA-60079-5/ANSI/UL 60079-5
ANSI/ISA-60079-6/ANSI/UL 60079-6
UL 218
UL 1004-5
UL 2196
UL 66
UL 1666
UL 1703
UL 62
UL 2388
UL 1
UL 935
UL 2075
UL 307B
UL 1075
UL 814
UL 20
UL 943
UL 1053
UL 467
UL 2239
UL 1995
UL 1029
UL 60335-2-24
D
R
AF
T
Electrochemical Capacitors
Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment
Enclosed and Dead-Front Switches
Enclosed and Dead-Front Switches for Use in Photovoltaic Systems
Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, Environmental Considerations
Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
Energy Management Equipment
Explosionproof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified)
Locations
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 0: Equipment- General requirements
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 7: Increased safety “e”
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 1: Type of protection – Flameproof “d”
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 5: Type of protection – Powder filling “q”
Explosive Gas Atmospheres — Part 6: Type of protection – Oil immersion “o”
Fire Pump Controllers
Fire Pump Motors
Fire Resistive Cables, Test for
Fixture Wire
Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed Vertically in Shafts, Test
for
Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
Flexible Cords and Cables
Flexible Lighting Products
Flexible Metal Conduit
Fluorescent-Lamp Ballasts
Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
Gas-Burning Heating Appliances for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles
Gas-Fired Cooking Appliances for Recreational Vehicles
Gas-Tube-Sign Cable
General-Use Snap Switches
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters
Ground-Fault Sensing and Relaying Equipment
Grounding and Bonding Equipment
Hardware for the Support of Conduit, Tubing and Cable
Heating and Cooling Equipment
High-Intensity-Discharge Lamp Ballasts
Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating
Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances, and Ice-makers
Household Refrigerators and Freezers
Impedance Protected Motors
Industrial Battery Chargers
Industrial Control Equipment
Industrial Control Panels
Information Technology Equipment Safety – Part 1: General Requirements
Information Technology Equipment – Safety – Part 21: Remote Power Feeding
Information Technology Equipment Safety – Part 22: Equipment to be Installed Outdoors
Information Technology Equipment Safety – Part 23: Large Data Storage Equipment
Instrumentation Tray Cable
Insulated Multi-Pole Splicing Wire Connectors
Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed
Energy Resources
Isolated Power Systems Equipment
Junction Boxes for Swimming Pool Luminaires
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Equipment for Use in Lighting Products
Liquid Fuel-Burning Heating Appliances for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles
Liquid-Tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit
Liquid-Tight Flexible Steel Conduit
Lithium Batteries
Low-Voltage Fuses —Fuses for Photovoltaic Systems
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 1: General Requirements
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 2: Class C Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 3: Class CA and CB Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 4: Class CC Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 5: Class G Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 6: Class H Non-Renewable Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 7: Class H Renewable Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 8: Class J Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 9: Class K Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 10: Class L Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 11: Plug Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 12: Class R Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 13: Semiconductor Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 14: Supplemental Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 15: Class T Fuses
Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 16: Test Limiters
Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting Systems
Low-Voltage Lighting Fixtures for Use in Recreational Vehicles
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
UL 250
UL 1004-2
UL 1564
UL 508
UL 508A
UL 60950-1
UL 60950-21
UL 60950-22
UL 60950-23
UL 2250
UL 2459
UL 1741
UL 1047
UL 1241
UL 8750
UL 307A
UL 1660
UL 360
UL 1642
Subject 2579
UL 248-1
UL 248-2
UL 248-3
UL 248-4
UL 248-5
UL 248-6
UL 248-7
UL 248-8
UL 248-9
UL 249-10
UL 248-11
UL 248-12
UL 248–13
UL 248–14
UL 248-15
UL 248-16
UL 1838
UL 234
70–783
INFORMATIVE ANNEX A
Product Standard Name
Product Standard Number
D
R
AF
T
Low-Voltage Lighting Systems
UL 2108
Low-Voltage Swichgear and Controlgear – Part 4-1A: Contactors and Motor-Starters–
UL 60947-4-1A
Electromechanical Contactors and Motor-Starters
Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear – Part 5-2: Control Circuit Devices and Switching
UL 60947-5-2
Elements – Proximity Switches
Low Voltage Transformers – Part 1: General Requirements
UL 5085-1
Low Voltage Transformers – Part 3: Class 2 and Class 3 Transformers
UL 5085-3
Luminaire Reflector Kits for Installation on Previously Installed Fluorescent Luminaires,
UL 1598B
Supplemental Requirements
Luminaires
UL 1598
Machine-Tool Wires and Cables
UL 1063
Manufactured Wiring Systems
UL 183
Medical Electrical Equipment — Part 1: General Requirements for Safety
UL 60601–1
Medium-Voltage AC Contactors, Controllers, and Control Centers
UL 347
Medium-Voltage Power Cables
UL 1072
Metal-Clad Cables
UL 1569
Metallic Outlet Boxes
UL 514A
Mobile Home Pipe Heating Cable
Subject 1462
Molded-Case Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case Switches, and Circuit-Breaker Enclosures
UL 489
Molded-Case Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case Switches, and Circuit-Breaker Enclosures for Use
Subject 489B
with Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Motor Control Centers
UL 845
Motor-Operated Appliances
UL 73
Multi-Pole Connectors for Use in Photovoltaic Systems
Subject 6703A
Neon Transformers and Power Supplies
UL 2161
Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2 and Class III, Divisions 1 ANSI/ISA-12.12.01
and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Nonmetallic Outlet Boxes, Flush-Device Boxes, and Covers
UL 514C
Nonmetallic Surface Raceways and Fittings
UL 5A
Nonmetallic Underground Conduit with Conductors
UL 1990
Office Furnishings
UL 1286
Optical Fiber Cable
UL 1651
Optical Fiber and Communication Cable Raceway
UL 2024
Panelboards
UL 67
Performance Requirements of Detectors for Flammable Gases
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1
Personnel Protection Systems for Electric Vehicle (EV) Supply Circuits; Part 1:
UL 2231–1
General Requirements
Personnel Protection Systems for Electric Vehicle Supply Circuits; Part 2:
UL 2231–2
Particular Requirements for Protection Devices for Use in Charging Systems
Photovoltaic DC Arc-Fault Circuit Protection
Subject 1699B
Photovoltaic Junction Boxes
Subject 3730
Photovoltaic Wire
Subject 4703
Plugs, Receptacles and Couplers for Electrical Vehicles
UL 2251
Portable Electric Luminaires
UL 153
Portable Power-Distribution Equipment
UL 1640
Potting Compounds for Swimming Pool, Fountain, and Spa Equipment
UL 676A
Power Conversion Equipment
UL 508C
Power Outlets
UL 231
Power Units Other Than Class 2
UL 1012
Power-Limited Circuit Cables
UL 13
Professional Video and Audio Equipment
UL 1419
Programmable Controllers – Part 2: Equipment Requirements and Tests
UL 61131-2
Protectors for Coaxial Communications Circuits
UL 497C
Protectors for Data Communication and Fire Alarm Circuits
UL 497B
Protectors for Paired-Conductor Communications Circuits
UL 497
Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords
UL 1581
Requirements for Process Sealing Between Electrical Systems and Potentially Flammable or
ANSI/ISA-12.27.01
Combustible Process Fluids
Residential Pipe Heating Cable
Subject 2049
Roof and Gutter De-Icing Cable Units
Subject 1588
Room Air Conditioners
UL 484
Rotating Electrical Machines – General Requirements
UL 1004-1
Schedule 40, 80, Type EB and A Rigid PVC Conduit and Fittings
UL 651
Schedule 40 and 80 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Conduit
UL 651A
Sealed Wire Connector Systems
UL 486D
Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products
UL 588
Secondary Protectors for Communications Circuits
UL 497A
Self-Ballasted Lamps and Lamp Adapters
UL 1993
Service-Entrance Cables
UL 854
Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Signaling Systems
UL 268
Solar Trackers
Subject 3703
Specialty Transformers
UL 506
Splicing Wire Connectors
UL 486C
Stage and Studio Luminaires and Connector Strips
UL 1573
Standby Batteries
UL 1989
Stationary Engine Generator Assemblies
UL 2200
Strut-Type Channel Raceways and Fittings
UL 5B
70–784
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX A
Product Standard Name
Product Standard Number
UL 2515A
UL 5
UL 5C
IEEE C62.1
IEEE C62.11
UL 1081
UL 891
UL 1004-3
UL 1008
UL 884
UL 676
UL 1778
UL 1017
UL 430
Subject 6140
Subject 6142
UL 486A-486B
UL 870
D
R
AF
T
Supplemental Requirements for Extra-Heavy Wall Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit
(RTRC) and Fittings
Surface Metal Raceways and Fittings
Surface Raceways and Fittings for Use with Data, Signal and Control Circuits
Surge Arresters — Gapped Silicon-Carbide Surge Arresters for AC Power Circuits
Surge Arresters — Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for AC Power Circuits
Swimming Pool Pumps, Filters, and Chlorinators
Switchboards
Thermally Protected Motors
Transfer Switch Equipment
Underfloor Raceways and Fittings
Underwater Luminaires and Submersible Junction Boxes
Uninterruptible Power Systems
Vacuum Cleaners, Blower Cleaners, and Household Floor Finishing Machines
Waste Disposers
Wind Turbine Generating Systems
Wind turbine Generating Systems – Small
Wire Connectors
Wireways, Auxiliary Gutters, and Associated Fittings
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–785
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Informative Annex B Application Information for Ampacity Calculation
B.310.15(B)(1) Equation Application Information. This
informative annex provides application information for ampacities calculated under engineering supervision.
B.310.15(B)(3) Criteria Modifications. Where values of
load factor and Rho are known for a particular electrical
duct bank installation and they are different from those
shown in a specific table or figure, the ampacities shown in
the table or figure can be modified by the application of
factors derived from the use of Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(1).
Where two different ampacities apply to adjacent portions of a circuit, the higher ampacity can be used beyond
the point of transition, a distance equal to 3 m (10 ft) or
10 percent of the circuit length calculated at the higher
ampacity, whichever is less.
Where the burial depth of direct burial or electrical duct
bank circuits are modified from the values shown in a figure or table, ampacities can be modified as shown in (a) and
(b) as follows.
(a) Where burial depths are increased in part(s) of an
electrical duct run to avoid underground obstructions, no
decrease in ampacity of the conductors is needed, provided
the total length of parts of the duct run increased in depth to
avoid obstructions is less than 25 percent of the total run
length.
(b) Where burial depths are deeper than shown in a
specific underground ampacity table or figure, an ampacity
derating factor of 6 percent per increased 300 mm (foot) of
depth for all values of Rho can be utilized. No rating
change is needed where the burial depth is decreased.
D
R
AF
B.310.15(B)(2) Typical Applications Covered by Tables.
Typical ampacities for conductors rated 0 through 2000
volts are shown in Table B.310.15(B)(2)(1) through Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(10). Table B.310.15(B)(2)(11) provides the
adjustment factors for more than three current-carrying
conductors in a raceway or cable with load diversity. Underground electrical duct bank configurations, as detailed in
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(3), Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(4), and
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(5), are utilized for conductors rated
0 through 5000 volts. In Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2) through
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(5), where adjacent duct banks are
used, a separation of 1.5 m (5 ft) between the centerlines of
the closest ducts in each bank or 1.2 m (4 ft) between the
extremities of the concrete envelopes is sufficient to prevent
derating of the conductors due to mutual heating. These
ampacities were calculated as detailed in the basic ampacity
paper, AIEE Paper 57-660, The Calculation of the Temperature Rise and Load Capability of Cable Systems, by J.
H. Neher and M. H. McGrath. For additional information
concerning the application of these ampacities, see
IEEE/ICEA Standard S-135/P-46-426, Power Cable Ampacities, and IEEE Standard 835-1994, Standard Power
Cable Ampacity Tables.
Typical values of thermal resistivity (Rho) are as follows:
Average soil (90 percent of USA) = 90
Concrete = 55
Damp soil (coastal areas, high water table) = 60
Paper insulation = 550
Polyethylene (PE) = 450
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) = 650
Rubber and rubber-like = 500
Very dry soil (rocky or sandy) = 120
Thermal resistivity, as used in this informative annex,
refers to the heat transfer capability through a substance by
conduction. It is the reciprocal of thermal conductivity and
is normally expressed in the units°C-cm/watt. For additional information on determining soil thermal resistivity
(Rho), see ANSI/IEEE Standard 442-1996, Guide for Soil
Thermal Resistivity Measurements.
T
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
70–786
B.310.15(B)(4) Electrical Ducts.
duct(s) is defined in 310.60.
B.310.15(B)(5) Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(7).
The term electrical
B.310.15(B)(2)(6)
and
Table
(a) To obtain the ampacity of cables installed in two
electrical ducts in one horizontal row with 190-mm (7.5in.) center-to-center spacing between electrical ducts, similar to Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail 1, multiply the ampacity shown for one duct in Table B.310.15(B)(2)(6) and
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(7) by 0.88.
(b) To obtain the ampacity of cables installed in four
electrical ducts in one horizontal row with 190-mm (7.5in.) center-to-center spacing between electrical ducts, similar to Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail 2, multiply the ampacity shown for three electrical ducts in Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(6) and Table B.310.15(B)(2)(7) by 0.94.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
B.310.15(B)(7) Examples Showing Use of Figure
B.310.15(B)(2)(1) for Electrical Duct Bank Ampacity
Modifications. Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(1) is used for interpolation or extrapolation for values of Rho and load factor
for cables installed in electrical ducts. The upper family of
curves shows the variation in ampacity and Rho at unity
load factor in terms of I1, the ampacity for Rho = 60, and
50 percent load factor. Each curve is designated for a particular ratio I2/I1, where I2 is the ampacity at Rho = 120 and
100 percent load factor.
The lower family of curves shows the relationship between Rho and load factor that will give substantially the
same ampacity as the indicated value of Rho at 100 percent
load factor.
As an example, to find the ampacity of a 500-kcmil
copper cable circuit for six electrical ducts as shown in
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(5): At the Rho = 60, LF = 50, I1 =
583; for Rho = 120 and LF = 100, I2 = 400. The ratio I2/I1
= 0.686. Locate Rho = 90 at the bottom of the chart and
follow the 90 Rho line to the intersection with 100 percent
load factor where the equivalent Rho = 90. Then follow the
90 Rho line to I2/I1ratio of 0.686 where F = 0.74. The
desired ampacity = 0.74 × 583 = 431, which agrees with the
table for Rho = 90, LF = 100.
To determine the ampacity for the same circuit where
Rho = 80 and LF = 75, using Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(1), the
equivalent Rho = 43, F = 0.855, and the desired ampacity =
0.855 × 583 = 498 amperes. Values for using Figure
B.310.15(B)(2)(1) are found in the electrical duct bank ampacity tables of this informative annex.
Where the load factor is less than 100 percent and can
be verified by measurement or calculation, the ampacity of
electrical duct bank installations can be modified as shown.
Different values of Rho can be accommodated in the same
manner.
T
B.310.15(B)(6) Electrical Ducts Used in Figure
B.310.15(B)(2)(2). If spacing between electrical ducts, as
shown in Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), is less than specified in
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), where electrical ducts enter
equipment enclosures from underground, the ampacity of
conductors contained within such electrical ducts need not
be reduced.
AF
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(1) Ampacities of Two or Three Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 Through 2000 Volts, Within an Overall
Covering (Multiconductor Cable), in Raceway in Free Air Based on Ambient Air Temperature of 30°C (86°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor. [See Table 310.104(A).]
Types TW, UF
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
14
12
10
8
75°C (167°F)
D
R
60°C (140°F)
Types RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW, ZW
90°C (194°F)
Types THHN,
THHW,
THW-2,
THWN-2,
RHH,
RWH-2,
USE-2,
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
ZW-2
60°C (140°F)
Type TW
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types THHN,
THHW,
THW-2,
THWN-2,
RHH,
Types RHW, RWH-2,USE-2,
XHHW,
THHW, THW,
XHHW-2,
THWN,
ZW-2
XHHW
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD
ALUMINUM
COPPER
16**
20**
27**
36
18**
24**
33**
43
21**
27**
36**
48
—
16**
21**
28
—
18**
25**
33
6
4
3
2
1
48
66
76
88
102
58
79
90
105
121
65
89
102
119
137
38
51
59
69
80
45
61
70
83
95
51
69
79
93
106
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
121
138
158
187
145
166
189
223
163
186
214
253
94
108
124
147
113
129
147
176
127
146
167
197
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
—
21**
28**
37
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
14
12
10
8
70–787
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Continued
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
Temperature Rating of Conductor. [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C (140°F)
Types TW, UF
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW, ZW
Types THHN,
THHW,
THW-2,
THWN-2,
RHH,
RWH-2,
USE-2,
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
ZW-2
60°C (140°F)
75°C (167°F)
90°C (194°F)
Types THHN,
THHW,
THW-2,
THWN-2,
RHH,
Types RHW, RWH-2,USE-2,
XHHW,
THHW, THW,
XHHW-2,
THWN,
ZW-2
XHHW
Type TW
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD
ALUMINUM
COPPER
Size (AWG or
kcmil)
205
234
255
274
315
245
281
305
328
378
276
317
345
371
427
160
185
202
218
254
192
221
242
261
303
217
250
273
295
342
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
343
376
387
397
415
448
413
452
466
479
500
542
468
514
529
543
570
617
279
310
321
331
350
382
335
371
384
397
421
460
378
420
435
450
477
521
600
700
750
800
900
1000
AF
T
250
300
350
400
500
D
R
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 30°C (86°F).
**Unless otherwise specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, the overcurrent protection for these conductor types shall not exceed 15 amperes
for 14 AWG, 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG copper; or 15 amperes for 12 AWG and 25 AWG amperes for 10 AWG
aluminum and copper-clad aluminum.
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(3) Ampacities of Multiconductor Cables with Not More Than Three Insulated Conductors, Rated 0
Through 2000 Volts, in Free Air Based on Ambient Air Temperature of 40°C (104°F) (for Types TC, MC, MI, UF, and USE
Cables)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor. [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
18
16
14
12
10
8
85°C
(185°F)
90°C
(194°F)
COPPER
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
85°C
(185°F)
90°C
(194°F)
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
—
—
18**
21**
28**
39
—
—
21**
28**
36**
50
—
—
24**
30**
41**
56
11
16
25**
32**
43**
59
—
—
—
18**
21**
30
—
—
—
21**
28**
39
—
—
—
24**
30**
44
—
—
—
25**
32**
46
6
4
3
2
1
52
69
81
92
107
68
89
104
118
138
75
100
116
132
154
79
104
121
138
161
41
54
63
72
84
53
70
81
92
108
59
78
91
103
120
61
81
95
108
126
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
124
160
178
186
97
125
139
145
1/0
70–788
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
18
16
14
12
10
8
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(3) Continued
Temperature Rating of Conductor. [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
85°C
(185°F)
90°C
(194°F)
COPPER
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
85°C
(185°F)
90°C
(194°F)
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
143
165
190
184
213
245
206
238
274
215
249
287
111
129
149
144
166
192
160
185
214
168
194
224
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
212
237
261
281
321
274
306
337
363
416
305
341
377
406
465
320
357
394
425
487
166
186
205
222
255
214
240
265
287
330
239
268
296
317
368
250
280
309
334
385
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
354
387
404
415
438
461
459
502
523
539
570
601
513
562
586
604
639
674
538
589
615
633
670
707
284
306
328
339
362
385
368
405
424
439
469
499
410
462
473
490
514
558
429
473
495
513
548
584
600
700
750
800
900
1000
T
2/0
3/0
4/0
AF
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other than 40°C (104°F).
**Unless otherwise specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, the overcurrent protection for these conductor types shall not exceed 15 amperes
for 14 AWG, 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG copper; or 15 amperes for 12 AWG and 25 amperes for 10 AWG aluminum
and copper-clad aluminum.
D
R
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(11) Adjustment Factors for More Than
Three Current-Carrying Conductors in a Raceway or Cable
with Load Diversity
Number of Conductors*
Percent of Values in Tables as
Adjusted for Ambient
Temperature if Necessary
4–6
7–9
10 – 24
25 – 42
43– 85
80
70
70**
60**
50**
*Number of conductors is the total number of conductors in the raceway or cable adjusted in accordance with 310.15(B)(4) and (5).
**These factors include the effects of a load diversity of 50 percent.
Informational Note: The ampacity limit for 10 through 85
current-carrying conductors is based on the following equation. For more than 85 conductors, special calculations are
required that are beyond the scope of this table.
⎡ 0.5N
⎤
× ( A1 )⎥ or A1 , whichever is less
A2 = ⎢
E
⎣
⎦
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
where:
A1 = ampacity from Table 310.15(B)(16), Table
310.15(B)(18), Table B.310.15(B)(2)(1), Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(6), or Table B.310.15(B)(2)(7)
multiplied by the appropriate adjustment factor
from Table B.310.15(B)(2)(11).
N = total number of conductors used to select
adjustment factor from Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(11)
E = number of conductors carrying current
simultaneously in the raceway or cable
A2 = ampacity limit for the current-carrying
conductors in the raceway or cable
Example 1
Calculate the ampacity limit for twelve 14 AWG
THWN current-carrying conductors (75°C) in a raceway
that contains 24 conductors that may, at different times, be
current-carrying.
A2 =
(0.5)(24 ) × 20
12
(0.7 )
= 14 amperes (i.e., 50 percent diversiity )
70–789
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(5) Ampacities of Single Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 through 2000 Volts, in Nonmagnetic Underground
Electrical Ducts (One Conductor per Electrical Duct), Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct
Arrangement in Accordance with Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Conductor Temperature 75°C (167°F)
3 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 2)
6 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 3)
9 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 4)
3 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 2)
6 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 3)
9 Electrical Ducts
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 4)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Size
(kcmil)
COPPER
RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
60
90 120
LF
LF LF
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
50
100 100
RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
250
350
500
750
410
503
624
794
344
418
511
640
386
472
583
736
295
355
431
534
275
330
400
494
369
446
545
674
270
322
387
469
252
299
360
434
320
393
489
626
269
327
401
505
302
369
457
581
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
936
1055
1160
1250
1332
745
832
907
970
1027
700 864
781 970
849 1063
907 1142
959 1213
617
686
744
793
836
570 776
632 854
685 918
729 975
768 1030
533
581
619
651
683
493 744
536 848
571 941
599 1026
628 1103
593
668
736
796
850
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
230
277
337
421
T
256
310
379
475
557 687
627 779
689 863
745 937
794 1005
AF
327
396
484
603
491
551
604
651
693
RHO
60
LF
50
RHO RHO
90 120
LF
LF
100 100
214
258
313
389
288
350
430
538
211
252
305
375
197
235
284
347
250
350
500
750
453
508
556
598
636
629
703
767
823
877
432
478
517
550
581
399
441
477
507
535
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
Correction Factors
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
D
R
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
Size
(kcmil)
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Example 2
Calculate the ampacity limit for eighteen 14 AWG
THWN current-carrying conductors (75°C) in a raceway
that contains 24 conductors that may, at different times, be
current-carrying.
A2 =
70–790
(0.5)(24 ) × 20
18
(0.7 ) = 11.5 amperes
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(6) Ampacities of Three Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 through 2000 Volts, Within an Overall Covering
(Three-Conductor Cable) in Underground Electrical Ducts (One Cable per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient Earth
Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in Accordance with Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Conductor Temperature
75°C (167°F)
6 Electrical
3 Electrical
3 Electrical
6 Electrical
1 Electrical Duct
1 Electrical Duct
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
(Fig.
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 3)
Detail 2)
Detail 1)
Detail 1)
Detail 2)
Detail 3)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
Size THWN, XHHW,
(AWG
USE
or
kcmil)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
COPPER
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW, Size
(AWG
USE
or
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
kcmil)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
58
77
101
132
154
54
71
93
121
140
53
69
91
118
136
56
74
96
126
146
48
63
81
105
121
46
60
77
100
114
53
70
91
119
137
42
54
69
89
102
39
51
65
83
95
45
60
78
103
120
42
55
72
94
109
41
54
71
92
106
43
57
75
98
114
37
49
63
82
94
36
47
60
78
89
41
54
71
92
107
32
42
54
70
79
30
39
51
65
74
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
177
203
233
268
160
183
210
240
156
178
204
232
168
192
221
253
137
156
178
202
130
147
158
190
157
179
205
234
116
131
148
168
107
121
137
155
138
158
182
209
125
143
164
187
122
139
159
182
131
150
172
198
107
122
139
158
101
115
131
149
122
140
160
183
90
102
116
131
84
95
107
121
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
350
500
750
1000
297
363
444
552
628
265
321
389
478
539
256
310
375
459
518
280
340
414
511
579
222
267
320
388
435
209
250
299
362
405
258
312
377
462
522
184
219
261
314
351
169
202
240
288
321
233
285
352
446
521
207
252
308
386
447
201
244
297
372
430
219
267
328
413
480
174
209
254
314
361
163
196
237
293
336
202
245
299
374
433
144
172
207
254
291
132
158
190
233
266
250
350
500
750
1000
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
2014 Edition
AF
D
R
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
8
6
4
2
1
Correction Factors
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
70–791
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(7) Ampacities of Three Single Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 Through 2000 Volts, in Underground
Electrical Ducts (Three Conductors per Electrical Duct) Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct
Arrangement in Accordance with Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Conductor Temperature 75°C (167°F)
1 Electrical Duct
3 Electrical
6 Electrical
6 Electrical
3 Electrical
1 Electrical Duct
(Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
Ducts (Fig.
(Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2), B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 3)
Detail 3)
Detail 1)
Detail 2)
Detail 2)
Detail 1)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
Size THWN, XHHW,
(AWG
USE
or
kcmil)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
COPPER
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW, Size
(AWG
USE
or
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
kcmil)
Types RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE
RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO RHO
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
60
90 120
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
LF
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
50
100 100
57
75
98
113
128
148
61
80
105
122
139
161
51
67
86
99
112
128
49
63
81
94
106
121
57
75
98
113
129
149
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
197
226
260
301
175
200
228
263
169
193
220
253
185
212
243
280
146
166
189
215
137
156
177
201
170
194
222
255
250
300
350
400
334
373
409
442
290
321
351
376
279
308
337
361
310
344
377
394
236
260
283
302
220
242
264
280
281
310
340
368
500
600
700
750
503
552
602
632
427
468
509
529
409
447
486
505
460
511
553
574
341
371
402
417
316
343
371
385
800
900
1000
654
692
730
544
575
605
520
549
576
597
628
659
428
450
472
395
415
435
70–792
41
53
67
77
86
98
49
66
86
101
115
133
45
60
78
91
103
119
44
58
76
89
100
115
47
63
79
83
108
126
40
52
67
77
87
100
38
49
63
73
82
94
45
59
77
84
101
116
34
44
57
65
73
83
32
41
52
60
67
77
121
136
154
175
111
126
142
161
153
176
203
235
136
156
178
205
132
151
172
198
144
165
189
219
114
130
147
168
107
121
138
157
133
151
173
199
94
106
121
137
87
98
111
126
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
192
210
228
243
176
192
209
223
261
293
321
349
227
252
276
297
218
242
265
284
242
272
296
321
185
204
222
238
172
190
207
220
220
245
266
288
150
165
179
191
137
151
164
174
250
300
350
400
412
457
492
509
273
296
319
330
249
270
291
301
397
446
488
508
338
373
408
425
323
356
389
405
364
408
443
461
270
296
321
334
250
274
297
309
326
365
394
409
216
236
255
265
197
215
232
241
500
600
700
750
527
554
581
338
355
372
308
323
338
530
563
597
439
466
494
418
444
471
481
510
538
344
365
385
318
337
355
427
450
475
273
288
304
247
261
276
800
900
1000
Correction Factors
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
44
56
73
83
93
106
T
58
77
100
116
132
153
AF
63
84
111
129
147
171
D
R
8
6
4
3
2
1
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
8
6
4
3
2
1
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(8) Ampacities of Two or Three Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 Through 2000 Volts, Cabled Within an
Overall (Two- or Three-Conductor) Covering, Directly Buried in Earth, Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F),
Electrical Duct Arrangement in Accordance with Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2), 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal Resistance (Rho)
of 90
1 Cable (Fig.
2 Cables (Fig.
1 Cable (Fig.
2 Cables (Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail B.310.15(B)(2)(2), Detail
5)
6)
5)
6)
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
TYPES
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
250
350
500
750
1000
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW,
USE
COPPER
75
100
125
161
182
60
81
100
128
145
70
95
117
150
170
177
201
229
259
208
236
269
304
165
188
213
241
193
220
250
282
333
401
481
585
657
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW,
USE
UF
RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW,
USE
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
64
85
107
137
155
—
—
—
—
—
UF
—
—
—
—
—
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
308
370
442
535
600
59
75
97
126
142
47
60
78
110
113
55
70
91
117
132
138
157
179
203
162
184
210
238
129
146
166
188
151
171
195
220
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
241
290
350
433
497
250
350
500
750
1000
—
—
—
—
—
261
315
381
473
545
—
—
—
—
—
Correction Factors
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
51
68
83
107
121
AF
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
UF
D
R
8
6
4
2
1
75°C
(167°F)
TYPES
T
UF
RHW,
THHW,
THW,
THWN,
XHHW,
USE
60°C
(140°F)
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
8
6
4
2
1
Ambient
Temp. (°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
Note: For ampacities of Type UF cable in underground electrical ducts, multiply the ampacities shown in the table by 0.74.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–793
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(9) Ampacities of Three Triplexed Single Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 Through 2000 Volts, Directly
Buried in Earth Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in Accordance with Figure
B.310.15(B)(2)(2), 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal Resistance (Rho) of 90
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 7
60°C
(140°F)
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 8
75°C
(167°F)
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 7
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
TYPES
UF
USE
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
70–794
USE
COPPER
UF
USE
UF
USE
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
72
91
119
153
173
84
107
139
179
203
66
84
109
140
159
77
99
128
164
186
55
72
92
119
135
65
84
108
139
158
51
66
85
109
124
60
77
100
128
145
197
223
254
289
231
262
298
339
181
205
232
263
212
240
272
308
154
175
199
226
141
159
181
206
165
187
212
241
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
263
316
382
471
544
250
350
500
750
1000
—
—
—
—
—
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
75°C
(167°F)
T
250
350
500
750
1000
UF
370
445
536
654
744
—
—
—
—
—
180
205
233
265
AF
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
60°C
(140°F)
TYPES
336
403
483
587
665
—
—
—
—
—
289
349
424
525
608
—
—
—
—
—
Correction Factors
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
D
R
8
6
4
2
1
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 8
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
8
6
4
2
1
Ambient
Temp. (°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(10) Ampacities of Three Single Insulated Conductors, Rated 0 Through 2000 Volts, Directly Buried in
Earth Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Electrical Duct Arrangement in Accordance with Figure
B.310.15(B)(2)(2), 100 Percent Load Factor, Thermal Resistance (Rho) of 90
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 9
60°C
(140°F)
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 10
75°C
(167°F)
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 9
60°C
(140°F)
75°C
(167°F)
TYPES
USE
UF
USE
COPPER
98
126
163
209
236
78
101
130
165
187
92
118
152
194
219
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
230
261
297
336
270
306
348
394
212
241
274
309
249
283
321
362
250
350
500
750
—
—
—
—
429
516
626
767
—
—
—
—
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
—
—
—
—
—
887
979
1063
1133
1195
—
—
—
—
—
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
2014 Edition
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
UF
USE
UF
USE
ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
84
107
139
178
201
Ambient
Temp.(°C)
75°C
(167°F)
TYPES
66
84
108
139
157
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
77
98
127
163
184
61
78
101
129
146
72
92
118
151
171
8
6
4
2
1
179
204
232
262
210
239
272
307
165
188
213
241
194
220
250
283
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
394
474
572
700
—
—
—
—
335
403
490
605
—
—
—
—
308
370
448
552
250
350
500
750
808
891
965
1027
1082
—
—
—
—
—
706
787
862
930
990
—
—
—
—
—
642
716
783
843
897
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
D
R
8
6
4
2
1
60°C
(140°F)
T
UF
Size (AWG
or kcmil)
See Fig.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2),
Detail 10
Correction Factors
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
Ambient
Temp.(°F)
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.12
1.06
1.00
0.94
0.87
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
70–795
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
675 mm × 290 mm
(27 in. × 11.5 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Three electrical ducts
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm (7.5 in.)
Detail 3
475 mm × 675 mm
(19 in. × 27 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Six electrical ducts
or
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
Detail 7
Buried triplexed
cables (1 circuit)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
Detail 8
Buried triplexed
cables (2 circuits)
600 mm
(24 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
Detail 10
Buried single-conductor
cables (2 circuits)
D
R
Detail 9
Buried single-conductor
cables (1 circuit)
AF
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
Detail 4
675 mm × 675 mm
(27 in. × 27 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Nine electrical ducts
600 mm
(24 in.)
600 mm
(24 in.)
Detail 6
Buried 3
conductor
cables
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
675 mm × 475 mm
(27 in. × 19 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Detail 5
Buried 3
conductor
cable
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
T
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
190 mm (7.5 in.)
Detail 2
475 mm × 475 mm
(19 in. × 19 in.)
Electrical duct bank
Three electrical ducts
or
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
Detail 1
290 mm × 290 mm
(11.5 in. × 11.5 in.)
Electrical duct bank
One electrical duct
190 mm (7.5 in.)
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Note 1: Minimum burial depths to top electrical ducts or cables shall be in
accordance with 300.5. Maximum depth to the top of electrical duct
banks shall be 750 mm (30 in.) and maximum depth to the top of
direct buried cables shall be 900 mm (36 in.)
Note 2: For two and four electrical duct installations with electrical ducts
installed in a single row, see B.310.15(B)(5).
Legend
Backfill
(earth or concrete)
Electrical duct
Cable or cables
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(2) Cable Installation Dimensions for Use with Table B.310.15(B)(2)(5)
Through Table B.310.15(B)(2)(10).
70–796
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
1.15
Surface
1.10
150 mm (6 in.)
1.05
1.00
0.95
I2
I1
0.80
0.75
0.75
0.70
Ratio —
0.85
0.80
F
600 mm (24 in.)
0.90
0.85
0.70
0.65
0.65
0.60
190 mm (7.5 in.)
750 mm (30 in.)
190 mm (7.5 in.)
0.60
0.55
0.55
0.50
0.50
0.45
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
0.40
100
150 mm (6 in.)
N and
EGC
0.95
0.90
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130140 150 160 170 180 190 200
(Typical
for all)
190 mm
(7.5 in.)
675 mm (27 in.)
95
90
Design Criteria
Neutral and Equipment
Grounding conductor (EGC)
Duct = 150 mm (6 in.)
Phase Ducts = 75 to 125 mm (3 to 5 in.)
Conductor Material = Copper
Number of Cables per Duct = 3
85
80
70
Rho PVC Duct = 650
Rho Cable Insulation = 500
Rho Cable Jacket = 650
T
Load Factor
75
Number of Cables per Phase = 9
Rho concrete = Rho Earth – 5
65
60
55
45
40
35
30
0 10 20 30 40 50 6
AF
50
Notes:
1. Neutral configuration per 300.5(I), Exception No. 2, for isolated phase installations in
nonmagnetic ducts.
2. Phasing is A, B, C in rows or columns. Where magnetic electrical ducts are used,
conductors are installed A, B, C per electrical duct with the neutral and all equipment
grounding conductors in the same electrical duct. In this case, the 6-in.
trade size neutral duct is eliminated.
3. Maximum harmonic loading on the neutral conductor cannot exceed 50 percent of the
phase current for the ampacities shown in the table.
4. Metallic shields of Type MV-90 cable shall be grounded at one point only where using
A, B, C phasing in rows or columns.
70 80 90 100 110 120 130140 150 160 170 180 190 200
RHO
D
R
Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(1) Interpolation Chart for Cables in a
Duct Bank I1 = ampacity for Rho = 60, 50 LF; I2 = ampacity
for Rho = 120, 100 LF ( load factor); desired ampacity = F
× I1.
TYPES
RHW, THHW, THW, THWN,
XHHW, USE, OR MV-90*
Size
kcmil
Size
kcmil
Total per Phase Ampere Rating
RHO EARTH 60 RHO EARTH 90 RHO EARTH 120
LF 50
LF 100
LF 100
250
350
500
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
2340
(260A/Cable)
1530
(170A/Cable)
1395
(155A/Cable)
2790
(310A/Cable)
3375
(375A/Cable)
1800
(200A/Cable)
2160
(240A/Cable)
1665
(185A/Cable)
1980
(220A/Cable)
For ambient temperatures other than 20°C (68°F),
multiply the ampacities shown above by the
appropriate factor shown below.
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
250
350
500
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
*Limited to 75°C conductor temperature.
Informational Note Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(3) Ampacities of
Single Insulated Conductors Rated 0 through 5000 Volts in
Underground Electrical Ducts (Three Conductors per Electrical Duct), Nine Single-Conductor Cables per Phase Based on
Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Conductor Temperature 75°C (167°F).
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–797
INFORMATIVE ANNEX B
Surface
Surface
150 mm (6 in.)
150 mm (6 in.)
150 mm (6 in.)
N and
EGC
150 mm (6 in.)
N and
EGC
600 mm (24 in.)
600 mm (24 in.)
AØ
AØ
250 mm (10 in.)
950 mm (38 in.)
BØ
250 mm (10 in.)
950 mm (38 in.)
BØ
250 mm (10 in.)
250 mm (10 in.)
CØ
CØ
250 mm
(10 in.)
250 mm
(10 in.)
250 mm 250 mm 250 mm 250 mm
(10 in.) (10 in.) (10 in.) (10 in.)
250 mm
(10 in.)
1.1 m (44 in.)
1.1 m (44 in.)
Number of Cables per Phase = 4
Rho Concrete = Rho Earth – 5
Rho PVC Duct = 650
Rho Cable Insulation = 500
Rho Cable Jacket = 650
TYPES
RHW, THHW, THW, THWN,
XHHW, USE, OR MV-90*
Size
kcmil
Size
kcmil
Total per Phase Ampere Rating
RHO EARTH 60 RHO EARTH 90 RHO EARTH 120
LF 50
LF 100
LF 100
1000
1250
1500
1750
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
2820
(705A/Cable)
3300
(825A/Cable)
3700
(925A/Cable)
4060
(1015A/Cable)
4360
(1090A/Cable)
1860
(465A/Cable)
1680
(420A/Cable)
2140
(535A/Cable)
2380
(595A/Cable)
1920
(480A/Cable)
2120
(530A/Cable)
2580
(645A/Cable)
2740
(685A/Cable)
2300
(575A/Cable)
2460
(615A/Cable)
For ambient temperatures other than 20°C (68°F),
multiply the ampacities shown above by the
appropriate factor shown below.
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
Rho Cable Insulation = 500
Rho Cable Jacket = 650
TYPES
RHW, THHW, THW, THWN,
XHHW, USE, OR MV-90*
Size
kcmil
Size
kcmil
Total per Phase Ampere Rating
RHO EARTH 60 RHO EARTH 90 RHO EARTH 120
LF 50
LF 100
LF 100
D
R
750
Number of Cables per Phase = 5
Rho Concrete = Rho Earth – 5
Rho PVC Duct = 650
Notes:
1. Neutral configuration per 300.5(I), Exception No. 2.
2. Maximum harmonic loading on the neutral conductor cannot exceed 50 percent of the
phase current for the ampacities shown in the table.
3. Metallic shields of Type MV-90 cable shall be grounded at one point only.
AF
Notes:
1. Neutral configuration per 300.5(I), Exception No. 2.
2. Maximum harmonic loading on the neutral conductor cannot exceed 50 percent of the
phase current for the ampacities shown in the table.
3. Metallic shields of Type MV-90 cable shall be grounded at one point only.
Design Criteria
Neutral and Equipment
Grounding Conductor (EGC)
Duct = 150 mm (6 in.)
Phase Ducts = 75 mm (3 in.)
Conductor Material = Copper
Number of Cables per Duct = 1
T
Design Criteria
Neutral and Equipment
Grounding Conductor (EGC)
Duct = 150 mm (6 in.)
Phase Ducts = 75 mm (3 in.)
Conductor Material = Copper
Number of Cables per Duct = 1
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
*Limited to 75°C conductor temperature.
2000
Ambient
Temp.
(°C)
6–10
11–15
16–20
21–25
26–30
5575
(1115A/Cable)
3375
(675A/Cable)
3000
(600A/Cable)
For ambient temperatures other than 20°C (68°F),
multiply the ampacities shown above by the
appropriate factor shown below.
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
1.09
1.04
1.00
0.95
0.90
2000
Ambient
Temp.
(°F)
43–50
52–59
61–68
70–77
79–86
*Limited to 75°C conductor temperature.
Informational Note Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(5) Ampacities of
Single Insulated Conductors Rated 0 through 5000 Volts in
Nonmagnetic Underground Electrical Ducts (One Conductor
per Electrical Duct), Five Single-Conductor Cables per Phase
Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Conductor Temperature 75°C (167°F).
Informational Note Figure B.310.15(B)(2)(4) Ampacities of
Single Insulated Conductors Rated 0 through 5000 Volts in
Nonmagnetic Underground Electrical Ducts (One Conductor
per Electrical Duct), Four Single-Conductor Cables per Phase
Based on Ambient Earth Temperature of 20°C (68°F), Conductor Temperature 75°C (167°F).
70–798
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Informative Annex C
Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables for Conductors and Fixture Wires of
the Same Size
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
Table
Page
T
745
749
750
754
755
759
760
764
765
769
770
774
775
779
780
784
785
789
790
794
795
799
800
803
D
R
AF
C.1 — Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
C.1(A)* — Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
C.2 — Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
C.2(A)* — Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
C.3 — Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
C.3(A)* — Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
C.4 — Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
C.4(A)* — Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
C.5 — Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-B)
C.5(A)*— Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-B)
C.6 — Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-A)
C.6(A)* — Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-A)
C.7 — Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)
C.7(A)*— Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)
C.8 — Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C.8(A)* — Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C.9 — Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 80
C.9(A)* — Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 80
C.10 — Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 40 and HDPE Conduit
C.10(A)*— Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 40 and HDPE Conduit
C.11 — Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit
C.11(A)* — Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit
C.12 — Type EB, PVC Conduit
C.12(A)* — Type EB, PVC Conduit
*Where this table is used in conjunction with Tables C.1 through C.12, the conductors installed must be of the compact type.
Table C.1 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Electrical Metallic
Tubing (EMT) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
Type
RHH, RHW,
RHW-2
2014 Edition
Conductor
Size
(AWG
kcmil)
14
12′
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
12
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
⁄
21
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
7
11
20
27
6
9
17
23
5
8
13
18
2
4
7
9
1
3
5
8
1
2
4
6
1
1
4
5
1
1
3
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
34
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
46
38
30
16
13
10
9
7
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
80
66
53
28
22
17
15
13
9
7
6
5
5
3
3
120
100
81
42
34
26
23
20
13
11
10
8
7
5
5
157
131
105
55
44
34
30
26
17
15
13
11
9
7
6
201
167
135
70
56
44
38
33
22
19
17
14
12
9
8
5
129
6
155
70–799
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Continued
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
70–800
⁄
12
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
5
2
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
12
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
11
8
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
22
16
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
34
1
27
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
19
14
8
16
13
10
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
26
16
9
7
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
11⁄4
35
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
43
33
24
13
28
23
18
10
8
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
61
45
28
16
12
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
11⁄2
41
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
58
45
33
18
39
31
24
14
11
8
7
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
84
61
38
22
16
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
2
53
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
96
74
55
30
64
51
40
24
18
13
12
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
138
101
63
36
26
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
21⁄2
63
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
168
129
96
53
112
90
70
42
32
24
20
17
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
241
176
111
64
46
28
24
20
15
12
10
8
7
6
3
78
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
254
195
145
81
169
136
106
63
48
36
31
26
18
16
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
364
266
167
96
69
43
36
30
22
19
16
13
11
9
31⁄2
91
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
332
255
190
105
221
177
138
83
63
47
40
34
24
20
17
15
12
10
8
7
7
6
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
476
347
219
126
91
56
47
40
29
25
20
17
14
11
4
103
7
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
424
326
243
135
282
227
177
106
81
60
52
44
31
26
22
19
16
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
608
443
279
161
116
71
60
51
37
32
26
22
18
15
5
129
6
155
T
TW, THHW,
THW, THW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
AF
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG
kcmil)
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
D
R
Table C.1
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
PFA, PFAH,
TFE
PFA, PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW, ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
12
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
34
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
15
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
25
18
10
7
5
4
3
2
11⁄4
35
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
60
43
31
18
12
9
7
6
4
11⁄2
41
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
81
59
42
24
17
12
10
8
6
2
53
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
134
98
70
40
28
20
16
13
9
21⁄2
63
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
234
171
122
70
50
35
29
24
16
3
78
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
354
258
185
106
75
53
44
36
25
31⁄2
91
10
9
8
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
462
337
241
138
98
69
57
47
33
4
103
13
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
590
430
309
177
126
88
73
60
42
1
0
0
0
14
10
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
8
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
25
18
11
7
5
3
2
1
1
15
11
8
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
41
29
18
11
8
5
4
3
2
25
19
14
8
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
1
72
51
31
20
14
9
7
6
4
43
33
24
13
10
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
2
98
69
42
27
19
13
9
8
6
58
45
33
18
14
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
8
6
5
4
161
114
70
44
31
21
15
13
10
96
74
55
30
22
16
14
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
14
11
9
8
282
200
122
77
54
37
27
22
18
168
129
96
53
39
28
24
20
15
13
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
21
17
14
11
426
302
185
117
82
56
41
34
28
254
195
145
81
60
43
36
31
23
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
27
22
18
15
556
394
241
153
107
74
54
45
36
332
255
190
105
78
56
48
40
30
25
21
17
14
12
10
9
8
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
35
29
24
19
711
504
309
195
137
94
69
57
46
424
326
243
135
100
72
61
51
38
32
27
22
18
15
13
11
10
8
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
5
129
6
155
T
FEP, FEPB,
PFA, PFAH,
TFE
Conductor
Size
(AWG
kcmil)
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.1
70–801
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1, SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN, TFFN
PF, PFF, PGF,
PGFF, PAF,
PTF, PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF, ZHF
KF-2, KFF-2
KF-1, KFF-1
XF, XFF
18
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
12
8
1
⁄
21
27
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE
14
24
34
11⁄4 11⁄2
35
41
0
0
0
0
WIRES
41
56
2
53
0
0
21⁄2
63
1
1
3
31⁄2
4
5
78
91 103 129
1
1
2
1
1
1
92
161
244
318
6
155
407
16
7
12
20
34
47
78
136
205
268
343
18
16
14
18
18
10
8
7
18
14
18
15
12
33
24
30
25
20
53
39
52
43
34
92
68
71
58
47
125
92
116
96
78
206
152
203
168
136
360
266
307
254
205
544
402
401
332
268
710
524
513
424
343
908
670
541
16
11
19
31
55
74
123
215
324
423
14
18
16
18
8
22
17
21
15
38
29
36
25
63
48
59
43
109
83
103
58
148
113
140
96
244
186
231
168
426
325
404
254
643
491
610
332 424
839 1073
641 819
796 1017
16
16
28
46
79
108
179
312
471
615
787
14
12
21
34
60
81
134
234
354
462
590
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
27
20
14
40
28
19
13
8
46
33
22
14
9
4
3
47
35
25
71
49
33
23
15
82
57
38
25
16
8
6
77
56
41
115
80
54
37
25
133
93
63
41
27
13
10
133
98
72
199
139
93
65
43
230
161
109
72
47
23
18
181
133
98
271
189
127
88
58
313
220
148
98
64
31
24
298
220
161
447
312
209
146
96
516
363
244
161
105
51
40
520 786 1026 1311
384 580 757 967
282 426 556 711
781 1179 1539 1967
545 823 1074 1372
366 553 721 922
254 384 502 641
168 254 332 424
901 1361 1776 2269
633 956 1248 1595
426 643 839 1073
282 426 556 711
184 278 363 464
90 136 177 227
70 106 138 177
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2, SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG
kcmil)
1750
2000
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.1
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.1(A) should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires.
Consult manufacturer’s conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–802
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.1(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
16
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
6
11
16
26
3
5
9
12
20
2
4
6
9
15
1
3
5
7
11
1
1
3
4
8
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
46
35
26
19
13
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
69
53
40
29
21
18
15
13
11
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
90
70
52
38
27
23
20
17
14
11
9
8
8
6
5
4
4
4
3
115
89
67
49
34
30
25
21
18
14
12
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
52
32
23
17
14
12
10
8
6
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
59
44
32
23
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
78
48
34
26
22
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
90
66
48
34
26
22
18
15
13
10
9
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
102
63
45
34
29
24
20
16
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
117
87
63
45
34
29
24
20
17
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
4
130
81
58
43
37
30
25
21
16
14
12
11
9
7
7
6
5
4
149
111
81
58
43
37
31
25
21
17
14
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
34
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
11
8
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
18
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
34
25
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
12
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–803
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.2 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Electrical Nonmetallic
Tubing (ENT) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–804
⁄
16
⁄
21
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
2
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
11
8
4
9
8
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
11
20
27
9
16
22
7
13
18
4
7
9
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
42
57
18
32
44
13
24
32
7
13
18
16
28
38
13
22
30
10
17
24
6
10
14
4
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
53
45
37
30
15
12
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
94
72
54
30
63
50
39
23
18
13
11
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
11
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
8
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
21
15
9
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
15
10
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
34
25
15
9
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33
24
17
10
7
5
4
3
2
11⁄4
35
0
60
43
27
16
11
7
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
58
42
30
17
12
8
7
6
4
11⁄2
41
0
82
59
37
21
15
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
79
58
41
24
17
12
10
8
5
2
53
0
135
99
62
36
26
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
131
96
69
39
28
19
16
13
9
1
0
0
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
8
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
24
17
10
6
4
3
2
1
1
14
11
8
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
40
28
17
11
7
5
4
3
2
24
18
13
7
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
70
49
30
19
13
9
6
5
4
42
32
24
13
10
7
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
4
4
3
2
95
68
41
26
18
12
9
7
6
57
44
32
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
8
6
5
4
158
112
69
43
30
21
15
12
10
94
72
54
30
22
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
12
34
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.2
70–805
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1,
TF, TFF,
XF, XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
18
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
8
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
14
23
40
54
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
2
53
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
6
12
19
33
46
76
18
16
14
18
10
8
6
17
17
14
12
31
29
24
19
51
50
42
33
89
69
57
46
122
114
94
76
202
18
13
23
38
66
90
149
16
10
18
30
53
73
120
14
18
16
18
8
20
16
19
14
37
28
35
24
60
46
57
42
105
80
100
57
144
110
137
94
239
183
227
16
15
27
44
77
106
175
11
20
33
58
79
131
25
18
13
38
45
33
24
67
74
54
40
111
129
95
70
193
176
130
95
265
292
216
158
439
26
18
12
8
44
31
20
13
9
4
3
47
31
22
14
78
55
37
24
16
8
6
77
52
36
24
128
90
60
40
26
13
10
135
91
63
42
223
157
105
70
45
22
17
184
124
86
57
305
214
144
95
62
30
24
306
205
143
94
506
355
239
158
103
50
39
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
90
16
14
21⁄2
63
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.2
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.2(A) should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires.
Consult manufacturer’s conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–806
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.2(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
6
11
15
26
3
5
9
12
20
1
3
6
9
15
1
2
5
6
11
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
3
4
6
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
14
11
8
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
17
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
25
18
13
9
8
7
5
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–807
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.3 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1,
Table 4, & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–808
⁄
12
12
⁄
16
⁄
21
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
6
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
11
8
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
11
17
25
9
14
21
7
11
17
4
6
9
3
5
7
2
4
5
1
3
5
1
3
4
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
23
36
53
18
28
41
13
21
30
7
11
17
15
24
35
12
19
28
10
15
22
6
9
13
4
7
10
3
5
7
3
4
6
2
4
5
1
2
4
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
44
37
30
15
12
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
94
72
54
30
62
50
39
23
18
13
11
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
67
55
45
23
19
14
13
11
7
6
5
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
141
108
81
45
94
75
59
35
27
20
17
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
96
80
64
34
27
21
18
16
10
9
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
203
156
116
64
135
108
85
51
39
29
25
21
15
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
131
109
88
46
37
29
25
22
14
12
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
277
212
158
88
184
148
115
69
53
39
34
29
20
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
171
142
115
60
48
37
33
28
19
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
361
277
207
115
240
193
151
90
69
51
44
37
26
22
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
5
129
6
155
T
34
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
⁄
12
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
22
16
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
15
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
0
0
0
33
24
15
9
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
32
24
17
10
7
5
4
3
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
0
0
0
0
5
4
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
15
11
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
9
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
25
18
11
7
5
3
2
1
1
15
11
8
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
39
28
17
11
7
5
4
3
2
23
18
13
7
5
4
3
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
12
34
11⁄4
35
0
0
0
0
52
38
24
14
10
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
51
37
26
15
11
7
6
5
3
11⁄2
41
0
0
0
0
76
56
35
20
14
9
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
74
54
39
22
16
11
9
7
5
2
53
1
0
0
0
135
98
62
35
25
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
130
95
68
39
28
19
16
13
9
21⁄2
63
1
1
1
1
202
147
93
53
38
24
20
17
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
196
143
103
59
42
29
24
20
14
3
2
1
1
61
43
26
17
12
8
6
5
4
36
28
21
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
89
63
39
24
17
12
8
7
6
53
41
30
17
12
9
7
8
6
5
4
157
111
68
43
30
21
15
12
10
94
72
54
30
22
16
13
11
9
8
6
236
168
103
65
45
31
23
19
15
141
108
81
45
33
24
20
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
3
78
1
1
1
1
291
212
134
77
55
34
29
24
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
282
206
148
85
60
42
35
29
20
31⁄2
91
1
1
1
1
396
289
182
105
76
46
39
33
24
20
17
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
385
281
201
115
82
57
48
39
27
4
103
2
1
1
1
518
378
238
137
99
61
51
43
32
27
22
18
15
12
11
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
502
367
263
151
107
75
62
51
36
17
14
11
9
340
241
148
93
65
45
33
27
22
203
156
116
64
48
34
29
23
19
15
13
463
329
201
127
89
61
45
37
30
277
212
158
88
65
47
40
30
24
20
16
605
429
263
166
117
80
58
49
39
361
277
207
115
85
61
52
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.3
70–809
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
3
4
6
1
3
5
1
2
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
22
35
51
38
⁄
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
⁄
16
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
3
8
14
16
2
7
12
19
29
18
16
14
18
4
3
2
7
11
9
7
19
18
15
12
33
28
23
19
50
44
36
29
78
18
5
14
16
14
18
16
18
16
14
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
34
24
37
58
2
53
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
21⁄2
63
17
13
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
24
18
15
13
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
33
25
21
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
4
5
103 129
44
32
27
23
19
15
13
11
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
6
155
T
XHH,
XHHW,
XHHW-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
Continued
90
135
195
265
346
43
76
114
164
223
292
64
53
43
114
113
94
76
201
170
141
114
302
246
203
164
435
334
277
223
592
437
361
292
773
148
223
321
437
571
4
11
19
30
47
68
84
120
180
259
353
461
3
8
6
8
9
23
17
22
15
38
29
36
23
59
45
56
36
93
71
88
53
135
103
128
94
237
181
225
141
357
272
338
203
514
392
487
277
699
534
663
361
914
698
866
6
17
28
43
68
99
174
262
377
513
670
4
12
21
32
51
74
130
196
282
385
502
10
7
5
15
10
7
5
3
18
12
8
5
3
1
1
28
20
15
42
29
20
13
9
48
34
23
15
10
5
4
47
35
25
71
49
33
23
15
82
57
38
25
16
8
6
72
53
39
109
76
51
35
23
125
88
59
39
25
12
10
113
83
61
170
118
80
55
36
196
138
93
61
40
19
15
165
122
89
247
173
116
80
53
286
201
135
89
58
28
22
290
214
157
436
304
204
142
94
503
353
237
157
103
50
39
436 628 855
322 463 631
236 340 463
654 942 1282
456 657 895
307 442 601
213 307 418
141 203 277
755 1087 1480
530 764 1040
357 514 699
236 340 463
154 222 303
75 108 148
59
85 115
1117
824
605
1675
1169
785
546
361
1933
1358
914
605
395
193
151
D
R
Table C.3
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.3(A) should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–810
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.3(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
16
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
3/
1
21
27
COMPACT
4
6
3
5
2
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
35
41
53
CONDUCTORS
10
14
25
7
11
20
5
8
15
4
6
11
3
4
7
2
3
6
1
3
5
1
2
4
1
1
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
38
29
22
16
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
55
43
32
23
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
75
58
43
32
22
19
16
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
98
76
57
42
29
25
21
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
11
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
13
9
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
43
27
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
50
37
27
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
62
38
28
21
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
71
53
38
28
21
17
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
85
52
38
28
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
97
72
52
38
28
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
111
69
49
37
31
26
22
18
14
12
10
9
8
6
6
5
4
4
127
95
69
49
37
31
26
22
18
14
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
4
4
16
10
7
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
19
14
10
7
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
18
13
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
24
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–811
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.4 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) (Based on Chapter 9: Table
1, Table 4 & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–812
⁄
16
⁄
21
4
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
7
5
3
6
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
13
9
5
11
9
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
13
22
30
11
18
25
8
15
20
4
8
10
3
6
8
3
5
6
2
4
6
1
3
5
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
47
64
21
36
49
15
27
36
8
15
20
18
31
42
14
25
34
11
19
26
7
12
16
5
9
12
4
6
9
3
6
8
3
5
6
1
3
4
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
49
41
33
17
14
11
9
8
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
104
80
59
33
69
56
43
26
20
15
13
11
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
70
58
47
24
19
15
13
11
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
147
113
84
47
98
79
61
37
28
21
18
15
11
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
108
89
72
38
30
23
21
18
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
228
175
130
72
151
122
95
57
43
32
28
23
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
144
120
97
50
40
31
28
24
16
14
12
10
9
6
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
304
234
174
97
202
163
127
76
58
43
37
31
22
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
186
154
124
65
52
41
36
31
20
18
15
13
11
8
7
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
392
301
224
124
261
209
163
98
75
56
48
41
28
24
20
17
14
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
5
129
6
155
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
⁄
12
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
14
10
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
10
7
4
3
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
24
17
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
23
17
12
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
27
0
0
0
0
39
29
18
10
7
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
38
28
20
11
8
5
4
4
2
1
1
0
0
16
11
7
4
3
1
1
1
1
10
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
28
20
12
7
5
3
2
1
1
17
13
9
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
46
32
20
12
9
6
4
3
3
27
21
15
8
6
4
4
12
34
11⁄4
35
0
0
0
0
68
49
31
18
13
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
66
48
34
19
14
10
8
6
4
11⁄2
41
0
0
0
0
91
67
42
24
17
11
9
7
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
89
65
46
26
19
13
11
9
6
2
53
1
1
0
0
149
109
69
39
28
17
15
12
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
145
106
76
43
31
21
18
15
10
21⁄2
63
1
1
1
1
211
154
97
56
40
25
21
17
13
11
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
205
150
107
61
44
30
25
21
14
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
4
3
2
1
79
56
34
22
15
10
7
6
5
47
36
27
15
11
8
7
5
4
3
3
107
76
46
29
20
14
10
8
7
64
49
36
20
15
11
9
8
7
6
5
175
124
76
48
33
23
17
14
11
104
80
59
33
24
18
15
12
10
8
7
247
175
107
68
47
33
24
20
16
147
113
84
47
35
25
21
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
3
78
1
1
1
1
326
238
150
86
62
38
32
27
20
17
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
317
231
166
95
67
47
39
32
22
31⁄2
91
1
1
1
1
436
318
200
115
83
51
43
36
27
23
19
16
13
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
423
309
221
127
90
63
52
43
30
4
103
3
2
1
1
562
410
258
149
107
66
56
47
35
29
24
20
17
13
12
10
9
7
6
5
5
5
4
4
545
398
285
163
116
81
68
56
39
19
15
13
10
381
271
166
105
73
50
37
30
25
228
175
130
72
53
39
33
25
21
17
14
510
362
221
140
98
67
49
41
33
304
234
174
97
71
52
44
32
27
22
18
657
466
285
180
127
87
63
53
43
392
301
224
124
92
67
56
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.4
70–813
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
18
9
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
27
35
41
53
3
5
7
12
2
4
6
9
1
3
5
8
1
3
4
6
1
2
3
5
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
16
26
45
61 100
16
8
13
22
38
18
16
14
18
12
10
8
21
20
17
13
36
33
27
22
59
57
47
38
101
18
15
26
43
75
16
14
18
16
18
16
14
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
21⁄2
63
18
13
11
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
27
20
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
37
27
23
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
4
103
47
35
30
25
20
17
14
12
10
9
8
6
5
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
5
129
6
155
T
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
Continued
141
218
292
376
51
84
119
184
246
317
77
64
51
137
126
104
84
223
178
147
119
316
275
228
184
487
368
304
246
651
474
392
317
839
165
233
360
481
619
12
21
35
60
101
81
133
188
290
388
500
10
25
19
23
17
42
32
40
27
69
53
66
47
119
91
113
64
162
123
153
104
264
201
250
147
373
285
354
228
576
440
546
304
769
588
730
392
991
757
940
18
31
51
88
118
193
274
422
564
727
13
23
38
66
89
145
205
317
423
545
30
22
16
45
32
21
15
10
52
37
25
16
10
5
4
52
38
28
78
54
36
25
17
90
63
42
28
18
9
7
85
63
46
128
89
60
41
27
147
103
69
46
30
14
11
146
108
79
219
153
103
71
47
253
178
119
79
52
25
19
197
146
107
296
207
139
96
64
342
240
162
107
70
34
26
322
238
175
484
337
227
158
104
558
392
264
175
114
56
43
456 704 941 1211
336 519 694 894
247 381 510 657
684 1056 1411 1817
477 737 984 1268
321 495 661 852
223 344 460 592
147 228 304 392
790 1218 1628 2097
555 856 1144 1473
373 576 769 991
247 381 510 657
161 249 333 429
79 122 163 209
61
95 127 163
D
R
Table C.4
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.4(A) should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–814
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.4(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
7
13
17
28
3
6
10
13
22
2
4
7
10
16
1
3
5
7
12
1
1
4
5
8
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
3
4
6
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
34
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
14
9
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
16
12
9
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
19
12
8
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
22
16
12
8
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
32
20
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
37
27
20
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
40
31
23
17
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
62
48
36
26
18
16
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
83
64
48
35
25
21
18
15
13
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
107
82
62
45
32
27
23
20
16
13
11
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
70
43
31
23
20
16
14
11
9
7
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
80
59
43
31
23
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
93
58
41
31
26
22
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
3
3
107
80
58
41
31
26
22
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
120
74
53
40
34
28
24
19
15
13
11
10
9
7
6
6
5
4
138
103
74
53
40
34
29
24
20
16
13
12
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
45
28
20
15
13
10
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
52
38
28
20
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–815
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.5 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible
Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-B*) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5)
[ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
*
RHH *,
RHW ,
RHW-2*
70–816
⁄
12
12
⁄
16
⁄
21
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
12
9
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
12
21
27
10
17
22
8
14
18
4
7
9
3
6
7
2
4
6
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
44
57
19
33
43
14
25
32
8
14
18
16
29
38
13
23
30
10
18
23
6
11
14
5
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
53
44
36
29
15
12
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
93
71
53
29
62
50
39
23
18
13
11
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
34
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
⁄
12
0
0
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
0
⁄
16
0
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
0
22
16
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
15
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
0
36
26
16
9
7
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
25
18
10
7
5
4
3
2
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
10
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
9
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
26
18
11
7
5
3
2
1
1
15
12
9
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
42
30
18
11
8
5
4
3
2
25
19
14
8
6
4
3
3
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
12
34
11⁄4
35
0
0
63
46
29
16
12
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
61
44
32
18
13
9
7
6
4
11⁄2
41
0
0
81
59
37
21
15
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
79
58
41
23
17
12
10
8
5
2
53
0
0
134
97
61
35
25
15
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
130
94
68
39
27
19
16
13
9
3
3
2
1
73
52
32
20
14
9
7
6
5
44
33
25
14
10
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
95
67
41
26
18
12
9
7
6
57
43
32
18
13
9
8
7
7
6
5
4
156
111
68
43
30
20
15
12
10
93
71
53
29
22
16
13
11
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.5
70–817
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
2
53
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
8
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
15
24
42
54
7
12
20
35
46
75
6
5
4
12
11
9
7
19
19
15
12
33
30
25
20
53
53
44
35
94
69
57
46
122
113
93
75
199
18
8
14
24
39
69
16
7
11
20
32
56
14
18
16
18
5
14
10
13
9
23
17
21
15
39
30
37
25
63
48
60
44
111
85
105
16
10
16
29
46
14
7
12
21
17
12
9
25
18
12
8
5
29
20
14
9
6
3
1
28
20
15
42
29
19
13
9
48
34
23
15
10
5
3
48
35
26
72
50
34
23
15
83
58
39
26
17
8
6
38
⁄
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
16
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
5
16
4
18
16
14
18
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
12
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
89
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
Continued
90
147
72
119
57
144
110
136
93
236
180
224
81
105
173
35
61
79
130
77
57
42
116
81
54
38
25
134
94
63
42
27
13
10
136
100
73
203
142
95
66
44
235
165
111
73
48
23
18
176
130
95
264
184
124
86
57
304
214
144
95
62
30
23
288
213
156
433
302
203
141
93
499
351
236
156
102
50
39
D
R
Table C.5
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.5(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires.
Consult manufacturer’s conduit fill tables.
*
Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–818
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.5(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic
Conduit (Type LFNC-B*) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5(A)) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
12
⁄
16
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
⁄
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
7
12
15
25
3
5
9
12
19
2
4
7
9
14
1
3
5
6
11
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
3
4
6
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
3
4
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
34
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
11
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
17
11
7
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
7
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
28
17
12
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
24
17
12
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
6
31⁄2 4
5 155
91 103 129
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
38
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–819
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.6 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible
Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-A*) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, and Table 5)
[ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–820
⁄
12
12
⁄
16
⁄
21
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
12
9
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
11
20
27
9
17
23
8
13
18
4
7
9
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
43
58
19
33
44
14
24
33
8
13
18
16
28
38
13
23
31
10
18
24
6
11
14
4
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
53
45
38
30
16
13
10
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
96
74
55
30
64
51
40
24
18
13
11
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
212
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
34
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
⁄
12
0
0
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
0
⁄
16
0
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
0
22
16
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
15
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
0
35
25
16
9
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
25
18
10
7
5
4
3
2
11⁄4
35
0
0
62
45
28
16
12
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
60
44
31
18
13
9
7
6
4
11⁄2
41
0
0
83
60
38
22
16
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
80
59
42
24
17
12
10
8
5
2
53
0
0
138
100
63
36
26
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
133
97
70
40
28
20
16
13
9
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
10
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
9
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
25
18
11
7
5
3
2
1
1
15
12
9
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
41
29
18
11
8
5
4
3
2
24
19
14
8
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
72
51
31
20
14
9
7
6
4
43
33
24
13
10
7
6
5
5
4
3
2
97
69
42
26
18
13
9
8
6
58
44
33
18
13
10
8
7
8
6
5
4
161
114
70
44
31
21
15
13
10
96
74
55
30
22
16
14
11
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
12
34
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
212
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.6
70–821
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
2
53
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
8
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
14
23
41
55
7
12
20
35
47
77
6
5
4
12
11
9
7
19
18
15
12
33
29
24
20
52
52
43
35
92
70
58
47
124
116
96
77
205
18
8
14
24
39
68
91
152
16
7
11
19
31
55
74
122
14
18
16
18
5
14
10
13
9
22
17
21
15
39
29
37
24
62
47
59
43
109
83
103
58
146
112
139
96
243
185
230
16
10
16
28
45
80
107
178
14
7
12
21
34
60
80
133
17
12
9
25
18
12
8
5
29
20
14
9
6
3
1
27
20
15
41
29
19
13
9
48
33
22
15
10
5
3
47
35
25
71
49
33
23
15
82
58
39
25
17
8
6
76
56
41
114
79
53
37
24
131
92
62
41
27
13
10
133
98
72
200
139
94
65
43
231
162
109
72
47
23
18
179
132
97
269
187
126
87
58
310
218
146
97
63
31
24
297
219
161
445
311
209
145
96
514
361
243
161
105
51
40
38
⁄
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
16
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
5
16
4
18
16
14
18
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
12
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
92
212
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
Continued
D
R
Table C.6
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.6(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires.
Consult manufacturer’s conduit fill tables.
*
Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–822
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.6(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible
Nonmetallic Conduit (Type LFNC-A) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5(A))
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
16
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
6
11
16
26
3
5
9
12
20
2
4
7
9
15
1
3
5
6
11
1
1
3
4
8
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
34
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
11
8
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
18
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
34
25
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–823
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.7 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible Metal
Conduit (LFMC) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, and Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–824
12
⁄
16
⁄
21
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
12
9
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
12
21
27
10
17
22
8
14
18
4
7
9
3
6
7
2
4
6
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
44
57
19
33
43
14
25
32
8
14
18
16
29
38
13
23
30
10
18
23
6
11
14
5
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
6
4
5 155
103 129
44
36
29
15
12
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
93
71
53
29
62
50
39
23
18
13
11
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
66
55
44
23
18
14
13
11
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
140
108
80
44
93
75
58
35
27
20
17
14
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
102
84
68
36
28
22
19
17
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
215
165
123
68
143
115
89
53
41
30
26
22
15
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
133
110
89
46
37
29
25
22
14
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
280
215
160
89
186
149
117
70
53
40
34
29
20
17
15
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
173
144
116
61
48
38
33
29
19
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
365
280
209
116
243
195
152
91
70
52
44
38
26
23
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
T
⁄
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
38
D
R
Type
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
2014 Edition
⁄
12
0
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
0
⁄
16
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
22
16
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
15
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
36
26
16
9
7
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
25
18
10
7
5
4
3
2
11⁄4
35
0
63
46
29
16
12
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
61
44
32
18
13
9
7
6
4
11⁄2
41
0
81
59
37
21
15
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
79
58
41
23
17
12
10
8
5
2
53
0
134
97
61
35
25
15
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
130
94
68
39
27
19
16
13
9
21⁄2
63
1
201
146
92
53
38
23
20
17
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
195
142
102
58
41
29
24
20
14
3
78
1
308
225
141
81
59
36
30
26
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
299
218
156
89
64
44
37
30
21
31⁄2
91
1
401
292
184
106
76
47
40
33
25
21
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
389
284
203
117
83
58
48
40
28
6
4
5 155
103 129
1
523
381
240
138
100
61
52
44
32
27
23
19
15
12
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
507
370
266
152
108
75
63
52
36
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
15
10
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
9
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
26
18
11
7
5
3
2
1
1
15
12
9
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
42
30
18
11
8
5
4
3
2
25
19
14
8
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
73
52
32
20
14
9
7
6
5
44
33
25
14
10
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
4
4
3
2
95
67
41
26
18
12
9
7
6
57
43
32
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
7
6
5
4
156
111
68
43
30
20
15
12
10
93
71
53
29
22
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
11
9
8
6
235
167
102
64
45
31
23
19
15
140
108
80
44
33
24
20
17
12
10
9
7
6
18
14
12
10
360
255
156
99
69
48
35
29
23
215
165
123
68
50
36
31
26
19
16
13
11
9
23
19
16
13
469
332
203
129
90
62
45
38
30
280
215
160
89
66
48
40
34
25
21
17
14
12
30
25
20
17
611
434
266
168
118
81
59
49
40
365
280
209
116
86
62
52
44
33
28
23
19
16
38
12
34
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.7
70–825
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
2
53
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
21⁄2
63
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
6
4
5 155
103 129
13
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
89
134
206
268
350
46
75
113
174
226
295
69
57
46
122
113
93
75
199
169
140
113
300
260
215
174
460
38
⁄
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
5
8
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
15
24
42
54
16
4
7
12
20
35
18
16
14
18
6
5
4
12
11
9
7
19
19
15
12
33
30
25
20
53
53
44
35
94
18
8
14
24
39
69
90
147
222
339
442
577
16
7
11
20
32
56
72
119
179
274
357
465
14
18
16
18
5
14
10
13
9
23
17
21
15
39
30
37
25
63
48
60
44
111
85
105
57
144
110
136
93
236
180
224
140
355
271
336
215
543
415
515
280
707
540
671
365
923
705
875
16
10
16
29
46
81
105
173
260
398
519
677
14
7
12
21
35
61
79
130
195
299
389
507
17
12
9
25
18
12
8
5
29
20
14
9
6
3
1
28
20
15
42
29
19
13
9
48
34
23
15
10
5
3
48
35
26
72
50
34
23
15
83
58
39
26
17
8
6
77
57
42
116
81
54
38
25
134
94
63
42
27
13
10
136
100
73
203
142
95
66
44
235
165
111
73
48
23
18
176
130
95
264
184
124
86
57
304
214
144
95
62
30
23
288
213
156
433
302
203
141
93
499
351
236
156
102
50
39
434
320
235
651
454
305
212
140
751
527
355
235
153
75
58
664
490
360
996
695
467
325
215
1150
808
543
360
235
115
89
865
638
469
1297
905
608
423
280
1497
1052
707
469
306
149
117
1128
832
611
1692
1180
793
552
365
1952
1372
923
611
399
195
152
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
12
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
338
280
226
599
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.7
441
365
295
781
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.7(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*
Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
70–826
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.7(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Liquidtight Flexible Metal
Conduit (LFMC) (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5(A)) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21
72
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
7
12
15
25
34
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
8
1
2
38
58
76
99
6
1
1
3
5
9
12
19
29
45
59
77
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
9
6
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
14
11
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
22
16
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
34
25
17
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
44
32
23
20
16
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
57
42
30
26
21
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
86
53
38
28
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
98
73
53
38
28
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
112
69
50
37
32
26
22
18
14
12
11
9
8
6
6
5
4
4
129
95
69
50
37
32
27
22
18
15
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
4
4
13
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
11
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
17
11
7
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
7
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
28
17
12
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
24
17
12
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
43
26
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
49
37
26
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
66
41
29
22
19
15
13
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
76
56
41
29
22
19
16
13
11
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–827
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.8 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
70–828
12
⁄
16
⁄
21
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
5
3
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
6
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
12
9
5
10
8
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4 11/2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
12
21
28
10
17
23
8
14
19
4
7
10
3
6
8
2
4
6
2
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
44
59
19
33
45
14
25
34
8
14
19
17
29
39
13
23
32
10
18
25
6
11
15
5
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
53
21/2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
6
5 155
129
46
38
31
16
13
10
9
7
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
98
75
56
31
65
52
41
24
18
14
12
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
66
55
44
23
18
14
12
11
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
140
107
80
44
93
75
58
35
27
20
17
14
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
102
85
68
36
29
22
19
17
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
215
165
123
68
143
115
90
54
41
31
26
22
15
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
136
113
91
48
38
30
26
23
15
13
11
10
8
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
288
221
164
91
191
154
120
72
55
41
35
30
21
18
15
13
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
176
146
118
61
49
38
34
29
19
17
14
12
11
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
370
284
212
118
246
198
154
92
71
53
45
38
27
23
19
16
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
276
229
185
97
77
60
53
46
30
26
23
20
17
13
11
10
9
8
6
6
5
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
581
446
332
185
387
311
242
145
111
83
71
60
42
36
31
26
21
17
15
13
12
10
8
7
7
6
6
5
398
330
267
139
112
87
76
66
44
38
33
28
24
18
16
15
13
11
9
8
8
7
7
6
5
4
4
3
839
644
480
267
558
448
350
209
160
120
103
87
61
52
44
37
31
25
22
19
17
14
12
10
10
9
8
8
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
⁄
12
38
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
2014 Edition
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
12
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
13
34
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
22
1
27
0
0
0
0
36
11⁄4
35
0
0
0
0
63
11/2
41
0
0
0
0
85
2
53
1
1
0
0
140
21/2
63
1
1
1
1
200
3
78
1
1
1
1
309
31⁄2
91
1
1
1
1
412
4
103
2
2
1
1
531
6
5 155
129
4
6
3
5
3
4
3
4
833 1202
12
10
9
6
16
10
26
17
46
29
62
39
102
64
146
92
225
142
301
189
387
244
608 877
383 552
8
3
6
9
16
22
37
53
82
109
140
221 318
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
9
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
22
16
7
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
26
12
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
61
44
16
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
83
60
27
16
14
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
136
99
38
23
20
17
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
194
142
59
36
31
26
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
300
219
79
48
41
34
25
21
18
15
12
10
8
7
7
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
400
292
101
62
53
44
33
27
23
19
16
13
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
515
376
159
98
83
70
51
43
36
30
25
20
17
15
13
11
9
8
7
7
6
6
808
590
10
6
11
18
32
43
71
102
157
209
269
423 610
8
3
6
10
18
25
41
58
90
120
154
242 350
6
4
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
4
3
2
1
1
7
5
4
3
2
13
9
7
6
4
17
12
10
8
6
29
20
17
14
9
41
29
24
20
14
64
44
37
31
21
85
59
50
41
28
110
77
64
53
37
172
120
100
83
57
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
1
1
0
0
15
10
1
1
1
1
26
18
1
1
1
1
42
30
3
3
2
1
73
52
5
4
3
2
100
71
8
6
5
4
164
116
11
9
8
6
234
166
18
14
12
10
361
256
24
19
16
13
482
342
30
25
21
17
621
440
48 69
40 57
33 47
27 39
974 1405
691 997
10
6
11
18
32
43
71
102
157
209
269
423 610
8
4
7
11
20
27
45
64
99
132
170
267 386
6
4
3
2
3
1
1
1
5
3
2
1
8
5
4
3
14
9
7
6
19
13
9
8
31
22
16
13
45
31
22
19
69
48
35
29
93
64
47
39
120
82
60
50
188
129
94
78
⁄
12
38
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.8
230
141
120
100
74
63
52
43
36
29
25
22
20
16
13
11
11
10
9
8
1166
851
249
174
145
120
83
271
186
136
113
70–829
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.8
Continued
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1
14
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
70–830
⁄
16
1
9
34
⁄
21
1
15
1
27
2
25
11⁄4
35
5
44
11/2
41
6
59
2
53
10
98
21/2
63
15
140
3
78
23
215
31⁄2
91
31
288
4
103
40
370
6
5 155
129
63 92
581 839
12
10
8
7
5
3
12
9
5
19
14
8
33
25
14
45
34
19
75
56
31
107
80
44
165
123
68
221
164
91
284
212
118
446 644
332 480
185 267
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
10
14
4
7
10
3
6
8
3
5
7
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
15
24
42
57
23
16
14
12
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
33
24
20
17
12
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
51
37
31
26
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
68
49
41
35
26
22
18
15
12
10
9
7
7
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
87
63
53
45
33
28
23
19
16
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
1
1
207
276
18
16
18
16
14
18
18
8
94
134
137
99
84
70
52
44
37
30
25
20
18
15
14
11
9
8
7
7
6
6
4
4
3
3
197
143
121
101
76
64
53
44
36
30
25
22
20
16
13
11
11
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
557
804
T
AF
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
12
⁄
12
38
D
R
XHHW,
ZW.
XHHW-2,
XHH
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
355
7
12
20
35
48
79
113
174
232
299
470
678
11
9
7
19
19
15
12
33
31
25
20
54
53
44
35
94
72
59
48
127
118
98
79
209
169
140
113
299
261
215
174
461
348
288
232
616
448
370
299
792
703
581
470
1244
1014
839
678
1794
14
25
40
69
94
155
221
341
455
585
918
1325
16
11
20
32
56
76
125
178
275
367
472
741
1070
14
18
16
18
9
23
17
21
15
40
30
38
25
64
49
61
44
111
84
105
59
150
115
143
98
248
189
235
140
354
270
335
215
545
416
517
288
728
556
690
370
937
715
888
581
1470
1123
1394
839
2120
1620
2011
16
16
29
47
81
110
181
259
400
534
687
1078 1555
14
12
22
35
61
83
136
194
300
400
515
808
1166
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
28
20
15
42
29
19
13
9
49
36
26
73
51
34
24
15
79
58
42
118
82
55
38
25
135
100
73
203
142
95
66
44
184
136
100
276
192
129
90
59
303
223
164
454
317
213
148
98
432
319
234
648
452
304
211
140
666
491
361
1000
697
468
326
215
889
656
482
1334
931
625
435
288
1145
844
621
1717
1198
805
560
370
1796
1325
974
2695
1880
1263
878
581
2592
1912
1405
3887
2712
1822
1267
839
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.8
Type
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Continued
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
⁄
16
48
34
23
15
10
5
3
38
⁄
21
84
59
40
26
17
8
6
12
34
1
27
136
96
64
42
28
13
10
11⁄4
35
234
165
111
73
48
23
18
11/2
41
318
224
150
100
65
32
25
2
53
524
368
248
164
107
52
41
21/2
63
748
526
354
234
153
75
58
3
78
1153
810
545
361
236
115
90
31⁄2
91
1540
1082
728
482
315
154
120
4
103
1982
1392
937
621
405
198
154
5
129
3109
2185
1470
974
636
311
242
6
155
4486
3152
2120
1405
918
448
350
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.8(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
⁄
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
7
12
16
26
3
5
9
12
20
2
4
7
9
15
1
3
5
7
11
1
1
3
5
8
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
2
3
6
1
1
1
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
34
D
R
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
59
45
34
25
17
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
78
60
45
33
23
20
17
14
12
9
8
7
7
5
4
4
4
3
3
101
78
58
43
30
26
22
19
15
12
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
158
122
91
67
47
41
34
29
24
19
17
15
13
11
9
8
7
7
6
228
176
132
97
68
59
50
42
35
28
24
22
20
17
13
12
11
10
9
AF
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
T
Table C.8(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5(A)) [ROP8–204a]
38
29
22
16
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
70–831
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
12
⁄
16
34
⁄
21
1
27
1⁄
35
11⁄2
41
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
6
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
15
11
8
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
18
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
21
15
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
30
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
34
25
18
13
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
43
26
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
49
36
26
19
14
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
66
41
29
22
19
15
13
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
76
56
41
29
22
19
16
13
11
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
88
55
39
29
25
21
17
14
11
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
101
75
55
39
29
25
21
17
14
11
10
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
114
70
50
38
32
26
22
18
14
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
4
4
130
97
70
50
38
32
27
22
19
15
13
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
179
110
79
59
51
42
35
29
23
20
17
15
13
10
9
9
6
6
205
152
110
79
59
51
43
35
29
23
20
18
16
13
10
9
8
7
7
258
159
114
86
73
60
51
42
33
28
25
22
19
15
13
13
10
9
296
220
159
114
86
73
62
51
42
34
29
25
23
19
15
13
12
11
10
14
T
XHHW,
XHHW-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
AF
Type
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Continued
D
R
Table C.8(A)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
70–832
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.9 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid PVC Conduit,
Schedule 80 (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
2014 Edition
⁄
16
⁄
21
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
4
3
1
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
9
6
3
8
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
9
17
23
7
14
19
6
11
15
3
6
8
2
4
6
1
3
5
1
3
4
1
3
4
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
35
49
15
27
38
11
20
28
6
11
15
13
23
32
10
19
26
8
15
20
5
9
12
3
7
9
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
5
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
39
32
26
13
11
8
7
6
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
82
63
47
26
55
44
34
20
16
12
10
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
56
46
37
19
16
12
11
9
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
118
91
68
37
79
63
49
29
22
17
14
12
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
88
73
59
31
24
19
17
14
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
185
142
106
59
123
99
77
46
35
26
22
19
13
11
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
118
98
79
41
33
26
23
20
13
11
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
250
192
143
79
166
133
104
62
48
35
30
26
18
15
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
153
127
103
54
43
33
29
25
17
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
324
248
185
103
215
173
135
81
62
46
39
33
23
20
17
14
12
9
8
7
7
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
243
202
163
85
68
53
47
41
27
23
20
17
15
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
1
514
394
294
163
341
274
214
128
98
73
63
53
37
32
27
23
19
15
13
12
10
9
7
6
6
6
5
5
4
3
3
349
290
234
122
98
77
67
58
38
33
29
25
21
16
14
13
12
10
8
7
7
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
736
565
421
234
490
394
307
184
141
105
90
77
54
46
39
33
27
22
19
17
15
13
10
9
8
8
7
7
5
4
4
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
70–833
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.9
Continued
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2000
14
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
70–834
1
27
0
28
1⁄
35
0
51
11⁄2
41
0
70
2
53
0
118
21⁄2
63
0
170
3
78
1
265
31⁄2
91
1
358
4
103
1
464
5
6
129 155
2
3
736 1055
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
12
7
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
20
13
7
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
37
23
13
9
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
49
51
32
18
13
8
7
6
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
68
86
54
31
22
14
12
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
115
124
78
45
32
20
17
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
164
193
122
70
51
31
26
22
16
14
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
257
261
164
95
68
42
35
30
22
18
15
13
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
347
338
213
123
89
54
46
39
29
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
450
537 770
338 485
195 279
141 202
86 124
73 105
61
88
45
65
38
55
32
46
26
38
22
31
18
25
15
22
13
19
12
17
10
14
8
12
7
10
7
9
6
9
6
8
5
7
714 1024
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
12
8
5
3
2
1
1
1
20
14
8
6
4
3
3
1
36
26
15
10
7
6
5
3
50
36
20
14
10
8
7
5
84
60
34
24
17
14
12
8
120
86
49
35
24
20
17
11
188
135
77
55
38
32
26
18
253
182
104
74
52
43
35
25
328
235
135
96
67
56
46
32
521
374
214
152
106
89
73
51
0
0
0
0
10
7
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
19
14
8
5
4
2
1
1
1
11
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
23
14
9
6
4
3
2
1
19
15
11
6
4
3
3
2
3
2
1
1
59
42
26
16
11
8
5
5
4
35
27
20
11
8
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
82
58
36
22
16
11
8
6
5
49
38
28
15
11
8
7
6
7
5
4
4
138
98
60
38
26
18
13
11
9
82
63
47
26
19
14
12
10
10
8
6
5
198
141
86
54
38
26
19
16
13
118
91
68
37
28
20
17
14
15
12
10
8
310
220
135
85
60
41
30
25
20
185
142
106
59
43
31
26
22
20
17
14
11
418
297
182
115
81
55
40
33
27
250
192
143
79
59
42
36
30
27
22
18
15
542
385
235
149
104
72
52
43
35
324
248
185
103
76
55
47
39
42
61
35
50
29
41
24
34
860 1233
610 875
374 536
236 339
166 238
114 164
83 119
69
99
56
80
514 736
394 565
294 421
163 234
121 173
87 125
74 106
62
89
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
T
⁄
21
0
17
⁄
12
14
AF
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
⁄
16
0
9
34
D
R
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
12
38
747
536
307
218
153
127
105
73
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
1
1⁄
11⁄2
27
35
41
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
11
19
34
47
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
14
2
53
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
21⁄2
63
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
16
14
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
22
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
4
103
29
24
20
17
14
11
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
177
239
310
492
706
150
202
262
415
595
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-3
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
5
129
46
39
32
27
22
18
15
14
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
6
155
66
56
46
38
32
26
22
20
17
14
11
10
9
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
18
6
79
113
16
5
9
16
28
39
67
95
18
16
14
18
7
6
5
13
14
11
9
25
24
19
16
42
43
35
28
76
59
49
39
105
100
82
67
177
143
118
95
253
224
185
150
396
302
250
202
534
391
324
262
692
621
514
415
1098
890
736
595
1575
18
10
18
31
56
77
130
187
293
395
511
811
1163
16
8
15
25
45
62
105
151
236
319
413
655
939
14
18
16
18
6
15
12
15
11
29
22
28
19
50
38
47
35
90
68
85
49
124
95
118
82
209
159
198
118
299
229
284
185
468
358
444
250
632
482
599
324
818
625
776
514
1298
992
1231
736
1861
1422
1765
16
11
22
36
66
91
153
219
343
463
600
952
1365
14
8
16
27
49
68
115
164
257
347
450
714
1024
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
19
14
10
29
20
13
9
6
33
23
15
10
7
3
2
36
27
19
54
38
25
17
11
63
44
29
19
13
6
5
61
45
33
91
64
43
30
19
106
74
50
33
21
10
8
110
81
59
165
115
77
53
35
190
133
90
59
39
19
15
152
112
82
228
159
107
74
49
263
185
124
82
54
26
20
255
188
138
383
267
179
125
82
442
310
209
138
90
44
34
366
270
198
549
383
257
179
118
633
445
299
198
129
63
49
572
422
310
859
599
402
280
185
991
696
468
310
203
99
77
772
569
418
1158
808
543
377
250
1336
939
632
418
273
133
104
1000
738
542
1501
1047
703
489
324
1732
1217
818
542
354
173
135
1587
1171
860
2380
1661
1116
776
514
2747
1930
1298
860
562
274
214
2275
1678
1233
3413
2381
1600
1113
736
3938
2767
1861
1233
806
394
307
AF
Type
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
Continued
D
R
Table C.9
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.9(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–835
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.9(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 80
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5(A)) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13⁄4
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
21⁄2
2
27
35
41
53
63
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
3
5
9
13
22
32
2
4
7
10
17
25
1
3
5
7
13
18
1
1
4
5
9
13
1
1
3
4
6
9
1
1
2
3
6
8
1
1
1
3
5
7
0
1
1
2
4
6
0
1
1
1
3
5
0
1
1
1
2
4
0
0
1
1
2
3
0
0
1
1
1
3
0
0
1
1
1
3
0
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
12
9
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
15
9
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
17
13
9
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
25
15
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
21
15
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
36
22
16
12
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
42
31
22
16
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
50
39
29
21
15
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
68
52
39
29
20
17
15
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
88
68
51
37
26
23
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
140
108
81
60
42
36
30
26
22
17
15
13
12
10
8
7
7
6
5
200
155
116
85
60
52
44
37
31
25
21
19
17
14
12
10
10
8
8
77
47
34
25
22
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
88
65
47
34
25
22
18
15
12
10
8
7
7
5
4
4
3
3
3
99
61
44
33
28
23
19
16
12
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
114
85
61
44
33
28
24
19
16
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
158
98
70
53
45
37
31
25
20
17
15
13
11
9
8
8
6
5
181
134
98
70
53
45
38
31
26
21
17
15
14
11
9
8
7
6
6
226
140
100
75
64
53
44
37
29
25
22
19
16
13
12
11
9
8
260
193
140
100
75
64
54
44
37
30
25
22
20
17
13
12
11
9
8
57
35
25
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
1
1
65
48
35
25
19
16
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
70–836
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.10 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid PVC Conduit,
Schedule 40 and HDPE Conduit (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4 & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
2014 Edition
⁄
16
⁄
21
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
2
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
11
8
4
9
8
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
11
20
27
9
16
22
7
13
18
4
7
9
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
4
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
42
57
18
32
44
13
24
32
7
13
18
16
28
38
13
22
30
10
17
24
6
10
14
4
8
11
3
6
8
3
5
7
2
4
6
1
3
4
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2
53
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
45
37
30
15
12
10
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
94
72
54
30
63
50
39
23
18
13
11
10
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
64
53
43
22
18
14
12
10
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
135
103
77
43
90
72
56
33
26
19
16
14
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
99
82
66
35
28
22
19
16
11
9
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
209
160
119
66
139
112
87
52
40
30
25
22
15
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
133
110
89
46
37
29
25
22
14
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
280
215
160
89
186
150
117
70
53
40
34
29
20
17
15
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
171
142
115
60
48
37
33
28
19
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
361
277
206
115
240
193
150
90
69
51
44
37
26
22
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
269
224
181
94
76
59
52
45
29
26
22
19
16
12
11
10
9
8
6
6
5
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
568
436
325
181
378
304
237
142
109
81
69
59
41
35
30
25
21
17
15
13
12
10
8
7
6
6
6
5
4
3
3
390
323
261
137
109
85
75
65
43
37
32
28
24
18
16
14
13
11
9
8
8
7
7
6
5
4
3
3
822
631
470
261
546
439
343
205
157
117
100
85
60
51
43
36
30
25
21
19
17
14
11
10
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
70–837
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
70–838
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
11
8
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
8
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
21
15
9
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
15
10
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
27
0
34
25
15
9
6
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33
24
17
10
7
5
4
3
2
1⁄
35
0
60
43
27
16
11
7
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
58
42
30
17
12
8
7
6
4
1
0
0
0
13
9
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
8
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
24
17
10
6
4
3
2
1
1
14
11
8
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
40
28
17
11
7
5
4
3
2
24
18
13
7
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
70
49
30
19
13
9
6
5
4
42
32
24
13
10
7
6
5
3
3
2
1
1
12
34
14
11⁄2
41
0
82
59
37
21
15
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
79
58
41
24
17
12
10
8
5
2
53
0
135
99
62
36
26
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
131
96
69
39
28
19
16
13
9
21⁄2
63
1
193
141
89
51
37
22
19
16
12
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
188
137
98
56
40
28
23
19
13
3
78
1
299
218
137
79
57
35
30
25
18
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
290
212
152
87
62
43
36
30
20
4
4
3
2
95
68
41
26
18
12
9
7
6
57
44
32
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
2
8
6
5
4
158
112
69
43
30
21
15
12
10
94
72
54
30
22
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
11
9
7
6
226
160
98
62
43
30
22
18
14
135
103
77
43
32
23
19
16
12
10
8
7
6
17
14
12
9
350
248
152
96
67
46
34
28
23
209
160
119
66
49
35
30
25
19
16
13
11
9
31⁄2
91
1
401
293
184
106
77
47
40
33
25
21
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
389
284
204
117
83
58
48
40
28
4
103
1
517
377
238
137
99
61
51
43
32
27
22
18
15
12
11
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
502
366
263
150
107
75
62
51
36
5
129
3
815
594
374
216
156
96
81
68
50
42
35
29
24
20
17
15
13
11
9
8
7
7
6
6
790
577
414
237
169
118
98
81
56
6
155
4
1178
859
541
312
225
138
117
98
73
61
51
42
35
28
24
21
19
16
13
11
11
10
9
8
1142
834
598
343
244
170
142
117
81
23
19
16
13
469
333
204
129
90
62
45
38
30
280
215
160
89
66
48
40
34
25
21
17
14
12
30
24
20
16
605
429
263
166
116
80
58
49
39
361
277
206
115
85
61
52
44
32
27
23
19
15
47
68
39
56
32
46
26
38
952 1376
675
976
414
598
261
378
184
265
126
183
92 133
77
111
62
90
568
822
436
631
325
470
181
261
134
193
97 140
82
118
69
99
51
74
43
62
36
52
30
43
24
35
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.10
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
21⁄2
63
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
4
5
103 129
13
20
11
17
9
15
8
13
7
11
5
9
5
8
4
7
4
7
4
6
3
6
3
4
2
4
1
3
1
3
6
155
29
25
22
19
16
13
11
11
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
8
1
1⁄
11⁄2
2
27
35
41
53
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
14
23
40
54
90
129
200
268
346
545
788
16
6
12
19
33
46
76
109
169
226
292
459
664
18
16
14
18
10
8
6
17
17
14
12
31
29
24
19
51
50
42
33
89
69
57
46
122
114
94
76
202
163
135
109
289
18
13
23
38
16
14
18
16
18
10
8
20
16
19
18
14
37
28
35
30
24
60
46
57
18
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
14
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
253
209
169
447
AF
Type
Continued
338
280
226
599
436 687 993
361 568 822
292 459 664
772 1216 1758
66
90
149
213
330
442
570
53
42
105
80
100
73
57
144
110
137
120
94
239
183
227
172
135
341
261
323
266
209
528
403
501
357
280
708
541
671
460 725 1048
361 568 822
913 1437 2077
697 1098 1587
865 1363 1970
D
R
Table C.10
898 1298
16
15
27
44
77
106
175
250
387
519
669 1054 1523
14
11
20
33
58
79
131
188
290
389
502
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
25
18
13
38
26
18
12
8
44
45
33
24
67
47
31
22
14
78
74
54
40
111
77
52
36
24
128
129
95
70
193
135
91
63
42
223
176
130
95
265
184
124
86
57
305
292
216
158
439
306
205
143
94
506
417 646 865 1116 1756 2539
308 476 638 823 1296 1873
226 350 469 605 952 1376
626 969 1298 1674 2634 3809
436 676 905 1168 1838 2657
293 454 608 784 1235 1785
204 316 423 546 859 1242
135 209 280 361 568 822
722 1118 1498 1931 3040 4395
16
14
12
10
12
10
31
20
13
9
4
3
55
37
24
16
8
6
90
60
40
26
13
10
157
105
70
45
22
17
214
144
95
62
30
24
355
239
158
103
50
39
507
341
226
148
72
56
790 1142
785 1052 1357 2136 3088
528 708 913 1437 2077
350 469 605 952 1376
229 306 395 622 899
112 150 193 304 439
87 117 150 237 343
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.10(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–839
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.10(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Rigid PVC Conduit, Schedule 40
and HDPE Conduit (Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
4
6
11
15
26
3
5
9
12
20
1
3
6
9
15
1
2
5
6
11
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
3
4
6
1
1
2
3
5
1
1
1
3
5
1
1
1
2
4
0
1
1
1
3
0
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
37
28
21
15
11
9
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
57
44
33
24
17
15
12
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
76
59
44
32
23
20
16
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
98
76
57
42
29
25
21
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
5
4
4
155
119
89
66
46
40
34
29
24
19
16
15
13
11
9
8
7
6
6
224
173
129
95
67
58
49
42
35
27
24
21
19
16
13
12
11
9
9
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
41
25
18
14
12
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
47
35
25
18
14
12
10
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
64
40
28
21
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
73
55
40
28
21
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
86
53
38
29
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
99
73
53
38
29
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
111
68
49
37
31
26
22
18
14
12
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
127
94
68
49
37
31
26
22
18
14
12
11
10
8
6
5
5
4
4
175
108
77
58
49
41
34
28
22
19
17
15
13
10
9
8
7
6
200
149
108
77
58
49
42
34
29
23
19
17
15
13
10
9
8
7
6
253
156
112
84
72
59
50
41
32
28
24
22
18
15
13
12
10
9
290
215
156
112
84
72
60
50
42
33
28
25
22
18
15
13
12
10
9
34
7
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
8
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
14
11
8
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
17
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20
15
11
8
6
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
29
18
13
9
8
7
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
25
18
13
9
8
7
5
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
70–840
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.11 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
2014 Edition
⁄
16
⁄
21
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
8
6
3
7
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
14
10
6
12
10
8
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
27
35
41
53
CONDUCTORS
14
24
31
49
12
20
26
41
10
16
21
33
5
8
11
17
4
6
9
14
3
5
7
11
3
4
6
9
2
4
5
8
1
2
3
5
1
2
3
5
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
31
51
67
105
24
39
51
80
18
29
38
60
10
16
21
33
20
34
44
69
16
27
35
56
13
21
28
44
7
12
16
26
6
9
13
20
4
7
9
15
4
6
8
13
3
5
7
11
1
3
5
7
1
3
4
6
1
2
3
5
1
1
3
4
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
74
61
50
26
21
16
14
12
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
157
120
89
50
104
84
65
39
30
22
19
16
11
10
8
7
6
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
112
93
75
39
31
24
21
18
12
10
9
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
235
181
135
75
157
126
98
59
45
33
29
24
17
14
12
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
146
121
98
51
41
32
28
24
16
14
12
10
9
6
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
307
236
176
98
204
164
128
77
59
44
37
32
22
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
187
155
125
65
52
41
36
31
20
18
15
13
11
8
7
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
395
303
226
125
262
211
165
98
75
56
48
41
29
24
21
17
14
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
5
129
6
155
T
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
⁄
12
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
70–841
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH, TFE
PFA,
PFAH, TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
70–842
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
0
0
0
0
16
11
7
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
11
8
4
3
1
1
1
1
⁄
21
0
0
0
0
27
19
12
7
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
19
13
8
5
4
3
2
1
1
27
0
0
0
0
44
32
20
12
8
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
43
31
22
13
9
6
5
4
3
11⁄4
35
0
0
0
0
73
53
33
19
14
8
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
70
51
37
21
15
10
8
7
5
1
1
1
0
18
13
8
5
3
2
1
1
1
11
8
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
31
22
13
8
6
4
3
2
1
18
14
10
6
4
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
52
37
22
14
10
7
5
4
3
31
24
18
10
7
5
4
3
4
3
3
2
85
60
37
23
16
11
8
7
5
51
39
29
16
12
8
7
6
12
34
11⁄2
41
0
0
0
0
96
70
44
25
18
11
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
93
68
48
28
20
14
11
9
6
2
53
1
1
0
0
150
109
69
40
28
17
15
12
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
146
106
76
44
31
21
18
15
10
21⁄2
63
1
1
1
1
225
164
103
59
43
26
22
19
14
11
10
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
218
159
114
65
46
32
27
22
15
3
78
1
1
1
1
338
246
155
89
64
39
33
28
21
17
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
327
239
171
98
70
49
40
33
23
5
4
3
3
112
79
48
30
21
15
11
9
7
67
51
38
21
15
11
9
8
8
7
6
5
175
124
76
48
34
23
17
14
11
105
80
60
33
24
18
15
12
13
10
9
7
262
186
114
72
50
35
25
21
17
157
120
89
50
37
26
22
19
19
16
13
11
395
280
171
108
76
52
38
32
26
235
181
135
75
55
40
34
28
31⁄2
91
1
1
1
1
441
321
202
117
84
52
44
37
27
23
19
16
13
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
427
312
224
128
91
64
53
44
30
4
103
3
2
1
1
566
412
260
150
108
66
56
47
35
29
24
20
17
14
12
10
9
7
6
5
5
5
4
4
549
400
287
165
117
82
68
56
39
25
21
17
14
515
365
224
141
99
68
50
41
33
307
236
176
98
72
52
44
37
32
27
22
18
661
469
287
181
127
88
64
53
43
395
303
226
125
93
67
57
48
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.11
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF, PAF,
PTF, PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
18
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
10
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
27
35
41
53
3
4
6
9
2
4
5
8
1
3
4
6
1
2
3
5
1
1
3
4
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
FIXTURE WIRES
18
30
48
64 100
150
⁄
21
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
21⁄2
63
14
12
10
8
7
5
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
78
21
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
28
23
19
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
4
103
35
30
25
20
17
14
12
10
9
8
6
5
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
1
226
295
378
5
129
6
155
T
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
AF
Type
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
Continued
16
9
15
25
18
16
14
18
13
11
9
23
22
18
15
40
37
31
25
66
41
54
85
127
190
248
319
61
51
41
108
81
67
54
143
127
105
85
224
189
157
127
335
285
235
190
504
372
307
248
658
477
395
319
844
18
17
29
49
80
105
165
248
372
486
623
16
14
24
39
65
85
134
200
300
392
503
14
18
16
18
11
28
21
26
18
47
36
45
31
79
60
74
51
128
98
122
67
169
129
160
105
265
202
251
157
396
303
376
235
596
455
565
307
777
594
737
395
998
762
946
16
20
34
58
94
124
194
291
437
570
732
14
15
26
43
70
93
146
218
327
427
549
18
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
34
25
18
51
36
24
16
11
59
41
28
18
12
6
4
57
42
31
86
60
40
28
18
100
70
47
31
20
10
8
96
71
52
144
101
67
47
31
166
117
79
52
34
16
13
157
116
85
235
164
110
77
51
272
191
128
85
55
27
21
206
152
112
310
216
145
101
67
357
251
169
112
73
35
28
324
239
175
486
339
228
158
105
561
394
265
175
115
56
44
484 728 950 1220
357 537 701 900
262 395 515 661
727 1092 1426 1829
507 762 994 1276
341 512 668 857
237 356 465 596
157 235 307 395
839 1260 1645 2111
589 886 1156 1483
396 596 777 998
262 395 515 661
171 258 337 432
84 126 164
211
65
98 128 165
D
R
Table C.11
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.11(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires. Consult manufacturer’s
conduit fill tables.
*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–843
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.11(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Type A, Rigid PVC Conduit
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
⁄
1
21
27
COMPACT
5
8
4
6
3
5
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
5
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
11
8
6
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
35
41
53
CONDUCTORS
14
18
28
10
14
22
8
10
16
6
7
12
4
5
8
3
4
7
3
4
6
2
3
5
1
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
15
9
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
18
13
9
7
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
20
12
9
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
23
17
12
9
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
32
20
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
37
27
20
14
10
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
42
33
24
18
13
11
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
64
49
37
27
19
16
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
84
65
48
36
25
21
18
15
13
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
107
83
62
46
32
28
23
20
17
13
11
10
9
8
6
5
5
4
4
48
30
21
16
13
11
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
55
41
30
21
16
13
11
9
8
6
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
72
45
32
24
20
17
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
83
62
45
32
24
20
17
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
94
58
42
31
27
22
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
108
80
58
42
31
27
22
18
15
12
10
9
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
121
75
54
40
34
28
24
19
15
13
11
10
9
7
6
6
5
4
139
103
75
54
40
34
29
24
20
16
13
12
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
5
129
6
155
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
16
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
70–844
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.12 Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Type EB, PVC Conduit
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5) [ROP8–204a]
TW,
THHW,
THW,
THW-2
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
TW, THW,
THHW,
THW-2,
RHH*,
RHW*,
RHW-2*
2014 Edition
⁄
21
34
1
11⁄4
11⁄2
27
35
41
CONDUCTORS
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
14
12
10
8
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2
53
53
44
35
18
15
11
10
9
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
111
85
63
35
74
59
46
28
21
16
13
11
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
119
98
79
41
33
26
23
20
13
11
10
8
7
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
250
192
143
79
166
134
104
62
48
36
30
26
18
15
13
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
155
128
104
54
43
34
30
26
17
15
13
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
327
251
187
104
217
175
136
81
62
46
40
34
24
20
17
14
12
10
8
7
7
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
197
163
132
69
55
43
38
33
21
19
16
14
12
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
415
319
238
132
276
222
173
104
79
59
51
43
30
26
22
18
15
12
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
303
251
203
106
85
66
58
50
33
29
25
22
18
14
12
11
10
9
7
6
6
6
5
5
3
3
3
2
638
490
365
203
424
341
266
159
122
91
78
66
46
40
34
28
24
19
17
15
13
11
9
8
7
7
6
6
4
4
3
430
357
288
151
121
94
83
72
47
41
36
31
26
20
17
16
14
12
10
9
9
8
7
7
5
4
4
3
907
696
519
288
603
485
378
227
173
129
111
94
66
56
48
40
34
27
24
21
19
16
13
11
11
10
9
8
6
6
5
T
⁄
16
12
AF
RHH,
RHW,
RHW-2
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
70–845
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
FEP,
FEPB,
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE
PFA,
PFAH,
TFE, Z
Z
XHHW,
ZW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
XHH
70–846
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
12
⁄
21
34
1
27
11⁄4
35
11⁄2
41
2
53
0
159
116
73
42
30
19
16
13
10
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
155
113
81
46
33
23
19
16
11
21⁄2
63
3
78
1
359
262
165
95
68
42
36
30
22
18
15
13
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
348
254
182
104
74
52
43
36
25
31⁄2
91
1
468
342
215
124
89
55
46
39
29
24
20
17
14
11
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
454
332
238
136
97
68
56
46
32
4
103
1
595
434
274
158
114
70
59
50
37
31
26
21
18
14
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
5
4
4
578
422
302
173
123
86
72
59
41
5
6
129 155
3
4
915 1300
667 948
420 597
242 344
175 248
107 153
91 129
76 109
57
80
48
68
40
56
33
47
27
39
22
31
19
27
17
24
15
21
12
18
10
14
9
12
8
12
8
11
7
10
6
9
887 1261
648 920
465 660
266 378
189 269
132 188
110 157
91 129
63
90
27
22
18
15
547
388
238
150
105
72
53
44
36
327
251
187
104
77
56
47
39
29
25
20
17
14
34
28
23
19
696
494
302
191
134
92
67
56
45
415
319
238
132
98
71
60
50
37
31
26
22
18
53
75
43
62
36
51
29
42
1069 1519
759 1078
465 660
294 417
206 293
142 201
104 147
86 122
70
99
638 907
490 696
365 519
203 288
150 213
109 155
92 131
77 110
58
82
48
69
40
57
33
47
27
39
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
2000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
AF
Type
Continued
D
R
Table C.12
9
7
6
5
186
132
81
51
36
24
18
15
12
111
85
63
35
26
19
16
13
10
8
7
6
5
20
17
14
11
419
297
182
115
81
55
40
34
27
250
192
143
79
59
42
36
30
22
19
16
13
11
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.12
Type
Continued
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
Trade Size (Metric Designator)
⁄
12
38
⁄
16
12
1
27
⁄
21
34
11⁄4
35
11⁄2
41
2
53
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
21⁄2
63
3
78
9
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
31⁄2
91
11
10
8
8
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
4
103
15
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
5
129
22
19
17
15
12
10
9
8
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
6
155
32
28
24
22
18
14
12
12
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
240
313
398
612
869
336
516
733
FIXTURE WIRES
PF, PFF,
PGF,
PGFF,
PAF, PTF,
PTFF,
PAFF
ZF, ZFF,
ZHF
KF-2,
KFF-2
KF-1,
KFF-1
XF, XFF
16
90
18
16
14
18
134
111
90
238
18
202
264
T
107
303
250
202
536
395
327
264
699
AF
SF-1,
SFF-1
RFH-1, TF,
TFF, XF,
XFF
XF, XFF
TFN,
TFFN
18
502 772 1096
415 638 907
336 516 733
889 1366 1940
176
396
516
656 1009 1433
142
319
417
530
111
281
250
633
327 415 638 907
826 1050 1614 2293
215
267
484
600
631
783
802 1233 1751
996 1530 2174
16
206
464
606
770 1183 1681
14
155
348
454
578
18
344
774 1010 1284 1973 2802
16
14
18
16
14
12
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
10
254
186
516
360
242
168
111
596
419
281
186
122
59
46
16
14
18
16
18
D
R
RFH-2,
FFH-2,
RFHH-2
SF-2,
SFF-2
571
419
1161
810
544
378
250
1340
941
633
419
274
134
104
745
547
1515
1057
710
494
327
1748
1228
826
547
358
175
136
947
696
1926
1344
903
628
415
2222
1562
1050
696
455
222
173
814 1157
887 1261
1455
1069
2959
2064
1387
965
638
3414
2399
1614
1069
699
341
266
2067
1519
4204
2933
1970
1371
907
4850
3408
2293
1519
993
485
378
Notes:
1. This table is for concentric stranded conductors only. For compact stranded conductors, Table C.12(A)
should be used.
2. Two-hour fire-rated RHH cable has ceramifiable insulation which has much larger diameters than other RHH wires.
Consult manufacturer’s conduit fill tables.
*
Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–847
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Table C.12(A) Maximum Number of Conductors or Fixture Wires in Type EB, PVC Conduit
(Based on Chapter 9: Table 1, Table 4, & Table 5a) [ROP8–204a]
XHHW,
XHHW-2
⁄
16
⁄
1
11⁄4 11⁄2
2
21
27
35
41
53
COMPACT CONDUCTORS
30
23
17
13
9
8
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
34
34
21
15
11
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
39
29
21
15
11
9
8
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
21⁄2
63
3
78
31⁄2
91
4
103
5
129
6
155
68
52
39
29
20
17
15
12
10
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
3
2
89
69
51
38
26
23
19
16
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
113
87
65
48
34
29
24
21
17
14
12
11
10
8
6
6
5
5
4
174
134
100
74
52
45
38
32
27
21
19
17
15
12
10
9
8
7
7
247
191
143
105
74
64
54
46
38
30
26
24
21
18
14
13
12
10
9
100
62
44
33
28
23
20
16
13
11
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
115
85
62
44
33
28
24
20
16
13
11
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
4
128
79
57
42
36
30
25
20
16
14
12
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
146
109
79
57
42
36
30
25
21
17
14
12
11
9
7
6
6
5
5
196
121
87
65
56
46
38
32
25
22
19
17
14
11
10
9
8
7
225
167
121
87
65
56
47
38
32
26
22
19
17
14
11
10
9
8
7
279
172
124
93
79
65
55
45
35
31
27
24
20
16
14
14
11
10
320
238
172
124
93
79
67
55
46
37
31
28
25
20
16
14
13
11
10
77
47
34
25
22
18
15
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
88
65
47
34
25
22
18
15
12
10
8
7
7
5
4
4
3
3
3
T
THHN,
THWN,
THWN-2
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
8
6
4
2
1
1/0
2/0
3/0
4/0
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
750
900
1000
⁄
12
12
AF
THW,
THW-2,
THHW
Trade Size (Metric Designator )
38
D
R
Type
Conductor
Size
(AWG/
kcmil)
Definition: Compact stranding is the result of a manufacturing process where the standard conductor is
compressed to the extent that the interstices (voids between strand wires) are virtually eliminated.
70–848
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX D
Informative Annex D Examples
Minimum Size Feeder Required [see 220.40]
General Lighting
Small Appliance
Laundry
4,500 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
Total
9,000 VA
3,000 VA
2,100 VA
Net Load
5,100 VA
8,000 VA
5,500 VA
3000 VA at 100%
9000 VA – 3000 VA = 6000 VA at 35%
Range (see Table 220.55)
Dryer Load (see Table 220.54 )
Net Calculated Load
18,600 VA
T
Net Calculated Load for 120/240-V, 3-wire, singlephase service or feeder
18,600 VA ÷ 240 V = 78 A
Sections 230.42(B) and 230.79 require service conductors and disconnecting means rated not less than 100 amperes.
Calculation for Neutral for Feeder and Service
AF
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
Selection of Conductors. In the following examples,
the results are generally expressed in amperes (A). To select conductor sizes, refer to the 0 through 2000 volt (V)
ampacity tables of Article 310 and the rules of 310.15 that
pertain to these tables.
Voltage. For uniform application of Articles 210, 215,
and 220, a nominal voltage of 120, 120/240, 240, and
208Y/120 V is used in calculating the ampere load on the
conductor.
Fractions of an Ampere. Except where the calculations result in a major fraction of an ampere (0.5 or larger),
such fractions are permitted to be dropped.
Power Factor. Calculations in the following examples
are based, for convenience, on the assumption that all loads
have the same power factor (PF).
Ranges. For the calculation of the range loads in these
examples, Column C of Table 220.55 has been used. For
optional methods, see Columns A and B of Table 220.55.
Except where the calculations result in a major fraction of a
kilowatt (0.5 or larger), such fractions are permitted to be
dropped.
SI Units. For metric conversions, 0.093 m2 = 1 ft2 and
0.3048 m = 1 ft.
D
R
Example D1(a) One-Family Dwelling
The dwelling has a floor area of 1500 ft2, exclusive of an
unfinished cellar not adaptable for future use, unfinished
attic, and open porches. Appliances are a 12-kW range and
a 5.5-kW, 240-V dryer. Assume range and dryer kW ratings
equivalent to kVA ratings in accordance with 220.54 and
220.55.
Calculated Load [see 220.40]
General Lighting Load 1500 ft2 at 3 VA/ft2 = 4500 VA
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required [see
210.11(A)]
General Lighting Load: 4500 VA ÷ 120 V = 38 A
This requires three 15-A, 2-wire or two 20-A, 2-wire
circuits.
Small-Appliance Load: Two 2-wire, 20-A circuits [see
210.11(C)(1)]
Laundry Load: One 2-wire, 20-A circuit [see
210.11(C)(2)]
Bathroom Branch Circuit: One 2-wire, 20-A circuit (no
additional load calculation is required for this circuit) [see
210.11(C)(3)]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Range: 8000 VA at 70% (see 220.61)
Dryer: 5500 VA at 70% (see 220.61)
5,100 VA
5,600 VA
3,850 VA
Total 14,550 VA
Calculated Load for Neutral
14,550 VA ÷ 240 V = 61 A
Example D1(b) One-Family Dwelling
Assume same conditions as Example No. D1(a), plus addition of one 6-A, 230-V, room air-conditioning unit and one
12-A, 115-V, room air-conditioning unit,* one 8-A, 115-V,
rated waste disposer, and one 10-A, 120-V, rated dishwasher. See Article 430 for general motors and Article 440,
Part VII, for air-conditioning equipment. Motors have
nameplate ratings of 115 V and 230 V for use on 120-V and
240-V nominal voltage systems.
*(For feeder neutral, use larger of the two appliances
for unbalance.)
From Example D1(a), feeder current is 78 A (3-wire,
240 V).
Line A
Neutral
Line B
Amperes from Example D1(a)
One 230-V air conditioner
One 115-V air conditioner and
120-V dishwasher
One 115-V disposer
25% of largest motor (see
430.24)
78
6
12
61
—
12
78
6
10
—
3
8
3
8
2
Total amperes per conductor
99
84
104
Therefore, the service would be rated 110 A.
70–849
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
2
The dwelling has a floor area of 1500 ft , exclusive of an
unfinished cellar not adaptable for future use, unfinished
attic, and open porches. It has a 12-kW range, a 2.5-kW
water heater, a 1.2-kW dishwasher, 9 kW of electric space
heating installed in five rooms, a 5-kW clothes dryer, and a
6-A, 230-V, room air-conditioning unit. Assume range, water heater, dishwasher, space heating, and clothes dryer kW
ratings equivalent to kVA
Air Conditioner kVA Calculation
6 A × 230 V ÷ 1000 = 1.38 kVA
This 1.38 kVA [item 1 from 220.82(C)] is less than 40% of
9 kVA of separately controlled electric heat [item 6 from
220.82(C)], so the 1.38 kVA need not be included in the
service calculation.
1500 ft2 at 3 VA
Two 20-A appliance outlet circuits at 1500 VA each
Laundry circuit
Range (at nameplate rating)
Water heater
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
4,500 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
12,000 VA
2,500 VA
1,200 VA
5,000 VA
29,700 VA
D
R
Total
3,000 VA
2,100 VA
Subtotal
5,100 VA
5,600 VA
3,500 VA
1,200 VA
Total
15,400 VA
Range: 8 kVA at 70%
Clothes dryer: 5 kVA at 70%
Dishwasher
Calculated Load for Neutral
15,400 VA ÷ 240 V= 64 A
Example D2(b) Optional Calculation for One-Family
Dwelling, Air Conditioning Larger Than Heating [see
220.82(A) and 220.82(C)]
The dwelling has a floor area of 1500 ft2, exclusive of an
unfinished cellar not adaptable for future use, unfinished
attic, and open porches. It has two 20-A small appliance
circuits, one 20-A laundry circuit, two 4-kW wall-mounted
ovens, one 5.1-kW counter-mounted cooking unit, a
4.5-kW water heater, a 1.2-kW dishwasher, a 5-kW combination clothes washer and dryer, six 7-A, 230-V room airconditioning units, and a 1.5-kW permanently installed
bathroom space heater. Assume wall-mounted ovens,
counter-mounted cooking unit, water heater, dishwasher,
and combination clothes washer and dryer kW ratings
equivalent to kVA.
AF
General Load
3000 VA at 100%
9000 VA − 3000 VA = 6000 VA at 35%
T
Example D2(a) Optional Calculation for One-Family
Dwelling, Heating Larger Than Air Conditioning [see
220.82]
Air Conditioning kVA Calculation
Total amperes = 6 units × 7 A = 42 A
42 A × 240 V ÷ 1000 = 10.08 kVA (assume PF = 1.0)
Application of Demand Factor [see 220.82(B)]
First 10 kVA of general load at 100%
Remainder of general load at 40%
(19.7 kVA × 0.4)
10,000 VA
7,880 VA
Total of general load 17,880 VA
9 kVA of heat at 40% (9000 VA × 0.4) =
3,600 VA
Total 21,480 VA
Calculated Load for Service Size
21.48 kVA = 21,480 VA
21,480 VA ÷ 240 V = 90 A
Therefore, the minimum service rating would be 100 A
in accordance with 230.42 and 230.79.
Feeder Neutral Load in Accordance with 220.61
1500 ft2 at 3 VA
Three 20-A circuits at 1500 VA
4,500 VA
4,500 VA
Total
70–850
Load Included at 100%
Air Conditioning: Included below [see item 1 in 220.82(C)]
Space Heater: Omit [see item 5 in 220.82(C)]
General Load
1500 ft2 at 3 VA
Two 20-A small-appliance
circuits at 1500 VA each
Laundry circuit
Two ovens
One cooking unit
Water heater
Dishwasher
Washer/dryer
4,500 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
8,000 VA
5,100 VA
4,500 VA
1,200 VA
5,000 VA
Total general load
First 10 kVA at 100%
Remainder at 40%
(22.8 kVA × 0.4 × 1000)
32,800 VA
10,000 VA
9,120 VA
Subtotal general load
19,120 VA
10,080 VA
Total
29,200 VA
Air conditioning
9,000 VA
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Calculated Load for Service
29,200 VA ÷ 240 V = 122 A (service rating)
Heat Pump and Supplementary Heat*
240 V × 24 A = 5760 VA
Feeder Neutral Load, in accordance with 220.61
Assume that the two 4-kVA wall-mounted ovens are supplied by one branch circuit, the 5.1-kVA counter-mounted
cooking unit by a separate circuit.
1500 ft2 at 3 VA
Three 20-A circuits at 1500 VA
4,500 VA
4,500 VA
3000 VA at 100%
9000 VA − 3000 VA = 6000 VA at 35%
Subtotal 9,000 VA
3,000 VA
2,100 VA
15 kW Electric Heat:
5760 VA + (15,000 VA × 65%) = 5.76 kVA + 9.75 kVA
= 15.51 kVA
*If supplementary heat is not on at same time as
heat pump, heat pump kVA need not be added to total.
Totals
Net general load
Heat pump and supplementary heat
Subtotal 5,100 VA
Subtotal from above
Ovens and cooking unit: 7200 VA × 70% for neutral load
Clothes washer/dryer: 5 kVA × 70% for neutral load
Dishwasher
5,100 VA
5,040 VA
3,500 VA
1,200 VA
Total
14,840 VA
D
R
Heat Pump kVA Calculation
24 A × 240 V ÷ 1000 = 5.76 kVA
This 5.76 kVA is less than 15 kVA of the backup heat;
therefore, the heat pump load need not be included in the
service calculation [see 220.82(C)]
General Load
2000 ft2 at 3 VA
Two 20-A appliance outlet circuits at
1500 VA each
Laundry circuit
Range (at nameplate rating)
Water heater
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Calculated Load (see 220.40)
Noncontinuous Loads
Receptacle Load (see 220.44)
80 receptacles at 180 VA
10,000 VA at 100%
14,400 VA − 10,000 VA = 4400 at 50%
14,400 VA
10,000 VA
2,200 VA
Subtotal
Continuous Loads
General Lighting*
3000 ft2 at 3 VA/ft2
Show Window Lighting Load
30 ft at 200 VA/ft [see 220.14(G)]
Outside Sign Circuit [see 220.14(F)]
12,200 VA
9,000 VA
6,000 VA
1,200 VA
Subtotal
Subtotal from noncontinuous
16,200 VA
12,200 VA
Total noncontinuous loads +
continuous loads =
28,400 VA
6,000 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
12,000 VA
4,500 VA
1,200 VA
5,000 VA
Subtotal general load
33,200 VA
10,000 VA
9,280 VA
Total net general load
19,280 VA
First 10 kVA at 100%
Remainder of general load at 40%
(23,200 VA× 0.4)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Calculated Load for Service
34.79 kVA × 1000 ÷ 240 V= 145 A
Therefore, this dwelling unit would be permitted to be
served by a 150-A service.
Example D3 Store Building
A store 50 ft by 60 ft, or 3000 ft2, has 30 ft of show
window. There are a total of 80 duplex receptacles. The
service is 120/240 V, single phase 3-wire service. Actual
connected lighting load is 8500 VA.
Example D2(c) Optional Calculationfor One-Family
Dwelling with Heat Pump (Single-Phase, 240/120-Volt
Service) (see 220.82)
The dwelling has a floor area of 2000 ft2, exclusive of an
unfinished cellar not adaptable for future use, unfinished
attic, and open porches. It has a 12-kW range, a 4.5-kW
water heater, a 1.2-kW dishwasher, a 5-kW clothes dryer,
and a 21⁄2-ton (24-A) heat pump with 15 kW of backup
heat.
2014 Edition
34,790 VA
AF
Calculated Load for Neutral
14,840 VA ÷ 240 V = 62
Total
T
Two 4-kVA ovens plus one 5.1-kVA cooking unit = 13.1
kVA. Table 220.55 permits 55% demand factor or 13.1 kVA
× 0.55 = 7.2 kVA feeder capacity.
19,280 VA
15,510 VA
*In the example, 125% of the actual connected lighting
load (8500 VA × 1.25 = 10,625 VA) is less than 125% of
the load from Table 220.12, so the minimum lighting load
from Table 220.12 is used in the calculation. Had the actual
lighting load been greater than the value calculated from
Table 220.12, 125% of the actual connected lighting load
would have been used.
70–851
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
AF
Show Window
6000 VA × 1.25 = 7500 VA
7500 VA ÷ 240 V = 31 A for 3-wire, 120/240 V
The show window lighting is permitted to be served by
2-wire or 3-wire circuits with a capacity equal to 31 A or
greater for 3-wire circuits or 62 A or greater for 2-wire
circuits.
Receptacles required by 210.62 are assumed to be included in the receptacle load above if these receptacles do
not supply the show window lighting load.
order to segregate certain processes. The facility supplies
its remote buildings through a partially enclosed access corridor that extends from the main switchboard rearward
along a path that provides convenient access to services
within 15 m (50 ft) of each additional building supplied.
Two building feeders share a common raceway for approximately 45 m (150 ft) and run in the access corridor along
with process steam and control and communications cabling. The steam raises the ambient temperature around the
power raceway to as much as 35°C. At a tee fitting, the
individual building feeders then run to each of the two
buildings involved. The feeder neutrals are not connected
to the equipment grounding conductors in the remote buildings. All distribution equipment terminations are listed as
being suitable for 75°C connections.
Each of the two buildings has the following loads:
Lighting, 11,600 VA, comprised of electric-discharge
luminaires connected at 277 V
Receptacles, 22 125-volt, 20-ampere receptacles on
general-purpose branch circuits, supplied by separately derived systems in each of the buildings
1 Air compressor, 460 volt, three phase, 5 hp [ROP
2–264]
1 Grinder, 460 volt, three phase, 1.5 hp
3 Welders, AC transformer type (nameplate: 23 amperes, 480 volts, 60 percent duty cycle)
3 Industrial Process Dryers, 480 volt, three phase,15
kW each (assume continuous use throughout certain shifts)
Determine the overcurrent protection and conductor
size for the feeders in the common raceway, assuming the
use of XHHW-2 insulation (90°C):
T
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required
General Lighting: Branch circuits need only be installed to
supply the actual connected load [see 210.11(B)].
8500 VA × 1.25 = 10,625 VA
10,625 VA ÷ 240 V = 44 A for 3-wire, 120/240 V
The lighting load would be permitted to be served by
2-wire or 3-wire, 15- or 20-A circuits with combined capacity equal to 44 A or greater for 3-wire circuits or 88 A or
greater for 2-wire circuits. The feeder capacity as well as
the number of branch-circuit positions available for lighting
circuits in the panelboard must reflect the full calculated
load of 9000 VA × 1.25 = 11,250 VA.
D
R
Receptacles
Receptacle Load:14,400 VA ÷ 240 V = 60 A for 3-wire,
120/240 V
The receptacle load would be permitted to be served by
2-wire or 3-wire circuits with a capacity equal to 60 A or
greater for 3-wire circuits or 120 A or greater for 2-wire
circuits.
Minimum Size Feeder (or Service) Overcurrent Protection
[see 215.3 or 230.90]
Subtotal noncontinuous loads
Subtotal continuous load at 125%
(16,200 VA × 1.25)
12,200 VA
20,250 VA
Total
32,450 VA
32,450 VA ÷ 240 V = 135 A
The next higher standard size is 150 A (see 240.6).
Minimum Size Feeders (or Service Conductors) Required [see 215.2, 230.42(A)]
For 120/240 V, 3-wire system,
32,450 VA ÷ 240 V = 135 A
Service or feeder conductor is 1/0 Cu in accordance with
215.3 and Table 310.15(B)(16) (with 75°C terminations).
Example D3(a) Industrial Feeders in a Common Raceway
An industrial multi-building facility has its service at the
rear of its main building, and then provides 480Y/277-volt
feeders to additional buildings behind the main building in
70–852
Calculated Load {Note: For reasonable precision, voltampere calculations are carried to three significant figures
only; where loads are converted to amperes, the results are
rounded to the nearest ampere [see 220.5(B)]}.
Noncontinuous Loads
Receptacle Load (see 220.44 )
22 receptacles at 180 VA
Welder Load [see 630.11(A), Table
630.11(A)]
Each welder: 480V × 23A × 0.78 =
8,610 VA
All 3 welders [see 630.11(B)]
(demand factors 100%, 100%,
85% respectively)
8,610 VA + 8,610 VA + 7,320 VA =
24,500 VA
Subtotal, Noncontinuous Loads
28,500 VA
3,960 VA
Motor Loads (see 430.24, Table
430.250)
Air compressor: 7.6A × 480 V × √3
=
[ROP 2–264]
Grinder: 3 A × 480 V × √3 =
Largest motor, additional 25%:
[ROP 2–264]
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
6,310 VA
2,490 VA
1,580 VA
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Subtotal, Continuous Loads:
56,600 VA
Overcurrent protection (see 215.3)
The overcurrent protective device must accommodate
125% of the continuous load, plus the noncontinuous load:
Continuous load
Noncontinuous load [ROP 2–264]
56,600 VA
38,900 VA
Subtotal, actual load [actual load in amperes]
[99,000 VA ÷ (480V × √3) = 119 A] [ROP 2–264]
(25% of 56,600 VA) (See 215.3)
95,500 VA
14,200 VA
AF
Total VA [ROP 2–264]
109,700 VA
Conversion to amperes using three significant figures:
109,700 VA / (480V × √3) = 132 A [ROP 2–264]
Minimum size overcurrent protective device: 132 A [ROP 2–264]
Minimum standard size overcurrent protective device (see 240.6): 150
amperes
conductors must be used. If the utility corridor was at normal temperatures [(30°C (86°F)], and if the lighting at each
building were supplied from the local separately derived
system (thus requiring no neutrals in the supply feeders) the
raceway result (95,500 VA / 0.8 = 119,000 VA; 119,000 VA
/ (480V ×√3) = 143 A, or a 1 AWG conductor @ 90°C)
could not be used because the termination result (1/0 AWG
based on the 75°C column of Table 310.15(B)(16) would
become the worst case, requiring the larger conductor.
[ROP 2–264]
In every case, the overcurrent protective device shall
provide overcurrent protection for the feeder conductors in
accordance with their ampacity as provided by this Code
(see 240.4). A 90°C 2/0 AWG conductor has a Table
310.15(B)(16) ampacity of 195 amperes. Adjusting for the
conditions of use (35°C ambient temperature, 8 currentcarrying conductors in the common raceway),
195 amperes × 0.96 × 0.7 = 131 A
The 150-ampere circuit breaker protects the 2/0 AWG
feeder conductors, because 240.4(B) permits the use of the
next higher standard size overcurrent protective device.
Note that the feeder layout precludes the application of
310.15(A)(2) Exception.
T
Subtotal, Motor Loads
10,400 VA
[ROP 2–264]
By using 430.24, the motor loads and the noncontinuous loads can be
combined for the remaining calculation.
Subtotal for load calculations,
Noncontinuous Loads
[ROP 2–264]
38,900 VA
Continuous Loads
General Lighting
11,600 VA
3 Industrial Process Dryers
15 kW each
45,000 VA
D
R
Where the overcurrent protective device and its assembly are listed for operation at 100 percent of its rating, a
125 ampere overcurrent protective device would be permitted. However, overcurrent protective device assemblies
listed for 100 percent of their rating are typically not available at the 125-ampere rating. (See 215.3 Exception.)
Ungrounded Feeder Conductors
The conductors must independently meet requirements for
(1) terminations, and (2) conditions of use throughout the
raceway run.
Minimum size conductor at the overcurrrent device termination [see 110.14(C) and 215.2(A)(1), using 75°C ampacity column in Table 310.15(B)(16)]: 1/0 AWG.
Minimum size conductors in the raceway based on actual load [see Article 100, Ampacity, and 310.15(B)(3)(a)
and correction factors to Table 310.15(B)(16)]:
95,500 VA / 0.7 / 0.96 = 142,000 VA [ROP 2–264]
[70% = 310.15(B)(3)(a)] & [0.96 = Correction factors to Table
310.15(B)(16)]
Conversion to amperes:
142,000 VA / (480V × √3) = 171 A [ROP 2–264]
Note that the neutral conductors are counted as currentcarrying conductors [see 310.15(B)(5)(c)] in this example
because the discharge lighting has substantial nonlinear
content. This requires a 2/0 AWG conductor based on the
90°C column of Table 310.15(B)(16). Therefore, the worst
case is given by the raceway conditions, and 2/0 AWG
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Feeder Neutral Conductor (see 220.61)
Because 210.11(B) does not apply to these buildings,
the load cannot be assumed to be evenly distributed across
phases. Therefore the maximum imbalance must be assumed to be the full lighting load in this case, or 11,600
VA. (11,600 VA / 277V = 42 amperes.) The ability of the
neutral to return fault current [see 250.32(B)Exception(2)]
is not a factor in this calculation.
Because the neutral runs between the main switchboard
and the building panelboard, likely terminating on a busbar
at both locations, and not on overcurrent devices, the effects of continuous loading can be disregarded in evaluating its terminations [see 215.2(A)(1) Exception No. 2]. That
calculation is (11,600 VA ÷ 277V) = 42 amperes, to be
evaluated under the 75°C column of Table 310.15(B)(16).
The minimum size of the neutral might seem to be 8 AWG,
but that size would not be sufficient to be depended upon in
the event of a line-to-neutral short circuit [see 215.2(A)(1),
second paragraph]. Therefore, since the minimum size
equipment grounding conductor for a 150 ampere circuit,
as covered in Table 250.122, is 6 AWG, that is the minimum neutral size required for this feeder.
Example D4(a) Multifamily Dwelling
A multifamily dwelling has 40 dwelling units.
Meters are in two banks of 20 each with individual feeders
to each dwelling unit.
One-half of the dwelling units are equipped with electric
ranges not exceeding 12 kW each. Assume range kW rating
equivalent to kVA rating in accordance with 220.55. Other
half of ranges are gas ranges.
70–853
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Area of each dwelling unit is 840 ft2.
Laundry facilities on premises are available to all tenants.
Add no circuit to individual dwelling unit.
Minimum Size Feeders Required from Service Equipment to Meter Bank (For 20 Dwelling Units — 10 with
Ranges)
Calculated Load for Each Dwelling Unit (see Article
220)
General Lighting: 840 ft2 at 3 VA/ft2 = 2520 VA
Special Appliance: Electric range (see 220.55) = 8000 VA
Total Calculated Load:
Lighting and Small Appliance
20 units × 5520 VΑ
Calculated Load (see Article 220):
General Lighting
Small Appliance (two 20-ampere circuits)
Subtotal Calculated Load (without ranges)
3,000 VA
37,590 VA
Net Calculated Load
Range Load: 10 ranges (not over 12 kVA) (see Col. C,
Table 220.55, 25 kW)
40,590 VA
25,000 VA
Net Calculated Load (with ranges)
65,590 VA
Net calculated load for 120/240-V, 3-wire system,
65,590 VA ÷ 240 V = 273 A
Feeder Neutral
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Range Load: 25,000 VA at 70% [see 220.61(B)]
Calculated Load (neutral)
40,590 VA
17,500 VA
58,090 VA
AF
Minimum Size Feeder Required for Each Dwelling
Unit (see 215.2)
Application of Demand Factor
First 3000 VA at 100%
110,400 VA − 3000 VA = 107,400 VA at 35%
T
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required for
Each Dwelling Unit [see 210.11(A)]
General Lighting Load: 2520 VA ÷ 120 V = 21 A or two
15-A, 2-wire circuits; or two 20-A, 2-wire circuits
Small-Appliance Load: Two 2-wire circuits of 12 AWG
wire [see 210.11(C)(1)]
Range Circuit: 8000 VA ÷ 240 V = 33 A or a circuit of two
8 AWG conductors and one 10 AWG conductor in accordance with 210.19(A)(3)
110,400 VA
2,520 VA
3,000 VA
5,520 VA
Calculated Load for Neutral
58,090 VA ÷ 240 V = 242 A
Further Demand Factor [220.61(B)]
D
R
Application of Demand Factor (see Table 220.42)
First 3000 VA at 100%
5520 VA − 3000 VA = 2520 VA at 35%
3,000 VA
882 VA
Net Calculated Load (without ranges)
3,882 VA
8,000 VA
Net Calculated Load (with ranges)
11,882 VA
Range Load
200 A at 100%
242 A − 200 A = 42 A at 70%
Size of Each Feeder (see 215.2)
For 120/240-V, 3-wire system (without ranges)
Net calculated load of 3882 VA ÷ 240 V = 16 A
For 120/240-V, 3-wire system (with ranges)
Net calculated load, 11,882 VA ÷ 240 V = 50 A
200 A
29 A
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
229 A
Minimum Size Main Feeders (or Service Conductors)
Required (Less House Load) (For 40 Dwelling Units —
20 with Ranges)
Total Calculated Load:
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
40 units × 5520 VΑ
220,800 VA
Application of Demand Factor (from Table 220.42)
Feeder Neutral
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Range Load: 8000 VA at 70% (see 220.61)
3,882 VA
5,600 VA
(only for apartments with electric range)
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
5,600 VA
9,482 VA
First 3000 VA at 100%
Next 120,000 VA − 3000 VA = 117,000 VA at 35%
Remainder 220,800 VA − 120,000 VA = 100,800 VA at
25%
3,000 VA
40,950 VA
25,200 VA
Net Calculated Load
Range Load: 20 ranges (less than 12 kVA)
(see Col. C, Table 220.55)
69,150 VA
Net Calculated Load
104,150 VA
35,000 VA
For 120/240-V, 3-wire system
Calculated Load for Neutral
9482 VA ÷ 240 V= 39.5 A
70–854
Net calculated load of 104,150 VA ÷ 240 V = 434 A
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Feeder Neutral
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Range: 35,000 VA at 70% [see 220.61(B)]
69,150 VA
24,500 VA
Calculated Load (neutral)
Calculated Load (see Article 220):
General Lighting
Small Appliance (two 20-A circuits)
Subtotal Calculated Load (without range
and space heating)
93,650 VA
2,520 VA
3,000 VA
5,520 VA
93,650 VA ÷ 240 V = 390 A
Application of Demand Factor
Further Demand Factor [see 220.61(B)
200 A
133 A
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
First 3000 VA at 100%
5520 VA − 3000 VA = 2520 VA at 35%
Net Calculated Load
(without range and space heating)
333 A
[See Table 310.15(B)(16) through Table 310.15(B)(21),
and 310.15(B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(5).]
D
R
Calculated Load for Each Dwelling Unit (see Article
220)
General Lighting Load:
840 ft2 at 3 VA/ft2
Electric range
Electric heat: 6 kVA (or air conditioning
if larger)
2,520 VA
8,000 VA
6,000 VA
Electric water heater
2,500 VA
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required for
Each Dwelling Unit
General Lighting Load: 2520 VA ÷ 120 V = 21 A or two
15-A, 2-wire circuits, or two 20-A, 2-wire circuits
Small-Appliance Load: Two 2-wire circuits of 12 AWG
[see 210.11(C)(1)]
Range Circuit (See Table 220.55, Column B):
8000 VA × 80% ÷ 240 V = 27 A on a circuit of three
10 AWG conductors in accordance with 210.19(A)(3)
Space Heating: 6000 VA ÷ 240 V = 25 A
Number of circuits (see 210.11)
Minimum Size Feeder Required for Each Dwelling
Unit (see 215.2)
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
3,882 VA
Range
6,400 VA
Space Heating (see 220.51)
Water Heater
6,000 VA
2,500 VA
Net Calculated Load (for individual dwelling unit)
18,782 VA
Size of Each Feeder
For 120/240-V, 3-wire system,
Net calculated load of 18,782 VA ÷ 240 V = 78 A
Feeder Neutral (see 220.61)
AF
Example D4(b) Optional Calculation for Multifamily
Dwelling
A multifamily dwelling equipped with electric cooking
and space heating or air conditioning has 40 dwelling units.
Meters are in two banks of 20 each plus house metering
and individual feeders to each dwelling unit.
Each dwelling unit is equipped with an electric range of
8-kW nameplate rating, four 1.5-kW separately controlled
240-V electric space heaters, and a 2.5-kW, 240-V electric
water heater. Assume range, space heater, and water heater
kW ratings equivalent to kVA.
A common laundry facility is available to all tenants
[see 210.52(F), Exception No. 1].
Area of each dwelling unit is 840 ft2.
3,000 VA
882 VA
T
200 A at 100%
390 A − 200 A = 190 A at 70%
Lighting and Small Appliance
Range Load: 6400 VA at 70% [see 220.61(B)]
Space and Water Heating (no neutral): 240 V
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
3,882 VA
4,480 VA
0 VA
8,362 VA
Calculated Load for Neutral
8362 VA ÷ 240 V = 35 Α
Minimum Size Feeder Required from Service Equipment to Meter Bank (For 20 Dwelling Units)
Total Calculated Load:
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
20 units × 5520 VΑ
Water and Space Heating Load
20 units × 8500 VΑ
Range Load: 20 × 8000 VΑ
Net Calculated Load (20 dwelling units)
Net Calculated Load Using Optional Calculation (see
Table 220.84)
440,400 VA × 0.38
110,400 VA
170,000 VA
160,000 VA
440,400 VA
167,352 VA
167,352 VA ÷ 240 V = 697 A
Minimum Size Main Feeder Required (Less House
Load) (For 40 Dwelling Units)
Calculated Load:
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
40 units × 5520 VΑ
Water and Space Heating Load
40 units × 8500 VΑ
Range: 40 ranges × 8000 VΑ
Net Calculated Load (40 dwelling units)
220,800 VA
340,000 VA
320,000 VA
880,800 VA
70–855
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Net Calculated Load Using Optional Calculation (see
Table 220.84)
880,800 VA × 0.28 = 246,624 VA
246,624 VA ÷ 240 V = 1028 A
Feeder Neutral Load for Feeder from Service Equipment to Meter Bank (For 20 Dwelling Units)
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
20 units × 5520 VΑ
First 3000 VA at 100%
110,400 VA − 3000 VA = 107,400 VA
at 35%
110,400 VA
3,000 VA
37,590 VA
Net Calculated Load
40,590 VA
24,500 VA
Total
65,090 VA
20 ranges: 35,000 VA at 70%
[see Table 220.55 and 220.61(B)]
65,090 VA ÷ 240 V = 271 A
First 200 A at 100%
Balance: 271 A − 200 A = 71 A at 70%
200 A
50 A
Minimum Size Feeders Required from Service Equipment to Meter Bank (For 20 Dwelling Units — 10 with
Ranges)
For 208Y/120-V, 3-phase, 4-wire system,
Ranges: Maximum number between any two phase legs
=4
2 × 4 = 8.
Table 220.55 demand = 23,000 VA
Per phase demand = 23,000 VA ÷ 2 = 11,500 VA
Equivalent 3-phase load = 34,500 VA
Net Calculated Load (total):
40,590 VA + 34,500 VA = 75,090 VA
75,090 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 208 A
AF
Total 250 A
Feeder Neutral Load of Main Feeder (Less House
Load) (For 40 Dwelling Units)
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
40 units × 5520 VΑ
First 3000 VA at 100%
Next 120,000 VA − 3000 VA = 117,000 VA at 35%
Remainder 220,800 VA − 120,000 VA = 100,800 VA at
25%
D
R
220,800 VA
3,000 VA
40,950 VA
25,200 VA
Net Calculated Load
40 ranges: 55,000 VA at 70% [see Table 220.55 and
220.61(B)]
69,150 VA
38,500 VA
Total
107,650 VA
107,650 VA ÷ 240 V = 449 A
Further Demand Factor [see 220.61(B)]
First 200 A at 100%
Balance: 449 − 200 A = 249 A at 70%
200 A
174 A
Total
374 A
Example D5(a) Multifamily Dwelling Served at
208Y/120 Volts, Three Phase
All conditions and calculations are the same as for the
multifamily dwelling [Example D4(a)] served at 120/240 V,
single phase except as follows:
Service to each dwelling unit would be two phase legs
and neutral.
70–856
Minimum Size Feeder Required for Each Dwelling
Unit (see 215.2)
For 120/208-V, 3-wire system (without ranges),
Net calculated load of 3882 VA ÷ 2 legs ÷ 120 V/leg =
16 A
For 120/208-V, 3-wire system (with ranges),
Net calculated load (range) of 8000 VA ÷ 208 V = 39 A
Total load (range + lighting) = 39 A + 16 A = 55 A
[ROP 2–266]
Reducing the neutral load on the feeder to each dwelling unit is not permitted. [see 220.61(C)(1)] [ROP 2–266]
T
Further Demand Factor [see 220.61(B)]
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required for
Each Dwelling Unit (see 210.11)
Range Circuit: 8000 VA ÷ 208 V = 38 A or a circuit of two
8 AWG conductors and one 10 AWG conductor in accordance with 210.19(A)(3)
Feeder Neutral Size
Net Calculated Lighting and Appliance Load & Equivalent Range Load:
40,590 VA + (34,500 VA at 70%) = 64,700 VA
Net Calculated Neutral Load:
64,700 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 180 A
Minimum Size Main Feeder (Less House Load) (For
40 Dwelling Units — 20 with Ranges)
For 208Y/120-V, 3-phase, 4-wire system,
Ranges:
Maximum number between any two phase legs = 7
2 × 7 = 14.
Table 220.55 demand = 29,000 VA
Per phase demand = 29,000 VA ÷ 2 = 14,500 VA
Equivalent 3-phase load = 43,500 VA
Net Calculated Load (total):
69,150 VA + 43,500 VA = 112,650 VA
112,650 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 313 A
Main Feeder Neutral Size:
69,150 VA + (43,500 VA at 70%) = 99,600 VA
99,600 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 277 A
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
200 A at 100%
299 A − 200 A = 99 A at 70%
Further Demand Factor (see 220.61)
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
200.0 A
54 A
Net Calculated Load (neutral)
269 A
254 A
Example D5(b) Optional Calculation for Multifamily
Dwelling Served at 208Y/120 Volts, Three Phase
All conditions and calculations are the same as for Optional
Calculation for the Multifamily Dwelling [Example D4(b)]
served at 120/240 V, single phase except as follows:
Service to each dwelling unit would be two phase legs
and neutral.
AF
Minimum Number of Branch Circuits Required for
Each Dwelling Unit (see 210.11)
Range Circuit (see Table 220.55, Column B): 8000 VA
at 80%÷ 208 V = 31 A or a circuit of two 8 AWG conductors and one 10 AWG conductor in accordance with
210.19(A)(3)
Space Heating: 6000 VA ÷ 208 V = 29 A
Two 20-ampere, 2-pole circuits required, 12 AWG conductors
Example D6 Maximum Demand for Range Loads
Table 220.55, Column C, applies to ranges not over 12 kW.
The application of Note 1 to ranges over 12 kW (and not
over 27 kW) and Note 2 to ranges over 83⁄4 kW (and not
over 27 kW) is illustrated in the following two examples.
A. Ranges All the Same Rating (see Table 220.55,
Note 1)
Assume 24 ranges, each rated 16 kW.
From Table 220.55, Column C, the maximum demand
for 24 ranges of 12-kW rating is 39 kW. 16 kW exceeds 12
kW by 4.
5% × 4 = 20% (5% increase for each kW in excess of
12)
39 kW × 20% = 7.8 kW increase
39 + 7.8 = 46.8 kW (value to be used in selection of
feeders)
B. Ranges of Unequal Rating (see Table 220.55, Note
2)
Assume 5 ranges, each rated 11 kW; 2 ranges, each
rated 12 kW; 20 ranges, each rated 13.5 kW; 3 ranges, each
rated 18 kW.
T
200 A at 100%
277 A − 200 A = 77 A at 70%
200.0 A
69 A
D
R
Minimum Size Feeder Required for Each Dwelling
Unit
120/208-V, 3-wire circuit
Net calculated load of 18,782 VA ÷ 208 V = 90 A
Net calculated load (lighting line to neutral):
3882 VA ÷ 2 legs ÷ 120 V per leg = 16 amperes
Line to line = 14,900 VA ÷ 208 V = 72 A
Total load = 16.2 A + 71.6 A = 88 A
Minimum Size Feeder Required for Service Equipment to Meter Bank (For 20 Dwelling Units)
Net Calculated Load
167,352 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 465 A
Feeder Neutral Load
65,080 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 181 A
5 ranges
2 ranges
20 ranges
3 ranges
30 ranges, Total kW =
× 12 kW =
× 12 kW =
× 13.5 kW =
× 18 kW =
60 kW (use
12 kW for range
rated less than 12)
24 kW
270 kW
54 kW
408 kW
408÷ 30 ranges = 13.6 kW (average to be used for
calculation)
From Table 220.55, Column C, the demand for 30
ranges of 12-kW rating is 15 kW + 30 (1 kW × 30 ranges)
= 45 kW. 13.6 kW exceeds 12 kW by 1.6 kW (use 2 kW).
5% × 2 = 10% (5% increase for each kW in excess of
12 kW)
45 kW × 10% = 4.5 kW increase
45 kW + 4.5 kW = 49.5 kW (value to be used in selection of feeders)
Minimum Size Main Feeder Required (Less House
Load) (For 40 Dwelling Units)
Net Calculated Load
246,624 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 685 A
Main Feeder Neutral Load
107,650 VA ÷ (208 V)(1.732) = 299 A
Further Demand Factor [see 220.61(B)]
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Example D7 Sizing of Service Conductors for Dwelling(s) [see 310.15(B)(7)]
Service conductors and feeders for certain dwellings are
allowed to be sized per 310.15(B)(7). [ROP 6–117a]
If a 175 ampere Service Rating is selected, a service
conductor is then sized by 175 amperes x 0.83 = 145.25
amperes per Section 310.15(B)(7). [ROP 6–117a]
70–857
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Example D8 Motor Circuit Conductors, Overload Protection, and Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection
(see 240.6, 430.6, 430.22, 430.23, 430.24, 430.32, 430.52,
and 430.62, Table 430.52, and Table 430.250)
Determine the minimum required conductor ampacity, the
motor overload protection, the branch-circuit short-circuit
and ground-fault protection, and the feeder protection, for
three induction-type motors on a 480-V, 3-phase feeder, as
follows:
(a) One 25-hp, 460-V, 3-phase, squirrel-cage motor,
nameplate full-load current 32 A, Design B, Service Factor
1.15
(b) Two 30-hp, 460-V, 3-phase, wound-rotor motors,
nameplate primary full-load current 38 A, nameplate secondary full-load current 65 A, 40°C rise.
Feeder Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection
The rating of the feeder protective device is based on the
sum of the largest branch-circuit protective device (example is 110 A) plus the sum of the full-load currents of the
other motors, or 110 A + 40 A + 40 A = 190 A. The nearest
standard fuse that does not exceed this value is 175 A [see
240.6 and 430.62(A)].
Example D9 Feeder Ampacity Determination for Generator Field Control [see 215.2, 430.24, 430.24 Exception No. 1, 620.13, 620.14, 620.61, and Table 430.22(E)
and 620.14]
Determine the conductor ampacity for a 460-V 3-phase,
60-Hz ac feeder supplying a group of six elevators. The
460-V ac drive motor nameplate rating of the largest MG
set for one elevator is 40 hp and 52 A, and the remaining
elevators each have a 30-hp, 40-A, ac drive motor rating for
their MG sets. In addition to a motor controller, each elevator has a separate motion/operation controller rated 10 A
continuous to operate microprocessors, relays, power supplies, and the elevator car door operator. The MG sets are
rated continuous.
D
R
AF
Conductor Ampacity The full-load current value used to
determine the minimum required conductor ampacity is obtained from Table 430.250 [see 430.6(A)] for the squirrelcage motor and the primary of the wound-rotor motors. To
obtain the minimum required conductor ampacity, the fullload current is multiplied by 1.25 [see 430.22 and
430.23(A)].
For the 25-hp motor,
34 A × 1.25 = 43 A
For the 30-horsepower motors,
40 A × 1.25 = 50 A
65 A × 1.25 = 81 A
(a) Nontime-Delay Fuse: The fuse rating is 300% × 34
A = 102 A. The next larger standard fuse is 110 A [see
240.6 and 430.52(C)(1), Exception No. 1]. If the motor will
not start with a 110-A nontime-delay fuse, the fuse rating is
permitted to be increased to 125 A because this rating does
not exceed 400% [see 430.52(C)(1), Exception No. 2(a)].
(b) Time-Delay Fuse: The fuse rating is 175% × 34 A =
59.5 A. The next larger standard fuse is 60 A [see 240.6 and
430.52(C)(1), Exception No. 1]. If the motor will not start
with a 60-A time-delay fuse, the fuse rating is permitted to
be increased to 70 A because this rating does not exceed
225% [see 430.52(C)(1), Exception No. 2(b)].
T
If no other adjustments or corrections are required for
the installation, then per Table 310.15(B)(16) a 1/0 AWG
Cu or a 3/0 AWG Al would meet this rating at 75 degree C.
[ROP 6–117a]
Motor Overload Protection
Where protected by a separate overload device, the motors are required to have overload protection rated or set to
trip at not more than 125% of the nameplate full-load current [see 430.6(A) and 430.32(A)(1)].
For the 25-hp motor,
32 A × 1.25 = 40.0 A
For the 30-hp motors,
38 A × 1.25 = 48 A
Where the separate overload device is an overload relay
(not a fuse or circuit breaker), and the overload device
selected at 125% is not sufficient to start the motor or carry
the load, the trip setting is permitted to be increased in
accordance with 430.32(C).
Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection The selection of the rating of the protective device
depends on the type of protective device selected, in accordance with 430.52 and Table 430.52. The following is for
the 25-hp motor.
70–858
Conductor Ampacity. Conductor ampacity is determined as follows:
(a) In accordance with 620.13(D) and 620.61(B)(1),
use Table 430.22(E), for intermittent duty (elevators). For
intermittent duty using a continuous rated motor, the percentage of nameplate current rating to be used is 140%.
(b) For the 30-hp ac drive motor,
140% × 40 A = 56 A.
(c) For the 40-hp ac drive motor,
140% × 52 A = 73 A.
(d) The total conductor ampacity is the sum of all the
motor currents: (1 motor × 73 A) + (5 motors × 56 Α) =
353 Α
(e) In accordance with 620.14 and Table 620.14, the
conductor (feeder) ampacity would be permitted to be reduced by the use of a demand factor. Constant loads are not
included (see 620.14, Informational Note). For six elevators, the demand factor is 0.79. The feeder diverse ampacity
is, therefore, 0.79 × 353 A = 279 A.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
(f) In accordance with 430.24 and 215.3, the controller
continuous current is 125% × 10 A = 13 A
(g) The total feeder ampacity is the sum of the diverse
current and all the controller continuous current.
Itotal = 279 A + (6 elevators × 12.5 A) = 354 A
(h) This ampacity would be permitted to be used to
select the wire size.
See Figure D9.
Machine room
(b) In accordance with 620.13(D), for six elevators,
the total conductor ampacity is the sum of all the currents.
6 elevators × 133 A = 798 A
(c) In accordance with 620.14 and Table 620.14, the
conductor (feeder) ampacity would be permitted to be reduced by the use of a demand factor. Constant loads are not
included (see 620.13, Informational Note No. 2). For six
elevators, the demand factor is 0.79. The feeder diverse
ampacity is, therefore, 0.79 × 798 A = 630 A.
(d) In accordance with 430.24 and 215.3, the controller continuous current is 125% × 10 A = 13 A.
(e) The total feeder ampacity is the sum of the diverse
current and all the controller constant current.
Itotal = 630 A + (6 elevators × 12.5 A) = 705 A
(f) This ampacity would be permitted to be used to
select the wire size.
See Figure D10.
AF
Motor
controller
Machine
room
branch
circuit
panel
95 kVA × 1000
= 133 A
3 × 460 V × 0.90eff.
I =
T
To additional elevator
620.13(B)
Feeder
panel
620.13(D) Feeder
To additional elevator
(a) Calculate the nameplate rating of the transformer:
620.13(A)
Motion
controller
Machine room
To additional elevator
Operation
controller
Operating
devices
Generator field control system
Operation
controller
G
620.13(C)
620.13(B)
M
D
R
AC
MG set
Operating
devices
CWT
To additional elevator
Car
Machine room
Figure D9 Generator Field Control.
Example D10 Feeder Ampacity Determination for Adjustable Speed Drive Control [see 215.2, 430.24, 620.13,
620.14, 620.61, and Table 430.22(E)]
Determine the conductor ampacity for a 460-V, 3-phase,
60-Hz ac feeder supplying a group of six identical elevators. The system is adjustable-speed SCR dc drive. The
power transformers are external to the drive (motor controller) cabinet. Each elevator has a separate motion/operation
controller connected to the load side of the main line disconnect switch rated 10 A continuous to operate microprocessors, relays, power supplies, and the elevator car door
operator. Each transformer is rated 95 kVA with an efficiency of 90%.
Conductor Ampacity
Conductor ampacity is determined as follows:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Feeder
panel
620.13(D) Feeder
620.13(A)
Optional
power
transformer
Machine
room
branch
circuit
panel
Motion
controller
Adjustable speed
drive system ac or dc
620.13(A)
Motor
controller
To additional elevator
M
CWT
Car
To additional elevator
Machine room
Figure D10 Adjustable Speed Drive Control.
Example D11 Mobile Home (see 550.18)
A mobile home floor is 70 ft by 10 ft and has two small
appliance circuits; a 1000-VA, 240-V heater; a 200-VA,
70–859
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Lighting (70 ft × 10 ft × 3 VΑ per ft2)
Small-appliance (1500 VA× 2 circuits)
Laundry (1500 VA × 1 circuit)
2,100 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
Subtotal
First 3000 VA at 100%
Remainder (6600 VA – 3000 VA =
3600 VA ) × 35%
Total
6,600 VA
3,000 VA
1,260 VA
4,260 VA
4260 VA ÷ 240 V = 17.75 A per leg
Amperes per Leg
Leg A
Leg B
18
4
2
—
23
18
4
—
3
23
47
48
Lighting and appliances
Heater (1000 VA ÷ 240 V)
Fan (200 VA × 125% ÷ 120 V)
Dishwasher (400 VA ÷ 120 V)
Range (7000 VA × 0.8 ÷ 240 V)
D13(a) Multiconductor Cables 4/0 AWG and Larger
Use: NEC 392.22(A)(1)(a)
Cable tray must have an inside width equal to or greater
than the sum of the diameters (Sd) of the cables, which
must be installed in a single layer.
Example: Cable tray width is obtained as follows:
Cable Size
Being Used
3–conductor
Type MC cable
— 4/0 AWG
(OD)
Cable Outside
Diameters (in.)
(N)
Number of
Cables
SD = (OD)
× (N)
(Sum of the
Cable
Diameters) (in.)
1.57
12
18.84
The sum of the diameters (Sd) of all cables = 18.84 in.,
therefore a cable tray with an inside width of at least
18.84 in. is required.
Note: Cable outside diameter is a nominal diameter
from catalog data.
AF
Total amperes per leg
Example D13 Cable Tray Calculations (See Article
392)
T
120-V exhaust fan; a 400-VA, 120-V dishwasher; and a
7000-VA electric range.
Based on the higher current calculated for either leg, a
minimum 50-A supply cord would be required.
For SI units, 0.093 m2 = 1 ft2 and 0.3048 m = 1 ft.
D
R
Example D12 Park Trailer (see 552.47)
A park trailer floor is 40 ft by 10 ft and has two small
appliance circuits, a 1000-VA, 240-V heater, a 200-VA,
120-V exhaust fan, a 400-VA, 120-V dishwasher, and a
7000-VA electric range.
Lighting and Small-Appliance Load
Lighting (40 ft × 10 ft × 3 VΑ per ft2)
Small-appliance (1500 VA× 2 circuits)
Laundry (1500 VA × 1 circuit)
1,200 VA
3,000 VA
1,500 VA
Subtotal
First 3000 VA at 100%
Remainder (5700 VA – 3000 VA = 2700 VA) × 35%
Total
5,700 VA
3,000 VA
945 VA
3,945 VA
3945 VA÷ 240 V = 16.44 A per leg
Amperes per Leg
Lighting and appliances
Heater (1000 VA ÷ 240 V)
Fan (200 VA × 125% ÷ 120 V)
Dishwasher (400 VA ÷ 120 V)
Range (7000 VA × 0.8 ÷ 240 V)
Totals
Leg A
Leg B
16
4
2
—
23
16
4
—
3
23
45
46
D13(b) Multiconductor Cables Smaller Than 4/0 AWG
Use: NEC 392.22(A)(1)(b)
The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the cables to
be installed in the cable tray must be equal to or less than
the allowable cable area for the tray width, as indicated in
Table 392.22(A), Column 1.
Table D13(b) from Table 392.22(A), Column 1
Inside Width of Cable Tray
(in.)
Allowable Cable Area (in.2)
6
7.0
9
10.5
12
14.0
18
21.0
24
28.0
30
35.0
36
42.0
Based on the higher current calculated for either leg, a
minimum 50-A supply cord would be required.
For SI units, 0.093 m2 = 1 ft2 and 0.3048 m = 1 ft.
70–860
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
Example: Cable tray width is obtained as follows:
4-conductor
Type MC
cable — 1
AWG
1.1350
9
Allowable Cable Area (in.2)
6
6.5
9
9.5
12
13.0
18
19.5
24
26.0
30
32.5
36
39.0
12.15
The total cable cross-sectional area is 12.15 in.2. Using
Table D13(b) above, the next higher allowable cable area
must be used, which is 14.0 in.2. The table specifies that the
cable tray inside width for an allowable cable area of
14.0 in.2 is 12 in.
Note: Cable cross-sectional area is a nominal area from
catalog data.
Example: Cable tray width is obtained as follows:
(A)
Cable
Cable Size Cross-Sectional
Area (in.2)
Being Used
THHN —
500 kcmil
0.707
Multiply (A)
× (N)
(Which Is a
Total Cable
(N)
Number of Cross-Sectional
Area in in.2)
Cables
9
6.36
AF
D13(c) Single Conductor Cables 1/0 AWG through 4/0
AWG
Use: NEC 392.22(B)(1)(d)
Cable tray must have an inside width equal to or greater
than the sum of the diameters (Sd) of the cables. The cables
must be evenly distributed across the cable tray.
Example: Cable tray width is obtained as follows:
(OD)
Cable Outside
Diameters
(in.)
(N)
Number of
Cables
THHN —
4/0 AWG
0.642
18
11.556
D
R
Single
Conductor
Cable Size
Being Used
Sd = (OD)
× (N)
(Sum of the
Cable
Diameters)
(in.)
The sum of the diameters (Sd) of all cables = 11.56 in.,
therefore, a cable tray with an inside width of at least
11.56 in. is required.
Note: Cable outside diameter from Chapter 9, Table 5.
D13(d) Single Conductor Cables 250 kcmil through
900 kcmil
Use: NEC 392.22(B)(1)(b)
The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the cables to
be installed in the cable tray must be equal to or less than
the allowable cable area for the tray width, as indicated in
Table 392.22(B)(1), Column 1.
2014 Edition
Inside Width of Cable Tray
(in.)
T
Cable Size
Being Used
Multiply (A)
× (N)
(Which Is a
(A)
Total Cable
Cable
(N)
Cross-Sectional Number of Cross-Sectional
Area in in.2)
Area (in.2)
Cables
Table D13(d) from Table 392.22(B)(1), Column 1
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
The total cable cross-sectional area is 6.36 in.2. Using
Table D13(d), the next higher allowable cable area must be
used, which is 6.5 in.2. The table specifies that the cable
tray inside width for an allowable cable area of 6.5 in.2 is
6 in.
Note: Single-conductor cable cross-sectional area from
Chapter 9, Table 5.
Example D14 Ampacity Calculation for Conductors
on a Roof Top Installed in EMT (See Article 310). [ROP
6–119]
Determine the ampacity of four current-carrying 8
AWG THWN-2 copper conductors in EMT exposed to direct sunlight with an ambient temperature of 100°F located
3 inches above a rooftop.
References: 310.15(B)(3)(c), 310.15(B)(3), Table
310.5(B)(16), and Table 310.15(B)(2)(A).
Begin by determining the ambient temperature adder
for raceways above rooftops from Table 310.15(B)(3)(c).
EMT is supported 3 inches above the roof therefor a temperature adder of 50°F is added to the ambient temperature
of 100°F, resulting in an adjusted ambient temperature of
150°F.
Next, taking into account that there are four currentcarrying conductors in the raceway, 310.15(B)(3)(a) applies
resulting in an adjustment factor of 80% from Table
310.15(B)(3)(a). For derating adjustment purposes, the
90°C ampacity of 55 amps is selected from Table
310.15(B)(16). Taking into account the 80% adjustment for
more than three current carrying conductors, the 55 amps is
multiplied by 0.80 resulting in 44 amps.
70–861
INFORMATIVE ANNEX C
The ambient temperature correction factor of 0.58 is
multiplied by the previously adjusted ampacity of 44 amps
resulting in a maximum ampacity of 25.5 amps for the 8
AWG THWN-2 copper conductors.
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Next, the ambient temperature correction factor for an
ambient other than 30°C is found in Table 310.15(B)(2)(A).
The correction factor for the 150°F ambient temperature is
0.58 for the 90°C rated conductor.
70–862
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX E
Informative Annex E Types of Construction
Type II construction has 3 categories: Fire-Resistive,
One-Hour Rated, and Non-Rated. The number of stories
permitted for multifamily dwellings varies from two for
Non-Rated and four for One-Hour Rated to 12 for FireResistive construction.
Type III construction has two categories: One-Hour
Rated and Non-Rated. Both categories require the structural
framework and exterior walls to be of noncombustible material. One-Hour Rated construction requires all interior
partitions to be one-hour rated. Non-Rated construction allows nonbearing interior partitions to be of non-rated construction. The maximum permitted number of stories for
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
Table E.1 contains the fire resistance rating, in hours, for
Types I through V construction. The five different types of
construction can be summarized briefly as follows (see also
Table E.2):
Type I is a Fire-Resistive construction type. All structural
elements and most interior elements are required to be noncombustible. Interior, nonbearing partitions are permitted to
be 1 or 2 hour rated. For nearly all occupancy types, Type
I construction can be of unlimited height.
Type I
332
222
111
Type III
000
Type IV
Type V
211
200
2HH
111
000
3
2
1
0b
2
2
2
1
0b
3
3
2
1
1
1
0b
0b
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
0b
0b
3
2
1
0
1
0
2
1
0
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Exterior Bearing Wallsa
Supporting more than one floor,
columns, or other bearing walls
Supporting one floor only
Supporting a roof only
Type II
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442
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Table E.1 Fire Resistance Ratings for Type I Through Type V Construction (hr)
Interior Bearing Walls
Supporting more than one floor,
columns, or other bearing walls
Supporting one floor only
Supporting roofs only
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
4
3
2
1
0
1
0
H
1
0
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
H
H
1
1
0
0
4
3
2
1
0
1
0
H
1
0
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
H
H
1
1
0
0
Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
2
2
2
1
0
1
0
H
1
0
Roof-Ceiling Assemblies
2
11⁄2
1
1
0
1
0
H
1
0
Interior Nonbearing Walls
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Exterior Nonbearing Wallsc
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
0b
Columns
Supporting
columns,
Supporting
Supporting
more than one floor,
or other bearing walls
one floor only
roofs only
Beams, Girders, Trusses, and
Arches
Supporting more than one floor,
columns, or other bearing walls
Supporting one floor only
Supporting roofs only
Source: Table 7.2.1.1 from NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, 2009 edition.
H: Heavy timber members.
a
See 7.3.2.1 in NFPA 5000.
b
See Section 7.3 in NFPA 5000.
c
See 7.2.3.2.12, 7.2.4.2.3, and 7.2.5.6.8 in NFPA 5000.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–863
INFORMATIVE ANNEX E
Construction Type
Maximum Number of Stories
Permitted
V
V
V
V
Non-Rated
Non-Rated, Sprinklered
One-Hour Rated
One-Hour Rated,
Sprinklered
IV Heavy Timber
IV Heavy Timber,
Sprinklered
III Non-Rated
III Non-Rated, Sprinklered
III One-Hour Rated
III One-Hour Rated,
Sprinklered
2
3
3
4
4
5
2
3
4
5
(1) First arabic number — exterior bearing walls
(2) Second arabic number — columns, beams, girders,
trusses and arches, supporting bearing walls, columns,
or loads from more than one floor
(3) Third arabic number — floor construction
AF
In Table E.1 the system of designating types of construction also includes a specific breakdown of the types of
construction through the use of arabic numbers. These arabic numbers follow the roman numeral notation where
identifying a type of construction [for example, Type
I(442), Type II(111), Type III(200)] and indicate the fire
resistance rating requirements for certain structural elements as follows:
Table E.2 Maximum Number of Stories for Types V, IV, and
III Construction
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multifamily dwellings and other structures is two for NonRated and four for One-Hour Rated.
Type IV is a single construction category that provides
for heavy timber construction. Both the structural framework and the exterior walls are required to be noncombustible except that wood members of certain minimum sizes
are allowed. This construction type is seldom used for multifamily dwellings but, if used, would be permitted to be
four stories high.
Type V construction has two categories: One-Hour
Rated and Non-Rated. One-Hour Rated construction requires a minimum of one-hour rated construction throughout the building. Non-rated construction allows non-rated
interior partitions with certain restrictions. The maximum
permitted number of stories for multifamily dwellings and
other structures is 2 for Non-Rated and 3 for One-Hour
Rated.
Table E.3 provides a comparison of the types of construction for various model building codes. [5000: A.7.2.1.1]
Table E.3 Cross-Reference of Building Construction Types
UBC
B/NBC
SBC
IBC
—
1A
I
—
I(332)
II(222)
II(111)
II(000)
III(211)
III(200)
IV(2HH)
V(111)
V(000)
I FR
1B
II
IA
II FR
2A
—
IB
II 1 hr
2B
IV 1 hr
IIA
II N
2C
IV UNP
IIB
III 1 hr
3A
V 1 hr
IIIA
III N
3B
V UNP
IIIB
IV HT
4
III
IV
V 1 hr
5A
VI 1 hr
VA
VN
5B
VI UNP
VB
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NFPA 5000 I(442)
Source: Table A.7.2.1.1 from NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, 2009 edition.
UBC: Uniform Building Code.
FR: Fire rated.
N: Nonsprinklered.
HT: Heavy timber.
B/NBC: National Building Code.
SBC: Standard Building Code.
UNP: Unprotected.
IBC: International Building Code.
70–864
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX F
Informative Annex F Availability and Reliability for Critical Operations Power Systems; and
Development and Implementation of Functional Performance Tests (FPTs) for Critical
Operations Power Systems
Availability =
MTBF
MTBF + MTTR
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where:
MTBF = mean time between failures
MTTF = mean time to failure
MTTR = mean time to repair
See the following table for an example of how to establish required availability for critical operation power systems:
Availability
Hours of Downtime*
0.9
876
0.99
87.6
0.999
8.76
0.9999
0.876
0.99999
0.0876
0.999999
0.00876
0.9999999
0.000876
*
Based on a year of 8760 hours.
Availability of a system in actual operations is determined by the following:
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Reliability. Reliability is concerned with the probability
and frequency of failures (or lack of failures). A commonly
used measure of reliability for repairable systems is MTBF.
The equivalent measure for nonrepairable items is MTTF.
Reliability is more accurately expressed as a probability
over a given duration of time, cycles, or other parameter.
For example, the reliability of a power plant might be
stated as 95 percent probability of no failure over a 1000hour operating period while generating a certain level of
power. Reliability is usually defined in two ways (the electrical power industry has historically not used these definitions):
(1) The duration or probability of failure-free performance
under stated conditions
(2) The probability that an item can perform its intended
function for a specified interval under stated conditions
[For nonredundant items, this is equivalent to the preceding definition (1). For redundant items this is
equivalent to the definition of mission reliability.]
AF
I. Availability and Reliability for Critical Operations
Power Systems. Critical operations power systems may
support facilities with a variety of objectives that are vital
to public safety. Often these objectives are of such critical
importance that system downtime is costly in terms of economic losses, loss of security, or loss of mission. For those
reasons, the availability of the critical operations power
system, the percentage of time that the system is in service,
is important to those facilities. Given a specified level of
availability, the reliability and maintainability requirements
are then derived based on that availability requirement.
Availability. Availability is defined as the percentage of
time that a system is available to perform its function(s).
Availability is measured in a variety of ways, including the
following:
(1) The frequency of occurrence of failures. Failures may
prevent the system from performing its function or may
cause a degraded effect on system operation. Frequency
of failures is directly related to the system’s level of
reliability.
(2) The time required to restore operations following a system failure or the time required to perform maintenance
to prevent a failure. These times are determined in part
by the system’s level of maintainability.
(3) The logistics provided to support maintenance of the
system. The number and availability of spares, maintenance personnel, and other logistics resources (refueling, etc.) combined with the system’s level of maintainability determine the total downtime following a
system failure.
T
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
Maintainability. Maintainability is a measure of how
quickly and economically failures can be prevented through
preventive maintenance, or system operation can be restored following failure through corrective maintenance. A
commonly used measure of maintainability in terms of corrective maintenance is the mean time to repair (MTTR).
Maintainability is not the same thing as maintenance. It is a
design parameter, while maintenance consists of actions to
correct or prevent a failure event.
Improving Availability. The appropriate methods to use
for improving availability depend on whether the facility is
being designed or is already in use. For both cases, a
reliability/availability analysis should be performed to de-
70–865
INFORMATIVE ANNEX F
(3) Identify Reliability Requirements. The entire effort for
designing for reliability begins with identifying the
mission critical facility’s reliability requirements.
These requirements are stated in a variety of ways,
depending on the customer and the specific system. For
a mission-critical facility, it would be the mission success probability.
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II. Development and Implementation of Functional
Performance Tests (FPTs) for Critical Operations
Power Systems Development of FPT
(1) Submit Functional Performance Tests (FPTs).
System/component tests or FPTs are developed from submitted drawings, systems operating documents (SODs), and
systems operation and maintenance manuals (SOMMs), including large component testing (i.e., transformers, cable,
generators, UPS), and how components operate as part of
the total system. The commissioning authority develops the
test and cannot be the installation contractor (or subcontractor).
As the equipment/components/systems are installed,
quality assurance procedures are administered to verify that
components are installed in accordance with minimum
manufacturers’ recommendations, safety codes, and acceptable installation practices. Quality assurance discrepancies
are then identified and added to a “commissioning action
list” that must be rectified as part of the commissioning
program. These items would usually be discussed during
commissioning meetings. Discrepancies are usually identified initially by visual inspection.
(2) Review FPTs. The tests must be reviewed by the
customer, electrical contractors, quality assurance personnel, maintenance personnel, and other key personnel (the
commissioning team). Areas of concern include, among
others, all functions of the system being tested, all major
components included, whether the tests reflect the system
operating documents, and verification that the tests make
sense.
(3) Make Changes to FPTs as Required. The commissioning authority then implements the corrections, questions answered, and additions.
(4) FPTs Approval. After the changes are made to the
FPTs, they are submitted to the commissioning team. When
it is acceptable, the customer or the designated approval
authority approves the FPTs. It should be noted that even
though the FPT is approved, problems that arise during the
test (or areas not covered) must be addressed.
Testing Implementation for FPTs. The final step in
the successful commissioning plan is testing and proper
execution of system-integrated tests.
(1) Systems Ready to Operate. The FPTs can be
implemented as various systems become operative (i.e., test
for the generator system) or when the entire system is installed. However, the final “pull the plug” test is performed
AF
termine the availability of the old system or proposed new
system in order to ascertain the hours of downtime (see the
preceding table). The AHJ or government agency should
dictate how much downtime is acceptable.
Existing facilities: For a facility that is being operated,
two basic methods are available for improving availability
when the current level of availability is unacceptable: (1)
Selectively adding redundant units (e.g., generators, chillers, fuel supply to eliminate sources of single-point failure,
and (2) optimizing maintenance using a reliability-centered
maintenance (RCM) approach to minimize downtime. [Refer to NFPA 70B-2010, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.] A combination of the previous two methods can also be implemented. A third very
expensive method is to redesign subsystems or to replace
components and subsystems with higher reliability items.
[Refer to NFPA 70B.]
New facilities: The opportunity for high availability and
reliability is greatest when designing a new facility. By
applying an effective reliability strategy, designing for
maintainability, and ensuring that manufacturing and commissioning do not negatively affect the inherent levels of
reliability and maintainability, a highly available facility
will result. The approach should be as follows:
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(1) Develop and determine a reliability strategy (establish
goals, develop a system model, design for reliability,
conduct reliability development testing, conduct reliability acceptance testing, design system delivery,
maintain design reliability, maintain design reliability
in operation).
(2) Develop a reliability program. This is the application
of the reliability strategy to a specific system, process,
or function. Each step in the preceding strategy requires the selection and use of specific methods and
tools. For example, various tools can be used to develop requirements or evaluate potential failures. To
derive requirements, analytical models can be used, for
example, quality function development (a technique for
deriving more detailed, lower-level requirements from
one level to another, beginning with mission requirements, i.e., customer needs). This model was developed
as part of the total quality management movement.
Parametric models can also be used to derive design
values of reliability from operational values and vice
versa. Analytical methods include but are not limited to
things such as thermal analysis, durability analysis, and
predictions. Finally, one should evaluate possible failures. A failure modes and effects criticality analysis
(FMECA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) are two methods for evaluating possible failures. The mission facility engineer should determine which method to use or
whether to use both.
70–866
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX F
cessful tests are witnessed. Once the system or equipment
passes testing, it is verified by designated commissioning
official.
(3) Customer Receives System. After all tests are completed (including the “pull the plug” test), the system is
turned over to the customer.
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only after all systems are completely installed. If the electrical contractor (or subcontractor) implements the FPTs, a
witness must initial each step of the test. The electrical
contractor cannot employ the witness directly or indirectly.
(2) Perform Tests (FPTs). If the system fails the test,
the problem must be resolved and the equipment or system
retested or the testing requirements re-analyzed until suc-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–867
INFORMATIVE ANNEX G
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document, but is included for informational purposes only.
(A) General. Where provided, the general requirements in
(A)(1) through (A)(11) shall apply to SCADA systems. The
SCADA system for the COPS loads shall be separate from
the building management SCADA system. No single point
failure shall be able to disable the SCADA system.
(1) The SCADA system for the COPS loads shall be separate from the building management SCADA system.
(2) No single point failure shall be able to disable the
SCADA system.
(3) The SCADA system shall be permitted to provide
control and monitor electrical and mechanical utility
systems related to mission critical loads, including,
but not limited to the following:
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
70–868
(C) Security Against Hazards. Security against hazards
shall be provided in accordance with (C)(1) through (C)(6):
(1) Controlled physical access by authorized personnel to
only the system operational controls and software shall
be provided.
(2) The SCADA system shall be protected against dust,
dirt, water, and other contaminants by specifying enclosures appropriate for the environment.
(3) Conduit and tubing shall not violate the integrity of the
SCADA system enclosure.
(4) The SCADA system shall be located in the same secure
locations as the secured systems that they monitor and
control.
(5) The SCADA system shall be provided with dry agent
fire protection systems or double interlocked preaction
sprinkler systems using cross-zoned detection, to minimize the threat of accidental water discharge into unprotected equipment. The fire protection systems shall
be monitored by the fire alarm system in accordance
with NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
(6) The SCADA system shall not be connected to other
network communications outside the secure locations
without encryption or use of fiber optics.
AF
The fire alarm system
The security system
Power distribution
Power generation
HVAC and ventilation (damper position, airflow
speed and direction)
f. Load shedding
g. Fuel levels or hours of operation
Before installing or employing a SCADA system, an
operations and maintenance analysis and risk assessment shall be performed to provide the maintenance
parameter data
A redundant system shall be provided in either warm
or hot standby.
The controller shall be a programmable logic controller (PLC).
The SCADA system shall utilize open, not proprietary, protocols.
The SCADA system shall be able to assess the damage and determine system integrity after the “event.”
The monitor display shall provide graphical user interface for all major components monitored and controlled by the SCADA system, with color schemes
readily recognized by the typical user.
The SCADA system shall have the capability to provide storage of critical system parameters at a 15minute rate or more often when out-of-limit conditions exist.
The SCADA system shall have a separate data storage
facility not located in the same vicinity.
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
(B) Power Supply. The SCADA system power supply
shall comply with (B)(1) through (B)(3):
(1) The power supply shall be provided with a directcurrent station battery system, rated between 24 and
125 volts dc, with a 72-hour capacity.
(2) The batteries of the SCADA system shall be separate
from the batteries for other electrical systems.
(3) The power supply shall be provided with a properly
installed surge-protective device (TVSS) at its terminals with a direct low-impedance path to ground. Protected and unprotected circuits shall be physically separated to prevent coupling.
T
Informative Annex G
(D) Maintenance and Testing. SCADA systems shall be
maintained and tested in accordance with (D)(1) and
(D)(2).
(1) Maintenance. The maintenance program for SCADA
systems shall consist of the following components:
(1) A documented preventive maintenance program
(2) Concurrent maintenance capabilities, to allow the testing, troubleshooting, repair, and/or replacement of a
component or subsystem while redundant component(s) or subsystem(s) are serving the load
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX G
(3) Retention of operational data — the deleted material
goes well beyond requirements to ensure proper maintenance and operation
(2) Testing. SCADA systems shall be tested periodically
under actual or simulated contingency conditions.
functional performance testing procedures of individual
components, as provided by the manufacturers.
Informational Note No. 2: For more information on maintenance and testing of SCADA, see NFPA 70B-2010, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
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Informational Note No. 1: Periodic system testing procedures can duplicate or be derived from the recommended
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–869
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
Informative Annex H
Administration and Enforcement
Informative Annex H is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document and is included for informational purposes only. This informative annex is informative unless
specifically adopted by the local jurisdiction adopting the
National Electrical Code®.
80.7 Title. The title of this Code shall be NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®, of the National Fire Protection
Association. The short title of this Code shall be the NEC®.
80.9 Application.
(A) New Installations. This Code applies to new installations. Buildings with construction permits dated after adoption of this Code shall comply with its requirements.
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(B) Existing Installations. Existing electrical installations
that do not comply with the provisions of this Code shall be
permitted to be continued in use unless the authority having
jurisdiction determines that the lack of conformity with this
Code presents an imminent danger to occupants. Where
changes are required for correction of hazards, a reasonable
amount of time shall be given for compliance, depending
on the degree of the hazard.
AF
80.1 Scope. The following functions are covered:
(1) The inspection of electrical installations as covered by
90.2
(2) The investigation of fires caused by electrical installations
(3) The review of construction plans, drawings, and specifications for electrical systems
(4) The design, alteration, modification, construction,
maintenance, and testing of electrical systems and
equipment
(5) The regulation and control of electrical installations at
special events including but not limited to exhibits,
trade shows, amusement parks, and other similar special occupancies
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80.2 Definitions.
Authority Having Jurisdiction. The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment,
materials, an installation, or a procedure.
Chief Electrical Inspector. An electrical inspector who
either is the authority having jurisdiction or is designated
by the authority having jurisdiction and is responsible for
administering the requirements of this Code.
Electrical Inspector. An individual meeting the requirements of 80.27 and authorized to perform electrical
inspections.
80.3 Purpose. The purpose of this article shall be to provide requirements for administration and enforcement of
the National Electrical Code.
80.5 Adoption. Article 80 shall not apply unless specifically adopted by the local jurisdiction adopting the National Electrical Code.
70–870
(C) Additions, Alterations, or Repairs. Additions, alterations, or repairs to any building, structure, or premises
shall conform to that required of a new building without
requiring the existing building to comply with all the requirements of this Code. Additions, alterations, installations, or repairs shall not cause an existing building to become unsafe or to adversely affect the performance of the
building as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.
Electrical wiring added to an existing service, feeder, or
branch circuit shall not result in an installation that violates
the provisions of the Code in force at the time the additions
are made.
80.11 Occupancy of Building or Structure.
(A) New Construction. No newly constructed building
shall be occupied in whole or in part in violation of the
provisions of this Code.
(B) Existing Buildings. Existing buildings that are occupied at the time of adoption of this Code shall be permitted
to remain in use provided the following conditions apply:
(1) The occupancy classification remains unchanged
(2) There exists no condition deemed hazardous to life or
property that would constitute an imminent danger
80.13 Authority. Where used in this article, the term authority having jurisdiction shall include the chief electrical
inspector or other individuals designated by the governing
body. This Code shall be administered and enforced by the
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
authority having jurisdiction designated by the governing
authority as follows.
(8)
(9)
(10)
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(11)
(12)
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(1) The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
render interpretations of this Code in order to provide
clarification to its requirements, as permitted by 90.4.
(2) When the use of any electrical equipment or its installations is found to be dangerous to human life or property, the authority having jurisdiction shall be empowered to have the premises disconnected from its
source of electric supply, as established by the Board.
When such equipment or installation has been so condemned or disconnected, a notice shall be placed
thereon listing the causes for the condemnation, the
disconnection, or both, and the penalty under 80.23
for the unlawful use thereof. Written notice of such
condemnation or disconnection and the causes therefor shall be given within 24 hours to the owners, the
occupant, or both, of such building, structure, or premises. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove
said notice, to reconnect the electrical equipment to its
source of electric supply, or to use or permit to be
used electric power in any such electrical equipment
until such causes for the condemnation or disconnection have been remedied to the satisfaction of the inspection authorities.
(3) The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
delegate to other qualified individuals such powers as
necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this Code.
(4) Police, fire, and other enforcement agencies shall have
authority to render necessary assistance in the enforcement of this Code when requested to do so by the
authority having jurisdiction.
(5) The authority having jurisdiction shall be authorized
to inspect, at all reasonable times, any building or
premises for dangerous or hazardous conditions or
equipment as set forth in this Code. The authority
having jurisdiction shall be permitted to order any
person(s) to remove or remedy such dangerous or hazardous condition or equipment. Any person(s) failing
to comply with such order shall be in violation of this
Code.
(6) Where the authority having jurisdiction deems that
conditions hazardous to life and property exist, he or
she shall be permitted to require that such hazardous
conditions in violation of this Code be corrected.
(7) To the full extent permitted by law, any authority having jurisdiction engaged in inspection work shall be
authorized at all reasonable times to enter and examine any building, structure, or premises for the purpose of making electrical inspections. Before entering
a premises, the authority having jurisdiction shall obtain the consent of the occupant thereof or obtain a
court warrant authorizing entry for the purpose of inspection except in those instances where an emergency exists. As used in this section, emergency
means circumstances that the authority having jurisdiction knows, or has reason to believe, exist and that
reasonably can constitute immediate danger to persons or property.
Persons authorized to enter and inspect buildings,
structures, and premises as herein set forth shall be
identified by proper credentials issued by this governing authority.
Persons shall not interfere with an authority having
jurisdiction carrying out any duties or functions prescribed by this Code.
Persons shall not use a badge, uniform, or other credentials to impersonate the authority having jurisdiction.
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any
fire, explosion, or other hazardous condition.
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
require plans and specifications to ensure compliance
with this Code.
Whenever any installation subject to inspection prior
to use is covered or concealed without having first
been inspected, the authority having jurisdiction shall
be permitted to require that such work be exposed for
inspection. The authority having jurisdiction shall be
notified when the installation is ready for inspection
and shall conduct the inspection within ___ days.
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
order the immediate evacuation of any occupied
building deemed unsafe when such building has hazardous conditions that present imminent danger to
building occupants.
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
waive specific requirements in this Code or permit
alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent
objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety. Technical documentation shall
be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to
demonstrate equivalency and that the system, method,
or device is approved for the intended purpose.
Each application for a waiver of a specific electrical
requirement shall be filed with the authority having
jurisdiction and shall be accompanied by such evidence, letters, statements, results of tests, or other supporting information as required to justify the request.
The authority having jurisdiction shall keep a record
of actions on such applications, and a signed copy of
the authority having jurisdiction’s decision shall be
provided for the applicant.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
70–871
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
(A) Creation of the Electrical Board. There is hereby
created the Electrical Board of the _________ of
_________, hereinafter designated as the Board.
(D) Compensation. Each appointed member shall receive
the sum of ______dollars ($_____) for each day during
which the member attends a meeting of the Board and, in
addition thereto, shall be reimbursed for direct lodging,
travel, and meal expenses as covered by policies and procedures established by the jurisdiction.
(E) Quorum. A quorum as established by the Board operating procedures shall be required to conduct Board business. The Board shall hold such meetings as necessary to
carry out the purposes of Article 80. The Chair or a majority of the members of the Board shall have the authority to
call meetings of the Board.
(F) Duties. It shall be the duty of the Board to perform the
following:
(1) Adopt the necessary rules and regulations to administer
and enforce Article 80.
(2) Establish qualifications of electrical inspectors.
(3) Revoke or suspend the recognition of any inspector’s
certificate for the jurisdiction.
(4) After advance notice of the public hearings and the
execution of such hearings, as established by law, the
Board is authorized to establish and update the provisions for the safety of electrical installations to conform
to the current edition of the National Electrical Code
(NFPA 70) and other nationally recognized safety standards for electrical installations.
(5) Establish procedures for recognition of electrical safety
standards and acceptance of equipment conforming to
these standards.
AF
(B) Appointments. Board members shall be appointed by
the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate (or
by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council,
or the equivalent).
(1) Members of the Board shall be chosen in a manner to
reflect a balanced representation of individuals or organizations. The Chair of the Board shall be elected by
the Board membership.
(2) The Chief Electrical Inspector in the jurisdiction adopting this Article authorized in (B)(3)(a) shall be the nonvoting secretary of the Board. Where the Chief Electrical Inspector of a local municipality serves a Board at a
state level, he or she shall be permitted to serve as a
voting member of the Board.
(3) The board shall consist of not fewer than five voting
members. Board members shall be selected from the
following:
of 4 years or until a successor is appointed. The Chair of
the Board shall be appointed for a term not to exceed ____
years.
T
80.15 Electrical Board.
D
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a. Chief Electrical Inspector from a local government
(for State Board only)
b. An electrical contractor operating in the jurisdiction
c. A licensed professional engineer engaged primarily
in the design or maintenance of electrical installations
d. A journeyman electrician
(4) Additional membership shall be selected from the following:
a. A master (supervising) electrician
b. The Fire Marshal (or Fire Chief)
c. A representative of the property/casualty insurance
industry
d. A representative of an electric power utility operating in the jurisdiction
e. A representative of electrical manufacturers primarily and actively engaged in producing materials,
fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, or apparatus used as part of or in connection with electrical
installations
f. A member of the labor organization that represents
the primary electrical workforce
g. A member from the public who is not affiliated with
any other designated group
h. A representative of a telecommunications utility operating in the jurisdiction
(C) Terms. Of the members first appointed, _____ shall
be appointed for a term of 1 year, _____ for a term of 2
years, _____ for a term of 3 years, and _____ for a term of
4 years, and thereafter each appointment shall be for a term
70–872
(G) Appeals.
(1) Review of Decisions. Any person, firm, or corporation
may register an appeal with the Board for a review of
any decision of the Chief Electrical Inspector or of any
Electrical Inspector, provided that such appeal is made
in writing within fifteen (15) days after such person,
firm, or corporation shall have been notified. Upon receipt of such appeal, said Board shall, if requested by
the person making the appeal, hold a public hearing
and proceed to determine whether the action of the
Board, or of the Chief Electrical Inspector, or of the
Electrical Inspector complies with this law and, within
fifteen (15) days after receipt of the appeal or after
holding the hearing, shall make a decision in accordance with its findings.
(2) Conditions. Any person shall be permitted to appeal a
decision of the authority having jurisdiction to the
Board when it is claimed that any one or more of the
following conditions exist:
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
(H) Meetings and Records. Meetings and records of the
Board shall conform to the following:
(1) Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public as
required by law.
(2) Records of meetings of the Board shall be available for
review during normal business hours, as required by
law.
(B) Content. Permits shall be issued by the authority having jurisdiction and shall bear the name and signature of the
authority having jurisdiction or that of the authority having
jurisdiction’s designated representative. In addition, the
permit shall indicate the following:
(1) Operation or activities for which the permit is issued
(2) Address or location where the operation or activity is to
be conducted
(3) Name and address of the permittee
(4) Permit number and date of issuance
(5) Period of validity of the permit
(6) Inspection requirements
(C) Issuance of Permits. The authority having jurisdiction shall be authorized to establish and issue permits, certificates, notices, and approvals, or orders pertaining to
electrical safety hazards pursuant to 80.23, except that no
permit shall be required to execute any of the classes of
electrical work specified in the following:
AF
80.17 Records and Reports. The authority having jurisdiction shall retain records in accordance with (A) and (B).
permit holder as specified by the authority having
jurisdiction.
T
a. The true intent of the codes or ordinances described
in this Code has been incorrectly interpreted.
b. The provisions of the codes or ordinances do not
fully apply.
c. A decision is unreasonable or arbitrary as it applies
to alternatives or new materials.
(3) Submission of Appeals. A written appeal, outlining the
Code provision from which relief is sought and the
remedy proposed, shall be submitted to the authority
having jurisdiction within 15 calendar days of notification of violation.
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(A) Retention. The authority having jurisdiction shall
keep a record of all electrical inspections, including the
date of such inspections and a summary of any violations
found to exist, the date of the services of notices, and a
record of the final disposition of all violations. All required
records shall be maintained until their usefulness has been
served or as otherwise required by law.
(B) Availability. A record of examinations, approvals, and
variances granted shall be maintained by the authority having jurisdiction and shall be available for public review as
prescribed by law during normal business hours.
80.19 Permits and Approvals. Permits and approvals
shall conform to (A) through (H).
(A) Application.
(1) Activity authorized by a permit issued under this Code
shall be conducted by the permittee or the permittee’s
agents or employees in compliance with all requirements of this Code applicable thereto and in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. No
permit issued under this Code shall be interpreted to
justify a violation of any provision of this Code or any
other applicable law or regulation. Any addition or alteration of approved plans or specifications shall be
approved in advance by the authority having jurisdiction, as evidenced by the issuance of a new or amended
permit.
(2) A copy of the permit shall be posted or otherwise
readily accessible at each work site or carried by the
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
(1) Installation or replacement of equipment such as lamps
and of electric utilization equipment approved for connection to suitable permanently installed receptacles.
Replacement of flush or snap switches, fuses, lamp
sockets, and receptacles, and other minor maintenance
and repair work, such as replacing worn cords and
tightening connections on a wiring device
(2) The process of manufacturing, testing, servicing, or repairing electrical equipment or apparatus
(D) Annual Permits. In lieu of an individual permit for
each installation or alteration, an annual permit shall, upon
application, be issued to any person, firm, or corporation
regularly employing one or more employees for the installation, alteration, and maintenance of electrical equipment
in or on buildings or premises owned or occupied by the
applicant for the permit. Upon application, an electrical
contractor as agent for the owner or tenant shall be issued
an annual permit. The applicant shall keep records of all
work done, and the records shall be transmitted periodically
to the Electrical Inspector. [ROP 1–189]
(E) Fees. Any political subdivision that has been provided
for electrical inspection in accordance with the provisions
of Article 80 may establish fees that shall be paid by the
applicant for a permit before the permit is issued.
(F) Inspection and Approvals.
(1) Upon the completion of any installation of electrical
equipment that has been made under a permit other
than an annual permit, it shall be the duty of the person,
firm, or corporation making the installation to notify
70–873
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
(3)
(4)
(5)
(4)
(5)
D
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AF
(3)
(2)
submitted in the application or plans on which the permit or approval was based.
Any attempt to defraud or otherwise deliberately or
knowingly design, install, service, maintain, operate,
sell, represent for sale, falsify records, reports, or applications, or other related activity in violation of the
requirements prescribed by this Code shall be a violation of this Code. Such violations shall be cause for
immediate suspension or revocation of any related licenses, certificates, or permits issued by this jurisdiction. In addition, any such violation shall be subject to
any other criminal or civil penalties as available by the
laws of this jurisdiction.
Revocation shall be constituted when the permittee is
duly notified by the authority having jurisdiction.
Any person who engages in any business, operation, or
occupation, or uses any premises, after the permit issued therefor has been suspended or revoked pursuant
to the provisions of this Code, and before such suspended permit has been reinstated or a new permit issued, shall be in violation of this Code.
A permit shall be predicated upon compliance with the
requirements of this Code and shall constitute written
authority issued by the authority having jurisdiction to
install electrical equipment. Any permit issued under
this Code shall not take the place of any other license
or permit required by other regulations or laws of this
jurisdiction.
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
require an inspection prior to the issuance of a permit.
A permit issued under this Code shall continue until
revoked or for the period of time designated on the
permit. The permit shall be issued to one person or
business only and for the location or purpose described
in the permit. Any change that affects any of the conditions of the permit shall require a new or amended
permit.
T
(2)
the Electrical Inspector having jurisdiction, who shall
inspect the work within a reasonable time.
Where the Inspector finds the installation to be in conformity with the statutes of all applicable local ordinances and all rules and regulations, the Inspector shall
issue to the person, firm, or corporation making the
installation a certificate of approval, with duplicate
copy for delivery to the owner, authorizing the connection to the supply of electricity and shall send written
notice of such authorization to the supplier of electric
service. When a certificate of temporary approval is
issued authorizing the connection of an installation,
such certificates shall be issued to expire at a time to be
stated therein and shall be revocable by the Electrical
Inspector for cause.
When any portion of the electrical installation within
the jurisdiction of an Electrical Inspector is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of
the building, the person, firm, or corporation installing
the equipment shall notify the Electrical Inspector, and
the equipment shall not be concealed until it has been
approved by the Electrical Inspector or until _____
days have elapsed from the time of such notification,
provided that on large installations, where the concealment of equipment proceeds continuously, the person,
firm, or corporation installing the equipment shall give
the Electrical Inspector due notice in advance, and inspections shall be made periodically during the
progress of the work. [ROP 1–189]
At regular intervals, the Electrical Inspector having jurisdiction shall visit all buildings and premises where
work may be done under annual permits and shall inspect all electrical equipment installed under such permits since the date of the previous inspection. The
Electrical Inspector shall issue a certificate of approval
for such work as is found to be in conformity with the
provisions of Article 80 and all applicable ordinances,
orders, rules, and regulations, after payments of all required fees.
If, upon inspection, any installation is found not to be
fully in conformity with the provisions of Article 80,
and all applicable ordinances, rules, and regulations,
the Inspector making the inspection shall at once forward to the person, firm, or corporation making the
installation a written notice stating the defects that have
been found to exist.
(G) Revocation of Permits. Revocation of permits shall
conform to the following:
(1) The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
revoke a permit or approval issued if any violation of
this Code is found upon inspection or in case there
have been any false statements or misrepresentations
70–874
(6)
(7)
(H) Applications and Extensions. Applications and extensions of permits shall conform to the following:
(1) The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to
grant an extension of the permit time period upon presentation by the permittee of a satisfactory reason for
failure to start or complete the work or activity authorized by the permit.
(2) Applications for permits shall be made to the authority
having jurisdiction on forms provided by the jurisdiction and shall include the applicant’s answers in full to
inquiries set forth on such forms. Applications for permits shall be accompanied by such data as required by
the authority having jurisdiction, such as plans and
specifications, location, and so forth. Fees shall be determined as required by local laws.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
80.21 Plans Review. Review of plans and specifications
shall conform to (A) through (C).
(A) Authority. For new construction, modification, or rehabilitation, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to review construction documents and drawings.
(B) Penalties.
(1) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of
this Code or who fails to carry out an order made pursuant to this Code or violates any condition attached to
a permit, approval, or certificate shall be subject to the
penalties established by this jurisdiction.
(2) Failure to comply with the time limits of an abatement
notice or other corrective notice issued by the authority
having jurisdiction shall result in each day that such
violation continues being regarded as a new and separate offense.
(3) Any person, firm, or corporation who shall willfully
violate any of the applicable provisions of this article
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
_____dollars ($_____) or more than _______dollars
($_____) for each offense, together with the costs of
prosecution, imprisonment, or both, for not less than
___________ (_________) days or more than _______
(______) days.
AF
(B) Responsibility of the Applicant. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the following:
(1) The construction documents include all of the electrical
requirements.
(2) The construction documents and drawings are correct
and in compliance with the applicable codes and
standards.
trance to such premises and the order or notice shall be
mailed by registered or certified mail, with return receipt requested, to the last known address of the owner,
occupant, or both.
T
(3) The authority having jurisdiction shall review all applications submitted and issue permits as required. If an
application for a permit is rejected by the authority
having jurisdiction, the applicant shall be advised of
the reasons for such rejection. Permits for activities
requiring evidence of financial responsibility by the jurisdiction shall not be issued unless proof of required
financial responsibility is furnished.
(C) Responsibility of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
It shall be the responsibility of the authority having jurisdiction to promulgate rules that cover the following:
D
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(1) Review of construction documents and drawings shall
be completed within established time frames for the
purpose of acceptance or to provide reasons for nonacceptance.
(2) Review and approval by the authority having jurisdiction shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility
of compliance with this Code.
(3) Where field conditions necessitate any substantial
change from the approved plan, the authority having
jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that the corrected plans be submitted for approval.
80.23 Notice of Violations, Penalties. Notice of violations and penalties shall conform to (A) and (B).
(A) Violations.
(1) Whenever the authority having jurisdiction determines
that there are violations of this Code, a written notice
shall be issued to confirm such findings.
(2) Any order or notice issued pursuant to this Code shall
be served upon the owner, operator, occupant, or other
person responsible for the condition or violation, either
by personal service or mail or by delivering the same
to, and leaving it with, some person of responsibility
upon the premises. For unattended or abandoned locations, a copy of such order or notice shall be posted on
the premises in a conspicuous place at or near the en-
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
80.25 Connection to Electricity Supply. Connections to
the electric supply shall conform to (A) through (E).
(A) Authorization. Except where work is done under an
annual permit and except as otherwise provided in 80.25, it
shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to
make connection to a supply of electricity or to supply
electricity to any electrical equipment installation for which
a permit is required or that has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected.
(B) Special Consideration. By special permission of the
authority having jurisdiction, temporary power shall be permitted to be supplied to the premises for specific needs of
the construction project. The Board shall determine what
needs are permitted under this provision.
(C) Notification. If, within _____ business days after the
Electrical Inspector is notified of the completion of an installation of electric equipment, other than a temporary approval installation, the Electrical Inspector has neither authorized connection nor disapproved the installation, the
supplier of electricity is authorized to make connections
and supply electricity to such installation.
(D) Other Territories. If an installation or electric equipment is located in any territory where an Electrical Inspector has not been authorized or is not required to make
70–875
INFORMATIVE ANNEX H
(E) Disconnection. Where a connection is made to an installation that has not been inspected, as outlined in the
preceding paragraphs of this section, the supplier of electricity shall immediately report such connection to the
Chief Electrical Inspector. If, upon subsequent inspection, it
is found that the installation is not in conformity with the
provisions of Article 80, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall
notify the person, firm, or corporation making the installation to rectify the defects and, if such work is not completed within fifteen (15) business days or a longer period
as may be specified by the Board, the Board shall have the
authority to cause the disconnection of that portion of the
installation that is not in conformity.
80.27 Inspector’s Qualifications.
(C) Recertification. Electrical inspectors shall be recertified as established by provisions of the applicable certification program.
(D) Revocation and Suspension of Authority. The Board
shall have the authority to revoke an inspector’s authority
to conduct inspections within a jurisdiction.
80.29 Liability for Damages. Article 80 shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party
owning, designing, operating, controlling, or installing any
electrical equipment for damages to persons or property
caused by a defect therein, nor shall the _____ or any of its
employees be held as assuming any such liability by reason
of the inspection, reinspection, or other examination authorized.
D
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AF
(A) Certificate. All electrical inspectors shall be certified
by a nationally recognized inspector certification program
accepted by the Board. The certification program shall specifically qualify the inspector in electrical inspections. No
person shall be employed as an Electrical Inspector unless
that person is the holder of an Electrical Inspector’s certificate of qualification issued by the Board, except that any
person who on the date on which this law went into effect
was serving as a legally appointed Electrical Inspector of
_________ shall, upon application and payment of the prescribed fee and without examination, be issued a special
certificate permitting him or her to continue to serve as an
Electrical Inspector in the same territory.
(4) Have had at least ____ years’ experience as an Electrical Inspector or ____ years in the installation of electrical equipment. In lieu of such experience, the applicant shall be a graduate in electrical engineering or of a
similar curriculum of a college or university considered
by the Board as having suitable requirements for graduation and shall have had two years’ practical electrical
experience.
T
inspections, the supplier of electricity is authorized to make
connections and supply electricity to such installations.
(B) Experience. Electrical inspector applicants shall demonstrate the following:
(1) Have a demonstrated knowledge of the standard materials and methods used in the installation of electric
equipment
(2) Be well versed in the approved methods of construction
for safety to persons and property
(3) Be well versed in the statutes of ________ relating to
electrical work and the National Electrical Code, as
approved by the American National Standards Institute
70–876
80.31 Validity. If any section, subsection, sentence,
clause, or phrase of Article 80 is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity
of the remaining portions of Article 80.
80.33 Repeal of Conflicting Acts. All acts or parts of acts
in conflict with the provisions of Article 80 are hereby
repealed.
80.35 Effective Date. Article 80 shall take effect
_________ (_________) days after its passage and publication.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX I
Informative Annex I
Recommended Tightening Torque Tables from UL Standard 486A-B
*For proper termination of conductors, it is very important that field connections be properly tightened. In the
absence of manufacturer’s instructions on the equipment,
the torque values given in these tables are recommended.
Because it is normal for some relaxation to occur in service, checking torque values sometime after installation is
not a reliable means of determining the values of torque
applied at installation.
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document, but is included for informational purposes only.
In the absence of connector or equipment manufacturer’s
recommended torque values, Table I.1, Table I.2, and Table
I.3 may be used to correctly tighten screw-type connections
for power and lighting circuits*. Control and signal circuits
may require different torque values, and the manufacturer
should be contacted for guidance.
Table I.1 Tightening Torque for Screws [ROP 1–191]
Tightening Torque, N-m (lbf-in.)
2
mm
30–10
8
6–4
3
2
1
1/0–2/0
3/0–4/0
250–350
400
500
600–750
800–1000
1250–2000
0.05–5.3
8.4
13.2–21.2
26.7
33.6
42.4
53.5–67.4
85.0–107.2
127–177
203
253
304–380
405–508
635–1010
2.3
2.8
4.0
4.0
4.5
(20)
(25)
(35)
(35)
(40)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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AWG or kcmil
Slot width 1.2 mm
(0.047 in.) or less and
slot length 6.4 mm (1⁄4
in.) or less
a
Slot width over 1.2 mm
(0.047 in.) or slot length
over 8.4 mm (1.4 in.)
4.0
4.5
5.1
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
AF
Test Conductor Installed in Connector
T
Slotted head No. 10 and largera
Split-bolt connectors
(35)
(40)
(45)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
(50)
—
9.0
9.0
18.5
31.1
31.1
31.1
43.5
56.5
73.4
93.2
93.2
113.0
124.3
124.3
(80)
(80)
(165)
(275)
(275)
(275)
(385)
(500)
(650)
(825)
(825)
(1000)
(1100)
(1100)
Other connectors
8.5
8.5
12.4
16.9
16.9
16.9
20.3
28.2
36.7
36.7
42.4
42.4
56.5
67.8
(75)
(75)
(110)
(150)
(150)
(150)
(180)
(250)
(325)
(325)
(375)
(375)
(500)
(600)
For values of slot width or length not corresponding to those specified, select the largest torque value associated with the conductor size. Slot width
is the nominal design value. Slot length shall be measured at the bottom of the slot.
Table I.2 Tightening Torque for Slotted Head Screws Smaller Than No. 10 Intended for Use with 8 AWG (8.4 mm2) or Smaller
Conductors [ROP 1–191]
Tightening Torque, N-m (lbf-in.)
a
Slot Length of Screw
mm
in.
Slot width of screw smaller than
1.2 mm (0.047 in.)b
Slot width of screw 1.2 mm
(0.047 in.) and largerb
Less than 4
Less than 5⁄32
0.79 (7)
1.0 (9)
4
5 32
⁄
0.79 (7)
1.4 (12)
4.8
3 16
⁄
0.79 (7)
1.4 (12)
5.5
7 32
⁄
0.79 (7)
1.4 (12)
6.4
14
⁄
1.0 (9)
1.4 (12)
7.1
9 32
⁄
1.7 (15)
Above 7.1
Above 9⁄32
2.3 (20)
a
For slot lengths of intermediate values, select torques pertaining to next shorter slot lengths. Also, see 9.1.9.6 of UL 486A-2003 for screws with
multiple tightening means. Slot length shall be measured at the bottom of the slot.
b
Slot width is the nominal design value.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–877
INFORMATIVE ANNEX I
Table I.3 Tightening Torque for Screws with Recessed Allen or Square Drives [ROP 1–191]
Socket Width Across Flatsa
mm
in.
3.2
18
Tightening Torque, N-m (lbf-in.)
⁄
5.1
(45)
4.0
5 32
⁄
11.3
(100)
4.8
3 16
⁄
13.5
(120)
5.5
7 32
⁄
16.9
(150)
6.4
14
⁄
22.5
(200)
7.9
5 16
⁄
31.1
(275)
9.5
38
⁄
42.4
(375)
12.7
12
⁄
56.5
(500)
14.3
9 16
⁄
67.8
(600)
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AF
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a
See 9.1.9.6 of UL 486A-2003 for screws with multiple tightening means.
With the permission of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., material is reproduced from UL Standard 486A-B, Wire Connectors, which is copyrighted
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois. While use of this material has been authorized, UL shall not be responsible for the manner
in which the information is presented, nor for any interpretations thereof. For more information on UL or to purchase standards, please visit their
Standards website at www.comm-2000.com or call 1-888-853-3503.
70–878
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX J
Informative Annex J ADA Standards for Accessible Design
This informative annex is not a part of the requirements of
this NFPA document, but is included for informational purposes only. [ROP 1–191a]
The provisions cited in this Informative Annex is to
assist the users of the Code in properly considering various
electrical design constraints of other building systems and
are part of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
and are the same as those found in ANSI/ICC A117.1-2009,
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
X > 27 in.
685 mm
Figure J.2 Limits of Protruding Objects.
Exception: the sloping portions of handrails serving
stairs and ramps shall not be required to comply with J.3.
AF
J.2 Protrusion Limits. Objects with leading edges more
than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches
(2030 mm) above the finish floor or ground shall protrude
4 inches (100 mm) maximum horizontally into the circulation path.
Exception: Handrails shall be permitted to protrude
41⁄2 inches (115 mm) maximum.
X ≥ 80 in.
2030 mm
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J.1 Protruding Objects. Protruding objects shall comply
with J.1.
4 in. max.
100 mm
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J.3 Post-Mounted Objects.
Free-standing objects
mounted on posts or pylons shall overhang circulation
paths 12 inches (305 mm) maximum when located
27 inches (685 mm) minimum and 80 inches (2030 mm)
maximum above the finish floor or ground. Where a sign or
other obstruction is mounted between posts or pylons and
the clear distance between the posts or pylons is greater
than 12 inches (305 mm), the lowest edge of such sign or
obstruction shall be 27 inches (685 mm) maximum or
80 inches (2030 mm) minimum above the finish floor or
ground.
J.4 Vertical Clearance. Vertical clearance shall be
80 inches (2030 mm) high minimum. Guardrails or other
barriers shall be provided where the vertical clearance is
less than 80 inches (2030 mm) high. The leading edge of
such guardrail or barrier shall be located 27 inches
(685 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Exception: Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches (1980 mm) minimum above the finish
floor or ground.
J.5 Required Clear Width. Protruding objects shall not
reduce the clear width required for accessible routes.
X > 12 in.
305 mm
12 in. max.
305 mm
12 in. max.
305 mm
27 ft–80 in.
685 –2030 mm
27 ft max.
685 mm
(a)
80 in. min.
2030 mm
X > 12 in.
305 mm
(b)
Figure J.3 Post-Mounted Protruding Objects.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–879
INFORMATIVE ANNEX J
>20 in.–25 in. max.
510 –635 mm
20 in. max.
510 mm
X < 80 in.
2030 mm
48 in. max.
1220 mm
27 in. max.
685 mm
(a)
44 in. max.
1120 mm
(b)
Figure J.6.2 Obstructed High Forward Reach.
J.6 Forward Reach.
where the depth of the obstruction is 10 inches (255 mm)
maximum.
Exception No. 2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall
be permitted to be 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel
dispensers are installed on existing curbs.
48 in. max.
1220 mm
15 in. min.
380 mm
D
R
Figure J.6.1 Unobstructed Forward Reach.
AF
J.6.1 Unobstructed. Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches
(1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be
15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or
ground.
J.6.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a high forward
reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall
extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the
required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward
reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum where the
reach depth is 20 inches (510 mm) maximum. Where the
reach depth exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward
reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum and the
reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum.
J.7 Side Reach.
J.7.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor or ground space
allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach
is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches
(1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be
15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or
ground.
Exception No. 1. An obstruction shall be permitted between the clear floor or ground space and the element
70–880
T
Figure J.4 Vertical Clearance.
48 in. max.
1220 mm
15 in. min.
380 mm
10 in. max.
255 mm
Figure J.7.1 Unobstructed Side Reach.
J.7.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a clear floor or
ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and
the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the
obstruction shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum and the
depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm)
maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (255 mm),
the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum
for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum.
Exception No. 1. The top of washing machines and
clothes dryers shall be permitted to be 36 inches (915 mm)
maximum above the finish floor.
Exception No. 2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall
be permitted to be 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel
dispensers are installed on existing curbs.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INFORMATIVE ANNEX J
48 in. max.
1220 mm
34 in. max.
865 mm
46 in. max.
1170 mm
34 in. max.
865 mm
10 in. max.
255 mm
>10 in.–24 in. max.
255 –610 mm
(a)
(b)
D
R
AF
T
Figure J.7.2 Obstructed High Side Reach.
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70–881
INDEX
Index
© 2010 National Fire Protection Association. All Rights Reserved.
The copyright in this index is separate and distinct from the copyright in the document that it indexes. The licensing provisions set forth for the document
are not applicable to this index. This index may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the express written permission of NFPA.
D
R
70–882
Identification 200.6(A)
Messenger-supported wiring Art.
396
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.44
Premises-powered broadband
communications systems
840.44
Agricultural buildings Art. 547
Bonding and equipotential plane
547.10
Definitions 547.2
Equipotential planes, bonding
547.10
Feeder and service loads, calculation of 220–V
Luminaires 547.8
Motors 547.7
Service equipment, separately
derived systems, feeders, disconnecting
means, and grounding
547.9
Surface temperatures 547.4
Switches, receptacles, circuit
breakers, controllers,
and fuses 547.6
Wiring methods 547.5
Air conditioners, room 440–VII
Branch-circuit requirements
440.62
Definition 440.60
Disconnecting means 440.63
Grounding 440.61
Nameplate marking 220.82(C),
440.4
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment Art. 440
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection 440.65
Branch circuits
Conductors 440–IV
Ampacity, determination of
440.6
Combination loads for
440.34
General 440.31
Multimotor equipment for
440.35
Several motor-compressors
for 440.33
Single motor-compressor
for 440.32
Outlets 210.63
Selection current
Definition 440.2
Marking on nameplate
440.4(C)
Short-circuit and ground-fault
protection 440–III
Equipment for 440.22(B)
Controllers for 440–V
T
Transformers, signs, outlet lighting 600.21(A)
Transformers and vaults 450.13
AC-DC general-use snap
switches
Marking 404.15
Motors 430.83(C)
Panelboards, use in 408.36(A)
Ratings, type loads 408.36(A)
AC general-use snap switch
404.14(A); see also
AC-DC general-use
snap switches
AC resistance and reactance conversion Chap. 9, Table
9
AC systems
Conductor to be grounded
250.26
Grounding connections
250.24(A)
Grounding electrode conductor
250.66
Grounding of 250.20, 250.30
Systems not required to be
grounded 250.21
In same metallic enclosures
215.4(B), 300.20
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.3, 647.5
Administration and enforcement
Annex H
Adoption of Code Annex H
80.5
Application of Code Annex H
80.9
Authority Annex H 80.13
Connection to electricity supply
Annex H 80.25
Definitions Annex H 80.2
Effective date Annex H 80.35
Electrical board Annex H 80.15
Inspector’s qualifications Annex
H 80.27
Liability for damages Annex H
80.29
Notice of violations, penalties
Annex H 80.23
Occupancy of building or structure Annex H 80.11
Permits and approvals Annex H
80.19
Plans review Annex H 80.21
Records and reports Annex H
80.17
Repeal of conflicting acts Annex
H 80.33
Title of Code Annex H 80.7
Validity of article Annex H
80.31
Aerial cables
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.44
AF
-AAC and DC conductors in same
enclosure 300.3(C)(1),
725.48
AC armored cable see Armored
cable (Type AC)
Access and working space; see
also Working space
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment 640.46
Elevator machine room 620.71
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665.22
Manholes 110.72, 110.73,
110.75
Not over 600 volts 110.26
Over 600 volts 110–III
Portable substations 530.62
Switchboards 408.18
Transformers, electric sign
600.21(D)
Vaults and tunnels 110.76
Accessible
Air-conditioning and refrigeration disconnects 440.14,
440.63
Attics and roof spaces
Knob-and-tube wiring 394.23
Open wiring on insulators
398.23
Cable trays 392.18(E),
392.18(F)
Conduit bodies, junction, pull,
and outlet boxes 314.29,
314.72(D)
Definition 100–I
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
210.8
Grounding electrode connection
250.68(A)
Luminaires and lampholders
410.5, 410.24(B),
410.137(A)
Motor disconnects 430.107
Overcurrent devices 240.24
Panels, electrical equipment installed behind
368.10(B), 725.21,
760.21, 770.21, 800.21,
820.21, 830.21, 840.21
Readily
Definition 100–I
Sealing fittings 501.15(C)(1),
502.15, 505.16(D)(1);
see also Hazardous
(classified) locations
Services 230.70
Splices and taps in auxiliary
gutters 366.56(A)
Splices and taps in wireways
376.56(A), 378.56
Marking 440.5
Rating 440.41
Definitions 440.2, 551.2
Disconnecting means 440–II
Cord-connected equipment
440.13
Ratings and interrupting capacity 440.12
Room air conditioners 440.63
Hermetic refrigerant motorcompressor see Hermetic refrigerant motorcompressors
Leakage-current detectorinterrupter 440.65
Definition 440.2
Load 220.82(C), 220.83
Mobile homes 550.20
Nameplate requirements 440.4
Overload protection 440–VI
Application and selection of
440.52
Branch-circuit conductors for
440.52(B)
General 440.51
Motor-compressors 440.52(A)
On 15- or 20-ampere
branch circuits 440.54
Park trailers 552.59(B)
Rated-load current
Definition 440.2
Marking on nameplate
440.4(A)
Room air conditioners see Air
conditioners, room
Single machine, when considered 440.8
Trucks transporting refrigerated
units see Electrified
truck parking space
equipment
Aircraft hangars Art. 513
Aircraft batteries 513.10
Aircraft electrical systems
513.10(A)
Classification of locations 513.3
Definitions 513.2
Equipment 513.4, 513.7, 513.8,
513.10
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
513.12
Grounding and bonding 513.16
Mobile equipment 513.7(F),
513.10(D)
Definition 513.2
Painting hangar 513.3(C)(2)
Definition 513.2
Portable equipment 513.10(E)
Sealing 513.9
Stanchions, rostrums, and docks
513.7(E)
Wiring 513.4, 513.7, 513.8
Air ducts see Ducts
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Signal transmission between
517.82
Small 210.52(A), 550.12(B)
Stationary
Definition 550.2, 551.2
Subject to immersion 422.41
Terminals, identification of
200.10(E)
Approval, approved
Definition 100–I
Equipment and materials 90.4,
90.7, 110.2, 500.8(B),
Annex H 80.19
Arc-fault circuit interrupters
210.12
Definition 100–I
Protection 210.12(A), 440.65,
550.25
Receptacle replacements
406.4(D)(4)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.11
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Arcing parts 240.41
Enclosure of 110.18, 430.14(B),
511.7(B)(1), 513.7(C),
515.7(B), 516.7(B),
517.61(B)(2)
Arc lamps, portable
Motion picture studios 530.17
Stage equipment 520.61
Arc-welder motors see Welders,
electric
Arc welders see Welders, electric
Arenas 410.10(E), Art. 518, Art.
520
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Armored cable (Type AC) Art.
320
Accessible attics 320.23
Ampacity 320.80
Bends 320.24
Boxes and fittings 320.40
Conductor type 320.104
Construction 320–III
Definition 320.2
Equipment grounding 320.108
Equipment grounding conductor
installation 250.120(A)
Exposed work 320.15
Marking 320.120
Supports 320.30
Through or parallel to framing
members 320.17
Uses not permitted 320.12
Uses permitted 320.10
Armories Art. 518
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Array, solar photovoltaic systems
690.4(G), 690.5,
690.7(E), 690.18; see
also Solar photovoltaic
systems
Definition 690.2
Arresters, surge see Lightning
(surge) arresters
Artificially made bodies of water
see Natural and artificially made bodies of
water, electrical wiring
and equipment for
AF
Maintenance 522.7
Voltage limitations 522.5
Anesthetizing locations 517–IV;
see also Health care
facilities
Definition 517.2
Flammable
Definition 517.2
Annexes, informative 90.5(D),
Annexes A through I
Antenna discharge units 810.20,
810.57
Antenna systems, radio and television see Community
antenna television and
radio distribution
(CATV) systems; Radio
and television equipment
Apparatus
Associated, grounding of
504.50(B)
Definition 504.2
Intrinsically safe, grounding of
504.50(A)
Definition 504.2
Simple
Definition 504.2
Appliances Art. 422; see also Motors
Battery-powered 517.64(E)
Branch circuits see Branch circuits, appliances
Construction 422–IV
Cords see Cords, flexible
Definition 100–I
Disconnecting means 422–III
Dwelling units, outlets 210.52
Feeder calculations for 220.40
Fixed 550.12(D), 551.42(A) to
(C)
Definition 550.2, 551.2
Grounding 250–VI, 550.16,
551.54
Hazardous (classified) locations
see Hazardous (classified) locations
Household cooking, demand
factors and loads for
Table 220.55
Installation 422–II
Live parts 422.4
Load calculations 220.14,
220.40, 220.52 to
220.56, Table 220.55
Marking 422–V
Mobile homes, in 550.12(B) and
(D), 550.14
Motor-driven 422.10(A)
Disconnecting means
422.31(C)
Load 220.18(A)
Marking 422.62
Overload protection
422.11(G)
Overcurrent protection 422.11
Single 422.11(E)
Portable
Definition 550.2, 551.2
Recreational vehicles, in
551.41(C) Ex. 1, 551.42
D
R
Air plenums see Plenums
Air terminals see Lightning rods;
Lightning (surge) arresters
Alarms
Burglar see Remote-control,
signaling, and powerlimited circuits
Fire 230.82(5), 230.94 Ex. 4;
see also Fire alarm systems
Alarm systems, health care facilities 517.32(C),
517.42(C), 517–VI
Alternate power source see Power
source, alternate
Alternators see Generators
Aluminum conduit see Rigid
metal conduit
Aluminum siding, grounding of
250.116 IN
Ambient temperature
310.15(A)(3) IN No. 1,
310.15(B)(2), Table
310.15(B)(2)(a), Table
310.15(B)(2)(b),
310.60(C)(4), Table
310.60(C)(4); see also
Temperature limitations
Ambulatory health care centers;
see also Health care
facilities
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.45
Ampacities; see also subhead,
Ampacities, under entries for specific wiring
and equipment
Conductors 310.15, Tables
310.15(B)(16) through
310.15(B)(21), 310.60,
Tables 310.60(C)(67)
through 310.60(C)(86),
B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Amusement attractions
522.22
Auxiliary gutters 366.23
Crane and hoist Table
610.14(A)
Fire alarm systems 760.51
Motors, motor circuits, and
controllers 430.6
Small wind electric systems
694.12(B), 694.64
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.8(B)
Definition 100–I
Fixture wires 402.5
Grounding 250.122
Tables, 0-2000 volts Tables
310.15(B)(16) through
310.15(B)(21), Annex B
Amusement attractions, control
systems for permanent
Art. 522
Control circuits 522–II
Control circuits wiring methods
522–III
Definitions 522.2
Audio signal processing
Askarels
Definition 100–I
Transformers 450.25
Assembly, places of 410.10(E),
Art. 518
Classifications 518.2
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Supply 518.5
Theaters, audience areas Art.
520
Wiring methods 518.4
Associative nonincendive field
wiring apparatus
Definition 500.2
Atmospheric groups see Hazardous (classified) locations
Attachment plugs (caps); see also
Hazardous (classified)
locations; Receptacles,
cord connectors, and
attachment plugs (caps)
Construction of 406.7
Definition 100–I
Flexible cords on 210.50(B),
400.7(B), 400.24
Grounding type 406.10
Polarized, terminal identification
200.10(B)
Attics
Armored cable 320.23
Knob and tube 394.23
Lighting outlets required
210.70(A)(3)
Metal-clad cable 330.23
Nonmetallic extensions
382.12(1)
Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
334.23
Open wiring 398.23
Sign transformers in 600.21(E)
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment Art.
640
Access 640.5, 640.46
Conduit or tubing 640.23
Definitions 640.2
Environmental protection 640.44
Flexible cords, use of 640.21,
640.42, 640.45
Grounding 640.7
Grouping of conductors 640.8
Locations and other articles
640.3
Loudspeakers in fire-resistant
construction 640.25
Mechanical execution of work
640.6
Motion picture projectors 540.50
Permanent installations 640–II
Portable and temporary installations 640–III
Protection of electrical equipment 640.4
Theaters 520.4
Transformers 640.9(D)
Definition 640.2
Underwater 680.27(A),
680.43(G)
Water, near 640.10
70–883
Audio signal processing
INDEX
-BBack-fed devices 408.36(D)
Backfill 300.5(F), 300.50(D)
Balconies, outdoor, receptacles
for 210.52(E)(3)
70–884
T
Battery system; see also Storage
batteries
Definition 480.2
Bedrooms
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection 210.12(A),
550.25(B)
Bell circuits see Remote-control,
signaling, and powerlimited circuits
Bends 300.34; see also subhead
under entries for specific wiring system
Bipolar photovoltaic arrays
690.4(G), 690.7(E)
Definition 690.2
Block (city, town, or village)
Definition 800.2, 830.2
Blocking diode, solar photovoltaic systems
Definition 690.2
Boathouses and boat hoists,
ground-fault circuit
interrupters
210.8(A)(8), 210.8(C)
Boatyards see Marinas and boatyards
Bodies, conduit see Conduit bodies
Boilers
Electrode-type
600 volts or less 424–VIII
Over 600 volts 490–V
Resistance-type 424–VII
Bonding 250–V
Aircraft hangars 513.16
Bulk storage plants 515.16
Cable trays 392.60
Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and
similar events 525–IV
CATV and radio distribution
systems 820.100,
820.106
Communications circuits
800.100, 800.106(B)
Definition 100–I
Equipotential 547.10, 680.26,
682.33
Flexible metal conduit (Type
FMC) 348.60
Floating buildings 553.11
Garages, commercial 511.16
Grounding-type receptacles
250.146
Hazardous (classified) locations
see Hazardous (classified) locations
Health care facilities 517.19(C),
517.19(D)
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665.26
Intersystem bonding termination
Definition 100–I
Intrinsically safe systems 504.60
Irrigation machines 675.14
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (Type LFMC)
350.60
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit (Type LFNC)
356.60
Loosely jointed raceways 250.98
AF
Ballasts, electric discharge lamps
410–XII, 410–XIII
Protection in fluorescent fixtures
410.130(E)
Protection in recessed HID fixtures 410.130(F)
Bare conductors
Ampacities 310.15(B)(4)
Auxiliary gutters 366.56(B)
Contact conductors, cranes and
hoists 610–III
Definition 100–I
Lighting systems operating at 30
volts or less 411.5(C)
Service entrance, Types SE,
USE 338.100
Sizing conduits for Chap. 9,
Note 3
Underground conduits, grounded
neutral 230.30 Ex.,
230.41 Ex.
Barriers 368.234(B), 408.3(A)(2)
Basements (cellars)
Armored cable 320.15
Lighting outlets required
210.70(A)(3)
Nonmetallic extensions
382.12(1)
Nonmetallic sheathed cable
334.15(C)
Receptacles in 210.8(A)(5),
210.52(G), 406.9(A)
Unfinished 210.8(A)(5)
Bathrooms; see also Bathtubs
Branch circuits for 210.11(C)(3)
Definition 100–I
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment cables
424.44(G)
Lighting outlets required
210.70(A)(1), 210.70(B)
Overcurrent devices 240.24(E)
Receptacles in 210.8(A)(1),
210.8(B)(1), 210.52(D),
406.9(C), 550.12(E),
550.13(D), 550.13(E),
551.41(C), 552.41(F)
Bathtubs
Hydromassage 680–VI, 680–VII
Definition 680.2
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment cables
424.44(G)
Luminaires 410.10(D),
550.14(D), 551.53(B)
Receptacles 406.9(C)
Switches 404.4(C)
Batteries; see also Storage batteries
Aircraft 513.10
Installations Art. 480, 690.4,
690.71
Nominal voltage
Definition 480.2
Sealed
Definition 480.2
Insulation 480.6(D)
Vents 480.10(B)
Battery charging equipment
511.10(A)
Aircraft hangars 513.10(B)
D
R
Wireways, gutters, auxiliary gutters 640.24
Wiring methods 640.9
Wiring of equipment racks
640.22, 640.43
Auditoriums Art. 518, Art. 520
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Authority having jurisdiction
90.4; see also Approval,
approved
Definition 100–I
Automatic
Definition 100–I
Autotransformers see Transformers
Auxiliary gutters Art. 366
Conductors
Ampacities 366.23
Clearance, bare live parts
366.100(E)
Insulated 366.58
Number of 366.22
Construction specifications 366–
III
Covers 366.100(D)
Definitions 366.2
Extension beyond equipment
366.12
Grounding 366.60
Indoors
Listing 366.6(B)
Marking 366.120(B)
Uses permitted 366.10(A)(1),
366.10(B)(2)
Installation 366–II
Listing 366.6
Marking 366.120
Metallic
Conductors 366.22(A),
366.23(A)
Definition 366.2
Securing and supporting
366.30(A)
Uses permitted 366.10(A)
Nonmetallic
Conductors 366.22(B),
366.23(B)
Definition 366.2
Marking 366.120
Securing and supporting
366.30(B)
Uses permitted 366.10(B)
Outdoors
Listing 366.6(A)
Marking 366.120(A)
Uses permitted 366.10(A)(1),
366.10(B)(1)
Sound recording, similar equipment 640.7(A), 640.24
Splices and taps 366.56
Supports 366.30
Uses not permitted 366.12
Uses permitted 366.10
Manufactured buildings 545.11
Metal boxes 314.4
Motor fuel dispensing facilities
514.16
Naturally and artificially made
bodies of water, electrical equipment for 682–
III
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.100, 830.106(B)
Optical fiber cables 770.100(A),
770.100(D), 770.106(B)
Other enclosures 250.96
Outside raceway 250.102(E)
Over 250 volts 250.97
Over 600 volts 490.74
Panelboards 408.40, 517.14
Park trailers 552.57
Piping systems and exposed
structural steel 250.104
Premises-powered broadband
communications systems
840.106(B)
Raceways see Raceways
Radio and television equipment
810.21, 810.58
Receptacles 250.146
Recreational vehicles 551.55(B),
551.56
Separately derived systems
250.30(A)(8),
250.30(B)(3),
250.104(D)
Service equipment 250.92,
250.94
Signs and outline lighting
600.7(B), 600.33(D)
Swimming pools see Swimming
pools
Tunnels 110.54
Bonding conductors 517.19(D),
770.100(A), 800.100,
810.21, 810.58,
820.100, 830.100(A)
Bonding jumpers see Jumpers,
bonding
Bored holes through studs, joists
300.4(A)(1)
Bowling alleys Art. 518
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Boxes (outlet, device, pull, and
junction) Art. 314; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Accessibility 314.29, 314.72(D)
Agricultural buildings 547.5(C)
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.133(A)(1)
Concealed work 314.20
Conductors, number in box
314.16
Entering boxes, conduit bodies or fittings 314.17
Construction specifications 314–
III
Covers 314.25, 314.28(C),
314.41, 314.42,
314.72(E)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Voltage drop 210.19(A) IN No.
4
Voltage limitations 210.6
X-ray equipment 517–V, 660.4,
660.6(A)
Branch-circuit selection current
Definition 440.2
Marking on nameplate 440.4(C)
Building
Definition 100–I
First floor of 362.10
Building component
Definition 545.2
Building system
Definition 545.2
Building wire see Conductors
Bulk storage plants Art. 515; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Class I locations 515.3
Definition 515.2
Gasoline dispensing 515.10
Grounding and bonding 515.16
Sealing 515.9
Underground wiring 515.8
Wiring and equipment 515.4,
515.7
Bull switches
Definition 530.2
Burglar alarm systems see
Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited
circuits
Busbars
Aboveground wiring methods
300.37
Industrial control panels 409.102
Motor control centers 430.97
Switchboards 408.3, 408.51
Bushings
Cord, luminaire 410.84
Fiber see Fiber bushings
Generators 445.16
High density polyethylene conduit 353.46
Insulated 300.4(G), 312.6(C)
Lampholders attached to flexible cord 410.62(A)
Securing fittings or raceways
300.4(G)
Intermediate metal conduit
342.46
Motors 430.13
Outlet boxes, conduit bodies,
and outlet fittings
314.17(D), 314.42
Reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit 355.46
Rigid metal conduit 344.46
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.46
Snow-melting and deicing
equipment 426.22(C)
Underground installations
300.5(H)
Use in lieu of box or terminal
fitting 300.16(B)
Busways Art. 368
Barriers, fire 368.234(B)
Branches from 368.56
Connections 368.238
Construction 368–III
AF
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection 210.12
Audio equipment 640.10(A),
640.41, 640.42(E)
Bathrooms 210.11(C)(3)
Breakout assembly
Definition 520.2
Busways as branch circuits
368.17
Calculation of loads 220–II, Annex D
Color code 210.5
Common area 210.25
Conductors, minimum ampacity
and size 210.19
Critical 517.33, 517.43
Definition 517.2
Critical operations power systems 708–II
Definition 100–I
Emergency systems 700.15,
700.17, 700.18
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment 424.3
General-purpose
Definition 100–I
Guest rooms or suites 210.6(A),
210.18
Health care facilities 517.18(A),
517.63(B), 517.63(C),
517.73(A)(1)
Individual
Definition 100–I
Overcurrent protection 210.20
Permissible loads 210.23
Rating or setting 430.52
Required 490.72,
520.53(F)(2), 600.5,
605.8(B), 620.22 to
620.25
Infrared lamps 422.14
Isolated power systems 517.160
Maximum loads 220.18
Mobile homes 550.11, 550.12
Motor, on individual branch circuit see Motors
Multiple 210.7
Multiwire 210.4, 501.40, 502.40,
505.21
Definition 100–I
Outside see Outside branch circuits and feeders
Overcurrent device 240.24(B)(2)
Definition 100–I
Overcurrent protection 210.20,
240.4, 520.52
Patient bed location 517.18(A),
517.19(A)
Permissible loads 210.23
Ratings 210.3, 210–II
Recreational vehicles 551.42
Requirements for 210.24, Table
210.24
Selection current 440.4(C)
Definition 440.2
Small-appliance 210.11(C)(1)
Stage or set 530.23
Taps from 210.19(A), Table
210.24, 240.4(E),
240.5(B)(2)
Through luminaires 410.64(C)
Two or more outlets on 210.24
D
R
Cutout see Cabinets, cutout
boxes, and meter socket
enclosures
Damp locations 314.15
Depth, minimum 314.24
Drop (theaters, etc.) 520.44,
520.46
Definition 520.2
Enclosures, handhole 314.29,
314.30
Fill calculations 314.16(B)
Fire pumps 695.6(H)(1),
695.6(I)
Floor, for receptacles 314.27(B)
Flush devices, enclosing 314.19
Grounding 250.148, 250–VI
Gutters, auxiliary, used as
366.58(B)
Insulating see Boxes, nonmetallic
Junction, pull see Junction
boxes
Lighting (luminaires) outlets see
Lighting outlets
Marking 314.44
Metal
Construction 314.40, 314–III
Grounding and bonding 314.4
Installation 314–II
Wireways used as pull boxes
376.23(B)
Multioutlet assemblies used as
pull boxes 380.23(B)
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.133(A)(1)
Nonmetallic 314.3, 314.17(C),
314.43, 334.40
Receptacles installed in
406.3(D)(2)
Wireways used as pull boxes
378.23(B)
Not required 590.4(G)
Over 600 volts 314–IV
Plugging (motion picture and
TV studios)
Definition 530.2
Portable, in theaters 520.62
Repairing noncombustible surfaces 314.21
Required location 300.15
Round 314.2
Secured supports 300.11, 314.23
Snap switches over 300 volts,
not ganged 404.8(B)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.34
Support of 392.18(G)
Surface extensions 314.22
Unused openings, closed
110.12(A)
Vertical raceway runs 300.19
Volume calculations 314.16(A)
Wall or ceiling 314.20,
314.27(A)
Wet locations 314.15
Branch circuits Art. 210, Art. 220
Air conditioners 440–IV, 440–
VII
Appliances 210.23, 422–II
Calculations 220–II
Definition 100–I
Cable end fittings, changing from cable to knob-and-tube
Dead ends closed 368.58
Definition 368.2
Drains 368.236
Extension through walls and
floors 368.10(C)
Feeder or branch circuits 368.17
Grounding 368.60
Over 600 volts 368.260
Installation 368–II
Luminaires connected to
410.36(F)
Manufactured wiring systems
604.6(A)(4)
Marking 368.120, 368.320
Overcurrent protection 368.17
Over 600 volts 368–IV
Reduction in size 368.17(B)
Seals, vapor 368.234(A)
Support 368.30
Terminations 368.238
Under 600 volts 368.240
Through walls and floors
368.10(C)
Uses not permitted 368.12
Uses permitted 368.10
Ventilated enclosures 368.237
Bypass isolation switch 700.5(B),
701.5(B)
Definition 100–I
-CCabinets, cutout boxes, and
meter socket enclosures Art. 312
Construction specifications
312–II
Damp and wet locations 312.2
Definitions 100–I
Deflection of conductors 312.6
Installation 312–I
Insulation at bushings 300.4(G),
312.6(C)
Position in walls 312.3
Switch enclosures, splices, taps
312.8
Unused openings 110.12(A)
Wire-bending space at terminals
312.6(B)
Wiring space, side or back
312.9
Cable bending see type of cable
Cablebus Art. 370
Conductors 370.4
Ampacity 370.4(B)
Overcurrent protection 370.5
Terminations 370.7(3), 370.8
Definition 370.2
Equipment grounding conductor
installation 250.120(A)
Fittings 370.7
Grounding 370.9
Marking 370.10
Support and extension through
walls and floors 370.6
Use 370.3
Cable connectors
Definition 324.2
Theater 520.67
Cable end fittings, changing from
cable to knob-and-tube
300.16(A)
70–885
Cable management system
70–886
T
Cable and conductor installation
392.20
Cable fill 392.22
Communications circuits in
800.113(H)
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.113(H),
820.133(A)(1)
Construction specifications 392–
III
Covers 392.18(C)
Definition 392.2
Equipment grounding conductor
installation 250.120(A)
Exposed 392.18(E)
Fire alarm system conductors
760.51(C), 760.133,
760.139
Grounding 392.60
Installation 392–II
Marking 392.18(H)
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.133(A)(1)
Optical fiber cables 770.110(H)
Over 600 volts, cables rated
392.20, 392.80(B)
Securing and supporting 392.30
Signaling Class I circuits 725.51
Splices, cable 392.56
Support for raceways, cables,
boxes, and conduit bodies 392.18(G)
Through partitions and walls
392.18(D)
Uses not permitted 392.12
Uses permitted 230.44, 392.10
Ventilated 392.22
Wiring methods 392.10(A),
Table 392.10(A)
Calculations Annex D; see also
Loads
Camping trailer; see also Recreational vehicles (camping trailers, motor
homes, park trailers,
travel trailers, truck
campers)
Definition 551.2
Canopies
Boxes and fittings 314.25
Live parts, exposed 410.5
Luminaires fixtures
Conductors, space for 410.20
Cover
At boxes 410.22
Combustible finishes, covering required between
canopy and box 410.23
Capacitors Art. 460; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Enclosing and guarding 460.2
Induction and dielectric heating
665.24
600 volts and under 460–I
Conductors 460.8
Grounding 460.10
Marking 460.12
Means for discharge 460.6
AF
Nonmetallic extension see Nonmetallic extensions
Nonmetallic-sheathed (Types
NM, NMC, and NMS)
see Nonmetallicsheathed cable (Types
NM, NMC, and NMS)
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors see
Nonmetallic underground conduit with
conductors
Optical fiber see Optical fiber
cables
Other types of see names of
systems
Point of entrance
Definition 800.2, 820.2, 830.2
Portable see Cords, flexible
Power and control tray cable
(Type TC) see Power
and control tray cable
(Type TC)
Preassembled in nonmetallic
conduit see Nonmetallic
underground conduit
with conductors
Protection against physical damage 300.4
Sealing 501.15(D), 501.15(E),
505.16(A)(2),
505.16(B)(5),
505.16(B)(6),
505.16(B)(7),
505.16(C)(2)
Secured 300.11, 314.17(B) and
(C)
Service; see also Serviceentrance cable (Types
SE and USE)
Definition 100–I
Service-entrance (Types SE and
USE) see Serviceentrance cable (Types
SE and USE)
Splices in boxes 300.15
Stage 530.18(A)
Support of 392.18(G)
Through studs, joists, rafters
300.4
Traveling, elevator 620.11(B),
620.12(A), 620–V
Underground 230–III, 300.5,
300.50
Underground feeder and branch
circuit Type UF see Underground feeder and
branch-circuit cable
(Type UF)
Vehicle supply equipment
625.17
Welding 630–IV
Cable sheath
Definition 770.2, 800.2
Cable suspension 300.19
Cable trays Art. 392
Accessibility 392.18(E),
392.18(F)
Ampacity 320.80(B), 392.80
Bends 392.18(A)
Bonding 392.60
D
R
Cable management system
626.23
Definition 626.2
Cables
Abandoned
Coaxial 820.25
Definition 820.2
Communications 800.25
Definition 800.2
Fire alarm 760.25
Definition 760.2
Interconnecting
Definition 645.2
Network-powered broadband
communications 830.25
Definition 830.2
Optical fiber 770.25
Definition 770.2
Premises-powered broadband
communication 840.25
Remote-control, signaling,
and power-limited circuits 725.25
Definition 725.2
Aerial see Aerial cables
Armored (Type AC) see Armored cable (Type AC)
Border lights, theater 520.44(C)
Bundled
Definition 520.2
Cable trays, installation in see
Cable trays
CATV Art. 820
Coaxial Art. 820, 840.93(C)
Continuity 300.12
Definition 800.2
Flat cable assemblies (Type FC)
see Flat cable assemblies (Type FC)
Flat conductor (Type FCC) see
Flat conductor cable
(Type FCC)
Flexible see Cords, Flexible
Grouped
Definition 520.2
Heating see Heating cables
Installation in cable trays see
Cable trays
Installed in grooves 300.4(F)
Instrumentation tray (Type ITC)
see Instrumentation tray
cable (Type ITC)
Integrated gas spacer cable
(Type IGS) see Integrated gas spacer cable
(Type IGS)
Manufactured wiring systems
604.6(A)
Medium voltage cable (Type
MV) see Medium voltage cable (Type MV)
Metal-clad cable (Type MC) see
Metal-clad cable (Type
MC)
Mineral-insulated metal-sheathed
(Type MI) see Mineralinsulated metal-sheathed
cable (Type MI)
Multiconductor cables, identification of conductors in
250.119(B)
INDEX
Overcurrent protection
460.8(B)
Rating or setting of motor
overload device 460.9
Motors 430.27, 460.9
Phase converters 455.23
Over 600 volts 460–II
Grounding 460.27
Identification 460.26
Means for discharge 460.28
Overcurrent protection 460.25
Switching 460.24
X-ray equipment 660.36
Caps see Attachment plugs
Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and
similar events Art. 525
Conductor overhead clearance
525.5
Definitions 525.2
Grounding and bonding 525–IV
Equipment bonding 525.30
Equipment grounding 525.31
Grounding conductor continuity assurance 525.32
Power sources 525–II
Multiple sources of supply
525.11
Services 525.10
Protection of electrical equipment 525.6, 525.23
Wiring methods 525–III
Concessions 525.21
Ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection
525.23
Portable distribution or terminal boxes 525.22
Rides 525.21
Tents 525.21
Cartridge fuses 240–VI
Disconnection 240.40
CATV systems see Community
antenna television and
radio distribution
(CATV) systems
Ceiling fans 680.22(B), 680.43(B)
Support of 314.27(C), 422.18
Cell
Cellular concrete floor raceways
Definition 372.2
Cellular metal floor raceways
Definition 374.2
Electrolytic see Electrolytic cells
Sealed, storage batteries
480.6(D), 480.10(B)
Definition 480.2
Solar
Definition 690.2
Cellars see Basements
Cell line, electrolytic cells
Attachments and auxiliary
equipment
Definition 668.2
Definition 668.2
Cellular concrete floor raceways
Art. 372
Ampacity of conductors 372.17
Connection to cabinets and other
enclosures 372.6
Definitions 372.2
Discontinued outlets 372.13
Header 372.5
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Protectors required 800.50,
800.90, 800.100,
800.106, 800.170,
830.90
Remote-control see Remotecontrol, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
Signal see Remote-control, signaling, and powerlimited circuits
Telegraph see Communications
circuits
Telephone see Communications
circuits
Underground see Communications circuits
Ungrounded 210.10, 215.7,
410.93; see also Conductors, ungrounded
Circuses see Carnivals, circuses,
fairs, and similar events
Clamp fill, boxes 314.16(B)(2)
Clamps, ground 250.10, 250.70
Class 1, 2, and 3 circuits see
Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited
circuits
Class I, II, and III locations see
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Clean surfaces, grounding conductor connections
250.12
Clearances; see also Enclosures;
Space
Antennas 810.13, 810.18,
810.54
Community antenna systems
820.44(A)(4),
820.44(B), 820.44(E),
820.47, 820.133(A)
Conductors
Open, outside branch circuits
and feeders 225.18,
225.19
Overhead service 230.24,
230.26
Live parts
Auxiliary gutters 366.100(E)
Circuits over 600 volts 110–
III
Luminaires 410.116, 410.136
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.44
Premises-powered broadband
communication systems
840.44(A)(4)
Swimming pools 680.8
Switchboards 408.5, 408.18
Climbing space, line conductors
on poles 225.14(D)
Clothes closets
Definition 100–I
Heating 424.38(C)
Luminaires 410.16
Overcurrent devices 240.24(D)
Clothes dryers
Calculations for 220.54
Feeder demand factors Table
220.54, 220.82(B)
Grounding 250.114, 250.140
AF
Panelboards 408–III, 408.54,
408.55 Ex.1
Rating
Fixed-trip circuit breakers
240.6(A), 240.83(C),
240.86
Motor branch circuits 430.58
Service disconnecting means
230.70, 230.205
Service overcurrent protection
230.90, 230.91
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.10(E), 690.17
Switches, use as 240.83(D),
404.11, 410.141(A)
Circuit directory, panelboards
110.22, 408.4(A)
Circuit interrupters, ground-fault
see Ground-fault circuit
interrupters
Circuits 694–II
Abandoned supply circuits
Definition 645.2
Anesthetizing locations 517.63
Branch see Branch circuits
Burglar alarm see Remotecontrol, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
Central station see Fire alarm
systems
Communication see Communications circuits
Control see Control circuits
Fire alarm see Fire alarm systems
Fuel cell systems see Fuel cell
systems
Grounding Art. 250
Impedance 110.10
Information technology equipment 645.5
Intrinsically safe 504.30
Definition 504.2
Inverter input and output circuits
690.1, 690.6, 690.8,
690.10, 705.60(A)(2),
705.65(A)
Definitions 690.2
Less than 50 volts Art. 720
Class 1 725–II
Grounding 250.20(A)
More than 600 volts see Over
600 volts
Motor 430–II
Motor control 430–VI
Definition 430.2
Number of, in enclosures
90.8(B)
Output see Output circuits
Photovoltaic output 690.1,
690.4, 690.6(B), 690.7,
690.8, 690.31(E),
690.35
Definition 690.2, 690.85
Photovoltaic source 690.1,
690.4, 690.6 to 690.9,
690.31(E), 690.35,
690.53
Definition 690.2, 690.85
Power-limited see Remotecontrol, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
D
R
Inserts 372.9
Junction boxes 372.7
Markers 372.8
Number of conductors 372.11
Size of conductors 372.10
Splices and taps 372.12
Uses not permitted 372.4
Cellular metal floor raceways
Art. 374
Ampacity of conductors 374.17
Connection to cabinets and extension from cells
374.11
Construction 374–II
Definitions 374.2
Discontinued outlets 374.7
Inserts 374.10
Installation 374–I
Junction boxes 374.9
Markers 374.8
Number of conductors 374.5
Size of conductors 374.4
Splices and taps 374.6
Uses not permitted 374.3
Chairlifts see Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts,
and stairway chairlifts
Child care facility
Definition 406.2
Tamper-resistant receptacles in
406.14
Churches Art. 518
Cinder fill
High density polyethylene conduit 353.10(3)
Intermediate or rigid metal conduits and electrical metallic tubing, in or under
342.10(C), 344.10(C)
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
354.10(3)
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(C)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.10(C)
Circuit breakers Art. 240; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Accessibility and grouping
404.8(A)
Circuits over 600 volts 490.21,
490.45, 490.46
Damp or wet locations, in 404.4
Definition 100–I, 100–II
Disconnection of grounded circuits 404.2(B),
514.11(A)
Enclosures 404.3
General 110.9, 240–I
Indicating 240.81, 404.7
Markings 240.83, 240.86(A)
Noninstantaneous trips 240.87
Overcurrent protection 230.208,
240–I, 240–VII
Generators 445.12
Motors 250.122(D), 430.52,
430.58, 430.110,
430.111, 430.225(C)(1)
Transformers 450.3
Communications circuits
Mobile homes 550.15(E),
550.16(A), 550.16(B)(3)
Clothing manufacturing plants
500.5(D), Art. 503, Art.
506; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations
CO/ALR
Receptacles 406.3(C)
Switches 404.14(C)
Collector rings 490.54, 675.11
Definition 675.2
Collectors, cranes and hoists
610.22
Color code
Branch circuits 210.5
Conductors 310.110, 504.80(C),
647.4(C)
Grounded conductor 200.6,
200.7, 400.22
Grounding conductor
250.119, 310.110(B),
400.23
Isolated power systems
517.160(A)(5)
Ungrounded 210.5(C),
215.12(C), 310.110(C)
Heating cables 424.35
Higher voltage to ground
Sensitive electronic equipment 647.4(C)
Service-entrance conductors
230.56
Photovoltaic system circuits
690.4(B)
Combustible dusts Art. 502; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Combustible gas detection systems 500.7(K), 505.8(I)
Definition 500.2, 505.2
Combustible-liquid produced
vapors see Hazardous
(classified) locations
Commercial garages see Garages,
commercial
Common grounding electrode
250.58
Common neutral
Feeders 215.4
Outside wiring 225.7(B)
Communications circuits Art.
800; see also Community antenna television
and radio distribution
(CATV) systems;
Premises-powered
broadband communication systems; Radio and
television equipment
Abandoned cables 800.25
Definition 800.2
Access to electrical equipment
800.21
Bonding 800.100(A),
800.100(D), 800.106(B)
Cable marking 800.179, Table
800.179
Cable routing assemblies
800.182
Cable substitution Table
800.154(b)
Conductors
70–887
Communications circuits
70–888
T
Hazardous (classified) locations,
sealing fittings
501.15(C)(6),
505.16(D)(5)
High density polyethylene conduit 353.22
Intermediate metal conduit
342.22
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit 350.22
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.22
Maximum permitted 300.17
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
354.100(D)
Outlet boxes, etc. 314.16
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.22
Remote control circuits 725.51
Rigid metal conduit 344.22
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.22
Signs 600.31(C)
Strut-type channel raceway
384.22
Surface raceways 386.22,
388.22
Theaters 520.6
Underfloor raceways 390.6
Wireways 376.22, 378.22
Conductors; see also Cords, flexible; Fixture wires
Aluminum, conductor material
250.120(B)
Aluminum, properties of Chap.
9, Table 8
Ampacities of 310.15, Tables
310.15(B)(16) through
310.15(B)(21), Tables
310.60(C)(69) through
310.60(C)(86),
B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Amusement attractions 522.20
through 522.24
Applications 310.104
Armored cable, Type AC see
Armored cable (Type
AC)
Bare see Bare conductors
Bending radius 300.34
Bonding see Bonding conductors
Boxes and fittings, junction
314.16, 314.17
Branch circuits Art. 210; see
also Branch circuits
Bundled, in theaters, etc.
Definition 520.2
Buried 310.10(F)
Busways see Busways
Cabinets and cutout boxes 312.5
through 312.7
Cablebus see Cablebus
Calculations, examples Annex D
Capacitors 460.8
Cellular concrete floor raceways
see Cellular concrete
floor raceways
AF
Cables 820.93, 820–IV
Equipment 820.103
Installation of cables and equipment 820–V
Locations 820.3, 820.44(A)(1),
820.93(D)
Marking 820.179, Table 820.179
Mechanical execution of work
820.24
Mobile homes 820.106
Premises community antenna
television (CATV) circuit 840.170(D)
Definition 840.2
Protection 820–III,
820.100(A)(6)
Raceways 820.133, 820.154
Unlisted cables entering buildings 820.48
Compressors, refrigeration Art.
440
Computer rooms see Information
technology equipment
Concealed
Definition 100–I
Knob-and-tube wiring see Knoband-tube wiring
Concentric knockouts see Knockouts
Concrete
Cellular concrete floor raceways
Art. 372
Electrodes encased in 250.50
Ex., 250.52(A)(3),
250.66(B), 250.68(A)
Ex.1, 250.70
Enclosures supported by embedment in 314.23(G)
Heating cables, installation in
concrete floors of
424.44
High density polyethylene conduit in 353.10
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.10(7)
Metal raceways and equipment
in 300.6(A)(3) and (B)
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
354.10(2)
Conductive surfaces, exposed
Definition 517.2
Conductor fill
Audio systems 640.23(A)
Auxiliary gutters 366.22
Boxes 314.16(B)(1) and (5)
Cable trays 392.22
Cellular concrete floor raceways
372.11
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.5
Control circuits 517.74(A)
Electrical metallic tubing 358.22
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
362.22
Elevators 620.32, 620.33
Fixture wire 402.7
Flexible metal conduit 348.22,
Table 348.22
Flexible metallic tubing 360.22
General installations 300.17
D
R
Overhead 800.44
Within buildings 800–V
Critical operations power systems 708.14
Definitions 800.2
Dwelling unit communications
outlets 800.156
Essential electrical systems
517.32(D), 517.42(D)
Grounding 800.93, 800–IV
Health care facilities 517.32(D),
517.42(D), 517–VI
Hybrid power and communications cables 800.179(I)
Installation 800–V
Lightning conductors 800.53
Listing of communications wires
and cables 800.113(A),
800.179
Listing of equipment 800.18,
800–VI
Mechanical execution of work
800.24
Mobile homes 800.106
Multifamily dwellings
800.113(K)
One- and two-family dwellings
800.113(L)
Protection 800–III
Devices 800.90
Grounding 800.100,
800.106(A)
Mobile homes, grounding and
bonding at 800.106
Primary protectors 800.50,
800.90, 800.100,
800.106, 800.170(A),
830.90
Secondary protectors
800.90(D), 800.170(B)
Raceways 800.133(A)(1),
800.154, 800.182
Types of cable 800.179
Underground circuits entering
buildings 800.47
Unlisted cables entering buildings 800.48
Communications equipment
Definition 100–I
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
(CATV) systems Art.
820; see also Radio and
television equipment
Access to electrical equipment
820.21
Cables
Abandoned coaxial 820.25
Definition 820.2
Aerial entrance 820.44
Within buildings 820–V
Coaxial
Definition 820.2
Entering buildings 820.47
Listing 820.113(A), 820.154,
820–VI
Outside 820.44
Types of 820.179
Underground 820.47
Definitions 820.2
Energy limitations 820.15
Grounding 820–IV
INDEX
Cellular metal floor raceways
see Cellular metal floor
raceways
Circuit
Communications Art. 800
Control, health care facilities
517.74
Fire alarm Art. 760
Less than 50 volts Art. 720
Over 600 volts Art. 490
Signal, remote-control,
power-limited Art. 725
Combinations Chap. 9, Table 1
Communications circuits 800–II,
800–V
Concealed knob-and-tube see
Knob-and-tube wiring
Conduit or tubing, number in
342.22, 344.22, 348.22,
Table 348.22, 350.22,
352.22, 353.22, 354.22,
356.22, 358.22, 360.22,
362.22, Chap. 9 Tables,
Annex C
Construction specifications 310–
III, Tables 310.104(A)
through 310.104(C)
Cooling of electric equipment
110.13(B)
Copper 110.5, 505.18(A),
760.49(C)
Ampacities Tables
310.15(B)(16) through
310.15(B)(21), Tables
310.60(C)(69) through
310.60(C)(86),
B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Properties Chap. 9, Table 8
Copper-clad aluminum
Definition 100–I
Equipment-grounding conductors 250.120(B)
Cords, flexible see Cords, flexible
Corrosive conditions see Corrosive conditions
Covered
Definition 100–I
Crane and hoists 610–II, 610–
III, 610.41
Damp locations 310.10(B) and
(C), Table 310.104(A)
Definitions 100–I
Deflection of see Deflection of
conductors
Different systems 300.3(C),
725.48
Dimensions of Chap. 9, Table 4
Dry locations 310.10(A) and
(B), Table 310.104(A)
Electrical metallic tubing see
Electrical metallic tubing
Electrical nonmetallic tubing see
Electrical nonmetallic
tubing
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks
620–II through 620–IV
Enclosure, grounding 250–IV
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
Conduit bodies
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Neutral see Neutral
Nonmetallic extensions see Nonmetallic extensions
Nonmetallic sheathed cable,
Types NM, NMC, and
NMS see Nonmetallicsheathed cable (Types
NM, NMC, and NMS)
Number of, in see Conductor fill
Organs 650.6, 650.7
Outdoor overhead conductors
over 600 volts Art. 399
Outlet boxes, temperature limits
410.21
Outside wiring Art. 225
Overcurrent protection 240.4
Cablebus conductors 370.5
Grounded conductors
230.90(B), 240.22
Service-entrance conductors
230.90, 230.91, 230.208
Overhead service see Overhead
service conductors
Over 600 volts Art. 490
Outdoor overhead conductors
Art. 399
Paralleled 250.30(A)(3),
250.102(C), 250.122(F),
300.5(I) Ex. 1, 300.20,
310.10(H), 392.20(C),
520.27(A)(2),
520.53(H)(2),
620.12(A)(1)
Pendant fixtures 410.54
Properties of Chap. 9, Table 8
Raceways, number of conductors in see Conductor
fill
Radio and television equipment
and antenna systems
810.4, Art. 820
Railway, power and light from
110.19
Recreational vehicle site feeder
circuit 551.73, 551.80
Definition 551.2
Remote-control circuits Art. 725
Rigid metal conduit see Rigid
metal conduit
Same circuit 300.5(I)
Selection of, examples Annex D
Service; see also Overhead service conductors;
Service-entrance cable
(Types SE and USE);
Service-entrance conductors
Definitions 100–I
Service-entrance see Serviceentrance conductors
Signal circuits Art. 725, Art.
760
Signs and outline lighting
600.31, 600.32, 600.33
Single 392.10(B)(1), 392.20(D),
392.22(B), 392.80
Sizes 110.6, 540.13, 810.16,
Table 810.16(A),
810.17, 810.53, Chap. 9,
Tables 5 and 5A; see
also subhead: Minimum
size
AF
Lighting systems operating at
30 volts or less
411.5(D)
Insulating materials 310.104
Insulation Art. 310
At bushings, 4 AWG and
larger 300.4(G),
312.6(C)
Construction and application
310.104
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620.11
Fire alarm systems 760.49(B)
Fixtures 410.52, 410.117(A)
Hazardous (classified) locations 501.20, 505.18(B)
Identification 310.110
Line-type fire detectors
760.179(J)
Marking 310.120
Motion picture projectors
540.14
Reinforced thermosetting
resin conduit 355.10(I)
Service conductors 230.22,
230.30, 230.41
Splices and joints 110.14(B),
400.9, 530.12(B),
590.4(G)
Switchboards 408.19
Theaters 520.42
Intrinsically safe 504.30, 504.50
Length in boxes 300.14
Length in surge protective devices 285.12
Lightning rods, spacing from
250.106 IN No. 2,
800.53, 820.44(E)(3)
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit see Liquidtight
flexible metal conduit
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit see Liquidtight
flexible nonmetallic
conduit
Material 310.106(B)
Metal-clad cable see Metal-clad
cable
Metal enclosures, spacing from
lightning rods 250.106
IN No. 2
Mineral-insulated metal-sheathed
cable see Mineralinsulated metal-sheathed
cable (Type MI)
Minimum size 230.31, 230.42,
310.106(A), 517.74(B),
620.12, 650.6(A), 660.9,
725.49(A), 760.49(A),
760.142, 810.17, 810.53
Motion picture projectors 540.13
Motor circuits 430.6, 430–II
Multioutlet assembly see Multioutlet assembly
Multiple 250.102(C),
250.122(F), 300.5(I) Ex.
1, 300.20, 310.10(H),
392.20(C),
520.27(A)(2),
620.12(A)(1),
690.4(B)(3)
D
R
Grounding electrode conductors 250.64(D),
250.64(E)
Equipment grounding see Equipment grounding conductors
Feeder Art. 215
Fire alarm systems 760.48,
760.49, 760.130
Fixture wires Art. 402
In free air Tables 310.15(B)(17),
310.15(B)(19),
310.15(B)(21)
Gauges (AWG), general provisions 110.6
General wiring Art. 310
Generators, size 445.13
Grounded
Alternating current systems
250.24, 250.26
Identification 200.6, 200.7,
210.5(A)
Change in size 240.23
Continuity of 300.13(B)
Definition 100–I
Different systems 200.6(D)
Electrode-type boilers, over
600 volts 490.72(E)
Flat conductors, nonmetallic
extensions 382.104(B)
Fuses in 430.36
Minimum rating and size
215.2(A)(2)
Motor controllers 430.85
Overcurrent protection
230.90(B), 240.22
Panelboards, termination in
408.41
Separately derived systems
250.30(A)
Services
Disconnection of 230.70,
230.75
Overcurrent protection
230.90(B)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.5(A)
Switches, disconnection
404.2(B)
Use and identification Art.
200
Grounded power systems in
anesthetizing locations
517.63
Grounding see Grounding conductors
Grounding electrode see
Grounding electrode
conductors
Grouped
Definition 520.2
Identification 310.110
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment, ampacity of
supply 665.10
Industrial control panels 409.20
Installation 310–II
Other systems, with 300.8
Insulated
Definition 100–I
Spliced 230.33, 230.46
Stranded 310.106(C), Chap.9,
Table 10
Support of, in vertical raceways
300.19
Surface raceway see Strut-type
channel raceway; Surface metal raceways;
Surface nonmetallic
raceways
Switchboards and panelboards
408.3(A), 408.19
Temperature, limitations of
310.15(A)(3),
338.10(B)(3)
Theaters, portable stage equipment 520.68
Tunnels 110.53, 110.54
Underfloor raceway see Underfloor raceways
Underground feeder and branchcircuit cable see Underground feeder and
branch-circuit cable
(Type UF)
Underground service
Definition 100–I
Ungrounded
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment 424.99(C)(5)
Flat conductors, nonmetallic
extensions 382.104(A)
Grounding separately derived
systems 250.30(B)
Identification 210.5(C),
215.12(C)
Insulated fittings 300.4(G)
Lampholders 410.93
Multiple branch circuits 210.7
Overcurrent protection 240.15
Services 230.90(A)
Tapped from grounded system 210.10
Welders, electric
Ampacity of supply 630.11,
630.31
Overcurrent protection
630.12(B), 630.32(B)
Wet locations 225.4, 310.10(C),
Table 310.104(A)
Wireways see Wireways, metal;
Wireways, nonmetallic
X-ray equipment 517–V, 660.6
through 660.9
Conduit bodies; see also Boxes
(outlet, device, pull, and
junction)
Definition 100–I
Marking 314.44
Number of conductors
314.16(C)
Over 600 volts 314–IV
Pull and junction box 314.28
Short radius 314.16(C)(3)
Support of
Cable trays 392.18(G)
By reinforcing thermosetting
resin conduit 355.10(H)
By rigid nonmetallic conduit
352.10(H)
70–889
Conduit fill
INDEX
70–890
T
Raceways and cables 300.10,
300.12
Conductors 300.13
Grounded conductor of
multiwire circuits
300.13(B)
Wireways 376.100(A)
Continuous duty
Definition 100–I
Motors see Motors, Continuous
duty
Continuous industrial processes
Coordination, electrical system
240.12
Ground-fault protection 230.95
Ex.
Orderly shutdown 430.44
Power loss hazard 240.4(A)
Continuous load
Applications 210.19(A),
210.20(A), 215.2(A)
Definition 100–I
Control; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Remote
Circuits see Remote-control,
signaling, and powerlimited circuits
Of induction and dielectric
heating equipment 665.7
X-ray equipment 517–V, 660–II
Control centers
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Guarding live parts 110.27
Headroom 110.26(E), 110.32
Illumination at 110.26(D),
110.34(D)
Motor 430–VIII
Definition 100–I
Working spaces about 110.26
Working space 110.26, 110.32
through 110.34
Control circuits 430–VI
Amusement attractions 522–II,
522–III
Definition 409.2, 430.2, 522.2
Control drawing 504.10(A)
Definition 500.2, 504.2
Controllers; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations
Agricultural buildings 547.6
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment 440.5,
440–V
Cases, grounding 250.112(D)
Charge controllers
Definition 690.2, 694.2
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.4(D), 690.35(G),
690.72
Definition 100–I
Diversion load controllers
694.7(C), 694.75(B)(2)
Definition 694.2
Enclosures, grounding
250.112(D)
Motion
Definition 620.2
Motor 430–VII
Definition 620.2
Disconnecting means 430.75,
430–IX, 430.227
AF
Switches 404.2
Temperature limitations
110.14(C), 110.40
Terminals, general provisions
110.14(A)
X-ray installations 517.71
Connectors
Armored cable 320.40
Boxes 314.17
Breakout assembly
Definition 520.2
Cabinets and cutout boxes
312.5(C)
Cable
Definition 324.2
Theater 520.67
Connector strip 520.44, 520.46
Definition 520.2
Electrical metallic tubing 358.42
Electric vehicle 625.19
Definition 625.2
Flexible metal conduit 348.42
Intermediate metal conduit
342.42
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit 350.42
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.42
Pressure (solderless) 250.8(3),
250.70
Definition 100–I
Rigid metal conduit 344.42
Single-pole separable 520.53(K),
530.22
Definition 530.2
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.33
Constant-voltage generators Art.
445
Overcurrent protection for
445.12(A)
Construction, closed
Definition 545.2
Construction, types of Annex E
Construction sites
Assured equipment grounding
conductor program
590.6(B)(2)
Extension cord sets 590.6(A)
and (B)(2)
Ground-fault circuit interrupter,
protection for 590.6(A)
and (B)(1)
Continuity
Electrical
Cable trays 392.60(A)
Equipment grounding conductors 250.124
Grounded conductors
200.2(B)
Gutters, auxiliary 366.100(A)
Metal raceways and cables
250.96, 250.97, 300.10
Service equipment
250.92(B), 250.94
Wireways 376.100(A)
Grounding, metal boxes,
grounding-type receptacles 250.148
Mechanical
Gutters, auxiliary 366.100(A)
D
R
Conduit fill; see also Conductor
fill
Equipment grounding conductors Chap. 9, Note 3
Grounding conductor
310.15(B)(6)
Conduit nipples Chap. 9, Note 4
Conduits
Boxes supporting 314.23(H)(2)
Circuits, physical protection of
remote control
725.31(B)
Conductors, number in Chap. 9,
Table 1, Annex C,
Tables C1 through
C12(A)
Dimensions Chap. 9, Table 4
Electrical metallic tubing see
Electrical metallic tubing
Electrical nonmetallic tubing see
Electrical nonmetallic
tubing
Flexible metal see Flexible
metal conduit
High density polyethylene conduit (Type HDPE) see
High density polyethylene conduit (Type
HDPE)
Intermediate metal see Intermediate metal conduit
Liquidtight flexible metal see
Liquidtight flexible
metal conduit
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
see Liquidtight flexible
nonmetallic conduit
Metallic, grounding runs 7.5 m
(25 ft) 250.86 Ex.1
Number of fixture wires in
402.7
Outside wiring 225.10
Rigid metal see Rigid metal
conduit
Rigid polyvinyl chloride see
Rigid polyvinyl chloride
conduit
Connections
Aluminum, copper conductors
110.14
Busways 368.238
Cellular metal floor raceways to
cabinets and extensions
374.11
Essential electrical systems
517.34, 517.42, 517.43,
517.45
Fuel cell systems to other circuits 692–VII
Grounding conductor 250–III,
250–VI
High-impedance grounded neutral system 250.186(C)
Integrity of 110.12(B)
Multiple circuit see Multiple
circuit connections,
grounding
Point of interconnected power
production sources
705.12
Splices 110.14(B)
Electrically operated pool
covers 680.27(B)(1)
Hazardous (classified) locations 501.115, 502.115,
503.115
Marking 430.8
Tunnels 110.55
Operation
Definition 620.2
Ratings 430.83
Resistors and reactors see Resistors and reactors
Control panels; see also Industrial
control panels
Working space 110.26
Control room
Branch circuits, lighting and
receptacles 620.23
Definition 620.2
Wiring 620.21(A)(3)
Control space
Branch circuits, lighting and
receptacles 620.23
Definition 620.2
Wiring 620.21(A)(3)
Control system
Definition 620.2
Convenience outlets see Receptacles
Conversion table, AC conductor
resistances and reactances Chap. 9, Table 9
Converters
Definition 551.2
Phase see Phase converters
Recreational vehicle
Definition 551.2
Cooking unit, counter-mounted;
see also Ovens, wallmounted; Ranges
Branch circuits 210.19(A)(3),
210.23(C), 220.55
Definition 100–I
Feeders, calculation of load
220.82(B)(3)
Grounding 250.140
Cooling of equipment 110.13(B)
Coordination, electrical systems
240.12
Definition 100–I
Feeders 240.100(C), 517.17(B)
Overcurrent protective devices
Emergency systems 700.27
Legally required standby systems 701.27
Copper-clad aluminum conductors see Conductors,
copper-clad aluminum
Copper conductors see Conductors, copper
Cord connectors 626.25(B)(5)
Definition 626.2
Cords; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Electric-discharge luminaires
410.62(C)(1)
Flexible Art. 400, 422.16,
422.43
Air conditioner 440.64
Ampacities Table 400.5
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Cranes Art. 610; see also Hoists
Conductors 610–II, 610–III
Control 610–VI
Disconnecting means 430.112
Ex., 610–IV
Electrolytic cells 668.32
Flexible cords 400.7(A)(5)
Grounding 250.22(1),
250.112(E), 250.116(1),
610–VII
Hazardous (classified) locations
503.155, 610.3(A)
Marinas and boatyards 555.23
Motors and controllers, disconnecting means 430.112
Ex.
Overcurrent protection 610–V,
610.53
Critical branch 517.33, 517.43
Definition 517.2
Critical care areas 517.19,
517.45(C)
Definition 517.2
Critical operations data system
645.10(B)
Definition 645.2
Critical operations power systems Art.708, Annex F
Availability and reliability for
Annex F–I
Circuit wiring and equipment
708–II
Commissioning 708.8
Definition 708.2
Definitions 708.2
Development and implementation of functional performance tests (FPTs)
Annex F–II
Emergency operations plan
708.64
Grounding 708.20(C)
Overcurrent protection 708–IV
Physical security 708.5
Power sources and connection
708–III
Risk assessment 708.4
System performance and analysis 708–V
Testing and maintenance 708.6,
708.8
Cross sectional areas
Conductors Chap. 9, Tables 5
through 8
Conduits Chap. 9, Table 4
Current-carrying capacities see
Ampacities
Current-limiting devices; see also
Circuit breakers; Fuses
Definition 240.2
Curtain machines, theaters
520.48
Cutout bases see Fuseholders
Cutout boxes; see also Cabinets,
cutout boxes, and meter
socket enclosures
Definition 100–I
Cutting tables, motion picture
530–IV
AF
Correction factors, ambient temperature Tables
B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10),
Tables 310.15(B)(16)
through 310.15(B)(20)
Corrosion protection see Protection, corrosion
Corrosive conditions
Agricultural buildings, wiring in
547.5(C)(3)
Armored cable 320.12(4)
Bushing 430.13
Cablebus 370.3
Conductors and conductor insulation 300.6, 310.10(G),
505.18(B)
High density polyethylene
conduit 353.10(2)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit 352.10(B)
Deteriorating agents 110.11
Flat cable assemblies 322.12(1)
Flat conductor cable 324.12(2),
324.101
Luminaires installed in
410.10(B)
Nonmetallic wireways 378.10(2)
Open wiring on insulators
398.15(B)
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(B)
Surface metal raceways
386.12(3)
Countertops, outlets 210.52(C),
406.5(E)
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
210.8(A)(6)
Couplings
Electrical metallic tubing 358.42
Intermediate metal conduit
342.42
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.42
Rigid metal conduit 344.42
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, expansion fittings
352.44
Running threads at 342.42(B),
344.42(B)
Threaded and threadless
250.92(B)
Cove lighting, space for 410.18
Covers
Auxiliary gutters 366.100(D)
Boxes and fittings 314.25,
314.28(C), 314.41,
314.42, 314.72(E)
Cable 650.6(D)
Cable trays 392.18(C)
Faceplates see Faceplates
Luminaires fixtures, outlet boxes
for 410.22, 410.23
Pool cover, electrically operated
680.27(B)
Definition 680.2
Strut-type channel raceways
384.100(C)
Wireways 376.2, 376.56(B)(4),
376.100(D), 378.2
D
R
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment
grouping conductors
640.8, 640.42, 640.45
Bending radii, minimum
400.34
Construction specifications
400–II
Emergency systems 700.12(F)
Equipment grounding conductors
Identification 400.23
Over 600 volts 400.31(B),
400.32, 400.33
Size of 250.122(E)
Fittings 400.35
Hazardous (classified) locations 505.17, 506.17
Identified conductors within
200.6(C), 250.119(C),
400.22, 400.23
Insulation Table 400.4,
400.21(B)
Labels 400.20
Lampholders, insulating bushings 410.62(A)
Manufactured wiring systems
604.6(A)(3)
Marking 400.6
Motion picture projectors
540.15
Office furnishing 605.8(A)
Outlets
Covers 314.25(C)
Required 210.50(B)
Overcurrent protection 240.5,
400.13
Over 600 volts 400–III
Power-limited and signal circuits, remote-control
725.49(A)
Pull at joints and terminals
400.10
Repair of, hard service 400.9
Showcases, wall cases 410.59
Small wind electric systems
694.30(B)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.31(C)
Splices and taps 400.9,
400.36, 530.12(A) and
(B)
Construction sites 590.4(G)
Swimming pools, fountains,
and similar installations
680.7, 680.21(A)(5),
680.23(B)(3),
680.42(A), 680.55(B),
680.56
Types 400.4, Table 400.4
Uses not permitted 400.8
Uses permitted 400.7
Heater Table 400.4, 422.43(A)
Tinsel
Overcurrent protection 400.13
Types Table 400.4
Cord sets see Extension cord sets
Delta-connected
-DDampers (flue), control
Fixed stage equipment, smoke
ventilator control 520.49
Ventilating openings, transformer vaults 450.45(E)
Damp or wet locations 110.11;
see also Wet locations
Agricultural buildings
547.5(C)(2)
Boxes and fittings 314.15
Busways 368.12(D)
Cabinets and cutout boxes 312.2
Cablebus 370.3
Conductors, types 310.10(B),
310.10(C), Table
310.104(A)
Definition 100–I
Electric signs and outline lighting 600.42(G)(2),
600.42(H)(2)
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment 424.12(B)
Lampholders 410.96
Luminaires 410.10(A)
Open wiring 398.15(B)
Overcurrent protection, enclosure 240.32
Panelboards 408.37
Receptacles 406.9
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(E)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.10(D) and (E)
Switchboards 408.16
Switches 404.4
Dance halls Art. 518
Data processing systems see Information technology
equipment
DC systems 250–VIII
Grounding 250.162, 250.164
Luminaires, installation of
410.134
Dead ends
Busways 368.58
Cablebus 370.7(2)
Flat cable assemblies 322.40(A)
Wireways 376.58, 378.58
Dead front
Definition 100–I, 551.2
Instruments, meters, and relays
on 250.174(B)
Recreational vehicles 551.2,
551.45(C)
Stage switchboards 520.21
Working spaces about
110.26(A)(1)
Decks, receptacles for
210.52(E)(3)
Definitions Art. 100
Deflection of conductors
Auxiliary gutters 366.58(A)
Cabinets and cutout boxes 312.6
Deicing installations see Fixed
outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment
Delta breakers 408.36(C)
Delta-connected
Grounding separately derived
systems 250.30(A)(3)
70–891
Delta-connected
INDEX
70–892
T
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
354.10(1)
Over 600 volts 300.50
Premises-powered broadband
communication, optical
fiber cables for
840.47(B)
Rigid metal conduit Table 300.5,
344.10(A)(2), 344.10(B)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
300.50(C), 352.10(G)
Bulk storage plants 515.8
Service stations 514.8 Ex. 2
Underground feeder and branchcircuit cable 340.10(1)
Underground service cable
230.30 Ex., Table 300.5,
310.10(F)
Disconnecting means
Agricultural buildings 547.9
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment 440–II,
440.63
Appliances 422–III
Branch circuits, multiwire
210.4(B)
Capacitors 460.8(C)
Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and
similar events
525.21(A)
Cranes 430.112 Ex., 610–IV
Definitions 100–I, 100–II, 551.2
Electric deicing, snow-melting
equipment 426.50
Electric pipeline, vessel heating
equipment 427.55
Electric space heating equipment
424–III
Electric vehicle charging system
equipment 625.23
Electrolytic cells 668.13
Electroplating systems 669.8
Elevators 620–VI, 620.91(C)
Fire pumps 695.4(B)
Fixed electric heating equipment
for pipelines and vessels
427.55
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment 426.50
Fuel cell systems see Fuel cell
systems
Fuses 240.40
Generators 445.18
Identification 110.22, 230.70(B),
620.51(D)
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665.12
Industrial control panels 409.30
Industrial machinery 670.4(B)
Information technology equipment 645.4(1), 645.10
Interconnected electric power
production sources
705.20 through 705.22
Irrigation machines 675.8
Luminaires 410.130(G),
410.141(A)
Marinas and boatyards 555.17
Mobile homes 550.11
AF
Park trailers, receptacles and
attachment plugs Fig.
552.44(C)
Recreational vehicles, receptacles and attachment
plugs Fig. 551.46(C)
Remote control, signaling, and
power limited circuits,
Class 2 and 3 circuits
Fig. 725.121
Services Fig. 230.1
Solar photovoltaic systems,
identification of components Fig. 690.1(A) and
(B)
Spray application, dipping, and
coating Figs.
516.3(C)(1), (C)(2),
(C)(4), and (C)(5)
Swimming pools, clearance
from pool structures
Fig. 680.8
Dielectric heating; see also Induction and dielectric heating equipment
Definition 665.2
Different systems, conductors in
same enclosure
300.3(C), 725.48,
725.136(B), 760.48,
760.136, 800.47(A),
800.133(A), 810.18(C),
820.133(A)
Dimensions
Conductors Chap. 9, Tables 5
through 8
Conduits and tubing Chap. 9,
Table 4
Dimmers
Emergency lighting circuits
700.23
Solid-state-type 520.25(D),
520.53(F)(1)
Definition 520.2
Stage switchboard 520.25,
520.53(E), 520.53(F)(1)
Switch 404.9(B), 404.14(E); see
also Snap switches
Dining areas, essential electrical
systems 517.42(E)
Dip tanks Art. 516
Direct burial
Ampacities, modification of Fig.
310.60, 310.60(C)(2),
Table 310.60(C)(81)
through 310.60(C)(85)
Corrosion protection
Aluminum metal equipment
300.6(B)
Ferrous metal equipment
300.6(A)(3)
Grounding conductor connection
250.68(A) Ex. 1, 250.70
High density polyethylene conduit 353.10
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit 350.10(3), 350.120
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.10(4),
356.10(7)
Metal-clad cable 330.10(A)(5)
D
R
Identifying high-leg, 3-phase
supply, 4-wire 110.15,
230.56, 408.3(E),
408.3(F), 409.102
Demand factor; see also Loads
Definition 100–I
Detached buildings, oil-insulated
transformers in 450.26
Ex. 5
Detearing equipment, electrostatic 516.4(E)
Deteriorating agents 110.11
Device; see also Receptacles;
Switches
Definition 100–I
Device or equipment fill for
boxes 314.16(B)(4)
Diagnostic equipment 517.73(A)
Diagrams
Adjustable speed drive control
Fig. D.10
Autotransformer overcurrent
protection Fig. 450.4
Cable installation dimensions,
underground Fig. 310.60
for use with Tables
310.60(C)(77) through
310.60(C)(86), Figs.
B.310.15(B)(2)(2)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(5) for
use with Tables
B.310.15(B)(2)(5)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Cable substitution hierarchy
Communications systems Fig.
800.154
Community antenna TV and
radio distribution systems Fig. 820.154
Fire alarm systems Fig.
760.154(D)
Optical fiber cables Fig.
770.154
Remote control, signaling,
and power limited circuits Fig. 725.154(G)
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, etc.
Control system Fig. 620.2
Single line diagram Fig.
620.13
Feeders 215.5
Generator field control Fig. D.9
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Class I, Zones 0, 1, and
2, marking 505.9(C)(2)
Hazardous (classified) locations
adjacent to dispensers
Fig. 514.3
Luminaires, closet storage space
Fig. 410.2
Marine terminal handling flammable liquids Fig. 515.3
Mobile homes, receptacle and
attachment plug Fig.
550.10(C)
Motor feeder and branch circuits
Fig. 430.1
Motors and controllers 430.75,
430.95, 430–IX,
430.128, 430.227
Naturally and artificially made
bodies of water, electrical equipment for
682.14
Outside branch circuits and
feeders 225.31, 225.51,
225.52
Over 600 volts, mobile and portable equipment
490.51(D)
Parking space 626.22(D),
626.24(C), 626.31(A)
Definition 626.2
Phase converters 455.8, 455.20
Pools, spas, and hot tubs 680.12
Portable equipment 517.17(C)
Receptacles, cord connectors
and attachment plugs
(caps) 422.33, 440.63
Recreational vehicle parks
551.77(B)
Recreational vehicles 551.45(C)
Sensitive electronic equipment,
lighting equipment
647.8(A)
Separate building on same premises 250.32(D)
Services 230–VI, 250.64(D)
Connections, ahead of 230.82
Over 600 volts 225.51,
225.52, 230.205,
230.206
Shore power connections 555.17
Signs and outline lighting 600.6
Small wind electric systems
694–III, 694.70(F)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.4(G), 690.6(C),
690–III, 690.35(A),
690.56, 690.71(E),
690.71(F)
Standby systems, optional
702.12
Storage batteries 480.5
Temporary circuits 590.4(E)
Tunnels 110.58
Welders 630.13, 630.33
X-ray equipment 517.72, 660.5,
660.24
Discontinued outlets see Outlets,
discontinued
Dissimilar metals see Metals,
dissimilar
Distribution panelboards see
Panelboards
Distribution point 547.9
Definition 547.2
Diversion load 694.75(B)(2)
Definition 694.2
Diversion load controller
694.7(C), 694.75(B)(2)
Definition 694.2
Doors, transformer vaults 450.43
Double insulated
Appliances and tools 250.114
Ex., 422.16(B)(1) Ex.,
422.16(B)(2) Ex.
Pool pumps 680.21(B), 680.31
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
T
Listing 358.6
Marking 358.120
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C.1 and C.1(A)
Number of conductors in 358.22
Reaming and threading 358.28
Securing and supporting 358.30
Size 358.20
Splices and taps 358.56
Uses not permitted 358.12
Uses permitted 358.10
Wet locations, in 358.10(C)
Electrical noise 647.3; see also
Sensitive electronic
equipment
Grounding 250.96(B),
250.146(D)
Receptacles 406.3(D)
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
(Type ENT) Art. 362
Bends 362.24, 362.26
Bushings 362.46
Construction specifications 362–
III
Definition 362.2
Grounding 362.60
Installation 362–II
Joints 362.48
Listing 362.6
Marking 362.120
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C.2 and C.2(A)
Number of conductors in 362.22
Securing and supporting 362.30
Size 362.20
Splices and taps 362.56
Through metal framing members
300.4(B)
Trimming 362.28
Uses not permitted 362.12
Uses permitted 362.10
Electric discharge lighting
Connection of luminaires
410.24, 410.62(C)
Definition 600.2
Hazardous (classified) Class I
locations 501.130(B)(6)
Lamp auxiliary equipment
410.104
Marking 410.146
More than 1000 volts 410–XIII
Signs and outline lighting Art.
600
1000 volts or less 410–XII
Wiring, equipment 410.130(A),
410–XIII
Electric heating equipment, fixed
see Fixed electric heating equipment for pipelines and vessels; Fixed
electric space-heating
equipment; Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment
Electric power production and
distribution network
Definition 100–I, 690.2
AF
Dust-ignitionproof 500.7(B),
502.15, 506.8(A)
Definition 500.2, 506.2
Dusts see Hazardous (classified)
locations
Dusttight 500.7(C), 506.8(D)
Definition 100–I, 500.2, 506.2
Duty, types
Definitions 100–I
Duty cycle, welding 630.31(B) IN
Dwellings; see also Appliances;
Boxes; Grounding; and
similar general categories
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection 210.12
Branch-circuit voltages 210.6(A)
Definitions 100–I
Farm, services 220.102(A),
220.103
Feeders
Load, calculations for
220.14(J), 220.16(A),
220.82 through 220.85,
Annex D
Minimum rating and size
215.2(A)(4)
Lighting loads for Table 220.12
Lighting outlets required
210.70(A)
Luminaires 410.135,
410.140(B); see also
Luminaires
Panelboards as services
408.3(C), 408.36 Ex. 3
Receptacle circuits required
210.11
Receptacle outlets required
210.52, 680.22(A)
Protection by ground-fault
circuit interrupters
210.8(A)
Swimming pools
680.22(A)(3)
Receptacles, tamper-resistant
406.12
D
R
Double locknuts see Locknuts,
double, required
Drainage
Busways 368.236
Equipment 501.15(F), 505.16(E)
Oil-insulated outdoor transformers 450.27
Raceways see Raceways, drainage
Transformer vaults 450.46
Dressing rooms
Motion picture studios 530–III
Theaters 520–VI
Drip loops
Conductors entering buildings
230.24(B)(1), 230.52,
230.54(F), 398.15(B)
Service heads 230.54(F)
Driveways
Clearance of conductors 225.18
Overhead service conductors
230.24(B)
Drop see Service drops; Voltage
and volts, drop
Dryers, clothes see Clothes dryers
Dry location 110.11; see also
Damp or wet locations
Conductors, types 310.10(A)
and (B), Table
310.104(A)
Definition 100–I
Electric signs and outline lighting 600.42(H)(1)
Portable or mobile 600.10(D)
Nonmetallic extensions
382.10(B)
Open wiring 398.15(A)
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(E)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.10(E)
Surface raceways 386.10(1),
388.10(1)
Switchboards 408.20
Dry-type transformers 450.1 Ex.
2, 450.8(B), 450.21,
450.22
Dual-voltage motor, locked-rotor
rating 430.7(B)(3)
Duct heaters, installation of
424–VI
Ducts
Electrical 310.60(C)(3), Tables
310.60(C)(77) through
310.60(C)(80), Fig.
310.60, B.310.15(B)(4)
Definition 310.2, 310.60(A)
Luminaires in 410.10(C)
Wiring in 300.21, 300.22,
725.3(C), 760.3(B),
770.26, 800.113(B),
Table 800.154(a),
800.179(A), 800.182(A),
820.26, 820.113(B),
Table 820.154(a),
820.179(A), 830.113(B),
Table 830.154(a),
830.179(B)(1)
Dumbwaiters see Elevators,
dumbwaiters, escalators,
moving walks, platform
lifts, and stairway chairlifts
-E-
Eccentric knockouts see Knockouts
Elbows, metal, protection from
corrosion 300.6
Electrical datum plane 555.23,
682.10 to 682.12,
682.14(B), 682.15
Definition 555.2, 682.2
Electrical ducts see Ducts
Electrical life support equipment
Definition 517.2
Electrically operated pool covers
see Covers
Electrical metallic tubing (Type
EMT) Art. 358
Bends 358.24, 358.26
Connectors and couplings
358.42
Construction specifications 358–
III
Definition 358.2
Grounding 358.60
Installation 358–II
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Electrodes, grounding
Electric power production
sources see Generators;
Interconnected electric
power production
sources; Solar photovoltaic systems; Wind electric systems, small
Electric signs see Signs, electric
Electric vehicle charging system
equipment Art. 625
Automatic de-energization
625.19
Cable Table 400.4, 625.17
Coupler 625.9
Coupling method 625.16
Definitions 625.2
Disconnecting means 625.23
Hazardous (classified) locations
625.28
Interactive system 625.26
Listed 625.5
Marking 625.15
Primary source, loss of 625.25
Protection and control 625–IV
Rating 625.14
Supply equipment 625.13
Construction 625–III
Definition 625.2
Interlock 625.18
Locations 625–V
Markings 625.15
Ventilation not required
625.29(C)
Ventilation required 625.29(D),
Table 625.29(D)
Voltages 625.4
Wiring methods 625–II
Electric vehicles
Definition 625.2
Electric welders see Welders,
electric
Electrified truck parking space
equipment Art. 626
Definitions 626.2
General requirements 626.4
Supply equipment 626–III
Transport refrigerated unit
(TRU) 626–IV
Wiring systems 626–II, 626.22
Definition 626.2
Electrodes, grounding 250.64(F);
see also Grounding
electrode conductors
Aluminum 250.52(B)(2)
Common 250.58
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.106
Concrete-encased 250.50 Ex.,
250.52(A)(3),
250.66(B), 250.68(A)
Ex.1, 250.70
Definition 100–I
Fuel cell systems 692.47
Gas piping as 250.52(B)(1)
Intrinsically safe apparatus
504.50(C)
Made 250.50, 250.52
Metal frame of building as
250.30(A)(4),
250.30(A)(8),
250.52(A)(2), 250.68(C)
70–893
Electrodes, grounding
INDEX
70–894
T
High-intensity discharge lamp
auxiliary equipment
410.104(A)
Indoor use, for Table 110.28
Induction and dielectric heating
665.20
Industrial control panels 409.100
Installations over 600 volts
110.31
Intrinsically safe systems
504.30(A)(2), 504.50(A)
Outdoor use, for Table 110.28
Overcurrent protection
230.208(B), 240–III,
312.8
Panelboards 408.38
Radio equipment 810.71(A)
Signs 600.8, 600.42(H)
Switches 312.8, 404.3, 404.12,
404.18, 450.8(C)
Types 110.28
Underground see Underground
enclosures
Energized
Definition 100–I
Energized parts; see also Live
parts
Motors, motor circuits, and controllers 430–XII
Energy-limited, Class 2 and
Class 3 control and
signal circuits
725.121(A)(4)
Enforcement of Code 90.4, 510.2,
Annex H
Engineering supervision see Supervision, engineering
Entertainment devices
Definition 522.2
Equipment; see also specific types
of equipment
Approval 90.4, 110.2, Annex H
80.19
Cooling of 110.13(B)
Definition 100–I, 500.2
Examination of 90.7, 110.3
Grounding 250–VI
Installation, general provisions
Art. 110
Less than 50 volts Art. 720
More than 600 volts Art. 490
Mounting see Mounting of
equipment
Sealable see Sealable equipment
Service
Definition 100–I
Signal
Definition 620.2
Equipment bonding jumpers see
Jumpers, bonding
Equipment grounding conductor
fill and boxes
314.16(B)(5)
Equipment grounding conductors
Armored cable (Type AC) as
320.108
Cable trays as 392.10(B)(1),
392.60
Capacitor cases connected to
460.10, 460.27
Carnivals, circuses, fairs, equipment at 525.30, 525.31
AF
Overcurrent protection 620–VII
Voltage limitations 620.3
Wiring 620–III
Working clearances 620.5
Emergency systems Art. 700; see
also Legally required
standby systems; Optional standby systems
Capacity 700.4
Circuits for lighting and power
700–IV, 700–V
Circuit wiring 700–II
Connections at services 230.82
Control 700–V
Definitions 517.2, 700.2
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620–X
Health care facilities
517.30(B)(2),
517.30(C)(3), 517.31
Overcurrent protection 700–VI
Service disconnecting means
230.72(B)
Services 230.2(A)
Signals 700.6
Signs 700.7
Grounding 700.7(B)
Sources of power 700–III
Tests and maintenance 700.3
Transfer equipment 700.5
Unit equipment 700.12(F)
Wiring 700.10
Enamel, coating of
General equipment, indoor use
only 300.6(A)(1)
Metal boxes 314.40(A)
Metal cabinets 312.10(A)
Removing for grounding connections 250.96(A)
Rigid metal conduit
344.10(A)(4)
Enclosed
Definition 100–I
Enclosures; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations
Arcing parts 110.18
Bonding 250.96, 250.146
Busways 368.237
Cabinets and cutout boxes 312.7
through 312.9,
312.11(D)
Circuits in, number of 90.8(B)
Cranes, hoists, resistors
610.3(B)
Definition 100–I
Electrolytic cells 668.40
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620.4,
620–VIII
Grounding 250.64(D),
250.64(E), 250–IV
Handhole enclosures 314.29,
314.30, 314–IV
Definition 100–I
Hazardous (classified) locations;
see also subhead under
entries for specific hazardous location involved
D
R
Metal water piping system
250.30(A)(4),
250.30(A)(8),
250.52(A)(1), 250.68(C)
Premises-powered broadband
communications systems
840.106(A)
Separately derived systems
250.30(A)(4),
250.30(B)(2), 250.30(C)
System installation 250.53
Electrolytic cells Art. 668
Auxiliary nonelectric connections 668.31
Cell line conductors 668.12
Cell line working zone 668.10
Definition 668.2
Cranes and hoists 668.32
DC cell line process power supply 668.11
Definitions 668.2
Disconnecting means 668.13
Enclosures 668.40
Fixed electrical equipment
668.30
Grounding 668.15
Portable electrical equipment
668.20, 668.21, 668.30
Shunting means 668.14
Electronically actuated fuse
Definition 100–II
Electronic computer/data processing equipment see
Information technology
equipment
Electronic equipment
Definition 500.2
Electroplating systems Art. 669
Branch-circuit conductors 669.5
Disconnecting means 669.8
Overcurrent protection 669.9
Warning signs 669.7
Wiring methods 669.6
Electrostatic equipment, spraying
and detearing paint
516.4(E), 516.10
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and
stairway chairlifts Art.
620
Cables
Flexible Table 400.4,
400.7(A)(4), 620.21
Traveling 620.11(B),
620.12(A), 620–V
Clearances, working 620.5
Conductors 620–II through
620–IV
Definitions 620.2
Disconnecting means and control 620–VI, 620.91(C)
Emergency and standby power
systems 620–X
Essential electrical systems
517.32(G), 517.42(G)
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
620.85
Grounding 250.112(E), 250.116,
250.136, 620–IX
Live parts 620.4
Machine room 620–VIII
Connections at outlets 250.146,
250.148, 400.33
Definition 100–I
Earth as 250.4(A)(5), 250.54
Enclosures 250–IV
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment 426.44
Flat conductors nonmetallic extensions 382.104
Floating buildings 553.8(C),
553.10
Fuel cell systems 692.44, 692.45
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.30(B), 502.30(B),
503.30(B), 506.25(B)
Health care facilities 517.19(D),
517.19(F)
Identification 250.119, 400.23
Information technology equipment 645.15
Installation 215.6, 250.120,
250.130
Intrinsically safe apparatus connected to 504.50(A)
Luminaires 410.42, 410.44,
410.46
Messenger-supported wiring
396.30(C)
Metal-clad cable (Type MC) as
330.108
Mineral-insulated metal-sheathed
cable (Type MI) as
332.108
Motor control centers 430.96
Motor terminal housings
430.12(E)
Nonmetallic sheathed (Type
NMS) cable as 334.108
Objectionable current over 250.6
Panelboards 408.40
Parallel 310.10(H)(5)
Park trailers, interior equipment
552.56(B)
Patient care areas, equipment in
517.13(B)
Portable cables over 600 volts
400.31(B), 400.32,
400.33
Receptacles and cord connectors
406.3(D)(1), 406.4,
406.10
Resistor and reactor
cases/enclosures connected to 470.19
Signs and outline lighting
600.7(A)
Sizing 250.122, 250.190(C)(3),
310.13
Small wind electric systems
694.40
Snap switches, general-use
404.9(B)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.43 through 690.46
Spas and tubs 680.7(B)
Swimming pools 680.7(B),
680.23(B)(3),
680.23(F)(2)
Switchboard, stage 520.51,
520.53(H)(2)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
-F-
Faceplates
Grounding 404.9(B), 406.6(B),
550.15(D)
Material 404.9(C), 406.6
Minimum thicknesses for
404.9(C), 406.6
Mobile homes 550.15(D)
Mounting surfaces, against
404.9(A), 404.10(B),
406.5, 406.9(E)
Fairs see Carnivals, circuses, fairs,
and similar events
Fans, ceiling see Ceiling fans
Farm buildings, feeder calculations 220.102; see also
Agricultural buildings
Fault protection device
Definition 830.2
Fault-tolerant external control
circuits 695.14(A)
Definition 695.2
Feeder assembly, mobile homes
550.10(A)
Definitions 550.2
Feeders Art. 215, Art. 220
Busways 368.17
Calculation of loads see Loads
Critical operations power systems 708–II
Definition 100–I
Emergency systems 700.10(D)
Equipment grounding conductors 250.122(G)
Farm buildings, for 220.102
Ground-fault circuit interrupters,
with 215.9
Grounding means 215.6
Hoistways and machine rooms
620.37(C)
Identification 225.37, 230.2(E)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Kitchen equipment, commercial
220.56
Loads see Loads, feeders
Mobile homes and parks
550.10(A), 550–III
Motion picture studios
530.18(B)
Motors 430–II
Outside see Outside branch circuits and feeders
Overcurrent protection 215.3
Accessibility 240.24(A)
Motor 430–V
Pools, permanently installed
680.25
Recreational vehicle sites
551.73, 551.80
Restaurants 220.88
Services 220–III
Stage switchboard 520.27
Taps 240.21(B), 240.92, 430.28
Television studio sets 530.19
Feed-through conductors
312.11(D)
Ferrous metals; see also Rigid
metal conduit (Type
RMC)
Induced currents in enclosures
or raceways 300.20
Protection from corrosion
300.6(A)
Festoon lighting
Conductor size 225.6(B)
Definition 100–I
Portable stage equipment 520.65
Festoon wiring, portable stage
equipment 520.65
Fiber bushings, AC cable ends
320.40
Fibers/flyings, lint, ignitible Art.
503, Art. 506; see also
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP)
840.1 IN 1
Definition 840.2
Figures see Diagrams
Films, motion picture; see also
Projector rooms, motion
picture
Storage vaults 530–V
Viewing, cutting, patching tables
530–IV
Finish rating
Definition 362.10(2) IN
Fire alarms see Alarms; Alarm
systems, health care
facilities; Fire alarm
systems
Fire alarm systems Art. 760
Abandoned cables 760.25
Definition 760.2
Access to electrical equipment
760.21
Circuits extending beyond one
building 760.32
Connections at services
230.82(5), 230.94 Ex. 4
Critical operations power systems 708.14
Definitions 760.2
Grounding 250.112(I)
AF
Structural metal, grounding
250.52(A)(2)
Transformers 450.8(C)
Wiring methods
Definition 100–I
Open wiring on insulators
398.15
Extension cord sets
On construction sites 590.6(A)
and (B)(2)
Overcurrent protection 240.5
Extensions
Auxiliary gutters 366.12
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.11
Flat cable assemblies 322.40(D)
Lighting systems operating at 30
volts or less, conductors
for 411.4(A)
Nonmetallic see Nonmetallic
extensions
Surface, boxes and fittings
314.22
Surface raceways 386.10(4),
388.10(2)
Wireways 376.70, 378.10(4),
378.70
Externally operable see Operable,
externally
D
R
Switch enclosures connected to
404.12
Switchgear and control assemblies frames connected
to 490.36, 490.37
Systems and circuits over 1 kV
250.190(C)
Tunnels 110.54(B)
Types recognized 250.118,
250.120, 250.134
Equipment system
Definition 517.2
Equipotential plane 547.10,
682.33
Definition 547.2, 682.2
Escalators see Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts,
and stairway chairlifts
Essential electrical systems,
health care facilities
see Health care facilities
Examples (calculations) Annex D
Exciters
Leads in enclosure with other
conductors
300.3(C)(2)(c)
Overcurrent protection for
445.12(A)
Exhaust ducts see Ducts
Exits, emergency lighting for
517.32(A), 517.32(B),
517.42(A), 517.42(B),
700.12(F), 700.16
Exit signs see Signs, exit
Expansion joints (fittings) 250.98,
300.7(B), 352.44,
355.44, 366.44,
368.244, 424.44(C),
424.98(C),
424.99(C)(1), 426.20(E),
426.21(C), 426.22(D),
427.16
Explanatory material IN 90.5(C)
Explosionproof equipment
500.7(A), 501.10(B)(4),
502.5, 505.16(B)(2)
Definition 100–I, 500.2
Explosive atmospheres, gases,
liquids, dusts, ignitible
fibers/flyings, and lint
see Hazardous (classified) locations
Exposed; see also Enclosures
Cable trays 392.18(E)
Conductive surfaces
Definition 517.2
Definition 770.2, 800.2, 820.2,
830.2
Deicing and snow-melting
equipment 426.21
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.25, 502.25, 503.25,
505.19
Live parts 110.26
Definition 100–I
Luminaire parts 410.5, 410.42,
410.46
Nonmetallic extensions
382.10(B)
Receptacle terminals 406.5(F)
Fire pumps
Health care facilities 517.32(C),
517.42(C), 517–VI
Identification 760.30
Installation 760.32
Location 760.3
Mechanical execution of work
760.24
Nonpower-limited circuits 760–
II, 840.47(A)
Cable marking 760.176, Table
760.176(G)
Conductors 760.49
Different circuits in same
raceway, etc. 760.48
Number of conductors in
raceway, etc., and derating 760.51
Listing 760.176
Marking 760.176
Multiconductor cable 760.53
Overcurrent protection
760.43, 760.45
Power source requirements
760.41
Requirements 760.35(A)
Wiring method 760.46,
760.53(A)
Power-limited circuits 760–III
Cable markings 760.179
Cable substitutions
760.154(D), Table
760.154(D)
Circuit integrity cable
760.179(G)
Circuit markings 760.124
Conductors
Separation 760.136
Size 760.142
Support 760.143
Installation 760.133, 760.139
Line-type fire detectors
760.145, 760.179(J)
Listing 760.179
Marking 760.179
Overcurrent protection Chap.
9, Tables 12(A) and
12(B)
Power sources 760.121
Requirements 760.35(B)
Wiring methods and materials
Load side 760.130
Supply side 760.127
Fire detectors, line-type
760.179(J)
Fire pumps Art. 695
Connection at services
230.72(A) Ex.,
230.82(5), 230.94 Ex. 4
Continuity of power 695.4
Control wiring 695.14
Definitions 695.2
Emergency power supply Art.
700
Equipment location 695.12
Grounding 250.112(L),
250.112(M)
Listing 695.6(H), 695.10
Motor, overcurrent protection
430.31 IN
70–895
Fire pumps
INDEX
70–896
T
Nameplates 220.82(C),
424.28
Radiant heating panels and
heating panel sets
424.92
Overcurrent protection for
424.22, 424.72, 424.82
Radiant heating panels and heating panel sets 424–IX,
427.23(B)
Clearances, wiring
Ceilings 424.94
Walls 424.95
Connection 424.96
Definitions 424.91
Installation 424.93, 424.98,
424.99
Markings 424.92
Nonheating leads 424.97
Resistance-type boilers 424–VII
Fixed equipment, grounding
250.110, 250.112,
250.116, 250.134,
250.136, 250.190,
517.13
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment Art. 426
Branch circuits for 210.19(A)(4)
Ex.1(e)
Connections 426.24
Continuous load 426.4
Control and protection 426–VI
Cord-and-plug-connected
426.50(B), 426.54
Definitions 426.2
Disconnecting means 426.50
General 426.10
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
210.8(A)(3) Ex.
Grounding 426.22(A), 426.27,
426.34, 426.44
Identification of 426.13
Impedance heating 426–IV
Definition 426.2
Induced currents 426.33
Isolation transformer 426.31
Personnel protection 426.30
Voltage limitations 426.32
Installation 426–II
Marking 426.25
Nonheating leads, installation of
426.22, 426.23
Protection
Corrosion 426.26, 426.43
Exposed equipment, nonheating leads for 426.23(B)
Ground fault 210.8(A)(3) Ex.,
426.28
Thermal 426.12
Resistance heating elements
426–III
Definition 426.2
Embedded 426.20
Exposed 426.21
Skin effect heating 426–V
Conductor ampacity 426.40
Definition 426.2
Pull boxes 426.41
Single conductor in enclosure
426.42
Special permission 426.14
AF
Expansion and contraction
427.16
Flexural capability 427.17
Grounded conductive covering 427.23
Marking 427.20
Not in direct contact 427.15
Power supply leads 427.18
Secured 427.14
Skin effect heating 427–VI
Conductor ampacity 427.45
Grounding 427.48
Pull boxes 427.46
Single conductor in enclosure
427.47
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment Art. 424
Branch circuits for 424.3
Boilers 424.82
Radiant heating panels
424.95, 424.96
Cables 424–V
Area restrictions 424.38
Clearances, wiring
Ceilings 424.36
Other objects, openings
424.39
Construction 424.34
Finished ceilings 424.42
Installation
In concrete or poured masonry floors 424.44
Nonheating leads 424.43
Marking 424.35
Splices 424.40, 424.41(D)
Tests and inspections 424.45
Control and protection 424–III
Controllers 424.20(A)
Disconnecting means 424.19
through 424.21, 424.65
Indicating 424.21
Overcurrent protection
424.22, 424.72, 424.82
Duct heaters 424–VI
Airflow 424.59
Condensation 424.62
Disconnecting means, location 424.65
Elevated inlet temperature
424.60
Fan circuit interlock 424.63
Identification 424.58
Installation 424.61, 424.66
Limit controls 424.64
Electrode-type boilers 424–VIII
Installation 424–II
Location
Damp or wet locations
424.12(B)
Exposed to physical damage 424.12(A)
Spacing, combustible materials 424.13
Special permission 424.10
Supply conductors 424.11
Listed 424.6
Load 220.51, 220.82(C), 220.83
Marking 424–IV
Boilers 424.86
Cables 424.35
Heating elements 424.29
D
R
On-site standby generator
695.3(B)(2), 695.3(D),
695.4(B), 695.6(C) Ex.
2
Definition 695.2
Power sources to electric motordriven 695.3
Power wiring 695.6
Remote-control circuits
430.72(B) Ex. 1
Service equipment overcurrent
protection 230.90(A)
Ex. 4
Services 230.2(A)(1)
Supervised connection 695.4
Transformers 695.5
Voltage drop 695.7
Fire spread
Prevention of, wiring methods
300.21, 725.3(B),
760.3(A), 770.26,
800.26, 820.26, 830.26
Fire-stopped partitions 300.21;
see also Firewalls
Firewalls, wiring through 300.21
Fittings Art. 314; see also Wiring
methods, Types and
materials
Conduit bodies 314.16
Cords, flexible 400.35
Definition 100–I
Expansion see Expansion joints
(fittings)
Flat cable assemblies, installed
with 322.40(C)
Insulation 300.4(G)
Integrated gas spacer cable
326.40
Fixed electric heating equipment
for pipelines and vessels Art. 427
Continuous load 427.4
Control and protection 427–VII
Controls 427.56
Disconnecting means 427.55
Overcurrent protection 427.57
Definitions 427.2
Impedance heating 427–IV
Definition 427.2
Grounding 427.29
Induced currents 427.28
Isolation transformer 427.26
Personnel protection 427.25
Secondary conductor sizing
427.30
Voltage limitations 427.27
Induction heating 427–V
Definition 427.2
Induced current 427.37
Personnel protection 427.36
Scope 427.35
Installation 427–II
General 427.10
Identification 427.13
Thermal protection 427.12
Use 427.11
Resistance heating elements
427–III
Definition 427.2
Electrical connections 427.19
Equipment protection 427.22
Thermostats for 426.51
Use of 426.11
Fixtures see Luminaires
Fixture wires Art. 402
Ampacities 402.5
Grounded conductor, identification 402.8
Marking 402.9
Minimum size 402.6
Number in conduits or tubing
402.7
Overcurrent protection 240.5,
402.12
Types 402.3
Uses not permitted 402.11
Uses permitted 402.10
Flame spread see Fire spread
Flammable anesthetics; see also
Anesthetizing locations
Definition 517.2
Flammable gases see Hazardous
(classified) locations
Flammable-liquid produced vapors see Hazardous
(classified) locations
Flammable liquids see Hazardous
(classified) locations
Flashers, time switches, etc.
404.5, 600.6(B)
Flat cable assemblies (Type FC)
Art. 322
Boxes and fittings 322.40
Branch-circuit rating 322.10(1)
Conductor insulations for
322.112
Conductor size 322.104
Construction 322–III
Dead ends 322.40(A)
Definition 322.2
Extensions from 322.40(D)
Fittings for 322.40(C)
Identification of grounded conductor 322.120(B)
Luminaire hangers 322.40(B)
Marking 322.120
Number of conductors in
322.100
Size of conductors in 322.104
Splices 322.56
Supports for 322.30
Terminal block identification
322.120(C)
Uses not permitted 322.12
Uses permitted 322.10
Flat conductor cable (Type FCC)
Art. 324
Branch-circuit rating 324.10(B)
Cable connections and ends
324.40(A)
Construction 324–III
Conductor identification
324.120(B)
Insulation 324.112
Markings 324.120(A)
Receptacles and housings
324.42
Shields 324.100(B)
Definitions 324.2
Transition assemblies
324.56(B)
Definition 324.2
Definitions 324.2
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Fountains; see also Swimming
pools, fountains, and
similar installations
Drinking 422.52
Foyers, receptacles in 210.52(I)
Frame
Definition 551.2
Fuel cell systems Art. 692
Circuit requirements 692–II
Circuit sizing 692.8
Connection to other circuits
692–VII
Identified interactive equipment 692.60
Loss of interactive system
power 692.62
Output characteristics 692.61
Point of connection 692.65
Transfer switch 692.59
Unbalanced interconnection
692.64
Definitions 692.2
Disconnecting means 692–III
All conductors 692.13
Switch or circuit breaker
692.17
Emergency systems, source of
power for 700.12(E)
Grounding 692–V
Equipment grounding conductor 692.44, 692.45
Grounding electrode system
692.47
System grounding 692.41
Installation 692.4
Marking 692–VI
Fuel cell power sources
692.53
Fuel shutoff 692.54
Stored energy 692.56
Overcurrent protection 692.8(B),
692.9
Over 600 volts 692–VIII
General 692.80
Stand-alone system 692.10
Standby systems, legally required 701.12(F)
Wiring methods 692–IV
Full-load current motors
Alternating current
Single-phase Table 430.248
Three-phase Table 430.250
Two-phase Table 430.249
Direct current Table 430.247
Furnaces see Heating equipment,
central
Fuseholders
Cartridge fuses 240–VI
Over 600 volts 490.21(B)
Plug fuses 240–V
Rating, motor controllers 430.90
Type S 240.53, 240.54
Fuses Art. 240; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Cartridge see Cartridge fuses
Communications circuits, protectors for 800.90(A)(2)
Definition, over 600 volts
100–II
Disconnecting means 240.40
Electronically actuated
Definition 100–II
AF
Floating buildings Art. 553
Bonding of noncurrent-carrying
metal parts 553.11
Definition 553.2
Feeder conductors 553.6
Grounding 553–III
Insulated neutral 553.9
Service conductors 553.5
Service equipment location
553.4
Services and feeders, installation
553.7
Floor pockets 520.46
Floors
Busways through 368.10(C)(2)
Cablebus support and extension
through 370.6
Flat conductor cable (Type
FCC) in/on 324.10(C)
Floor coverings 324.41
Heated floors 324.10(F)
Insulating ends 324.41
Masonry or concrete floors, installation of heating
cables in 424.44
Radiant heating panels, installation of 424–IX
Receptacles 210.52(A)(3),
250.146(C), 314.27(B),
406.9(D)
Flue damper control see Dampers
(flue), control
Fluorescent luminaires 410–XII,
410–XIII
Autotransformers in ballasts
410.138
Auxiliary equipment 410.104,
410.137
Ballast protection required
410.130(E)
Circuit breakers used to switch
240.83(D)
Connection of 410.24,
410.62(C)
Disconnecting means
410.130(G)
Load calculations
Ampere ratings, ballasts
220.18(B)
Branch circuits 210.23
Raceways 410.64
Snap switches for 404.14(A)(1),
404.14(B)(2)
Surface-mounted or recessed
410.16(A), 410.16(C)
Thermal protection 410.130(E)
Fluoroscopic equipment see
X-ray equipment
Flyings, ignitible see
Fibers/flyings, lint, ignitible
Footlights, theaters 520.43
Definition 520.2
Disappearing 520.43(C)
Formal interpretations 90.6
Forming shells, underwater pool
luminaires 680.23(B),
680.24(B),
680.26(B)(4),
680.27(A)(3)
Definition 680.2
D
R
Grounding 324.60
Installation 324–II
Alterations 324.56(A)
Boxes and fittings 324.40
Cable connections and insulating ends 324.40(A)
Connections to other systems
324.40(D)
Crossings 324.18
Floor coverings 324.41
Heated floors 324.10(F)
Metal shield connectors
324.40(E)
Receptacles and housings
324.42
Shields 324.40(C), 324.40(E)
Definition 324.2
Supports 324.30
System height 324.10(G)
Insulating ends 324.40(A)
Definition 324.2
Listing requirements 324.6
Polarization 324.40(B)
Splices and taps 324.56
Systems alterations 324.56(A)
Uses not permitted 324.12
Uses permitted 324.10
Flatirons
Cords 422.43(A)
Signals 422.42
Stands for 422.45
Temperature-limiting means
422.42, 422.46
Flexible cords see Cords, flexible
Flexible metal conduit (Type
FMC) Art. 348
Bends 348.24, 348.26
Couplings and connectors
348.42
Definition 348.2
Grounding and bonding 348.60
Installation 348–II
Liquidtight see Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
Listing 348.6
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C3 and C3A
Number of conductors in 348.22
Securing and supporting 348.30
Size 348.20
Splices and taps 348.56
Trimming 348.28
Uses not permitted 348.12
Uses permitted 348.10
Flexible metallic tubing (Type
FMT) Art. 360
Bends 360.24
Boxes and fittings 360.40
Construction specifications 360–
III
Definition 360.2
Grounding 360.60
Installation 360–II
Listing 360.6
Marking 360.120
Number of conductors 360.22
Sizes 360.20
Splices and taps 360.56
Uses not permitted 360.12
Uses permitted 360.10
General provisions, installation of wiring and equipment
Enclosures 240–III
Generators, constant-voltage
445.12(A)
Group installation of motors
430.53(C)
Location in circuit 240.21
Location on premises 240.24
Markings 240.60(C)
Motor branch circuit protection
430–IV
Motor overload protection 430–
III, 430.225(C)(1)
Multiple see Multiple fuses
Over 600 volts 490.21(B)
In parallel, not permitted 240.8,
404.17
Plug, Edison-base type 240–V
Potential (voltage) transformers
450.3(C)
Ratings 240.6
Service equipment 230.95(B)
Services over 600 volts 230.208
Small wind electric systems
694.26
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.16
Type S 240.53, 240.54
Future expansion and convenience 90.8(A)
-GGages (AWG), conductors 110.6
Garages, commercial Art. 511
Battery charging equipment
511.10(A)
Classification of locations 511.3
Definitions 100–I, 511.2
Electric vehicle charging
511.10(B)
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, in
620.38
Equipment 511.4, 511.7
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection 210.8(B)(8),
511.12
Grounding 250.112(F)
Grounding and bonding 511.16
Locations 511.4
Sealing 511.9
Special equipment 511.10
Ventilation 511.3(C) through (E)
Wiring 511.4, 511.7
Gases see Hazardous (classified)
locations
Gasoline bulk storage plants see
Bulk storage plants;
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Gasoline dispensing and service
stations see Motor fuel
dispensing facilities
Gas pipe
As grounding electrode
250.52(B)(1)
General care areas 517.18
Definition 517.2
General provisions, installation
of wiring and equipment Art. 110
70–897
General requirements for wiring methods
70–898
T
Commercial 511.12
Dwelling units 210.8(A)(2)
Naturally and artificially made
bodies of water, electrical equipment for
682.15
Permitted uses 210.8, 215.9
Personnel, protection for 426.32
Pipeline heating 427.27
Pools and tubs for therapeutic
use 680.62(A),
680.62(E)
Receptacles 210.8
Bathrooms, in dwelling units
210.8(A)(1)
Bathrooms in other than
dwelling units
210.8(B)(1)
Boathouses 555.19(B)(1)
Construction sites, at 590.6
Fountains 680.57(B), 680.58
Garages, in dwelling units
210.8(A)(2)
Health care facilities
517.20(A), 517.21
Kitchens in dwelling units
210.8(A)(6)
Marinas and boatyards
555.19(B)(1)
Mobile homes 550.13(B),
550.32(E)
Outdoors, dwelling units
210.8(A)(3)
Park trailers 552.41(C)
Pools 680.5, 680.6,
680.22(A)(4),
680.22(B)(4), 680.32,
680.62(E)
Recreational vehicles
551.40(C), 551.41(C)
Replacement 406.4(D)
Required 210.8
Rooftops in other than dwelling units 210.8(B)
Sensitive electronic equipment 647.7(A)
Spas and hot tubs 680.43(A),
680.44
Swimming pools see Swimming
pools, fountains, and
similar installations
Ground-fault protection
Connections at services 230.82
Cranes and hoists 610.42
Deicing and snow-melting
equipment 426.28
Emergency systems, not required 700.26
Equipment 215.10, 240.13
Definition 100–I
Fire pumps 695.6(G)
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment 424.99(C)(5)
Health care facilities 517.17
Marinas and boatyards 555.3
Motors 430–IV, 430–V
Personnel see Ground-fault circuit interrupters
Pipeline heaters 427.22
Service disconnecting means
230.95
AF
Grounding 250.34, 250.35,
250.112
Guards for attendants 445.15
Hazardous (classified) locations
505.22
Health care facilities 517.30,
517.35, 517.44
Interconnected electric power
production sources 705–
III
Legally required standby systems 701.12(B)
Location 445.10
Marking 445.11
Multiple loads, supplying 445.19
Overcurrent protection 445.12
Portable 250.34
Protection of live parts 445.14
Recreational vehicles 551.30
Standby systems Art. 701, 702
Fire pump, on-site
695.3(B)(2), 695.3(D),
695.4(B), 695.6(C) Ex.
2
Terminal housings 445.17
Goosenecks, service cables 230.54
Grooves, cables and raceways
installed in 300.4(F)
Ground
Definition 100–I
Voltage to
Definition 100–I
Ground clamps 250.10, 250.70
Grounded
Definition 100–I
Solidly
Definition 100–I
Grounded conductor see Conductors, Grounded; Neutral
Ground fault
Definition 100–I
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
Accessory buildings, dwelling
units 210.8(A)(2)
Aircraft hangars 513.12
Appliances
Drinking fountains 422.52
High-pressure spray washers
422.49
Vending machines 422.51
Basements, dwelling units, unfinished 210.8(A)(5)
Bathtubs, hydromassage 680.71
Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and
similar events 525.23
Definition 100–I
Electrically operated pool covers
680.27(B)(2)
Electric signs, portable or mobile 600.10(C)(2)
Electrified truck parking space
supply equipment
626.24(D)
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620.85
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment cables
424.44(G)
Fountains 680.51(A)
Garages
D
R
General requirements for wiring
methods Art. 300; see
also Wiring methods
Boxes, conduit bodies, or fittings, where required
300.15
Changing raceway or cable to
open wiring 300.16
Conductors 300.3
Different systems 300.3(C)
Installation with other systems 300.8
Insulated fittings 300.4(G)
Number and sizes of, in raceways 300.17
Supporting of conductors in
vertical raceways
300.19
Exhaust and ventilating ducts,
wiring 300.22
Expansion joints, raceways
300.7(B)
Free length of wire at outlets,
junction and switch
points 300.14
Induced currents in ferrous
metal enclosures 300.20
Mechanical and electrical continuity, conductors, raceways, cables 300.10,
300.12, 300.13
Over 600 volts 110–III, 300–II,
Art. 490
Protection against
Corrosion 300.6
Physical damage 300.4
Raceway installations 300.18
Raceways and cables with other
systems 300.8
Raceways and fittings, metric
designator and trade
size 300.1(C)
Raceways as a means of support
300.11(B)
Raceways exposed to different
temperatures 300.7
Raceways in wet locations
above grade 300.9
Sealing, raceways, change in
temperature 300.7(A)
Securing and supporting 300.11
Spread of fire or products of
combustion 300.21
Temperature limitations
310.15(A)(3)
Through studs, joists, rafters
300.4
Underground installations 300.5,
300.50
Voltage limitations 300.2
Wiring in ducts, plenums, airhandling spaces 300.22
Generators Art. 445
Bushings 445.16
Conductor, ampacity of 445.13
Critical operations power systems 585.20(F)
Disconnecting means 445.18
Emergency systems 700.12(B)
Essential electrical systems, task
illumination 517.32(E),
517.32(F), 517.42(F)
INDEX
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.5, 690.6(D),
690.35(C)
Grounding Art. 250; see also subhead under entries for
specific wiring and
equipment
AC systems 250.20, 250.24,
250.26
Air-conditioning units 250.114
Anesthetizing locations 517.62
Antenna 810.15, 810.21, 810.58,
810.71(B)
Appliances 250.114
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment 640.7
Bonding see Bonding
Bulk storage plants 515.16
Busways 368.60
Over 600 volts 368.260
Cablebus 370.9
Capacitors 460.10, 460.27
CATV systems 820.93, 820–IV
Circuits 250–I
Less than 50 volts 250.20(A)
Clothes dryers 250.114, 250.140
Clothes washers 250.114
Communications systems
800.93, 800.106(A),
800–IV
Continuity 250.96
Control, radio equipment
810.71(B)
Control panels 409.60
Cranes and hoists 610–VII
DC systems 250.162, 250.164
Deicing, snow-melting systems
426.22(A), 426.27,
426.34, 426.44
Dishwashers 250.114
Electrode system 250–III
Elevators 250.112(E), 250.116,
250.136, 620–IX
Enclosures 250.64(D),
250.64(E), 250–IV
Equipment, cord-and-plugconnected 250.114
Fire alarm systems 250.112(I)
Fixed equipment 250.110,
250.112, 250.134,
517.13
Fixtures, lampholders, etc.
410.155(B), 410–V
Fountains 680.54, 680.55
Freezers 250.114
Fuel cell systems 692–V
Garages, commercial 511.16
Generators 250.34, 250.112
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.30, 502.30, 503.30,
505.25, 506.25
Health care facilities 517.13,
517.19
High density polyethylene conduit 353.60
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665–II
Information technology equipment 645.15
Instrument transformers, relays,
etc. 250–X
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
Hazardous (classified) locations
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Connectors, solar photovoltaic
systems 690.33(B)
Construction sites 590.7
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks
620.71
Generators 445.15
Grounding 250.190(C)(2)
Handlamps, portable 410.82(B)
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665–II
Intrinsically safe apparatus,
cable shields for
504.50(B)
Lamps, theaters, dressing rooms,
etc. 520.44(A)(3),
520.47, 520.65, 520.72
Live parts
General 110.27
Solar photovoltaic batteries
690.71(B)(2)
On stage switchboards 520.22
In theaters 520.7
Wind electric system batteries
694.70(B)(2)
Motion picture studios 530.15,
530.62
Motors and motor controllers
430.243, 430–XII
Over 600 volts 110.34, 590.7;
see also Protection,
Physical damage
Portable cables 400.32
Transformers 450.8
Ventilation openings 110.78
X-ray installations 517.78,
660–IV
Guest rooms or suites
Branch-circuit devices
240.24(B)
Branch-circuit voltages 210.6(A)
Cooking equipment, branch circuits for 210.18
Definition 100–I
Outlets 210.60, 210.70(B),
220.14(J)
Overcurrent devices 240.24(E)
Tamper-resistant receptacles in
406.13
Gutters, auxiliary see Auxiliary
gutters
AF
X-ray equipment 517.78,
660–IV
Grounding electrode conductors;
see also Electrodes,
grounding
Communications circuits
800.100
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.100,
820.106
Connection to electrodes 250–I,
250.24(D), 250–III
Definition 100–I
Enclosures 250–IV
Installation 250.64
Intersystem, connecting 250.94
Material 250.62, 250.118
Network-powered broadband
communications cable
830.100(A)
Objectionable current over 250.6
Optical fiber cables 770.100(A)
Radio and television equipment
810.21, 810.58
Separately derived systems
250.30
Sizing 250.30(A)(6)(a), 250.66,
250.166
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.47 through 690.49
Surge-protective devices 285.28
Systems and circuits over 1 kV
250.190(B)
Grounding electrodes see Electrodes, grounding
Grounding point
Patient equipment
Definition 517.2
Reference
Definition 517.2
Grounding-type attachment
plugs 406.10
Ground ring 250.52(A)(4),
250.53(F), 250.66(C),
250.166(E)
Grouping, switches, circuit
breakers 404.8; see
also Accessible
Grouping of disconnects 230.72
Group installation, motors see
Motors, grouped
Guarded
Definition 100–I
Guarding, guards; see also Enclosures; Live parts
Cables
Coaxial 820.93, 820.100,
820.106, 840.101(A)
Flat conductor cable (Type
FCC) 324.40(C),
324.40(E)
Definition 324.2
Grounded 310.60(C)(1)
Over 600 volts, requirements
for 300.40
Portable 400.32
Circuit breaker handles
240.41(B)
Conductors, dielectric insulated
310.10(E)
D
R
Intrinsically safe systems 504.50
Lightning surge arresters 280.25
Metal boxes 314.4, 314.40(D)
Metal enclosures for conductors
250.80, 250.86
Metal faceplates 404.9(B),
406.6(B)
Metal siding 250.116 IN
Methods 250–VII
Mobile homes 550.16
More than 600 volts between
conductors 300.40
Motion picture studios 530.20
Motors and controllers 250–VI,
430.12(E), 430.96, 430–
XIII
Naturally and artificially made
bodies of water, electrical equipment for 682–
III
Nonelectrical equipment 250.116
Organs 650.5
Over 600 volts 300.40, 490.36,
490.37
Over 1000 volts 250–X
Panelboards 408.40, 517.19(D)
Patient care areas 517.13
Patient care vicinity 517.19(C)
Portable equipment 250.114
Radio and television equipment
810.15, 810.20(C),
810.21, 810.58,
810.71(B)
Ranges and similar appliances
250.140
Receptacles 250.146, 250.148,
406.4, 517.13,
517.19(G)
Recreational vehicles 551.54,
551.55, 551.75, 551.76
Refrigerators 250.114
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.6
Separate buildings 250.32
Separately derived systems
250.21(A), 250.30
Signs and outline lighting
600.7(A), 600.24(B),
600.33(D)
Small wind electric systems
694–V
Spas and tubs 680.6, 680.7(B),
680.43(F)
Spray application, dipping, and
coating processes
516.16
Surge arresters 280.25
Surge protective devices 285.28
Swimming pools 680.6,
680.7(B), 680.23(B)(3),
680.23(B)(4),
680.23(F)(2), 680.24(D),
680.24(F), 680.25(B)
Switchboards 250.112(A),
408.22
Switches 404.9(B), 404.12
Systems 250–I, 250–II
Theaters and similar locations
520.81
Tools, motor operated 250.114
Transformers 450.5, 450.6(C),
450.10
-HHallways, outlets 210.52(H)
Handhole enclosures see Enclosures, Handhole enclosures
Handlamps, portable 410.82
Hangars, aircraft see Aircraft
hangars
Hazard current
Definition 517.2
Hazardous areas see Hazardous
(classified) locations
Hazardous atmospheres Art. 500
Class I locations 500.5(B)
Class II locations 500.5(C)
Class III locations 500.5(D)
Groups A through G 500.6
Specific occupancies Art. 510
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Classes I, II, and III,
Divisions 1 and 2 Art.
500; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations,
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and
2 locations
Aircraft hangars 513.3
Anesthetizing locations
517.60(A), 517.61
Bulk storage plants 515.3
Class I see Hazardous (classified) locations, Class I
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and 2 see
Hazardous (classified)
locations, Class I, Zone
0, 1, and 2 locations
Class II see Hazardous (classified) locations, Class II
Class III see Hazardous (classified) locations, Class III
Combustible gas detection system 500.7(K)
Definitions 500.2
Dust-ignitionproof 500.7(B)
Dusts, explosive Art. 502
Dusttight 500.7(C)
Equipment 500.8
Approval for class and properties 500.8(B)
Marking 500.8(C)
Optical fiber cable 500.8(F)
Suitability 500.8(A)
Temperature marking 500.8
(D)
Threading 500.8(E)
Explosion proof equipment
500.7(A)
Fibers/flyings, lint, highly combustible material Art.
503, Art. 506
Flammable liquids Art. 500, Art.
501
Garages, commercial 511.3,
511.4
Gases, flammable Art. 500, Art.
501
Gasoline service stations see
Motor fuel dispensing
facilities
General 500.4
Group classifications 500.6
Hoists 503.155
Inhalation anesthetizing locations see Anesthetizing
locations
Intrinsic safety 500.7(E); see
also Intrinsically safe
systems
Lighting systems, less than 30
volts 411.7
Material groups 500.6
Protection techniques 500.7
Specific occupancies Art. 510
Spray application, dipping and
coating processes 516.3
Vapors, flammable Art. 500, Art.
501
70–899
Hazardous (classified) locations, Class I
70–900
T
Surge protection 502.35
Switches 502.115
Transformers and capacitors
502.100
Utilization equipment 502.135
Ventilating piping 502.128
Wiring methods 502.10
Zone 20, 21, and 22 locations
for flammable dusts,
fibers/flyings Art. 506
Zone equipment 502.6
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Class III 500.5(D), Art.
503; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations,
Classes I, II, and III,
Divisions 1 and 2
Bonding 503.30(A)
Circuit breakers 503.115
Control transformers and resistors 503.120
Cranes and hoists 503.155,
610.3(A)(3)
Exposed parts 503.25
Flexible cords 503.140
Fuses 503.115
Grounding 503.30
Luminaires 503.130
Motor controllers 503.115
Motors and generators 503.125
Receptacles and attachment
plugs 503.145
Signaling, alarm, remote-control,
and local loudspeaker
intercommunications
503.150
Storage battery charging equipment 503.160
Switches 503.115
Transformers and capacitors
503.100
Utilization equipment 503.135
Ventilation piping 503.128
Wiring methods 503.10
Zone 20, 21, and 22 locations
for flammable dusts,
fibers/flyings Art. 506
Zone equipment 503.6
Hazardous (classified) locations,
specific Art. 510
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Zone 20, 21, and 22
Art. 506
Bonding 506.25(A)
Classification of locations 506.5
Definitions 506.2
Documentation 506.4(A)
Equipment installation 506.20
Manufacturer’s instructions
506.20(D)
Temperature 506.20(E)
Equipment requirements 506.9
Listing 506.9(B)
Marking 506.9(C)
Suitability 506.9(A)
Temperature 506.9(D)
Threading 506.9(E)
Flexible cords 506.17
General 506.4
Grounding 506.25
Multiwire branch circuits 506.21
Protection techniques 506.8
AF
Equipment construction 505.9
Class I temperature 505.9(D)
Listing 505.9(B)
Marking 505.9(C)
Optical fiber cable 505.9(F)
Suitability 505.9(A)
Threading 505.9(E)
Equipment for use in 505.20
Exposed parts 505.19
Flexible cords 505.17
General 505.4
Grounding 505.25
Material groups 505.6
Process sealing 505.26
Protection techniques 505.8
Combustible gas detection
system 505.8(I)
Definition 505.2
Encapsulation 505.8(G)
Definition 505.2
Flameproof 505.8(A)
Definition 505.2
Increased safety 505.8(F),
505.22
Definition 505.2
Intrinsic safety 505.8(C)
Definition 505.2
Oil immersion 505.8(E)
Definition 505.2
Powder filling 505.8(H)
Definition 505.2
Purged and pressurized
505.8(B)
Definition 505.2
Type of protection “n”
505.8(D)
Definition 505.2
Reference standards 505.4(B)
Sealing
Drainage and 505.16
Process 505.26
Special precaution 505.7
Wiring methods 505.15
Zone equipment 505.9(C)(2),
Fig. 505.9(C)(2)
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Class II 500.5(C), Art.
502; see also Hazardous
(classified) locations,
Classes I, II, and III,
Divisions 1 and 2
Bonding 502.30(A)
Circuit breakers 502.115
Control transformers and resistors 501.120
Cranes and hoists 610.3(A)(2)
Exposed parts 502.25
Flexible cords 502.140
Fuses 502.115
Grounding 502.30
Luminaires 502.130
Motor controllers 502.115
Motors and generators 502.125
Multiwire branch circuits 502.40
Receptacles and attachment
plugs 502.145
Sealing 502.15
Signaling, alarm, remote-control,
and communications
systems, meters, instruments, and relays
502.150
D
R
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Class I 500.5(B),
500.6(A), Art. 501; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations, Classes
I, II, and III, Divisions
1 and 2; Hazardous
(classified) locations,
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and
2 locations
Bonding 501.30(A), 504.60
Circuit breakers 501.115,
501.135(B)(3)
Control transformers and resistors 501.105(B)(2),
501.120
Cranes and hoists 610.3(A)(1)
Drainage of equipment
501.15(F)
Exposed parts 501.25
Flexible cords 501.140
Fuses 501.115, 501.135(B)(3)
Grounding 501.30
Hermetically sealed 500.7(J)
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665.4
Luminaires 501.130
Meters, instruments, and relays
501.105
Motor controllers 501.115
Motors and generators 501.120
Nonincendive circuit 500.7(F)
Nonincendive component
500.7(H)
Nonincendive equipment
500.7(G)
Oil immersion 500.7(I)
Process sealing 501.17
Receptacles and attachment
plugs 501.145
Sealing 501.15, 501.17
Signaling, alarm, remote-control,
and communications
systems 501.150
Surge protection 501.35
Switches 501.115,
501.130(B)(5),
501.135(B)(3)
Transformers and capacitors
501.100
Utilization equipment 501.135
Wiring methods 501.10
Zone 0, 1, and 2 locations see
Hazardous (classified)
locations, Class I, Zone
0, 1, and 2 locations
Zone equipment 501.5
Hazardous (classified) locations,
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and
2 locations Art. 505
Bonding 505.25(A)
Class I, Zone 0, 1, and 2 group
classifications 505.6(A)
through (C)
Classification of locations 505.5
Class I, Zone 0 505.5(B)(1)
Class I, Zone 1 505.5(B)(2)
Class I, Zone 2 505.5(B)(3)
Conductors and conductor insulator 505.18
Definitions 505.2
Documentation 505.4(A)
INDEX
Definitions 506.2
Dust-ignitionproof 506.8(A)
Dusttight 506.8(D)
Encapsulation 506.8(E)
Enclosure 506.8(H)
Intrinsic safety 506.8(C),
506.8(J)
Nonincendive circuit and
equipment 506.8(F),
506.8(G)
Pressurization 506.8(B),
506.8(I)
Reference standards 506.4(B)
Sealing 506.16
Special precautions 506.6
Wiring methods 506.15
Zone equipment 506.9(C)(2)
Headers
Cellular concrete floor raceways
372.2, 372.5, 372.9
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.2, 374.6
Definition 372.2, 374.2
Health care facilities Art. 517
Communications, signaling systems, data systems, less
than 120 volts, nominal
517–VI
Other-than-patient care areas
517.81
Signal transmission between
appliances 517.82
Definitions 517.2
Essential electrical systems 517–
III
Ambulatory health care centers 517.45
Clinics, medical and dental
offices, and other health
care facilities 517.45
Connections
Alternate power source
517.34
Critical branch 517.43
Life safety branch 517.42
Critical branch 517.33,
517.43
Definition 517.2
Emergency system 517.31
Essential electrical systems
517.41
Hospitals 517.30
Life safety branch 517.32
Nursing homes and limited
care facilities 517.40
Power sources 517.35, 517.44
General 517–I
Inhalation anesthetizing locations 517–IV
Classification 517.60
Grounded power systems in
anesthetizing locations
517.63
Grounding 517.62
Line isolation monitor
517.160(B)
Low-voltage equipment and
instruments 517.64
Wiring and equipment
517.61, 517.160
Isolated power systems 517–VII
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Splices and taps 353.56
Trimming ends 353.28
Uses not permitted 353.12
Uses permitted 353.10
High-impedance grounded neutral systems 250.20(D),
250.30(A)(3), 250.36,
250.186
Hoists Art. 610; see also Cranes
Conductors, contact 610–III
Control 610–VI
Electrolytic cells 668.32
Flexible cords 400.7(A)(5)
Grounding 250.22(1),
250.112(E), 250.116(1),
610–VII
Hazardous (classified) locations
503.155
Marinas and boatyards 555.23
Motors and controllers, disconnecting means 430.112
Ex., 610–IV
Overcurrent protection 610–V,
610.53
Wiring 610–II
Hoistways
Busways in 368.12(B)
Cablebus in 370.3
Definition 100–I
Surface raceways 386.12(4),
388.12(4)
Wiring in 620.21(A)(1), 620.37,
725.136(H),
760.53(A)(3),
760.130(B)(3),
760.136(F)
Hoods, metal, stage switchboard
520.24
Hoods, range, cord-and-plugconnected 422.16(B)(4)
Hoods for commercial cooking,
lighting in 410.10(C)
Hospitals; see also Health care
facilities
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.30
Patient care areas see Patient
care areas
Psychiatric
Definition 517.2
Hotels and motels
Branch-circuit voltages, guest
rooms and suites
210.6(A)
Lighting load Table 220.12
Lighting outlets required
210.70(B)
Overcurrent devices, guest
rooms and suites
240.24(E)
Receptacle ground-fault circuit
interrupter protection
210.8(B)
Receptacle outlets, guest rooms
and suites 210.60,
210.70(B), 220.14(J)
Hot tubs see Spas and hot tubs
Houseboats see Floating buildings
Hybrid systems 705.82
Definition 690.2, 705.2
AF
Heating equipment
Central 422.12
Definitions 665.2
Fixed see Fixed electric heating
equipment for pipelines
and vessels; Fixed electric space-heating equipment; Fixed outdoor
electric deicing and
snow-melting equipment
Induction and dielectric see Induction and dielectric
heating equipment
Outside 550.20(B)
Receptacle outlets 210.63
Swimming pools see Swimming
pools, fountains, and
similar installations
Heating panels and heating panel
sets, radiant see Fixed
electric space-heating
equipment; Radiant
heating panels and heating panel sets
Heating systems
Definition 426.2
Impedance see Fixed electric
heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels;
Fixed outdoor electric
deicing and snowmelting equipment
Induction see Induction heating
systems
Integrated
Definition 427.2
Skin effect see Fixed electric
heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels;
Fixed outdoor electric
deicing and snowmelting equipment
Heavy-duty lampholders
Branch circuits 210.21(A),
210.23, Table 210.24
Unit loads 220.14(E)
Hermetically sealed 500.7(J)
Definition 500.2
Hermetic refrigerant motorcompressors; see also
Air-conditioning and
refrigerating equipment
Ampacity and rating 440.6(A)
Definition 440.2
Marking 440.4
Rating and interrupting capacity
440.12(A)
High density polyethylene conduit (Type HDPE) Art.
353
Bends 353.24, 353.26
Bushings 353.46
Construction specifications 353–
III
Definition 353.2
Grounding 353.60
Installation 353–II
Joints 353.48
Listing 353.6
Marking 353.120
Number of conductors 353.22
Size 353.20
D
R
Critical care areas 517.19(E),
517.19(F)
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.30(C)(2)
Grounding 517.19(F),
647.7(B)
Installation 517.160(A)
Wet procedure locations
517.20(B)
Wiring and protection 517–II
Applicability 517.10
Critical care areas 517.19
Fixed electrical equipment
and grounding of receptacles 517.13
General care areas 517.18
General
installation/construction
criteria 517.11
Ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection
517.20(A), 517.21
Ground-fault protection
517.17
Grounding 517.13
Panelboard bonding 517.14,
517.19(D)
Receptacles 517.13, 517.16,
517.19(B), 517.19(G)
Wet locations 517.20
Wiring methods 517.12
X-ray installations 517–V
Connection to supply circuit
517.71
Control circuit conductors
517.74
Disconnecting means 517.72
Equipment installations
517.75
Guarding and grounding
517.78
High tension x-ray cables
517.77
Overcurrent protection 517.73
Rating of supply conductors
517.73
Transformers and capacitors
517.76
Heater cords see Cords, heater
Heat generating equipment see
Induction and dielectric
heating equipment
Heating; see also Heating systems;
Induction and dielectric
heating equipment
Dielectric
Definition 665.2
Induction
Definition 665.2
Heating appliances Art. 422; see
also Infrared lamp industrial heating appliances; Water heaters
Heating cables Art. 424
Heating elements
Marking 422.61
Resistance see Fixed electric
heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels;
Fixed outdoor electric
deicing and snowmelting equipment
Incandescent lamps
Hydromassage bathtubs 680–VII
Definition 680.2
-IIdentification; see also Color
code; Markings
Boxes (outlet, device, pull, and
junction) 314.44
Critical operations power systems wiring 708.10(A)
Direct-buried cables Table
300.50 Note d
Disconnecting means 110.22,
230.70(B), 620.51(D)
Service disconnects 230.2(E)
Emergency circuits and systems
700.10(A)
Feeders 215.12
Flexible cords, identified conductors within 200.6(C),
250.119(C), 400.22,
400.23
Fuel cell systems 692.4(B)
Grounded conductors Art. 200,
400.22, 402.8
Grounding-pole 406.10(B)
High-leg 110.15, 230.56,
408.3(F), 409.102
Intrinsically safe systems 504.80
Sensitive electric equipment
conductors 647.4(C)
Service disconnecting means
230.70(B)
Switchboards and panelboards
408.3(F), 408.4,
409.102
Ungrounded conductors
210.5(C), 215.12(C)
Wiring device terminals
250.126, 504.80
Identified
Definition 100–I
Illumination; see also Lighting;
Luminaires
Means of egress 517.32(A),
517.42(A)
Task 517.33(A)
Definition 517.2
Immersible appliances 422.41
Immersion heaters, cord-andplug-connected 422.44
Immersion pools see Swimming
pools, fountains, and
similar installations
Impedance heating systems see
Fixed electric heating
equipment for pipelines
and vessels; Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment
Incandescent lamps Art. 410; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Guards
Aircraft hangars 513.7(C)
Garages 511.7(B)
Theater dressing rooms
520.72
70–901
Incandescent lamps
INDEX
70–902
T
Motor driven appliances
422.31(C)
Motors, motor controllers
430.102
Room air conditioners 440.63
Signs 600.6(A)
Institutions, emergency lighting
Art. 700
Instructions 110.3(B), 230.95(C)
Instrumentation tray cable (Type
ITC) Art. 727
Allowable ampacity 727.8
Bends 727.10
Construction 727.6
Definition 727.2
Marking 727.7
Overcurrent protection 727.9
Uses not permitted 727.5
Uses permitted 727.4
Instruments, meters, relays
Grounding 250–IX
Hazardous (classified) location
501.105, 502.150
Low-voltage 517.64
Instrument transformers
Grounding 250–IX
Connections at services
230.82(4)
Insulation
Conductors see Conductors,
insulation
Double see Double insulated
Equipment 110.3(A)(4)
Fixture wire 402.3 IN, Table
402.3
Flexible cords Table 400.4,
400.21(B)
Heating cables 424–V
Luminaire and lampholder parts
410.52, 410.56
Thermal insulation
Armored cable installed in
320.80(A)
Luminaires, installed near
410.116(B)
Service-entrance cables installed in 338.10(A)(4)
Insulators
Nonabsorbent 230.27, 394.30(A)
Open wiring see Open wiring on
insulators
Outdoor overhead conductors
399.30(C)
Integrated electrical systems Art.
685
DC system grounding 685.12
Orderly shutdown 645.10 Ex.,
645.11, 685–II
Overcurrent protection, location
of 685.10
Ungrounded control circuits
685.14
Integrated gas spacer cable (Type
IGS) Art. 326
Construction 326–III
Conductors 326.104
Conduit 326.116
Insulation 326.112
Marking 326.120
Definition 326.2
Installation 326–II
Ampacity 326.80
AF
Service equipment 409.108
Spacing, minimum 409.106
Wiring space in 409.104
Industrial installation, supervised
Definition 240.2
Overcurrent protection 240–VIII
Industrial machinery Art. 670
Definition 670.2
Disconnecting means 670.4(B)
Nameplates 670.3
Supply conductors and overcurrent protection 670.4
Industrial manufacturing system
Definition 670.2
Informational notes, explanatory
material 90.5(C)
Information technology equipment Art. 645
Cables not in information technology equipment
rooms 645.6
Class 2 and Class 3 circuits,
power source for
725.121(A)(4)
Definitions 645.2
Disconnecting means 645.4(1),
645.10
Grounding 645.15
Marking 645.16
Power distribution units 645.17
Special requirements for information technology
equipment rooms 645.4
Supply circuits and interconnecting cables 645.5
Uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS) 645.11
Information technology equipment rooms
Definition 645.2
Special requirements 645.4
Zones 645.10(A)(3)
Definition 645.2
Informative annexes 90.5(D), Annexes A through I
Infrared lamp industrial heating
appliances 422.14,
422.48
Branch circuits 210.23(C),
422.11(C), 424.3(A)
Overcurrent protection
422.11(C)
Inhalation anesthetizing locations
see Anesthetizing locations
Inserts
Cellular concrete floor raceways
372.9
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.10
Underfloor raceways 390.14
In sight from
Air-conditioning or refrigerating
equipment 440.14
Center pivot irrigation machines
675.8(B)
Definition 100–I
Duct heaters 424.65
Electric-discharge lighting
410.141(B)
Fixed electric space-heating
equipment 424.19(A)
D
R
Lamp wattage, marking on luminaire (fixture)
410.120
Medium and mogul bases
410.103
Signs with lamp holders for
600.4(B)
Snap switches for 404.14(B)(3)
Independent
Circuits for emergency lighting
700.17
Supports, services, over buildings 230.29
Wiring, emergency circuits
700.10(B)
X-ray control 660.24
Individual branch circuits see
Branch circuits, individual
Induced currents, metal enclosures 300.20, 330.31
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment Art. 665
Ampacity of supply conductors
665.10
Definitions 665.2
Disconnecting means 665.12
Guarding, grounding, and labeling 665–II
Access to interior equipment
665.22
Capacitors 665.24
Component interconnection
665.19
Control panels 665.21
Enclosures 665.20
Grounding and bonding
665.26
Marking 665.27
Shielding 665.25
Warning labels or signs
665.23
Hazardous (classified) locations
665.4
Output circuits 665.5
Overcurrent protection 665.11
Remote control 665.7
Induction heating systems; see
also Induction and dielectric heating equipment
Definition 427.2, 665.2
Fixed equipment for pipelines
and vessels 427–V
Inductive loads
Signs 600.6(B)
Switches, types, ratings 404.14
Industrial control panels Art. 409
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Conductors
Busbars 409.102
Minimum size and ampacity
409.20
Construction specifications 409–
III
Definition 409.2
Disconnecting means 409.30
Enclosures 409.100
Grounding 409.60
Installation 409–II
Marking 409.110
Overcurrent protection 409.21
Bending radius 326.24
Bends 326.26
Fittings 326.40
Uses not permitted 326.12
Uses permitted 326.10
Interactive systems
Definition 100–I, 690.2, 692.2
Fuel cell systems 692–VII
Small wind electric systems
694.50, 694.60
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.54, 690.60, 690.61
Intercommunications systems see
Communications circuits; Hazardous (classified) locations
Interconnected electric power
production sources Art.
705; see also Utilityinteractive inverters
Definitions 705.2
Directory 705.10
Disconnect device 705.22
Disconnecting means
Equipment 705.21
Sources 705.20
Equipment approval 705.4
Generators 705–III
Ground-fault protection 705.32
Grounding 705.50
Interrupting and short-circuit
current rating 705.16
Loss of 3-phase primary source
705.42
Loss of primary source 705.40
Output characteristics 705.14
Overcurrent protection 705.30
Point of connection 705.12
Synchronous generators 705.143
System installation 705.6
Intermediate metal conduit (Type
IMC) Art. 342
Bends 342.24, 342.26
Bushings 342.46
Construction 342–III
Couplings and connectors
342.42
Definition 342.2
Dissimilar metals 342.14
Installation 342–II
Listing 342.6
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C4 and C4A
Number of conductors in 342.22
Reaming and threading 342.28
Size 342.20
Splices and taps 342.56
Standard lengths 342.130
Supports and securing 342.30
Uses permitted 342.10
Wet locations 342.10(D)
Intermittent duty
Definition 100–I
Motors 430.22(E), 430.33
Interpretations, formal see Formal interpretations
Interrupter switch see Switches,
interrupter
Interrupting rating 110.9,
240.60(C)(3), 240.83(C)
Definition 100–I
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
Lampholders
INDEX
-J-
AF
Joints; see also Splices and taps
Expansion see Expansion joints
Grounding electrode conductor
250.64(C)
High density polyethylene conduit 353.48
Insulating, fixtures 410.36(D)
Insulation of 110.14(B)
Reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit 355.48
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.48
Strain at 400.10
Joists
Air-handling, space 300.22(C)
Ex.
Armored cable 320.23(A)
Concealed knob-and-tube wiring
394.23
Electric space heating cables
424.41(I), 424.41(J)
Holes through or notches in
300.4(A)
Nonmetallic sheathed cable
334.15(C)
Open wiring, crossing 398.15(C)
Parallel to framing members,
cables and raceways
300.4(D)
Jumpers, bonding 250.168
Cable trays 392.60(C)
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.100(D)
Definition 100–I
Equipment 250.98, 250.102,
310.10(H)(6)
Definition 100–I
Generators 250.35(B)
High-impedance grounded
neutral system
250.36(E), 250.36(G)
Separately derived systems
250.30(A)(2)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.50
Expansion joints, telescoping
sections of raceways
250.98
Grounding electrode system
250.53(C), 250.64(F)
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Grounding-type receptacles
250.146
Hazardous (classified) locations
250.100, 501.30(A),
502.30(A), 503.30(A),
505.25(A)
Health care facilities 517.19(C)
and (D)
Main 250.24(B), 250.28
Definition 100–I
Wire or busbar, as
250.24(A)(4)
Metal, structural 250.104(C)
Network-powered broadband
communications system
830.100(D)
Optical fiber cables 770.100(D)
Panelboards 408.3(C)
Piping systems 250.104
Radio and television equipment
810.21(J)
Separately derived systems
250.30(A), 250.30(B)(3)
Service equipment 250.28,
250.92(B), 250.102(C)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.48, 690.49
Supply-side 250.30(A)(2),
250.30(B)(3)
Definition 250.2
Switchboards 408.3(C)
System 250.28, 250.30(A)
Junction boxes; see also Boxes;
Pull boxes
Accessibility 314.29
Cellular concrete floor raceways
372.7
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.9
Covers 314.28(C), 314.72(E)
Deicing and snow-melting
cables 426.22(E),
426.24(B)
Motor controllers and disconnects 430.10(A)
Nonheating cable leads 424.43
Over 600 volts 314–IV
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.4(B)
Separation from motors
430.245(B)
Size
Conductors 4 AWG and
larger 314.16, 314.28(A)
Conductors 6 AWG and
smaller 314.16(C)(1)
Construction specifications
314–III
Supports 314.23
Swimming pools 680.23(C)(2),
680.24
Switch enclosures 110.59,
404.3(B)
Underfloor raceways 390.13
T
Phase installations 300.5(I) Ex.
2
Isolating means, over 600 volts
490.22
Isolating switches see Switches,
isolating
Isolation by elevation
Circuits over 600 volts
110.34(E)
Circuits under 600 volts
110.27(A)
Resistors and reactors over 600
volts 470.18(B)
Isolation equipment, systems
(motors) 430.109(A)(7)
Definition 430.2
Isolation transformer see Transformers, Isolation
D
R
Intersystem bonding termination
250.94, 770.100,
800.100, 810.21,
820.100, 830.100
Definition 100–I
Intrinsically safe apparatus
Definition 504.2
Grounding 504.50(A)
Intrinsically safe circuits 504.30
Definition 504.2
Intrinsically safe systems Art. 504
Bonding 504.60
Conductors, separation of
504.30
Definitions 504.2, 506.2
Enclosures 504.30(A)(2),
504.50(A)
Equipment installation 504.10,
506.8(C), 506.8(J)
Equipment listing 504.4
Grounding 504.50
Identification 504.80
Sealing 504.70
Separation of intrinsically safe
conductors 504.30
Wiring methods 504.20
Introduction Art. 90
Inverters; see also Utilityinteractive inverters
Definition 690.2, 694.2
Small wind electric systems
694.12(A), 694.18(A)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.4(H), 690.6(B),
690.8(A), 690.35(G),
690.47(B)
Irons see Flatirons
Irrigation machines Art. 675
Bonding 675.14
Center pivot 675–II
Definition 675.2
Collector rings 675.11
Conductors 675.5, 675.9
Current ratings, equivalent 675.7
Definitions 675.2
Disconnecting means 675.8
Grounding 675.12, 675.13
Irrigation cable 675.4
Lightning protection 675.15
Marking 675.6
Motors on branch circuit 675.10
Supply source, more than one
675.16
Isolated
Arcing parts 110.18
Circuits, low voltage 517.64(C)
Definition 100–I
Equipment grounding conductor
250.146(D)
Health care facility power systems 517–VII
Critical care areas 517.19(E),
517.19(F)
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.30(C)(2)
Grounding 517.19(F),
647.7(B)
Installation 517.160(A)
Wet procedure locations
517.20(B)
-KKitchen
Definition 100–I
Receptacles in 210.8(A)(6)
Kitchen equipment, commercial
220.56, 422.11(F)(2)
Knife switches
Butt contacts 404.6(C)
Connection 404.6(C)
Construction specifications
404–II
Enclosures 404.3 Ex. 1
General-use 404.13(C)
Interrupt current 404.13(B)
Isolating 404.13(A)
Motor-circuit 404.13(D)
Position, enclosed and open
types 404.6
Ratings 404.14
600-volt 404.16
Knob-and-tube wiring Art. 394
Accessible attics 394.23
Clearances 394.19
Conductors 394.104
Construction 394–III
Definition 394.2
Devices 394.42
Installation 394–II
Securing and supporting 394.30
Splices and taps 394.56
Through or parallel to framing
members 394.17
Uses not permitted 394.12
Uses permitted 394.10
Knockouts
Bonding
Over 250 volts 250.97 Ex.
Service equipment 250.92(B)
Openings to be closed
110.12(A), 314.17(A)
-LLabeled
Definition 100–I
Labels required 550.20(B),
550.32(G), 551.46(D),
551.47(Q)(3),
551.47(R)(4),
552.44(D), 552.48(P)(3),
552.59(B); see also
Warning signs (labels),
at equipment
Lacquers and paints
Application Art. 516
Atmospheres 500.5(B),
500.6(A), Art. 501, Art.
505, 505.5(B)
Lampholders
Branch circuits supplying
210.23
Circuits less than 50 volts 720.5
Combustible material, near
410.97
Damp or wet locations
410.10(A), 410.96
Double-pole switched 410.93
Heavy-duty see Heavy-duty
lampholders
Infrared lamps 422.14
Installation 410–VIII
Mogul base see Mogul base
lampholders
Outdoor 225.24
Outlet boxes 314.27(A)
Pendant
Bathrooms 410.10(D)
70–903
Lampholders
INDEX
70–904
T
Exits see Exits, emergency
lighting
Feeders, calculation of load
220.42, 220–IV
Festoon see Festoon lighting
Fixtures see Luminaires
Outlets see Lighting outlets
Outline see Outline lighting
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.8
Systems see Lighting systems,
30 volts or less
Track see Lighting track
Lighting assembly, cord-andplug-connected
Definition 680.2
Lighting outlets 210.70,
314.27(A), 410.36(A),
410–III
Definition 100–I
Lighting systems, 30 volts or less
Art. 411
Branch circuit 411.6
Definition 411.2
Hazardous (classified) locations
411.7
Listing required 411.3
Location requirements 411.4
Secondary circuits 411.5
Lighting track 410–XIV
Construction requirements
410.155
Definition 410.2
Fastening 410.154
Heavy-duty 410.153
Installation 410.151
Load calculations 220.43(B)
Lightning rods
Irrigation machines 675.15
Spacing from 250.106 IN No. 2
Lightning (surge) arresters Art.
280
Antenna discharge units 810.20
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.106
Connections at services
230.82(4)
Definition 100–I
Grounding 250.60, 250.106,
280.25
Radio and television equipment
Receiving stations (antenna
discharge units) 810.20
Transmitting stations, antenna
discharge units 810.57
Services over 600 volts 230.209
Lightning (surge) protection Art.
280; see also Surgeprotective devices
(SPDs)
Communication circuit conductors 800.53
Connections at services 230.82
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.35, 502.35
Hoistways and machine rooms
620.37(B)
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
830.44(I)(3)
AF
LED sign illumination systems
600.33
Definition 600.2
Legally required standby systems
Art. 701
Accessibility 701.25
Capacity and rating 701.4
Circuit wiring 701.10, 701–II
Definition 701.2
Ground-fault protection of
equipment 701.26
Grounding 701.7(B)
Overcurrent protection 701–IV
Signals 701.6
Signs 701.7
Sources of power 701–III
Tests and maintenance 701.5
Transfer equipment 701.5
Wiring 701.10
Lengths
Branches from busways
368.56(B)
Conduit bodies 314.71
Electrical metallic tubing
358.120
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
362.120
Enclosures, handhole 314.71
Free conductors at outlets and
switches 300.14, 424.43,
426.23(A)
High density polyethylene conduit, marking 353.120
Intermediate metal conduit
342.120, 342.130
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.120
Open wiring in nonmetallic flexible tubing 398.15(A)
Pull and junction boxes 314.28,
314.71
Reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit 355.120
Rigid metal conduit 344.120,
344.130
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, marking 352.120
Space-heating cable, nonheating
leads 424.34
Taps 210.19(A)(4)Ex. 1, 240.21,
240.92(B)
Motor branch circuit
430.53(D)
Motor feeders 430.28
Life safety branch
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.32, 517.42
Life support equipment, electrical 517.45(B)
Definition 517.2
Lighting
Airfield lighting cable 310.10(F)
Ex. 2
Branch circuits, calculation of
load 220.12
Cove 410.18
Decorative 410–XV
Electric discharge see Electric
discharge lighting
Emergency Art. 700
D
R
Not in clothes closets
410.16(B)
Not in theater dressing rooms
520.71
Screw-shell types for lamps only
410.90
Supports 314.23(F)
Unswitched over combustible
material 410.12
Lamps Art. 410; see also Luminaires; Hazardous (classified) locations
Arc see Arc lamps, portable
Auxiliary equipment 410–IX
Backstage (bare bulb) 520.47
Clothes closets, in 410.16
Electric discharge 410.62(C),
410.104, 410–XII, 410–
XIII
Electric discharge, auxiliary
equipment enclosure
410.104(A)
Fluorescent see Fluorescent
luminaires
Guards see Guarding, guards
Headlamps see Handlamps, portable
Incandescent see Incandescent
lamps
Infrared see Infrared lamp industrial heating appliances
Motion picture projectors
540.14, 540.20
Motion picture studios
Film storage vaults 530.51
Stages, portable 530.16,
530.17
Viewing, cutting tables
530.41
Outdoor, location 225.25
Pendant conductors 410.54
Portable see Portable luminaires
Stand 520.68(A)(2)
Definition 520.2, 530.2
Theaters
Border and proscenium
520.44
Dressing rooms, lamp guards
520.72
Festoons 520.65
Footlights 520.43
Stage, arc, portable 520.61
Switchboards, pilot lights
520.53(G)
Wattage marking, flush and recessed luminaires
410.120
Laundry
Circuit load 220.52(B)
Outlets
Dwelling 210.11(C)(2),
210.50(C), 210.52(F)
Mobile homes 550.13(D)(7)
Laundry area 210.52(F),
550.12(C), 550.13(D)(7)
Definition 550.2
Leakage-current detectorinterrupter 440.65
Definition 440.2
Small wind electric systems
694.40(C)(4)
Lights; see also Lamps; Lighting;
Luminaires
Border 520.44
Cables for, theaters 520.44(C)
Definition 520.2
From railway conductors 110.19
Scenery, theaters, halls 520.63
Strip
Definition 520.2
Limited care facilities; see also
Health care facilities
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.40
Line isolation monitor 517.160(B)
Definition 517.2
Lint, flyings Art. 503, Art. 506
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(Type LFMC) Art. 350
Bends 350.24, 350.26
Couplings and connectors
350.42
Definition 350.2
Grounding and bonding 350.60
Installation 350–II
Listing 350.6
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C7 and C7A
Number of conductors and
cables in 350.22
Securing and supporting 350.30
Size 350.20
Uses not permitted 350.12
Uses permitted 350.10
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit (Type LFNC)
Art. 356
Bends 356.24, 356.26
Construction specifications 356–
III
Couplings and connectors
356.42
Definition 356.2
Grounding and bonding 356.60
Installation 356–II
Listing 356.6
Marking 356.120
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C5 through C6A
Number of conductors or cables
in 356.22
Securing and supporting 350.30,
356.30
Size 356.20
Splices and taps 356.56
Trimming 356.28
Uses not permitted 356.12
Uses permitted 356.10
Listed
Definition 100–I
Live parts; see also Enclosures;
Energized parts; Guarding, guards
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Capacitors 460.2(B)
Definition 100–I
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
Manholes
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Hermetic refrigerant motorcompressors 440.4(A)
Locknuts, double, required
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.30(A)
Mobile homes 550.15(F)
Over 250 volts to ground 250.97
Ex.
Recreational vehicles 551.47(B)
Low-voltage circuits; see also
Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited
circuits
Definition 551.2
Less than 50 volts Art. 720
Lugs
Connection to terminals
110.14(A)
Listed type at electrodes 250.70
Luminaires Art. 410; see also
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Adjustable 410.62(B)
Agricultural buildings 547.8
Arc, portable 520.61, 530.17
Autotransformers
Ballasts supplying fluorescent
luminaires 410.138
Supply circuits 210.9, 215.11
Auxiliary equipment 410.137
Bathtubs, near 410.10(D),
550.14(D), 551.53(B)
Boxes, canopies, pans 410–III
Branch circuits 410.24(A),
410.68
Computation of 210.19(A),
220.12, 220.14
Sizes 210.23, 220.18
Voltages 210.6, 410.130
Clothes closets 410.16
Definition 410.2
Combustible material, near
410.11, 410.12, 410.23,
410.70, 410.116(A)(2),
410.136
Connection, fluorescent 410.24,
410.62(C)
Construction 410.155, 410–VII,
410–XI
Cords, flexible see Cords, Flexible
Damp, wet, or corrosive locations 410.10(A),
410.10(B), 410.30(B)(1)
Decorative lighting 410–XV
Definition 100–I
Dry-niche 680.23(C)
Definition 680.2
Ducts or hoods, in 410.10(C)
Electric discharge see Electric
discharge lighting
Flat cable assemblies, luminaire
hangers installed with
322.40(B)
Fluorescent see Fluorescent
luminaires
Flush 410–X, 410–XI
Fountains 680.51
Grounding 410–V
Indoor sports, mixed-use, and
all-purpose facilities,
use in 410.10(E)
AF
Electric discharge lighting transformers, over 1000 volts
410.144
Elevator motor disconnecting
means 620.51(C)
Foreign pipes, accessories, transformer vaults 450.47
Generators 445.10
Grounding connections at electrodes 250.68
Hazardous see Hazardous (classified) locations
Intrinsically safe equipment
504.10(B)
Lamps, outdoors 225.25
Luminaires 410–II
Mobile homes disconnecting
means and branchcircuit protective equipment 550.11
Motion picture projection equipment 540.11
Motor disconnecting means
430.102
Motor feeder taps 430.28 Ex.
Motors 430.14
Outlet boxes and conduit boxes
314.29
Overcurrent devices 240–II
Overhead service 230.54
Panelboards, damp or wet
408.37
Recreational vehicle disconnecting means and distribution panelboard
551.45(B)
Resistors and reactors 470.2
Service disconnecting means
230.70(A), 230.72(A)
Ex.
Service overcurrent protection
230.91, 230.92
Shooting
Definition 530.2
Sign switches 600.6(A)
Splices and taps
Auxiliary gutters 366.56
Wireways 376.56, 378.56
Surge arresters 280.11
Surge protective devices 285.11
Swimming pool junction box
and transformer enclosures 680.24
Switchboards 408.16, 408.17,
408.20
Switches in damp or wet locations 404.4
System grounding connections
250–II
Transformers and vaults 450.13
Unclassified
Definition 500.2, 505.2
Ventilation openings for transformer vaults 450.45(A)
Wet see Wet locations; Damp or
wet locations
Locked rotor motor current
Code letters 430.7(B), Table
430.7(B)
Conversion Tables 430.251(A)
and (B)
D
R
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620.4
Exposed 110.26
Generators, protection 445.14
Guarding see Guarding, guards
Lampholders 410.5, 410.142
Lamp terminals 410.142
Lighting systems, electric discharge 410.130(B),
410.140(C)
Luminaires and lamps 410.5,
410.140(C)
Metal wireways 376.56(B)(4)
In motion picture and television
studios 530.15
Over 600 volts 490.24, 490.35
Storage batteries 480.9(B)
In theaters 520.7
Transformers, guarding 450.8(C)
In tunnels 110.56
Loads
Appliances, household cooking,
demand Table 220.55
Branch circuits
Calculations Art. 220, Annex
D
Maximum 210.25, 220.18
Mobile homes 550.12
Permissible 210.23, 210.24,
Table 210.24
Continuous see Continuous load
Demand
Clothes dryers 220.54
Household cooking appliances 220.55
Farm 220–V
Feeders, calculations for
215.2(A), Art. 220, Annex D
Electrified truck parking
space equipment 626.11
Inductive see Inductive loads
Mobile home parks 550.31
Mobile homes 550.18
Motors, conductors 430–II
Nonlinear
Definition 100–I
Service, calculations for Art.
220
Stage equipment, circuit loads
520.41
Location board
Definition 530.2
Locations
Capacitors 460.2(A)
Communications circuits
Protective devices 800.90(B),
830.90(B), 830.90(C)
Raceways 800.113(B) through
(L)
Community antenna television
and radio distribution
systems 820.3(A),
820.44(A)(1), 820.93(D)
Crane and hoist disconnecting
means 610–IV
Damp or wet see Damp or wet
locations
Definition 100–I
Dry see Dry location
Inspection 410.8
Listing 410.6
Live parts 410.5
Location 410–II
Marking 410.74(A)
Mounting 410.136, 410.137
No-niche 680.23(D), 680.24(B),
680.26(B)(4)
Definition 680.2
Outlets required see Lighting
outlets
Overcurrent protection, wires
and cords 240.5
Polarization 410.50
Portable see Portable luminaires
Raceways 410.30(B), 410.36(E),
410.64
Rating 410.74
Recessed see Recessed luminaires
Recreational vehicles 551.53
Showers, near 410.10(D),
550.14(D), 551.53(B)
Show windows 410.14
Strip lights
Definition 520.2
Supports 314.23(F), 410–IV
Swimming pools, spas, and
similar installations
680.22(B), 680.23,
680.26(B)(4), 680.33,
680.43(B), 680.51,
680.62(F), 680.72
Theaters Art. 520
Wet 410.10(A), 410.30(B)(1)
Wet-niche 680.23(B)
Definition 680.2
Wiring 410–VI
Luminaire stud construction
410.36(C)
-MMachine rooms
Branch circuits, lighting and
receptacles 620.23
Definition 620.2
Guarding equipment 620.71
Wiring 620.21(A)(3), 620.37
Machinery space
Branch circuits, lighting and
receptacles 620.23
Definition 620.2
Wiring 620.21(A)(3)
Machine tools see Industrial machinery
Made electrodes 250.50, 250.52
Mandatory rules 90.5(A)
Mandatory rules, permissive
rules, and explanatory
material 90.5
Manholes 110–V
Access 110.75
Covers 110.75(D)
Dimensions 110.75(A)
Location 110.75(C)
Marking 110.75(E)
Obstructions 110.75(B)
Conductors
Bending space for 110.74
Class 1, of different circuits
725.136(F)
70–905
Manholes
INDEX
70–906
T
Ferrous 300.6(A), 300.20
Metal siding, grounding of
250.116 IN
Metal wireways see Wireways,
metal
Metal working machine tools and
plastic machinery see
Industrial machinery
Meters
Connection and location at services 230.82, 230.94
Ex. 5
Grounding of cases 250.174,
250.176
Grounding to grounded circuit
conductor 250.142(B)
Ex. 2
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.105, 502.150
Meter socket enclosures see Cabinets, cutout boxes, and
meter socket enclosures
Metric equivalents
Raceways, trade sizes 300.1(C)
Metric units of measurement
90.9
Mineral-insulated metal-sheathed
cable (Type MI) Art.
332, 332–II
Ampacity 332.80
Bends 332.24
Boxes and fittings 332.40
Conductors 332.104
Construction specifications 332–
III
Definition 332.2
Equipment-grounding conductors 332.108
Installation 332–II
Insulation 332.112
Sheath 332.116
Single conductors 332.31
Supports 332.30
Terminal seals 332.40(B)
Through or parallel to framing
members 300.4, 332.17
Uses not permitted 332.12
Uses permitted 332.10
Mobile home lot
Definition 550.2
Mobile home parks Art. 550
Definitions 550.2
Distribution system 550.30
Electrical wiring system
Definition 550.2
Feeder and service demand
factors 550.18, 550–III,
Table 550.31
Minimum allowable demand
factor 550.31
Mobile home service equipment
550.32
Definition 550.2
Mobile homes Art. 550; see also
Park trailers; Recreational vehicles
Accessory buildings or structures
Definitions 550.2
Appliances 550.12(B) and (D),
550.14
AF
Means of egress
Health care facilities 517.32(A)
Illumination 517.32(A),
517.42(A)
Mechanical execution of work
110.12, 640.6, 720.11,
725.24, 760.24, 770.24,
800.24, 820.24, 830.24,
840.24
Medium voltage cable (Type
MV) Art. 328
Ampacity 328.80
Construction specifications 328–
III
Definition 328.2
Installation 328–II
Marking 328.120
Messenger-supported wiring Art.
396
Definition 396.2
Grounding 396.60
Installation 396–II
Messenger support 396.30
Splices and taps 396.56
Uses not permitted 396.12
Uses permitted 396.10
Metal-clad cable (Type MC) Art.
330
Accessible attics 330.23
Ampacity 330.80
Bends 330.24
Boxes and fittings 330.40
Conductors 330.104
Construction specifications 330–
III
Definition 330.2
Equipment grounding conductor
330.108
Installation 330–II
Insulation 330.112
Marking 310.120
Sheath 330.116
Single conductors
330.10(A)(12), 330.31
Supports 330.30
Through or parallel to framing
members 300.4(A),
330.17
Uses not permitted 330.12
Uses permitted 330.10
Metal-enclosed switchgear see
Switchgear, metalenclosed
Metal frame of building
Bonding 250.104(C)
Grounding electrode
250.30(A)(4),
250.30(A)(8),
250.52(A)(2), 250.68(C)
Not permitted as equipment
grounding conductor
250.136(A)
Metal gutters see Auxiliary gutters
Metal hoods, stage switchboard
520.24
Metal outlet boxes see Boxes,
metal
Metals
Corrosion, protection against see
Protection, Corrosion
Dissimilar 110.14, 250.70,
342.14, 344.14
D
R
Class 2, 3 installation
725.133, 725.136(F)
Over 600 volts 300.3(C)(2)(e)
Control circuits installed in
522.24(B)(3)
Fixed ladders 110.79
Ventilation 110.77, 110.78
Work space 110.72, 110.73
Manufactured buildings Art. 545
Bonding and grounding 545.11
Boxes 545.9
Component interconnections
545.13
Definitions 545.3
Grounding electrode conductor
545.12
Protection of conductors and
equipment 545.8
Receptacle or switch with integral enclosure 545.10
Service-entrance conductors
545.5, 545.6
Service equipment 545.7
Supply conductors 545.5
Wiring methods 545.4
Manufactured homes; see also
Mobile homes; Recreational vehicles
Definition 550.2
Manufactured phase
Definition 455.2
Marking 455.6(B)
Manufactured wiring systems
Art. 604
Construction 604.6
Definition 604.2
Installation 604.7
Markings 604.6(B)
Uses not permitted 604.5
Uses permitted 604.4
Marinas and boatyards Art. 555
Circuit breakers 555.11
Connections 555.9
Cranes 555.23
Definitions 555.2
Disconnecting means 555.17
Distribution system 555.4
Enclosures 555.10
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
555.19(B)(1)
Ground-fault protection 555.3
Grounding 555.15
Hazardous (classified) locations
555.21
Hoists 555.23
Load calculations 555.12
Marine power outlets 555.11
Definition 555.2
Motor fuel dispensing 555.21
Panelboards 555.11
Railways 555.23
Receptacles 555.19
Service equipment, location
555.7
Switches 555.11
Transformers 555.5
Wiring methods and installation
555.13
Markings 110.21; see also Identification; subhead Marking under entries for
specific wiring and
equipment
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection 550.25
Branch-circuit protective equipment 550.11
Branch circuits 550.12
Calculations of loads 550.18
CATV coaxial cables, bonding
and grounding of
820.106
Communications circuits
800.106
Definitions 550.2
Disconnecting means 550.11
Expandable and dual units, wiring 550.19
Feeder 215.2(A)(4), 550.33
General requirements 550.4
Ground-fault circuit interrupter
550.13(B)
Grounding 550.16
Insulated neutral required
550.16(A)(1)
Luminaires 550.14, 550.20
Multiple section, wiring 550.19
Nameplates 550.11(D)
Network-powered broadband
communications cables,
bonding and grounding
of 830.106
Optical fiber cables 770.106
Outdoor outlets, luminaires, aircooling equipment
550.20
Power supply 550.10
Premises-powered broadband
communications systems, bonding and
grounding of 840.106
Receptacle outlets 550.13
Service equipment 550.32
Definition 550.2
Testing 550.17
Wiring methods and materials
550.15
Mobile X-ray equipment
660.4(B), 660.21
Definition 660.2
Modules, solar photovoltaic systems 690.4(C) through
690.4(E), 690.8(D),
690.32, 690.43(E),
690.51, 690.52; see also
Solar photovoltaic systems
Definition 690.2
Mogul base lampholders
210.6(C)(3), 410.103
Monopole subarrays 690.4(G)
Definition 690.2
Monorails 555.23, Art. 610
Motion picture and television
studios Art. 530
Definitions 530.2
Dressing rooms 530–III
Feeder conductors, sizing 530.19
Film storage vault 530–V
Grounding 530.20
Lamps, portable arc 530.17
Live parts 530.15
Luminaires, portable 530.16
Overcurrent protection 530.18,
530.63
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
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NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Overload protection 430–III,
430.55, 430.124,
430.225(B), 460.9
Overtemperature protection
430.126
Over 600 volts 430–XI
Part winding see Part-winding
motors
Rating or setting of branchcircuit short-circuit and
ground-fault devices
Table 430.52
Restarting, automatic 430.43
Short circuit protection 430–IV,
430–V
Speed limitations 430.89
Starting, shunting 430.35
Swimming pools, fountains, and
similar installations
680.21, 680.27(B)(1)
System isolation equipment
430.109(A)(7)
Definition 430.2
Tables 430–XIV
Taps 430.28, 430.53(D)
Terminal housings 430.12,
430.245(A)
Terminals 430.9
Three overload units Table
430.37
Torque motors
Branch circuits 430.52(D)
Controller rating 430.83(D)
Disconnecting means
430.109(G), 430.110(B)
Ultimate trip current
430.32(A)(2)
Ventilation 430.14(A), 430.16
Wiring diagram Fig. 430.1
Wiring space in enclosures
430.10
Mounting of equipment 110.13,
314.23, 404.9(A),
404.10, 410–IV
Moving walks see Elevators,
dumbwaiters, escalators,
moving walks, platform
lifts, and stairway chairlifts
Multioutlet assembly Art. 380
Calculation of load 220.14(H)
Definition 100–I
Deflected insulated conductors
380.23(A)
Insulated conductors 380.23
Metal, through dry partitions
380.76
Pull boxes, use as 380.23(B)
Uses not permitted 380.12
Uses permitted 380.10
Multiple branch circuits 210.7
Multiple circuit connections,
grounding 250.144
Multiple conductors (conductors
in parallel) see Conductors, multiple
Multiple fuses (fuses in parallel)
240.8, 404.17
Definition 100–II
Multispeed motors
Branch circuits 430.22(B)
AF
Wound rotor secondary
430.23
Wye-start, delta-run
430.22(C)
Continuous duty 430.32
Controller rating 430.83(D)
Overload protection
430.32(A), 430.32(C)
Wound-rotor secondary
430.23
Control centers see Control centers
Control circuits 430–VI
Controllers see Controllers, motor
Cord-and-plug-connected
430.109(F)
Current, full load see Full-load
current motors
Curtain, theater 520.48
Definitions 430.2
Disconnecting means 430.75,
430.95, 430–IX,
430.128, 430.227
Feeder demand factor 430.26
Feeders, calculation of load
220.40, 220.50, 220–IV
Full-load current see Full-load
current motors
Fuseholder, size of 430.57
General 430–I
Ground-fault protection 430–IV,
430–V
Grounding 250–VI, 430.12(E),
430.96, 430–XIII
Grouped 430.24, 430.42, 430.53,
430.87, 430.112 Ex.
Guards for attendants 430.233
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.125, 502.125,
503.125, 505.16(E)(2),
505.22
Highest rated or smallest rated
430.17
Industrial machinery Art. 670
Intermittent duty 430.22(E),
430.33
Liquids, protection from 430.11
Live parts, protection of 430–
XII
Location 430.14
Maintenance 430.14(A)
Marking 430.7
Motor control centers 430.98
Terminals 430.9(A)
Motor control centers 430–VIII
Multispeed see Multispeed motors
Overcurrent protection
Branch circuits 430–IV
Combined overcurrent protection 430.55
Control circuits 430.72
Equipment grounding conductors 250.122(D)
Motor control centers 430.94
Motor feeders 430–V
Over 600 volts 430.225
Overheating, dust accumulations
430.16
D
R
Portable equipment 530.6
Stage or set 530–II
Substations 530–VI
Viewing, cutting, and patching
tables 530–IV
Wiring
Permanent 530.11
Portable 530.12
Motion picture projector rooms
see Projector rooms,
motion picture
Motion picture theaters see Theaters
Motor-circuit switches
Definition 100–I
Motor control center see Control
centers
Motor fuel dispensing facilities
Art. 514; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Circuit disconnects 514.11
Classification of locations 514.3
Definition 514.2
Equipment 514.4, 514.7
Grounding and bonding 514.16
Maintenance and servicing
514.13
Sealing 514.9
Underground wiring 514.8
Wiring 514.4, 514.7, 514.8
Motor-generator arc welders see
Welders, electric
Motor homes; see also Mobile
homes; Recreational
vehicles
Definition 551.2
Motors Art. 430
Adjustable speed drive and drive
systems 430.88, 430–X
Definitions 430.2
Air-conditioning units Art. 440
Appliances, motor-driven see
Appliances
Branch circuits 430–II
Combination loads 430.54,
430.63
Overload protection 430–III
Short-circuit and ground-fault
protection 430–IV
Taps 430.28, 430.53(D)
Torque motors 430.52(D)
Bushing 430.13
Capacitors 430.27, 460.9
Circuit conductors 430–II
Code letters Table 430.7(B)
Conductors 430–II
Adjustable speed drive systems 430.122
Ampacities 430.6
Combination loads 430.25
Continuous duty 430.22
Direct-current motor-rectifier
supplied 430.22(A)
Equipment grounding conductors 250.122(D)
Feeder demand factor 430.26
Intermittent duty 430.22(E)
Motor and other loads 430.24
Several motors 430.24
Single motor 430.22
Small motors 430.22(G)
Network-powered broadband communications systems
Locked-rotor code letters
430.7(B)(1)
Marking 430.7(B)(1)
Overload protection
430.52(C)(4)
Multiwire branch circuit 210.4
Definition 100–I
Hazardous locations 501.40,
502.40, 505.21
-NNacelle
Definition 694.2
Nameplates see subhead under
entries for specific wiring and equipment
Natural and artificially made
bodies of water, electrical wiring and
equipment for Art. 682
Definitions 682.2
Grounding and bonding 682–III
Installation 682–II
Neat and workmanlike installation 110.12, 640.6(A),
720.11, 725.24, 760.24,
770.24, 800.24, 820.24,
830.24, 840.24
Neon tubing 600.41
Definition 600.2
Network interface unit
Definition 830.2
Network-powered broadband
communications systems Art. 830
Access to electrical equipment
behind panels 830.21
Buildings 830–II, 830–V
Cables outside or entering see
subhead: Cables outside
and entering buildings
Installation methods within
830–V
Underground circuits entering
see subhead: Underground circuits entering
buildings
Cables outside and entering
buildings 830–II
Aerial cables 830.44
Above roofs 830.44(B)
Between buildings
830.44(H)
On buildings 830.44(I)
Clearance from ground
830.44(C)
Climbing space
830.44(A)(3)
Final spans 830.44(E)
Lead-in clearance
830.44(A)(4)
Over pools 830.44(D)
On poles 830.44(A)
Entrance cables 830.40
Low-power circuits
830.40(B)
Medium-power circuits
830.40(A)
Cable types 830.113, Table
830.154(a), 830.179
Definitions 830.2
70–907
70–908
Splices and taps 382.56
Supporting and securing 382.30
Uses not permitted 382.12
Uses permitted 382.10
Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
(Types NM, NMC, and
NMS) Art. 334
Accessible attics 334.23
Ampacity 334.80
Bends 334.24
Boxes and fittings 334.40
Conductors 334.104
Construction 334–III
Definition 334.2
Devices of insulating material
334.40(B)
Devices with integral enclosures
334.40(C)
Equipment grounding conductor
334.108
Exposed work 334.15
Installation 334–II
Insulation 334.112
Listed 334.6
Marking 310.120
Nonmetallic outlet boxes
334.40(A)
Sheath 334.116
Supports 334.30
Through or parallel to framing
members 300.4, 334.17
Unfinished basements 334.15(C)
Uses not permitted 334.12
Uses permitted 334.10
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
(Type NUCC) Art. 354
Bends 354.24, 354.26
Bushings 354.46
Conductor terminations 354.50
Construction specifications 354–
III
Definition 354.2
Grounding 354.60
Installation 354–II
Joints 354.48
Listing 344.6
Listing requirements 354.6
Marking 354.120
Number of conductors 354.22
Size 354.20
Splices and taps 344.56
Trimming 354.28
Uses not permitted 354.12
Uses permitted 354.10
Nonmetallic wireways see Wireways, nonmetallic
Nonpower-limited control circuits
Amusement attractions
522.10(B)
Nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits (NPLFA) see Fire
alarm systems,
Nonpower-limited circuits
Nontamperable
Circuit breakers 240.82
Type S fuses 240.54(D)
Number of services 230.2
Disconnecting means 230.71,
250.64(D)
AF
Point
Definition 100–I
Ranges and dryers, grounding
250.140, 250.142(B) Ex.
1
Small wind electric systems
694.64
Switchboard, stage 520.27(B),
520.53(H)(2), 520.53(O)
Uninsulated, where permitted
230.22 Ex., 230.30 Ex.,
230.41 Ex., 250.140
Ex., 338.10(B)(2)
Neutral systems, high-impedance
grounded see Highimpedance grounded
neutral systems
Nightclubs Art. 518
Nipples, conduit see Conduit
nipples
Noise see Electrical noise
Nonautomatic
Definition 100–I
Nonelectrical equipment, grounding 250.116
Nongrounding-type receptacles,
replacements
250.130(C), 406.4(D)(2)
Nonincendive circuits 500.7(F),
506.8(F)
Definition 500.2, 506.2
Nonincendive component
500.7(H)
Definition 500.2
Nonincendive equipment
500.7(G), 506.8(G)
Definition 500.2, 506.2
Nonincendive field wiring
501.10(B)(3),
502.10(B)(3),
503.10(A)(4)
Definition 500.2, 506.2
Nonlinear load
Definition 100–I
Nonmetallic boxes see Boxes,
nonmetallic
Nonmetallic conduit see Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit; Nonmetallic underground
conduit with conductors
Nonmetallic extensions Art. 382
Bends 382.26
Boxes and fittings 382.40
Concealable 382.15(B)
Bends 382.26(B)
Definition 382.2
Flat conductors 382.104
Listing 382.6
Securing and supporting
382.30(B)
Uses permitted 382.10
Construction specifications 382–
III
Definition 382.2
Devices 382.42
Exposed 382.10(B), 382.15
Flat conductors 382.104
Installation 382–II
Insulation 382.112
Listing requirements 382.6
Marking 382.120
D
R
General
Mechanical execution of
work 830.24
Scope 830.1
Grounding methods 830–IV
Bonding and grounding at
mobile homes 830.106
Cable network interface unit,
and primary protection
830.100
Metallic members 830.93
Listing 830.113(A), 830–VI
Locations 830.3(A)
Low-power cables 830.110,
830.133(A)(1),
830.179(B)
Marking 830.179
Medium-power wiring 830.110,
830.133(A)(1),
830.179(A)
Power limitations 830.15
Protection 830–III
Grounding of metallic members 830.93
Physical damage, protection
against 830.3(E),
830.44(I)(4), 830.47(C),
830.100(A)(6)
Primary electrical protection
830.90
Underground circuits entering
buildings 830.47
Direct-buried cables and raceways 830.47(B)
Mechanical protection
830.47(C)
Pools, under 830.47(D)
Underground systems
830.47(A)
Neutral; see also Conductors,
grounded
Bare 230.22 Ex., 230.30 Ex.,
230.41 Ex.
Bonding to service equipment
250.92
Busways, over 600 volts
368.258
Common see Common neutral
Conductor 310.15(B)(5),
310.15(B)(7), Tables
B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
through
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Definition 100–I
Continuity of 300.13
Direct current generators
445.12(D), 445.13
Equipment, grounding to
250.142
Feeder load 220.61
Floating buildings, conductors in
553.9
Grounding of
AC systems 250.4, 250.24,
250.26, 250.34, 250.36
DC systems 250.4, 250.34,
250.36, 250.162(B)
High-voltage systems 250.182
through 250.186
Identification Art. 200
Messenger supported wiring
396.30(B)
INDEX
T
Network-powered broadband communications systems
Service-entrance conductor sets
230.40
Nurses’ stations
Definition 517.2
Nursing homes; see also Health
care facilities
Definition 517.2
Essential electrical systems
517.40
-OOccupancy, lighting loads 220.12,
Table 220.12
Office furnishings Art. 605
General 605.2
Lighting accessories 605.5
Partitions
Fixed-type 605.6
Freestanding type 605.7,
605.8
Interconnections 605.4
Wireways 605.3
Official interpretations see Formal interpretations
Oil (filled) cutouts 490.21(D)
Definition 100–II
Oil-filled equipment 490.3; see
also Transformers, oilinsulated
Oil immersion 500.7(I)
Definition 500.2
Oil-insulated transformers see
Transformers
On-site power production facility
695.3(A)
Definition 695.2
On-site standby generator
695.3(B)(2), 695.3(D),
695.4(B), 695.6(C) Ex.
2
Definition 695.2
Openings in equipment to be
closed 110.12(A),
312.5(A), 314.17(A)
Open wiring on insulators Art.
398
Accessible attics 398.23
Clearances 398.19
Conductors, types permitted
398.104
Construction specifications 398–
III
Definition 398.2
Devices 398.42
Exposed work 398.15
Flexible nonmetallic tubing
398.15(A)
Installation 398–II
Securing and supporting 398.30
Through or parallel to framing
members 398.17
Uses not permitted 398.12
Uses permitted 398.10
Operable, externally
Definition 100–I
Operating device
Definition 620.2
Operating rooms, hospital
517–IV
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Lighting equipment installed
outdoors 225.7
Location of outdoor lamps
225.25
Mechanical protection 225.20
More than one building or structure 225–II
Access to occupants 225.35
Access to overcurrent protective devices 225.40
Disconnect
Construction 225.38
Disconnecting means
225.31
Grouping of 225.34
Location of 225.32
Maximum number 225.33
Rating of 225.39
Suitable for service equipment 225.36
Identification 225.37,
230.2(E)
Number of supplies 225.30
Outdoor lampholders 225.24,
225.25
Over 600 volts 225–III
Point of attachment 225.16
Spacing, open conductors
225.14
Supports
Masts 225.17
Open conductors 225.12
Over buildings 225.15
Vegetation 225.26
Wiring on buildings 225.10
Outside of buildings
Separately derived systems
250.30(C)
Services considered 230.6
Ovens, wall-mounted; see also
Cooking unit, countermounted; Ranges
Branch circuits 210.19(A)(3),
210.23(C), 220.55,
Table 220.55 Note 4
Connections 422.16(B)(3),
422.31(B)
Demand factors and loads Table
220.55
Feeders, calculation of load
220.82(B)(3)
Grounding 250.140
Overcurrent
Definition 100–I
Overcurrent devices; see also
Overcurrent protection
Branch circuit 240.24(B)(2)
Definition 100–I
Enclosed 230.208(B), 312.8
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.8(B)
Standard 240.6
Overcurrent protection Art. 240
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment 440–III
Amusement attractions 522.23
Appliances 422.11
Auxiliary gutters 366.56(D)
Branch circuits 210.20, 240.4,
250.32(B)(2),
250.32(C)(2)
Busways 368.17
AF
Outlet boxes see Boxes
Outlets
Appliance 210.50(C)
Communications circuits
800.156
Definition 100–I
Discontinued
Cellular concrete floor raceways 372.13
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.7
Underfloor raceways 390.8
Heating, air-conditioning, and
refrigeration equipment
210.63, 550.12(D)
Laundry see Laundry
Lighting see Lighting outlets
Loads 220.14
Multioutlet assembly see Multioutlet assembly
Outdoor 550.20, 551.53(C),
552.41(E), 552.59
Power
Definition 100–I
Receptacle 210.50
Definition 100–I
Dwellings, where required
210.52
Required 210–III
Vacuum assembly, central
422.15
Outlet spacing, dwelling baseboard heaters 210.52
Outline lighting Art. 600; see also
Signs
Bonding 600.7(B), 600.33(D)
Branch circuits 220.14(F), 600.5
Definitions 100–I, 600.2
Grounding, conductor size
600.7(A), 600.24(B),
600.33(D)
Output circuits
Amplifiers 640.9(C)
Definition 692.2
Fuel cell systems 692.61, 692–
VIII
Heat generating equipment
665.5
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.1, 690.4, 690.6(B),
690.7, 690.8, 690.31(E),
690.35
Definition 690.2, 690.85
Outside branch circuits and feeders Art. 225
Calculation of load 225.8
Branch circuits 220–I, 220–II,
225.8(A)
Feeders 220–III, 225.8(B)
Circuit entrances and exits,
buildings 225.11
Conductors
Clearance
From buildings 225.19,
225.61
From ground 225.18,
225.60
Covering 225.4
Size 225.5, 225.6, 225.50
Disconnection 225.31, 225.51,
225.52
D
R
Optical fiber cables Art. 770
Abandoned cables 770.25
Definition 770.2
Access to electrical equipment
770.21
Applications of listed cables and
raceways 770.154
Within buildings 770–III,
770.100, 770–V
Composite cables 770.3(B)
Definition 770.2
Conductive cable 770.48(A)
Definition 770.2
Definitions 770.2
Grounding 770.93, 770–IV,
770.114, 840.93(A),
840.100
Installation 770–V
Listing 770.113(A), 770–VI,
840.170(B)
Location 505.9(F), 770.3(A)
Marking Table 770.179
Mechanical execution of work
770.24
Nonconductive cable 770.48,
770.110(B)(2)
Definition 770.2
Outside and entering buildings
770–II
Premises-powered broadband
communication systems
Art. 840
Protection 770–III
Raceway system 770.3, 770.12,
770.26, 770.110,
770.154, 770.182,
840.110
Definition 770.2
Substitution cables 770.154
Optical network terminal (ONT)
840.1, 840.93(C), 840–
IV, 840.113, 840.170
Definition 840.2
Optional standby systems Art.
702
Capacity and rating 702.4
Circuit wiring 702–II
Definition 702.2
Grounding 702.7(B), 702.11
Portable generator grounding
702.11
Signals 702.6
Signs 702.7
Transfer equipment 702.5
Organs
Electronic 640.1
Pipe Art. 650
Conductors 650.6
Grounding 250.112(B), 650.4
Installation of conductors
650.7
Overcurrent protection 650.8
Source of energy 650.4
Outdoor overhead conductors
over 600 volts Art. 399
Definition 399.2
Support 399.30
Uses not permitted 399.12
Uses permitted 399.10
Outdoor receptacles 210.8(A)(3),
210.52(E), 406.9,
680.22(A), 680.32
Overcurrent protection
Capacitors 460.8(B), 460.25
Circuit breakers 240–VII
Circuits, remote control, signaling, and power-limited
Class 1 systems 725.43
Class 2 and Class 3 systems
Chap. 9, Tables 11(A)
and 11(B)
Communications systems see
Communications circuits, protection
Conductors see Conductors
Cords, flexible and tinsel 240.5,
400.13
Cord sets, extension 240.5
Cranes and hoists 610–V
Critical operations power systems 708–IV
Current-limiting
Definition 240.2
Disconnecting and guarding
240–IV
Electric pipeline, vessel heating
equipment 427.57
Electric space-heating equipment
424.22
Electric vehicle supply equipment 625.21
Electroplating systems 669.9
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, stairway
chairlifts 620–VII
Emergency systems 700–VI
Enclosures 230.208(B), 240–III,
312.8
Exciters 445.12(A)
Feeders 215.3, 250.32(B)(2),
250.32(C)(2)
Feeder taps 240.21, 240.92,
430.28
Fire alarm systems 760.43,
760.45, Chap. 9, Tables
12(A) and 12(B)
Fire pumps 230.90(A) Ex. 4,
430.31 IN, 695.4(B),
695.5(B), 695.5(C)
Fixture wires 240.5, 402.12
Flexible cords see Cords, flexible
Fuel cell systems 692.8, 692.9
Fuses and fuseholders 240.8,
240–V, 240–VI, 404.17
Generators 445.12
Induction and dielectric heating
equipment 665.11
Industrial control panels 409.21
Industrial installations, supervised 240–VIII
Industrial machinery 670.4(C)
Instrumentation tray cable (Type
ITC) 727.9
Integrated electrical systems
685.10
Interconnected electric power
production sources
705.30
Generators 705.130
Utility-interactive inverters
705.65
Legally required standby systems 701–IV
70–909
Overcurrent protection
INDEX
70–910
T
Location of industrial control
equipment 490.41
Service equipment 490.47
Stored energy for opening
490.43
Enclosure for electrical installations 110.31, 490–III
Enclosures, handhole 314–IV
Equipment Art. 490
Fuel cell systems 692–VIII
Fuses and fuseholders 490.21(B)
Grounding Art. 250, 490.36,
490.37
Headroom above working
spaces 110.32
Illumination of working spaces
110.34(D)
Indoor installations 110.31(B)
Insulation shielding 300.40
Isolating means 490.22
Load interrupters 490.21(E)
Mobile and portable equipment
490–IV
Collector rings 490.54
Enclosures 490.53
General 490.51
High-voltage cables for main
power supply 490.56
Overcurrent protection 490.52
Power cable connections to
mobile machines 490.55
Moisture, mechanical protection,
metal-sheathed cables
300.42
Oil-filled equipment and cutouts
490.3, 490.21(D)
Outdoor installations 110.31(C)
Outdoor overhead conductors
Art. 399
Outside branch circuits and
feeders 225–III
Overcurrent protection 110.52,
240–IX, 460.25, 490.52
Portable cables 400.36
Protection of equipment
110.34(F)
Resistors and reactors 470–II
Separation 490.24, Table 490.24
Services 230–VIII
Shielding solid dielectricinsulated conductors
310.10(E)
Small wind electric systems
694–IX
Solar photovoltaic systems
690–IX
Temporary Art. 590
Tray installations Art. 392
Tunnel installation 110–IV
Voltage regulators 490.23
Wiring methods 300–II, Table
300.50
AF
Point of attachment 230.26,
230.28
Supports over buildings 230.29
Overhead spans 225.6(A)
Overload
Definition 100–I
Protection; see also Overcurrent
protection
Cranes and hoists 610.43
Fire pumps 695.6(C)
Motors, motor circuits, and
controllers 430–III,
430.55, 430.225(B),
460.9, 610.43(A) to (C),
620.61(B)
Over 600 volts Art. 490
Ampacity 310.15, 310.60,
392.80(B)
Bending 300.34
Bonding 490.74
Boxes, pull and junction 314–IV
Busways 368–IV
Capacitors 460–II
Circuit breakers see Circuit
breakers
Circuit conductors 110.36
Circuit interrupting devices
490.21
Conductors 110–III, 300.39
Conduit bodies 314–IV
Definitions 100–II, 490.2
Distribution cutouts 490.21(C)
Electrode-type boilers 490–V
Bonding 490.74
Branch circuit requirements
490.72
Electrical supply system
490.71
General 490.70
Pressure and temperature
limit control 490.73
Elevation of unguarded live
parts 110.34(E)
Enclosed power switchgear and
industrial control assemblies 490–III
Accessibility of energized
parts 490.35
Arrangement of devices in
assemblies 490.31
Circuit breaker locking
490.46
Circuit breakers — interlocks
490.45
Clearance for cable conductors entering enclosure
490.34
Door stops and cover plates
490.38
Enclosed equipment 110.31,
490–III
Fused interrupter switches
490.44
Gas discharge from interrupting devices 490.39
General 490.30
Grounding 490.36, 490.37
Guarding 490.32, 490.33
Inspection windows 490.40
Interlocks — interrupter
switches 490.42, 490.45
D
R
Lighting track 410.153
Location 230.91, 230.92,
240.92, 240–II
Mobile home 550.11
Motion picture and television
studios 530.18, 530.63
Motors see Motors
Multiple fuses and circuit breakers (in parallel) 240.8,
404.17
Occupant access to 240.24(B)
Organs 650.8
Over 600 volts 110.52, 240–IX,
460.25, 490.52
Panelboards 408.2, 408.36,
408.52, 408.54, 408.55
Ex.1
Paralleled fuses and circuit
breakers 240.8, 404.17
Park trailers 552.10(E)
Phase converters 455.7
Recreational vehicle parks
551.74
Recreational vehicles 551–IV,
551.43, 551.45
Remote-control circuits
240.4(G), 725.41(A)(2),
725.43, 725.45, Chap. 9,
Tables 11(A) and 11(B)
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.4(A)
Services
Equipment 230–VII
Over 600 volts 230.208
Small wind electric systems
694.12(B), 694.15
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.4(G), 690.6(E),
690.9, 690.35(B)
Storage battery prime movers
480.4
Supervised industrial installations 240–VIII
Supplementary 240.10
Definition 100–I
Switchboards 408.2
Television studios see Motion
picture and television
studios
Theaters, stage switchboards
520.23, 520.25(A),
520.50(C), 520.52,
520.62(B)
Transformers 450.3, 450.4(A),
450.5(A)(2),
450.5(B)(2), 450.6(B)
Vertical position, enclosures
240.33
Welders, electric 630.12(B),
630.32(B)
X-ray equipment 517.73, 660.6
Overhead gantry 626.23
Definition 626.2
Overhead service conductors
230–II, 800.44
Clearances 230.24
Definition 100–I
Insulation or covering 230.22
Location 230.54
Means of attachment 230.27
Minimum size 230.23
-PPanel, solar photovoltaic systems
Definition 690.2
Panelboards Art. 408
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Bonding 408.40, 517.14,
517.19(D)
Circuit directory 408.4
Component parts 408.53
Damp or wet locations 408.37
Definition 100–I
Distribution 550.10(B), 550.11,
551.45, 551.54(B),
552.45, 552.55(B)
Definition 550.2, 551.2
Enclosure 408.38
General 408.30
Grounded conductor terminations 408.41
Grounding 408.40, 517.19(D)
Installation 110.26(E)
Marking 408.58
Overcurrent protection 408.36,
408.52, 408.54, 408.55
Ex. 1
Relative arrangement of
switches and fuses
408.39
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.4(A)
Service equipment 408.3(C),
408.36 Ex. 1, 408.36
Ex. 3
Spacing, minimum 408.56
Support for busbars and conductors 408.3
Wire-bending space 408.55
Working spaces about 110.26
Pans, fixture 410.23
Paralleled
Alternate sources Art. 705
Circuit breakers and fuses 240.8,
404.17
Conductors see Conductors,
paralleled
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks
620.12(A)(1)
Power production sources Art.
705
Park trailers Art. 552; see also
Mobile homes; Recreational vehicles
Appliance accessibility and fastening 552.58
Bonding 552.57
Branch circuits 552.46
Calculations 552.47
Combination electrical systems
552.20
Conductors and boxes 552.48,
552.49
Connection of terminals and
splices 552.51
Cord 552.43(B), 552.44
Definition 552.2
Distribution panelboard 552.45,
552.55(B)
Grounded conductors 552.50
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
552.41(C)
Grounding 552.55, 552.56
Low-voltage systems 552.10,
552.60(B)
Luminaires 552.10(G), 552.54,
552.59
Nominal 120- or 120/240-volt
systems 552.60(A),
552–IV
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Plugging boxes, motion picture
studios 530.14,
530.18(E)
Definition 530.2
Plugs, attachment see Attachment
plugs
Point of common coupling 692.2
Definition 705.2
Point of entrance
Definition 800.2, 820.2, 830.2
Polarization
Appliances 422.40
Connections 200.11
Luminaires 410.50
Plugs, receptacles, and connectors 200.10(B)
Portable handlamps 410.82(A)
Receptacle adapters
406.10(B)(3)
Screw-shell-type lampholders
410.50
Poles
Climbing space, conductors
225.14(D)
Communications wiring
840.44(A)
Conductors, mechanical protection 225.20
Supporting luminaires
410.30(B), 410.64
Pool covers see Covers
Pools; see also Swimming pools,
fountains, and similar
installations
Definitions 680.2
Porches, receptacles for
210.52(E)(3)
Portable appliances see Appliances
Portable equipment
Definition 520.2
Disconnecting means 517.17(C)
Double insulation 250.114 Ex.
Generators 250.34
Grounding 250.114, 250.138
Conductor size 250.122,
Table 250.122
High-voltage equipment
250.188, 250.190
Stage and studio 520.5(B),
520–V, 530.6
X-ray 660.4(B), 660.21
Definition 660.2
Portable handlamps 410.82
Portable luminaires 410.82,
513.10(E)(1), 515.7(C),
516.4(D)
Flexible cords for Table 400.4,
400.7
Handlamps 410.82
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.130(B)(4),
502.130(B)(1),
503.130(D), 511.4(B)(2)
Live parts 410.5
Motion picture studios, in
530.16
Show windows, showcases
400.11 Ex. 2
Portable power distribution unit
520.62, 525.22
Definition 520.2
AF
Different types of 455–II
Disconnecting means 455.8,
455.20
Equipment grounding connection 455.5
Marking 455.4
Overcurrent protection 455.7
Power interruption 455.22
Rotary
Definition 455.2
Start-up 455.21
Static
Definition 455.2
Terminal housings 455.10
Photovoltaic systems see Solar
photovoltaic systems
Physical damage see Protection,
physical damage
Pipe, gas see Gas pipe
Pipe electrodes 250.30(A)(4),
250.30(A)(8),
250.52(A)(1),
250.52(A)(5), 250.53,
250.66(A), 250.68(C),
250.70
Pipe heating
Cable outlet, mobile home
550.13(E)
Cord-and-plug connected assembly 422.50
Pipeline; see also Fixed electric
heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels
Definition 427.2
Pipe organs see Organs, pipe
Piping systems, bonding 250.104
Places of assembly see Assembly,
places of
Plants
Bulk storage Art. 515
Cleaning and dyeing
500.5(B)(1), Art. 501,
Art. 505
Clothing manufacturing
500.5(D), Art. 503, Art.
506
Plate electrodes 250.52(A)(7),
250.53, 250.66(A)
Platform lifts see Elevators,
dumbwaiters, escalators,
moving walks, platform
lifts, and stairway chairlifts
Plenums 300.22
Definition 100–I
Wiring in 300.22
CATV coaxial cable
820.110(A)(2),
820.113(C), Table
820.154(a), 820.179(A)
Communications circuits
Table 800.154(a),
800.179(A), 800.182(A)
Network-powered broadband
communications cables
830.113(C), Table
830.154(a),
830.179(A)(2),
830.179(B)(3)
Pliable raceways see Raceways,
pliable
D
R
Outdoor outlets, fixtures, equipment 552.41(E), 552.59
Power supply 552.43
Receptacle outlets required
552.41, 552.53
Switches 552.52
Tests, factory 552.60
Wiring methods 552.48
Parts see specific type such as
Live parts
Part-winding motors 430.4
Code letter markings
430.7(B)(5)
Conductors 430.22(D)
Patching tables, motion picture
530–IV
Path, ground-fault current
250.4(A)(5)
Definition 250.2
Path, grounding 250.28
Patient bed location 517.18(B),
517.19
Definition 517.2
Patient care areas 517.13, 517.80;
see also Health care
facilities
Definition 517.2
Patient care vicinity
Definition 517.2
Pediatric locations 517.18(C)
Pendant conductors, lamps
410.54
Pendants
Aircraft hangars 513.7(B),
513.16(B)(1)
Anesthetizing locations
517.61(B)(3) Ex. 2,
517.61(C)(1) Ex.
Bathrooms 410.10(D)
Clothes closets 410.16(B)
Connector, cord 210.50(A)
Dressing rooms, theater 520.71
Flexible cord 314.25(C), Table
400.4, 400.7(A)(1)
Garages, commercial
511.7(A)(2),
511.16(B)(1)
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.130(A)(3),
501.130(B)(3),
502.130(A)(3),
502.130(B)(4),
503.130(C), 511.7(A)(2)
Mobile homes 550.14(C)
Performance area
Definition 520.2
Periodic duty
Definition 100–I
Permanent plaque or directory
225.37, 230.2(E),
705.10
Permission, special
Definition 100–I
Permissive rules 90.5(B)
Person, qualified
Definition 100–I
Phase converters Art. 455
Capacitors 455.23
Conductors 455.6
Connection of single-phase
loads 455.9
Definition 455.2
Premises communications circuits
Portable switchboards, theater
stages 520–IV
Portable wiring, motion picture
studios 530.12
Positive-pressure ventilation
500.7(D), 501.125(A),
505.8(B), 506.8(B)
Power, emergency systems see
Emergency systems
Power and control tray cable
(Type TC) Art. 336
Ampacity 336.80
Bends 336.24
Conductors 336.104
Construction specifications 336–
III
Definition 336.2
Installation 336–II
Jacket 336.116
Marking 336.120
Uses not permitted 336.12
Uses permitted 336.10
Power factor
Definition Annex D
Power-limited circuits see
Remote-control, signaling, and power-limited
circuits
Power-limited control circuits
Amusement attractions
522.10(A)
Power-limited fire alarm circuit
(PLFA) see Fire alarm
systems, Power-limited
circuits
Power-limited tray cable (Type
PLTC) 725.154,
725.154(D)(1)
Class I, Division 2 locations
501.10(B)(1)
Marking 310.120, 725.179(E)
Power outlet see Outlets, power
Power production sources see
Interconnected electric
power production
sources
Power source, alternate 517.34,
551.33
Definition 517.2
Power supply
Information technology equipment 645.5
Mobile homes 550.10
Supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA)
Annex G
Power-supply assembly
Electrified truck parking spaces
626.25
Recreational vehicles 551.44,
551.46
Definition 551.2
Preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit see Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
Premises
Definition 800.2, 820.2
Premises communications circuits
840.170(C)
Definition 840.2
70–911
70–912
Flat cable assemblies
322.10(3)
Flexible metal conduit
348.12(7)
Information technology
equipment cables
645.5(D)
Lamps, electric discharge
lighting 410.145
Lighting track 410.151(C)(1)
Liquidtight flexible metal
conduit 350.12(1)
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit 356.12(1)
Luminaires 410.10(E),
501.130(A)(2),
501.130(B)(2),
502.130(A)(2),
502.130(B)(3)
Metal-clad cable 300.42,
330.12
Mineral-insulated metalsheathed cable
332.10(10)
Multioutlet assembly
380.12(2)
Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
334.15(B)
Open conductors and cables
230.50(B)(2)
Open wiring 398.15(A),
398.15(C)
Overcurrent devices
240.24(C), 240.30(A)
Raceways 300.5(D)(4),
300.50(B)
Recreational vehicle outdoor
or under-chassis wiring
551.47(N)
Recreational vehicle park
underground branch
circuits and feeders
551.80(B)
Reinforcing thermosetting
resin conduit 355.12(C)
Remote-control circuits
725.31(B)
Resistors and reactors
470.18(A)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit 352.12(C)
Service-entrance cable
338.12(A)(1)
Service-entrance conductors
230.50
Service-lateral conductors
230.32
Space-heating systems
424.12(A)
Surface raceways 386.12(1),
388.12(2)
Switchboards, theater
520.53(L)
Transformers 450.8(A)
UF cable 340.12(10)
Underground installations
230.32, 230.50(A),
300.5(D) and (J)
Wireways 376.12(1),
378.12(1)
AF
Metal equipment 300.6(A)
and (B), 312.10(A)
Mineral-insulated metalsheathed cable 332.12
Rigid metal conduit
344.10(B) and (D)
Strut-type channel raceways
384.100(B)
Underfloor raceways 390.3(B)
Ground fault see Ground-fault
protection
Ground fault circuit interrupter
see Ground-fault circuit
interrupters
Hazardous (classified) locations
500.7, 505.8, 506.8
Liquids, motors 430.11
Live parts 110.27, 445.14,
450.8(C)
Luminaires and lamps, conductors and insulation for
410.56
Motor overload 430.55,
430.225(B), 430–III
Motor overtemperature 430.126
Overcurrent see Overcurrent
protection
Overload see Overload
Physical damage
Agricultural buildings, wiring
in 547.5(E)
Armored cable 320.12,
320.15
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment
640.45
Busways 368.12(A)
Cabinets, cutout boxes, and
meter socket enclosures
312.5
Conductors 250.64(B), 300.4,
300.50(B)
CATV coaxial cable
820.100(A)(6)
Communications systems
800.100(A)(6)
Motor control circuits
430.73
Network-powered broadband communications
cable 830.3(E),
830.44(I)(4), 830.47(C),
830.100(A)(6)
Optical fiber cables
770.100(A)(5)
Radio and television receiving station
810.21(D)
Cords, flexible 400.8(7),
400.14, 640.45
Critical operations power systems 708.10(C)(1)
Electrical metallic tubing
358.12(1)
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
362.12(9)
Electric signs 600.33(C),
600.41(D)
Emergency system
517.30(C)(3)
D
R
Premises-powered broadband
communication systems Art. 840
Access to electrical equipment
behind panels 840.21
Cables outside and entering
buildings 840–II
Definitions 840.2
Grounding methods 840.93,
840–IV
Installation within buildings
840–V
Listing 840.113, 840.154,
840–VI
Protection 840–III
Underground circuits entering
buildings 840.47
Premises wiring (system)
Definition 100–I
Pressure (solderless) connectors
250.8(3), 250.70
Definition 100–I
Prevention of fire spread see Fire
spread
Product safety standards Annex
A
Projector rooms, motion picture
Art. 540
Audio signal equipment 540.50,
540–IV
Definitions 540.2
Projectors, nonprofessional 540–
III
Definition 540.2
Listing 540.32
Projection rooms 540.31
Projectors, professional type
540–II
Conductor size 540.13
Conductors on hot equipment
540.14
Definition 540.2
Flexible cords 540.15
Listing 540.20
Location of equipment 540.11
Marking 540.21
Projector room 540.10
Work space 540.12
Proscenium
Definition 520.2
Protection
Combustible material, appliances 422.17
Communications systems see
Communications circuits
Corrosion
Aluminum metal equipment
300.6(B)
Boxes, metal 312.10(A),
314.40(A), 314.72(A)
Cable trays 392.10(D),
392.100(C)
Conductors 310.10(G)
Deicing, snow-melting equipment 426.26, 426.43
Electrical metallic tubing
358.10(B)
Flat conductor cable 324.101
General equipment 300.6
Intermediate metal conduit
342.10(B) and (D)
Metal-clad cable 330.116
INDEX
T
Premises-powered broadband communication systems
Thermal protection see Thermally protected (thermal
protection)
Protective devices see Arc-fault
circuit interrupters; Circuit breakers; Fuses;
Ground-fault circuit interrupters; Overcurrent
protection
Protective equipment see Guarding, guards
Protector, communications systems see Communications circuits
Public address systems Art. 640
Public assembly places Art. 518
Emergency lighting system Art.
700
Pull boxes; see also Boxes; Junction boxes
Accessibility 314.29
Construction specifications
314.72, 314–III
Gutters, auxiliary, used as
366.58(B)
Multioutlet assemblies used as
380.23(B)
Nonmetallic wireways used as
378.23(B)
Over 600 volts 314–IV
Sizes
4 AWG and larger conductors
314.28(A)
6 AWG and smaller conductors 314.16(C)(1)
Over 600 volts 314.71
Pumps; see also Fire pumps
Grounding, water pumps
250.112(L), 250.112(M)
Pool
Double insulated 680.21(B),
680.31
Storable pools 680.31
Purged and pressurized 500.7(D)
Definition 500.2
-QQualified person see Person,
qualified
-RRaceways
Bonding 250–V, 501.30(A),
502.30(A), 503.30(A),
505.25(A)
Busways see Busways
Cable trays, supported by
392.18(G)
CATV coaxial cable 820.110,
820.133, 820.154
Cellular concrete floor see Cellular concrete floor raceways
Cellular metal floor see Cellular
metal floor raceways
Communications circuits
800.110, 800.133(A)(1),
800.154, 800.182
Definition 800.2
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Calculation of load 220.55,
Table 220.55
Conductors 210.19
Maximum load 220.18
Feeders, calculation of load
220.40, 220.82(B)(3)
Grounding 250.140
Hoods, cord-and-plug connected
422.16(B)(4)
Loads, demand factors and
Table 220.55
Mobile homes 550.15(E),
550.16(A), 550.16(B)(3)
Receptacles 250.140 Ex.
Rated load current 440.4(A)
Definition 440.2
Rated power
Definition 694.2
Reactors see Resistors and reactors
Readily accessible; see also Accessible
Definition 100–I
Reaming, ends of metal conduits
342.28, 344.28, 358.28
Re-bar electrodes 250.50 Ex.,
250.52(A)(3)
Receptacles, cord connectors,
and attachment plugs
(caps) Art. 406
Anesthetizing locations
517.64(F)
Branch circuits 210.52
Configurations 550.10(C),
551.46(C), 552.44(C)
Critical branch 517.33(A)
Definition 100–I
Disconnecting means 422.33,
440.63
Electric vehicle charging equipment 511.10(B)
Electrified truck parking space
supply equipment
626.24(B), 626.25(B),
626.31(C)
Faceplates 406.5, 406.6,
406.9(E)
GFCI protection see Groundfault circuit interrupters
Grounding type 250.130(C),
250.146, 406.4(A),
406.10, 406.11, 517.13,
517.19(G)
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.145, 502.145,
503.145
Health care facilities 517.13,
517.18, 517.19,
517.60(C)(2),
517.61(A)(5),
517.61(B)(5), 517.61(C)
Insulated grounded terminals
250.146(D), 517.16
Less than 50 volts 720.6, 720.7
Manufactured wiring systems
604.6(C)
Marinas and boatyards 555.19
Maximum cord-and-plugconnected load to
210.21(B)(2), Table
210.21(B)(2), 210.23
Minimum ratings 406.3(B)
AF
Optical fiber cable 770.3,
770.12, 770.26,
770.110, 770.154,
770.182, 840.110
Definition 770.2
Pliable 362.2
Premises-powered broadband
communications systems
840.110
Rigid metal conduit (Type
RMC) see Rigid metal
conduit (Type RMC)
Rigid polyvinyl conduit (Type
PVC) see Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(Type PVC)
Seal 225.27, 230.8, 300.7(A),
300.50(F)
Secured 300.11(A)
Service see Service raceways
Signaling Class I circuits
725.48, 725.51
Strut-type channel see Strut-type
channel raceway
Support for nonelectrical equipment 300.11(B)
Supporting conductors, vertical
300.19
Support of 392.18(G)
Surface metal see Surface metal
raceways
Surface nonmetallic see Surface
nonmetallic raceways
Underfloor see Underfloor raceways
Underground 225.27, 300.5,
300.50
Wireways see Wireways, metal;
Wireways, nonmetallic
Wiring, exterior surfaces of
buildings 225.22
Radiant heating panels and radiant heating sets see
Fixed electric spaceheating equipment
Radio and television equipment
Art. 810; see also Community antenna television and radio distribution (CATV) systems
Amateur transmitting and receiving stations 810–III
Community television antenna
810.4
Interior installation — transmitting stations 810–IV
Noise suppressors 810.5
Receiving equipment — antenna
systems 810–II
Radiographic equipment see
X-ray equipment
Railway conductors, power and
light 110.19
Rainproof
Definition 100–I
Raintight
Definition 100–I
Ranges 422.16(B)(3), 422.33(B);
see also Cooking unit,
counter-mounted; Ovens, wall-mounted
Branch circuits 210.19(A)(3)
D
R
Conductors in service 230.7
Continuity 300.10, 300.12
Cords, flexible, installed in
400.14
Definition 100–I
Drainage 225.22, 230.53
Electrical metallic tubing (Type
EMT) see Electrical
metallic tubing (Type
EMT)
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
(Type ENT) see Electrical nonmetallic tubing
(Type ENT)
Emergency circuits, independent
700.10(B)
Equipment grounding conductor
installation 250.120(A)
Expansion joints 250.98,
300.4(H), 300.7(B),
352.44, 355.44
Exposed to different temperatures 300.7
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment 426.22(B)
Flexible metal conduit (Type
FMC) see Flexible
metal conduit (Type
FMC)
Flexible metallic tubing (Type
FMT) see Flexible metallic tubing (Type
FMT)
Grounding 250.132, 250–IV
Short sections 250.86 Ex. 2,
250.132
Induced currents 300.20
Installed in grooves 300.4(F)
Insulating bushings 300.4(G),
300.16(B)
Intermediate metal conduit
(Type IMC) see Intermediate metal conduit
(Type IMC)
Intrinsically safe systems
504.50(A)
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (Type LFMC) see
Liquidtight flexible
metal conduit (Type
LFMC)
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit (Type LFNC)
see Liquidtight flexible
nonmetallic conduit
(Type LFNC)
Luminaires (fixtures)
Poles used as raceway
410.30(B), 410.64
Supported by raceway fittings
410.36(E)
Manufactured wiring systems
604.6(A)(5)
Network-powered broadband
communications cables
830.110, 830.113
Number of conductors 300.17;
see also Conductor fill
Recreational vehicle parks
Mobile homes 550.13
Motors 430.109(F)
Mounting 406.5, 406.9(E)
Nongrounding-type, replacement
250.130(C), 406.4(D)(2)
Noninterchangeable 406.4(F),
406.8
Nonmetallic extensions 382.42
Outdoor see Outdoor receptacles
Outlets 210.50
Definition 100–I
Dwellings, where required
210.52
Loads 220.14
Patient bed location 517.18(B),
517.19(B)
Ratings for various size circuits
210.21(B)(3), Table
210.21(B)(3)
Recreational vehicles 551.52
Replacement 406.4(D)
Selected, health care facilities
517.33(A)
Definition 517.2
Sensitive electronic equipment
647.7
Showcases, wall cases
410.59(B)
Show windows, in 210.62
Stages and sets 530.21
Swimming pools 680.22(A),
680.32, 680.34,
680.43(A), 680.62(E)
Tamper-resistant 406.12
Child care facilities 406.14
Dwelling units 406.12
Guest rooms and suites
406.13
Replacements 406.4(D)(5)
Temporary installations
590.4(D), 590.6(A)
Terminals, identification
200.10(B)
Theaters 520.45
Voltages between adjacent devices 406.5(G)
Weather-resistant 406.4(D)(6),
406.9(A)
Wind electric systems, small
694.7(E)
Recessed luminaires 410–X,
410–XI
Clearances, installation 410.116
Construction 410–XI
As raceways 410.64
Temperatures 410.115
Wiring 410.117
Recording systems Art. 640
Recreational areas, and dining
essential electrical systems, health care facility 517.42(E)
Recreational vehicle parks
551–VI
Calculated load 551.73
Demand factors Table 551.73
Definitions 551.2
Disconnecting means 551.77(B)
Distribution system 551.72
Grounding 551.75, 551.76
Outdoor equipment, protection
of 551.78
70–913
Recreational vehicle parks
70–914
T
Power limitations 725.41
Wiring methods 725.46
Class 2 and Class 3 circuits
725–III
Applications of PLTC cables
725.154
Circuits extending beyond
one building 725.141
Conductors 725.130, 725.143
Installation 725.133 through
725.141
Interconnection of power supplies 725.121(B)
Listing 725–IV
Locations 725.3(D)
Marking 725.124, 725.179
Overcurrent protection Chap.
9, Tables 11(A) and
11(B)
Power sources 725.121(A),
Chap. 9, Tables 11(A)
and 11(B)
Separation 725.136
Wiring methods
Load side 725.130
Supply side 725.127
Classifications, definitions 725.2
Class 1 725–II
Class 2 and Class 3 725–III
Definition 100–I
Identification 725.30
Mechanical execution of work
725.24
Motors 430–VI
Overcurrent protection 240.4(G),
725.41(A)(2), 725.43,
725.45, Chap. 9, Tables
11(A) and 11(B)
Safety-control equipment 725.31
Remote machine room and control room
Definition 620.2
Remote machinery space and
control space
Definition 620.2
Requirements for electrical installations Art. 110
Residential occupancies see
Dwellings
Resistance
AC resistance and reactance,
cables Chap. 9, Table 9
Conductor properties Chap. 9,
Table 8
Dimmers 520.25(B),
520.53(F)(1)
Heating elements see Fixed
electric heating equipment for pipelines and
vessels
Welders 630–III
Resistors and reactors Art. 470
Combustible material, on, near
470.3, 470.18(C)
Conductor insulation 470.4
Hazardous (classified) Class II
locations 502.120
Location 470.2
Over 600 volts 470–II
General 470.18
Grounding 470.19
Oil-filled reactors 470.20
AF
Refrigeration equipment see Airconditioning and refrigerating equipment
Refrigerators, grounding 250.114
Regulator bypass switch
Definition 100–II
Reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit (Type RTRC)
Art. 355
Bends 355.24, 355.26
Bushings 355.46
Construction 355–III
Definition 355.2
Grounding 355.60
Installation 355–II
Joints and expansion fittings
355.44, 355.48
Listing 355.6
Marking 355.120
Number of conductors 355.22
Securing and supporting 355.30,
Table 355.30
Size 355.20
Splices and taps 355.56
Trimming 355.28
Uses not permitted 355.12
Uses permitted 355.10
Relays
Automatic load control
Definition 700.2
Hazardous (classified) locations
501.105, 502.150
Overload, motor overcurrent
protection 430.40
Reverse-current, transformers
450.6(B)
Remote control
Circuits see Remote-control,
signaling, and powerlimited circuits
Disconnect control, information
technology equipment
645.10(A)
Definition 645.2
Of induction and dielectric heating equipment 665.7
Switches 517.63(D)
Remote-control, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
250.112(I), Art. 725
Abandoned cables 725.25
Definition 725.2
Access to electrical equipment
725.21
Class 1 circuits 725–II
Circuits extending beyond
one building 725.52
Conductors 725.49
Different circuits 725.48
Extending beyond one
building 725.52
Insulation 725.49(B)
Number in raceways and
cable trays 725.51
Overcurrent protection
725.41(A)(2), 725.43
Size and use 725.49(A)
Locations 725.3(D), 725.45
Overcurrent protection
725.41(A)(2), 725.43,
725.45
Physical protection 725.31(B)
D
R
Overcurrent protection 551.74
Overhead conductors, clearance
for 551.79
Receptacles 551.71, 551.81
Underground wiring 551.80
Recreational vehicles (camping
trailers, motor homes,
park trailers, travel
trailers, truck campers) Art. 551
Alternate power source restrictions 551.33
Appliance accessibility and fastening 551.57
Attachment plugs 551.20(F),
551.46(C)
Bonding 551.55(B), 551.56
Branch circuits 551.42, 551.43
Calculation for loads 551.42(D)
Combination electrical systems
551.20, 551–II
Conductors 551.48
Connections
Grounding 551.54, 551.55
Power supply 551.46
Splices and terminals 551.50
Definitions 551.2
Distribution panelboard 551.45
Expandable units, connection
551.47(P)
Generator installations 551.30
Ground-fault circuit interrupter
551.40(C), 551.41(C)
Grounding 551.54, 551.55
Grounding conductor splices
551.50
Identification of grounded conductor 551.49
Luminaires 551.53
Multiple supply source 551.31
Other power sources 551.32
Outlet boxes 551.48
Overcurrent protection
Branch circuit 551.43
Distribution panelboard
551.45
Power sources, other 551–III
Power-supply assembly 551.44,
551.46
Definition 551.2
Receptacles 551.20(F), 551.41,
551.52
Supply source 120-volt or
120/240-volt system
551–IV
Switches 551.51
System voltages 551–IV
Tags, labels, and marking
551.46(D)
Tests, factory 551–V
Wiring methods 551.47
Recreational vehicle site
Definition 551.2
Supply equipment 551.71,
551.77
Definition 551.2
Grounding 551.76
Recreational vehicle stand
Definition 551.2
Refrigeration compressor motors
and controls Art. 440
INDEX
Space separation 470.3
Restaurants, service or feeder
load 220.88
Rheostats, construction specifications 430.82(C)
Ride device
Definition 522.2
Rigid metal conduit (Type RMC)
Art. 344
Bends 344.24, 344.26
Bushings 344.46
Cinder fill 344.10(C)
Construction specifications 344–
III
Couplings and connectors
344.42
Definition 344.2
Dissimilar metals 344.14
Expansion fittings 300.7(B)
Ferrous 300.6(A)
Grounding 344.60
Installation 344–II
Listing 344.6
Marking 344.120
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C8 and C8(A)
Number of conductors 344.22,
Chap. 9, Table 1
Reaming and threading 344.28
Size 344.20
Splices and taps 344.56
Standard lengths 344.130
Supporting and securing
314.23(E) and (F),
344.30
Uses permitted 344.10
Wet locations 344.10(D)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(Type PVC) Art. 352
Bends 352.24, 352.26
Bushings 352.46
Construction specifications 352–
III
Definition 352.2
Expansion fittings 300.7(B),
352.44, Table 352.44
Exposed 352.10(F)
Grounding 352.60
Installation 352–II
Joints 352.48
Listing 352.6
Marking 352.120
Maximum number of conductors
and fixture wires in
Tables C9 through
C12(A)
Number of conductors 352.22
Schedule 80 300.5(D)(4),
300.50(B), 551.80(B)
Securing and supporting 352.30
Size 352.20
Splices and taps 352.56
Supporting and securing Table
352.30
Trimming ends 352.28
Uses not permitted 352.12
Uses permitted 352.10
Road show connection panel
520.50
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
D
R
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Connections to terminals
230.81
Electrically operated 230.94
Ex. 6
Grounded conductor, disconnection of 230.75
Ground-fault, protection at
230.95, 705.32
Grounding electrode conductor installation
250.64(D)
Indicating 230.77
Location 230.70(A)
Marking 230.70(B)
Maximum number of disconnects, six switch rule
230.71
Multiple occupancy buildings
230.72(C)
Over 600 volts 230.205,
230.206
Rating 230.79, 230.80
Simultaneous openings
230.74
Six switch rule 230.71
Suitable for use 230.70(C)
Guarding 230.62
Industrial control panels as
409.108
Marking 230.66
Mobile homes/manufactured
homes 550.32
Motor control centers as 430.95
Overcurrent protection 230–VII
Accessibility 240.24(A)
Location 230.91, 230.92
Over 600 volts 230.208
Relative location 230.94
Specific circuits 230.93
Ungrounded conductors
230.90(A)
Over 600 volts, metal enclosed
and metal clad equipment 490.47
Panelboards 408–III
Service lateral
Definition 100–I
Service loads, calculations Art.
220, Annex D
Service point
Definition 100–I
Service raceways
Conductors, others permitted in
230.7
Drainage 230.53
Service head 230.54
Underground 230–III
Services Art. 230
Definition 100–I
Emergency systems separate
service 700.12(D)
Farm 220–V
Ground-fault protection 230.95
Insulation 230.22
Masts, service 230.6(5), 230.28
Number 230.2
Disconnecting means 230.71,
250.64(D)
Service-entrance conductor
sets 230.40
Overhead supply 230–II
Over 600 volts 230–VIII
T
-SSafety, examination of equipment
for 90.7
Screws, tightening torque tables
Annex I
Screw shells
Electric-discharge luminaires
and LED luminaires
410.62(C)(2)
Identification
Polarity 200.10, 410.50
Terminals 200.10
Lampholders 410.122
Sealable equipment
Definition 100–I
Sealing; see also Hazardous (classified) locations
Busways, vapor seals for
368.234(A)
Conduit systems 501.15, 502.15,
505.16, 506.16
Intrinsically safe systems
504.70
Raceway seal, underground
service 230.8
Temperature changes
300.7(A)
Hermetically 500.7(J)
Definition 500.2
Raceways 225.27, 230.8,
300.7(A), 300.50(F)
Secondary ties, transformers
450.6
Sensitive electronic equipment
Art. 647
Grounding 647.6
Lighting equipment 647.8
Receptacles 647.7
Single-phase supply system
647.3
Three-phase supply system
647.5
Wiring methods 647.4
Separable power supply cable
assembly 626.25,
626.32
Definition 626.2
Separately derived systems
250.21(A), 250.28(D),
250.30, 250.35(A)
Definition 100–I
Feeders or branch circuits,
buildings/structures supplied by
Grounded systems
250.32(B)(2)
Ungrounded systems
250.32(C)(2)
Grounding electrode conductors
250.169
Metal piping and frames, bonding of 250.104(D)
Portable generators 702.11(A)
Surge protective devices, connection of 285.24(C)
Service cables; see also Serviceentrance cable (Types
SE and USE)
Definition 100–I
Service conductors see Conductors, service
Service drops
Connections, service head
230.54
Definition 100–I
Service-entrance cable (Types SE
and USE) Art. 338
Bends 338.24
Branch circuits or feeders
338.10(B)
Construction 338–III
Definition 338.2
Grounding frames of ranges and
clothes dryers 250.140
Ex.
Installation 338–II
Installation methods, for branch
circuits and feeders
338.10(B)(4)
Marking 338.120
Service-entrance conductors
230–IV, 338.10(A)
Uses not permitted 338.12
Uses permitted 338.10
Service-entrance conductors 230–
IV, 338.10(A)
Conductor sets, number of
230.40
Considered outside of building
230.6
Definitions 100–I
Disconnecting means 230–VI
Drip loops 230.52
Insulation 230.41
Mounting supports 230.51
Overcurrent protection 230.90,
230.91, 230.92, 230.208
Over 600 volts 230–VIII
Physical damage 230.50
Service head 230.54
Size 230.42
Splices 230.46
Underground 300.5(D)(3)
Definition Art.100–I
Wiring methods 230.43
Service-entrance equipment see
Service equipment
Service equipment 230–V
Definition 100–I
Disconnecting means 230–VI
Connections, supply side
230.82
AF
Rod electrodes 250.52(A)(5),
250.53, 250.66(A),
250.70
Roof decking, cables and raceways installed under
300.4(E)
Roofs, conduits exposed to sunlight on 310.15(B)(3)(c)
Room air conditioners see Air
conditioners, room
Rooms, motion picture projector
see Projector rooms,
motion picture
Rotary phase converter
Definition 455.2
Rules, permissive 90.5(B)
Running threads 342.42(B),
344.42(B)
Signs
Supply to one building not
through another 230.3
Two or more buildings 250.32
Underground 230–III
Service stations, gasoline see Motor fuel dispensing facilities
Setting (of circuit breaker)
Definition 100–I
Shielding see Guarding, guards
Short-circuit current rating
110.10
Definition 100–I
Industrial machinery 670.5
Surge protective devices 285.6
Short-time duty
Definition 100–I
Showcases, wall cases 410.59
Shower spaces see Bathtubs
Show windows
Definition 100–I
Flexible cords 400.11
Luminaires 410.14
Branch circuits 220.14(G)
Feeders 220.40, 220.43(A)
Receptacles 210.62, 314.27(B)
Ex.
Sidelights, borders, and proscenium 520.44
Signaling circuits; see also Fire
alarm systems; Remotecontrol, signaling, and
power-limited circuits
Critical operations power systems 708.14
Definition 100–I
Health care facilities 517–VI
Installation requirements Art.
725, Art. 760
Signals for heated appliances
422.42
Sign body
Definition 600.2
Signs
Discharge, lighting, electric
410–XII, 410–XIII
Electric Art. 600
Ballasts, transformers, and
electronic power supplies 600.21 through
600.24
Bonding 600.7(B), 600.33(D)
Branch circuits 220.14(F),
600.5
Definitions 100–I, 600.2
Disconnects 600.6
Enclosures 600.8
Field-installed secondary wiring 600.12
Field-installed skeleton tubing
600–II
Applicability, neon secondary circuit conductors
600.30, 600.42(A)
Grounding 250.112(G),
600.7(A), 600.24(B),
600.33(D)
Listing 600.3
Location 600.9, 600.10(D),
600.21, 600.33(A)(1),
600.42(G), 600.42(H)
Markings 600.4
70–915
Signs
INDEX
70–916
T
Hazardous (classified) Class I
locations 501.15(C)(4)
High density polyethylene conduit 353.56
Intermediate metal conduit
342.56
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic
conduit 356.56
Luminaires 410.56(C),
410.56(D)
Messenger-supported wiring
396.56
Nonmetallic extensions 382.56
Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors
354.56
Reinforced thermosetting resin
conduit 355.56
Rigid metal conduit 344.56
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.56
Space-heating cables 424.40,
424.41(D)
Strut-type channel raceways
384.56
Surface raceways 386.56,
388.56
Underfloor raceways 390.7
Underground 300.5(E),
300.50(C)
Wireways 376.56, 378.56
Spray application, dipping, and
coating processes Art.
516
Classification of locations 516.3
Definitions 516.2
Equipment 516.4, 516.7, 516.10
Grounding 516.16
Wiring 516.4, 516.7
Spray washers, high-pressure
422.49
Spread of fire or products of
combustion see Fire
spread
Stage effect (special effect)
Definition 530.2
Stage equipment, theaters
Fixed 520–III
Portable 520.5(B), 520–V
Definition 520.2
Stage property
Definition 530.2
Stages, motion picture and television 530–II
Definition 530.2
Stage set
Definition 530.2
Stairway chairlifts Art. 620; see
also Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts,
and stairway chairlifts
Stand-alone systems
Definition 690.2, 692.2
Fuel cell systems 692.10
Small wind electric systems
694.12(A)(3), 694.18,
694.54
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.8(A)(4), 690.10,
690.56(A)
AF
Storage batteries 690–VIII
Wiring methods 690–IV
Solderless (pressure) connectors
250.8(3), 250.70
Definition 100–I
Solidly grounded
Definition 100–I
Sound recording equipment Art.
640
Audio signal processing, amplification, and reproduction equipment 540.50
Theaters 520.4
Space
Cabinets and cutout boxes
312.7, 312.9, 312.11
Climbing see Climbing space,
line conductors on poles
Lightning rods, conductor enclosures, equipment
250.60, 250.106 IN No.
2
Outside branch circuits and
feeders 225.14
Over 600 volts, separation
110.33, 110.34
Working see Working space
Space heating, fixed see Fixed
electric space-heating
equipment
Spacing between bare metal
parts 408.56, Table
408.56
Spas and hot tubs 680–IV
Definitions 680.2
Indoor installations 680.43
Outdoor installations 680.42
Packaged equipment assembly
Definition 680.2
Protection 680.43, 680.43(A)(2)
Special permission see Permission, special
Spider (cable splicing block)
Definition 530.2
Splices and taps
Antennas 810.14
Auxiliary gutters 366.56
Cabinets and cutout boxes 312.8
Cable trays, in 392.56
Cellular concrete floor raceways
372.12
Cellular metal floor raceways
374.6
Concealed knob-and-tube 394.56
Conduit bodies 300.15,
314.16(C)(2)
Construction sites 590.4(G)
Deicing and snow-melting
426.24(B)
Electrical metallic tubing 358.56
Electrical nonmetallic tubing
362.56
Equipment grounding conductors 250.122(G)
Flat cable assemblies 322.56
Flat conductor cable 324.56
Flexible cords and cables 400.9,
400.36
Flexible metal conduit 348.56
Flexible metallic tubing 360.56
General provisions 110.14
D
R
Portable or mobile 600.10
Section signs 600.4(E)
Definition 600.2
Exit, health care facilities
517.32(B), 517.42(B)
Mandated standby 701.7(A)
Outline lighting Art. 600
Standby 702.7
Warning see Warning signs
Site-isolating devices 547.9(A)
Definition 547.2
Skeleton tubing 600–II
Definition 600.2
Slices and taps
Service-entrance conductors
230.46
Small wind electric systems see
Wind electric systems,
small
Smoke ventilator control, stage
520.49
Snap switches; see also AC-DC
general-use snap
switches
Accessibility, grouping 404.8(B)
Definition 100–I
Electric-discharge lighting
410.138
Grounding 404.9(B)
Motors 430.83(C),
430.109(A)(3),
430.109(C)(1),
430.109(G)
Mounting 404.10
Multipole 404.8(C)
Ratings 404.14
Snow melting see Fixed outdoor
electric deicing and
snow-melting equipment
Solar cell
Definition 690.2
Solar photovoltaic systems Art.
690
AC modules 690.6, 690.52
Definition 690.2
Building integrated photovoltaics
Definition 690.2
Circuit requirements 690–II
Circuit sizing and current 690.8
Connection to other sources
690–VII
Definitions 100–I, 690.2
Disconnecting means 690.4(G),
690.6(C), 690–III,
690.35(A), 690.56,
690.71(E), 690.71(F)
Ground-fault protection 690.5,
690.6(D), 690.35(C)
Grounding 690–V
Installation 690.4
Marking 690.14(C)(2),
690.31(E)(3), 690–VI
Maximum voltage 690.7
Overcurrent protection 690.4(G),
690.6(E), 690.9,
690.35(B)
Over 600 volts 690–IX
Stand-alone systems
690.8(A)(4), 690.10,
690.56(A)
Definition 690.2
Standby systems see Emergency
systems; Legally required standby systems;
Optional standby systems
Static phase converter
Definition 455.2
Steel, structural, bonding 250.104
Steel siding 250.116 IN
Storage batteries Art. 480
Aircraft hangars 513.10(B)
Charging equipment 503.160
Critical operations power systems 708.20(E)
Definition 480.2
Disconnecting means 480.5
Electric vehicle nonvented
625.29(C)
Definition 625.2
Emergency systems 700.12(A),
700.12(B)(4)
Garages 511.10
Installation 690.71
Insulation 480.6, 480.7
Legally required standby systems 701.12(A),
701.12(B)(4)
Locations 480.9
Overcurrent protection for prime
movers 480.4
Racks and trays 480.8
Small wind electric systems
694–VIII
Solar photovoltaic systems 690–
VIII
Sound recording equipment
640.9(B)
Vents 480.10
Wiring and equipment supplied
from 480.3
Strike termination devices; see
also Lightning (surge)
arresters
As a ground 250.60
Structural metal see Metal frame
of building
Structures
Definition 100–I
Strut-type channel raceway Art.
384
Construction specifications 384–
III
Definition 384.2
Grounding 384.60
Installation 384–II
Listing requirements 384.6
Marking 384.120
Number of conductors 384.22
Securing and supporting 384.30
Size of conductors 384.21
Splices and taps 384.56
Uses not permitted 384.12
Uses permitted 384.10
Submersible equipment 680.51
Substations
Definition 225.2
Motion picture and television
studios 530–VI
Over 600 volts 490–III
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
Tables
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Spas and hot tubs 680–IV
Storable 680–III
Definition 680.2
Switches and switching devices
680.22(C), 680.41
Therapeutic pools and tubs
680–VI
Transformers 680.23(A)(2),
680.24(B)
Underwater audio equipment
680.23
Underwater luminaires 680.23,
680.26(B)(4), 680.33,
680.43(B)(2)
Switchboards Art. 408
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Clearances 110.26, 408.5,
408.18
Combustible material, location
relative to 408.17
Conductor insulation 408.19
Construction specifications
408–IV
Damp or wet locations 408.16
Definition 100–I
Dry location 408.20
Easily ignitible materials, near
408.17
Grounding frames and structures
250.112(A)
Grounding instruments 408.22
Guarding live parts 110.27
Illumination 110.26(D)
Installation, indoor and outdoor
110.26
Instruments, meters, and relays
on 250.174
Location 408.16, 408.17, 408.20
Portable, theater stages 520–IV
Stage 520–II, 520–IV
Support, busbars, conductors
408.3
Working spaces about 110.26
Switches Art. 404; see also Hazardous (classified) locations; specific types of
switches
AC general-use snap switch
404.14
Accessibility and grouping
404.8
AC-DC general-use snap
switches see AC-DC
general-use snap
switches
Air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment 440–II
Appliances 422.34, 422.35
Bypass isolation 700.5(B),
701.5(B)
Definition 100–I
Circuit breakers used as
240.83(D)
Construction specifications
404–II
Definitions 100–I
Devices over 600 volts
In busways 368.239
Definition 100–II
Dimmer see Dimmers
Disconnecting means
Appliances 422–III
AF
Listing 285.5
Location 285.11
Number required 285.4
Short circuit current rating 285.6
Uses not permitted 285.3
Swimming pools, fountains, and
similar installations
Art. 680
Approval of equipment 680.4
Bonding 680.26, 680.42(B),
680.43(D), 680.53,
680.57(E), 680.62(B),
680.62(C), 680.74
Ceiling fans 680.22(B),
680.43(B)
Cord-and-plug-connected equipment 680.7,
680.21(A)(5),
680.22(B)(5), 680.31,
680.42(A)(2), 680.56
Deck area heating 680.27(C)
Definitions 680.2
Fountains 680–V
Drinking fountain 422.52
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
680.5
Fountains 680.51(A)
Hydromassage bathtubs
680.71
Junction boxes for 680.24
Luminaires 680.22(B),
680.23(A)(3), 680.24(B)
Pool covers 680.27(B)(2)
Receptacles 680.5, 680.6,
680.22(A)(4), 680.32,
680.43(A), 680.44,
680.57(B), 680.58,
680.62(E)
Signs 680.57(B)
Spas, hot tubs 680.43, 680.44
Storable pool equipment, for
680.32, 680.33(B)(3)
Therapeutic pools 680.62(A),
680.62(E)
Wiring to 680.24(B)
Grounding 680.6, 680.7(B),
680.23(B)(3),
680.23(B)(4),
680.23(F)(2), 680.24(D),
680.24(F), 680.25(B),
680.43(F), 680.54,
680.55, 680.57(E),
680.62(D)
Heaters and heating equipment
Deck area heating 680.27(C)
Pool water heaters 680.9
Hydromassage bathtubs 680–VI,
680–VII
Junction boxes and enclosures
680.23(C)(2), 680.24
Lighting 411.4(B), 680.22(B),
680.23, 680.26(B)(4),
680.33, 680.43(B),
680.51, 680.62(F),
680.72
Overhead conductor clearances
680.8
Permanently installed 680–II
Receptacles, location and protection 680.22(A),
680.32, 680.34,
680.43(A), 680.62(E)
D
R
Supervision, engineering
110.22(B), 110.71,
210.19(B)(2), 215(B)(3),
240.2, 240.86(A),
240.92(C)(3),
240.92(C)(2)(4),
240.100(A),
250.184(A)(2),
310.10(H)(1)Ex. 2,
310.15(A)(1),
310.15(C), 310.60(B),
310.60(D), 400.5(C),
430.225(B)(1),
501.140(A)(2), 505.17,
645.25, B.310.15(B)(1)
Supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA)
Annex G
Support fittings fill, boxes
314.16(B)(3)
Supports see subheads Securing
and supporting and Support under entries for
specific wiring and
equipment
Suppressors, radio noise 810.5
Surface metal raceways Art. 386
Combination raceways 386.70
Construction specifications 386–
III
Definition 386.2
Grounding 386.60
Installation 386–II
Listing requirements 386.6
Number of conductors or cables
386.22
Securing and supporting 386.30
Size of conductors 386.21
Splices and taps 386.56
Uses not permitted 386.12
Uses permitted 386.10
Surface nonmetallic raceways
Art. 388
Combination raceways 388.70
Construction specifications 388–
III
Definition 388.2
Grounding 388.60
Installation 388–II
Listing requirements 388.6
Marking 388.120
Number of conductors or cables
in 388.22
Securing and supporting 388.30
Size of conductors 388.21
Splices and taps 388.56
Uses not permitted 388.12
Uses permitted 388.10
Surfaces, exposed conductive
Definition 517.2
Surge arresters Art. 280, see
Lightning (surge) arresters
Surge protection see Lightning
(surge) protection
Surge-protective devices (SPDs)
Art. 285, 501.35,
502.35, 694.7(D)
Conductor routing 285.12
Connection 285–III
Definition 100–I
Installation 285–II
Definition 100–II
Motors, controller 430–IX
Services 230–VI
Emergency systems 700–V
X-ray equipment 517.72,
660–II
Enclosures, installation in 404.3,
404.12, 404.18,
450.8(C)
Essential electrical systems,
transfer switches
517.32(E), 517.41(B)
General-use Art. 404
Definition 100–I
Identification 110.22
Indicating 404.7, 422.35, 424.21
Interrupter
Definition 100–II
Isolating 501.115(B)(2)
Capacitors, over 600 volts
460.24(B)
Definition 100–I, 100–II
Motors over 100 HP
430.109(E)
Services, over 600 volts
225.51, 230.204
Knife see Knife switches
Limit, cranes and hoists 610.55
Manually operable Art. 404
Motor-circuit
Definition 100–I
Motor controllers 430–VII
Panelboards 408.36(A), 408.39
Regulator bypass
Definition 100–II
Remote-control 517.63(D)
Service 230–VI
Signs, outline lighting 600.6
Snap see Snap switches
Theater dressing rooms 520.73
Transfer see Transfer switches
Tunnels 110.55
Unit, appliances 422.34, 422.35
X-ray equipment 517.72, 660–II
Switchgear, metal-enclosed
110.34(F), 230.211,
490–III
Definition 100–I
-TTables Chap. 9, Annex B, Annex
C
AC resistance and reactance
cables Chap. 9, Table 9
Ampacities
Amusement attraction conductors Table 522.22
Cable insulated, over 2000
volts
Three-conductor aluminum
in isolated conduit in air
Table 310.60(C)(76)
Three-conductor aluminum
in underground electrical ducts Table
310.60(C)(80)
Three-conductor aluminum
isolated in air Table
310.60(C)(72)
70–917
Tables
INDEX
70–918
T
Clearances, conductors entering bus enclosures
408.5
Clearances, services Table
230.51(C)
Conduit and tubing fill for
Annex C Tables
Deflection, minimum bending
space in cabinets, cutout
boxes Tables 312.6(A),
312.6(B)
Dimensions
Compact aluminum building wiring Chap. 9
Compact copper and aluminum building wiring
Chap. 9, Table 5A
Insulated conductors, and
fixture wires Chap. 9,
Table 5
Rubber, thermoplasticcovered Chap. 9, Table
5
Fixture wires Table 402.3,
Chap. 9, Table 5
Flexible cords and cables,
types Table 400.4
Grounding, size
For AC equipment Table
250.122
For grounded systems
Table 250.66
Stranding Chapter 9, Table
10
Hazardous (classified) locations, Classes I, II, and
III, Divisions 1 and 2
Classification of maximum
surface temperature
Table 500.8(C)
Class II temperatures Table
500.8(D)(2)
Hazardous (classified) locations, Class I, Zones 0,
1, and 2
Classification of maximum
surface temperature of
Group II equipment
Table 505.9(D)(1)
Gas classification groups
Table 505.9(C)(1)(2)
Minimum distance of obstructions from flameproof flange openings
Table 505.7(D)
Types of protection designation Table
505.9(C)(2)(4)
Insulations Tables 310.104(A)
through 310.104(C)
Maximum number in Annex
C Tables
Electrical metallic tubing
Tables C1 and C1(A)
Electrical nonmetallic tubing Tables C2 and
C2(A)
Flexible metal conduit
Tables C3 and C3(A)
Intermediate metal conduit
Tables C4 and C4(A)
AF
Three insulated conductors
in cable in underground
electrical ducts Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(6)
Three single insulated conductors directly buried
in earth, Types UF, USE
Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(10)
Three single insulated conductors in nonmagnetic
underground electrical
ducts Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(5)
Three single insulated conductors in underground
electrical ducts Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(7)
Three triplexed single insulated conductors directly buried in earth
(UF and USE cables)
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(9)
Two or three insulated
conductors cabled
within an overall covering directly buried in
earth Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(8)
Wound-rotor secondaries
Table 430.23(C)
Bare metal parts, spacings between switchboard and
panelboard Table 408.56
Branch-circuit requirements
Table 210.24
Bulk storage plants, electrical
area classifications
Table 515.3
Cable markings Tables 725.179,
760.176(G), 760.179(I)
Cable substitutions Tables
725.154, 760.154(D),
770.154(b), 800.154(a),
820.154(b), 830.154(b)
Cable trays
Cable fill Tables 392.22(A),
392.22(A)(5),
392.22(A)(6),
392.22(B)(1)
Wiring methods Table
392.10(A)
Calculation of feeder loads by
occupancies Table
220.42
Coaxial cables
Applications in buildings of
Table 820.154(a)
Uses and permitted substitutions Table 820.154(b)
Communications circuits
Applications in buildings of
Table 800.154(a)
Cable marking Table 800.179
Cable substitution Table
800.154(b)
Conductors
Application Tables
310.104(A) through
310.104(C), 402.3
D
R
Three-conductor copper
cable in isolated conduit
in air Table
310.60(C)(75)
Three-conductor copper in
underground electrical
ducts Table
310.60(C)(79)
Three-conductor copper
isolated in air Table
310.60(C)(71)
Triplexed or three singleconductor aluminum in
isolated conduit in air
Table 310.60(C)(74)
Triplexed or three singleconductor aluminum in
underground electrical
ducts Table
310.60(C)(77)
Triplexed or three singleconductor copper in
isolated conduit in air
Table 310.60(C)(73)
Conductor, single insulated,
isolated in air, over
2000 volts
Aluminum Table
310.60(C)(70)
Copper Table
310.60(C)(69)
Conductor, three singleinsulated in underground electrical ducts,
over 2000 volts Table
310.60(C)(78)
Crane and hoist motor conductors Table 610.14(A)
Fixture wire Table 402.5
Flexible cord Table 400.5
General conductors, 0
through 2000 volts
Aluminum, copper, or
copper-clad aluminum,
single-conductor in free
air Tables
310.15(B)(17),
310.15(B)(19)
Aluminum, copper, or
copper-clad aluminum,
two or three singleinsulated conductors
supported on messenger
Table 310.15(B)(20)
Aluminum, copper, or
copper-clad aluminum
in raceways or cables
Types AC, NM, NMC
SE, Tables
310.15(B)(16),
310.15(B)(18)
Bare or covered conductors 310.15(B)(21)
Multiconductor cables,
Types TC, MC, and MI
in free air Table
B.310.15(B)(2)(3)
Three-conductor cable in
raceway in free air
Table B.310.15(B)(2)(1)
Liquidtight flexible metal
conduit Tables C7 and
C7(A)
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit C6, Tables
C5 through C6(A)
Rigid metal conduit Tables
C8 and C8(A)
Rigid nonmetallic conduit
Tables C9 through
C12(A)
Metal boxes, number in Table
314.16(A)
Minimum size of Table
310.106(A)
Over 2000 to 35,000 volts
Ampacities Table
310.60(C)(81) through
310.60(C)(86)
Properties Chap. 9, Table 8
Support, vertical raceways
300.19(A)
Volume required per conductor Table 314.16(B)
Conduit or tubing
Combination of conductors,
percent area fill Chap.
9, Table 1
Conduit and tubing fill, for
conductors and fixture
wires Annex C Tables
Dimensions Chap. 9, Table 4
Expansion characteristics
Table 352.44
Flexible metal (trade size 3⁄8)
Table 348.22
Number of conductors in Annex C Tables
PVC rigid nonmetallic, expansion characteristics
352.44
Supports Tables 344.30(B)(2),
352.30(B)
Construction, types of Annex E
Tables
Cooking appliances, demand
factors and loads Tables
220.55, Table 220.56
Ducts, wiring in Table
800.154(a)
Electrified truck parking space
feeder/service load calculations Table
626.11(B)
Farm load, method for computing Tables 220.102,
220.103
Fixture wires
Conduit and tubing fill for
Annex C Tables
Maximum number in
Electrical metallic tubing
Tables C1 and C1(A)
Electrical nonmetallic tubing Tables C2 and
C2(A)
Flexible metal conduit
Tables C3 and C3(A)
Intermediate metal conduit
Tables C4 and C4(A)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
2014 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
T
Luminaires 410.117(C)
Overcurrent protection 240.21,
240.92
Remote-control circuits 725.45
Separately derived systems
250.30(A)(6)
Task illumination 517.33(A)
Definition 517.2
Telecommunications equipment
see Communications
circuits
Telegraph systems see Communications circuits
Telephone exchanges, circuit load
220.14 Ex.
Telephone systems see Communications circuits
Television and radio distribution
systems see Community
antenna television and
radio distribution
(CATV) systems
Television equipment see Radio
and television equipment
Television studios Art. 520, Art.
530
Temperature controls
Boilers, overtemperature limit
control 424.73, 424.83
Fixed electric heating equipment
for pipelines and vessels
427.56
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
and snow-melting
equipment 426.51
Motor overtemperature protection 430.126
Temperature limitations
Conductors 310.15(A)(3),
338.10(B)(3)
Nonmetallic raceways and tubing see subhead under
entries for specific raceway or tubing type
In outlet boxes for luminaires
(fixtures) 410.21
Service-entrance cable
338.10(B)(3)
Temporary installations Art. 590
All wiring installations 590.2
Branch circuits 590.4(C)
Disconnecting means 590.4(E)
Feeders 590.4(B)
Ground-fault protection 590.6
Guarding over 600 volts 590.7
Lamp protection 590.4(F)
Protection from accidental damage 590.4(H)
Receptacles 590.4(D), 590.6(A),
590.6(B)
Services 590.4(A)
Splices 590.4(G)
Terminations at devices 590.4(I)
Time constraints 590.3
Terminal housings
Generator 445.17
Motor 430.12
Grounding through
430.245(A)
Phase converters 455.10
AF
Terminal, spacing and housing Tables 430.12(B),
430.12(C)(1),
430.12(C)(2)
Multifamily dwellings, optional
calculation demand factors Table 220.84
Network-powered broadband
communications systems
Applications in buildings of
Table 830.154(a)
Cable substitution Table
830.154(b)
Cover requirements Table
830.47
Limitations Table 830.15
Optical fiber cables
Applications of Table
770.154(a)
Marking Table 770.179
Substitutions Table
770.154(b)
Optional calculations, three or
more multifamily units
Table 220.84
Radio and TV equipment, antenna sizes
Amateur stations Table
810.52
Receiving stations Table
810.16(A)
Rating factors for power resistors Table 430.29
Recreational vehicle park demand factors Table
551.73
Restaurants, optional method
load calculation Table
220.88
Schools, optional method load
calculation Table 220.86
Screws, tightening torque tables
Annex I
Support services Table
230.51(C)
Transformers, medium and high
voltage Tables 450.3(A),
450.3(B)
Underground wiring, minimum
cover Tables 300.5,
Table 300.50
Wire-bending space, minimum
Tables 312.6(A),
312.6(B)
Tamperability
Circuit breakers, nontamperable
240.82
Type S fuses, nontamperable
240.54(D)
Tamper-resistant receptacles see
Receptacles
Taps; see also Splices and taps
Branch circuit 210.19(A)
Busways 368.17(C) Ex. 1
Cranes and hoists 610.42(B),
610.53(A)
Definition 240.2
Equipment grounding conductors 250.122(G)
Feeders see Feeders, taps
Grounding electrode conductors
250.64(D)(1)
D
R
Liquidtight flexible metal
conduit Tables C7 and
C7(A)
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit Tables C5
through C6(A)
Rigid metal conduit Tables
C8 and C8(A)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride
conduit Tables C9
through C12(A)
General lighting loads by occupancies Table 220.12
Household clothes dryers, demand loads Table
220.54
Household ranges and similar
cooking appliances, demand factors and loads
Table 220.55
Live parts, separation
Minimum distance from
fence to live parts Table
110.31
Over 600 volts
Air separation Table
490.24
Elevation Table 110.34(E)
Working space Table
110.34(A)
Working clearances Table
110.26(A)(1)
Mobile home park demand factors Table 550.31
Motor fuel dispensing facilities
Class I locations Table
514.3(B)(1)
Electrical equipment classified areas Table
514.3(B)(2)
Motors
Conductor rating factors for
power resistors Table
430.29
Duty cycle service Table
430.22(E)
Full-load currents Tables
430.247 through
430.250
Locked-rotor, code letters
Table 430.7(B)
Locked-rotor current conversion Tables 430.251(A)
and (B)
Maximum rating or setting,
branch-circuit protective
devices Table 430.52
Maximum rating or setting,
control circuit overcurrent protective device
Table 430.72(B)
Minimum spacings between
bare live parts, motor
control centers Table
430.97
Number and location, overload units Table 430.37
Other articles Table 430.5
Secondary ampacity Table
430.23(C)
Tools
Terminals
Connections to 110.14, 250.8,
250.68
Electric discharge tubing, signs,
etc. 600.42
Identification
Flat conductor cable
322.120(C)
Motors, controllers 430.9(A)
Polarity 200.9 through 200.11
Wiring device 250.126
Receptacles 406.5(F)
Tests
Emergency systems 700.3
Ground-fault protection
230.95(C)
Insulation resistance, space heating cables 424.45
Legally required standby systems 701.5
Mobile homes 550.17
Park trailers 552.60
Recreational vehicles 551.60
Theaters Art. 520
Audio signal processing 520.4
Branch circuits 520.9
Conductors, number in raceway
520.6
Definitions 520.2
Dressing room 520–VI
Emergency systems Art. 700
Grounding 520–VII
Fixed electric equipment
250.112(F)
Live parts 520.7
Portable equipment 520.10
Stage equipment
Fixed 520–II
Portable 520–V
Switchboard
Fixed 520–II
Portable 520–IV
Wiring methods 520.5
Therapeutic equipment 517.73(B)
Therapeutic high-frequency diathermy equipment
Definition 517.2
Therapeutic pools and tubs
680–VI
Definitions 680.2
Thermal devices
Overcurrent protection 240.9
Thermally protected (thermal
protection)
Definition 100–I
Fixtures, recessed 410.115(C)
Fluorescent lamp ballasts in luminaires 410.130(E)
Luminaires, recessed 410.115(C)
Thermal protector
Definition 100–I
Motor 430.32(A)(2),
430.32(B)(2)
Thermal resistivity
B.310.15(B)(2)
Definition 310.2, 310.60(A)
Three overload units, motors
Table 430.37
Tightening torque tables Annex I
Tools
Double insulated 250.114 Ex.
70–919
Tools
INDEX
70–920
T
Trees, luminaires (lighting fixtures) supported by
410.36(G)
Truck camper; see also Recreational vehicles
Definition 551.2
Truck coupler
Definition 626.2
Truck flanged surface inlet
626.25(B)(4)
Definition 626.2
Trucks
Definition 626.2
Electrified, parking space equipment see Electrified
truck parking space
equipment
Tubing; see also Conduits
Definitions 600.2
Electrical metallic see Electrical
metallic tubing
Electrical nonmetallic see Electrical nonmetallic tubing
Electric discharge, signs, etc.
600.41
Flexible metallic Art. 360; see
Flexible metallic tubing
Tunnels
Access 110.76
Installations over 600 volts,
nominal 110–IV
Ventilation 110.57, 110.77,
110.78
TV see Radio and television equipment
Two-fer 520.69
Definition 520.2
AF
Definition 517.2
Electric deicing, snowmelting equipment
426.31
Electric pipeline, vessel heating equipment 427.26
Health care facilities
517.19(F), 517.20(B),
517.63(E), 517.63(F),
517.64(B), 517.64(C),
517.76, 517.160(A)(4)
Less-flammable liquid-insulated
450.23
Location, accessibility 450.13
Marking 450.11
Modification of 450.28
Motor control circuit 430.72(C)
Nonflammable fluid-insulated
450.24
Oil-insulated
Indoors 450.26
Outdoors 450.27
Overcurrent protection 450.3,
450.4(A), 450.5(A)(2),
450.5(B)(2), 450.6(B)
Parallel operation 450.7
Power-limited and signaling circuits, remote control
725.41(A)(1), 725.45(D)
Remote control circuits for
725.41(A)(1), 725.45(D)
Research and development
450.1 Ex. 8
Secondary ties 450.6
Signs and outline lighting
600.21, 600.23, 600.24
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.9(B)
Specific provisions 450–II
Swimming pools, fountains, and
similar installations
680.23(A)(2), 680.24(B)
Terminal wiring space 450.12
Tunnels 110.55
Two-winding, underwater lighting 680.23(A)(2)
Unused current transformers,
short-circuiting of
110.23
Vaults 450–III
Ventilation 450.9
X-ray equipment 517.76, 660–
III
Transformer vaults 450–III
Doorways 450.43
Drainage 450.46
Location 450.41
Storage 450.48
Ventilation openings 450.45
Walls, roofs, and floors 450.42
Water pipes and accessories
450.47
Transmitting stations, radio and
television 810–III
Transport refrigerated unit
(TRU) 626–IV
Definition 626.2
Travel trailer; see also Park trailers
Definition 551.2
Trays, storage batteries 480.8(B)
D
R
Metal working machine see Industrial machinery
Motor-operated, hand-held,
grounding 250.114(4)(c)
Track lighting see Lighting track
Trailers, types of; see also Park
trailers
Definition 551.2
Transfer switches
Critical operations power systems 708.24
Definition 100–I
Emergency systems 700.5
Fuel cell systems 692.59
Legally required standby systems 701.5
Optional standby systems 702.5
Transformers Art. 450; see also
Hazardous (classified)
locations
Amusement attractions
522.10(A)(1)
Arc welders 630–II
Askarel-insulated 450.25
Audio see Audio signal processing, amplification, and
reproduction equipment
Autotransformers 430.109(D),
450.4
Audio 640.9(D)
Definition 640.2
Ballast for lighting units
410.138
Branch circuits 210.9
Dimmers 520.25(C),
520.53(F)(1)
Feeders 215.11
Grounding 450.5
Motor starting 430.82(B),
430.109(D)
Capacitors Art. 460
Installation Art. 450
X-ray equipment 517.76,
660–III
Control transformer in controller
enclosure 430.75(B)
Definitions 450.2, 694.15(B)
Dry-type 450.1 Ex. 2, 450.8(B),
450.21, 450.22
Electric discharge lighting systems
More than 1000 volts 410–
XIII
1000 volts or less 410–XII
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chair lifts
620.13(C)
Fire pumps 695.5
Grounding 450.5, 450.6(C),
450.10
Guarding 450.8
Hazardous (classified) Class II
locations, control transformers at 502.120
Installations, indoor and outdoor
450.21 through 450.27
Instrument, grounding 250–IX
Connections at services
230.82(4)
Isolation
-U-
Underfloor raceways Art. 390
Conductors
Ampacity 390.17
Number in raceway 390.6
Size of 390.5
Connections to cabinets, wall
outlets 390.15
Covering 390.4
Dead ends 390.11
Definition 390.2
Discontinued outlets 390.8
Inserts 390.14
Junction boxes 390.13
Laid in straight lines 390.9
Markers 390.10
Splices and taps, junction boxes
390.7
Uses not permitted 390.3(B)
Uses permitted 390.3(A)
Underground circuits, communication 800.47
Underground enclosures 110.59;
see also Manholes;
Vaults
Underground feeder and branchcircuit cable (Type UF)
Art. 340
Ampacity 340.80
Bending radius 340.24
Conductors 340.104
Construction specifications 340–
III
Definition 340.2
Equipment grounding conductor
340.108
Installation 340–II
Insulation 340.112
Listing 340.6
Sheath 340.116
Uses not permitted 340.12
Uses permitted 340.10
Underground installations see
Manholes; Tunnels;
Vaults
Underground service conductors
Definition 100–I
Underground service-entrance
cable (USE) see
Service-entrance cable
(Types SE and USE)
Underground wiring 300.5; see
also Hazardous (classified) locations
Aircraft hangars 513.8
Ampacities 310.60(C)(2), Tables
310.60(C)(77) through
310.60(C)(85), Fig.
310.60
Bulk storage plants 515.8
Buried conductors, Types USE,
UF 340.10
Conductor types in raceways
310.10(F)
Dry and damp locations
310.10(B)
Earth movement and 300.5(J)
Intermediate metal conduit
342.10(B) and (C)
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit 350.10(3)
Minimum cover requirements
300.5(A)
Motor fuel dispensing facilities
514.8
Over 600 volts 300.50
Protection of 300.5(D), 300.5(J)
Raceways, service 250.84
Recreational vehicle parks
551.80
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(G)
Rigid metal conduit 344.10
Rigid nonmetallic underground
conduit Art. 354
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.10(G)
Service cable 250.84
Services 230–III
“S” loops 300.5(J) IN
Splices and taps 300.5(E),
300.50(C)
Swimming pools 680.10
Wet locations 310.10(C)
Ungrounded; see also Conductors,
Ungrounded
Definition 100–I
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.35
Uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS) 645.11,
700.12(C), 701.12(C)
Unit equipment, emergency and
standby systems
700.12(F), 701.12(G)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition
INDEX
D
R
2014 Edition
Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks,
platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts 620.3(A),
620.52(B)
Emergency systems 700.7(B)
Fuel cell systems 692.10(C),
692.17, 692.56
Guarding live parts 600 volts or
less 110.27(C)
Induction and dielectric heating
665.23
Legally required standby systems 701.7(B)
Locked room or enclosure with
live parts over 600 volts
110.34(C),
490.21(B)(7)Ex.,
490.21(C)(2), 490.21(E),
490.44(B), 490.53,
490.55
Optional standby systems
702.7(B)
Small wind electric systems
694.18(C), 694.22(A)
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.5(C), 690.10(C),
690.17, 690.35(F)
Switchboards or panels 408.3(F)
Transformers 450.8(D)
Utility interactive inverters
705.12(D)(7)
Water, natural and artificially
made bodies of see
Natural and artificially
made bodies of water,
electrical wiring and
equipment for
Water heaters 422.11(E),
422.11(F)(3), 422.13
Controls 422.47
Protection 422.11(E),
422.11(F)(3)
Water pipe
Bonding (metal) 250.104
Connections 250.68
As grounding electrode
250.52(A)(1), 250.53(D)
Watertight
Definition 100–I
Weatherproof
Definition 100–I
Welders, electric Art. 630
Arc 630–II
Resistance 630–III
Welding cable 630–IV
Wet locations; see also Damp or
wet locations
Conductors, types 310.10(C),
Table 310.104(A)
Control circuits in 522.28
Definition 100–I
Electrical metallic tubing
358.10(C)
Electric signs and outline lighting 600.9(D),
600.21(C),
600.33(A)(1),
600.42(G)(2),
600.42(H)(2)
Enameled equipment
300.6(A)(1)
T
-VVacuum outlet assemblies, central 422.15
Valve actuator motor (VAM) assemblies 430.102(A)
Ex. 3
Definition 430.2
Vapors, flammable liquidproduced see Hazardous (classified) locations
Varying duty
Definition 100–I
Vaults 110.71, 110.73, 110–V
Access 110.76
Capacitors 460.2(A)
Film storage 530–V
Service over 600 volts 110.31,
230.212
Service 600 volts or less
230.6(3)
Transformers 450–III
Ventilation 110.77, 110.78
Vehicles see Electric vehicles; Recreational vehicles
Vending machines, cord-andplug-connected 422.51
Definition 422.2
Ventilated
Busway enclosures 368.238
Cable trays 392.22
Definition 100–I
Ventilating ducts, wiring 300.21,
300.22
Ventilating piping for motors,
etc. 502.128, 503.128
Ventilation
Aircraft hangars 513.3(D)
Battery locations 480.9(A)
Equipment, general 110.13(B)
Garages, commercial 511.3(C)
through (E)
Manholes, tunnels, and vaults
110.57, 110.77, 110.78
Motor fuel dispensing facilities,
lubrication and service
rooms — without dispensing Table
514.3(B)(1)
Motors 430.14(A), 430.16
Transformers 450.9, 450.45
Vessels; see also Fixed electric
heating equipment for
pipelines and vessels
Definition 427.2
Viewing tables, motion picture
530–IV
Volatile flammable liquid
Definition 100–I
Voltage and volts
Branch circuits, limits 210.6
Circuit
Definition 100–I
Drop
Branch circuits 210.19(A) IN
No. 4
Conductors 310.15(A)(1) IN
No. 1
Feeders 215.2(A)(4) IN No. 2
Sensitive electronic equipment 647.4(D)
Electric discharge lighting 410–
XII, 410–XIII
General provisions 110.4
Ground, to
Definition 100–I
High
Definition 490.2
Less than 50 Art. 720
Limitations, elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks 620.3
Low
Definition 551.2
Marking 240.83(E)
Nominal
Definition 100–I
Nominal battery
Definition 480.2
Over 600 volts Art. 490
Receptacles, voltages between
adjacent 406.5(G)
Small wind electric systems
694.66
Swimming pool underwater luminaires 680.23(A)(4)
Wiring methods 300.2
AF
Unused openings
Boxes and fittings 110.12(A)
Utility-interactive inverters 200.3
Ex., 705.12(D),
705.30(D), 705–II
Definition 100–I
Fuel cell systems 692.65
Hybrid systems 705.82
Definition 705.2
Output circuit 705.60(A)(2),
705.65(A)
Definition 705.2
Solar photovoltaic systems
690.14(D), 690.72(B)(3)
Utilization equipment
Aircraft hangars, portable utilization equipment in
513.10(E)(2)
Boxes
Minimum depth of 314.24
Outlet 314.24(B), 314.27(D)
Branch circuits, permissible
loads 210.23
Bulk storage plants 515.7(C)
Definition 100–I
Spray areas, portable equipment
in 516.4(D)
-WWading pools
Definition 680.2
Wall-mounted ovens see Ovens,
wall-mounted
Warning signs (labels), at equipment; see also Labels
required
Aircraft hangars 513.7(F),
513.10
Arc-flash hazard warning 110.16
Electroplating 669.7
Electrostatic hand spraying
516.10(A)(8)
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Wireways, metal
Ground-fault circuit interrupters
210.8(B)(6)
Gutters, sheet metal auxiliary
366.10(A)(2)
Health care facilities 517.20
Intermediate metal conduit
342.10(D)
Lampholders in 410.96
Luminaires in 410.10(A),
410.30(B)(1)
Mounting of equipment
300.6(D)
Nonmetallic wireways 378.10(3)
Raceways
Above grade locations, installed in 300.9
Exterior surfaces of buildings,
on 225.22
Recreational vehicle parks
551.78(A)
Reinforcing thermosetting resin
conduit 355.10(D)
Rigid metal conduit 344.10(D)
Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
352.10(D)
Underground locations as
300.5(B)
Wet procedure locations
Health care facilities 517.20
Definition 517.2
Wind electric systems, small Art.
694
Circuit requirements 694–II
Connection to other sources
694–VII
Definitions 694.2
Disconnecting means 694–III,
694.70(F)
Grounding 694–V
Installation 694.7, 694.28,
694.62, 694.70
Markings 694.22(C)(2), 694–VI
Overcurrent protection
694.12(B), 694.15
Over 600 volts 694–IX
Stand-alone systems
694.12(A)(3), 694.18,
694.54
Storage batteries 694–VIII
Wiring methods 694–IV
Windows, show see Show windows
Wind turbines; see also Wind
electric systems, small
Definition 694.2
Wired luminaire sections
410.137(C)
Wires; see also Conductors;
Cords; Fixture wires
In concrete footings, electrodes
250.52(A)(3)
Definition 800.2
Wireways, metal Art. 376
Ampacities 376.22
Bends 376.56(B)(3)
Construction specifications 376–
III
Dead ends 376.58
Definition 376.2
Deflected insulated 376.23(A)
Extensions 376.70
Installation 376–II
70–921
Wireways, metal
INDEX
Uses not permitted 378.12
Uses permitted 378.10
Wiring integrity 110.7
Wiring methods 110.8, Art. 300
Ducts 300.21, 300.22
Exposed
Definition 100–I
Open wiring on insulators
398.15
Fuel cell systems 692–IV
General requirements for see
General requirements
for wiring methods
Hazardous (classified) locations
see subhead under entries for specific hazardous location involved
Health care facilities 517–II
Intrinsically safe systems 504.20
Manufactured homes 550.10
Mobile home parks 550.10
Mobile homes 550.10
Planning 90.8
Small wind electric systems
694–IV
Solar photovoltaic systems
690–IV
Temporary see Temporary installations
Theaters 520.5
Types and materials Chap. 3
Within sight from see In sight
from
Working space
About electrical equipment
110.26, 110.32 through
110.34, 110.72, 110.73
Adjacent to live parts (circuits
over 600 volts) 110.32
to 110.34
Battery systems 480.9(C)
Manholes 110.72, 110.73
Motion picture projectors 540.12
Switchboards 110.26, 408.18
Workmanlike installation 110.12,
640.6(A), 720.11,
725.24, 760.24, 770.24,
800.24, 820.24, 830.24,
840.24
-XX-ray equipment 517–V, Art. 660
Control 517.74, 660–II
Definitions 517.2, 660.2
Guarding and grounding 517.78,
660–IV
Transformers and capacitors
517.76, 660–III
-ZZone 0, 1, and 2 locations see
Hazardous (classified)
locations, Class I, Zone
0, 1, and 2 locations
Zone 20, 21, and 22 see Hazardous (classified) locations, Zone 20, 21, and
22
Zones, information technology
equipment rooms
645.10(A)(3)
Definition 645.2
D
R
AF
T
Insulated conductors 376.23
Marking 376.120
Number of conductors 376.22
Securing and supporting 376.30
Size of conductors 376.21
Splices and taps 376.56
Uses not permitted 376.12
Uses permitted 376.10
Wireways, nonmetallic Art. 378
Construction specifications 378–
III
Dead ends 378.58
Definition 378.2
Deflected insulated 378.23(A)
Expansion fittings 378.44
Extensions 378.10(4), 378.70
Grounding 378.60
Installation 378–II
Insulated conductors 378.23
Listing requirements 378.6
Marking 378.120
Number of conductors 378.22
Securing and supporting 378.30
Size of conductors 378.21
Splices and taps 378.56
70–922
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
2014 Edition