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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-1 Log #1170q NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Russell LeBlanc, The Peterson School
In articles 90 through 830, if the wording is not already there, then add the words (or other
structure(s)) after the word BUILDING(S) wherever the intent of the requirement is to also include STRUCTURES as
well as buildings.
There is a flaw in the NEC. The term "building" is used over 1000 times in the NEC, and in most of the
cases the words "or other structure" should follow and apply the same requirements to bridges, billboards, towers,
tanks, and other structures that are by definition NOT BUILDINGS. One specific example I can use is section 225.10
Wiring on
Buildings. I believe that this section is also intended to be applied structures, but the wording "or other structures" is not
in the heading or the paragraph. There are literally thousands of other instances throughout the code that this same
problem exists. This can easily be seen by doing an electronic search for the word "building". In some cases the words
"or other structure" (or similar wording) are present, but in the vast majority where the requirements should also be
applied to structures other than buildings, the wording is not there.
The substantiation does not demonstrate a definitive problem exists with the current text. It may
not be appropriate to add "or other structures" in all cases.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-2 Log #921q NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Joe Tedesco, Boston, MA
The term "adequate" and "adequately" and "inadequately" and "inadequate" should be replaced
with terms that can be properly enforced and understood.
Terms are not defined and are considered vague and unenforceable per Table 3.2.1 in the NEC Style
Manaual. They are all "incorrect" 148 times in the NEC.
The proposal does not specify where the terms are used nor does it suggest replacement terms.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-3 Log #2889 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Systems of illumination utilizing fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps,
or neon tubing.
Systems of illumination utilizing fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps,
or neon tubing.
The defined term is referenced in several articles of the NEC: 100 I, 210, 300, 310, 410, 450, 600,
In general, Article 100 shall contain definitions of terms that appear in two or
more other articles of the
.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-4 Log #1483 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
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.
The defined term is referenced in several articles of the NEC:
(4),
,
,&
In general, Article 100 shall contain definitions of terms that appear in two or
more other articles of the
.
Section 250.22(4) does not use the term "lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less" and Table
680.3 uses the term "site lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less." Even using the exposure in Article 680 there is
only one article where this term is used and therefore the existing wording is in compliance with Section 2.2.2.1 of the
2011 edition of the NEC Style Manual.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-5 Log #1482 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
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.
The defined term is referenced in several articles of the NEC:
,
,&
In general, Article 100 shall contain definitions of terms that appear in two or
more other articles of the
.
Relocate the definition to Article 100 and revise text to read as follows:
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.
The term is modified to reflect the use of the two terms in other locations in the code.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-6 Log #1188 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
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.
The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The information provided in
the subsequent sentences is not really a part of the definition; it is further information that is best placed in an
informational note.
Because the NEC is formatted differently from other NFPA standards the CMP uses the NEC Style
manual for editorial and administrative requirements. When not specified in this manual the panel complies with the
NFPA Manual of Style. In reviewing section 2.2.2.2 of the NEC Style Manual and section 2.3.2 of the NFPA Manual of
Style no reference to requiring definitions in one sentence exists.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-7 Log #3350a NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Steven R. Montgomery, 2D2C Inc.
Add new text to read as follows:
Equipment incorporating means to detect certain
out of parameter conditions of supply voltage and load current and mitigate, by circuit interruption, the effects of (a)
overload within utilization equipment; and (b) over- or under-voltage, that can pose a risk of fire ignition under certain
conditions.
A definition of an Out of Parameter Circuit Interrupter - Voltage/Current (OPCI-VI) is needed to
describe this fire prevention technology presently manufactured by multiple suppliers and under consideration for
adoption in several places elsewhere in NFPA 70.
Note that sister proposals have been submitted as a new 210.13 and 406.3(D).
Staff Note: This proposal has also been sent to Code-Making Panel 2 for review and action.
The definition is not justified because the submitter has not specified how much the parameters
must be out of specification to be able to serve as a fire prevention technology. While nothing in the Code would
prevent the installation of such a Listed device, no requirement should be in place since there is no fact finding or other
scientific study that correlates the amount of out of spec the parameters must be to be consider a fire prevention device.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-8 Log #1195 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
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.
The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The information provided in
the subsequent sentences is not really a part of the definition; it is further information that is best placed in an
informational note.
definition style.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-6 which addresses the submitter's issue of
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-9 Log #2619 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Add new text to read as follows:
A general term for a complete subassembly of parts and devices for field conversion of utilization
eguipment. As applied to luminaires, signs and outline lighting for conversion of illumination systems.
Extensive upgrades are underway to achieve greater energy efficiency in signs and luminaires by
replacing in-place illumination systems with LEDs. This largely encompasses field modification of signs or luminaires.
Field modifications of utilization equipment usually require a field evaluation by a qualified electrical testing laboratory.
Testing laboratories, such as Underwriter's Laboratories have developed protocols for these field conversions, such that
when done within the testing laboratory parameters, do not compromise the safety profile of the listed sign or luminaire.
As an example, to ensure that the parts are compatible with the field modification, Underwriters Laboratories requires all
the parts for luminaire and sign conversions to be assembled into a
that UL labels as
. A Code definition will
provide a basis for, (1) use of conversion subassemblies, (2) inclusion in applicable ANSI UL standards for producers of
the retrofit kits, (3) a basis for AHJs approval of field modified wiring in listed signs and luminaires, and (4) their use by
the installer.
Revise the submitter's recommendation:
Delete the last sentence and revise the remainder to read as follows:
A general term for a complete listed subassembly of parts and devices for field conversion of utilization
equipment.
The inclusion of the word "listed" complies more closely with the panels intent as stated in section
410.6 and 600.3 that retrofit kits be listed.
Retrofit kits are not unique to luminaires, signs and outline lighting.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-10 Log #2135 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Robert Wong, BSafe Electrix, Inc.
Add new definitions as follows:
A protective assembly is an integral part of a device, such as a
receptacle, that, when properly applied, will cut off electrical power to the load when the temperature of the device
reaches a preset temperature, at which point no further heat will be generated. Therefore this assembly protects the
device, wiring, outlet box and the immediate area surrounding the outlet box, from abnormal heating.
The Thermal Protected may consist of one or more sensor elements as an integral or external part
of the device.
The words Thermally Protected or TP appearing on the device indicate
that the device includes a thermal protector.
Add new text as follows:
406.4(D)(7) Thermally Protected Receptacles. Thermal Protected Receptacles shall be provided where required
elsewhere in the Code.
Revise 550.13(3) as follows:
550.13(3) Except where supplying specific appliances, either 15- or 20-ampere, 125-volt, either single or multiple type,
and except for parallel-blade attachment plugs, Thermally Protected Receptacle, or a CO/ALR Receptacle.
PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED: Electrical outlet fires continue to this day to be identified and reported
in manufactured - mobile homes. According to the USFA, electrical fires in manufactured-mobile homes claim over 300
American lives and over 1000 injuries each year. Further, over the past years, incidents of such fires in manufactured
homes have received the scrutiny of experts, academia researchers, including UL and the Electrical Wiring Device
Industry. Such reports are numerous, and a select few reports of fire statistics are referenced in this NEC proposal.
Over the past 40 years, a percentage of the electrical receptacle outlet fires each year in manufactured homes have
been caused by one or more of the following combination of conditions which occur: improper wiring at first installation loose wiring connections, and the additional stress caused by the mechanical - vibration disturbance that receptacles in
a manufactured home are subjected to during normal use. Other often cited causes of electrical fires are, loose
connections between an appliance plugged into receptacles in mobile homes due travel/movement of the mobile home,
and lack of adequate space in the mobile home hence many ignitable materials are placed near the loose appliance
plugged into the receptacles.
These NEC proposals will result in an increased safe use of receptacles in manufactured-mobile homes, thereby
reducing future incidents of property damage and loss of life that may occur in an electrical fire, resulting from
overheated receptacle outlet/wiring.
It is a reality, a fact of life for the future. If these proposed NEC changes are not implemented, electrical receptacle
outlet failures and the subsequent electrical fires that in many cases mask their cause and origin, will continue to occur
in mobile houses. It is critical for our families' safety that an insidious receptacle overheating condition in a receptacle
wall outlet be detected and mitigated prior to ignition of combustible materials in the receptacle outlet or its vicinity.
The Receptacle with Thermal Protection and CO/ALR Receptacle are UL Listed devices are presently available in the
market place today.
UL STANDARD/ NEC BACKGROUND: UL Standard 498, Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, provides safety
requirements that only address normal electrical installation conditions, but not under
conditions of use. In
turn, NEC Article 110.3(A) specifically states in item (5), "Heating effects under normal conditions of use and also under
abnormal conditions likely to arise in service", is a consideration that is to be evaluated as a condition as it is "essesntial
to safe use or proper functioning of the equipment."
SUBSTANTIATION: Improper wiring in electrical wiring installations in manufactured - mobile homes was addressed
years ago when aluminum wiring problems were first addressed by UL, NEMA, NBS, and others in the Industry. This
fact is explicitly stated in the "
" titled, "
" (including "
In items B and C, in the first paragraph on page 2 of
the
, it is noted that
". And, in the first paragraph of the
, it is stated that "
".
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This "
" including the "
", prepared under the auspices of an Ad Hoc Committee sponsored
by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., is provided as an attachment to these proposals. The eleven organizations that
served on the Ad Hoc Committee are listed on the last page of the Statement.
This collaborative effort by NEMA, NBS, UL, Industry Members including NECA, and IBEW-NECA is testimony to the
fact that "
does exist in electrical installations with copper wiring in the field
today and that overheating of receptacles and snap switches can occur
use. Therefore, under Article 110.3(A)
Item 5, Abnormal, or improper wiring installations should be considered as "conditions likely to arise in service".
Thomas J. D'Agostino, PE, as a Lead Project Engineer at UL (1969-1978) in matters pertaining to connectability of
wiring devices with aluminum as well as copper wiring, participated in (a) significant research projects that were the
basis for the publication of the
, and (b) specifically in the development of the
Standard, addresses the "improperly wired - loose binding head screw connection", and vibration, conditions that occur
in electrical installations in manufactured - mobile homes, and recreational vehicles.
NEC PROPOSALS TO MANDATE THE USE OF THERMAL PROTECTED RECEPTACLES IN NEW
MANUFACTURED (MOBILE) HOMES AND WHEN REPLACING RECEPTACLES IN EXISTING MANUFACTURED
(MOBILE) HOMES TO ASSURE ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF SAFETY: Receptacles in manufactured mobile homes are
subjected to more stringent conditions of abuse, such as vibration or mechanical disturbance due to travel/movement of
the mobile home. The distinct performance of a Standard UL498 Listed Receptacle which has not been investigated to
"abnormal conditions which might arise in service", as compared to the safer performance of a currently UL Listed
Receptacle with Thermal Protection, has been demonstrated in research that has been conducted at Stony Brook
University, N.Y. The Stony Brook Report demonstrates that Thermal Protected receptacles successfully cut off
(interrupt) power when the temperature increases to a preset range due to loose connections and/or serial arcing.
Without Thermal Protected assembly the temperature will continue to rise for an extended time, and easily surpass the
allowable temperature for many materials, such as insulation materials.
The Stony Brook University Research has clearly demonstrated the need for a higher level of safety - protection in
receptacles that are installed in a manufactured - mobile home. The Receptacle with Thermal Protection or CO/ALR
Receptacle provides this needed higher level of safety for use in manufactured - mobile homes. The receptacle with
thermal protection has been investigated according to UL498 with additional thermal tests, and the CO/ALR Receptacle
has been tested to both UL498 and UL1597.
This proposal has also been sent to Code-Making Panel 19 for their review and action.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
The submitter has not offered any acceptable scientific study that correlates the temperature
cut-out value in a thermally protected receptacle with fire mitigating ability. While nothing in this Code precludes such a
device from being installed, no mandate device should be required without a specific value of cut-off that can mitigate
fires.
The panel recommends the TCC refer this proposal to CMP 19.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-10a Log #3235 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark C. Ode, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Add new text to read as follows:
Article 302 Low Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power Distribution Systems.
Part I. General
302.1 Scope.
This article covers the installation of low voltage suspended ceiling power distribution systems.
302.2 Definitions.
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.
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.
Grid Bus Rail. A combination of the busbar, busbar support, and the structural suspended ceiling grid system.
Connector. A term used to refer to an electro-mechanical fitting.
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.
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.
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.
Suspended Ceiling Grid. A system which serves as a support for a finished ceiling surface and other utilization
equipment.
302.6 Listing Requirements.
Suspended ceiling power distribution systems and associated fittings shall be listed as in 302.6(A) or 302.6(B).
(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.
(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
302.10 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
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(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 space and, have
adequate fire-resistant and low-smoke-producing 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
302.12 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
302.14 Installation
(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 302.14(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
302.21 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
simultaneously break all the supply conductors to the power supply in accordance with 210.4(B).
302.30 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.
302.40 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.
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.
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(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.
302.45 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.
(B) Interconnection of Power Sources. Listed Class 2 sources shall not have the output connections paralleled or
otherwise interconnected, unless listed for such interconnection.
(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.
302.56. Splices.
A busbar splice shall be provided with insulation and mechanical protection equivalent to that of the grid rail busbars
involved.
302.57. 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.
302.60 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
302.104. Sizes and Types of Conductors
(A) Load Side Utilization Conductor Size. Current-carrying 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 a
busbar with a circular cross section, the diameter shall be 0.051 in. (1.29 mm) minimum, and, for other than circular
2
2
busbars, the area shall be 0.002 in. (1.32 mm ) minimum.
The growing interest in alternative energy sources (e.g. photovoltaics, wind turbines, batteries, fuel
cells, etc.) and the proliferation of low voltage, low power devices (sensors, LV lighting, IT equipment, AV equipment,
etc.), has created a significant need for adequate language supporting the practical safeguarding of circuits and
electrical equipment operating at 30 Volts AC or 60 Volts dc or less.
The current code has specific requirements for power distribution at 30 volts or less for listed lighting devices and their
associated listed components (as covered by Article 411 with reference to Article 725), but there is no similar
requirements for power distribution at 30 volts or less for listed non-lighting systems and their associated listed
components. The code is silent on the requirements for power distribution at 30 volts or less when non-lighting and
lighting devices are connected in the same 30 volts or less power distribution system. Thus, the current code implies
(although it does not specifically demand) that separate power distribution systems must be deployed in order to
perform the identical task of low voltage power distribution at 30 volts or less. Due to equipment, wiring and overall
system redundancy, this position is likely to be extremely wasteful from both an energy and economy viewpoints.
This purposed article provides the specific requirements for the safe installation of low voltage, power limited power
distribution, providing power to lighting and non-lighting loads. Drawing largely from Articles 411 and 725 this purposed
article slightly expands the scope of these systems with the addition of low voltage/power limited (Class 2) non-lighting
loads while maintaining the clear requirements necessary for safe installation.
As technology changes, the construction and commercial office industry, as well as the various Codes and Standards
affecting the buildings, must respond to provide a safe and reliable method of providing the appropriate flexibility of
power for lighting, sensors, temperature control, and other functional aspects of the building. The low voltage grid
distribution system is a very viable and important part of this flexible power distribution system.
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This proposal was developed as a part of a larger effort to provide clear and specific requirements in NFPA 70 regarding
the use of dc power. There is a growing interest in the use of alternative energy sources (e.g. photovoltaics, wind
turbines, batteries, fuel cells, etc.) this coupled with the reality that many of the loads installed ultimately use electricity in
its dc form has renewed an interest in dc power and its distribution in buildings. While many parts of the Code cover dc
power with specific requirements, other portions are not as clear.
This proposal was developed by a subgroup of the NEC DC Task Force of the Technical Correlating Committee. The
Task Force is chaired by John R. Kovacik, Underwriters Laboratories, the Subtask Group that developed this proposal
consisted of the following people: Panel 3 Chairman Paul Casparro, representing the JATC of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Panel 3; Subtask Group Chairman Wendell Whistler, representing Intertek, Inc.
and Panel 3; Lawrence S. Ayer representing Biz Com Electric of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association and
Panel 3; Mike O’boyle, representing Philips Inc. and Panel 18; Mark C. Ode representing Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
and Panel 3; Audi Spina, representing Armstrong Ceiling Inc. and special expert on low voltage ceiling grids; and Randy
Wright, representing RKW Consulting and Panel 18.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-11 Log #1064 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James A. Gates, J. A. Gates Co. LLC
Add new text to read as follows:
All 110-120v plugs and receptacles to include "ELECTRICAL PLUG ALIGNMENT INDICATORS" .
People often have difficulty aligning the wide blade side of a plug with the wide blade side of a
receptacle. This is especially true for sight challenged people or when a receptacle is out of sight because of darkness
or obscured by furniture. This becomes a safety issue with small children whose fingers can fit between the blades of
the plug. Electrical plug alignment indicators are small bumps on the wide blade side of the plug and corresponding
small bumps on the wide blade side of the receptacles or extension cords. These bumps provide a tactile signal to the
user to help align the plug and receptacle without placing their fingers on the plug blades.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
The UL/ANSI Standard requires receptacles to reject the improper insertion of a plug cap. If the
plug does not go insert in one orientation, then it will go in when reversed.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-12 Log #2704 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Steven Orlowski, National Association of Home Builders
Revise text to read as follows:
Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(6), as applicable.
Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires
arc-fault circuit interrupter protection as specified elsewhere in this
, 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.
Once again, a new provision requiring an untested and unavailable technology has been introduced
into the 2011National Electrical Code. There was a time when manufacturers would have been called out on using the
national model code to promote a product or give them a market advantage on a technology that they had the sole
capability to produce, sadly this is becoming the norm. This new provision will require an existing receptacle that
becomes damaged or simply needs to be replaced with a receptacle that is either protected by AFCI breaker or be a
listed AFCI receptacle. Where is the problem with replacing the receptacle with the same type or better yet where is the
risk with replacing the receptacle with the same type? At this time only one manufacturer is rumored to have produced a
receptacle that meets the code and it is not commercially available. Several comments were submitted during the last
cycle, requesting the technical committee to reject this proposal based on the fact that the technology for these devices
did not exist, much less that there weren’t any devices that had been listed by any testing agency meeting this
requirement.
Other reasons given by some well respected members of several other technical committees included the fact that
many common and acceptable wiring techniques in existing homes could create problems and would be incompatible
with an AFCI receptacle or AFCI breakers. For example many existing panelboards cannot accommodate an AFCI
breaker. This means if a homeowner needed to replace a single broken receptacle in the home and the AFCI receptacle
are still not available, they would then have to replace the entire panelboard and all the associated breakers within the
dwelling. Another problem would arise with existing homes that were wired using multiwire branch circuits throughout
which cannot be feed by a typical AFCI Breaker. A huge expense to meet a requirement that was not based on any
significant technical substation regarding the number of fires or injuries that would be diverted. Until these devices have
been rigorously tested not to suffer the same nuisance tripping that the AFCI breakers have and proven to meet the
claims made by manufactures, we urge the removal of this requirement from the National Electrical Code. NAHB also
urges the NEC code making panels to begin rejecting any and all proposals that would mandate the use of any new
technology that does not include a cost benefit analysis in the substantiation.
As of this time TWO manufacturers have Listed AFCI receptacles. During the last cycle, Panel 18
postponed the effective date until 2014, therefore commercial devices are not needed at this time. Also, the Coalition of
AFCI receptacle manufacturers has demonstrated real devices at the ROP meeting. Section 90.4 of this Code allows
the AHJ to revert to the previous Code if the device is unavailable at the time of inspection.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-13 Log #3268 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Brian E. Rock, Hubbell Incorporated
Revise 406.3(D) main text to read as follows:
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; such identification shall be visible after installation.
Although 406.3(D) requires specific marking identification of isolated ground receptacles, the
installation requirements in 406.3(D) and 250.146(D) make no mention that such identification be visible to the user after
installation to coordinate with installation and use instructions of plug-and-cord-connected Listed instrumentation and
equipment to comply with 110.3(B).
The current wording of this section clearly states "shall be identified by an orange triangle located
on the face of the receptacle." It does not seem possible that a receptacle can be installed where the face is not visible.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-14 Log #3357 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Steven R. Montgomery, 2D2C Inc.
Add new text to read as follows:
Out of Parameter Circuit Interrupter - Voltage/Current (OPCI-VI) protected receptacles shall be provided where
replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere in this
.
Resistive heating and arcing faults ignite most of the major residential electrical fires. Resistive
heating faults ignite 59% of the fires, in spite of branch circuit over-current protection (see “Electrical Ignition Causes of
Fires in Ontario 2002-2007,” Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) report, 2008). The latest code enhancements, including
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (per UL Std. 1699), are not designed to protect against resistive heating from current
flowing through poor branch circuit connections (high resistance points), overloaded appliances and open neutral
conditions. New homes may have aged and potentially faulty appliances, extension cords and lighting fixtures brought
in by homeowners. The 2006 NFPA report titled “Selected Residential Electrical Fires” indicates these faults have
resulted in numerous fire fatalities.
Out of Parameter Circuit-Interrupter (OPCI-VI) technology is designed to provide primary protection against resistive
heating ignition mechanisms including high resistance points in branch circuit wiring (cause of 23% of residential
electrical fires, per the attached ESA 2008 report), appliance overloads (cause of 17% of the electrical fires), and open
neutral conditions (cause of 2% of the electrical fires). OPCI-VI also provides supplementary protection against
overloaded circuits (cause of 7% of the electrical fires) and insulation damage that leads to arc tracking (cause of 7% of
the electrical fires). A large portion of residential electrical ignitions are caused by resistive heating that cannot be
protected by branch circuit overcurrent devices but can be protected by OPCI-VI.
OPCI-VI technology has been previously referred to as Electrical Fault Circuit Interrupter (EFCI), which is itself formerly
known as the combination of Overload Fault Circuit Interrupter (OFCI) and Power Fault Circuit Interrupter (PFCI)
technologies. Some previous documentation refers to the old nomenclature.
OPCI-VI protection must be located at the junction between the load and branch circuit wiring to detect these faults and
cannot be located at the panelboard. OPCI-VI technology is a superior approach compared all relevant alternatives.
(see “Alternatives to Electrical Fault Circuit Interrupter (EFCI) Technology”, Wayne Hartill, 2D2C Inc., 2008.)
Two Fact Finding Reports from independent NRTL’s substantiate the performance of OPCI-VI technology. (see
“Descriptive Report and Test Results”, Todd Hamden, CSA International, Feb 2006 & “Descriptive Report and Test
Results”, Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd., Jan 2006). A third NRTL Fact Finding Report has been request from
Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Products containing OPCI-VI technology have NRTL certification against UL 498 and UL 498A standards and have
been available for sale in the marketplace since 2006. Multiple producers of OPCI-VI technology exist in the
marketplace. With a mandate more producers will likely enter the marketplace.
A mandate of OPCI-VI technology is required because the net safety benefit to society is far greater than that of
voluntary sales alone.
Please review submitted letters of support from the following fire forensics experts including:
● Vytenis Babrauskas, Ph.D., President of Fire Science and Technology Inc. and author of the “Ignition Handbook”.
● John S. Robison, President of Robison Forensic Consulting, previously Alabama State Fire Marshal, and previous
President of International Fire Marshals Association.
● Chris W Korinek, P.E., President of Synergy Technologies and author of Chapter 10 of “Kirks Fire Investigation”
book.
● Doug Crawford, Deputy Fire Marshal of the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.
Note that sister proposals have been submitted as a new 100 and 210.13.
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As of this time no UL/ANSI standard exists that correlates the parameters in question with fire
mitigating ability. Nothing in this Code precludes the use of such a listed device.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-15 Log #748 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Vince Baclawski, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Add new text to read as follows:
All nonlocking-type, 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.
******Insert Figure 406.3(E) Here******
New energy management codes that are currently being widely adopted such as ASHRAE 90.1
require that up to 50% of 125 volt 15 and 20 ampere receptacles be automatically controlled. The control could be an
energy management system, timer or sensor. The occupant or end user needs to know which receptacle outlets will be
automatically controlled to avoid plug-in appliances or other loads from being unintentionally turned on or off.
Previous automated systems typically control identified loads such as lighting or HVAC and the consequences are
known and understood. The uncertainty of what is plugged into a controlled receptacle outlet can raise concerns
regarding safety as well as convenience thus it is important to be able to readily identify receptacle outlets that will be
automatically powered on and off.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-16 Log #147 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Ronald Deering, City of Portage
Add new text to read as follows:
All 15 and 20 ampere duplex receptacles, being installed and connected to branch circuit conductors, shall be installed
using a side termination method, utilizing a set-screw that is firmly seated over a conductor wrapped clockwise around
the screw head, or a screw head firmly seated after a conductor has been installed into a listed side-wired receptacle.
Please accept this statement of a problem that has concerned me since I began working in the trade in
1970. As an apprentice, I had been trained by more than one electrical contractor, to be concerned that the stab-in
feature of receptacles was a safety concern. The electrical contractor was concerned for his customer's safety, yes, but
also was looking out for his business. He did not want to send his employees out on a costly repair, nor did he want his
reputation ruined by an electrical contractor who just a year later was called to this new home to re-wire the devices,
once one had quit working.
As an electrical inspector, I have found that the stab-in feature, especially when conductors are installed in series, has
become a common occurrence. Electrical contractors treat this repair as if they were simply correcting a poorly installed
wire-nut or correcting a fault caused by a loose device that has slid to one side or the other of a steel box, causing a
fault condition. The repair is not documented, as a traffic accident would be and the device tossed aside. Therefore, it is
impossible to come up with piles of documentation to support the argument. The fact that it is such a common
occurrence that is not documented, makes this unsafe condition an issue that may never be addressed. When
questioning electricians, I find every single one has several stories to tell.
I have been sending contractor emails to my NEMA representative and the NFPA, as the contractor finds the time to
do so, with the hope that committee members might be able to enlighten the electrical Industry of an age old issue. I
think the problem is primarily a manufacturer issue, but in light of my NEMA representative's recommendation, I submit
this as a proposal. I hope that at the very least, the electrical industry's awareness of the problem can be raised.
As of this time UL/ANSI standard 498 allows the back-wire push-in connection. No UL/ANSI
proposal has been accepted that removes this Listed termination method.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-17 Log #2082 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Phil Simmons, Simmons Electrical Services
Revise text to read as follows:
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).
Except as provided in (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).
Receptacles and cord connectors that have equipment grounding conductor contacts shall have
those contacts connected to an equipment grounding conductor.
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: See 250.118 for acceptable grounding means.
Informational Note No. 2: For extensions of existing branch circuits, see 250.130.
Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(6), as applicable.
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). Grounding-type
receptacles shall be installed at locations specified in 250.114 and if required in the installation instructions provided by
the equipment or appliance manufacturer.
At locations other than provided in (D)(1) and 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).
(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 interrupter-type of
receptacle(s). These receptacles shall be marked “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor shall not
be connected from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter-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 ground-fault circuit
interrupter shall be marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor shall not
be connected between the grounding-type receptacles.
No changes to the remainder of 406.4 are included in this proposal.
The proposed changes to (A) and (B), are intended to be editorial including making exceptions
complete sentences as required by the NEC Style Manual.
No changes are proposed to (C).
The proposed change to (D)(1) is intended to require grounding-type receptacles if the receptacle is located where the
manufacturer requires equipment be supplied from a grounding-type receptacle or branch circuit. If the receptacle does
not provide an equipment grounding conductor connection, a violation of the manufacturer installation instruction occurs
and a violation of 110.3(B) occurs.
In addition, a list of equipment or appliances that are required to be grounded is included in 250.114. If a receptacle is
located where these equipment or appliances will be supplied, a receptacle connected to an equipment grounding
conductor is required.
Since the NEC is the minimum standard for safety, failing to comply with the requirements of 110.3(B) or 250.114 will
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result in an installation that is unsafe. Section 406.4 should not permit an unsafe practice.
Accept the change in part (A). The remainder is rejected.
The changes in part (B) are not editorial and require substantiation. Reject the proposed change to
part (D) as the majority of the time installation instructions are not available at the time of receptacle installation.
Submitter has not provided substantiation for the change. In accordance with 4.3.3(d) of NFPA Regulations Governing
Committee Projects the unaccepted parts are rejected.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-18 Log #910 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Johnston, National Electrical Contractors Association
Add a new last sentence to read as follows:
The arc-fault circuit-interrupter(s) shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
This proposal seeks to align the readily accessible requirement for GFCI devices covered in 210.8(A)
and (B) with the rules for arc-fault circuit-interrupter protective devices required by 406.4(D). Favorable action by CMP-2
on Proposal 2-77 and Comment 2-29 in the 2010 ROP and ROC resulted in a new readily accessible requirement for
GFCIs. Justification for the new rule is primarily related to occupant or user accessibility to the monthly testing and reset
features of the device. Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection can also be accomplished by circuit breaker types or device
types which have the same test and reset features and requirements for monthly testing. Accessibility to these
protective devices should not be different than for GFCI devices.
Add a new last sentence to read as follows:
Arc-fault circuit-interrupter and ground-fault circuit-interrupter type receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible
location.
Although both AFCIs and GFCIs are covered in 406.4(D) only AFCIs are covered by the proposal.
The revised text addresses only receptacle-type applications.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-19 Log #1287 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Farrell III, Lucas County Building Regulations
Add new text to read as follows:
(4) Arc-Fault Circuit- Interrupter Protection.
(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.
(6) Weather-Resistant Receptacles.
Exception to (4), (5), and (6) For receptacles supplied by a branch circuit that does not contain an equipment
grounding conductor or where attachment to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist in the receptacle
enclosure the provisions of 406.4(D)(2) shall apply.
These devices contain equipment grounding conductor termination points. For a branch circuit
containing no equipment grounding conductor a potential for installation of a device with a grounding terminal where no
actual grounding means exists is possible. The requirements found in Article 406.4(D)(2) provide a safer alternative to
installing AFCI,Tamper-Resistant, and Weather-Resistant receptacle devices on such branch circuits. An AHJ may
mistakenly require the use of such devices based on the requirement as currently written. An exception to the
requirement for existing wiring systems that were installed with no EGC is needed for clarity. The requirements of
406.4(D)(2) are the only safe alternative for replacement of receptacle devices where no grounding means is provided
with the branch circuit or receptacle enclosure.
The substantiation provided does not adequately support the recommendation and prove that the
lack of a ground on the AFCI, tamper resistant, or weather resistant receptacle creates a hazard.
Affirmative: 10
CARPENTER, F.: The existing wording is clear that 406.4(D)(2) is the only section that addresses receptacle
installation when the equipment grounding conductor does not exist in the receptacle enclosure.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-20 Log #1797 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark Shapiro, Farmington Hills, MI
Revise text to read as follows:
406.4(D)(2)(b) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with a ground-fault circuit
interrupter-type of receptacle(s) or protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter. 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.
Is there any reason why GFCI circuit breakers should be prohibited here?
Alternately, the sentence could be shortened to, “(b) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be
replaced with a grounding-type receptacle that is protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter-type of receptacle(s).”
The potential problem with that wording is that it could be read as saying that the GFCI must be upstream of the
receptacle in question. Experience has taught us all that if there is a way to misread a code requirement, it will take
place.
Article 406 addresses “receptacles, cord connectors and attachment plugs (caps). Ground fault
circuit interrupters of the circuit breaker type are covered under article 250, not Article 406.
Affirmative: 10
CARPENTER, F.: The existing language in 406.4(D)(2)(c) addresses the submitters concern.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-21 Log #2149 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mike Weitzel, Central Washington Electrical Education
Revise text to read as follows:
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection protected receptacles shall be
provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere in this
. Where a circuit breaker GFCI device is used, protected receptacles shall be installed in accordance with 210.8,
and marked in accordance with 406.4(D)(2) (b) or (c).
Circuit breaker or receptacle protection should be permitted for this application, as both a circuit breaker
and a receptacle are required to be a Class A device by UL 943 Standard.
This improves accessibility, in compliance with Section 210.8 requirements that all GFCI devices be installed in a
readily accessible location.
As long as the receptacles are GFCI protected and marked as such, as well as whether or not an equipment grounding
conductor exists on the circuit, the practice of using a GFCI breaker in lieu of a GFCI receptacle should be permitted, as
it provides an equivalent level of safety.
replacement.
The submitter fails to realize that this section deals only with receptacle replacement, not breaker
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-22 Log #1637 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Robert G. Wilkinson, IEC Texas Gulf Coast
Delete 406.4(D)(4)(1).
A listed outlet branch-circuit type AFCI does not exist. Currently, no manufacturer produces this type of
device and there is no UL standard developed for this product. The major manufacturers have stated that they have no
plans to produce or market this device.
Refer to panel action and statement on Proposal 18-12 which address the same issue.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-23 Log #1638 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Robert G. Wilkinson, IEC Texas Gulf Coast
Delete 406.4(D)(4)(2).
A listed outlet branch-circuit type AFCI does not exist. Currently, no manufacturer produces this type of
device and there is no UL standard developed for this product. The major manufacturers have stated that they have no
plans to produce or market this device.
Refer to panel action and statement on Proposal 18-12 which addresses the same issue.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-24 Log #1643 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles Palmieri, Cohasset, MA
Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection
as specified elsewhere in this
, a replacement receptacle at this outlet shall be one of the following:
(1) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter receptacle installed in accordance with 210.12(B).
(2) A receptacle protected by a listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter type receptacle installed in
accordance with 210.12(B).
I am submitting this proposal to insure correlation with proposals that I have submitted to this Code
Panel and panels 1 and 2. Code Panel 2 adopted language in 2011 requiring GFCI receptacles be readily accessible.
The substantiation was clear. Manufactures instructions require periodic testing. These devices must be accessible for
such testing. If my proposal to CMP 1 is rejected then the requirement that GFCI Receptacles to be readily accessible
should also apply to a listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI.
Please see my proposals to sections 110. (B), 210.8 and 210.12 (B)(2).
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-18 which meets the intent of the
recommendation as supported by the substantiation.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-25 Log #1644 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles Palmieri, Cohasset, MA
Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection
as specified elsewhere in this
, a replacement receptacle at this outlet shall be one of the following:
(1) A readily accessible listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter receptacle.
(2) A receptacle protected by a readily accessible listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter type
receptacle.
I am submitting this proposal to insure correlation with proposals that I have submitted to this Code
Panel and panels 1 and 2. Code Panel 2 adopted language in 2011 requiring GFCI receptacles be readily accessible.
The substantiation was clear. Manufactures instructions require periodic testing. These devices must be accessible for
such testing. If my proposal to CMP 1 is rejected then the requirement that GFCI Receptacles to be readily accessible
should also apply to a listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI.
Please see my proposals to sections 110.3 (B), 210.8 and 210.12(B)(2).
recommendation.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-18 which meets the intent of the
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-26 Log #2500 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Terry W. Cromer, NC Association of Electrical Contractors
Delete entire text in 406.4(D)(4).
1) Presently there is not a wiring device manufacture that has placed into production an AFCI
receptacle and it has been a common thread that wiring device manufactures may not produce AFCI receptacles unless
CMP 2 changes the requirement found in Section 210.12(A)
2) Prior to the requirement, in the NEC, for AFCI protection of the branch circuit most homes were wired using
multi-wire NM cable and at present time there is no manufacture that has in production a combination type multipole
circuit breaker and there are many homes that have fusible panels which cannot accept an AFCI circuit breaker. Making
this requirement retroactive in the NEC is not feasible.
Refer to panel action and statement on Proposal 18-12 which addresses the same issue.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-27 Log #1078 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mario L. Mumfrey, Cincinnati, OH
Add new text to read as follows:
(G) Receptacles shall not be installed above permanent space-heating units such as baseboard and/or wall mounted
heaters, electric or hot-water type, unless specifically approved for the use with the heaters.
Exception: Where non-related receptacle(s) are installed on a wall at least 6 1/2 ft above permanent space-heating
equipment.
This code revision would stand alone and make it clear to installers that although there is an existing
wall mounted heater of any type, a receptacle shall not be installed above these units. Many times these heaters are
older and obtaining installation instructions are near impossible. The instructions are limited to where a permanent wall
or baseboard heater is being installed "new". The contractor is quick to point that these units are existing and the
receptacle is what's new. The exception would allow for such examples as a receptacle for a window AC unit where
there is an existing baseboard heater below this window and now below this outlet. The likelihood of both in use at the
same time is unlikely, however, not all window AC units are removed during a season change and the cord is subjected
to damage. The receptacle would need to be installed at a point where the appliance cord could not contact the heater
while plugged in. This change is not limited to electrical heaters only and will allow for more than informational notes in
210.52 and 424.9 to ensure safety.
The submitter has not provided substantiation sufficient to support the change. As the submitter
points out many of these receptacle installations are done after the installation of the heating unit and thus enforcement
would be difficult and unlikely. In all cases the heater listing installation instructions should be followed in accordance
with 110.3(B).
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-28 Log #274 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company
Revise text to read as follows:
Receptacles shall be mounted in identified boxes or assemblies designed for the
purpose, and such boxes or assemblies shall be securely fastened in place unless otherwise permitted elsewhere in this
Code.
The TCC Usability Task Group is comprised of Stanley Folz, James Dollard, Bill Fiske and David
Hittinger. This task group was assigned by the TCC Chair to review the use of the phrase “designed for the purpose”
throughout the NEC. There are twelve instances of its use.
By definition, identified equipment is suitable for its intended purpose (see definition of Identified in Article 100). Many
things not defined for a specific purpose are nonetheless suitable for that purpose, and are thus "identified." Substituting "identified" for the word(s) to be replaced conforms to 3.2.4 of the NEC Style Manual, that says, "recognized
or defined terms are to be used in preference to similar terms that do not have such recognition."
Affirmative: 10
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18-29 Log #548 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Lawrence W. Forshner, Bard, Rao & Athanas Consulting Engineers, LLC
Receptacles shall be mounted in boxes or assemblies designed for
the purpose, and such boxes or assemblies shall be securely fastened in place unless otherwise permitted elsewhere in
this code.
Receptacles identified as hospital grade, and where installed as required by other sections of this code, shall be
supported by outlet boxes in metal stud partitions by a bar type bracket that supports the outlet box by engaging two or
more framing members.
As designers of electrical systems in health care facilities, we have found that sheet metal type box
supports that are bent at 90 percent, attach to one stud and are intended to provide box and device support by being in
contact with the opposite wall of the partition, to be inadequate. Head wall partitions in hospital patient rooms are often
not of standard depth, the receptacles require more pressure to insert a plug and they get more use than office
receptacles during normal hospital operations and especially during emergencies. The sheet metal brackets often do not
reach the opposite wall or the sheet metal will deflect after installation requiring the wall to be opened to repair and
properly fasten the box. Added language in this section to qualify and describe how to securely fasten outlet boxes in
hospitals is needed.
It may also, at the discretion of Code-Making Panel 15, be appropriate to add an Informational Note in Article 517.
The proposed change is not under the purview of CMP 18. It is recommended that the TCC refer
this proposal to CMP 15 for action.
Affirmative: 10
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18-30 Log #833 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Johnston, National Electrical Contractors Association
Include an additional sentence as follows:
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.
Use of drywall screws for fastening receptacles to boxes is not acceptable and can result in damage to
the box and inadequate support of the devise can result. It is recognized that installers should follow the manufacturer’s
installation instructions, but having the additional text will help clarify this requirement. A similar proposal is also being
submitted to Articles 404 restricting use of drywall screws for installing snap switches to boxes.
The panel intends that the new sentence by placed after the existing sentence.
Affirmative: 8 Negative: 2
BER, M.: In order to implement the provisions of this proposal the AHJ is now going to be required to make a
“pre-final” inspection before the receptacle covers are installed or he is going to have to remove each and every cover to
insure compliance with this new requirement. While it may be obvious when a sheet rock screw is utilized, is an
untrained AHJ going to be able to discern the difference between a 6-32 and an 8-32 machine screw just from looking at
the head? What about a sheet metal screw that has the same style head as a machine screw?
Let us not forget that Section 110.3B requires installation of listed products in compliance with
that listing and Section 110.12 further requires that these installations be made in a “neat and workmanlike manner”.
Aren't these provisions of the NEC sufficient to require a Code compliant installation and also adequate to allow an AHJ
red tag when not complied with.
If additional emphasis is required in this area wouldn't we be better served by just adding a useless unenforceable term
like “Securely Fastened”?
And finally, can anyone argue with the superior holding ability of a sheet rock or a sheet metal
screw in a plastic box with stripped out threads?
CARPENTER, F.: We support the intent to eliminate the use of drywall screws for mounting receptacles, but the code
text would eliminate other listed assemblies that do not use machine screws. NEMA would support the proposed text if
the phrase “or as fastened in listed assemblies or systems” was added to the end of the new sentence.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-31 Log #1667 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Receptacles shall be mounted in boxes or assemblies designed for the purpose,. The
and such boxes or assemblies shall be securely fastened in place unless otherwise permitted elsewhere in this
.
[delete comma, replace with period]
Remove archaic language.
NEC style manual: 3.3.4 Word Clarity. Words and terms used in the
shall be specific and clear in meaning, and
shall avoid jargon, trade terminology, industry-specific terms, or colloquial language that is difficult to understand.
language shall be brief, clear, and emphatic. The following are examples of old-fashioned expressions and word uses
that shall not be permitted: "...and such...".
Affirmative: 10
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18-32 Log #2269 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Leo F. Martin, Sr., Martin Electrical Consulting
Revise text to read as follows:
Receptacles shall not be installed in a
face up position in countertops or similar work surfaces.
Receptacles shall not be installed in a face up position in
countertops or similar work surfaces.
The same spillage hazards exist and the rule should apply to all countertops or similar work surfaces,
not to dwelling units only.
The panel also refers the panel action on Proposal 18-34.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-33 Log #2504 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark T. Rochon, Peabody, MA
Revise text to read as follows:
Receptacles in countertops and similar work surfaces in dwelling units all applications.
In other than dwellings it is excepted to face up the receptacles. The same problems of liquids, loose
particles such as food, wood, plastic and metal scraps enter the receptacle impairing the electrical connection.
See panel action on Proposal 18-34 which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
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18-34 Log #3363 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James T. Dollard, Jr., IBEW Local 98
Revise text to read as follows:
Editorially revise 406.5 (F) and (G) to 406.5(G) and (H) as follows:
Receptacles shall not be installed in a
face-up position in countertops or similar work surfaces.
Receptacles shall not be installed in a
face-up position in floors, seating areas or similar surfaces unless they are part of an assembly listed for the application.
(No change)
(No change)
Receptacles are presently not permitted to be installed in a face-up position in countertops or similar
work surfaces of dwelling units. There is no prohibition to installing a standard receptacle in a standard device box in the
floor of a dwelling unit or any other occupancy. Assemblies that are listed for the application, such as a doghouse style
assembly are readily available.
We have recently seen benches in public areas with receptacles installed that you could sit on. These were obviously
installed so that someone could sit and use the 125-volt outlet for a laptop computer or to charge a phone or other
device. These represent a hazard.
Where there is a need to install receptacles in a floor or other similar surface, it should be done with an assembly listed
for the application to prevent damage and potential exposure to energized conductors or circuit parts.
1) Accept the change proposed for (E).
2) Accept the change proposed for new (F) except delete the word "floors" in both places.
3) Retain and renumber existing (F) and (G).
Floor boxes are listed but such listings do not include wiring devices supplied as part of their listing.
Listed floor boxes are investigated for water penetration.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-35 Log #3483 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Jim Burch, Orange County Division of Building Safety
Revise text to read as follows:
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 for other than one or two family dwellings, an outlet box
hood installed for this purpose shall be listed, and where on an enclosure supported from grade as described in
314.23(B) or described in 314.23(F) shall...
Proposal to strike the words "other thanone or two family dwellings. "I am an electrical inspector.
Since requiring "in use" covers for outdoor outlets. I have encountered hundreds of broken or missing covers on
temporary power poles, on all sizes of residential and commercial job sites. To require "extra duty" covers on all temp
poles will reduce this hazard.
Refer to the panel action on Proposal 18-37 which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
BER, M.: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 18-30 (Log #833).
CARPENTER, F.: The correct section reference for this proposal is 406.9(B)(1) .
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18-36 Log #1537 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Vince Baclawski, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Add the following new text in Section 406.9 (B)(1):
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. For
other than one- or two-family dwellings, an outlet box hood installed for this purpose shall be listed, and where installed
on an enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B) or as described in 314.23 (C), (F) or (G) shall be
identified as “extra-duty.” All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles shall be listed
weather-resistant type.
Informational Note No. 1: Requirements for extra-duty outlet box hoods are found in ANSI/UL 514D-2000,
.
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
.
Every outlet box hood installed as part of a rigidly mounted weatherproof enclosure in a wet location
as described in 406.9 (B)(1), except in one- or two-family dwellings, should be required to be of the “extra-duty” type.
The same rationale used in the 2011 proposal (18-54) applies equally to enclosures rigidly mounted as described in
Section 314.23 (B), (C), (F) and (G).
Refer to the panel action on Proposal 18-37 which expands the requirement and includes the
submitters intention of adding 314.23(C) and (G).
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
BER, M.: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 18-30 (Log #833).
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18-37 Log #1553 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
David Clements, International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Revise text to read as follows:
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. For
other than one- or two-family dwellings, an outlet box hood installed for this purpose shall be listed, and where installed
on an enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B) or as described in 314.23(F) and shall be identified as
“extra-duty.”
If it’s in a wet location, what difference can it possibly make how the enclosure or device box is
installed or supported?
Revise text to read as follows:
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. For
other than one- or two-family dwellings, aAn outlet box hood installed for this purpose shall be listed, and where installed
on an enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B) or as described in 314.23(F) and shall be identified as
“extra-duty.” [Retain the remaining text.]
The panel has modified the text to correlate with the action on other proposals. The panel clarifies
that the remaining text is retained.
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
BER, M.: What is an “extra duty” cover or hood?
We have been saddled with this term since the 2011 NEC and a definition and a description still eludes us. The
following publications have been consulted:
a) NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, Article 100 and the Index.
b) NFPA's Illustrated Dictionary of Electrical Terms.
c) UL's White Book.
The only place where this term can be located is in the NEC in Section 406.9B1, Ah, but let us not panic, the
Informational Note has the solution, consult ANSI/UL Standard 514D. A quick internet search will find a copy of this
standard available from “Techstreet” for a mere $1032.00. Searching a little further finds the UL Standard at the Bargain
Basement price of only $716.00 from “Comm 2000”.
How is the installer supposed to use an item dictated to him by the NEC when there are no pictures, no description, no
definitation, no explanation and no economical way to let him in on the big secret as what makes an “extra duty” cover.
This section of the Code must be changed to eliminate this unknown term and its Informational Note.
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18-38 Log #3491 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Susan Newman Scearce, Halls, TN
Revise text to read as follows:
(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. For other
than one- or two-family dwellings, an outlet box hood installed for this purpose shall be listed, and where installed on an
enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B) or as described in 314.23(F) shall be identified as
“extra-duty.” All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles shall be listed weather-resistant
type. See related UL
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.
In studying the cause for a required standard on the “In Use Covers”, the problem was substantiated
with more than 90% malfunctions of the cover on “one and two family dwellings”. The absence of an extra-duty cover
has left receptacles exposed to all weather conditions and caused greater harm to device. The “in-use cover” without a
standard of extra-duty with any significant contact will cause hinge to dislocate and device will be left unprotected.
Reject the addition of the words "See related UL".
The panel rejects the addition of the words "See related UL" which appears to be a typo. The panel
only accepts the changes shown with a strikethrough. Also refer to the panel action on Proposal 18-37.
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
BER, M.: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 18-30 (Log #833).
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18-39 Log #1495 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Russell LeBlanc, The Peterson School
Revise text to read as follows:
Receptacles shall not be installed within(the space created by the adjacent walls,
curtains or doors that surround the tub or shower stall,) or directly over a bathtub or shower stall.
To quote the wording from the NEC handbook
I agree with that reasoning about those “SPACES”, but there is a problem with the literal wording in the actual
requirement. The word “SPACES” was removed in the 2005 NEC (see 2004 ROP 18-41 (Log#1514), pg. 1057) and
should be reinstated. The Handbook still uses the word “spaces” in its explanation. The wording “directly over ” is
problematic because it literally permits a receptacle to be installed on a small lip, shelf or recess built on the wall
above the tub but set back slightly from the outside edge of the tub( perhaps even only a few inches) as long as it is not
“directly above” the tub or shower stall. I have seen this done to allow a flat screen TV to be installed in the slightly
recessed wall space above the tub. Because the receptacle was not “ directly over” or “within” the tub itself this was not
a violation. If the receptacle is set back a few inches from the edge of the tub, but still within the SPACE that is created
by the tub and the walls and curtain, then it should be a violation. This IS the intent of the code, but the literal wording
permits it to be done. I believe my proposed wording will help clarify the intent.
Definitions should not be included into text. See NEC Style Manual 3.1.3 and 3.2.4
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-39a Log #CP1801 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Revise the Informational Note following 406.10(E) to read as follows:
Informational Note: See 250.126 for identification of grounding conductor terminals.
The revision to the informational note corrects the reference and uses the proper terminology
"grounding".
Affirmative: 10
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18-40 Log #90 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Matthew D. Frederick, City of Mattoon
Add new text to read as follows:
406.11
(A) Dwelling Units. (Keep current wording)
(B) Other than dwelling units.
(1) Where installed in dining areas, receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(2) Where installed accessible to the public, receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
Commercial dining area receptacles, combined with dining utensils present an undeniable temptation
and definite risk to the safety of children. Children often insert objects into receptacles, in a dining setting I feel it is
amplified by the presence of utensils. My jurisdiction already requires these receptacles be listed tamper-resistant type.
Furthermore, any receptacle accessible to the public presents a possible hazard for curious children. Areas such as
waiting rooms, coffee shops and the like often contain pre-occupied parents and bored children, coupled with an
accessible receptacle; I feel this poses a safety hazard. The minor increase in cost is far outweighted by the life safety
benefits realized by making this change.
The panel recognizes the submitter meant 406.11 of 2008 NEC. Panel 18 modified the use of
tamper resistant receptacles in the 2011 NEC. The submitter has provided no definitive substantiation for the expansion
of tamper resistant receptacles to dining areas or all public areas.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-41 Log #166 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Curtis B. Frank, Frank Professional Electrical Engineers
Revise text to read as follows:
In referencing Article 406.11 to Article 210.52, all outlets of a dwelling are interpreted as required to be
Tamper-Resistant, including areas requiring GFCI protection. The protection afforded by Tamper-Resistant outlets is
easily defeated with multiple insertions of small objects. The protection afforded by GFCI protected outlets cannot be
defeated with any insertion(s) affording the GFCI protected outlet(s) a higher level of protection to the individual. In
addition, outlets outdoors as well as those for garages requiring GFCI protection would not normally be considered
within the unsupervised play areas of small children.
I propose that an exception to Article 406.11 be included whereas GFCI protected outlets would be
excluded from the requirement of also being Temper-Resistant.
Panel recognizes the submitter meant 406.12 and it is the direction of the panel to include GFCI
outlets.
The submitter has given no clear text and no substantiation of a problem.
Further, tamper resistant GFCI receptacles are commercially available
Affirmative: 10
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18-41a Log #CP1800 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Delete in it's entirety 406.13 and 406.14. Revise 406.12 to read as follows:
406.12 Tamper Resistant Receptacles.
(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.
to (A), (B), and (C):
The panel combined panel action on Proposals 18-44, 18-46, and 18-49. The panel agrees with this
reorganization and the application of the existing exceptions to all subsections.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-42 Log #555 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Victor V. Timpanaro, Technical Seminars LLC
Revise text to read as follows:
In all areas specified in Section 210.52, all nonlocking-type 125, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles shall be listed
tamper-resistant receptacles where child care business is conducted only.
I believe it isunnecessary to require tamper-resistant receptacles in dwellings where only the
household children reside. Their protection is parents responsibility and code should not develop codes except where
safety of children is critical in a business environment.
prudent.
Since parents cannot be in all places at all times, the use of Tamper Resistant Receptacle seems
Affirmative: 10
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18-43 Log #674 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Matthew D. Frederick, City of Mattoon
Revise text to read as follows:
406.12
(A) Dwelling Units. (Keep current wording)
(B) Other than dwelling units.
(1) Where installed in dining areas, receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
(2) Where installed accessible to the public, receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
Commercial dining area receptacles, combined with dining utensils present an undeniable temptation
and definite risk to the safety of children. Children often insert objects into receptacles, in a dining setting I feel it is
amplified by the presence of utensils. My jurisdiction already requires these receptacles be listed tamper-resistant type.
Furthermore, any receptacle accessible to the public presents a possible hazard for curious children. Areas such as
waiting rooms, coffee shops and the like often contain preoccupied parents and bored children, coupled with an
accessible receptacle; I feel this poses a safety hazard. The minor increase in cost is far outweighed by the life safety
benefits realized by making this change.
The submitter has provided no definitive substantiation of a problem beyond anecdotal information.
Affirmative: 10
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18-44 Log #834 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Johnston, National Electrical Contractors Association
Revise text to read as follows:
406.12 Tamper Resistant Receptacles. in Dwelling Units.
(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. All nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located in guest
rooms and guest suites 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.
This proposal has two parts. The first is a reorganization of the installation standards for
tamper-resistant receptacles so that the exceptions provided in 406.12 for dwelling units also apply to guest rooms and
child care facilities. These exceptions should apply to all occupancies where tamper-resistant receptacles are required.
The second is an exemption for multi-outlet assemblies mounted under the upper cabinet as is frequently used in
residences. This location is sufficiently protected to reduce the risk of children accessing the receptacle.
1) Reject the addition of item 5 of the exception.
2) Modify the balance as shown in the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a.
The submitter has not made the case how a multi outlet assembly mounted on the underside of a
cabinet is not a hazard.
Refer to the panel recommendation on Proposal 18-41a which incorporates the balance of the intended
recommendation on this proposal.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-45 Log #2296 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
John Rheinheimer, Denver, CO
I propose that is should be acceptable in 406.12 as well as 517.18(c) to use tamper resistant
covers or receptacles.
The issue is that if it is deemed acceptable to pediatric hospital locations, why not in dwelling units as
well?
The conditions of maintenance in a hospital location are different from a dwelling unit. Removal of
the cover would remove the tamper resistant protection in a dwelling unit. However in a hospital location normal
maintenance would quickly discover its removal and cause its replacement. Also see panel action and statement on
Comment 18-9 of the A2007 cycle.
Affirmative: 10
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18-46 Log #3214 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Darryl Hill, Wichita Electrical JATC
Revise text to read as follows:
.
. In all areas specified in 210.52, all nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall
be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
. All nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located in guest
rooms and guest suites shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
. In all child care facilities, all nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles shall
be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
Remove Sections 406.13 and 406.14.
The exceptions that have been added in the 2011 NEC for Dwelling units were needed, but they are
also needed for the locations in Guest Rooms, Guest Suites, and Child Care Facilities. These locations whether in a
dwelling or guest room or child care facility are out of reach of small children and should be an exception as such.
Also for clarity and usability and without trying to repeat the same exceptions 3 times, Sections 406.13 and 406.14 have
st
been removed and placed as 1 level sub-divisions (B) and (C) under Section 406.12 which is just titled
st
“Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.” 1 level sub-division (A) would now cover requirements for dwellings. It makes more
sense to come to one location or one Section for all Tamper-Resistant Receptacles and their requirements and locations
and this would allow the same exception to cover multiple locations if needed. Note: The language in 406.13 and
406.14 was not changed, just moved, so therefore I didn’t underline that text in this proposal.
Refer to the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a, which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-47 Log #335 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
David E. Shapiro, Camar, MD
Revise text to read as follows:
"...more than 1.7 m (5 1/2 ft) 1.12 m (3 ft 8 m)...
1
ADA limits force needed to 5 LBF (22.2N) . Tamper-resistant receptacles require more by a long shot 2
3
ADA also limits adult reach to 48 in. - but child reach to 36 in. So allowing non-tamper-proof receptacles to comply with
210.52(4) would serve weak/disabled adults.
1
2
3
309.4, 4.27.4 308.2.1 e.g., 604.9.5
The submitter has not shown a hazard that this situation creates. Lowering the height to 1.12 m
does not foresee a child standing on a box or stool.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-48 Log #1070 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph Penachio, Peabody, MA
Revise text to read as follows:
. All non locking-type, 125-volt, 15- and
20-ampere receptacles located in guest rooms and guest suites shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles, except as
permitted in 406.12 Exceptions (1) - (4).
The same exception for dwelling units should apply to tamper-proof receptacles in guest rooms and
guest suites because these receptacles are less likely to be tampered with.
See sister proposal for 406.14 in Child Care Facilities.
Refer to the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-49 Log #3228 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark C. Ode, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Revise text to read as follows:
406.13 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in 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.
In an attempt to over simplify the requirements for receptacles located in guest rooms and suites, the
new text now does not differentiate between guest rooms and guest suites in single family homes, bed and breakfasts
and other similar residential facilities. Adding the phrase “of hotels and motels” will bring the requirement back to the
original intent of this and similar text in other locations.
The panel has incorporated the suggested change in the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a.
Affirmative: 10
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18-50 Log #3225 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark C. Ode, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Add a new exception as follows:
406.13 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Guest Rooms and Guest Suites All nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and
20-ampere receptacles located in guest rooms and guest suites shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
Exception: Receptacles in the following locations shall not be required to be tamper-resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (51/2 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).
The same exception that applies to dwelling units for tamper resistant receptacles also applies to
guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels.
Refer to the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-51 Log #1071 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph Penachio, Peabody, MA
Revise text to read as follows:
. In all child care facilities all non locking-type, 125-volt, 15and 20-ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles, except as permitted in 406.12 Exceptions (1) (4).
The same exception for dwelling units should apply to tamper-proof receptacles in child care facilities
because these receptacles are less likely to be tampered with.
See sister proposal for 406.13 in guest rooms and guest suites.
Refer to the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-52 Log #3226 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark C. Ode, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Add a new exception as follows:
406.14 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in 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: Receptacles in the following locations shall not be required to be tamper-resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (51/2 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).
The same exception in 406.12 would also apply to receptacles in child care facilities and should be
added.
Refer to the recommendation of Proposal 18-41a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-53 Log #469 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mario L. Mumfrey, Inspection Bureau Inc.
Add text to read as follows:
Receptacles on Dimmer Control. Only such receptacles that are listed and approved for the use shall be permitted to
be supplied by a dimmer control device.
There appears to be a consensus among some contractors that it is permitted to dim a receptacle for
such items as 120v cord-and-plug connected low voltage lighting or rope lights. Many of the luminaries are installed
under shelving or cabinets. The manufactured ambient lighting effect is said to be too bright. The manufacturer can
introduce a dimming feature that is listed with their product where the consumer may demand it. Strict code language
will ensure standard grade receptacles are not controlled from any dimming or voltage drop device.
Revise the submitter's recommendation:
Add new 406.15 to read as follows:
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.
This change achieves the intent of the submitter while maintaining a positive language.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-54 Log #2575 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Wendell Whistler, Dallas, OR
Add new text as follows:
406.15 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Elementary Schools
In all elementary school classrooms ( Kindergarten through Second grade) all non-locking type, 125-volt 15 and 20
ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
These classrooms typically have 20 or more students with only one teacher. By installing tamper
–resistant receptacles, safety of the children would be provided similar to that in a day care facility. Note that in many
cases only one adult is overseeing at of the students without additional help.
It is the intent of the panel that a "Child Care Facility" in the text covers the classroom situations
mentioned. See the definition located in 406.2.
Affirmative: 10
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-55 Log #2727 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Wade Schlie, Schie Inspections
Add text to read as follows:
406.15 In bedrooms and areas generally accessible to residents in limited care facilities that only provide services to
individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and chronic brain injury, all nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant.
Individuals in facilities that provide specialty care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other
forms of dementia as well as chronic brain injury do not recognize the dangers of electricity and need additional
protection. Generally, these individuals have the natural curiosity of a child as well as the physical ability to expose
themselves to harm.
The submitter has provided no documentation of a hazard to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and
chronic brain injury patients.
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
CARPENTER, F.: It is foreseeable that individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or chronic brain injury would
benefit by the added safety that Tamper-Resistant devices provide.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-56 Log #1872 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael Dempsey, Municipal Code Inspections
Revise text to read as follows:
Horizontal distance of 12 in. or the width of the shelf. The horizontal distance of 12 in. from both sides and back wall
shall apply whether shelves are installed or not.
To make it clear that the installation of shelves, the size or if only one shelf is installed, does not
change the minimum 12 in. requirement from both sides and back wall of the closet storage space.
Panel 18 has provided for the concern of the submitter by stating "…, 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 self, whichever is
greater, …". So the 12 in. is the minimum even though a shelf is not installed.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-57 Log #1213 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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
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.
: See Figure 410.2.
The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The information provided in
the subsequent sentences is not really a part of the definition; it is further information that is best placed in an
informational note.
See also alternate proposal recommending deletion of definition (which contains requirements not normally allowed in
definitions) and incorporation of requirements into section 410.16.
The figure is part of the definition. NFPA style manual 2.3.2.2 states that "Definitions shall be in the
format of a bold term followed by the definition phrase to form a single paragraph unit." Nowhere does it say that the
definition must be a single sentence.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-58 Log #1214 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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
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.
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
Incandescent luminaires with open or partially enclosed lamps and pendant
luminaires or lampholders shall not be permitted.
Closet storage space shall be considered to be 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 greater. For a closet that permits access to both sides of a
hanging rod, this space shall include 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 410.16.
The minimum clearance between luminaires installed in clothes closets and the nearest point of a
closet storage space (in accordance with 410.16 C) 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.
This proposal recommends relocation of the definition of closet storage space from section 410.2 into
section 410.16 and to be made into a proper code requirement. The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in
single sentences. The information provided in the subsequent sentence is not really a part of the definition; it is further
information that is best placed in an informational note. NFPA definitions should not contain requirements, and the
requirements are now in section 410.16.
See also alternate proposal that simply makes the second sentence into an informational note.
location.
"Clothes closet" is a definition per the NEC Style Manual section 2.2.2.2 and is in the correct
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-59 Log #2621 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Listing Required. All luminaires, and lampholders, and retrofit kits shall be listed.
• The changing of illumination systems in luminaires presents hazards for electricians doing
maintenance after the conversion. As an example, the AHJ in Washington State requires a label near the conversion
subassembly, warning about the risk of an electrical hazard:
(Labor & Industries
Electrical Currents, March 2011 ) LEDs and LED power sources must be replaced like with like to ensure electrical
safety and avoid compromising the listing profile of the luminaire and creating a hazard.
• Inasmuch as the conversion will likely be made by others than the luminaire manufacturer, identifying the installer
provides the basis for legal relief for the retrofit kit supplier, in the event the rework is not performed in accordance with
the retrofit kit installation instructions, and there is a catastrophic failure resulting in injury or property damage. The
installers name also provides a source for the retrofit kit installation instructions that may be required by maintenance
personnel.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-60 Log #2620 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Add new text to read as follows:
Luminaires with field installed conversion assemblies shall be labeled to indicate
1
that the original illumination system has been modified. The marking shall be in letters at least 6 mm ( /4 in.) high,
permanently installed. and located where visible during servicing. CAUTION. RETROFIT KIT INSTALLED (Date) BY
(Company Name).
The changing of illumination systems in luminaires presents hazards for electricians doing
maintenance after the conversion. As an example, the AHJ in Washington State requires a label near the conversion
subassembly, warning about the risk of an electrical hazard:
(Labor & Industries
Electrical Currents, March 2011) LEDs and LED power sources must be replaced like with like to ensure electrical safety
and avoid compromising the listing profile of the luminaire and creating a hazard.
• In as much as the conversion will likely be made by others than the luminaire manufacturer, identifying the installer
provides the basis for legal relief for the retrofit kit supplier, in the event the rework is not performed in accordance with
the retrofit kit installation instructions, and there is a catastrophic failure resulting in injury or property damage. The
installers name also provides a source for the retrofit kit installation instructions that may be required by maintenance
personnel.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the inclusion of the installing company
name and date.
The intent of this proposal is covered by the product safety standard. See panel action on Proposal 18-59.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-61 Log #2023 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles Li, Tres West Engineers
(NEW) 410.9 Capacity. If the lighting branch circuit is supplied through a device that limits its
current, the load shall be permitted to be calculated based on the rating of the device used to limit
the current.
This is an adaption of Proposal 2-335 Log #148 that CMP-2 Accepted in Principle during the last
revision cycle and builds upon the concept of Proposal 2-320 Log #3751. CMP-2 re-crafted the submitter's original
language that sought recognition of the practical effect of ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC. If the circuit is supplied through a
device that limits the current -- such as an lighting monitoring system -- fire safety considerations are managed but the
larger hazard -- too much electrical energy brought into a building due to out-dated demand and diversity requirements
in Article 220 -- is circumvented.
Arguably, the most knowledgeable people in lighting technology are the experts on the Article 410 panel. The scope of
Article 410 which, stated in 410.1 is "the wiring and equipment forming part of such products and lighting installations"
and therefore the proposal for of this nature is appropriate to present to this panel for inclusion in Article 410.
Tres West Engineers is a full-service engineering services firm with experience in electrical system design in domestic
and international markets. We recommend that the NFPA establish a Task Force to develop options for Owners and
consultants to reconcile the competing requirements of economy and safety with regard to rapidly-evolving energy
codes and the need to manage flash hazard and wiring fire safety.
The proposed change involves the application of calculations and is not under the purview of CMP
18. It is recommended that the TCC refer this proposal to CMP 2 for action.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-62 Log #2092 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Donald R. Cook, Shelby County Development Services
Revise text to read as follows:
Fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, LED lighting power supplies and self
ballasted lamps installed in dwelling units shall comply with the requirements for an FCC Part 15 Class B Digital Device
or the Part 18 limits for Consumer ISM Equipment. Compliance with the FCC requirements shall be marked on the
luminaire, power supply or lamp as required by the FCC. Luminaires, power supplies or lamps that do not comply shall
be marked “Not for use in dwellings”.
Section 210.12(A) requires Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) protection in “all 120-volt, single phase,
15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas”. The NEC
defines an outlet as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment”, therefore,
the requirement includes lighting circuits.
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 15—Radio Frequency Devices defines a Class B Digital Device as, “A digital
device that is marketed for use in a residential environment notwithstanding use in commercial, business and industrial
environments.” It further defines a digital device as, “An unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and
uses timing signals or pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that uses digital techniques or any device or system that generates and uses radio
frequency energy for the purpose of performing data processing functions, such as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval, or transfer.” Electronic ballasts and switching power
supplies meet this definition. Part 15 requires that Class B devices be labeled, “This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.”
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 18—Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment defines Consumer ISM
Equipment as, “A category of ISM equipment used or intended to be used by the general public in a residential
environment, notwithstanding use in other areas.” Equipment meeting the consumer ISM limits must be marked with a
compliance statement or the “FCC” logo. Electronic ballasts and switching power supplies meet this definition.
While it is believed that fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, or more specifically their electronic ballasts,
LED lighting power supplies and self ballasted lamps need to meet the Part 18 requirements if installed in a dwelling
unit, some manufacturers declare that their products meet the Part 15 Class B requirements.
The incidence of AFCI unwanted tripping due to interoperability problems with such products is low, however, even
though the UL 1699 standard for AFCIs requires unwanted tripping tests, unwanted tripping in the field does
occasionally occur. When it does occur, homeowners become understandably annoyed and frustrated if they or their
electrical contractor are unable to resolve the problem. Sometimes the cause of the tripping is not readily evident,
leading the electrical contractor or homeowner to resolve the problem by replacing the AFCI with a standard
thermal-magnetic circuit breaker. This violates the NEC requirement for AFCI protection and increases the risk of an
electrical fire in the dwelling unit.
AFCI manufacturers have made great strides in improving their product designs to reduce the probability of unwanted
tripping; however, field investigations have revealed that sometimes luminaires with electronic ballasts, low voltage
lighting switching power supplies and CFLs that do not comply with the previously referenced FCC requirements cause
unwanted AFCI tripping. Such incidents have been successfully resolved by replacing the non-compliant product with
one that does meet the FCC requirements.
Contractors and homeowners can report unwanted AFCI tripping events on the AFCIsafety.org web site. A study of the
reports filed over the past three years showed that 18% of the reports named some sort of lighting as either the sole
load or one of the loads on the branch circuit at the time the tripping occurred. One AFCI manufacturer has documented
13 cases over the past three years where replacing a ballast with an FCC compliant model solved the unwanted tripping
problem. Another AFCI manufacturer has documented at least five cases. In a 200 dwelling unit university dormitory
with approximately 1000 AFCIs installed, unwanted tripping was experienced only on the 200 circuits feeding
fluorescent lighting.
This proposal is intended to reduce the possibility that luminaire or lamp operation may result in unwanted AFCI tripping
by requiring that fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, LED lighting power supplies and self ballasted
lamps that do not comply with the aforementioned FCC requirements be marked NOT FOR USE IN DWELLINGS on the
luminaire, power supply or lamp. This will help contractors select the correct luminaire for the application and help
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electrical inspectors check to insure that the appropriate luminaire, power supply or lamp has been installed. The end
result will be increased safety, Code compliance and customer satisfaction.
It should be noted that one of the nationwide homecenters has signage on their ballast display that reads, “Choose the
right ballast. Step 1: Is it for residential or commercial use?” The sign indicates that the ballast carton labels are color
coded. The residential and commercial ballast carton labels are color coded accordingly and the residential ballast
labels have an FCC Part 18 consumer limits compliance statement.
The NEMA white paper developed to provide the designers of home electrical products with information on the operating
parameters of AFCIs, with the purpose of avoiding conditions in which the HEP could cause the unwanted operation of
an AFCI, calls for compliance with the referenced FCC requirements.
Comparable proposals have been submitted to revise Articles 210, 411 and 422.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-63 which addresses the submitter's issue.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal 18-63.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-63 Log #2701 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
David Clements, International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Add new text to read as follows:
Fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, LED lighting power supplies
and self ballasted lamps installed in dwelling units shall not generate electro-magnetic interference that will cause
undesired operation of protective devices. Luminaires, power supplies or lamps that do not comply shall be marked “Not
for use in dwellings”.
Informational Note. See FCC Part 15 Class B Digital Device or the Part 18 limits for Consumer ISM Equipment for
information on allowed electro-magnetic emissions.
Section 210.12(A) requires Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) protection in “all 120-volt, single phase,
15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas”. The NEC
defines an outlet as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment”, therefore,
the requirement includes lighting circuits.
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 15—Radio Frequency Devices defines a Class B Digital Device as, “A digital
device that is marketed for use in a residential environment notwithstanding use in commercial, business and industrial
environments.” It further defines a digital device as, “An unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and
uses timing signals or pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that uses digital techniques or any device or system that generates and uses radio
frequency energy for the purpose of performing data processing functions, such as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval, or transfer.” Electronic ballasts and switching power
supplies meet this definition. Part 15 requires that Class B devices be labeled, “This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.”
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 18—Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment defines Consumer ISM
Equipment as, “A category of ISM equipment used or intended to be used by the general public in a residential
environment, notwithstanding use in other areas.” Equipment meeting the consumer ISM limits must be marked with a
compliance statement or the “FCC” logo. Electronic ballasts and switching power supplies meet this definition.
While it is believed that fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, or more specifically their electronic
ballasts, LED lighting power supplies and self ballasted lamps need to meet the Part 18 requirements if installed in a
dwelling unit, some manufacturers declare that their products meet the Part 15 Class B requirements.
The incidence of AFCI unwanted tripping due to interoperability problems with such products is low, however, even
though the UL 1699 standard for AFCIs requires unwanted tripping tests, unwanted tripping in the field does
occasionally occur. When it does occur, homeowners become understandably annoyed and frustrated if they or their
electrical contractor are unable to resolve the problem. Sometimes the cause of the tripping is not readily evident,
leading the electrical contractor or homeowner to resolve the problem by replacing the AFCI with a standard
thermal-magnetic circuit breaker. This violates the NEC requirement for AFCI protection and increases the risk of an
electrical fire in the dwelling unit.
AFCI manufacturers have made great strides in improving their product designs to reduce the probability of unwanted
tripping; however, field investigations have revealed that sometimes luminaires with electronic ballasts, low voltage
lighting switching power supplies and CFLs that do not comply with the previously referenced FCC requirements cause
unwanted AFCI tripping. Such incidents have been successfully resolved by replacing the non-compliant product with
one that does meet the FCC requirements.
Contractors and homeowners can report unwanted AFCI tripping events on the AFCIsafety.org web site. A study of the
reports filed over the past three years showed that 18% of the reports named some sort of lighting as either the sole
load or one of the loads on the branch circuit at the time the tripping occurred. One AFCI manufacturer has documented
13 cases over the past three years where replacing a ballast with an FCC compliant model solved the unwanted tripping
problem. Another AFCI manufacturer has documented at least five cases. In a 200 dwelling unit university dormitory
with approximately 1000 AFCIs installed, unwanted tripping was experienced only on the 200 circuits feeding
fluorescent lighting.
This proposal is intended to reduce the possibility that luminaire or lamp operation may result in unwanted AFCI
tripping by requiring that fluorescent and high intensity discharge luminaires, LED lighting power supplies and self
ballasted lamps that do not comply with the aforementioned FCC requirements be marked NOT FOR USE IN
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DWELLINGS on the luminaire, power supply or lamp. This will help contractors select the correct luminaire for the
application and help electrical inspectors check to insure that the appropriate luminaire, power supply or lamp has been
installed. The end result will be increased safety, Code compliance and customer satisfaction.
It should be noted that one of the nationwide homecenters has signage on their ballast display that reads, “Choose the
right ballast. Step 1: Is it for residential or commercial use?” The sign indicates that the ballast carton labels are color
coded. The residential and commercial ballast carton labels are color coded accordingly and the residential ballast
labels have an FCC Part 18 consumer limits compliance statement.
The NEMA white paper developed to provide the designers of home electrical products with information on the
operating parameters of AFCIs, with the purpose of avoiding conditions in which the HEP could cause the unwanted
operation of an AFCI, calls for compliance with the referenced FCC requirements.
Comparable proposals have been submitted to revise Articles 210, 411 and 422.
The use of the term “dwelling unit” does not correlate to the FCC requirements. FCC Parts 15 and
18 have different EMC measurement thresholds for consumer & non-consumer applications, not for dwellings &
non-dwellings. The FCC requirements never address dwellings. Accordingly, using “dwelling unit” to denote “consumer”
is not accurate and will cause confusion.
There are commercial dwellings, such as extended stay hotels and assisted living facilities, where FCC Part 15 Class
A or Part 18 (non-consumer) is acceptable. Additionally, in the future, AFCI applications could be expanded into even
more non-consumer applications, AFCI immunity to non-consumer FCC limits would then become a necessity.
The standard for AFCIs, UL1699, does not evaluate the immunity level of AFCIs to FCC requirements. While some
AFCI manufactures indicate that they test for immunity to certain FCC limits, there is no standard requiring this of all
AFCI devices. Accordingly, even if FCC limits are somehow used to correlate AFCI immunity to a source of false
tripping, there is no apparent mechanism in place to assure that this will correlate this to all AFCI devices.
A review of UL1699 requirements for unwanted tripping tests reveal that the test conducted to show compatibility with
fluorescent lighting does not provide any specifications for the ballast used in the test. Likewise the UL1699
requirements to show compatibility with electronic power supplies or HID products do not seem to adequately address
modern lighting technologies. In any case, no UL1699 correlation to lighting ballasts or power supplies is provided.
It seems that the issue is not a luminaire issue but rather an AFCI immunity issue and it appears that UL1699 should
be revised to better address AFCI compatibility with common electrical products and possibly include labeling
requirements for cases of known incompatibility. This is especially appropriate since it is the panel’s understanding that
different AFCI manufacturers use different arc detection technologies so the only way of having consistent immunity to a
false tripping source is to address the issue at the AFCI level.
The panel is aware of some AFCI false trips being created by a 12V switching type power supply that contained no line
filtering. The manufacturer of this device admitted that it did not comply with any FCC requirements and was aware of
AFCI incompatibility with their product. However, no empirical data has been presented showing a FCC compliant
ballast (consumer or non-consumer) nor FCC compliant power supply causing false AFCI tripping. Accordingly, the
reports that the proposer addresses in his rational statement may have been misinterpreted as being caused by ballasts
when they were actually caused by other equipment. This cannot be analyzed since the AFCI false tripping reports were
sent directly to the AFCI manufacturer involved and are not available for public review on www.afcisafety.org.
If AFCIs have an immunity issue with certain FCC compliant products like Class- A ballasts. It seems that it is the duty
of the AFCI manufacturer to make this clear to their customers. Accordingly, if would seem appropriate to mark the AFCI
with known incompatibility instead of expecting the luminaire industry to add additional markings to their products,
especially since the FCC already require ballast & power supplies to be labeled.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: TThe Panel should have accepted this proposal in principle by revising the Informational Note
as follows:
Informational Note. FCC Part 15 Class B Digital Device or the Part 18 limits for Consumer ISM Equipment defines
electro-magnetic emissions and marking requirements for devices and equipment intended to be used in dwellings.
I disagree with the Panel Statement that the use of the term “dwelling unit” does not correlate to the FCC requirements.
This is a semantics argument of no substance. The NEC uses the term “dwelling unit” and the FCC the term “residential
environment”. Part 18 defines Consumer ISM equipment as, “A category of ISM equipment used or intended to be used
by the general public in a residential environment.”
The Panel Statement references extended stay hotels and assisted living facilities. Article 100 defines a dwelling unit
as, “A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent
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provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.” The units in an extended stay hotel are therefore defined by the
NEC as dwelling units and must be equipped with AFCIs. Units in an assisted living facility may or may not require
AFCIs depending on whether or not they are dwelling units. But from an FCC perspective, a case could be made that
both are a “residential environment” and therefore products meeting the Part 15 Class A and Part 18 non-consumer ISM
requirements are not acceptable.
The Panel Statement also mentions future AFCI applications, however, the Code does not require the use of AFCIs in
such applications and the AFCIs on the market today have not been designed and tested for application in non-dwelling
units, so this is not an issue today.
Regarding the immunity level of AFCIs to FCC requirements the UL 1699 standard requires testing electromagnetic field
immunity to IEC 61000-4-3 and conducted disturbance to RF fields to IEC 61000-4-6. These standards are commonly
used to test various types of electronic devices, including GFCIs and circuit breaker electronic trip units.
While UL 1699 requires unwanted tripping testing, and manufacturers may conduct additional tests beyond these
requirements, actual field conditions may be different from the results in the lab. The electrical distribution and utilization
equipment in a home form a system. It is unrealistic to expect components in one part of the system to work properly
when other components in the system are allowed to do anything they please.
The Panel Statement also mentions future AFCI applications, however, the Code does not require the use of AFCIs in
such applications and the AFCIs on the market today have not been designed and tested for application in non-dwelling
units, so this is not an issue today.
Regarding the immunity level of AFCIs to FCC requirements the UL 1699 standard requires testing electromagnetic field
immunity to IEC 61000-4-3 and conducted disturbance to RF fields to IEC 61000-4-6. These standards are commonly
used to test various types of electronic devices, including GFCIs and circuit breaker electronic trip units.
While UL 1699 requires unwanted tripping testing, and manufacturers may conduct additional tests beyond these
requirements, actual field conditions may be different from the results in the lab. The electrical distribution and utilization
equipment in a home form a system. It is unrealistic to expect components in one part of the system to work properly
when other components in the system are allowed to do anything they please.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-64 Log #332 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mitch Miller, City of Aspen
Revise text to read as follows:
No parts of cord-connected 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) 3 m
(10 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. All Luminaires located directly over the tub or shower stall to 3 m (10 ft
vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold shall be marked for wet locations. Luminaires located
within the actual outside dimension of the bathtub or shower to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) 3 m (10 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.
As an Electrical Inspector I see many instances in which directly over the tub or shower is an enclosed
unit. Many ceilings above the units exceed 8 ft. While most applications do not meet the requirements of subject to
shower spray the amount of steam produced can exceed damp location type definition. There are instance when one
could conclude the area is actually saturated from the steam which is defined as a wet location. The code is lacking in
personal protection without a code change.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation that a hazard exists. The definition of a wet
location does not include exposure to steam.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-65 Log #1280 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul Esposti, Hamilton Township
Add text to read as follows:
Outdoor luminaries requiring a trench for the wiring method, regardless of the wiring method utilized, shall be labeled
on drawings with a unique alpha/numeric or combination of alpha/numeric designation at each luminaire.
After installation each luminaire shall be permanently labeled with same alpha/numeric or combination of
alpha/numeric designation. Labeling shall be at least 1 in. high and visible from grade.
Frequently, trench inspections are done in segments and over a period of time. It can be difficult to
keep track of which trenches have been inspeted on large projects with multiple inspections. Recording inspections will
be more accurate with luminare designations.
Also, for maintenance issues it will be easier to schedule and keep a record of when maintenance is needed and when
done.
The submitter has provided no definitive substantiation that a hazard exist to cause this change.
Affirmative: 11
O'BOYLE, M.: 90.1(B) indicates that compliance with the Code does not necessarily result in an efficient or
convenient installation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-66 Log #2737 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James H. Maxfield, City of Dover Fire & Rescue
Proposal to read:
Luminaires installed in expose 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.) measured from the lowest surface of the roof decking to the
top of the luminaire.
Informational Note: Roof decking material is often repaired or replace after the initial 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.
Physical damage is not limited to only cables, raceways and boxes installed within this area. The
luminaire itself, conductors and its associated equipment such as the ballast(s) and transformer within the equipment
are also subject to teh same physical damage. Section 300.4(D) of the NEC does not permit the cables, raceways and
boxes to be installed within this area therefore the addition of this new section would also prevent the same damage to
the luminare. Panel 3 currently recognizes the physical damage and potential hazard to the electrical installation within
this area and Panel 18 should also recognize the same potential hazards.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
The rejected part is the informational note.
The informational note is already covered in 300.4(E).
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-67 Log #3142 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcus R. Sampson, Lysistrata Electric
Revise text to read as follows:
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 or 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. Both subsection (A) in the positive and subsection (B) in the negative, located directly above part (C)
make it clear that surface-mounted incandescent or LED luminaires must have completely enclosed light sources.
Restating it in the “list” in subpart (C) is unnecessary.
CMP18 recognizes that the wording is redundant but did this intentionally for clarity.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-68 Log #1536 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Vince Baclawski, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Add the following new sentence in Section 410.20:
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. To be
included in the total box volume calculation, canopies shall be marked with their internal volume.
Luminaire canopies are seldom, if ever, marked with their internal volume. Yet, they are often relied
upon as wiring space, particularly with shallow pan boxes. This new language will make clear that a luminaire canopy
has to be marked with its internal volume in order to be included in the total box volume calculation.
Add the following new sentence in Section 410.20:
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.
The submitter's new sentence is modified for clarity.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-69 Log #1594 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Edward Joseph, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Revise text to read as follows:
Any combustible wall or ceiling finish exposed between
2
2
the edge of a luminaire canopy or pan and an outlet box, having a surface area of 1160 mm (180 in ) or more, shall be
covered with noncombustible material.
This proposed revision to Section 410.23 aligns the requirements in the NEC and ANSI/UL1598 for
“listed” luminaires and serves to further support Section 410.6 which requires the installation of “listed” luminaires.
Questions have been raised by inspection authorities concerning Section 410.23 as to whether or not there is a need
to additionally cover combustible mounting surfaces as defined within in the Article, when installing a “listed” ceiling
mounted or wall mounted canopy style luminaire that does not have a back-plate or back-cover .
Based on explanatory notes in 2008 NEC handbook, Section 410.23 was written to address overheating of combustible
surfaces. The note states the following: ” Luminaires must be designed and installed not only to prevent overheating of
conductors but to prevent overheating of adjacent combustible wall or ceiling finishes. Hence, it is required that any
combustible finish between the edge of a luminaire canopy and an outlet box be covered with a noncombustible material
or luminaire accessory. See 314.20 for the requirements covering combustible finishes. Where luminaires are not
directly mounted on outlet boxes, suitable outlet box covers are required."
Listed luminaires are evaluated to the requirements of the Standard for Luminaires, ANSI/ UL1598. Based on
requirements in the ANSI/UL 598 standard, “listed” canopy style surface or ceiling mounted luminaires do not require a
2
back-plate or back-cover provided the total area of the surface being covered by the canopy is less than 1160 mm
2
(180 in ). In addition, these “listed” canopy style luminaires are evaluated based on requirements in the standard to
ensure that temperatures on wall or ceiling surfaces on which the luminaire is mounted do not exceed 90 degrees
centigrade. This 90 degrees centigrade limit, is the limit that both the luminaire standard and the NEC assigns for
continuous heating of combustible materials. These requirements have been in effect for “listed” luminaires for several
decades.
In summary, the requirements for “listed” luminaires fulfills the requirement of Section 410.23 and therefore, does
not warrant the need for additional protection of a combustible mounting surface beyond what the “listed” luminaire
provides . This proposed revision to Section 410.23 will provide the needed clarification.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-70 Log #1852 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
. 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 (NM), or by flexible cord as permitted in 410.62(B) or 410.62(C).
"nonmetallic sheathed cable" is referred to in several ways: "nonmetallic sheathed cable", "type NM"
"type MNC" "type NMS" "NM" ....
Nonmetallic sheathed also appears to be used for other than NM cable in some cases.
Suggest that "NM" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "nonmetallic sheathed cable"
easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-71 Log #3301 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Elliot Rappaport, Coconut Creek, FL
Replace the phrase “equipment grounding conductor” with the phrase “equipment bonding
conductor” in the Articles and Sections as identified below. Replacement of “grounding” or “ground” when used
separately is covered in separate proposals.
410.30(B)(5); 410.42; 410.44 & Excs. 1, 2, & 3; 410.46; 410.59; 410.82(B)(4); 410.151(D).
This proposal is one of a series of proposals to replace, throughout the Code, the term “grounding”
with “bonding” where appropriate.
As used in the Code, “grounding” is a well defined term and refers to connecting to the earth or ground for any one of a
number of reasons. Similarly, “bonding” is the connection of two bodies together to form a continuous electrical path.
The term “equipment grounding conductor” has a definite purpose that is not uniquely expressed in the term. As a
result, there is a misconception that “grounding” will make a system safe. On the contrary, connecting equipment to
ground without providing the bonding connection back to the source can make the equipment less safe.
The purpose of the “equipment grounding conductor (EGC) is to provide a low impedance path from a fault at
equipment “likely to become energized” to the source of the electrical current (transformer, generator, etc,). If it is
argued that the purpose is to connect the equipment to ground, then the requirement of 250.4(A)(5) that “the earth shall
not be considered as an effective ground fault path” would no longer be valid because fault current would then be
intended to flow to the ground (earth).
From the conductor sizing requirements of 250.122, and specifically 250.122(B), it is apparent that the purpose of the
EGC is related to connection (bonding) to the source of power rather than connection to ground. If the principle purpose
was the connection to ground, then the sizing requirements would be less important since near equipotential conditions
can be achieved with much smaller conductors.
The fundamentals of these proposals are to clearly state that “systems” are “grounded” and “equipment” is “bonded”.
The fact that the bonding conductor may be grounded also is secondary to the primary function of bonding.
This proposal proposes changing the word “grounding” to “bonding”, where appropriate, throughout the Code. It is
clear that there are many places where “grounding” is used to identify the connection to earth (grounding electrode
conductor) and “grounding” should remain. Additionally, the expression “EGC” should be changed to “EBC”, “equipment
bonding conductor” for consistency.
The term "Equipment Grounding Conductor" is correct and defined. Equipment Bonding Conductor
is not defined in the code.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-72 Log #895 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
William Blaha, Ideal Industries Inc.
Add new paragraph (7) to 410.30(B) as follows:
(7) An inline disconnecting means shall be provided that is accessible, mounted in the pole base or in a handhole
immediately adjacent to the pole base. The inline disconnecting means shall be a listed inline device that:
(a) Prevents unintentional contact with exposed energized conductors by persons or animals.
(b) Safely disconnects the supply conductors to the pole.
(c) Allows for the safe servicing of the luminaire(s) and associated wiring.
(d) Is capable of being manually disconnected to allow servicing of the luminaire.
(e) Is rated for the luminaire current.
An electrical shock hazard exists when roadway, parking lot, or area lighting poles are either knocked
down or serviced.
When the pole is knocked down and the subsequent servicing occurs there are potentially full-voltage energized
conductors protruding from the luminaire base, pedestal, or junction box. At this point, any person or animal can come
into contact with these energized conductors. Unintentional contact by a motor vehicle, person, or animal may result in
electrical shock and/or property damage.
This protective product conforms with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) Roadway Lighting Design Guide (Chapter 8, October 2005) and is presently specified and used by a large
number of the states' Departments of Transportation in roadway lighting installations.
Since 2005, the NEC has required similar protection for the servicing of ballast-type fluorescent luminaires (Section
410.130(G)). Though servicing of the ballast is typically performed by a trained electrician, a disconnect requirement
was still inserted into the NEC to prevent shock hazard.
To protect vehicle occupants, AASHTO standards require certain lighting poles in roadway
installations to “break away” when struck by a vehicle; however, poles located in areas with significant pedestrian traffic,
such as parking lots, are designed to remain standing. The roadway lighting poles that the submitter describes are not
within the scope of the code per 90.2.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
COSTELLO, P.:
The submitter of this proposal recognizes an electrical shock hazard associated with servicing of pole mounted
luminaires. The submitter's substantiation briefly cites servicing of the pole mounted luminaires and explains in more
detail the instances where a pole is knocked down exposing conductors. The panel did discuss the requirements
associated with the American Association of State and Highway and Transportation Officials Roadway Lighting with
reference to the pole being struck by a vehicle as the submitter describes. The panels statement informs the submitter
that the roadway lighting poles described are not within the scope of the code per 90.2.
The panel did have a lengthily discussion concerning servicing of luninaires mounted on poles and identified a number
of issues a worker faces when performing this task. Incorporating an accessible disconnecting means at the pole would
permit the worker to put the luminaire into an electrically safe working condition.
I would encourage the submitter to comment more on the protection of servicing pole mounted luminaires with a
disconnecting means being within the pole.
O'BOYLE, M.: In the situation the submitter describes, where a lighting pole is knocked down, resulting damage to
conductors and in-line disconnects could expose hazardous live parts. The presence of a local in-line disconnect might
provide a false sense of security and result in a delay in properly disconnecting power to the damaged installation. Also,
digging through a damaged pole and wiring in search of an in-line disconnect, without first de energizing the branch
circuit or donning protective gear, could pose a risk of electrical shock.
Also, the submitter did not provide definitive substantiation for this change. 410.130(G) requires disconnects only for
fluorescent luminaires utilizing double ended lamps. This is due to an extremely limited accident report involving this
particular type of product. Double ended fluorescent lamp luminaires typically allow easy tool-less access to wiring
compartments and are sometimes serviced or retrofitted by unqualified personnel. There are many millions of installed
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ballasts that periodically require replacement. Outside the limited accident report involving double ended fluorescent
luminaires, there has been no empirical data presented to indicate that a problem exists.
In my opinion, local disconnects may actually present a hazard. The anticipation of an internal disconnect may cause
even a qualified service person to open an electrical enclosures without first disconnecting power to the circuit feeding
the luminaires or using proper protective gear. In such situations, there may be conditions ( as simple as a dislodged
twist on wire connector ) that will expose the service personnel to hazardous power. I believe that the best course of
action is to always disconnect power to the circuit feeding the luminaires or use proper personal protective equipment
when servicing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-72a Log #CP1802 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Revise the informational note for 410.52 to read as follows:
Informational Note: For ampacity of fixture wire, maximum operating temperature, voltage limitations, minimum wire
size, and other information, see Article 402.
The panel editorially revised the informational note to replace the words "so forth" with "other
information."
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-73 Log #810 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dennis Alwon, Alwon Electric Inc.
Add new text to read as follows:
Stranded conductors shall be used for wiring on luminaire chains and on other moveable or flexible parts.
Exception: Where run in a flexible cable, cord or raceway
As written the section will not allow MC or other cables to be run down to a fluorescent fixture that is
hung from jack chain. It does not appear to be the intent however as written it is interpreted that way in some areas.
This method of wiring fluorescents has been common practice for as long as I can remember and I have never seen an
issue with this type of install.
Part VI, "Wiring of Luminaires" does not apply to the wiring to the luminaire just the wiring of the
luminaire itself. Refer to Chapter 3 for Wiring Methods.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-74 Log #3088 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Frederic P. Hartwell, Hartwell Electrical Services, Inc.
Add parent text to (C) and revise (1) ; make no change to (2) or (3), as follows
Electric discharge luminaires shall comply with (1), and also with (2) or (3) or both
as specifically apply to the application.
A luminaire or a listed assembly in compliance with any of the conditions in (a)
through (c) shall be permitted to be cord connected provided the following conditions are met:
(1) The luminaire is located directly below the outlet or busway
(2) The cord is not be subject to strain or physical damage
(3) The cord is visible over its entire length except at terminations. If the following conditions apply:
(1) The luminaire is located directly below the outlet or busway.
(a) Plug-Connected. A luminaire shall be permitted to be connected with a cord terminating in a grounding-type
attachment plug or busway plug.
(b) Strain Relief and Canopy Provided. A luminaire assembly equipped with a strain relief and canopy shall be
permitted to use a cord connection between the luminaire assembly and the canopy. The canopy shall be permitted to
include a section of raceway not over 150 mm (6 in.) in length and intended to facilitate the connection to an outlet box
mounted above a suspended ceiling.
(c) Manufactured Wiring Systems. Listed assemblies incorporating manufactured wiring system connectors in
accordance with 604.6(C), shall be permitted to be cord connected.
(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 raceway for attachment to an outlet box above a
suspended ceiling
This is a resubmittal of Proposal 18-134 in the 2011 cycle, with all technical objections noted by CMP
18 fully addressed, and a provision in (1) reformatted as a list. The principal issue with this part of the Code is paragraph
c. This is an almost incomprehensible 62-word run-on sentence that is extremely difficult to follow. CMP 18 opined that
this was just the opinion of the submitter and refused to act in the 2011 cycle. Recent history shows otherwise. Until
recently (2005 NEC) 240.5(B)(1) directly conflicted with this section because it only recognized flexible cord with a
“portable lamp.” This submitter attempted to get this changed, and cited the conflict with this section. CMP 10 responded
with a rejection (see Comment 10-25 for the 2005 NEC), saying in part “The fixture cords in question as applied per
410.30(C)(1) are not hard wired and are required to be terminated in a grounding-type plug. This allows the fixture to be
easily moved, meaning that the fixture is of a portable nature.”
It took another code cycle to reverse the CMP 10 position. The submitter’s Proposal 10-15 in the 2008 cycle explained
the way this provision actually worked, requiring almost an entire column of small print to dissect the numerous
allowances within this 62-word sentence and to cover the history of this section and the one in Article 240 in order to
show that the conflict was real. CMP 10 did reverse course on this for the 2008 NEC and the conflict has disappeared.
However, if an entire code making panel proved unable to correctly interpret this provision over the course of a code
making cycle, and it required a half page of explanatory information to sort this out, how can we expect ordinary users to
do so in the field?
T he NEC Style Manual in 3.3.1 at its second topic states the following:
“Use simple declarative sentence structure, and keep sentences short. Writing rules in long sentences full of commas,
dependent clauses, and parenthetical expressions often creates confusion and misunderstanding. The requirement can
often be written in two or more short sentences, expressed using a list or table, or both.”
This Code provision is perhaps the leading poster child for violations of this common-sense editorial requirement Even
a code making panel misinterpreted it. It is long past time to fix this, and if this proposal fails, the Correlating Committee
should take action to police the use of the Style Manual in this case.
The proposed change does not add clarity and is additionally incorrect; 410.62(C)(1), (2), and (3)
are independent requirements.
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Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-75 Log #835 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Johnston, National Electrical Contractors Association
Insert new text following 410.62(C)(1)(2)(c):
This proposal will clarify that electric-discharge and LED luminaires are not excluded from the
allowances stated in 462.62(B). Some inspectors have enforced the requirements of 410.62(C)(1)(2) on adjustable
electric-discharge luminaires.
The exception is not necessary because 410.62(B) and (C) are independent requirements.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-76 Log #387 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
T. J. Woods, Wyoming Electrical JATC
Revise text to read as follows:
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. , or if the insulation type is acceptable in Table 310.104(A).
410.68 should include this language to help clarify another condition. According to Table 310.104(A,)
THW insulation is also allowed within 75 mm (3 in.) of a ballast; however, it is 75°C insulation.
Table 310.104(A) states that THW under certain conditions is rated 90°C.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-77 Log #465 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Robert Welborne, R & R Electric Company
Exception: Internal or external disconnects are not required if existing luminaires are retrofitted
with fully encapsulated LED lamps that bypass or eliminate the ballast(s).
I am recommending a new "Exception" be added to the present article exempting the need for a
disconnect where LED lamps that are fully encapsulated are installed. Some manufacturers are manufacturing UL listed
T8 lamps 120 volts and 277 volts that have the LED drivers fully enclosed within the tube. Therefore, eliminating the
need for any existing ballast(s). Presently, the way the Code reads, a disconnect whether internal or external is required
for a double ended lamp holder that contain a ballast(s). Since removal of the ballast(s) are required to complete
installation for the new LED lamps, there is no need to require a disconnect.
Luminaires without a fluorescent ballast would not be required to have disconnects.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-78 Log #693 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Roger Zieg, Zieg Electric
Delete text to read as follows:
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.
The purpose of the
is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising
from the use of electricity. Qualified person is defined in the
, but the meaning is certainly open to interpretation.
Some states and/or local jurisdictions do not require the licensing of industrial electricians and leave it to the individual
industrial establishment to define the meaning of the qualified person. It is my belief that this exception should be
deleted because it does not provide practical safeguarding for the qualified person. Why should the qualified person be
offered less protection, especially in this day of electrical safe work practices?
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-80 which addresses the same issue.
Affirmative: 8 Negative: 3
COSTELLO, P.: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal 18-78.
GRAY, B.: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal 18-79.
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: This exception should be deleted because it does not provide practical safeguarding for
qualified persons. A person doing maintenance should have every possibility of safety in his job. The deletion of this
exception adds another layer of safety.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-79 Log #1370 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles M. Trout, Maron Electric Company
Delete Exception No. 4 in its entirety.
The basic rule for safety is to not work on energized equipment. This Exception encourages workmen
to work on energized equipment. It is in direct opposition to the "safety in the workplace" rules promoted by NFPA 70E.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-80 which addresses the same issue. In
addition with reference to the submitter's substantiation, the requirements of NFPA 70E,
, should be followed.
Affirmative: 8 Negative: 3
COSTELLO, P.:
I agree with the submitter and this proposal should be accepted. There should not be an exception that permits a worker
to perform an unsafe task in an “industrial establishment” that they would otherwise not be able to perform in other
locations code by this article.
The panel is in agreement that the requirements of NFPA 70E,
apply
and shall be followed. Applying the requirements of Article 130.2 of NFPA 70E, energized electrical conductors shall be
put into an electrically safe work condition before an employee performs work. This is exactly what is being met by
deleting the exception the submitter proposed. Servicing luminaries while energized does not appear to meet the
requirements of NFPA 70E, Article 130.2(A) which recognize tasks that (1) introduce a Greater Hazard, (2) is Infeasible
due to its equipment design or operational limitations, or (3)operating at Less Than 50 Volts.
GRAY, B.: The Panel Action should have been to Accept. The Panel Statement implies that NFPA 70E provides an
option for not deenergizing exposed electrical conductors. In fact, both OSHA (29CFR1910.333(a)(1)) and NFPA 70E
(130.2(A)) require exposed energized part to be deenergized before a worker can approach nearer than a safe distance
to the parts. The rule is designed to apply to qualified workers since qualified workers are the only workers allowed to
approach exposed energized parts (NFPA 70E, 130.4(D)). By exempting the requirement to place a disconnecting
means in a convenient location to meet these requirements, the Panel has provided a motivation to not comply.
According to NIOSH (PUB 98-131), industrial workplaces in manufacturing facilities account for 12% (third highest) of
fatalities in US workplaces due to electrocution. To grant these workplaces special relief from controls that are designed
to protect from electrocution seems irresponsible to me.
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal 18-78.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-80 Log #1554 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
David Clements, International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Delete text as follows:
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.
The purpose of the
is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising
from the use of electricity. Qualified person is defined in the
, but the meaning is certainly open to interpretation.
Some states and/or local jurisdictions do not require the licensing of industrial electricians and leave it to the individual
establishment to define the meaning of a qualified person. It is my belief that this exception should be deleted because it
does not provide practical safeguarding for the qualified person. Why should the qualified person be offered less
protection, especially in this day of electrical safe work practices?
Panel 18 accepts that not all Authorities having Jurisdiction require licensing but in an industrial
establishment the definition of qualified persons is defined by OSHA in 1910.399 Subpart S and as defined in Article
100. Qualified Persons. One who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the
construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved.
Affirmative: 8 Negative: 3
COSTELLO, P.: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 18-79.
GRAY, B.: See my Explanation of Vote on Proposal 18-79.
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: See my Explanation of Negative vote on Proposal 18-78.
O'BOYLE, M.: In my opinion, local luminaire disconnects may actually present a hazard. The anticipation of an
internal disconnect may cause even a qualified service person to open an electrical enclosures without first
disconnecting power to the circuit feeding the luminaires or using proper protective gear. In such situations, there may
be conditions ( as simple as a dislodged twist on wire connector ) that will expose the service personnel to hazardous
power. I believe that the best course of action is to always disconnect power to the circuit feeding the luminaires or use
proper personal protective equipment when servicing.
In industrial establishments, where qualified personnel service equipment following written procedures, proper
disconnection of the branch circuit or use of protective equipment should not be ignored.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-81 Log #2166 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
Informational Note: Combustible low-density cellulose fiberboard includes sheets, panels, and tiles that have a density
3
3
of 320 kg/m (20 lb/ft ) or less and that are formed of bonded plant fiber material but does not include solid or laminated
3
3
wood or fiberboard that has a density in excess of 320 kg/m (20 lb/ft ) 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 1997,
.
ASTM E84 has an updated date – the measurement by ASTM E84 is flame spread index and not just
flame spread (editorial issue).
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-82 Log #2791 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
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 (FMC) 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.
"Flexible Metal Conduit" is also referred to as “FMC”
Suggest that “(FMC)” be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "Flexible Metal Conduit"
easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-83 Log #285 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company
Revise text to read as follows:
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 provided with a means for locking in the open position. The
provisions for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means must remain in place at the switch or circuit breaker
whether the lock is installed or not. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be
permitted. lockable in accordance with 110.25.
This proposal has been developed by the Usability Task Group assigned by the Technical Correlating
Committee. The committee members were Stanley Folz, James Dollard, William Fiske, David Hittinger, Andy Juhasz,
Amos Lowrance, Susan Newman-Scearce, Marc Bernsen and Vincent Zinnante. Requirements for a disconnecting
means to be lockable in the open position exist in numerous locations in the NEC. A new section has been proposed in
Article 110 to consolidate the requirements for a disconnecting means required to be “capable of being locked in the
open position” in a single section for clarity. It is understood that this requirement includes more than disconnecting and
locking electrical power sources.
This proposal is intended to facilitate a lockout/tagout scenario. It is equally important to ensure that the means for
placing the lock remain in place. The concept suggested by this proposal is necessary to provide correlation throughout
the NEC with respect to the capability of placing a lock on a disconnecting means to secure it in the open position.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-84 Log #862 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael J. Johnston, National Electrical Contractors Association
Add a new last sentence as follows:
The caution sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
This proposal is one of several coordinated companion proposals to provide consistency of danger,
caution, and warning sign or markings as required in the NEC. The proposed revision will correlate this caution marking
requirement with proposed 110.21(B) and the requirements in ANSI Z 535.4.
Affirmative: 9 Negative: 2
BER, M.: To realize the full extent of this proposal it is necessary to review Proposal 1-114 as “Accepted in Principle in
Part” by CMP-1. Also, remember that Proposal 18-84 is only concerned with “Caution” Labels as required by 410.146.
Note that 110.21B is limited to “Field-Applied Markings”, which means that these labels are intended to be applied in
the field and must comply with the multitude of stringent requirements in the proposal and in the ANSI Standard
The only way that the field installer is going to be able to meet the conditions of this proposal is to maintain a huge
inventory of preprinted labels and signs in a multitude of colors, with various messages, in many different sizes, and
made from different materials and having specific types of glue to be “suitable for the environment where it is installed”.
But once again we have an Informational Note that directs us to a specific ANSI Standard that apparently provides the
parameters for these signs and labels. Good thing as the wording of the proposal is not clear as to how we obtain a
“yellow and white” background. Fortunately, the cost of this standard is only $89.00 from the ANSI Standards Store.
Unfortunately, few electricians are going to run right out and purchase copies of this standard, but maybe the
municipalities will add this to their budgets so the local inspector can provide the necessary guidance and determination
as to the compliance of each sign or label.
This is another one of those well intentioned proposals that introduces so much new unneeded overly complex material
into this section of the Code as to make it virtually unusable. This proposal appears to have little relevance to or effect
on safety, it only serves to complicate the code, adds to its enforcement difficulty and therefore results in less
compliance.
O'BOYLE, M.: 410.146 addresses factory applied markings, supplied as part of the listing required by 410.140.
The submitter makes reference to his proposal 1-114, which is being balloted as Accept in Principle & Part. In that
proposal, 110.2(B) applies to Field-Applied Markings.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-84a Log #CP1803 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Delete the Informational Note and revise the text of 410.151(B) as follows:
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.
requirement.
The panel has incorporated the informational note into the text of 410.151(B) because it contains a
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-85 Log #2938 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael S. O'Boyle, Philips-Lightolier
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
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.
Lighting equipment marked for connection to a Class 2
power source rated in conformance with Chapter 9 Table 11(A) or 11(B).
Lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less shall comply with 411.3(A) or 411.3(B). Lighting
equipment connected to Class 2 power sources shall be listed.
Lighting systems
operating at 30 volts or less shall comply with 411.3(A) or 411.3(B).
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.
A lighting system assembled from the following listed parts shall be permitted:
(1) Low-voltage luminaires
(2) Low-voltage luminaire power supply
(3) Class 2 power supply
(4) (3) Low-voltage luminaire fittings
(5) (4) Cord (secondary circuits) for which the luminaires and
power supply are listed for use.
(6) (5) Cable, conductors in conduit, or other fixed wiring
method for the secondary circuit.
Lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less covered by this Article shall be supplied from a
maximum 20-ampere branch circuit.
This proposal was developed by a subgroup of the NEC DC Task Force of the Technical Correlating
Committee. The Task Force is chaired by John R. Kovacik, Underwriters Laboratories, the subgroup members are
Michael O’Boyle – Philips Lightolier (subgroup lead) and Mark Ode – Underwriters Laboratories, Michael Shulman –
Underwriters Laboratories, Audie Spina – Armstrong Building Products and Michael Stelts – Panasonic.
When Article 411 was added to the Code in 1996, the products it addressed were 30V ac, 25 amp maximum, lighting
systems that were Listed in compliance with UL1838 (Standard for Landscape Lighting) or the outline of investigation
that later became UL2108 (Standard for Low Voltage Lighting Systems). The voltage limit given in 411.2, 30 volts (42.4
Vpk), refers to alternating current and no direct current value is given.
In the 2008 Code, provisions for Class-2 systems were added to article 411. At the time, most of these systems
operated at 30 volts or less so there was no apparent need to revise article 411 to correlate with Chapter 9 tables 11(A)
or 11(B).
With the advent of new lighting technologies such as solid state lighting and direct current distribution systems, the need
to better correlate article 411 with article 725 and chapter 9 tables 11(A) & 11(B) to more accurately address direct
current class-2 lighting equipment is evident; especially in regard to class-2 DC voltages above 30V. Additionally, the
nationally recognized lighting equipment standards including UL1598 and UL2108, allow lighting equipment to be Listed
for connection to Class-2 power supplies without the need for the equipment to be evaluated as a system.
Accordingly, the task group subgroup prepared the suggested revisions to accomplish the Code clarification to align the
requirements with Class-2 limits and the product standards.
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Revise the Title, 411.1, 411.2, 411.3 (main paragraph), 411.3(B), and 411.6 as follows (other sections are unaffected by
this change):
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.
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.
Lighting equipment marked for connection to a Class 2
power source rated in conformance with Chapter 9 Table 11(A) or 11(B).
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.
A lighting system assembled from the following listed parts shall be permitted:
(1) Low-voltage luminaires
(2) Low-voltage luminaire power supply
(3) Class 2 power supply
(4) (3) Low-voltage luminaire fittings
(5) (4) Cord (secondary circuits) for which the luminaires and
power supply are listed for use.
(6) (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.
Lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less covered by this Article shall be supplied from a
maximum 20-ampere branch circuit.
The panel does not accept the reference to "generic" Class 2 power sources and requires the
power source to be listed. The panel removed the redundant 411.3.
The panel recognizes that the change to the scope section falls under the jurisdiction of the TCC and requests
approval.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-86 Log #1215 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
: 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.
The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The information provided in
the subsequent sentences is not really a part of the definition; it is further information that is best placed in an
informational note.
definition style.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-6 which addresses the submitter's issue of
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-87 Log #2698 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
David Clements, International Association of Electrical Inspectors
Add new text to read as follows:
Power supplies installed in dwelling units shall not generate electro-magnetic
interference that will cause undesired operation of protective devices. power supplies that do not comply shall be
marked “Not for use in dwellings”.
Informational Note. See FCC Part 15 Class B Digital Device or the Part 18 limits for Consumer ISM Equipment for
information on allowed electro-magnetic emissions.
Section 210.12(A) requires Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) protection in “all 120-volt, single phase,
15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas”. The NEC
defines an outlet as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment”, therefore,
the requirement includes lighting circuits.
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 15—Radio Frequency Devices defines a Class B Digital Device as, “A digital
device that is marketed for use in a residential environment notwithstanding use in commercial, business and industrial
environments.” It further defines a digital device as, “An unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and
uses timing signals or pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that uses digital techniques or any device or system that generates and uses radio
frequency energy for the purpose of performing data processing functions, such as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval, or transfer.” Switching power supplies meet this definition.
Part 15 requires that Class B devices be labeled, “This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.”
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 18—Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment defines Consumer ISM
Equipment as, “A category of ISM equipment used or intended to be used by the general public in a residential
environment, notwithstanding use in other areas.” Equipment meeting the consumer ISM limits must be marked with a
compliance statement or the “FCC” logo. Switching power supplies meet this definition.
While it is believed that power supplies need to meet the Part 18 requirements if installed in a dwelling unit, some
manufacturers may declare that their products meet the Part 15 Class B requirements.
The incidence of AFCI unwanted tripping due to interoperability problems with such products is low, however, even
though the UL 1699 standard for AFCIs requires unwanted tripping tests, unwanted tripping in the field does
occasionally occur. When it does occur, homeowners become understandably annoyed and frustrated if they or their
electrical contractor are unable to resolve the problem. Sometimes the cause of the tripping is not readily evident,
leading the electrical contractor or homeowner to resolve the problem by replacing the AFCI with a standard
thermal-magnetic circuit breaker. This violates the NEC requirement for AFCI protection and increases the risk of an
electrical fire in the dwelling unit.
AFCI manufacturers have made great strides in improving their product designs to reduce the probability of unwanted
tripping; however, field investigations have revealed that sometimes luminaires with electronic ballasts, low voltage
lighting switching power supplies and CFLs that do not comply with the previously referenced FCC requirements cause
unwanted AFCI tripping. Such incidents have been successfully resolved by replacing the non-compliant product with
one that does meet the FCC requirements.
Contractors and homeowners can report unwanted AFCI tripping events on the AFCIsafety.org web site. A study of the
reports filed over the past three years showed that 18% of the reports named some sort of lighting as either the sole
load or one of the loads on the branch circuit at the time the tripping occurred. One AFCI manufacturer has documented
13 cases over the past three years where replacing a ballast with an FCC compliant model solved the unwanted tripping
problem. Another AFCI manufacturer has documented at least five cases. While the reports filed by homeowners and
contractors are not always specific, some have referenced low voltage lighting.
This proposal is intended to reduce the possibility that the operation of low voltage lighting may result in unwanted
AFCI tripping by requiring that power supplies that do not comply with the aforementioned FCC requirements be marked
NOT FOR USE IN DWELLINGS on the power supply. This will help contractors select the correct product for the
application and help electrical inspectors check to insure that the appropriate power supply has been installed. The end
result will be increased safety, Code compliance and customer satisfaction.
The NEMA white paper developed to provide the designers of home electrical products with information on the
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operating parameters of AFCIs, with the purpose of avoiding conditions in which the HEP could cause the unwanted
operation of an AFCI, calls for compliance with the referenced FCC requirements.
Comparable proposals have been submitted to revise Articles 210, 410 and 422.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-63 which addresses the submitter's issue.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
LOWRANCE, JR., A.: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal 18-63.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-88 Log #2094 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Donald R. Cook, Shelby County Development Services
Revise text to read as follows:
Power supplies installed in dwelling units shall comply with the requirements for an FCC Part
15 Class B Digital Device or the Part 18 limits for Consumer ISM Equipment. Compliance with the FCC requirements
shall be marked on the power supply as required by the FCC. Power supplies that do not comply shall be marked “Not
for use in dwellings”.
Section 210.12(A) requires Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) protection in “all 120-volt, single phase,
15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas”. The NEC
defines an outlet as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment”, therefore,
the requirement includes lighting circuits.
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 15—Radio Frequency Devices defines a Class B Digital Device as, “A digital
device that is marketed for use in a residential environment notwithstanding use in commercial, business and industrial
environments.” It further defines a digital device as, “An unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and
uses timing signals or pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that uses digital techniques or any device or system that generates and uses radio
frequency energy for the purpose of performing data processing functions, such as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval, or transfer.” Switching power supplies meet this definition.
Part 15 requires that Class B devices be labeled, “This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.”
47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–98 Edition) Part 18—Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment defines Consumer ISM
Equipment as, “A category of ISM equipment used or intended to be used by the general public in a residential
environment, notwithstanding use in other areas.” Equipment meeting the consumer ISM limits must be marked with a
compliance statement or the “FCC” logo. Switching power supplies meet this definition.
While it is believed that power supplies need to meet the Part 18 requirements if installed in a dwelling unit, some
manufacturers may declare that their products meet the Part 15 Class B requirements.
The incidence of AFCI unwanted tripping due to interoperability problems with such products is low, however, even
though the UL 1699 standard for AFCIs requires unwanted tripping tests, unwanted tripping in the field does
occasionally occur. When it does occur, homeowners become understandably annoyed and frustrated if they or their
electrical contractor are unable to resolve the problem. Sometimes the cause of the tripping is not readily evident,
leading the electrical contractor or homeowner to resolve the problem by replacing the AFCI with a standard
thermal-magnetic circuit breaker. This violates the NEC requirement for AFCI protection and increases the risk of an
electrical fire in the dwelling unit.
AFCI manufacturers have made great strides in improving their product designs to reduce the probability of unwanted
tripping; however, field investigations have revealed that sometimes luminaires with electronic ballasts, low voltage
lighting switching power supplies and CFLs that do not comply with the previously referenced FCC requirements cause
unwanted AFCI tripping. Such incidents have been successfully resolved by replacing the non-compliant product with
one that does meet the FCC requirements.
Contractors and homeowners can report unwanted AFCI tripping events on the AFCIsafety.org web site. A study of the
reports filed over the past three years showed that 18% of the reports named some sort of lighting as either the sole
load or one of the loads on the branch circuit at the time the tripping occurred. One AFCI manufacturer has documented
13 cases over the past three years where replacing a ballast with an FCC compliant model solved the unwanted tripping
problem. Another AFCI manufacturer has documented at least five cases. While the reports filed by homeowners and
contractors are not always specific, some have referenced low voltage lighting.
This proposal is intended to reduce the possibility that the operation of low voltage lighting may result in unwanted AFCI
tripping by requiring that power supplies that do not comply with the aforementioned FCC requirements be marked NOT
FOR USE IN DWELLINGS on the power supply. This will help contractors select the correct product for the application
and help electrical inspectors check to insure that the appropriate power supply has been installed. The end result will
be increased safety, Code compliance and customer satisfaction.
The NEMA white paper developed to provide the designers of home electrical products with information on the operating
parameters of AFCIs, with the purpose of avoiding conditions in which the HEP could cause the unwanted operation of
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an AFCI, calls for compliance with the referenced FCC requirements.
Comparable proposals have been submitted to revise Articles 210, 410 and 422.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-63 which addresses the submitter's issue.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-89 Log #1235 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Revise text to read as follows:
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.
: The subassemblies are either physically joined to form a single sign unit or are installed as
separate remote parts of an overall sign.
The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The information provided in
the subsequent sentences is not really a part of the definition; it is further information that is best placed in an
informational note.
definition style.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-6 which addresses the submitter's issue of
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-89a Log #CP1804 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Delete the informational note and revise the definition of neon tubing in 600.2 as follows:
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.
The informational note contains part of the definition and therefore was incorporated into the body of
the definition.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-90 Log #2623 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Electric signs, section signs, and outline lighting, retrofit kits and skeleton tubing, fixed , mobile, or
portable, regardless of voltage, shall be listed and installed in conformance with that listing , unless otherwise approved
by special permission.
The test in 600.3 is modified to include LED retrofit field conversion subassemblies and skeleton tubing
• Energy conservation is driving changes of illumination systems to LEDs in existing/installed signs or outline lighting.
This requires field replacement of electrical components and power sources that modify the original electrical system in
the sign listed under UL 48. Logically, it follows that conversions should not compromise the original safety profile of the
listed sign. A complete subassembly, a kit that has been certified by a qualified electrical testing laboratory as
compatible with the profile of the listed sign being converted, provides a basis for the AHJ to accept the modification
without requiring a field evaluation. As an example, UL's The White Book,
describes
UL's certification procedure under UL 879A, Outline of Investigation for LED Kits. UL's Classified Kit includes all the
components and installation instructions to safely modify a sign. UL's Product Guide to Inspections, says, "Classification
complies with the definition of "Listed" in model installation codes."
th
The 15 Edition of UL 48, published in September 2011 includes skeleton tubing within the scope of UL 48, thereby
nullifying the basis for the exception. (UL 48.1 .2)
Revise the submitter's recommendation to remove the words "and skeleton tubing" and revise to read as follows:
Fixed, mobile or portable electric signs, section signs, outline lighting, and retrofit kits, regardless of
voltage, shall be listed and installed in conformance with that listing, unless otherwise approved by special permission.
Adding skeleton tubing in this section would make it mandatory that it be listed. Skeleton tubing
signs are not restricted from being listed such as window and beer signs commonly used today. For skeleton tubing to
be listed it would require plant assembly before shipment. There is no technical substantiation provided based on safety
to support this change. The change would restrict this product from areas where inspection and listing is required.
Article 600 Part II currently covers the component and installation requirements for field installed skeleton tubing signs.
The panel has provided addition revisions to clarify the requirement.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
KOCHAN, M.: Skeleton Neon Tubing is now Incorporated into UL 48 15th Edition dated 09/02/2011. Article 4.4.11.2
of UL 48 states "wiring for Skeleton Neon Tubing signs or Outline Lighting is not required before it leaves the factory, as
implied in the panel statement.
CARPENTER, F.: We agree with the action taken by the panel but the panel took conflicting action on proposal 18-91.
We believe that the correct wording for 600.3 should be:
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.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-91 Log #3407 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Randall K. Wright, RKW Consulting
Revise text to read as follows:
600.3.Listing. Electric signs, section signs, and outline lighting fixed, mobile, or portable, regardless of voltage shall be
listed, provided with installation instructions and installed in conformance with that listing, unless otherwise approved by
special permission.
All signs should be provided with installation instructions. It is clear in 110.3 (B) that the installation
“shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.” The new UL standard
will require these instructions but have no way of enforcing their delivery to the electrical inspector. Placing this
language in 600.3 should require site delivery of installation instructions for all signs and not affect the balance of the
installations.
Revise text to read as follows:
600.3.Listing. Electric signs, section signs, and outline lighting that are fixed, mobile, or portable, regardless of voltage
shall be listed, provided with installation instructions and installed in conformance with that listing, unless otherwise
approved by special permission.
The panel has editorially revised the text so that it is clear that "fixed, mobile and portable" applies to
all types of signs.
Affirmative: 11
CARPENTER, F.: We agree with the action taken by the panel but the panel took conflicting action on proposal 18-90.
We believe that the correct wording for 600.3 should be:
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-92 Log #158 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Don Hursey, Jade Learning
Revise text to read as follows:
Visibility. The markings required in 604.4(A) and listing labels shall not be required to be visible after installation. but
shall be permanently applied in a location visible during servicing.
This requirement makes it even more difficult for an electrical inspector to perform his/her duties when
the markings and labels can be concealed after installation.
The new sections 600.4(c) and 600.4(D) were added in the last cycle as a panel proposal with the
following substantiation: "CMP 18 clarified the long standing issue that the labels required in 600.4(A) are not required
to be visible - only available - after installation." The submitter has documented no hazard arising from this requirement.
Affirmative: 11
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18-93 Log #2624 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Section All signs, outline lighting, skeleton tubing systems and retrofit kits
shall be marked to indicate that field-wiring and installation instructions are required.
(1) Exception: Portable, cord connect signs are not required to be marked.
Present wording applies only to section signs. Except for portable cord connected signs, all listed sign,
th
outline lighting and skeleton tubing systems require installation instructions to be in harmony with UL 48, 15 Edition, 8.1
- 8.1.5 inclusive and 110.(3)(B). Installation instructions are required by UL's Subject 879A, Outline of Investigation For
LED Kits. Additionally, 600.12 requires skeleton tubing to be installed in accordance with installation instructions.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
CARPENTER, F.: The submitter's statement that 110.3(B) requires installation instructions is incorrect. While we
acknowledge that UL 48 requires all signs to be supplied with installation instructions, there is no justification to require
marking all signs with a statement indicating that installation instructions have been provided. The current edition of UL
48 states in clause 7.7.1(e) that the marking “Installation and assembly required, see installation instructions” is
required. This clause of the UL standard only applies to Section Signs since they frequently require significant field
wiring. Many complete signs are significantly simpler in construction and requiring a similar marking for all signs has not
been substantiated.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-94 Log #2625 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Add new text to read as follows:
Signs and outline lighting with field installed conversion subassemblies shall be labeled to
1
indicate that the original illumination system has been modified. The marking shall be in letters at least 6 mm ( /4 in .)
high. on a label permanently installed . and shall be located where visible during servicing. CAUTION. RETROFIT KIT
INSTALLED (Date) BY (Company Name)
• The changing of illumination systems in signs and luminaires presents hazards for work-persons doing
post installation maintenance. The AHJ in Washington requires a label near the conversion subassembly, warning about
the risk of an electrical hazard:
(Labor & Industries Electrical Currents, March 201 1) For
signs, this is particularly applicable to conversions of fluorescent lamps to tubular LEDs. LED systems lack
standardization with different secondary load specifications, such as 10 volts AC to 50 volts DC. LEOs must be replaced
like with like to ensure electrical safety and avoid compromising the listing profile of the sign.
• Inasmuch as the conversion may be made by parties other than the sign manufacturer, identifying the installer
provides the basis of legal relief for the original sign manufacturer, in the event the rework is not performed in accord
with the installation instructions and there is a catastrophic failure resulting in injury or property damage. The installer's
name also provides a source for the retrofit installation instructions that may be required by maintenance personnel.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the inclusion of the installing company
name and date.
The intent of this proposal is covered by the product safety standard. See panel action on Proposal 18-90.
Affirmative: 11
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18-95 Log #2626 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Branch circuits that supply signs and outline lighting 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.
Branch circuit rules apply to outline lighting as well as to signs. Including outline lighting in the scope of
the rule is for consistency with other sections of 600.
The proposed requirement is already covered in 600.5(B)(2).
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-96 Log #1139 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Russell LeBlanc, The Peterson School
Revise first sentence to read:
Each sign and outline lighting system, feeder circuit or branch circuit supplying a sign, outline lighting system, or
skeleton tubing shall be controlled by connected to a disconnecting means which shall be an externally operable switch
or circuit breaker that opens all ungrounded conductors and controls disconnects no other load.
The present wording is simply not correct usage of terminology. See Article 100 definitions of
"controller" and "disconnect". The switch or circuit breaker that is required is intended to be a "disconnecting means",
NOT a "controller" by definition. This proposal is only to clarify the intent of the requirement.
The definition found in article 100 is for a controller, a noun, and the use of control in section 600.6
is a verb, and is not a controller.
Affirmative: 11
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18-97 Log #301 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company
Revise text to read as follows:
The disconnecting means shall be within sight of the sign or outline lighting system that it
controls. Where the disconnecting means is out of the line of sight from any section that is able to be energized, the
disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to
the disconnecting means must remain in place at the switch or circuit breaker whether the lock is installed or not.
Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted. shall be lockable in accordance
with 110.25.
This proposal has been developed by the Usability Task Group assigned by the Technical Correlating
Committee. The committee members were Stanley Folz, James Dollard, William Fiske, David Hittinger, Andy Juhasz,
Amos Lowrance, Susan Newman-Scearce, Marc Bernsen and Vincent Zinnante. Requirements for a disconnecting
means to be lockable in the open position exist in numerous locations in the NEC. A new section has been proposed in
Article 110 to consolidate the requirements for a disconnecting means required to be “capable of being locked in the
open position” in a single section for clarity. It is understood that this requirement includes more than disconnecting and
locking electrical power sources.
This proposal is intended to facilitate a lockout/tagout scenario. It is equally important to ensure that the means for
placing the lock remain in place. The concept suggested by this proposal is necessary to provide correlation throughout
the NEC with respect to the capability of placing a lock on a disconnecting means to secure it in the open position.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-98 Log #481 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Edward G. Kroth, Verona, WI
Delete text as follows:
The provisions for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed and shall remain in place
whether the lock is installed or not. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be
permitted. The rest of this section is to remain the same.
This is a companion proposal to one submitted to Code-Making Panel 1 and should be accepted only
if said proposal or some equivalent proposal is accepted by Code-Making Panel 1. Said proposal is to put the criteria for
a lockable disconnecting means in Article 110 and, thus, be able to eliminate similar repetitions in at least 19 different
sections of the NEC. It would also help to standardize the usage of the term "capable of being locked" which has at least
four variations in the 2011 NEC.
Refer to the panel action on Proposal 18-97 which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 11
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18-99 Log #2627 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Add new text to read as follows:
The disconnect shall be located at the point the feeder circuit or
branch circuit(s) supplying a sign or outline lighling system enters a sign body or enclosure.
) (3)
• For many years, the industry has been attaching disconnects on a sign body or sign enclosure
without respect to the location where supply conductors enter the sign in relationship to the disconnecting means.
Disconnects randomly located on a sign create a false sense of security for service personnel because it is assumed
that the disconnect or disconnects de-energizes all conductors within the sign. In reality, supply conductors traversing
within the sign cabinet to the supply side of the randomly located disconnect remain energized. Only the conductors
from the disconnect to the power source are de-energized when the disconnect is opened . There is anecdotal
precedence where service personnel have been electrocuted while working on a sign meeting the foregoing description.
As recently as 12 October 2011, a master electrician was electrocuted while performing maintenance in a sign in
Centerville, MN. While the exact cause of the fatality is unknown, the accident illustrates the risk associated with working
on a sign that has energized conductors. The rule in 210.4(B) and 600.6 require multiwire branch circuits to be
de-energized where the branch circuit originates to
prevent these calamities. No consideration has been given to the location of disconnects for other feeders or branch
circuit conductors that don't fit into the definition of multiwire branch circuit conductors within or on a sign. 600.6
mandates that a feeder circuit or branch circuit supplying a sign shall have a single disconnecting means that "opens all
ungrounded conductors." This does not say the ungrounded conductors must be de-energized before they enter a sign
body or enclosure. OSHA rules covered in NFPA 70E preclude working on energized equipment except under
emergency and special circumstances. A written procedure for the service person is required to cover such
circumstances, as would be the real time situation described in this dialogue.
• Edit. Revise third level numeric sequence to accommodate location of new rule.
Add new 600.6(A)(1) to read as follows [retain and renumber current (1) and subsequent paragraphs]:
(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. Exception. A disconnect is not required for branch or feeder circuits passing through
the sign where enclosed in a Chapter 3 listed raceway.
This change accomplishes the intent of the submitter with a higher level of clarity.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
GRAY, B.: I am not opposed to the Panel Action to Accept in Principle, but am opposed to the addition of the
exception in the Panel Meeting Action. First, the exception is not needed because the rule applies to “feeder circuit or
branch circuit(s) supplying a sign or…” The exception applies to circuits that do not supply the sign. Second, by
exempting feeders or branch circuits that pass through the sign structure, the Panel has effectively incorporated an
exemption to 225.31. Since the affected circuits do not supply the sign, it is my opinion they are outside the scope of
Article 600 and therefore outside the scope of CMP 18. Finally, the accepted wording does not provide any prohibition
on those circuits supplying loads within the sign enclosure. So, technically, the circuits could feed a load inside the sign
enclosure before continuing to pass through the sign, which is not the intent of the Panel. If the Panel continues to keep
the exception, wording should be added with a comment to prohibit any transition within the enclosure. In addition, a
comment should be presented to CMP 4 to add an exception to 225.31 pointing to 600.6(A)(1) for correlation.
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18-100 Log #482 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Edward G. Kroth, Verona, WI
Delete text as follows;
The provisions for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means must remain in place at the switch or circuit
breaker whether the lock is installed or not. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be
permitted. The rest of this section is to remain the same.
This is a companion proposal to one submitted to Code-Making Panel 1 and should be accepted only
if said proposal or some equivalent proposal is accepted by Code-Making Panel 1. Said proposal is to put the criteria for
a lockable disconnecting means in Article 110 and, thus, be able to eliminate similar repetitions in at least 19 different
sections of the NEC. It would also help to standardize the usage of the term "capable of being locked" which has at least
four variations in the 2011 NEC.
Refer to the panel action on Proposal 18-102 which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-101 Log #1974 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Jonathan R. Althouse, Michigan State University
Delete the words “permitted to be” from the first line to read as follows:
(1) The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located within sight of the controller or in the same enclosure
with the controller.
The meaning of this paragraph is not clear. It seems to be saying the disconnecting means can be
located anywhere in the circuit. If that is the intent, then this section is not needed. If the disconnecting means is to be
located in sight of the controller then that needs to be clearly stated.
Affirmative: 11
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18-102 Log #302 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Stanley J. Folz, Morse Electric Company
Revise text to read as follows:
(3) The disconnecting means shall be designed such that no pole can be operated independently and shall be capable
of being locked in the open position. The provisions for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means must remain
in place at the switch or circuit breaker whether the lock is installed or not. Portable means for adding a lock to the
switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted. lockable in accordance with 110.25.
This proposal has been developed by the Usability Task Group assigned by the Technical Correlating
Committee. The committee members were Stanley Folz, James Dollard, William Fiske, David Hittinger, Andy Juhasz,
Amos Lowrance, Susan Newman-Scearce, Marc Bernsen and Vincent Zinnante. Requirements for a disconnecting
means to be lockable in the open position exist in numerous locations in the NEC. A new section has been proposed in
Article 110 to consolidate the requirements for a disconnecting means required to be “capable of being locked in the
open position” in a single section for clarity. It is understood that this requirement includes more than disconnecting and
locking electrical power sources.
This proposal is intended to facilitate a lockout/tagout scenario. It is equally important to ensure that the means for
placing the lock remain in place. The concept suggested by this proposal is necessary to provide correlation throughout
the NEC with respect to the capability of placing a lock on a disconnecting means to secure it in the open position.
The panel clarifies that the correct code citation is 600.6(A)(2)(3).
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-102a Log #CP1805 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Delete the informational note.
The reference in the informational note is not needed for clarity.
Affirmative: 11
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18-103 Log #2628 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Signs and mMetal 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.
Skeleton neon tubing systems operate at voltages over 1000 volts and are field assembled similar to
section signs with neon illumination . Remote dead metal parts, such as through·wall neon tubing receptacles,
transformer enclosures, and metal conduit used for secondary conductors have potential to be energized. Metal
equipment in these systems requires bonding for electrical safety.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-104 Log #2048 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Where listed nonmetallic conduit (PVC) 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 (PVC) 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.
Other than at the location of connection to a metal enclosure or sign body,
nonmetallic conduit (PVC) 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.
(2) 15 m (50 ft) where installed in nonmetallic conduit (PVC)
"Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit" is also referred to as “PVC” and sometimes as “rigid nonmetallic
conduit”
Suggest that "PVC" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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18-105 Log #2803 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Listed flexible metal conduit (FMC) 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).
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, PVC
conduit, RTRC, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit (FMC), 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.
"Flexible Metal Conduit" is also referred to as “FMC”
Suggest that “(FMC)” be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "Flexible Metal Conduit"
easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-106 Log #2836 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Listed flexible metal conduit or listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(LFMC) 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).
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, PVC conduit,
RTRC, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), electrical
metallic tubing, metal enclosures, on insulators in metal raceways, or other equipment listed for use with neon
secondary circuits over 1000 volts.
"Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit" is also referred to as “LFMC”
Suggest that “(LFNC)” be added to all references. This will make finding all references to " Liquidtight Flexible Metal
Conduit " easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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18-107 Log #3408 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Randall K. Wright, RKW Consulting
Revise text to read as follows:
(B) Pedestrians. Neon tubing, other than listed dry-location portable signs, readily accessible to pedestrians shall be
protected from physical damage. Informational Note: See 600.41(D) for additional requirements.
The word listed may be redundant with 600.3 but is worth repeating to ensure the portable sign we all
lean against in a drinking institution is at least listed. The word listed is repeated under the wet section but not the dry.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-108 Log #3136 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Marcus R. Sampson, Lysistrata Electric
Revise text to read as follows:
The manufacturer of Pportable or mobile signs shall be provided with
factory-installed ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. The ground-fault 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.
The term “factory-installed” is unenforceable and doesn’t accurately describe the requirement for GFCI
protection installed by the manufacturer at the time the unit is assembled.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
WRIGHT, R.: The manufacturer of the portable sign is not capable of building the power cord with the GFI. This is a
part that is purchased by the portable sign manufacturer. Changing this section could lead to the sign manufacturer
trying to build it into the sign or cord and defect the safety provided by an integral part of the cord. The proposer
provided no safety issue with the current requirement. The proposer states its unenforceable but the AHJ with certainly
know if its an integral part of the cord.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-109 Log #2631 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Field installed secondary circuit wiring for electric signs, retrofit kits, outline
lighting systems, and skeleton tubing systems shall in accordance with their installation instructions.
Retrofit Kits require field wiring for the same reason as skeleton tubing systems and electric signs. UL
879A, Outline of Investigation for LED Kits, 22.1, describes the required content of installation instructions for retrofit
kits. The insertion of retrofit kits is to establish harmony with the revision proposed for 600.4(E).
The panel advises that only the underlined wording modifies 600.12.
Affirmative: 11
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18-110 Log #2629 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Neon Ssecondary econdary circuit wiring of 1000 volts or less shall comply with
600.31.
Neon Ssecondary circuit wiring over 1000 volts shall comply with 600.32.
Both (A) and (B) requirements are specific to neon and not general field wiring of sign secondary
circuits.
The text change harmonizes the referenced rule with the rules title in 600.31 and 600.32, respectively.
Reject the changes to (A).
600.12 (A) refers to secondary wiring for fluorescent, HID and other types of wiring.
Affirmative: 10 Negative: 1
KOCHAN, M.: Article 600.(12A) Secondary Circuits 1000 volts of less. Electric Signs, Outline Lighting and Skeleton
Tubing. NOT Fluorescent and HID,as suggested in the panel statement. The code pane agrees that Part (B) to Neon
1000 volts for consistency for 600.32. Then logically the same should apply to 600.12(A) for consistency.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-111 Log #2630 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Where the installation complies with 600.33 45 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
conditions.
Reorganize Part 11. Move and re-number 600.33 . The mantra of Code Making Panels has been to
organize Code rules in a logical manner for ease of use. The arrangement of 600.32 and 600.33 is illogical and doesn't
meet this expectation. During the 2008 Code Cycle, 600.33 was inserted between rules associated with neon secondary
circuits and rules for neon tubing. A user of the Code would expect 600.41, Neon Tubing and 600.42, Electrode
Connections to be congruent with 600.32.
The placement of 600.33 is correct and appropriate. This section follows the current wiring in order
and is placed where secondary wiring is, which is the intent of the section and the code panel.
Affirmative: 11
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18-112 Log #3409 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Randall K. Wright, RKW Consulting
Revise text to read as follows:
(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.
By adding the word “instructions” it clarifies that the installation conditions and the manufacturer’s
wishes on the installation need satisfied.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-113 Log #2633 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Ballasts, transformers,
electronic power supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources shall be of the self contained type or be enclosed by placement
in a listed sign body or separate enclosure.
Class 2 power sources used in LED sign and outline lighting systems may also be field installed in
locations described in subsections of 600.21 . The omission of Class 2 power sources from 600.21 suggests they don't
have the same installation requirements as other power sources. Adding Class 2 ensures that Scope of this Section
applies equally to Class 2 power sources.
Only transformers and power supplies incorporating an integral enclosure are permitted to be located outside an
enclosure (600.8). Other types of transformers and power sources must be in a listed sign body. The addition of this
subsection is in harmony with UL 48 and clarifies that the rule isn't limited to wet locations as is implied now. It also is
inclusive of all field instal led transformers and power sources used with section signs, outline lighting, and skeleton
tubing.
Accept the recommendation but modify to add the word "listed" in front of "separate enclosure."
The change is made to ensure the integrity of the enclosure.
Affirmative: 11
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18-114 Log #2632 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Ballasts, transformers, and electronic power supplies. and Class 2 Power Sources shall be located
where accessible and shall be securely fastened in place.
Ballasts, transformers, and 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.
Ballasts, transformers, and 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.
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, and electronic power supply, and Class 2 Power Source or at its enclosure where
not installed in a sign.
Ballasts, transformers, and 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
1
22 /2 in.) and a passageway of at least 900 mm (3 It) high by 600 mm (2 It) 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.
Ballasts, transformers, and 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.
For continuity of electrical safety rules, Class 2 power sources instal led in locations (A) through (F)
should be required to meet the same requirements as those for ballasts, transformers and electronic power supplies.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-115 Log #2622 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
A. Field Installed Skeleton Tubing. Field installed skeleton tubing shall not be required to be listed where installed in
conformance wiith this Code.
(B) Outline Lighting.
Exception: Outline lighting shall not be required to be listed as a system when it consists of listed luminaires wired in
accordance with Chapter 3.
• Skeleton tubing exception is outdated and unnecessary. This exception to the Code for listing all signs
th
and outline lighting was inserted in the 1996 NEC® Article 600.3 because at the time, the scope of ANSI UL 48, 14
Edition, did not include field-assembled skeleton neon tubing.
CMP 18 Substantiation for the 1996 exception to listing in 600.3 is recorded in the NFPA 70 - A95 ROP:
th
The 15 Edition of UL 48, published in September 2011 includes skeleton tubing within the scope of UL 48, thereby
nullifying the basis for the exception. (UL 48.1.2)
• Outline Lighting is changed to an Exception to 600.3, in compliance with the hierarchy suggested by the NEC Style
Manual
Removing field installed skeleton tubing in this section would make it mandatory that it be listed.
Skeleton tubing signs are not restricted from being listed such as window and beer signs commonly used today. For
skeleton tubing to be listed it would require plant assembly before shipment. There is no technical substantiation
provided based on safety to support this change. Article 600 Part II currently covers the component and installation
requirements for field installed skeleton tubing signs.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-116 Log #3410 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Randall K. Wright, RKW Consulting
Revise text to read as follows:
(E) Protection of Leads. Bushings listed for the purpose shall be used to protect wires passing through an opening in
metal.
To insure the correct product is used for the purpose and to be consistence with other bushing
requirements in this section.
The purpose of the listing is not indicated. The requirements for bushings are contained in the
product standard for signs.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-117 Log #2384 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Add text to read as follows:
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 (PVC) or tubing.
"Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit" is also referred to as “PVC” and sometimes as “rigid nonmetallic
conduit”.
Suggest that "PVC" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-117a Log #CP1807 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Revise 600.32(A)(1) as follows:
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, PVC conduit, RTRC,
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.
The panel provides clarification to remove the acronyms PVC and RTRC inadvertently placed in the
2008 version of 600.32 (A)(1). Section 600.32 refers to secondary wiring over 1000 volts and is designed for the use of
a special conductor called GTO wire rated at 105 degrees C and GTO wire with integral sleeving rated at 120 degrees
C. Neither of these conduits is rated for these temperatures. Under special condition the code allows the use of
nonmetallic conduit for these conductors but only with special spacing from ground based on its ability to control
capacitive coupling. Use of these materials will create an immediate fire hazard when placed near a ground plane.
Supporting material available at NFPA Headquarters
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-118 Log #1823 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, PVC conduit,
RTRC, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, electrical metallic
tubing (EMT), metal enclosures, on insulators in metal raceways, or other equipment listed for use with neon secondary
circuits over 1000 volts.
"electrical metallic tubing" is also referred to as “EMT”
Suggest that "EMT" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "electrical metallic tubing" easier
and more reliable.
[The following files are related: 100_EMT, 225_EMT, 230_EMT, 250_EMT, 300_EMT, 334_EMT, 374_EMT, 392_EMT,
398_EMT, 424_EMT, 426_EMT, 427_EMT, 430_EMT, 502_EMT, 503_EMT, 506_EMT, 517_EMT, 520_EMT, 550_EMT,
551_EMT, 552_EMT, 600_EMT, 610_EMT, 620_EMT, 645_EMT, 680_EMT, 695_EMT, 725_EMT, 760_EMT]
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-119 Log #2412 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Add text to read as follows:
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit (IMC), PVC conduit,
RTRC, 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.
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 (IMC) or tubing.
metal conduit (IMC) or tubing.
.
The insulation on all conductors shall extend not less than 65 mm (21/2 in.) beyond the
(1) 6 m (20 ft) where installed in metal conduit (IMC) or tubing
"Intermediate Metal Conduit" is also referred to as “IMC” “Metallic Conduit”
Suggest that "IMC" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to “Intermediate Metal Conduit"
easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-120 Log #2440 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit, PVC
conduit, RTRC, 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.
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 (RMC) or
tubing requires no spacing between the cable insulation and the conduit or tubing.
The insulation on all conductors shall extend not less than 65 mm (21/2 in.)
beyond the metal conduit (RMC) or tubing.
(1) 6 m (20 ft) where installed in metal conduit (RMC) or tubing
"Rigid Metal Conduit" is also referred to as “RMC” “Metallic Conduit”
Suggest that "RMC" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "Rigid Metal Conduit" easier
and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-121 Log #2863 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, PVC conduit, RTRC,
liquidtight
flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFNC), electrical metallic tubing,
metal enclosures, on insulators in metal raceways, or other equipment listed for use with neon secondary circuits over
1000 volts.
"Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit" is also referred to as “LFNC”
Suggest that “(LFNC)” be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "Liquidtight Flexible
Nonmetallic Conduit" easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-122 Log #2389 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Add text to read as follows:
Secondary conductors shall be separated from each other and from all objects other than insulators or
1
neon tubing by a spacing of not less than 38 mm (1 /2 in.). GTO cable installed in metal conduit or tubing requires no
spacing between the cable insulation and the conduit or tubing (EMT).
1
The insulation on all conductors shall extend not less than 65 mm (2 /2 in.) beyond the
metal conduit or tubing (EMT).
(1) 6 m (20 ft) where installed in metal conduit or tubing (EMT)
"electrical metallic tubing" is also referred to as “EMT”
Suggest that "EMT" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to "electrical metallic tubing" easier
and more reliable.
[The following files are related: 100_EMT, 225_EMT, 230_EMT, 250_EMT, 300_EMT, 334_EMT, 374_EMT, 392_EMT,
398_EMT, 424_EMT, 426_EMT, 427_EMT, 430_EMT, 502_EMT, 503_EMT, 506_EMT, 517_EMT, 520_EMT, 550_EMT,
551_EMT, 552_EMT, 600_EMT, EMT_600_32_E, 610_EMT, 620_EMT, 645_EMT, 680_EMT, 695_EMT, 725_EMT,
760_EMT]
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-123 Log #2634 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Richard D. Gottwald, International Sign Association
Revise text to read as follows:
Reorganize Part II. Move and re-number 600.33. The mantra of Code Making Panels has been to
organize Code rules in a logical manner for ease of use. The arrangement of 600.32 and 600.33 is illogical and doesn't
meet this expectation. During the 2008 Code Cycle, 600.33 was inserted between rules associated with neon secondary
circuits and rules for neon tubing. A user of the Code would expect 600.41, Neon Tubing and 600.42, Electrode
Connections to be congruent with 600.32.
Refer to the panel action and statement on Proposal 18-111 which addresses the same issue.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-124 Log #3237 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark C. Ode, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Add the phrase “as applicable” to the end of the introductory sentence as follows:
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 Chapter 3 and the requirements for Class 2 circuits contained in Part III of
Article 725, as applicable.
Only the wiring methods and materials that apply within Chapter 3 and Part III of Article 725 should be
used since Part III, for example, has many different wiring methods that may be used but not all are applicable for this
use.
Affirmative: 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-125 Log #1904 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
James F. Williams, Fairmont, WV
Revise text to read as follows:
Class 2 cable used in a wet location shall be identified for use in wet locations or have a
moisture-impervious
metal sheath Type MI.
“Mineral-Insulated Metal-Sheathed Cable” is also referred to as “MI” and “Article 332”
Suggest that "MI" be added to all references. This will make finding all references to " Mineral-Insulated
Metal-Sheathed Cable" easier and more reliable.
The submitter has not provided definitive substantiation for the change. The panel does not agree
that adding the type abbreviations will make the code easier to use.
Affirmative: 11
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-125a Log #CP1808 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Code-Making Panel 18,
Revise text to read as follows:
ARTICLE 605 Office Furnishings
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.
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:
(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.
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.
(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.
(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-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-and-Plug-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 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.
(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
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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.
The panel has combined the panel actions on Proposals 18-126, 127 and 128 to provide a correlated
package and has made changes to eliminate exceptions and provide clarity.
The panel has modified the scope section of this article and requests that the TCC approve this change.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-126 Log #1658 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Eugene W. Wirth, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Revise text to read as follows:
This article covers electrical equipment, lighting accessories, and wiring systems used to connect, or
contained within, or installed on relocatable wired partitions office furnishings.
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.
Wiring systems shall be identified as suitable for providing power for lighting accessories and
appliances utilization equipment used within office furnishings.
in wired partitions. A wired These partitions shall not extend from floor to ceiling.
These assemblies shall be installed and used only as provided for by this article.
Where used in hazardous (classified) locations, these assemblies shall comply
with Articles 500 through 517 in addition to this article.
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 may
damage conductor insulation.
The electrical connection between partitions office furnishings
shall be a flexible assembly identified for use with wired partitions office furnishings or shall be permitted to be installed
using flexible cord, provided all the following conditions are met:
(1) The cord is extra-hard usage type with 12 AWG or larger conductors, with an insulated equipment grounding
conductor.
(2) The partitions office furnishings are mechanically contiguous.
(3) The cord is not longer than necessary for maximum positioning of the partitions 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.
Lighting equipment shall be listed and identified for use with wired partitions office
furnishings and shall comply with 605.56(A), (B), and (C).
A means for secure attachment or support shall be provided.
Where cord-and-plug connection is provided the cord length shall be suitable for the intended
application but shall not exceed 2.7 m (9 ft) in length. The cord shall not be smaller than 18 AWG, shall contain an
equipment grounding conductor, and shall be of the hard usage type.
Connection by other means shall be identified as suitable for the condition of use.
Receptacles shall not be permitted in lighting accessories.
Office Furnishings Wired Partitions 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.
Office Furnishings Partitions 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.
Office Furnishings
Individual partitions office
furnishings of the freestanding type, or groups of individual partitions office furnishings that are electrically connected
,are mechanically connected contiguous and do not exceed 9.0 m (30 ft) when assembled, shall be permitted to be
connected to the building electrical system by a single flexible cord and plug, provided all of the conditions of 605.89(A)
through (D) are met.
The flexible powersupply 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.
The receptacle(s) supplying power shall be on a separate circuit serving only
panels the office furnishing and no other loads and shall be located not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the partitions
office furnishing that is connected to it.
Individual partitions office furnishing or groups of interconnected individual
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partitions office furnishings shall not contain more than thirteen 15-ampere, 125-volt receptacle outlets.
Individual partitions office furnishings or groups of interconnected partitions
office furnishings shall not contain multiwire circuits.
Informational Note: See 210.4 for circuits supplying partitions in 605.67 and 605.78.
Manufacturers are moving away from traditional office panels to interconnected desk and storage
systems. These office furnishings are powered with the same type of electrical distribution systems utilized in the office
panels so that the complete office furnishing system can be electrically interconnected. This proposal revises the title,
scope, and references from “wired partitions” to “office furnishings.” A definition is proposed to identify the type of office
furnishings intended to be covered by Article 605. This addition requires renumbering the remaining Sections of Article
605. It is also proposed that, in 605.2 (renumbered to 605.3 in the proposal), the term “appliances” be revised to
“utilization equipment” to more accurately describe the type of equipment intended to supplied by the office furnishing
electrical system.
The panel has modified the recommendation for clarity and for correlation with the action on
Proposals 18-127 and 128. Refer to the recommendation on 18-125a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
18-127 Log #1696 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Michael Everhart, Steelcase Inc.
Revise text to read as follows:
ARTICLE 605
Office Furnishings
(Consisting of Lighting Accessories and Wired Partitions)
605.1 Scope.
This article covers electrical equipment, lighting accessories, and wiring systems used to connect, or contained within,
or installed on relocatable wired partitions office furnishings.
605.2 General.
Wiring systems shall be identified as suitable for providing power for lighting accessories and appliances utilization
equipment in wired partitions for office furnishings. These partitions 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) Other Articles. Except as modified by the requirements of this article, all other articles of this Code shall apply.
(C) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Where used in hazardous (classified) locations, these assemblies shall comply
with Articles 500 through 517 in addition to this article.
605.3 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 may damage
conductor insulation.
A wiring channel that is separate from the channel containing the branch circuits for light and power may be provided
within the system components for the routing of communications, signaling, and fiber optic cables.
605.4 Partition Office Furnishing Interconnections.
The electrical connection between partitions office furnishings shall be a flexible assembly identified for use with wired
partitions office furnishings or shall be permitted to be installed using flexible cord, provided all the following conditions
are met:
(1) The cord is extra-hard usage type with 12 AWG or larger conductors, with an insulated equipment grounding
conductor.
(2) The partitions office furnishings are mechanically contiguous.
(3) The cord is not longer than necessary for maximum positioning of the partitions 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.
605.5 Lighting Accessories.
Lighting equipment shall be listed for the purpose and identified for use with wired partitions and shall comply with
605.5(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Support. A means for secure attachment or support shall be provided.
(B) Connection. Where cord-and-plug is provided, the cord length shall be suitable for the intended application but shall
not exceed 2.7 m (9 ft) in length. The cord shall not be smaller than 18 AWG, shall contain an equipment grounding
conductor, and should be of the hard usage type. Connection by another means shall be identified as suitable for the
condition of use.
(C) (A) Receptacle Outlet. Convenience receptacles shall not be permitted in lighting accessories.
605.6 Fixed-Type Partitions. Office Furnishings
Wired partitions 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. Multiwire branch circuits supplying power to the
partition office furnishing shall be provided with a means to disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded conductors at the
panelboard where the branch circuit originates.
605.7 Freestanding Type Partitions Office Furnishings. Partitions 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. Multiwire
branch circuits supplying power to permanently connected freestanding partitions shall be provided with a means to
disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded conductors at the panelboard where the branch circuit originates.
605.8 Freestanding-Type Partitions Office Furnishings, Cord-and-Plug-Connected. Individual partitions office
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furnishings of the freestanding type, or groups of individual partitions office furnishing that are electrically connected, are
mechanically contiguous connected, and do not exceed 9.0 m (30 ft) when assembled, shall be permitted to be
connected to the building electrical system by a single flexible cord and plug, provided all of the conditions of 605.8(A)
through (D) are met.
(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 panels
office furnishings and no other loads and shall be located not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the partition office
furnishing that is connected to it.
(C) Receptacle Outlets, Maximum. Individual partitions office furnishings or groups of interconnected individual
partitions office furnishings shall not contain more than thirteen 15-ampere, 125-volt receptacle outlets.
(D) Multiwire Circuits, Not Permitted. Individual partitions office furnishings or groups of interconnected individual
partitions office furnishings shall not contain multiwire circuits.
To align industry terminology with the UL1286 Standard "Office Furnishings".
605.2 The statement "These partitions shall not extend from floor to ceiling" and then having an exception that allows
it, provides no value. There are no additional safety implications related to a floor to ceiling office furnishing that are not
addressed with a partial height office furnishing that could go 1 inch from the ceiling. Ultimately, the product will be
"Listed for the purpose" and will need to be acceptable to the AHJ.
605.5 Would like to remove these construction details from the NEC and rely on the industry standards (UL 1286 and
UL 153) to control their construction. New low voltage LED technology has been restricted from use due to the power
cord requirements. The current requirement of a grounded SJT type cord makes no sense with a low voltage LED
fixture.
The panel rejects removal of the exception in 605.2. The submitter has not provided definitive
substantiation for the deletion.
The panel modifies the balance of the recommendation for clarity. Refer to the recommendation on 18-125a which
meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
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18-128 Log #1657 NEC-P18
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Eugene W. Wirth, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Revise text to read as follows:
Lighting equipment shall be listed and identified for use with wired partitions and shall
comply with 605.5(A), (B), and (C).
A means for secure attachment or support shall be provided.
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,
Exception: Cords on the load side of a Class 2 transformer are not required to contain an equipment grounding
conductor.
(4) and The cord shall be of the hard usage type.
Exception: A cord provided on the load side of a listed Class 2 power supply may be of the type provided with the listed
luminaire assembly or of the type specified in Section 725.130.
(5) Connection by other means shall be identified as suitable for the condition of use.
Low voltage Class 2 lighting systems have become common and the present requirements in section
605.5 can be interpreted as to require a hard usage cord between the Class 2 power supply and the Class 2 luminaire.
The requirement for a hard usage cord is excessive especially when consideration is given to the presence of lap tops,
phone chargers and other line voltage products electrically connected with non-jacketed SPT cord located within the
same office environment as the Class 2 powered luminaire. Grounding is not required on the load side of a Class 2
supply due to the isolation the supply provides. An exception has been added to remove the requirement for a ground
conductor within the cord between the Class 2 power supply and Class 2 luminaire.
The panel has modified the recommendation for clarity and correlation with Proposals 18-126 and
127. Refer to the recommendation on 18-125a which meets the intent of the submitter.
Affirmative: 10
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18-129 Log #1975 NEC-P18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Jonathan R. Althouse, Michigan State University
At the end of this paragraph delete the words “is connected to” and replace with “it supplies” so the
paragraph reads as follows:
The receptacle(s) supplying power shall be on a separate circuit serving only
panels and no other loads and shall be located not more than 300 mm (12 in.) from the partition that is connected to it
supplies.
This is an editorial suggestion to improve the sentence.
This is not editorial and does not improve the sentence. Other circuits may be connected to the
partition and not supply it.
Affirmative: 10
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18-129a Log #CP1806 NEC-P18
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Code-Making Panel 18,
Delete the informational note.
The informational note does not provide clarity.
Affirmative: 10
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