Divisions Company Profile Residential Code Changes
Residential Code Changes
2005 NEC Article 210.12 (B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms
“All 120-volt, single phase, 15 and 20 Ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit. Branch/feeder AFCI’s shall be permitted to be used to meet the requirements of 210.12 (B) until January 1, 2008.”
The code making panel allowed the use of non-combination AFCI’s until January 1, 2008 because the technology wasn’t perfected for the combination type AFCI in 2005. The
combination AFCI is for both parallel and series faults and protects the in-wall wiring as well as the extension cords and other items plugged into the outlets. Most manufacturers make both types, so make sure you are using the combination-type beginning January 1, 2008.2008 NEC Article 210.12 (B) Dwelling Units
“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 shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.”
Exception No 1: “Where RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250,118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.”
When the AHJ (Authority having jurisdiction) of your area adopts the 2008 NEC, you will have to install arc-faults for all of the areas listed above. This is a big change from the 2005 code and will add additional cost to your current bill of material for the dwelling. As far as Exception 1 is concerned, the manufacturers of receptacles are not likely to have a product to meet this requirement using a receptacle. An option would be to use a sub panel for the areas with combination type arc-fault breakers to meet the code. Be sure you know when you need to meet the 2008 code in your area.
2008 NEC Article 406.11 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units
(NEW CODE ARTICLE)
In 2006, over 10,000 children were treated at emergency rooms for electrical related problems originating from putting objects into receptacles, including 12 fatalities. The plastic insert cap will not meet the requirements: In tests that were done it has been proven that a 4 year old takes 10 seconds to get this out of the receptacle and it then can become a choking hazard. It is very important to keep in touch with your inspectors or AHJ to know when they are enforcing the 2008 NEC. REMEMBER: This new code includes the GFCI receptacles that must also be tamper-resistant in a dwelling.
2008 NEC Article 406.8 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations (A) Damp Location – last sentence added “All 15 and 20 Ampere, 125 volt and 250 volt nonlocking receptacles shall be a listed weather-resistant type.”(B) Wet Location – last sentence added “All 15 and 20 Ampere, 125 and 250 volt nonlocking receptacles shall be a listed weather-resistant type.” A new sentence was added to both 406.8 (A) and (B). The sentences are the same in both cases. A new receptacle is on the market that is a listed weather-resistant receptacle for use in these areas. Putting on a while-in-use cover does not meet this code requirement in (B) Wet Locations, but is still required by code. A while-in use cover is not required in (A) damp locations. These receptacles are also covered in 406.11 and are required to be tamper-resistant. So, you are looking for a tamper-resistant, weather-resistant receptacle for these areas and they still need to be GFCI protected. Contact your 3E representative for the correct part numbers.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 May 2008 )
