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Massachusetts Electrical Code - Emergency Amendment

February 07, 2023
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Electrical safety is our key concern and I'm always looking out for information that will help keep the industry safe. I wanted to pass along this information about a product recall. Work safely.


Massachusetts Code 527 CMR 12.00
Effective January 26, 2023 for 90 days or until April 26, 2023 unless otherwise noted.

There has been an emergency amendment made to the existing Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR), which is based on the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as NFPA 70.

Download here, or visit Mass.gov for further details.

The following is taken from the Memorandum from the State Fire Marshal issued on January 26, 2023.

The emergency amendment to the existing Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) is as
follows:
Insert the following new Rule 11
Rule 11. Electrical installations that appear incompatible with GFCI protection as covered in 210.8 Exception of this Code, regardless of the code requirements in effect at the time when the permit as described in Rule 8 was issued, or when the installation was completed, shall be inspected by a qualified person. The inspection shall review all field elements of the branch- circuit equipment grounding return path, and the quality of any field-accessible cord connections if applicable. The inspection shall be documented, subject to audit by the Inspector of Wires, and inspected by him or her as deemed necessary. Installations of listed equipment that, under normal operating conditions, are found to be incompatible with GFCI protective devices as made available by the manufacturer of the circuit protection currently installed shall be excused from providing GFCI protection. If not connected to an individual branch circuit, incompatible equipment shall be directly wired or connected to a single receptacle, and the circuit shall be arranged so required GFCI protection is retained for the remaining outlets. The inspection documentation required by this rule shall constitute the notice required in Rule 8 and no additional notice shall be required for corrections applied accordingly. The location and the date of this determination shall be forwarded to the Department of Fire Services for inclusion in a central registry of such allowances. The report shall also include the appliance manufacturer and model, together with the identity of the GFCI protective device. This rule shall expire on January 1, 2026.

210.8. Insert the following exception after the first paragraph:
Exception: Permanently connected equipment and cord-and-plug connected stationary equipment that is listed, but incompatible with GFCI protective devices as made available by the manufacturer of the circuit protection currently installed, shall be permitted to omit such protection provided it is installed and inspected in accordance with the provisions of Rule 11 of this Code. This exception shall expire on January 1, 2026.

Over the past several months, the Massachusetts Electrical Advisory Committee became aware of large numbers of nuisance trips of GFCI protective devices protecting certain appliance types. Through much public comment and research, it became evident that there are discrepancies between the product standards governing appliances and those governing GFCI protection. As a result, these discrepancies will require time for the industry to sort out.

This approach uses as its inspiration the assured equipment grounding conductor approach in 590.6(B)(2). This rule is also written to retain GFCI protection for all other outlets requiring such protection on a multi-outlet circuit. Importantly, the amended language disallows the elimination of required GFCI protection in instances where malfunctioning appliances are deservedly causing GFCI protective devices to discontinue power.

Download here, or visit Mass.gov for further details.

Comments
  • I think a lot of things get added to code requirements due to manufacturers reps being on code panels. One example is the “in use” covers which broke after very few uses leaving no weatherproof protection. I also wonder if GFCI and AFCI devices have been worth the annoyance they cause

    Bobby Ross   February 8 2023, 4:25 pm EST
    Reply to this comment

  • When are they going to do this for AFCI, we have nothing but problems with nuisance tripping issues out here on the west coast. Many service calls, reluctantly ending up changing to non arc fault breakers, like I said reluctantly!! Any help in this matter from the manufacturers would be appreciated…. Not to mention the number of combo smoke / carbon detector failures and false alarms. I think there’s been a rush to market for both of these items and not nearly enough testing, especially with the AFCI….

    Jeff J  February 7 2023, 9:40 pm EST
    Reply to this comment


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