Receptacles, based on the 2020 NEC

Figure 01

Note: This article is based on the 2020 NEC.

It’s easy to commit Code violations with receptacle applications if you don’t have a solid understanding of the NEC requirements.

Article 406 covers the rating, type, and installation of receptacles and attachment plugs. It also covers flanged surface inlets [406.1]. Figure 01

With the 2023 revision, the definitions that previously appeared in 406.2 have been moved to Article 100. Here are two that are important to know:

• Child Care Facility. A building (or portions thereof) used for educational, supervision, or personal care services for five or more children seven years in age or less.
• Outlet Box Hood. A housing shield (hood) over a faceplate for flush-mounted wiring devices, or an integral component of an outlet box or faceplate for flush-mounted wiring devices, commonly known as a “while in use” or “bubble” cover. 
  

Receptacle Rating and Types:

• Must be listed and marked with the manufacturer’s name or identification and voltage and ampere ratings [406.3(A)].
• Of the isolated Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) type must be identified by an orange triangle marking on the face of the receptacle [406.3(E)]. Isolated ground receptacles must have the grounding contact of the receptacle connected to an insulated EGC installed with the circuit conductors.
• That are nonlocking, 15A or 20A, 125V, and automatically controlled to remove power for energy management or building automation must be permanently marked with the word “controlled” and sport a visible power symbol after installation [406.3(F)]. The marking is not required for wall switch-controlled receptacles used for lighting in a dwelling [210.70(A)(1) Ex 2].
  

General installation requirements
Receptacles installed on 15A and 20A branch circuits must be of the grounding type [406.4(A)].

The EGC contacts of receptacles and cord connectors must be connected to the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) of the circuit supplying the receptacle or cord connector per 250.146 [406.4(C)].

The branch-circuit wiring method must include or provide an EGC to which the EGC contacts of the receptacle or cord connector are connected.

Note 1: See 250.118 for acceptable grounding means.

Note 2: For extensions of existing branch circuits, see 250.130.

Replacements
If the receptacle to be replaced is in a location that requires AFCI- and/or GFCI-type receptacles, you must install it in a readily accessible location [406.4(D)].

If an EGC exists in an outlet box, replacement receptacles must be of the grounding type and the receptacle’s grounding terminal must be connected to the circuit EGC per 406.11 [406.4(D)(1)].

If an EGC does not exist in the outlet box, replacement receptacles can be: [406.4(D)(2)]:
(a) Nongrounding-type receptacles.
(b) GFCI-type receptacles if the receptacle or the cover plate is marked “No Equipment Ground.
(c) GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacles if the receptacle or the cover plate is marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground.

GFCI protection functions properly on a 2-wire circuit without an EGC because the EGC serves no role in the operation of a GFCI device.

The permission to replace nongrounding-type receptacles with GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacles does not apply to new receptacle outlets that extend from an existing outlet box not connected to an EGC.

When existing receptacles are replaced in locations where GFCI protection is required, the replacement receptacles must be GFCI protected [406.4(D)(3)].

Ex: Where the outlet box size will not permit the installation of the GFCI receptacle, a GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacle marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground” per 406.4(D) is permitted.

See 210.8 for specific locations requiring GFCI-protection. Where an NEC rule requires GFCI protection, you can provide that with a GFCI circuit breaker, GFCI receptacle, or a non-GFCI receptacle downstream of a feed-through type GFCI receptacle.

When existing receptacles are replaced in locations where:

• Tamper resistance is required [406.12], replacement receptacle(s) must be listed tamper resistant [406.4(D)(5)].
• Weather resistance is required, replacement receptacles must be weather resistant [406.4(D)(6)].
• AFCI protection is required [210.12], replacement receptacle(s) must be one of the following [406.4(D)(4)]:
  

(1) Listed AFCI receptacle.
(2) Receptacle protected by a listed AFCI receptacle.
(3) Receptacle protected by a listed combination type AFCI circuit breaker.

Automatically controlled receptacles must be replaced with equivalently controlled receptacles. If automatic control of the receptacle is no longer required, the replacement receptacle must be marked per 406.3(F) [406.4(D)(7)].

Receptacles must be provided with GFPE where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be GFPE protected per 555.35(B)(1) [406.4(D)(8)].

Mounting Receptacles
Receptacles must be installed in outlet boxes that (unless otherwise permitted in the Code) are securely fastened in place [406.5]. Boxes containing a hub can be supported from a flexible cord connected to fittings that prevent tension from being transmitted to joints or terminals [400.14 and 314.23(H)(1)].

Screws used for attaching a receptacle to a box must be a type provided with a listed receptacle or be machine screws having 32 threads per inch.
Faceplates must completely cover the outlet openings [406.6]. Metal faceplates for receptacles must be connected to the circuit EGC [406.6(B)].

Receptacles:

• In outlet boxes set back from the finished surface must be installed so the mounting yoke of the receptacle is held rigidly to the finished surface [406.5(A)].
• In walls or ceilings of noncombustible material (such as drywall) outlet boxes must not be set back more than ¼ in. from the finished surface. In walls or ceilings of combustible material, outlet boxes must be flush with the finished surface [314.20]. There must not be any gaps more than 1⁄8 in. at the edge of the outlet box [314.21].
• In outlet boxes that are flush with the finished surface must be installed so the mounting yoke of the receptacle is held rigidly against the outlet box or raised box cover [406.5(B)].
• Supported by a cover must be held rigidly to the cover with at least two screws [406.5(C)].
• Must be flush with, or project from, the faceplates [406.5(D).
• Installed in countertop surfaces must be listed for countertop applications [406.5(E)].
• Listed for work surfaces or countertops can be installed in a work surface [406.5(F)].
• Must not be installed in a face-up position in or on countertop surfaces or work surfaces unless listed for countertop surface or work surface applications [406.5(G)(1)].
• Must not be installed in a face-up position in the area below a sink [406.5(G)(2)].
• Must not be in enclosures with other switches or receptacles if the voltage between the devices exceeds 300V, unless the devices are installed in enclosures equipped with barriers (identified for the purpose) that are securely installed between adjacent devices [406.5(J)].
  

Attachment Plugs and Flanged Surface Inlets
Attachment plugs and flanged surface inlets must be listed for their purpose.

Attachment plugs must be installed so their prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless inserted into an energized receptacle or flexible cord. A flanged surface inlet must be installed so the prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless an energized cord connector is inserted into the inlet.

Damp or wet locations
Receptacles installed in a damp location must be of the weather-resistant (WR) type and installed in an enclosure that is weatherproof when an attachment plug is not inserted (damp location rated), or when the attachment plug is inserted when the cover is closed (wet location rated) [406.9(A)]. A damp location is one where a receptacle is located under roofed open porches, canopies, marquees, and the like and will not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff.

15A and 20A receptacles installed in a wet location must be within an enclosure that is weatherproof when an attachment plug is inserted using an outlet box hood identified as “extra duty” [406.9(B)(1)]. Hinged covers of outlet box hoods must be able to open at least 90 degrees or fully open (if the cover is not designed to open 90 degrees from the closed to open position) after installation.

Nonlocking-type 15A and 20A receptacles in a wet location must be listed as the weather-resistant type. Receptacles rated 30A or more installed in a wet location must comply with 406.9(2)(a) or (b).

Receptacles cannot be installed within a zone measured 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The zone is all-encompassing and includes the space directly over the tub or shower stall. New with the 2023 revision, these cannot be installed inside the tub or shower stall [406.9(C)]. In bathrooms with less than the required zone, a receptacle is permitted on the farthest wall opposite the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold [406.9(C) Ex 2].

Tamper-Resistant
Nonlocking-type 15A and 20A receptacles must be tamper resistant “TR” if installed in any of the ten locations listed in 406.12. This list has been heavily revised with the 2023 Code.

Getting it right every time
Always start a receptacle project by characterizing the location and the application. For example, is it a wet location? Is the application for equipment (no shock protection needed) or humans (shock prevention needed)? As a general rule of thumb, if a receptacle is for an installed machine (e.g., refrigerator) don’t use a GFCI. If it’s for something a person will handle (e.g., hair dryer) or may contact water (e.g., outdoor location), use a GFCI.

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