Department of Community Development
Building Division
4800 West 92nd Avenue Westminster, Colorado 80031
For Information call (303) 658-2075 Fax (303) 706-3922
www.westminsterpermits.com
Top Commercial / Residential Electrical Requirements *
1000 Volts or Less- Based on the 2014 NEC
For all permits issued on/or after July 1, 2014
* Note: This list is an abbreviated version of recent commercial and residential code changes.
All electrical installers are encouraged to review the complete 2014 NEC document to obtain an
understanding of all code changes that will directly affect any electrical installation.
2014 NEC Code-wide Changes
4 new articles added:
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393 Low-Voltage Suspended Ceiling Power Distribution Systems
646 Modular Data Centers
728 Fire Resistive Cable Systems
750 Energy Management Systems
Code-wide changes:
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Requirements for DC systems
Changing voltage threshold of 600 volts to 1000 volts
More prescriptive requirements for markings
2014 NEC Highlights of Major Changes Chapters 1 - 8
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100 Premises Wiring (System) has an Informational Note added to provide examples of
power sources
100 Accessible, Readily was revised to prohibit “the use of tools” when equipment is
required to have ready access
110.21(B) New subsection requirements for “Field Applied Hazard Markings” was added
for warning labels and similar markings required elsewhere in the NEC ( ANSI Z535.42011 provides guidelines for font size, words, colors, symbols & location)
110.24(A) IN new informational note clarifies that the available fault current markings
are for short circuit ratings and equipment rating purposes under the NEC and not for arc
flash hazard analysis required in NFPA 70E
110.25 "Lockable Disconnecting Means" is provided for consistent requirements
throughout the NEC
Updated 6/9/2014
Page 1 of 5
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110.26(C)(3) The ampere threshold was lowered from 1200A to 800A where personnel
doors and listed panic hardware are required for safe egress 110.26(E)(2) (a) & (b) adds
new requirement for dedicated equipment space at outdoor installations correlating with
existing indoor provisions in 110.26(E)(1)(a)
110.27(A)(4) Revised to increase elevation of live parts against accidental contact to 81/2 ft. for voltages 301 to 600V above the floor or working surface – corresponds with
the NESC 124A3 & Table 124-1
210.8(A)(7) GFCI protection is now required for receptacles within 6’ of all dwelling unit
sinks (including kitchen sinks)
210.8(A)(9) GFCI protection is now required where receptacles are installed within 6’ of
the outside edge of dwelling unit bathtubs or shower stalls
210.8(A)(10) All dwelling unit laundry areas now require GFCI protection for 125-volt,
single-phase, 15 & 20-ampere receptacles, regardless of the presence of a sink
210.8(B)(8) GFCI protection is now required for 125-volt, single-phase, 15 & 20-ampere
receptacles, installed in all non-dwelling unit garages, service bays, and similar areas
210.8(D) GFCI protection is now required for all outlets that supply dishwashers installed
in dwelling units
210.12 Requires all AFCI devices mandated by 210.12 to be installed in a readily
accessible location
210.12(B) Existing branch circuit conductors can be extended up to 6’ without AFCI
protection where no additional outlets or devices are installed (See also 406.4(D) on
replacements)
210.13 GFP of equipment is now required for branch circuit disconnects meeting
provisions at 230.95
210.17 Outlet(s) installed for the purpose of charging electric vehicles are required to be
supplied by a separate branch circuit with no other outlets
210.52(E)(1) & (2) The requirements for outdoor receptacles at dwellings have been
revised to permit the required receptacle outlets to be “readily accessible from grade”
210.52(G) Receptacle provisions for basements, garages, and accessory buildings were
revised into a list format. A branch circuit supplying garage receptacles is to supply only
the garage. Receptacles are required for each car space in a garage
210.64 New provision requires125-volt, single phase15A or 20A receptacles to be
installed in electrical service areas within 50 ft. “Except for 1 & 2 family dwellings”
230.82(3) Provisions for a meter disconnect switch were revised by adding a label
requirement to indicate “(METER DISCONNECT NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT)”
250.64(D)(1) “Common Grounding Electrode Conductor and Taps” was revised to
address bus bar specifications and connections
250.66 & .68 Revised to clarify Sole & Grounding Electrode “Connections”
Table 250.102(C) Was added to be used for sizing of grounded conductors, main bonding
jumpers, system bonding jumpers, and supply side bonding jumpers, rather than Table
250.66
Table 250.122(B) Wire-type equipment grounding conductors are required to be
increased in size when the minimum sized ungrounded conductors are increased in size
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250.186 Will now require “Grounded Systems” over 1kV to have a grounded conductor
to be brought to the service. “Ungrounded Systems” over 1kV will require a supply side
bonding jumper brought to the service
300.38 Interior of raceways installed in wet locations above grade are now considered to
be a wet location for installations of over 1kV
310.15 Has changes to tables in subparts (B)(3)(a) and (B)(3)(c) and removed Table
310.15(B)(7) which requires the user to size 100A to 400A service conductors and the
main power feeder for dwellings according to a calculation – an IN references new
Example D7 in Informational Annex D
334.40(B) Nonmetallic-sheathed cable interconnectors have been recognized to be used
without a box and concealed where used for “repair wiring” rather than “rewiring” in
existing buildings
376.56(B)(1) and (B)(5) requires power distribution blocks be listed for purpose where
used on line side of service equipment – Listings need to be checked as the devices may
be limited to 10kAIC
404.2(C) Requirements exceptions for the grounded conductor at switching locations
have been revised into positive text and rearranged into a list format
406.9(B)(1) “Extra duty” covers are now required for all 15 & 20-ampere, 125 & 250volt receptacles installed in a wet locations (not just for those supported from grade)
406.12 Exception for tamper-resistant receptacles at dwelling units has been expanded to
guest suites of hotels and motels and to child care facilities
408.4(B) Requires switchgear, switchboards, and panelboards having more than 1 source
of power to be marked indicating where all sources originate
408.55 Adds provisions for minimum required wire bending space for conductors
entering the enclosure from the rear similar to that of pull or junction boxes in
314.28(A)(2)
GFCI protection has expanded to 422.23 Automotive Vacuum Machines, 422.49 High
Pressure Spray Washers, 422.51 Vending Machines, and 445.20 15kW or smaller
Portable Generators
450.10(A) A grounding and bonding terminal bar in transformer enclosures is not
permitted to be installed on or over vent screen portion of the enclosure
517.18(A) All receptacles or the cover plate supplied from the critical branch are required
to have distinctive color or marking so as to be readily identifiable
517.18(B), 517.19(B), & 517.19(C) Revisions to these sections now require more
receptacles be installed to supply General Care Patient Bed locations, Critical Care Areas
& Operating Rooms.
517.30 The use of, and term, Emergency Systems has been, leaving only the Essential
System comprised of 3-branches, Critical, Life safety and Equipment
517.30(G) Revised “Coordination (Essential Electrical System)” for coordination of
faults that exceed 0.1 seconds – correlates with NFPA 99-2012
590.4(J) Prohibits cable assemblies and flexible cords and cables as branch circuits and
feeders from being installed on the floor or ground except extension cords – this is an
OSHA requirement
600.6(A)(1) Requires disconnect means at the sign’s supply wiring point of entry to its
enclosure
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680.21(C) All single phase, 120-volt through 240-volt outlets supplying pool pump
motors now require GFCI protection (regardless of ampacity)
680.22(A)(2) Receptacles that provide power for pool pump motors located between 10ft
and 6ft from the pool no longer are required to “employ a locking configuration.”
680.22(B)(6) Adds permission to install specific low voltage luminaires within 5 ft. of
inside walls of permanent pools
680.25(A)(1) EX The exception allowing an “existing” feeder between and “existing”
remote swimming pool panelboard and service equipment to be run in flexible metal
conduit or an approved cable assembly has been revised to allow this exception for and
feeder and remote swimming pool panelboard. Cable assembly is required to have an
“insulated” EGC
680.26(C) The requirement for “bonding” of pool water has been revised
680.42(B) Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces is not required for outdoor spas
and hot tubs with (4) specific conditions that must be met
690.12 Has new provisions for rapid shutdown of PV systems on buildings when utility
supply is de-energized within 10 seconds – this originated from First Responders
690.35(C) Ground fault protection for ungrounded PV DC systems is required to be listed
690.47(D) An auxiliary grounding electrode system is required to be installed in
accordance with 250.52 and 250.54 at all ground and pole mounted PV arrays and as
close as practicable to roof mounted PV arrays
690.81 New listing requirement for PV wire used in systems over 600 V not exceeding 2
kV
Article 694 revised to apply to wind electric systems regardless of size – previously it
applied to 100 kW and less
700.8 Requires listed surge protective devices (SPD’s) for emergency systems
switchboards and panelboards
700.19 Branch circuit for emergency power or lighting are now restricted from being part
of a multiwire branch circuit
700.24 Requires emergency luminaries and external bypass controls to be individually
listed for use in emergency systems where illumination is provided by one or more
directly controlled luminaires
700.28 Requires a licensed professional engineer or other qualified person to design the
selective coordination
702.7(C) Requires warning sign placed near optional standby system power inlet for
temporary connection to a portable generator
702.12 Portable generator (rated 15 kW or less) using a flanged inlet or other cord and
plug – type connection is not required to have a disconnecting means where ungrounded
conductors service or pass through a building or structure
760.24 “Mechanical Execution of Work” requirements for fire alarm systems have been
divided into two subsections and requirements for circuit integrity (CI) cables added
800.12 A new definition 800.2 and provisions have been added for “INNERDUCT”
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2014 NEC Highlights of Major Changes – Informative Annexes
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Informative Annex D Example D7 is new to describe how to apply revised 310.15(B)(7)
by using the 83% factor rather than the former Table 310.15(B)(7) that was removed
Informative Annex J is new for provisions to assist users of the Code to properly consider
the 2010 American Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design
Protruding Objects
Clearances
Reach
For more complete coverage of these and other revisions refer to:
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NFPA website - http://www.nfpa.org/
NEC Connect website - http://www.necconnect.org/resources/
IAEI Analysis of Changes 2014 NEC. http://www.iaei.org/web/online
NECA website – http://www.necanet.org/
EC&M website - http://ecmweb.com/nec
2014 NEC Adoption
The 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC) was officially adopted by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) general membership on June 13th, 2013 at the NFPA Annual
Meeting in Chicago, IL and issued by the Standards Council on August 1st, 2013, effective
August 21st, 2013 concluding the 3-year cycle.
There were 3,745 Proposals and 1,625 Public Comments for the 2014 NEC – supporting
documents:
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/70-A2013-ROP.pdf
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/70-A2013-ROPErrata.pdf
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/70-A2013-ROC.pdf
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/70-A2013-ROCErrata_14-1.pdf
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/70-A2013-ROCErrata_2-82_284_16-37_17-37.pdf
• http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/70/A2013_FloorAction_final.pdf
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