2002 National Electric Code Highlights
New Rules for Some Common Electrical Applications
RECEPTACLES
1. GFI RECEPTACLES: Ground-fault Interrupter (GFI) protected receptacles are now
also required in kitchens other than dwelling units. A “kitchen” is an area with
permanent provisions for cooking and sanitation. (Note: The typical office break
room with a sink, refrigerator, coffee machine and portable microwave oven will not
be considered a “kitchen”. Art. 210.8 (B)
2. HVAC RECEPTACLES: All new HVAC installations now require a general use
receptacle to be located with in 25 ft. of the HVAC equipment and on the same level.
Art 210.63 Art 210.8 will determine when these receptacles shall be GFI protected.
3. OUTDOOR RECEPTACLES: “Bubble” covers are required on all outdoor
receptacles in wet locations. Receptacles fully protected from the weather by roofs,
porches and canopies may be considered damp locations. The actual location of the
receptacle will be the determining factor. Art. 406.8
WIRING METHODS
4. ARC-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS: All branch circuits that supply dwelling unit
bedrooms shall have arc-fault circuit interrupter protection. Art 210.12 (Note: see
Art. 100 for definition of “outlet” which includes lights and receptacles. This will not
apply to existing bedrooms unless those rooms are being remodeled.)
5. CIRCUIT BREAKERS USED AS SWITCHES: Circuit breakers used as switches for
fluorescent lighting shall be marked “SWD”. Circuit breakers used as switches for
high-intensity lighting shall be marked “HID”. This rule applies only when the circuit
breaker also serves as a switch for the lighting. Art. 240.83 (D)
6. WIRING IN DUCTS, PLENUMS AND OTHER AIR HANDLING SPACES: Liquidtight
conduit is no longer approved for use in air handling ceilings. Art. 300.22 (B),(C)(1).
7. NEUTRAL CONNECTIONS: “Doubling up” of neutrals in panelboards is now
prohibited. Art.408.21
CONDUCTORS
8. SERVICE CONDUCTORS: Underground service conductors in conduit under
building floors must have a minimum 2 inches of concrete cover or be buried at least
18 inches below grade to be considered “outside of the building”. Art. 230.6
9. TRANSFORMER SECONDARY CONDUCTORS: Transformer secondary
conductors in other than industrial locations are now permitted to be up to 25 ft. in
length without overcurrent protection at their source under specific installation
conditions. Art. 240.21(C)(6)
GROUNDING
10. GAS PIPE BONDING: A separate bonding conductor from the grounding electrode
system to the interior metal gas piping is no longer needed when there is gas
operated equipment that is connected to and electrical branch circuit.
Art. 250.104(B).
11. CONNECTING EQUIPMENT GROUNDS TO BOXES: Unless the circuit terminated
or spliced within a box, they do not have to be bonded to the box. Art. 250.148
(Note: Metal boxes still have to be grounded.)
12. GROUND RODS: The 2002 NEC does not recognize a metal underground water
pipe as a suitable “additional electrode” for supplementing a single ground rod. If the
resistance of single ground rod exceeds 25 ohms to ground and there are no suitable
“additional electrodes”, (Art. 250.56 refers you to Art. 250.52(A)(2)-(7)), a second ground
rod at least 6 ft. away must be driven. (Note: You may be required to certify the
quality of your installed grounding electrode system. If you have a “single ground
rod” installation and there are no other available electrodes, you can avoid such
certification requests by providing an additional ground rod prior to requesting an
inspection. Factors taken into consideration will be the quality of the soil, whether or
not the soil has been disturbed, whether or not the as opposed to being laid in a
trench next to a footing, etc. On projects where an accessory building or structure
(such as a garage or shed) containing no available electrodes is supplied by another
building the grounding electrode (usually a ground rod) that you install will already be
supplemented by the grounding electrode system at the “first” building via the
installed equipment grounding conductor between buildings or the bonded neutral at
the second building.)
Art. 250.56
13. GROUND ROD WIRE SZE: The maximum grounding electrode conductor required
for the sole conductor to rod, pipe or plate electrode is 6 AWG. Art. 250.148
(Note: Two rods bonded together are considered to be a single electrode system.
Art. 250.58)
ELECTRICAL EQUIPEMENT SPACES
14. PANIC HARDWARE: Personnel doors in rooms with electrical equipment rooms that
is individually rated at 1200 amps or more shall have panic bars, pressure plates or
other devices that are normally latched but will open under simple pressure.
Art. 110.26(C).
15. DEDICATED SPACE: Dedicated space must be provided at all switchboard,
panelboard, distribution board and motor control center locations. The basic rules
provide that a space must be unobstructed, as wide as the equipment is, and extend
from the floor to 6 ft. above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is
lower. Suspended ceilings are allowed in this space. Art. 110.26(F)
Please note: This list is not comprehensive and only highlights situations commonly
seen in our community. This information is intended as general information to promote
electrical safety at home and the workplace. Refer to the 2002 National Electric Code or
the 2002 National Electric Code Handbook for detailed information.
Questions?
Call the City of Kettering Planning and Development office at 296-2441.