Department of Community Development
Building Division
4800 West 92nd Avenue Westminster, Colorado 80031
For Information call (303) 658-2075 Fax (303) 706-3922
8 Top Residential Electrical Requirements *
Based on the 2011 NEC
For all permits issued on/or after July 1, 2011
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Article 200.7 (C). Circuits of 50 Volts or More: A cable used for single-pole 3-way or 4-way switch loop,
the reidentified conductor with white or gray insulation…shall be used only for the supply to the switch,
but not as a return conductor from the switch to the outlet
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Article 210.8. Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel: Ground-fault circuitinterruption devices for personnel shall be installed in a readily accessible location
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Article 210.12 (A). All 120 volt single phase 15- and 20 ampere branch circuits in all areas of a dwelling
(except for kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, garages and outdoors): shall be AFCI protected by
a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter; combination type.
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Article 210.12 (B). Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications- Dwelling Units: In any dwelling unit
family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms,
closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas where branch-circuit wiring is modified, replaced, or
extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by a listed combination-type AFCI protection device
located at the origin of the branch circuit
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Article 210.52 (I). Foyer: Foyers that are not part of a hallway (Hallways are 10 foot or more in length
without passing through a doorway) and that have an area that is greater than 60 square feet shall have a
receptacle located in each wall space 3 foot or more in width and unbroken by doorways, floor-toceiling windows, and similar openings
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Article 406.4 (D) (5). Tamper-Resistant Receptacles: Listed tamper-resistant receptacles shall be provided
where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant elsewhere in
the Code.
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Article 406.4 (D) (6). Weather-Resistant Receptacles: Weather-resistant receptacles shall be provided
where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected else-where in the
Code.
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Article 406.12. Tamper-Resistant Receptacles for Dwelling Units: All receptacles in general walls, floors,
kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, basements, garages and halls shall be tamper resistant up to a height of
5½ feet above the floor
* Note: This list is an abbreviated version of only 8 significant recent residential code changes. All
electrical installers are encouraged to review the complete 2011 NEC document to obtain an
understanding of all code changes that will directly affect any electrical installation.