What is in this article?:
- 2011 National Electrical Code Changes
- 1. 110.24 Available Fault Current
- 2. 210.8 GFCI Protection
- 3. 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Dwelling Units
- 4. 210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlet Requirements
- 5. 250.2 Bonding Jumper, Supply-Side
- 6. 250.30 Grounding Separately, Derived Systems
- 7. 250.52(A) Electrodes Permitted for Grounding
- 8. 250.53(A) Rod, Pipe, and Plate Electrodes
- 9. 250.121 Use of Equipment Grounding Conductors
- 10. 300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage
- 11. 300.5 Underground Installations
- 12. 300.11(A)(2) Nonfire-Rated Ceiling Assemblies
- 13. 300.22 Wiring in Ducts and Other Spaces for Environmental Air (Plenums)
- 14. 310.15 Conductor Ampacity
- 15. 314.28(E) Power Distribution Block in Junction Box
- 16. 404.2(C) Switches Controlling Lighting
- 17. 406.4(D) Receptacle Replacements
- 18. 406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units
- 19. 406.13 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Guest Rooms and Guest Suites
- 20. 406.14 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Child Care Facilities
- 21. 450.14 Disconnecting Means
- 22. 517.16 Receptacles with Insulated Grounding Terminal
- 23. 680.26 Equipotential Bonding
- 24. 680.73 Accessibility
- 25. 690.47 Grounding Electrode System
Top 25 changes to the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC)
18. 406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units
The required locations for tamper-resistant receptacles in dwellings have been lessened, and a clarification has been made.
406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units. All nonlocking type 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in the following areas of a dwelling unit [210.52] must be listed as tamper-resistant.
- Wall Space — 210.52(A)
- Small-Appliance Circuit — 210.52(B)
- Countertop Space — 210.52(C)
- Bathroom Area — 210.52(D)
- Outdoors — 210.52(E)
- Laundry Area — 210.52(F)
- Garage and Outbuildings — 210.52(G)
- Hallways — 210.52(H)
Ex.: Receptacles in the following locations aren’t required to be tamper-resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 5½ ft above the floor.
(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance.
(3) A receptacle located within dedicated space for an appliance that in normal use isn’t easily moved from one place to another.
(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a).
Analysis: Receptacles installed above 5½ ft obviously don’t pose the same risk to small children as those below that elevation. Likewise, receptacles that are rendered inaccessible by equipment, and those that are part of luminaires don’t pose the same risk. The Code has recognized these facts and included an exception for them in this edition of the NEC.
An allowance has also been made to address the replacement of nongrounding receptacles because currently there are no nongrounding tamper-resistant receptacles.
Additionally, the term “nonlocking” was added to describe the types of receptacles to which this rule is intended to apply. Only those receptacles that are of the straight blade configuration will be required to comply with this section.
