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What's Wrong Here?

Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist

Hint: This receptacle is located behind a bed in a hotel guestroom.

Candi Brackett, chief engineer, Wilmington Hilton Riverside, Wilmington, Del., offered these comments. “In reference to the receptacle behind the hotel bed, the 1999 NEC [210.60 (B)] was the first edition of the Code to reference this issue. We have had many damaged in the past. The new requirement for the receptacle is that it shall be located so that the bed does not come in contact with the attachment plugs, or a suitable guard must be put in place.”

James W. Robertson, Jr., master electrician, J.E.C. Electric, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., added this perspective. “The main violation I see here is under 210.60(B). After adoption of the 1999 NEC, receptacles behind a bed in a hotel room shall be located such that when cords are plugged in that the bed does not make contact with them causing damage. Secondly, a suitable guard could also be installed to prevent damage for any existing receptacles as well.”

Sharon Milholen, electrical design engineer, Patterson Pump Co., Toccoa, Ga., summed it up as follows: “Per 210.60 (B) — Only after the 1999 NEC was adopted, either the bed cannot be able to touch any plug connected to the receptacle, or the receptacle must be provided with a guard. Beats me as to what a ‘suitable guard' is!”