4, Exception No. 4.

The branch circuit wiring method shall include or provide an equipment grounding conductor to which the grounding contacts of the receptacle or cord connector shall be connected. (FPN No. 1): Section 250-91(b) describes acceptable grounding means. (FPN No. 2): For extensions of existing branch circuits, see Section 250-50. (d) Replacements. Grounding-type receptacles shall be used as replacements for existing nongrounding types and shall be connected to a grounding conductor installed in accordance with Section 210-7(c). Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere in this Code. Exception: Where a grounding means does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, either a nongrounding or a ground-fault circuit-internupter-type of receptacle shall be used. A grounding conductor shall not be connected from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter-type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter-type receptacle. Existing nongrounding-type receptacles shall be permitted to be replaced with grounding-type receptacles where supplied through a ground-fault circuitinterrupter. These receptacle locations shall be marked "GFCI protected.' (e) Cord- and Plug-Connected Equipment. The installation of grounding-type receptacles shall not be used as a requirement that all cordand plug-connected equipment be of the grounded type. (FPN): See Section 250-45 for type of cord- and plug-connected equipment to be grounded. (f) Noninterchangeable Types. Receptacles connected to circuits having different voltages, frequencies, or types of current (ac or dc) on the same premises shall be of such design that the attachment plugs used on these circuits are not interchangeable. ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS 70-39 210-8. Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. (a) Dwelling Units. (1) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (2) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere receptacles installed in garages shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. Exception No. 1 to (a)(2): Receptacles that are not readily accessible. Exception No. 2 to (a)(2): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that in normal use is not easily moved from one place to another, and that is cordand plug-connected in accordance with Section 400-7(a)(6), (a)(7), or (a)(8). Receptacles installed under exceptions to Section 210-8(a)(2) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of Section 210-52(g). (3) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed outdoors where there is direct grade level access to the receptacles shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (FPN): See Section 215-9 for feeder protection. For the purposes of this section, "direct grade level access" is defined as being located not more than 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98 above grade level and being readily accessible. (4) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in crawl spaces at or below grade level and in unfinished basements shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. For purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like. Exception No. 1: A single receptacle supplied by a dedicated branch circuit that is located and identified for specific use by a cord- and plugconnected appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer. Exception No. 2: The laundry circuit as required by Sections 210-52(f) and 220-4(c). Exception No. 3: A single receptacle supplying a permanently installed sump pump. (5) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles to serve counter top surfaces, installed within 6 feet (1.83 m) of a wet bar sink or kitchen sink, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (FPN): The intent of this subsection is to permit the exemption of receptacles that are located specifically for appliances such as refrigerators and freezers from ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (6) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere receptacles installed in boathouses shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. 70-40 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (b) Other than Dwelling Units. (1) All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms of commercial, industrial, and all other nondwelling occupancies shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. Bathroom: As used in this article, a bathroom is an area including a basin with one or more of the following: a toilet, a tub, or a shower. (2) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed on roofs shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. 210-9. Circuits Derived from Autotransformers. Branch circuits shall not be derived from autotransformers unless the circuit supplied has a grounded conductor that is electrically connected to a grounded conductor of the system supplying the autotransformer. Exception No. 1: An autotransformer shall be permitted to extend or add a branch circuit for an equipment load without the connection to a similar grounded conductor when transforming from a nominal 208 volts to a nominal 240-volt supply or similarly from 240 volts to 208 volts. Exception No. 2: In industrial occupancies, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons will service the installation, autotransformers shall be permitted to supply nominal 600- volt loads from nominal 480-volt systems, and 480-volt loads from nominal 600-volt systems, without the connection to a similar grounded conductor. 210-10. Ungrounded Conductors Tapped from Grounded Systems. Two-wire dc circuits and ac circuits of two or more ungrounded conductors shall be permitted to be tapped from the ungrounded conductors of circuits having a grounded neutral conductor. Switching devices in each tapped circuit shall have a pole in each ungrounded conductor. All poles of multipole switching devices shall manually switch together where such switching devices also serve as a disconnecting means as required by Section 410-48 for double-pole switched lampholders; Section 410-54(b) for electric-discharge lamp auxiliary equipment switching devices; Section 422-21(b) for an appliance; Section 424-20 for a fixed electric space heating unit; Section 426-51 for electric de-icing and snow-melting equipment; Section 430-85 for a motor controller; and Section 430-103 for a motor. B. Branch-Circuit Ratings 210-19. Conductors - Minimum Ampacity and Size. (a) General. Branch-circuit conductors shall have an ampacity not less than the maximum load to be served. In addition, conductors of multioutlet branch circuits supplying receptacles for cord- and plug-connected portable loads shall have an ampacity of not less than the rating of the branch circuit. Cable assemblies where the neutral conductor is smaller than the ungrounded conductors shall be so marked. (FPN No. 1): See Section 310-15 for ampacity ratings of conductors. (FPN No. 2): See Part B of Article 430 for minimum rating of motor branchcircuit conductors. ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS 70-41 (FPN No. 3): See Section 310-10 for temperature limitation of conductors. (FPN No. 4): Conductors for branch circuits as defined in Article 100, sized to prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of power, heating, and lighting loads, or combinations of such loads and where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will provide reasonable efficiency of operation. See Section 215-2 for voltage drop on feeder conductors. (b) Household Ranges and Cooking Appliances. Branch-circuit conductors supplying household ranges, wall-mounted ovens, countermounted cooking units, and other household cooking appliances shall have an ampacity not less than the rating of the branch circuit and not less than the maximum load to be served. For ranges of 83/4 kW or more rating, the minimum branch-circuit rating shall be 40 amperes. Exception No. 1: Tap conductors supplying electric ranges, wallmounted electric ovens, and counter-mounted electric cooking units from a 50-ampere branch circuit shall have an ampacity of not less than 20 and shall be sufficient for the load to be served. The taps shall not be longer than necessary for servicing the appliance. Exception No. 2: The neutral conductor of a 3-wire branch circuit supplying a household electric range, a wall-mounted oven, or a countermounted cooking unit shall be permitted to be smaller than the ungrounded conductors where the maximum demand of a range of 83/4 kW or more rating has been computed according to Column A of Table 220- 19, but shall have an ampacity of not less than 70 percent of the branchcircuit rating and shall not be smaller than No. 10. (c) Other Loads. Branch-circuit conductors supplying loads other than cooking appliances as covered in (b) above and as listed in Section 210-2 shall have an ampacity sufficient for the loads served and shall not be smaller than No. 14. Exception No. 1: Tap conductors for such loads shall have an tampacity not less than 15 for circuits rated less than 40 amperes and not less than 20 for circuits rated at 40 or 50 amperes and only where these tap conductors supply any of the following loads: a. Individual lampholders or fixtures with taps extending not longer than 18 inches (457 mm) beyond any portion of the lampholder or fixture. b. A fixture having tap conductors as provided in Section 410-67. c. Individual outlets with taps not over 18 inches (457 mm) long. d. Infrared lamp industrial heating appliances. e. Nonheating leads of de-icing and snow-melting cables and mats. Exception No. 2: Fixture wires and cords as permitted in Section 240-4. 210-20. Overcurrent Protection. Branch-circuit conductors and equipment shall be protected by overcurrent protective devices having a rating or setting (1) not exceeding that specified in Section 240-3 for conductors; (2) not exceeding that specified in the applicable articles referenced in Section 240-2 for equipment; and (3) as provided for outlet devices in Section 210-21. 70-42 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE Exception No. 1: Tap conductors as permitted in Section 210-19(c) shall be permitted to be protected by the branch-circuit overcurrent device. Exception No. 2: Fixture wires and cords as permitted in Section 240-4. (FPN): See Section 240-1 for the purpose of overcurrent protection and Sections 210-22 and 220-3 for continuous loads. 210-21. Outlet Devices. Outlet devices shall have an ampere rating not less than the load to be served and shall comply with (a) and (b) below. (a) Lampholders. Where connected to a branch circuit having a rating in excess of 20 amperes, lampholders shall be of the heavy-duty type. A heavy-duty lampholder shall have a rating of not less than 660 watts if of the admedium type and not less than 750 watts if of any other type. (b) Receptacles. (1) A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an ampere rating of not less than that of the branch circuit. Exception: Where installed in accordance with Section 430-81(c). (FPN): See definition of "Receptacle" in Article 100. (2) Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, a receptacle shall not supply a total cord- and plugconnected load in excess of the maximum specified in Table 210-21(b)(2). (3) Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, receptacle ratings shall conform to the values listed in Table 210-21(b)(3), or where larger than 50 amperes, the receptacle rating shall not be less than the branch-circuit rating. (4) It shall be permitted to base the ampere rating of a range receptacle on a single range demand load specified in Table 220-19. Table 210-21(b)(2). Maximum Cord- and Plug-Connected Load to Receptacle Circuit Rating Receptacle Rating Maximum Load Amperes Amperes Amperes 15 or 20 15 12 20 20 16 30 30 24 Table 210-21(b)(3). Receptacle Ratings for Various Size Circuits Circuit Rating Receptacle Rating Amperes Amperes 15 Not over 15 20 15 or 20 30 30 40 40 or 50 50 50 ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS 70-43 210-22. Maximum Loads. The total load shall not exceed the rating of the branch circuit, and it shall not exceed the maximum loads specified in Sections 210-22(a) through (c) under the conditions specified therein. (a) Motor-Operated and Combination Loads. Where a circuit supplies only motor-operated loads, Article 430 shall apply. Where a circuit supplies only air-conditioning equipment, refrigerating equipment, or both, Article 440 shall apply. For circuits supplying loads consisting of motoroperated utilization equipment that is fastened in place and that has a motor larger than 1/8 horsepower in combination with other loads, the total computed load shall be based on 125 percent of the largest motor load plus the sum of the other loads. (b) Inductive Lighting Loads. For circuits supplying lighting units having ballasts, transformers, or autotransformers, the computed load shall be based on the total ampere ratings of such units and not on the total watts of the lamps. (c) Other Loads. The rating of the branch-circuit overcurrent device serving continuous loads, such as store lighting and similar loads, shall be not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load. Exception: Circuits supplied by an assembly together with its overcurrent devices that is listed for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating. It shall be acceptable to apply demand factors for range loads in accordance with Table 220-19, including Note 4. 210-23. Permissible Loads. In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. An individual branch circuit shall be permitted to supply any load for which it is rated. A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets shall supply only the loads specified according to its size in (a) through (d) below and summarized in Section 210-24 and Table 210-24. (a) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply lighting units, other utilization equipment, or a combination of both. The rating of any one cord- and plug-connected utilization equipment shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord- and plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied. Exception: The small appliance branch circuits required in a dwelling unit(s) by Section 220-4(b) shall supply only the receptacle outlets specified in that section. (b) 30-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 30-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply fixed lighting units with heavy-duty lampholders in other than dwelling unit(s) or utilization equipment in any occupancy. A rating of any one cord- and plug-connected utilization equipment shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating. 70-44 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (c) 40- and 50-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 40- or 50-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply cooking appliances that are fastened in place in any occupancy. In other than dwelling units, such circuits shall be permitted to supply fixed lighting units with heavy-duty lampholders, infrared heating units, or other utilization equipment. (d) Branch Circuits Larger than 50 Amperes. Branch circuits larger than 50 amperes shall supply only nonlighting outlet loads. 210-24. Branch-Circuit Requirements - Summary. The requirements for circuits having two or more outlets, other than the receptacle circuits of Section 220-4(b) as specifically provided for above, are summarized in Table 210-24. Branch circuits in dwelling units shall supply only loads within that dwelling unit or loads associated only with that dwelling unit. Branch circuits required for the purpose of lighting, central alarm, signal, communications, or other needs for public or common areas shall not be supplied from a dwelling unit panelboard. Table 210-24. Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements CIRCUIT RATING 15 Amp 20 Amp 30 Amp 40 Amp 50 Amp CONDUCTORS: (Min. Size) Circuit Wires* 14 12 10 8 6 Taps 14 14 14 12 12 Fixture Wires and Cords Refer to Section 240-4 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION 15 Amp 20 Amp 30 Amp 40 Amp 50 Amp OUTLET DEVICES: Lampholders Any Any Heavy Heavy Heavy Permitted Type Type Duty Duty Duty Receptacle 15 Max. 15 or 20 30 40 or 50 50 Rating** Amp Amp Amp Amp Amp MAXIMUM LOAD 15 Amp 20 Amp 30 Amp 40 Amp 50 Amp PERMISSIBLE Refer to Refer to Refer to Refer to Refer to LOAD Section Section Section Section Section 210-23(a) 210-23(a) 210-23(b) 210-23(c) 210-23(c) *These gauges are for copper conductors. For receptacle rating of cord-connected electric-discharge lighting fixtures, see Section 410-30(c). C. Required Outlets 210-50. General. Receptacle outlets shall be installed as specified in Sections 210-52 through 210-63. (a) Cord Pendants. A cord connector that is supported by a permanently installed cord pendant shall be considered a receptacle outlet. ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS 70-45 (b) Cord Connections. A receptacle outlet shall be installed wherever flexible cords with attachment plugs are used. Where flexible cords are permitted to be permanently connected, it shall be permitted to omit receptacles for such cords. (c) Appliance Outlets. Appliance receptacle outlets installed in a dwell- I ing unit for specific appliances, such as laundry equipment, shall be installed within 6 feet (1.83 m) of the intended location of the appliance. 210-52. Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. (a) General Provisions. In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sun room, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6 feet (1.83 m), measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space, including any wall space 2 feet (610 mm) or more in width and the wall space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls, but excluding sliding panels in exterior walls. The wall space afforded by fixed room dividers, such as freestanding bar-type counters or railings, shall be included in the 6-foot (1.83-m) I measurement. As used in this section, a "wall space" shall be considered a wall unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings. Each wall space 2 feet or more (610 mm or more) wide shall be treated individually and separately from other wall spaces within the room. A wall space shall be permitted to include two or more walls of a room (around corners) where unbroken at the floor line. (FPN): The purpose of this requirement is to minimize the use of cords across doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings. Receptacle outlets shall, insofar as practicable, be spaced equal distances apart. Receptacle outlets in floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of receptacle outlets unless located close to the wall. The receptacle outlets required by this section shall be in addition to any receptacle that is part of any lighting fixture or appliance, located within cabinets or cupboards, or located over 5½ feet (1.68 m) above the floor. Exception: Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets or outlets provided as a separate assembly by the manufacturer shall be permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the wall space utilized by such permanently installed heaters. Such receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits. (FPN): Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets. (b) Small Appliances. (1) The two or more 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits required by Section 220-4(b) shall serve all receptacle outlets, including refrigeration equipment, in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit. Such circuits, whether two or more are used, shall have no other outlets. Exception No. 1: A receptacle installed solely for the electrical supply to and support of an electric clock in any of the rooms specified above. Exception No. 2: Outdoor receptacles. 70-46 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE Exception No. 3: In addition to the required receptacles specified by