Electrical components on an electrical engineer’s plans
The safe use of electrical appliances and equipment depends on reliable and effective electrical engineering solutions. This requires careful planning together with specification of approved materials and equipment that will safeguard people and property from hazards that might arise from the use of electricity. This includes provision for tamper-resistant receptacles to be installed at power outlets so that plugs or electrical equipment can be used safely, without any unnecessary risks.
In the U.S., the primary legislation for electricity is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code: NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition. While many states and cities have adopted the NEC, any local variances or local codes must be followed by electrical engineers when they design systems for buildings.
Chicago has adopted the newly updated NEC and the 2018 edition of the Chicago Electrical Code (CEC), which is part of the city’s Municipal Code, is based on the NEC.
The NFPA also publishesNFPA 70: National Electrical Code with Chicago Amendments, which incorporates annotations indicating changes made to NFPA 70 by the Chicago City Council. In its entirety, the amended version of NFPA 70 forms the CEC, which is Title 14E Electrical Code of the Municipal Code of Chicago.
There are 10 chapters in the Code, including 14E-4: Equipment for General Use. Article 406 of 14E-4 is titled Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and Attachment Plugs (Caps), with 406.12 specifically covering tamper-resistant receptacles.
CEC 406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
CEC 406.12 lists tamper-resistant receptacles of the non-locking type. These are specifically for use with 15-ampere and 20-ampere, and/or 125-volt and 250-volt electrical systems.
The areas stipulated in the Code are:
Both entire buildings and portions of buildings or structures are included and these include auditoriums, gymnasiums, skating rinks, assembly halls, conference rooms, courtrooms, dance halls, mortuary chapels, museums, and restaurants.
Receptacles that are located more than 5½ ft or 1.7 m above the floor do not have to be tamper-resistant.
The areas where tamper-resistant receptacles should be located in dwelling units are specified in Article 210 Branch Circuits and Article 550 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Mobile Home Parks.
Additionally, it is a requirement that tamper-resistant receptacles or tamper-resistant covers should be installed or used in pediatric locations that are designated for general care. This includes patient rooms, playrooms, activity rooms, and bathrooms in pediatric units, or comparable areas that have a similar risk factor. Ultimately, the governing body will determine the risks.
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles for Dwelling Units
The section on Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets (CEC 210.52) gives the Chicago City Council’s requirements for 125-volt, and 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets for dwelling units. These range from single units that provide “complete and independent living facilities” for one or more people, and include permanent provision for living, sanitation, cooking, and sleeping. In effect, they include any building where a person or family would live including houses and apartments.
Because the voltage and amperage is the range that applies to tamper-resistant receptacles, all the receptacles required by 210.52 must be tamper-resistant. Furthermore, these receptacles are in addition to receptacles that:
Electric baseboard heaters equipped with outlets that have a separate assembly or factory-installed receptacle outlet may be permanently installed but they may not be connected to heater circuits.
In addition to the general provisions of 210.52, the areas specified for receptacles in dwelling units relate to:
Receptacles for small appliances are also covered.
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles for Mobile Homes
Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Mobile Home Parks (CEC 550.13) provides the Chicago City Council’s requirements for receptacle outlets as they apply to these dwelling types.
Like the dwelling unit receptacle outlets specified previously, the voltage and amperage of these receptacles are such that they have to be tamper-resistant.
This section of the Chicago Electrical Code details:
Electrical Designs that Incorporate Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
New York Engineers’ electrical engineers prepare electrical designs for all construction needs, including lighting, heating, and ventilation. This includes incorporating tamper-resistant receptacles required by the NEC and local codes like Chicago’s CEC 406.12.