Article 406 covers the rating, type, and installation of receptacles and attachment plugs. It also covers flanged surface inlets [Sec. 406.1], as shown in Fig. 1.
With the 2023 revision, the definitions that previously appeared in Sec. 406.2 have been moved to Art. 100. Here are two that are important to know: Telephone Wall Mount Plate
In regards to receptacle rating and types, they:
Receptacles installed on 15A and 20A branch circuits must be of the grounding type [Sec. 406.4(A)].
The EGC contacts of receptacles and cord connectors must be connected to the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) of the circuit supplying the receptacle or cord connector per Sec. 250.146 [Sec. 406.4(C)].
The branch-circuit wiring method must include or provide an EGC to which the EGC contacts of the receptacle or cord connector are connected.
Note 1: See Sec. 250.118 for acceptable grounding means.
Note 2: For extensions of existing branch circuits, see Sec. 250.130.
If the receptacle to be replaced is in a location that requires AFCI- and/or GFCI-type receptacles, you must install it in a readily accessible location [Sec. 406.4(D)].
If an EGC exists in an outlet box, replacement receptacles must be of the grounding type, and the receptacle’s grounding terminal must be connected to the circuit EGC per Sec. 406.11 [Sec. 406.4(D)(1)].
If an EGC does not exist in the outlet box, replacement receptacles can be: [Sec. 406.4(D)(2)]:
(b) GFCI-type receptacles if the receptacle or the cover plate is marked “No Equipment Ground."
(c) GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacles if the receptacle or the cover plate is marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground."
GFCI protection functions properly on a 2-wire circuit without an EGC because the EGC serves no role in the operation of a GFCI device.
The permission to replace nongrounding-type receptacles with GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacles does not apply to new receptacle outlets that extend from an existing outlet box not connected to an EGC.
When existing receptacles are replaced in locations where GFCI protection is required, the replacement receptacles must be GFCI protected [Sec. 406.4(D)(3)].
Exception: Where the outlet box size will not permit the installation of the GFCI receptacle, a GFCI-protected grounding-type receptacle marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground” per Sec. 406.4(D) is permitted.
See Sec. 210.8 for specific locations requiring GFCI protection. Where an NEC rule requires GFCI protection, you can provide that with a GFCI circuit breaker, GFCI receptacle, or a non-GFCI receptacle downstream of a feed-through type GFCI receptacle.
When existing receptacles are replaced in locations where:
(2) Receptacle protected by a listed AFCI receptacle.
(3) Receptacle protected by a listed combination type AFCI circuit breaker.
Automatically controlled receptacles must be replaced with equivalently controlled receptacles. If automatic control of the receptacle is no longer required, the replacement receptacle must be marked per Sec. 406.3(F) [Sec. 406.4(D)(7)].
Receptacles must be provided with GFPE where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be GFPE protected per Sec. 555.35(B)(1) [Sec. 406.4(D)(8)], as shown in Fig. 2.
Receptacles must be installed in outlet boxes that (unless otherwise permitted in the Code) are securely fastened in place [Sec. 406.5]. Boxes containing a hub can be supported from a flexible cord connected to fittings that prevent tension from being transmitted to joints or terminals [Sec. 400.14 and Sec. 314.23(H)(1)].
Screws used for attaching a receptacle to a box must be a type provided with a listed receptacle or be machine screws having 32 threads per inch.
Faceplates must completely cover the outlet openings [Sec. 406.6]. Metal faceplates for receptacles must be connected to the circuit EGC [Sec. 406.6(B)].
Attachment plugs and flanged surface inlets must be listed for their purpose.
Attachment plugs must be installed so their prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless inserted into an energized receptacle or flexible cord. A flanged surface inlet must be installed so the prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless an energized cord connector is inserted into the inlet (Fig. 3).
Receptacles installed in a damp location must be of the weather-resistant (WR) type and installed in an enclosure that is weatherproof when an attachment plug is not inserted (damp location rated), or when the attachment plug is inserted when the cover is closed (wet location rated) [Sec. 406.9(A)]. A damp location is one where a receptacle is located under roofed open porches, canopies, marquees, and the like — and will not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff.
In addition, 15A and 20A receptacles installed in a wet location must be within an enclosure that is weatherproof when an attachment plug is inserted using an outlet box hood identified as “extra duty” [Sec. 406.9(B)(1)]. Hinged covers of outlet box hoods must be able to open at least 90º or fully open (if the cover is not designed to open 90º from the closed to open position) after installation.
Nonlocking-type 15A and 20A receptacles in a wet location must be listed as the weather-resistant type. Receptacles rated 30A or more installed in a wet location must comply with Sec. 406.9(2)(a) or (b).
Receptacles cannot be installed within a zone measured 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The zone is all-encompassing and includes the space directly over the tub or shower stall. New with the 2023 revision, these cannot be installed inside the tub or shower stall [Sec. 406.9(C)]. In bathrooms with less than the required zone, a receptacle is permitted on the farthest wall opposite the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold [Sec. 406.9(C) Ex 2].
Nonlocking-type 15A and 20A receptacles must be tamper resistant “TR” if installed in any of the 10 locations listed in Sec. 406.12. This list has been heavily revised with the 2023 Code.
Always start a receptacle project by characterizing the location and the application. For example, is it a wet location? Is the application for equipment (no shock protection needed) or humans (shock prevention needed)? As a general rule of thumb, if a receptacle is for an installed machine (e.g., refrigerator) don’t use a GFCI. If it’s for something a person will handle (e.g., hair dryer) or may contact water (e.g., outdoor location), use a GFCI.
These materials are provided by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visit www.mikeholt.com/code.
OEM Tr Duplex Receptacle Supplier Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.