National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Friday, December 28, 2018

Question:

Rephrasing my earlier question. I think I have always called a receptacle an outlet. But apparently an outlet is a place that receives electricity, right? So that means that a ceiling light is an outlet and therefore covers the "there must be a switched outlet in each room" part of the code?

Debbie Olsen

A

Answer:

Hey Debbie thanks for your question. The term "Outlet" is defined in Article 100 as "A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment". lighting outlets and receptacle outlets are examples of outlets. For dwelling units, receptacle outlets are required as stated in 210.52 and lighting outlets as stated in 210.70. A wall switch-controlled lighting outlet must be installed in every dwelling unit habitable room, kitchen and bathroom as stated in 210.70(A)(1) unless a wall switch controlled receptacle is provided as stated in in 210.70(A)(1) Exception 1.

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