Change Summary

• The required receptacle outlets at electrical service equipment must be installed in an accessible location within 7.5 m (25 ft) of indoor electrical service equipment.

Expert Analysis

For the 2014 NEC Code cycle, a new provision was added in Article 210 requiring, at least one 125-volt, single phase, 15-or 20-ampere receptacle outlet to be installed within 15 m (50 ft) of all electrical service areas (other than one- and two-family dwellings). The substantiation for this change indicated that there is sometimes a need for connecting test equipment for monitoring and servicing electrical equipment in service areas.

The first revision for the 2017 NEC requires this service area receptacle outlet to be installed in an accessible location, within the same room or area as the service equipment. With the previous text at 210.64, the rules for a service area receptacle outlet could be literally accomplished with a receptacle outlet located in the next room, down and across the hallway from the electrical service area by employing an extension cord as long as the receptacle outlet was “installed within 15 m (50 ft) of the electrical service equipment.”

The second revision was to reduce the maximum distance between the required receptacle outlet and the electrical service equipment to 7.5 m (25 ft) rather than the previous 15 m (50 ft). This 7.5 m (25 ft) distance is consistent with 210.63, which is a similar receptacle outlet requirement for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.

The final revision to 210.64 added a second exception pertaining to service equipment that is dedicated to equipment covered in Articles 675 (Electrically Driven or Controlled Irrigation Machines) and 682 (Natural and Artificially Made Bodies of Water) where the service voltage is greater than 120 volts to ground.

Surge Protective Devices for Service Equipment
In areas where sensitive electronic equipment is utilized, Leviton recommends the use of a Type 3 Surge Protection Receptacle

Leviton’s surge protection devices can be used individually or as part of a coordinated application strategy to protect sensitive electronic equipment, in industrial, commercial and residential locations. Damaging voltage transients are diverted away from sensitive micro circuitry, providing protection against catastrophic failure, costly downtime and data disruptions. UL 1449 Compliant.

• Available in many colors. Blue pictured here because many tech professionals associate the blue color with clean power