Change Summary
NEC® Text |
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424.45 Installation of Cables Under Floor Coverings. Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association |
Expert Analysis
A new 424.45 with prescriptive language for the installation of heating cables under floor coverings was added. This practice is not new to the electrical industry, but installation requirements for these under flooring heating cables is new for Article 424. These types of heating cables are required to be GFCI protected.
Heating panels, as well as heating cables, are being installed under floor coverings such as ceramic tile in bathroom and showers, under laminate flooring, and sometimes even under carpet. It is critical that these installations comply with the listing, product standard, and the manufacturer’s instructions. Before the 2017 NEC, Part V of Article 424, which deals with electric space-heating cables, did not specifically mention under floor coverings for heating cables. According to some users of the Code, this left it unclear whether or not heating cables installed under a floor covering was permitted. To clear up this confusion and to make it clear that this type of installation is permitted by the NEC, the new text of 424.45 has been added, which is similar to the text of 424.99 for electric radiant heating panels and heating panel sets.