Article 100 Definitions. Work Surface.

A conference room table is a type of Work Surface.
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A conference room table is a type of Work Surface.

Code Change Summary: A new definition of a “Work Surface” was added to Article 100.

A work surface is a fixed, stationary, or portable surface typically intended for dry use and for tasks other than food preparation, personal lavation, or laundering that presents an incidental risk of spillage of smaller quantities of beverages and other liquids upon outlets mounted directly on or recessed in the surface. Examples can include conference room tables, office work stations, and the like.

The main reason for the new definition is to help the code reader understand the difference between a work surface and a countertop since both terms are used in the NEC® and since receptacles are often installed in both work surfaces and countertops.

The main difference between these two types of surfaces (for the purpose of installing receptacles) is primarily associated with the amount of liquid spillage they may be subjected to.

There are several UL Standards that address receptacles and receptacle assemblies for installation in work surfaces and countertops. Receptacle assemblies are subjected to different tests depending on whether a receptacle will be installed in a work surface (such as a conference room table) or a countertop (such as in a kitchen).

Listed directly below are five UL standards that have provisions for testing receptacles and GFCI receptacles installed in a work surface. They address the spillage of liquid on to receptacle outlets mounted on the desk or table but require spillage of only 8oz (1 cup) of liquid.

  1. UL 111 Multioutlet Assemblies
  2. UL 962 Household and Commercial Furnishings
  3. UL 962A Furniture Power Distribution Units
  4. UL 1286 Office Furnishings
  5. UL 1363 Relocatable Power Taps

Listed below are three UL standards that have provisions for testing receptacles and GFCI receptacles installed in a countertop. They address the spillage of up to 32oz (1/2 gallon) of liquid on to the installed receptacle outlet assembly.

  1. UL 111 Multioutlet Assemblies
  2. UL 498 the Standard for Safety for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles
  3. UL 943 the Standard for Safety for Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters

The work surface liquid spill test was originally developed to address a cup of liquid tipped over. The counter mounted test requirements address the larger quantity of liquid which could be expected for receptacles recessed into countertops located in kitchens or bathrooms.

Sections 406.5(E, F &G) are all about installing receptacles in countertops and work surfaces.

Section 406.5(G)(1) states that receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up position in or on countertop surfaces or work surfaces unless listed for countertop or work surface applications.

Section 406.5(E) states that receptacle assemblies for installation in countertop surfaces shall be listed for countertop applications.

Section 406.5(F) states that receptacle assemblies and GFCI receptacle assemblies listed for work surface or countertop applications shall be permitted to be installed in work surfaces.

Since a receptacle assembly that was tested for countertop applications is subjected to a larger amount of spilled liquid, it is also suitable for installation in a work surface, but it doesn’t work the other way around.

A receptacle assembly tested only for a work surface is not permitted to be recessed into a kitchen counter.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

This definition did not exist.

2023 Code Language:

N Work Surface. A fixed, stationary, or portable surface typically intended for dry use and for tasks other than food preparation, personal lavation, or laundering that presents an incidental risk of spillage of smaller quantities of beverages and other liquids upon outlets mounted directly on or recessed in the surface.

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Article 100 Definitions. Work Surface.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is considered a Work Surface?

A: A kitchen counter.
B: A conference room table.
C: A bathroom counter.
D: A laundry room counter.
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