Code Change Summary: New requirements added for equipment and receptacles in pool equipment rooms, vaults, or pits.
In the 2023 NEC®, Section 680.12 was revised into a list providing requirements for electrical equipment and receptacles installed in pool equipment rooms, vaults, and pits.
The 2023 NEC® language in 680.12(A) covers drainage and was expanded to provide an allowance for electrical equipment rated for submersion to be installed in pool equipment rooms, vaults or pits without drainage capabilities. The revised language prohibits electrical equipment from being installed in rooms, vaults, or pits that do not have drainage to prevent water accumulation during normal operation or maintenance unless the equipment is rated and identified for submersion.
Additionally, pool equipment room receptacle requirements from 680.22(A)(5) in Part II of Article 680 were relocated to new Section 680.12(B) in Part I of Article 680. This new section requires at least one GFCI-protected 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit to be located within “an equipment room” (not just pool equipment rooms). All other receptacles within a pool equipment room supplied by branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, and any receptacles supplied by a branch circuit rated 150 volts or less to ground in a vault or pit shall be GFCI protected.
Before this relocation, having the previous receptacle requirements in Part II of Article 680 meant that a GFCI protected service receptacle was only required in “pool” equipment rooms for permanently installed pools. Relocating the receptacle requirements to Part I results in code language addressing receptacles in all pool, spa, hot tub, fountain, or similar equipment rooms which are common in casinos, hotels, malls, and other installations.
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:
680.12 Equipment Rooms and Pits. Electrical equipment shall not be installed in rooms or pits that do not have drainage that prevents water accumulation during normal operation or filter maintenance. Equipment shall be suitable for the environment in accordance with 300.6.
2023 Code Language:
680.12 Equipment Rooms, Vaults, and Pits.
N (A) Drainage. Electrical equipment shall not be installed in rooms, vaults, or pits that do not have drainage that prevents water accumulation during normal operation or maintenance unless the equipment is rated and identified for submersion.
N (B) Receptacles. At least one GFCI-protected 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle supplied from a general purpose branch circuit shall be located within an equipment room. All other receptacles supplied by branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground within an equipment room and any receptacles supplied by a branch circuit rated 150 volts or less to ground in a vault or pit shall be GFCI protected.
Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true?
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