406.4(D)(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.

A like for like, non-grounding type receptacle replacement is not required to be tamper-resistant.
Click to Enlarge
A like for like, non-grounding type receptacle replacement is not required to be tamper-resistant.

Code Change Summary: New language was added for tamper-resistant receptacles.

Tamper-resistant receptacles are covered in 406.12 and are required in several areas:

The only thing not addressed in the list above is receptacle replacements. Section 406.4(D)(5) requires listed tamper-resistant receptacles to be installed when replacing receptacles in any of the seven areas mentioned above.

In the 2011 NEC®, an exception was added allowing a nongrounding receptacle to be replaced (like for like) with another nongrounding receptacle (not tamper-resistant). The rule was located in 406.12 with all the other rules pertaining to tamper-resistant receptacles. It was an odd place to locate the exception.

In the 2017 NEC®, the exception was moved to 406.4(D)(5) which should be easier to find since everything in Section 406.4(D) pertains to receptacle replacements.

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 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2014 Code Language:

406.4(D)(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. Listed tamper-resistant receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant elsewhere in this Code.

2017 Code Language:

406.4(D)(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. Listed tamper-resistant receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant elsewhere in this Code, except where a non-grounding receptacle is replaced with another non-grounding receptacle.

Did You Like This? Let Us Know With A Like! Thanks!

406.4(D)(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.

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

Which of the following is true regarding the replacement of receptacles?

A: If a grounding type receptacle is replaced with another grounding type receptacle, the NEC does NOT require it to be tamper-resistant.
B: If a non-grounding receptacle is replaced with another non-grounding receptacle, the NEC does NOT require it to be tamper-resistant.
C: All receptacles are required to be tamper resistant.
D: Replacement receptacles are NOT permitted to be tamper-resistant.
Please register or sign in for electrical continuing education courses.

If you were already signed in, your session probably expired, please sign back in.