517.2 Selected Receptacles.
Code Change Summary: The definition of “Selected Receptacles” has changed.
In order to correlate with NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, the definition of a “Selected Receptacles” has been revised. Before the revision, the definition was subjective and really didn’t provide clear direction.
For example: 517.34 pertains to the Critical Branch at a health care facility and requires the critical branch of the essential electrical system to supply power for task illumination, fixed equipment, “selected receptacles”, and special power circuits related to patient care. The 2014 NEC® definition of Selected Receptacles wasn’t very helpful to an electrician or inspector trying to figure out which receptacles could be wired to the critical branch.
The new definition makes it clear that the Governing Body is responsible for choosing the selected receptacles mentioned in Article 517.
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:
517.2 Selected Receptacles. A minimum number of electrical receptacles to accommodate appliances ordinarily required for local tasks or likely to be used in patient care emergencies.
2017 Code Language:
517.2 Selected Receptacles. A minimum number of receptacles selected by the governing body of a facility as necessary to provide essential patient care and facility services during loss of normal power.