Article 100 Attachment Fitting.
Code Change Summary: New code definition of an “attachment fitting”.
In the 2017 NEC®, the term “attachment fitting” was used in Section 314.27(E), and Article 422 but a definition for the term did not exist. According to the NEC® style manual, terms that are used in two or more articles are defined in Article 100.
In the 2020 NEC®, a definition was added to Article 100 for the term “attachment fitting”. All current NEC® applications for the term “attachment fittings” correlate to a male mating device that connects to a locking support and mounting receptacle.
During the 2020 NEC® first draft meetings, several code making panels struggled with the term “attachment fitting”, which as noted above was already being used in several sections of the 2017 NEC®. An attachment fitting is comparable to an “attachment plug” which was already defined in Article 100, but the attachment fitting differs to the extent that a separate definition was needed.
An “attachment fitting” provides both electrical and mechanical connections to the mounting receptacle and locking support (see image). The mounting receptacle and locking support, combined with the attachment fitting, will be listed as an assembly and will have electrical ratings, and mechanical weight ratings.
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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
Article 100.
This code definition did not exist.
2020 Code Language:
Article 100.
N Attachment Fitting. A device that, by insertion into a locking support and mounting receptacle, establishes a connection between the conductors of the attached utilization equipment and the branch-circuit conductors connected to the locking support and mounting receptacle. (CMP-18)
Informational Note: An attachment fitting is different from an attachment plug because no cord is associated with the fitting. An attachment fitting in combination with a locking support and mounting receptacle secures the associated utilization equipment in place and supports its weight.