Article 100 Receptacle.
Code Change Summary: Revised definition of a receptacle and new informational note.
During the 2020 NEC® code process, there were many public inputs (code change proposals) to clarify the definition of a receptacle. It seems that many code users thought that a duplex receptacle was considered one receptacle when in fact a duplex receptacle has always been two receptacles on the same mounting strap.
It is critical to know that a duplex receptacle is considered two receptacles when applying NEC® Section 210.21, 210.23 and 210.24. The tabs can be removed to allow most duplex receptacles to be supplied from two separate circuits or a multiwire branch circuit as long as the circuits can be simultaneously disconnected in accordance with Sections 210.4(B) and 210.7.
In the 2020 NEC® the definition of a receptacle has been expanded to clarify that a “yoke” is the mounting strap and the new informational note makes it clear that a duplex receptacle is two receptacles on the same strap.
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.
Receptacle. A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug, or for the direct connection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate with the corresponding contact device. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke.
2020 Code Language:
Article 100.
Receptacle. A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug, or for the direct connection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate with the corresponding contact device. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke or strap. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke or strap.
Informational Note: A duplex receptacle is an example of a multiple receptacle that has two receptacles on the same yoke or strap.