422.16(B)(1) Appliances. Electrically Operated In-Sink Waste Disposers.
Code Change Summary: A change was made to clarify that a flexible appliance cord can be used for any waste disposer.
The previous code language only pertained to “kitchen” waste disposers. Technically, according to the 2011 NEC® code language, a commercial break room in-sink waste disposer could not be cord connected since the provisions for using a flexible cord for the appliance only applied to “kitchen” waste disposers.
According to Article 100, a kitchen is “an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking”. Many break rooms don’t have permanent provisions for cooking and therefore are not considered a kitchen. According to the 2011 NEC®, those waste disposers would need to be hard wired.
Now, the 2014 NEC® allows a flexible cord to connect any electrically operated “in-sink” waste disposer as long as the 4 rules in the code section are followed.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70 (National Electrical code).
2011 Code Language:
422.16(B)(1) Electrically Operated Kitchen Waste Disposers. Electrically operated kitchen waste disposers shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable for the purpose in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a grounding type attachment plug.
Exception: A listed kitchen waste disposer distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord shall not be less than 450 mm (18 in.) and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles shall be located to avoid physical damage to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle shall be accessible.
2014 Code Language:
422.16(B)(1) Electrically Operated In-Sink Waste Disposers. Electrically operated in-sink waste disposers shall be permitted to be cord-and plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a grounding type attachment plug.
Exception: A listed in-sink waste disposer distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord shall not be less than 450 mm (18 in.) and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles shall be located to avoid physical damage to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle shall be accessible.