210.63 Equipment Requiring Servicing.
Code Change Summary: Requirements from 2017 NEC® Section 210.64 have been merged with new requirements into 2020 NEC® Section 210.63.
NEC Section 210.63 has been revised and requires a 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated service receptacle located within 25 feet of the following:
- Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment (other than evaporative coolers for one- and two-family dwellings)
- Indoor service equipment (other than one- and two-family dwellings)
- Equipment in other than one- and two-family dwellings that requires dedicated space from Section 110.26(E) which includes switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers
New Section 210.8(E) in the 2020 NEC® will require GFCI protection for all receptacles specified in 210.63 regardless of whether it is outside, inside, in an attic or in an electrical equipment room that is considered a dry location.
Below are key points to keep in mind to comply with the new rules:
- The service receptacle required for HVAC equipment must be located on the same level as the HVAC equipment. The receptacle outlet is not permitted to be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.
- The service receptacle required for indoor service equipment must be located within the same room or area as the service equipment.
- The service receptacle required for indoor equipment requiring dedicated space from 110.26(E) (switchboards, switchgear, panelboards and motor control centers) must be located within the same room or area as the electrical equipment and shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.
- All service receptacles mentioned above require GFCI protection.
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:
210.64 Electrical Service Areas. At least one 125-volt, single phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed in an accessible location within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the indoor electrical service equipment. The required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the service equipment.
Exception No. 1: The receptacle outlet shall not be required to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.
Exception No. 2: Where the service voltage is greater than 120 volts to ground, a receptacle outlet shall not be required for services dedicated to equipment covered in Articles 675 and 682.
2020 Code Language:
210.63 Equipment Requiring Servicing. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an accessible location within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the equipment as specified in 210.63(A) and (B).
N 210.63(A) Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Equipment. The required receptacle outlet shall be located on the same level as the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.
Exception: A receptacle outlet shall not be required at one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evaporative coolers.
210.63(B) Other Electrical Equipment. In other than one- and two-family dwellings, a receptacle outlet shall be located as specified in 210.63(B)(1) and (B)(2).
N 210.63(B)(1) Indoor Service Equipment. The required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the service equipment.
N 210.63(B)(2) Indoor Equipment Requiring Dedicated Equipment Spaces. Where equipment, other than service equipment, requires dedicated equipment space as specified in 110.26(E), the required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the electrical equipment and shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.