Code Change Summary: New code section provides requirements for the replacement of automatically controlled receptacles.

Requirements on controlled receptacles first appeared in the 2014 NEC^®. In the 2014 NEC^®, Section 406.3(E) was added to require marking on receptacles that are automatically controlled or have integral control features in order to make the user aware that the receptacle may or may not always have power.

There are many buildings where receptacles are wired to an electric panel that is controlled by an energy management system. After hours, when the building is not occupied, certain select circuits are automatically switched off. This can create an issue for specific receptacles in areas like office cubicles equipped with a mini refrigerator. This could also apply in a nursing home to visiting area receptacles that might be used by an elderly person plugging in their breathing machine.

In the 2020 NEC^®, new Section 406.4(D)(7) was added to address the replacement of the above-mentioned receptacles. If replacing an existing automatically controlled receptacle, the replacement receptacle must be an equivalently controlled receptacle. If automatic control is no longer required, the receptacle and any associated receptacles with the controlled receptacle marking shall be replaced with a receptacle and faceplate without the controlled receptacle marking.

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.