422.16(B)(4) Range Hoods and Microwave Oven/Range Hood Combinations.
Code Change Summary: Revised code language on flexible cord connected range hoods and microwave oven/range hood combinations.
NEC Section 422.16(B) is all about the use of flexible cords with specific appliances. Many appliances can be wired either by flexible cord or a hard-wired connection method.
In the 2020 NEC®, the language in 422.16(B)(4) was revised to make it clear that the rules in the section also apply to microwave ovens equipped with range hoods. Prior to the code change, this section only applied to range hoods and it could be argued whether the same rules were applicable to a microwave/range hood combination.
For range hoods and microwave ovens equipped with range hoods, the length of the cord must be between 18 inches and 4 feet, the receptacle must be accessible, and the flexible cord must have an equipment grounding conductor and be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug unless the exception applies.
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:
422.16(B)(4) Range Hoods. Range hoods shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable for use on range hoods in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord is terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
Exception: A listed range hood distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation shall not be required to be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord is not less than 450 mm (18 in.) and not over 1.2 m (4 ft).
(3) Receptacles are located to protect against physical damage to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle is accessible.
(5) The receptacle is supplied by an individual branch circuit.
2020 Code Language:
422.16(B)(4) Range Hoods and Microwave Oven/Range Hood Combinations. Range hoods and over-the-range microwave ovens with integral range hoods shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable for use on range hoods in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The length of the cord is not less than 450 mm (18 in.) and not over 1.2 m (4 ft).
(2) Receptacles are located to protect against physical damage to the flexible cord.
(3) The receptacle is supplied by an individual branch circuit.
(4) The receptacle shall be accessible.
(5) The flexible cord shall have an equipment grounding conductor and be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.
Exception: A listed appliance distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation shall not be required to be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.