Code Q&A: Maintenance Receptacle

July 5, 2012

Your most pressing National Electrical Code (NEC) questions answered

Q. Is a 15A or 20A, 125V-rated maintenance receptacle required for an outdoor evaporative cooler at a dwelling unit?

A. Not according to the Exception listed in 210.63. The basic rules is that a 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be installed at an accessible location for the servicing of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle must be located within 25 ft of, and on the same level as, the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment [210.63]. However, the exception states areceptacle outlet isn't required at one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evaporative coolers.

A receptacle outlet isn't required for ventilation equipment, because it's not heating, air-conditioning, or refrigeration equipment.

The HACR receptacle must be GFCI-protected if located outdoors [210.8(A)(3) and 210.8(B)(5)] or in the crawl space or unfinished basement of a dwelling unit [210.8(A)(4) and 210.8(A)(5)].

The outdoor 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet required for dwelling units [210.52(E)(1)] can be used to satisfy this requirement.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.