Tamper resistent receptacles

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tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Are T-R receptalces required when replacing ones in an existing home, or only in new construction? Just saw a condo unit where all receptacles were replaced within the last 6 months - not T-R types. NJ has required T-R's since Oct. 2009 (or thereabout)
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
This was clarified in the 2011 NEC that all replacement receptacles located in areas that require tamper resistant receptacles in the NEC must be tamp[er resistant.

See 406.4(D)(5) in the 2011 NEC.

Chris
 

tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
This was clarified in the 2011 NEC that all replacement receptacles located in areas that require tamper resistant receptacles in the NEC must be tamp[er resistant.

See 406.4(D)(5) in the 2011 NEC.

Chris

Since NJ has yet to adopt 2011, how does this play out. Is there a loophole in 2008 that would allow non T-R's?
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
I think under the 2008 NEC if you are replacing an existing receptacle in an area that requires tamper resistant receptacles then the replacement receptacles should be TR as well.

IMHO 406.11 does not exclude replacement receptacles.

Chris
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Receptacle replacement would fall under the rehab code which is still under the 2005 NEC so those receptacles are not required to be TR. This is from the NJ DCA Communicator:

NEC and the Rehab Subcode ?
Which Edition?
The National Electrical Code/2008 (NEC/2008) was
adopted April 6, 2009. The six-month grace period for
using the NEC/2005 expired October 5, 2009. This
means that since October 6, 2009, a complete permit
application must comply with the NEC/2008. This
applies to new construction only.
Under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) existing
structures must comply with N.J.A.C. 5:23-6, the
Rehabilitation Subcode. We are taking this opportunity
to remind all code users that any work done in an
existing building or dwelling continues to be required to
comply with the NEC/2005 because NEC/2005 is
referenced in the Rehabilitation Subcode, materials and
methods, at N.J.A.C. 5:23- 6.8(d). If you are looking for
specific proof, please see the supplement date at the
bottom of page 23-140.9; it states that this page is
current as of 8-6-07, when the 2005 NEC was in effect.
So what does this mean? Two big ticket items on
which the Department receives many phone calls
are: Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) Protection
(NEC/2008, Section 210.12) and Tamper-Resistant
Receptacles (TRR), (NEC/2008, Section 406.11).
Obviously, for new construction, the sections in the
NEC/2008 are to be followed. But, for work in
existing buildings, these sections are not required
because they were not part of the NEC/2005 as it
was adopted as the electrical subcode.

An example might be helpful: when doing work within
the original footprint of an existing home, no AFCI?s
or TRR?s are required. However, if the work project
is an addition (i.e. new construction and not finishing
a basement or attic), TRR?s are required only for the
addition and AFCI?s are required only if a new branch
circuit is provided to the addition. It is important to
note that existing circuits in the existing dwelling may
be tapped into to feed the addition and, provided the
changes comply with the materials and methods
provisions of the rehabilitation subcode, no AFCI
protection is required for those circuits in the addition.
Finally, per N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.2(b)2i, if a structure is
demolished except for a de minimis amount, for
example, if only the foundation remains, the
replacement structure is designated as a new
structure and the NEC/2008 is to be applied.
In summary, until the NEC/2008 is adopted as the
materials and methods for the rehabilitation subcode
(N.J.A.C. 5:23-6), the NEC/2005 remains in effect for
work in existing structures.
If you have any questions on this matter, please
contact us at (609) 984-7609.
Source: Rob Austin and Suzanne Borek
Code Assistance Unit
 
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