Here are just a few sections of the NEC that refers to an outlet box and it is clear that the referral has nothing to do with a receptacle, light nor the last box before the appliance wiring takes over.
I was taught that any point where a screw or wire nut was involved constituted an outlet. Somewhere down the line someone injected the thought that the outlet meant that we had left the premises wiring. I can find nothing to substantiate this. Could some one please point this out?
As to the Panel in the bedroom article 408 defines the panel as a panel. Yes I think that it also fits the description of an outlet. What is the service point? It is the point on the utility that we take current to supply equipment in the building therefore it is also an outlet. Now let?s argue!
220.14 (L) Other Outlets
250.148 Continuity and Attachment of Equipment Grounding Conductors to Boxes. (D) I think that a switch would be one device that could be installed in an outlet box that would be required to be grounded
314.24 Depth of Outlet Boxes. (C) And I believe that flexible cords such as pendant cords are still part of the premises wiring and are covered in 400
320.20
320.40
334.15 Exposed Work. (C) ? if it is just a metal junction box is it required to be grounded?
400.14
422.14 Infrared Lamp Industrial Heating Appliances.
550.15 Wiring Methods and Materials. (J)
550.20 Outdoor Outlets, Luminaires (Fixtures), Air-Cooling Equipment, and So Forth. (B)
551.2 Recreational Vehicle Site Supply Equipment. The necessary equipment, usually a power outlet, consisting of a circuit breaker or switch and fuse and their accessories, located near the point of entrance of supply conductors to a recreational vehicle site and intended to constitute the disconnecting means for the supply to that site. - Didn?t see anything about a receptacle or a light
551.47 Wiring Methods. (E),(I), (J) &(P)
551.55 Interior Equipment Grounding. (D)
In 552.48 Wiring Methods. (E),(F),(G),(H) & (I)
552.56 Interior Equipment Grounding. (D)
552.59 Outdoor Outlets, Fixtures, Including Luminaires, Air-Cooling Equipment, and So On. (B) Whether or not the equipment is installed it is still an outlet box.
680.23 Underwater Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures). (F)(2)(b) Clearly states an outlet box used to enclose a switch