Patpowers
Member
- Location
- Mississippi
- Occupation
- Electrician
After careful review of the 2020 NEC, I have come to the conclusion that existing branch circuits for ranges and dryers that DO NOT have an Equipment Grounding Conductor (uses the Grounded Conductor for bonding the frame: 3-wire branch circuits); CAN NOT have a receptacle replaced, but MUST BE Fastened in Place or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods (Fixed), according to 250.134. I come to this conclusion by first reviewing 406.4(D) Replacements of Receptacles.
406.3(B) Ratings: Receptacles and cord connectors shall be rated not less than 15 amperes, 125 volts, or 15 amperes, 250 volts, and shall be of a type not suitable for use as lampholders. MY UNDERSTANDING: THIS INCLUDES RECEPTACLES FOR 30 AMPERES 220 VOLTS AND RECEPTACLES 50 AMPERES 220 VOLTS; COMMON TO DRYERS AND RANGES RESPECTIVELY.
406.4(D) (Replacements) (2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles.
(2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles.
Where attachment to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply with 406.4(D)(2)(a), (D)(2)(b), or (D)(2)(c).
Exception:
Listed tools, listed appliances, and listed equipment covered in 250.114(2) through (4) shall not be required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor where protected by a system of double insulation or its equivalent. Double insulated equipment shall be distinctively marked.
250.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers.
Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in the manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138.
Exception:
For existing branch-circuit installations only where an equipment grounding conductor is not present in the outlet or junction box, the frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be permitted to be connected to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
MY UNDERSTANDING: RANGES AND DRYERS MUST BE CONNECTED SPECIFIED BY 250.134 OR 250.138. HOWEVER THE EXCEPTION STATES THAT WHERE AN EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR IS NOT PRESENT IN THE OUTLET OR JUNCTION BOX THAT THE FRAME CAN BE BONDED TO THE GROUNDED CONDUCTOR IF THE FOUR CONDITIONS ARE MET. IT DOES NOT SPECIFY RECEPTACLE, WHICH IS NOT THE SAME AS AN OUTLET OR JUNCTION BOX.
250.138 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment.
Non–current-carrying metal parts of cord-and-plug-connected equipment, if required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor, shall be connected by one of the methods in 250.138(A) or (B).
(A) By Means of an Equipment Grounding Conductor.
By means of an equipment grounding conductor run with the power supply conductors in a cable assembly or flexible cord properly terminated in a grounding-type attachment plug with one fixed grounding contact.
Exception:
The grounding contacting pole of grounding-type plug-in ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted to be of the movable, self-restoring type on circuits operating at not over 150 volts between any two conductors or over 150 volts between any conductor and ground.
(B) By Means of a Separate Flexible Wire or Strap.
By means of a separate flexible wire or strap, insulated or bare, connected to an equipment grounding conductor, and protected as well as practicable against physical damage, where part of equipment.
MY UNDERSTANDING: ONCE AGAIN AS IN 250.114(3)(b) ; 250.138 ALSO OFFERS NO EXCEPTION TO CORD AND PLUG CONNECTED DRYERS AND RANGES
HOWEVER 250.134 DOES REFERENCE USING THE GROUNDED CONDUCTOR FOR THE NON-CURRENT-CARRYING METAL PARTS OF EQUIPMENT.
250.134 Equipment Fastened in Place or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods (Fixed).
Unless connected to the grounded circuit conductor as permitted by 250.32, 250.140, and 250.142, non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures, if grounded, shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor by one of the following methods:
MY CONCLUSION: ACCORDING TO NEC 2020 DRYER AND RANGE RECEPTACLES CAN NOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT ADDING AN EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR OR YOU MUST WIRE IT ACCORDING TO 250.134 FASTENED IN PLACE OR CONNECTED BY PERMANENT WIRING METHOD (FIXED) AND 250.140 (1-4) MUST APPLY.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I MISSED SOMETHING OR DID I MIS-INTERPRET THE CODE REGARDING THIS MATTER
IS THIS CORRECT???
406.3(B) Ratings: Receptacles and cord connectors shall be rated not less than 15 amperes, 125 volts, or 15 amperes, 250 volts, and shall be of a type not suitable for use as lampholders. MY UNDERSTANDING: THIS INCLUDES RECEPTACLES FOR 30 AMPERES 220 VOLTS AND RECEPTACLES 50 AMPERES 220 VOLTS; COMMON TO DRYERS AND RANGES RESPECTIVELY.
406.4(D) (Replacements) (2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles.
(2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles.
Where attachment to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply with 406.4(D)(2)(a), (D)(2)(b), or (D)(2)(c).
- (a)
A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with another non–grounding-type receptacle(s).
Informational Note No. 1:
Some equipment or appliance manufacturers require that the branch circuit to the equipment or appliance includes an equipment grounding conductor.
Informational Note No. 2:
See 250.114 for a list of a cord-and-plug-connected equipment or appliances that require an equipment grounding conductor.
- MY UNDERSTANDING: I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT 406.4(D)2 WOULD NOT APPLY TO A NON-GROUNDING TYPE 3-PRONG DRYER OR RANGE RECEPTACLE. 406.3(B) RATINGS; SEEMS TO VALIDATE MY REASONING. IT WOULD SEEM THAT 406.4(D)(2)(a)
A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with another non–grounding-type receptacle(s); SHOULD ALLOW ME TO REPLACE A 3-PRONG RECEPTACLE WITH ANOTHER 3-PRONG RECEPTACLE. HOWEVER, INFORMATIONAL NOTE NO. 2: See 250.114 for a list of a cord-and-plug-connected equipment or appliances that require an equipment grounding conductor; WOULD TELL ME OTHERWISE.
250.114 Equipment Connected by Cord and Plug.
Exposed, normally non–current-carrying metal parts of cord-and-plug-connected equipment shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor under any of the following conditions:Exception:
Listed tools, listed appliances, and listed equipment covered in 250.114(2) through (4) shall not be required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor where protected by a system of double insulation or its equivalent. Double insulated equipment shall be distinctively marked.
- (3)
In residential occupancies:- a.
Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners - b.
Clothes-washing, clothes-drying, and dish-washing machines; ranges; kitchen waste disposers; information technology equipment; sump pumps; and electrical aquarium equipment - c.
Hand-held motor-operated tools, stationary and fixed motor-operated tools, and light industrial motor-operated tools - d.
Motor-operated appliances of the following types: hedge clippers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and wet scrubbers - e.
Portable handlamps
- a.
- MY UNDERSTANDING: IF A DRYER OR RANGE IS CONNECTED BY CORD AND PLUG, 250.114 (3) (b); STATES THAT CORD AND PLUG CLOTHES-DRYING AND RANGES MUST BE CONNECTED TO AN EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR; THERE IS NO EXCEPTION.
250.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers.
Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in the manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138.
Exception:
For existing branch-circuit installations only where an equipment grounding conductor is not present in the outlet or junction box, the frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be permitted to be connected to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
- (1)
The supply circuit is 120/240-volt, single-phase, 3-wire; or 208Y/120-volt derived from a 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected system. - (2)
The grounded conductor is not smaller than 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum. - (3)
The grounded conductor is insulated, or the grounded conductor is uninsulated and part of a Type SE service-entrance cable and the branch circuit originates at the service equipment. - (4)
Grounding contacts of receptacles furnished as part of the equipment are bonded to the equipment.
MY UNDERSTANDING: RANGES AND DRYERS MUST BE CONNECTED SPECIFIED BY 250.134 OR 250.138. HOWEVER THE EXCEPTION STATES THAT WHERE AN EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR IS NOT PRESENT IN THE OUTLET OR JUNCTION BOX THAT THE FRAME CAN BE BONDED TO THE GROUNDED CONDUCTOR IF THE FOUR CONDITIONS ARE MET. IT DOES NOT SPECIFY RECEPTACLE, WHICH IS NOT THE SAME AS AN OUTLET OR JUNCTION BOX.
250.138 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment.
Non–current-carrying metal parts of cord-and-plug-connected equipment, if required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor, shall be connected by one of the methods in 250.138(A) or (B).
(A) By Means of an Equipment Grounding Conductor.
By means of an equipment grounding conductor run with the power supply conductors in a cable assembly or flexible cord properly terminated in a grounding-type attachment plug with one fixed grounding contact.
Exception:
The grounding contacting pole of grounding-type plug-in ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted to be of the movable, self-restoring type on circuits operating at not over 150 volts between any two conductors or over 150 volts between any conductor and ground.
(B) By Means of a Separate Flexible Wire or Strap.
By means of a separate flexible wire or strap, insulated or bare, connected to an equipment grounding conductor, and protected as well as practicable against physical damage, where part of equipment.
MY UNDERSTANDING: ONCE AGAIN AS IN 250.114(3)(b) ; 250.138 ALSO OFFERS NO EXCEPTION TO CORD AND PLUG CONNECTED DRYERS AND RANGES
HOWEVER 250.134 DOES REFERENCE USING THE GROUNDED CONDUCTOR FOR THE NON-CURRENT-CARRYING METAL PARTS OF EQUIPMENT.
250.134 Equipment Fastened in Place or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods (Fixed).
Unless connected to the grounded circuit conductor as permitted by 250.32, 250.140, and 250.142, non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures, if grounded, shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor by one of the following methods:
- (1)
By connecting to any of the equipment grounding conductors permitted by 250.118(2) through (14) - (2)
By connecting to an equipment grounding conductor of the wire type that is contained within the same raceway, contained within the same cable, or otherwise run with the circuit conductors
Exception No. 1:
As provided in 250.130(C), the equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to be run separately from the circuit conductors.
Exception No. 2:
For dc circuits, the equipment grounding conductor shall be permitted to be run separately from the circuit conductors
Informational Note No. 1:
See 250.102 and 250.168 for equipment bonding jumper requirements.
Informational Note No. 2:
See 400.10 for use of flexible cords and flexible cables for fixed equipment.
MY CONCLUSION: ACCORDING TO NEC 2020 DRYER AND RANGE RECEPTACLES CAN NOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT ADDING AN EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR OR YOU MUST WIRE IT ACCORDING TO 250.134 FASTENED IN PLACE OR CONNECTED BY PERMANENT WIRING METHOD (FIXED) AND 250.140 (1-4) MUST APPLY.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I MISSED SOMETHING OR DID I MIS-INTERPRET THE CODE REGARDING THIS MATTER
IS THIS CORRECT???