Baseboard Heaters and A/C Receptacle on one circuit.

[AlexNYC]

Is it allowed to have a dedicated 120V 20A circuit feed a permanent baseboard heater AND a single receptacle used for a wall-sleeeve A/C unit? The single receptacle is mounted in the wall to the side of the heater, not in an end cap. This situation occurs in several rooms, each having a single heater and single a/c recptable as part of that rooms "heat/air" circuit. The heaters are all 1250W or less at 120VAC. The air conditioners are all 12A or less. Everything is in conduit so it would be easy to run separate circuits, but there is simply no room in the 32/32 panel and I don't want to use non-ctl breakers in a new panel. A subpanel is an option, but is it needed for only 4 circuits?

Any advice or 2003/5 code ref. greatly appreciated.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Baseboard Heaters and A/C Receptacle on one circuit.

I think 210.23 is the only issue here, and it's not one for you.

I'd think about installing single receps, so that they both can't be on at the same time. But that's probably just foolish.

 

[benaround]

Re: Baseboard Heaters and A/C Receptacle on one circuit.

AlexNYC,

220.21 Unfortunatly this applies to feeders and services. I'm trying to find it for branch circuits,also it has been common practice in the past to do ,but still need to find it.

frank

 

[kbsparky]

Re: Baseboard Heaters and A/C Receptacle on one circuit.

We install such circuits many times. But, usually they are 240 Volt. You should be allowed to have what is called "non-coincidential loads" connected to the same circuits, as the code recognizes such for load and demand calculations.

I suppose that the problem here might be if one were to unplug that A/C and start using the outlet for other loads, you might run into trouble? Especially in "winter"?

 

[mc5w]

Re: Baseboard Heaters and A/C Receptacle on one circuit.

NEC 424.9 prohibits theoretically connection of receptacles to the heater circuit, but you can get around this by installing a 20 amp 3-way switch that keeps the heater and the air conditioner from being energized at the same time. I have seen this done with motel rooms.

You can also get a double pole double throw center off maintained contact light switch for this application as well if you need to switch both sides of the circuit. These are in the same section of manufacturers' catalogs with the momentary switches that are used to control latching lighting contactors.