Central heating eqpt VS Fixed electric space-heating equipment

[poopypants]

Everybody agrees that a gas furnace is an electric appliance, and it is central heating eqpt. Thus, 422.12 kicks in:
Central heating eqpt other than fixed electric space-heating eqpt shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit.

So then, what makes it NOT fixed electric space-heating eqpt? 424.1 says fixed electric space-heating eqpt is defined to include "...central systems, or other approved fixed electric space-heating equip"

Is it just me or does article 424 apply to a gas furnace? I have always thought it didn't, but why? Or am I wrong?

Thanks guys!

 

[ActionDave]

How about because the heat is not supplied by electricity rather the burning of gas?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I agree with Dave. The electricity is just for a motor not resistance heat.

 

[renosteinke]

More to the point ... electric heat has other requirements it must meet. For example, there is a maximum element size - which means a system will often require several separate circuits.