Outlets Above Electric Baseboard

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kevbo

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I know that for reasons of safety (extension cord, etc) outlets are not suppose to be installed above electric baseboard heat) but knowing that here's my question:

It is sort of standard to locat heaters below window areas to warm up any cooler air coming from the windows but what if the intention is also to have an air conditioner in one of those windows and that heater is electric baseboard? Where should that outlet be located (they are 8' long sections).

Should the electric baseboard be located on a different wall away from the windows?

Thanks for any insight!
 
kevbo said:
I know that for reasons of safety (extension cord, etc) outlets are not suppose to be installed above electric baseboard heat) but knowing that here's my question:
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The NEC allows outlets above electric baseboards if the manufactures instructions do not say otherwise.

It is sort of standard to locate heaters below window areas to warm up any cooler air coming from the windows but what if the intention is also to have an air conditioner in one of those windows and that heater is electric baseboard? Where should that outlet be located (they are 8' long sections).
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You could install outlets in the baseboard, most manufactures make a kit for doing this.

Perhaps another option would be to install the outlet high directly beside the window AC and behind the curtains, a few tie wraps to tie up the extra cord and it will be well away from the heat.

Should the electric baseboard be located on a different wall away from the windows?
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This would be a very bad choice, the comfort level in the room will decrease quite a bit if the baseboards are not on the outside walls and the electric bill will likely rise as well.
 
kevbo said:
...but what if the intention is also to have an air conditioner in one of those windows and that heater is electric baseboard?
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The sensible thing to do is to change the heating/cooling design.

Why put two seperate systems in when one can do the job of both with the headache of "where to put the outlet?"

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Do a search for "Heat pump air conditioner" and you will see exactly what I mean.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Is there an NEC article on this subject?
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No, not specifically.

The section that could be cited is 110.3(B).

Take a look at the FPN under 210.52.

It reminds us that some baseboard heaters have instructions that prohibit receptacles from being located above them.
 
Stickboy,

Can't legislate common sense, but seen a couple of mad 90.4's over stupid stunts that people try to pull when it comes to receptacles over heaters. Small note to consider...code is a minimum that we have to meet, it won't hurt to exceed!
 
Rockyd said:
Stickboy,

Can't legislate common sense, but seen a couple of mad 90.4's over stupid stunts that people try to pull when it comes to receptacles over heaters. Small note to consider...code is a minimum that we have to meet, it won't hurt to exceed!
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I was just wondering, i've always been told its against code for plugs over electric baseboard heaters, I always thought it was code so I never looked it up for myself
 
As Bob has mentioned, the only place in the NEC this is mentioned is in an FPN. Following 110.3(B) then becomes the logical choice of NEC code.

I have in the past, performed a search of different manufacturer's requirements for electric heat. I found two different manufacturers that had no prohibition of receptacles above their baseboard heating units.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
As Bob has mentioned, the only place in the NEC this is mentioned is in an FPN. Following 110.3(B) then becomes the logical choice of NEC code.

I have in the past, performed a search of different manufacturer's requirements for electric heat. I found two different manufacturers that had no prohibition of receptacles above their baseboard heating units.
Click to expand...

I just like to break my boss's chops, because he is the type of guy that is never wrong, and if you don't believe me you can ask him yourself :)
 
kevbo said:
...It is sort of standard to locate heaters below window areas to warm up any cooler air coming from the windows but what if the intention is also to have an air conditioner in one of those windows and that heater is electric baseboard? Where should that outlet be located (they are 8' long sections)....
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At the place where you want to install that outlet, install (2) sections of 4' heater units, with a small gap between them. Directly above that gap is where you place your outlet. We did exactly that on an installation where the homeowner wanted outlets beneath all the windows for the "candle in the window" look ....
 
kbsparky said:
At the place where you want to install that outlet, install (2) sections of 4' heater units, with a small gap between them. Directly above that gap is where you place your outlet. We did exactly that on an installation where the homeowner wanted outlets beneath all the windows for the "candle in the window" look ....
Click to expand...

Check this site out www.windowcandles.com
 
424.9 also mentions factory installed recepticle outlets in electric baseboard heaters, pretty much a repeat of the second paragraph of 210.52
 
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