wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
This PI was recently motivated by a discussion here, so it is appearing out of order.
Cheers, Wayne
Utilization Equipment. Equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes, as its principal electrical function.
Statement of Problem and Substantiation for Public Input
This PI was motivated by the question "is a GFCI receptacle utilization equipment?" The current definition admits the interpretation that it is, as a GFCI receptacle utilizes some electrical energy to run its internal electronics. The proposed text would clarify that as the principal electrical function is as a receptacle, a GFCI receptacle is not utilization equipment.
The proposed clarification mirrors the language in the definition of "device." The textual change reinforces a dichotomy between devices and utilization equipment. The inclusion of the word "electrical" in the phrase "principal electrical function" is to cover, for example, the case of a gas range, whose principal function is not electrical at all; but if it uses electricity for lights, electronics, or igniting gas, then it is still utilization equipment.
The question of whether a GFCI receptacle is utilization equipment arises because of 210.8(F), which requires GFCI protection for certain outdoor outlets at dwelling units. If a GFCI receptacle is itself utilization equipment, that means an outlet exists upstream of the GFCI receptacle, which outlet would not be protected by the GFCI receptacle. Therefore a GFCI receptacle at the outdoor outlet could not be used to satisfy 210.8(F); an upstream GFCI breaker or indoor GFCI would be required.
As I understand that this is not the intended import of 210.8(F), it seems simplest to clarify the definition of utilization equipment. This clarification would also exclude other electronic equipment that is part of the wiring system from being considered utilization equipment, such as: lighted snap switches; GFCI or AFCI circuit breakers; PV inverters; etc.
Cheers, Wayne
Utilization Equipment. Equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes, as its principal electrical function.
Statement of Problem and Substantiation for Public Input
This PI was motivated by the question "is a GFCI receptacle utilization equipment?" The current definition admits the interpretation that it is, as a GFCI receptacle utilizes some electrical energy to run its internal electronics. The proposed text would clarify that as the principal electrical function is as a receptacle, a GFCI receptacle is not utilization equipment.
The proposed clarification mirrors the language in the definition of "device." The textual change reinforces a dichotomy between devices and utilization equipment. The inclusion of the word "electrical" in the phrase "principal electrical function" is to cover, for example, the case of a gas range, whose principal function is not electrical at all; but if it uses electricity for lights, electronics, or igniting gas, then it is still utilization equipment.
The question of whether a GFCI receptacle is utilization equipment arises because of 210.8(F), which requires GFCI protection for certain outdoor outlets at dwelling units. If a GFCI receptacle is itself utilization equipment, that means an outlet exists upstream of the GFCI receptacle, which outlet would not be protected by the GFCI receptacle. Therefore a GFCI receptacle at the outdoor outlet could not be used to satisfy 210.8(F); an upstream GFCI breaker or indoor GFCI would be required.
As I understand that this is not the intended import of 210.8(F), it seems simplest to clarify the definition of utilization equipment. This clarification would also exclude other electronic equipment that is part of the wiring system from being considered utilization equipment, such as: lighted snap switches; GFCI or AFCI circuit breakers; PV inverters; etc.