where is it,NO RECEPTACLES over BASEBOARDS

Status
Not open for further replies.

jameselectric

Senior Member
I just saw some new constructions in commercial, and they are installing receptacles directly over the baseboard heaters. I cant seem to find the code reference. I know if it was like 52 inches above it , then it would not be a problem, but its not even 2 inches.

so Where is is??
 
jameselectric said:
I just saw some new constructions in commercial, and they are installing receptacles directly over the baseboard heaters. I cant seem to find the code reference. I know if it was like 52 inches above it , then it would not be a problem, but its not even 2 inches.

so Where is is??

First are they electric baseboard or other?

If they are electric the instructions will likely say do not install under receptacles and they 110.3(B) would be the code violation.

There is a FPN under 424.9 indicating that.
 
Hot water or steam baseboard heaters can have the receptacles mounted on the heater and still be in compliance, as far as that goes. All of the major electric baseboard heater manufacturers have a general prohibition against receptacles over the heaters, but you can normally mount them over the end caps of the heaters (non heating section) if you absolutely have to.
 
mdshunk said:
Hot water or steam baseboard heaters can have the receptacles mounted on the heater and still be in compliance, as far as that goes. All of the major electric baseboard heater manufacturers have a general prohibition against receptacles over the heaters, but you can normally mount them over the end caps of the heaters (non heating section) if you absolutely have to.
Well this is not mounted on, its mounted just above it. thanks for the response, and yes, these are electric baseboard heaters .
 
Not adding much here, but there is also a FPN to the main section of 210.52 stating, "Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets."
 
whats the reason? that someone will plug something into the receptacle and leave the cord draped across the heater which then melts and starts fire?
 
wireguru said:
whats the reason? that someone will plug something into the receptacle and leave the cord draped across the heater which then melts and starts fire?
That probably sums it up pretty nice. Lucky thing for us is that these sorts of rules are pretty clear, so it takes all the thinking out of it.
 
wireguru said:
whats the reason? that someone will plug something into the receptacle and leave the cord draped across the heater which then melts and starts fire?


Yes this is what i was told. They had a lot of small fires and electrical shorts where people would draped the cords over the baseboard heaters. This is mostly in dwelling units. They only had a few in commercial buildings.

So most baseboard heaters have a warning to not do that.
 
The baseboard heater manufacturers also make a receptacle that mounts in the end cap of the heater.

2755-10b.jpg
 
I'm suprised this receptacle doesn't need to have more than the single plate screw as a mounting screw, the way a 4" raised cover does.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
That was the 1st thing I noticed as well.

UL doesn't follow the nec, they have their own rules. Many things with a UL or some other third party sticker on them would never meet NEC requirements.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
UL doesn't follow the nec, they have their own rules. Many things with a UL or some other third party sticker on them would never meet NEC requirements.

Dennis, check the article I posted above. The receptacle pictured probably meets the NEC requirement.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top