1 Scope
NOTE This standard covers the materials, ratings, configuration, installation, and field testing of wiring devices for low-voltage branch circuits rated 125V through 250V and 60A and below. (1.1)
NOTE Wiring devices include receptacles, attachment-plug outlets, snap (toggle and decorator) switches, ground-fault and arc-fault protective devices, occupancy and vacancy sensors, wall plates, and floor and poke-through outlet devices. (1.2)
NOTE Wiring devices are the most numerous, most visible, and most frequently handled electrical components in a building, and they are also the components most often value-engineered to failure. (1.3)
NOTE A receptacle is touched, plugged, and unplugged thousands of times over its life; a switch is actuated tens of thousands of times. (1.4)
NOTE The difference between a device that survives that duty cycle and one that loosens, overheats, or breaks is almost entirely a function of the device grade selected and the quality of the field termination. (1.5)
1.6Devices and their installation shall comply with NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), principally Article 406 for receptacles, Article 404 for switches, 210.8 for ground-fault protection, and 210.12 for arc-fault protection.
1.7Devices shall be listed and labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
NOTE Device grade is treated as a primary engineering decision rather than an afterthought, because the installed cost difference between grades is small relative to the cost of replacing failed devices in an occupied building. (1.8)
NOTE The branch circuit that supplies a device, including its conductors and equipment grounding conductor, is governed by
Conductors And Cables; the outlet box, raceway, and floor-box rough-in that house the device are governed by
Raceways And Conduit; panel-mounted GFCI and AFCI breakers are governed by
Low Voltage Panelboards; and the equipment grounding connection every device depends upon is governed by
Grounding And Bonding. This standard governs the device itself, its plate, and the requirements for terminating and testing it.
(1.9) 2 Referenced Standards
2.1Devices, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the following standards and codes.
| Standard |
Title |
| NFPA 70 |
National Electrical Code (Articles 110, 210, 250, 404, 406, 314, 517, 680) |
| NFPA 70E |
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace |
| UL 498 |
Attachment Plugs and Receptacles |
| UL 943 |
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters |
| UL 1699 |
Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters |
| UL 1472 |
Solid-State Dimming Controls |
| UL 773 |
Plug-In, Locking Type Photocontrols for Use with Area Lighting (and UL 773A, Nonindustrial Photoelectric Switches) |
| UL 1449 |
Surge Protective Devices |
| UL 514A |
Metallic Outlet Boxes |
| UL 514B |
Conduit, Tubing, and Cable Fittings |
| UL 514C |
Nonmetallic Outlet Boxes, Flush-Device Boxes, and Covers |
| NEMA WD 1 |
General Color Requirements for Wiring Devices |
| NEMA WD 6 |
Wiring Devices — Dimensional Specifications |
| NEMA WD 7 |
Occupancy Motion Sensors Standard |
| FS W-C-596 |
Federal Specification, Connector, Plug and Receptacle, Electrical (device grade references) |
| FS W-S-896 |
Federal Specification, Switches, Toggle (device grade references) |
2.2Where the contract documents, the adopted building code, or a referenced standard conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1Contractor shall submit the following for the Engineer's review prior to procurement:
- Product data for each device type, grade, ampere and voltage rating, NEMA configuration, and color, including receptacles, switches, GFCI and AFCI devices, sensors, wall plates, and floor and poke-through assemblies
- Documentation of listing and labeling for each device, identifying the applicable UL standard and, for receptacles, the NEMA WD 6 configuration designation
- For occupancy and vacancy sensors, the sensing technology, coverage pattern and range, time-delay range, and the wiring topology (line-voltage versus low-voltage with a separate power pack)
- For floor and poke-through devices, the assembly fire-resistance rating where installed in a fire-rated floor, the service openings provided (power, low-voltage), and the finish
- A device color and finish schedule coordinating device color, plate material, and plate finish with the architectural finish schedule
☐ Product data for each device type and grade
☐ Listing/labeling documentation (UL standard and NEMA configuration)
☐ Occupancy/vacancy sensor coverage and technology data
☐ Floor / poke-through assembly data (fire rating, services, finish)
☐ Device color and plate finish schedule
3.1.2Devices shall not be ordered until the corresponding submittals are reviewed and returned.
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1Contractor shall provide the following at substantial completion:
- Field test reports for receptacle wiring verification and GFCI/AFCI functional testing, identifying any device replaced as a result of testing
- Operation and maintenance data for occupancy/vacancy sensors and any programmable devices, including time-delay and sensitivity settings as left
- Warranty documentation for devices carrying a manufacturer warranty
- A record device schedule reflecting the as-installed device types, grades, and colors by area
☐ Field test reports (receptacle wiring, GFCI/AFCI functional)
☐ O&M data for sensors and programmable devices (settings as left)
☐ Warranty documentation
☐ Record device schedule (types, grades, colors by area)
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Installer Qualifications
NOTE Termination quality is the single largest field variable affecting device reliability. (4.1.1)
4.1.2Wiring devices shall be installed by electricians experienced in device termination and supervised by a licensed electrical contractor.
4.1.3Personnel shall be familiar with the correct preparation and torque of the terminal type specified for each device.
4.2 Listing and Labeling
4.2.1Every wiring device shall be listed and labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for its specific use.
4.2.2Receptacles and attachment plugs shall be listed to UL 498.
4.2.3Ground-fault circuit-interrupter devices shall be listed to UL 943.
4.2.4Arc-fault devices shall be listed to UL 1699.
4.2.5Solid-state dimmers shall be listed to UL 1472.
4.2.6A device shall not be installed in any application beyond the ratings and use for which it is listed.
4.3 Source Limitations
NOTE A receptacle from one manufacturer and a plate from another frequently do not align cleanly even when both meet NEMA WD 6 dimensions; sourcing devices and plates as a coordinated set avoids visible misalignment. (4.3.1)
4.3.2All wiring devices of a given type and grade on a project should be furnished by a single manufacturer so that color, plate fit, and replacement-part interchangeability are consistent throughout the building.
4.4 Regulatory Requirements
4.4.1Devices and their installation shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local codes, including the adopted edition of NFPA 70 and any state or local amendments.
4.4.2Work shall be subject to inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
5 Environmental and Service Conditions
NOTE The location of a device dictates several mandatory device characteristics under the NEC, independent of any designer preference. (5.1)
NOTE The selection below records the governing condition for each device group so that the correct device characteristics are carried through procurement. (5.2)
Indoor dry — general interior, climate-controlled
Indoor damp — unconditioned interior, high-humidity areas
Outdoor / wet — exposed to weather or washdown
Mixed (per drawings by area)
5.3A device in a damp or wet location shall be weather-resistant and shall be protected by an appropriate cover.
5.4A device in a location listed in NEC 406.12 shall be tamper-resistant.
5.5A device in a location listed in NEC 210.8 shall have ground-fault protection.
NOTE These location-driven requirements are not optional and are addressed in the product sections that follow. (5.6)
6 Device Grade and Quality
NOTE The grade of a wiring device, established by its construction and by the durability and retention tests it passes under UL 498, is the primary determinant of how long the device will function in service. (6.1)
NOTE Grade is not a marketing term; it corresponds to measurable differences in contact material, contact pressure, strap thickness, and terminal robustness, and historically to the federal device-grade references FS W-C-596 for receptacles and FS W-S-896 for switches. (6.2)
6.3 Receptacle Grade
NOTE Commercial grade provides substantially higher contact retention and strap durability than residential-grade devices at a small premium, and it is the grade that survives the plug-and-unplug cycling of an occupied building without developing loose, heat-generating connections. (6.3.1)
○ Residential / general use
○ Commercial / specification grade
○ Heavy-duty / industrial grade
○ Hospital grade (UL 498, green dot)
6.3.2Commercial (specification) grade shall be the default for commercial, institutional, and tenant-improvement work unless a higher or lower grade is indicated.
6.3.3Residential/general-use grade should be limited to dwelling units and light-duty locations where cost governs and duty is low.
6.3.4Heavy-duty/industrial grade should be specified for shops, kitchens, equipment rooms, and any location subject to heavy or abusive plug cycling.
6.3.5Hospital-grade receptacles, identified by the green dot required under UL 498 and tested to additional grounding-reliability, assembly-integrity, and abrupt-removal requirements, shall be used in patient care spaces and wherever else required by NEC Article 517, and may be specified for other critical-equipment locations where maximum grounding reliability is required.
6.4 Switch Grade
NOTE A specification-grade switch is rated for a far greater number of mechanical operations than a residential switch; switch grade follows the same logic as receptacle grade. (6.4.1)
○ Residential / general use
○ Commercial / specification grade
○ Heavy-duty / industrial grade
6.4.2A specification-grade switch shall be the default for commercial spaces, where a single switch may be actuated many times per day for decades.
6.5 Switch and Receptacle Ampere Rating
NOTE The 20A receptacle accepts both 15A and 20A attachment plugs; a 20A switch is similarly preferred for commercial work because its higher contact rating extends life under inductive lighting loads. (6.5.1)
6.5.2A 20A device shall be the default for commercial branch circuits, which are commonly wired as 20A circuits.
6.5.3A 20A receptacle is required where a single receptacle is the only outlet on a 20A circuit.
6.5.4The device ampere rating shall not exceed the branch-circuit rating, and a receptacle's rating shall be coordinated with the circuit per NEC 210.21(B).
7 Receptacles and NEMA Configurations
NOTE The physical configuration of a receptacle — the arrangement of its slots and ground contact — is standardized by NEMA WD 6, which assigns a designation (for example 5-15R, 5-20R, 6-20R, L5-30R) encoding the voltage class, the ampere rating, and whether the device is straight-blade or locking. (7.1)
NOTE Specifying the correct NEMA configuration is what guarantees that the receptacle physically accepts only the intended attachment plug and rejects others, which is itself a safety function. (7.2)
7.3Configurations shall be specified by their NEMA WD 6 designation, never by appearance or by a manufacturer catalog number.
7.4 General-Purpose Receptacle Configuration
NOTE The 5-20R, 125V 20A straight-blade configuration is the workhorse of commercial construction and is the correct default for general convenience receptacles on 20A circuits. (7.4.1)
NOTE The 5-15R is appropriate for 15A circuits and residential general use. (7.4.2)
NOTE The 6-series 250V configurations serve dedicated 240V single-phase equipment. (7.4.3)
NOTE The locking blade prevents the plug from being pulled out under load or vibration. (7.4.4)
5-15R — 125V, 15A, straight blade
5-20R — 125V, 20A, straight blade
6-15R — 250V, 15A, straight blade
6-20R — 250V, 20A, straight blade
L5-20R — 125V, 20A, locking
L5-30R — 125V, 30A, locking
L6-20R — 250V, 20A, locking
L6-30R — 250V, 30A, locking
7.4.5Locking (twist-lock) configurations shall be specified where an accidental disconnection would be hazardous or disruptive — portable equipment, temporary power, rooftop and mechanical equipment, and stage or audiovisual power.
7.5 Receptacle Configuration — Single vs. Duplex
NOTE A duplex receptacle is the default general-purpose device. (7.5.1)
NOTE Quad assemblies are appropriate at workstations and equipment racks where outlet density is high. (7.5.2)
○ Duplex (two receptacles per device)
○ Single (one receptacle per device)
○ Quad (four receptacles, two ganged duplexes)
7.5.3A single receptacle shall be used where a dedicated piece of equipment requires the entire circuit, where a single receptacle is installed on an individual branch circuit and must therefore be rated not less than the circuit per NEC 210.21(B)(1), or where codes restrict the outlet to one device.
7.6 Controlled and Marked Receptacles
○ Not required
○ Automatically controlled receptacles marked per energy code
7.6.1Where the adopted energy code requires that a portion of receptacles be automatically controlled (switched off when a space is unoccupied), the controlled receptacles shall be permanently marked with the distinctive symbol that identifies them as controlled, so that occupants do not connect equipment requiring continuous power to a controlled outlet.
8 Ground-Fault and Arc-Fault Protection
8.1Ground-fault and arc-fault protection may be provided at the device (a GFCI or AFCI receptacle) or upstream at the panelboard (a GFCI or AFCI breaker, per Low Voltage Panelboards). NOTE Both satisfy the code requirement; the choice affects cost, the extent of wiring protected, and the location at which a tripped device is reset. (8.2)
NOTE This standard governs the device-level option. (8.3)
8.4 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection
NOTE NEC 210.8 requires ground-fault protection for personnel on receptacles in a broad and expanding set of locations, including bathrooms, kitchens and other areas with sinks or food-preparation provisions, garages, outdoors, rooftops, crawl spaces, and unfinished basements, and the protected range now extends through 250V at the specified locations. (8.4.1)
NOTE A GFCI receptacle at the point of use is the common default because it protects the connected equipment, is reset locally, and isolates a trip to a single outlet. (8.4.2)
NOTE A GFCI breaker at the panelboard additionally protects the branch-circuit wiring and is preferred where the wiring is exposed to damage or where local reset is impractical. (8.4.3)
○ GFCI receptacle at the point of use
○ GFCI breaker at the panelboard (protects branch-circuit wiring)
○ First GFCI receptacle feeding downstream protected receptacles
8.4.4Where a receptacle is in a location listed in NEC 210.8, it shall be GFCI-protected by a listed GFCI device.
8.4.5Where a single upstream GFCI receptacle feeds downstream conventional receptacles on its load terminals, every downstream receptacle so protected shall be marked "GFCI Protected" and "No Equipment Ground" only where applicable, and the downstream extent shall be clear so that a future trip can be diagnosed.
8.4.6GFCI devices for personnel protection shall be Class A, listed to UL 943, which trips on a ground-fault current of 6 mA and does not trip below 4 mA.
8.4.7Devices of other classes, which trip at higher currents, protect equipment but not people and shall not be substituted where personnel protection is required.
8.4.8GFCI devices shall incorporate the self-test and end-of-life functions required by the current edition of UL 943.
8.4.9A GFCI that can no longer protect shall deny power or provide a distinct indication rather than continuing to pass power as an ordinary receptacle.
8.5 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) Protection
NOTE NEC 210.12 requires combination-type arc-fault protection on 120V, 15A and 20A branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling units, dormitories, guest rooms, and similar residential occupancies. (8.5.1)
NOTE A combination AFCI breaker at the panelboard is the cleanest method because it protects the entire branch circuit including the homerun, and it is the default where AFCI is required. (8.5.2)
NOTE The outlet AFCI device is used where an existing branch-circuit homerun cannot be protected at the panel. (8.5.3)
NOTE AFCI is not generally required in commercial occupancies. (8.5.4)
○ Not required (non-residential occupancy)
○ Combination AFCI breaker at panelboard
○ Outlet-branch-circuit AFCI device at first outlet
8.5.5AFCI protection may be provided by a combination AFCI breaker at the panelboard or, where permitted, by an outlet-branch-circuit AFCI device at the first outlet.
8.5.6The Engineer may specify AFCI for commercial areas with concentrated plug loads and extension-cord use as a proactive fire-prevention measure.
8.6 Dual-Function Devices
○ Not used
○ Dual-function device where both AFCI and GFCI are required
8.6.1A dual-function device provides both Class A GFCI and AFCI protection in a single receptacle and may be used at the first outlet of a residential circuit that requires both, avoiding two stacked devices.
9 Tamper-Resistant and Weather-Resistant Devices
9.1Tamper resistance and weather resistance are independent device characteristics, each required by the NEC in its own set of locations, and a device may need to be both.
9.2They are not interchangeable and shall not be confused.
9.3 Tamper-Resistant (TR) Receptacles
NOTE NEC 406.12 requires that 15A and 20A, 125V and 250V nonlocking receptacles be listed tamper-resistant in a wide range of dwelling and now non-dwelling locations, including guest rooms, child care facilities, and many educational, health-care, and assembly spaces. (9.3.1)
NOTE A tamper-resistant receptacle incorporates an internal shutter mechanism that opens only when both contacts are engaged simultaneously by a plug, preventing the insertion of a single foreign object into one slot. (9.3.2)
NOTE The default here follows code minimum, but project-wide TR is a common and reasonable election. (9.3.3)
○ TR where required by NEC 406.12
○ TR for all 15A/20A 125V receptacles (project-wide)
○ Not required (no 406.12 locations)
NOTE Specifying tamper-resistant receptacles project-wide for all standard 15A and 20A 125V outlets is a defensible simplification that eliminates the risk of a non-TR device being installed in a location that requires TR, at negligible added cost. (9.3.4)
9.4 Weather-Resistant (WR) Receptacles
NOTE NEC 406.9 requires that receptacles installed in damp or wet locations be listed weather-resistant. (9.4.1)
NOTE A weather-resistant receptacle uses materials and a construction that withstand exposure to moisture, humidity, and temperature extremes without the contact corrosion and material degradation that would occur in an ordinary device. (9.4.2)
NOTE A combined WR/TR device satisfies both requirements in one part. (9.4.3)
○ WR at all damp and wet locations (NEC 406.9)
○ Not applicable (no damp/wet receptacle locations)
9.4.4A receptacle that is in a wet or damp location and also in a location listed in NEC 406.12 shall be both weather-resistant and tamper-resistant.
9.5 In-Use (Bubble) Covers for Wet Locations
9.5.1This requires an "in-use" or "bubble" cover for any wet-location receptacle that may have a cord connected while exposed to weather, because a flat weatherproof cover is weatherproof only when closed and open to the weather whenever a cord is plugged in.
○ In-use (bubble) cover, weatherproof with plug inserted
○ Flush/flat weatherproof cover (damp location, no continuous cord use)
9.5.2Receptacles in a wet location shall be provided with an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not a plug is inserted, in accordance with NEC 406.9(B).
10 USB and Specialty Receptacles
10.1 USB-Integrated Receptacles
NOTE A USB-integrated receptacle combines a standard duplex receptacle with one or more integral USB charging ports. (10.1.1)
10.1.2The integral electronics have a shorter service life than the receptacle contacts and may date the installation as charging standards evolve.
○ Not used
○ Provided at designated locations (duplex receptacle with integral USB)
10.1.3Where specified, the device shall be listed and the USB port types and output rating shall be coordinated with current charging standards.
10.1.4USB-integrated receptacles should be specified only at locations where charging convenience is part of the program (hospitality, conference, lobby, and similar).
10.1.5USB receptacles shall not be relied upon where a code requirement (GFCI, TR, WR) applies unless the specific device is listed for that requirement.
10.2 Surge-Suppression Receptacles
NOTE A surge-suppression receptacle incorporates a Type 3 point-of-use surge protective device listed to UL 1449 and provides localized transient protection for connected electronic equipment. (10.2.1)
NOTE A depleted suppressor that still passes power gives a false sense of protection. (10.2.2)
○ Not used
○ Provided at designated sensitive-equipment locations
10.2.3A surge-suppression receptacle supplements, and does not replace, the service- or panel-level surge protection specified in Low Voltage Panelboards. 10.2.4A surge-suppression receptacle shall include a status indicator showing whether its protection remains functional.
11 Switches
NOTE A snap switch controls a lighting or other load by interrupting one or more conductors. (11.1)
NOTE The switch type is determined by how many control points the load is operated from, and the actuator style is a finish decision. (11.2)
NOTE Switch ratings, like receptacle ratings, are governed by UL 498 and the device grade. (11.3)
11.4 Switch Type
NOTE A single-pole switch controls a load from one location and is the default. (11.4.1)
NOTE Three-way switches are used in pairs to control one load from two locations; four-way switches are inserted between a pair of three-ways to add control locations. (11.4.2)
NOTE A double-pole switch interrupts both ungrounded conductors of a 240V single-phase load. (11.4.3)
Single-pole (one control location)
Three-way (two control locations)
Four-way (three or more control locations)
Double-pole (switches both ungrounded conductors of a 240V load)
Momentary / centre-off (low-voltage or pilot control)
11.4.5Where the grounded (neutral) conductor is required at switch locations by NEC 404.2(C) to supply electronic switches and sensors, the neutral shall be provided in the switch box.
11.5 Actuator Style
NOTE Decorator (paddle) style is the prevailing commercial standard and coordinates with the decorator opening used by most sensors and electronic controls; toggle is selected where a traditional appearance is desired. (11.5.1)
NOTE Mixing toggle and decorator styles within a space requires different plates and looks inconsistent. (11.5.2)
○ Toggle
○ Decorator (paddle / rocker)
11.5.3Actuator style shall match the device family selected for the project so that switches, dimmers, and sensors share a consistent appearance and a common plate opening.
11.6 Pilot-Light and Illuminated Switches
NOTE A pilot-light switch illuminates when the controlled load is energized and is used where the load is not visible from the switch (exhaust fans, remote equipment). (11.6.1)
NOTE An illuminated-handle switch glows when the load is off so the switch can be found in a dark room. (11.6.2)
○ Not used
○ Pilot-light switch where load status indication is required
○ Illuminated (lighted-handle) switch for locating in the dark
11.6.3The pilot-light switch and the illuminated-handle switch are opposite in behavior and shall not be confused on the drawings.
11.7 Dimmer Switches
NOTE Dimmer-load compatibility is the most common dimming failure. (11.7.1)
○ Not used
○ Solid-state dimmers at designated locations (UL 1472)
11.7.2Where dimming is provided by a wall-box device rather than by a networked lighting-control system, the dimmer shall be a solid-state dimmer listed to UL 1472 and shall be compatible with the connected load type.
11.7.3The dimmer shall be listed and rated for the specific load technology it controls (for example, LED drivers of the forward- or reverse-phase type used on the project).
11.7.4The dimmer's load rating shall be derated for gang installation where adjacent dimmers share a multigang box, because grouped dimmers cannot dissipate full rated heat.
12 Occupancy and Vacancy Sensors
NOTE An occupancy sensor turns a load on automatically when it detects presence and off after an interval of no detection; a vacancy sensor turns a load off automatically but requires a manual on. (12.1)
NOTE Vacancy (manual-on) control is required by many energy codes in specific space types precisely because it does not energize lighting in a briefly entered or daylit space. (12.2)
12.3The distinction between occupancy and vacancy operation is a code-driven control decision, not a hardware difference alone, and shall be specified per space.
12.4Sensors shall meet the testing requirements of NEMA WD 7.
12.5 Sensor Control Mode
NOTE Vacancy (manual-on) control is the default because it complies with the prevailing energy-code requirement for many enclosed spaces and prevents lighting from energizing when a space is entered briefly or is adequately daylit. (12.5.1)
NOTE Occupancy (auto-on) control is appropriate for spaces where hands-free operation is required for safety or convenience, such as corridors, restrooms, and stairwells. (12.5.2)
○ Occupancy (auto-on, auto-off)
○ Vacancy (manual-on, auto-off)
○ Selectable (field-configurable occupancy or vacancy)
12.6 Sensing Technology
NOTE Passive infrared sensors detect the moving heat of an occupant and require an unobstructed line of sight; they resist false-on but can miss minor motion behind obstructions. (12.6.1)
NOTE Ultrasonic sensors detect motion by Doppler shift of an emitted signal and see around obstructions and into partitioned spaces, but are more prone to false triggering from air movement. (12.6.2)
NOTE Dual-technology sensors require both signals to turn on and either signal to hold on, combining the reliability of both and minimizing both false-on and false-off. (12.6.3)
NOTE Single-technology PIR is appropriate and economical for simple spaces with full line of sight; ultrasonic suits restrooms and spaces with stalls or partitions. (12.6.4)
○ Passive infrared (PIR)
○ Ultrasonic
○ Dual-technology (PIR + ultrasonic)
12.6.5Dual-technology is the default for enclosed offices, conference rooms, and any space where a missed occupant or a nuisance activation is disruptive.
12.7 Sensor Mounting
NOTE A wall-box sensor replaces the wall switch and powers directly from the switch leg; it suits small enclosed rooms with a clear view from the switch location. (12.7.1)
NOTE A ceiling-mounted sensor provides 360-degree coverage of larger or irregular spaces and connects through a low-voltage power pack that switches the line-voltage load. (12.7.2)
○ Wall-box (replaces wall switch)
○ Ceiling-mounted (with separate power pack)
12.7.3Ceiling sensors require a low-voltage class-2 connection to the power pack; that wiring and the power-pack location shall be coordinated with Raceways And Conduit. 12.8 Time Delay
NOTE The off time-delay is the interval the sensor waits after the last detected motion before switching the load off. (12.8.1)
12.8.2Too short a delay produces nuisance shut-offs while a space is occupied but still; too long a delay wastes energy and may exceed the maximum the energy code allows.
NOTE A delay of about 15 minutes balances occupant comfort against energy savings for typical office and conference spaces. (12.8.3)
130
1510152030
Default: 15 minutes
12.8.4The off time-delay shall be set within the limit imposed by the adopted energy code and adjusted in the field to suit the space.
13 Wall Plates and Finishes
NOTE The wall plate is the most visible electrical component in a finished space and is also a coordination item with the architectural finishes. (13.1)
NOTE Plate material and color are finish decisions; the plate's fit and listing are quality decisions. (13.2)
13.3 Wall Plate Material
NOTE Nylon thermoplastic plates are the commercial default: impact-resistant, color-stable, and inexpensive, and available in the standard device colors. (13.3.1)
NOTE Stainless steel plates are specified in kitchens, healthcare, and high-traffic or high-abuse areas where durability and cleanability govern, and where the architectural intent calls for a metal finish. (13.3.2)
Thermoplastic / nylon (standard commercial)
Stainless steel (type 302/304)
Smooth metal (painted or anodized)
Weatherproof (gasketed, for damp/wet locations)
13.3.3Weatherproof gasketed plates are required at damp and wet locations and shall be coordinated with the in-use cover requirements for wet-location receptacles.
13.3.4Metal plates installed on a device shall be grounded through the device mounting strap, which requires that the device be properly grounded.
13.4 Wall Plate Size
NOTE Oversized plates are commonly specified for masonry, existing-wall, and renovation conditions where the box opening cannot be cut cleanly. (13.4.1)
○ Standard
○ Oversized / jumbo (covers rough openings and wall imperfections)
13.4.2Standard plates shall be used throughout unless the rough opening or the wall finish condition requires an oversized plate to cover gaps.
13.5 Device and Plate Color
NOTE Device and plate color is coordinated with the architectural finish schedule; white is the prevailing commercial default. (13.5.1)
NOTE Color also carries information: receptacles on the emergency or critical branch of an essential electrical system are commonly specified in red so that occupants can identify outlets that remain powered during a normal-power outage. (13.5.2)
White
Light almond
Ivory
Gray
Black
Brown
Red (designated emergency / critical-branch outlets)
13.5.3Where color is used to designate a circuit type (red for emergency, or a distinct color for an isolated-ground or controlled receptacle), that convention shall be applied consistently and shall be as indicated on the drawings. 13.5.4Color identification of devices shall follow NEMA WD 1.
14 Floor and Poke-Through Devices
NOTE Floor outlet devices bring power and low-voltage services to the interior of a space away from walls — open offices, conference tables, retail floors, and assembly spaces. (14.1)
NOTE They take two principal forms: a recessed floor box set in the slab, and a poke-through fitting that penetrates the structural floor to draw service from the ceiling space below. (14.2)
14.3Both must address the fire-resistance rating of the floor they penetrate, and both must keep power and low-voltage services separated.
14.4 Floor Device Type
NOTE A poke-through fitting is the common solution for adding outlets in the open field of a finished floor over occupied space below, because it can be cored and installed without disturbing the slab reinforcement and draws service from the ceiling plenum below. (14.4.1)
NOTE A recessed floor box is set during slab construction and suits new construction where outlet locations are known before the pour. (14.4.2)
○ Recessed floor box (set in slab)
○ Poke-through fitting (penetrates floor, fed from below)
○ Surface raceway floor box (poke-through with surface enclosure)
14.5 Fire-Resistance Rating
NOTE The fire rating of the floor assembly the device penetrates is set by the building's fire-resistance design. (14.5.1)
NOTE An ordinary cored hole with a fitting does not maintain the rating. (14.5.2)
Non-rated floor (no rating to maintain)
1-hour rated floor assembly
2-hour rated floor assembly
14.5.3Where a floor device penetrates a fire-rated floor assembly, the device assembly shall be listed and installed to restore the fire-resistance rating of the floor, in accordance with the listing of the poke-through or floor-box system and the firestopping requirements of the assembly.
14.5.4A poke-through fitting that penetrates a rated floor shall be a listed through-penetration firestop assembly.
14.5.5The fire rating of the floor assembly the device penetrates shall be confirmed against the architectural and life-safety drawings; the device assembly shall carry a listing for that rating.
14.5.6Firestopping at the penetration shall be coordinated with the project firestopping requirements.
14.6 Service Separation and Capacity
☐ Power (receptacles)
☐ Low-voltage / data
☐ Audiovisual
14.6.1A floor device that carries both power and low-voltage services shall maintain physical separation between the power and low-voltage compartments as required by the device listing and by NEC, so that the two systems do not share a common opening.
14.6.2The number of receptacles and the low-voltage capacity of the device shall be coordinated with the connected equipment.
14.7 Floor Device Finish
NOTE The floor device cover is a visible architectural element. (14.7.1)
NOTE Carpet, tile, and exposed-concrete floors each have a preferred cover and trim treatment. (14.7.2)
Brushed aluminum
Brass
Brushed stainless steel
Nonmetallic (for carpet/tile flush mount)
14.7.3The floor device cover finish shall be coordinated with the floor finish, and the cover shall be selected to suit the floor finish at each device location.
15 Testing
NOTE Wiring devices receive no factory acceptance test of the type applied to assembled equipment; their meaningful verification happens in the field after installation, where wiring errors and defective terminations are found. (15.1)
15.2 Receptacle Wiring Verification
NOTE A reversed hot-neutral, an open ground, or a bootleg ground is a latent hazard that is invisible until someone is shocked or equipment is damaged. (15.2.1)
○ 100% of installed receptacles
○ Statistical sample with 100% verification of any group containing a failure
15.2.2Every receptacle shall be tested after installation to confirm correct polarity, the presence and continuity of the equipment grounding connection, and the absence of reversed, open, or miswired connections, using a receptacle tester appropriate to the device type.
15.2.3This verification is mandatory and not a sampling exercise.
15.3 GFCI Functional Test
☐ Test-button trip of each GFCI device
☐ Verify downstream protected outlets de-energize on trip
☐ Verify reset restores power
☐ Verify self-test / end-of-life indication operates
15.3.1Every installed GFCI device, and every receptacle protected by an upstream GFCI device or breaker, shall be functionally tested.
15.3.2The test shall confirm that the device trips when its test button is operated and, for the protected downstream outlets, that power is interrupted at the protected outlet when the upstream GFCI is tripped.
15.3.3A GFCI that does not trip on its test function, or that trips but does not de-energize its load and downstream outlets, shall be replaced.
15.4 AFCI Functional Test
15.4.1Each AFCI device and breaker shall be tested using its integral test function to confirm operation.
15.4.2Where the AFCI provides a self-test, the self-test indication shall be confirmed.
15.5 Sensor Commissioning
15.5.1Occupancy and vacancy sensors shall be commissioned after installation: coverage shall be walk-tested to confirm that the sensor detects occupancy throughout the intended area without dead spots and does not false-trigger from adjacent traffic or air movement, and the sensitivity and time-delay shall be adjusted to suit the space.
15.5.2The as-left settings shall be recorded in the closeout submittals.
16 Installation
16.1 Mounting Height
NOTE The default heights below reflect common accessible-design practice (switches near 44 in. and general receptacles near 18 in. to center), but the governing heights are those on the drawings, which account for counters, casework, equipment, and accessibility requirements that vary by location. (16.1.1)
16.1.2Device mounting heights shall be as indicated on the drawings and shall comply with the reach-range and operable-element requirements of the applicable accessibility standard. 16.1.3Where the drawings do not indicate a height, devices shall be mounted at the standard heights established for the project.
16.1.4Receptacles, switches, and operable controls in accessible spaces shall be located within the accessible reach range and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.
16.2 Device Orientation
NOTE The NEC does not mandate a receptacle orientation, and both ground-up and ground-down are code-compliant. (16.2.1)
NOTE Horizontal mounting is used above counters and where details require it. (16.2.2)
○ Ground pin up
○ Ground pin down
○ Horizontal (above counters / as detailed)
16.2.3Device orientation shall be consistent throughout the project; the project shall select one convention and apply it uniformly so the installation looks intentional.
16.3 Terminations
NOTE The termination is where most device failures originate. (16.3.1)
NOTE Screw (side-wire) terminals, with the conductor formed into a loop under the screw head and tightened to the device torque, are reliable and are acceptable on all grades. (16.3.2)
NOTE Back-wire clamp terminals, in which a screw drives a pressure plate against a straight inserted conductor, are preferred on specification- and higher-grade devices because they grip the full conductor cross-section under controlled pressure and accept larger conductors. (16.3.3)
NOTE Push-in terminations' small spring contact area is the leading cause of loose, overheating receptacle connections and they are limited to 15A and to small conductors. (16.3.4)
NOTE Over- and under-torque both produce unreliable connections. (16.3.5)
○ Screw terminals (side-wire), conductor under screw head
○ Back-wire clamp (screw-actuated pressure plate)
○ Push-in / back-stab (spring contact)
16.3.6Push-in (back-stab) terminations, in which a conductor is pushed into a spring contact without a screw, shall not be used.
16.3.7All screw-actuated terminations shall be tightened to the device manufacturer's published torque using a calibrated screwdriver or torque tool.
16.4 Grounding
16.4.1Each device with an equipment grounding terminal shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of its branch circuit, and the connection shall comply with Grounding And Bonding. 16.4.2Where a device is installed in a metal box, the grounding connection between the device, the box, and the equipment grounding conductor shall be made in accordance with NEC 250.146; a self-grounding device clip or a bonding jumper shall be used so that grounding does not depend solely on the device mounting screws contacting a painted strap.
16.4.3Isolated-ground receptacles, where specified, shall be installed and identified per Grounding And Bonding. 16.5 Box Fill and Conductor Management
16.5.1Devices shall be installed in outlet boxes sized for the conductors, devices, and fittings they contain in accordance with the box-fill calculation of NEC 314.16, using boxes complying with UL 514A or UL 514C per Raceways And Conduit. 16.5.2Conductors shall be neatly formed and folded into the box without damage to insulation, and the device shall seat squarely without pinching conductors against the box edge.
16.5.3Boxes shall be set flush with combustible finished surfaces and set back no more than the limit permitted by NEC 314.20 in noncombustible surfaces; gaps around the box shall be repaired so the plate seats flat.
16.6 Identification
○ Plate engraved/labeled with panel and circuit (designated devices)
○ No device-level circuit labeling required
16.6.1Switches, receptacles, and sensors shall be identified where identification aids operation or maintenance.
16.6.2Controlled receptacles shall be marked per the energy code.
16.6.3Receptacles protected by an upstream GFCI shall be marked "GFCI Protected."
16.6.4Emergency and critical-branch receptacles shall be identified by their distinct color and, where required, by engraved plates identifying the panel and circuit.
16.6.5Receptacle and switch cover plates shall be labeled with the panel and circuit designation where required by the contract documents.
17 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
17.1Wiring devices shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original packaging with listing marks intact and shall remain packaged until installed, so that devices are not soiled, painted over, or damaged during finish work.
17.2Devices shall not be installed until the space is clean and dry and finish work that could soil or paint the device is complete.
17.3Where devices must be installed before painting, they shall be protected so that paint does not enter the device or coat the strap, because paint on the mounting strap defeats the grounding path to a metal plate.
17.4Devices contaminated by paint, joint compound, or other finish materials shall be replaced, not cleaned in place.
18 Warranty
1 year from substantial completion
2 years from substantial completion
18.1Devices that carry a manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship shall be warranted to the Owner.
18.2The Contractor shall warrant the installation, including all terminations and the results of device testing, for the project warranty period.
19 Spare Parts
NOTE Spare devices ensure the Owner can replace failed or damaged devices with matching parts without procurement delay and without color or style mismatch. (19.1)
None
2% of each device type, grade, and color (minimum two each)
5% of each device type, grade, and color (minimum two each)
19.2The Contractor shall provide spare devices and plates so that the Owner can replace failed or damaged devices with matching parts without procurement delay and without color or style mismatch.
19.3Spare devices shall match the installed devices in type, grade, NEMA configuration, and color, and shall be delivered with matching wall plates.
19.4Spares shall be labeled by type and color and turned over in a labeled container at substantial completion.