FAQ

70
Material taken from the National Electric Code
®
is reprinted with permission
from NFPA 70
®
, 2023 edition. National Electrical Code
®
, Copyright 2022,
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.
NEC
®
Text
accepted and added ty the CMP to address the use of
spring-tension contacts with power receptacle
faceplate accessories.
Article 406 Receptacles, Cord Connectors and
Attachment Plugs (Caps)
406.6 Receptacle Faceplates (Cover Plates).
(D) Receptacle Faceplate (Cover Plates) with Integral
Night Light and/or USB Charger. A ush device cover
plate that additionally provides a night light and/or Class 2
output connector(s) shall be listed and constructed such that
the night light and/or Class 2 circuitry is integral with the
ush device cover plate.
Listed receptacle faceplates with integral night light, USB
charger, or both, that rely solely on spring-tensioned contacts
shall be connected to only brass or copper alloy receptacle
terminal screws and shall be rated 1 watt or less.
Exception: Effective January 1, 2026, spring-tensioned contact connections
to steel receptacle terminal screws shall be permitted if the receptacle
faceplate is specically listed and identied for connection to steel
receptacle terminal screws
Expert Analysis
A new sentence has been added to clarify and
provide clear prescriptive requirements on the use
of spring-tensioned contacts to power receptacle
faceplate accessories. These requirements do not
currently exist in UL 514D.
The implementation date for the exception, is to
provide time to evaluate a possible conflict with UL 498,
regarding the use of steel screws to carry current,
and to develop safety requirements in UL 514D for
faceplate connection methods.
Leviton Solution
Captain Code says the best solution here is NOT to
use these toy USB wallplate devices described in
this article. For safety’s sake and faster charging, oer
your customers the best… Leviton. Leviton even oers
Weather-Resistant USB devices.
NEW Weather-Resistant Type A/C
USB In-Wall Charger
Available in 15 and 20A configurations.
Weather-Resistant USB Receptacles
with Type A and Type-C Ports. Type-C
Port can charge maximum 3 Amps @ 5V.
Type A Port can charge maximum 2.4
Amps @ 5V. Combined total of 5.1A
of charging power.
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