FAQ

Material taken from the National Electric Code

is reprinted with permission

from NFPA 70

, 2023 edition. National Electrical Code

NEC

Text

continued from page 93

New

555.14 Equipotential Planes and

Bonding of Equipotential Planes

in Marinas

Change Summary

• New article deﬁnes and explains Equipotential Planes.

Please note that it is dierent than an Electrical

Datum Plane.

Article 555 Marinas, Boatyards, Floating Buildings, and

Commercial and Noncommercial Docking Facilities

555.14 Equipotential Planes and Bonding of

Equipotential Planes. An equipotential plane shall be

installed where required in this section to mitigate step and

touch voltages at electrical equipment. The parts specied

in this section shall be bonded together and to the electrical

grounding system. The bonding conductor shall be solid

copper conductors; insulated, covered, or bare; not smaller

than 8 AWG.

(A) Areas Requiring Equipotential Planes. Equipotential

planes shall be installed adjacent to all outdoor service

equipment or disconnecting means that control equipment in

or on water where the following conditions exist:

(1) Where the system voltage exceeds 250 volts to ground

(2) Where the equipment is located within 3 m (10 ft) of the

body of water

The equipotential plane shall include all metallic enclosures

continued on page 96