FAQ

Material taken from the National Electric Code

is reprinted with permission

from NFPA 70

, 2023 edition. National Electrical Code

NEC

Text

Revision

210.52(G) Receptacle Requirements in

Residential Basements, Garages, and

Accessory Buildings

Change Summary

• A receptacle installed for permanent premises

security system doesn’t count toward required

receptacle requirements for basements, garages,

and accessory buildings.

Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac,

1500 Volts dc, Nominal

210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets.

(G) Basements, Garages, and Accessory Buildings.

For one- and two-family dwellings, and multifamily

dwellings, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in

the areas specied in 210.52(G)(1) through (G)(3).

These receptacles shall be in addition to receptacles

required for specic equipment. Receptacles supplying

only a permanently installed premises security system

shall not be considered as meeting these requirements.

Expert Analysis

A new sentence has been added to clarify that if a

receptacle was installed in these areas to serve a

premises security system, then that receptacle doesn’t

count as the required receptacle. It’s also worth pointing

out that receptacles are not required in detached

garages or accessory buildings if they do not have power.

Revision/New

210.70(A)(1) Limitations on Battery

Powered Light Switches and Laundry

Area Switch

Change Summary

• Battery powered light switches are allowed, but switch

can’t rely exclusively on battery unless it defaults to

the “ON” position upon battery failure.

Laundry rooms added to the list of rooms that are

required to have light switches.

continued on page 34