National Electrical Code Top Ten Tips: Article 210 -- Branch Circuits

by Mark Lamendola

Based on the 2023 NEC

Please note, we do quote from copyrighted material. While the NFPA does allow such quotes, it does so only for the purposes of education regarding the National Electrical Code. This article is not a substitute for the NEC.

These are the 10 NEC Article 210 items we deem most important, based on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

1. This Article contains Table 210.3, which identifies specific-purpose branch circuits. When people complain that the Code "buries stuff in the last few Chapters and doesn’t provide you with any way of knowing," that is usually because they didn’t pay attention to this table and other ones like it.
    
2. 210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits. This is a circuit that "consists of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor that has equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit, and that is connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system" [100]. The conductors of such circuits must originate from the same panel. These circuits can supply only line-to-neutral loads.
    
3. 210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and boathouses are just some of the many locations requiring GFCI protection. If you don’t know the others, you’ll find out what they are in 210.8. There are 10 identified in "Other Than Dwelling Units" alone. Many designers and installers try to see where they don't have to install a GFCI. But for the small price, a better approach is to use GFCI protection wherever there's a shock hazard for users of 120V branch circuits. For example, you don't need a GFCI on a convenience receptacle in a living room. Put on there anyway. If you adopt this practice, you'll cover all bases and never inadvertently create a Code violation by leaving out a GFCI where the Code does require it.
    
4. 210.11. Branch Circuits Required. With three subheadings, 210.11 gives summarized requirements for the number of branch circuits in a given system, states that a load computed on a VA/area basis must be evenly proportioned, and covers rules for dwelling units.
    
5. 210.12. Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. An AFCI provides "protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected" [100]. It is not a GFCI, though combination units do exist. The purpose of an AFCI (30 mA) is to protect equipment. The purpose of a GFCI (4 to 6 mA) is to protect people. With the 2023 revision, the requirements for AFCI have been heavily updated.
    
6. 210.19. Conductors—Minimum Ampacity and Size. The rules for ampacity require some study. One item many people overlook is that branch conductors—before the application of any adjustment or correction factors—must have "an allowable ampacity not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load." The Code does have an exception for this, but the rule generally applies.
    
7. Table 210.21(B)(2) shows that the maximum load on a given circuit is 80% of the receptacle rating and circuit rating (not spelled out that way, but look at the numbers and do the math). The maximum load on a 20A OCPD is 16A (as the table shows). Thus, if you are planning to supply 20A on one circuit, that circuit must be at least 30A (next available size up OCPD from 20A).
    
8. 210.23 Permissible Loads. Read on down to (A)(2): "Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaries (lighting fixtures) shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both are also supplied."
   
   The idea here is to prevent a circuit overload just because someone plugs in a lamp or vacuum cleaner. Proper planning and good engineering practices will prevent needing to be concerned with this aspect of the Code. Place lights on separate circuits, dedicated (fastened in place) loads on separate circuits, and convenience receptacles on separate circuits. The added cost really isn’t that much. In residential construction, the goal is usually to build as cheaply as possible. However, if presented to Realtors and buyers correctly, a good electrical plan (vs. the standard plan, which may meet Code but is barely functional) will provide a selling edge. Even if the sale price isn’t higher, the number of days on the market will be less and cash flow will improve.
   
    
9. Table 210.24 Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements allows you to see everything at a glance. You just look up the circuit rating (which you will base on the load you plan to supply), and the table tells you the minimum conductor size. For that circuit rating, it also tells you the size of the taps, overcurrent protection, and maximum load. It also tells you which lampholders are permitted, and what the receptacle rating must be. Don’t leave home without it!
    
10. 210.52. Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. An area rife with confusion is receptacle spacing. "Receptacles shall be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is more than 1.8 meters (6 feet) from a receptacle outlet." This means you can’t have receptacles more than 12 feet apart along a wall line. 210.52 notes certain exclusions, describing what a wall space is and is not. You can exceed this requirement by mounting two receptacles to every stud, if you so desire. But, you cannot space them any less than 12 feet apart along a wall as defined by the NEC. Note, doorways and certain other items do not count in the 12 feet.
    
    Meeting this requirement doesn't necesarily mean you did a good job. This requirement is woefully inadequate for the typical dwelling. Consider the paucity of receptacles in the typical bathroom; this usually means the occupant must run cords across the sink or vanity. Yes you can get by with doing that, but is doing such shoddy work why you became an electrician? Go beyond the Code requirement and imagine where loads will actually be used in a given room. Installing a receptacle placed to service those loads is part of doing a good job. If you stop and think about it, 3 duplex receptacles in a bathroom means underserving that room. The Code requires only one, but caring about how the occupant will actually use that space requires at least 4. It's not the 1950s anymore, install receptacles accordingly.