Outdoor Receptacles

[Mr Fixit eh]

Here's a little something concerning the Ontario Code. I always thought that outdoor receptacles could not share with indoor receptacles. This is from the ESA website and it appears to say otherwise...


Answer: 9-21-24 Subject: Outdoor receptacles permitted to be connected to indoor receptacle circuit?
Topic
Residential Outlets & Circuits
Category
Outdoor Outlets & Circuits
Date Created
11/22/2004
Date Last Updated
11/22/2004


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Question
Does the Code permit outdoor receptacles to be connected to circuits that also supply indoor receptacles?


Answer
The Code requires at least one outdoor receptacle on a dedicated circuit be provided for single dwellings. Other outdoor receptacles may be on this same circuit, or connected to interior general purpose circuits provided the maximum number of outlets (twelve) per circuit is not exceeded.

Also note that all receptacles installed outdoors of single dwellings and located within 2.5 m of ground or grade level shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter of the Class A Type

Ontario Electrical Safety Code Rules 26-714 and 26-724.


You can see for yourself at http://www.esasafe.com/consumer/esafaqs.htm

[Homer]

Here's a little something concerning the Ontario Code. I always thought that outdoor receptacles could not share with indoor receptacles. This is from the ESA website and it appears to say otherwise...It sounds like somebody has decided to give a more liberal interpretation to those two rules 26-714 and 26-724.

That new interpretation will bring many existing installations into compliance!

Homer

[Wgoodrich]

Copied section of CEC rule discussed;
26.724
(a) In a single dwelling, at least one branch circuit shall be provided solely for receptacles that are located
outdoors;

Comment;

If interpreting words printed it calls for at least one branch circuit to be provided to serve receptacles located outdoors. However if says at least one circuit. The words at least says you shall have one circuit but does not limit to more circuits. As I read that printed word I noticed it did not say that one dedicated branch circuit required to serve receptacles outdoors must serve all receptacles outdoors but may serve more than one. I see no rule forbidding additional circuits being used from other sources to serve other receptacles outdoors.

I tend to agree with the interpretation mentioned in the original post. One dedicated outside receptacle branch circuit with no other outlets other than outside receptacles but not limiting additional outside receptacles being installed from other circuits if at least one outside receptacle is served by that one dedicated outside receptacle branch circuit.

Wg

[Homer]

Almost the same wording exists for bathroom circuits in the NEC.

NEC §210.11(C)(3) - ... At least one 20A branch circuit shall be provided to supply bathroom receptacle outlet(s). Such circuits shall supply no other outlets.

This seems to be interpreted to mean ALL bathroom circuits must be 20A and can't supply outlets that aren't in a bathroom.

By the same reasoning shouldn't you be able to have a 15A general lighting circuit power a bathroom receptacle and a few bedroom receptacles once you've met the "at least one 20A branch circuit" requirement?

Once you have this ONE 20A circuit dedicated to a bathroom receptacle can you then add any other shared circuit to a bathroom?

Nobody seems to interpret NEC §210.11(C)(3) in this way.

Homer

[Wgoodrich]

Copied section NEC 2002;

210.11
(3) Bathroom Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the bathroom receptacle outlet(s). Such circuits shall have no other outlets.

Comment;

The last added sentence not present in the CEC rule being discussed but found in teh NEC rule being discussed adds limitations that should change the rule interpretation. Though similar in wording between the two rules being discussed that added sentence includes that type circuit being PLURAL in nature in that last sentence would include any circuit serving bathroom receptacle not allowed to have other outlets.

Now if we get to the fine point of the NEC rule I can see an argument that the additional bathroom receptacles while required to be on a branch circuit with no other outlets without using the exception found below that rule could possibly be interpreted as not having to be 20 amp rated but dedicated as bath room receptacle circuit. I see no limitation saying all bathroom receptacles must be on that 20 amp circuit, but only the required bathroom receptacles serving that bathroom required 20 amp circuit.

That ought to stir up a few discussions. The above statement is contrary to most interpretations of that 210.11.3 rule calling for all bathroom receptacles be placed on that bathroom receptacle dedicated circuit. However I will be hanged if I can find where it states that in any of the rules in the NEC now that Homer has made me take another look at that rule.

Curious

Wg