This weeks change is on “Tamper resistant receptacles” for the additional areas and types of outlets where they will be required. In doing plan review I have failed more plans for this than I can count, and that is because its new. We’ve added additional places and types of outlets that require being this type of protection. After all our Code is a guide to the practical safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of electricity. Children shouldn’t have to be hurt or die from these hazards for us to make simple corrections for a safer environment.
They’ve added more commercial areas that are to be covered by tamper resistant outlets, and they added 250 volt outlets to the section also. It only makes sense to include ,ore areas out there that children are exposed to. When they first put this section in the Code back in the 90’s I wondered “Why did this take so long” because more children were hurt by sticking objects into outlets and being shocked, burned or possibly killed because we didn’t address the problems we had. The simple solution is that they should all be tamper resistant, but for right now the list grows for areas covered which is a step in the right direction. The addition of 250 volt outlets in the 2017 Code is also long over due even though most accidents are from regular duplex receptacles that are installed everywhere.
Till next time be safe work safe
Jake