ents as on the electrical
application for large residential projects (exceeds 400 amp and over 3500
sq. ft.) for plan review. See the following example pages for electrical
requirements.
1.

Two grounding rods (8 feet long) minimum 6 feet apart for all
services.
2.

Contact the Electric Company for meter location and mounting
height.
3.

Smoke detector with battery backup each bedroom, each floor
on house circuit. R-317 thru R317.2.
4.

All kitchen counter top receptacles shall be GFI protected.
Manufacturer's installation instruction shall be present on site for all
electrical inspections that are to be conducted. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. A minimum 100 ampere three (3) wire service is required, in most cases, for any individual
residence, (house, cabin, apartment, etc.). See Article 230-79(c). In addition, E-3502, E-
3502.1, E-3502.1, E-2502.2 & E-3505.2, the service must be adequate for the load served as
determined by Article 220 of the 1996 National Electrical Code.
2. Always consult the serving agency for meter location and mounting height, acceptable wiring
methods and raceway for service entrance conductors are listed in E-3501.6.2. The service
entrance equipment must be bonded as per E-3507.5. The service must be grounded as per E-
3507.1. Interior metal water piping shall always be bonded to the service equipment, the
grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor and other electrodes available. See E-
3503.1, E3509.6-8, E-3509.1.
3. If a service mast is used to support the service drop, it must comply with E-3504.5. If
underground service conductors are used and any part of them is exposed to earth fill, they
must be listed as direct burial conductors type.
4. E-3803.1. Lighting outlets required. Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in
Sections E-3803.2, E-3803.3 & E-3803.4.
a.

Dwelling Unit(s). At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in
every habitable room; in bathrooms, hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached
garages with electric power, and at outdoor entrances of exits.
b.

A vehicle door in a garage is not considered as an outdoor entrance. E-3803.3.
c.

At least one lighting outlet controlled by a light switch located at the point of entry to the
attic, under-floor space, utility room and basement shall be installed where these spaces
are used for storage or contain equipment-requiring servicing. The lighting outlet shall be
provided near the equipment requiring service.
d.

Where lighting outlets are installed according to (a) above in interior stairways, there
shall be a wall switch at each floor level to control the lighting outlet where the difference
between floor levels is six (6) steps or more. Exception # 1: In habitable rooms, other
than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall
be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets. Exception #2: In hallways, stairways and at
outdoor entrances, remote, central or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted.
e.

Guest Rooms. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet or wall switch-
controlled receptacle shall be installed in guest rooms in hotels, motels or similar
occupancies.
f.

Other locations. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting shall be installed at or neat
equipment requiring servicing such as heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration
equipment in attics or under-floor spaces. The wall switch shall be located at the point of
entry to the attic or under-floor space.
5. A lighting outlet shall be installed in each basement, also in any attic or crawlspace or utility
room that contains equipment that could required servicing, or if the space is used for storage.
Locate the lights at or near the equipment and the switches near the point of entry to the spaces
mentioned above. See E-3803.3 thru E-3801.11.
6. Receptacle outlets must be installed in every habitable room of the residence so that no point
on any walls is over (6) feet from an outlet in the unbroken wall space of that room. In other
words, you need an outlet within six (6) feet of a doorway or fireplace, but the rest of the
outlets may be twelve (12) feet apart if there is no break in the wall between them. It is
permissible to measure around corners. Any wall space two (2) feet wide or greater requires a
receptacle outlet. Receptacle outlets in the ends of permanently installed baseboards heaters
may be counted to meet the above requirements. Such receptacles outlets shall not be
connected to the heater circuit. An outlet over five feet six inches (5' 6") above the floor cannot
be counted as an outlet in that space. Outlets on the floor near the wall may be counted as an outlet in that space. See E-3801.1 thru E-3801.11.


You shall install a receptacle outlet in any hallway of ten (10) feet or more in length. See
E-3801.10.
You shall install a receptacle outlet adjacent to the basin in every bathroom. See E-3801.6
& E-3603.4.
You shall install at least one receptacle outlet for laundry facilities. See E-3801.8 & E-
3603.3. A 20-ampere circuit must feed the laundry receptacle outlets and this circuit shall
have no other receptacles outlets or lights. The wash machine outlet must be within six
(6) feet of the intended location of the wash machine. See E-3801.5.
7. For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least
one receptacles outlet accessible at grade level shall be installed at the front and back of the
dwelling. See E-3801.7. *Flex guard per Article 406.8 (B) (1) all.
8. For one and two family dwellings you must install a receptacle outlet for the servicing of
heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in attics and crawlspaces. These
receptacles shall be on the same level and within 25' of the equipment. Rooftop equipment will
also be included on multi-family dwellings. See E-3801.11 & E-3802.6.
9. For a one-family dwelling, at least one receptacle outlet in addition to any provided for laundry
equipment must be installed in each basement and in each attached garage and detached garage
with electric power. See E-3801.9.
10. In kitchens and dining areas, a receptacle outlet must be installed at each counter space 12
inches or wider. Receptacles shall be installed so that no point along the counter wall is over 24
inches from a receptacle. Island pr peninsular counter tops 12 inches or wider shall have at least
one receptacle. A counter top broken by a sink or other item leaves a new wall space.
Receptacle outlets behind refrigerators, freezers, or other fixed of stationary equipment shall not
count as an outlet in that wall space. See E-3603.2 & E-3802.6.
11. This kitchen counter area must have receptacle outlets supplied by at least two (2) 20-ampere
circuits. The receptacle outlets in the dining area must also be fed from a 20-ampere circuit,
which may extend from the kitchen circuits. The circuits listed in this paragraph shall supply no
other receptacle outlets or lights. See E-3603.2 & E-3802.6.
12. If a dishwasher is to be installed, a separate circuit shall be provided for it. E-3602.6.
13. If a garbage grinder or compactor, or both, are installed, a separate circuit suitable for the load
must be installed for them. E-3602.6.
14. A circuit suitable for the load with a minimum of 40 amperes is required for a complete range of
8
¾
KW or more, either free standing or drop in type. See E-3602.9, E-3602.9.1 & Table E-
3604.3 (2).
15. A circuit suitable for the load with a minimum of 30 amperes is required for electric clothes
dryer. See E-3602.4.
16. A circuit suitable for the load with a minimum of 30-ampere wire is required for a residential
water heater. See E-3602.4.
17. Ground fault circuit interrupter protection must be provided for the following 15 and 20 ampere
125 volt receptacles at dwelling units. See Article 210.8. NEC.
a.

All bathroom receptacles. On 20-ampere circuits; a single circuit only. E-3603.4, E-
3801.6 & E-3802.1
b.

All garage receptacles, except those that are not readily accessible, such as outlets for
garage door openers, and receptacles for appliances occupying dedicated space, such as
outlets for refrigerators or freezers. E-3802.2 & E-3801.9.
c.

All outdoor receptacles except roof snow melting equipment. E-3801.7, E-3802.3 & E-
4001.7.
d.

All receptacles in crawlspaces in crawlspaces at or below finished grade. E-3802.4.
e.

All the receptacles in unfinished basement except a single receptacle on a dedicated
circuit for an appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer. The laundry circuit is also exempt as is a single receptacle for a permanently installed sump pump. E-3802.5, E-
3802.8 & E-3801.9.
f.

All the receptacles in boathouse. 2002 NEC
g.

Outdoor receptacle exposed to rain shall have bubble cover.
h.

Arc fault receptacle required in bedrooms.
18. E-3902.11. Fixture in Clothes Closets.
a. Definition. Storage space: Storage space shall be defined as a volume bounded by the
sides and back closet walls and planes extending from the closet floor vertically to a
height of 6 ft. (1.83m) or the highest clothes-hanging rod and parallel to the walks at a
horizontal distance of 24 in. (610 mm) from the sides and back of the closet walls
respectively and continuing vertically to the closet ceiling parallel to the walls at a
horizontal distance or 12 in. (305 mm) or the width of the shelf, whichever is greater. See
below