Part III
National Electrical Code
§ 3-101. City adoption
(a) In general.
The National Electrical Code (2020 Edition) is adopted as part of the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City, subject to the additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications contained in this Part III.
(b) Codification.
Unless otherwise specified, chapter, article, and section numbers in this Part III refer to the chapter, article, and section numbers of the National Electrical Code.
§ 3-102. City modifications.
The additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications adopted by the City are as follows:
Introduction
Article 90
Introduction
Sections 90.1 to 90.4. {As in NEC}
Section 90.5. Mandatory Rules, Permissive Rules, and Explanatory Material.
(A) Mandatory Rules.
Mandatory rules of this Code are those that identify actions that are specifically required or prohibited and are characterized by the use of the following terms:
(1) for imposing a duty or condition precedent, "shall" or "must", and
(2) for prohibiting action, "shall not", "may not", or "no ... may".
(B) Permissive Rules.
Permissive rules of this Code are those that identify actions that are allowed but not required, are normally used to describe options or alternative methods, and are characterized by the use of the following terms:
(1) for discretionary authority, "shall be permitted", "is permitted", or "may", and
(2) for negating a duty or condition precedent, "shall not be required", "is not required", or "need not".
(C) Explanatory Material. {As in NEC}
(D) Informative Annexes. {As in NEC}
Sections 90.6 to 90.9. {As in NEC}
Chapter 1
General
Article 100
Definitions
Scope: {As in NEC}
Section 100.1. In general
Except as provided in § 100.2 of this Code, terms that are used in these regulations and defined in the National Electrical Code (2020 Edition) have the meanings given in that Code.
Section 100.2. Supplemental Definitions
(A) In general.
Notwithstanding any different definition in the NEC, the following terms have the meanings given in this § 100.2.
(B) Authority Having Jurisdiction.
"Authority Having Jurisdiction" means the Building Official, as defined in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Article 110
Requirements for Electrical Installations
Sections 110.1 to 110.25. {As in NEC}
Section 110.26. Spaces About Electrical Equipment. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) - (D) {As in NEC}
(E) Dedicated Equipment Space.
{Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
Exception : {As in NEC}
(1) Indoor.
For indoor installations, the dedicated space must comply with the following.
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space.
Space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a structural ceiling, plus the working space required by § 110.26(A)(1) of this Code, must be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, or equipment foreign to the electrical installation may be located in this space.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels are permitted within the dedicated electrical space.
(b) Foreign Systems.
The dedicated space required by subparagraph (a) must be kept clear of foreign systems unless protection is provided to avoid damage from condensation, leaks, or breaks in the foreign systems. This protection must be approved by the Building Official and signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer licensed to do business in the State.
(c) - (d) {As in NEC}
(2) Outdoor. {As in NEC}
(F) Locked Electrical Equipment Rooms or Enclosures. {As in NEC}
Sections 110.27 to 110.33. {As in NEC}
Section 110.34. Work Space and Guarding
(A) - (E) {As in NEC}
(F) Protection of Service Equipment.
Pipes or ducts foreign to the electrical installation may not be located in the spaces dedicated to the electrical equipment as described in § 110.26(E)(1)(a) and § 110.34(A) of this Code. Piping and other facilities are not considered foreign if they are provided for fire protection of the electrical installation.
Sections 110.36 to 110.79. {As in NEC}
Chapter 2
Wiring and Protection
Article 200
Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors [As in NEC]
Article 210
Branch Circuits
Sections 210.1 to 210.4. {As in NEC}
Section 210.5. Identification for Branch Circuits.
(A) - (B) {As in NEC}
(C) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors.
(1) - (2) {As in NEC}
(3) Branch Circuits.
Conductors #10 and smaller must carry the appropriate identification color their entire length.
Sections 210.6 to 210.10. {As in NEC}
Section 210.11. Branch Circuits Required. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) - (B) {As in NEC}
(C) Dwelling Units.
(1) - (4) {As in NEC}
(5) Window Air Conditioner Branch Circuits.
A circuit for a cord-connected window air conditioner must contain a dedicated receptacle.
Sections 210.12 to 210.22. {As in NEC}
Section 210.23. Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) - (D) {As in NEC}
(E) Circuits for Fuel-Burning Equipment.
For fuel-burning equipment such as oil and gas burners and stokers, including auxiliaries such as fans, blowers, and pumps, an individual branch circuit with a disconnecting means on the line side of all equipment and devices, other than the branch-circuit fuses, must be provided. If 2 or more branch circuits are provided for a fuel-burning system, they must be supplied through a common feeder with a disconnecting means that will disconnect all components of the system.
(F) Controls.
Oil burners, other than oil stoves with integral tanks, must be provided with a device to manually stop the flow of oil to the burners. The device must be placed in a convenient location at a safe distance from the burner. With electrically driven equipment, this may be accomplished by an identified switch in the burner supply circuit, placed near the entrance to the room where the burner is located.
(G) Disconnects For Fuel-Burning Equipment.
Fuel-burning equipment must be supplied with 2 emergency disconnect switches. One switch must be installed on the equipment and the other in a convenient location that is near the entrance to the area where the equipment is located. These switches must be able to manually stop the flow of fuel to the burner and must be identified as emergency disconnects.
Sections 210.24 to 210.70. {As in NEC}
Articles 215 to 220
[As in NEC]
Article 225
Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders
Sections 225.1 to 225.27. {As in NEC}
Section 225.30. Number of Supplies. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) Special Conditions.
Additional feeders or branch circuits are permitted to supply the following:
(1) {As in NEC}
(2) {Not Adopted}
(3) - (5) {As in NEC}
(6) By special permission, systems designed for connection to multiple sources of supply for purposes of enhanced reliability.
(7) - (8) {As in NEC}
(B) - (D) {As in NEC}
(E) Different Characteristics.
By special permission, additional feeders or branch circuits may be used for different voltages, frequencies, or phases, or for different uses, such as control of outside lighting from multiple locations.
(F) Documented Switching Procedures. {As in NEC}
Sections 225.31 to 225.61. {As in NEC}
Article 230
Services
Section 230.1. Scope. {As in NEC}
Section 230.2. Number of Services. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) Special Conditions.
Additional services are permitted to supply the following:
(1) {As in NEC}
(2) {Not Adopted}
(3) - (5) {As in NEC}
(6) Systems designed for connection to multiple sources of supply for purposes of enhanced reliability, if supplied from different utility transformers and connected
by the tie breaker.
(B) - (C) {As in NEC}
(D) Different Characteristics.
By special permission, additional services may be used for different voltages (where compatible), frequencies, or phases, or for different uses, such as for different rate schedules.
(E) Identification. {As in NEC}
Sections 230.3 to 230.23. {As in NEC}
Section 230.24. Clearances. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) - (E) {As in NEC}
(F) {Not Adopted}
Sections 230.26 to 230.33. {As in NEC}
Section 230.40. Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets. Each service drop or lateral may supply only 1 set of service-entrance conductors.
Exceptions:
1. {As in NEC, but by Special Permission Only}
2. - 5. {As in NEC}
Sections 230.41 to 230.84. {As in NEC}
Section 230.85. {As in NEC}
(1) - (3) {As in NEC}
(4) The "Emergency Disconnect” installation required in this §230.85 above shall meet the number of spacing requirements specified in Article 110.26 of this Code.
Sections 230.86 to 230.212. {As in NEC}
Article 240
Overcurrent Protection [As in NEC]
Article 250
Grounding and Bonding
Sections 250.1 to 250.50. {As in NEC}
Section 250.52. Grounding Electrodes.
(A) Electrodes Permitted for Grounding. {As in NEC}
(B) Not Permitted for Use as Grounding Electrodes.
The following may not be used as grounding electrodes:
(1) Gas piping or any other metallic piping or tank that contains flammable liquids
(2) {As in NEC}
(3) {As in NEC}
Sections 250.53 to 250.66. {As in NEC}
Section 250.68. Grounding Electrode Conductor and Bonding Jumper Connection to Grounding Electrodes. {Introductory Paragraph as in NEC}
(A) Accessibility.
The connection of a grounding electrode conductor or bonding jumper conductor to a grounding electrode must be:
(1) ahead of all turnoff valves and unions, and
(2) accessible.
Exceptions : {As in NEC}
(B) Effective Grounding Path. {As in NEC}
(C) Grounding Electrode Connections. {As in NEC}
Sections 250.70 to 250.109. {As in NEC}
Articles 280 to 285
[As in NEC]
Chapter 3
Wiring Methods and Materials
Articles 300 to 332
[As in NEC]
Article 334
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM, NMC, and NMS
Sections 334.1 to 334.24. {As in NEC}
Section 334.30. Securing and Supporting. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable must be supported and secured by insulated (or, in a single-family dwelling, even by non-insulated) staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings, designed and installed so as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 4½ feet (1.4m) and within 12 inches (300 mm) of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables may not be stapled on edge. Sections of cable protected from physical damage by a raceway need not be secured within the raceway.
(A) - (C) {As in NEC}
Sections 334.40 to 334.116. {As in NEC}
Articles 336 to 384
[As in NEC]
Article 386
Surface Metal Raceways
Sections 386.1 to 386.60. {As in NEC}
Section 386.61. Equipment Grounding Conductor. In all occupancies, receptacle outlets supplied by a surface metal raceway must contain an equipment grounding conductor within the raceway.
Sections 386.70 to 386.120. {As in NEC}
Articles 388 to 399
[As in NEC]
Chapter 4
Equipment for General Use
Articles 400 to 411
[As in NEC]
Article 422
Appliances
Sections 422.1 to 422.46. {As in NEC}
Section 422.47. Water Heater Controls. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(1) - (2) {As in NEC}
(3) Disconnecting Means.
Circuits that supply water heaters must have a disconnecting means other than the overcurrent device. This disconnecting means must be installed close to the water heater.
Exceptions: {As in NEC}
Sections 422.48 to 422.62. {As in NEC}
Articles 424 to 490
[As in NEC]
Chapter 5
Special Occupancies
Articles 500 to 522
[As in NEC]
Article 525
Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar Events.
Sections 525.1 to 525.20. {As in NEC}
Section 525.21. Rides, Tents, and Concessions.
(A) - (B) {As in NEC}
(C) Electrical Lamps.
Electrical fixtures must be so installed that lamps are kept at least 8 inches (203 mm) away from tent canvas or other combustible materials.
Section 525.22. Portable Distribution or Termination Boxes. Portable distribution or termination boxes must comply with all of the requirements of this § 525.22.
(A) - (D) {As in NEC}
(E) Junction Boxes.
Taps and connections within 8 feet (2.44 m) of the ground must be made in junction boxes that are kept locked at all times when the public is on the grounds. Metal junction boxes must be grounded.
Sections 525.23 to 525.32. {As in NEC}
Articles 530 to 590
[As in NEC]
Chapter 6
Special Equipment
Article 600
Electric Signs and Outline Lighting
Sections 600.1 to 600.5. {As in NEC}
Section 600.6. Disconnects. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
Exceptions: {As in NEC}
(A) Location.
(1) At Point of Entry to a Sign Enclosure.
The disconnect shall be located at the point the feeder circuit or branch circuit(s) supplying a sign or outline lighting system enters a sign enclosure in accordance with § 600.5(C)(3) and shall disconnect all wiring where it enters the enclosure of the sign.
Exceptions:
(1) {Not Adopted}
(2) {As in NEC}
(2) - (4) {As in NEC}
(B) Control Switch Rating. {As in NEC}
Sections 600.7 to 600.42. {As in NEC}
Articles 604 to 694
[As in NEC]
Article 695
Fire Pumps
Sections 695.1 to 695.2. {As in NEC}
Section 695.3. Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire Pumps. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) - (C) {As in NEC}
(D) On-Site Standby Generator as Alternate Source.
{Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(1) Capacity. {As in NEC}
(2) Connection.
A tap ahead of the generator disconnecting means is required.
(3) Adjacent Disconnects.
The requirements of § 430.113 of this Code apply.
(E) - (I) {As in NEC}
Sections 695.4 to 695.5. {As in NEC}
Section 695.6. Power Wiring. {Introductory paragraph as in NEC}
(A) Supply Conductors. {As in NEC}
(1) - (2) {As in NEC}
Exception to (A)(2)(4): {Not Adopted}
(B) - (J) {As in NEC}
Sections 695.7 to 695.10. {As in NEC}
Section 695.12. Equipment Location.
(A) - (F) {As in NEC}
(G) Fire Pump Location.
Fire pump and associated equipment must be located in a separate room that is enclosed with 2-hour fire-resistance-rated fire-separation assemblies.
Section 695.14. Control Wiring. {As in NEC}
Section 695.15. Surge Protection. {As in NEC}
Chapter 7
Special Conditions
Article 700
Emergency Systems
Sections 700.1 to 700.10. {As in NEC}
Section 700.12. General Requirements. {Introductory Paragraphs as in NEC}
(A) - (E) {As in NEC}
(F) Separate Service. {Not Adopted}
(G) - (I) {As in NEC}
Sections 700.15 to 700.32. {As in NEC}
Article 701
Legally Required Standby Systems
Sections 701.1 to 701.10. {As in NEC}
Section 701.12. General Requirements. {Introductory paragraphs as in NEC}
(A) - (E) {As in NEC}
(F) - (G) {Not Adopted}
(H) - (J) {As in NEC}
Sections 701.30 to 701.32. {As in NEC}
Article 702
Optional Standby Systems
Sections 702.1 to 702.12. {As in NEC}
Section 702.13. Portable Gasoline-Powered Generators. Where public utility service is available, a portable gasoline-powered generator may not be used in place of normal power source.
Exception: Where power is interrupted due to emergency conditions.