Change Summary

• Receptacles are now prohibited from being installed within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold with this identified zone being all-encompassing and will include the space directly over the tub or shower stall. In bathrooms with dimensions less than the required zone, receptacle(s) are permitted to be installed opposite the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold on the farthest wall within the room.

Expert Analysis

For the 2020 Code cycle, new rules will be implemented to prohibit receptacles from being installed within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold with this identified zone being all-encompassing and including the space directly over the tub or shower stall. To remedy the situation where the bathroom is dimension-wise, simply too small to accommodate this 900 mm (3 ft) horizontal measurement, an exception was added stating that in bathrooms with less than the required zone, the receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be installed opposite the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold on the farthest wall within the room.

To add to the complexity of this rule for receptacle outlets in a bathroom, current language at 552.41(F)(1) for park trailers limits a 120-volt receptacle outlet from being “installed in or within reach [750 mm (30 in.)] of a shower or bathtub space.” Other factors involve 210.52(D), which demands at least one receptacle outlet be installed in dwelling unit bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. Under the rules of previous Code cycles, a receptacle could be installed between a bathroom sink and the tub and meet the requirements of 210.52(D). Under the new 2020 NEC language at 406.9(C), the same described bathroom could not satisfy 210.52(D) while complying with 406.9(C) (without perhaps applying the exception).

It should be noted that this 900 mm (3 ft) horizontal and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertical “zone” is most often associated with dwelling units, but a closer study of this requirement here at 406.9(C) and 410.10(D) for luminaires and ceiling fans will reveal that these requirements are not exclusive to dwelling units only.