This Technical Bulletin provides guidance on the requirements for installing equipment requiring servicing receptacles in Group R-2 occupancies, such as multi-dwelling unit buildings.

General

Per the 2022 and 2025 California Electrical Code, Article 210.8(E), Equipment Requiring Serving must be GFCI type. This article references Article 210.63 for specific areas that have mechanical equipment or dedicated electrical equipment, which require the installation of a servicing receptacle. Article 210.63(B) indicates the required serving receptacle for electrical equipment in occupancies other than residential Group R-3. 

The current code requirement in 210.63(B)(2) indicates that the servicing equipment receptacle circuit is prohibited from being connected to the load side of the equipment served. This article's requirement is not feasible to install. This article's safety compliance requirements are impractical due to the unnecessary equipment to be installed.

New Code Language 

The new 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 210.63(B) has been revised as follows:

“Within other than dwelling units, a receptacle outlet shall be required for wiring systems that include a solidly grounded system operating at less than 150 volts to ground. The receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as indoor switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers, and service equipment.”

This article no longer requires a servicing receptacle in residential units, as the language has been updated. Since the current code provides clarification on this matter, this Technical Bulletin allows the use Article 210.63(B) of the 2026 NEC as the basis for simplifying the compliance in place of the current 2022 and 2025 Article 210.63(B) of the California Electrical Code.