406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.

Three different types of tamper-resistant receptacles.

Code Change Summary: The requirements for tamper-resistant receptacles have been expanded.

The use of tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles is aimed at keeping kids safe. Year after year there
have been reports of children being injured, shocked or burned after inserting objects into
receptacles. Each code cycle since the 2008 NEC, there has been revisions to the rules pertaining to
TR receptacles.

In the 2014 NEC, the rules in Article 406 for TR receptacles only pertained to 15- and 20-ampere,
125-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in specific locations such as dwelling units, guest rooms and
day care centers.

In the 2017 NEC, the requirements for TR receptacles have been expanded to include 250-volt
nonlocking-type receptacles. Also, several additional locations were added including receptacles
located in specific schools, offices, waiting rooms and certain places of assembly.

Now, “all 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in the areas specified in
406.12(1) through (7) shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.”

Always be mindful of the exceptions and don’t forget about NEC 518.18(C) which requires
receptacles located in patient rooms, bathrooms, playrooms, and activity rooms of pediatric units or
spaces to be listed tamper-resistant or employ a listed tamper-resistant cover.

Below is a preview of the NEC. See the actual NEC text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code
section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC edition of NFPA 70.

2014 Code Language:

406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Tamper-resistant receptacles shall be installed as specified in 406.12(A) through (C).

(A) Dwelling Units. In all areas specified in 210.52, all nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.

(B) Guest Rooms and Guest Suites of Hotels and Motels. All nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and
20-ampere receptacles located in guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels shall be listed
tamper-resistant receptacles.

(C) Child Care Facilities. In all child care facilities, all nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.

Exception to (A), (B), and (C): Receptacles in the following locations shall not be required to be
tamper resistant:

(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (5 ½ ft) above the floor.

(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance.

(3) A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for
each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-
and plug-connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8).

(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a).

2017 Code Language:

406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in the areas specified
in 406.12(1) through (7) shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.

(1) Dwelling units in all areas specified in 210.52 and 550.13

(2) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels

(3) Child care facilities

(4) Preschools and elementary education facilities

(5) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices and
outpatient facilities

(6) Subset of assembly occupancies described in 518.2 to include places of waiting transportation,
gymnasiums, skating rinks, and auditoriums

(7) Dormitories

Exception to (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7): Receptacles in the following locations shall not be
required to be tamper resistant:
(1) Receptacles located more than 1.7 m (5 ½ ft) above the floor

(2) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance

(3) A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within the dedicated space
for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-
and-plug-connected in accordance with 400.10(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8)

(4) Nongrounding receptacles used for replacements as permitted in 406.4(D)(2)(a)