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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22
E
Member
I have a customer who has hot water fed baseboard heat in most of his house. They would like to have a few recpt's installed above the baseboard heaters, as this is the only option because they go all the way around the room, covering 90% of the walls. Water fed heaters don't get nearly as hot as electric heaters, you can touch these ones at any time when they are on, and never even think about burning or scorching your hand. I looked in the code, but was unable to find any reference to water fed baseboard heaters. The code clearly states that you cannot put recpts over electric heaters, but I need to know if it's legal to install them in this situation, over the water fed ones... any help would be nice, I can't find anything in the code that helps one way or the other. Common sence tells me to think this might be an exception to the rule, as there is not enough heat present to do any harm.

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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 558
C
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The NEC doesn't prohibit receptacles from being installed above baseboard heaters. The instructions included with your baseboard heaters should say if you can install receptacle above their heaters. See FPN under 210.52

Curt

[This message has been edited by caselec (edited 05-14-2003).]


Curt Swartz
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
E
Member
Code does not clearly state no recepts above elec baseboard heat, this is up to the manufacturer of the heater. There is nothing in the NEC or any good reason I can think of for not installing above fhw baseboard. In fact there are probably billions like this across the country.

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Z
Member
You may install receps above hot water baseboard heat only. See and read 110.3(B)and 210.52 FPN and Exhibit 210.23 in 02 Handbook. Its clear to me NOT to install receps above electric baseboard heaters.


Shoot first, apologize later.....maybe
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
E
Member
Zapped, those articles reaffirm what I said. Manufacturers decision.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22
E
Member
Hello all, Thanks for your input... you have been helpful... sorry it took me so long to reply, been busy and not online much... Hope you all have a nice Memorial Day weekend!
ElectricWonder

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,749
Member
The rest of the story follows:

Quote
HEATERS, BASEBOARD (KLDR)
This listing covers space heaters of the portable and permanently
mounted types intended to be positioned or installed on or in the wall at
the baseboard level, or on the floor.
Baseboard heaters have been investigated and found to incorporate suitable
safeguards against establishment of fire hazards that might result
from contact with draperies, furniture, carpeting, bedding and the like;
however, discoloration or scorching (but no glowing embers or flaming)
may result on adjacent materials.
Heaters, other than those marked to indicate that they are not for residential
use, have been investigated to determine that the accessible surface
temperatures are low enough to reduce the likelihood of burns from accidental
contact.
Electrical cords, drapes, and other furnishings should be kept away from
baseboard heaters. To reduce the likelihood of cords contacting the heater,
the heater is not to be located beneath electrical receptacles.
Listings of
receptacle accessories for use with an individual manufacturer‘‘s baseboard
heaters are included under the category ’’ Baseboard Heater Accessories
² (KLQZ).
Baseboard mounted equipment consists of two types: Complete units
intended for individual mounting in specific locations, and complete systems,
which include accessories to enable the heating units to be interconnected
around the perimeter of a room. Listings for accessories appear
under Baseboard Heater Accessories. With reference to these systems, each
manufacturer is required to furnish detailed instructions covering the
assembly of the basic units and accessories, and indicating the method in
which ground continuity is intended to be maintained between adjacent
sections.
Electrical fittings are provided with each heater of a system to insure
ground continuity between adjacent units and to protect interconnecting
wiring, unless investigation shows that standard fittings which are available
in the field will accomplish the same result.
A system which is factory furnished with all interconnecting wiring, fittings,
raceways, etc., to complete the installation is considered suitable for
connection to a single outlet branch circuit.
The basic standard used to investigate products in this category
isUL1042, ‘‘Electric Baseboard Heating Equipment’’.
The Listing Mark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. on the product is the
only method provided by UL to identify products manufactured under its
Listing and Follow-Up Service. The Listing Mark for these products
includes the UL symbol (as illustrated in the Introduction of this Directory)
together with the word ²LISTED,² a control number, and the product
name ‘‘Electric Baseboard Heater’’


Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant

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