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Code Question of the Day

The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.

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November 2, 2026

Question:

Regarding 10/26/CQD:

Good afternoon.

I always enjoy the CQD. 

Unless I’m mistaken, the MOP should be 60 as listed on the nameplate rating mentioned. The pool heat pump should fall under article 440. 440.4(B)?

Cliff mentioned 60amp MOP but indicated he used 50amp breaker. Thank you, Troy W.

Original 10/26 CQD: Hi CQD, I have a heat pump pool heater that is rated for 41.81 MCA, 208/230 V single phase with a 60 amp MOP. The contactor relay for line voltage is rated at 75° C connections and my circuit breaker is a 50 amp square D Homeline with a 60° to 75° C rating and are wired with eight gage THHN 75° C rated wire ran in 3/4” PVC conduit with the total length no more than 30 feet.

Is this scenario within Code requirements? Thanks, Cliff J.

Original Response:

Good Morning Cliff,

This is correct, but you need to verify a few items.  Terminations on both the breaker and equipment connection terminals are both required to be rated for 75°C conductors. On circuits of 100 amperes or less, 110.14(C)(1)(a)(3) forces you into the 60°C column unless the equipment connections are listed and identified for higher-temperature conductors

8 AWG THWN at 75°C is good for 50 amperes at 75°C, per Table 310.16. (Your question indicates THHN, but if the PVC run is outdoors or underground, the insulation also needs a wet-location marking such as THWN or THWN-2). 

The 50A wire per Table 310.16 is above the 41.81-ampere MCA and works with the 50-ampere breaker; that is below the 60-ampere MOCP on the nameplate.  If 60°C would have been used, the ampacity drops to 40 amperes and would be below the MCA.

Bond the heater per 680.26(B)(6), and check Article 680 for GFCI requirements as well.

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October 30, 2026

Question:

CQD- I am a homeowner looking to purchase a Level 2 EV charging station and have a question regarding compliance with NEC Article 625.17 that I hope you can help clarify.

 

I am considering a wall-mounted 48-amp EV charger that comes with a 30-foot output cable. The charger unit itself has a built-in hook and cable storage feature — integrated directly into the charger body — that is specifically designed to hold and organize any unused length of cable when not in use. This feature is part of the charger's listed assembly under UL 2594.

My questions are:

1. Under NEC 625.17(C), does a built-in hook or cable storage apparatus that is integrated into the charger body and covered under the unit's UL listing qualify as a "cable management system" as defined in NEC 625.2?

2. If the user stores the excess cable on this integrated feature — keeping the usable deployed length at or under 25 feet — would a 30-foot cable on such a unit be considered compliant with NEC 625.17?

I want to make sure the charger I purchase is fully code-compliant before my electrician installs it. Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time, Michael D.

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Answer:

Hello Michael, if the hook is part of the listed equipment, it can qualify as a cable management system.  Article 100 defines a cable management system as an apparatus designed to control and organize lengths of cable or cord, so the built-in hook that holds the unused cable would be compliant with that definition. Section 625.17(C) also requires the cable management system to be part of the listed EVSE, not an accessory added after listing. If the manufacturer’s listing documentation calls out the hook as part of the unit assembly, the 30-foot cable is permitted.

 

The 25-foot limit applies to EVSE without a cable management system, no matter how much cable is left deployed. For hand-fastened EVSE, 625.17(C)(2)(a) measures usable length from the EVSE cable exit to the face of the vehicle connector.