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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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April 29, 2025

Question:

A customer requested an estimate to install a feeder to a remote outbuilding. His request included one conduit for power and one for communication. The installation required conduit installation by using directional boring method because the two buildings were separated by a newly paved area, he did not want damaged. Additionally, the owner requested that a natural gas line be installed in the same bore hole.

I explained that the NEC would not allow installation of the gas line within the same bore since separation was required between utilities, but I have been unable to locate the appropriate code section to confirm this to the customer. Could you point me to the appropriate code article to justify this to the customer? Josh B.

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April 28, 2025

Question:

CQD - Is it a code requirement to provide a 120-volt, 20-amp convenience receptacle in all bathrooms, regardless of whether the building is residential, commercial, or industrial? Are bathrooms in commercial or industrial buildings exempt from this requirement? Joe S.

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Answer:

Hi Joe, thanks for your question. A receptacle outlet must be installed in dwelling unit bathrooms as stated in 210.52(D). A 120-volt 20 ampere branch circuit must be used to supply the dwelling unit branch circuit as stated in 210.11(C)(3). Receptacles are not required to be installed in bathrooms of other occupancies by the NEC.