14.2 Switches, Receptacles & Wiring Devices (Articles 404 & 406)

What changed in 2026

DLI's 2026 NEC review lists these device changes:

• Article 406 renamed "Wiring Devices": it now covers receptacles, cord connectors, attachment plugs, snap switches, dimmers, and electronic control switches. Article 404 keeps the requirements for other switches, such as safety switches and circuit breakers used as switches.
• 406.12(D)(3): the exception that lets a replacement receptacle skip GFCI protection when upstream protection is not feasible was rewritten to give installers more options.
• 406.14(G): receptacles may not be installed face up in laundry areas, such as a dryer receptacle mounted face up in the floor.
• 406.26: tamper-resistant receptacles are now also required in park and recreation areas.

Because the 2026 edition renumbered these articles, this section cites them by rule rather than by every old section number.

Switches

Connection and location

• Ungrounded conductors only: switches and circuit breakers may not disconnect the grounded conductor unless all circuit conductors open simultaneously, or the arrangement prevents the grounded conductor from being opened by itself.
• Grounded conductor at switch locations: where switches control lighting loads, a grounded (neutral) conductor must be provided at the switch location, with limited exceptions, such as a raceway that has room to add one later or a location with access to pull one in later. Occupancy sensors and other electronic controls need the neutral.
• 3-way and 4-way switching: all switching is done in the ungrounded conductor. In metal raceways or cable armor, the conductors of the switch loop must be grouped to avoid inductive heating.
• Height: switches and circuit breakers used as switches must be installed so the center of the grip of the operating handle in its highest position is not more than 6 ft 7 in. above the floor or working platform.
• Wet locations: switches in wet locations need a weatherproof enclosure, and switches may not be within the wet locations of tub or shower spaces unless part of a listed tub or shower assembly.
• Faceplates: metal faceplates must be grounded; switches must be mounted so faceplates seat against the finished surface.
• Voltage between adjacent devices: snap switches may not be grouped or ganged in one enclosure unless the voltage between adjacent switches does not exceed 300 V, or identified barriers are installed between them, such as when 277 V and 120 V switches share a box.
• Enclosures not used as raceways: switch and circuit breaker enclosures may not be used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches or overcurrent devices, unless designed with adequate space.

Ratings for general-use snap switches

A 20 A, 120 V AC snap switch may control a motor drawing up to $20 \times 0.80 = 16$ A.

Receptacles

Ratings and configurations

Receptacles must be rated for the circuit voltage and current. Typical NEMA configurations: 5-15 and 5-20 (125 V, grounding), 6-20 and 6-30 (250 V, grounding), 14-30 (dryer, 125/250 V, 4-wire), and 14-50 (range or EVSE, 125/250 V, 4-wire). Three-wire 10-30 and 10-50 receptacles, without an EGC, are permitted only for existing range and dryer branch circuits.

Tamper-resistant receptacles

Listed tamper-resistant receptacles are required for all nonlocking 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles in:

• all areas of dwelling units, including garages and outdoors;
• hotel and motel guest rooms and guest suites, and dormitory units;
• child care facilities, preschools, and education facilities;
• business offices, corridors, waiting rooms, and similar areas of clinics, medical, and dental offices, and outpatient facilities;
• the assembly occupancies of places of waiting transportation, gymnasiums, skating rinks, and auditoriums;
• assisted living facilities and agricultural buildings accessible to the public; and
• park and recreation areas (new in 2026).

Exceptions: receptacles more than 5½ ft above the floor; receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance; a single receptacle or duplex receptacle for two appliances in a dedicated space where the appliances are not easily moved; and nongrounding receptacles used as replacements.

Damp and wet locations

• Weather-resistant: all nonlocking 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles in damp and wet locations must be listed weather-resistant (WR).
• Wet locations: 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in a wet location need an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not an attachment plug is inserted, with an outlet box hood listed and identified as extra-duty.
• Bathtubs and showers: receptacles may not be installed within a zone 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. The zone includes the space directly over the tub or shower.
• Face-up receptacles: not permitted in countertops or work surfaces unless listed for that use, and, under the 2026 NEC, not in laundry areas.

Isolated ground receptacles

An isolated ground receptacle has its grounding terminal insulated from the mounting yoke. It is identified by an orange triangle on its face, and its insulated EGC is installed as described in 250.146(D).

Replacing receptacles

Worked example: replacing a two-wire bedroom receptacle

A homeowner asks for a three-prong receptacle in a 1950s bedroom with two-wire cable and no grounding conductor.

1. A grounding-type receptacle may not simply be installed with the grounding terminal unconnected.
2. Options: add an EGC under 250.130(C), or provide GFCI protection and mark the receptacle "No Equipment Ground" (plus "GFCI Protected" if it is protected by an upstream device).
3. The bedroom is an area where AFCI protection is now required, so the replacement must also have AFCI protection, such as a dual-function receptacle or breaker.
4. The replacement must be tamper-resistant, because it is in a dwelling unit.