BASEBOARD HEATERS

[Joe Tedesco]

Just an update for your files related to the equipment:

BASEBOARD HEATERS (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 Accessories²

(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.

For additional information, see Electrical Equipment for Use in Ordinary

Locations (AALZ) and Heating, Cooling, Ventilating and Cooking Equipment

(AAHC).

The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is UL

1042, ‘‘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’’ .

Baseboard Heater Accessories (KLQZ)

This category covers accessories intended to be used in conjunction with

individual manufacturer²s Listed baseboard heater systems (see Baseboard

Heaters). Accessories include wiring components for interconnection of individual

units, corner, blank and filler sections, to facilitate perimeter installation,

temperature regulating components and other general and special use

receptacle and switch components to be mounted in line with baseboard

heater installations.

Attachment plug receptacle sections of baseboard heating systems provided

for installation along with the other components of baseboard air

heating systems, are intended to be supplied by means of conventional wiring

methods, from separate branch circuits, not interconnected with the

heating system.

Combination transfer switch-receptacle sections of baseboard heating systems

which permit use of either the heating system by itself, or a separate

room air conditioner by itself, are intended to be connected to a single

branch circuit of appropriate size.

For additional information, see Electrical Equipment for Use in Ordinary

Locations (AALZ) and Heating, Cooling, Ventilating and Cooking Equipment

(AAHC).

The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is UL

1042, ‘‘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

‘‘Baseboard Heater Accessory’’ .

[Jeff Remas]

Joe when did the code change not allowing receptacles above baseboard heaters? I see this in a lot of homes from the 70's.

It is more of an issue when a cord goes inside and touches an element.

What age group of heaters are you referring to?

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Jeff Remas

Joe when did the code change not allowing receptacles above baseboard heaters? I see this in a lot of homes from the 70's.

It is more of an issue when a cord goes inside and touches an element.

What age group of heaters are you referring to?

The NEC doesn't and never has prohibited receptacles above baseboard heaters. The baseboard heater manufacturer's prohibit it.

I don't know when they started to disallow it.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Neal Lewis]

There is a Fine Print Note that says "Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets." At least in the 1996 NEC version.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Neal Lewis

There is a Fine Print Note that says "Listed baseboard heaters include instructions that may not permit their installation below receptacle outlets." At least in the 1996 NEC version.

Yes. That first appeared in the 1990 edition. FPNs are just explanatory. They're aren't enforceable parts of the code. That note means, "Dude, the NEC doesn't prohibit receptacles over baseboard heaters, but the manufacturer might."

- Jim Katen, Oregon