An appliance is utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is:
- fastened in place
- stationary, or portable; normally built in a standardized size or type
- installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions
Examples of appliances include clothes washing, air-conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, and more.
Background
NEC 1940 definition of appliance stated that “Appliances are current-consuming equipment, fixed or portable; for example heating, cooking and small motor-operated equipment.” Let’s contrast that definition with what is found in the 2023 edition of the code. NEC 2023 states that an appliance is “Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is fastened in place, stationary, or portable; is normally built in a standardized size or type; and is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air-conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, and so forth.“
NEC 2023 includes definitions for fastened in place, portable (as applied to equipment) and stationary (as applied to equipment). In the past, definitions existed for Fixed Appliances, Portable Appliances and Stationary Appliances. NEC 1940 defined a “portable appliance” as “An appliance capable of being readily moved where established practice or the conditions of use make it necessary or convenient for it to be detached from its source of current by means of flexible cord and attachment plug.” It was NEC 1981 that deleted this term as well as two others as part of a correlating committee action to delete the three terms Fixed Appliances, Portable Appliances, and Stationary Appliances.
Appliance Examples
A dishwasher is a good example of an appliance. there are various locations in the NEC that include requirements for appliances like the dishwasher. For requirements that apply to the branch circuit for an appliance we follow rules in Chapters 1 through 4 general requirements. For requirements that apply only to the appliance we look to Article 422 with the same name.
Product Standards
Informative Annex A of the code includes reference standards for the solutions addressed within the code. Below is a table of related product standards that can be referenced when seeking proper application of requirements that pertain to appliances.
| Standard Number | Title |
|---|---|
| ANSI/CSA-C22.2 No. 339 | Hand-held motor-operated electric tools — Safety — Particular requirements for chain beam saws |
| UL 22 | Amusement and Gaming Machines |
| UL 73 | Motor-Operated Appliances |
| UL 82 | Electric Gardening Appliances |
| UL 122 | Photographic Equipment |
| UL 141 | Garment Finishing Appliances |
| UL 174 | Household Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters |
| UL 197 | Commercial Electric Cooking Appliances |
| UL 283 | Air Fresheners and Deodorizers |
| UL 399 | Drinking Water Coolers |
| UL 430 | Waste Disposers |
| UL 498 | Attachment Plugs and Receptacles |
| UL 498D | Attachment Plugs, Cord Connectors and Receptacles with Arcuate (Locking Type) Contacts |
| UL 498E | Attachment Plugs, Cord Connectors and Receptacles — Enclosure Types for Environmental Protection |
| UL 498F | Plugs, Socket-Outlets and Couplers with Arcuate (Locking Type) Contacts |
| UL 499 | Electric Heating Appliances |
| UL 507 | Electric Fans |
| UL 514A | Metallic Outlet Boxes |
| UL 515 | Electric Resistance Trace Heating for Commercial Applications |
| UL 561 | Floor Finishing Machines |
| UL 574 | Electric Oil Heaters |
| UL 621 | Ice Cream Makers |
| UL 705 | Power Ventilators |
| UL 710B | Recirculating Systems |
| UL 749 | Household Dishwashers |
| UL 751 | Vending Machines |
| UL 763 | Motor-Operated Commercial Food Preparing Machines |
| UL 778 | Motor-Operated Water Pumps |
| UL 834 | Heating, Water Supply, and Power Boilers — Electric |
| UL 858 | Household Electric Ranges |
| UL 875 | Electric Dry-Bath Heaters |
| UL 921 | Commercial Dishwashers |
| UL 923 | Microwave Cooking Appliances |
| UL 943 | Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters |
| UL 962 | Household and Commercial Furnishings |
| UL 962A | Furniture Power Distribution Units |
| UL 979 | Water Treatment Appliances |
| UL 982 | Motor-Operated Household Food Preparing Machines |
| UL 987 | Stationary and Fixed Electric Tools |
| UL 1017 | Vacuum Cleaners, Blower Cleaners, and Household Floor Finishing Machines |
| UL 1026 | Household Electric Cooking and Food Serving Appliances |
| UL 1086 | Household Trash Compactors |
| UL 1090 | Electric Snow Movers |
| UL 1206 | Electric Commercial Clothes-Washing Equipment |
| UL 1240 | Electric Commercial Clothes-Drying Equipment |
| UL 1278 | Movable and Wall- or Ceiling-Hung Electric Room Heaters |
| UL 1447 | Electric Lawn Mowers |
| UL 1450 | Motor-Operated Air Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, and Painting Equipment |
| UL 1453 | Electric Booster and Commercial Storage Tank Water Heaters |
| UL 1576 | Flashlights and Lanterns |
| UL 1594 | Sewing and Cutting Machines |
| UL 1647 | Motor-Operated Massage and Exercise Machines |
| UL 1727 | Commercial Electric Personal Grooming Appliances |
| UL 1776 | High-Pressure Cleaning Machines |
| UL 2157 | Electric Clothes Washing Machines and Extractors |
| UL 2158 | Electric Clothes Dryers |
| UL 2565 | Industrial Metalworking and Woodworking Machine Tools |
| UL 60335-2-3 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Electric Irons |
| UL 60335-2-8 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Shavers, Hair Clippers, and Similar Appliances |
| UL 60335-2-24 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances, and Ice-Makers |
| UL 60335-2-40 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air-Conditioners and Dehumidifiers |
| UL 60335-2-67 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Safety — Part 2-67: Particular Requirements for Floor Treatment Machines, For Commercial Use |
| UL 60335-2-68 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Safety — Part 2-68: Particular Requirements for Spray Extraction Machines, for Commercial Use |
| UL 60335-2-79 | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Safety — Part 2-79: Particular Requirements for High Pressure Cleaners and Steam Cleaners |
| UL 60730-2-9 | Automatic Electrical Controls; Part 2: Particular Requirements for Temperature Sensing Controls |
| UL 60745-1 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 1: General Requirements |
| UL 60745-2-1 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-1: Particular Requirements for Drills and Impact Drills |
| UL 60745-2-2 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-2: Particular Requirements for Screwdrivers and Impact Wrenches |
| UL 60745-2-3 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-3: Particular Requirements for Grinders, Polishers, and Disk-Type Sanders |
| UL 60745-2-4 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-4: Particular Requirements for Sanders and Polishers Other Than Disk Type |
| UL 60745-2-5 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-5: Particular Requirements for Circular Saws |
| UL 60745-2-6 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-6: Particular Requirements for Hammers |
| UL 60745-2-8 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-8: Particular Requirements for Shears and Nibblers |
| UL 60745-2-9 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-9: Particular Requirements for Tappers |
| UL 60745-2-11 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-11: Particular Requirements for Reciprocating Saws |
| UL 60745-2-12 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-12: Particular Requirements For Concrete Vibrators |
| UL 60745-2-13 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-13: Particular Requirements For Chain Saws |
| UL 60745-2-14 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-14: Particular Requirements for Planers |
| UL 60745-2-15 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-15: Particular Requirements for Hedge Trimmers |
| UL 60745-2-16 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-16: Particular Requirements for Tackers |
| UL 60745-2-17 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-17: Particular Requirements for Routers and Trimmers |
| UL 60745-2-18 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-18: Particular Requirements For Strapping Tools |
| UL 60745-2-19 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-19: Particular Requirements for Jointers |
| UL 60745-2-20 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-20: Particular Requirements for Band Saws |
| UL 60745-2-21 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated Electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-21: Particular Requirements For Drain Cleaners |
| UL 60745-2-22 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-22: Particular Requirements for Cut-Off Machines |
| UL 60745-2-23 | Hand-Held Motor-Operated electric Tools — Safety — Part 2-23: Particular Requirements for Die Grinders and Small Rotary Tools |
| UL 62841-1 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 1: General Requirements |
| UL 62841-2-1 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-1: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Drills and Impact Drills |
| UL 62841-2-2 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-2: Particular Requirements For Screwdrivers And Impact Wrenches |
| UL 62841-2-3 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-3: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Grinders, Polishers, and Disk-Type Sanders |
| UL 62841-2-4 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-4: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Sanders And Polishers Other Than Disc Type |
| UL 62841-2-5 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-5: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Circular Saws |
| UL 62841-2-8 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-8: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Shears and Nibblers |
| UL 62841-2-9 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-9: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Tappers And Threaders |
| UL 62841-2-10 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-10: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Mixers |
| UL 62841-2-11 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-11: Particular Requirements for Hand-Held Reciprocating Saws |
| UL 62841-2-14 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-14: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Planers |
| UL 62841-2-17 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-17: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Routers |
| UL 62841-2-21 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 2-21: Particular Requirements For Hand-Held Drain Cleaners |
| UL 62841-3-1 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-1: Particular Requirements For Transportable Table Saws |
| UL 62841-3-4 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-4: Particular Requirements for Transportable Bench Grinders |
| UL 62841-3-6 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-6: Particular Requirements For Transportable Diamond Drills with Liquid System |
| UL 62841-3-9 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-9: Particular Requirements For Transportable Mitre Saws |
| UL 62841-3-10 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-10: Particular Requirements for Transportable Cut-Off Machines |
| UL 62841-3-12 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-12: Particular Requirements for Transportable Threading Machines |
| UL 62841-3-13 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-13: Particular Requirements For Transportable Drills |
| UL 62841-3-14 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-14: Particular Requirements for Transportable Drain Cleaners |
| UL 62841-3-1000 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 3-1000: Particular Requirements for Transportable Laser Engravers |
| UL 62841-4-1 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 4-1: Particular Requirements for Chain Saws |
| UL 62841-4-2 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 4-2: Particular Requirements for Hedge Trimmers |
| UL 62841-4-1000 | Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery — Safety — Part 4-1000: Particular Requirements For Utility Machines |
Leave a Reply