Code Change Summary: Changes were made to bring clarity to wiring serving patient care spaces.

In the 2023 NEC^®, the parent text in Section 517.13 was modified to make it clear that the equipment grounding requirements of 517.13(A) and (B) apply to wiring serving the patient care space rather than only the wiring in the patient care space.

Even though the previous language in the parent text of 517.13 required wiring in patient care spaces to comply with 517.13(A) and (B), the actual equipment grounding requirements in 517.13(A) still applied to all branch circuits serving patient care spaces.

Article 100 makes it clear that a branch circuit includes all circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlets.

The change in the parent text makes clear that the equipment grounding requirements in 517.13(A) and (B) apply to the entire branch circuit even if only a small portion of it enters the patient care space.

Another important change was the relocation of 517.13(B) exception 2 to the appropriate location which is 517.13(A). This exception permits luminaires higher than 7-1/2 feet above the floor and switches located outside of the patient care vicinity to be connected to an equipment grounding return path complying with the requirements of 517.13(A) or (B).

Moving the exception will help the code reader to apply the language correctly.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.