Section 160.9 - Mandatory Requirements for Electric Ready Buildings

(a) Heat pump space heater ready. Systems using gas or propane furnaces to serve individual dwelling units shall include the following:

1. A dedicated 240 volt branch circuit wiring shall be installed within 3 feet from the furnace and accessible to the furnace with no obstructions. The branch circuit conductors shall be rated at 30 amps minimum. The blank cover shall be identified as “240V ready”. All electrical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.

2. The main electrical service panel shall have a reserved space to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future heat pump space heater installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as “For Future 240V use”.

(b) Electric cooktop ready. Systems using gas or propane cooktops to serve individual dwelling units shall include the following:

1. A dedicated 240 volt branch circuit wiring shall be installed within 3 feet from the cooktop and accessible to the cooktop with no obstructions. The branch circuit conductors shall be rated at 50 amps minimum. The blank cover shall be identified as “240V ready”. All electrical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.

2. The main electrical service panel shall have a reserved space to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future electric cooktop installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as “For Future 240V use.”

(c) Electric clothes dryer ready. Clothes dryer locations with gas or propane plumbing shall include the following:

1. Systems serving individual dwelling units shall include:

A. A dedicated 240 volt branch circuit wiring shall be installed within 3 feet from the clothes dryer location and accessible to the clothes dryer location with no obstructions. The branch circuit conductors shall be rated at 30 amps minimum. The blank cover shall be identified as “240V ready”. All electrical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.

B.  The main electrical service panel shall have a reserved space to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future electric clothes dryer installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as “For Future 240V use.”

2. Systems in common use areas shall include

A. Conductors or raceway shall be installed with termination points at the main electrical panel, via subpanels panels if applicable, to a location no more than 3 feet from each gas outlet or a designated location of future electric replacement equipment. Both ends of the conductors or raceway shall be labelled “Future 240V Use.” The conductors or raceway and any intervening subpanels, panelboards, switchboards, and busbars shall be sized to meet the future electric power requirements, at the service voltage to the point at which the conductors serving the building connect to the utility distribution system, as specified below. The capacity requirements may be adjusted for demand factors in accordance with the California Electric Code. Gas flow rates shall be determined in accordance with the California Plumbing Code. Capacity shall be one of the following:

i. 24 amps at 208/240 volts per clothes dryer;

ii. 2.6 kVA for each 10,000 Btu per hour of rated gas input or gas pipe capacity; or

iii. The electrical power required to provide equivalent functionality of the gas-powered equipment as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.