5/15/2022

Welcome 
2022 NFPA Conference and Expo®
Boston, MA

Understanding T Code Requirements in the NEC®

Eddie Guidry – Fluor Enterprises, Inc.
Sr. Fellow – Electrical Engineering, Codes/Standards and Installation

Randal Schultz  – Fluor Enterprises, Inc.
Fellow – Electrical Engineering, Heat Tracing 

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2022 NFPA Conference
Items and Expo ®

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Evaluation: Complete a session evaluation on the mobile app

Handouts: Handouts will be available via the mobile app

and at nfpa.org/conference

NEC, NFPA, National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, NFPA, and National Fire Protection Association
are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, 02169.

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The following presentation contains excerpts of material from NFPA

70-2020, National Electrical Code®, Copyright© 2019, National Fire
Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02169. This reprinted material
is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the
referenced subject, which is represented by the standard in its entirety.

NEC, NFPA, National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, NFPA, and National Fire Protection Association
are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, 02169

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Housekeeping

Add NFPA disclaimer here
• Not endorsed by the NFPA® or Fluor Corporation

• NOT an all-inclusive course or list of requirements

• Class I and Zones 1 and 2 locations

• Qualified Persons
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Learning Objectives

Autoignition temperature review

Understand equipment T Code
requirements

DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE

Hot Surface

Flammable Gas 
or Vapor

Right Mixture 
of Air

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What is a T Code?

• Equipment Temperature Classification (T

Code)

• Maximum surface temperature allowed

• Referenced to 40 ºC ambient

NFPA 497® - 2021

“Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases,

or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installations in
Chemical Process Areas”

Copyright © 2020, NFPA

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Example of Chemical AIT

NFPA 497® - 2021 Chapter 4, Table 4.4.2 (Ref.)

Class I Flash Vapor Vapor

CAS AIT Zone MIE MIC MESG
Chemical Division Typea Point %LFL %UFL Density Pressureb
No. (°C) Groupc (mJ) Ratio (mm)
Group (°C) (Air = 1) (mm Hg)

Methyl Ethyl d
78-93-3 D I −6 465 1.97 10.1 2.5 89.8 IIA 0.53 0.92 0.88
Ketone

Copyright © 2020, NFPA

Question:

Does the NEC ® require a marked T Code

for any electrical equipment in Class I
locations?

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Article 500 NEC ®

 Section 500.8(A) - Suitability

(1) Listed or Labeled Equipment

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Article 500

 Section 500.8(A) - Suitability

(1) Listed or Labeled Equipment
(2) Evidence of evaluation by Qualified
Testing Lab or Inspection Agency

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Article 500

 Section 500.8(A) - Suitability

(1) Listed or Labeled Equipment
(2) Evidence of evaluation by Qualified
Testing Lab or Inspection Agency
(3) Acceptable evidence for the AHJ
• Manufacturer’s self-evaluation
• Owner’s engineering judgement

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Article 500

 Section 500.8(B)
 “Approval for Class and Properties”

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Table 500.8(C) T Code Classifications

Table 500.8(C)
Maximum Temperature Identification
ºC ºF Number
450 842 T1 “Hottest” Equipment = T1 (450 °C Max.)
300 572 T2
280 536 T2A
260 500 T2B
230 446 T2C
215 419 T2D
200 392 T3 Equipment must operate cooler
180 356 T3A as the T Code numeric value increases
165 329 T3B
160 320 T3C
135 275 T4
120 248 T4A
100 212 T5
85 185 T6 “Coolest” Equipment = T6 (85 °C Max.)
Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® Table 505.9(D)(1) T Code Classifications

Table 505.9(D)(1)
Temperature Maximum Surface
Class Temperature
(T Code) (ºC)
T1 ≤ 450 “Hottest” Equipment = T1 (450°C Max.)
T2 ≤ 300
T3 ≤ 200
T4 ≤ 135
T5 ≤ 100
T6 ≤ 85 “Coolest” Equipment = T6 (85°C Max.)

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NEC ® Article 505

Zone 2 AEx d IIA T3 Gc

Classification EPL

Meets U.S. Standards Temperature Class

Protection Technique Material Group

Zone Rated Equipment Marking

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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NEC ® 505.9(C)(1)

LED Luminaire | Manufacturer Name

40º C Ambient Temperature
Class I, Div. 2, NEMA 4/7, Gr. C/D, T3
Zone 2 AEx d IIA T3
60 Hz | 120 V | 0.2 A
NRTL Listed

Example: Nameplate of Class/Division

Rated Equipment in Zone Locations

Copyright © 2019, NFPA

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