NEC Article 530 deals with the electrical protection of motion-picture & television studios. Learn more about the mandated GFCI requirements for these areas.

National Electrical Code Article (NEC) 530 outlines the required electrical safety provisions and installation standards applicable for motion picture and television studios. It also covers remote locations staffed by qualified personnel using electronic or film cameras, excluding those provided regarding indoor and outdoor theaters (as addressed in NEC 520). Specifically, the Article dictates the best practices for wiring, supervision of equipment, portable equipment regulations, and other critical safety protocols. The Article identifies three subsections where ground fault protection requirements are relevant, including: NEC 530.11, which details branch circuits protection; NEC 530.21, which outlines portable equipment Listing requirements; and NEC 530.44, which explains where Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is explicitly required.

NEC Article 530.11 mandates at any branch circuit, regardless of size, that supplies one or more receptacles must be protected by a GFCI in accordance with NEC 210.8(B), with the exception of 210.8(B)(6), which pertains to outdoor areas. This means that all 125-volt and 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits up to 50 Amps, and all receptacles supplied by three phase branch circuits supplying up to 100 Amps need Class A (5 mA +/- 1 trip level) ground fault protection. The Article also notes that branch circuits for egress lighting, life-critical stunts/special effects, or any other location where an unanticipated shutdown might create increased hazards shall not need GFCI protection.

NEC Article 530.21 outlines portable equipment use in two sections (A and B), listing requirements as well as other outdoor use requirements. They detail as follows:

A.) This section requires that all portable stage and studio electrical equipment be Listed or approved by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The scope also encompasses field-assembled electrical equipment, which is required to be Listed as well.

B.) This section permits the temporary usage of portable equipment that is not specifically rated for outdoor use, provided that it is operated by an authorized personnel while energized and is securely isolated from public access.

This subsection also references ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/ESTA (Entertainment Services & Technology Association) E.19 - 2015 to follow best practices for use of ground fault protection equipment in the entertainment industry. There is an updated version of this standard, which you can download: ESTA E.19 - 2021.

NEC Article 530.44 lists the additional requirements for GFCI protection in studio & remote locations in 3 alphabetical sections, which are:

A.) Outside the scope of NEC 210.8 (B), Class A personnel protection is required in

All 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20 Amp receptacles that are not intended for use by unqualified personnel in motion picture or television productions shall be equipped with GFCI protection.

All portable equipment that is supplied by 125-volt, single phase 15 or 20 Amp branch circuits accessible to unqualified personnel may incorporate a Class A Listed GFCI within the power supply cord, provided it is within 12in. (300mm) from the attachment plug.

B.) GFCI protection is not permitted for egress lighting, as its unanticipated interruption can cause a dangerous environment.

C.) Receptacles supplied by portable cords need to be GFCI protected, Listed, labeled, and identified for portable use.

National Electrical Code Article 530 makes sure that everyone, qualified or not, at recording studios & remote locations are safe from electrical harm. It notes, like many other NEC Articles, that these areas need to follow NEC 210.8(B) in a majority of locations, and also that the portable equipment being used is Class A protected and Listed for the hazardous environments they inhabit.