1910.304(b)(2): Grounding-Type Receptacles and Cord Connectors
Receptacles on 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits must be the grounding type, installed only on circuits of their rated voltage class and current, except as tables S-4 and S-5 and replacement rules allow. Grounding contacts must be effectively grounded through the circuit's equipment grounding conductor. Replacements must use grounding-type receptacles where grounding exists and GFCI-protected receptacles where required.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 37 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $40,280 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (13), OR (6), VA (3).
- Related part: 1910.304(b) Branch circuits (279 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(b)(2) ("Receptacles and cord connectors") is one requirement inside 1910.304 Wiring design and protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 8 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Receptacles and cord connectors. 37 citations
(i) Receptacles installed on 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits shall be of the grounding type except as permitted for replacement receptacles in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section. Grounding-type receptacles shall be installed only on circuits of the voltage class and current for which they are rated, except as provided in Table S-4 and Table S-5. 5 citations
(ii) Receptacles and cord connectors having grounding contacts shall have those contacts effectively grounded except for receptacles mounted on portable and vehicle-mounted generators in accordance with paragraph (g)(3) of this section and replacement receptacles installed in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section. Open (b)(2)(ii) 23 citations
(iii) The grounding contacts of receptacles and cord connectors shall be grounded by connection to the equipment grounding conductor of the circuit supplying the receptacle or cord connector. The branch circuit wiring method shall include or provide an equipment grounding conductor to which the grounding contacts of the receptacle or cord connector shall be connected. 3 citations
(iv) Replacement of receptacles shall comply with the following requirements: 3 citations
(A) Where a grounding means exists in the receptacle enclosure or a grounding conductor is installed, grounding-type receptacles shall be used and shall be connected to the grounding means or conductor;
(B) Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protected receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere in this subpart; and 2 citations
(C) Where a grounding means does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply with one of the following provisions: 1 citations
(1) A nongrounding-type receptacle may be replaced with another nongrounding-type receptacle; or
(2) A nongrounding-type receptacle may be replaced with a ground-fault circuit-interrupter-type of receptacle that is marked “No Equipment Ground;” an equipment grounding conductor may not be connected from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter-type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle; or
(3) A nongrounding-type receptacle may be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle where supplied through a ground-fault circuit-interrupter; the replacement receptacle shall be marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground;” an equipment grounding conductor may not be connected to such grounding-type receptacles.
(v) Receptacles connected to circuits having different voltages, frequencies, or types of current (ac or dc) on the same premises shall be of such design that the attachment plugs used on these circuits are not interchangeable.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: TN (13), OR (6), VA (3), MA (2), PR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING CO. | BARSTOW, TX | $10,000 |
| DTOP | PONCE, PR | $7,000 |
| DE / ESCUELA FELIX GARAY ORTIZ | SALINAS, PR | $6,029 |
| COMET SIGNS LLC. | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $4,729 |
| 67156 - WOLFE COUNTY | ZACHARIAH, KY | $2,800 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(b) Branch circuits 279 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4) Outlet devices 137 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3) Ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel 102 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii)(B) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(i) 69 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii) 30 citations
- 1910.304(b)(2)(ii) 23 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C) 19 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A) 10 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Must receptacles on 15- and 20-amp circuits be grounding type?
Yes, except as permitted for replacement receptacles in 1910.304(b)(2)(iv).
How are grounding contacts grounded?
By connection to the equipment grounding conductor of the circuit supplying the receptacle or cord connector.
Can a nongrounding receptacle be replaced with another nongrounding one?
Yes, where a grounding means does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, as one of the allowed options.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.304 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.