Article 100 NEC Definitions (Letter P)

Packaged Therapeutic Tub or Hydrotherapeutic Tank Equipment Assembly

A factory-fabricated unit designed to operate a therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic tank. It includes water-circulating, heating, and control equipment mounted on a common base, and may contain pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, etc.
(CMP—17)

Panelboard

A single panel or group of panel units designed for assembly into a single panel. It includes buses, automatic overcurrent devices, and switches (optional) for controlling light, heat, or power circuits. It is intended for placement in a cabinet, enclosure, or cutout box, accessible only from the front.
(CMP—9)

Panelboard, Enclosed (Enclosed Panelboard)

An assembly that includes buses, connections, overcurrent devices, and control apparatus. It may also contain switches or other equipment, and is installed in a cabinet, cutout box, or enclosure suitable for panelboard applications.
(CMP—9)

Park Electrical Wiring Systems

Electrical wiring, luminaires, equipment, and appurtenances related to electrical installations within a mobile home park, including mobile home service equipment.
(CMP—7)

Park Trailer

A unit built on a single chassis mounted on wheels with a gross trailer area not exceeding 37 m² (400 ft²) when set up.
(CMP—7)

Part-Winding Motors

An induction or synchronous motor designed to start by energizing part of its primary winding first, followed by energizing the remainder of the winding in stages.
(CMP—11)
Informational Note: A hermetic refrigerant motor-compressor is not considered a standard part-winding start induction motor.

Passenger Transportation Facilities

Any area associated with passenger transportation, such as airports, bus terminals, service areas, marinas, seaports, ferry slips, subway stations, train stations, or ports of entry.
(CMP—18)

Patient Bed Location

The location of a patient’s sleeping bed or the bed or procedure table of a Category 1 space.
[99:3.3.138] (CMP—15)

Patient Care—Related Electrical Equipment

Electrical equipment intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or monitoring purposes within a patient care vicinity.
[99:3.3.139] (517) (CMP—15)

Patient Care Space Category

A space in a healthcare facility where patients are examined or treated.
[99:3.3.140] (517) (CMP—15)
Informational Note 1: The facility’s governing body designates patient care spaces according to the type of care required.
Informational Note 2: Business offices, corridors, lounges, and similar areas are not typically classified as patient care spaces.

Category 1 Space (Category 1)

Spaces where equipment or system failure could result in major injury or death to patients, staff, or visitors.
[99:3.3.140.1] (CMP—15)
Informational Note: Examples include critical care, intensive care, operating rooms, trauma rooms, and similar spaces.

Category 2 Space (Category 2)

Spaces where failure of equipment or system may cause minor injury to patients, staff, or visitors.
[99:3.3.140.2] (CMP—15)
Informational Note: Examples include inpatient bedrooms, dialysis rooms, and procedural rooms.

Category 3 Space (Category 3)

Spaces where equipment or system failure is unlikely to cause injury but may cause discomfort.
[99:3.3.140.3] (517) (CMP—15)
Informational Note: Examples include examination rooms in clinics and dental offices.

Category 4 Space (Category 4)

Spaces where failure of equipment or system is not likely to affect patient care.
[99:3.3.140.4] (517) (CMP—15)
Informational Note: Examples include anesthesia work rooms, sterile supply areas, and waiting rooms.

Patient Care Vicinity

A space within a location for patient examination and treatment, extending 1.8 meters (6 feet) beyond the patient’s bed or equipment and vertically to 2.3 meters (7 feet 6 inches) above the floor.
[99:3.3.141] (517) (CMP—15)

Patient Equipment Grounding Point

A terminal that serves as the collection point for redundant grounding of electric appliances in a patient care vicinity to eliminate electromagnetic interference.
[99:3.3.142] (517) (CMP—15)

Performance Area

The stage and audience seating area associated with temporary stage structures used for theatrical or musical productions, whether indoors or outdoors.
(520) (CMP—15)

Permanent Amusement Attraction

A ride device, entertainment device, or combination of both that is installed in such a way that portability or relocation is impractical.
(522) (CMP—15)

Permanently Installed Decorative Fountains and Reflection Pools

Fountains or reflection pools constructed on the ground or in a building, not intended for swimming or wading, and cannot be readily disassembled for storage.
(680) (CMP—17)

Personnel Protection System (for EVSE)

A system of devices and constructional features that together provide protection against electric shock for personnel.
(625) (CMP—12)

Phase, Manufactured

The phase that originates at a phase converter and is not solidly connected to either of the single-phase input conductors.
(CMP—13)

Phase Converter

An electrical device that converts single-phase power to 3-phase power.
(CMP—13)
Informational Note: Phase converters affect starting torque and locked-rotor current of motors.

Phase Converter, Rotary

A device consisting of a rotary transformer and capacitor panel(s) that allows the operation of 3-phase loads from a single-phase supply.
(455) (CMP—13)

Phase Converter, Static

A device without rotating parts, sized for a given 3-phase load, that enables operation from a single-phase supply.
(455) (CMP—13)

Photovoltaic Cell (PV)

The basic device that generates DC electricity when exposed to light.
(CMP—4)

Pier

A structure extending over water and supported on a fixed foundation or flotation, providing access to the water.
[303:3.3.18] (CMP—7)

Pier, Fixed

A pier constructed on a permanent, fixed foundation, such as on piles, establishing the structure deck’s elevation relative to the land.
[303:3.3.18.2] (CMP—7)

Pier, Floating

A pier designed to float on the water’s surface, rising and falling with water level changes.
[303:3.3.18.3] (CMP—7)

Pipeline

A length of pipe including pumps, valves, flanges, and control devices for conveying fluids.
(CMP—17)

Plenum

A compartment or chamber to which air ducts are connected, forming part of the air distribution system.
(CMP—3)

Plenum Cable, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Raceways
Cables, cable routing assemblies, and raceways that have adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics and are suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air. (722) (CMP—3)

Point of Entrance
The point within a building at which the wire or cable emerges from an external wall, from the roof, or from a concrete floor slab. (CMP—16)

Pool
Manufactured or field-constructed equipment designed to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent basis and used for swimming, wading, immersion, or therapeutic purposes. (680) (CMP—17)

Pool, Immersion
(Immersion Pool) A pool for ceremonial or ritual immersion of users, which is designed and intended to have its contents drained or discharged. (680) (CMP—17)

Pool, Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion, and Therapeutic
(Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion, and Therapeutic Pools) Those that are constructed or installed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all pools installed inside of a building, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature. (680) (CMP—17)

Pool, Storable; used for Swimming, Wading, or Immersion
(Storable Immersion Pool) Pools installed entirely on or above the ground that are intended to be stored when not in use and are designed for ease of relocation, regardless of water depth. (680) (CMP—17)

Pool Cover, Electrically Operated
(Electrically Operated Pool Cover) Motor-driven equipment designed to cover and uncover the water surface of a pool by means of a flexible sheet or rigid frame. (680) (CMP—17)

Pool Lift, Electrically Powered
(Electrically Powered Pool Lift) An electrically powered lift that provides accessibility for people with disabilities to and from a pool or spa. (680) (CMP—17)

Portable
A device intended for indoor or outdoor use that is designed to be hand-carried from location to location, or easily transported without the use of other devices or equipment. (625) (CMP—12)

Portable
X-ray equipment designed to be hand-carried. (660) (CMP—12)

Portable (as applied to equipment)
Equipment that is actually moved or can easily be moved from one place to another in normal use. (680) (CMP—17)

Portable Power Distribution Unit
A power distribution box containing receptacles and overcurrent devices. (520) (CMP—15)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 1640, Portable Power-Distribution Equipment, for information on portable power distribution units.

Portable Structures
Units designed to be moved including, but not limited to, amusement rides, attractions, concessions, tents, trailers, trucks, and similar units. (525) (CMP—15)

Portable Substation
A portable assembly, usually mounted on a trailer, containing primary and secondary switchgear and a transformer. (530) (CMP—15)

Powder Filling «q»
Type of protection where electrical parts capable of igniting an explosive atmosphere are fixed in position and completely surrounded by filling material (glass or quartz powder) to prevent the ignition of an external explosive atmosphere. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 60079-5, Explosive Atmospheres — Part 5: Equipment protection by powder filling «q», for additional information.

Power Outlet
An enclosed assembly that may include receptacles, circuit breakers, fuseholders, fused switches, buses, and watt-hour meter mounting means; intended to supply and control power to mobile homes, recreational vehicles, park trailers, or boats or to serve as a means for distributing power required to operate mobile or temporarily installed equipment. (CMP—7)

Power Outlet, Marina
(Marina Power Outlet) An enclosed assembly that can include equipment such as receptacles, circuit breakers, fused switches, fuses, watt-hour meters, panelboards, and monitoring means identified for marina use. (555) (CMP—7)

Power Production Equipment
Electrical generating equipment supplied by any source other than a utility service, up to the source system disconnecting means. (CMP—4)

Informational Note: Examples of power production equipment include such items as generators, solar photovoltaic systems, and fuel cell systems.

Power Source Output Conductors
The conductors between power production equipment and the service or other premises wiring. (CMP—4)

Power Supply
A Class 2 power supply connected between the branch-circuit power distribution system and the busbar low-voltage suspended ceiling power distribution system. (393) (CMP—18)

Power-Supply Cord
An assembly consisting of an attachment plug and a length of flexible cord connected to utilization equipment. (CMP—6)

Premises
The land and buildings located on the user’s side of the point of demarcation between the communications service provider and the user. (800) (CMP—16)

Premises-Powered
Using power provided locally from the premises. (CMP—16)

Premises Wiring (System)
Interior and exterior wiring, including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed. This includes one of the following:

• Wiring from the service point or power source to the outlets
• Wiring from and including the power source to the outlets where there is no service point

Such wiring does not include wiring internal to appliances, luminaires, motors, controllers, motor control centers, and similar equipment. (CMP—1)

Informational Note: Power sources include, but are not limited to, interconnected or stand-alone batteries, solar photovoltaic systems, other distributed generation systems, or generators.

Pressurized
The process of supplying an enclosure with a protective gas with or without continuous flow at sufficient pressure to prevent the entrance of combustible dust or ignitible fibers/flyings. (CMP—14)

Pressurized Enclosure «p»
Type of protection for electrical equipment that uses the technique of guarding against the ingress of the external atmosphere, which might be explosive, into an enclosure by maintaining a protective gas therein at a pressure above that of the external atmosphere. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL-60079-2, Explosive Atmospheres — Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosures «p», for additional information.

Pressurized Room «p»
A room volume protected by pressurization and of sufficient size to permit the entry of a person who might occupy the room. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 60079-13, Explosive Atmospheres — Part 13: Equipment protection by pressurized room «p» and artificially ventilated room «v», for information on the requirements for rooms intended for human entry where pressurization is used as a means of reducing the risk of explosion.

Primary Pad
A device external to the EV that transfers power via the contactless coupling as part of a wireless power transfer system. (625) (CMP—12)

Primary Source
An electric utility or another source of power that acts as the main forming and stabilizing source in an electric power system. (CMP—4)

Prime Mover
The machine that supplies the mechanical horsepower to a generator. (CMP—13)

Process Seal
A seal between electrical systems and flammable or combustible process fluids where a failure could allow the migration of process fluids into the premises’ wiring system. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 122701, Requirements for Process Sealing Between Electrical Systems and Flammable or Combustible Process Fluids, for additional information.

Production Areas
Areas where portable electrical equipment is used to implement the capture of images. (530) (CMP—15)

Projector, Nonprofessional
(Nonprofessional Projector) Those types of projectors that do not comply with the definition of Professional-Type Projector. (540) (CMP—15)

Projector, Professional-Type
(Professional-Type Projector) A type of projector using 35- or 70-mm film that has a minimum width of 35 mm (13/8 in.) and has on each edge 212 perforations per meter (5.4 perforations per inch), or a type using carbon arc, xenon, or other light source equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust, or radiation. (540) (CMP—15)

Proscenium
The wall and arch that separates the stage from the auditorium (i.e., house). (520) (CMP—15)

Protection by Enclosure «t»
Type of protection for explosive dust atmospheres where electrical equipment is provided with an enclosure providing dust ingress protection and a means to limit surface temperatures. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 60079-31, Explosive Atmospheres — Part 31: Equipment Dust Ignition Protection by Enclosure «t», for additional information.

Psychiatric Hospital
A building used exclusively for the psychiatric care, on a 24-hour basis, of four or more inpatients. (517) (CMP—15)

Purged and Pressurized
The process of (1) purging, supplying an enclosure with a protective gas at a sufficient flow and positive pressure to reduce the concentration of any flammable gas or vapor initially present to an acceptable level; and (2) pressurization, supplying an enclosure with a protective gas with or without continuous flow at sufficient pressure to prevent the entrance of a flammable gas or vapor, a combustible dust, or an ignitible fiber. (CMP—14)

Informational Note: See NFPA 496, Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, for additional information.

Purpose-Built
A custom luminaire, a piece of lighting equipment, or an effect that is constructed for a specific purpose and is not serially manufactured or available for general sale. (530) (CMP—15)

PV DC Circuit (PV System DC Circuit)
Any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits. (690) (CMP—4)

PV DC Circuit, Source
(PV Source Circuit) The PV dc circuit conductors between modules in a PV string circuit, and from PV string circuits or dc combiners, to dc combiners, electronic power converters, or a dc PV system disconnecting means. (690) (CMP—4)

PV DC Circuit, String
(PV String Circuit) The PV source circuit conductors of one or more series-connected PV modules. (690) (CMP—4)

PV Module (Module)
A complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells and other components designed to produce dc power. (CMP—4)

PV (Photovoltaic) System (PV System)
(Photovoltaic System) The total components, circuits, and equipment up to and including the PV system disconnecting means that, in combination, convert solar energy into electric energy. (CMP—4)

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Summary Table

Term	Definition
Packaged Therapeutic Tub Equipment	Factory unit with water-circulating, heating, and control equipment for hydrotherapeutic tanks.
Panelboard	A panel for light, heat, or power circuit control, installed in an enclosure, accessible from the front.
Panelboard, Enclosed	A bus and connection assembly, with or without overcurrent devices, in an enclosure suitable for panelboard use.
Park Electrical Wiring Systems	Electrical systems within a mobile home park, including service equipment.
Park Trailer	A trailer with a gross area under 400 ft² (37 m²) when set up.
Part-Winding Motors	Induction or synchronous motor with part-winding start.
Passenger Transportation Facilities	Areas associated with passenger transport like airports and bus terminals.
Patient Bed Location	Location of a patient’s bed or procedure table in healthcare spaces.
Patient Care-Related Electrical Equipment	Equipment used in diagnostic or therapeutic functions within patient care vicinities.
Patient Care Space Category	Any healthcare space where patients are examined or treated.
Category 1 Space	Space where equipment failure could cause major injury or death.
Category 2 Space	Space where equipment failure may cause minor injury.
Category 3 Space	Space where failure doesn’t cause injury but could cause discomfort.
Category 4 Space	Space where failure doesn’t impact patient care.
Patient Care Vicinity	A space extending 1.8 m beyond a patient’s bed, chair, or table, extending up to 2.3 m above the floor.
Patient Equipment Grounding Point	A terminal used to ground electrical equipment in patient care areas.
Performance Area	Area used for public performances, like a stage with audience seating.
Permanent Amusement Attraction	A ride or entertainment device installed permanently, impractical for relocation.
Permanently Installed Fountains	Fountains or reflection pools that cannot be easily disassembled for storage.
Personnel Protection System (EVSE)	Protection system to prevent electric shock in personnel.
Phase, Manufactured	Phase originating from a phase converter not solidly connected to input conductors.
Phase Converter	Device converting single-phase to 3-phase power.
Phase Converter, Rotary	Rotary-phase converter for 3-phase operation from a single-phase supply.
Phase Converter, Static	Static-phase converter for 3-phase loads from a single-phase supply.
Photovoltaic Cell (PV)	Basic device generating electricity from light exposure.
Pier	A structure over water providing access to it, supported on fixed or floating foundations.
Pipeline	Pipe system for conveying fluids, including pumps and valves.
Plenum	A chamber connected to air ducts, part of the air distribution system.

Term	Definition
Plenum Cable, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Raceways	Cables and routing systems with fire-resistant and low smoke-producing features, suitable for use in air spaces like ducts and plenums. (CMP—3)
Point of Entrance	The point where wire or cable emerges from a building’s external walls, roof, or concrete floor slab. (CMP—16)
Pool	Equipment designed to contain water for swimming, wading, or therapeutic purposes. (680) (CMP—17)
Pool, Immersion	A pool used for ceremonial immersion that drains or discharges its contents. (680) (CMP—17)
Portable Power Distribution Unit	A power distribution box used for mobile or temporarily installed equipment. (520) (CMP—15)

Portable Substation	Un conjunto portátil, usualmente montado sobre un remolque, que contiene equipos de conmutación primaria y secundaria, y un transformador. (530) (CMP—15)
Powder Filling «q»	Un tipo de protección en el que las partes eléctricas que pueden encender una atmósfera explosiva están rodeadas completamente por material de relleno (polvo de vidrio o cuarzo). (CMP—14)
Power Outlet	Un ensamblaje que incluye receptáculos, interruptores automáticos, fusibles, buses y medios para montar medidores de vatios, destinado a distribuir energía en equipos como casas móviles. (CMP—7)
Power Outlet, Marina	Un ensamblaje que incluye receptáculos, interruptores automáticos y medidores de vatios, identificado para uso en marinas. (555) (CMP—7)
Power Production Equipment	Equipos generadores de energía eléctrica suministrados por una fuente distinta a un servicio público, hasta el interruptor de desconexión de la fuente. (CMP—4)
Power Source Output Conductors	Los conductores entre equipos de producción de energía y el sistema de servicio o el cableado de otras instalaciones. (CMP—4)
Power Supply	Fuente de alimentación de Clase 2 conectada entre el sistema de distribución de energía de circuito de rama y el sistema de distribución de energía de techo suspendido de baja tensión. (393) (CMP—18)
Premises Wiring (System)	El cableado interior y exterior de una instalación, que incluye cableado de potencia, iluminación, control y circuitos de señal, junto con sus dispositivos y accesorios. (CMP—1)
Pressurized	El proceso de suministrar un gas protector en un recinto a suficiente presión para evitar la entrada de polvo combustible o fibras voladoras inflamables. (CMP—14)
Primary Pad	Un dispositivo externo al vehículo eléctrico (EV) que transfiere energía mediante acoplamiento sin contacto como parte de un sistema de transferencia de energía inalámbrica. (625) (CMP—12)
Primary Source	Una fuente de electricidad o cualquier otra fuente de energía que actúa como la principal fuente estabilizadora en un sistema de energía eléctrica. (CMP—4)
Prime Mover	La máquina que suministra la potencia mecánica a un generador. (CMP—13)
Process Seal	Un sello entre sistemas eléctricos y fluidos de procesos inflamables o combustibles donde una falla podría permitir la migración de estos fluidos al sistema eléctrico. (CMP—14)
Production Areas	Áreas donde se utiliza equipo eléctrico portátil para capturar imágenes. (530) (CMP—15)
Projector, Nonprofessional	Proyectores que no cumplen con la definición de Proyector Profesional. (540) (CMP—15)
Projector, Professional-Type	Proyectores que usan películas de 35 o 70 mm y tienen una anchura mínima de 35 mm (13/8 in.), o equipos que utilizan arco de carbono, xenón, o fuentes de luz que generan gases peligrosos. (540) (CMP—15)
Protection by Enclosure «t»	Protección para atmósferas explosivas por medios de un recinto que limita la temperatura superficial y evita la entrada de polvo. (CMP—14)
Purged and Pressurized	El proceso de purgar un recinto con gas protector a flujo positivo y presión suficiente para reducir la concentración de gases o vapores inflamables. (CMP—14)
Psychiatric Hospital	Edificio destinado exclusivamente a la atención psiquiátrica de pacientes internados. (517) (CMP—15)
PV (Photovoltaic) System	Sistema completo de componentes, circuitos y equipos que convierten la energía solar en energía eléctrica. (CMP—4)
PV DC Circuit (PV System DC Circuit)	Cualquier conductor en los circuitos fuente PV, circuitos de cadena PV, y circuitos convertidores de CC a CC. (690) (CMP—4)
PV Module (Module)	Unidades completas que consisten en celdas solares y otros componentes diseñados para generar energía eléctrica en corriente continua. (CMP—4)
PV DC Circuit, String	Los conductores de los circuitos fuente de los módulos solares conectados en serie. (690) (CMP—4)