GFCI Receptacle Location Requirements
- Residential Buildings. The 2002 NEC code requires GFCI protection for all 15- and 20-amp, 120-volt outlets in residential bathrooms and for many in kitchen areas.
- Commercial Buildings. The requirements for outlets inside a commercial building are more stringent than for a residential one.
- Outdoors. ...
- Temporary Circuits. ...
What are GFCI outlets and where should they be installed?
- Spaces at or below grade level
- Areas where heating, AC and refrigeration equipment is installed
- Includes 120-volt lighting outlets
What is the life expectancy of a GFCI receptacle?
They are often found in your garage, outdoor areas, near your kitchen sink, in your bathroom, in the laundry room, or crawl space. If your home is equipped with GFCI outlets, there are a few things you should know. Most GFCI outlets will last for about 15 to 25 years, but in certain circumstances, they can fail after 5 years.
Where are GFI outlets required in a residence?
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires GFCI outlets in all wet or damp locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, garages and workshops. Secondly, what is a GFCI outlet and where is one needed? Code requires that GFCI outlets be used in any location that is six feet or closer to a plumbing fixture or moisture source. This includes multiple areas of a typical home, such as: Kitchens.
What is a GFCI outlet and where is needed?
GFCI-protected outlets are required in all bathrooms and many kitchen outlets. This is because electrical appliances are often used in close proximity to water. Additionally, almost all outdoor outlets require GFCI because of exposure to rain or snow. You can usually tell if an outlet is GFCI-compliant by checking whether there are Test and ...
Where do you need GFCI receptacles?
Whether you're building a new house or updating your current home, make sure to equip it with GFCI outlets in these critical areas.Your home's exterior. ... Your bathroom. ... Your garage. ... Key areas in the kitchen. ... Near laundry room sinks. ... Near your water heater. ... One basement outlet. ... The crawl space.More items...•
Do all outlets in kitchen need to be GFCI?
Kitchens: All receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within 6 feet of a sink must have GFCI protection. Also, the receptacle supplying a dishwasher should be GFCI-protected.
Where are GFCI outlets usually placed in a house and why?
GFCI outlets have been around since the 1970s and are typically found anywhere around the home that is a damp environment. Commonly they are located (or should be) at bathrooms, kitchen countertops, laundry areas, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, garages and at exterior outlets.
Can I put a GFCI outlet anywhere in a circuit?
You can replace almost any electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet. Correctly wired GFCIs will also protect other outlets on the same circuit. While it's common to find GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens, there are GFCI outlet requirements.
Do I need a GFCI outlet for a refrigerator?
Residential Kitchen In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There's no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.
Is GFCI required under sink?
210.8(A) requires receptacles serving the kitchen countertop to be GFCI protected. It also requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6' of a sink, but only sinks not in a kitchen.
Where are GFCI breakers required 2020?
The NEC mandates GFCI protection in many areas of the home: bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens and anything within six feet of a sink or water source. While that may seem like a lot, the entirety of a home is not covered.
Should a washing machine be plugged into a GFCI outlet?
If you are renovating your laundry room, adding an addition to your house with a laundry room, or building a new home with a laundry room, it is now required that a washing machine be installed with a ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlet/receptacle.
How many GFCI outlets do I need?
one GFCI outletGFCI Outlet Installation That being said, to provide that protection you only need one GFCI outlet as the first outlet of the branch. That would be the outlet that is closest to the serving breaker (not necessarily physically closest but electrically closest), if you can easily identify that outlet.
Do all outlets in a garage need to be GFCI?
GFCI protection is required for 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground. GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.
Can you put GFCI at end of run?
Wiring an end-of-run ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle is necessary when wiring in a new whirlpool bath, hot tub or a small swimming pool. The receptacle is an alternative to installing a GFCI circuit breaker to protect all the receptacles on the circuit.
Can a GFCI be in the middle of a circuit?
What is this? If your outlet is in the middle of your circuit (meaning, other outlets or switches are wired through it), you may have two black wires coming out of the wall. Ensure the ends are stripped and twist together, using a wire nut, with the black GFCI wire.
What is GFCI protection?
The NEC requires GFCI protection on all 15-, 20- and 30-amp, 120-volt circuits whenever you are remodeling or doing construction outside or inside a residential or commercial building. If you draw power from an outlet that is not GFCI-protected, you must provide ground-fault protection somewhere in the circuit. Holt notes an exception in the code for establishments in which only qualified personnel are involved. The exception allows an alternate grounding method for equipment that would pose a hazard if power were interrupted.
What is the GFCI code for a bathroom?
The 2002 NEC code requires GFCI protection for all 15- and 20-amp, 120-volt outlets in residential bathrooms and for many in kitchen areas. The 2005 version requires all outlets within 6 feet of a sink or wet area to have ground-fault protection, not just outlets on countertops, as the earlier version had specified.
Why do ground fault outlets stop power?
They stop power whenever they detect a sudden change in current, such as might happen if someone were to touch an ungrounded appliance while standing in water. The National Electrical Code previously only required GFCI outlets on construction sites. But in order to protect anyone who plugs ...
How many volts are required for a commercial kitchen?
The requirements for outlets inside a commercial building are more stringent than for a residential one. In a commercial kitchen, every 15- or 20-amp, 120-volt outlet must be a GFCI, not just the ones on the countertops or near a wet area.
Do you need GFCIs for outside?
Outdoors. While the code does not require ground-fault protection on outlets outside a commercial building, it does require GFCIs for most outside a residential one. This includes all receptacles located on the side of the house, under the eaves and on outbuildings.
Do commercial bathrooms have GFCIs?
As in residential buildings, all bathroom outlets in a commercial building must be GFCIs, as well as those on rooftops or in basements. If the commercial building has a workshop, every outlet in it must be have ground-fault protection, as it would if the workshop were in a residential building. Advertisement.
Do you need GFCI outlets on construction sites?
The National Electrical Code previously only required GFCI outlets on construction sites. But in order to protect anyone who plugs into an electric circuit, it expanded the requirements to include many areas inside and outside commercial and residential buildings. Advertisement.
Where are GFCIs required?
The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. They should also be installed within six feet of a wet bar and in garages and unfinished basements.
What is the purpose of a GFCI outlet?
The singular purpose of a GFCI outlet is to prevent electrical injury to humans, something regular outlets are not equipped to do . A standard household outlet features two, three-prong plug-in slots, while a GFCI outlet features the same plug-in configuration plus two buttons on its face: a “TEST” button and a “RESET” button. The rules requiring the installation of the GFCI outlets in new construction has expanded over the years to include more applicable locations:
How much does a GFCI outlet cost?
A GFCI outlet runs about $15, such as this Levitron GFCI Outlet (available from Home Depot ). An electrician will charge an additional $50 to $100 dollars per hour to replace outlets.
How many wires are needed to replace an outlet?
The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with three attached wires (remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires) indicate that the outlet is located at the end of an electrical circuit (a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel). An outlet with five attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated—only a licensed electrician should replace those outlets.
Why does my GFCI shut off?
Once installed, a GFCI outlet needs virtually no additional care, although you might want to press the Test button once a month or so to make sure it’s still functioning properly. Occasionally, a GFCI will shut itself off for no apparent reason—known as “nuisance trips” or “ghost trips.” This can be caused by something as simple as static electricity or nearby lightning. When this happens, just press the Reset button to restore electricity.
What happens if a GFCI trips frequently?
If a GFCI trips frequently when not in use (daily or weekly), the outlet itself could be worn out or faulty and should be replaced.
How to shut off power to outlet?
Shut off the power to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker (at the breaker panel) that provides electricity to the outlet. A good way to ensure that the power is off is to plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn it on, then shut off the breaker.
What is a cord connected GFCI?
The Cord-Connected Type of GFCI is an attachment plug incorporating the GFCI module. It protects the cord and any equipment attached to the cord. The attachment plug has a non-standard appearance with test and reset buttons. Like the portable type, it incorporates a no-voltage release device that will disconnect power to the load if any supply conductor is open.
Does GFCI protect against ground fault?
The GFCI will not protect you from line contact hazards (i.e. a person holding two "hot" wires, a hot and a neutral wire in each hand, or contacting an overhead power line). However, it protects against the most common form of electrical shock hazard, the ground-fault. It also protects against fires, overheating, and destruction of wire insulation.
Can a GFCI trip?
The GFCI is rated to trip quickly enough to prevent an electrical incident. If it is properly installed and maintained, this will happen as soon as the faulty tool is plugged in. If the grounding conductor is not intact or of low-impedance, the GFCI may not trip until a person provides a path.
Where is GFCI required?
GFCI protection is a safety issue that is clearly stated in the National Electrical Code and required at your home electrical wiring system. GFCI protection must be provided in home electrical wiring for receptacle outlets installed in the following locations: Outdoors. Bathrooms. Garage.
What happens when a GFCI is fed through?
When the feed through method of wiring is used, the GFCI receptacle supplies many other receptacles with power. If a ground fault occurs anywhere on the circuit, all the down stream receptacles lose power.#N#This may not be a good circuit layout because attempting to locate the source of the ground-fault problem could be very time consuming. Consider using more GFCI receptacles for a more practical design in your home electrical wiring system.#N#The feed through method of wiring provides GFCI protection to all downstream outlets which are wired from the location of the GFCI Receptacle.
Where are line and load connections marked?
TIP: You will notice that the LINE and LOAD connections are clearly marked on the receptacle.
Do you ground a neutral conductor?
Don’t Ever- Ground a neutral conductor except at the main service panel of the home electrical wiring system. Don’t Ever - Connect the neutral of one circuit to the neutral of another circuit in the home electrical wiring system.
Can a GFCI be stuck?
Always replace the GFCI receptacle if this is found and test the device upon completion. Make sure outdoor receptacles are installed in weather proof enclosures to prevent damage from moisture. Use appropriate covers for your home electrical wiring application. If a cord will be used for extended periods of time, install approved covers that provide moisture protection for the receptacle and cord where the cover will close and latch while a cord is plugged in.
What outlets need GFCI protection?
According to the Code, all outlets that are rated at 15 and 20 amperage and 125V that are installed in the following areas need to have GFCI protection. Garages and accessory buildings. Bathrooms, jet tubs, pools, and spas. All outdoor areas. Kitchens and nearby sinks.
What is required by the NEC to have proper GFCI protection?
Jet tubes, hot tubs, hydro-massage tubs, Jacuzzi tubs, and whirlpools are required by the NEC to have proper GFCI protection. The requirement was introduced with the 1987 revision of the NEC.
How far away from a sink should a GFCI be installed?
The revision of the NEC done in 2005 requires that all receptacles within 6 feet of a sink or a wet bar need to be with a working GFCI protection installed.
How to tell if a GFCI is a fault?
You can easily distinguish a GFCI outlet by the two buttons (a TEST and RESET button) that are located on the outlet itself. There should also be a label reading GFCI on it as well.
Why is GFCI needed in laundry?
Therefore, GFCI protection is needed to protect against electrical shock.
Where is the GFCI reset on a dishwasher?
The GFCI reset for the dishwasher is generally located on the Dual-Function breaker inside the panel box. However, some older homes may only have a GFCI breaker or no GFCI protection at all.
When were GFCI outlets first required?
And they are needed in almost all rooms and areas of the building. GFCI receptacles were first introduced and required in 1971. In the beginning, they were only needed for the swimming pools and outside areas.
What voltages are required for GFCI protection?
All 125- through 250-volt receptacles in the following locations that are supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground are required to have GFCI protection for personnel.
How many amps are required for GFCI?
All single-phase receptacles rated 150-volts to ground or less, 50 amperes or less and three-phase receptacles rated 150-volts to ground or less, 100 amperes or less installed in the following locations are required to have GFCI protection for personnel.