NEC Requirements for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
- Dwelling units. As noted above, GFCI protection has been required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in the bathroom area of a dwelling unit for more than 20 yr.
- Receptacle replacement. What happens when you're working at a previously unprotected location that now requires GFCI protection?
- Permanent swimming pools. ...
- Temporary installations. ...
- Conclusion. ...
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 I need a GFCI outlet?
STEP 4:
- Black (hot) wire connects to a brass or gold screw on one side.
- White (neutral) wire connects to a silver screw on the opposite side.
- Green or copper (ground) wire connects at the bottom of the outlet to a green screw.
Where should GFCI outlets be installed?
- Your bathrooms Your bathroom is a high risk-level area as water is usually everywhere. ...
- Your laundry and utility sinks. ...
- Crawl spaces Crawl places are uncompleted areas in your building that are below grade level. ...
- Your garages and outdoor buildings Your garage is on a floor below grade level, meaning it isn’t a living area. ...
Do all kitchen outlets have to be GFCI?
No, they don’t. If you install a GFCI on the first outlet in the circuit, it will provide GFCI protection to all the outlets downstream. In other words, you can use one GFCI to protect every single outlet in your kitchen. But you have to place the GFCI on the outlet closest to the breaker that serves the kitchen.
Does each outlet need to be GFCI?
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.
Does it matter which outlet in a circuit is the GFCI?
Can You Put A GFCI In The Middle Of A Circuit? You can install a GFCI in the middle of a circuit but you have to realize that the GFCI will only protect the outlets downstream. All the outlets that came before the middle outlet won't have GFCI protection.
When and where would you place a GFCI outlet?
GFCI outlets should be installed in any potentially wet or damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, outdoors, basements, garages and workshops. Damp areas can make you prone to dangerous electric shock but using a GFCI outlet can greatly reduce your risk of injury.
Is GFCI required by code?
GFCI protection is required on dwelling unit outdoor outlets* supplied by single‐phase branch circuits rated 150‐volts or less to ground, and 50‐amperes or less. NEC 210.8(F) is only applicable to readily accessible outdoor equipment outlets.
Can you have 2 GFCI outlets on the same circuit?
Yes, you can daisy chain GFCI outlets together, but it's unnecessary and provides no added safety. There's nothing that says you can't install multiple GFCIs on the same circuit. However, there is no additional safety gained by doing so.
Do all bathroom outlets 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.
How many GFCI do you need in a house?
The Standard Number Of GFCI's On One Circuit Keep in mind, you only need one GFCI at the beginning of the circuit for GFCI protection for the whole circuit. You might even opt for a GFCI rated breaker instead.
How many outlets can a GFCI protect?
There's no limit. A standard GFCI will protect up to 20 amps, drawn from any combination of receptacles, either the built-in one or any number of additional ones connected to its load terminals.
Can one GFCI protect multiple outlets?
When you need to wire multiple GFCI outlets such as in a kitchen or bathroom you have a couple of options. To save money, you can put in a single GFCI and then wire additional standard outlets to the "LOAD" output from the single GFCI. This provides the same protection as having a GFCI at each location.
Where are GFCI outlets 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.
Do refrigerators need GFCI?
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.
What is a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI outlet is designed to detect even minor variations in electric current and shut appliances down before they can cause harm. It's similar to your circuit breaker. However, a GFCI outlet has its own internal switch, which kicks in before the current reaches the circuit breaker.
How many volts are required for a GFCI outlet?
GFCI Outlet Requirements. Any 15-amp, 20-amp, or 120-volt outdoor outlet , must have GFCI protection. There needs to be at least one at the front of your house, and one in the back, no higher than six feet, six inches off the ground, to accommodate your electrical needs.
What does GFCI stand for in a bathroom?
That's where GFCI comes in. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
Do you need a GFCI outlet for water?
Anywhere electricity might be used near water and/or flame, GFCI outlets are at least recommended, if not required, in order to guarantee your family's safety.
Can a GFCI outlet cause a shock?
You might still receive a shock from a GFCI outlet, but it will be a quick one. The current will be interrupted before it can cause serious damage. These outlets are specifically designed for areas and situations where using electricity can be hazardous, such as your kitchen, your bathroom, and of course, outdoors.
Do All Kitchen Outlets Need to Be GFCI Protected?
You don’t have to install a GFCI on every kitchen outlet. One GFCI is enough, so long as you place the GFCI on the first outlet in the circuit. Additionally, you don’t have to apply GFCI protection to outlets outside the 6-foot radius of a countertop surface.
What Does GFCI Do?
GFCIs are designed to protect homeowners from the consequences of a ground fault. When electricity escapes the wires in an appliance to pass through a new conductor, such as the human body, the GFCI will respond by shutting the power in the outlet off.
Why Do Kitchens Need GFCI Outlets?
GFCIs protect consumers from electrical hazards. They respond to imbalances in the outgoing and incoming current by tripping and cutting the power off.
What Amp GFCI Do I Need for Kitchen?
Most professionals you consult will encourage you to add at least two 20A outlets to your kitchen. You have to use 20-amp outlets in a kitchen because kitchens house powerful appliances like mixers, toasters, and microwaves.
How many GFCI Outlets Are Required in a Kitchen?
How many ordinary outlets do you have near your countertops and sinks? The outlets serving the countertops require GFCI protection. You must also install GFCIs on any outlets within 6 feet of a sink. The number of outlets you have in these critical areas will determine the number of GFCIs you must install.
Kitchen GFCI Outlet Code
NEC expects homeowners to add GFCIs to all outlets (125V, 15A, 20A, Single-Phase) in the kitchen. The NEC emphasizes receptacles that serve countertops.
Best GFCI Outlet for Kitchen
If you want to keep your kitchen appliances safe, you need a great GFCI, one that can be trusted to respond efficiently to ground faults. Some notable options include:
When were GFCI receptacles required?
GFCI receptacles were required in houses starting in 1971. Originally they were only required at the exterior of the house and by swimming pool equipment. Over the years, GFCI receptacles have been required in more locations such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
Where is a GFCI located?
The GFCI receptacle simply needs to be located closest to the breaker on that circuit. It will provide protection for all of the down-circuit “ordinary” receptacles. Click to enlarge. In an older home, there may be no requirement for GFCI’s to be installed.
What is a GFCI in a home inspection?
A GFCI is typically a receptacle with small buttons on it that usually say “Test” and “Reset”.
Can a bathroom receptacle be GFCI protected?
In most cases, no. For example, all of the bathroom receptacles throughout a house can be protected by one GFCI receptacle. This is true for the receptacles at a kitchen counter that are required to be GFCI protected. You may only see one GFCI receptacle, but all down-circuit receptacles can be protected if installed properly.
What is a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI outlet is a ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet that you typically see in kitchens and bathrooms. You can easily spot a GFCI outlet by the extra push-buttons (usually labeled “reset” and “test” on the face). In the Houston, this type of outlet is required to be installed whenever the outlet is located near water, ...
When were GFCI receptacles required?
GFCI receptacles were required in houses starting in 1971. Originally they were only required at the exterior of the house and by swimming pool equipment. Over the years, GFCI receptacles have been required in more locations such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
What is a GFCI receptacle?
A GFCI is typically a receptacle with small buttons on it that usually say “Test” and “Reset”. It can also be built into a circuit breaker that is installed in an electric panel.
How do circuit breakers protect a house from fire?
Traditional circuit breakers protect your house from fires by shutting off the flow of electricity to a wire when there is too much demand for electricity.
Can I install a GFCI outlet on my own?
These outlets are easy to install, which means most homeowners can do it on their own. However, if you aren’t comfortable dealing with electricity, then hiring a qualified electrician to install the GFCI outlet (s) in your home is a wise choice. Call (713) 812-7070 us for your home service and repair needs.
Do 1950's kitchens need GFCI?
So if the kitchen in a 1950’s house has been remodeled, and receptacles have been added or moved, they must be upgraded to GFCI receptacles if they are within 6 feet of a plumbing fixture. This applies to bathrooms too.
Can a GFCI be built into a breaker?
It can also be built into a circuit breaker that is installed in an electric panel. Home inspectors test the operation of GFCI’s as part of their evaluation. They may also recommend the installation of GFCI receptacles near plumbing fixtures. But they weren’t always required.
Does GFCI Have To Be First In Line?
GFCI doesn’t have to be the first in line because placing the GFCI first in line will trip whenever something goes wrong with any of the outlets downstream. While placing the GFCI first in line will protect all the other outlets downstream.
Can You Put A GFCI At The End Of A Circuit?
If your objective is to protect just one outlet, for instance, an outlet in the kitchen, and that outlet happens to be at the end of the circuit, you can install a GFCI on an outlet at the end of the circuit.
Can You Put A GFCI In The Middle Of A Circuit?
You can install a GFCI in the middle of a circuit but you have to realize that the GFCI will only protect the outlets downstream. All the outlets that came before the middle outlet won’t have GFCI protection.
Where Should A GFCI Be Placed in A Circuit?
If you have ten outlets in the room, installing a GFCI on one receptacle to help the other nine outlets, you have to put it in the first line
Can A GFCI Outlet Be Anywhere in A Circuit?
The NEC expects consumers to place GFCIs in wet locations that may expose ordinary outlets to water. Therefore, you are only obligated to install GFCIs in certain places, such as kitchens and bathrooms. That being said, you are free to install GFCIs at any point in the circuit, regardless of the location of the outlet you want to replace.
What Are The Rules For GFCI Outlet To Be On A Circuit?
The only rule you need to know is that GFCIs have a Load side and a Line-side. The line side brings power to the GFCI. Any devices and outlets that you want to protect downstream should be connected to the load side.