How to Determine Where GFCI Protection Is Needed in Dwellings

GFCI or "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters" provide added shock protection for personnel who may come into contact with faulty electrical equipment, especially in or near water. They have been required in many dwelling unit locations since the 1970s, according to the NEC (National Electrical Code). The list has continued to grow, with even more locations and applications added in the 2017 edition. Continue reading to learn where and when GFCI protection must be provided.

Steps

    • Most of the USA and Central America [1] use the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70. [2]
    • The International Residential Code (IRC) of the International Code Commission is also widely adopted as part of the “building code” and includes GFCI requirements that overlap the NEC. [3]
    • IEC 60364 (much of Europe), BS 7671 (United Kingdom), or the Canadian Electrical Code may be applicable, depending upon which country you may be in, among others. [4] This article is about NFPA 70, "the NEC," as applicable to dwelling units.
    • Locally adopted versions or alternatives may be slightly different, and a later or earlier edition may have been adopted in your location, so you should always check with local building officials or a licensed electrician. For example, the International Residential Code may include additional GFCI requirements.
  2. The electrical codes list the locations where new or replacement receptacles must have GFCI protection in dwelling units and the types of appliances or other uses that need GFCI protection.
    • In general, dwelling units (places where people normally eat and sleep within one unit) have specific requirements that differ from those used in other types of occupancies (including hotels or other businesses) or other dwelling modes (e.g., manufactured homes), or even recreational vehicles.
    • GFCI devices must generally be installed in “readily accessible locations”. [5]
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    • The 2017 edition NEC (Section 210.8) lists the following locations for GFCI protection in dwelling units (different criteria apply to non-dwelling installations), when provided with 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-amp receptacles: [6]
      • bathrooms,
      • garages (attached or detached) and sheds or other “accessory buildings,”
      • outdoors,
      • crawlspaces,
      • unfinished portions of basements (for storage or workspace, not “inhabitable”),
      • those serving kitchen countertops,
      • plus any within 6 ft (1.8 m) of the inside edge of a sink, bathtub or shower stall,
      • in laundry areas and
      • boathouses and boat hoists (up to 240 volts). [7]
    • Be aware that this section of the standard NEC, for GFCI in “dwelling units,” has a few exceptions related to inaccessible receptacles used for roof or pipe heating (provided the equipment has its own) and for permanently installed alarm system power supplies, but only in an unfinished basement. [8] See also the bullets below regarding other GFCI requirements or exceptions.
    • Locations for GFCI protection of receptacles [9] in manufactured homes include:
      • outdoors, including receptacles accessible from outdoors, and pipe-heating connections,
      • bathrooms,
      • kitchens,
      • dishwashers, and
      • receptacles within 6 ft (1.8 m) of the outer edge of a sink.
    • In much of the USA, the federal regulations [10] on manufactured homes preempt all local building or fire codes applicable to its construction – at least until it is modified after installation. The installation itself, connections to the exterior, and surrounding equipment or facilities are also not part of the federal preemption.
    • A local authority can certainly attempt to enforce the NEC (or other local codes), as may be required, for installation or use, let alone remodeling or other upgrades, of a “trailer” or a “mobile home” (built before 1976), which are outside of the federal preemption.
  5. Determine which types of devices or appliances require GFCI protection or may be exempt, based upon what they are, where they are located, or what they are used for. This is a preliminary overview, as it can become complicated, and your situation may require further analysis by a professional.
    • In addition to receptacles, crawlspace lighting, and kitchen dishwasher connections must also have GFCI protection. [11]
    • Swimming pool locations and equipment (pumps, heaters, pool covers, etc.) related to indoor or outdoor pools or spas, permanent fountains, or located within 20 feet of a pool or spa, including lighting outlets, may also require GFCI protection. [12] Swimming pools were originally the only receptacles required to have GFCI protection, in 1971. [13]
    • Cables installed in electrically heated floors of bathrooms, kitchens, or spas, and branches serving heated floor coverings require GFCI protection. [14]
    • Permanent or temporary receptacles used for “temporary wiring,” including extension cords and receptacles used during construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities, shall be provided with GFCI protection. [15] Safety listed, temporary, “holiday lighting” may be exempt, unless used outdoors or at locations indoors that otherwise require GFCI.
    • Some heat and smoke alarm systems are prohibited from being connected to circuits protected with GFCI or AFCI devices. [16]
    • Protection may be provided through GFCI receptacles or GFCI circuit breakers designed for the purpose.
    • A GFCI circuit breaker may also be a good choice where it may be simpler to protect an entire branch rather than installing GFCI receptacles.
    • Note that, like other receptacles, additional code may require listing and labeling for specific uses in certain locations. [17] Rather than providing expensive GFCI receptacles for specialized purposes, a GFCI breaker may be an alternative.
    • If your only reason for needing a GFCI receptacle is to replace a two-slot outlet with a three-slot outlet that lacks a proper equipment ground, changing that single device with a GFCI unit may be the best solution. [18]
    • Each receptacle requiring GFCI protection may be individually installed as such. A series of receptacles on the same circuit may be protected by way of one properly wired receptacle protecting numerous receptacles connected further “down the line” from the “load side” of the first GFCI receptacle. For new installations, all receptacles would normally be properly grounding types.
    • A feeder supplying power to 15- or 20-amp branch circuits may have GFCI protection instead of the protection required for receptacles in Section 210.8 or in temporary installations. [19]
  7. Ensure that receptacle upgrades conform to all relevant codes, including GFCI, AFCI, tamper-resistance and suitability for “wet locations”. [20]
    • To replace non-grounding receptacles with GFCI protection, additional “GFCI Protected” labeling requirements would apply to the protected receptacles. [21]
    • If performing an upgrade to a receptacle in a branch circuit or location that is now ALSO required to have AFCI protection, a circuit-breaker solution may be better.
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      Tips

      • The National Electrical Code (NEC) and many local codes are updated and changed every 3 years. A previously-employed wiring method may no longer be acceptable in new or modified wiring, including replacement of receptacles. Discussing the installation plans with the local inspector before beginning the work can save time and money.
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      • Existing installations generally do not need to be upgraded with GFCI protection unless locally enacted rules require them during remodeling or perhaps during a “change of use” of a structure into a dwelling. However, it would help if you considered installing GFCI protection for your own safety as it becomes important, whether or not actually required by law.
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      Warnings

      • Installing new wiring, circuits, etc. will almost always require a wiring permit and inspection, if not also a licensed electrician. Do not skip this important step in electrical work. You should obtain a professional inspection, even if no permit or license is required.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/NEC/NEC-adoption-and-use/NEC-adoption-and-use-in-Latin-America
      2. ↑ https://nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70
      3. ↑ See, e.g., https://archive.org/stream/gov.law.icc.irc.2012/icc.irc.2012#page/n741/mode/2up
      4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_code .
      5. ↑ NEC (2017): 210.8, 215.9 feeders, 406.4(D) replacements, etc.
      6. ↑ NEC (2017):210.8(A).
      7. ↑ NEC (2017):210.8(C).
      8. ↑ Ibidem.
      9. ↑ NEC (2017): 550.13(B),(E).
      1. ↑ Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, HUD, 1976.
      2. ↑ NEC (2017):210.8(D),(E).
      3. ↑ NEC (2017) Article 680, and International Residential Code, International Code Commission (2009): Chapter 42.
      4. ↑ https://www.mikeholt.com/documents/nec/pdf/GFCI_requirement_page2.pdf , accessed Jan. 5, 2021.
      5. ↑ NEC (2017): 424.44(E) and 424.99(B)(5), unless exempted as low-voltage, under 424.103.
      6. ↑ NEC (2017): 590.6.
      7. ↑ Power Source Requirements for Non-power-limited fire alarm systems, NEC (2017): 760.41(B). See also NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signalling Code.
      8. ↑ NEC (2017): 406.4(E) countertop assemblies, (F) work surfaces, (H) face-up in seating areas, etc.
      9. ↑ NEC(2017):406.4.
      10. ↑ NEC (2017):215.9
      11. ↑ NEC (2017):406.4(D).
      12. ↑ NEC (2017):406.4(D) When replacing ungrounded receptacles in places now required to have GFCI protection. If the receptacles are 3-prong grounding types, they would also need to be marked as having “No equipment ground.”

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