Introduction to electrical codes for ground fault circuits and devices:
NEC 210-8 At dwellings, ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets installed in bathrooms, garages, grade-level portions of unfinished accessory buildings, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, at kitchen countertops, wet-bar sinks, and outdoors. Receptacles that are not readily accessible could be exempt from the GFCI requirement.
Code Adoption Information: The codes shown are examples only and may not be current or accurate for your application or jurisdiction. Contact your local building authority for complete information.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
NEC 210.8 Ground-fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all 125-volt, 15 and 20 amp receptacle outlets installed outdoors, in boathouses, garages, unfinished accessory buildings, crawl spaces at or below grade level, unfinished basements, bathrooms, at kitchen countertops and within 6 feet of the outside edge of the sink in laundry rooms, utility rooms, and at wet-bars.
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection basements, unfinished
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection bathrooms
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, kitchen countertops, wet-bar sinks, boathouses and outdoors.
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection boathouses
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection crawl spaces
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection garages
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection kitchen countertops
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection outdoor
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection wet-bar sinks
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection accessory buildings unfinished
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection laundry
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection garages
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 210.8 Ground-Fault Protection utility rooms
At dwellings, ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection shall be provided for all receptacle outlets
NEC 230.54 Electrical Services conduit raceways Service entrance raceways shall be rain-tight and arranged to drain.
NEC 680.22 General Circuitry pool pump motors
All 15- and 20-amp, single-phase, 125-volt or 240-volt outlets supplying pool pump motors shall have GFCI protection.
NEC 680.22 Grounded Bonding Grid pools
An equipment potential bonding grid to mitigate step and touch voltage potential shall be installed at outdoor pools, spas and hot tubs as well as livestock areas, and at outdoor electrical equipment in and adjacent to natural and artificially made bodies of water.
NEC 680-40 Spas and Hot Tubs installed outdoors shall comply with the specific grounding and bonding requirements of a permanently installed swimming pool.
NEC 680-70 A Hydro Massage Bathtub, defined as a permanently installed bathtub with a re circulating piping system, designed to accept, re circulate and discharge water upon each use, and its associated components, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
NEC 680.71 Ground-Fault Protection hydro massage bathroom hydro massage
A hydro massage bathtub, (defined as a permanently installed bathtub with a re-circulating piping system, designed to discharge water upon each use, and its associated components] shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection. All 125 volt receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes installed within 5 feet of the inside walls of the hydro massage bathtub shall be GFCI protected. All equipment associated with a hydro massage bathtub shall be accessible without damaging the building structure or finish
NEC 680-72 Additionally, all 125-volt receptacles installed within 5 feet of the inside walls of the hydro massage tub shall also be GFCI protected.
NEC 680-72 All equipment, motors and controls associated with a hydro massage bathtub shall be accessible without damaging the building structure or finish.
The insulating value of human skin is drastically reduced when a person is wet. When installed in the water, in pool walls, on pool decks, or adjacent to swimming,
wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools, fountains, hot tubs, spas and hydro massage bathtubs, all electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with special requirements in the NEC.
Residential Electrical Code Examples for Gfci
IRC Codes
GFCI Protection 1.GFCI protection is required for all 125 volt, 15 or 20 amp receptacles used for temporary power during construction. NEC 527.6
2.Fixed electric heating equipment for pipelines and vessels shall have ground fault protection (outlets under trailers, etc). NEC 427.22
3.All receptacles in bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawls spaces, unfinished basements, and basement rooms not intended for habitation shall have GFCI Protection. NEC 210.8
4.All receptacles serving kitchen counter tops or within 6 feet of any sink shall have GFCI Protection. NEC 210.8.
Always contact your local building authority for complete and up to date code information.
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Questions about Residential Electrical Wiring Codes for GFCI Protection
Question from Martin in Mobile, Alabama.
Are there GFCI receptacles that are approved for aluminum wires?
My house has all aluminum wiring and I want to install a GFCI outlet. Do they make GFCI receptacles for aluminum wire?
Dave’s Answer:
Yes Martin, the type of GFCI receptacle outlet you will look for is one with the type of wire terminals that are designed for AL/CU, which is Aluminum and Copper Wires.
Question from Richard in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Why doesn’t my second bathroom have a GFCI Outlet?
My house is built in 1986. The master bathroom has a GFI outlet, but the 2nd bathroom does not. Is this correct?
Dave’s Answer:
Typically the second bathroom’s outlet will be fed from the mater bathroom GFCI outlet. To test this, just press the Test button on the master bathroom GFCI and this should turn off the outlets in both bathrooms.
Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
Why Is My Bathroom Light Fixture Not Working? How to Fix a Bathroom Light Fixture and a Bath Exhaust Fan that has Stopped Working. The Most Common Problems with Bathroom Light Fixtures and How You Can Fix Them.
Causes of Electric Circuit Buzz Crackle or Sizzle How to find out what is causing a buzz and crackle sound in the electric box. How to Locate the Cause of Electrical Circuit Buzz or Crackle, The Most Common Problems that Cause Electrical Circuit Buzz or Crackle and What Should Be Done.
Why Receptacle Outlets are Not Getting Full Power Why Do I Only Have 70 Volts on a 120 Volt Receptacle? How to Troubleshoot and Repair Outlet Problems, The Most Common Problem with Electric Outlets and How to Repair Them.
Electrical Troubleshooting Lost Outlet Power Common Causes for Lost Power to Outlets and Switches on a GFCI Circuit: Troubleshooting No Power to a Living Room and GFCI, Free Electrical Help, Learn Electric Wiring.
Wiring a Hot Tub 50 AMP GFCI Circuit How to Wire a Hot Tub Circuit: Electrical Codes and Details for Spa and Hot Tub Wiring. Essentials for your installation, including the required GFCI ground fault protection and circuit wire size.
How To Wire a GFCI and Outlet to a Light Switch How do I wire a GFCI, outlet and Light Switch? Fully explained wiring instructions complete with a picture series of an installation and wiring diagrams.
electrical gfci - 1721
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Electrical Wiring Codes
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, Battery Tools, Electric Power Tools, Electrical Meters and Voltage Testers.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level of working capabilities and electrical experience, electrical certification or contractors license, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the electric panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for all electrical projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical circuits or wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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