When is gfci outlet required

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And the numbers of electrical shock-related accidents can be truly shocking 1. And they are needed in almost all rooms and areas of the building. GFCI receptacles were first introduced and required in In the beginning, they were only needed for the swimming pools and outside areas. But ever since then — and with every Code revision — these areas have been continuously expanding. Because of the constant expansion of the requirements, you will find out that almost all of the receptacles are required to have ground fault protection.

According to the Code, all outlets that are rated at 15 and 20 amperage and V that are installed in the following areas need to have GFCI protection. Also, since the Code revision in , some additional changes were done stating that the GFCI device needs to be placed in an easily accessible location.

Like climbing a ladder, for example. The buttons do not necessarily have to be on the receptacle. Due to some GFCI protected outlets not being easily accessible, such as behind the refrigerator or washing machine, the GFCI reset is typically located on the breaker inside the electrical panel box.

This requirement about dishwashers was added since compared to the older models some of the newer dishwashers may have a different failure mode. This may cause a potential latent electrical shock hazard when a dishwasher malfunctions. This makes a GFCI protection a must-have. However, some dishwashers can also be hardwired. And since there is no outlet per se, this meant that until , some of them could have been installed without GFCI protection.

GFCI protection has been required for all commercial kitchens and refrigerators ever since the revision of the Code in There was once a time when refrigerators were not required to have GFCI protection.

This was generally the case to prevent food spoilage from a tripped GFCI that was not detected, for instance, while at work or on vacation.

Older refrigerators were well-known to cause GFCI outlets and breakers to trip constantly. So they do have a bad reputation going on for them. However, newer models, and by newer think models that were built in the last years, are not known to cause such nuisance tripping of GFCIs.

These breakers have a reset button located on the breaker itself inside your electrical panel box. Bathrooms are almost always one of the first rooms that are being checked for proper GFCI protection. And this has been one of the first places that were required to have this kind of protection. There are usually high amounts of water, moisture, and humidity. All this poses a high chance for a contact of water with electrical appliances which can result in electrocution.

GFCI protection is not required in the bedrooms. It is believed that bedrooms are not high-risk areas. Some rare instances exist in master bedrooms where a vanity with a sink or wet bar is installed. In this instance, GFCI protection is required if an outlet is within 6 feet of the water source.

Yes, they are. Every 15 and 20 amp volt receptacle that is found in the garage needs to be equipped with proper GFCI protection. The wiring in the garage can be subjected to dust, moisture, and other things that can all create the necessary conditions for a ground fault.

That requirement was implemented with the revision of the NEC. This includes all receptacles found on the outside walls, on balconies, and attached decks. The majority of these receptacles will most likely be subjected to the elements on a constant basis throughout the year.

So they need to have an appropriate water-resistance rating and weatherproof cover. According to the Code, all receptacles 15 and 20 amp at volts in the laundry rooms need to have proper GFCI protection. The revision of the NEC done in requires that all receptacles within 6 feet of a sink or a wet bar need to be with a working GFCI protection installed.

Laundry rooms can expose the electrical wiring and the different electrical appliances and devices Such as washers, dryers, lighting, etc. It has three holes: two of the holes are for neutral and hot wire and the third hole in the middle of the outlet serves as a ground wire. If it detects any change in the electrical flow in the circuit, it will immediately cut off the flow of electricity.

So, if you are using a hair dryer for instance and it slips into a sink that is filled with water, the GFCI outlet will immediately sense the interruption and cut the power to ensure electrical safety in the bathroom and beyond.

GFCI outlets are important, especially when the electrical outlets are positioned close to water. Installing GFCI outlets in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, pool house etc. Apart from being an essential preventive measure, the law also requires you to have GFCI outlets installed throughout your home.

Initially, it was only required for you to install GFCI outlets near water but this requirement has been extended to cover all single phase outlets of volts in recent years. GFCI outlets should also be installed on temporary wiring systems during construction, renovation or maintenance of structures that are using power temporarily. The ground fault circuit interrupter is essentially designed to avert ground faults by immediately disrupting the flow of current from the outlet.

This is why periodic testing is very important to ensure that the GFCI outlet is functional at all times. If the GFCI outlet is tripping often, it probably needs further investigation by a certified electrician as it could also be a result of worn out insulation, accumulated dust, or deteriorated wiring.

It is recommended that GFCI outlet should be tested every month and replaced every decade. You can follow these simple steps to test if the circuit interrupter is working properly:. It is always recommended to work with a certified electrician who can ensure that your system is in compliance with relevant codes so your home remains guarded against electric fires.

In most states, building codes now require GFCI plugs to be installed in the wet areas of homes such as laundry rooms, baths, kitchens, garages, and other places that may be prone to electrical shocks caused by moisture. So, check your home to see if it has any GFCI outlets installed. Ensure that the wires do not touch each other and then turn the switch on. The line set carries the incoming power and the load set distributes the power among additional outlets while also providing shock protection.

Connect the power wire black to the line set and the white wire to the load set on the GFCI outlet. Secure the connections using a wire nut and wrap them using electrical to tape for extra safety. Now connect the ground wire to the green screw on the GFCI plug.

Apart from the peace of mind that you and your family are protected against electrocutions, installing GFCI outlets will help you:. Electrical shocks and electrocution are the major risks that you can be exposed to through electrical devices at your home.