• Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Magazine Issues
  • Newsletters
  • Advertise
  • Shop
Skip to Navigation Skip to Content
Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine
Register Log In
  • Forgot Your Password?
close
  • NEC
    • Code Basics
    • Q&A
    • Quizzes
    • Violations
    • What's Wrong Here?
  • Design
    • Computers & Software
    • Green Building
    • Lighting & Control
  • Ops & Maintenance
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Metering & Monitoring
    • Motors
    • Test & Measurement
  • Contractor
    • Business Management
    • Estimating
    • Low Voltage & Communications
    • Project Spotlight
  • Safety
    • Arc Flash
    • Fire & Security
    • Shock & Electrocution
  • Power Quality
    • Monitoring & Measurement
    • Sags & Swells & Interruptions
  • Training
    • Workplace Learning Center
    • Events
    • Webcasts
  • Basics
    • Bonding & Grounding
  • Products
    • Product of the Day
    • Product of the Year
Advertisement
Home > NEC > Code Basics > NEC Requirements for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

NEC Requirements for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

Mar. 1, 2002 Mike Holt | Electrical Construction and Maintenance
    • EMAIL
  • Tweet
Comments 12

What is in this article?:

  • NEC Requirements for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
  • Sidebar: 2002 NEC GFCI References

In an effort to safeguard even more electrical installations, the NEC has expanded requirements for GFCI-type receptacles. Since 1971, the NEC has expanded the requirements for ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to protect anyone who plugs into an electrical system. Initially, it was only required for temporary wiring at construction sites and in dwelling unit bathrooms, but in recent years

Advertisement
« 
  • Prev
  • 1
  • 2
  • Print
  • reprints
  • Favorite
    • EMAIL
  • Tweet

Discuss this Article 12

Larry C (not verified)
on Jun 18, 2012

In areas where their is a receptle with in 6 foot of a sink does the receptle need to be a GFI or does the GFI need only to be in the same electrical corcit as the receptle?
Cose Number if you can.
Thanks Larry

  • reply
Danny Baize (not verified)
on Jul 24, 2012

Wouldn't a GFCI be required for water bottle type fountains if receptacle is just below where you would replace bottles? Doesn't seem to be in NEC.

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on Feb 28, 2013

Water bottle type dispensers are considered portable, the NEC only requires fixed dispensers to be GFCI protected.This is explained in the NEC handbook.

  • reply
D GARNER (not verified)
on Sep 26, 2012

ARE GFCIs required for washing machines in a laundry room of
a child development center there are no sinks in the room

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on Dec 2, 2012

Are ALL electrical outlets in a bathroom required by code to be gfci receptacles? Is there a distance requirement from the water source, such as a sink faucet, to the outlet before it must be gfci rated? Also, what if the sink is a pedestal and there is no countertop? Does an outlet near the faucet still need to be gfci rated?

  • reply
RAUL HODALGO
on Jan 8, 2013

NEC STATES THAT ALL OUTLETS WITHIN A 6FEET RADIUS OF A SINK MUST BE GFCI PROTECTED IN CASE THE OUTLET IS OUT OF THIS AREA BUT STILL INSIDE THE BATHROOM COMMON SENSE DICTATES IT SHOULD BE GFCI PROTECTED

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on Jan 31, 2013

Very helpful

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on Feb 6, 2013

Whats the difference in these new GFCIs for outside application? Cant use just a normal GFCI, its gotta be "Weather Proof". Sounds like a scam.

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on Mar 22, 2013

In commericial applications where there is a sink what is the distance requirement on gfi receptacles? Does it remain the same as the residential code?

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on May 9, 2013

Can I plug in a TRC SHOCK SHIELD GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER MODEL 14740L-002B 120V - 30AMP - 60HZ - 3600W to an electrical supply at a campground as a surge protector for a travel trailer? Will it protect from lightning strikes?

  • reply
Anonymous (not verified)
on May 15, 2013

Apples and Oranges. The Shock Shield GFCI will protect you from current leakage that otherwise would shock you if you completed an electrical path to ground. A surge protector is a different device that shunts over-voltage spikes to ground to provide lightning protection.

  • reply
JAMES FOSTER (not verified)
on May 29, 2013

Situation : Pet shop has several rect. for fish tanks. All rect. are protected on the same branch circuit with a GFCI Breaker.
Fire inspector said each indv. rect. has to be a seperate GFCI.
Seems to me the NEC says that a brach circuit can be protected by GFCI Breaker. True or Not ?

  • reply
Post new comment
Sign In or register to use your Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine ID
(optional)
Sponsored Links
Related Articles
  • Protecting high-efficiency motor circuits.
  • Using overcurrent protection for generator conductors
  • Article 406: Receptacles
  • Grounding On-Site Power Systems
  • Branch Circuits - Part Two
Sponsored by
EC&M Learning Center
2011 Electrician Exam Preparation Book & Journeyman Simulated Exam
Printed in full color, the 2011Exam Prep book covers Theory, Code, and Calculations in great detail. Clear colorful graphics...
2011 Understanding NEC Requirement for Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Solar power is new to most in the electrical industry and this expanding and exciting industry has created many NEC...
Photovoltaics for Commerical and Utilities Power Generation
This book provides an in-depth review of the solar industry development, and present-day state of the art, emphasizing...
BROWSE ALL TITLES
Advertisement
Webinars
ON DEMAND: All You Ever Wanted to Know About GFCIs & AFCIs

Abstract:  In this webinar, Mike will not only explain the current NEC requirements for GFCIs and AFCIs, but he'll explain how they operate, what causes their premature failure, and when they won't provide the safety protection you might have thought they would.

 


Sponsored by:

 

 
ON DEMAND: Workplace Electrical Safety: Prevention before Protection


Abstract: This webinar will teach attendees the difference between risk and hazard, and how the choice of system grounding has a direct impact on reliability and safety.

 

 

Sponsored by:

 

 

MORE WEBINARS
Advertisement
EC&M TV
Apr. 15, 2013
video

Westex Flash Fire Testing Overview

See side-by-side comparisons of different flame resistant fabrics exposed to flash fires, illustrating the extent, severity and location of burns....More
Showing 5-5 of 21 items
  • prev
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • …
  • 21
  • next

 

BROWSE ALL VIDEOS

 

equipmentone.com

Search 2.5+ million listings
prev next

Newsletter Signup

Sign-up to receive our free newsletters

Subscribe
Connect With Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked In
  • RSS
Advertisement
Ecmweb.com
  • NEC
  • Design
  • Ops & Maintenance
  • Contractor
  • Safety
  • Power Quality
  • Training
  • Basics
  • Products
Site Features
  • Author Guidelines
  • RSS
  • Sitemap
  • Site Archive
  • Subscribe
  • View Mobile Site
EC&M Corporate
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Follow Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked In
  • RSS
Search ecmweb.com
Subscribe to the print magazine

PISCES

Related EC&M Sites
  • Electrical Wholesaling
  • Electrical Marketing
  • Transmission & Distribution World
Copyright © 2013 Penton

Sponsored Introduction Continue on to (or wait seconds) ×