National Electrical Code

Code Q&A

June 8, 2004

Q. If I were to replace a two-wire receptacle in a bathroom outlet that doesn't have a grounding means, am I required to replace it with a GFCI receptacle? A. No, the replacement receptacle isn’t required to be of the GFCI type. However, it’s required ...

Mike Holt

Q. If I were to replace a two-wire receptacle in a bathroom outlet that doesn't have a grounding means, am I required to replace it with a GFCI receptacle?

A. No, the replacement receptacle isn’t required to be of the GFCI type. However, it’s required to be GFCI-protected [406.3(D)(2)]. This can be accomplished by the use of a GFCI receptacle, or a two-wire non-grounding type or three-wire grounding type receptacle that is GFCI protected upstream by a GFCI circuit breaker or GFCI receptacle in accordance with 406.3(D)(3).

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About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.