The NEC mandates GFCI protection in many areas of the home: bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens and anything within six feet of a sink or water source. While that may seem like a lot, the entirety of a home is not covered.

When did GFCI outlets become required?

GFCI receptacles were required in houses starting in 1971. Originally they were only required at the exterior of the house and by swimming pool equipment. Over the years, GFCI receptacles have been required in more locations such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.

Do all outlets in bathroom need to be GFCI?

Bathrooms – All bathroom receptacles should have GFCI outlets installed. … Any outlets within six feet of this sink (and the dedicated washing machine outlet) should be equipped with GFCI outlets. Outside – All outlets installed outside of your home should be GFCI outlets.

Where are GFCI not required?

GFCI protection is not required for receptacles that are not readily accessible, such as a ceiling-mounted receptacle for a garage door opener. Nor are they required for a receptacle on a dedicated branch circuit located and identified for a cord-and-plug-connected appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer.

Does a refrigerator need a GFCI outlet?

Residential Kitchen In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There’s no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.

Do all outside outlets need to be GFCI?

Outdoor electrical outlets differ from indoor outlets because they have watertight covers that protect the outlet even with a cord plugged in. Plus, the National Electrical Code requires all outdoor outlets to be GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupter outlets).

Does a dishwasher need GFCI protection?

The 2014 NEC has a new requirement for ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection of dishwashers in dwelling units. … The new requirement is for GFCI protection of “outlets” that supply dishwashers installed in dwelling-unit locations.

Do I need a GFCI outlet if I have a GFCI breaker?

You do not need both a GFCI outlet and a GFCI circuit breaker on the same circuit. GFCI circuit breakers are good installation options for new branch circuits, but they may not work properly on older, multiwire systems.

What is the difference between a GFCI and a GFI?

There is no significant difference at all. When discussing GFCI receptacles, common conversations use the terms GFCI ground fault circuit interrupter outlets or simply a ground fault interrupter (GFI). They are generally counted as the exact same thing.

Does a dryer need a GFCI?

First, receptacles installed to serve kitchen countertops must be GFCI protected. … Therefore, clothes dryers are now required to be GFCI protected because they are in the laundry area.

Article first time published on

Why do bathrooms need GFCI?

Electricity and water don’t mix Water and electricity are a recipe for disaster. Codes mandate strict guidelines for GFCI outlets throughout the United States. According to the National Electric Code (NEC), it requires a minimum of one GFCI-protected outlet per bathroom.

What is code for electrical outlets in a bathroom?

The minimum requirement for outlet receptacles in a bathroom is one GFCI-protected receptacle served by a 20-amp circuit. This is a bare minimum, however, and most bathrooms will have at least two receptacles, and often as many of four or five.

Can the outlets in a bathroom be on the same circuit as the lights?

No lighting outlets or other equipment can be fed from the same circuit feeding the bathroom receptacles. For example, a one-family dwelling has two bathrooms and a duplex receptacle has been installed in each. One 20-ampere branch circuit can supply power to both bathroom receptacles but cannot feed anything else.

Should a washing machine be on a GFCI?

The NEC doesn’t require GFCI protection for clothes washing machines specifically, but it does for “Laundry Areas.” … If the answer is “yes”, then you have your answer- the clothes washing machine will be GFCI protected, because all 120-Volt receptacles are to be GFCI protected in laundry areas, per the 2017 NEC.

Does a microwave need a GFCI?

A GFI or GFCI outlet is needed if the microwave is located less than 6 feet from a water source such as the edge of the sink, toilet, shower, etc. It is also needed if located outdoors, garages, kitchen counter tops, near laundry, utility sinks, wet bar sinks and near swimming pools.

Does a freezer need a GFCI?

A. That “protector outlet” you’re referring to is a GFCI, or “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter” receptacle, and GFCI’s are required by building code in garages, kitchens, bathrooms, and on the exterior of new homes. … So freezers and refrigerators should never be plugged into GFCI’s.

Do garbage disposals need GFCI?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional. … Garbage disposals should be either hardwired or connected to an outlet through a grounded electrical outlet.

What appliances require GFCI?

Where GFCIs Are Required. GFCI protection is required for 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground. GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.

What appliances require GFCI protection?

Vending machines, cord-and-plug-connected spray washers, drinking fountains, auto vacuum and tire inflation machines installed for the public require GFCI protection.

Can you replace a regular outlet with a GFCI?

You can replace almost any electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet. Correctly wired GFCIs will also protect other outlets on the same circuit. While it’s common to find GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens, there are GFCI outlet requirements.

Can I install a GFCI outlet myself?

After you have removed the old outlet, you can begin replacing it with the new GFCI outlet. Using your needle nosed pliers or wire cutter, make sure the wires are straight and able to be put into the new GFCI outlet. As you begin, turn the outlet over. … You only want to be rewiring your GFCI outlet into the line screws.

How many outlets can one GFCI protect?

There’s no limit. A standard GFCI will protect up to 20 amps, drawn from any combination of receptacles, either the built-in one or any number of additional ones connected to its load terminals.

What's the purpose of a GFCI outlet?

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can help prevent electrocution. If a person’s body starts to receive a shock, the GFCI senses this and cuts off the power before he/she can get injured. GFCIs are generally installed where electrical circuits may accidentally come into contact with water.

Do all GFCI outlets have a reset button?

It’s easy! All GFCI outlets have a reset button (typically red) in the upper center of the outlet. Find the GFCI outlet near the outlet that tripped. You will be able to tell the problem outlet because the red reset button will have popped out.

Is it better to have GFCI outlet or breaker?

If you will have receptacles that need GFCI protection in these locations, use a GFCI breaker. GFCI receptacles are easier to install. … If money is an issue and you only need to protect a single location, a GFCI outlet might a better choice than a GFCI breaker.

Are GFCI outlets different?

Three types of GFCIs are commonly used in homes – the GFCI outlet, the GFI circuit breaker and the portable GFCI. All of these GFCIs perform the same function but each has different applications and limitations.

Does a stove need to be GFCI protected?

3 Answers. No in any case. Electric range circuits and receptacles do not require GFI protection, and if this is a regular receptacle for a gas range it is behind the range and not serving the counter, so again ,no GFI required.

Should a washer and dryer be plugged into a GFCI outlet?

The NEC requires GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection for all standard receptacles serving laundry areas. This includes the 20-amp designated receptacle for the washer (and gas dryer, as applicable) and any general-use receptacles. GFCI protection is not required for a 30-amp electric dryer receptacle.

Where are GFCI outlets required 2020?

The 2020 NEC is very clear that GFCI protection is only required for 125‐volt, 15‐ and 20‐ampere receptacles in areas having an equipotential plane, in outdoor locations, in damp or wet locations, or in dirt confinement areas for livestock.

Do you need an outlet in a bathroom?

The National Electric Code states that, at a minimum, a bathroom needs one GFCI-protected outlet. It’s recommended that each bathroom has two or three GFCI protected outlets. The number of outlets you choose to protect is up to you, as long as you have at least one GFCI protected outlet in a bathroom.

Why do we need GFCI in kitchen?

The acronym GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These outlets do much more than allow you to plug in appliances; they actually protect you and your home from power surges that can be dangerous.