GFCI protection in homes
In homes, 125–250 V receptacles on single-phase circuits of 150 V or less to ground need Class A GFCI protection in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoors, basements, laundry areas, near sinks and tubs, and other listed areas.
What the code requires
In dwelling units, all 125–250 V receptacles in the locations below need GFCI protection when they are supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 V or less to ground. The protection must be a listed Class A GFCI installed in a readily accessible location.
The 12 locations are bathrooms; garages, plus accessory buildings with a floor at or below grade that are used for storage, work or similar purposes rather than as habitable rooms; outdoors; crawl spaces at or below grade; basements; kitchens; areas with a sink and permanent provisions for food or beverage preparation or cooking; within 6 ft of the top inside edge of a sink bowl; boathouses; within 6 ft of the outside edge of a bathtub or shower stall; laundry areas; and indoor damp and wet locations.
Distances from a sink or tub are measured along the shortest path a cord would follow without passing through a floor, wall, ceiling or fixed barrier.
On the job
- In new work, every kitchen receptacle needs GFCI protection, not just countertop receptacles. That includes receptacles for the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, disposal and microwave.
- A GFCI receptacle hidden behind an appliance is not readily accessible. A GFCI breaker or an accessible upstream GFCI device is the usual solution.
- The rule covers 125–250 V receptacles, so a 240 V receptacle in one of these areas, such as a range receptacle in a kitchen, needs GFCI protection too.
- Two proposed TIAs (Logs 1748 and 1749) would have exempted receptacles for refrigerators, HVAC appliances, ranges, wall ovens, cooktops and microwaves in dedicated spaces. Both failed the code-making panel ballot in September 2023 and were not issued, so the 2023 rule has no exception for these appliances.
Exceptions that matter
- Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment, installed under 426.28 or 427.22.
- A receptacle that supplies only a permanently installed premises security system.
- Listed weight-supporting ceiling receptacles (WSCR) used for ceiling luminaires or ceiling fans.
- Factory-installed receptacles that are not readily accessible and are mounted inside bathroom exhaust fan assemblies, unless the fan's installation instructions or listing require GFCI protection.
What changed in 2023
In 2023 the kitchen rule expanded from countertop receptacles to all kitchen receptacles, a new item for areas with a sink and food or beverage preparation was added, Class A protection was specified, and the bathroom exhaust fan exception was added.
Related sections
- NEC 210.8(D): GFCI for dishwashers, ranges, dryers and other appliances
- NEC 210.8(F): GFCI for outdoor outlets at homes, including A/C units
- NEC 210.52
- NEC 406.4(D)(3)
- NEC 422.5: GFCI protection for appliances
Where this comes from
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