QA

Quick Answer: Where Are Tamper Resistant Outlets Required

Tamper-resistant receptacles are also now required in hotel rooms, child care facilities, preschools, elementary education facilities, waiting areas in medical and dental clinics, dormitories, and waiting areas in any place of assembly, anywhere children may not be closely supervised.

Are tamper proof outlets required by code?

Tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles were first required within the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Are tamper resistant outlets required in kitchen?

Tamper-Resistant Outlets Requirement: All 15 amp and 20 amp outlets, whether GFCI or not, must be tamper-resistant in the following kitchen-related places: small appliance circuit, countertop space (including island countertops), wall, and hallway space.

Do I have to replace outlets with tamper resistant?

Yes. If you’re not making changes, there’s no requirement to swap them out. If you are changing out the receptacles for any reason, you’ll have to install tamper resistant receptacles.

Are tamper resistant outlets required in garage?

Receptacles for garage-door openers located more than 5½ feet above the floor are required to be tamper-resistant. Floor receptacles located more than 18 inches from the wall are required to be tamper-resistant, even though 210.52 does not specify these receptacles as required receptacles.

Where are GFCI outlets required?

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.

Does garage need AFCI?

The 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires the protection of an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) for 15 and 20 amp circuits in all newly built residential areas, but they are not needed in bathrooms, garages, or outdoor areas.

Where should a GFCI be placed in a kitchen?

In kitchens, all outlets that serve countertop surfaces should be equipped with GFCI outlet protection. That would include any outlets on walls, behind wet areas (sinks, etc.) that have features such as countertop breakfast bars (open counter surfaces above sinks used to sit at on the opposite side).

Does a refrigerator need a GFCI?

A refrigerator shouldn’t be plugged into a GFCI outlet. GFCI outlets are used in areas of the home with water or moisture. These include bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. This type of outlet is important because it reduces the risk of electrocution and electrical fires.

How far does an outlet have to be from a kitchen sink?

Kitchen Outlets This applies even if there isn’t a nearby sink, such as on a bar or island. Additionally, no point on the wall should be farther than 24 inches from an outlet in either direction (meaning 4 feet total between outlets), so you must have an outlet within 2 feet of the kitchen sink.

Are tamper-resistant outlets required in Pennsylvania?

Today’s building codes also require tamper-resistant receptacles for any outlet positioned within 18 inches of the floor. This is a safety measure that prevents children from inserting objects into the slots of a receptacle.

Do I need weather resistant GFCI outside?

Weather Resistant GFCI Required by 2008 National Electrical Code for use in damp or wet areas including: Patios, decks, porches, pool areas, garages, yards, and other outdoor damp locations. The weather resistant is designed to withstand extreme cold, corrosion, and damp environments.

How do you beat tamper-resistant outlets?

To defeat a tamper-resistant outlet, angle the plug downward and apply pressure. Move the plug up and down while doing this. While speeding up, push the plug in. This will defeat the tamper-resistant outlet.

Where must GFCI receptacles be installed in residential garages?

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.

Do all garage outlets need to be GFCI?

Yes, all garage outlets must be GFCI-protected-no exceptions. Since 2008, GFCI outlets have been required for “all 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-amp outlets” in the garage. In fact, both the NEC (National Electric Code) and the IRC (International Residential Code) require this.

Where should outlets be placed in a garage?

Many contractors place outlets 12 to 18 inches above the floor because that height suits most people, not because the NEC demands it. That being said, the American Disabilities Act expects homeowners to place wall receptacles at least 15 inches above the floor.

Can a GFCI be installed anywhere?

You can replace almost any electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet. Correctly wired GFCIs will also protect other outlets on the same circuit. The electrical code also requires GFCIs in unfinished basements, garages, most outdoor receptacles and places where construction activity occurs.

Where are GFCI breakers 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 bathrooms require AFCI?

Note: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) requirements have not expanded to the entire dwelling unit (to include bathrooms, basements and crawl spaces). Although some changes were made to the AFCI section in the code, they apply only to dorms and hotels/motels.

Does garage need AFCI or GFCI?

Your garage needs to be GFCI protected, according to the 2008 and later editions of the NEC handbook. This includes garage door openers and garage lights that are connected to an outlet. In addition, AFCI protection is required for 5-amp and 20-amp 120/125-volt circuits.