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GFCI outlets should be installed in any potentially wet or damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, outdoors, basements, garages and workshops. Damp areas can make you prone to dangerous electric shock but using a GFCI outlet can greatly reduce your risk of injury.
Do all outlets in kitchen need to be GFCI?
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).
When and where are GFCI receptacles 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.
How many GFCI outlets are required in a house?
GFCIs are designed to prevent electrocution, so they are essential for a family’s safety. In most cases, multiple bathroom receptacles throughout a home can be protected by one GFCI outlet. Similarly, only one GFCI is generally needed to protect all kitchen counter outlets.
What is the electrical code for GFCI outlets?
GFCI protection is required on dwelling unit outdoor outlets* supplied by single‐phase branch circuits rated 150‐volts or less to ground, and 50‐amperes or less. NEC 210.8(F) is only applicable to readily accessible outdoor equipment outlets.
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 a GFCI have to be from a sink?
Generally, all 15 or 20-amp, single phase, 125-volt receptacles “within 6 ft.” of a sink, tub or shower must be GFCI protected. For a sink, the measurement starts “from the top inside edge of the bowl of the sink”. For a bathtub or shower, the measurement starts at “the outside edge of the bathtub or shower stall”.
Should outlets under sink be GFCI?
The National Electrical Code, a minimum standard for electricians in the United States, allows for electrical outlets to be placed under the sink. However, all electrical outlets within a distance of 6 feet from the sink must have GFCI protection.
Does a GFCI have to be the first outlet?
GFCI doesn’t have to be the first in line because placing the GFCI first in line will trip whenever something goes wrong with any of the outlets downstream. While placing the GFCI first in line will protect all the other outlets downstream. On the one hand, you could buy a GFCI for every single outlet in the room.
What year were GFCI outlets required in bathrooms?
In most parts of the United States, ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets have been required in bathrooms since 1975.
How far does a GFCI have to be from water?
According to the National Electric Code, any receptacle within 6 feet of a water source needs to be protected with a GFCI.
Do garage lights need to be GFCI protected?
3 Answers. NEC 210.8. 2 requires all outlets in a garage to be GFCI protected so if your lights are connected by an outlet they need GFCI protection if they are hard wired they do not require GFCI protection.
Do bathroom switches need to be GFCI protected?
The NEC requires that all outlet receptacles in a bathroom be GFCI protected. Switches must be grounded: Older wall switches often omitted the green grounding screw, but the NEC now requires that wall switches in all locations, including bathrooms, be connected to the system grounding wires.
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 kitchen island outlets need to be GFCI?
Because kitchens and bathrooms mix water and electricity, GFCI plugs are a requirement. GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles that supply kitchen countertop surfaces, including islands.
Can I use 15 amp GFCI 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.
Should microwave be on 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.
Can a refrigerator share an outlet with a TV?
Yes, that is not an overload, unless the outlet is on an UPS or a line voltage stabilizer that is too small. Look at the fridge and tv labels to check the AMPS or WATTS it uses; they should probably be less than 8 amps added together, or 1000 watts or less together.
Should a dishwasher be on a GFCI?
Kitchen dishwashers installed in dwelling units require GFCI protection whether hard wired or cord and plug connected. Code Change Summary: A new subsection was added regarding dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers. Now, outlets that supply dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers must have GFCI protection.
Can you put 2 GFCI outlets on the same circuit?
Yes, you can have many GFCI outlets on the same circuit The way they vary from a regular outlet is they check for ground faults.
Where should a GFCI be placed in a kitchen?
Kitchens: All receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within 6 feet of a sink must have GFCI protection. Also, the receptacle supplying a dishwasher should be GFCI-protected.
How close to a kitchen sink can a electrical socket be?
Electrical sockets or switches should be fitted at a safe distance (it is recommended at least 30cm horizontally) from a sink to avoid the chance of water coming into contact with electricity. Sockets should also be easily accessible.
