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Where are GFCI outlets required?

Jim Brown

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.

How many outlets can a 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.

Is 20 amps enough for a garage?

Is 20 amps enough for a garage? As a general guideline, you’d use 12 AWG copper conductors with a 20 ampere breaker, and 14 AWG copper conductors with a 15 ampere breaker. Since the receptacles are in a garage, they’ll have to be GFCI protected.

How many receptacles can you put on a 20-amp circuit?

10 receptacles
One rule of thumb is to assign a maximum draw of 1.5 amps to each receptacle, which allows for 10 receptacles on a 20-amp circuit.

Do you need a GFI outlet in a garage?

GFCI protected outlets are required in the garage. The main garage lighting should not be on a GFCI for safety sake as you never want to be in a dark garage if a GFI trips off, however if the lighting fixture is accessible while standing on the grounded floor of the garage then the light fixture should be GFCI protected.

Do you need GFCI protection for garage door opener?

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.

Are there GFCI outlets required by code?

Are GFCI Outlets Required by Code? Yes, the current National Electrical Code (NEC) requires ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection in wet areas including bathrooms, jetted tubs, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, crawl spaces, exteriors, swimming pools, hot tubs and any areas that could come in contact with moisture.

How many outlets do you need in a garage?

The NEC Electrical Code Section 210, specifically Article 210.52(G) states that one receptacle outlet is required for each car space,and NEC Article 210.8 (A)(2) states that GFCI protection is required for all 120volt 15amp and 20 amp receptacles. 120volt, 15amp garage circuits are typically wired with 14/2.

Where are GFCI outlets required?

Jim Brown

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.

What is GFCI outlet and where is one needed?

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.

Are GFCI outlets really necessary?

GFCIs are required by the National Electric Code (NEC) in all kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, garages, and outdoor receptacle locations. GFCIs were invented in 1961, and were made to continuously monitor the current leaving the receptacle with the amount of current returning to the outlet.

Where are GFCI breakers used?

It is recommended that GFCIs be installed in kitchens, baths, restrooms, laundry rooms, outdoors, or in the garages where electric power tools might be used. While some appliances have built-in GFCI protection, such as hair dryers, there are still many appliances not equipped with GFCI.

Where do you need a GFCI electrical outlet?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires GFCI outlets in all wet or damp locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, garages and workshops. Beside above, what is a GFCI outlet and where is one needed? Code requires that GFCI outlets be used in any location that is six feet or closer to a plumbing fixture or moisture source.

When is a GFCI 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.

How long does a GFCI outlet usually last?

If the GFCI trips, it usually means a ground fault is caused by water, a faulty appliance, or broken insulation on the electrical wiring. However, any GFCI protector has a limited lifespan. Generally, these devices should last 10 – 20 years but they can fail in as little as 5 years.

Where can I buy a GFCI circuit interrupter?

For more information on the National Electrical Code visit their website. To purchase your GFCI products, visit HomElectrical. HomElectrical offers a wide range of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters at competitive rates so that you can reduce the risk while reducing the cost.

Where are GFCI outlets required?

Jim Brown

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.

Can you leave outdoor outlets plugged in?

If you have an outdoor receptacle that’s on your porch, your screened-in patio, or in some other location that’s protected from direct weather conditions, then you can cover it with a door cover that will close, and keep it protected, when nothing is plugged into it—and it’s OK, then, to plug something into that …

Where do I need a GFCI outlet in my house?

This would include any receptacles that are in a basement, garage, outside or that are near a swimming pool or hot tub. Not all of the receptacles in kitchens, bathrooms or other required locations need to have a GFCI outlet.

What happens when a GFCI fuse box is tripped?

The way that a GFCI outlet functions is that every receptacle “downstream” (from that outlet to the end of the line) of the outlet that’s tripped will shut off as well until the problem has been fixed. All of the receptacles “upstream” (from the outlet to the fuse box) are unaffected when an outlet is tripped.

Do you need a weather resistant GFCI receptacle?

You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a weather-resistant GFCI receptacle, and weatherproof covers for this style of receptacle are also easily found. Article 210.8 (A) (3) of the National Electrical Code, says that outdoor receptacles must be GFCI protected. 210.8 Ground-fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. (A) Dwelling Units.

Do you need to cover a GFCI breaker?

If that is the case, you can simply replace the old outlet with a new one of the same type, and re-use your old cover. In this case, the GFCI protection will be implemented by the breaker instead of inside the outlet. Yes,I belive it should be covered,better safe than sorry.