NEC Questions and Answers - June 2017

Q1. What are the NEC requirements for GFCI branch circuit protection in other than dwelling units?
A1. Other than Dwelling Units. GFCI protection is required for single-phase receptacles rated 50A or less not exceeding 150V to ground and three phase receptacles rated 100A or less not exceeding 150V to ground installed in the following locations [210.8(B)]:

(1) Bathrooms. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed in bathrooms.

Author’s Comment:
• A bathroom is an area that includes a basin as well as one or more of the following: a toilet, urinal, tub, shower, bidet, or similar plumbing fixture [Article 100].

(2) Kitchens. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed in a kitchen.

Author’s Comment:
• A kitchen is an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking [Article 100].

(3) Rooftops. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed on rooftops.

Author’s Comment:
• A 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be installed within 25 ft of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment [210.63].

Ex: Rooftop receptacles are required to be readily accessible from the rooftop surface area. Figure 1 

(4) Outdoors. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed outdoors.

(5) Sinks. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed within 6 ft from the top inside edge of the bowl of the sink.

Ex 1: In industrial laboratories, receptacles used to supply equipment where removal of power would introduce a greater hazard aren’t required to be GFCI protected.

(6) Indoor Wet Locations. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed indoors in wet locations.

(7) Locker Rooms. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed in locker rooms with associated showering facilities.

(8) Garages. GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed in garages, service bays, and similar areas, other than show rooms and exhibition halls.

Author’s Comment:
• A garage is defined in article 100 as building or portion of a building in which one or more self-propelled vehicles can be kept for use, sale, storage, rental, repair, exhibition, or demonstration.

(10) Unfinished Portions of Basements. GFCI protection is required for receptacles located in the unfinished portions of a basement.

Q2. What is the Code requirement regarding GFCI protection of crawl space lighting?
A2. GFCI protection is required for 120V lighting outlets in crawl spaces [210.8(E)].

Q3. What are the rules for receptacle outlets that are allowed on the small appliance branch circuits?
A3. Small Appliance Circuits [210.52(B)].
(1) Receptacle Outlets. The two or more 20A, 120V small appliance branch circuits serving the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, and dining room area of a dwelling unit [210.11(C)(1)] must serve all wall, floor, countertop receptacle outlets [210.52(C)], and the receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment [210.52(B)(1)].

Ex 2: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, an individual branch circuit rated 15A or greater can supply a receptacle outlet for a specific appliance, such as a refrigerator in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, or dining room area.

(2) Not Supply Other Outlets. The 20A, 120V small appliance circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) must not supply outlets for luminaires or appliances [210.52(B)(2)].

Ex 1: The 20A, 120V small appliance branch circuit can be used to supply a receptacle for an electric clock.

Ex 2: A receptacle can be connected to the small appliance branch circuit to supply a gas fired range, oven, or counter mounted cooking unit.

Author’s Comment:
• A range hood or over-the-range microwave listed as a range hood that’s flexible cord and plug connected must be supplied by an individual branch circuit [422.16(B)(4)(5)].