2011 Changes to the NEC – 210.8

The following is an instructional page from our 2011 Changes to the NEC Textbook/DVD Package complete with graphics and video where applicable. As part of our on-going effort to provide free resources to help the industry, we will be sending this content as part of a series of newsletters. Each newsletter will feature pages taken directly from our textbooks. This can be a great training resource for your organization!

There are some important features in this text which help to highlight the changes that you should be aware of:

• Each Code section which contains a change includes a summary of the change, followed by a paraphrase of the NEC text affected by the change. Any specific change is denoted by underlined text and in the corresponding chapter color
• Graphics with green borders and 2011 CC icons next to the heading are graphics that contain a 2011 change; graphics without a green border or icon are graphics that support the concept being discussed, but nothing in the graphic was affected by a 2011 Code change.

210.8 GFCI Protection

A new requirement addresses the accessibility of the test and reset functions of GFCI devices.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

Ground-fault circuit interruption for personnel must be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (C). The Ground-fault circuit-interrupter device must be installed at a readily accessible location.

Figure 210-6 (Click on image to enlarge)

 

ANALYSIS: The Code previously didn’t address the accessibility of the test and reset functions of GFCI devices. This presents two problems: First, building owners are subjected to the inconvenience of using ladders (or less safe devices) to reach the reset button should a GFCI device trip. Secondly, the listing standards of GFCIs require that they be tested on a monthly basis. While it’s true that many people don’t test their GFCI devices, some who would perform such tests won’t go through the extra effort of finding a ladder to access these devices if they aren’t readily accessible. This change will require GFCIs in obvious locations such as bathrooms and dwelling unit garages to have their test and reset buttons readily accessible, but it also applies to less obvious locations, such as receptacles on rooftops and in soffits for holiday lighting.

 

210.8(A)(3) Exception, GFCI Protection Outdoor Receptacles

A new allowance for ground-fault protection of equipment for pipeline and vessel heating equipment was added.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(A) Dwelling Units.

(3) Outdoors. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles located outdoors of dwelling units, including receptacles installed under the eaves of roofs, must be GFCI protected.

Figure 210-7 (Click on image to enlarge)

Author’s Comments:

• Each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling that has an individual entrance at grade level must have at least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet accessible from grade level located not more than 6½ ft above grade [210.52(E)(2)].
• Balconies, decks, and porches that are attached to the dwelling unit and are accessible from inside the dwelling must have at least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet accessible from the balcony, deck, or porch [210.52(E)(3)].

Ex: GFCI protection isn’t required for a receptacle that’s supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to fixed electric snow-melting or deicing or pipeline and vessel heating equipment, if the receptacle isn’t readily accessible and the equipment or receptacle has ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) [426.28 and 427.22].

Figure 210-8 (Click on image to enlarge)

210.8(A)(7) GFCI Protection—Receptacles Near Sinks

This revision clarifies and expands the type of sinks where GFCI protection is required for receptacles.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(A) Dwelling Units.

(7) Sinks. For other than kitchen sinks, GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles located within an arc measurement of 6 ft from the outside edge of the sink.

Figure 210-9 (Click on image to enlarge)

Figure 210-10 (Click on image to enlarge)

ANALYSIS: The list of “laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks” previously contained in this section left out other types of sinks found in a dwelling unit (such as mop sinks). This revision clarifies that GFCI protection is required within 6 ft of all sinks in dwelling units except kitchen sinks, which are already addressed in 210.8(A)(6).

210.8(B)(3) Exceptions, GFCI Protection Rooftop Receptacles

A new allowance for ground-fault protection of equipment for pipeline and vessel heating equipment was added.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(B) Other than Dwelling Units.

(3) Rooftops. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed on rooftops must be GFCI protected.

Figure 210-11 (Click on image to enlarge)

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].

(4) Outdoors. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed outdoors must be GFCI protected.

Figure 210-12 (Click on image to enlarge)

Ex 1 to (3) and (4): GFCI protection isn’t required for a receptacle that’s supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to fixed electric snow-melting or deicing or pipeline and vessel heating equipment, if the receptacle isn’t readily accessible and the equipment or receptacle has ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) [426.28 and 427.22].

ANALYSIS: While the general rule of 210.8(A)(3) and (B)(4) requires GFCI protection for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles located outdoors, the NEC recognizes that some types of equipment need GFPE protection rather than Class A GFCI protection [Article 100]. For quite some time this Code exception has applied to receptacle outlets used for snow-melting and deicing equipment, but it didn’t address pipeline and vessel heating that’s required to have GFPE by 427.22. This revision resolves the dilemma of which type of protection is allowed for these products. This NEC revision also changes the term “dedicated branch circuit” to “branch circuit dedicated to.” Many Code users interpreted the phrase “dedicated branch circuit” as meaning that the circuit couldn’t have more than one outlet on it. The revision clarifies that as long as the circuit serves only the equipment specified in this section, it can have as many outlets as necessary.

210.8(B)(5) Exception, GFCI Protection Receptacles Near Sinks

A revision to this requirement increases the locations of GFCI-protected outlets in patient care areas of health care facilities.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(B) Other than Dwelling Units.

(5) Sinks. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed within 6 ft of the outside edge of a sink must be GFCI protected.

Figure 210-13 (Click on image to enlarge)

Ex 1 to (3) and (4): GFCI protection isn’t required for a receptacle that’s supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to fixed electric snow-melting or deicing or pipeline and vessel heating equipment, if the receptacle isn’t readily accessible and the equipment or receptacle has ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) [426.28 and 427.22].

Ex 2: Receptacles located in patient bed locations of general care or critical care areas of health care facilities aren’t required to be GFCI protected.

ANALYSIS: A change to the 2008 NEC required GFCI protection near all sinks in nondwelling occupancies. One of the concerns raised by this change was the need for life support equipment to be supplied by an outlet that isn’t GFCI protected. Due to this, an exception was written that exempted all receptacles in patient care areas (other than bathrooms). While this certainly took care of the life support issue, it also removed GFCI protection from all other equipment that isn’t life safety oriented. For example, the many sinks found in a dental office were exempt, despite the fact that the patient is often very vulnerable to electric shock due to the invasive nature of many dental procedures. This change more accurately expresses the concerns of the medical community, while adding protection to equipment that isn’t essential to life support.

 

210.8(B)(6) GFCI Protection Receptacles Indoor Wet Location

GFCI protection was added to indoor wet locations of nondwelling occupancies.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(B) Other than Dwelling Units.

(6) Indoor wet locations. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed indoors in wet locations must be GFCI protected.

ANALYSIS: Many areas, such as car washes, food processing areas, and similar locations share the same hazards as outdoor locations, yet GFCI protection has never been required in these locations. This change will now require that these areas receive the same protection against electric shock as required for outdoor locations. It’s worth noting that this change was accepted without any documented incidents cited.

 

210.8(B)(7) GFCI Protection Locker Room Receptacles

A new requirement for GFCI protection of 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles near showering facilities was added.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(B) Other than Dwelling Units.

(7) Locker Rooms. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed in locker rooms with associated showering facilities must be GFCI protected.

ANALYSIS: Requirements for GFCI protection of receptacles in bathrooms have been in place for a very long time. In Article 100, a bathroom is very clearly defined, and not all locker rooms fall under that definition. The hazards that exist in a bathroom are the same that are encountered in a locker room, and perhaps even more so. A typical locker room that has associated showering facilities will probably contain tiled floors that are wet, people with bare feet, and people utilizing electrical appliances (razors, hair dryers, curling irons, and so on). Due to this, GFCI protection was added for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles located in these facilities.

210.8(B)(8) GFCI Protection Garages, Service Bays, and Similar Areas

A new requirement adds GFCI protection for receptacles located in nondwelling unit garages that don’t fall under the scope of Article 511.

210.8 GFCI Protection.

(B) Other than Dwelling Units.

(8) Garages. All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed in garages, service bays, and similar areas where electrical diagnostic equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable lighting equipment are to be used must be GFCI protected.

Figure 210-14 (Click on image to enlarge)

ANALYSIS: This change expands GFCI protection requirements to all commercial garages. Article 511 applies only to those garages “in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are used for fuel or power.” A facility that repairs only diesel powered vehicles doesn’t fall under the requirements of Article 511, because diesel fuel is a combustible liquid, not a flammable liquid. Although the same electric shock hazards exist regardless of the fuel type employed, areas that use only diesel fuel didn’t require GFCI protection in previous editions of the Code.

Don't let the scale of the code changes intimidate you, this package will get you up to speed on the most essential 2011 NEC changes quickly. The book is well-organized, easy to follow, and the full-color illustrations bring the material to life. The DVDs bring together a group of experts from the field to discuss the changes and how they apply in the real-world. This program includes the following items: Changes to the NEC 2011 Textbook Changes to the NEC 2011 DVD 1 & 2 includes Articles 90 - 810 Product Code: 11CCDVD Price: $198.00