NEC 2023 · Section 210.8
NEC 210.8 — GFCI Protection Requirements
Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is required for 125V through 250V receptacles installed in the locations listed below. Applies to single-phase receptacles rated 15A and 20A in dwelling units (Section 210.8(A)), and to all listed non-dwelling locations (Section 210.8(B)).
210.8(A) — Dwelling Units
All 125V through 250V receptacles installed in the following locations in dwelling units shall have GFCI protection.
| Location | Scope |
|---|---|
| Bathrooms | All receptacles |
| Garages and accessory buildings | All receptacles at or below 150V to ground, ≤ 20A single- or 3-phase |
| Outdoors | All receptacles |
| Crawl spaces | Receptacles at or below grade level |
| Unfinished basements | All receptacles (not including receptacles for fire alarms, fire suppression, or permanently installed burglar alarm) |
| Kitchens | Receptacles serving countertop surfaces |
| Sinks | Receptacles within 6 ft of the outer edge |
| Boathouses | All receptacles |
| Bathtubs and shower stalls | Receptacles within 6 ft |
| Laundry areas | All receptacles |
210.8(B) — Other Than Dwelling Units
GFCI protection required for all 125V through 250V receptacles rated 150V to ground or less, ≤ 50A single-phase or ≤ 100A three-phase, in the following locations.
| Location | Scope |
|---|---|
| Bathrooms | All receptacles |
| Commercial / institutional kitchens | Receptacles near sinks or serving counter surfaces |
| Rooftops | All receptacles |
| Outdoors in public spaces | All receptacles |
| Indoor wet locations | All receptacles |
| Locker rooms (with shower) | All receptacles |
| Garages, service bays, vehicle repair areas | All receptacles not exceeding 150V to ground, ≤ 60A |
| Unfinished portions of industrial establishments | Receptacles where equipment is serviced |
Common Exceptions & Clarifications
- • Receptacles not readily accessible, installed for appliances in dedicated spaces, are typically exempt (see Section 210.8(A) exceptions).
- • A GFCI receptacle protects downstream non-GFCI receptacles on the same circuit — single-point protection is permitted.
- • GFCI circuit breakers protect all receptacles and hardwired loads on the entire branch circuit.
- • Snow-melting and de-icing equipment under Section 426.28 has its own GFCI rules — see Article 426.
- • Replacement receptacles in locations that now require GFCI must be GFCI-protected even where no ground is present (GFCI-only receptacle required with "No Equipment Ground" label).
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