All You Need to Know About GFCI Outlets

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All You Need to Know About GFCI Outlets

    All You Need to Know About GFCI Outlets
    When it comes to electricity, safety has always been a major concern, but thanks to the development of ground fault 

circuit interrupter GFCI outlet (GFCIs), the risk of being severely 

shocked or electrocuted is greatly reduced. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 

electrocutions are down 83 percent since the 1970s when GFCIs were introduced. These quick-to-react outlets are required by 

law in new home construction, and it’s a good idea to put them in older homes as well. Read on for must-know info on GFCIs

—what they are, how they work, and where to install them.

    In your home, the flow of electricity is contained within wires covered with rubber- or plastic-based insulating 

material. When everything goes as planned, the electrical current runs safely through the insulated wires to switches and 

wall plate outlets and on to the many appliances and gadgets we take for 

granted today. But in its raw state, electricity has a “mind” of its own, and left to its own devices—as evidenced by 

most lightning strikes—it makes a beeline for the ground.

    A ground fault is the occurrence of electricity taking an unintended path to the ground. It occurs when the electrical 

current escapes the insulated wires, as a result of a damaged cord or faulty wiring, and flows through a different 

conductor. If that different conductor is a human being, the result can be a serious electrical shock or electrocution. 

Because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, the risk of a ground fault occurring is greater in areas of your 

home where water is commonly used, such as near a kitchen sink.

    The singular purpose of a new GFCI outlet is to 

prevent electrical injury to humans, something regular outlets are not equipped to do. A standard household outlet features 

two, three-prong plug-in slots, while a GFCI outlet features the same plug-in configuration plus two buttons on its face: a 

“TEST” button and a “RESET” button. The rules requiring the installation of the GFCI outlets in new construction has 

expanded over the years to include more applicable locations:

    Normally, electrical current flows at a uniform rate through wiring, but when a ground fault occurs, the flow of 

electricity surges as it jumps to the unintended conductor. A GFCI outlet contains a sensor that monitors the flow of the 

electrical current through the wires, and when it senses a ground fault (in electrical terms, “fault” means any variation 

from the normal current), the GFCI, which also contains an internal switch, shuts off the flow of electricity in the 

outlet.

    While you may still receive a painful shock, the [url=http://www.3gracegfci.com/gfci-outlet/south-america-gfci-

outlet/]South America GFCI outlet[/url] will prevent a prolonged surge of electricity, the type that injures and kills. A 

standard outlet, like the type in your bedroom, doesn’t have a sensor.

    The National Electric Code (NEC) requires the installation of GFCI outlets in new construction in areas where 

electrical outlets are in close proximity to water. Older homes are not required to have GFCI outlets unless the wiring is 

being updated, but it’s a good idea to install them anyway.

    The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on 

all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets 

within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. They should also be installed within six feet of a wet bar 

and in garages and unfinished basements.

    In bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas where water fixtures are not found, regular outlets are fine—and they are 

still installed in today’s new homes. The ESFI estimates that approximately 43 million homes in the U.S. still 

do not have GFCIs installed in “wet” rooms, and notes that as many as 47 percent of today’s electrocutions could be 

prevented in older homes if GFCIs were installed.

    A DIYer with basic knowledge of electrical wiring may be able to replace an existing outlet with a 

decorative GFCI plate (instructions below), but 

only when swapping out a three-prong outlet—two plugin slots and a hole. Outlets with only two slots and no third hole 

indicate the presence of older wiring that should only be replaced by a licensed electrician.

    The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with three 

attached wires (remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires) indicate that the outlet is located 

at the end of an electrical circuit (a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel). An outlet with five 

attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated—only a licensed 

electrician should replace those outlets.

    Replacing an existing outlet at the end of a circuit (as explained above) is not particularly difficult, but the task 

requires some experience. You should understand how outlets are wired and how electrical current travels from the breaker 

panel through each electrical circuit (wiring loop) in your home. Some communities prohibit homeowners from doing their own 

wiring, so check with your local building authority before you start.

    During the recent 2020 code review, panel members of the National Electrical Code (NEC) approved changes to ground 

fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. Those changes dramatically reduce the dangers associated with electrical 

hazard and shock. The most significant change is the increase of amp protection ratings across all receptacle outlets, both 

indoor and outdoor, wherever GFCI protection is required. 

    The 2020 change
    Code-making panel 2 (CMP 2) updated text to read, “All 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in the 

locations specified in 210.8(A) (1) through (11) and supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to 

ground shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.” In layman’s terms, the NEC removed amp 

values across all amp-rated receptacle outlets requiring GFCI protection in the areas listed in this section. 

    The rationale for change
    NEC 2017 language only accounts for 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlets for dwelling units. During 2020 code review 

meetings, panel members agreed that hazards always exist; if 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlets present a hazard, that 

hazard also exists on 30-amp and higher receptacle outlets. However, it was difficult to understand the likelihood of a 

hazardous occurrence when weighed against expanded requirements. Recent home-based electrocution accidents – a 10-

year-old girl behind an energized appliance, a child in Oklahoma retrieving a pet behind a clothes dryer, 

a 10-year-old Houston boy playing hide and seek — helped panel members realize the need for change. In light of 

these tragic events, we now have a requirement that sets a higher standard across more areas of the Code, though there are 

some exceptions discussed later in this blog.

    What might the future hold?
    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. The reality is when people have a problem with a tripped circuit, it's entirely possible 

they’ll use an extension cord to plug into a receptacle outlet that's not GFCI protected. Doing so does nothing to 

eliminate the original hazard potentially caused by the device in use. I hope that NEC members account for the human factor 

and require GFCI coverage throughout the home during the next code review.


    The 2020 change
    The NEC expanded GFCI protection for dwelling units with basements both finished and unfinished. 

    The rationale for change
    Often afterthoughts that present unique hazards, basements are typically not as well maintained as other areas of the 

home. Further, environments are often wet and damp, and moisture is a great conductor. These code updates help ensure that 

accidents due to factors such as leakage current and contact with water are considerably lessened or eliminated. 

    What might the future hold?
    Many rooms in a home are already required to have GFCI protection. While it feels like the most logical code 

progression, others in the industry still pushback on requiring GFCIs throughout a home claiming financial concerns or 

installation problems. As with the parental language update, I believe this code change can inspire discussions to include 

GFCIs throughout the home. 

    The NEC expanded GFCI protection under Article 210.63(A) for HVAC equipment and Article 210.63(B) for indoor service 

equipment and indoor equipment requiring dedicated space.

    The rationale for change
    Equipment location is at the crux of this update. While HVAC equipment in the basement is covered now that all basement 

circuits are GFCI protected, HVAC equipment located in attics and other areas would likely not have GFCI protection. CMP 2 

recognized that many HVAC areas are typically tight working spaces where technicians perform justified energized work (they 

can’t troubleshoot a de-energized circuit). In essence, the update assures equipment requiring service has a GFCI-

protected receptacle outlet for ready access.  

    What might the future hold?
    Because this is the NEC’s first venture into expanding 210.63, I expect some inspectors and contractors may not see 

eye to eye on code language. Industry discussions across the country and during future review cycles will help the NEC make 

future improvements. 

   The NEC updated the Code for outdoor electrical 

outlet plates supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts to ground or less, 50 amps or less. Key to 

this update: it extends beyond receptacle outlets to include all outlets. Now all hard-wired equipment falls under the Code

’s purview. 

    The rationale for change
    One downfall of the electrical business is that it’s more reactive than proactive, with accidents often the catalyst 

for change. Numerous incidents inspired this code change, including an accident involving a 12-year-old boy who 

jumped over a fence and touched an AC condenser unit with an electrical fault. The outer metal housing was electrified and 

the child was fatally electrocuted immediately upon coming in contact with the condenser and fence 

simultaneously.  

    What might the future hold?
    GFCI technology is unforgiving in that it’s built to detect even the slightest power variance, and when expanded to 

include outlets impacting new types of loads, questions arise. With GFCIs installed, leakage-current trips may be near 

constant, rendering large equipment unusable. In the future, I hope industries rethink products with acceptable leakage 

current, hertz and frequency values to reduce future compatibility issues.

    Further, this change will likely spur discussions related to current GFCI requirements focusing only on receptacle 

outlets. Hardwiring equipment does not eliminate the electrical hazard. I venture someone will propose public inputs during 

the next code-review cycle to

    The NEC reviewed all locations with a GFCI requirement and aligned with Article 210.8. Updates were made in many 

locations to include text, such as “in addition to the requirements of 210.8” and similar, to clarify language and 

eliminate misinterpretation.  

    The rationale for change
    The NEC included Article 210.8(B) for other than dwelling units in 1993. Before its inclusion, builders relied on 

requirements in later chapters of the Code (chapters five through seven), for safety guidance. For example, RV Park GFCI 

requirements added in 1978 aligned with 210.8’s 15- and 20-amp receptacle outlet GFCI protection philosophy at that time. 

NEC 2017 created some confusion when 210.8(B) increased GFCI protection requirements beyond 15- and 20-amp receptacle 

outlets for other than dwelling units. This presented a challenge: a chapter two requirement applied a generally wider 

level of GFCI protection. This conflicted with chapter five, which has less coverage of GFCI protection.

    The correlating committee recognized similar conflicts exist across industries and formulated a task group that 

challenged every code panel to look at their GFCI requirements and attempt to align them with 210.8’s 50-amp increase. 

 

   What might the future hold?
    Each code panel performed their review; some made changes, others did not. There is room for discussion in future 

revisions of the Code regarding shock hazards in the special other than dwelling unit applications. I believe the NEC will 

soon increase its focus on GFCIs and hopefully add clarity as each application in chapters five through seven approaches 

GFCI protection differently.  

    While representatives in agriculture and RV industries have valid concerns about nuisance tripping, I believe the NEC 

should revisit Article 547 for agricultural buildings and Article 551 for RVs and RV parks to address valid shock hazard 

concerns and consider increasing GFCI protection to 50 amps.

    The rationale for change
    Farming and RV industries rely on circuits that operate at well over 20 amps, yet no safety requirements exist. Much of 

the equipment used in these industries can be quite old with leakage current a serious concern. In my opinion, the Code 

lacks parity in how safety requirements exist in some industries and not in others. That must change.

    The studies needed to promote change exist. The University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska have uncovered many 

incidents where farmers lost their lives due to faulty agricultural electrical equipment. Further, RV “hot skin,” a 

situation where the entirety of an RV’s outer housing becomes energized due to electrical faults, can kill in an instant, 

as was the case when a young boy died when touching an RV. If RV parks and farms running 30- to 50-amp receptacles 

without GFCI protection is not deemed a concern worth addressing, how can anyone claim running 30- to 50-amp receptacles 

outside of dwelling units is a hazard? Common sense dictates both are hazards and change is necessary. 

    What might the future hold?
    I appreciate that equipment compatibility issues on farms and at RV parks may require much time and financial capital 

to resolve. However, I cannot condone sitting idle as lives are lost. I hope a series of discussions during the next code 

review cycle inspires commissioning an NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation study to further understand the 

implications of expanding GFCI protection beyond 15 and 20 amps in RV parks and farms. Let’s study the problem, understand 

the challenges and determine solutions that increase safety.