GFCI Minimum Standards Updated
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Every three years, The National Electrical Code® is revised and updated to reflect the minimum standards in electrical design and installation. The NEC has been adopted in all 50 states to protect people and property from electrical hazards. In fact, the NEC has reduced home electrocutions by 83% in the last forty years.
2020 updates to the NEC include expanded requirements for ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection in homes with the goal of promoting safety and reducing the risk of electrical shocks. The NEC now requires GFCI protection in receptacles up to 250 volts, like dryers and ranges, in certain locations of the home. The new regulations also expand protection to include all basements, whether finished or unfinished.
Because GFCIs should be used in all areas where water may come into contact with electrical products, the NEC requires that all outdoor outlets also have proper GFCI protection. The guidelines identify eleven specific areas where GFCIs should be used, with few exceptions. These areas include:
Bathrooms
Garages
Outdoors
Crawlspaces
Basements
Kitchens
Sinks
Boathouses
Bathtubs or shower stalls
Laundry areas
Indoor damp and wet locations
Giles Property Inspection can answer any questions you may have about GFCI protection in your home and ensure that your property meets all requirements of the 2020 NEC. The minimal cost of upgrading your home to meet the current requirements is well worth the protection you’ll provide for your home and family.
