210.8
GFCI Protection Requirements
A GFCI monitors the current flowing out on the hot conductor and returning on the neutral. If even a tiny difference (as little as 4 to 6 milliamps) is detected — meaning current is leaking through a person, through water, or through damaged insulation to ground — the GFCI trips in a fraction of a second. Section 210.8(A) lists all the dwelling-unit locations where every receptacle must be GFCI-protected, and 210.8(B) does the same for commercial and other occupancies. Before the 2023 cycle, the rule only applied to 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles. The 2023 NEC expanded coverage to include all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground — removing the old ampere cap for dwelling units and setting a 50-ampere single-phase / 100-ampere three-phase limit for non-dwelling locations under 210.8(B). This means a 240-volt receptacle for a kitchen range, a water heater, or a window air conditioner in a dwelling now needs GFCI protection if it is in a listed location. The 2026 NEC pushed even further, expanding the dwelling-unit list from 12 to 14 locations, the non-dwelling list from 15 to 16 locations, raising the outdoor-outlet threshold from 50 to 60 amperes, and introducing HF-rated GFCIs to address nuisance tripping from variable-frequency drives.
When You Need This
- Wiring or rewiring any bathroom, kitchen, garage, basement, crawl space, laundry room, or outdoor receptacle in a dwelling
- Installing receptacles in a commercial kitchen, locker room, service bay, rooftop, or any indoor damp or wet location
- Adding a 240-volt receptacle for a range, water heater, or air conditioner in a dwelling-unit kitchen or bathroom under the 2023 NEC or later
- Preparing for an electrical licensing exam — GFCI location requirements appear on virtually every test
- Performing a final inspection checklist to verify all required locations have GFCI protection before calling the inspector
- Troubleshooting nuisance GFCI trips — understanding which locations mandate GFCI helps determine if removing the protection is even allowed
Key Points
Common Mistakes
Assuming GFCI is only required for receptacles within a certain distance of water — some locations like garages, basements, and outdoors require GFCI for every receptacle regardless of proximity to water
Forgetting that the 2023 NEC expanded GFCI to 250-volt receptacles — a 240V baseboard heater receptacle in a bathroom now needs GFCI protection
Only protecting the countertop receptacles in a kitchen — the 2023 NEC requires GFCI for all receptacles in the kitchen, including the refrigerator and dishwasher circuits
Confusing GFCI protection (shock protection at 4 to 6 milliamps) with AFCI protection (arc-fault detection) — they serve different safety purposes
Not providing GFCI for a receptacle on a covered porch or under an overhang — if it can be accessed from outdoors, it counts as an outdoor receptacle
Assuming a finished basement is exempt — all basement receptacles require GFCI whether the space is finished or unfinished
Exam Tip
The exam loves to test whether you know which specific locations require GFCI. Memorize all 12 dwelling-unit locations in 210.8(A). The tricky ones are boathouses, indoor damp or wet locations, and the 6-foot-from-sink rule. Also remember that under the 2023 NEC, the voltage threshold expanded to 250V — older study guides may only reference 125V.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The 2023 NEC requires GFCI protection for all receptacles in a dwelling-unit kitchen, including the refrigerator outlet. Some electricians worry about nuisance trips spoiling food, but modern GFCI devices are highly reliable and the code does not provide a refrigerator exception.
Before 2023, GFCI was only required for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles. The 2023 NEC expanded coverage to all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles on single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, with no ampere cap for dwelling units. This means a 240-volt kitchen range outlet, a water heater receptacle, or a window AC unit in a listed location now requires GFCI protection.
No. GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protects people from electric shock by detecting current leaking to ground — it trips at 4 to 6 milliamps. AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protects against electrical fires by detecting dangerous arcing conditions in wiring. Some locations require both, and combination AFCI/GFCI breakers are available.
Yes. CEC Rule 26-700 requires Class A GFCI protection for receptacles in similar locations, including within 1.5 metres of sinks, bathtubs, and shower stalls. Both the CEC and NEC define Class A GFCIs with the same trip threshold: they must trip at 6 milliamps or more and must not trip at 4 milliamps or less (effectively a 5 mA nominal trip point).
Related Code Sections
This is an educational summary, not the official code text. The NEC® is a registered trademark and copyright © National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The CEC is copyright © CSA Group. For official code text, visit nfpa.org or csagroup.org. SparkShift is not affiliated with NFPA or CSA Group.