Do all outlets ina garage have to be GFI?

[kook04]

I was reading a page which summarizes the national electrical code, and I stumbled upon this:

"Every basement and garage must have at least one receptacle, and all must be GFI protected".

Am I understanding this correctly. I apologize for my ignorance.

Here is the page I was reading:

http://www.nojolt.com/residential_electrical_wiring_rough_in_guide.shtml#Branch-Circuits

Thanks...

 

[Defender Chassis]

Yes, any outlet that is accesible from a slab on grade (concrete floor).

 

[tfi racing]

Only in America!North of the border,only the exterior garage receptacles need to be GFI protected.

 

[boiler7904]

It's correct.

There are three ways to get the GFI protection:
1. Use a GFI breaker and then standard receptacles at each location.
2. Use a GFI receptacle at the location closest to the panel and then feed standard receptacles through that location.
3. Use GFI receptacles at each location - not exactly cost effective.

 

[skeletonizer]

I have three circuits of outlets in my shop. The first outlet on each is a GFI. All subsequent outlets on those circuits is fed off the GFI's. The standard outlets are pigtailed. The GFI's obviously are not pigtailed or the rest of the outlets would not be protected by the GFI.

Not sure if this is code everywhere but it passed inspection here.

I guess that would be option #2 in boiler's post.

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

I was reading a page which summarizes the national electrical code, and I stumbled upon this:

"Every basement and garage must have at least one receptacle, and all must be GFI protected".

Am I understanding this correctly. I apologize for my ignorance.

Here is the page I was reading:

http://www.nojolt.com/residential_electrical_wiring_rough_in_guide.shtml#Branch-Circuits

Thanks...

I believe the GFCI requirement you speak of is for *general* or undedicated utility receptacles and does not apply to dedicated receptacles (e.g., welder, reefer, garage door opener) or ckts

 

[Charles (in GA)]

210.8 (A) (2) Requires GFCI for 125 volt 15 and 20 amp circuits that are readily accessible, those not readily accessible or receptacle for an appliance located within the dedicated space for that appliance are exempt.

This would be a true statement under the 2005 code. Under the 2008 code this exception for appliances has been eliminated. Appliances also have to be on GFCI protected circuits unless the receptacle is not "readily accessable" (which is generally considered to be at least 7 ft off the floor).

Charles

 

[Torque1st]

Isn't a single receptacle, not a duplex receptacle, dedicated to an appliance exempt?

A receptacle 7 ft off the floor would be "readily accessible" for me.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I sat and compared the two codes side by side just now. The 2008 code drops the appliance exception altogether, and only leaves as exceptions, outside receptacles, not readily accessible, supplied by a dedicated circuit, and intended for snow melting or de-icing, and also excepted are dedicated receptacles that supply permanent burglar and fire alarm installations. Those are the only exceptions remaining in 210.8(A).

Charles

 

[Torque1st]

Hmmm, since I have a circuit for a sump pump it will have to be hard wired or I will have to remove the GFI once the inspector is gone. I will not have a sump pump on a GFI.

Nobody in their right mind would want a freezer in the basement or garage on a GFI either.

 

[jay50]

Only if you applied for inspection permit to do the electrical

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hmmm, since I have a circuit for a sump pump it will have to be hard wired or I will have to remove the GFI once the inspector is gone. I will not have a sump pump on a GFI.

Nobody in their right mind would want a freezer in the basement or garage on a GFI either.

On a personal, non business related level I agree with you 100% I would not want to risk those financial losses either.

 

[nadogail]

Hmmm, since I have a circuit for a sump pump it will have to be hard wired or I will have to remove the GFI once the inspector is gone. I will not have a sump pump on a GFI.

Nobody in their right mind would want a freezer in the basement or garage on a GFI either.

My sentiments exactly

 

[nate379]

Are most places going on 2008 code now? I know here they aren't since it hasn't been passed into effect. (not sure what that process involves??)

This would be a true statement under the 2005 code. Under the 2008 code this exception for appliances has been eliminated. Appliances also have to be on GFCI protected circuits unless the receptacle is not "readily accessable" (which is generally considered to be at least 7 ft off the floor).

Charles

 

[Torque1st]

Anyone know of an alarm unit that can be wired into a circuit to give an indication that power has been lost?

 

[nissan_crawler]

Hmmm, since I have a circuit for a sump pump it will have to be hard wired or I will have to remove the GFI once the inspector is gone. I will not have a sump pump on a GFI.

Nobody in their right mind would want a freezer in the basement or garage on a GFI either.

Agreed. My fridge was on one. After two failed GFI's in under a year, I put a regular outlet in.

My garage isn't GFI, and won't be. When I sell it, I will install GFI breakers to comply. Until then, no way.

It had GFI's, and they burned up left and right.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Anyone know of an alarm unit that can be wired into a circuit to give an indication that power has been lost?

By name, no. But yes. I know of people that have mentioned having exactly that on the sump pump, because it runs even without recent rain.

 

[Torque1st]

I like to run emergency standby circuits like one for a sump pump or freezer with a light or something else that I use at least every other day or so on the same circuit as an "indicator" for a tripped breaker.

Those sump pumps that have float switches with the power cord running under the water or those pressure switches with a vent to the surface seem to have problems with GFI circuits. From what I have found a thin film of moisture will eventually seep past the seals that conducts enough current to trip the GFI. I have seen many perfectly functional sump pumps of those types thrown in the dumpster because people thought they were bad. Water will migrate thru many materials one molecule at a time and accumulate.

I have an old hand dug well on my property that will go artesian every few years in the spring. When it does my sump pump will run on about a 33% duty cycle. I have to have a reliable sump pump or my basement can flood.