NEC Code Application: 210.8
NEC Article 210.8 (A): Subset A of NEC article 210.8 relates to all the areas in a dwelling (home) that require GFCI protection for 125-volt as well as 250-volt receptacles. This includes; kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, outdoors, boathouses, and laundry areas. This code was put into place to protect homeowners from encountering electrical shock hazards in wet environments in their homes. The best form of protection is through installing a GFCI within 6ft of running water regarding appliances they can come into contact with within their dwelling.
NEC Article 210.8(B): Subset B of NEC article 210.8 relates to non-dwelling (x. workplaces) areas that require GFCI protection. It has a larger range of electrical protection involved, including 125-volt and 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits up to 50 Amps, and all receptacles supplied by three phase branch circuits supplying up to 100 Amps. This has similar relating areas from subset A, including; commercial kitchens, areas w/ sinks (involving food/beverage prep), buffet serving areas, bathrooms, sinks (where are receptacle or plug-in stationary appliance is located), rooftops, outdoors, indoor damp/wet locations, locker rooms, garages (accessory buildings, services bays & similar areas), aquariums (or similar open aquatic vessels/containers), and laundry areas. The updates to this code (in 2020, with 2023 having similar language) have created a more demanding regiment of GFCI protection, especially in commercial kitchen environments with more language being added to this code specifying where Class A protection is needed.
NEC Article 210.8(D): Subset D of NEC article 210.8 relates to the specific appliances that require Class A GFCI protection on their respective supply outlets, up to 60 Amps, for single or 3-phase applications. This article subset further reinforces NEC article 422.5(A), where it names 7 of the 12 types of applications that require Class A protection that must be integral to the appliance. These 12 applications include; vending machines, dishwashers, automotive vacuum machines, drinking watercoolers/bottle fill stations, pressure washers, tire inflation machines, electric ranges, sump pumps, wall-mounted ovens, microwave ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and clothes dryers.
NEC Article 210.8(F): Subset F of NEC article 210.8, which was a new addition to the 2020 code, relates to outdoor outlets of dwellings. This is where definitions start to get blurred, because outlets, according to NEC definition, are any point in a wiring system where the current is taken to supply equipment. So, this means that outdoor hardwired appliances (x. HVAC systems) require Class A GFCI protection. However, this code has been amended during the 2020 code timeframe, specifically for HVAC equipment until 2026, because HVAC systems need to be updated to make sure that their systems can function properly with GFCI integration. In 2023 the language expanded to include garages, accessory buildings, and boathouses.
What does this code mean?
The main takeaway from this specific NEC Article is that you need Class A GFCI protection in most (if not all) areas of your home as well as in any workplace area that involves running water. It denotes the specific circuits that require protection as well as what appliances need that same protection. While you can find most of the 15-20 Amp GFCI’s for your home in receptacle outlet form, NSS can provide you with Class A GFCI products from 20-60 Amps single and three-phase to adhere to NEC Article 210.8 code requirements for your place of work, as well as residentially.