pcampbell
April 21, 2013, 11:57pm
1
In Vero Beach, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce, FL I typically find NO GFCI protection at the exterior balcony receptacles.
My interp is that GFCI prot is required at all wet area receptacles since 1973…
jkeilson
April 22, 2013, 12:29am
2
Pete I am not sure about Florida, but here they are required on all exterior outlet regardless of height. I do a bunch of condo inspections and even on upper floor balconies they are required.
Jim
jpope
April 22, 2013, 1:02am
3
pcampbell:
In Vero Beach, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce, FL I typically find NO GFCI protection at the exterior balcony receptacles.
My interp is that GFCI prot is required at all wet area receptacles since 1973…
Not quite, but exterior receptacles have been required by the NEC to include GFCI protection since then…
rmeier2
April 22, 2013, 1:41am
4
There was an exception back about 20 years ago for receptacles without direct grade access and being above 6’6" or something to do for those without direct access to the ground.
pcampbell
April 22, 2013, 1:52am
5
Hmmm. I wonder what direct grade access has to do with it. Outside is outside, and hi-rise balcs get wet a lot.
Seems like a way for developers to save a lot of money.
Then what about balcs on 2nd and 3rd levels of houses?
Jim_Port
April 22, 2013, 2:29am
6
Under codes more recent than the ones mentioned by Robert, the 2nd and 3rd floor exterior receptacles would need GFI protection.
rmeier2
April 22, 2013, 8:42am
7
Here’s the wording from the 1987 NEC. Not sure when the 6’6" rule was removed but I would guess it was sometime in the 90’s.
210-8(a)(3) All 125 volt, single phase, 15- and 20- ampere receptacles installed outdoors where there is direct grade access to the dwelling unit and to the receptacles shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
For the purpose of this section, “direct grade access” is defined as being located not more than 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98m) above grade level and being readily accessible without entering or passing through a dwelling unit.
evandeven
April 22, 2013, 1:38pm
8
pcampbell:
In Vero Beach, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce, FL I typically find NO GFCI protection at the exterior balcony receptacles.
My interp is that GFCI prot is required at all wet area receptacles since 1973…
It depends on when the code was adopted. Here in Coconut Creek, it was 1974 for exterior receptacles and bathrooms. Our house was built in 1971 and has neither.