A fridge doesn’t need a GFCI.
Ah, but what if the fridge was one that had a water supply attached. Then it would be in the DANGER zone of water…
No it would not!
Read this thread…
“All commercial buildings/kitchens are required to have GFCI for refrigerators. See NEC 210.8(B)(2).
In a Dwelling Unit (house or apartment) refrigerators located inside the kitchen do NOT have to have a GFCI. See 210.8(A)(6), Exhibit 210.13, 210.52(B)(1), 210.52(B)(2), 210.52(B)(3), and Exhibit 210.28. If the circuit feeding the refrigerator outlet is branched to any other outlet, it must be a 20-A circuit. If the circuit feeding the refrigerator outlet is a dedicated individual circuit, than it can be either 15-A or 20-A.
In a garage or an unfinished basement of a Dwelling unit, the refrigerator must have a GFCI circuit. In fact ALL outlets must be GFCI in garages and unfinished basements. See 210.8(A)(2) and Exhibit 210.10.”
The connection to a water source is not really relevant, even a washing machine does not require GFCI protection.
I would say that depends on the local AHJ. I see many new construction with the entire laundry room required to have GFCI.
IMO they’ve gone overboard requiring GFCI at sump pumps and garage door openers.
If the AHJ follows the NEC it’s not required for a washing machine it could be required for other reasons.
I had a friend get “bit” the other day. Truss mounted pull down work light with metal cage, plugged into the garage door opener ceiling receptacle. Had his grinder plugged into the spare plug on the light. What about drop down metal framed fluorescent light fixtures that are within reach? It isn’t just used for garage door openers.
Murphies law?
I agree that they can be used for other things, but many, at least around these parts, are mounted in 9 feet high ceilings and there main function is to power the overhead opener.
I know they make battery back-ups and in the case of the sump pump, water driven back-ups, but I prefer not to have to rely on them because of a power surge. Just my 2 cents on the matter.
I’m aware that refrigerators were not required to be on a GFCI circuit prior to the 2014 NEC, but neither were dishwasher. My question is aimed directly at the 2014 NEC.
Does the 2014 NEC require refrigerators in the kitchen of single family dwellings to be on a GFCI protected circuit?
I’m pretty sure, based on material already posted in this thread (Thank you by the way!), that it is still NOT required but I’m just looking for a firm confirmation because, as I mentioned before, there are new homes going up in my area that have the refrigerator receptacle on a GFCI circuit and I can’t understand why any builder would do that if they weren’t required to do so by code.
Additionally, just to throw in my two cents…
Up till now, I’ve always written up a GFCI’d refrigerator as a deficiency whenever I’ve seen it and I will continue to do so until I confirm that doing so is in opposition to code because any such requirement is flat out stupidity. Having the GFCI trip while you’re on vacation is a great way to make a huge, smelly, disgusting mess! All I can say is that the NEC’s days are number if they want to inconvenience the whole world to protect the .000000001% of people who are too stupid to keep themselves from running an extension cord from the refrigerator plug into their bathroom so they can blow dry their hair while taking a shower.
My message to those in favor of GFCIs and/or AFCIs anywhere and everywhere is this, YOU CANNOT FIX STUPID!
Clete
Nope.
Gfi protection is for LIFE safety, not food safety. Refrigerators work fine on gfi protected circuits and it is required in commercial kitchens. Writing up a refrigerator on a gfi as a deficiency? Are you kidding? I guess that gallon of milk Is more important than a human. How often do you think a gfi trips?
I believe that refrigerators within 6’ of the sink are going to require gfi under the 2014 NEC, but have not read that for myself.
Its a fair “right up” IMHO (I wouldn’t personally want my fridge on a gfci and would appreciate information about why if I was ignorant about the topic). Its not uncommon to see bad wiring in homes and kitchens. A tripped gfci outlet that powers a fridge could be an issue, especially if a reset button is behind the thing. There are way too many people who dont know how to reset gfci outlets or understand that they fail which could ruin alot of food and be a serious, and costly inconvenience more often than you might suspect.
PS, I’ve managed apartments and have seen significant numbers of gfci trips. Old appliances have plugs worn out and can become fickle.
The old appliances that trip a gfi need to be replaced or repaired.
Spoiled food is less of an expense than a funeral because someone received a fatal shock from a defective refrigerator.
I really don’t understand some people. One wanted to write it up simply because the ice maker had water and was a hazard, yet others are concerned about lost food, but not the prevention of a shock.
I don’t know if there is one more current than this.
Yes the 2014 added any receptacle within 6’ of a sink but the refrigerator itself does not require protection.
Robert, can you post that change? I don’t have the 14 yet. Thanks.
Sure:
2011 NEC:
2014 NEC:
The 2014 (7) seems redundant and poorly worded. How is the distance measured? By the drape of the cord such that in cabinet receptacles for disposals and DW would require GFI or another more linear measurement?
The requirement hasn’t changed as far as the wording for measuring the 6’, the words *“**located in areas other than kitchens” *were removed to include kitchen receptacles.
So say I have a sink base, a 24" cabinet and then the refrigerator. It seems that the receptacle for the refrigerator would need GFI protection under the 14? Does this also apply to receptacles in cabinets?