Kitchen GFCIs

Archive Public Archive
1

Originally Posted By: mlong
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Regarding the GFCIs at kitchen counters, do all the receptacles at the counters have to be on GFCIs, or is determined by the distance from the sink, or some other criteria?

–
Mark Long


Peace of Mind Home Inspections


http://www.pomhi.net

2

Originally Posted By: lewens
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Code check says recepticals serving kitchen counters

–
Just my usual 12.5 cents


From The Great White North Eh?
NACHI-CAN
www.aciss-brant.com
www.certifiedadulttrainingservices.com/
3

Originally Posted By: bsumpter
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


According to 1999 and 2002 NEC 210-8a6:


Receps serving kitchen counters.

--
"In the fields of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared"

Louis Pasteur

4

Originally Posted By: mboyett
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


“All 125-volt, single-phase, 15 & 20 ampere receptacles that serve countertop surfaces shall have ground-fault-interrupter protection for personnel.” - 1999 & 2002 NEC 210-8a6 and 2003 IRC E3802.6.

–
Mike Boyett


Capital City Inspections


Austin, Tx


www.capcityinspections.com

5

Originally Posted By: aslimack
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


I believe 1996 is when they changed it to ALL kitchen counters. I think the “within 6 ft. of the sink”, prior to that was from 87’ to 96’.


Might want to verify that, but thats the way i remember it.

Adam, A Plus

6

Originally Posted By: lkage
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Adam has a good memory.


Here is a list of dates for GFCI requirements I believe to be correct:

DATES GFCI REQUIREMENTS WERE ESTABLISHED:
1971 Receptacles within 15 feet of pool walls
1971 All equipment used with storable swimming pools
1973 All outdoor receptacles
1974 Construction Sites
1975 Bathrooms, 120-volt pool lights, and fountain equipment
1978 Garages, spas, and hydromassage tubs
1978 Outdoor receptacles above 6ft.6in. grade access exempted
1984 Replacement of non-grounding receptacles with no grounding conductor allowed
1984 Pool cover motors
1984 Distance of GFCI protection extended to 20 feet from pool walls
1987 Unfinished basements
1987 Kitchen countertop receptacles within 6 feet of sink
1987 Boathouses
1990 Crawlspaces (with exception for sump pumps or other dedicated equip.)
1993 Wet bar countertops within 6 feet of sink
1993 Any receptacle replaced in an area presently requiring GFCI
1996 All kitchen counters ? not just those within 6 feet of sink
1996 All exterior receptacles except dedicated de-icing tape receptacle
1996 Unfinished accessory buildings at or below grade
1999 Exemption for dedicated equipment in crawlspace removed

--
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei

7

Originally Posted By: mlong
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Thanks for the input, guys!

–
Mark Long


Peace of Mind Home Inspections


http://www.pomhi.net

8

Originally Posted By: sobrien
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


I have been told a few times over the years (by electricians) that GFCI outlets will generate lots of nuisance trips if used with some of the more demanding ?quick start? kitchen appliances. Is this true or not?


Sean ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif)

9

Originally Posted By: rbennett
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Mr OBrian


Not so - the key word is "lots" One wants to not to use them on some critical loads like freezers and refrigerators and perhaps in house medical life support equipment

The GFCI is a people protector but it does have limits - It will not protect you or your child if they get between hot and the neutral lead just hot and ground if properly installed and tested

Would like to know what prompted the question

Regards

Richard L Bennett
Home Inspector

10

Originally Posted By: lkage
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


rbennett wrote:
The GFCI is a people protector but it does have limits - It will not protect you or your child if they get between hot and the neutral lead just hot and ground if properly installed and tested

Regards

Richard L Bennett
Home Inspector


GFCI protection devices constantly monitor and compare the amount of power flowing from the panel on the hot wire and the amount returning on the neutral wire. Any time the returning power drops even slightly below the amount being supplied, the protection device will trip and open the circuit.

When it is working properly, a GFCI device will open its protected circuit when the difference between the current coming in (hot) and the current going out (neutral) reaches .005 ampere.

This is why one can install a GFCI outlet in place of an ungrounded 2 prong outlet and still be protected.

--
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
11

Originally Posted By: sobrien
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


… Regarding the GFCIs at kitchen counters, do all the receptacles at the counters have to be on GFCIs, or is determined by the distance from the sink, or some other criteria?..


This is what brought it to mind.

I was under the impression that appliances such as blenders, toasters, mixers etc?. can cause nuisance trips due to the sudden high demand for power. I don?t have any GFCI plugs in my kitchen, so I have no way to test this. Could this have been a problem with the first generation of receptacles? It was a few years ago that I was told this.

Thanks for clearing this up??That?s why I love this board.

Sean.

12

Originally Posted By: lkage
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


sobrien wrote:
..... Regarding the GFCIs at kitchen counters, do all the receptacles at the counters have to be on GFCIs, or is determined by the distance from the sink, or some other criteria?.....
Sean.



1996 All kitchen counters ? not just those within 6 feet of sink

--
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
13

Originally Posted By: ksitzes
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Hi,


I'm replacing old plugs in the kitchen. I wire in the new gfci the tester says that I have open ground when I test the gfci it will not pop? The house was build in the late 50 it only has 2wire on ground.

14

Originally Posted By: lkage
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


ksitzes wrote:
Hi,

I'm replacing old plugs in the kitchen. I wire in the new gfci the tester says that I have open ground when I test the gfci it will not pop? The house was build in the late 50 it only has 2wire on ground.


Kenneth, using GFCI testers to test GFCI receptacles installed on two-wire circuits (permitted by code) may falsely indicate that the GFCI is not functioning.

The difference between a GFCI tester and the internal test circuit of the GFCI is that the external tester's current is placed on the equipment-grounding conductor. On a two-wire circuit there is no equipment grounding conductor. Thus there is no test current, so the GFCI does not trip.

Hope this helps.

--
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei