GFI requirements

[Fred]

When was NEC first require GFIs for homes? And did it required for the bathrooms first and later years for the kitchen, etc?

[Duane Bozarth]

A) Don't recall but I'm sure google would be your friend. B) Yes

[SQLit]

I installed my first GFCI breaker in 1970. It was for the garage outlet, the bathroom and all of the exterior outlets. The home owners bitched so we were sent back to the homes on trouble calls and we replaced the gfci breaker. I am pretty sure the contractor only purchaced 6 gfci breakers while doing the community I was working on. I quit and testified against him in court much later. Seems one of the homes was purchased by a building inspector.

Sorry I do not know when they were required in kitchens. I do not do residential much anymore.

[gfretwell]

This is from Mike Holt

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

[Fred]

Thanks, great list. This explains why my bathrooms have it and the kitchen doesn't.

[RBM]

They were first listed in the 1971 NEC and required Jan 1, 1973. The first things to be protected were outside outlets at a residence, then bathrooms, then others locations crept in over the years