Do lights in a garage need to be GFCI protected?

If you have hardwired fixtures, rather than plug-in lights, they do not need to be GFCI. Plug in lights require receptacles, and there’s no telling what might get plugged into receptacles, so they have to be GFCI protected.

Do you need a GFCI on each outlet?

The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters.

Can a GFCI outlet be connected to a light switch?





Electrically there is no problem with powering the light with the hot and neutral feed to the GFCI receptacle. You could use pigtails to the receptacle line (and not use the load connection) and to the light switch so the lights would’t go out if the GFCI receptacle tripped.

Can you put two GFCI outlets next to each other?

When you need to wire multiple GFCI outlets such as in a kitchen or bathroom you have a couple of options. To save money, you can put in a single GFCI and then wire additional standard outlets to the “LOAD” output from the single GFCI. This provides the same protection as having a GFCI at each location.

Do garage ceiling outlets need to be GFCI?

Similarly, outlets on your garage ceiling must be GFCI-compliant. This was covered by the same exception as the garage door opener outlet above. That exception was removed in 2008 by the NEC. All outlets in your garage must be GFCI-compliant, regardless of where they are located.

What is code for GFCI outlets in garage?

GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in garages and in grade-level portions of unfinished or finished accessory buildings used for storage or work areas of a dwelling unit.

Do I only need one GFCI per circuit?





GFCIs don’t interoperate with one another, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have more than one on a grounded circuit. Multiple GFCIs may be used with one ungrounded circuit (in old homes), however, to simulate the presence of a ground.

Where are GFCI outlets required?

The NEC mandates GFCI protection in many areas of the home: bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens and anything within six feet of a sink or water source. While that may seem like a lot, the entirety of a home is not covered.

Where should GFCI outlets be installed?

GFCI outlets should be installed in any potentially wet or damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, outdoors, basements, garages and workshops. Damp areas can make you prone to dangerous electric shock but using a GFCI outlet can greatly reduce your risk of injury.

Can you have too many GFCI on one circuit?

Sometimes you need to have multiple GFCIs on the same circuit because you can’t protect the downline, e.g. if the last receptacle on the circuit is a refrigerator, radon pump, furnace in the snow belt, or other safety system where a nuisance trip would cause serious problems. In that case, attach all wires to LINE.

Can you pigtail a GFCI outlet?



If the GFCI outlet detects a difference between the current exiting and returning, the GFCI breaker trips. A GFCI protects multiple outlets when the wires twist together with a jumper wire, called a pigtail, and the jumper wire connects to the GFCI.

How many outlets can one GFCI protect?

There’s no limit. A standard GFCI will protect up to 20 amps, drawn from any combination of receptacles, either the built-in one or any number of additional ones connected to its load terminals.

Can you daisy chain GFCI outlets?

Daisy chaining GFCIs does not increase protection. In industrial and commercial installations, GFCI devices may be daisy chained, but the upstream GFCI devices usually are set to a higher trip point while the downstream GFCI devices protecting point-of-use receptacles is set to the standard 6mA.

How many GFCI outlets do you need on one circuit?



one GFCI

The Standard Number Of GFCI’s On One Circuit
Keep in mind, you only need one GFCI at the beginning of the circuit for GFCI protection for the whole circuit. You might even opt for a GFCI rated breaker instead.

How do I protect multiple outlets with one GFCI?

You can wire a single GFCI with multiple outlets using the 2 wires cables, multiple outlets, and GFCI. You’ll have to use that single GFCI as the source and then connecting the rest of the outlets using the same load and line terminals.

Can I split a GFCI outlet?

Yes, you can turn a GFCI into a split receptacle outlet. However, it is a bit complicated as it involves extra wiring. There are several pros and cons to both split receptacles and GFCIs.

Can you put a GFCI in the middle of a circuit?



Can You Put A GFCI In The Middle Of A Circuit? You can install a GFCI in the middle of a circuit but you have to realize that the GFCI will only protect the outlets downstream. All the outlets that came before the middle outlet won’t have GFCI protection.

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI?

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though GFCI is more commonly used than GFI, the terms are interchangeable.

Where are GFCI breakers required 2020?

The 2020 NEC is very clear that GFCI protection is only required for 125‐volt, 15‐ and 20‐ampere receptacles in areas having an equipotential plane, in outdoor locations, in damp or wet locations, or in dirt confinement areas for livestock.

Can a refrigerator be plugged into a GFCI outlet?

Residential Kitchen



In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There’s no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.