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.

Do outlets next to sink need to be GFCI?

Kitchens – All receptacles located near major appliances and the sink should be of the GFCI variety. As a rule of thumb, any outlet within six feet of the sink should be a GFCI outlet.

Do all kitchen outlet have to be GFCI protect?





Kitchens: All receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within 6 feet of a sink must have GFCI protection. Also, the receptacle supplying a dishwasher should be GFCI-protected.

Which outlets need to be GFCI protected?

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.

Does dishwasher outlet under sink need to be GFCI?

210.8(A) requires receptacles serving the kitchen countertop to be GFCI protected. It also requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6′ of a sink, but only sinks not in a kitchen. The 2014 edition added 210.8(D), which requires dwelling unit dishwashers to be GFCI protected.

What is code for GFCI outlets in kitchen?

210.8(A)(6) for dwelling units only requires GFCI protection for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed to serve dwelling unit kitchen counter surfaces. However, 210.8(B)(3) requires all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in a commercial kitchen to be GFCI-protected.

What is code for electrical outlets in kitchen?





In kitchens, electrical outlets should be placed no farther than 48 inches apart, so that no point on the countertop is more than 24 inches away from a receptacle. Any countertop 12 inches wide or more should have an outlet on the wall behind the countertop.

How far does a GFCI have to be from a kitchen sink?

It must be a GFCI, and it must be within 3 feet of the edge of the sink. Either behind or beside the sink is acceptable — across from the sink on an opposite wall is not. If the bathroom has two sinks, each must have an electrical receptacle within 3 feet.

Should my refrigerator be on a GFCI?

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.

Does a GFCI outlet protect the whole circuit?



GFCI circuit breakers protect the entire circuit. GFCI circuit breakers are simple: By installing one in the service panel (breaker box), it adds GFCI protection to an entire circuit, including the wiring and all devices and appliances connected to the circuit.

Can you put an outlet under a sink?

Typically there are outlets (receptacles) under the sink. The dishwasher as well as the disposal is plugged into an outlet with an appliance cord. The vast majority of the homes I inspect have one or more outlets deliberately installed there just for those reasons.

How far does an electrical outlet have to be from a water source?

6 feet



According to the National Electric Code (NEC), GFCIs are required to be installed to protect any receptacles within 6 feet of a water source.

How far should a socket be from a sink?

30cm horizontally

Electrical sockets or switches should be fitted at a safe distance (it is recommended at least 30cm horizontally) from a sink to avoid the chance of water coming into contact with electricity.

How high should an outlet be over a countertop?

between 15 and 20 inches



On countertop outlets, it is standard to install outlet boxes so the tops are between 15 and 20 inches from the countertop surface. Make sure all outlet boxes are set at exactly the same height, since these outlets will be highly visible.

Is electrical work in a kitchen notifiable?

Under the new, revised regulations, electrical work undertaken in kitchens such as adding a new socket or work outdoors such as installing a new security light will no longer be notifiable unless a new circuit is required.

What height should sockets be in a kitchen?

The standard height of a worktop from the floor to the worktop surface is 910mm. The general rule is to then set your sockets 150mm above this (measured from the worktop surface to the bottom of the socket). Added together, this means the standard socket height is 1060mm from the floor to the bottom of the socket.

How high should an outlet be for a refrigerator?

There is no “standard height”. The National Electrical Code never lists a height requirement. Tradition has the height for most floor line receptacles about 12″ to the bottom of the box. The Americans with Disabilities Act recommends receptacles no lower than 19″ to center of receptacle.