2023 Code Year: NEC 210.8
NEC Article 210.8 has multiple subsets that capture a wide range of industries for its guidelines on ground fault protection. Learn more about the Code’s scope.
What is NEC 210.8?
National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 210.8 has a variety of relevant subsets and captures a wide range of industries for its guidelines regarding electrical safety in each of these areas. We are going to take a closer look at each of these subsets, where they apply, and how NSS may be able to assist you in meeting these requirements.
NEC Article 210.8 (A)
Subset A of NEC Article 210.8 relates to all the areas in a dwelling (home) that require GFCI protection for 125-volt as well as 250-volt receptacles. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, outdoors, boathouses, and laundry areas. This code was put into place to protect homeowners from encountering electrical shock hazards in wet environments in their homes.
The best form of protection is through installing a GFCI outlet within 6ft of running water for all appliances they can come into contact with inside a dwelling.
NEC Article 210.8 (B)
Subset B of NEC Article 210.8 relates to non-dwelling (e.g. workplaces) areas that require GFCI protection. It has a larger range of electrical protection involved, including 125-volt and 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits up to 50 Amps, and all receptacles supplied by three-phase branch circuits supplying up to 100 Amps.
There are numerous areas that require UL Listed GFCI protection including commercial kitchens, areas with sinks (food/beverage prep), buffet serving areas, bathrooms, rooftops, outdoors, indoor damp/wet locations, locker rooms, garages, aquariums, and laundry areas.
The updates to this Code (in 2020, with 2023 having similar language) have created a more demanding requirement for GFCI protection, especially in commercial kitchen environments.
NEC Article 210.8 (D)
Subset D of NEC Article 210.8 relates to the specific appliances that require Class A GFCI protection on their respective supply outlets, up to 60 Amps, for single or 3-phase applications.
This Article reinforces NEC Article 422.5(A), naming 12 types of applications that require Class A protection as part of the appliance operation. These include vending machines, dishwashers, automotive vacuum machines, drinking water coolers, pressure washers, tire inflation machines, electric ranges, sump pumps, wall-mounted ovens, microwave ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and clothes dryers.
NEC Article 210.8 (F)
Subset F of NEC Article 210.8, introduced in the 2020 code, relates to outdoor outlets of dwellings. According to NEC definitions, outlets are any point in a wiring system where current is taken to supply equipment.
This means outdoor hardwired appliances such as HVAC systems require Class A GFCI protection. However, this requirement has been temporarily amended until 2026 to allow HVAC systems to adapt. In 2023, the language expanded to include garages, accessory buildings, and boathouses.
What does this Code mean?
The main takeaway from this NEC Article is that Class A GFCI protection is required in most areas of a home as well as workplaces involving water. It defines which circuits and appliances require protection.
North Shore Safety can provide Class A GFCI products from 15-60 Amps single and three-phase to meet NEC Article 210.8 requirements.
