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210.8(B)(2)(3)(4) and (7) GFCI Requirements in Non-Dwelling Kitchens Modified and Expanded

Revision/New

Change Summary

The GFCI requirements for receptacles in non-dwelling kitchens were expanded

  • The definition of kitchen clarified to include “beverage preparation”
  • Buffets are addressed and require GFCI protection
  • Cord-and-Plug appliances need GFCI protection
NEC®Text

Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
(B) Other Than Dwelling Units.
(2) Kitchens – or areas with a sink and permanent provisions for either food preparation or cooking
(3) Areas with sinks and permanent provisions for food preparation, beverage preparation, or cooking
(4) Buffet seriving areas with permanent provisions for food serving, beverage serving, or cooking
(7) Sinks where receptacles or cord-and-plug connected fixed or stationary appliances are installed with 1.8m (6ft) from the top inside edge of bowl of the sink

Material taken from the National Electric Code. is reprinted with permission from NFPA 70., 2023 edition. National Electrical Code®, Copyright 2022, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.

Expert Analysis

Revisions have been made to clarify several points on GFCI protection in non-dwelling kitchens:

In non-dwelling kitchens, GFCI protection is required for all 125 through 250 Volt receptacles supplied by single phase 50 A or less circuits rated 150 volts to ground or less, and 3-Phase 100 A or less.

The text in (3) closely parallels the definition of a kitchen, but the words “beverage preparation” has been added. This prevents locations like coffee and ice cream shops from avoiding GFCI requirements.

In (4) the NEC addresses buffet serving areas which are popular and previously not directly addressed in the NEC.

Lastly, in (7) text was added to include cord-and-plug appliances. The NEC make it clear that they want GFCI protection in the kitchen.

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