Since 1975, GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupters) have been a requirement throughout home bathrooms in the United States. GFCIs are a kind of circuit breaker that shuts off power when there is a disparity between incoming and outgoing currents. The primary purpose of GFCI outlets is to stop electrical shocks from occurring.
During a remodel or installation of a new bathroom, you might wonder what is necessary to know about GFCI outlets and the need for GFCIs in an older home. We'll explain now who will need GFCI outlets in my bathroom and how many are necessary.
WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON'T MIX
Electricity and water make for a great disaster. Housing codes decree strict guidelines for GFCI outlets throughout the U.S. On National Electric Code (NEC) authority, there must be a minimum of one GFCI-protected outlet per bathroom. The national recommendation surpasses one, up to two or three. You decide how many outlets you want to guard, but you must have a minimum of one in your bathroom.
Bear in mind that if you're using a single GFCI, it needs to be wired to protect all other downstream outlets under the same circuit, referred to as multi-location protection. DIY electrical upgrades are discouraged because of the potential harm and safety risk, so call a licensed electrician to see what works best.
CHECK YOUR LOCAL GFCI CODES
Your local building department will have the codes for your area. Check with them to find out if the NEC regulations are different in your town.
ELECTRICAL UPGRADES AND YOUR OLDER HOME
For a home built before 1975, upgrade the receptacle or outlet if your home electrical has been modified. In the past, there were no concrete requirements for GFCI outlets, but it's better to take action sooner rather than later to ensure the safety of your home and prevent potential shocks.
GFCI OUTLETS ARE REQUIRED IN MANY AREAS OF THE HOME
It's not just the bathroom that requires a GFCI outlet; anywhere that electrical power and water might mix, you should upgrade the outlets to GFCI outlets. Areas such as these include kitchens and wet bars, storage areas and crawl spaces, outdoors, swimming pools and hot tubs, and even the garage refrigerator or freezer ought to have upgraded outlets to guard against the possibility of shock.
GFCI receptacles that aren't functioning are a danger in your home, but electrical injuries within your home can be stopped with working, well-placed GFCIs. If you have any questions about GFCIs or home outlet wiring and setup, don't hesitate to call us.
If you have any questions regarding your GFCIs or home outlet wiring and setup, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
Dolce Electric Company is Mesa, Arizona’s go-to electrical contractor providing residential, industrial and commercial electrical repair, installation, maintenance and construction services along with specialized electrical services. Free estimates. All work comes with their lifetime parts and labor guarantee. Call (480) 434-0777.
