Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection

217

The AFCI protection can be provided in one of Other Special-

the following ways: Purpose
1. A listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault Receptacles
­circuit interrupter receptacle
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
2. A receptacle protected by a listed outlet branch-
circuit–type arc-fault circuit interrupter–type A major step to reduce the number of injuries
receptacle (burns), particularly to small children who always
3. A receptacle protected by a listed combination seem to find a way to insert things into the slots of
type arc-fault circuit interrupter–type circuit a receptacle, was enacted for the 2008 NEC and was
breaker revised for the 2011 edition of the Code. The require-
ments for tamper-resistant receptacles in dwellings
Checklist are found in 406.12(A) and read as follows:
In all areas specified in 210.52, all non-
A checklist is provided in the Appendix. It locking type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere re-
can be used to assist the installer in determining ceptacles shall be listed tamper-resistant
whether AFCI or GFCI protection is required or in- ­receptacles.
stalled in any room or area in the dwelling. As you • Exception 1: Receptacles located more
can see, the checklist can be customized to be used than 5½ ft (1.7 m) above the floor are not
in any dwelling. required to be of the tamper-resistant
type.
Testing AFCIs and GFCIs • Exception 2: Receptacles that are part
of a luminaire or appliance are likewise
AFCI/GFCI testers are used to test AFCI and
not required to be of the tamper-resistant
GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers to make sure
type.
they are working properly. These devices simulate
arc faults and ground faults. Figure 6-16 shows an • Exception 3: A single receptacle for one
arc-fault tester that also tests for proper polarity. appliance or a duplex receptacle for two
appliances that are located within dedi-
cated space for each appliance that in
normal use is not easily moved from one
place to another and that is cord-and-plug
connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6),
(A)(7), or (A)(8) do not require tamper-re-
sistant receptacles.* (This exception recog-
nizes that these receptacles would not be easily
reached by children.)
• Exception 4: Nongrounding receptacles
used for replacements as permitted in
Courtesy Ideal Industries, Inc.

406.4(D)(2)(a) are not required to be of the

tamper-resistant type.*
Tamper-resistant receptacles are identified by
the words “Tamper Resistant” or the letters “TR”
where they will be visible after installation, with the
cover plate removed.
Figure 6-16  An arc-fault tester that also tests for
proper polarity.
*Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-2014.

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218 Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection

Photo courtesy of Leviton Manufacturing Co., All Rights Reserved.

Photo courtesy of Leviton Manufacturing Co., All Rights Reserved.

Figure 6-17  Two styles of tamper-resistant
receptacles.

Figure 6-18  Weather-resistant receptacle that is

Recall that 210.52 lists the rooms, areas, and also tamper-resistant.
other locations inside and outside of a dwelling
where receptacles are required to be installed;
the spacing for the receptacles is given as well
as the number of receptacles required to be
installed. identified by the words “Weather Resistant” or the
Tamper-resistant receptacles have a unique letters “WR” where they will be visible after instal-
internal interlocking mechanism that energizes lation, with a cover plate secured as intended. See
the blade contacts of the receptacle ONLY when Figure 6-18.
a male attachment plug cap is inserted. If a pa- Note that the definition of damp location and
per clip or similar object is inserted into any one wet locations are found in NEC Article 100. It is
slot of the receptacle, no power is supplied to any quite obvious that an outdoor location subject to
of the blade contacts of the receptacle. Both slot rain is a wet location. Locations below the carport
shutters remain closed. Figure 6-17 is a typical roof and protected from weather are no doubt damp
tamper-resistant receptacle. Tamper-resistant re- locations. To avoid dispute with inspectors, it makes
ceptacles have been required for many years in sense to use all weather-resistant receptacles outside
pediatric (children) areas of health care facilities, of the dwelling.
517.18(C).
Putting the Rules Together.  A 15- or 20-ampere,
Weather Resistant.  All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- 125-volt receptacle is installed outside the dwell-
and 250-volt nonlocking type receptacles installed ing in a wet location. This receptacle is required to
in a damp or wet location are required to be listed have GFCI protection or be of the GFCI-type, to be
weather-resistant type. weather-resistant, and tamper-resistant. You’re in
The construction of these receptacles makes luck! Manufacturers of GFCI receptacles produce a
them more durable if located where there is exces- version that complies with all of these requirements.
sive moisture. These receptacles are required to be See Figure 6-19.

Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection 219

need an equipment grounding conductor. Thus,

protection against lethal shock is still provided.
See Figure 6-6.
Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters.  As detailed
above, 406.4(D)(4) requires AFCI protection where
replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are
required to be so protected elsewhere in the Code. A

Photo courtesy of Leviton Manufacturing Co., All Rights Reserved.

delayed effective date for this requirement of January
1, 2014, was included.
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.  Section 406.4(D)
(5) requires that listed tamper-resistant receptacles
be provided where replacements are made at recep-
tacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant
elsewhere in the Code. NEC 406.12 contains the re-
quirements for tamper-resistant receptacles. See the
discussion on tamper-resistant receptacles earlier in
this chapter.
Weather-Resistant Receptacles.  NEC 406.4(D)
(6) requires that weather-resistant receptacles be
provided where replacements are made at receptacle
Figure 6-19  GFCI-type receptacle that is also outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere
weather resistant and tamper resistant. in the Code. See the discussion on weather-resistant
receptacles earlier in this chapter.

Replacing Replacing Existing Two-Wire

Existing Receptacles Where Grounding
Receptacles Means Does Exist
The NEC is very specific on the type of receptacle When replacing an existing receptacle [Fig-
permitted to be used as a replacement for an ex- ure 6-20(A)] where the wall box is properly
isting receptacle. These Code rules are found in grounded [Figure 6-20(E)] or where the branch-­
406.4(D). circuit wiring contains an equipment ground-
ing ­conductor [Figure 6-20(D)], at least two easy
GFCI Protection.  In 406.4(D)(3) we find a ret-
choices are possible for the replacement receptacle:
roactive rule requiring that when an existing recep-
tacle is replaced in any location where the present
1. The replacement receptacle must be of the
Code requires GFCI protection (bathrooms, kitch-
grounding type (Figure 6-20[B]) unless . . .
ens, outdoors, unfinished basements, garages, etc.),
the replacement receptacle must be GFCI-protected. 2. The replacement receptacle is of the GFCI type
This could be a GFCI-type receptacle, or the branch [Figure 6-20(C)].
circuit could be protected by a GFCI-type circuit If the an equipment grounding conductor is
breaker. not present in the enclosure for the receptacle,
It is important to note that on existing ­wiring 250.130(C) permits an equipment grounding con-
systems, such as “knob-and-tube,” or older ductor to be run from the enclosure to be grounded,
­n onmetallic-sheathed cable wiring that did not or from the green hexagon grounding screw of a
have an equipment grounding conductor, a GFCI grounding-type receptacle, to any one of these four
receptacle will still properly function. It does not locations:

Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
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220 Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection

Grounded
conductor
Equipment
Replacing a receptacle
grounding “Hot”
where grounding conductor
means exists conductor

A B C

GRND GRND

Copyright © Cengage Learning®.

TEST

RESET

Grounded
Old two-wire Grounding-type GFCI box
receptacle receptacle receptacle

Figure 6-20  If a wall box (E) is properly grounded by any of the methods specified in 250.118 or if
the branch-circuit wiring contains an equipment grounding conductor (D), an existing receptacle of the
type shown in (A) must be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle (B) or with a GFCI receptacle (C).
See 406.4(D)(1).

1. Any accessible point on the grounding elec- box is not grounded [Figure 6-21(E)] or where an
trode system equipment grounding conductor has not been run
2. Any accessible point on the grounding elec- with the circuit conductors [Figure 6-21(D)], four
trode conductor choices are possible for selecting the replacement
receptacle:
3. The equipment grounding terminal bar within
the enclosure where the branch circuit for the 1. The replacement receptacle may be a non-
receptacle originates grounding type [Figure 6-21(A)].
4. The grounded service conductor within the ser- 2. The replacement receptacle may be a GFCI
vice-equipment enclosure type [Figure 6-21(C)].
Note, however, that this permission is only for • The GFCI replacement receptacle must
existing installations. See Figure 6-21. be marked “No Equipment Ground,” as in
Be sure that the equipment grounding conductor ­Figure 6-22.
of the circuit is connected to the receptacle’s green
hexagon-shaped grounding terminal. • The green hexagonal grounding terminal
of the GFCI replacement receptacle does
Do not connect the white grounded circuit
not have to be connected to any grounding
­conductor to the green hexagon-shaped grounding
means. It can be left “unconnected.” The
terminal of the receptacle.
GFCI’s trip mechanism will operate prop-
Do not connect the white grounded circuit con-
erly when ground faults occur anywhere
ductor to a metal box.
on the load side of the GFCI replacement
receptacle. Ground-fault protection is still
Replacing Existing Two-Wire there. Refer to Figure 6-6.
Receptacles Where Grounding
Means Does Not Exist • Do not connect an equipment grounding con-
ductor from the green hexagonal grounding
When replacing an existing 2-wire nonground- terminal of a replacement GFCI receptacle
ing-type receptacle [Figure 6-21(A)] where the (see Figure 6-22) to any other downstream

Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection 221

Grounded
conductor
Replacing a receptacle No equipment
where grounding “Hot”
grounding conductor
means does not exist conductor run
with circuit D
conductors

A B C

GRND GRND

Copyright © Cengage Learning®.

TEST

RESET

Nongrounded
Old 2-wire Grounding-type GFCI box
receptacle receptacle receptacle

Figure 6-21  If a box (E) is not grounded or if in an equipment grounding conductor has not been run
with the circuit conductors (D), an existing nongrounding-type receptacle (A) may be replaced with a
nongrounding-type receptacle (A), a GFCI-type receptacle (C), a grounding-type receptacle (B) if supplied
through a GFCI receptacle (C), or a grounding-type receptacle (B) if a separate equipment grounding
conductor is run from the receptacle to any of the locations permitted by 250.130(C). See Figure 6-23.

receptacles that are fed through the replace- • The green hexagonal equipment grounding
ment GFCI receptacle. terminal of the replacement grounding-type
The reason this is not permitted is that receptacle (Figure 6-21[B]) need not be con-
if at a later date someone saw the conductor nected to any grounding means. It may be left
connected to the green hexagonal grounding “unconnected.” The upstream feed-through
terminal of the downstream receptacle, there GFCI receptacle (Figure 6-21[C]) trip mech-
would be an immediate assumption that the anism will work properly when ground faults
other end of that conductor had been properly occur anywhere on its load side. Ground-fault
connected to an acceptable grounding point protection is still there. Refer to Figure 6-6.
of the electrical system. The fact is that the
• Do not connect an equipment grounding
so-called equipment grounding conductor had conductor from the green hexagonal ground-
been connected to the replacement GFCI re- ing terminal of a replacement GFCI recep-
ceptacle’s green hexagonal grounding termi- tacle (Figure 6-22) to any other downstream
nal that was not grounded in the first place. receptacles that are fed through the replace-
We now have a false sense of security, a real ment GFCI receptacle.
shock hazard. The far better choice from a
safety standpoint is to go to the time and ex- 4. The replacement receptacle may be a ground-
pense of installing the equipment grounding ing type (Figure 6-21[B]) if
conductor as permitted in 250.130(C). • an equipment grounding conductor, sized
per Table 250.122, is run from the replace-
3. The replacement receptacle may be a grounding
ment receptacle’s green hexagonal grounding
type (Figure 6-21[B]) if it is supplied through a
screw and properly connected to one of the
GFCI-type receptacle (Figure 6-21[C]).
four locations described earlier in this chapter.
• The replacement receptacle must be marked You are not permitted to make the equipment
“GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment ground connection to the interior metal water
Ground,” as in Figure 6-22. piping anywhere beyond the first 5 ft (1.5 m).

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
222 Chapter 6   GFCI, AFCI, SPD, IDCI, and ALCI Protection

Equipment grounding conductor

not permitted between devices

No Equipment Ground

No Equipment Ground

GFCI Protected
TEST

RESET

Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning®.

Replacement GFCI receptacle permitted Downstream replacement grounding-
if grounding means does not exist in type receptacle fed through
receptacle enclosure. Must be marked a replacement GFCI receptacle.
“No Equipment Ground.” Must be marked “GFCI Protected”
and “No Equipment Ground.”

Figure 6-22  Where a grounding means does not exist, there are certain marking requirements, as
presented in this diagram. Do not connect an equipment grounding conductor between these
receptacles; see 406.3(D)(2).

See 250.130(C) and the Informational Note. Grounding

screw
Also read 250.50 for the explanation of a Connect EGC to:
“grounding electrode system.” This permission 1. any accessible point on the grounding

Copyright © Cengage Learning®.

electrode system
is only for replacing a receptacle in existing 2. any accessible point on the grounding
electrode conductor
installations. See Figure 6-23. 3. the equipment grounding terminal bar
within the enclosure where the branch
circuit for the receptacle originates
4. the grounded service conductor within
Safety Alert Replacement
the service-equipment enclosure.

receptacle

Do not install a nongrounding-type

Figure 6-23  In old installations where an equip-
receptacle if the appliance requires ment grounding conductor does not exist in the
an equipment ground. box, one option is to install an equipment ground-
ing conductor as permitted in 250.130(C). This is
preferred over installing a GFCI receptacle without
an equipment grounding conductor.
Many appliances are supplied by the manu-
facturer with a 3-wire cord that includes an NEC 110.3(B) to supply these appliances from
equipment grounding conductor. These are often an ungrounded receptacle, even one that has been
referred to as having a 3-wire cord. The installa- changed to a GFCI type.
tion instructions supplied by the manufacturer NEC 250.114 contains requirements for cord-
state the appliance is to be grounded or supplied and-plug-connected equipment and appliances
from a receptacle that is grounded. It is a viola- that are required to be connected to an equipment
tion of the manufacturer’s instructions as well as grounding conductor. Included are the following:

Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.