6' rule from sink for GFCI protection

[Stephen Tishhouse]

This is the code question.
1. 210.8 (A) (1) through (10)
(7) Sinks - where receptacles are installed within (6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink. (GFCI is required)

1. I have a inspector telling me that the disposal under the sink which has a receptacle that is cord plugged into, needs to be GFCI protected. I disagree with him because it is under the sink and not along counter top. what is your thought on this?

2. The same inspector is also saying that the outlet under the sink cannot be a GFCI or a Arc fault receptacle because it is not readily accessible article 100 . Capable of being reached quickly for operations, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to actions such as to use tools, to climb over or remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth. (He is saying that they could stack something in front of it so it will not be ready accessible.) What is your thoughts on this? ( to me they can stack something on a counter top or put a portable microwave in front of it than by his logic that would also not be allowed because it would than not be ready accessible)

This is an issue is because there are 100 units on this site that will have to have this outlet relocated, and there is asbestos in the dry wall mud that would have to be remediated. Any feed back you can provide is appreciated. Thank You

Stephen Tishhouse

 

[greenspark1]

Look at the fine print notes for 210.8A (6) and (7) (2017). It specifically says it applied not only to kitchen countertop receptacles, but anywhere within 6' of the edge of any sink. So it does have to be GFCI protected. This section has changed wording in past versions of the code so I'd check what is enforced. I think only MA is on 2017.

The not readily accessible part can certainly be argued.

Can you feed this receptacle from a GFCI mounted in a more convenient/accessible location? Or a GFCI circuit breaker would work.

 

[GoldDigger]

One problem with feeding an under-sink GD receptacle from an upstream GFCI receptacle is that the GD may specify a dedicated circuit.
If that is your situation it may be feasible to use a GFCI or dual function breaker or to mount a dead-front GFCI somewhere upstream of the receptacle.

You will have a much harder time arguing the 6' spacing that the ready accessibility, even if your AHJ allows the 6' cord reach test rather than 6' as the crow flies, including from the bottom of the sink.

 

[Stephen Tishhouse]

6 foot rule

6 foot rule

So if i understand you correctly in the 2014 the outlet under the sink would not be required to be GFCI protected but in the 2017 it would.

Also the panel is full and is all GE narrow breakers so not an opting to put a new GFCI or Arc fault breaker in sense they would require normal size breakers.

 

[infinity]

The 2017 NEC added this for clarity. Sounds like under the sink is behind a cabinet door.

210.8
For the purposes of this section, when determining distance
from receptacles the distance shall be measured as the shortest
path the cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle
would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, or fixed
barrier, or passing through a door, doorway, or window

 

[CuriousHomeInspector]

For those who may be in Arkansas, I talked to the electrical examiners board about this specific topic today. If you can take a 6ft string and run it from the edge of the sink and touch the receptacle, it should be GFCI protected. For now. As others have pointed it out it will very much most likely change in Arkansas when the 2017 is adopted later this year.

 

[greenspark1]

The 2017 NEC added this for clarity. Sounds like under the sink is behind a cabinet door.

Good catch. Tho I think the authors meant a fullsize door, not a cabinet door. Given the proximity of a garbage disposal to water, and the sink, I do think it wise and prudent to protect via GFCI. The code commentary explicitly says a fridge receptacle within 6' of the edge of the sink must be GFCI, so a GD certainly meets that test. Now, a hardwire GD would be exempt.

I think 2014 requires outlets under the sink to be GFCI. Any outlet within 6' is required by 210.8 (7).

 

[infinity]

Good catch. Tho I think the authors meant a fullsize door, not a cabinet door. Given the proximity of a garbage disposal to water, and the sink, I do think it wise and prudent to protect via GFCI. The code commentary explicitly says a fridge receptacle within 6' of the edge of the sink must be GFCI, so a GD certainly meets that test. Now, a hardwire GD would be exempt.

I think 2014 requires outlets under the sink to be GFCI. Any outlet within 6' is required by 210.8 (7).

Yes and no, the requirement is the same in the 2014 and 2017 but the 2017 has added wording to tell you how to measure the 6'.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

For those who may be in Arkansas, I talked to the electrical examiners board about this specific topic today. If you can take a 6ft string and run it from the edge of the sink and touch the receptacle, it should be GFCI protected. For now. As others have pointed it out it will very much most likely change in Arkansas when the 2017 is adopted later this year.

That's how we do it in MA as well... for now.:thumbsup:

 

[jap]

The code commentary explicitly says a fridge receptacle within 6' of the edge of the sink must be GFCI, so a GD certainly meets that test. Now, a hardwire GD would be exempt.

It's not about protecting the Refrigerator or the Garbage Disposal with a GFI.
Its about protecting the Outlets that they plug into.

JAP>

 

[infinity]

It's not about protecting the Refrigerator or the Garbage Disposal with a GFI.
Its about protecting the Outlets that they plug into.

JAP>

I agree, but for a dishwasher it's required to provide EOL protection for the appliance.