Garage GFCI Receptacles

[infinity]

Under the 2011 NEC, are dwelling GFCI receptacles permitted to be installed in a 9' garage ceiling for a garage door opener? IMO that does not meet the requirement for them to be readily accessible.

 

[480sparky]

Although no height is mentioned in 210.8, I'd say a 9-foot ceiling would not be readily accessible as defined in Art. 100.

 

[charlie b]

No, and I agree, in that order. Sounds like there is a need for a proposed revision for 2014. :happyyes:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Under the 2011 NEC, are dwelling GFCI receptacles permitted to be installed in a 9' garage ceiling for a garage door opener? IMO that does not meet the requirement for them to be readily accessible.

IMO, no it is not readily accessible in the ceiling as you need a ladder to reach it.

We install a dead front gfci on the wall in the garage and then feed the overhead door.

 

[Little Bill]

IMO, no it is not readily accessible in the ceiling as you need a ladder to reach it.

We install a dead front gfci on the wall in the garage and then feed the overhead door.

What is the reason for the dead front? Customer doesn't like how the GFCI recep. looks?

 

[George Stolz]

No, and I agree, in that order. Sounds like there is a need for a proposed revision for 2014. :happyyes:

It would fail, it was their intention.

 

[infinity]

No, and I agree, in that order. Sounds like there is a need for a proposed revision for 2014. :happyyes:

I agree, it's pretty stupid as written but what would you propose? A maximum height? I can probably reach the test button on a device in an 8' ceiling. Short inspector maybe only good for 7'.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

What is the reason for the dead front? Customer doesn't like how the GFCI recep. looks?

It depends on the situation but 210.23(A)(2) may come into play if it were a GFCI receptacle and not a dead front.

 

[jaylectricity]

I would have never thought about this ( I don't do very many new homes or complete re-wires) but the last time this came up, I was able to install a GFCI on the garage wall that fed the receptacle for the garage door opener.

I'm not sure I understand why a garage door opener needs to be on a GFCI circuit. I've watched that Youtube video about the kid who got electrocuted by a puddle near the garage but I don't remember thinking that a GFCI would have saved him.

 

[jumper]

AFAIK, the receptacle only needs GFCI protection, so while the requirement of a GFCI receptacle being readily accessible would seem to to preclude installing one at 9'- it does not say that GFCI protection is not necessary for a garage receptacle at that height .

 

[dwellselectric]

We just feed the garage doors off of a GFCI on the wall. So if by chance it does trip they can reset it easily

 

[hillbilly1]

Theres nothing that requires a residential garage door to be on a circuit by its self, so I do like others have stated, and just loop it off the wall receptacles.

 

[elohr46]

I can't recall ever seeing GFCI recpt. mounted above 6', only GFCI protected recpts.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

We just feed the garage doors off of a GFCI on the wall. So if by chance it does trip they can reset it easily

Theres nothing that requires a residential garage door to be on a circuit by its self, so I do like others have stated, and just loop it off the wall receptacles.

Again read the article I post above. If you have two garage doors that draw 6 amps each you cannot have it on with the recep. in the garage.

 

[infinity]

Again read the article I post above. If you have two garage doors that draw 6 amps each you cannot have it on with the recep. in the garage.

How much current do GDO's usually draw?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

How much current do GDO's usually draw?

Some 6 amps but the concept is ridiculous because the current draw on them is for less than 20 secs. I have tried to write a proposal for this but I can't figure it out. I am not sure what section to add it to. We have one area around here that will reject it based on 210.23

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I suspect you only need the nameplate but if you had to use 430.248 a 1/2hp is 9.8 amps-- in reality that is not close.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I just looked at the really old cheap junk GDO I have and it is 1/3hp- 6 amps

 

[hillbilly1]

Again read the article I post above. If you have two garage doors that draw 6 amps each you cannot have it on with the recep. in the garage.

I don't use 14 ga, so it's not a problem on the houses I wire.

 

[Volta]

. . . I'm not sure I understand why a garage door opener needs to be on a GFCI circuit. . .

Not so much the appliance itself as the receptacle that will supply Christmas lights this winter, I'd say.