GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

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dema

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In 210.8 it says that residential kitchens shall have GFI receptacles above the countertops. It says that non-residential kitchens shall have GFI protection. Does this force us to put it in the panelboard? Obviously one can't have a GFI receptacle for the refrigerator. What does it mean "shall have ground fault protection for personnel?' It shall have some? It shall have all?

I do breakrooms, which meet the requirement for a kitchen according to the new code. I've been putting GFI above the counters - but nowhere else in the room. Does this meet both the intent and the letter of the law?
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

Actually, all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the kitchens, including receptacles for the refrigerators, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

This protection is not required for the entire circuit so you may use GFCI receptacles where ever you need GFCI protection.
Does this meet both the intent and the letter of the law?
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No, sorry. If it meets the requirements to be called a kitchen, see my first statement.

In the 2005 NEC, kitchen will be defined as "an area with a sink and permanent facilities for food preparation and cooking." :D
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

Charlie,

Just to be clear, it seems to me that you are quoting 210.8(B)(2) above, that is, for other than dwelling units.

210.8(A)(6) still only asks for GFCIs for countertop receptacles in dwellings.

Right?
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

Al, you are correct. Dema said,
It says that non-residential kitchens shall have GFI protection.
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That is why I was answering that way. I did not address residential kitchens at all. :D
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

What constitutes 'permanent facilities for cooking'? And what constitutes 'space'? In a breakroom with a large refrigerator, a sink, countertops, a coffee pot and a microwave, where do I need GFI receptacles? Let's say the countertop is along half of one wall with the refrigerator at the end. Do I need them on the other side of the tables on the far side of the room?
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

I would say that the existence of a microwave and a sink makes that countertop and its immediate vicinity a ?kitchen,? under the 2005 definition. How far away do you have to go, before you are no longer in the ?immediate vicinity? (my term, not a code term)? That?s a tough call. There is a table within a few feet of the kitchen in my home. There is a doorway (but no door) between the two, and I would not say that the table is within what we call ?kitchen.? In the same sense, the tables on the other side of your break room are not, IMO, within the ?kitchen? portion of the break room, even though there is not so much as a doorway between them.
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

Originally posted by rcarroll:
I hate to pick nits here, but, would a microwave oven be considered permanent?
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I think if it is bolted to the cabinet, like above a range, then it is permanent.

Just my opinion though :)
 
Re: GFI Receptacles in Kitchens

Originally posted by rcarroll: I hate to pick nits here, but, would a microwave oven be considered permanent?
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No worries, mate! A nit is the larvae stage of a flea. If you don?t pick the nits, then one day you will have to deal with the adult fleas. :D ), no matter how easy it might be to remove.
 
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