NEC 210.8: Complete GFCI Requirements (NEC 2023 Edition)

The structure of NEC 210.8

NEC 210.8 has six major subdivisions:

• 210.8(A) — Dwelling units. Receptacle outlets in specified dwelling locations.
• 210.8(B) — Other than dwelling units. Receptacle outlets in commercial/industrial/institutional buildings.
• 210.8(C) — Crawl space lighting outlets.
• 210.8(D) — Specific appliances (dishwasher in dwelling units).
• 210.8(E) — Adjacent to swimming pools (this one cross-references Article 680).
• 210.8(F) — Outdoor heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment.

On exams, the bulk of the questions hit 210.8(A) and 210.8(B). The 210.8(D) and 210.8(F) questions are newer additions and tend to surprise candidates studying from older code editions.

NEC 210.8(A) — Dwelling unit locations

All 125V through 250V single-phase receptacles installed in the following dwelling unit locations require GFCI protection:

• Bathrooms
• Garages and accessory buildings (with floor at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms; storage, workshops)
• Outdoors (including readily accessible outdoor receptacles)
• Crawl spaces (at or below grade level)
• Unfinished portions of basements (not intended as habitable rooms; limited to storage, workshops, similar)
• Kitchens (countertop receptacles + receptacles within 6 feet of any sink)
• Sinks (any receptacle within 6 feet of the sink edge, regardless of room type)
• Boathouses
• Bathtubs and shower stalls (any receptacle within 6 feet of the outside edge)
• Laundry areas
• Indoor damp or wet locations
• Dwelling unit dishwashers (NEC 2020+ — see 210.8(D))

NEC 2023 voltage update: The voltage range expanded from 125V to 125V through 250V single-phase, capturing 240V appliance circuits in many of these locations. A 240V receptacle in a kitchen for a range now requires GFCI.

The "within 6 feet of a sink" rule

210.8(A)(7) and 210.8(B)(5) extend GFCI to receptacles within 6 feet of the outside edge of any sink. The 6 feet is measured along the shortest accessible path, not straight-line through walls. Common exam trap: candidates measure straight-line distance and miss receptacles that are physically reachable while standing at the sink.

NEC 210.8(B) — Non-dwelling locations

Commercial, industrial, and institutional 125V through 250V single-phase receptacle outlets in the following locations require GFCI:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens (commercial — restaurants, break rooms, employee lounges)
• Rooftops
• Outdoors
• Sinks (within 6 feet)
• Indoor damp or wet locations
• Locker rooms with associated shower facilities
• Garages, service bays, and similar areas where electrical diagnostic equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable lighting equipment are used
• Crawl spaces (at or below grade level)
• Unfinished portions of basements not intended as habitable rooms
• Laundry areas (including commercial laundries)
• Bathtubs or shower stalls
• Within 6 feet of bathtubs and shower stalls

NEC 210.8(C) — Crawl space lighting

Lighting outlets (not just receptacles) installed in dwelling unit crawl spaces at or below grade level require GFCI protection. This is a common surprise for candidates because most of 210.8 talks about receptacles, but 210.8(C) extends to lighting.

NEC 210.8(D) — Dishwasher (dwelling units)

The branch circuit supplying a dwelling unit dishwasher requires GFCI protection, whether the dishwasher is cord-and-plug connected or hard-wired. This was added in NEC 2020 and confirmed in NEC 2023.

Practical implementation: a GFCI breaker at the panel works. A GFCI receptacle on the dishwasher circuit also works (if cord-and-plug). The protection must be readily accessible for testing and reset.

NEC 210.8(E) — Pools and similar

Receptacles within 20 feet of pools, hot tubs, spas, fountains, and similar facilities require GFCI per Article 680. 210.8(E) cross-references the more detailed Article 680 requirements. On the exam, expect questions that pair 210.8 with 680.22 or 680.43.

NEC 210.8(F) — Outdoor HVAC equipment (NEC 2023)

Outdoor outlets supplying heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning equipment require GFCI protection. This was added in NEC 2023 and is one of the newest additions to 210.8.

Why this is new: historically, hard-wired outdoor HVAC condensers were exempt from GFCI under earlier NEC editions because nuisance trips were a concern. NEC 2023 reverses that exemption. If your state has adopted NEC 2023, the outdoor air-conditioning condenser disconnect now requires GFCI.

How 210.8 questions appear on the exam

Question type 1: List a location, ask if GFCI is required

“A 20A receptacle is installed in the bedroom of a single-family dwelling. Is GFCI protection required per NEC 210.8(A)?” Answer: No (bedroom receptacles need AFCI per 210.12, not GFCI). Trap: candidates assume all dwelling receptacles need GFCI.

Question type 2: Voltage threshold

“A 240V single-phase range receptacle is installed in a kitchen. Does NEC 210.8(A) apply?” Answer (NEC 2023): Yes — 210.8(A) expanded to 125V through 250V single-phase. NEC 2017 answer would be different. Always confirm the code edition the exam is testing.

Question type 3: Distance from sink

“A receptacle is installed in a dwelling living room, 5 feet 8 inches from the kitchen island sink (measured around the wall corner). Is GFCI required?” Answer: Yes — within 6 feet by accessible path. The 6-foot measurement is around physical paths, not straight-line.

Question type 4: New NEC 2023 additions

“An outdoor air-conditioning condenser disconnect serves a dwelling unit. Is GFCI required per NEC 2023?” Answer: Yes — 210.8(F). This is a NEC 2023 addition; older prep books say no. Trap for candidates studying outdated material.

The most common 210.8 mistakes

• Confusing 210.8 (GFCI for personnel protection) with 210.12 (AFCI for arc-fault protection). Different rules, different locations, different devices.
• Studying from a 2017 prep book that doesn’t include the dishwasher requirement (210.8(D)) or the HVAC requirement (210.8(F)).
• Assuming all bedroom receptacles need GFCI (they need AFCI under 210.12, not GFCI under 210.8).
• Measuring sink-distance straight-line through walls instead of along the accessible path.
• Forgetting the 6-foot rule applies to bathtubs and showers as well as sinks.
• Not recognizing that 210.8(C) extends to lighting outlets in crawl spaces, not just receptacles.