| The 2008 NEC did not change house exterior | | | | to the structures that have a floor located at or |
| GFCI receptacles requirement since the previous | | | | below grade level, are not intended for use as |
| edition. | | | | habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, |
| GFCI - (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) | | | | work areas, and areas of similar use. |
| - All outdoor house receptacles must be GFCI | | | | There's no more GFCI unprotected receptacles |
| protected. | | | | permitted in any of those areas. If you are |
| There is one exception from this requirement: | | | | planning to put one in your barn or storage shed, |
| If you have electrical outlets that are not readily | | | | it must be a GFCI type receptacle or an outlet |
| accessible (you can't reach them standing on the | | | | protected by a GFCI breaker. |
| ground without using ladders, or any other | | | | - Receptacles that are not readily accessible (i.e. |
| equipment) and they are supplied by a branch | | | | garage ceiling outlet, or one serving garage door |
| circuit dedicated for snow / ice melting equipment | | | | opener) now require GFCI protection. I personally |
| (there's nothing else on this circuit), GFCI | | | | have nothing against it, but resetting that tripped |
| protection is not required. | | | | garage GFCI outlet on a very high ceiling will cost |
| However, that snow / ice melting equipment | | | | you a few hundred $$$... for the ladder that is. So, |
| must be permanently attached; you should not | | | | it would probably make sense to install a regular |
| use those not GFCI protected receptacles for | | | | outlet on the ceiling and a GFCI receptacle |
| something that would be removed after the | | | | protecting it in a readily accessible area. |
| winter (i.e. holiday decorations). | | | | Readily Accessible (2008 NEC definition) - Capable |
| There is also an exception within the exception | | | | of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or |
| above which applies to mineral-insulated, | | | | inspections without requiring those to whom |
| metal-sheathed cable embedded in a | | | | ready access is requisite to climb over or remove |
| noncombustible (it doesn't burn) material that | | | | obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so |
| would need to be GFCI protected. I don't think | | | | forth. |
| you're going to deal with this thing in your house. | | | | - A single or duplex receptacle on a dedicated |
| - If you have receptacles installed in the house | | | | branch circuit that was previously identified for a |
| soffits, which are not readily accessible, powered | | | | certain cord-and-plug connected appliance, such as |
| by a dedicated branch circuit for seasonal | | | | a refrigerator or freezer - it now has to be GFCI |
| decorations - they have to be GFCI protected. | | | | protected. |
| Exceptions for the garage GFCI receptacles and | | | | The new code actually made it simpler - no more |
| GFCI's in accessory buildings | | | | guessing. On the other hand..., is it a good idea to |
| They have been removed by the newest 2008 | | | | have a freezer / refrigerator plugged into a GFCI |
| NEC (National Electrical Code). The new rules apply | | | | receptacle? |