Code Change Summary: Several changes and new requirements occurred for GFCI protection in other than dwellings.

In the 2020 NEC^®, Section 210.8(B) had 12 locations specified (for other than dwelling units) where GFCI protection was required for certain receptacles. Exceptions were intermixed among the 12 locations as applicable.

In the 2023 NEC^®, this section was expanded to have 15 locations where GFCI protection is required for receptacles, and all exceptions were relocated to the end of the 15 list items.

The GFCI requirements in Section 210.8(B) apply to specific receptacles installed in any of the 15 locations in other than dwelling units. Receptacle types include:

• Receptacles rated 125-volt through 250-volt and supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, 50 amperes or less.
• Receptacles supplied by three-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, 100 amperes or less.

New locations in Section 210.8(B) that trigger the GFCI protection requirements for receptacles include:

• “Areas” that might not be considered a “kitchen” but have a sink and permanent provisions for beverage preparation or cooking. This can include coffee shops, bars and the like.
• Buffet serving areas with permanent provisions for food serving, beverage serving, or cooking. This can include all you can eat buffets, hotel breakfast areas, or even areas at a church where these activities occur.
• Aquariums, bait wells, and similar open aquatic vessels or containers, such as tanks or bowls, where receptacles are installed within 6 feet from the top inside edge or rim or from the conductive support framing of the vessel or container. Many electrical hazards can exist around aquariums and the like. Often, commercial display fish tanks will have additional sumps or other holding tanks underneath. Those servicing the aquariums each week often remove and replace multiple gallons of aquarium water while working directly over electrical outlets supplying the various pumps and heaters for the aquarium.

Line item 7 (previously item 5 and applied only to receptacles within 6 feet of a sink) retains the language on “sinks” but was expanded to address cord-and-plug-connected fixed* or stationary* appliances located within 6 feet of a sink even if the receptacle that supplies the appliance is located further than 6 feet from the sink. The intent is to address the hazards that may exist with a faulty appliance supplied by a receptacle rather than the hazard existing from the location of the receptacle.

*Keep in mind that the following Article 100 definitions of “Fixed”, “Fixed-in-Place” and “Stationary” currently only apply where used in Articles 625 and 680 but the below definitions might shed some light on the intent of 210.8(B)(7) until future code cycles broaden the use of the definitions.

Fixed (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location. (680)

Fixed-in-Place. Mounting means of equipment using fasteners that require a tool for removal. (625)

Stationary (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is not moved from one place to another in normal use. (680)

UL 197 is the Standard for Commercial Electric Cooking Appliances and has several definitions pertaining to appliances in Section 2 including:

• 2.3 Appliance
• 2.4 Automatically Controlled Appliance
• 2.12 Equipment-Fixed
• 2.12 Equipment-Portable

A Fixed Appliance as defined and used in UL 197 is “An appliance that is intended to be fastened in place or located in a dedicated space and is permanently wired to the branch circuit”.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.