Change Summary

• A new section 422.5 titled Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection has been added to Part I of Article 422.
• GFCI protective devices installed for appliances covered by Article 422 must be readily accessible.
• The new requirement aligns with the readily accessible requirements for GFCI devices in 210.8

Expert Analysis

This new section provides a general requirement that ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection installed for appliances is required to be readily accessible. The substantiation indicated manufacturers of GFCI protective devices routinely require that the GFCI device be tested not less often than monthly to ensure it is providing the life-safety protection intended. The GFCI device must be located in a readily accessible location to facilitate this periodic testing and also any troubleshooting process that may be required to determine why a device has tripped. An identical requirement that the GFCI devices be located in a readily accessible location was incorporated into 210.8 for the 2011 NEC. Identical accessibility must also be provided for the appliances requiring GFCI protection in Article 422 because the problem is the same. Previously it was contended that unless the GFCI protection was provided to meet the requirements in 210.8, that ready access was not required. Ready access is required for GFCI protection installed for appliances as required in Article 422. The added section will clarify for installers and Code enforcers that the readily accessible rule for GFCIs installed for appliances is intended to be the same as for any GFCI installed in accordance with 210.8.