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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Question:

Subject: 210.21(B)(3) Thank you for your service to the electrical contracting community. I recently had a discussion with a fellow contractor regarding the installation of GFCI receptacle(s)in bathrooms. I believe a 15-ampere GFCI duplex receptacle meets Table 210.21(B)(3) even though installed on the required 20-ampere branch circuit. The other contractor insists that a 20-ampere rated GFCI receptacle must be used. Does the fact that a GFCI receptacle contains internal circuitry that may technically make it "listed or labeled equipment" make a difference, per 110.3(B)? Thank you again, AJ Lubas AJL Electric
A

Answer:

Hey AJ, 210.21(B)(3) applies to receptacles connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets. A duplex receptacle by definition is two receptacles (see Article 100). A duplex receptacle installed in a bathroom on the 20-ampere branch circuit required by 210.11(C)(3) can be rated 15 amperes based on Table 210.21(B)(3). NEC 210.8(1) requires that all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located in bathrooms have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection (GFCI) for personnel. NEC 406.2(A) requires that receptacles shall be listed. There is nothing in the listing that would require that receptacles must have a rating not less than that of the branch circuit supplying the receptacle.

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