Change Summary

• GFCI protection for receptacles in non-dwelling unit crawl spaces and unfinished basement areas has been added.

Expert Analysis

The Code has mandated GFCI protection for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in dwelling unit crawl spaces since 1990 and in unfinished basement areas since 1987. From that time until the present, no similar requirement existed for similar receptacles installed in a non-dwelling unit crawl space. That will change for the 2017 NEC with all single-phase receptacles rated 150-volts to ground or less, 50-amperes or less; and three-phase receptacles rated 150-volts to ground or less, 100-amperes or less installed in non-dwelling unit crawl spaces and unfinished basement areas now requiring GFCI protection.

It should be noted that the text at 210.8(A)(5) for GFCI requirement for receptacles in dwelling unit unfinished basements has been revised to match this new text for non-dwelling unit unfinished basements in such a way as to eliminate the need for a definition of an unfinished basement.

Unattended areas like basements and crawlspaces can benefit from Leviton’s Audible Alert GFCI Receptacle. A power interruption due to a ground fault provides important protection to people but can shut down freezers, sump pumps and other necessary equipment if left undetected. Often GFCIs in an out-of-the-way place such as a back corner or storage area make daily visual checks for GFCI tripping unlikely. The new SmartlockPro® Slim GFCI with Audible Alert is the smart solution.

When a condition exists causing the SmartlockPro® Slim GFCI with Audible Alert to trip, users will be alerted by the sounding of an audible alarm. This audible alert indicates that power has been disconnected from loads plugged into or fed from the GFCI so users can immediately assess the reason and reset the device.