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445.20 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Receptacles on 15-kW or Smaller Portable Generators

Revision and New

Change Summary

  • Listed cord sets incorporating GFCI protection for portable generators manufactured or rebuilt prior to January 1, 2015, are now permitted. GFCI requirements have been separated into unbonded (floating neutral) generators versus bonded neutral generators.
NEC® Text

445.20 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Receptacles on 15-kW or Smaller Portable Generators.
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere rReceptacle outlets that are a part of a 15-kW or smaller portable generator either shall have listed ground-fault circuitinterrupter protection (GFCI) for personnel integral to the generator or receptacle or shall not be available for use when the 125/250-volt locking-type receptacle is in use. If the generator does not have a 125/250-volt locking-type receptacle, this requirement shall not apply. as indicated in either (A) or (B):
(A) Unbonded (Floating Neutral) Generators. Unbonded generators with both 125-volt and 125/250-volt receptacle outlets shall have listed GFCI protection for personnel integral to the generator or receptacle on all 125-volt and 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets.

Exception: GFCI protection shall not be required where the 125-volt receptacle outlets(s) is interlocked such that it is not available for use when any 125/250-volt receptacle(s) is in use.

(B) Bonded Neutral Generators. Bonded generators shall be provided with GFCI protection on all 125-volt and 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets.

Informational Note: Refer to 590.6(A)(3) for GFCI requirements for 15-kW or smaller portable generators used for temporary electric power and lighting.

Exception to (A) and (B): If the generator was manufactured or remanufactured prior to January 1, 2015, listed cord sets or devices incorporating listed GFCI protection for personnel identified for portable use shall be permitted.

Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association
(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

The requirements of 445.20 were revised to separate GFCI requirements for unbonded (floating neutral) generators at 445.20(A) and bonded neutral generators at 445.20(B). Unbonded (floating neutral) generators requires GFCI protection at all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, but only where both 125-volt and 125/250-volt receptacles exist on the generator. An exception to 445.20(A) eliminates GFCI protection where the 125-volt receptacle outlets(s) is interlocked such that it is not available for use when any 125/250- volt receptacle(s) is in use.

New 445.20(B) requires all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles on bonded neutral generators to be provided with GFCI protection. An exception to 445.20(A) and (B) permits GFCI protection in the form of listed cord sets or devices incorporating listed GFCI protection if the generator was manufactured or remanufactured prior to January 1, 2015.

Leviton Comment
This code article relates to the construction of the Generator. Contractors exposure here is limited as inspectors typically look for your installation work, not your generator. This may be more of an OSHA concern on larger job sites. Compliance makes sense to address safety and liability concerns on the job site.

To comply with the exception to (A) and (B) above, Leviton offers a full line of GFCI Cord Sets. Leviton’s GFCI Cord Sets and User-attachable plugs are sleeker and more rugged than ever. And, while these devices are fully NEC and OSHA compliant for use on job sites, they are also perfect for use in a variety of temporary power applications, such as electric gardening equipment, electric power tools, recreation vehicles, marine vehicles, portable pools, portable generators, submersible pumps, vending machines and more.

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