GFCI & AFCI Requirements
NEC 2023 requirements for ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection by location. Code adoption varies by jurisdiction — always verify with your local AHJ.
GFCI & AFCI Requirements by Location
| Location | GFCI Required | AFCI Required | Code Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathrooms | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(1) | All receptacles within bathrooms, regardless of distance from water |
| Garages | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(2) | All 125V, 15A and 20A receptacles; includes attached/detached garages |
| Outdoors | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(3) | All outdoor receptacles at grade level and accessible to unfinished spaces |
| Crawl spaces | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(4) | At or below grade level |
| Unfinished basements | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(5) | Not required for dedicated appliance receptacles or fire alarm circuits |
| Kitchen countertops | YES | YES | NEC 210.8(A)(6) | Within 6 ft of sink edge; all countertop receptacles |
| Within 6 ft of sink (non-kitchen) | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(7) | Laundry, utility, wet bar sinks |
| Boathouses | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(8) | All receptacles |
| Bathtubs/shower stalls (within 6 ft) | YES | NO | NEC 210.8(A)(9) | Even if not in a bathroom by definition |
| Laundry areas | YES | YES | NEC 210.8(A)(10) | Added in 2023 NEC; verify local adoption |
| Bedrooms | NO | YES | NEC 210.12 | AFCI required for all 120V, 15A and 20A bedroom circuits |
| Living/family rooms | NO | YES | NEC 210.12 | AFCI required in 2020+ NEC; verify local adoption |
| Hallways/closets | NO | YES | NEC 210.12 | AFCI required in 2020+ NEC; verify local adoption |
Breaker Size & Wire Gauge Quick Reference
| Breaker Size | Minimum Wire Gauge | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 15A | 14 AWG | Lighting circuits, small appliances, general outlets |
| 20A | 12 AWG | Kitchen outlets, bathroom outlets, laundry, garage |
| 30A | 10 AWG | Electric dryers, water heaters, AC units, welders |
| 40A | 8 AWG | Electric ranges, large AC units |
| 50A | 8 AWG (AL) or 6 AWG (CU) | Electric ranges, EV chargers (Level 2), large spas |
| 60A | 6 AWG | Subpanels, large HVAC, EV chargers |
| 100A | 2 AWG (CU) or 1/0 AWG (AL) | Small subpanels, large outbuildings |
| 150A | 1/0 AWG (CU) or 2/0 AWG (AL) | Medium subpanels, service entrance |
| 200A | 3/0 AWG (CU) or 4/0 AWG (AL) | Main residential service entrance, large subpanels |
GFCI (ground-fault) protection detects current leaking to ground — typically a shock hazard near water. AFCI (arc-fault) protection detects the electrical signature of arcing — typically a fire hazard from damaged wiring. They protect against different failure modes.
Combination-type AFCI breakers (CAFCI) provide both series and parallel arc-fault protection and are required by NEC 2014+. Standard AFCI breakers are no longer code-compliant for new installations.
You can provide GFCI protection either with a GFCI outlet at the first receptacle in a circuit (protecting all downstream outlets) or with a GFCI breaker at the panel. Both are NEC-compliant. GFCI outlets are cheaper; breakers protect the entire circuit including the wire run.