CSLB C-10 Electrical ContractorEquipment and InstallationEasy
A homeowner asks an electrician to add a new 20-ampere, 120-volt receptacle circuit to serve small kitchen countertop appliances. Per the CEC, what protection must this receptacle have?
- AA dedicated equipment ground only, no special protection required
- BSurge protection device (SPD) at the panel
- CAFCI protection only
- DGFCI protection
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. GFCI protection
CEC/NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed to serve kitchen countertop surfaces in dwelling units.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. An equipment ground alone does not protect against ground-fault shock hazards near water sources.
- B. SPDs protect against transient voltage surges, not personnel shock hazards.
- C. AFCI is required for many dwelling circuits but does not satisfy the shock-protection requirement for kitchen countertop receptacles.
GFCI in Dwelling Kitchens
GFCI protection is required for all 125V, 15A/20A receptacles serving kitchen countertop surfaces.
- NEC 210.8(A)(6) governs dwelling kitchen receptacles
- GFCI trips on ground-fault current as low as 4-6mA
- Applies regardless of distance from sink
Memory trick: Kitchens and wet areas always get GFCI guards.