CSLB C-10 Electrical ContractorEquipment and InstallationEasy

A technician is installing a new 120-volt, 20-ampere receptacle in a commercial kitchen, 3 feet from the edge of a permanently installed sink. Which of the following best describes the GFCI protection requirement for this receptacle according to the California Electrical Code?

  1. AGFCI protection is not required if the receptacle is for a specific appliance.
  2. BGFCI protection is required only for receptacles serving countertop surfaces.
  3. CGFCI protection is required for all 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in commercial kitchens.
  4. DGFCI protection is only required if the receptacle is within 6 feet of the sink.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. GFCI protection is required for all 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in commercial kitchens.

According to NEC 210.8(B)(2) as adopted by the CEC, all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in commercial and industrial kitchens must have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. The NEC does not provide an exception for specific appliances in commercial kitchens regarding GFCI requirements for 15- and 20-ampere receptacles.
  • B. GFCI protection in commercial kitchens applies to all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, not just those serving countertop surfaces.
  • D. The 6-foot rule applies to dwelling unit kitchens, not commercial kitchens, where the rule is more comprehensive.

GFCI in Commercial Kitchens

All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in commercial and industrial kitchens are required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection.

  • Applies to commercial and industrial kitchens.
  • Covers 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles.
  • No distance rule from sinks, it's a general requirement.
  • Found in NEC 210.8(B)(2).

Memory trick: Commercial Kitchens: Every Outlet's a GFCI Host.

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