How many GFCI outlets should I have in my kitchen? (countertops, Home Depot)

[Bergenite]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Anything in a kitchen, bathroom, garage, unfinished basement or outdoors should have GFI protection.

This is wrong. We just read that only kitchen outlets serving counters need GFCI protection.

[M3 Mitch]

Definitely put the fridge on it's own circuit, not involved with the GFCI outlets, and I'd run 12 gauge wire to it as well. As opposed to 14 gauge.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Definitely put the fridge on it's own circuit, not involved with the GFCI outlets, and I'd run 12 gauge wire to it as well. As opposed to 14 gauge.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that 14 gauge was only used for lights, and never for outlets.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by Bergenite

This is wrong. We just read that only kitchen outlets serving counters need GFCI protection.

You were reading the wrong book then. I suggest you seek the help of a professional.



As for the answer being two in the kitchen;

The NEC requires a minimum of two small appliance branch circuits in the kitchen; using one GFCI per circuit, you would need a minimum of two.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that 14 gauge was only used for lights, and never for outlets.

That's wrong.

We use #14 for everything the code allows.

#12 is required for the kitchen counter receps, the dining room or adjacent nook to the kitchen, bathroom receptacles and you must have at least one 20A circuit (#12) in the laundry room for the washing machine. And of course for any fixed appliance that requires that size.

I run #14 for the fridge, dishwasher, icemaker, etc. . . unless I'm given specs beforehand that tell me the appliance needs a 20A circuit; the microwave can be on #14 but we use #12.

Also keep in mind any 20A circuits with only one device require a 20A device, not the economy grade 15A.

Everything else is fair game for #14; personally i think its foolish to waste the money on anything above it. And the labor for #14 is less than #12.

[Bergenite]

Originally Posted by Bergenite
This is wrong. We just read that only kitchen outlets serving counters need GFCI protection.

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

You were reading the wrong book then. I suggest you seek the help of a professional.

southgeorgia,

Then what you're saying is that every outlet in the entire kitchen requires GFCI protection?

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Bergenite

This is wrong. We just read that only kitchen outlets serving counters need GFCI protection.

That's actually not wrong at all. Since at least 2002 the NEC has required all 15A and 20A receptacles (with a few exceptions) in kitchens, bathrooms, ground level accessory buildings - whether finished or unfinished, basements, crawlspaces or outdoors - even if under the eave line, be GFCI protected.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

As for the answer being two in the kitchen;

The NEC requires a minimum of two small appliance branch circuits in the kitchen; using one GFCI per circuit, you would need a minimum of two.

I see. Thanks.

[Bergenite]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

That's actually not wrong at all. Since at least 2002 the NEC has required all 15A and 20A receptacles (with a few exceptions) in kitchens, bathrooms, ground level accessory buildings - whether finished or unfinished, basements, crawlspaces or outdoors - even if under the eave line, be GFCI protected.

Maybe I am reading the wrong book. But here's what the 2005 NEC says about the requirement for GFCI's in kitchens.

Article 210.8(A)6 Kitchens- Where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces.

Has the 2008 version changed to include every outlet in the kitchen?

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Bergenite

Maybe I am reading the wrong book. But here's what the 2005 NEC says about the requirement for GFCI's in kitchens.

Article 210.8(A)6 Kitchens- Where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces.

Has the 2008 version changed to include every outlet in the kitchen?

Keep reading in 210.8(A).