1. North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal
Risk Management
State Electrical Division
2017 State Electrical Code
210.8(A)(4) - GFCI Protection
in a Crawl Space

2. Notice:
The following illustrations are approved by the State Electrical Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal. These illustrations are intended to demonstrate but not supersede the official written interpretations found at the following web address:
Joseph Starling
Chief State Electrical Engineer & Inspector
Illustrated by:
Danny Thomas
State Electrical Inspector

3. Subject: GFCI Protection in a Crawl Space Section 210.8(A)(4)
Date: June 12, 2018
Acme Meter
2017 Electrical Code
Subject: GFCI Protection in a Crawl Space
Section 210.8(A)(4)
Question:
Does section of the electrical code prohibit a 125-volt, single phase, 15- or 20- ampere GFCI type receptacle from being installed in a crawl space because the receptacle is not “readily accessible” from the normal occupied areas of the dwelling?

4. Date: June 12, 2018
2017 Electrical Code
Subject: GFCI Protection in a Crawl Space
Section 210.8(A)(4)
Answer:
A GFCI type receptacle located in a crawl space is not typically “readily accessible” from the normal occupied areas of the dwelling. Receptacle outlets located in normal occupied areas of the dwelling that possess GFCI protection located within the crawl space creates a hindrance to the occupants when such GFCI protection must be reset from the crawl space.
However a GFCI type receptacle is typically readily accessible from within the crawl space where such receptacle is being utilized for servicing HVAC or plumbing equipment.
Therefore, a GFCI type receptacle is allowed in the crawl space if this GFCI type receptacle only protects the outlet(s) within the crawl space. Nothing in this document is meant to suggest that the branch circuit supplying the GFCI protected receptacle(s) within the crawl space is prohibited from also supplying outlet(s) in the normally occupied areas of the dwelling. Additionally, nothing in this document is meant to suggest that GFCI protection for the receptacle in the crawl space must be located within the crawl space.

5. GFCI Type Receptacle GFCI Type Receptacle Air Handling Equipment
Date: June 12, 2018
GFCI Type
Receptacle
Air Handling Equipment
GFCI Type
Receptacle
2017 Electrical Code
Subject: GFCI Protection in
a Crawl Space
Section 210.8(A)(4)

6. Date: June 12, 2018
2017 Electrical Code
Subject: GFCI Protection in a Crawl Space
Section 210.8(A)(4)
Example:
There are two outside receptacles on the exterior of the dwelling (one on the front and one on the back) and one crawl space receptacle at the air handler. The branch circuit originates at a panelboard, then to the receptacle at the air handler, then to the receptacle at the front and finally to the receptacle at the back.
A GFCI type receptacle is installed at the air handler in the crawl space with no circuitry connected to the load side of this GFCI type receptacle; thus there is no GFCI protection on the branch circuit as it leaves the crawl space.
A GFCI type receptacle is installed at the front of the dwelling and the branch circuit that extends to the non-GFCI receptacle on the back of the dwelling is connected to the load side of the GFCI type receptacle on the front of the dwelling; thus the GFCI protection for the front and back receptacles is located only at the front of the dwelling..

7. Interior
Panel Schedule
1- Range Dryer
“ “
5- Lights Lights
7- Recept 8- Recept
9- Lights Outside
recept
Replace the non-GFCI protected receptacle on the front with a GFCI type receptacle and connect back of house receptacle to load side.
GFCI Type Receptacle
Crawl Space
Air
Handler
No load side connection!
Splices Made on Line Side of Receptacle
14/2 wg (UL)