Clause-by-clause translation of NEC Article 210: GFCI in bathrooms/kitchens/outdoors, AFCI in dwellings, the 6-ft rule, kitchen countertop receptacle placement.
| Document | NEC 2023, Article 210 Branch Circuits |
| Edition | 2023 |
| Status | Current (latest NEC edition) |
| Issued by | NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) |
| Applies to | Branch circuits in dwellings and other occupancies: receptacles, GFCI, AFCI, receptacle placement |
| № | Chapter / section |
|---|---|
| 210.1–210.7 | General |
| 210.8 | GFCI protection |
| 210.12 | AFCI protection |
| 210.19–210.21 | Conductor sizes, ratings |
| 210.50–210.63 | Receptacle placement |
Article 210 covers branch circuits — from the last breaker to receptacles and appliances. Standard ratings: 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 A (210.3).
210.8(A) In dwellings, GFCI receptacles required: bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, kitchen countertops, within 1.8 m of sinks, boat houses, bathtubs, laundry areas, indoor damp areas.
210.8(B) Non-dwellings: bathrooms, kitchens, sinks, outdoors, basements, wet areas.
210.8(F) Outdoor equipment (AC units, pumps) with accessible receptacles — GFCI too.
210.12 AFCI required in dwellings for circuits feeding bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, kitchens and most habitable rooms. AFCI detects arcing and disconnects before fire. Implemented as a breaker or the first receptacle.
210.19 20 A circuits — 12 AWG; 15 A — 14 AWG copper.
210.21 20 A circuits — 20 A receptacles (15 A allowed when multiple); 15 A circuits — 15 A only.
210.23 Continuous loads ≤ 80% of rating.
210.52(A)(1) 6-ft rule: no point on a wall in a dwelling more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from a receptacle.
210.52(B)(1) Walls ≥ 0.6 m (2 ft) — at least one receptacle.
210.52(C) Countertops: no point more than 0.6 m (24 in) from a receptacle; islands ≥ 0.6 m — one each.
210.52(G) Bathroom: one 20 A GFCI receptacle within 0.9 m of the sink.
Article 210 is the inspector's first check: GFCI wherever water and outdoors, AFCI in habitable rooms, receptacles every 6 ft, countertops every 24 in. Unlike PUE (30 mA RCD in the panel), the US GFCI (4–6 mA) is often built into the receptacle.
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