Does a fridge need a GFCI?

Residential Kitchen

In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There's no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.

What appliances require GFCI?

The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters.

Can I plug a fridge into a regular outlet?

Refrigerator – Most refrigerators work with a standard 100-120 volt electrical plug and outlet. You will notice that the electrical plug is made up of three prongs; this means you will need an electrical outlet that has three inserts.

What kind of outlet should a refrigerator be plugged into?

The refrigerator connects to the household outlet using a standard three-prong plug. The plug has two square prongs and one round prong that match holes in a standard, three-prong household outlet.

Should a fridge be on its own circuit?

Having the refrigerator on its own dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for homeowners. Most refrigerators run between 3 to 6 amps, with that said, a refrigerator can spike at peak usage up to 15 amps.

GFCI Protection

Why does my refrigerator keep tripping the GFCI?

This is usually caused by multiple appliances being plugged into the same circuit. To avoid this happening, make sure that your refrigerator has a dedicated circuit, which you can do by plugging your refrigerator into an alternative power outlet and seeing if it still trips.

Do kitchen appliances need GFCI?

It's required by the NEC (National Electrical Code) that all 15 amp, 20 amp and 125 volt outlets within kitchen surface space be GFCI outlets.

Is it code to have GFCI outlets in kitchen?

Every receptacle installed in kitchens must be GFCI-protected. This new rule sets up an interesting situation. Sec. 210.8(A)(6) for dwelling units only requires GFCI protection for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed to serve dwelling unit kitchen counter surfaces.

Does a refrigerator receptacle located next to the kitchen sink need to be GFCI protected?

A receptacle located behind the refrigerator, not serving the countertop surface, is not required to be GFCI protected. A receptacle installed beside the refrigerator, serving both the refrigerator and the countertop surface, requires GFCI protection for personnel.

Which outlets in kitchen need to be GFCI?

Kitchens: All receptacles serving countertop areas and any receptacle within 6 feet of a sink must have GFCI protection. Also, the receptacle supplying a dishwasher should be GFCI-protected.

Do dishwashers need a GFCI outlet?

Kitchen dishwashers installed in dwelling units require GFCI protection whether hard wired or cord and plug connected. Code Change Summary: A new subsection was added regarding dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers. Now, outlets that supply dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers must have GFCI protection.

Do hardwired appliances need GFCI?

Other times the NEC requires GFCI protection for a specific appliance regardless of its voltage or if it's hard wired. Now, in the 2014 NEC, whether cord connected or hard wired, if GFCI protection is required in Article 422 for a specific appliance, then the device providing GFCI protection must be readily accessible.

Does a microwave need a GFCI?

Moderator. IMO, the '17 Code clarified this situation. In 210.8(A) GFCI is required for kitchen receptacles that are installed to serve the counter-top surfaces.

What is code for electrical outlets in kitchen?

In kitchens, electrical outlets should be placed no farther than 48 inches apart, so that no point on the countertop is more than 24 inches away from a receptacle. Any countertop 12 inches wide or more should have an outlet on the wall behind the countertop.

Will a refrigerator trip a GFCI breaker?

Most refrigerators with vapor compression have what are called inductive loads. When an inductive load is switched off, it can produce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The interference can, and often will, trip a GFCI outlet.

Should a freezer be plugged into a GFCI outlet?

However, GFCI's are prone to a phenomenon called "phantom tripping," meaning that they sometimes activate -shutting power off to the circuit - under normal, everyday voltage fluctuations. So freezers and refrigerators should never be plugged into GFCI's.

How do I stop my fridge from tripping the power?

Troubleshooting this sort of problem is relatively simple. If the breaker tripped immediately after plugging in the fridge, then you should consider unplugging it, resetting the breaker, and plugging in a second appliance. If the second appliance works, the short circuit is inside the refrigerator.

Can I put fridge and microwave on same circuit?

According to the 2020 version of the NEC, you can't power a microwave and refrigerator on the same circuit because each of these appliances requires a dedicated circuit, which is one shared by no other appliances or lights.

Why does my microwave keep tripping my GFCI outlet?

If your microwave is plugged into a GFCI breaker outlet and it keeps tripping, the outlet itself may be at fault. Try resetting the GFCI outlet. If the GFCI keeps tripping, there could be something else on the circuit causing the problem or you may have a faulty GFCI. Try another outlet to see if the problem goes away.

How many GFCI do you need in a kitchen?

You only need one GFCI if it's installed as the first outlet in the circuit and wired properly. Every outlet in the kitchen was required to be protected by GFCI.

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI?

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though GFCI is more commonly used than GFI, the terms are interchangeable.

How many outlets can 1 GFCI protect?

There's no limit. A standard GFCI will protect up to 20 amps, drawn from any combination of receptacles, either the built-in one or any number of additional ones connected to its load terminals.

Does a garbage disposal need to be on a GFCI?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional. The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate.

Does a washing machine need a GFCI?

The washing machine outlet itself does not require a GFCI outlet, however any outlet within 6 feet of the outside edge of the sink in laundry rooms require that it be GFCI protected.

Does my laundry room need a GFCI outlet?

The NEC requires GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection for all standard receptacles serving laundry areas. This includes the 20-amp designated receptacle for the washer (and gas dryer, as applicable) and any general-use receptacles. GFCI protection is not required for a 30-amp electric dryer receptacle.