Code Change Summary: Revisions made to incorporate new requirements for SFGFCI protection into Article 680.

In the 2023 NEC^®, Section 680.5 was renamed from “Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters” to “Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) and Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (SPGFCI) Protection”. This section was also restructured to allow for the new requirements addressing the use of SPGFCI protection for single- or 3-phase receptacles and outlets on branch circuits operating at voltages above 150 volts to ground, not exceeding 480 volts phase-to-phase.

The new requirements in 680.5(B) and (C) are voltage specific as follows:

680.5(B) Where required in Article 680, ground-fault protection of receptacles and outlets on single- or 3-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground and 60 amperes or less shall be provided with a Class A GFCI protection.

680.5(C) Where required in Article 680, ground-fault protection of receptacles and outlets on single- or 3-phase branch circuits operating at voltages above 150 volts to ground, but not exceeding 480 volts phase-to-phase shall be provided with SPGFCI protection not to exceed 20-mA ground-fault trip current.

Article 100 defines the typical Class A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) as intended for personnel protection. These devices are designed to trip when current leakage to ground is in the range of 4mA to 6mA. Article 100 also defines Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment (GFPE) as intended for equipment protection. These devices are designed to trip in the 30 mA or higher range, and therefore not typically selected for personnel protection.

In the 2023 NEC^®, Article 100 defines a Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (SPGFCI) as a device used in circuits with voltage to ground greater than 150 volts that detects ground-fault currents, and functions to de-energize a circuit or portion of a circuit within an established period of time when a ground-fault current is detected that exceeds the values established for Class C, D, or E devices.

SPGFCI devices trip at higher levels of current leakage than a Class A device, but at lower levels than a GFPE device; typically, between 15mA and 20mA.

Since the thresholds for the current that the SPGFCI responds to could be below ventricular fibrillation thresholds, but not below human let-go thresholds, the phrase "personnel protection" was intentionally left out of this new definition.

Class A GFCIs are rated for voltages not greater than 150 volts to ground, which is why they cannot provide the protection required for pool pump motors supplied by circuits operating at higher voltages to ground, which often exist in commercial pool environments and water parks.

For these installations, the NEC^® will now require the use of SPGFCI devices.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.