Code Change Summary: New code section regarding receptacles and GFPE.

In the 2023 NEC^®, a public input was accepted to address the replacement of receptacles that are required to have ground-fault protection for equipment (GFPE). The new code language in Section 406.4(D)(8) specifies that if a replacement is made for a receptacle that the NEC^® requires elsewhere to be GFPE protected, GFPE shall be provided for the replacement receptacle outlet.

This new requirement is similar to the existing language in Section 406.4(D)(3) which requires ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection for receptacles to be provided where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be GFCI protected elsewhere in the NEC^®.

GFCI and GFPE protection is not the same. The Article 100 definition makes it clear that GFCI protection for personnel is designed to trip when current leakage to ground exceeds the values established for a Class A device (in the range of 4mA to 6mA). GFPE is for equipment protection and typically designed to trip in the 30 mA or higher range.

Receptacles that provide shore power to boats at marinas, boatyards, and docking facilities are examples of outlets required by the NEC^® to have GFPE protection. These receptacles have been required to have ground-fault protection rated not more than 30 milliamps since Section 555.35 was first introduced in the 2020 NEC^®. Even though GFPE devices are designed for protecting equipment rather than people, studies of “Electric Shock Drowning” (ESD) incidents show that 50% of the ESD instances may be avoided by requiring the 30mA GFPE protection at the shore power receptacles.

Once jurisdictions adopt the 2023 NEC^®, it is likely that they will require permits and inspections when like-for-like receptacle replacements are made on older electrical installations (that were not required to have GFPE when first installed) if the receptacle is required by the 2023 NEC^® to have GFPE. The inspection will assure the authority having jurisdiction that GFPE has been installed when the receptacle is replaced to comply with the newest edition of the NEC^®.

In most receptacle replacements affected by this new code language, the required GFPE will be provided by installing a GFPE circuit breaker where the branch circuit supplying the replaced receptacle originates.

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.