2006 Code Changes Rule 26-700(11) General (Receptacles)
Rule 26-700(11) General (Receptacles)
Any receptacle within 1.5 m of a sink, bathtub or shower stall must be connected with a circuit protected by a Class A ground fault current interrupter. You will recall that a Class A GFCI will trip and disconnect the electrical supply in the event of a ground fault of 5 milliamperes or higher. The only exceptions to this rule are stationary appliances (such as clothes washing machine), and so located that the receptacle would be inaccessible for general use.
The reason for this change—to prevent electrical shock hazards when receptacles are located in close proximity of well-grounded metal. We are most vulnerable to electric shock when we are well-grounded, especially when in contact with the grounded metal of water piping connected to sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls. It should be noted that in patient care areas of hospitals, Rule 24-106(3) Receptacles in Basic Care Areas now has an identical requirement for receptacles in a washroom and within 1.5 m of a wash basin.
Any receptacle within 1.5 m of a sink, bathtub or shower stall must be connected with a circuit protected by a Class A ground fault current interrupter. You will recall that a Class A GFCI will trip and disconnect the electrical supply in the event of a ground fault of 5 milliamperes or higher. The only exceptions to this rule are stationary appliances (such as clothes washing machine), and so located that the receptacle would be inaccessible for general use.
The reason for this change—to prevent electrical shock hazards when receptacles are located in close proximity of well-grounded metal. We are most vulnerable to electric shock when we are well-grounded, especially when in contact with the grounded metal of water piping connected to sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls. It should be noted that in patient care areas of hospitals, Rule 24-106(3) Receptacles in Basic Care Areas now has an identical requirement for receptacles in a washroom and within 1.5 m of a wash basin.
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