Overview

Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) devices are vital for ensuring safety in electrical systems, promptly detecting and interrupting ground faults to prevent electric shocks. However, Special-Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (SPGFCIs) are preferred over standard GFCIsfor the protection of higher voltage circuits, due to the latter’s propensity to trip inadvertently on higher voltage circuits. In line with this, NEC 2023 Section 410.184 now mandates SPGFCI protection for circuits exceeding 150 volts, aiming to promote wider adoption of SPGFCI devices for enhanced safety in such circuits.

Applying the 2023 Code

Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) devices are vital components of electrical systems, designed to detect small amounts of leakage current that occur during ground faults. These devices quickly respond to such faults by interrupting the circuit they serve. As a result, they play a crucial role in significantly reducing the risk of electric shocks to individuals, making them crucial devices for ensuring safety in both residential and commercial settings.

However, leakage currents can also arise due to increased circuit operating voltages, potentially leading the GFCI to trip inadvertently during normal operations of such circuits. This means that standard GFCI devices are not designed for use on higher voltage circuits. To address this concern, specialized types of GFCI protection devices known as Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (SPGFCIs) have been developed for the protection of higher voltage circuits.

In the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), Section 410.184 has been expanded to include requirements for the installation of SPGFCI devices on circuits with operating voltages exceeding 150 volts to ground. This addition to Section 410.184 ensures that SPGFCIs are appropriately installed to protect devices and circuits operating at 150 volts and above.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

The table below presents a comparison between the 2020 NEC and the 2023 NEC regarding Section 410.184.