Facilitating Compliance With NEC 2023 Ground Fault Protection Requirements – MENNEKES

October 31, 2022

The National Electrical Code (NEC), the leading standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States, will release a 2023 Code update later this year. As with previous iterations, we know the 2023 Code update will contain revisions to ground fault protection requirements.

Ground fault protection for personnel is a top safety priority in plant environments. Section 210.8 (B) of NEC 2020, along with the pending 2023 update, outlines the locations and service parameters requiring ground fault protection in non-dwelling units — including industrial and commercial.

Section 210.8 (B) states:

“All single-phase receptacles rated 150 volts to ground or less, 50 amperes or less and three-phase receptacles rated 150 volts to ground or less, 100 amperes or less installed in the following locations shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.”

These locations include bathrooms, kitchens, rooftops, sinks, locker rooms, garages and indoor wet locations, and this list has continued to grow with each new NEC update since 1968.

Ground Fault Protection on MENNEKES Enclosures

The availability of market-ready technologies that facilitate ease of installation and operator use can impact a plant’s interpretation and implementation for NEC ground fault compliance. Indoor and outdoor damp and wet locations remain a special challenge — especially when plug-in equipment is used in NEMA 4X operating environments. For these reasons, the 2023 NEC update will continue to emphasize this critical area of operator safety.

Fortunately, MENNEKES already offers many market-ready solutions to address these needs — even in NEMA 4X operating environments. Many AMAXX® power distribution units feature a 120V ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet for personnel protection. Combinations with a GFCI are often paired with a UL Type 3R weatherproof cover. In Type 4X areas, the GFCI outlet is installed under a watertight-rated cover. For in-use Type 4X plug-in equipment, a blind face GFCI under a Type 4X cover, wired to a Type 4X rated outlet, improves worker safety.

In addition to meeting ground fault protection requirements, AMAXX customization and ease of installation can facilitate a plant’s NEC compliance process. AMAXX is available in single- to five-gang units with customer-specific and standardized product offerings, making the selection and ordering processes a breeze. In addition to GFCI options, choose from pin and sleeve receptacles, NEMA locking devices, disconnect switches and much more. With this level of customization, one AMAXX unit can replace the need for multiple installations, saving you labor, material and space.

To learn more about AMAXX and start the customization process of your own unit, visit MENNEKES’ AMAXX configuration page