is it nec 2010 for a GFCI to be on a garage door opener

[Mark E. Northrup]

I have a electrician stating that it is a nec code for a garage opener to be on a GFCI outlet. Please state the code if this is true. House was remodled in 2008 and has multiple GFCI's in the garage almost all the outlets have one even if it is in the same run. Double tapping in the main service panel and two of the 15 amp breakers were over loaded with fans and bath ceiling heaters. IE turn them on and the breaker trips.
Thanks for your help
Mark
House 2 Home LLc.

[Bob Elliott]

I have it as all general purpose receptacles must be GFCI.
Door opener is "dedicated" usually isn't it?

[Mark E. Northrup]

That is what i thought and I wrote it up. But the Russian contractor states that it is NEC code. Which I have inspected lots of 2010 houses that have not had the garage door opener on a GFCI. this is a 1980 house that was remodled. And all the outlets in the garage except one had a GFCI on it. Some were in line with the string. So mulitiple GFCI's were used. Gives me the idea that someone didn't know what they were doing.

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by mnorthrup

I have a electrician stating that it is a nec code for a garage opener to be on a GFCI outlet. Please state the code if this is true. House was remodled in 2008 and has multiple GFCI's in the garage almost all the outlets have one even if it is in the same run. Double tapping in the main service panel and two of the 15 amp breakers were over loaded with fans and bath ceiling heaters. IE turn them on and the breaker trips.
Thanks for your help
Mark
House 2 Home LLc.

Yes the sparky is correct. The 2008 NEC revision to article 210.8(A)(2) did away with the exceptions for dedicated outlets (e.g., freezers, irrigation controllers, etc.) and for inaccessible outlets such as those in the ceiling for garage door operators. Basically, if it's in the garage, it must be GFCI protected.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Who puts up a ladder to test an outlet in the ceiling anyway?

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Who puts up a ladder to test an outlet in the ceiling anyway?

LOL. I disclaim checking GFCI for inaccessible outlets, however most of the newer construction that I do has the openers on the same device as the convenience outlets. When you trip the GFCI device the garage operator stops working, when you reset it, the light will typically come on. So its pretty easy to tell.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by cevans

Yes the sparky is correct. The 2008 NEC revision to article 210.8(A)(2) did away with the exceptions for dedicated outlets (e.g., freezers, irrigation controllers, etc.) and for inaccessible outlets such as those in the ceiling for garage door operators. Basically, if it's in the garage, it must be GFCI protected.

Yes Chuck is correct. This requirement changed in the 2008 NEC. That is unless you're in New Jersey where the State opted to keep the exception which IMO is a good idea. The 2008 would now require a sump pump receptacle to be GFCI protected. Given the possible consequences of a nuisance trip on a sump pump I like leaving the exception in the NEC.

One other point of interest, the new requirement under the 2008 only applies to 120 volt receptacles, a 240 volt receptacle would not require GFCI protection. I'm sure that when Chuck said "Basically, if it's in the garage, it must be GFCI protected" he meant only 120 volt receptacles.

[Mark E. Northrup]

thanks for the info guys. And yes Joe F I check all outlets that are reachable. The one i don't will be the one that does not work.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Who puts up a ladder to test an outlet in the ceiling anyway?

the same guy who checks those fireplace outlets i suppose Joe.

[Bruce A. King]

So far all of the garage door outlets I have seen with GFI have the test/reset on the ceiling or a dedicated GFI device (no outlets) on the wall. These are independent of the regular garage outlet circuit. The code people should have required the reset to be within reach of a normal height person without standing on anything.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by bking

So far all of the garage door outlets I have seen with GFI have the test/reset on the ceiling or a dedicated GFI device (no outlets) on the wall. These are independent of the regular garage outlet circuit. The code people should have required the reset to be within reach of a normal height person without standing on anything.

they make a special tool for those high ones Bruce, out here they call the special tool a "Stick".

[Tim Spargo]

Good point Bruce... "my outlet is compliant, but I broke my leg resetting it"

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

If I see a reset in the ceiling, I write it up as "just plain stupid".

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

they make a special tool for those high ones Bruce, out here they call the special tool a "Stick".

And they come in right hand and left hand versions. I think Professional Equipment sells them.