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Q I’m planning to add more
electrical receptacles in my
garage. Will installing a GFCI receptacle
in every outlet increase the
safety factor? I do a lot of woodworking
and often use power tools.
Daniel McCormick, Austin, TX
A The National Electrical Code requires that all the receptacles in a garage have GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protection, with a couple of exceptions. Garages have a high potential for dangerous shocks because of damp concrete floors or even standing water. GFCIs guard against fatal electric shocks by instantly shutting off the power as soon as they detect a small current “leak.”
Keep in mind that you don’t have to buy a GFCI for each receptacle. GFCIs have an extra set of terminals (the “load” terminals) that allow you to wire standard receptacles to the existing GFCI and gain the required GFCI protection.
The code lists two exceptions: You don’t need GFCI protection for receptacles (outlets) typically out of reach, for example, the receptacle on the ceiling for the garage door opener. And you don’t need GFCI protection for a receptacle dedicated to an appliance, like a freezer, that stays in one location.
Woodworking tools that are fixed in place, like a dust collector that’s hooked into ductwork, satisfy the second exception. But mobile tools, such as table saws and portable dust collectors, must have GFCI protection. Ask your local electrical inspector about tools that you think might be exceptions.
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