Do Outside Outlets Need Gfci

Outdoor electrical outlets differ from indoor outlets because they have watertight covers that protect the outlet even with a cord plugged in. Plus, the National Electrical Code requires all outdoor outlets to be GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupter outlets).

When were GFCI outlets required outside?

All outdoor receptacles were first required to be GFCI-protected by the 1971 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Do I need a GFCI outlet in my shed?

The National Electrical Code [NEC 210.8 (A)(2)] requires ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection for “all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles” installed in “accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, …