Receptacle spacing and AFCI/GFCI

Code cycle note#

This topic is written against the 2017 NEC as adopted by North Carolina at the last review date. If your jurisdiction has moved to the 2020 NEC, the GFCI rules expand (dishwasher branch circuit, more kitchen coverage) and some AFCI configurations changed. Verify against the currently adopted cycle before rough-in.

General wall receptacle spacingNEC 210.52(A)#

In habitable rooms, no point along a wall line more than 2 feet wide can be more than 6 feet from a receptacle. Practically, this means a receptacle within 6 feet of any door opening and then at most 12 feet apart along the wall.

Wall segments 2 feet wide or wider, including fixed panels of sliding doors, count toward the spacing requirement. Walls behind door swings count.

Kitchen countertopsNEC 210.52(C)#

Countertop sections 12 inches or wider must have at least one receptacle. Along the counter, no point can be more than 24 inches from a receptacle.

Kitchens must have at least two 20-amp small-appliance branch circuits feeding the countertop receptacles and the refrigerator.

GFCI-protected locationsNEC 210.8(A)#

GFCI protection is required for receptacles serving these locations:

• Bathrooms (every receptacle)
• Kitchen countertops and within 6 feet of a sink
• Outdoor receptacles
• Garages and accessory buildings
• Unfinished basements
• Laundry areas
• Crawl spaces at or below grade
• Within 6 feet of a bathtub or shower stall (outside the bathroom)

AFCI-protected locationsNEC 210.12#

AFCI protection is required on 15- and 20-amp branch circuits supplying outlets and devices in most habitable rooms: kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms.

AFCI can be provided at the breaker, at the first outlet, or in specific allowed configurations. Many inspectors prefer breaker-level AFCI because it is easier to verify during rough-in.

Common inspection flags#

The most common electrical rough-in fails:

• Wall segment over 2 feet wide missing a receptacle
• Countertop peninsula or island without the required receptacle
• Bathroom receptacle fed from a general lighting circuit instead of a dedicated 20-amp circuit
• GFCI missing in an unfinished basement or laundry area
• AFCI protection missing on bedroom circuits
• Outdoor receptacle missing a weatherproof in-use cover