The 2008 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) added a requirement for tamper resistant receptacles. Article 210.52 covers "dwelling unit receptacles" and specifies general provisions for outlets used in residential installations. Article 406.11 is a new section that specifies that all 125 V, 15 or 20 A receptacles covered under 210.52 must be tamper resistant. http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Fact%20sheets/TamperResistant.pdf<http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Fact%20sheets/TamperResistant.pdf>
The result has been that ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) have been introduced with shutters. However, all of the major manufacturers that I reviewed only have the shutters on line and neutral. The shutters open only when plug blades are inserted in both openings simultaneously. The intention is to prevent young children from getting a shock by inserting a foreign object into the outlet. The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require GFCIs to have a ground connection. In fact, the NEC specifies that GFCIs be used for protection is certain situations where no grounding conductor is available. (See NEC article 406(D)(3).) GFCIs are required in kitchens near sources of water, and most kitchen appliances are double-insulated without a ground pin. The same is true for many items plugged into bathroom outlets, such as electric razors and electric toothbrush charging bases. A GFCI requiring a three-prong plug would likely pose a problem in these areas. I would be a bit suspicious of GFCI receptacles that require the insertion of a grounded plug. I can imagine a scenario where somebody determined that it would be acceptable to force people to use grounded plugs instead of providing GFCIs. Did the builder consider having a wired path to earth sufficient to meet the intent of the GFCI requirements? I recommend pulling the cover plate for one of the outlets to try to find the manufacturer's name and part number. Look up the specifications on the outlet to see if is even a GFCI. Also, if this is a UL Listed tamper resistant outlet, the words "Tamper Resistant" or the letters "TR" must be visible on the device even with the cover plate installed and at least 4.8 mm high. (See UL 498 Table 164.4, Reference 15.) Note 1: The addition of the tamper resistant receptacle requirement along with the new Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) requirement have caused concern due to the increased cost and perceived reliability issues. A number of states and jurisdictions have not adopted either the 2008 or 2011 codes, or have adopted the codes while striking out these two requirements. It is possible that the tamper resistant requirement doesn't exist where you live and that this outlet was used for some other reason. Note 2: AFCIs are relatively expensive. Shuttered GFCIs are not too expensive, but still cost more to make than a standard outlet. There has been a proliferation of counterfeit electrical devices including receptacles in the past decade. The counterfeiters will copy the manufacturer's marking and even the UL mark but there are usually ways to see if the outlet is fake. Ted Eckert Compliance Engineer Microsoft Corporation [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. From: Ken Javor [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 7:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: New type of GFI? All, In a brand new building in the USA using a type of GFI in wet areas (kitchen/bath) with which I am unfamiliar. These GFIs require a three prong plug in order to be able to insert. The ground pin pushes back a plastic blocking sheath which otherwise blocks the insertion of any two prong plug. Question: Does this type of GFI require a three prong device in order for the device to be able to detect a fault condition (i.e., does it only sense current in the safety wire conductor, or is it some sort of belts and suspenders design that works like GFIs which accept two wire plugs)? Another way to phrase the question is whether or not it is safe to plug in a two prong device using a cheater plug. For example, a DEI (doubly electrically isolated) electric razor with a two prong plug cannot be plugged into the electrical outlet near the bathroom sink without the cheater plug. Not looking for a sermon on safety here, just a definitive answer on the design of this type of GFI, and the impact of using the cheater. Common sense would indicate that this new device would have to work the same as older devices else people using cheaters to bypass them would be incurring a risk that didn't use to exist with previous generations of GFI. Wishing to confirm that. Thank you, Ken Javor Phone: (256) 650-5261 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. 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