What is required for receptacles located in outdoor areas?

For receptacles located in outdoor areas, ground-fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) protection is necessary to ensure safety. GFCI devices are designed to protect against electrical shock by monitoring the amount of current flowing from the hot wire to the neutral wire. If there is any imbalance, which could indicate a leakage current to ground (often occurring when someone touches a live wire), the GFCI will quickly disconnect the power.

Given that outdoor environments can expose electrical devices to moisture, rain, and other elements that might increase the risk of electrical shocks, GFCI protection is crucial. It helps prevent serious electrical accidents, especially in areas where water is present, such as near swimming pools or wet decks.

While weather-resistant covers and surge protection can also be important for outdoor installations, they serve different purposes. Weather-resistant covers primarily protect the receptacles from moisture and debris when not in use. Surge protection is meant to protect devices from voltage spikes. GFCI protection, however, is specifically mandated for safety reasons in outdoor receptacle installations to minimize the risk of electrical shock.