What is the distance from a water source to an outlet before requiring a GFI?

• A. Three feet
• B. Six feet
• C. Nine feet
• D. Twelve feet

Answer: (B)

GFCI protection is required for receptacles that are close enough to a water source to pose a shock risk. The specified distance is six feet. This rule exists because water increases the chance of electrical current finding a path to a person, and a GFCI can detect even a small current imbalance and trip within a fraction of a second to cut power and reduce injury. So any outlet within six feet of a sink or other water source must have GFCI protection, either by a GFCI outlet or a GFCI-protected circuit. If an outlet is farther away than six feet from water, this particular requirement doesn’t apply, though other GFCI rules may still apply in certain spaces. When inspecting, verify there is GFCI protection and test it to ensure it functions correctly.