Change Summary

• A new last sentence requires all 125-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed for maintenance of the wind turbine to have GFCI protection for personnel
• This new requirement provides protection from shock for maintenance personnel at wind electric systems
• The NEC continues to expand the use of ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection of personnel

Expert Analysis

Section 210.8(B)(4) already requires all 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacles installed outdoors to be ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protected.   Without including an indoor requirement, 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacles installed inside for maintenance of the wind turbine would be exempt from being GFCI protected as it is not outdoors.  For the 2014 NEC, a new last sentence in 694.7(E) requires all 125-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed for maintenance of the wind turbine to have GFCI protection for personnel. This change ensures all 125-volt, 15- or 20-receptacles installed indoors for wind turbine maintenance be provided with GFCI protection for personnel.  Examples may include a building installed near the wind turbine for the associated inverter as well as maintenance receptacles inside the tower. Often overlooked is the 210.8 requirement that all ground-fault circuit-interrupters, whether reset at the circuit breaker location, or on the receptacle itself, must be at a readily-accessible location.  Extending GFCI protection into other areas where maintenance personnel will be using power tools or other maintenance related powered equipment is prudent. Installers and designers have provided GFCI protection in many areas for years, but GFCI protection for these areas is now required. 

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