Quick links: | Article 406.4 (D)(8) | NEC Requirement | NEC 2023 code change/intention | Rationale for change

• 406.4(D)(8) Receptacle Replacement

When a receptacle—that is required elsewhere in the Code to be protected by ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE)—is replaced, the replacement receptacle must be protected by a GFPE device. GFPE is available in circuit breaker format and so when a receptacle is replaced and is on a circuit that is required to have GFPE protection, the GFPE circuit breaker must be placed in the branch circuit. 

A GFPE device is UL 1053 listed. There is no trip threshold requirement as part of this GFPE. GFPE is required in the following applications: 

• NEC Section 555.35: marina applications 
• NEC Section 427.22: electric heat tracing and heating panels 

GFPE trip thresholds are set by the manufacturer and are for equipment protection only and not for personnel protection.

This is a new requirement for the 2023 Code cycle. 

Article 406 in Section 406.4(D) addresses replacement of receptacles for GFCI and AFCI. With the increased requirements of GFPE found in other articles, it is necessary to ensure this section addresses those applications where receptacles are replaced. Existing structures and applications can deteriorate over time, especially when they are not maintained. GFPE technology is designed to react and isolate a circuit should the circuit deteriorate to a point where a ground fault occurs. This is equipment level protection and not personnel protection.