I was replacing outlets in the basement and noticed that unfinished basements require them to be GFCI protected. While I did do this, I can't help but wonder: WHY?? I searched for the NEC definition of "unfinished basement" and I just don't see why the fact it's not "habitable" it needs GFCI. I can understand moisture areas like outlets near sinks, etc., but not this: my basement is very dry and whether the basement is finished or not does not affect the moisture content. Does the NEC explain this?
Electrical – Why do unfinished basements need GFCI outlets
electricalgfcinec
Related Solutions
You're referencing the wrong code section.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable
Romex is covered by article 334 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM, NMC, and NMS.
Nonmetallic Extensions
Article 382 covers a cable known as FlatWire, or Concealable Nonmetallic Extension (CNE) cable.
Notice that this cable has a single insulation layer over the conductors. Whereas NM cable has insulation on the conductors, and an outer insulated sheath.
Is the vacuum unit fastened in place?
NEC 2011 210.23 Permissible Loads. ... A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets or receptacles shall supply only the loads specified according to its size as specified in 210.23(A) through (D)...
(A) 15- and 20-Ampere Branch Circuits: ...
(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment Not Fastened in Place. The rating of anyone cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.
Utilization equipment is anything that connects to AC power.
You can have more than one installed device on a circuit, but if they total >50% of available ampacity, the circuit must be dedicated to them. In this case, a good installer will install a single (not duplex) receptacle.
If the water heater is already sharing a duplex receptacle with your 12A load, then it must be either
- less than 4 amps, or
- an MWBC. (multi-wire branch circuit, 2 hots sharing a neutral).
Most likely the manufacturer chose 12A because 125% of that is 15A, which makes it the perfect size for a 15A circuit. 125% because continuous load. Not that I vacuum for >3 hours at a time!
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Best Answer
Even "dry" concrete contains considerable water, and is a relatively good conductor. So, it's a relatively good path to ground for a person touching it, increasing the odds of a lethal shock.
Generally, for something to make it into the electrical code, some number of people have probably died due to the lack of it before that happened.