Is GFCI Required in Outlets in a Detached Garage?

GFCI Outlets

• GFCI outlets protect you from electric shock. If you were to touch a water pipe and a hot wire at the same time, the outlet would instantly cut electrical power. Without the protection of the GFCI outlet, electrical current would run from the hot wire through your body to the ground. Depending on how much power you are exposed to and for how long, you could experience serious health effects and even death.

Code

• Certain areas inside your home require the use of GFCI outlets, including those on bathroom counters. A detached garage isn't required to have electric power; you could open the garage door manually and rely on outdoor lighting to see. If you run electricity to your detached garage, however, at least one electric outlet inside of it must be a GFCI outlet. If you only have one outlet in the structure, then it must be a GFCI outlet.

Safety Measures

• When working with power tools, electric lawnmowers and other consumers of large amounts of electricity, always plug them into a GFCI outlet. Doing so protects you from electric shock if a malfunction or accidental grounding takes place. If you perform lots of work in the detached garage and may use more than one tool at once, then the best course of action is to install other GFCI outlets so you can use them and work safely.

Considerations

• GFCI outlets cost several times more than traditional outlets. So you might be tempted to install only the bare minimum number needed to meet code requirements in a detached garage or in other parts of your home. For safety’s sake, spend the money to upgrade to GFCI outlets in areas where they will receive plenty of use. Using the GFCI outlets will help to keep you safe in the future when working in and around your home.