GFCI Requirements in the Canadian Electrical Code: Where Class A Protection Is Required
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is the device that stops a shock before it becomes an injury. The Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) requires Class A GFCI protection wherever water, wet hands and grounded surfaces meet electricity: near sinks, bathtubs and showers, at outdoor receptacles, around pools and hot tubs and on construction sites. This guide explains each requirement, the rules behind it and the cases that cause the most questions on site.
and does not trip at 4 mA or less, the threshold chosen to protect people from shock.
Receptacles within 1.5 m of the fixture need Class A protection, in any room (Rule 26-704).
5-15R and 5-20R receptacles installed outdoors within 2.5 m of finished grade need Class A protection.
The rules below follow CSA C22.1:24, the 26th edition of the CEC, Part I. In Ontario, the 29th-edition Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) adopts it with Ontario amendments, and Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) bulletins explain how ESA applies them; the OESC code changes guide covers the edition itself. Rule numbers can shift between editions, so check the edition your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) enforces before you rely on a rule number.
What a GFCI Does
In a healthy circuit, every ampere that leaves on the line conductor comes back on the neutral. A GFCI compares the current on the two conductors continuously. When the two are not equal, some current is leaking to ground by another path, for example through a person touching a faulty appliance while standing on a wet floor. The GFCI senses that imbalance and opens the circuit.
A GFCI protects people from shock. It does not replace the breaker's overload and short-circuit protection: a circuit with a GFCI still needs an overcurrent device sized for its conductors. GFCI protection can be provided by a GFCI breaker in the panel, by a GFCI receptacle that also protects the receptacles downstream of it, or by a dead-front GFCI device.
Class A GFCI Explained
The CEC calls for GFCIs of the Class A type wherever it requires shock protection for receptacles. The code defines a Class A GFCI (OESC Section 0, "Ground fault circuit interrupter, Class A") as one that interrupts the circuit within a predetermined time when the ground-fault current is 6 mA or more, but not when it is 4 mA or less. The band between the two values allows for the small, normal leakage of appliances and long cords without letting a dangerous current flow through a person.
The CEC also requires ground fault protection on some equipment, such as heating cables and large services. Those devices protect equipment against fire and use different trip settings. Only a Class A GFCI provides the personnel protection described in this guide. See GFCI vs ground fault protection below.
Rule 26-704: Sinks, Bathtubs and Showers
Rule 26-704 requires receptacles of CSA configuration 5-15R or 5-20R installed within 1.5 m of sinks (wash basins complete with drain pipe), bathtubs or shower stalls to be protected by a GFCI of the Class A type. ESA restates this in Bulletin 26-29-5, which also confirms that a non-GFCI receptacle replaced in a bathroom or washroom must be replaced with a GFCI-protected one.
The distance is measured from the fixture, not by room. That is why the rule reaches well beyond bathrooms: a kitchen counter receptacle near the sink, a receptacle beside a laundry tub, a wet bar in a basement or a utility sink in a garage all fall inside the 1.5 m reach. The receptacle layout guide shows how the same counter is planned for spacing and circuits.
Bathrooms also have their own placement rules. Rule 26-720 f) requires at least one receptacle in each bathroom or washroom with a wash basin, within 1 m of the basin, and Rule 26-720 g) keeps bathroom receptacles, where practicable, at least 1 m, and in no case less than 500 mm, from the bathtub or shower stall, measured horizontally without piercing a wall or partition. Both sit inside the 1.5 m reach of Rule 26-704, so they are GFCI protected.
| Location | Trigger | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom vanity, washroom | Receptacle within 1.5 m of the basin, tub or shower | Class A GFCI |
| Kitchen counter | Receptacle within 1.5 m of the sink | Class A GFCI |
| Laundry tub, wet bar, utility sink | Receptacle within 1.5 m of the sink | Class A GFCI |
| Outdoors | 5-15R or 5-20R within 2.5 m of finished grade | Class A GFCI |
Where Class A GFCI protection is required in and around a house
A typical house and backyard pool, not a specific project. Not to scale; distances are drawn as zones.
Detail A: how a GFCI senses a ground fault
Simplified, not to scale
Parts
Kitchen counter. Receptacles within 1.5 m of the sink need Class A GFCI protection; the distance is measured from the sink, not by room. Rule 26-704
Bathroom. Receptacles within 1.5 m of the basin, bathtub or shower stall need Class A GFCI protection. Rule 26-704
Laundry tub. A laundry tub is a sink with a drain: receptacles within 1.5 m need Class A GFCI protection. Rule 26-704
Outdoors. 5-15R and 5-20R receptacles installed outdoors within 2.5 m of finished grade need Class A GFCI protection. Rule 26-704
Pool receptacle. More than 1.5 m from the pool’s inside walls; between 1.5 m and 3 m it needs Class A GFCI protection. Rule 68-064
Pool luminaire. Within 3 m of the pool it needs Class A GFCI protection unless a permanent barrier separates it. Rule 68-066
The GFCI device is at least 3 m from the water, with a sign reminding the owner to test it regularly. Rule 68-068
Outside the zones ordinary receptacles; other rules (such as AFCI, Rule 26-658) may still apply to the circuit.
- Class A GFCI-protected receptacle
- 1.5 m zone from a sink, tub or shower
- Code distance
- GFCI device distance from water
Outdoor Receptacles
Rule 26-704 also requires receptacles of CSA configuration 5-15R or 5-20R installed outdoors and within 2.5 m of finished grade to be protected by a Class A GFCI. This covers the receptacle beside the back door, on a deck close to the ground, on a garage exterior or in a carport. ESA Bulletin 26-29-5 confirms that a non-GFCI outdoor receptacle that is replaced must be replaced with a GFCI-protected one.
Outdoor receptacles also need a suitable weatherproof cover; when an existing outdoor cover is replaced, the new cover has to meet the current rule as well.
Kitchens and Laundry Rooms
Kitchens and laundry rooms are where the 1.5 m measurement matters most, because the sink sits in the middle of the work surface. Every counter receptacle inside the reach of the sink needs Class A protection; receptacles farther along the counter do not, under this rule. Counter, island and peninsula receptacles (Rule 26-722 d) iii) to v)) need Class A GFCI within 1.5 m of the sink, but are exempt from AFCI under Rule 26-658 a) i).
Receptacles behind appliances
Rule 26-704 1) itself exempts a receptacle that is (a) intended for a stationary appliance designated for the location, and (b) located behind that appliance so that it is inaccessible for general-purpose portable appliances. Typical cases are, for example, the receptacle behind a washer, dryer, refrigerator, range or built-in microwave.
Replacing split kitchen receptacles in Ontario
Older Ontario kitchens often have split receptacles: one duplex receptacle fed by two circuits. ESA Bulletin 26-29-5 states that Rule 26-704 does not apply when a split receptacle is replaced, because split receptacles are not available with GFCI protection. ESA nevertheless recommends upgrading to GFCI-protected receptacles when the counter is renovated.
Vehicle Heater Receptacles and Flood Hazard Zones
Vehicle heater receptacles
Receptacles for vehicle heaters used to be excluded from the GFCI requirement. Since the 2021 edition they are no longer excluded, so a block heater receptacle outdoors within 2.5 m of grade needs Class A protection like any other.
There is a practical catch. Heaters built to CSA C22.2 No. 191 can leak up to 4 mA in the first 10 minutes after they are switched on. One heater stays below the 6 mA trip level, but several heaters on one Class A GFCI can add up and nuisance-trip. Give each heater receptacle its own GFCI, or limit how many share one device. A GFCI that trips on a single heater may also mean the heater needs maintenance or replacement.
Flood hazard zones (Rule 26-652)
Rule 26-652 deals with branch circuits below grade in designated flood hazard zones. It requires ground fault protection that de-energizes all ungrounded conductors of the circuit. The rule does not require a Class A device, nor does it prohibit one; the designer chooses the device that meets the rule and suits the loads.
Pools, Hot Tubs and Hydromassage Bathtubs
Section 68 covers pools, hot tubs, spas and hydromassage bathtubs. Its GFCI requirements are spread over several rules and depend on the type of installation, so the table below is a summary of the points that come up most often, not a design guide. Pool and spa designs should be checked against the full section and the manufacturer's instructions.
| Item | Requirement (summary) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Receptacles near a pool | More than 1.5 m from the pool's inside walls; distances are measured along the shortest path the appliance cord would follow, without piercing a floor, wall or ceiling | 68-064, 68-064 3) |
| Receptacles 1.5 m to 3 m from the pool | Class A GFCI protection | 68-064 |
| Luminaires within 3 m of the pool | Class A GFCI, unless a permanent barrier separates them from the pool | 68-066 6) |
| The GFCI itself | At least 3 m from the water of a pool, spa or hot tub, with a warning sign to test it regularly | 68-068 5), 6) |
| The GFCI near a hydromassage bathtub | At least 1.5 m from the tub, unless integral to an approved factory-built unit or behind a barrier | 68-068 6) c) |
| Spas and hot tubs; equipment within 3 m of the pool walls not separated by a permanent barrier; receptacles in pool wet areas such as locker and change rooms | Class A GFCI protection | 68-068 7) |
| Hydromassage bathtubs | Integral equipment supplied through a Class A GFCI | 68-302 |
The 3 m distance for the GFCI is easy to miss: a GFCI breaker in a panel on the wall of a pool house, or a GFCI receptacle next to a hot tub, may be too close to the water. Locate the device where someone can reach and test it without standing in or beside the water.
Construction Sites (Rule 76-016)
Temporary wiring on construction and demolition sites works in the harshest conditions any receptacle sees: mud, rain, damaged cords and portable tools. Rule 76-016 requires all CSA configuration 5-15R and 5-20R receptacles of the temporary installation to be protected by a Class A GFCI. Plan the temporary distribution so every such receptacle is covered, whether by GFCI breakers or GFCI receptacles. Temporary installations are electrical work like any other; the electrical permit guide explains the ESA permit (notification) process in Ontario.
GFCI vs Ground Fault Protection (Heat Trace)
Rule 62-116 requires ground fault protection for electric heating cables and similar heating equipment. This is ground fault protection (GFP), not a GFCI: its purpose is to protect the equipment and the building against fire from a sustained, high-resistance fault in a heating cable, not to protect a person from shock. Its trip setting is therefore different from the Class A values, and it is chosen to suit normal heater operation.
In industrial establishments where only qualified persons maintain the system and continued operation is needed for safety, heat trace may be arranged to alarm instead of trip, so maintenance staff can find and repair the fault. Do not install a Class A GFCI where GFP is specified, or the other way around, without checking the requirement.
GFCI and AFCI Together
AFCI and GFCI protect against different hazards: an AFCI responds to arcing that can start a fire, and a GFCI responds to current leaking to ground that can cause a shock. Some receptacles need both, for example a receptacle beside a wet-bar or laundry-tub sink on a general receptacle circuit in a dwelling unit. Kitchen counter, island and peninsula receptacles installed under Rule 26-722 d), and a bathroom receptacle installed under Rule 26-720 f) with no other receptacles on its circuit, are exempt from AFCI under Rule 26-658 a) i), so near the sink they need Class A GFCI only. The AFCI requirements guide explains that rule. Two common ways to provide both:
- Dual-function AFCI/GFCI breaker: one device in the panel protects the whole circuit.
- AFCI breaker with a GFCI receptacle: the breaker provides arc-fault protection and the GFCI receptacle provides Class A protection at the point of use.
Testing and Nuisance Tripping
A GFCI is a safety device with electronics inside, and it should be tested. Press the TEST button monthly, as the device instructions say: the GFCI should trip and cut power, and RESET should restore it. If a GFCI does not trip on TEST, replace it.
- Trips at once on reset: this may indicate a real ground fault on the circuit or in a connected appliance. Unplug the loads and try again; if it still trips, call an electrician.
- Trips now and then with several heaters or long cords: leakage can add up across several loads on one device. Split the loads across more GFCIs.
- Trips in wet weather: moisture in an outdoor box or cover is a common cause. Check the cover, the box and the gaskets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is GFCI protection required by the Canadian Electrical Code?
Rule 26-704 requires Class A GFCI protection for 5-15R and 5-20R receptacles within 1.5 m of sinks, bathtubs or shower stalls, and for those installed outdoors within 2.5 m of finished grade. Section 68 adds requirements around pools, hot tubs and hydromassage bathtubs, and Rule 76-016 covers construction sites.
What does Class A GFCI mean?
A Class A GFCI trips when the ground-fault current is 6 mA or more and does not trip at 4 mA or less. It is the type the CEC requires for personnel protection at receptacles.
Does a kitchen counter receptacle need GFCI protection?
Yes, if it is within 1.5 m of the sink. The distance is measured from the sink, so receptacles farther along the counter are not covered by this rule. In Ontario, ESA does not require GFCI protection when an existing split receptacle is replaced, but recommends the upgrade.
Do block heater receptacles need GFCI protection?
Yes. Vehicle heater receptacles are no longer excluded from the GFCI requirement. Because heaters can leak up to 4 mA in the first 10 minutes, several heaters on one Class A GFCI can nuisance-trip, so give them separate devices.
Is the ground fault protection on heat trace a GFCI?
No. Rule 62-116 requires ground fault protection for heating cables to protect equipment against fire, with a different trip setting. A Class A GFCI protects people from shock.
How often should a GFCI be tested?
Monthly, using the TEST button, as the device instructions say. A GFCI that will not reset, or trips again at once, may indicate a real fault: call an electrician.
Sources
- Ontario Electrical Safety Code, 29th edition (2024), CSA C22.1:24 with Ontario amendmentsSection 0 (Class A GFCI); Rules 26-652, 26-658, 26-704, 26-720, 62-116, 68-064, 68-066, 68-068, 68-302 and 76-016.
- ESA Bulletin 26-29-5 — Electrical replacement and/or alterations in dwelling unitsRule 26-704 at sinks, bathtubs, showers and outdoors; replacing split kitchen receptacles (Questions 10–12).
- Guillevin Code Series — New rules around GFCIsClass A trip values, vehicle heater receptacles, heater leakage, appliance receptacles, flood hazard zones.
- Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code — A Road Map: Section 68Pools, hot tubs, spas and hydromassage bathtubs.
- Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code — A Road Map: Section 76Temporary wiring; Rule 76-016.
- Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, 26th Edition — A Road Map: Section 62Ground fault protection for heating cables; Rule 62-116.
