Short answer: GFCI rules are in 210.8 and AFCI rules are in 210.12. For a GFCI question, decide first whether the location is a dwelling unit, covered in 210.8(A), or another kind of building, covered in 210.8(B). Then check the receptacle against the limits in that part. In 210.8(B), single-phase receptacles must be 150 V or less to ground and 50 A or less, and three-phase receptacles 150 V or less to ground and 100 A or less (NEC 210.8(B)). The protection must be a listed Class A GFCI in a readily accessible location. AFCI questions turn on the type of building and the room list in 210.12.
PSI lists GFCI and AFCI protection in the Branch Circuits and Conductors subject area of the Texas Journeyman exam: 10 scored NEC Knowledge questions and 4 scored Calculations questions. PSI does not say how many cover GFCI and AFCI alone. The Texas Journeyman Practice Pack has 1,000 original questions and 10 timed mock exams in the real two-part format, with step-by-step solutions for every calculation. Try free practice questions without signing up. Get the full pack for US$39 with one payment.
Tsai Electro is an independent learning site. Not affiliated with TDLR, PSI or NFPA. We explain the ideas in our own words and do not reproduce NEC text. Check every rule and table value in your own 2026 NEC, and follow your supervisor and the local inspector.
This page is about finding and applying the code rules. If you want a plain explanation of what a GFCI does for the people in a home, read how a GFCI protects you.
GFCI or AFCI: what each one protects against
| Device | Rule | Protects against | Where the rule applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFCI | 210.8 | Shock: current leaking to ground through a person | Listed locations in dwellings and in other buildings |
| AFCI | 210.12 | Fire: arcing in damaged or loose wiring | Listed rooms in dwellings, dormitories and certain other occupancies |
Reading 210.8: a four-step check
- Which part? Dwelling unit locations are in 210.8(A). Other locations, such as shops, offices, restaurants and garages at commercial buildings, are in 210.8(B).
- Voltage to ground. In 210.8(B), the receptacle must be 150 V or less to ground. Use the system voltage to ground, not the receptacle rating. A 208Y/120 V or 120/240 V system is 120 V to ground and is covered. A 480Y/277 V system is 277 V to ground and is not.
- Rating. In 210.8(B), single-phase receptacles up to 50 A and three-phase receptacles up to 100 A are covered.
- Location. The location must be on the list in that part.
Worked lookups, 210.8(B):
| Receptacle | In a listed location? | Covered by 210.8(B)? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 V, 20 A, single-phase | Yes | Yes | 120 V to ground, 50 A or less |
| 240 V, 60 A, single-phase | Yes | No | Over 50 A single-phase |
| 208Y/120 V, 125 A, three-phase | Yes | No | Over 100 A three-phase |
| 480Y/277 V, 30 A, three-phase | Yes | No | 277 V to ground, over 150 V |
Two 210.8(B) locations worth checking in your NEC
- Kitchens are item (2) (NEC 210.8(B)(2)). In the NEC, a kitchen is an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking (NEC Article 100). A break room with a sink and only a microwave on the counter does not meet that definition; check whether another item on the list, such as sinks, applies.
- Garages, accessory buildings and service bays are item (11), except vehicle exhibition halls and showrooms (NEC 210.8(B)(11)). The 2026 text has no floor drain condition and no 15 A or 20 A limit for this item.
Where the GFCI device goes
The listed Class A GFCI that provides the protection must be readily accessible (NEC 210.8). A GFCI receptacle hidden behind a refrigerator, or a GFCI breaker in a locked room, can fail this test even though the outlet is protected. The rule allows rooftop receptacles to be protected by a GFCI that is readily accessible from the rooftop.
Reading 210.12: AFCI
- Dwelling units. 210.12 has its own list of dwelling rooms and areas, and a separate part that sets the permitted methods of AFCI protection. Check the room list, the circuit ratings it covers and the protection methods in your 2026 NEC.
- Dormitories. 210.12(C) covers 120 V, 10 A, 15 A and 20 A branch circuits supplying outlets or devices in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, bathrooms and similar rooms (NEC 210.12(C)). The 2026 list includes bathrooms. A dormitory lobby is not on the list.
Worked lookup. A 120 V, 20 A branch circuit supplies receptacles in a dormitory bathroom. It needs AFCI protection under 210.12(C). A separate branch circuit that supplies only the dormitory lobby is not required to have AFCI protection by this list, because the lobby is not listed. If one circuit supplies both rooms, the bathroom requirement still applies to that circuit.
Check yourself
- A 240 V, 50 A single-phase receptacle is supplied from a 120/240 V system and installed in a commercial garage service bay. Does 210.8(B) cover it? Yes. Each ungrounded conductor is 120 V to ground, the receptacle is 50 A, and service bays are listed in item (11).
- A 480Y/277 V receptacle is in a commercial kitchen. Does 210.8(B) cover it? No. It is 277 V to ground.
- Which part of 210.12 covers a dormitory hallway? 210.12(C).
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Find 210.8 and 210.12 faster on exam day
NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition (softcover). Highlight the voltage and amp limits at the top of 210.8(B) and the room list in 210.12(C), so you check the limits before the location. The Texas exam is open book. PSI allows a soft-bound NEC with highlighting, underlining and notes made in advance. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound and ring-bound copies are not allowed, and only permanent index tabs made or supplied by the NEC publisher are permitted; homemade and third-party tabs are not.
FAQ
What voltage and amp limits apply to GFCI in commercial buildings?
Under 210.8(B), single-phase receptacles 150 V or less to ground and 50 A or less, and three-phase receptacles 150 V or less to ground and 100 A or less.
Does a 480 V receptacle need GFCI protection under 210.8(B)?
A 480Y/277 V receptacle is 277 V to ground, which is over the 150 V limit in 210.8(B).
Where must the GFCI be installed?
The listed Class A GFCI must be in a readily accessible location. Rooftop receptacles may use a GFCI that is readily accessible from the rooftop.
Do dormitory bathrooms need AFCI protection?
Yes. The 2026 list in 210.12(C) includes bathrooms for 120 V, 10 A, 15 A and 20 A branch circuits.
Are GFCI and AFCI on the Texas Journeyman exam?
PSI lists GFCI and AFCI protection in Branch Circuits and Conductors: 10 scored NEC Knowledge questions and 4 scored Calculations questions.
Sources checked October 2026
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, Texas electrician examinations (updated September 15, 2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/1682
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition, Article 100, 210.8 and 210.12
