The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has launched a dedicated GFCI Resource Center to help HVAC contractors navigate the Sept. 1 expiration of the National Electrical Code (NEC) exemption for ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection on outdoor HVAC equipment.

The NEC has required GFCIs on outdoor outlets since 2020, but listed HVAC equipment received a temporary exemption while the industry worked toward a solution. That exemption expired on Sept. 1. Roughly 22 states have independently delayed or deleted the requirement, but contractors in remaining jurisdictions may now need GFCI protection on outdoor listed HVAC equipment.

The exemption expired without a proven fix for nuisance tripping. Some single-speed and inverter-driven equipment continues to trip standard GFCIs when there is nothing wrong with the installation. High-frequency GFCI devices are reaching the market, but have not been field-tested through a full cooling season across the range of equipment types contractors install. 

ACCA and other industry groups have asked the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which writes the code, for more time.

“Contractors need clarity right now, and this resource center puts everything in one place,” said ACCA’s director of technical services, Wes Davis. “Whether it’s checking what applies in your state or understanding the latest on high-frequency GFCI technology, this is where our contractors and the industry can go to stay informed.”

 


The GFCI Resource Center includes the following:
  • A quick reference guide covering NEC Section 210.8(F), high-frequency GFCI technology, and ongoing industry efforts
  • ACCA’s formal comments to the NFPA Standards Council and the AHRI-commissioned research report on nuisance tripping
  • A field experience poll where contractors can report what they’re seeing on the job — data that directly informs ACCA’s advocacy
  • Electrical safety training resources for technicians


ACCA will also host a free Codes and Coffee webinar on September 23 at 12:00 PM ET with a live update on the exemption and ACCA’s work to extend the exemption. The session will be hosted by David Bixby, ACCA’s manager of codes, joined by Ed Lehr of Jack Lehr Heating, Cooling & Electric; Tom Deary of AHRI; and Zac Johnson of HARDI.

Registration is open to the entire HVACR community here.

Visit the GFCI Resource Center at acca.org/gfci.