Does your garage door opener have GFCI protection? Does it need it? What the heck is GFCI protection?
Here’s why GFCI protection is important to garage door safety, especially when it comes to your garage door opener.
Simply put, GFCI compliance saves lives. In fact, your garage, especially your garage door opener, needs to be protected, according to the 2008 and later editions of the NEC handbook. This includes garage door openers and garage lights that are connected to an outlet. In fact, AFCI protection is required for 5-amp and 20-amp 120/125-volt circuits.
What is GFCI?
GFCI protection is designed to safeguard against dangerous electrical imbalances. If you splash water on an outlet to cause a short circuit, GFCI protection kicks in to stop electrical output to the circuit. GFCI is that little tab in your electric socket that pops out when the circuit is tripped.
GFCI protection is required for garages according to the NEC code. This took effect back in 2008 for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp outlets, according to the NEC. In addition, it is also required according to the IRC, or the International Residential Code.
Garage door openers need to be GFCI protected. This will protect your garage door opener in the case of flooding, storms or excessive moisture. It will also help protect it against lightning strikes that could otherwise harm your garage door opener and require repair.