When installing outlets in the soffit of a home for Christmas lighting do these plugs need to be gfi protected? I have always put in a gfi breakers but was told that they didnt have to because they where over 7' off the ground. I feel better about them having protection, you can never be to carefull.

GFCI required.

Thanks Ryan. Could you tell me where I could find this in the code book.

210.8(A)

I was always under the impression that they didn't have to be GFCI because of the
210.8(A)(3) exception that allows for non GFCI on plugs that are not readily accessible.

The exception to 210.8(A)(3) only applies to receptacles used for snow-melting & deicing equipment.

I guess Christmas lights would help melt the snow and ice.

I hoping I wasn't wrong, since I didn't have my code book. I really should stop winging it like that

There was a local contractor that was installing receptacles in the soffit for Christmas lighting and was also trying to use the snow-melting and deicing equipment exception. That would be fine except we are in South West Florida. It did snow here once about 2,000 years ago!!!

I don't know what that exception would save you, since you would then have to have GFPE. Is GFPE cheaper? I thought it was more.

[This message has been edited by Ryan_J (edited 05-28-2004).]