Question about electrical outlet near a kitchen sink?

Ok here goes…. I rent an apartment in Washington D.C. I have a single outlet (not a double) that is located 1 1/2 inches above the counter and 12 inches away from the sink. The outlet is not a GFCI outlet. Does this violate NEC? More info to add….. my refrigerator is plugged into this outlet, originally there was a GFCI outlet there but I complained about the refrigerator constantly going out because of the outlet so they came and replaced it with a regular outlet. Is this legal?

7 Responses to “Question about electrical outlet near a kitchen sink?”

  1. pickmefirstplz says:

    no,it is not

  2. tipster says:

    ARE YOU SURE IT’S NOT PROTECTED BY ANOTHER G.F.I DOWNSTREAM! OR A G.F.I BREAKER!

  3. powerleg5 says:

    If it is a single outlet and the fridge is plugged into it, it shouldn’t need a GFI as long as the outlet is only used for the fridge and I assume that is the case. That is probably the reason they installed a single instead of a duplex so it can only be used for the fridge and remain without GFI protection.

  4. Art L says:

    Any outlet within 5 feet of the sink needs to be GFCI protected. It can be the outlet or the circuit breaker in the electrical panel as long as there is protection.

  5. 8THZN says:

    no & no N.E.C. requires the fridge & micros to be on their own circuit breaker= single dedicated load on that breaker, & that plug near sink has to be g.f.c.i. protected (they can be a pain) but you’ll still be alive because if it. protected at plug or breaker but protected

  6. Jim says:

    Yes it is legal as long as it is just a single outlet. Things like refrigerators, washing machines, etc should not be plugged into a GFCI as it will cause nuisance tripping.

  7. Chiefmanycrows says:

    Any outlet within 3 feet of a water source is required by NEC to be a GFCI protected outlet. That means in the kitchen, the bathroom, or the utility room.

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