All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed to serve a kitchen countertop are required to have what type of protection?

In kitchen installations, all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles serving countertops are required to have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection. The demand for GFCI protection in these locations arises from the potential risk of electrical shock due to the proximity of water, which is commonly present in kitchens.

GFCI devices are designed to interrupt the electrical circuit whenever they detect an imbalance between the incoming and outgoing current, which can indicate a ground fault – often caused when current flows through an unintended path, such as a person's body. This feature is crucial in reducing the risk of electrocution and enhancing safety in wet areas.

This requirement for GFCI protection aligns with safety codes outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC), which mandates such precautions for kitchen outlets to ensure that residential electrical systems are as safe as possible, especially in environments where the likelihood of water contact is high.