GFI & Electrical Code News
Sourced, dated coverage of NEC code changes, recalls, and the electrical labor market that actually affect your GFCI outlets and your wallet.
High-Frequency GFCIs Reach the Market as the NEC's HVAC Exception Winds Down
A new class of high-frequency-rated GFCI devices, built to avoid nuisance tripping on modern variable-speed HVAC equipment, is reaching the market ahead of a September 2026 code deadline.
Read More →2026 Data Shows a Widening Gap Between Electrician Wages and Billed Rates
New 2026 industry pricing data shows electrician field wages sitting at $30-$60 an hour, while licensed contractors in high-demand metro markets are billing customers $250-$300 an hour for the same trade.
Read More →2026 NEC Bars Kitchen Receptacles Below Countertop Level, Adds New Sink Coverage
A clarified rule in the 2026 National Electrical Code prohibits receptacles located below or within 24 inches beneath a kitchen countertop or work surface. GFCI coverage also expands to indoor sink locations beyond kitchens and bathrooms.
Read More →2026 NEC Requires EV-Ready Outlets in New Home Construction
Section 210.17 of the 2026 National Electrical Code requires new one- and two-family homes to include a dedicated 240-volt EV-ready outlet, shifting the electrical rough-in burden away from future retrofits.
Read More →2026 NEC Raises Outdoor GFCI Threshold to 60 Amps as HVAC Exception Nears Its End
The newly issued 2026 National Electrical Code raises the ampere threshold for GFCI-protected outdoor outlets from 50 to 60 amps. A long-standing exception that delayed GFCI protection for listed HVAC equipment is set to expire September 1, 2026.
Read More →Home Electrical Fires Still Kill About 500 Americans a Year, Report Finds
A residential construction industry report cites roughly 500 annual U.S. deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage from home electrical fires — a toll it attributes partly to how slowly code adoption and inspection training keep pace with new NEC editions.
Read More →Electricians Report Aging GFCI Outlets Often Pass Power While Failing Their Safety Test
A 2026 field report from a South Florida electrical contractor finds many GFCI outlets keep powering appliances normally for years after their internal safety sensing has degraded — a gap only the built-in test button reveals.
Read More →Electricians Detail the Most Common Reasons a GFCI Outlet Stops Working
A February 2026 guide from a licensed electrical services provider breaks down eight common causes behind a non-working GFCI outlet, from moisture and faulty appliances to improper installation.
Read More →Electrician Shortage Deepens in 2026 as Retirements Outpace New Apprentices
Industry data released in early 2026 shows roughly 81,000 annual U.S. electrician job openings against a workforce where nearly 30% of union members are near retirement age, with a projected shortfall of 250,000+ electricians by 2030.
Read More →Recall Covers 664,000 GFCI Outlets Sold at a Major Canadian Hardware Chain
Health Canada issued a recall for three GFCI outlet models sold at Home Hardware after reports of terminal screws that won't tighten properly, creating a burn and fire hazard. Roughly 664,000 units were sold between 2015 and 2025.
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