#30A RV Receptacles Are Exempt From Garage GFCI Requirements

[Rivernerd]

I have prepared this post in the hope of saving any of you who do your own electrical wiring from going down the same "rabbit hole" I just did.  Per the title of this post, 30A RV receptacles (outlets) are not required by the NEC (National Electrical Code) to be GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected.  How do I now know?  Read on.

I am wiring an addition to my detached garage, where I store our Hull #1291.  When the original garage was built, the NEC (and Idaho Code) only required ground level 120V 15A and 20A outlets to be GFCI protected.  The original garage passed electrical inspection, because the one and only ground level outlet in that garage was a GFCI.  The 30A RV outlet next to it was approved, even though it is not GFCI.  The 20A garage door opener receptacle (on a separate 20A circuit) near the 14-ft. ceiling was also approved without GFCI, because it is so high off the floor.  So was a separate 15A lighting circuit, which feeds other receptacles at ceiling level (into which LED UFO lights are plugged), as they are all 14 ft. off the floor.

When adding circuits  for the addition into the existing subpanel in that detached garage, I checked for amendments to the NEC relating to garages.  I knew that when you add to an existing structure, the entire structure must usually be upgraded  to meet current electrical code.   I learned that the current code (pun intended) requires that ALL 120V receptacles 50A or less in a garage must now be GFCI protected, even those high in a ceiling.  The apparent reasoning behind this change is that some folks plug pull-down cord reels into garage ceiling outlets, which brings electrical power down to a level where contact with a wet concrete floor could produce a shock--thus the perceived need for GFCI protection even in garage ceiling receptacles.

So, I believed I had to add GFCI protection to all circuits in the original and new structures, either with a GFCI outlet closest to the panel on any 15A or 20A circuit, or with a GFCI circuit breaker in the panel.  There are 15A light circuits which have receptacles, because the LED UFO lights plug into ceiling receptacles, and 20A garage door/outlet circuits in that garage, along with the aforementioned 30A RV outlet.  But, I could not find anywhere online either a 30A 120V GFCI receptacle or a 120V 30A GFCI circuit breaker (I found 220V dual--pole 30A GFCI versions, but no 120V single pole ones), and our 30A RV outlet is 120V, as it must be to enable connection to an RV.

Why?  Further research informed me that 30A RV receptacles are exempted from the general rule that all 120V receptacles 50A or lower in a garage must be GFCI protected, regardless of how high they are off the floor.  All I could find through a Google search is that such 30A receptacles in RV parks and campgrounds are exempted, so 30A 120V receptacles in garages are likewise exempt.  So, it appears I can leave that 30A RV receptacle alone, and it should pass inspection.

I invite any more knowledgeable readers to correct me if I am wrong, or to explain the reason for the exemption.  I just find it curious....

[CRM]

I thought I read something a while back that the new code requires GFCI protection in a residential setting but RV parks were exempt. Don't have a new code book but will see what I can find.

Edit: looks like the updated NEC 2023 code 210.8(A) does include any 125 through 250 volt outlets installed in a garage or accessory building be GFCI protected. The code covering RV parks was not updated so only pedestal outlets 20 amp and under are still required to be GFCI protected. 

Contact your local construction services dept to see if they've even adopted the new code or not, and if they have, I would just install a 30 amp single pole GFCI breaker for that outlet. 

Edited November 22, 2025 by CRM

[Snackchaser]

This is a confusing topic even for some electricians, but adding a new 120 volt, 30 amp RV outlet in your garage, or outside, will require GFCI protection per 2023 NEC.   However, adding a building extension usually does not require that you update existing wire to code.  That would be up to your particular jurisdiction.  

Most of the common home panel manufactures offer 120 volt, 30 amp GFCI breakers for around $60.  Check your panel label because many have interchangeable breakers like Murry and Siemens or Eaton and Cutler Hammer.  It's also acceptable to use one leg of a 240 volt GFCI breaker to feed a 120 volt circuit.  

[Rivernerd]

5 hours ago, Snackchaser said:

However, adding a building extension usually does not require that you update existing wire to code.  That would be up to your particular jurisdiction.  

As the 30A RV receptacle passed inspection when the original structure was built, and since I cannot find a 30A single pole GFCI receptacle, or a 30A single pole GFCI breaker for my Square D Homeline panel, I am hoping the inspector will leave it alone. 

Also, further research suggests that it arguably is not a "branch circuit" but a dedicated "feeder" circuit solely for the travel trailer, and so may also be exempt from the GFCI requirement on that basis.  Below is a note to  Section 551.71(F) of the NEC, which reads, in part:  "GFCI protection shall not be required for other than 125-volt, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles used in recreational vehicle site equipment."  The note reads:

1. Informational Note No. 2: The definition of Power-Supply Assembly in 551.2 and the definition of Feeder in Article 100 clarifies that the power supply cord to a recreational vehicle is considered a feeder. These plug-and-cord connections are considered to be feeders, not receptacles. Since feeders are not required to have GFCI protection for personnel, the requirements of Section 210.8 would not apply to them.

One rationale offered for this exemption is that: " the high current would cause nuisance tripping of the GFCI due to normal leakage currents from the RV's appliances."

I have verified that the balance of the electrical installation meets or exceeds current code requirements.  So, I plan to request an inspection and see if the inspector calls out the dedicated 30A RV receptacle.  If he does, it appears my only option would be to install a 240V 30A GFCI breaker in my Square D Homeline panel, but wire only 1 leg of it to the 120V dedicated RV receptacle, per Snackchaser's suggestion above.

Thanks for your input!

                                        

[CRM]

5 minutes ago, Rivernerd said:

As the 30A RV receptacle passed inspection when the original structure was built, and since I cannot find a 30A single pole GFCI receptacle, or a 30A single pole GFCI breaker for my Square D Homeline panel, I am hoping the inspector will leave it alone. 

Also, further research suggests that it arguably is not a "branch circuit" but a dedicated "feeder" circuit solely for the travel trailer, and so may also be exempt from the GFCI requirement on that basis.  Below is a note to  Section 551.71(F) of the NEC, which reads, in part:  "GFCI protection shall not be required for other than 125-volt, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles used in recreational vehicle site equipment."  The note reads:

1. Informational Note No. 2: The definition of Power-Supply Assembly in 551.2 and the definition of Feeder in Article 100 clarifies that the power supply cord to a recreational vehicle is considered a feeder. These plug-and-cord connections are considered to be feeders, not receptacles. Since feeders are not required to have GFCI protection for personnel, the requirements of Section 210.8 would not apply to them.

                                       

Section 551.71(F) of the NEC is specific to RV parks only so not applicable to your situation. And as @Snackchaser stated, wiring to only one side of a double breaker is fine per the NEC. Might not be needed though if your local AHJ hasn't adopted the new code yet.