# Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter: Building Code Definition > How the IRC 2009 define ground-fault circuit-interrupter, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter/ - Last updated: 2026-09-07 - Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Defined in | IRC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) | | Primary source | IRC 2009 Electrical Definitions (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) | | Chapters using the term | 4 (counted across the codes hosted here) | | Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) | ## Direct answer Ground-fault circuit-interrupter is a defined term in the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009, in Electrical Definitions. The code's own words are: “A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the value for a Class A device.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IRC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Swimming Pools (IRC 2009), Power and Lighting Distribution (IRC 2009), Appliance Installation (IRC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. *Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.* ## What does this term mean? **Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter** — IRC 2009, Electrical Definitions: > A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the value for a Class A device. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IRC 2009 define ground-fault circuit-interrupter, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? **Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Electrical Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/electrical-definitions.md) chapter of the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009: > A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the value for a Class A device. ## Where ground-fault circuit-interrupter is used in the code The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next. | Chapter | Code | Mentions | | --- | --- | --- | | [Swimming Pools](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/swimming-pools.md) | IRC 2009 | 40 | | [Power and Lighting Distribution](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/power-and-lighting-distribution.md) | IRC 2009 | 12 | | [Appliance Installation](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/appliance-installation.md) | IRC 2009 | 1 | | [Electrical Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/electrical-definitions.md) | IRC 2009 | 1 | ### The term in use How the code actually writes about ground-fault circuit-interrupter, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here: > All 15- and 20-ampere, single phase, 125-volt receptacles located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of the inside walls of pools and outdoor spas and hot tubs shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit-interrupter. — [IRC 2009 §E4203.1.3](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/swimming-pools.md) > All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. — [IRC 2009 §E3902.1](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/power-and-lighting-distribution.md) > Outdoor receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied from a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment shall be permitted to be installed without ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. — [IRC 2009 §E4101.7](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/appliance-installation.md) ## The terms ground-fault circuit-interrupter is built out of The definition above leans on 1 other defined term. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what ground-fault circuit-interrupter covers: - **[Device](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/device.md)** — IRC 2009: Aunit of an electrical system that carries or controls electrical energy as it principal function. ## Ground-fault Circuit-interrupter: what to open, and in what order Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows. | Check | Where | Confirmed | | --- | --- | --- | | Read the definition in the adopted IRC | Electrical Definitions | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Swimming Pools (IRC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Power and Lighting Distribution (IRC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Appliance Installation (IRC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Electrical Definitions (IRC 2009) | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Device | | | Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | | **A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply. ## Where can you explore related guidance? - [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md) - [Device: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/device.md) - [Appliance: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/appliance.md) - [Plenum: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/plenum.md) - [Outlet: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/outlet.md) ## Sources and method Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ### Source links - [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) - [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the code definition of ground-fault circuit-interrupter? The International Residential Code (IRC) 2009 defines it in Electrical Definitions as: “A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the value for a Class A device.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally. ### Which parts of the code depend on ground-fault circuit-interrupter? In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Swimming Pools in the IRC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Fground-fault-circuit-interrupter%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt