Do Outdoor Lights Need Gfci

1984 NEC covered replacement receptacles and also added hotel bathrooms.

Do outdoor lights need gfci. However 2014 added or devices after outlets in 21012A so if the outdoor outlet is controlled by a switch inside in a room mentioned in 21012A then that switch requires AFCI protection and subsequently the outlet will have protection as well. You can use a 10-gauge wire or even higher if the wires have to cover a large distance. Outdoor outlets are not required to have AFCI protection.

Low-voltage light fixtures luminaires must be no closer than 5 feet away from the outside walls of pools spas or hot tubs. Never use an indoor cord in an outdoor outlet never plug two extension cords into one another and never buy a bulb that exceeds an outlets maximum wattage. Thanks for the outdoor post info.

I would point out that you could extend the power from your garage through the outside wall and mount a weather proof box. Likewise wet locations must use light fixtures approved for wet locations. Outdoor receptacles are required to be GFCI protected.

Then do exterior lights need to be GFCI. Same goes if the wiring is not done underground I assume. Outdoor receptacles are usually required to have a GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

If an outdoor light is in a damp location it must be listed appropriately. I have tripped several and it was all for a good reason. When you install the new GFCI the wires from the panel need to be connected to the LINE pair of screw clamps.

Unfortunately the only way to completely avoid GFCI issues to not to have the lights plugged into them but it is against the National Electrical Code to use non GFCI outlets for outside Christmas lighting. NEC 2020 Code Changes For GFCI Protection. So to address my initial concern.