GFCI for water softener in garage?

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swlred

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Is a GFCI outlet required (or recommended) for a water softener located in the garage? I'm installing some whole-house water equipment in my garage (sediment filter, water softener, UV light) and the instruction manual for the UV light recommends installing it on a GFCI outlet. The instructions for the water softener do not specify which type of electrical outlet should be used.

Also, a related question (which I should probably post in the electrical forum, but I'll try it here first since it is related to the water softener topic): Do all outlets in a garage have to be GFCI-protected? The original circuit in the garage is GFCI protected, but I hired an electrician to install some additional outlets for the water equipment and new HVAC equipment (whole-house dehumidifier) and he installed regular circuits without GFCI protection. Additionally, the outlets have more receptacles than necessary to serve the equipment.

I am not an electrician, which is why I hired one, but some internet research has led me to believe that appliance outlets in the garage must be either simplex (for a single appliance) or duplex (for two appliances plugged in to the same outlet) and that no unused, non-GFCI outlets should be present in the garage.
 

Mikey

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That's the way it was in the 2005 NEC; from the 2014 code: All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in a garage must be GFCI protected; 210.8(A)(2).
 
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ditttohead

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Correct, GFCI is required. All of my outlets are GFCI and I have also installed wet location in use covers on all outlets near my equipment. If you look closely, there are 4 electrical outlets near my water system.
 

swlred

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Thanks for the replies and information. It looks like it's time to hire a new electrician….

Very impressive water system, ditttohead.
 

Stuff

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You also have a clearance issue with the electrical panel. Nothing should be in front of it - 30" wide area.
 
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