What type of circuit protection is typically required for bathrooms?

In bathrooms, GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection is specifically required to enhance safety due to the high risk of electric shock in wet environments. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, which is why GFCI devices are designed to quickly cut off the electrical supply if they detect any imbalance in the current, such as when a person is in contact with water and an electric current.

GFCIs are particularly important in areas like bathrooms where outlets may be in proximity to sinks, showers, or bathtubs, creating a higher likelihood of accidental contact with moisture. The National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates that all outlets in bathrooms must be ground-fault circuit interrupter protected to mitigate the dangers associated with electrical shock, thereby making this type of circuit protection essential in those locations.