Does the refrigerator outlet need GFCI in the 2023 NEC?

Yes. 210.8(A)(6) now covers all receptacles in a dwelling kitchen, not only those serving countertop surfaces.

How far apart can kitchen countertop receptacles be?

No point along the counter wall line may be more than 24 inches from a receptacle, per NEC 210.52(C)(1), which is a 4 foot maximum spacing.

Do kitchen circuits need AFCI as well as GFCI?

Yes in dwelling units. NEC 210.12(A) lists kitchens, so dual function protection or an AFCI breaker feeding a GFCI device is typical.

What is the GFCI requirement for kitchen countertop receptacles?

The 2023 NEC changed this and a lot of installers are still working from the old wording. Section 210.8(A)(6) used to say kitchens where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces. In the 2023 edition it says kitchens, with no countertop qualifier.

What the current text covers

The lead in to 210.8(A) applies to all receptacles rated 150 volts to ground or less and 50 amperes or less installed in the listed locations of dwelling units. Item (6) is kitchens. So every receptacle in the kitchen gets GFCI protection, including the one behind the refrigerator, the one under the sink for a disposal or an instant hot, the microwave outlet, and a 250 volt range receptacle fed from a 120/240 volt system, since that is 120 volts to ground.

Section 210.8(A) also requires the ground fault circuit interrupter device itself to be installed in a readily accessible location. A GFCI receptacle buried behind a built in refrigerator with no way to reach the test and reset buttons does not satisfy that, which is why feeding those from a GFCI breaker at the panel is now the cleaner approach.

Countertop receptacle placement

Spacing is a separate rule in 210.52(C). Every wall counter space 12 inches or wider gets a receptacle, and receptacles must be placed so no point along the wall line is more than 24 inches measured horizontally from a receptacle. That works out to a maximum of 4 feet between outlets on a run of counter.

Section 210.52(C)(2) covers island and peninsula countertops. The 2023 edition requires at least one receptacle for the first 9 square feet of an island or peninsula top and one more for each additional 18 square feet. Section 210.52(C)(3) prohibits receptacles installed face up in a countertop or work surface unless they are part of a listed assembly.

The circuits behind them

Section 210.11(C)(1) requires at least two 20 ampere small appliance branch circuits for the receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, and dining room. Section 210.52(B)(2) limits those circuits to serving only those outlets, with the exceptions in 210.52(B)(1) for a receptacle supplying an electric clock or gas range ignition. Section 210.23(B) prohibits fastened in place appliances on those circuits from exceeding 50 percent of the circuit rating.

Note also that 210.12(A) requires arc fault protection for kitchen branch circuits in dwelling units. A kitchen countertop circuit therefore needs both AFCI and GFCI, which is normally handled with a dual function breaker or an AFCI breaker feeding a GFCI receptacle at the first device.

Commercial kitchens

Section 210.8(B)(2) covers kitchens in other than dwelling units and applies to receptacles rated 150 volts to ground or less and 50 amperes or less for single phase, or 100 amperes or less for three phase. Section 422.5(A) separately requires GFCI protection for specific hardwired appliances including dishwashers, electric ranges, wall mounted ovens, and counter mounted cooking units, and 422.5(B) lets you use a breaker, a receptacle, or a listed device to provide it.

Field takeaway

In a 2023 NEC jurisdiction, GFCI protect every kitchen receptacle in a dwelling, not just the ones above the counter. Keep the test and reset buttons readily accessible, hold the 24 inch rule on countertop spacing, and expect to combine AFCI with GFCI on those circuits.