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Portable GFCI extension cords for construction circuits

Summary A telephone company asked whether GFCI-protected extension cords satisfied OSHA's construction branch circuit rule. OSHA said approved portable GFCIs were acceptable protection under the cited provision. It treated the described cords, advertised as UL approved, as meeting that requirement.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1992-09-17-1
Date issued
September 17, 1992
Status
Active
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Electrical Safety Ground Fault Protection
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

September 17, 1992

Mr. Stephen E. Herr
Safety Administrator
United Telephone - Eastern
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Herr:

This is in response to your July 17 letter requesting an interpretation of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard addressing ground-fault protection for branch circuits. I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry.

With regard to GFCI protected extension cords, please be advised that approved portable GFCI's are acceptable branch circuit protection as required by §1926.404(b)(1). The GFCI protected extension cords listed in the literature accompanying your letter are advertised as being approved by UL and therefore meet the requirements for branch circuit ground-fault protection.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact Roy Gurnham or Dale Cavanaugh of my staff in the Office of Construction and Maritime Compliance Assistance at (202) 219- 8136.

Sincerely,
Patricia K. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

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