What must be installed within 25 feet of HVAC equipment located outdoors?

• A. Ground fault receptacle
• B. Tamper-resistant receptacle
• C. Arc fault breaker
• D. GFCI outlet

Answer: (A)

Ground-fault protection is required for outdoor receptacles that supply HVAC equipment because moisture and outdoor conditions raise the risk of electric shock. A ground-fault receptacle (GFCI) monitors the current flowing in hot and neutral conductors and trips instantly if any leakage occurs, such as current escaping through a person or water. Placing this GFCI within 25 feet of the outdoor unit keeps the protective device close to where the equipment is powered, ensuring quick interruption of power when a fault is detected. Arc-fault protection protects against arcing faults, which isn’t the immediate safety need for an outdoor HVAC setup. Tamper-resistant receptacles are about child safety and don’t address moisture-related shock hazards as directly as GFCI protection. A GFCI outlet provides the same protection, but the term used in this context is ground-fault receptacle, which is the specific device required here.