When is GFCI protection generally required in residential bathrooms?

GFCI protection is generally required for all receptacles in residential bathrooms to enhance safety. This requirement is based on the fact that bathrooms are areas where the risk of electric shock is significantly higher due to the presence of water. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are designed to cut off electrical power when they detect a ground fault, which can occur when electrical current flows outside of its intended path, often due to moisture.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates GFCI protection for all receptacles in dwellings, specifically in locations where they might be exposed to wet or damp conditions, such as bathrooms. This means that any wall outlet or plug-in point in a bathroom must have GFCI protection to prevent potential electrical shock hazards.

Regarding the other options, while lighting fixtures and switches can also pose risks, they are not universally required to have GFCI protection under the same conditions as receptacles. Bare wires are not permitted in residential wiring and would not warrant GFCI protection since they should not be present in compliant installations.