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GFCI Protection
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:42 pm
by DLB
I have a pool, which from an electrical perspective is essentially a sub-panel with assorted 230V and 115V circuits. When installed, only lights needed to be on GFCI, and are on a GFCI CB. In the ever-changing NEC requirements, pumps now need to be on GFCI. And this requirement is somewhat unique in that if you replace a load device (pump) you are required to retrofit the circuit. There are three 230 V pumps on their own CBs. My question: What about making the whole sub-panel GFCI with one expensive CB instead of making each individual circuit GFCI (3 X expensive) at the output of the sub-panel?
- David
Re: GFCI Protection
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:03 pm
by chapmanruss
David,
Will the code allow making the entire sub-panel GFCI as opposed to the individual circuits? Are there any circuits in that sub-panel that for some reason shouldn't be GFCI? Would it be more desirable to have the circuits individually GFCI protected so if one circuit trips the others remain operational?
Re: GFCI Protection
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2022 1:09 am
by JPG
I think I would stick with individual branch circuit GFCI protection. Less $$$ and more flexible.
Re: GFCI Protection
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2022 10:27 am
by RFGuy
David,
I would agree with JPG here. Individual ones would give you more flexibility and troubleshooting capability if & when it does trip. Also, if there are any 120V only circuits inside the panel that could be problematic, I would think. Your post intrigued me enough to Google it and I found an interesting discussion at the forum link below. I would have assumed GFCI main breakers don't exist, but apparently some electricians are installing pool service panels with GFCI protecting all of it. Either I am wrong, or they are just putting the GFCI on the main panel to protect the service panel, i.e. GFCI main breakers aren't available. Differing opinions on the thread linked below so should be worth a read for you. Good luck.
https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/gfc ... s.2560388/
Re: GFCI Protection
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2022 12:19 am
by DLB
RFGuy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 10:27 am
David,
I would agree with JPG here. Individual ones would give you more flexibility and troubleshooting capability if & when it does trip. Also, if there are any 120V only circuits inside the panel that could be problematic, I would think. Your post intrigued me enough to Google it and I found an interesting discussion at the forum link below. I would have assumed GFCI main breakers don't exist, but apparently some electricians are installing pool service panels with GFCI protecting all of it. Either I am wrong, or they are just putting the GFCI on the main panel to protect the service panel, i.e. GFCI main breakers aren't available. Differing opinions on the thread linked below so should be worth a read for you. Good luck.
https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/gfc ... s.2560388/
Thanks. It is interesting to see the different opinions in that link. I think for new installation in areas that require NEC 2020,putting a GFCI CB in the main panel is mandatory. The NEC has added protection for essentially everything external to the typical home, includes things like A/C compressors/condensers and septic systems. I can't imagine any part of the pool equipment being an exception to that. But there is no retrofit requirement unless branch circuits are modified or pool pumps are replaced.
- David