I am not sure of the intent of that new code article. But the notion of "Ground Fault Protection" (with or without the hyphen) is not the same as "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter."
Can anyone post the ROP on this one?
ROP:
19-252 Log #4766 NEC-P19 Final Action: Reject
(555.3)
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Joseph P. Fello, Eaton Corp.
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
555.3 Personnel Protection. GFCI protection for personnel shall be provided
for the marina distribution system. The GFCI protection for personnel shall be
provided in either the main over current protective device, or in the over
current protective devices of each individual branch or feeder circuit.
Substantiation: Shore power leakage currents on board vessel or due to aging
infrastructure, lack of maintenance, conduit and or wire corrosion, etc. pose a
hazard for potential leakage to ground that may cause electric shock drowning,
fire, wasted energy, and property damage. GFCI protection for personnel will
add protection from such occasions. I have provided additional information
from the Mike Holt Newsletter dated October 17, 2007.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: Although the recommendation has merit, additional
technical substantiation and product development is needed. The use of GFCI
for personnel protection is not prohibited by the current code. The proposed
requirement for GFCI personnel protection (6 mA leakage) is not practical for
all marina environments.
Number Eligible to Vote: 9
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 8 Negative: 1
Explanation of Negative:
MICHAELIS, R.: Ground fault monitoring is now recommended in the
Marina Electrical Safety Standard NFPA-303-2006.
Marinas have both a legal and moral obligation to provide guests, customers,
and marina personnel with the safest environment possible. This standard
describes ?best practices? that were authored by knowledgeable people in the
industry and addresses issues that are known causes of injury and property
damage. Ignoring these sections is really not an option. The proposal should be
accepted with the addition of ground fault monitoring and alarms being
available for marinas with qualified supervision.
ROC:
19-189 Log #1612 NEC-P19 Final Action: Accept
(555.3)
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Joseph P. Fello, Eaton Corp.
Comment on Proposal No: 19-252
Recommendation: 555.3 Ground Fault Protection. The main over current
protective device which feeds the marina shall have ground fault protection not
exceeding 100mA. Ground fault protection of each individual branch or feeder
circuit shall be permitted as a suitable alternative.
Substantiation: Eaton appreciates that panel?s recognition of the merit to
requiring a level of ground fault protection on these circuits. The newly proposed
maximum level is meant to address the Panel?s concern around the practical
application for marina environments.
In response to the panel?s request for technical substantiation, the information
attached with Proposal 19-252 included documentation of incidents in which
more than 50 people died and over 30 people have been injured due to leakage
currents on or around marinas.
Panel Meeting Action: Accept
Number Eligible to Vote: 10
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 9 Negative: 1
Explanation of Negative:
CHILTON, R.: As noted in the Panel Statement for initially rejecting the
proposal, it?s not the idea that a greater level of protection is warranted but the
availability of equipment to sufficiently address several issues as a reason for
the action. To protect personnel with GFCI devices, the 6 mA level for leakage
current is a proven factor and within the standards. The 100 mA Ground Fault
Protection supplying a main feeder for a marina will surely provide greater
flexibility for main feeders, and some protection, however there is a significant
problem with practicality for marinas. Perhaps the alternative at this point
would have been to require all branch circuits and individual feeders for each
dock or station to have the GFCI protection, thereby lessening the seriousness
of the entire power supply for the marina to be shut down which could literally
be a hundred vessels or boats. Another issue is the belief that some might have
that they are protected by the 100 mA device on the main, which we know is
not the case as far as personnel protection is concerned. Even when the alternative
for feeder and branch circuit GFCI protection is included, the use of a 100
mA device does not provide the personnel protection expected.
_______________________________________________________________
