shawelectric
Member
I thought there was an exception for refrigeration equipment being on a GFCI circuit. But I can't seem to find it in the 2023 code.
Refrigerators on a GFCI circuit.
- Thread starter shawelectric
- Start date
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
As in:
The residential kitchen type?
Commercial walk in coolers?
Hardwired AC units?
Requirements for AFCI and GFCI protection have only expanded. IMO, you may find some area that is not covered but it won't exempt a particular piece of equipment.
I do not have the '23 as yet.
The residential kitchen type?
Commercial walk in coolers?
Hardwired AC units?
Requirements for AFCI and GFCI protection have only expanded. IMO, you may find some area that is not covered but it won't exempt a particular piece of equipment.
I do not have the '23 as yet.
Greentagger
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
- Occupation
- Master Electrician, Electrical Inspector
If the refrigerator is in the kitchen or another location requiring GFCI , such as the garage, it requires GFCI. If you install the refrigerator somewhere else in house it may not. Location, location, location.
Greentagger
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
- Occupation
- Master Electrician, Electrical Inspector
Or if within 6’ of sink. 210.8(A)(7).
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Perhaps you are thinking about the exception that allows a dwelling unit kitchen fridge to not be on an SABC, if it is on an individual circuit.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
I thought that changed earlier (2020 Code?) Either way, that’s the way it is now. No more getting around having a GFCI on the fridge outlet. I think we can all expect a lot more nuisance tripping calls.
GFCI with audible trip alarm:
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Work well, if the significant or you can hear it.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I bought 10 of those years ago but they are worthless unless you are in the same area as the audible. As of a few years ago I still had 7 or 8 left
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
How are you providing GFCI protection for the refrigerator? The GFCI receptacle cannot be behind the frig so do you just use a GFCI circuit breaker? They do make WiFi GFCI's that tell you when they trip but that would need to be installed in a readily accessible location.
GFTA1-W
<p>White - 15 Amp, 125 Volt Receptacle/Outlet, 20 Amp Feed-Through, Tamper-Resistant, Self-test SmartlockPro GFCI with Audible Trip Alert, Monochromatic, back and side wired, nylon wallplate/faceplate, screws and self-grounding clip included</p>
www.leviton.com
GFTA1-W
<p>White - 15 Amp, 125 Volt Receptacle/Outlet, 20 Amp Feed-Through, Tamper-Resistant, Self-test SmartlockPro GFCI with Audible Trip Alert, Monochromatic, back and side wired, nylon wallplate/faceplate, screws and self-grounding clip included</p>
www.leviton.com
Works great if you're home when it happens. No so much if on vacation.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I monitor my home freezers and get a text when something isn‘t right. Fridge, nope. That we open every hour or two.
g-and-h_electric
Senior Member
- Location
- northern illinois
- Occupation
- supervising electrician
Here in Lake County, IL (at least the unincorporated areas) the indicating alarm GFCI's are required by code for sump pumps at a minimum. I know they arent real loud, but it is in the county code.
The receptacle behind the frig is downstream from the alarm one.
I agree these alarm receptacles are not ideal but I remember seeing them mentioned on a Mike Holt video.I bet there'll be lots of local code exceptions. It looks like 2023 Oregon code will not require them, and won't require them on aquariums, either.
letgomywago
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington state and Oregon coast
- Occupation
- residential electrician
They're holding onto the simplex dedicated receptacle exception still. It's a nice work around that I fully support. Straight NEC is wanting dualfunction for these locations so it makes sense to do the breaker for both now vs using an afci breaker and a gfci device at the counter top.The receptacle behind the frig is downstream from the alarm one.
I bet there'll be lots of local code exceptions. It looks like 2023 Oregon code will not require them, and won't require them on aquariums, either.
micabay
Appliance Tech
- Location
- Kitsap, WA
- Occupation
- Appliance Tech
Yup. Many many appliance repair folks despise GFCI. Most all manufactures don't recommend their machine be plugged into GFCI, and will void warranties if done so.
Yes, it looks like you just need to put a “not GFCI protected” label on the receptacle.
letgomywago
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington state and Oregon coast
- Occupation
- residential electrician
And for some reason they think that trumps building code and tell their installers this lol
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
What about the code requirement that we follow manufacturers' instructions when the two conflict?