Interesting T-Pole

[tx2step]

Yesterday I saw an interesting temporary power pole. There was a 20A 240V NEMA 6-20R receptacle fed by a 20/2 GFCI circuit breaker. The green ground wire from the 240V receptacle grounding terminal was connected to the neutral terminal of the 20/2 GFCI CB. The receptacle is 240V 2P-3W and has no neutral. It looked like it had been that way for a very long time. What do Y'all think?

 

[ActionDave]

Are you saying the EGC was wired up to the load terminal of the GFCI breaker?

 

[JFletcher]

Are you saying the EGC was wired up to the load terminal of the GFCI breaker?

Seems that way. Sounds like the installer was unfamiliar with how 240V GFCI breakers work.

 

[kwired]

Unless that receptacle yoke is isolated from grounded objects, this should instantly trip the GFCI because of neutral to ground fault.

 

[Little Bill]

Unless that receptacle yoke is isolated from grounded objects, this should instantly trip the GFCI because of neutral to ground fault.

I don't think so in this case since there is no neutral load and the GFCI is a 2-pole.

 

[kwired]

I don't think so in this case since there is no neutral load and the GFCI is a 2-pole.

Would entirely depend if the GFCI:
1) monitors neutral
2) if 1) is true - if it has neutral -ground detection. If not it will need 4-6 mA fault current before it will trip.

Sound like it does have 1) but not certain about 2).

 

[ptonsparky]

It would work. The EG could be carrying significant current back to the breaker. It would trip once the current took another or additional path.

 

[tx2step]

Are you saying the EGC was wired up to the load terminal of the GFCI breaker?

Yes, exactly.

 

[tx2step]

It would work. The EG could be carrying significant current back to the breaker. It would trip once the current took another or additional path.

Yes, probably through someone!

 

[ptonsparky]

Yes, probably through someone!

Yup.