GFCI breaker for pool heat pump

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gkguyli

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Long Island New York
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Retired electrician
According to current NEC should a inground outdoor Gunite pool heat pump be on a GFCI breaker .It is about 20 feet away from the pool. It is a 140,000 BTU Pentair heater.
50% of the people I ask say yes, the other 50 say no. I called the manufacturer and they said install it on a GFCI circuit.
The people that say no state I will have false trips.
 
No, Although IMO gfci protection is a good idea.
see 680.45(C) 1

If the manufacturers directions say to use gfci then, Yes.

I have put several on gfci with no nuisance trips, none. I use Siemens gfci's.
 
gkguyli said:
Correction this is not on an outlet. It is on a pool control panel.
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Outlet and Receptacle are not the same thing.
Are you referring to a Receptacle and cap-cord? What post #9 said, etc.
Even a control panel of equip is an "outlet" for branch ckt (BC) wires.

Why the reluctance to GFI the BC?

Even if AHJ code version says not needed, I would install GFI on the BC, unless the GFI keeps tripping. Then maybe seek a different brand GFI OCPD.

Anything that is body-of-water related, GFI it if possible even if AHJ code does not require it.
 
retirede said:
I don’t think it has to work?
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Well, not so fast.

NEC said:
OUTLET;
A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.
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If the util equip is not taking current............................... let the debate begin.


Probably better if the definition used the words "may be" vs "is". ;)
 
I don't believe that the heat pump will ever have leakage current but if it could hold on a gfi then just do it. It's not worth the scrutiny if any chance somebody does something stupid like an hvac tech jumping in the pool and then working on the unit live. Cant protect against stupid always but pools are a lawyers dream.
 
letgomywago said:
I don't believe that the heat pump will ever have leakage current but if it could hold on a gfi then just do it. It's not worth the scrutiny if any chance somebody does something stupid like an hvac tech jumping in the pool and then working on the unit live. Cant protect against stupid always but pools are a lawyers dream.
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Many of these units have power conversion equipment (VFDs) just like the air conditioning units have, and some of this type of have caused GFCIs to trip because of high frequency leakage current. Some GFCIs will trip below 5 mA with high frequency leakage current.
 
retirede said:
Since these units must be installed outdoors and require a disconnect, is it even possible for the outlet to not be outside?
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Not familiar with swimming pool heat pumps, but at same time seems likely they will be outside. Indoor pool in a cold climate area - maybe geothermal heat pump has a higher likelihood? If so I could see it not being outdoors.
 
retirede said:
Equipment can draw current without working. At least for a while.
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Sure, but you put the context back to "current".

If the BC ends as a mixer, and the mixer is off (no current), does an "outlet" actually exist? ;)
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Many of these units have power conversion equipment (VFDs) just like the air conditioning units have, and some of this type of have caused GFCIs to trip because of high frequency leakage current. Some GFCIs will trip below 5 mA with high frequency leakage current.
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This I've heard this but I use siemens for my normal supplier so have not had this issue and others appear to not have issues when using their product in this application.
 
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