PUBLIC INPUT
1.) NEC Section/Paragraph: 240.4 — New Exception: Listed Enclosed Panelboard with Integral GFCI Breakers Installed Inline on a Branch Circuit
2.) Public Input Recommends: New text
3.) Public Input:
Proposed new exception to 240.4:
Exception: A listed enclosed panelboard containing only GFCI circuit breakers shall be permitted to be installed inline on a branch circuit where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The branch circuit overcurrent protective device in the originating panelboard is rated in accordance with the conductor ampacity throughout the entire circuit.
(2) The GFCI circuit breakers in the listed enclosed panelboard are rated equal to or greater than the upstream overcurrent protective device.
(3) The GFCI circuit breakers in the listed enclosed panelboard provide ground fault protection and disconnecting means only and do not serve as the overcurrent protection for the branch circuit conductors.
(4) The outlet or receptacle installed downstream of the listed enclosed panelboard is rated in accordance with the branch circuit rating.
4.) Substantiation:
GFCI protection is required in an increasing number of locations under Article 210. Where a standard branch circuit breaker is installed in the originating panelboard, the options for adding GFCI protection are limited to a GFCI receptacle at the outlet, a GFCI circuit breaker at the originating panelboard, or a GFCI deadface device. In many installations, a GFCI receptacle is not practical or permitted, and replacement of the originating breaker with a GFCI breaker is disproportionately expensive.
Listed enclosed panelboards containing integral GFCI breakers, currently available from multiple manufacturers including Siemens and Eaton, are listed under UL Class CTL as enclosed panelboards — a general listing category not restricted to spa or hot tub applications. These devices are available at significantly lower cost than equivalent GFCI breakers intended for installation in a main panelboard, and provide equivalent ground fault protection.
Where such a device is installed inline on a branch circuit and the upstream overcurrent protective device correctly protects the branch circuit conductors at their full rated ampacity, the GFCI breakers within the listed enclosed panelboard cannot cause a conductor protection problem. The upstream overcurrent protective device will always open before the downstream GFCI breakers operate on overcurrent, as the downstream devices are rated equal to or greater than the upstream device. Conductor protection is therefore maintained throughout the circuit.
This exception would permit the use of a lower-cost listed assembly to provide required GFCI protection on any branch circuit where the upstream overcurrent protective device correctly protects the conductors, without compromising overcurrent protection, ground fault protection, or disconnecting means requirements. Applications include but are not limited to outdoor outlets, garage circuits, countertop appliance circuits, ovens, AC Equip. and other locations where GFCI protection is required and replacement of the originating breaker is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
1.) NEC Section/Paragraph: 240.4 — New Exception: Listed Enclosed Panelboard with Integral GFCI Breakers Installed Inline on a Branch Circuit
2.) Public Input Recommends: New text
3.) Public Input:
Proposed new exception to 240.4:
Exception: A listed enclosed panelboard containing only GFCI circuit breakers shall be permitted to be installed inline on a branch circuit where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The branch circuit overcurrent protective device in the originating panelboard is rated in accordance with the conductor ampacity throughout the entire circuit.
(2) The GFCI circuit breakers in the listed enclosed panelboard are rated equal to or greater than the upstream overcurrent protective device.
(3) The GFCI circuit breakers in the listed enclosed panelboard provide ground fault protection and disconnecting means only and do not serve as the overcurrent protection for the branch circuit conductors.
(4) The outlet or receptacle installed downstream of the listed enclosed panelboard is rated in accordance with the branch circuit rating.
4.) Substantiation:
GFCI protection is required in an increasing number of locations under Article 210. Where a standard branch circuit breaker is installed in the originating panelboard, the options for adding GFCI protection are limited to a GFCI receptacle at the outlet, a GFCI circuit breaker at the originating panelboard, or a GFCI deadface device. In many installations, a GFCI receptacle is not practical or permitted, and replacement of the originating breaker with a GFCI breaker is disproportionately expensive.
Listed enclosed panelboards containing integral GFCI breakers, currently available from multiple manufacturers including Siemens and Eaton, are listed under UL Class CTL as enclosed panelboards — a general listing category not restricted to spa or hot tub applications. These devices are available at significantly lower cost than equivalent GFCI breakers intended for installation in a main panelboard, and provide equivalent ground fault protection.
Where such a device is installed inline on a branch circuit and the upstream overcurrent protective device correctly protects the branch circuit conductors at their full rated ampacity, the GFCI breakers within the listed enclosed panelboard cannot cause a conductor protection problem. The upstream overcurrent protective device will always open before the downstream GFCI breakers operate on overcurrent, as the downstream devices are rated equal to or greater than the upstream device. Conductor protection is therefore maintained throughout the circuit.
This exception would permit the use of a lower-cost listed assembly to provide required GFCI protection on any branch circuit where the upstream overcurrent protective device correctly protects the conductors, without compromising overcurrent protection, ground fault protection, or disconnecting means requirements. Applications include but are not limited to outdoor outlets, garage circuits, countertop appliance circuits, ovens, AC Equip. and other locations where GFCI protection is required and replacement of the originating breaker is impractical or cost-prohibitive.