220V GFCI repectacles availability

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hbemsa

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I'm looking all over the web for a manufacturer that makes GFCI receptacles rated for 220v, 230v, 240v or 250v for an international instalation. I know -almost for sure- that Leviton, Hubell and other amercian manufactures don't make this product.

What would be the consequence on using 125v receptacles in a 220v installation?
 

charlie b

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The possible consequences are that the insulation materials that keep the receptacle from leaking current to the outside world might not be able to handle the additional voltage, and will self-destruct.

Why do you want GFCI protection for a component rated higher than 125 volts? I don't think the NEC would require it.
 

Dennis Alwon

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Chapel Hill, NC
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hbemsa said:
I'm looking all over the web for a manufacturer that makes GFCI receptacles rated for 220v, 230v, 240v or 250v for an international instalation. I know -almost for sure- that Leviton, Hubell and other amercian manufactures don't make this product.
I have never seen a 220 volt gfci recep. Can you not use a 220 volt gfci breaker????
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
Dennis Alwon said:
I have never seen a 220 volt gfci recep. Can you not use a 220 volt gfci breaker????

If it's an 'international installation', GFI breakers may not be available in other countries. But that's the best advice I can give as well.
 

mdshunk

Senior Member
Location
Right here.
The only point of use 220 volt GFCI receptacles that I'm famaliar with are donut type dead front GFCI's that control a contactor that makes and breaks the receptacle. These are popularly used for hot tubs.
 

hbemsa

Member
I'm working in Peru, a latinamerican country using 220V 60Hz, the NEC is not fully applicable but an IEC based peruvian code. This code states that either GFCI breakers or receptacles must be used in similar situations mentioned by NEC; however this rule is not enforced and it's not commonly used, so the product cannot be found in the market. As I looked in international suppliers It's seems difficult to find the 220V rated receptacles (or breakers, for that matter) workin in the 4mA-6mA range.
 
hbemsa said:
I'm looking all over the web for a manufacturer that makes GFCI receptacles rated for 220v, 230v, 240v or 250v for an international instalation. I know -almost for sure- that Leviton, Hubell and other amercian manufactures don't make this product.

What would be the consequence on using 125v receptacles in a 220v installation?

Square D Multi 9 circuit breakers are rated for 240VAC and 50/60 Hz. Frequency is almost as important as voltage!

"International" installation is a vague term full with pitfalls. Be carerful with complex foreign standards, it could sink ya...
 

dbuckley

Senior Member
It may help you to know that GFCI is an American term, not used internationally. Try repeating your search using the acronym RCD for residual current device.

RCDs are widely available, which particular international market are you looking for? "International" becomes a bit of a pain in terms of national outlets, of which there are a mind-boggling number of types. Well, a lot, still less confusing to manage over a hundred countries ideas of what constiututes an outlet compared to the bewilderment of NEMA connectors :)

GFCIs / RCDs are active electronic devices, and therefore using a 125V GFCI on 230V will fritz the GFCI.
 
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