50a gfci?

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jcole

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Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Hello guys and gals.

Failed an inspection and cant seem to find code to back it up.

Had a customer who wanted an existing mobile home service turned back on so he could use it for power on the property. The property use to be a trailer park but now has no housing on it. Just pole mounted trailer services that used to serve the mobile homes. He only intends to use the service for power when he is doing stuff on the property (camping, parties,etc).

The service disconnects (one 50a and one 20a) each supply a receptacle rated for the breaker size. All equipment including meter base is mounted in the same enclosure. Typical mobile home service enclosure.

The 20a is GFCI protected but the 50a is not.

Inspector says the 50a has to be GFCI protected but he cant back it up with code. But neither can I.

Can you guys back him up because I cant seem to.
 
If he is still thinking of this as a mobile home park, then show him 550.13(B). Otherwise, show him 210.8. Neither has a requirement for GFCI for circuits rated over 20 amps. Article 230 (Services) has a requirement for Ground Fault Protection of Equipment, but not GFCI protection of personnel. 225 (Outside Feeders) is silent on the topic of GFCI. I would say that the inspector has no basis for requiring GFCI for a 50 amp receptacle. I also don?t know if it is even available.
 
Ive heard of people installing equipment passing inspection and then removing said equipment.Ive also heard home depot takes anything back.
 
Thanks for reply charlie b.

This guy doesnt know the difference between gf protection of equipment or personal. Even if it were equipment theres nothing in 230 that requires it for a service of this type. It only applies to Y services of more than 150 volts, 1000a. Correct?
 
jcole said:
Inspector says the 50a has to be GFCI protected but he cant back it up with code. But neither can I.
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If he can't find a code then ask him why he failed you. It's his job to state a reason why the job is not compliant.

The receptacle is not required to be GFCI proteced ( unless you plan to put a big hot tub out there ).

Both 30 and 50 amp receptacles for motor and mobile homes are not required to have GFCI protection.

If it were me I would just disconnect the 50 Amp receptacle since it's probably not going to be used any way. Leave him a couple of protected 20 amp receptacles.
 
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I see your point growler, but this is the same guy that has failed me for:

-egc has to be same size as SEC
-a vanity in a BEDroom has to have its own gfci circuit or protected by another basin circuit in another bathroom
-dining room rec. HAVE to be on GA circuit

This is just a few.

Also I am working for company as industrial electrician (controls, plc, etc.) now and been doing contracting part time because things are so slow here.
I am so sick of dishonest builders and noneducated inspectors that I dont know if I will renew my contractors license when the time comes.

So I plan on fighting this so called violation. It might not do me any good but at least his boss (county judge exe.) and the state of kentucky will here my opinion on THEIR inspector.

Just for those of you wondering there are no local ammendments here.
 
My guess is that he is considering it "temporary power" so he may be citing 590.6, since it is not for a permenant structure.
 
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jcole said:
. . . gf protection . . . only applies to Y services of more than 150 volts, 1000a. Correct?
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Actually, between 150 and 600 volts, and 100 amps or higher. That is not related to GFCI protection, since it has a maximum setting of 1200 amps, and GFCI trips at 5 milliamps.
 
cowboyjwc said:
My guess is that he is considering it "temporary power" so he may be citing 590.6, since it is not for a permenant structure.
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Good point John. He may have stated something like that on his permit application. I have made the mistake of saying something I shouldn't have. :grin:
 
growler said:
Good point John. He may have stated something like that on his permit application. I have made the mistake of saying something I shouldn't have. :grin:
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Thanks, though I do agree that it might just be easier to disconnect the 50 if he doesn't need it.
 
Jerseydaze said:
Ive heard of people installing equipment passing inspection and then removing said equipment.Ive also heard home depot takes anything back.
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I have also heard of disreputable people. :roll:
 
charlie b said:
I would say that the inspector has no basis for requiring GFCI for a 50 amp receptacle. I also don?t know if it is even available.
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If you are referring to dp 50 GFCI-- then yes they are available. Most hot tubs are powered with them. They cost around $100.
 
iwire said:
I have also heard of disreputable people. :roll:
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Isn't it disreputable to be an inspector and make up your own rules.How do you bid not knowing what new stipulation the inspector will come up with.
 
What if someone wants to hook up a trailer when they are camping? I'd tell the inspector you checked with the owner and they might bring a trailer in.
 
In this jurisdiction it would depend on how the permit was filled out.
If it was permitted as an "RV" or "camper" service (one of our choices) then you would be fine. Anything else would probably be classified as a "temporary" and the GFCI would be required.
Unless I has some documentation that it was a "camper" service, I would require GFCI.
 
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