Commercial kitchen gfi problem

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Is it possible to move this appliance out of the "kitchen Area".

I had this same problem with a steam table.

The steamer was on a 25 amp gfi breaker per specs. Since a 25 amp circuit doesn't need to be a gfi (go figure) I simply changed to a standard breaker.

I posted this before- I don't think the appliance manufacturers have caught up yet to the fact that there equipment is connected to gfi circuits.
 
-marty said:
I posted this before- I don't think the appliance manufacturers have caught up yet to the fact that there equipment is connected to gfi circuits.
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Tough. Their problem, not ours, and certainly not the people that work around this equipment-it's their safety that's important.
 
just a update on the proof box, I have informed the tennant that I will not remove the GFI from the kitchen area unless I have a local ammendment from the AHJ allowing me to do so. I was then told that this will force her to close up, my respnse was that their are companies that specialize in commercial kitchen repair. Ihave since been called by the AHJ asking about my request which he promptly denied. You know if she would just call a equipment repair company or would have bought a new proof box instead of calling me to remove the GFI this problem may have already been solved. I have even dropped a new piece of emt with a new 20 amp gfi receptacle out of the bottom of the panel and plugged the proof box into this, this gfi tripped shortly after I left yesterday. Different question same subject are these 120v receptacles more dangerous then the240v stoves or 240v dishwashers or any piece of equipment that can be hardwired. Would you not stand a equal or greater risk of shock from one of these appliances. Aside from the fact that you have the opportunity to move thse appliances around while still plugged in, how can this pose a greater shock risk. Correct me if I am wrong but has this change only occured since the 2002 code( this is from memory I dont have 99 on my desk). Bottom line GFI will stay in kitchen
 
eds said:
j Different question same subject are these 120v receptacles more dangerous then the240v stoves or 240v dishwashers or any piece of equipment that can be hardwired. Would you not stand a equal or greater risk of shock from one of these appliances.
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IMO, the problem is that the ground pin on a cord can break off, that is the reasoning behind GFI protection on cord and plug connected equipment.... Same reason you can hard wire a pool without GFI protection... just a guess...
 
gfci fault

gfci fault

Did you test the ground wire for current flow? This would determine for sure if it is an equipment problem. This whole problem is probably a 1 hour fix for someone who knows what they are looking at this is not a reason for this poor woman to go out of buisness. If you have to eat an hours time to learn your trade better it is a small price to pay in the long run. dont just throw your hands in the air and say its not my problem, it is your problem. Now go out and fix it.
 
have you ever rewired a lamp for someone??????????

have you ever rewired a lamp for someone??????????

It is the same principle GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK THIS ISNT ROCKET SCIENCE>.
 
Just depends on what kind of appliance. IMO, most appliances are no big puzzle. Just as long as you have a good understanding of control wiring logics, and schematics.
 
quogueelectric said:
It is the same principle GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK THIS ISNT ROCKET SCIENCE>.
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quogueelectric said:
This whole problem is probably a 1 hour fix for someone who knows what they are looking at this is not a reason for this poor woman to go out of buisness. If you have to eat an hours time to learn your trade better it is a small price to pay in the long run.
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Quogue, lower your tone.

I can fully understand why someone would elect not to perform a repair on an appliance in a business. If something goes wrong with the appliance outside one's control, then that person would be the one without the chair when the music stops.

I applaud Eds for sticking to the straight course and finding the cause of the problem, and then going above and beyond by helping the customer deal with the manufacturer. It's also very cool he didn't cop out and swap out the GFCI.

The GFCI requirements were brought on by body counts, those are the kind of requirements a person is ill-advised to think they're better than.

The manufacturer needs to get their equipment right or they should be the ones looking at going out of business. I'm sure there is more than one manufacturer of proof boxes. We've had bread darn near since we discovered fire, so I don't see how the woman faces extinction by a shady manufacturer not stepping up to stand behind one piece of equipment in her kitchen. ;)
 
I'm not asking you to butt out, you have an opinion and it should be heard. :)

I'm just saying, try not to make it at the expense of the original poster (who's in an unenviable predicament and can do without the added stress ;) ) or others (whose opinions also are valid and should be heard).
 
If you build many restaurants you will discover that used restaurant equipment is very common because many restaurants don't stay in business for very long. There are many companies that specialize in selling and repairing this equipment. If this lady has very many pieces of used equipment then she will need to become familiar with such a repair company in the near future ( may as well be now ).

When an electrical contractor installs and test a GFCI receptacle that is Code Compliant in a commercial kitchen his job is finished. It is the responsibility of the owner and equipment supplier to find equipment that will function properly.

The rates for appliance repair are normally less than the rates for electrical so the customer is getting a better deal by calling a repair company. Not only that but they are not paying some one to train on thier equipment. The parts for repair are not available at the electrical supply house or stocked on electrical service trucks. The people that specialize in this line of work do stock the parts or have suppliers that are known to them.

This is why we don't need to get into the appliance repair business. This is just my opinion.
 
These companies that sell used equipment should be aware that requirments have changed. Any cord-and-plug equipment they sell HAS to be able to operate with GFCI protection. Why on earth should this land on the electrician?
 
I would start with replacing the cord on the appliance.

A short from EGC to the neutral will cause a GFCI to trip if there is anything else on the circuit.

It should be pretty easy to check the equipment to see if there is a leakage from any of the conductors to ground.

If the simple things (like the cord) fail to reveal and fix the problem, then tell the lady to get the whole thing checked out.
 
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