cord reels and GCFI - just the outlet or also protect the reel?

[mdvokes]

Couldn't the open neutral protection be anywhere beyond the slip rings?

The slip ring is internal to the cord reel and is essentially part of the branch circuit. The open neutral protection GFCI protects the branch circuit both upstream and downstream. So, if somehow the cord reel 6 foot cord that you plug into the ceiling receptacle (located above the slip ring) would get nicked or cut, the inline GFCI would trip. However, we all know the likelyhood of that ever happen is next to never.

 

[mdvokes]

Based on the requirement in UL 355 that cord reel GFCIs have open neutral protection, I don't think you can use a circuit breaker. As far as I know, there are no GFCI circuit breakers that have open neutral protection.
Note that my reading of UL 355 shows that if the cord reel has slip rings, the open neutral GFCI protection is required to be at the receptacle end of the cord reel.

You are absolutely correct Don! GFCI breakers do not come with open neutral protection.

 

[jap]

What causes the GFI to trip if the neutral is simply "nicked" and not severed?

Jap>

 

[garbo]

As a cord reel manufacturer Sales Engineer, I have presented this subject matter and related NEC codes for four years to over 100 engineering firms and two dozen electrical contractors. I have presented this material at the International Electrical Inspector Association chapter meetings.
My efforts are shedding light with Professional Engineers to the point they are changing their specifications and drawing details.

For the below NEC code to apply to a cord reel, you must first agree that a cord reel delivers temporary and portable power. A cord reel is nothing more than a glorified extension cord.

2017 NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 590.6(A)(1)
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel. In addition to this requirement, listed cord sets…identified for portable use shall be permitted.

I called AHJ's in three states (AZ, CO, UT) and they all confirmed a cord is NOT permanent because it comes from the factory with a cord and plug connector like a refrigerator. They consider a cord reel an appliance and therefore not permanent. Therefore, GFCI protection is required.

Now, the question becomes what type of Class A GFCI is applicable for this application? The absolutely, hands-down, best solution is the inline GFCI module with open neutral protection. A GFCI breaker or GFCI wall receptacle does not have the internal electronic circuits to offer open neutral protection. However, they are better than no GFCI anywhere on the branch circuit of a cord reel.

In short, open neutral GFCI protection trips when the neutral is nicked or severed. Without it, the neutral wire will remain energized and the potential for a shock hazard (or worse) is very real. Think about the application, the cord is laying on the floor, the SO cord outer jacket gets cut nicking the neutral. No one knows until they touch it by accident.

Hubbell Cord Reel with Inline Open Neutral GFCI Protection

Can you get around this code? Absolutely, just have the engineering specify a cord reel with flying leads on the end of the cord and hard wire it to the 4 square box branch circuit. It is then a permanent installation. However, cord reels are retractable which means the springs will eventually break and need serviced. By hardwiring, you just created additional and unnecessary challenges for facilities maintenance.

Always consider that NEC is minimum requirement. And, always consider the application and what type of people will be using the cord reel. For k-12 schools, STEM schools, CTE schools, higher education applications, the risk cord reels pose to these children is very real. Are your children using cord reels in school?

Have to agree up to a point that cord reels are glorified extension cords. Have used heavy duty cord reels to provide power for 1/2 to 2 ton hoists that travel on I beams less then 50'. The large hospital that I retired from had 16/3 cord reels flush in ceilings in over 20 OR'S that were feed on its own 20 amp 120 volt two pole breaker from a LIM panel. Had to come in on a holiday to install a fuse holder with 10 amp fuses in hanging yellow receptacle boxes. They replaced them with 12/3 cord reels. Was hard to believe that they installed cord reels that only had 16 gauge wire.

 

[garbo]

As a cord reel manufacturer Sales Engineer, I have presented this subject matter and related NEC codes for four years to over 100 engineering firms and two dozen electrical contractors. I have presented this material at the International Electrical Inspector Association chapter meetings.
My efforts are shedding light with Professional Engineers to the point they are changing their specifications and drawing details.

For the below NEC code to apply to a cord reel, you must first agree that a cord reel delivers temporary and portable power. A cord reel is nothing more than a glorified extension cord.

2017 NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 590.6(A)(1)
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel. In addition to this requirement, listed cord sets…identified for portable use shall be permitted.

I called AHJ's in three states (AZ, CO, UT) and they all confirmed a cord is NOT permanent because it comes from the factory with a cord and plug connector like a refrigerator. They consider a cord reel an appliance and therefore not permanent. Therefore, GFCI protection is required.

Now, the question becomes what type of Class A GFCI is applicable for this application? The absolutely, hands-down, best solution is the inline GFCI module with open neutral protection. A GFCI breaker or GFCI wall receptacle does not have the internal electronic circuits to offer open neutral protection. However, they are better than no GFCI anywhere on the branch circuit of a cord reel.

In short, open neutral GFCI protection trips when the neutral is nicked or severed. Without it, the neutral wire will remain energized and the potential for a shock hazard (or worse) is very real. Think about the application, the cord is laying on the floor, the SO cord outer jacket gets cut nicking the neutral. No one knows until they touch it by accident.

Hubbell Cord Reel with Inline Open Neutral GFCI Protection

Can you get around this code? Absolutely, just have the engineering specify a cord reel with flying leads on the end of the cord and hard wire it to the 4 square box branch circuit. It is then a permanent installation. However, cord reels are retractable which means the springs will eventually break and need serviced. By hardwiring, you just created additional and unnecessary challenges for facilities maintenance.

Always consider that NEC is minimum requirement. And, always consider the application and what type of people will be using the cord reel. For k-12 schools, STEM schools, CTE schools, higher education applications, the risk cord reels pose to these children is very real. Are your children using cord reels in school?

Great work. Think it would even be safer if the NEC required AFCI with built in GFCI to protect cord reels. Have taken apart the cheaper 25' cord reels that came with a drop light and a single receptacle that failed when thin copper plated contacts arched and piece of the contact broke off at the arc point.

 

[mdvokes]

Have to agree up to a point that cord reels are glorified extension cords. Have used heavy duty cord reels to provide power for 1/2 to 2 ton hoists that travel on I beams less then 50'. The large hospital that I retired from had 16/3 cord reels flush in ceilings in over 20 OR'S that were feed on its own 20 amp 120 volt two pole breaker from a LIM panel. Had to come in on a holiday to install a fuse holder with 10 amp fuses in hanging yellow receptacle boxes. They replaced them with 12/3 cord reels. Was hard to believe that they installed cord reels that only had 16 gauge wire.

Gabo, through my extensive research I have found cord reels are one of the most neglected "appliances" specified and installed in the electrical business. So, I am not surprised by your comment at all. In many cases, they are an accident waiting to happen IMHO.

 

[garbo]

Gabo, through my extensive research I have found cord reels are one of the most neglected "appliances" specified and installed in the electrical business. So, I am not surprised by your comment at all. In many cases, they are an accident waiting to happen IMHO.

 

[garbo]

While working at a newspaper years ago they stopped using two mechanics to remove gas tanks from trucks and a guy had to struggle to have it sit somewhat level on a foot operated lift. While mechanic was lowering tank he knock off the cheap cord reel that had a 60 watt hot incandescent lamp.When the lamp broke it started the gasoline that had spilled out onto floor catching some nearby cardboard boxes on fire and the fire company was called as a precaution. They replaced the cheap maybe $20 cord reel with one that had an enclosed fluorescent lamp and no flimsy receptacle and made it a two man job. These cheap cord reels should never be allowed in any commercial buildings.

 

[jap]

While working at a newspaper years ago they stopped using two mechanics to remove gas tanks from trucks and a guy had to struggle to have it sit somewhat level on a foot operated lift. While mechanic was lowering tank he knock off the cheap cord reel that had a 60 watt hot incandescent lamp.When the lamp broke it started the gasoline that had spilled out onto floor catching some nearby cardboard boxes on fire and the fire company was called as a precaution. They replaced the cheap maybe $20 cord reel with one that had an enclosed fluorescent lamp and no flimsy receptacle and made it a two man job. These cheap cord reels should never be allowed in any commercial buildings.

I dont think a $1000.00 cord reel with AFCI and GFCI protection would keep a broken lamp scenario such as this from happening.

JAP>

 

[birtclp]

As a cord reel manufacturer Sales Engineer, I have presented this subject matter and related NEC codes for four years to over 100 engineering firms and two dozen electrical contractors. I have presented this material at the International Electrical Inspector Association chapter meetings.
My efforts are shedding light with Professional Engineers to the point they are changing their specifications and drawing details.

For the below NEC code to apply to a cord reel, you must first agree that a cord reel delivers temporary and portable power. A cord reel is nothing more than a glorified extension cord.

2017 NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 590.6(A)(1)
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel. In addition to this requirement, listed cord sets…identified for portable use shall be permitted.

I called AHJ's in three states (AZ, CO, UT) and they all confirmed a cord is NOT permanent because it comes from the factory with a cord and plug connector like a refrigerator. They consider a cord reel an appliance and therefore not permanent. Therefore, GFCI protection is required.

Now, the question becomes what type of Class A GFCI is applicable for this application? The absolutely, hands-down, best solution is the inline GFCI module with open neutral protection. A GFCI breaker or GFCI wall receptacle does not have the internal electronic circuits to offer open neutral protection. However, they are better than no GFCI anywhere on the branch circuit of a cord reel.

In short, open neutral GFCI protection trips when the neutral is nicked or severed. Without it, the neutral wire will remain energized and the potential for a shock hazard (or worse) is very real. Think about the application, the cord is laying on the floor, the SO cord outer jacket gets cut nicking the neutral. No one knows until they touch it by accident.

Hubbell Cord Reel with Inline Open Neutral GFCI Protection

Can you get around this code? Absolutely, just have the engineering specify a cord reel with flying leads on the end of the cord and hard wire it to the 4 square box branch circuit. It is then a permanent installation. However, cord reels are retractable which means the springs will eventually break and need serviced. By hardwiring, you just created additional and unnecessary challenges for facilities maintenance.

Always consider that NEC is minimum requirement. And, always consider the application and what type of people will be using the cord reel. For k-12 schools, STEM schools, CTE schools, higher education applications, the risk cord reels pose to these children is very real. Are your children using cord reels in school?

You omitted this part of 590.6 - "This section shall apply only to temporary wiring installations used to supply temporary power to equipment used by personnel during construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities." Wouldn't this mean it does not apply to a K-12 classroom in a finished building (or any space in a finished building)?