double duplex GFI

[mshields]

Is it permisseable to combine two GFI's in one double duplex configuration?

 

[480sparky]

Sure! Are they on separate circuits, or could you just line-load protect a standard duplex off the GFI?

 

[mshields]

Thanks

Thanks

And yes that occured to me. So long as you put them in the same box, you'd only need the upstream device to be GFI.

The reason I asked was that a colleague told me he didn't think you could make a double duplex with GFI's. It occured to me that maybe there was some heating issue I was unaware of.

In any event, thanks for the input.

Mike

 

[480sparky]

And yes that occured to me. So long as you put them in the same box, you'd only need the upstream device to be GFI.

The reason I asked was that a colleague told me he didn't think you could make a double duplex with GFI's. It occured to me that maybe there was some heating issue I was unaware of.

In any event, thanks for the input.

Mike

You certainly could put two GFIs on the same circuit. Just pigtail the hot and neutral and don't use the Load side of the device.

Never heard of a heat issue.

 

[mdshunk]

I do it on a regular basis for whirlpool tubs with heat. Pump motor on one GFCI, and heat pack on the other GFCI, both in the same box.

 

[chris kennedy]

I do it on a regular basis for whirlpool tubs with heat. Pump motor on one GFCI, and heat pack on the other GFCI, both in the same box.

Must be a real joy to trim that out.

 

[mdshunk]

Must be a real joy to trim that out.

How do you mean? A cover plate fits just fine. I always use a pretty deep box for dimmers and GFCI's when I remember. In the case of whirlpools with heat, I like to use a 2-1/8 deep four square with an RS cover, fixed under the mechanical space of the tub area. I normally feed that box with a 12/3

 

[tackmaster1978]

sure, just make sure they are different circuits and watch out for county code some will only let u line load up to 3 outlets

 

[electricmanscott]

Must be a real joy to trim that out.

Have you never wired anything larger than a single gang box?
This doesn't make any sense.

 

[George Stolz]

Typically, we'd hide the GFCI itself in a nearby closet or something, where the GFCI could be reset without getting under the tub. I don't see the difference between installing two GFCI's or two plain old duplex receptacles under the tub itself, as far as ease of installation goes.

I'd just use a plain old 2 gang nail-on for the job if the GFCI's were under the tub; or in the installation I described, I'd probably use a single gang box with a duplex receptacle and simply bust both the hot and neutral tabs and put both the load sided GFCI's on the same duplex. It would be easy to remember to handle-tie the home runs in the panel (210.4), because I'd run a 12-3 home run to that tub.

 

[ptonsparky]

At one time 2 GFGCIs of the brand we use would not fit in a two gang plaster ring. Some where along the way either the GFCIs or the rings have changed.

 

[mdshunk]

Typically, we'd hide the GFCI itself in a nearby closet or something, where the GFCI could be reset without getting under the tub.

I struggled with wether or not I wanted to use that installation method for some time, but I never did it that way. Reason being, if the GFCI trips, I'd rather the tub get some professional attention and testing rather than the occupant simply resetting the very convenient GFCI.

 

[George Stolz]

I'd rather the tub get some professional attention and testing rather than the occupant simply resetting the very convenient GFCI.

You know, at some point somebody's gonna call you to remove that padlock from the access door to the underside of their tub, whether the GFCI trips or not - it clashes with the curtains.

 

[mdshunk]

You know, at some point somebody's gonna call you to remove that padlock from the access door to the underside of their tub, whether the GFCI trips or not - it clashes with the curtains.

:grin:

No, not locked or anything. I just feel that people would be generally less inclined to remove an access panel and fiddle around under there. Particularly the demographic of folks who typically own whirlpool tubs. If "the tub's broke", they'd call someone if there isn't an obvious GFCI to reset someplace convenient.

 

[peter d]

In case anyone is interested, one of the Connecticut ammendments to the NEC disallows the GFI protection to be behind the access panel of the tub.