Feeders for Swimming Pool Panels

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Bowhunter

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Can a Swimming pool panel that has regular breakers, be fed by a 60amp. GFCI breaker at the main panel in a single family dwelling?

It is my contention that the final over current device is where the GFCI protection should be. Upon looking at the definition of Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters in 680.5, I'm wondering if a feeder GFCI would be code compliant, or if the breakers for the pool heater, pool pump, and pool cover would have to be GFCI type breakers?

I would appreciate some other professional opinions.
Thank You,
Bowhunter
 
I think a GFI breaker in the main panel would be ok. I think you would fall into 680.21 (C) But you also have to meet 680.12
 
If there is a light involved and if you read 680.23 literally it states "GFCI in the branch circuit" so a GFCI in the feeder would not meet the requirement but I would think many would accept it.

IMO, it is however a poor idea as the feeder GF device would be monitoring all circuits and more prone to nuisance tripping.
 
Although a cheap way out I hate the idea of doing this as it makes trouble shooting very difficult. When one piece of equipment causes a problem then the entire system goes down. IMO, this is a disservice to the customer.

I also agree with gus about the light.
 
Thank you,
I agree with the old man about the trouble shooting. I was concerned about the way a 120volt GFCI breaker senses the imbalance between the hot and neutral compared to the way the 220volt senses the imbalance between the phases. Would it work the same?
Bowhunter
 
Bowhunter said:
Thank you,
I agree with the old man about the trouble shooting. I was concerned about the way a 120volt GFCI breaker senses the imbalance between the hot and neutral compared to the way the 220volt senses the imbalance between the phases. Would it work the same?
Bowhunter
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You need to be careful with selection of your GFCI. Most double pole GFCI's also monitor the circuit neutral, but I do know there are some over 50 amp 2 pole GFCI's that only monitor the two ungrounded conductors - if you have one of those it will not work for your application. As soon as you energized any 120 volt load it will trip as it doesn't monitor the neutral return current.

Off the top of my head Square D's 60 amp QO GFCI is one of those that doesn't have a neutral connection but 50 amp and below in the double pole units does.
 
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