GFCIs have been a real problem for me for years . I have two new buildings and one remodeled one where GFCIs have been total pains. These are all schools.
In the kitchens, all the Combi-Ovens trip them almost instantly. I’m talking 16 units between the 3 sites. So do the serving stations, some microwaves, food warmers, hot plates, etc. in the rest of the school, drinking fountains and especially hand wash stations where they have the motion sensor water valve. These are all new right out of the box - I can’t believe they all have failures.
In the new buildings, all the equipment is brand new. In the remodeled building, some new equipment and some reused but less than 3 years old. I’ve tried breakers vs outlets, different brands, all have the same issues. The kitchen manufacturers are of no help... Last month one sent out an electrician who just changed the breakers to non-GFCI which I rejected. But, we need to feed the students also.
The code to allow a normal breaker if hard wired reaffirms the idea that their primary goal is to protect the user if the ground is ever compromised or if the outlet is used for another purpose which I understand in a kitchen. Our custodial staff scrub the floors with machines that get plugged into outlets within the kitchen and use lots of water and chemicals. I get that. But a combi-oven is somewhat piped in place and uses a 208v 30a twist lock plug that is behind the unit. I know I could hard wire them but then I need to be there every summer when the kitchens are cleared and deep cleaning occurs.
I’m at a loss of what to do to provide the services we are required to provide while remaining code compliant.
