GFCI and heating cables

[cvirgil467]

This is a mutliple question:

1. Does heating cable for freeze protection of pies fall under Article 426 "Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow Melting Equipment"?

2. If not, what section woudl apply?

3. Is GFCI required for heating cables proecrting pipes from freezing?

4. How is GFCI accomplished on a 1P, 20A, 277V circuit?

Thanks.
C

 

[iwire]

This is a mutliple question:

1. Does heating cable for freeze protection of pipes fall under Article 426 "Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow Melting Equipment"?

In my opinion yes.

2. If not, what section woudl apply?

See 1.

3. Is GFCI required for heating cables proecrting pipes from freezing?

Not GFCI, but GFP, the same but different.

4. How is GFCI accomplished on a 1P, 20A, 277V circuit?

The GFP with Siemens breakers we had to install a CT in the panel that the circuit conductors ran through, then 4 wires from the CT connected to terminals on a special type of shunt trip breaker and finally we had to bring 120 volt control power to this 277 volt SP breaker.

A pain for only a few breakers, we had 100s.

Thanks.
C[/QUOTE]

 

[stickboy1375]

This is a mutliple question:

1. Does heating cable for freeze protection of pies fall under Article 426 "Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow Melting Equipment"?

Yes if the cables are outdoors and deicing, or melting snow...

2. If not, what section would apply?

IMO, section, 210.8 as far as gfci protection goes.

 

[iwire]

IMO, section, 210.8 as far as gfci protection goes.

Stick ....

20A, 277V circuit

Also see 426.28

 

[stickboy1375]

Stick ....


Also see 426.28

I know, I figured you already answered that question so I didn't touch it.

 

[JES2727]

This is a mutliple question:

1. Does heating cable for freeze protection of pies .....

Thanks.
C

Are you referring to the store bought "Mrs. Smith's" type of pies, or the homemade variety?

 

[stickboy1375]

This is what I picture when someone mentions pipe freeze protection...

http://www.easyheat.com/Content1/Products/Details/eh_detail.htm

 

[iwire]

I don't see that it makes any difference where you buy it, how it's packaged or who the intended customer is. IMO 426 applies to all of them.

 

[stickboy1375]

I don't see that it makes any difference where you buy it, how it's packaged or who the intended customer is. IMO 426 applies to all of them.

But 426 is for fixed OUTDOOR electric deicing and snow-melting equipment, I generally see this stuff installed indoors, guess thats why my opinion is different.

 

[iwire]

But 426 is for fixed OUTDOOR electric deicing and snow-melting equipment, I generally see this stuff installed indoors, guess thats why my opinion is different.

Ahh I see, I have only installed it outdoors.

You know as I read 426 some more I see it does not apply to pipes at all.

I was stuck on snow melting as I have installed it, gutters downspouts, concrete walks and steps etc.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Either way they need to use GFEP breakers. or similar. Most manufacturers of the cable recommend 30ma trip point. I suppose you can use a regular GFCI breaker but it will probably false trip.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It is covered by Article 427 and 427.22 requires GFP protection.

 

[hillbilly1]

The codemaking panel put "Outdoor" for a reason, which I don't claim to know. I had the same problem with 240 volt heat tape preventing an inside conveyor exit from freezing. It is not outdoor de-icing or snow melting, it is not a pipe or vessel, so there is really not a section of code that covers it, other than installing per manufactures instructions, Which calls for GFEP covering their butts if anything happens. As far as the pipes go, it is required. ( Their is one exception though if it is under supervision, a ground fault alarm can be used, Don't have the code book in front of me to quote it exactly)

 

[weressl]

This is a mutliple question:

1. Does heating cable for freeze protection of pies fall under Article 426 "Fixed Outdoor Electric Deicing and Snow Melting Equipment"?

It may or may not.

2. If not, what section woudl apply?

ARTICLE 427? FIXED ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT FOR PIPELINES AND VESSELS​

3. Is GFCI required for heating cables proecrting pipes from freezing?

427.22 Equipment Protection.​

​

​

Ground-fault protection of
equipment shall be provided for electric heat tracing and
heating panels. This requirement shall not apply in industrial
establishments where there is alarm indication of
ground faults and the following conditions apply:
(1) Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the installed systems.
(2) Continued circuit operation is necessary for safe operation
of equipment or processes.​

4. How is GFCI accomplished on a 1P, 20A, 277V circuit?

The reference to 277V indicates to me that this is an industrial environment, so I think Art. 427 is applicable in your case. Manufacturers of HT equipment such as Thermon or Tyco/Raychem provide control panels that have integrated GF protection and circuit distribution. Since the leakage current is much higher than ordinary circuits there are special circuit breakers available with higher than the 4-6mA threshold limit.

Thanks.
C