Gfci breaker required for in ground pool pumps and other equipment?

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poolboi

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I am looking at the nec for in ground pools/permanently installed pools and it only says motors with outlets require gfci protection (680.21(C)). What if its hardwired from a subpanel is it exempt from using a gfci breaker?



"680.21(C) GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying all pool motors on branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground and 60 amperes or less, single- or 3-phase, shall be provided with Class A ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

Exception: Listed low-voltage motors not requiring grounding, with ratings not exceeding the low-voltage contact limit that are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2), shall be permitted to be installed without GFCI protection.

N 680.21(D) Pool Pump Motor Replacement. Where a pool pump motor in 680.21(C) is replaced for maintenance or repair, the replacement pump motor shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection."
 
This is what the 2017 said, notice it says receptacle or direct connection (hardwired).

(C) GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying pool pump motors
connected to single-phase, 120-volt through 240-volt branch
circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be
provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for
personnel.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I don't have a copy of the 2020 or 2023, so I'm assuming the OP has one of those two. The meaning is the same though.
 
What if its hardwired from a subpanel is it exempt from using a gfci breaker?

This is a common misconception related to the Code definition of an "outlet":
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

as opposed to a common thought as a receptacle being the only type of outlet.
 
I would say yes it's required.
The hard wire connection has to connect to the motor some how. It would be no different than an HVAC unit sitting out side on a dwelling unit.

The definition of an outlet now after all these years is getting more important to understand. We can no longer pick and choose and get it confused with a receptacle.

Installing GFCI protection on a pool equipment just makes good sense.
 
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