Dond1975
New member
- Location
- Grandview, texas, USA
On a floating boat dock at a residence is GFCI protection required for the lighting?
Thanks
Don
Thanks
Don
GFCI for lighting on boat dock
- Thread starter Dond1975
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I don't believe the lights are required to be gfci
It was my understanding that since most boat docks are either on natural or artificial bodies of water and that they may not need an equipotential plane at the service, they are required to have gfci protection. See NEC 682.33(B).
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Occupation
- Retired inspector, plans examiner & building official
I strongly suggest that the circuit be GFCI protected before it leaves land. Most kids getting killed on docks are not killed by the load but by the circuit under the dock or otherwise.
Am I the only one that thinks this is required, and not just a suggestion? Like you said, and alot people have died because of this issue.
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Occupation
- Retired inspector, plans examiner & building official
I've heard that it was going to be required and I don't know what code edition requires it, if at all, and I don't know what code edition OP is under.
Spend the money and make it GFCI. You'll sleep better knowing you don't have a dead kid on your resume.
fmtjfw
Senior Member
- Location
- Fairmont, WV, USA
No, but:
No, but:
The following does not apply to a single residence, but does apply to commercial and residential condominiums.
Not by NEC 2014, but:
555.3 Ground-Fault Protection. The main overcurrent protective device that feeds the marina shall have ground fault protection not exceeding 100 mA. Ground-fault protection of each individual branch or feeder circuit shall be permitted as a suitable alternative.
Also note that state law may expand on the NEC requirements, WV requires "?20-9-3(2) Install ground fault circuit interrupters on all boat dock and marina electrical wiring circuits;".
You should check your local laws. (Electricians have been arrested for manslaughter.)
I would think it would be a good idea for all circuits in all boat and marina locations. Remember the Code is a minimum and compliance with it just means the installation is legal, not necessarily the safest. I would hate to have to explain not adding a $12 GFCI to a judge or jury.
No, but:
The following does not apply to a single residence, but does apply to commercial and residential condominiums.
Not by NEC 2014, but:
555.3 Ground-Fault Protection. The main overcurrent protective device that feeds the marina shall have ground fault protection not exceeding 100 mA. Ground-fault protection of each individual branch or feeder circuit shall be permitted as a suitable alternative.
Also note that state law may expand on the NEC requirements, WV requires "?20-9-3(2) Install ground fault circuit interrupters on all boat dock and marina electrical wiring circuits;".
You should check your local laws. (Electricians have been arrested for manslaughter.)
I would think it would be a good idea for all circuits in all boat and marina locations. Remember the Code is a minimum and compliance with it just means the installation is legal, not necessarily the safest. I would hate to have to explain not adding a $12 GFCI to a judge or jury.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Provide us with a link that requires it. It is not a marina, nor a floating building so where would it fall. I don't see this as fitting under any special requirement but perhaps it should.
fmtjfw
Senior Member
- Location
- Fairmont, WV, USA
555.1 Scope. This article covers the installation of wiring and equipment in the areas comprising fixed or floating piers, wharves, docks, and other areas in marinas, boatyards, boat basins, boathouses, yacht clubs, boat condominiums, docking facilities associated with residential condominiums, any multiple docking facility, or similar occupancies, and facilities that are used, or intended for use, for the purpose of repair, berthing, launching, storage, or fueling of small craft and the moorage of floating buildings.
Private, noncommercial docking facilities constructed or occupied for the use of the owner or residents of the associated single-family dwelling are not covered by this article
682.1 Scope. This article applies to the installation of electrical wiring for, and equipment in and adjacent to, natural or artificially made bodies of water not covered by other articles in this Code, such as but not limited to aeration ponds, fish farm ponds, storm retention basins, treatment ponds, irrigation (channels) facilities.fmtjfw said:
Dennis, since it is not covered by 555.1, then 682.1 would apply.
All circuits not more than 60 amps 125 to 250 volts single phase shall have GFCI protection.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Actually, it is the docks that are not covered, not the bodies or water. A grammar and logic question which can probably support another 20 posts.
IMHO 682.1 does not apply.
Tapatalk!
IMHO 682.1 does not apply.
Tapatalk!
Last edited:
Say what?? is this an issue with grammar on commas and punctuation? lol Try telling that to the AHJ.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Quite clearly 682.1 assumes jurisdiction over bodies of water not covered elsewhere, not docks not covered elsewhere.
So 682.1 does not claim jurisdiction over private residence docks on natural bodies of water.
Tapatalk!
So 682.1 does not claim jurisdiction over private residence docks on natural bodies of water.
Tapatalk!
- Status