GFCI for vending machines

Status
Not open for further replies.
I did an install of some vending machines ( soda ) at a school before it was required to put them on GFCI protected circuits. When the maintenance staff told me that the student were always breaking into the machines I decided to put the one's on the outside on GFCI protected circuits. A little insurance ( I also used metal lockable in-use covers ).

I really hate to protect thieves but it seemed better than having someone electrocuted.

While I was working in one area some of the students broke open a vending machine in the basement. The maintenance super said " See, I told you not to try to protect these little criminals ". All other vending machines at the school were not GFCI protected and many were outside.

When the machines arrived one of them tripped the GFCI. Checked the problem and they had the machine sitting on the cord in a pool of water.
Cord crushed and bare hot going to ground.

Having vending machines on GFCI protected circuits is a good rule.
 
There an ice machine next to every soda machine. I asked the manager if he wanted me to GFI the ice machines. He left it up to me. His instructions, from corporate, only apply to vending machines.

I didn't really want to GFI machines because they are too heavy to move.

For some of the machines, the soda vendor has to empty the machines and then dolly them out of there recesses.

It's a bigger hassle than just instaaling a GFCI.

BTW, it's a rather large hotel.
 
No you're the Ma gooiest:smile: I got the Charlie Brown thing cornered.

It will be a heeeeeck of a lot easier to reset too:grin:
 
M. D. said:
Are breakers not an option??
Click to expand...

No they're not an option. The ckt. in question is a MWBC.

The new plan is to have the soda vendor remove the machine. I will then instal a box extender on the existing outlet. I will then pipe around to an exposed GFCI receptacle, and downstream to the existing outlet.
 
sparky_magoo said:
I wonder what a GE 2 pole bolt-on brkr. costs. The single pole would have been $111.
Click to expand...

A lot cheaper than:

sparky-magoo said:
The new plan is to have the soda vendor remove the machine. I will then instal a box extender on the existing outlet. I will then pipe around to an exposed GFCI receptacle, and downstream to the existing outlet.
Click to expand...

for the whole complex.
 
The issue of what is a vending machine will be addressed in the 2008 code.
422.51 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Vending Machines.
Cord-and-plug-connected vending machines manufactured
or re-manufactured on or after January 1, 2005, shall include
a ground-fault circuit-interrupter as an integral part of
the attachment plug or be located within 300 mm (12 in.) of
the attachment plug. Older vending machines manufactured
or remanufactured prior to January 1, 2005, shall be connected
to a GFCI-protected outlet. For the purpose of this
section, the term ″vending machine″ means any self-service
device that dispenses products or merchandise without the
necessity of replenishing the device between each vending
operation and designed to require insertion of a coin, paper
currency, token, card, key, or receipt of payment by other
means. [ROP 17-27]
Click to expand...
 
Energize said:
A lot cheaper than:
for the whole complex.
Click to expand...

We're talking about one remaining machine. I have completed the rest.

The boss doesn't like the idea of having two unrelated ckt.'s on one two pole GFCI breaker. Nuisance trips.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top