GFCI on Vending Machines?

[Michel Lareau]

Greetings;

I have a soft serve ice cream machine. It does not take any money. You make your selection and then pay a cashier. This is a new product. In the 2005 NEC it states: "That a GFCI must be in the power cord 12 inches or less from the plug. or a GFCI recepticle must be used" is this statement still true in the 2008 NEC? I bought the 2005 Handbook this past fall. I do not do alot of NEC projects, but did have a client ask me about section: 422.51 Cord-and-Plug Connected Vending Machines.

Thanks for your help......Mike

 

[M. D.]

I'm not sure it is a vending machine or an appliance

If it is a refigerated vending machine it would fall under Ul 541

UL 541 Refrigerated Vending Machines, 6th Edition The revision requires all cord-connected refrigerated vending machines to be provided with a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This change was made in response to several incidents of shock/ electrocution by vending machines. April 1, 2007 Refrigerated vending machines intended for outdoor use are affected by the new clause.

 

[charlie b]

It is no more of a vending machine than is a large refrigerated case with glass doors and sodas insider. It does not "vend." But I would call it an appliance. This of course is not an answer to your question, but I don't have the 2008.

 

[M. D.]

Greetings;

This is a new product. In the 2005 NEC it states: "That a GFCI must be in the power cord 12 inches or less from the plug. or a GFCI recepticle must be used" is this statement still true in the 2008 NEC?

if it were manufactured on or before 1/1/05 it would be an integral part of the cord , if older or remanufactured after 1/1/05 and labeled as a vending machine , it would need to be connected to a gfci protected outlet . 422.51 is still there

 

[raider1]

For the purpose of 422.51 a new section has been added to the 2008 NEC this section clarifys what a vending machine is.

"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 is designed to require insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card, key, or receipt of payment by other means."

I don't think that a soft serve ice cream machine would be considered a vending machine using this definition.

Chris

 

[MR. S]

I have the 2008 and it states:

422.51 Cord-and-Plug Vending Machines.
Cord-and-plug vending machines manufactured or re-manufactured on or after January 1, 2005, shall include a ground fault circuit interupter as an integral part of the attachment plug or be located within 12" 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 is designed to require insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card, key, or receipt of payment of any kind.


The 2008 handbook just states there is no voltage or current restrictions and a definition for vending machines was added.

 

[M. D.]

I believe it is an Ice Cream Maker under ul-621 and not a refrigerated vending under ul-541

from UL 621

These requirements cover unitary ice cream makers designed for connection to alternating current circuits rated not more than 600 volts. For the purposes of this standard, ice cream makers include equipment for preparing products such as hard ice cream, soft serve ice cream, milk shakes, and sherbets and may include means for dispensing the product directly into containers.