GFCI receptacle in Industrail control enclosure

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Dan Ward

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We design and fabricate industrial control enclosures for PLC systems including motor control etc. We often install a 120vac outlet for use by technician when he needs to plug in his laptop and go online with the PLC for program changes. For years this outlet has just been a standard 120vac outlet. But I've started running into more requirments to have panels UL approved. I find UL 508 section 28.6.6 states the 120vac outlet must be GFCI protected if installed in a nema 3R enclosure or other enclosure intended for outdoor use. Many of my peers are going one step further to consider a washdown area within and indoor facility (typically a nema 4x enclsore) should also utilize a GFCI protected outlet.

My peers tell me 2005 NEC also supporst this requirement and may even exceed UL's requirement. But I'm having a little trouble finding which article in NEC covers this. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
 
But I'm having a little trouble finding which article in NEC covers this.
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The gereral requirements for GFCI protection in a non-dwelling unit are in 210.8(B).

There are a few specific requirements in other Article such as 680 for pools.

Chris
 
NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery 2002 Edition

NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery 2002 Edition

NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery 2002 Edition
16.1.2 Receptacles for Maintenance Personnel.
Receptacles, which are part of the industrial machine, either internal or external to the control cabinet and intended for use by maintenance personnel, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection for personnel.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
One issue here is that the use of this receptacle is covered by 590.6.
Don
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Don, could you please explain why the use of this receptacle would fall under 590.6. If the receptacle a permanent installation for the use of a technician how is it a temporary installation?

Chris
 
Chris,
I am not saying that the receptacle must be of the GFCI type, just that most concievable uses for this receptacle will require GFCI protection for whatever is being used. The recptacle is not temporary, but whatever is plugged into it is.
 
Don,

Thank you for your response. I have never thought of Article 590 as it applys to finished buildings, but I can see now where in 590.6(A) this could be applicable.

Chris
 
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