GFCI vs GFEP

[kkober@tsinc.cc]

Can i replace our 20A GFCI breakers inside a breaker box with 20A GFEP breakers? We use 2 GFCI breakers, each runs to 2 outside receptacles. These receptacles are used for water pumps and sewer pumps. Nothing else is in the circuit except these 2 receptacles. We are having alot of problems with the GFCI tripping. And its costing us many service calls. This is in the oilfield industry and we have temporary housing for the guys working on the rigs. Thanks

 

[infinity]

Short answer, no. GFCI and GFPE have different trip thresholds and GFPE is for protecting equipment not humans.

 

[kkober@tsinc.cc]

I was thinking no, due to the fact that it only takes 10mA to kill someone. GFCI trips at 5mA while GFEP trips at 30mA? Am i correct?

 

[iwire]

If you can find a code legal way to hardwire them you can forget the GFCIs.

 

[charlie b]

I was thinking no, due to the fact that it only takes 10mA to kill someone.

I think the number is closer to 100mA.

 

[charlie b]

We are having alot of problems with the GFCI tripping.

Then you have a problem with the equipment being powered by the receptacles. The GFCI device is not to blame for its having tripped. It is far more likely that it is correctly discerning that current is leaking somewhere. You should look for that leak.

 

[mopowr steve]

I'm not sure that there aren't bugs yet to resolve with GFCI's and transient or inductive kickback issues. Granted they have come a long way in that it seemed that when they first came out if you looked at one wrong it tripped. Heck I have a sump pump that will trip one every once in a blue moon. Now tell me what is wrong with my pump! If there is a real problem say with water entering an area it shouldn't then I'm sure it would trip more consistently.

 

[tom baker]

If the GFCI trips its doing its job, you don't know what the fault current was, it could be 6, 16 or 26 mA...

 

[ActionDave]

Can i replace our 20A GFCI breakers inside a breaker box with 20A GFEP breakers? We use 2 GFCI breakers, each runs to 2 outside receptacles. These receptacles are used for water pumps and sewer pumps. Nothing else is in the circuit except these 2 receptacles. We are having alot of problems with the GFCI tripping. And its costing us many service calls. This is in the oilfield industry and we have temporary housing for the guys working on the rigs. Thanks

Fix the pumps or the wiring and associated components.

Leaving the legalities aside, you could raise the level of ground fault protection till it trips at the GFEP level and then fix what was wrong in the first place.

 

[kwired]

I was thinking no, due to the fact that it only takes 10mA to kill someone. GFCI trips at 5mA while GFEP trips at 30mA? Am i correct?

Some might be 30, some might be as high as 100mA.

 

[JDB3]

I would start by using GFCI receptacles, to get it closer to the load. Will also help to determine if it is the feeder going to the receptacles or what is utilizing the power.