GFEP for Electric Heating of Plating Baths

[Johnshealey]

Our application is heating of plating solutions in tanks. 480V immersion heaters are used to provide heat. We have just begun adding GFEP ground fault relays, because of NEC Article 427.22, but not everyone is convinced that the articles calls for it. The definition of "Vessel" in 427.2 would seem to apply. The cost of using these relays (sensing is provided by current transformers), concerns about possible "nuisance tripping", and 30 years of experience are arguing against the use of GFEPs. If we could be sure that that Articles 427.22 is requiring them ,then the question could be settled. Can anyone offer an informed opinion? Is there a method for asking the NFPA for an opinion?

 

[mdshunk]

Plating baths are made of, or lined with, non conductive material anyhow. I'm not sure what benefit the GFP would have. I worked in a huge electronics plating plant for years, and there was no GFP on the bath heaters or the bath pumps. Lots of other things had GFCI or GFP, but they also all alarmed out to notify the HMI. GFP on the bath heaters might be a good idea to save a few rectifiers here and there. Nothing like 480 backwards into a big money rectifier.

 

[weressl]

Our application is heating of plating solutions in tanks. 480V immersion heaters are used to provide heat. We have just begun adding GFEP ground fault relays, because of NEC Article 427.22, but not everyone is convinced that the articles calls for it. The definition of "Vessel" in 427.2 would seem to apply. The cost of using these relays (sensing is provided by current transformers), concerns about possible "nuisance tripping", and 30 years of experience are arguing against the use of GFEPs. If we could be sure that that Articles 427.22 is requiring them ,then the question could be settled. Can anyone offer an informed opinion? Is there a method for asking the NFPA for an opinion?

You application does not fall under Article 427. No GFP or GFI is required. Yet...