GFI protection for pool motor

[jhselectric]

I have an in ground pool where I ran a 50 amp circuit to a sub panel supplied with the pool equipment. In it I have two 240v motor circuits and a circuit for the lights in the pool. To provide GFI protection, I put a 50 amp GFI breaker in the basement on the feeder to the sub panel. The Inspector is saying that this does not meet 680.22 B because the article refers to branch circuits and therefor the GFI protection needs to be outside in the sub panel. Thoughts?

 

[augie47]

A bit of a game of semantics. The particular Code cycle in use may vary the answer. The way I read '08 the "outlet... shall be provided with GFCI protection" and it doesn't say where that protection is located, but that's "my read" and I'm not your AHJ.
From a practical standpoint, branch circuit protection if often considered more desirable as it lessens the chance of nuisance trips as a b/c device monitors only one load and not the sum of multiple loads.

(You may be spitting into a hurricane and find it's not worthe the effort)

 

[stickboy1375]

I think your okay with your install, code wise anyway, but its a very poor design IMO, once that pool light fails your taking the whole pool down with it.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe the install is technically not acceptable since there is an underwater light in the pool. Art. 680.23(A)(3) specifically states that gfci shall be installed in the branch circuit. Now as Gus said we can argue the semantics but technically the inspector is correct.

I agree with stickboy that it is a bad design and makes trouble shooting a real hassle.

 

[augie47]

I believe the install is technically not acceptable since there is an underwater light in the pool. Art. 680.23(A)(3) specifically states that gfci shall be installed in the branch circuit. Now as Gus said we can argue the semantics but technically the inspector is correct.

I agree with stickboy that it is a bad design and makes trouble shooting a real hassle.

Actually, Dennis, I was too busy looking at the trees and missed the forest.. or in this case, the light. Whereas there may be some interpretation on the pump motors, as you say, the light specifically says "in the branch circuit".
I agree the inspector is correct and I would make the same call.

 

[growler]

Actually, Dennis, I was too busy looking at the trees and missed the forest.. or in this case, the light. Whereas there may be some interpretation on the pump motors, as you say, the light specifically says "in the branch circuit".
I agree the inspector is correct and I would make the same call.

Well I just want to comment on the cost of this little gray area.

Buying a single pole GFCI breaker for the light isn't very expensive, $35-$40 but buying a couple of double pole breakers of the size required really cost. For double pole breakers smaller than 50 amp they really nail you on price. I guess there is not much demand.

The cheapest double pole 20 amp breakers I have been able to find are cutler br type at around $100 ea and the price goes up from there.

I think if they want the motors protected at the branch circuit they should be more clear and that way there would be more of a demand and hopefully get the price of those breakers down a bit.