ground fault protection for equipment for heat trace or heat panels on top of 2 walk in coolers 480v single phase. The prints require each walk in coolers to have one or be protected by one. Can someone explain what a GFPE for this equipment might be? Is it a piece of special equipment or device in line with circuit? the prints mention that it NEC 427.22 must be applied in this situation. Anyone seen this on walk in coolers??
GFPE for heat trace or heat panel
- Thread starter mannyb
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MNSparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor - 2023 NEC
GFPE = ground fault protection for equipment. It's a ground fault protection device that trips at 30 mA vs 5mA in the more common version for personel. GFPEs are commonly used on heat trace cable and the like. If they were were protected by a "regular" GFCI (5 mA trip level), it is common that there may be nuisance tripping.
Can't say that I've wired any on a walk in cooler or any that's 480v, but I've wired a lot of heat trace that's on roofs, gutters and downspouts. Typically 208v or 240v but sometimes 120v.
Can't say that I've wired any on a walk in cooler or any that's 480v, but I've wired a lot of heat trace that's on roofs, gutters and downspouts. Typically 208v or 240v but sometimes 120v.
MNSparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor - 2023 NEC
You can get GFPE breakers but they are usually crazy expensive. We have installed 100s of the "Line Gard" GFPDs made by North Shore Safety. Much more reasonably priced and made in the USA.
http://www.nssltd.com/products.asp
http://www.nssltd.com/products.asp
THANKS FOR INFO. I will get more info from contractor. Im just stumped by 480v and why its on top of walk in coolers
MNSparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor - 2023 NEC
That does seem strange. Are they outside where snow and ice will build up on them?
NO SIr. The drawings SAYS and I QUOTE:
1.GFPE FOR HEAT TRACE AS ARTICEL 427.22
GROUNDFAULT PROTECTION OF EQUIPMENT HEAT TRACING IN THE COOLER/FREEZER.
2. HVAC DISCONNECTING MEANS ARTICLE 440.14 TO BE LOCATED WITHIN SIGHT AND READILY ACCESSIBLE HVAC EQUIPMENT. THE DISCONNECTING SHALL BE PERMITTED TO BE INSTALLED ON OR WITH IN THE AIRCONDITION OR REFRIDGERATION EQUIPMENT.
MAYBE EQUIPMENT IS LOCATED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. i THINK WE WILL EXCLUDE UNTIL FURHTER INVESTIGATION
MNSparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor - 2023 NEC
This says it's IN the cooler. You said it was on top of it before. I wonder, if it's inside of the cooler if it might be for expedited defrosting for some reason? I can't think of any other reason they would have heat trace inside a cooler. Seems counterproductive.
I'd place a call to the refrigeration company installing the cooler before I waste any more energy on the subject...
- Location
- Massachusetts
You have to heat trace the condensate drain lines inside the freezers.
However, never seen 480 used, only 120.
MNSparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor - 2023 NEC
Is that common? I've never seen condo lines run through the inside of a cooler/freezer. They've always been on the outside of the unit, either leading to a drain or condo pump.
- Location
- Massachusetts
There is always at least some drain line between the evaporator drain pain and the exterior of the box, most times only 18" to 24" if they exit the line close to the unit. But sometimes we have to deal with 15' to 30' if they cannot run outside the box for some reason.
Dr Duke
Member
- Location
- North Dakota USA
They aren't just talking about the defrost heating element on the coils inside the cooler are they? Where you have a defrost timer set up to prevent icing on the coils.
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