inside whirlpool gfci protection

[terryb]

Thanks to all you guys for your comments on GFCI
installation.
I inspected a house the other day, built in 2004.
The whirlpool (hydro massage tub) in the master bathroom did not apppear to have any gfci protection.
At the main panel, there was a standard 20 amp circuit breaker, and no gfci receptacle in the bathroom seemed to be connected.
The fact that the breaker at the main panel indicated "whirlpool" (only) indicates to me that the unit is on its own dedicated circuit. Why not just install a gfci breaker in the main panel to protect that dedicated circuit.
If this is a dedicated circuit, is it okay to connect this to a gfci receptacle on a different circuit. Thanks to anybody that can help.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: inside whirlpool gfci protection

Terry, welcome to the forum!

Did you plug a GFI tester into the receptacle and verify that there was no GFCI protection to the tub?

Originally posted by terryb:
The fact that the breaker at the main panel indicated "whirlpool" (only) indicates to me that the unit is on its own dedicated circuit.

Assume nothing.

If I have an igniter receptacle for a gas range, I will pull it off the microwave circuit. I won't mention anything but the microwave on the panel schedule. The reason the circuit exists is for the microwave. The igniter is a parasite.

(Actually, thinking back to this afternoon, I did write "igniter", but that was uncharacteristic of me.)

Why not just install a gfci breaker in the main panel to protect that dedicated circuit.

1. They're usually more expensive than GFCI receptacles.
2. The distance between the panel (with the GFCI breaker) and the load could cause the GFCI to trip, due to leakage current between conductors.
3. There could be other loads on the circuit they do not want GFCI protected.

If this is a dedicated circuit, is it okay to connect this to a gfci receptacle on a different circuit.

Can you re-phrase your question?

If the tub is on a dedicated circuit, then recommend the owner have someone install a GFCI receptacle under the tub. It wouldn't be too expensive.