LAB/RESEARCH Pools and GFI requirements?

[ap0386]

What we have here on campus is an above ground pool, about 8' in depth with an enclosed room located on one end of the pool. The room is considered a black room, testing of underwater lasers, that project the beam though glass view ports into the body of water. All receptacles located in the enclosed room are GFCI protected from the panel. Unfortunately, the engineering group has received an New laser that seems to trip the GFCI when powering up and apperently is inhenrently part of it's design.

It's kind of a unique setup and wondering if somehow this equipment could be on a single outlet setup NON-GFCI or hardwired and still be NEC compliant? In no way shape or form is water introduced or exposed in this enclosed room.

 

[steve66]

I don't see anything that would require the GFCI receptacles (unless there is some requirement in standards for a lab.)

Still, they seem like a good idea since you have an area where students are experimenting with new equipment.

I would make sure the laser is connected correctly, and make sure there isn't any connection between the neutral and ground at the laser (ohming the plug prongs should suffice.)

If that checks OK, I would use a GFCI outlet instead of the GFCI breaker at the panel. Could be the wire distance is near its limit for coming off a GFI breaker.

If that fails, I don't see why a regular duplex couldn't be used.

Steve

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Contact the manufacturer of the laser. They should have some insight on this issue that could help you much better than us here.
If you do, keep us informed as to the info they pass on to you.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would not cut the cord of the laser unless the manufacturer allows that to be done. You may void the warranty if you direct wire the equipment.

Now, why are all the receptacles in this building GFCI. If there is no code reason then I would guess you can make one a non gfci receptacle for this equipment. If this equipment will be taken out to the pool area then I would strongly suggest leaving it on GFCI.

 

[haskindm]

Unless the GFCI device is defective, the equipment has current returning by some path other than the intended conductors. That means that it is inherently dangerous to use around any grounded surface, whether or not there is water present. Water just increases the danger. You and/or the manufacturer will need to determine what unintended path the current is taking and correct the problem. Installing it on a non-GFCI protected circuit does not change the fact that the piece of equipment is faulty even if it was designed that way. Poor design is poor design even if it is intentional.